JP2019037527A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To save a space while reducing the number of components.SOLUTION: A ball passage accessory 710 is arranged above a left start winning hole and a right start winning hole. The ball passage accessory 710 includes a base member 720 and a cover member 730. The base member 720 is one where a part of a circumference passage 740 guiding game balls in a downstream direction while circulating the game balls is formed. The cover member 730 is a member to be combined with the base member 720 and a member where remaining passage of the circumference passage 740 is formed. In the base member 720, a part of the circumference passage 740 is formed, and the remaining passage of the circumference passage 740 is formed in the cover member 730, so that as a component, two components, the base member 720 and the cover member 730, can compose. Thus, in comparison with the case of a three-component configuration, the base member, the cover member, and a spiral guide path, the number of components can be reduced and a space can be saved.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 17

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine that executes a game.

  Conventionally, as this type of gaming machine, a guide path for guiding a game ball flowing down a game area in a predetermined direction is provided, and the guide path is formed in a spiral shape and the entered game ball is directed downward. 2. Description of the Related Art A gaming machine is known that is configured so that a gaming ball that is guided and rolled can be visually recognized, and that a speed reducing unit that decelerates a rolling speed that moves from upstream to downstream of the gaming ball is provided on a spiral outer surface (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2015-181923

  Here, in the above-described prior art, when the spiral guide path (spiral member) is to be surrounded by the base member and the cover member, the three-part configuration including the base member, the cover member, and the spiral guide path Therefore, there is a possibility that the number of parts increases and the apparatus becomes larger.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of saving space while reducing the number of parts.

  The present invention employs the following means for solving the above problems. In addition, the wording in the following brackets is an illustration to the last, and this invention is not limited to this. Moreover, this invention can be set as the invention containing each invention specific matter shown in the following solution means. Furthermore, each invention specific matter shown in the following solution means can be subordinated by adding an element that limits the invention specific matter, and can also be subordinated by deleting an element that limits the invention specific matter. .

  Solution 1: The gaming machine of the present solution includes a game area in which a game ball flows down, and a ball passing tool disposed in the game area through which the game ball can pass. A base member in which a part of a circulation path that guides a game ball in a downstream direction while rotating the ball is formed, and a member that is coupled to the base member, and the remaining path of the circulation path is formed A gaming machine comprising a covered cover member.

This solving means has the following configuration.
(1) A game area where game balls flow down is provided. In the game area, a prize opening, an electric accessory, a start gate, an obstacle nail, an obstacle, a decoration, and the like are arranged.

(2) In the game area of (1) above, a ball passing tool through which a game ball can pass is arranged. The ball passing combination has an entrance (inlet for entrance) and an exit (outlet for exit), and a game ball that has entered the ball passing combination from the entrance is discharged from the exit.

(3) The ball passing combination of (2) includes a base member in which a part of a circulation path that guides the game ball in the downstream direction while the game ball rotates is formed.

(4) The ball passing instrument of (2) is a member coupled to the base member of (3), and includes a cover member in which the remaining passage of the circulation passage of (3) is formed. Yes.

  According to this solution, a part of the circulation passage is formed in the base member, and the remaining passage of the circulation passage is formed in the cover member. The cover member can be composed of two parts, and the number of parts can be reduced as compared with the case of a three-part structure such as a base member, a cover member, and a spiral guide path.

  Further, according to the present solution means, since the circulation path is formed in the base member and the cover member, compared with the case where the base member, the cover member, and the spiral guide path are configured by three different members, The size of each member can be reduced (thickness can be reduced), and space saving can be achieved.

  Furthermore, according to this solution, since the circulation path is formed in the base member and the cover member, compared with the system in which the circulation path is formed only in the base member and the system in which the circulation path is formed only in the cover member. The formation area of the circulation passage can be distributed to the base member and the cover member, and the base member and the cover member can be prevented from being enlarged.

  Solution 2: The gaming machine of the present solution includes a game board in which the game area is formed and a predetermined opening is formed in any one of the above-described solutions, and the base member is formed in the predetermined opening. The rear side of the base member is stored on the same plane as the rear side of the game board, or on the front side of the rear side of the game board. This is a gaming machine.

The following features are added to the gaming machine of this solution.
(1) A game area is formed, and a game board having a predetermined opening is provided. The game board is composed of a plywood material, a transparent board, or the like, and a game area is formed on the front surface.

(2) The base member is housed in the predetermined opening of (1) above. Part or all of the base member is accommodated in the predetermined opening.
(3) The back side of the rear side of the base member is disposed on the same plane as the back side of the back side of the game board of (1) above or on the front side of the back side of the back side of the game board of (1). ing.

  According to this solution, the back surface on the rear side of the base member is disposed on the same surface as the back surface on the rear side of the game board or on the front side of the back surface on the rear side of the game board. The rear side of the game board does not protrude rearward from the rear side of the game board. As a result, the base member does not get in the way when other members, wiring, boards, etc. are arranged on the rear side of the game board, and as a result, it can contribute to space saving of the entire gaming machine.

  Solution 3: The gaming machine of the present solution includes a lottery trigger generation area for generating a predetermined lottery trigger when a game ball passes in any of the above-described solution means, It is a gaming machine characterized by being arranged in the upper part of the lottery opportunity generation area.

The following features are added to the gaming machine of this solution.
(1) A lottery opportunity generation area (start gate, start prize opening) for generating a predetermined lottery opportunity (normal symbol lottery opportunity, special symbol lottery opportunity) when a game ball passes is provided. The lottery trigger generation area is provided with detection means (ball detection switch) for detecting that a game ball has passed the lottery trigger generation area.
(2) The ball passing combination is arranged above the lottery opportunity generation area (above (1)) in the above (1).

  According to this solution, the speed of the game ball can be decelerated by the ball passing object, and the game ball passes through the lottery opportunity generation area in the decelerated state. Compared to passing through the trigger generation area, non-detection by the detection means (no game ball passing through the lottery trigger generation area but no passing of the game ball) or false detection (game balls generated lottery trigger Detecting the passing of a game ball even though it has not passed through the area) can be avoided.

  In addition, according to the present solution, since the ball passing combination is arranged in the upper part of the lottery opportunity generation area, the ball passing combination is arranged in a hook-shaped nail (shaped like a letter C or a reverse letter C). Nail) and can act as a nail in the structure.

  Other solution means: A gaming machine according to this solution means in any one of the solution means described above, wherein the circuit path is a circuit for circulating the game ball n times (n is a natural number). It is.

  In the present solution, the circulation path is a path for circulating the game ball n times (n is a natural number, 1, 2, 3, etc.). For this reason, in the circuit path, the game ball does not circulate halfway, such as 0.5 times or 1.5 times, and the decimal point as if the game ball was taken once, twice, three times, etc. It will circulate around several times in nature.

  According to the present solution, the circulation path is a path for the game ball to circulate once, twice, three times, etc., so that the position of the entrance and the exit of the ball passing accessory are the same in the vertical direction. The game ball can be guided downstream in a natural flow by matching the position where the game ball enters and the position where the game ball is released in the vertical direction.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to save space while reducing the number of parts.

It is a front view of a pachinko machine. It is a rear view of a pachinko machine. It is a front view which shows a game board unit independently. It is the perspective view which showed the central accessory apparatus from the diagonally upper left. It is a figure explaining the details of composition of a route distribution part, and distribution operation in the 1st distribution operation part. It is a figure explaining the details of composition of a route distribution part, and distribution operation in the 1st distribution operation part. It is a figure which shows the detail of a structure of a raising apparatus guiding path. It is a figure which shows the detail of a structure and drive mechanism of a raising apparatus. It is a figure which shows the mode of the raise of the game ball with a raising apparatus. It is a figure which shows the mode of the raise of the game ball with a raising apparatus. It is a figure for demonstrating the distribution operation | movement in a 1st observation deck stage. It is the figure which extracted and showed a part of tower main-body part located inside the 1st observation deck stage. It is a figure for demonstrating the distribution operation | movement in a 2nd observation deck stage. It is the figure which extracted and showed a part of tower main-body part located inside the 2nd observation deck stage. It is a figure which shows the ball passing combination 710. It is a figure which shows the detail of the ball passing character 710. FIG. It is a figure which shows a mode that a game ball passes through the inside of the ball passing combination 710. FIG. It is a front view which expands and shows a part of game board unit. It is a block diagram which shows the various electronic devices with which the pachinko machine was equipped. It is a game flow figure which shows the flow of the game by a pachinko machine as an example. It is a game flow figure which shows roughly the flow of the 1st distribution operation | movement of the 1st step performed in a movable ball-throwing-object apparatus. It is a game flow figure which shows roughly the flow of the 2nd distribution operation | movement of the 2nd step | times performed within a movable entrance ball accessory apparatus. It is a timing chart which shows the change of the various states which generate | occur | produce through the game flow which progresses within a movable entrance ball accessory apparatus. It is a timing chart which shows the change of the various states which generate | occur | produce through the game flow which progresses within a movable entrance ball accessory apparatus. It is a flowchart (1/2) which shows the example of a procedure of a reset start process. It is a flowchart (2/2) which shows the example of a procedure of a reset start process. It is a flowchart which shows the example of a procedure of a power failure generation | occurrence | production check process. It is a flowchart which shows the example of a procedure of an interruption management process. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure example of a switch input event process. It is a flowchart which shows the example of a procedure of a 1st special symbol memory | storage process. It is a flowchart which shows the example of a procedure of a 2nd special symbol memory | storage process. It is a flowchart which shows the structural example of a special game management process. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a list of values of “special game management status” and progress of special games corresponding to each value. It is a flowchart which shows the example of a procedure of a special symbol change start waiting process. It is a figure which shows the structure row | line | column of a 1st special symbol stop symbol selection table. It is a figure which shows the structure column of a 2nd special symbol stop symbol selection table. It is a flowchart which shows the example of a procedure of a small hitting time instrument apparatus release process. It is a flowchart which shows the example of a procedure of the accessory device closing process at the time of a small hit. It is a flowchart which shows the example of a procedure of the end effector apparatus operation | movement completion | finish process. It is a flowchart which shows the example of a procedure of the big hit hour apparatus operation start processing. It is a flowchart which shows the example of a procedure of the big hitting equipment apparatus release process. It is a flowchart which shows the example of a procedure of the big hits equipment apparatus closing process. It is a flowchart which shows the example of a procedure of the big hitting time instrument apparatus completion | finish process. It is a flowchart which shows the example of a procedure of a solenoid control process. It is a flowchart which shows the example of a procedure of a motor management process. It is a flowchart which shows the example of a procedure of a display output management process. It is a figure which shows the example of the effect performed when it corresponds to "small hit 1". It is a continuation figure which shows the example of the production performed when it corresponds to "small hit 2" (1/2). It is a continuation figure which shows the example of the production performed when it corresponds to "small hit 2" (2/2). It is a figure which shows the example of the effect performed when a game ball enters into the big winning opening opened at the time of a small hit. It is a figure which shows the example of the effect performed when a game ball enters a fixed area | region hole. It is a figure which shows the example of the production performed when a game ball passes various fields. It is a figure which shows the example of the production performed when a game ball passes various fields. FIG. 15 is a continuous diagram partially showing an example of a big role effect executed during a jackpot game and a subsequent effect example when it corresponds to “16 round jackpot” (1/5). It is a continuation figure which partially shows the example of the big role effect performed during the jackpot game in the case of “16 round jackpot” and the subsequent effect example (2/5). It is a continuation figure which partially shows the example of the big-game effect performed during the jackpot game in the case of “16 round jackpot” and the subsequent production example (3/5). It is a continuation figure which partially shows the example of the big role effect performed during the jackpot game in the case of “16 round jackpot” and the subsequent example of the effect (4/5). FIG. 15 is a continuous diagram partially showing an example of a big role effect executed during a jackpot game in the case of “16 round jackpot” and a subsequent example of the effect (5/5). It is a figure which shows a mode that a game ball | bowl passes through the ball passing combination 710 and enters the left start winning opening 26. It is a flowchart which shows the example of a procedure of effect control processing. It is a flowchart which shows the structural example of the production management process at the time of movable entrance ball apparatus operation.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko gaming machine (hereinafter abbreviated as “pachinko machine”) 1. FIG. 2 is a rear view of the pachinko machine 1. The pachinko machine 1 uses a game ball as a game medium, and a player borrows a game ball from a game hall operator to play a game with the pachinko machine 1. In the game of the pachinko machine 1, each game ball is a medium having a game value, and a privilege (profit) that the player enjoys as a result of the game is, for example, a game ball acquired by the player Based on the number of games, it can be converted into a game value. The overall configuration of the gaming machine will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  Here, in this specification, the left side when viewed from the player seated so as to face the pachinko machine 1 is left, the right side when viewed from the player is the right, the upper side when viewed from the player is the upper side, The lower side is viewed from the player, the front side is viewed from the player, and the back side is viewed from the player.

[Overall configuration of gaming machine]
The pachinko machine 1 mainly includes an outer frame assembly 2, a glass frame unit 4, a saucer unit 6, and a plastic frame assembly 7 (game machine frame) as its main body. Among these, the outer frame assembly 2 is a structure in which wood is combined in a vertically long rectangular shape, and the outer frame assembly 2 uses fasteners such as screws for island facilities (not shown) in the game hall. Are fixed.

  The other glass frame unit 4, tray unit 6, and plastic frame assembly 7 are attached to the island facility via the outer frame assembly 2, and these operate in an openable manner via a hinge mechanism (not shown). An opening / closing axis of a hinge mechanism (not shown) extends in the vertical direction along the left end as viewed from the front of the pachinko machine 1.

  A unified lock unit 9 is provided on the right edge (left edge in FIG. 2) of the plastic frame assembly 7 when viewed from the front in FIG. Correspondingly, the glass frame unit 4 and the right edge (back side) of the outer frame assembly 2 are each provided with a locking tool (not shown). As shown in FIG. 1, in a state where the glass frame unit 4 and the plastic frame assembly 7 are closed with respect to the outer frame assembly 2, the unified lock unit 9 on the back side of the glass frame unit 4 and the plastic frame assembly together with the locking device. 7 cannot be opened.

  Further, a cylinder lock 6 a with a key hole is provided on the right edge of the tray unit 6. For example, when an administrator of a game hall inserts a dedicated key into the keyhole and twists the cylinder lock 6a clockwise, the unified lock unit 9 operates to open the glass frame unit 4 and the tray unit 6 together with the plastic frame assembly 7. It becomes a state. When these are entirely opened from the outer frame assembly 2 to the front side (moved like a door), the back side of the pachinko machine 1 is exposed on the front side.

  On the other hand, when the cylinder lock 6a is twisted counterclockwise, only the glass frame unit 4 is unlocked while the plastic frame assembly 7 remains locked, and the glass frame unit 4 can be opened. When the glass frame unit 4 is opened to the front side, the game board unit 8 is directly exposed, and in this state, the manager of the game hall can remove obstacles such as ball clogging in the board surface. Further, when the glass frame unit 4 is opened, a lock mechanism (not shown) of the tray unit 6 is exposed. When the lock mechanism is released in this state, the tray unit 6 can be opened to the front side with respect to the plastic frame assembly 7.

  The pachinko machine 1 includes the game board unit 8 described above as a game unit. The game board unit 8 is supported by the plastic frame assembly 7 behind (inside) the glass frame unit 4. The game board unit 8 can be attached to and detached from the plastic frame assembly 7 with the glass frame unit 4 opened to the front side, for example. The glass frame unit 4 has a vertically oval window 4a formed at the center thereof, and a glass unit (no reference numeral) is attached in the window 4a. The glass unit is a combination of, for example, two transparent plates (glass plates) cut in accordance with the shape of the window 4a. The glass unit is attached to the back side of the glass frame unit 4 in an openable / closable manner via a hinge mechanism (not shown). A game area 8a (board surface) is formed on the front surface of the game board unit 8, and this game area 8a is visible to the player from the front side through the window 4a. When the glass frame unit 4 is closed, a space in which a game ball can flow down is formed between the inner surface of the glass unit and the board surface.

  The saucer unit 6 has a shape projecting from the outer frame assembly 2 to the front side as a whole, and an upper dish 6b is formed on the upper surface thereof. The upper plate 6b can store a game ball (rental ball) lent to a player and a game ball (prize ball) acquired by winning a prize. In the tray unit 6, a lower plate 6c is formed at the lower position of the upper plate 6b. The lower tray 6c stores game balls that are further paid out when the upper tray 6b is full. The pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment is a so-called CR machine (model connected to the CR unit), and the game balls borrowed by the player are separated from the payout device unit 172 on the back side separately from the prize balls. It is paid out to the dish 6b or the lower dish 6c).

  A lending operation unit 14 is provided on the upper surface of the tray unit 6, and a ball lending button 10 and a return button 12 are arranged on the lending operation unit 14. When a player operates the ball lending button 10 with a valuable medium (for example, a magnetic recording medium, a storage IC built-in medium, etc.) inserted in a CR unit (not shown), the number corresponding to a predetermined frequency unit (for example, 5 degrees). (For example, 125) game balls are lent out. For this reason, a frequency display unit (not shown) is arranged on the upper surface of the lending operation unit 14, and the remaining frequency of the valuable medium put in the CR unit is displayed on this frequency display unit. The player can receive the return of the valuable medium with the remaining frequency by operating the return button 12. Although the CR machine is taken as an example in the present embodiment, the pachinko machine 1 may be a cash machine (a model not connected to the CR unit) different from the CR machine.

  Further, an upper dish ball removal lever 6d is installed on the front surface of the tray unit 6 in front of the upper dish 6b in the upper position, and a lower dish ball removal button 6e is located in the center of the lower dish 6c. Is installed. The player can cause the game balls stored in the upper plate 6b to flow down to the lower plate 6c by sliding the upper plate ball removing lever 6d leftward, for example. Further, the player can, for example, push down the lower dish ball removal button 6e to drop the game balls stored in the lower dish 6c downward and discharge them. The discharged game ball is received by, for example, a ball receiving box (not shown).

  A grip unit 16 is installed at the lower right portion of the tray unit 6. The player can operate the grip unit 16 to operate the launch control board set 174 and launch (shoot) a game ball toward the game area 8a (ball launching device, ball launching means). The launched game ball rises along the left edge of the game board unit 8, and is guided into an outer band (not shown) and thrown into the game area 8a. A large number of obstacle nails (not shown), windmills (not shown), etc. are arranged in the game area 8a, and the thrown game balls flow down in the game area 8a while being guided and guided by the obstacle nails and windmills. .

[Configuration of the board]
A relatively large movable incoming ball accessory device 30 (movable incoming ball device, special electric accessory) is installed in the center of the game area 8a. Ordinary winning ports 22 and 24 are provided on the left and right sides of the movable ball accessory device 30. In addition, a left start winning opening 26 is installed at the lower left position of the movable ball accessory device 30, a middle starting winning opening 28 is arranged at the center position, and a right starting winning opening 27 is installed at the lower right position. Has been. In addition, two or more normal winning openings may be arranged.

  The game balls thrown into the game area 8 a randomly enter the normal winning holes 22, 24 in the process of flowing down, enter the left starting winning hole 26, the middle starting winning hole 28, or the right starting winning hole 27. Enter a ball, or enter the movable ball accessory device 30 during operation (opening).

The game balls that have entered the winning holes are collected to the back side of the game board unit 8 through through holes formed in the game board 8b (plywood material constituting the game board unit 8, see FIG. 3).
On the other hand, the game balls that have flowed into the movable incoming ball accessory device 30 are further discharged through a sorting operation through a process such as flow, rolling, and rising, and are collected to the back side of the game board unit 8. Is done. Note that the sorting operation in the movable ball accessory device 30 will be further described later with reference to another drawing.

  The movable incoming ball accessory device 30 operates when a specific condition is satisfied (when a special symbol is stopped and displayed in a big hit or small hit manner), and allows the inflow of game balls. That is, the movable ball accessory device 30 has a movable piece 30a (a so-called blade member) provided at an upper position of the game area 8a. The movable piece 30a uses, for example, a large prize opening solenoid (not shown). By the function of the link mechanism, it reciprocates by a predetermined angle along the board surface.

  As shown in the drawing, the movable piece 30a is in a state of being almost upright and the large winning opening 30b is closed, and therefore, the inflow of the game ball into the movable winning ball accessory device 30 is impossible. When the movable ball accessory device 30 is actuated, the movable piece 30a is displaced so as to fall in the left-right direction in the game area 8a with the base end portion as the center, and by opening the big winning opening 30b, The inflow of game balls to the physical device 30 (entering of game balls into the big prize opening 30b) is enabled. Since the movable piece 30a and the big prize opening 30b are close to the upper position in the game area 8a, particularly near the position where the game ball is first driven, the movable piece 30a is driven into the game area 8a. The game ball is guided by the obstacle nail in the upper position and easily reaches the movable piece 30a, and is guided to the movable piece 30a as it is and flows into the big prize opening 30b.

  In addition, the movable incoming ball accessory device 30 also operates when a prescribed condition is satisfied (when a game ball passes through any specific area provided inside the movable incoming ball accessory device 30). , It is possible to enter the winning prize opening 30b. In addition, the specific area | region in the movable entrance ball apparatus 30 is further mentioned later.

  Furthermore, a round number decoration lamp 51 is installed on the right side of the center of the movable ball accessory device 30. The round number decoration lamp 51 performs an effect operation by a built-in light emitter, and the lamp of the numerical part corresponding to the specific area that passes is lit.

  In addition, an out port 32 is formed in the game area 8a, and the game balls that have not entered the starting ports are finally collected to the back side of the game board unit 8 through the out port 32. In addition, all game balls that have been driven into the game area 8 a, including game balls that have entered the movable ball accessory device 30, are collected to the back side of the game board unit 8. The collected game balls are discharged out of the frame from the back side of the pachinko machine 1 through an out passage assembly (not shown), and further join a supply path of an island facility (not shown).

[Configuration of the front of the frame]
In the glass frame unit 4, glass frame top lamps 46 and 48 and glass frame side lamps 50 are installed at a plurality of locations so as to surround the glass unit (without reference numerals) as components for production. In addition, a saucer lamp 52 is installed in the saucer unit 6, and the saucer lamp 52, the glass frame top lamps 46 and 48, and the glass frame side lamp 50 are connected integrally on the front surface of the pachinko machine 1. Designed as if it were.

  The various lamps 46 to 52 described above perform effects by, for example, light emission (lighting and blinking, change in luminance gradation, change in color tone, and the like) of built-in LEDs. In addition, a pair of left and right glass frame speakers 54 and a glass frame middle speaker 55 are built in the center of the glass frame unit 4, and the saucer unit 56 has a saucer speaker 56 on the right side of the lower plate 6 c. Is built-in. These speakers 54, 55, and 56 output sound effects, BGM, voice, etc. (sound in general) and execute effects.

  In addition, an effect switching button 45 is installed in the center of the tray unit 6 at a position in front of the upper plate 6b. The player can switch the content of the effect during the game (for example, the type of BGM) by operating the effect switching button 45.

[Ball passing role]
Above the left start winning opening 26 and the right start winning opening 27, a ball passing accessory 710 is arranged. The details of the ball passing accessory 710 will be described later.

[Configuration on the back side]
As shown in FIG. 2, on the back side of the pachinko machine 1, a power control unit 162 (power control means), a main control board unit 170, a dispensing device unit 172, a flow path unit 173, a launch control board set 174, A payout control board unit 176, a back cover unit 178, and the like are installed. In addition, on the back side of the pachinko machine 1, various electronic devices (including a control computer not shown) constituting the power supply system and control system of the pachinko machine 1, an external terminal board 160, a power cord (power plug) 164, A ground wire (ground terminal) 166, connection wiring (not shown), and the like are installed. The electronic devices will be further described later based on another block diagram (FIG. 19).

  The payout device unit 172 has, for example, a prize ball tank 172a and a prize ball case (no reference sign), and the prize ball tank 172a is installed on the upper edge (back side) of the plastic frame assembly 7. In this state, game balls replenished from a replenishment route (not shown) can be stored. The game balls stored in the prize ball tank 172a are guided to a prize ball case through an upper prize ball basket (not shown). The flow path unit 173 guides the game ball sent out from the payout device unit 172 toward the tray unit 6 on the front side.

  The external terminal board 160 is used for connecting the pachinko machine 1 to an external electronic device (for example, a data display device, a hall computer, etc.). Various external information signals (for example, award ball information, door opening information, symbol determination frequency information, jackpot information, start port information, security error information, etc.) that indicate the progress status and maintenance status are output to an external electronic device. Has become.

  The power cord 164 secures a power source (electric power) necessary for the operation of the pachinko machine 1 by being connected to, for example, a power source device (for example, AC 24V) installed in an island facility of a game arcade. In addition, the ground wire 166 is connected to a ground terminal that is also installed in the island facility, thereby securing the ground (ground) of the pachinko machine 1.

[Internal configuration of the movable pitcher]
FIG. 3 is a front view showing the game board unit 8 alone. Here, the outline | summary of the internal structure of the movable entrance ball apparatus 30 and the distribution operation | movement of a game ball is demonstrated.

  A guide path 30c is formed in the movable ball accessory device 30 with the large winning opening 30b as an open end. The guide passage 30c extends from the large winning opening 30b to the fork in the movable ball-and-ball accessory device 30 vertically and then joins at the tip, and is further bent and extends in the lower left direction. All of the game balls that have flowed in through the big prize opening 30b during the operation of the movable ball accessory device 30 are guided into the movable ball accessory device 30 through the guide passage 30c. A count switch 84 is provided in the middle of the guide path 30c (for example, each path of the bifurcated guide path), and all the game balls that have flowed into the movable incoming ball accessory device 30 are counted here. 84 (incoming ball detecting means).

  In addition, a route distribution unit 200 is disposed in the movable entrance ball apparatus 30 following the guide path 30c. The route sorting unit 200 performs a sorting operation for guiding the game ball to the normal route or the special route. If the game ball is guided to the normal route, the probability of a big hit after that is low, but if the game ball is guided to the special route, it will be a big hit after that compared to the case where the game ball is guided to the normal route. The probability of becoming higher. Details of the route distribution unit 200 will be described later.

  In addition, a first sorting operation unit 500 (first sorting operation unit, sorting operation unit) is arranged in the movable incoming ball accessory device 30 subsequent to the route sorting unit 200. The first allocating operation unit 500 passes the game ball that has entered the big winning opening of the movable ball accessory device 30 through the fixed region where it is determined that the game ball is guided to the specific region, or the fixed region Sort operation of discharging without passing through.

  Here, since the “determined area” is an area that must pass before the game ball passes through the specific area, if the game ball passes through the fixed area, the game ball will eventually pass through the specific area. Will do. However, since the game ball has not yet passed through the specific area when the game ball has passed through the fixed area, it is not a big hit in the strict sense, but from the viewpoint of the player, the game ball may pass through the fixed area. It ’s a decent jackpot.

  In any case, the first sorting operation unit 500 performs a sorting operation of whether the game ball is allowed to pass through the fixed area or is discharged without passing through the fixed area. Details of the first sorting operation unit 500 will be described later.

  A second distribution operation unit 600 (second distribution operation means, distribution operation means) is disposed downstream of the first distribution operation unit 500. The second sorting operation unit 600 includes a rising device 610 arranged from the upper end to the lower end of the right side portion of the movable incoming ball accessory device 30, and a first observatory arranged at the middle portion of the movable incoming ball accessory device 30. The stage 620 and the second observatory stage 630 disposed in the upper stage part of the movable ball accessory device 30 are configured.

  Then, the second distribution operation unit 600 performs a distribution operation of discharging the game balls that have passed through the confirmed area after passing through any one of the plurality of specific areas. That is, in the first sorting operation unit 500, a sorting operation such as whether or not to pass the determined region is performed. However, in the second sorting operation unit 600, a virtual jackpot is passed through the confirmed region. The sort operation of what kind of profit is given to the game ball in which is confirmed. Details of the second distribution operation unit 600 will be described later.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the central accessory device 300 from diagonally above and to the left. In the following drawings, in order to facilitate understanding, some of the members illustrated in FIG. 3 are omitted from illustration.

  The central accessory device 300 includes a tower main body 400 imitating a building (large tower), for example, and is roughly divided into a first distribution operation unit 500 and a second distribution operation unit 600. When the distribution operation in the first distribution operation unit 500 is successful, the game ball enters the second distribution operation unit 600.

[First sorting operation section]
The first sorting operation unit 500 includes a rotary stage 510 and a circular stage 520 (see FIG. 5).
The rotary stage 510 is a stage that can rotate counterclockwise when viewed from above, and a Y-shaped guide groove 512 is formed on the upper surface portion thereof. In the central portion in front of the rotation stage 510, a fixed area hole 514 having a size enough to allow one game ball to enter can be arranged, and further forward of the fixed area hole 514 than the fixed area hole 514. A large opening hole 516 is arranged. The game ball that has entered the fixed area hole 514 will then pass through the fixed area, and the game ball that has entered the off hole 516 will be discharged without passing through the specific area.

Here, an effect switch (determined area detecting means) (not shown) is provided in the determined area, and a game ball passing through the determined area is detected by the effect switch.
In addition, an out passage is formed at the lower edge portion of the movable ball accessory device 30. Therefore, the game ball that has entered the detachment hole 516 without entering the fixed area hole 514 is guided to the out path, and is discharged from the movable ball accessory device 30 without passing through the fixed area or the specific area. The A discharge detection switch (not shown) is provided in the out passage, and a game ball passing through the out passage is detected by the discharge detection switch.

  Here, a tower leg 518 that supports the tower main body 400 is disposed on the rotation stage 510, and the tower main body 400 also rotates as the rotation stage 510 rotates.

  The circular stage 520 (see FIG. 5) is a circular upper stage formed above the tower legs 518, and a drop for dropping a game ball from the circular stage 520 to the rotary stage 510 is provided at the center of the stage. A hole 522 (see FIG. 5) is formed.

[Second sorting operation section]
The second sorting operation unit 600 includes a lifting device 610, a first observation platform stage 620 (first special sorting unit), and a second observation platform stage 630 (second special sorting unit).
A game ball that has entered the fixed region hole 514 and then passed through a fixed region (not shown) is lifted to the first observation platform stage 620 by the lift device 610, and a sorting operation is performed there. Further, as a result of the sorting operation at the first observatory stage 620, the game balls that have passed through a special area (not shown) inside the first observatory stage 620 are raised again to the second observatory stage 630 by the ascending device 610, Therefore, the sorting operation is performed again.

  A main body motor (not shown) is disposed below the tower main body 400. A drive gear (not shown) is attached to the output shaft of the main body motor, and a driven gear (not shown) is engaged with the drive gear. The drive gear and the driven gear constitute a gear train, and power is transmitted from the drive gear to the driven gear as the main body motor rotates.

  A rotation shaft (not shown) that rotates together with the driven gear is coupled to the driven gear, and a rotation stage 510 is connected to the rotation shaft. Therefore, when the main body motor rotates, the rotation stage 510 is rotated by the power, and the tower main body 400 installed on the rotation stage 510 also rotates.

  Here, since the first observatory stage 620 and the second observatory stage 630 are annular stages serving as the outer frame of the tower body 400, the stage itself does not rotate even when the body motor 402 rotates. That is, in the tower main body 400, only the center portion rotates and the stage portion of the outer frame does not rotate. Note that the tower main body 400 has an upper end projecting forward of the game board unit 8 relative to the lower end, and a top portion is inclined toward the front side. A game ball that has entered each stage by such an inclination is in a state where it easily rolls forward of the game board unit 8.

  An origin position detection mechanism (not shown) is disposed at the lower end of the rotating shaft. The origin position detection mechanism is a device that detects the origin position related to the rotation of the tower body 400, and an index sensor, a rotary encoder, or the like can be applied thereto. The origin position detection mechanism can be constituted by, for example, a photo sensor and a rotating plate.

The photosensor includes an irradiation unit that emits light and a light receiving unit that receives light, and the irradiation unit and the light receiving unit are arranged to face each other with a predetermined interval.
The rotating plate is a rotating body that is disposed between the irradiation unit and the light receiving unit of the photosensor and rotates integrally with the rotating shaft. The rotating plate is provided with an opening hole (not shown) at the origin position.

  When the rotating plate rotates and an opening hole (not shown) is at the origin position, the photosensor is in a non-light-shielding state. Therefore, the main control CPU 72 determines that the rotating plate is at the origin position when the photosensor is in a non-light-shielded state (when a detection signal indicating that the light-shielded state is received from the photosensor is not received). Can do.

5 and 6 are diagrams for explaining the details of the configuration of the route distribution unit 200 and the distribution operation in the first distribution operation unit 500. FIG.
Here, FIG. 5 shows an example in which the game balls are distributed to the special route by the route distribution unit 200, enter the first distribution operation unit 500, and enter the confirmed area hole 514. FIG. 6 shows an example in which game balls are distributed to the normal route by the route distribution unit 200, enter the first distribution operation unit 500, and enter the release hole 516.

  The route sorting unit 200 performs a sorting operation to sort the game balls that have entered into a normal route or a special route. The route distribution unit 200 includes a route distribution unit guide path 202, a route distribution body 204, a protrusion 206, a normal route hole 208, a special route guide path 210, and a normal route guide path 212.

  The route distribution part guiding path 202 is a path for guiding the game ball from the guide path 30c (see FIG. 3) to the route distribution body 204, extends in the heel direction of the board surface, and is folded back from the highest position. It extends to the route distribution body 204 on the front side.

  The route distribution body 204 includes a circular rotating member 204a serving as a base, and a structure 204b (a structure simulating a small tower) disposed on the rotating member 204a. The rotating member 204a can rotate, for example, counterclockwise as viewed from above, and the structure 204b also rotates as the rotating member 204a rotates. Four inverted U-shaped through holes are formed in the legs of the structure 204b in four directions, and the game ball can pass through the through holes. In the present embodiment, the route distribution body 204 continues to rotate from when the pachinko machine 1 is turned on (other than during a power failure such as when the power is turned off) to when the power is shut off.

  The projecting portion 206 is formed so as to extend in a convex shape in the forward direction of the game board unit 8 from the center of the tip on the front side of the base portion 205a on which the route distribution body 204 is disposed. The protrusion 206 guides the game ball rolling on the upper part of the protrusion 206 to the special route guide path 210. Note that a special route switch (not shown) may be disposed on the special route guide route 210 to detect a game ball passing through the special route guide route 210.

  Two normal route holes 208 are arranged on both sides of the protrusion 206, and guide the game balls that have entered the normal route hole 208 to the normal route guide path 212.

  The special route guiding path 210 extends rightward from the protruding portion 206 and faces the circular stage 520 of the first sorting operation unit 500. The game ball is guided to the circular stage 520 of the first sorting operation unit 500 by the special route guide path 210.

  The normal route guide path 212 extends vertically downward from the normal route hole 208, and the route from the two normal route holes 208 merges at the vertically lower portion, and extends in the depth direction of the board surface after merging. It is directed to the rotary stage 510 of the minute operation unit 500. The game ball is guided to the rotation stage 510 of the first sorting operation unit 500 by the normal route guide path 212.

[Distribution to special route]
As shown in FIG. 5, when the game ball passes through two opposing through holes 204c formed in the legs of the route distribution body 204, the game ball rolls over the upper portion of the protrusion 206, and the special route. It is guided to the guide path 210 and guided to the circular stage 520 of the first sorting operation unit 500.

  Then, the game ball guided to the circular stage 520 rotates inside the circular stage 520, is guided to the central drop hole 522 as the rotational speed decreases, and falls to the lower rotary stage 510.

  The rotation stage 510 is formed with a Y-shaped guide groove 512, and the game ball falls into the central portion of the guide groove 512. As shown in the figure, if there is a fixed region hole 514 on the extension line of the guide groove 512 of the rotary stage 510, the game ball is guided to the guide groove 512 and enters the fixed region hole 514.

[Distribution to normal route]
As shown in FIG. 6, when the game ball is bounced by the leg of the route distribution body 204, the game ball enters the normal route hole 208, is guided to the normal route guide path 212, and the first swing is made. Guided to the rotary stage 510 of the minute motion unit 500.

  The game ball from the normal route guide path 212 is released in the direction of the rotary stage 510, but is not necessarily guided to the guide groove 512 of the rotary stage 510. A game ball that has not been successfully guided to the guide groove 512 of the rotary stage 510 falls into the shift hole 516 without changing the moving direction.

  Here, an elevating stage that moves up and down by a motor (not shown) may be disposed in the normal route guide path 212. In this case, the game ball may ride on the lifting stage and be guided to the rotary stage 510, or may be bounced to the side of the lifting stage and guided to the rotary stage 510 without riding on the lifting stage. In this way, the trajectory of the game ball entering the rotary stage 510 can be stabilized.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing details of the configuration of the lifting device guiding path 515.
The ascending device guiding path 515 is a passage provided inside the movable ball accessory device 30, and is a passage connecting the fixed region hole 514 and the ascending device 610. The ascending device guide path 515 extends vertically downward from the fixed region hole 514, and further bends to the right from there to extend to the lower opening hole 610a of the ascending device 610 (see FIG. 8).

The game ball that has entered the fixed region hole 514 is detected by the effect switch 800 arranged in the fixed region, and is guided to the lift device 610 by the lift device guide path 515.
Here, a slide member 517 is arranged in the middle of the lifting device guiding path 515. The slide member 517 is slidable in the left-right direction in the figure by a lift device guide path solenoid (not shown).

  As shown in FIG. 7A, when the lifting device guide path solenoid is in an inactive (OFF) state, the slide member 517 is in the initial position and passes through the upper surface of the slide member 517, and the game ball is Guided to lift device 610.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7B, when the lifting device guide path solenoid is in the activated (ON) state, the slide member 517 slides to the left in the drawing, and the game ball moves to the lifting device 610. Instead of being guided, it joins the out passage inside the movable entrance ball apparatus 30 and is detected by the discharge detection switch.

  In this way, the reason for guiding the game ball that has entered the fixed area hole 514 to the ascending device 610 or discharging it without guiding it to the ascending device 610 is that the ascending device is used when performing a normal sorting operation. This is because it is necessary to guide the game ball to 610, but it is not necessary to guide the game ball to the ascending device 610 once the big hit state is entered.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the configuration of the lifting device 610 and the details of the drive mechanism.
8A is a plan view of the lifting device 610, FIG. 8B is a front view of the lifting device 610, and FIG. 8C is a right side view of the lifting device 610. is there. In addition, in the following drawings, in order to make an understanding easy, there is a part which has illustrated the member in the shape different from FIG.

  The ascent device 610 is a device that ascends the game ball that has passed through the fixed region, and is provided in the first lift device that raises the game ball that has passed through the fixed region to the first observation platform stage 620 and the first observation platform stage 620. And a second ascending device that ascends the game balls that have passed through the special confirmation area to the second observatory stage 630. The first ascending device and the second ascending device include a lower portion of the same ascending device, And an upper portion.

  The ascending device 610 includes a cylindrical guiding path 611, a first viewing platform stage guiding path 612, a re-entry guiding path 613, a second viewing platform stage guiding path 614, a driving mechanism 615, and an origin position detecting mechanism 616. .

  The cylindrical guide path 611 is a cylindrical passage in which a screw conveyor 617 is disposed. The screw conveyor 617 is a conveyor that raises the game ball together with the cylindrical guide path 611. Further, the screw conveyor 617 is a movable body that performs an operation that affects the progress (rolling) of the game ball that has entered the inside of the movable entrance ball apparatus 30, and uses the rotational force of the conveyor motor 214. A rotating body that raises a game ball.

  The first observatory stage guiding path 612 is a path for guiding the game ball released from the central left opening hole 610b to the first observatory stage 620, and is directed from the cylindrical guiding path 611 to the first observatory stage 620. It extends.

  The re-entry guide path 613 is a path for guiding the game ball from the first observation deck stage 620 to the central right opening hole 610c of the ascending device 610, and is directed from the first observation deck stage 620 toward the cylindrical guide path 611. It extends.

  The second observation platform stage guidance path 614 is a path for guiding the game ball released from the upper opening hole 610d to the second observation platform stage 630, and is directed from the cylindrical guidance path 611 toward the second observation platform stage 630. It extends.

  The drive mechanism 615 includes a conveyor motor 214 disposed on the lower back surface of the cylindrical guide path 611, a drive gear 618 a attached to a rotatable output shaft of the conveyor motor 214, and a first follower meshed with the drive gear 404. It has a gear 618b, a second driven gear 618c meshed with the first driven gear 618b, and a rotating shaft 618d that rotates together with the second driven gear 618c and serves as the rotation center of the screw conveyor 617.

  The origin position detection mechanism 616 is a device that detects the origin position related to the rotation of the screw conveyor 617, and has the same configuration as the origin position detection mechanism of the tower main body 400 described above.

  Then, by rotating and driving the screw conveyor 617 by the drive mechanism 615, the game ball that has entered the lower opening hole 610a is raised to the center left opening hole 610b, or the game ball that has entered the center right opening hole 610c is moved upward. It can be raised to the opening hole 610d.

FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 are diagrams showing how the game ball is lifted by the lifting device 610.
Here, FIG. 9 shows a state in which the game ball that has entered the lower opening hole 610a is raised to the center left opening hole 610b, and FIG. 10 shows that the game ball that has entered the center right opening hole 610c is opened upward. A state in which the holes are raised to 610d is shown. In the figure, the components other than the screw conveyor 617 and the game ball are indicated by broken lines for easy understanding.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the game ball that has entered the lower opening hole 610 a is guided by the inner wall of the cylindrical guide path 611 while being pushed out by the rotation of the screw conveyor 617, and follows the left route of the cylindrical guide path 611. To rise. And if it raises to the center left opening hole 610b, it will be guide | induced to the 1st observation deck stage 620 by the guidance path 612 for the 1st observation deck stage.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the game ball that has entered the center right opening hole 610c is guided by the inner wall of the cylindrical guide path 611 while being pushed out by the rotation of the screw conveyor 617, and initially the cylindrical guide path. Go up the right route at 611. Then, in the vicinity of the center left opening hole 610b, it comes into contact with the guiding inclined portion 619 for guiding the game ball to the left route.

  The game ball that has come into contact with the guiding inclined portion 619 is guided to the upper edge of the guiding inclined portion 619 to change the guiding direction, and is pushed out from the right route of the cylindrical guiding path 611 to the left route. Then, the game ball ascends the left route as it is, and finally reaches the upper opening hole 610d formed in the upper portion of the left route. Then, the game ball that has reached the upper opening hole 610d is guided to the second observation platform stage 630 by the second observation platform stage guide path 614.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the sorting operation in the first observation deck stage 620. FIG.
The game ball guided to the first observatory stage 620 by the first observatory stage guide path 612 rolls the first observatory stage 620 left and right by the momentum. Since the first observatory stage 620 is inclined in the center direction (in a mortar shape), any game ball that loses the momentum of rolling is placed inside the tower body 400. Enter the first observatory stage gate 622 for guidance.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a part of the tower main body 400 that is located inside the first observation deck stage 620.
As shown in FIG. 12A, a part of the tower main body 400 located inside the first observation deck stage 620 has a cylindrical shape, and a first specific region indentation is formed on the side surface thereof. 624 and a re-lifting recess 626.

  The first specific region recess 624 is a recess for guiding the game ball to the first specific region for three rounds of big hit, and is a space that is approximately square in shape so that one game ball can flow in. ing. In addition, character information “3R” is displayed on the upper portion of the first specific region depression 624.

  The re-elevation recess 626 is a recess for guiding the game ball to the elevating device 610 again. The re-elevation recess 626 has a substantially rectangular shape and is longer than the first specific region recess 624 in the vertical direction. It has become. Further, the character information “UP” is displayed on the upper part of the re-lifting depression 626.

The tower main body 400 has one first specific region indentation 624 and two re-inclination indentations 626 on the front side surface, and similarly 1 on the back side surface. Two first specific region depressions 624 and two re-lifting depressions 626 are formed.
For this reason, the tower main body 400 is formed with two first specific area dents 624 and four re-lift dents 626 as a whole. Accordingly, the game ball that has entered the first observatory stage 620 enters the first specific area depression 624 with a probability of one third, and the re-elevation depression 626 with the remaining two thirds of the probability. Will enter the ball.

[Entering the first specific area indentation 624]
Here, the subsequent operation when the game ball enters the first specific area depression 624 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 12B, when a game ball enters the first specific area depression 624 through the first observation platform stage gate 622 of the first observation platform stage 620, the position of the game ball is maintained. Is done.
Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 12C, the game ball that has entered the first specific area recess 624 moves to the left as it is with the rotation of the tower body 400.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 12 (D), the game balls that have entered the first specific area depression 624 as the tower main body 400 rotates are collected to the back side of the game board unit 8 and played. It passes through a first specific area (not shown) on the back side of the panel unit 8. A first specific area switch (not shown) is provided in the first specific area, and a game ball passing through the first specific area is detected by the first specific area switch.

[Entry into the re-lifting depression 626]
Next, the subsequent operation when the game ball enters the re-elevation depression 626 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 12E, when a game ball enters the re-elevation depression 626 through the first observation platform stage gate 622 of the first observation platform stage 620, the game ball is re-elevation depression 626. Will fall down inside.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 12F, the game ball that has dropped downward moves to the left as the tower main body 400 rotates. Here, a first special opening hole 628 is formed in a portion where the game ball dropped downward is arranged, and at this point, the game ball is positioned in front of the first special opening hole 628. .

  Then, as shown in FIG. 12G, the game ball rolls forward through the first special opening hole 628 and is directly guided to the re-entry guide path 613 (see FIG. 11). The re-entry guide path 613 is provided with a special area (not shown), and a special area switch is provided in the special area. A game ball passing through the special area is detected by a special area switch.

FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the sorting operation in the second observation deck stage 630.
The game ball guided to the second observation platform stage 630 by the second observation platform stage guiding path 614 rolls the second observation platform stage 630 left and right by the momentum. Since the second observatory stage 630 tilts in the center direction (in a mortar shape), any game ball that loses the momentum of rolling enters the second observatory stage opening 631. To do.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a part of the tower main body 400 that is located inside the second observation deck stage 630.
As shown in FIG. 14A, a part of the tower main body 400 positioned inside the second observation deck stage 630 has a shape obtained by removing the conical tip portion having the lower side as a vertex. And has a second specific area indentation 634 and a third specific area indentation 635 on its side surface.

  The second specific area depression 634 is a depression for guiding the game ball to the second specific area for 7 round big hits, and has a substantially square shape and a space that allows one game ball to flow in. ing. Also, the character information “7R” is displayed on the upper part of the second specific area depression 634.

  The third specific area dent 635 is a dent for guiding the game ball to the third specific area for 16 round big hits, is substantially square, and is more vertical than the second specific area dent 634. It is a long space. In addition, character information “16R” is displayed above the third specific region depression 635.

  Here, the tower body 400 is formed with three second specific region indents 634 and three third specific region indents 635 alternately. For this reason, if a game ball reaches the second observation deck stage 630, the game ball enters the second specific area depression 634 with a probability of one half, and the remaining half of the probability with the second probability. 3 A game ball enters the depression 635 for the specific area.

[Entry into the second specific area recess]
Here, the subsequent operation when the game ball enters the second specific area depression 634 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 14B, when a game ball enters the second specific area recess 634, the game ball is stopped at the upper portion of the tower main body 400.
Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 14C, the game ball that has entered the second specific area recess 634 moves to the left as it is as the tower body 400 rotates.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 14 (D), the game balls that have entered the second specific area depression 634 with the rotation of the tower main body 400 are collected to the back side of the game board unit 8, and the game It passes through the second specific area on the back side of the panel unit 8. A second specific area switch (not shown) is provided in the second specific area, and a game ball passing through the second specific area is detected by the second specific area switch.

[Entry into the third specific area depression]
Next, the subsequent operation when the game ball enters the third specific area depression 635 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 14E, when a game ball enters the third specific area depression 635, the game ball falls downward inside the third specific area depression 635.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 14F, the game ball that has dropped downward moves to the left as the tower main body 400 rotates.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 14 (G), as the tower main body 400 rotates, the game balls that have entered the third specific area recess 635 are collected to the back side of the game board unit 8, and the game It passes through the third specific area on the back side of the panel unit 8. A third specific area switch (not shown) is provided in the third specific area, and a game ball passing through the third specific area is detected by the third specific area switch.

FIG. 15 is a view showing a ball passing accessory 710.
15A is a perspective view of the ball passing tool 710, and FIG. 15B is a perspective view of the ball passing tool 710, which is an exploded perspective view of the ball passing tool 710. FIG.

  The ball passing combination 710 is a structure that is arranged in the game area 8a (see FIG. 3) where the game ball flows down and through which the game ball can pass.

  Further, the ball passing combination 710 generates a lottery trigger for a special symbol lottery (predetermined lottery trigger) when a game ball enters (passes) (see a lottery trigger generation area, see FIG. 3). ) And the right start winning opening 27 (the lottery opportunity generation area, see FIG. 3).

The ball passing accessory 710 includes a base member 720 and a cover member 730.
The base member 720 is a member in which a part of the circulation path 740 that guides the game ball in the downstream direction while circulating the game ball is formed.
The base member 720 includes a thin plate-like base member 722 and a box-shaped box-shaped member 724 in which a part of the circulation path 740 is formed. Fixing holes 722a are formed on the left and right sides of the base member 722, and a ball passing member 710 is fixed to the game board by inserting a fastening member such as a screw or a pin into the fixing hole 722a.

  The cover member 730 is a member that is coupled to the base member 720 and is a member in which the remaining passage of the circulation passage 740 is formed. The base member 720 and the cover member 730 are coupled by a fastening member such as a screw or a pin.

  The ball passing member 710 is preferably formed of a transparent or translucent member, but only the cover member 730 may be formed of a transparent or translucent member.

Further, the ball passing accessory 710 includes an inlet 750 and an outlet 760.
The inlet 750 is disposed at the upper part of the ball passing accessory 710 and is a hole having a size capable of receiving one game ball.
The outlet 760 is disposed at a position below the ball passing accessory 710 and at least partially overlapping with the inlet 750 in the vertical direction, and is a hole having a size capable of discharging one game ball.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing details of the ball passing accessory 710.
16A is a plan view of the ball passing tool 710, FIG. 16B is a front view of the ball passing tool 710, and FIG. 16C is a ball passing tool. 710 is a right side view of 710, and (D) in FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the ball passing accessory 710 along the DD cutting line.

  As shown in FIG. 16A, the base member 720 is housed in an opening 8c formed in the game board 8b, and the rear surface 726 on the rear side of the base member 720 is the rear surface on the rear side of the game board 8b. It is arranged on the same plane as 8e. Note that the rear side 726 on the rear side of the base member 720 may be disposed on the front side of the rear side 8e on the rear side of the game board 8b.

  As shown in FIG. 16B, when the ball passing accessory 710 is viewed from the front, the circulation passage 740 is visible.

  As shown in (C) and (D) in FIG. 16, the circulation path 740 has an inclination that guides it in the downstream direction so that the game ball that has entered the ball passing accessory 710 smoothly rolls downstream. It is attached.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a game ball passes through the inside of the ball passing tool 710.
As shown in FIG. 17A, the game ball is falling toward the entrance 750 of the ball passing accessory 710.

  As shown in FIG. 17 (B), the game ball that has entered the ball passing agent 710 from the entrance 750 is first moved in the lower left direction by the first inclined surface 771 inclined in the lower left direction (upper right direction in the drawing). And then guided rearward by a second inclined surface 772 inclined rearward (downward right in the drawing), and when passing through the second inclined surface 772, it falls downward.

  As shown in FIG. 17C, the game ball dropped downward from the second inclined surface 772 is first inclined in the rearward and lower right direction (upper right direction and lower right direction in the figure). When guided by the surface 773 in the rear direction and the lower right direction, then guided in the front direction by the fourth inclined surface 774 inclined in the forward direction (lower left direction in the drawing), and further passed through the fourth inclined surface 774, Fall down.

  As shown in FIG. 17D, the game ball that has dropped downward from the fourth inclined surface 774 is discharged from the outlet 760, and the left start winning port 26 (see FIG. 3) or the right start winning port 27 (FIG. 3). Head to see). Note that a game ball headed to the left start winning port 26 or the right start winning port 27 does not necessarily enter the left start winning port 26 or the right start winning port 27.

  As described above, the circulation passage 740 includes the first inclined surface 771 to the fourth inclined surface 774 and the like, and is a passage that makes the game ball go around once.

FIG. 18 is an enlarged front view showing a part of the game board unit 8 (lower right position in the window 4a). That is, the game board unit 8 is provided with a first special symbol display device 34 and a second special symbol display device 35, for example, at the lower right position in the window 4a.
The first special symbol display device 34 and the second special symbol display device 35 can display the variation state and stop state of the special symbol by, for example, 7 segment LEDs (with dots), respectively (symbol display means). In the present embodiment, the working memory lamp and the working memory number display device corresponding to the special symbol are not provided.

  In addition, the game state display device 38 includes, for example, three LEDs corresponding to the jackpot type display lamps 38a, 38b, and 38c, respectively. In FIG. 18, other lamps (LEDs) not particularly denoted by reference numerals are unused (blank). In the present embodiment, the first special symbol display device 34, the second special symbol display device 35, and the game state display device 38 described above are mounted on the game board unit 8 in a state of being mounted on one integrated display board 89. Yes.

[Control configuration]
Next, a configuration related to control of the pachinko machine 1 will be described. FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing various electronic devices equipped in the pachinko machine 1. The pachinko machine 1 includes a main control device 70 that serves as the center of the control operation. The main control device 70 mainly has a function of controlling the progress of the game in the pachinko machine 1. The main controller 70 is built in the main control board unit 170 described above.

  The main controller 70 is equipped with a circuit board (main control board) on which a main control CPU 72 as a central processing unit is mounted. The main control CPU 72 includes a ROM 74, a RAM ( RWM) 76 and other semiconductor memories are integrated as an LSI. The main controller 70 is equipped with a random number generator 75 and a sampling circuit 77. Among these, the random number generator 75 generates a hardware random number (for example, 0 to 65535 in decimal notation) for the big hit determination (or the small hit determination), and the generated random number is the sampling circuit 77. To the main control CPU 72. In addition, the main controller 70 is equipped with peripheral ICs such as an input / output (I / O) port 79, a clock generation circuit (not shown), a counter / timer circuit (CTC), etc., and these are circuited together with the main control CPU 72. It is mounted on the board. A signal transmission path, a power supply path, a control bus, and the like are formed as wiring patterns on the circuit board (or the inner layer portion).

  The game board unit 8 includes a left start winning port switch 80, a middle start winning port 28, a right start winning port 27, a right start winning port 27, and a left start winning port switch 81 and a middle start winning port switch 81, respectively. , A right start winning opening switch 82 and a count switch 84 are provided. Among these, the left start winning port switch 80, the middle start winning port switch 81, and the right start winning port switch 82 are for detecting the entry of game balls into the respective start winning ports. The count switch 84 is for detecting the number of game balls that have entered the movable ball accessory device 30 (large winning opening 30b) and counting the number thereof.

Further, the game board unit 8 includes a first specific area switch 701 (specific area detecting means, discharge after passing through the specific area) corresponding to the first specific area, the second specific area, the third specific area, and the fixed area described above. Detection means), a second specific area switch 702 (specific area detection means, discharge detection means after passing through a specific area), a third specific area switch 703 (specific area detection means, discharge detection means after passing through a specific area), and an effect switch 800 Is provided. When the main control CPU 72 receives a detection signal from each switch, the main control CPU 72 transmits a region passing command to the effect control CPU 126 for each.
In addition to these, a discharge detection switch 900 is provided in the movable ball accessory device 30. The discharge detection switch 900 detects the game ball discharged from the movable entrance ball apparatus 30 and outputs a detection signal thereof (discharge detection means).

  Similarly, the game board unit 8 is equipped with a winning port switch 86 for detecting the winning of a game ball to the normal winning ports 22 and 24. In addition, the common winning opening switch 86 may be the same for all the normal winning openings 22, 24, or a separate winning opening switch 86 may be provided for each of the plurality of normal winning openings 22, 24. For example, it is good also as detecting the winning of the game ball with respect to each normal winning opening by installing another winning opening switch 86 in each of four places on the left and right sides of the board.

  In any case, the winning detection signals of these switches 80 to 86, 701 to 703, 800, and 900 are input to the main control CPU 72 via an input / output driver (not shown). Due to the configuration of the game board unit 8, in this embodiment, the left start winning port switch 80, the middle start winning port switch 81, the right start winning port switch 82, the first specific area switch 701, the second specific area switch 702, and the second 3 Since the detection signal from the specific area switch 703 is the signal that most directly affects the player's profit, it is transmitted to the main control device 70 without any relay, and other detection signals are relayed to the panel. The signal is transmitted to the main controller 70 via the terminal board 87. The panel relay terminal plate 87 is provided with wiring patterns, connection terminals, and the like for relaying the respective detection signals.

  The first special symbol display device 34, the second special symbol display device 35, and the game state display device 38 described above are controlled in display operation based on a control signal from the main control CPU 72. The main control CPU 72 outputs control signals for the first special symbol display device 34, the second special symbol display device 35, and the game state display device 38 according to the progress of the game, and controls the lighting state of each LED. . Further, the first special symbol display device 34, the second special symbol display device 35, and the game state display device 38 are installed in the game board unit 8 in a state of being mounted on one integrated display board 89 as described above. A control signal is transmitted from the main control CPU 72 to the integrated display board 89 via the panel relay terminal board 87.

In addition, the game board unit 8 is provided with a big prize opening solenoid 90 corresponding to the movable ball-pitch accessory device 30. The special winning opening solenoid 90 operates (excites) based on a control signal from the main control CPU 72 and operates (opens) the movable ball accessory device 30.
Further, the game board unit 8 is provided with a lifting device guiding path solenoid 95 inside the movable ball-indicating accessory device 30. The ascending device guiding path solenoid 95 operates (excites) based on a control signal from the main control CPU 72 and performs a discharging operation during the big hit game. The special winning opening solenoid 90 and the lift device guide path solenoid 95 are relayed by the panel relay terminal plate 87 and a control signal is transmitted from the main control CPU 72.

  Further, the game board unit 8 includes a sorting body motor 213, a body motor 402, and a conveyor corresponding to the route sorting body 204, the tower body 400, and the screw conveyor 617, respectively, inside the movable entrance ball apparatus 30. A motor 214 (drive source) is provided. Of these, the sorting motor 213 rotates the root sorting body 204. The main body motor 402 rotates the tower main body 400. The conveyor motor 214 rotates the screw conveyor 617. Similarly for these motors, a control signal is transmitted from the main control CPU 72 via the panel relay terminal board 87.

  In the present embodiment, a drive signal for constant operation is output from the main controller 70 (main control CPU 72) to each of the motors 213, 402, and 214. For each of the motors 213, 402, and 214, an origin position relating to rotation is detected using an origin detection mechanism such as an index sensor (not shown). For this reason, the origin position detection signal from these origin detection mechanisms is input to the main controller 70.

  Further, the game board unit 8 is provided with a magnetic sensor 250 and a vibration sensor 252 (vibration detecting means), and among these, the magnetic sensor 250 detects a magnetic flux flying to the game board unit 8 at the installation position. Then, a detection signal corresponding to the density (magnetic intensity) is output. Further, the vibration sensor 252 detects acceleration (vibration) transmitted to the game board unit 8 at the installation position, and outputs a detection signal corresponding to the magnitude. The detection signals of the magnetic sensor 250 and the vibration sensor 252 are input to the main controller 70 (main control CPU 72) through the panel relay terminal board 87, respectively.

  In addition, a glass frame opening switch 91 is installed in the glass frame unit 4, and a plastic frame opening switch 93 is installed in the plastic frame assembly 7. When the glass frame unit 4 is opened alone, a contact signal from the glass frame opening switch 91 is input to the main controller 70 (main control CPU 72), and the plastic frame assembly 7 is opened from the outer frame assembly 2. Then, a contact signal from the plastic frame opening switch 93 is input to the main controller 70 (main control CPU 72). The main control CPU 72 can detect the open state of the glass frame unit 4 and the plastic frame assembly 7 from these contact signals. When the main control CPU 72 detects the open state of the glass frame unit 4 and the plastic frame assembly 7, the main control CPU 72 generates a door opening information signal as the external information signal.

  On the back side of the pachinko machine 1, a payout control device 92 is provided. The payout control device 92 (payout control computer) controls the operation of the payout device unit 172 described above. The payout control device 92 is equipped with a circuit board (payout control board) on which a payout control CPU 94 is mounted. The payout control CPU 94 is also an LSI in which a semiconductor memory such as a ROM 96 and a RAM 98 is integrated together with a CPU core (not shown). It is configured. The payout control device 92 (payout control CPU 94) controls the operation of the payout device unit 172 based on the prize ball instruction command from the main control CPU 72, and executes the payout operation of the requested number of game balls. The main control CPU 72 generates a prize ball information signal as the above external information signal together with the prize ball instruction command.

  In a prize ball case (not shown) of the payout device unit 172, a payout device substrate 100 is installed together with a payout motor 102 (for example, a stepping motor). The payout device substrate 100 is provided with a drive circuit for the payout motor 102. Yes. The payout device substrate 100 specifically controls the rotation angle of the payout motor 102 based on the payout number instruction signal from the payout control device 92 (the payout control CPU 94), and pays out the designated number of game balls from the prize ball case. Let it come out. The paid-out game ball is sent to the tray unit 6 through the payout flow path in the flow path unit 173.

  Further, for example, a payout path ball cut switch 104 is installed at an upstream position of the prize ball case, and a payout counting switch 106 is installed at a downstream position of the payout motor 102. When a prize ball is actually paid out by driving the payout motor 102, a count signal from the payout count switch 106 is input to the payout device substrate 100 each time. Further, when a ball break occurs at an upstream position of the prize ball case, a contact signal from the payout path ball break switch 104 is input to the payout device substrate 100. The dispensing device substrate 100 transmits the input count signal and contact signal to the dispensing control device 92 (dispensing control CPU 94). The payout control CPU 94 can detect the actual payout number and the out-of-ball state based on the signal received from the payout device substrate 100.

  Further, the pachinko machine 1 is provided with a full tank switch 161, for example, inside the lower plate 6c (the position of the bowl as viewed from the front of the pachinko machine 1). The prize balls (game balls) that are actually paid out are discharged to the upper plate 6b through the flow path unit 173. When the upper plate 6b is full of game balls, As described above, it flows into the lower plate 6c. When the lower tray 6c is filled with game balls, the full tank switch 161 is turned ON, and a full tank detection signal is input to the payout control device 92 (payout control CPU 94). In response to this, even if the payout control CPU 94 receives a prize ball instruction command from the main control CPU 72, it temporarily suspends further prize ball operations, and stores the unpaid prize ball remaining number in the RAM 98. Note that the RAM 98 can be backed up even when the power is cut off, so that even if a power failure (including momentary power failure) occurs during the game, the information on the number of remaining unsold prize balls will not be lost. .

  Further, on the back side of the pachinko machine 1, a firing solenoid 110 is installed together with the launch control board 108. A ball feed solenoid 111 is provided in the tray unit 6. The launch control board 108, the launch solenoid 110, and the ball feed solenoid 111 constitute the launch control board set 174 described above, and the launch control board 108 is provided with drive circuits for the launch solenoid 110 and the ball feed solenoid 111. ing. Among these, the ball feed solenoid 111 performs an operation of sending out the game balls stored in the tray unit 6 one by one to a predetermined launch position in the launcher case. In addition, the launch solenoid 110 hits the game ball sent to the launch position, and performs the operation of firing game balls one by one continuously (intermittently) toward the game area 8a as described above. Note that the game ball is fired at intervals of, for example, about 0.6 seconds (within 100 per minute).

  On the other hand, the grip unit 16 located on the front side of the pachinko machine 1 is provided with a firing lever volume 112, a touch sensor 114, and a firing stop switch 116. Among these, the firing lever volume 112 generates an analog signal proportional to the operation amount (so-called stroke) of the firing handle by the player. The touch sensor 114 detects that the player's body is touching the grip unit 16 (launching handle) from the change in capacitance, and outputs a detection signal. The firing stop switch 116 generates a firing stop signal (contact signal) in accordance with the player's operation.

  The above receiving tray unit 6 is provided with a launch relay terminal plate 118, and each signal from the launch lever volume 112, the touch sensor 114, and the launch stop switch 116 is sent via the launch relay terminal plate 118. Sent to. The drive signal from the launch control board 108 is applied to the ball feed solenoid 111 via the launch relay terminal board 118. When the player operates the firing handle, an analog signal (which may be an encoded digital signal) is generated by the firing lever volume 112 according to the operation amount, and the firing solenoid 110 is driven based on the signal at this time. Thereby, the strength of launching a game ball is adjusted according to the operation amount of the player. The drive circuit of the firing control board 108 stops driving the firing solenoid 110 when the detection signal from the touch sensor 114 is off (low level) or when the firing stop signal is input from the firing stop switch 116. To do. In addition to this, the launch relay terminal plate 118 is connected with a lending device connection terminal plate 120 such as a game ball, and when the above-mentioned CR unit is not connected to this lending device connection terminal plate 120 such as a game ball, the launch is similarly performed. The drive circuit of the control board 108 stops driving the firing solenoid 110.

  The tray unit 6 includes a frequency display board 122 and a lending / return switch board 123. Of these, the frequency display board 122 is provided with the display of the frequency display unit (7-segment LED for 3 digits). In addition, switch modules connected to the ball lending button 10 and the return button 12 are mounted on the lending / return switch board 123, and when the ball lending button 10 or the return button 12 is operated, the operation signal is lended. And the return switch board 123 via the game ball lending device connection terminal board 120 to the CR unit. Further, a frequency signal indicating the remaining frequency of the valuable medium is transmitted from the CR unit to the frequency display board 122 via the gaming ball lending device connection terminal board 120. A display circuit (not shown) on the frequency display board 122 drives the display unit based on the frequency signal, and displays the remaining frequency of the valuable medium as a numerical value. In addition, when no valuable medium is inserted into the CR unit, or when the remaining frequency of the inserted valuable medium becomes zero, the display circuit of the frequency display board 122 drives the display to display a demonstration (value medium). Display for urging the user to input.

  Moreover, the pachinko machine 1 includes an effect control device 124 as a control configuration. The effect control device 124 controls the effect accompanying the progress of the game in the pachinko machine 1. The effect control device 124 is also equipped with a circuit board (composite sub-control board) on which an effect control CPU 126 that is a central processing unit is mounted. The effect control CPU 126 includes a CPU core (not shown) and a semiconductor memory such as a ROM 128 and a RAM 130 as a main memory. The effect control CPU 126 can be of a type that is faster (high clock frequency) than the main control CPU 72 and has a wide data bus width (for example, 64 bits). The production control device 124 is provided at a position covered with the back cover unit 178 on the back side of the pachinko machine 1.

  The effect control device 124 is equipped with an input / output driver (not shown) and various peripheral ICs, as well as a lamp drive circuit 132 and an acoustic drive circuit 134. The production control CPU 126 performs production control based on the production command transmitted from the main control CPU 72, and gives commands to the lamp driving circuit 132 and the acoustic driving circuit 134 to emit various lamps 46 to 52 and the panel lamp 53. Or a process of actually outputting sound effects, voices, and the like from the speakers 54, 55, and 56.

  The lamp driving circuit 132 includes a switching element such as a PWM (pulse width modulation) IC or a MOSFET (not shown). The lamp driving circuit 132 switches driving voltages (or duty switching) applied to various lamps including LEDs. ) And manage the operation such as light emission and flashing. In addition to the glass frame top lamps 46 and 48, the glass frame side lamp 50, and the saucer lamp 52, the various lamps include a decoration and performance board lamp 53 installed in the game board unit 8. The board lamp 53 corresponds to an LED built in the movable ball accessory device 30 or the like. In addition, although the example which the saucer lamp 52 is connected to the glass frame decorating board 136 is given here, a saucer decorating board is installed in the saucer unit 6, and the saucer lamp 52 is interposed via the saucer decorating board. It may be configured to be connected to the lamp driving circuit 132.

  The acoustic drive circuit 134 is a sound generator with a built-in sound ROM, acoustic control IC, amplifier, and the like (not shown), for example, and the acoustic drive circuit 134 drives the speakers 54, 55, and 56 to output sound.

  In the present embodiment, a glass frame decoration board 136 is installed on the inner surface of the glass frame unit 4, and drive signals from the lamp drive circuit 132 and the acoustic drive circuit 134 pass through the glass frame decoration board 136 and various lamps 46. To 52 and speakers 54, 55, and 56. Also, the effect switching button 45 is connected to the glass frame decorating board 136, and when the player operates the effect switching button 45, the contact signal is sent to the effect control device 124 through the glass frame decorating board 136. Entered. In addition, although the example which connected the production | presentation switch button 45 to the glass frame electrical decoration board | substrate 136 is given here, when installing said saucer illumination board, the production switch button 45 is connected to the saucer illumination board. Also good.

  In addition, the panel board 138 is installed in the game board unit 8, and a drive signal from the lamp drive circuit 132 is applied to the panel lamp 53 via the panel board 138.

  As described above, the special area switch 901 and the special route switch 902 are provided inside the movable entrance ball apparatus 30. Note that the various switches may be detection switches that detect that a game ball has approached. The special area switch 901 and the special route switch 902 are ball detectors for generating a certain performance operation when the game ball passes. The detection signals of the special area switch 901 and the special route switch 902 are transmitted via the panel illumination board 138 and input to the effect control CPU 126 via an input / output driver (not shown). In addition, although the form which connects the special area switch 901 and the special route switch 902 to the effect control device 124 is described as an example here, the special area switch 901 and the special route switch 902 may be connected to the main control device 70. . In this case, when the main control CPU 72 receives a detection signal from the special area switch 901 or the special route switch 902, an effect command may be transmitted to the effect control CPU 126 for each.

  The display device for effect 42 is installed above the movable ball accessory device 30, and the display screen is visible from the front surface of the game board unit 8. The effect display device 42 may not be installed. Further, an effect drive control device 144 is installed on the back side of the game board unit 8, and the display operation by the effect display device 42 is controlled by the effect drive control device 144. The effect drive control device 144 is equipped with a circuit board (effect drive control board) on which a drive control CPU 146, which is a general-purpose central processing unit, is mounted. The drive control CPU 146 is configured as an LSI in which semiconductor memories such as a ROM 148 and a RAM 150 are integrated together with a CPU core (not shown).

  The ROM 128 of the effect control CPU 126 stores a basic program related to effect control, and the effect control CPU 126 executes effect control according to this program. The production control includes the production control using the various lamps 46 to 53 and the speakers 54, 55 and 56 as described above, and the display production control using the production display device 42. The effect control CPU 126 transmits basic information (for example, effect number) regarding the effect to the drive control CPU 146, and the drive control CPU 146 that has received the information specifically displays the effect display device 42 based on the basic information. The lighting status of each is controlled individually.

  In addition, a power supply control unit 162 is provided on the back side of the plastic frame assembly 7. The power supply control unit 162 has a built-in switching power supply circuit. When external power (for example, AC 24V) is taken from the island facility through the power cord 164, necessary power (for example, DC + 34V, + 12V) can be generated therefrom. The electric power generated by the power supply control unit 162 is distributed to the main control device 70, the payout control device 92, and the effect control device 124. Furthermore, power is supplied to the launch control board 108 via the payout control device 92, and power is supplied to the CR unit via the game ball rental device connection terminal board 120. In addition, power is supplied to the effect drive control device 144 via the effect control device 124, and power is distributed from the effect drive control device 144 to the effect display device 42. The low voltage power for logic (for example, DC + 5V) is generated by a power supply IC (3-terminal regulator or the like) built in each device. Further, as described above, the power supply control unit 162 is grounded (grounded) to the island facility through the ground wire 166.

  The external terminal plate 160 is connected to the payout control device 92, and various external information signals generated by the main control device 70 (main control CPU 72) pass through the payout control device 92 to the external terminal plate 160. Is output to the outside. The main control device 70 (main control CPU 72) and the payout control device 92 (payout control CPU 94) can output an external information signal to the outside of the pachinko machine 1 through the external terminal board 160. The signals output from the external terminal board 160 are collected by, for example, a hall computer (not shown) in a game hall. Here, the configuration via the payout control device 92 is taken as an example, but a configuration in which an external information signal is directly output from the main control device 70 to the external terminal board 160 may be used.

[Game flow]
Next, FIG. 20 is a game flow diagram showing an example of a game flow by the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment. A normal game by the pachinko machine 1 is started by driving (launching) a game ball into the game area 8a. Hereinafter, the flow of the game will be described on the assumption that the game ball is launched.

[F01: Entering the starting prize opening]
When a game ball flows into the game area 8a and enters a left start winning port 26, a middle start winning port 28, or a right start winning port 27, a left start winning port corresponding to each start winning port The passing of the game ball is detected by the switch 80, the middle start winning opening switch 81 or the right starting winning opening switch 82, and a special symbol lottery is performed in response to this.

  The special symbol lottery is a lottery related to whether or not the movable entrance ball apparatus 30 is operated. If no game ball has entered any of the starting winning openings, the game flow is terminated for the time being, and the game flow is started again aiming for entering the starting winning opening (F01).

  Although not particularly illustrated, when a special symbol lottery is performed, after the special symbol is variably displayed over a predetermined variation time in the first special symbol display device 34 or the second special symbol display device 35, the lottery result is displayed. It is stopped and displayed in a manner to represent. The variation pattern of the special symbol by the first special symbol display device 34 or the second special symbol display device 35 may be changed randomly by lottery or fixed to a certain variation pattern.

Here, in this embodiment, the first special symbol lottery (internal lottery) is performed in response to the ball entering the left start winning port 26 or the right start winning port 27, while the ball entering the middle start winning port 28 is The second special symbol lottery (internal lottery) is performed as an opportunity.
And since the winning probability (small winning probability) of the special symbol lottery is set to 1 (= approximately 1/1), when a game ball enters any start winning opening, it corresponds to the small hit as it is. become. Therefore, it is not particularly necessary to internally acquire the hit determination random number in the main controller 70, but it may be intentionally acquired. In the present embodiment, there is not provided a hit (so-called direct hit, per direct hit) in which a big hit game is directly executed especially when a ball enters each start winning opening, but the hit determination random number acquired here is used. The direct hit determination may be performed.

  Further, in this embodiment, the special symbol has no display of “out of”, and corresponds to “small hit 1” in the lottery based on the first special symbol, and “small hit 2” in the lottery based on the second special symbol. It is supposed to be. The difference between “small hit 1” and “small hit 2” is related to the number of operations of the movable incoming ball accessory device 30. When “small hit 1” is met, the movable incoming ball accessory device 30 is 1 In the case of “twice per small”, the movable incoming ball accessory device 30 is operated twice.

[F02: Movable ball accessory device operation]
In any case, when the special symbol is stopped and displayed in a small hitting manner by the first special symbol display device 34 or the second special symbol display device 35, the movable pitching accessory device 30 is activated (opened). Operate. The operation of the movable ball accessory device 30 changes the movable piece 30a to the open position as described above. In the present embodiment, the “small hit 1” is performed over a predetermined open time (for example, about 1 second). The movable piece 30a is opened for a short period of time only once when it corresponds to "2", and only twice when it corresponds to "small hit 2".

[F03: Determination of entry to the big prize opening]
Next, it is determined whether or not a game ball has entered the grand prize opening 30b when the movable ball-type accessory device 30 is activated. Here, when a game ball enters the grand prize opening 30b, the game flow further proceeds to a sorting operation within the movable ball-throwing instrument 30. If a game ball does not enter the big prize opening 30b of the movable ball accessory device 30, the game flow is terminated for the time being, and the game flow is started again aiming for entry to the starting prize opening (F01). Will do.

[F04: Determination of passage through specific area]
When the game flow progresses into the movable ball accessory device 30, whether or not the game ball has finally passed through any specific area (V prize) through various game ball sorting operations as described above. Is determined. As a result, if the game ball is finally ejected from the movable entrance ball apparatus 30 without passing through the specific area, unfortunately, the game flow is ended there, and the entrance to the starting prize opening (F01) is made again. Aiming to start the game flow.

[F05: Big hit game execution]
On the other hand, when the game ball passes through a specific area (V winning) in the movable ball accessory device 30, the movable ball accessory device 30 is activated again. Specifically, for example, either a large winning opening is opened a predetermined number of times (for example, 18 times) over a predetermined opening time (for example, 1 second), or a prescribed number (for example, 9) of game balls has been won. A special game is executed in which one round is set until such a condition is satisfied, and this round is repeated over a predetermined number of continuous operations.

  In the present embodiment, the number of continuous operations is set to 3 times when the game ball passes through the first specific area, 7 times when the game ball passes through the second specific area, When passing 3 specific areas, it is set to 16 times. During such a big hit game (during the operation of the movable ball accessory device 30), a large number of balls can be generated in the short prize opening 30b that is normally closed in a short period of time, so that One can collect many prize balls together. In the present embodiment, [F02] operation of the movable ball accessory device is the first round.

[Game flow in the movable pitching device]
Next, the game flow that proceeds in the movable ball accessory device 30 will be described. Here, a two-stage sorting operation is executed in the movable entrance ball accessory 30 of the present embodiment.
The first distribution operation at the first stage corresponds to an operation of distributing the game balls to the detachment hole 516 or the fixed region hole 514. The second distribution operation at the second stage corresponds to an operation of distributing the game balls to any one of the three specific regions.

  FIG. 21 is a game flow diagram schematically showing the flow of the first sorting operation performed in the first stage executed in the movable ball accessory device 30. Here, the “game flow” corresponds to a game flow that progresses with the rolling and distribution of game balls.

[F10: Route distribution part reached]
When a game ball flows into the movable entrance ball apparatus 30, the game ball first reaches the route distribution unit 200.

[F11: Route distribution]
A game ball that has reached the route distribution unit 200 passes through the inside of the rotating route distribution body 204 or is repelled by the rotating route distribution body 204 to perform route distribution.

[F12: Normal route]
When a game ball is bounced to the leg of the route distribution body 204, the traveling direction of the game ball changes, so that the game ball enters the normal route hole 208, and the game ball is distributed to the normal route.

[F13: Reaching rotary stage]
The game balls distributed to the normal route are guided to the normal route guide path 212 and enter the rotation stage 510 from the left side of the rotation stage 510. However, the game ball that has entered the rotary stage 510 may get on the guide groove 512 of the rotary stage 510, or may pass through the rotary stage 510 without being put on.

[F14: Special route]
On the other hand, when the game ball passes through between the legs of the route distribution body 204 without being played by the legs of the route distribution body 204, the game ball rolls on the protrusion 206, and the game ball Sorted to a special route.

[F15: Circular stage reached]
The game balls distributed to the special route are guided to the special route guide path 210 and reach the circular stage 520.

[F13: Reaching rotary stage]
The game ball that has reached the circular stage 520 gradually decreases in rotation speed while rotating inside the circular stage 520, and finally falls to the rotary stage 510 through a drop hole 522 provided in the center of the circular stage 520.

  Here, in the present embodiment, either via the normal route or via the special route, the game ball will reach the rotation stage 510 in any case. Since it falls to the center position, it will be in the state which is easy to be guide | induced to the guide groove 512, and it will be in the state which is easy to enter into the fixed area | region hole 514 that much.

[F16: Determination region pass determination]
In the final stage of the first sorting operation, it is determined whether or not the game ball has entered the fixed region hole 514 and has passed through the fixed region. Whether or not the game ball has passed the determined area can be determined by a detection signal from the effect switch 800.
As a result, when the game ball is finally discharged from the movable ball accessory device 30 without passing through the fixed area, the game flow ends there, and the ball enters the start winning opening again (F01 in FIG. 21). A game flow will be started aiming at.

[F17: Production execution]
On the other hand, when a game ball enters the confirmed area hole 514, it is detected by the effect switch 800 that the game ball has passed the confirmed area, and the effect display device 42 determines that the game ball has passed the confirmed area. An effect of the content that the game ball has passed through the fixed area is executed. This effect is, for example, a content that teaches that “the second distribution operation will be executed from now on”, and thereby exerts an effect of attracting the player's attention to the destination of the game ball. Thereafter, the process proceeds to the second sorting operation in the accessory device.

  FIG. 22 is a game flow diagram schematically showing the flow of the second sorting operation performed in the second stage performed in the movable incoming ball accessory apparatus 30.

[F21: Ascent device reached]
The game ball that has passed the fixed area is guided to the ascending device guide path 515 and reaches the ascending device 610.

[F22: First stage observation stage reached]
The game ball that has reached the ascending device 610 enters the cylindrical guide path 611 from the lower opening hole 610a, is lifted by the screw conveyor 617, is discharged from the central left opening hole 610b, and reaches the first observation platform stage 620.

[F23: First specific area passage determination]
As a result of the sorting operation on the first observatory stage 620, when the game ball passes through the first specific area, the first specific area switch 701 detects that the game ball has passed through the first specific area.

[F24: Movable ball accessory device operation]
When it is detected that the game ball has passed through the first specific area, the movable incoming ball accessory device 30 is operated, and a 3-round big hit game is executed.

[F25: Special area passing]
On the other hand, when the game ball does not pass through the first specific area (F23: No), the game ball passes through the special area. When the game ball passes through the special area, the special area switch 901 detects that the game ball has passed through the special area.

[F26: Production execution]
Based on the detection signal from the special area switch 901, the effect display device 42 executes the effect. This effect is, for example, a content that teaches that “the last sorting operation is to be executed from now on”, thereby exerting an effect of attracting the player's attention to the destination of the game ball.

[F27: Ascent device reached]
The game ball that has passed through the special area is guided to the re-entry guide path 613 and reaches the ascending device 610 again.

[F28: Second observatory stage reached]
The game ball that has reached the ascending device 610 again enters the cylindrical guide path 611 from the central right opening hole 610c, is lifted by the screw conveyor 617, is discharged from the upper opening hole 610d, and reaches the second observation platform stage 630.

[F29: Second specific area passage determination]
As a result of the sorting operation at the second observation platform stage 630, when the game ball passes the second specific area, the second specific area switch 702 detects that the game ball has passed the second specific area.

[F30: Movable ball accessory device operation]
When it is detected that the game ball has passed through the second specific area, the movable incoming ball accessory device 30 is operated, and a 7-round big hit game is executed.

[F31: Third specific area passing]
On the other hand, when the game ball does not pass through the second specific area (F29: No), the game ball passes through the third specific area. Here, when the game ball passes through the third specific area, the third specific area switch 703 detects that the game ball has passed through the third specific area.

[F32: Movable ball accessory device operation]
When it is detected that the game ball has passed the third specific area, the movable incoming ball accessory device 30 is operated, and a 16-round big hit game is executed.

  If the discharge detection switch 900 detects the discharge of all the game balls won in the movable ball winning combination device 30 without detecting the passage of any specific area, the movable ball winning combination is detected there. The game flow in the device 30 ends.

[Basic control operation]
FIG. 23 and FIG. 24 are timing charts showing changes in various states that occur through a game flow that progresses in the movable incoming ball accessory apparatus.
Here, FIG. 23 shows an example in which the game ball is discharged without passing through the fixed region as a result of the sorting operation in the movable ball accessory device 30 (at the time of disconnection), and FIG. An example is shown in which the game balls pass through the fixed area and then pass through the specific area as a result of the sorting operation in the accessory device 30 (when hit).

  Moreover, in each figure (A) shows the fluctuation | variation of a special symbol, or the change of a stop, and (B) in each figure has shown the action | operation or non-operation of the movable entrance ball accessory 30. In each figure, (C) shows the operation or non-operation of various motors. In each figure, (D) shows the count switch 84 being in an ON or OFF state. Further, (E) in FIG. 23 shows an ON or OFF state of the discharge detection switch 900, and (F) in FIG. 24 shows an ON or OFF state of the effect switch 800. Further, (G) in FIG. 24 shows the ON / OFF state of the specific area switch, and (H) in FIG. 24 shows the operating or non-operating state of the ascending device guiding path solenoid 95.

[When out of place (failed to sort)]
(A) in FIG. 23: The special symbol is in a changing state at time t0. Here, the variation of the special symbol is a variation of the first special symbol. The special symbol change started before time t0 ends at time t1. When the variation of the special symbol ends at time t1, the special symbol is stopped and displayed over a period from time t1 to time t2. Since the fluctuation here is a fluctuation due to the first special symbol, the special symbol is stopped and displayed in a mode corresponding to “small hit 1”. If the fluctuation is caused by the second special symbol, the special symbol is stopped and displayed in a mode corresponding to “small hit 2”.

  (B) in FIG. 23: When the special symbol stop display time elapses at time t2, when the special symbol is stopped and displayed in a small hit state, the movable pitching accessory device 30 is at the small hit time. Perform the operation. It should be noted that there may be a slight time lag after the special symbol stop display is finished until the movable ball accessory device 30 is activated.

  (C) in FIG. 23: At the time t2, the various motors (main body motor 402) start to operate when the movable ball accessory device 30 starts the operation at the time of the small hit.

  In FIG. 23 (D): Counting is performed by entering one game ball into the big winning opening 30b while the movable entrance ball apparatus 30 is in an operating state (from time t2 to time t3). A detection signal is input from the switch 84 to the main control CPU 72 (a waveform with (1) in parentheses in the figure).

  (E) in FIG. 23: As a result of the sorting operation in the movable incoming ball accessory device 30, when the game ball enters the release hole 516, the game ball is guided to the out passage and the discharge detection provided in the out passage A detection signal is input from the switch 900 to the main control CPU 72 (a waveform with (2) in parentheses in the figure).

  In FIG. 23, (C): In this case, the number of game balls (the number of balls entered) that entered the movable ball accessory device 30 and the number of game balls (the number of balls discharged) discharged from the movable ball accessory device 30. ) Matches, the game in the movable incoming ball accessory device 30 ends. For this reason, various motors are controlled to the non-operation state. If the number of balls entered and the number of balls discharged do not match, it is possible to continue the game in the movable ball accessory device 30 or perform predetermined error processing.

[When hit (successful sorting)]
(A) in FIG. 24: The special symbol is in a changing state at time t0. Here, the variation of the special symbol is a variation of the first special symbol. The special symbol change started before time t0 ends at time t1. When the variation of the special symbol ends at time t1, the special symbol is stopped and displayed over a period from time t1 to time t2. Since the fluctuation here is a fluctuation due to the first special symbol, the special symbol is stopped and displayed in a mode corresponding to “small hit 1”. If the fluctuation is caused by the second special symbol, the special symbol is stopped and displayed in a mode corresponding to “small hit 2”.

  In FIG. 24 (B): When the special symbol stop display time elapses at time t2, when the special symbol is stopped and displayed in a small hit state, the movable incoming ball accessory device 30 is at the small hit time. Perform the operation.

  (C) in FIG. 24: At the time t2, various motors (main body motor 402) start operating when the movable ball accessory 30 starts operating at the time of small hitting.

  In FIG. 24 (D): While the movable pitching accessory device 30 is in the operating state (between time t2 and time t3), one game ball enters the big winning opening 30b and is counted. A detection signal is input from the switch 84 to the main control CPU 72 (a waveform with (1) in parentheses in the figure). Up to this point, the flow is the same as that at the time of disconnection (at the time of distribution failure).

  In FIG. 24 (F): When the game ball enters the fixed area hole 514 as a result of the sorting operation in the movable ball accessory device 30, the game ball passes through the fixed area, so that a detection signal is sent from the effect switch 800. Is input to the main control CPU 72 (waveform with (2) in parentheses in the figure).

  In FIG. 24 (G): Next, when the game ball passes through one of the specific areas as a result of the sorting operation in the movable entrance ball apparatus 30, a detection signal is input from the specific area switch to the main control CPU 72 ( Waveform with (3) in parentheses in the figure). For example, assuming that the game ball has passed through the first specific area, a detection signal is input from the first specific area switch 701 to the main control CPU 72.

  24 (C): In this case, the number of game balls (number of balls entered) that entered the movable ball accessory device 30 and the number of game balls that passed through a specific area inside the movable ball player device 30. Since the number (the number of V winnings) matches, the game in the movable pitching accessory device 30 ends. For this reason, various motors are controlled to the non-operation state.

  In FIG. 24 (H): Also, at time t4, the ascending apparatus guiding path solenoid is controlled to be in an operating state. As a result, the game ball is not guided to the ascending device 610 at the subsequent timing.

  In FIG. 24 (B): Then, triggered by the detection of the passing of the game ball by any one of the specific area switches, the movable incoming ball accessory device 30 operates at the time of the big hit (time t5).

  The above is the flow of the game by the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment, but the progress of such a game and the production accompanying it are controlled by electronic devices centering on the main control device 70 and the production control device 124 described above. Yes. Therefore, control processing executed by the main control CPU 72 of the main control device 70 will be described next.

[Reset start (main) processing]
When the pachinko machine 1 is powered on, the main control CPU 72 starts a reset start process. The reset start process restores the gaming state based on the backup information saved at the previous power shutdown (so-called power recovery) or conversely clears the backup information, thereby adjusting the initial state of the pachinko machine 1 Process. The reset start process is positioned as a main process (main control program) for guaranteeing a stable gaming operation of the pachinko machine 1 after adjusting the initial state.

  25 and 26 are flowcharts showing an example of the procedure of the reset start process. Hereinafter, the process performed by the main control CPU 72 will be described step by step.

  Step S101: First, the main control CPU 72 sets the top address of the stack area in the stack pointer.

  Step S102: Subsequently, the main control CPU 72 sets the vector-type interrupt mode (mode 2) and corrects the default RST-type interrupt mode (mode 0). Thus, thereafter, the main control CPU 72 can refer to an arbitrary address (however, the least significant bit is 0) as an interrupt vector and execute a designated interrupt handler.

  Step S103: The main control CPU 72 executes a standby process at reset. This process is for securing a certain standby time (for example, about several thousand ms) at the time of reset start (for example, power-on) and checking the main power-off detection signal during that time. Specifically, when the main control CPU 72 sets the loop counter for the waiting time, the main control CPU 72 bit-checks the input port of the main power-off detection signal while decrementing the value of the loop counter. The main power-off detection signal is input from, for example, a power monitoring IC that is a peripheral device. If the input of the main power-off detection signal is confirmed before the loop counter reaches 0, the main control CPU 72 restarts the process from the beginning. As a result, for example, the system can be protected when a main power switch (not shown) is turned on and off repeatedly within a short time (about 1 to 2 seconds).

  Step S104: Next, the main control CPU 72 permits access to the work area of the RAM 76. Specifically, the RAM protect setting value in the work area is reset (00H). As a result, thereafter, access to the work area of the RAM 76 is permitted.

  Step S105: Also, the main control CPU 72 performs initial setting of a mask register in order to set an interrupt mask. Specifically, a value for enabling the CTC interrupt is stored in the mask register.

  Step S106: The main control CPU 72 refers to the input signal from the previously cleared RAM clear switch and confirms whether or not the RAM clear switch has been operated (switch ON). If the RAM clear switch is not operated (No), step S107 is executed next.

  Step S107: Next, the main control CPU 72 checks whether or not backup information is stored in the RAM 76, that is, whether or not a backup validity determination flag is set. If the backup is normally completed in the previous power-off process and the backup validity determination flag (for example, “A55AH”) is set (Yes), then the main control CPU 72 executes step S108.

  Step S108: The main control CPU 72 executes a sum check on the backup information in the RAM 76. Specifically, the main control CPU 72 sum-checks all areas of the work area of the RAM 76 (a user work area including a use-prohibited area and a stack area) except the backup validity determination flag and the sum check buffer. If the result of the sum check is normal (Yes), the main control CPU 72 then executes step S109.

Step S109: The main control CPU 72 resets the backup validity determination flag (for example, “0000H”).
Step S110: Also, the main control CPU 72 clears the command waiting for transmission immediately before the previous power-off occurrence.

  Step S111: Next, the main control CPU 72 executes an effect control return process. In this process, the main control CPU 72 transmits a return command (for example, a model designation command) to the effect control device 124. In response to this, the effect control device 124 can restore the effect state (for example, the sound output content, the light emission state of various lamps, etc.) that was being executed at the time of the previous power shutdown.

  Step S112: The main control CPU 72 executes state return processing. In this process, the main control CPU 72 sets various values in the work area of the RAM 76 based on the backup information, and the gaming state being executed at the time of the previous power-off (for example, the display mode of special symbols, the contents of operation memory, Various flag states, random number update states, etc.) are restored. Further, the main control CPU 72 restores the backed up PC register value.

  On the other hand, when the RAM clear switch is operated at power-on (step S106: Yes), when the backup validity determination flag is not set (step S107: No), or when the backup information is not normal. (Step S108: No), the main control CPU 72 proceeds to Step S113.

Step S113: The main control CPU 72 clears the stored contents other than the use prohibited area of the RAM 76. As a result, the work area and stack area of the RAM 76 are all initialized, and even if valid backup information is stored, the contents are erased.
Step S114: Also, the main control CPU 72 performs initial setting of the RAM 76.

  Step S115: The main control CPU 72 executes an effect control output process. In this process, the main control CPU 72 outputs a command (command necessary for effect control) to be transmitted to the effect control device 124 after the initial setting.

  Step S116: The main control CPU 72 executes a payout control output process. In this process, the main control CPU 72 outputs an instruction command for starting the payout of prize balls to the payout control device 92.

  Step S117: The main control CPU 72 executes CTC initial setting processing, and performs initial setting of a CTC (counter / timer circuit) that is a peripheral device. In this process, the main control CPU 72 sets an interrupt vector register and sets an interrupt count value (for example, 4 ms) in the CTC. As a result, when a CTC interrupt occurs next time, the main control CPU 72 can continue the processing from the program address of the PC register that has been backed up.

  When the above procedure is executed in the reset start process, the main control CPU 72 shifts to the main loop shown in FIG. 26 (connection symbol A → A).

  Step S118, Step S119: The main control CPU 72 executes the power interruption occurrence check process after prohibiting interruption. In this process, the main control CPU 72 performs bit check on the input port of the main power-off detection signal and monitors the occurrence of power-off (decrease in supply voltage). When the power interruption occurs, the main control CPU 72 clears the output port buffer corresponding to the big prize solenoid 90, backs up the entire contents excluding the backup validity judgment flag and the sum check buffer in the work area of the RAM 76, Save the sum result value in the sum check buffer. Then, the main control CPU 72 stores the valid value (for example, “A55AH”) in the backup validity determination flag area, prohibits access to the RAM 76, and stops (NOP) the process. On the other hand, if the power shutoff does not occur, the main control CPU 72 next executes step S120. There is also a known programming example in which the CPU executes the process at the time of the occurrence of power interruption as a non-maskable interrupt (NMI) process.

  Step S120: The main control CPU 72 executes an initial value update random number update process. In this process, the main control CPU 72 increments random numbers for updating (changing) initial values of various software random numbers. In the present embodiment, various random numbers (for example, a big hit symbol random number, a fluctuation pattern decision random number, etc.) other than the big hit decision random number (hardware random number) are generated on the program. Note that the fluctuation pattern determination random number corresponding to the special symbol can be generated as necessary, and when not used, the random number generation process can be omitted. In any case, these software random numbers are updated by a loop counter within a predetermined range in another interrupt process (step S201 in FIG. 28), but each time the random number value makes one round in this process, the loop counter The initial value (not all random numbers need to be targeted) is changed. The initial value updating random number is used to randomly change the initial value, and in step S120, the initial value updating random number is updated. Note that the reason why step S120 is executed after the interruption is prohibited in step S118 is that the same process is executed in another interrupt management process (step S202 in FIG. 28). ) To prevent the above). As described above, in the present embodiment, the big hit determination random number is a hardware random number generated by the random number generator 75, and the update period is faster than the timer interruption period (for example, several ms) (for example, several μs). Therefore, it is not necessary to update the initial value of the jackpot determination random number.

  Step S121, Step S122: The main control CPU 72 permits the interrupt and executes other random number update processing. The random numbers updated in this process are random numbers (variation pattern determination random numbers, etc.) that are not related to the determination of the winning type (winning type) among software random numbers. This process is performed in the remaining time when a timer interrupt occurs during execution of the main loop and the main control CPU 72 executes another interrupt management process (FIG. 28). The contents of the interrupt management process will be described later.

[Power failure check processing]
FIG. 27 is a flowchart specifically illustrating a procedure example of the power-off occurrence check process.
Step S130: First, the main control CPU 72 sets a condition for checking the occurrence of power interruption. This check condition can be set as an on-counter value for confirming that the main power-off detection signal is continuously output, for example.

  Step S132: Next, the main control CPU 72 reads the main power-off detection switch input port and confirms whether or not the main power-off detection signal is output (checks a specific bit). Although not particularly illustrated, the main power-off detection switch is mounted on the main controller 70, for example, and this main power-off detection switch monitors the drive voltage supplied from the power control unit 162, and the voltage level is monitored. When the voltage falls below the reference voltage, the main power-off detection signal is output. Note that the main power-off detection switch may be built in the power control unit 162. When the main control CPU 72 confirms that the main power-off detection signal is not output at this time (No), the main control CPU 72 exits this process and returns to the reset start process. On the other hand, when it is confirmed that the main power-off detection signal is output (Yes), the main control CPU 72 proceeds to the next step S134.

  Step S134: The main control CPU 72 confirms whether or not the above check conditions are satisfied. Specifically, for example, 1 is subtracted from the on-counter value set in the previous step S130, and it is confirmed whether or not the result is 0. If the on-counter value is not yet 0 at this time (No), the main control CPU 72 returns to step S132 and reconfirms the main power-off detection switch input port. When the check condition is satisfied by repeating the loop from step S134 to step S132 (step S134: Yes), the main control CPU 72 then proceeds to step S136.

  Step S136: The main control CPU 72 clears the output port buffer corresponding to the test signal terminal and the command control signal in addition to the output port corresponding to the special winning opening solenoid 90 as described above.

Step S138, Step S140: Next, the main control CPU 72 adds the entire contents excluding the backup validity determination flag and the sum check buffer in the work area of the RAM 76 in units of 1 byte, and repeats until the addition is completed for all areas. .
Step S142: When the calculation of the sum is completed for all the areas (Step S140: Yes), the main control CPU 72 stores the sum result value in the sum check buffer.

Step S144: Next, the main control CPU 72 stores the valid value in the backup validity determination flag area as described above.
Step S146: Further, the main control CPU 72 stores “01H” indicating access prohibition in the protect value of the RAM 76, and prohibits access to the work area (including the use prohibition area and the stack area) of the RAM 76.
Step S148: Then, the main control CPU 72 enters a standby loop and stops all other processes in preparation for shutting off the main power supply. After the main power is cut off, the backup power is supplied from a backup power circuit (not shown) (for example, a circuit including a capacitive element mounted on the main controller 70), so the stored contents of the RAM 76 are lost even after the main power is turned off. Held without. The backup power supply circuit may be incorporated in the power supply control unit 162, for example.

  Through the above processing, all the information stored in the work area of the RAM 76 to be backed up (sum added) is retained in the RAM 76 even after the main power is turned off. The stored memory is restored as backup information when the power is turned off after confirming the normality of the checksum in the previous reset start process (FIG. 25).

[Interrupt management processing (timer interrupt processing)]
Next, interrupt management processing (timer interrupt processing) will be described. FIG. 28 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary procedure of interrupt management processing. The main control CPU 72 executes an interrupt management process every predetermined time (for example, several ms) based on the interrupt request signal from the counter / timer circuit. Each procedure will be described below.

  Step S200: First, the main control CPU 72 saves the values of the registers (accumulator A, flag register F, and general-purpose registers B to L) used during execution of the main loop in the save area of the RAM 76. Another value can be written in the registers (A to L) after the value is saved in the interrupt management process.

  Step S201: Next, the main control CPU 72 executes a lottery random number update process. In this process, the main control CPU 72 updates the value of the counter for generating various random numbers for lottery. The value of each counter is incremented in the random number counter area of the RAM 76 and loops within a specified range. Various random numbers include, for example, jackpot symbol random numbers.

  Step S202: The main control CPU 72 executes the initial value update random number update process also here. The content of the process is the same as described above.

  Step S203: The main control CPU 72 executes input processing. In this process, the main control CPU 72 inputs various switch signals from the input / output (I / O) port 79 (winning detection information generating means). Specifically, a winning detection signal from the left start winning port switch 80, the middle starting winning port switch 81 or the right start winning port switch 82, the first specific area switch 701, the second specific area switch 702, the third specific area switch 703 or the input state (ON / OFF) of the passage detection signal from the effect switch 800 is read.

  Step S204: Here, the main control CPU 72 executes a security management process. In this process, the main control CPU 72 determines whether or not an illegal winning has occurred based on the input state (ON / OFF) of the winning detection signal read in the previous input process (step S203). Determination means). If it is determined that an illegal winning has occurred, the main control CPU 72 generates an illegal winning error command and rewrites the bit of the winning detection signal due to the illegal winning from ON to OFF. In addition, the main control CPU 72 performs monitoring of fraud by the magnetic sensor 250 and the vibration sensor 252, and determines whether or not excessive winning has occurred.

  Step S206: Next, the main control CPU 72 executes switch input event processing. In this process, a process based on a signal that is maintained without being erased as an illegal prize among the switch signals input in the previous input process is performed. For example, the main control CPU 72 receives a winning detection signal from the left starting winning port switch 80, the middle starting winning port switch 81 or the right starting winning port switch 82, the first specific area switch 701, the second specific area switch 702, the third specific area. An event occurring during the game is determined based on the passage detection signal from the switch 703 or the effect switch 800, and further processing is executed according to each event that has occurred. The specific contents of the switch input event process will be described later with reference to another flowchart.

  In this embodiment, when a winning detection signal (ON) is input from the left start winning port switch 80 or the right starting winning port switch 82, the main control CPU 72 triggers an internal lottery (lottery trigger) corresponding to the first special symbol. It is determined that an event occurs. When a winning detection signal (ON) is input from the middle start winning opening switch 81, the main control CPU 72 determines that an event serving as an internal lottery trigger (lottery trigger) corresponding to the second special symbol has occurred. If it is determined that any event has occurred, the main control CPU 72 executes a process corresponding to each event. Note that the main control CPU 72 determines which of the left start prize opening switch 80, the middle start prize opening switch 81, and the right start prize opening switch 82 causes an event that causes an internal lottery (lottery opportunity). A switch-by-switch winning command for discrimination may be transmitted to the effect control CPU 126.

  Step S207: The main control CPU 72 executes special game management processing during the interrupt management processing. These processes are for specifically proceeding with the game in the pachinko machine 1. In this special game management process, the main control CPU 72 controls the execution of the internal lottery corresponding to the special symbols described above, and the variable display and stop display by the first special symbol display device 34 and the second special symbol display device 35. And the operation of the movable ball accessory device 30 is controlled according to the display result. The details of the special game management process will be described later with reference to another flowchart.

  Step S208: Next, the main control CPU 72 executes prize ball payout processing. In this process, based on the winning detection signals input from the various switches 80, 81, 82, 84, 86 in the previous input process (step S203), a prize ball instruction for instructing the payout control device 92 the number of prize balls. Output the command. The main control CPU 72 generates a prize ball number command for the effect control device 124 and stores it in the command buffer.

  Step S209: The main control CPU 72 executes a motor management process. In this process, the main control CPU 72 detects the origin position relating to the rotation of various motors (the sorting body motor 213, the main body motor 402, the conveyor motor 214, etc.), and outputs drive signals to the various motors. The drive signal is stored in the corresponding port output request buffer. The main control CPU 72 generates a drive signal based on an operation pattern corresponding to each motor in the motor management process. Details of the motor management process will be described later with reference to another flowchart.

  Step S210: Next, the main control CPU 72 executes external information processing. In this process, the main control CPU 72 sends the above external information signals (for example, prize ball information, door opening information, symbol determination number information, jackpot information, start port information, security error information) to the hall computer in the game hall through the external terminal board 160. Information etc.) is stored in the port output request buffer.

  In this embodiment, among the various external information signals, for example, “big hit 1” to “big hit 5” are output to the outside as jackpot information, so that an external electronic device (data display) connected to the pachinko machine 1 is displayed. A variety of jackpot information can be provided. In other words, the jackpot information is divided into a plurality of “big hit 1” to “big hit 5” and output, so that the type of jackpot (winning type) from these combinations can be tabulated and managed by a hall computer (not shown). . Based on the jackpot information, for example, a data display device (not shown) counts and displays the number of jackpot occurrences within the past several business days for each pachinko machine 1, and recognizes whether or not each jackpot is currently hit Or can recognize whether or not each symbol is currently in a shortened state of the symbol variation time. In this external information processing, the main control CPU 72 controls each output state (set of ON or OFF) of “big hit 1” to “big hit 5” in detail.

  Step S211: The main control CPU 72 executes test signal processing. In this processing, the main control CPU 72 generates various test signals representing its own internal state (for example, special symbol game management state, big hit, etc.), and stores them in the port output request buffer. With this test signal, for example, the internal state of the main control CPU 72 can be tested outside the main controller 70.

  Step S212: Next, the main control CPU 72 executes display output management processing. In this process, the main control CPU 72 controls the lighting state of the first special symbol display device 34, the second special symbol display device 35, and the like. Specifically, the drive signal stored in the port output request buffer is output to the port in the previous special game management process (step S207). The drive signal is stored in the port output request buffer as byte data to be applied to each LED. As a result, each LED is driven in a predetermined display mode (a mode in which symbol change display, stop display, or the like is performed). The specific processing content will be described later using another flowchart.

  Step S213: The main control CPU 72 executes an output management process. In this process, the main control CPU 72 outputs the external information signal (byte data) stored in the port output request buffer in the previous external information processing (step S210). Further, the main control CPU 72 outputs the drive signals, test signals, and the like of the special prize opening solenoid 90 stored in the port output request buffer and outputs the ports together.

  Step S214: The main control CPU 72 executes effect control output processing. In this processing, it is confirmed whether or not there is a command (command necessary for presentation control) that the main control CPU 72 should transmit to the presentation control device 124 in the command buffer. Output port.

  Step S215: The main control CPU 72 clears the port output request buffer stored by the current CTC interrupt.

  In the present embodiment, an example is given in which the processing (game control program module) of step S207 to step S214 is executed as a timer interrupt processing. However, these processing are incorporated in the main loop of the CPU and executed. There are also known programming examples.

  Step S216: When the above processing is completed, the main control CPU 72 stores a value (01H) for designating the end of the interrupt in the interrupt program counter, and ends the CTC interrupt.

  Steps S217 and S218: The main control CPU 72 restores the saved values of the registers (A to L) and permits the next CTC interrupt. Thereafter, the main control CPU 72 returns to the main loop (program address indicated by the stack pointer).

[Switch input event processing]
FIG. 29 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure example of the switch input event process (step S206 in FIG. 28). Each procedure will be described below.

  Step S11: The main control CPU 72 checks whether or not a winning detection signal is input from the left starting winning port switch 80 or the right starting winning port switch 82 corresponding to the first special symbol. When the input of the winning detection signal is confirmed (Yes), the main control CPU 72 proceeds to the next step S12 and executes the first special symbol memory update process. Specific processing contents will be further described later using another flowchart. On the other hand, if no winning detection signal is input (No), the main control CPU 72 proceeds to step S13.

  Step S13: Next, the main control CPU 72 confirms whether or not a winning detection signal is input from the middle start winning opening switch 81 corresponding to the second special symbol. When the input of the winning detection signal is confirmed (Yes), the main control CPU 72 proceeds to the next step S14 and executes the second special symbol memory update process. Here again, the details of the specific processing will be further described later using another flowchart. On the other hand, when no winning detection signal is input (No), the main control CPU 72 proceeds to step S15.

  Step S15: The main control CPU 72 confirms whether or not a winning detection signal is input from the count switch 84 corresponding to the big winning opening 30b. When the input of this winning detection signal is confirmed (Yes), the main control CPU 72 proceeds to the next step S16 and executes a large winning mouth count process. In the big winning opening counting process, the main control CPU 72 counts the number of game balls that have entered the movable ball accessory device 30. On the other hand, if no winning detection signal is input (No), the main control CPU 72 proceeds to step S17.

  Step S <b> 17: The main control CPU 72 confirms whether or not a detection signal is input from the effect switch 800 corresponding to the confirmed area provided in the movable ball accessory device 30. When the input of this detection signal is confirmed (Yes), the main control CPU 72 proceeds to the next step S18 and sets the confirmed area passing flag to ON. The fixed area passage flag is stored in the RAM 76, and when the fixed area passage flag is set to ON, it indicates that the game ball has passed through the fixed area. Note that the fixed region passing flag is set to OFF after the big hit game is over. On the other hand, when the detection signal is not input (No), the main control CPU 72 proceeds to step S19.

  Step S <b> 19: The main control CPU 72 confirms whether or not a detection signal is input from a specific area switch corresponding to each specific area provided in the movable ball accessory device 30. When the input of this detection signal is confirmed (Yes), the main control CPU 72 proceeds to the next step S20 and sets the specific area passing flag to ON. When a detection signal is input from the first specific area switch 701, the first specific area passing flag is set to ON, and when a detection signal is input from the second specific area switch 702, the second specific area passing flag is set. Is set to ON, and when a detection signal is input from the third specific area switch 703, the third specific area passing flag is set to ON. Each specific area passing flag is stored in the RAM 76, and when the specific area passing flag is set to ON, it indicates that the game ball has passed through one of the specific areas. The specific area passing flag is set to OFF after the big hit game is over. On the other hand, if no detection signal is input (No), the main control CPU 72 returns to the interrupt management process (FIG. 28). In the switch input event process, the main control CPU 72 executes a process of adding the value of the discharge ball number counter in accordance with each detection signal from the discharge detection switch 900 and each specific area switch.

[First special symbol storage process]
FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing a procedure example of the first special symbol storing process. Hereinafter, the first special symbol storage process will be described along a procedure example.

  Step S30: First, the main control CPU 72 confirms whether or not there is an operation memory for the special symbol. The presence / absence of working memory is confirmed for both the first special symbol and the second special symbol, and if there is working memory in any of the special symbols, it is determined that there is working memory for the special symbol. In this embodiment, since two or more working memories are not provided in the special symbol, here, for example, if there is a big hit decision random number (one piece) already transferred to the random number storage area of the RAM 76, the main control CPU 72 It is determined that there is working memory for the symbol (Yes). If there is already a working memory (Yes), the main control CPU 72 returns to the switch input event process (FIG. 29). On the other hand, when there is no operation memory (No), the main control CPU 72 proceeds to the next step S32. In addition, it is good also as using a special symbol action | operation memory | storage number counter (upper limit number 1 piece) here on the structure of a control program. In this case, the main control CPU 72 refers to the value of the special symbol working memory number counter, and determines that there is working memory when the working memory number is 1 (Yes). If the number of working memories is not 1 (= 0), the main control CPU 72 determines that there is no working memory (No).

  Step S32: When determining that there is no working memory in the previous Step S30 (Step S30: No), the main control CPU 72 determines the jackpot determination random value corresponding to the first special symbol from the random number generator 75 through the sampling circuit 77 described above. To get. The random value is acquired by specifying the pin address of the random number generator 75. When the main control CPU 72 has a data bus width of 8 bits, the address designation is performed twice for each upper byte and lower byte. When the main control CPU 72 reads the jackpot determined random number value corresponding to the first special symbol from the designated address, the main control CPU 72 saves it as a jackpot determined random number at the address of the transfer destination (random number storage area).

  Step S33: Next, the main control CPU 72 acquires a jackpot symbol random number value corresponding to the first special symbol from the jackpot symbol random number counter area of the RAM 76. The acquisition of the random number value is also performed by designating the address of the jackpot symbol random number counter area. When the main control CPU 72 reads the jackpot symbol random number value from the designated address, the main control CPU 72 saves it at the transfer destination address as a jackpot symbol random number corresponding to the first special symbol.

  Step S34: Further, the main control CPU 72 acquires, for example, a variation pattern determination random number from the variation random number counter area of the RAM 76 as a random value related to the variation condition of the first special symbol. Similarly, the acquisition of the random number value is performed by designating the address of the random number counter area for variation. When the main control CPU 72 acquires the variation pattern determination random number from the designated address, the main control CPU 72 saves it in the transfer destination address.

  Step S36: The main control CPU 72 sets the saved jackpot determined random number, jackpot symbol random number, and variation pattern determined random number in a random number storage area that is used in common by the first special symbol and the second special symbol (at this time, an empty state). Transfer and store these random numbers as a set.

  Step S38: The main control CPU 72 executes an effect command output setting process for the first special symbol. This process is for performing setting for transmitting a start opening winning tone control command to the effect control device 124, for example.

  When the above procedure is completed or the special symbol operation memory has already been stored (step S30: Yes), the main control CPU 72 returns to the switch input event process (FIG. 29).

[Second special symbol storage process]
FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing a procedure example of the second special symbol storing process. Hereinafter, the second special symbol storage process will be described along a procedure example.

  Step S40: Here, first, the main control CPU 72 confirms whether or not there is an operation memory for the special symbol. The presence / absence of working memory is confirmed for both the first special symbol and the second special symbol, and if there is working memory in any of the special symbols, it is determined that there is working memory for the special symbol. In this embodiment, since two or more working memories are not provided in the special symbol, here, for example, if there is a big hit decision random number (one piece) already transferred to the random number storage area of the RAM 76, the main control CPU 72 It is determined that there is working memory for the symbol (Yes). If there is already a working memory (Yes), the main control CPU 72 returns to the switch input event process (FIG. 29). On the other hand, when there is no operation memory (No), the main control CPU 72 proceeds to the next step S42.

  Step S42: When determining that there is no working memory in the previous step S40 (step S40: No), the main control CPU 72 from the random number generator 75 through the sampling circuit 77, the jackpot determination random number value corresponding to the second special symbol To get. The random value is acquired by specifying the pin address of the random number generator 75. When the main control CPU 72 has a data bus width of 8 bits, the address designation is performed twice for each upper byte and lower byte. When the main control CPU 72 reads the jackpot determined random number value corresponding to the second special symbol from the designated address, the main control CPU 72 saves it as a jackpot determined random number at the address of the transfer destination (random number storage area).

  Step S43: Next, the main control CPU 72 acquires a jackpot symbol random number value corresponding to the second special symbol from the jackpot symbol random number counter area of the RAM 76. The acquisition of the random number value is also performed by designating the address of the jackpot symbol random number counter area. When the main control CPU 72 reads the jackpot symbol random number value from the designated address, it saves it as a jackpot symbol random number corresponding to the second special symbol at the transfer destination address.

  Step S44: Also, the main control CPU 72 acquires, for example, a variation pattern determining random number from the variation random number counter area of the RAM 76 as a random value related to the variation condition of the second special symbol. Similarly, the acquisition of the random number value is performed by designating the address of the random number counter area for variation. When the main control CPU 72 acquires the variation pattern determination random number from the designated address, the main control CPU 72 saves it in the transfer destination address.

  Step S46: The main control CPU 72 transfers the saved jackpot determined random number, jackpot symbol random number, and variation pattern determined random number to a random number storage area that is commonly used by the first special symbol and the second special symbol (the empty state at this time). These random numbers are stored as a set.

  Step S48: The main control CPU 72 executes an effect command output setting process for the second special symbol. This process is for performing setting for transmitting a start opening winning tone control command to the effect control device 124, for example.

  When the above procedure is completed, or when the special symbol operation memory has already been stored (step S40: Yes), the main control CPU 72 returns to the switch input event process (FIG. 29).

[Special game management processing]
Next, the details of the special game management process will be described. FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing a configuration example of the special game management process. Special game management processing includes special game control module selection processing (step S1000), special symbol variation start waiting processing (step S1500), special symbol variation processing (step S2000), special symbol stop display processing (step S2500), role Work device operation start waiting process (step S3000), small hit hourly accessory device opening process (step S3500), small hit hourly accessory device closing process (step S4000), small hit hourly accessory device operation end process (step S4500) , Jackpot hour utility device operation start processing (step S5000), jackpot hour gear device opening processing (step S5500), jackpot hour gear device closing effective processing (step S5550), jackpot hour gear device closing processing (step S6000) , Jackpot action device operation end processing (step S6500), remaining ball error Over command setting process (step S7000) and a configuration including the subroutines of the solenoid control process (step S7500). Here, first, the basic flow of the special game management process will be described along each process.

  Step S1000: In the special game control module selection process, the main control CPU 72 selects the jump destination of the process to be executed next (any one of steps S1500 to S6500). For example, the main control CPU 72 sets the program address of the process to be executed next as the jump destination address, and sets the program address of the remaining ball error command setting process (step S7000) in the “jump table” as the return destination address. . Which process is selected as the next jump destination depends on the progress of the processes performed so far. For example, if the special symbol has not yet started changing display, the main control CPU 72 selects the special symbol change start waiting process (step S1500) as the next jump destination. On the other hand, if the special symbol variation start waiting process has already been completed, the main control CPU 72 selects the special symbol variation processing (step S2000) as the next jump destination, and if the special symbol variation processing is completed, For example, the special symbol stop display process (step S2500) is selected as the next jump destination. In this embodiment, the jump destination address is specified by the “jump table” and the process is selected. However, apart from such a selection method, a “process flag”, a “process selection flag”, or the like is used. There is also a known programming example in which the CPU selects a process to be executed next.

  Further, as described above, when the main control CPU 72 selects the next jump destination, the progress of the processing up to the present is represented by the value of “special game management status”. For example, if the special symbol has not yet started the variable display, the main control CPU 72 sets the value of the “special game management status” up to the present to “00H”. On the other hand, if the special symbol variation start waiting process has already been completed, the main control CPU 72 sets the value of the “special game management status” up to the present to “01H”, and if the special symbol variation processing is completed. The value of the “special game management status” up to the present is set to “02H”. The setting of the value of “special game management status” will be described later. In any case, the main control CPU 72 refers to the value of the “special game management status” in the special game control module selection process, and selects a process (any one of steps S 1500 to S 6500) that becomes the jump destination at that time. Can do.

  Note that, as described above, steps S1500 to S6500 are selected as the jump destination in the special game control module selection process (step S1000), and the remaining ball error command setting process (step S7000) and the solenoid control process ( Step S7500) is executed in every interruption.

  Step S1500: As described above, when the value of the “special game management status” is “00H”, the main control CPU 72 executes a special symbol change start waiting process in the special game management process. In this special symbol variation start waiting process, the main control CPU 72 performs an operation for preparing conditions for starting the variation display of the special symbol. For example, when there is no special symbol operation memory number, the main control CPU 72 saves a special symbol hit random number and a hit symbol random number memory in the common storage area. The main control CPU 72 compares the winning random number stored in the common storage area with the winning value and makes a hit determination. In the present embodiment, since the winning probability (so-called small hitting probability) of the special symbol lottery is 1, the hit determination at this time is a confirming process. The specific processing content will be described later using another flowchart.

  Step S2000: When the value of the “special game management status” is “01H”, the main control CPU 72 executes a special symbol changing process in the special game management process. In this special symbol changing process, the main control CPU 72 controls the driving of the first special symbol display device 34 or the second special symbol display device 35 while counting the variation timer. Specifically, an ON or OFF drive signal (1 byte data) is output for each segment and dot (0th to 7th) of two 7-segment LEDs. The pattern of the drive signal changes with the passage of time, whereby a special symbol is displayed in a variable manner. Thereafter, when the count of the variation timer becomes 0, the main control CPU 72 updates the value of “special game management status” to “02H”.

  Step S2500: When the value of “special game management status” is updated to “02H”, the main control CPU 72 executes a special symbol stop display process in the special game management process. In the special symbol stop display processing, the main control CPU 72 controls the drive of the first special symbol display device 34 or the second special symbol display device 35 while counting the stop display timer. Similarly, an ON or OFF drive signal is output for each segment and dot of two 7-segment LEDs, but the pattern of the drive signal is constant, whereby a special symbol is stopped and displayed. At this time, the special symbol stop display mode corresponds to the winning type determined in the special symbol variation start waiting process. Thereafter, when the count of the stop display timer becomes 0, the main control CPU 72 updates the value of “special game management status” to “03H”.

  Step S3000: When the value of the “special game management status” is updated to “03H”, the main control CPU 72 executes an accessory device operation start waiting process in the special game management process. In this combination act start waiting process, the main control CPU 72 executes a countdown of a big prize opening opening timer as a special game timer. Note that the count time of the big winning opening opening start timer is based on the production time (for example, several seconds) necessary for making the player aware of the opening start of the movable ball accessory device 30 (big winning opening) described above. Is set. Thereafter, when the count of the big prize opening opening timer becomes 0, the main control CPU 72 updates the value of “special game management status” to “04H”.

  Step S3500: When the value of the “special game management status” is updated to “04H”, the main control CPU 72 executes a small hitting time bonus device opening process in the special game management process. In the small hitting accessory device opening process, the main control CPU 72 controls the opening operation of the movable incoming ball accessory device 30. Specifically, the main control CPU 72 counts the number of game balls won from the big prize opening 30b while counting the big prize opening first opening timer, and sets a drive signal for the big prize opening solenoid 90. Thereby, the operation | movement of opening and closing of the movable entrance ball accessory apparatus 30 is performed. Further, when closing after opening the movable ball accessory device 30, the main control CPU 72 updates the value of the “special game management status” to “05H”. Note that the details of the small hitting accessory device opening process will be described later using another flowchart.

  Step S4000: When the value of the “special game management status” is updated to “05H”, the main control CPU 72 executes a small hitting time bonus device closing process in the special game management process. In this small hitting accessory device closing process, the main control CPU 72 executes various internal processes accompanying the closing of the movable incoming ball accessory device 30. The various internal processes include, for example, a process of confirming the completion of discharging of the game balls won when the movable ball accessory device 30 is opened, or confirming whether or not a specific area has passed. When ending these processes, the main control CPU 72 updates the value of “special game management status” to “06H”. The details of the small hitting-time equipment device closing process will be described later using another flowchart.

  In addition, when the main control CPU 72 detects that the game ball has passed through any specific area in the small hitting time bonus device closing process, the main control CPU 72 sets a value (01H) in the big hit flag and sets the big hit type command. Set. At the same time, the main control CPU 72 generates a jackpot type command including information such as a big hit for 3 rounds, a big hit for 7 rounds, a big hit for 16 rounds, etc. according to the type of the specific area that has passed. These commands are transmitted to the effect control device 124 in the effect control output process (step S214 in FIG. 28).

  Step S4500: When the value of the “special game management status” is updated to “06H”, the main control CPU 72 executes a small hit hourly accessory device operation end process in the special game management process. In this small hitting time accessory device operation end process, the main control CPU 72 executes various internal processes associated with the end of the operation of the movable ball accessory device 30. The various internal processes include, for example, a process of confirming the ending time for determining the end of the operation of the movable ball accessory device 30 and setting a jackpot state transition command. When the big hit state transition command is set here, the main control CPU 72 updates the value of “special game management status” to “07H”. On the other hand, when the big hit state transition command is not set, the main control CPU 72 returns the “special game management status” to the initial value “00H”. Note that the details of the small hitting time device operating end process will be described later with reference to another flowchart.

  Step S5000: The big hit hour bonus device operation start process is executed when the value of the “special game management status” is updated to “07H” in the previous small hit hour bonus equipment device operation end process. In this big hitting accessory device operation start processing, the main control CPU 72 executes pre-processing when the movable incoming ball accessory device 30 is operated again. That is, the main control CPU 72 executes a countdown of the jackpot start waiting time timer as a special game timer, and when the timer count becomes 0, the operating conditions of the movable ball-pointing device 30 (the number of execution rounds, the opening time for each round, Set the number of releases, interval time, etc.). Further, the main control CPU 72 updates the value of “special game management status” to “08H”. Thereafter, during the jackpot game, the value of “special game management status” is updated from “08H” to “0BH” according to the progress of the game, and steps S5500 to S6500 are executed according to the value at that time. become. Further, the details of the big hitting equipment device operation start process will be described later using another flowchart.

  Step S5500: When the value of the “special game management status” is updated to “08H”, the main control CPU 72 executes a big hit time bonus device opening process. In the big hitting accessory device opening process, the main control CPU 72 controls the opening / closing operation of the movable incoming ball accessory device 30. As a result, one round of jackpot game is executed. When the big hit game for one round is completed and the movable ball-pointing equipment 30 is closed, the main control CPU 72 updates the value of “special game management status” to “09H”. The details of the big hitting equipment device opening process will be further described later using another flowchart.

  Step S5550: When the value of the “special game management status” is updated to “09H”, the main control CPU 72 executes the next big hit hour bonus device closing effective process. In the big hit hourly equipment closing effective process, the main control CPU 72 executes a countdown of the big prize opening closing effective time timer, and when the timer count becomes 0, the value of the “special game management status” is updated to “0AH”. To do. This process is executed in order to adjust the time taken from the opening to closing of the movable ball accessory device 30.

  Step S6000: When the value of the “special game management status” is updated to “0AH”, the main control CPU 72 executes the next big hit time bonus device closing process. In the big hitting accessory device closing process, the main control CPU 72 executes an internal process accompanying the completion of the closing of the movable incoming ball accessory device 30. In this internal processing, the main control CPU 72 confirms the number of rounds executed so far, and if the number of executed rounds has not reached the set number of rounds (number of continuous operations), the value of “special game management status” is set to “ To "08H". In this case, in the next special game control module selection process (step S1000), the previous jackpot bonus equipment release process (step S5500) is selected again. On the other hand, when the number of rounds already executed reaches the set number of rounds, the main control CPU 72 updates the value of “special game management status” to “0BH”. The details of the big hitting equipment device closing process will be described later using another flowchart.

  Step S6500: When the value of the “special game management status” is updated to “0BH”, the main control CPU 72 executes a big hit hourly equipment operation end process. In the big hit hourly equipment operation end processing, the main control CPU 72 executes a countdown of the big hit ending time timer. When the count of the timer reaches 0, the “special game management status” is returned to the initial value “00H” (steps S5000 to S6500: special game execution means). As a result, the special symbols can be changed (or the number of working memories can be added) thereafter. Note that the details of the big hitting equipment operation end processing will be described later with reference to another flowchart.

The main control CPU 72 executes the following procedure regardless of the value of the “special game management status”.
Step S7000: The main control CPU 72 executes a remaining sphere error command setting process. In this remaining ball error command setting process, the main control CPU 72 monitors the discharged ball shortage error after the operation of the movable ball-and-ball accessory device 30 and sets a notification command when the discharged ball shortage error occurs. For example, the main control CPU 72 counts the number of winning balls counted from the time when the value of the “special game management status” is updated to “04H” to the time when the value is updated to “05H”, and the number within the discharge time. Check if the number of discharged balls matches. In addition, the main control CPU 72, for example, within the number of winning balls counted during the period from when the value of the “special game management status” is updated to “08H” to when it is updated to “09H”, and within the discharge time. Check if the counted number of discharged balls matches. As a result, if the number of winning balls matches the number of discharged balls, the discharged ball shortage state flag is reset (00H), and this process is terminated. On the other hand, if the two do not match, the main control CPU 72 sets a discharge ball shortage state flag (01H) and sets a discharge ball shortage error state command. The discharged ball shortage error state command set here is transmitted to the effect control device 124 in the effect control output process (step S214 in FIG. 28).

  Step S7500: The main control CPU 72 executes solenoid control processing. In this process, the main control CPU 72 controls the operating state (ON or OFF) of the ascending apparatus guiding path solenoid 95. Further, the main control CPU 72 can execute a discharging process during a big hit game, particularly in this process. Details of the solenoid control processing will be further described later using another flowchart.

[Special game progress]
FIG. 33 is a diagram showing a list of values of “special game management status” that change as the special game management process is executed, and the progress of special games corresponding to the respective values. In this embodiment, a special game (game corresponding to a special symbol) is started with, for example, (1) “special symbol variation waiting state” as an initial state. Then, when a game ball enters one of the left start winning port 26, the middle start winning port 28 or the right start winning port 27, the progress of the special game is as follows (2) “ Transition to “special symbol fluctuation display state”, and further, through (3) “special symbol stop symbol display state”, (4) “small hit hour bonus device operation start effect state”, (5) “small Transition to the “hitting time accessory device open state”, (6) “closed state after opening the small hitting time feature device”, and (7) “small hitting time device device end effecting state”.

  At this time, if the passing through the specific area (V winning) does not occur in the movable pitching accessory 30 (the accessory), the progress status of the special game returns to (1) “special symbol variation waiting state”. From there, repeat. On the other hand, if (5) the passing of a specific area (V winning) occurs in the movable pitching accessory device 30 (the accessory device) after the “small hit time accessory device open state”, the progress of the special game is ( 8) Transition to the big hit start production state, from there (9) "Closing state of the equipment device opening / closing operation of the big hit", (10) "Closed state after opening the big hit time equipment device", (11) The state transitions to “the state during the physical device closing time” and (12) “the state during the big hit ending effect”. When (12) the “big hit ending production in progress state” is completed, the progress status of the special game returns to (1) “special symbol variation waiting state” and repeats from there. More specific description will be given below.

(1) "Waiting for special symbols"
At the beginning of the game by the pachinko machine 1, the progress of the special game is (1) “waiting for special symbol variation”. This state means that the start condition of the special symbol is satisfied. For example, when the special symbol is not changing and the previous change display is performed, the special symbol stop display is already confirmed. In this state, the main control CPU 72 sets the value of “special game management status” to “00H”, and the special symbol change start waiting process (step S1500) is selected in the special game management process.

(2) "Special symbol change display state"
When a game ball enters one of the left starting winning port 26, the middle starting winning port 28 or the right starting winning port 27 in the above (1) “special symbol variation waiting state”, the special symbol changes. The display is started and the progress status shifts to (2) “special symbol variation display state”. This state means that the special symbol is being variably displayed on the first special symbol display device 34 or the second special symbol display device 35. During this time, the main control CPU 72 sets the value of “special game management status” to “01H”, and the special symbol changing process (step S2000) is selected in the special game management process.

(3) "Special symbol stop symbol display state"
When the special symbol change time elapses and the special symbol is stopped and displayed, the progress status changes to (3) “special symbol stopped symbol displaying state”. This state means that the special symbol is being stopped and displayed on the first special symbol display device 34 or the second special symbol display device 35. During this time, the main control CPU 72 sets the value of “special game management status” to “02H”, and the special symbol stop display process (step S2500) is selected in the special game management process.

(4) “The state of starting the operation of the accessory device for small hits”
When the special symbol stop display time is determined after the special symbol stop display time elapses, the progress state is changed to (4) “small hit hour accessory device operation start producing state”. This state means waiting for the start of the operation of the movable pitching accessory device 30 triggered by the winning of the special symbol (corresponding to the small hit). During this time, the main control CPU 72 has set the value of “special game management status” to “03H”, and the special equipment management process wait process (step S3000) is selected.

(5) “Utility device open state at small hit”
When the movable ball accessory device 30 is activated, the progress state changes to (5) “small hit hour accessory device open state”. This state means that the big prize opening 30b is being opened in accordance with the operation of the movable pitching accessory device 30. During this time, the main control CPU 72 sets the value of “special game management status” to “04H”, and the small hitting time bonus device opening process (step S3500) is selected in the special game management process. The main control CPU 72 starts motor drive control in the motor management process (step S209 in FIG. 28) when the value of the “special game management status” is updated to “04H”.

(6) “Closed state after opening the equipment device for small hits”
When the big prize opening 30b is closed, the progress status changes to (6) "closed state after opening the small hitting bonus device". This state means that the big winning opening 30b is being closed in the movable ball accessory device 30. During this time, the main control CPU 72 has set the value of “special game management status” to “05H”, and the small hitting time bonus device closing process (step S4000) is selected in the special game management process.

(7) “At the time of small hitting equipment device operation end effect state”
After closing the big prize opening 30b, the progress status further transitions to (7) “actual device end effect in effect at the time of a small hit”. This state means that it is in a period in which the game using the game ball distributing operation in the movable incoming ball accessory device 30 is ended. During this time, the main control CPU 72 has set the value of “special game management status” to “06H”, and the small hitting time accessory device operation end process (step S4500) is selected in the special game management process. In addition, when the passage (V winning) of the specific area does not occur in the movable ball accessory device 30, the progress status returns to (1) “special symbol variation waiting state”.

(8) “Big hit start producing state”
When the passage of the specific area (V winning) occurs in the movable pitching equipment 30, the progress status shifts to (8) “Big hit start effect state”. This state means that it is a waiting period for starting the operation of the movable incoming ball accessory device 30 again. During this time, the main control CPU 72 has set the value of “special game management status” to “07H”, and the big hit time bonus device operation start process (step S5000) is selected in the special game management process.

(9) “The state of opening / closing operation of the utility equipment at the time of big hit”
When the movable ball accessory device 30 starts to operate again, the progress state shifts to (9) “Big hitting time accessory device opening / closing operation state”. This state means that the special winning opening 30b is being opened. During this time, the main control CPU 72 sets the value of “special game management status” to “08H”, and the big hit time bonus device release process (step S5500) is selected in the special game management process.

(10) “Closed state after opening the equipment device for big hits”
When the big winning opening is closed by the movable ball accessory device 30, the progress state changes to (10) “closed state after opening the big bonus hour bonus device”. This state means a state immediately after the big prize opening is closed at the end of the round. At this time, the main control CPU 72 has set the value of “special game management status” to “09H”, and the big hit bonus device closing effective process (step S5550) is selected in the special game management process.

(11) “When the jackpot is in the closed state of the equipment device”
After the movable incoming ball accessory device 30 is closed, the progress state shifts to (11) “a state during the big hit hour bonus device device closing time”. This state means that it is in a standby state (inter-round interval) after the end of the round. At this time, the main control CPU 72 has set the value of “special game management status” to “0AH”, and the big hit bonus device closing process (step S6000) is selected in the special game management process. If the number of rounds during the big hit has not been exhausted, the subsequent progress status returns to (9) “A state of opening / closing operation of the bonus device at the big hit”.

(12) “Big hitting ending production state”
When the standby time after the end of the big hit final round elapses, the progress status shifts to (12) “A big hit ending producing state”. This state means that it is in the big hit ending production state. At this time, the main control CPU 72 has set the value of “special game management status” to “0BH”, and the big hit time bonus device operation end process (step S6500) is selected in the special game management process.

  As described above, in the special game management process (FIG. 32), the main control CPU 72 changes the value of “special game management status” from “00H” to “0BH” in accordance with the change in the progress status of the special game. It is possible to select a special game control module according to the progress of time. Further, when the value of the special game management status is updated, the main control CPU 72 generates a special game management status command reflecting the value. The special game management status command is transmitted to the effect control device 124 in the effect control output process (step S214 in FIG. 28).

[Special symbol variation start waiting process]
FIG. 34 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure example of the special symbol variation start waiting process. Hereinafter, it demonstrates along each procedure.

  Step S2100: First, the main control CPU 72 checks whether or not the first special symbol working memory number or the second special symbol working memory number remains (greater than 0). This confirmation can be made with reference to the value of the working memory number counter stored in the RAM 76. When the number of working memories of both the first special symbol and the second special symbol is 0 (No), the main control CPU 72 executes a demonstration setting process in step S2502.

  Step S2502: In this process, the main control CPU 72 generates a customer waiting designation command. The customer waiting designation command is output to the effect control device 124 in the effect control output process (step S214 in FIG. 28). When the demo setting process is executed, the main control CPU 72 returns to the special symbol game process. At the time of return, it returns to the end address as described above (and so on).

  On the other hand, if the value of the working memory number counter of either the first special symbol or the second special symbol is greater than 0 (Yes), the main control CPU 72 next executes step S2300.

  Step S2300: The main control CPU 72 executes a big hit determination process (internal lottery). In this process, first, the main control CPU 72 reads a lottery random number (a jackpot determined random number, a jackpot symbol random number) stored in a random number storage area of the RAM 76. The read random number is stored, for example, in another temporary storage area, and the working memory is erased (consumed) from the random number storage area. Next, the main control CPU 72 sets a range of the big hit value and determines whether or not the read random number value is included in this range. If the random value read at this time is included in the range of the big hit value, the main control CPU 72 sets the big hit flag (01H), and then proceeds to step S2400. Here, this processing is necessary when providing a hit (so-called direct hit, per direct hit) in which a big hit game is directly executed by entering each starting winning opening, but the direct hit must be set. For example, this process may be omitted.

  When the above big hit flag is not set, the main control CPU 72 sets the range of the small hit value next in the same big hit determination process, and determines whether or not the read random number value is included in this range. The “small hit” here is other than non-winning (out of), but is different from “big hit”. That is, “big hit” generates a big hit game, but “small hit” does not generate such an opportunity. However, “small hit” is positioned as satisfying the conditions for operating the movable ball accessory device 30 in the same manner as “big hit”. If the read random number value is included within the range of the small hit value, the main control CPU 72 sets the small hit flag, and then proceeds to step S2400.

  Step S2400: The main control CPU 72 determines whether or not a value (01H) is set for the big hit flag in the previous big hit determination process. If the value (01H) is not set in the jackpot flag (No), the main control CPU 72 next executes step S2402.

  Step S2402: The main control CPU 72 determines whether or not a value (01H) is set in the small hit flag in the previous big hit determination process. If the value (01H) is not set in the small hit flag (No), the main control CPU 72 next executes step S2404. However, in this embodiment, since the small hit probability is set to 1, the following steps S2404 and S2405 are not executed. However, if the small hit probability is set to “substantially 1” instead of “1”, there may be rare cases where the winning combination is not won, so the following steps S2404 and S2405 are executed.

  Step S2404: The main control CPU 72 executes an off-time stop symbol determination process. In this process, the main control CPU 72 sets stop symbol number data at the time of disconnection by the first special symbol display device 34 or the second special symbol display device 35. Further, the main control CPU 72 generates a stop symbol command and a lottery result command (at the time of losing) to be transmitted to the effect control device 124. These commands are transmitted to the effect control device 124 in the effect control output process (step S214 in FIG. 28).

  In this embodiment, since the 7-segment LED is used for the first special symbol display device 34 and the second special symbol display device 35, for example, the display mode of the stop symbol at the time of disconnection is set to one segment (the central bar). It is possible to fix the stop symbol number data to one value (for example, 64H) by keeping only the “−”) lighting display. In this case, the storage capacity used in the program can be reduced, the processing load on the main control CPU 72 can be reduced, and the processing speed can be improved.

  Step S2405: Next, the main control CPU 72 executes a deviation variation pattern determination process. In this process, the main control CPU 72 determines the fluctuation pattern number at the time of deviation for the special symbol. The variation pattern number is used to distinguish the variation display type (pattern) of the special symbol or to correspond to the variation time required for the variation display. The variation pattern includes various variation patterns with different variation times (the same applies to big hits and small hits). Information regarding the variation pattern of the selected special symbol is transmitted to the effect control device as a variation pattern command. Note that the symbol stop display time at the time of disconnection is constant (for example, about 0.5 seconds) regardless of the variation pattern. The main control CPU 72 sets the value of the determined fluctuation time (at the time of disconnection) in the fluctuation timer, and sets the value of the stop display time at the time of disconnection in the stop symbol display timer.

  The above steps S2404 and S2405 are control procedures when the big hit determination result is out of place (in the case other than non-winning), but the determination result is a big hit (step S2400: Yes) or a small hit (step S2402: Yes). The main control CPU 72 executes the following procedure. First, the case of jackpot will be described.

  Step S2410: The main control CPU 72 executes a big hit stop symbol determination process (winning type determination means). In this process, the main control CPU 72 determines the type of the winning symbol (stop symbol number at the time of jackpot) for each special symbol (first special symbol or second special symbol) based on the jackpot symbol random number. The relationship between the jackpot symbol random number value and the type of winning symbol is defined in advance in the special symbol determination data table (winning type defining means). For this reason, the main control CPU 72 can determine the type of winning symbol based on the big hit symbol random number from the stored contents by referring to the big hit symbol stop selection table in the big hit symbol stop determination process.

  Step S2412: Next, the main control CPU 72 executes a big hit hour variation pattern determination process. In this process, the variation pattern (variation time and stop display time) of the first special symbol or the second special symbol is determined based on the variation pattern determination random number. The main control CPU 72 sets the value of the determined variation time in the variation timer, and sets the value of the stop display time in the stop symbol display timer. The variation time of the special symbol may be fixed and selected in a variation pattern having a certain variation time. However, in order to vary the time until the movable ball accessory 30 is opened, different variations are possible. A variation pattern having time may be selectively determined.

  Step S2414: Next, the main control CPU 72 executes a big hit other setting process. In this process, the main control CPU 72 determines the display mode of the stop symbol (big hit symbol) by the first special symbol display device 34 or the second special symbol display device 35 based on the big hit stop symbol number. At the same time, the main control CPU 72 generates a lottery result command (at the time of the big hit) together with the stop symbol command (at the time of the big hit). The stop symbol command and the lottery result command are also transmitted to the effect control device 124 in the effect control output process.

Next, processing for small hits will be described.
Step S2407: The main control CPU 72 executes a small hit stop symbol determination process. In this process, the main control CPU 72 determines the type of winning symbol at the time of small hit (stop symbol number at small hit) based on the big hit symbol random number. Similarly, the relationship between the big winning symbol random number value and the type of winning symbol at the time of small hitting is preliminarily defined in the special symbol selection table at small hitting (winning type defining means). In this embodiment, in order to reduce the load on the main control CPU 72, the winning symbol at the time of the small hit is determined using the big hit symbol random number, but a dedicated random number may be used separately.

  Here, in this embodiment, two types of “small hit 1” and “small hit 2” are provided as the special symbol winning types, and the main control CPU 72 determines which winning type it corresponds to. Specifically, if it is a lottery based on the first special symbol, it is determined that it corresponds to “small hit 1”, and if it is a lottery based on the second special symbol, it corresponds to “small bonus 2”. decide. The number of times of opening of the movable piece 30a of the movable incoming ball accessory device 30 is determined based on the hit stop symbol determined here ("small hit 1" or "small hit 2").

  However, in the present embodiment, the winning in the special symbol lottery is not a big hit as it is, but only an opening opportunity (= small hit) of the movable incoming ball accessory device 30. In order to actually advance to the big hit (movable incoming ball again) In order to open the accessory device 30), it is necessary to pass the game ball to any specific area in the movable incoming ball accessory device 30.

[Winning pattern for small hits]
In this embodiment, two types of symbols are prepared as winning symbols at the time of a small hit, and the specific symbols are “small hit symbol 1” for one-time opening and “small hit symbol for two-time opening”. 2 ”.

[First special symbol stop symbol selection table]
FIG. 35 is a diagram showing a configuration column of the first special symbol stop symbol selection table. When the current lottery result corresponds to the first special symbol, the main control CPU 72 determines the winning symbol type with reference to this table.

  In the first special symbol stop symbol selection table, the left column shows a distribution value for each winning symbol, and the distribution value “100” corresponds to a ratio when the denominator is 100. In the second column from the left, “small hit symbol 1” corresponding to the distribution value is shown. That is, at the time of hitting corresponding to the first special symbol, the ratio of selecting “small hit symbol 1” is 100/100 (= 100%). Therefore, when winning with the first special symbol, “small hit symbol 1” is selected at a rate of 100%.

  When the result of this big hit corresponds to the first special symbol, the main control CPU 72 performs a selection lottery based on the big hit symbol random number, and selectively selects the winning symbol at the selection ratio shown in the first special symbol stop symbol selection table. decide. In the first special symbol stop symbol selection table, as shown in the third column from the left, for example, 2-byte command data is defined as a stop symbol command at the time of winning. The stop symbol command is described by, for example, a combination of MODE value-EVENT value, and among these, the MODE value “B1H” of the upper byte is selected when the current winning symbol hits the first special symbol. Represents. Further, the EVENT value “01H” in the lower byte represents the type of the winning symbol corresponding in the selection table. For this reason, the result of winning this time corresponds to the first special symbol, and when “small hit symbol 1” is selected as the winning symbol, the stop symbol command at the time of winning is described as “B1H01H” become.

  As described above, when the main control CPU 72 selects a winning symbol from the first special symbol stop symbol selection table, it generates a stop symbol command at that time. The generated stop symbol command is transmitted to the effect control device 124 in the effect control output process described above, for example. Further, the main control CPU 72 determines a small hit stop symbol number for the first special symbol based on the selected winning symbol.

[Second special symbol stop symbol selection table]
FIG. 36 is a diagram showing a configuration column of the second special symbol stop symbol selection table. When the current lottery result corresponds to the second special symbol, the main control CPU 72 refers to this table to determine the type of winning symbol.

  Also in the second special symbol stop symbol selection table, the left column shows a distribution value for each winning symbol, and the distribution value “100” corresponds to a ratio when the denominator is 100. Similarly, in the second column from the left, “small hit symbol 2” corresponding to the distribution value is shown. That is, in the hitting time corresponding to the second special symbol, the ratio of “small hit symbol 2” being selected is 100/100 (= 100%). Therefore, for the second special symbol, “small hit symbol 2” is selected at a rate of 100% when winning.

  If the current lottery result corresponds to the second special symbol, the main control CPU 72 performs a selection lottery based on the jackpot symbol random number, and selectively determines the winning symbol at the selection ratio shown in the second special symbol stop symbol selection table. To do. Similarly, in the second special symbol stop symbol selection table, as shown in the third column from the left, for example, 2-byte command data is defined as a stop symbol command at the time of winning. Again, the stop symbol command is described by the combination of the above MODE value-EVENT value. Among these, the MODE value “B2H” of the upper byte is selected when the winning symbol of this time is the small special hit of the second special symbol. It is a thing. Further, the EVENT value “01H” in the lower byte represents the type of the winning symbol corresponding to each in the selection table. Therefore, for example, if the result of the small hit this time corresponds to the second special symbol, and “small hit symbol 2” is selected as the winning symbol, the stop symbol command is described as “B2H01H”. Become.

  As described above, when the main control CPU 72 selects a winning symbol from the second special symbol stop symbol selection table, it generates a stop symbol command at that time. The generated stop symbol command is transmitted to the effect control device 124 in the effect control output process described above, for example. Further, the main control CPU 72 determines a small hit stop symbol number for the second special symbol based on the selected winning symbol.

[See Figure 34: Special Symbol Variation Start Waiting Process]
Step S2408: Next, the main control CPU 72 executes a small hit hour variation pattern determination process. In this process, the main control CPU 72 determines the variation pattern (variation time and stop display time) of the first special symbol based on the variation pattern determination random number (variation pattern determination means, variation time determination means). Further, the main control CPU 72 sets the determined variation time value in the variation timer, and sets the stop display time value in the stop symbol display timer.

  Step S2409: Next, the main control CPU 72 executes a small hitting and other setting process. In this process, the main control CPU 72 determines the display mode of the stop symbol (small hit symbol) by the first special symbol display device 34 or the second special symbol display device 35 based on the stop symbol number at the time of small hit. In addition, the main control CPU 72 generates a stop symbol command and a lottery result command (at the time of a small hit) to be transmitted to the effect control device 124. The stop symbol command and the lottery result command are also transmitted to the effect control device 124 in the effect control output process.

  Step S2415: Next, the main control CPU 72 executes special symbol variation start processing. In this process, the main control CPU 72 selects the fluctuation pattern data based on the fluctuation pattern number (out of time / hit). At the same time, the main control CPU 72 sets a special symbol variation start flag in the flag area of the RAM 76. Then, the main control CPU 72 generates a change start command to be transmitted to the effect control device 124. This variation start command is also transmitted to the effect control device 124 in the effect control output process. When the above procedure is completed, the main control CPU 72 updates the value of “special game management status” to “01H” and returns to the special symbol game process.

[Handling device opening process at small hits]
FIG. 37 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure of the small hitting time bonus device opening process (step S3500 in FIG. 32). As described above, in the special hit management device opening process, the special symbol is displayed in the special game management process, and after the special symbol is stopped and displayed in the small win (winning probability 1/1) mode, This is executed after the countdown of the big prize opening opening timer by the waiting operation for waiting for starting the product device (step S3000 in FIG. 32). In this case, the value of “special game management status” is updated to “04H”. Hereinafter, it demonstrates along the example of a procedure.

  Step S3501: First, the main control CPU 72 sets the big prize opening solenoid ON flag in the small hitting time bonus device opening process. This flag is stored in the flag set area of the RAM 76, for example.

  Step S3502: Next, the main control CPU 72 executes switch input event processing. In this process, the main control CPU 72 updates the winning ball counter to the movable winning ball accessory 30 (large winning opening 30b) based on the winning detection signal from the count switch 84. The value of the winning ball number counter is stored in the count number area of the RAM 76, for example. In the switch input event process, the main control CPU 72 also confirms the detection signals from the discharge detection switch 900 and each specific area switch. Note that when the first call is made to this module, the big prize opening solenoid 90 is inactive and the big prize opening 30b is not yet opened, so that the winning ball counter is not added for the first time.

  Step S3504: Next, the main control CPU 72 checks whether or not the value of the winning ball counter reaches the maximum number (for example, 5). As described above, since the counter is not added when the module is called for the first time (No), the main control CPU 72 proceeds to step S3506.

  Step S3506: In this case, an initial release timer countdown process is executed. If this module is called for the first time, the main control CPU 72 sets the initial release timer to an initial value (for example, 1 second). If the call is made after the first call, the main control CPU 72 decrements the value of the set first release timer.

  Step S3508: Then, the main control CPU 72 confirms whether or not the first prize opening initial opening time has ended. When the value of the initial release timer is larger than 0 (No), the main control CPU 72 proceeds to step S3514.

  Step S3514: In this case, the main control CPU 72 reads the big prize opening solenoid ON flag from the flag set area of the RAM 76, and sets “actuation (ON)” as the control signal of the big prize opening solenoid 90 based on the value. Thereby, the big prize opening solenoid 90 is excited and the big prize opening 30b is opened.

  Then, when this module is called from the next time on and a winning to the big winning opening 30b actually occurs, the value of the winning ball counter is added in the switch input event process (step S3502).

  When the value of the winning ball counter reaches the maximum number (step S3504: Yes) or when the value of the initial release timer becomes 0 (step S3508: Yes), the main control CPU 72 next executes step S3509.

  Step S3509: In this case, the main control CPU 72 sets a special winning opening solenoid OFF flag. As a result, the ON flag set in the flag set area of the RAM 76 is rewritten to the OFF flag.

  Step S3510: The main control CPU 72 sets the value of “special game management status” to “05H”. As a result, this module will not be called after the next time, and the special game progress status will be moved to the next stage. However, when the lottery with the second special symbol corresponds to “small hit 2”, the big winning opening 30b is opened twice, so the main control CPU 72 sets the value of “special game management status” to “ 04H ". Thereby, a series of processes in this module is executed once again.

  Step S3512: The main control CPU 72 also sets an accessory device closing command. This command is for notifying the production control device 124 (production control CPU 126) that the movable entrance ball apparatus 30 is closed. The command set here is transmitted to the effect control device 124 in the effect control output process (step S214 in FIG. 28).

  Step S3514: The main control CPU 72 sets “non-actuated (OFF)” as a control signal for the special winning opening solenoid 90 based on the value of the special winning opening solenoid OFF flag set in the flag set area of the RAM 76. As a result, excitation of the special winning opening solenoid 90 is stopped, and the special winning opening 30b is closed.

  When the above procedure is executed, the main control CPU 72 returns to the program address of the remaining ball error command setting process (step S7000). Further, as described above, since the value of “special game management status” has been updated to “05H” thereafter, this module is not called for the time being (until the next special symbol change).

[Handling equipment closing process at small hits]
Next, FIG. 38 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the small hitting-time equipment device closing process (step S4000 in FIG. 32). As described above, the small hitting time bonus device closing process is executed when the value of the “special game management status” is updated to “05H”. Hereinafter, it demonstrates along the example of a procedure.

  Step S4002: First, the main control CPU 72 executes switch input event processing. In this process, the main control CPU 72 mainly checks the detection signal from the discharge detection switch 900 and adds the value of the discharge ball number counter. The value of the discharge ball number counter is stored in the count number area of the RAM 76, for example. In this process, the main control CPU 72 confirms the presence or absence of a passage detection signal from the first specific area switch 701, the second specific area switch 702, and the third specific area switch 703. When the passage detection signal is input within the effective time of each specific area switch, the main control CPU 72 sets the value (01H) of the big hit flag here.

  In addition, when the big hit flag value (01H) is set, the main control CPU 72 also sets the big hit type status value. Specifically, when a pass detection signal is input from the first specific area switch 701, the big hit type status is set to “01H”, and when a pass detection signal is input from the second specific area switch 702, the big hit type is set. When “02H” is set in the status and a passage detection signal is input from the third specific area switch 703, “03H” is set in the jackpot type status. Further, when the main control CPU 72 sets a value of the jackpot type status, it generates a jackpot type command reflecting the value. The big hit type command is transmitted to the effect control device 124 in the effect control output process (step S214 in FIG. 28). In response to this, the effect control device 124 (effect control CPU 126) can control the execution of the effect at the time of the big hit.

  Step S4014: The main control CPU 72 executes a remaining ball discharge check process. In this process, the main control CPU 72 compares the value of the above-mentioned winning ball number counter with the value of the discharged ball number counter. The value of the discharge ball number counter includes the total number of game balls detected by the discharge detection switch 900 and the number of game balls detected by each specific area switch.

  Step S4016: Then, the main control CPU 72 determines whether or not the discharge of the effective sphere has been completed based on the above comparison result. That is, if the value of the discharged ball number counter is smaller than the value of the winning ball number counter, the main control CPU 72 determines that the discharging of the effective balls has not been completed yet (No). In this case, the main control CPU 72 ends this module and returns to the special game management process. On the other hand, if the value of the discharge ball number counter is not smaller than the value of the winning ball number counter (when both match), the main control CPU 72 determines that the discharge of the effective ball is completed (Yes), and the next step The process proceeds to S4028.

  Step S4028: Here, the main control CPU 72 sets the value of “special game management status” to “06H”. As a result, the bonus game is temporarily terminated on condition that the number of regular winning balls and the number of discharged balls coincide (Yes in step S4016).

  Step S4030: Further, the main control CPU 72 confirms whether or not the value of the big hit flag (01H) is set. In particular, if the value of the big hit flag is not set (No), the main control CPU 72 returns to the special game management process. On the other hand, when the value of the big hit flag is set (Yes), the main control CPU 72 executes step S4032.

  Step S4032: In this case, the main control CPU 72 sets a big hit state designation command. When the above procedure is completed, the main control CPU 72 returns to the special game management process.

[End-of-use service equipment end processing]
Next, FIG. 39 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the small hitting time accessory device operation end processing (step S4500 in FIG. 32). As described above, the small hit hourly equipment operation end processing is executed when the value of the “special game management status” is updated to “06H”. Hereinafter, it demonstrates along the example of a procedure.

  Step S4502: The main control CPU 72 executes an ending time timer countdown process. In this process, the main control CPU 72 sets an initial value in the ending time timer, and then counts down the timer with the passage of time (every time this module is called). Further, the display unit of the effect display device 42 uses this “ending time” to perform an ending effect for ending the game flow in the movable pitching accessory device 30.

  Step S4504: Next, the main control CPU 72 confirms whether or not the ending time has expired. Specifically, if the value of the ending time timer has not yet become 0, the main control CPU 72 determines that the ending time has not ended (No). In this case, the main control CPU 72 ends this module and returns to the special game management process.

  Thereafter, when the value of the ending time timer becomes 0 with the passage of time, the main control CPU 72 determines that the ending time has ended (Yes), and executes step S4506 and subsequent steps.

  Step S4506: The main control CPU 72 checks whether or not the value (01H) of the jackpot state designation command is set. In particular, when the value of the big hit state designation command is not set (No), the main control CPU 72 proceeds to step S4512. On the other hand, if the value of the big hit state designation command is set (Yes), the main control CPU 72 proceeds to step S4508.

  Step S4508: In this case, the main control CPU 72 sets a big hit state transition command.

  When the value of the big hit state designation command is not set (step S4506: No), or when the value of the big hit state designation command is set (step S4506: Yes), the main control CPU 72 executes step S4508. S4512 is executed.

  Step S4512: Here, the main control CPU 72 sets an ending time end command. This ending time end command is used to notify the effect control device 124 (effect control CPU 126) that the game flow in the movable ball accessory device 30 at the time of a small hit has ended. The ending time end command set here is transmitted to the effect control device 124 in the effect control output process (step S214 in FIG. 28).

  Step S4514: Then, the main control CPU 72 sets the value of “special game management status” based on the value of the jackpot state transition command. That is, here, the result differs depending on whether or not the value (01H) of the big hit state transition command is set. Specifically, when the big hit state transition command is set in the previous step S4508, the main control CPU 72 sets (updates) the value of “special game management status” to “07H”. In this case, as described above, in the special game management process, the big hit hour bonus device operation start process (step S5000 in FIG. 32) is executed.

  On the other hand, if step S4508 is not executed (the jackpot state transition command is not set), the main control CPU 72 returns the value of “special game management status” to “00H”. In this case, in the subsequent special game management process, the big hit time bonus device operation start process (step S5000 in FIG. 32) is not selected, and the special symbol change start waiting process (step S1500 in FIG. 32) is executed. become. In any case, when the above procedure is executed, the main control CPU 72 returns to the special game management process.

[Processing of starting equipment for big hits]
FIG. 40 is a flowchart showing a procedure example of the big hit hour apparatus operation start processing (step S5000 in FIG. 32). Hereinafter, a process when the jackpot state transition command is set (when the value of “special game management status” is updated to “07H”) will be described.

  Step S5002: First, the main control CPU 72 executes a big hit start waiting time timer countdown process. In this process, the main control CPU 72 sets an initial value for the jackpot start waiting time timer, and then counts down the timer as time elapses (each time this module is called). The initial value of the big hit start waiting time timer is set as a waiting time (for example, about several seconds) from the end of the operation of the movable incoming ball accessory device 30 at the time of the small hit until the movable incoming ball accessory device 30 is operated again. . Further, on the display unit of the effect display device 42, for example, an effect before the start of the big hit game is performed using this “hit start waiting time”.

  Step S5004: Next, the main control CPU 72 checks whether or not the big hit start waiting time has elapsed. That is, if the value of the big hit start waiting time timer is not yet 0, the main control CPU 72 determines that the big hit start waiting time has not elapsed (No). In this case, the main control CPU 72 ends this module and returns to the special game management process.

  Thereafter, when the value of the big hit start waiting time timer becomes 0 with the passage of time, the main control CPU 72 determines that the big hit start waiting time has passed (Yes), and executes step S5006 and subsequent steps.

  Step S5006: In this case, the main control CPU 72 sets the number of execution rounds. In the present embodiment, the number of execution rounds (number of continuous operations) to be set is “3 rounds”, “7 rounds”, and “16 rounds”. The number of execution rounds can be set by checking the type status. However, as described above, the initial opening (small hitting operation) of the movable ball accessory device 30 corresponds to the first round. Therefore, here, the remaining “2 rounds”, “6 rounds”, or “15 rounds” are set as the number of execution rounds. The number of execution rounds set here is stored in the buffer area of the RAM 76 as a corresponding value on the program (for example, “14” for 15 times).

  Step S5008: Next, the main control CPU 72 sets a big hit release timer. The value of the timer set here is the opening time per one time when the movable ball accessory device 30 is operated. In this embodiment, a total opening time for one round (for example, about 29.0 seconds) is set as the value of the big hit release timer. With such an opening time, a sufficient number (for example, about 9) of game balls can be awarded to the grand prize opening during that time.

  Step S5010: Then, the main control CPU 72 sets a big hit interval timer (a big prize closing time timer). The timer value set here is the waiting time between rounds of big hit or the waiting time at the end of the final round. Note that the value of the timer is set to about 2 to 3 seconds, for example.

  Step S5012: Then, the main control CPU 72 updates the value of “special game management status” to “08H” and returns to the special game management process.

[Closing equipment for big hits]
FIG. 41 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure example of the big hit time bonus device opening process (step S5500 in FIG. 32). When the value of the “special game management status” is updated to “08H” in the previous jackpot bonus equipment operation start process (step S5012 in FIG. 40), the jackpot bonus equipment apparatus release process is executed thereafter. . This process is mainly for controlling the opening / closing operation of the movable entrance ball apparatus 30 as an operation during the big hit game (special game). Hereinafter, it demonstrates along the example of a procedure.

  Step S5502: The main control CPU 72 opens the special winning opening 30b. Specifically, a drive signal to be applied to the special winning opening solenoid 90 is output. As a result, the movable ball accessory device 30 operates to shift from the closed state to the open state.

  Step S5504: Next, the main control CPU 72 executes an open timer countdown process. In this process, the count-down of the release timer set in the previous jackpot hourly equipment operation start process (step S5008 in FIG. 40) is executed.

  Step S5506: Subsequently, the main control CPU 72 confirms whether or not the opening time has expired. Specifically, it is confirmed whether or not the value of the release timer after the countdown process is 0 or less. If the value of the release timer is not yet 0 or less (No), the main control CPU 72 next executes step S5508. Execute.

  Step S5508: The main control CPU 72 executes a winning ball count process. In this process, the number of game balls that have won a prize in the movable entrance ball accessory device 30 (the open big winning opening 30b) within the opening time is counted. Specifically, the main control CPU 72 increments the count value based on the winning detection signal input from the count switch 84 within the opening time.

  Step S5510: Next, the main control CPU 72 checks whether or not the current count number is less than a predetermined number (9). This predetermined number defines the upper limit of the number of winning balls (upper limit of the number of winning balls) allowed per opening (one round in the big hit, one in the small hit) as described above. If the count has not yet reached the predetermined number (Yes), the main control CPU 72 returns to the special game management process. Then, when the special game management process is executed next, since the jump destination is set to the big hit time bonus device opening process at the present stage, the main control CPU 72 repeatedly executes the procedure from step S5502 to step S5510.

  If it is determined in step S5506 that the opening time has ended (Yes), or if it is confirmed in step S5510 that the count has reached a predetermined number (No), the main control CPU 72 then executes step S5512.

  Step S5512: The main control CPU 72 closes the special winning opening 30b. Specifically, the output of the drive signal applied to the special winning opening solenoid 90 is stopped. As a result, the movable ball accessory device 30 returns from the open state to the closed state.

  Step S5514: Next, the main control CPU 72 executes interval standby processing. In this process, the main control CPU 72 executes the count-down of the interval timer set in the above-mentioned jackpot hour utility device operation start process (step S5010 in FIG. 40). Then, when the value of the interval timer becomes 0 or less, the main control CPU 72 proceeds to step S5518. Although not particularly shown here, until the interval time elapses (until the interval timer value becomes 0), the main control CPU 72 starts the special game management process that is the caller from step S5514 for each interrupt. Returns to the end address of. Then, when the big hit time bonus device release process is executed in the next call, step S5514 is executed directly, not from the top step S5502.

  Step S5518: The main control CPU 72 increments the value of the opening number counter. Note that the value of the number-of-releases counter is stored in the count area of the RAM 76 with an initial value of 0, for example.

  Step S5520: The main control CPU 72 checks whether or not the value of the incremented release number counter has reached the number set within the current round. Here, the reason why the “number of times set in the current round” is determined corresponds to the opening pattern of “moving the moving ball accessory device 30 being opened multiple times within one round of big hit”. It is. In the present embodiment, an open pattern that opens 18 times per round is adopted, so the “number of times set in the current round” is set to 18 times in each round. When the incremented number of times of opening counter reaches the set number of times (for example, “18”) (Yes), the main control CPU 72 proceeds to step S5522.

  If the counter value has not yet reached the set number at the end of one opening (step S5520: No), the main control CPU 72 returns to the special game management process, and the jump destination is a big hit time bonus device at this stage. Since the operation start process is set, the above steps S5502 to S5520 are repeatedly executed. As a result, the increment of the number-of-releases counter is advanced in step S5518, and when the counter value reaches the set number of times (Yes), the main control CPU 72 then proceeds to step S5522.

  Step S5522: Here, the main control CPU 72 sets the value of the special game management status to “09H” and returns to the special game management process. For this reason, when the main control CPU 72 executes the special game management process next time, the next big hit time bonus device closing effective process (step S5550 in FIG. 32) is selected as the jump destination.

  Although not shown in particular, the big hit time bonus device closing effective process as described above is executed in order to adjust the time required for closing the movable incoming ball accessory device 30 from opening. In this process, the main control CPU 72 updates the value of “special game management status” to “0AH” and returns to the special game management process. Next, when the main control CPU 72 executes a special game management process, the next big hit time bonus device closing process (step S6000 in FIG. 32) is selected as the jump destination.

[Closing of equipment for big hits]
FIG. 42 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure example of the big hit time bonus device closing process. The big hit time accessory device closing process is for adjusting the internal state before moving to the next operation after the effective closing time of the movable incoming ball accessory device 30 elapses as described above. This will be specifically described below.

  Step S6002: First, the main control CPU 72 executes a special winning opening closing time timer countdown process. In this process, the main control CPU 72 executes a countdown of a big hit time interval timer (big prize closing time timer) set in the previous big hit hour bonus device operation start process (step S5010 in FIG. 40).

  Step S6004: Subsequently, the main control CPU 72 confirms whether or not the closing time (interval time) has ended. Specifically, it is confirmed whether or not the value of the big hit interval timer after the countdown process is 0 or less. If the timer value is not yet 0 or less (No), the main control CPU 72 determines whether or not the big hit Ends the hourly equipment closing process and returns to the special game management process. Then, when the special game management process is executed next, since the special game management status is set to “0AH” at this stage, the main control CPU 72 selects the big hit time bonus device closing process, and the above-described step S6002 and The procedure of step S6004 is repeatedly executed. If it is determined in step S6004 that the closing time has expired (Yes), the main control CPU 72 next executes step S6006.

  Step S6006: The main control CPU 72 increments the value of the round number counter. Note that the value of the round number counter is stored in the count area of the RAM 76, for example, with an initial value of 0.

  Step S6008: The main control CPU 72 checks whether or not the value of the incremented round number counter has reached the set number of execution rounds. Note that the number of execution rounds is set in the preceding jackpot hour article device operation start process (step S5006 in FIG. 40). At this time, if the value of the round number counter has not yet reached the number of execution rounds (No), the main control CPU 72 proceeds to step S6014.

[Before the final round]
Step S6014: In this case, the main control CPU 72 sets a round number command based on the value of the current round number counter. The round number command set here is transmitted to the effect control device 124 in the effect control output process (step S214 in FIG. 28). The effect control device 124 can recognize the current number of rounds based on the received round number command and reflect the result in the effect control during the big hit.

  Step S6016: Then, the main control CPU 72 changes the value of the special game management status from “0AH” and sets it to “08H”. As a result, when the main control CPU 72 next executes the special game management process, the main control CPU 72 selects the big hit time bonus device release process (FIG. 42) again, and the movable ball-throwing accessory device 30 in the next round is selected. The opening operation is executed.

  Step S6018: Also, the main control CPU 72 resets the winning ball counter counted in the current round. Thereby, when the big hit time bonus device opening process (FIG. 42) is executed again, the number of winning balls in the next round is counted from zero.

[At the end of the final round]
Thereafter, when it is confirmed in step S6008 that the value of the round number counter has reached the set execution round number (step S6008: Yes), the main control CPU 72 proceeds to step S6010.

  Step S6010: In this case, the main control CPU 72 resets the round number counter used in this big hit.

Step S6012: Then, the main control CPU 72 updates and sets the value of the special game management status from “0AH” to “0BH”.
Step S6018: Further, the main control CPU 72 resets the winning ball number counter counted in the final round.

  When the above procedure is executed at the end of the final round, the main control CPU 72 returns to the special game management process. As a result, when the main control CPU 72 next executes the special game management process, the next big hit time bonus device operation end process (step S6500 in FIG. 32) is selected as the jump destination.

[Closing the equipment operation at the time of jackpot]
FIG. 43 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure example of the big hit hour apparatus operation end processing. The big hit hourly equipment operation end process is for confirming the elapse of the big hit ending time and the like and for adjusting the internal state (special symbol state) after the big hit game ends. This will be specifically described below.

  Step S6502: First, the main control CPU 72 executes switch input event processing. In this process, the main control CPU 72 mainly checks the detection signal from the discharge detection switch 900 and adds the value of the discharge ball number counter. The value of the discharge ball number counter is stored in the count number area of the RAM 76, for example.

  Step S6504: The main control CPU 72 executes a remaining ball discharge check process (ball number determination means). In this process, the main control CPU 72 compares the value of the above-mentioned winning ball number counter with the value of the discharged ball number counter. The value of the discharge ball number counter includes the total number of game balls detected by the discharge detection switch 900 and the number of game balls detected by each specific area switch.

  Step S6506: The main control CPU 72 determines whether or not the discharge of the effective sphere has been completed based on the comparison result. That is, if the value of the discharged ball number counter is smaller than the value of the winning ball number counter, the main control CPU 72 determines that the discharging of the effective balls has not been completed yet (No). In this case, the main control CPU 72 next executes step S6524. On the other hand, if the value of the discharged ball number counter is not smaller than the value of the winning ball number counter (when both match), the main control CPU 72 determines that the discharging of the effective ball is completed (Yes), and step S6508 is performed. Run.

Step S6508: The main control CPU 72 confirms whether or not a big end command has been set. The determination as to whether or not the big game end command has been set can be realized by the big game end command set flag that is set to ON when the big game end command is set.
As a result, when it is confirmed that the big end command has been set (Yes), the main control CPU 72 skips the following steps S6510 to S6514 and executes step S6516. On the other hand, when it is confirmed that the big end command has not been set (No), the main control CPU 72 executes step S6510.

  Step S6510: The main control CPU 72 executes a big hit ending time timer countdown process. In this process, the main control CPU 72 executes a countdown of a big hit ending time timer which is set in advance as “big hit ending time (ending effect time)”. Specifically, when the module is called for the first time, the main control CPU 72 sets an initial value for the value of the jackpot ending time timer, and when calling for the first time or later, the main control CPU 72 has been set. Decrement the value of the jackpot ending time timer. Using the “hit hit ending time” at this time, the ending effect of the big hit game is executed in the display unit of the display device for effect 42.

  Step S6512: The main control CPU 72 checks whether or not the big hit ending time has elapsed. Specifically, it is confirmed whether or not the value of the jackpot ending time timer after the countdown process is 0 or less. If the timer value is not yet 0 or less (No), the main control CPU 72 returns to the special game management process (FIG. 32). Then, when the special game management process is executed next, since the special game management status is set to “0BH” at the present stage, the main control CPU 72 selects the big hit time bonus device operation end process, and the above-described step S6510. And the procedure of step S6512 is repeatedly executed. If it is determined in step S6512 that the big hit ending time has elapsed (Yes), the main control CPU 72 next executes step S6514.

  Step S6514: The main control CPU 72 sets a big game end command (special game end information notifying means). This command is for notifying the effect control device 124 (effect control CPU 126) that the big hit ending time has elapsed. The command set here is transmitted to the effect control device 124 in the effect control output process (step S214 in FIG. 28). In addition, when the main control CPU 72 sets the big game end command, it sets the big game end command set flag to ON. The flag for ending the big game command is set to OFF when returning to the normal game.

  Step S6516: The main control CPU 72 executes a customer waiting timer countdown process. In this process, the main control CPU 72 executes a countdown of a customer waiting timer which is set in advance as “customer waiting time (time from setting of a major role ending command to execution of a customer waiting effect; for example, about 5 seconds)”. To do. Specifically, if this module is called for the first time, the main control CPU 72 sets an initial value for the value of the customer waiting timer here, and if it is called for the first time or later, the main control CPU 72 sets the customer who has already been set. Decrement the value of the wait timer.

  Step S6518: The main control CPU 72 checks whether or not the customer waiting time has elapsed. Specifically, it is confirmed whether or not the value of the customer waiting timer after the countdown process is 0 or less. If the timer value is not yet 0 or less (No), the main control CPU 72 returns to the special game management process. Then, when the special game management process is executed next, since the special game management status is set to “0BH” at the present stage, the main control CPU 72 selects the big hit time bonus device operation end process, and the above step S6516. And the procedure of step S6518 is repeatedly executed. If it is determined in step S6518 that the customer waiting time has elapsed (Yes), the main control CPU 72 next executes step S6520.

  Step S6520: Next, the main control CPU 72 sets a customer waiting designation command. This command is for notifying the effect control device 124 (effect control CPU 126) that a certain time has elapsed since the setting of the big end command. The command set here is transmitted to the effect control device 124 in the effect control output process (step S214 in FIG. 28).

  Step S6522: The main control CPU 72 initializes the value of the special game management status to “00H”. As a result, the progress of the game corresponding to the special symbol transitions to a “waiting for change” state (a state that satisfies the start condition). Therefore, by transitioning to this state, it becomes possible to add a working memory at the time of a new winning at each starting winning opening, and to change (start) the special symbol.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S6506 that the effective sphere has not yet been discharged (No), the main control CPU 72 executes the following processing.

  Step S6524: The main control CPU 72 executes a discharge timer countdown process. In this process, the main control CPU 72 is set in advance as “discharge time (maximum time for checking whether the number of incoming balls and the number of discharged balls are the same; for example, about 1 minute)”. Perform a countdown of the discharge timer. Specifically, when this module is called for the first time, the main control CPU 72 sets an initial value for the value of the discharge timer here, and when calling for the first time or later, the main control CPU 72 sets the set discharge timer. Decrement the value of.

  Step S6526: The main control CPU 72 checks whether or not the discharge time has elapsed. Specifically, it is confirmed whether or not the value of the discharge timer after the countdown process is 0 or less. If the timer value is not yet 0 or less (No), the main control CPU 72 returns to the special game management process. Then, when the special game management process is executed next, since the special game management status is set to “0BH” at the present stage, the main control CPU 72 selects the big hit hourly device operation end process, and the above-described step S6524. And the procedure of step S6526 is repeatedly executed. If it is determined in step S6526 that the discharge time has elapsed (Yes), the main control CPU 72 next executes step S6528. If it is determined in step S6506 that the effective sphere has been discharged during the countdown of the discharge timer (step S6506: Yes), the control process exits this loop, so step S6528 is Not executed.

  Step S6528: The main control CPU 72 sets a discharge ball shortage error state command (non-end information notification means). This command is for notifying the effect control device 124 (effect control CPU 126) that the discharge of the effective sphere has not been completed within a certain time. The command set here is transmitted to the effect control device 124 in the effect control output process (step S214 in FIG. 28).

  After completing the procedure of step S6522 or step S6528, the main control CPU 72 returns to the special game management process (FIG. 32), and after executing the remaining ball error command setting process (step S7000) and the solenoid control process (step S7500), The process returns to the interrupt management process (FIG. 28). As a result, in the subsequent special game management process, the special symbol change start waiting process (step S1500 in FIG. 32) is selected.

[Solenoid control processing]
FIG. 44 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure example of solenoid control processing. This solenoid control process is executed at every interruption regardless of the value of the “special game management status” as described above. Hereinafter, it demonstrates along the example of a procedure.

  Step S7502: The main control CPU 72 checks whether or not the value of the current “special game management status” is any of “07H” to “0BH”. Here, the value of the “special game management status” is set to any one of “07H” to “0BH” in a state where the movable pitching accessory device 30 is operating at the time of big hit on the game flow. .

  As a result, when it is confirmed that the value of the “special game management status” is any of “07H” to “0BH”, the main control CPU 72 executes step S7504. On the other hand, when it is confirmed that the value of the “special game management status” is not “07H” to “0BH”, the main control CPU 72 executes step S7506.

  Step S7504: The main control CPU 72 operates the ascending device guide path solenoid 95. Thereby, during the big hit game, the game ball is discharged without being guided to the ascending device 610.

  Step S7506: The main control CPU 72 deactivates the lifting device guiding path solenoid 95 (OFF). Thereby, the game ball is guided to the ascending device 610 when the game is not in the big hit game.

[Motor management processing]
FIG. 45 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure example of the motor management process (step S209 in FIG. 28) executed in the interrupt management process. Hereinafter, it demonstrates along the example of a procedure.

  Step S2800: First, the main control CPU 72 executes origin monitoring processing. In this process, the main control CPU 72 confirms whether or not it is necessary to monitor the origin positions of various motors (the sorting motor 213, the main body motor 402 and the conveyor motor 214). A detection signal from the origin detection mechanism is acquired.

  Step S2802: Next, the main control CPU 72 confirms whether or not the operation at the time of power-on is completed for various motors. At this time, immediately after the pachinko machine 1 is turned on, if the operation at the time of turning on the power of various motors is not yet completed (No), the main control CPU 72 executes step S2804.

  Step S2804: In this case, the main control CPU 72 executes power-on operation processing. Thereby, for example, the various motors (the sorting body motor 213, the main body motor 402, and the conveyor motor 214) each start to rotate at a constant speed in a certain direction. The main body motor 402 stops at the origin position after executing a predetermined power-on operation pattern. In addition, the sorting motor 213 and the conveyor motor 214 operate based on a certain operation pattern from when the pachinko machine 1 is turned on (except when a power failure occurs such as when the power is turned off) to when the power is turned off. Thereafter, when the operation at power-on is completed, it is determined that the operation is completed (Yes) in the previous step S2802, and thereafter, step S2804 is skipped.

  Step S2806: The main control CPU 72 monitors whether or not the value of the “special game management status” is “04H” in preparation for the operation at the time of the small hit of the movable pitching accessory device 30. If the value of the “special game management status” is other than “04H”, the main control CPU 72 skips step S2808. On the other hand, if the value of the “special game management status” is “04H”, the main control CPU 72 executes step S2808 on the assumption that an operation trigger at the time of the small hit of the movable pitching accessory device 30 has occurred.

  Step S2808: The main control CPU 72 executes a small hitting motor management process. In this process, the main control CPU 72 controls the driving state of the main body motor 402 at the time of a small hit, for example. Specifically, the main body motor 402 is controlled by an operation pattern in which the rotation is continued at a constant speed and for a certain time (for example, about 2 seconds) after the movable ball accessory device 30 starts operating. Thereby, a normal sorting operation by the main body motor 402 can be realized.

  Step S2810: The main control CPU 72 monitors whether or not the value of the “special game management status” is “07H” to “0BH” in preparation for an operation at the time of the big hit of the movable ball accessory device 30. If the value of the “special game management status” is other than “07H” to “0BH”, the main control CPU 72 skips step S2812. On the other hand, if the value of the “special game management status” is within the range of “07H” to “0BH”, the main control CPU 72 determines that an operation trigger at the time of the big hit of the movable pitching accessory 30 has occurred, the main control CPU 72 performs step S2812. Execute.

Step S2812: The main control CPU 72 executes a big hit motor management process. In this process, the main control CPU 72 controls the driving state of the main body motor 402 during a big hit, for example. Specifically, the main body motor 402 is controlled by an operation pattern that continues to rotate during a big hit game at a constant speed. Thus, during the big hit game, the main body motor 402 continues to rotate, and the tower main body 400 can be continuously rotated.
When the above procedure is completed, the main control CPU 72 returns to the interrupt management process (FIG. 28).

[Display output management processing]
FIG. 46 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure example of the display output management process (step S212 in FIG. 28) executed in the interrupt management process. The display output management process includes a subroutine group of a special symbol display setting process (step S1200) and a continuous operation number display setting process (step S1220).

  Of these, the special symbol display setting process (step S1200) is a process of generating and outputting a drive signal to be applied to the LED of the first special symbol display device 34 or the second special symbol display device 35 as described above. is there.

  The main control CPU 72 controls lighting of the big hit type display lamps 38a, 38b, and 38c in the continuous operation number display setting process. Specifically, the main control CPU 72 outputs a lighting signal for any one of the big hit type display lamps 38a, 38b, 38c based on the value of the number of continuous operations. At this time, one of the display lamps 38a, 38b, and 38c corresponding to the jackpot designated by the number of continuous operations is a target for outputting the lighting signal.

  For example, if the value of the continuous operation number command specifies “3 rounds”, the main control CPU 72 outputs a lighting signal to the lamp 38 a representing “3 rounds (3R)”. If the value of the continuous operation number command specifies “7 rounds”, the main control CPU 72 outputs a lighting signal to the lamp 38b representing “7 rounds (7R)”. Further, if the value of the continuous operation number command specifies “16 rounds”, the main control CPU 72 outputs a lighting signal to the lamp 38c representing “16 rounds (16R)”.

  As described above, in the pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the progress of the special symbol game changes as the main control CPU 72 executes the control process. Furthermore, in the special symbol game, the progress status greatly branches to the big hit game or the normal game according to the result of the game ball sorting operation in the movable entrance ball accessory device 30.

  For this reason, in the present embodiment, an effect using the effect display device 42 is mainly performed according to the actual progress of the game, and the transition of the progress is transmitted to the player in an easily understandable manner. Hereinafter, an effect using the effect display device 42 will be described with an example.

[Example of production]
The effect display device 42 can display various effects by means of three (three-digit) 7-segment LEDs (with dots) (effect execution means). Of the three 7-segment LEDs, two 7-segment LEDs are arranged in the left region of the effect display device 42, and the remaining one 7-segment LED is arranged in the right region of the effect display device 42.

[Direction at small hits]
FIG. 47 is a diagram illustrating an example of an effect executed when “small hit 1” is met. 48 and 49 are continuous diagrams showing examples of effects executed when “small hit 2” is met.
In the present embodiment, since the big winning opening 30b of the movable winning ball accessory 30 is opened in response to the small win in the special symbol lottery, when the big winning opening 30b is opened, the game ball is opened. The following effects are executed in order to prompt the grand prize opening 30b to win.

[Before starting production]
47 (A): At the stage where the game is started in the pachinko machine 1, such an effect is not performed on the effect display device 42. However, if the game has not been executed for a certain period, a demonstration effect (not shown) can be executed based on the customer waiting designation command. Then, the player operates the grip unit 16 to launch a game ball in the game area.

[Entering the left starting prize entrance]
47 (B): When the game ball enters the left start winning opening 26, the first special symbol starts to change. The variation time of the first special symbol is set to an extremely short time (for example, about 0.6 seconds). Further, since the small hit probability of the first special symbol lottery is 1, when the first special symbol starts to change, the first special symbol is immediately stopped and displayed in a manner corresponding to “small hit 1”. Then, when the first special symbol is stopped and displayed in a mode corresponding to “small hit 1”, the movable ball accessory device 30 is operated only once, and the big prize opening 30b is opened once. The effect display device 42 executes an effect for teaching the opening once (for example, an effect of displaying character information of “1”).

[End of operation of the movable ball accessory device]
In FIG. 47 (C): When the movable incoming ball accessory device 30 is opened for a specified opening time (for example, 1 second), the movable incoming ball accessory device 30 closes the special winning opening 30b and ends the operation.

[Before starting production]
48 (A): At the stage where the game is started in the pachinko machine 1, such an effect is not performed on the effect display device 42. The player operates the grip unit 16 to launch a game ball in the game area.

[Entering the middle starting prize entry gate]
(B) in FIG. 48: When the game ball enters the middle start winning opening 28, the second special symbol starts to change. The variation time of the second special symbol is also set to an extremely short time (for example, about 0.6 seconds). Further, since the small hit probability of the second special symbol lottery is 1, when the second special symbol starts to change, the second special symbol is immediately stopped and displayed in a manner corresponding to “small hit 2”. Then, when the second special symbol is stopped and displayed in a manner corresponding to “small hit 2”, the movable ball accessory device 30 is operated twice, and the special winning opening 30b is opened twice. The effect display device 42 displays “2” in order to teach the opening twice.

[End of the first operation of the movable ball accessory device]
In FIG. 48 (C): When the movable incoming ball accessory device 30 is opened for a specified opening time (for example, 1 second), the movable incoming ball accessory device 30 closes the big prize opening 30b and ends the first operation. .

[The second operation of the movable ball accessory device starts]
In FIG. 49 (D): When the second special symbol is stopped and displayed in a mode corresponding to “small hit 2”, the movable ball accessory device 30 is opened twice. Then, when the first operation is completed and an interval time between the first operation and the second operation has elapsed, the movable pitching accessory device 30 starts operating again, and a big prize is awarded. Open the mouth 30b. Here again, the display device for effect 42 continues to display “2” in order to teach the opening twice.

[The second operation of the movable ball accessory device ends]
In FIG. 49 (E): When the movable incoming ball accessory device 30 is opened for a specified opening time (for example, 1 second), the movable incoming ball accessory device 30 closes the big prize opening 30b and ends the second operation. .

[Direction when entering the grand prize opening]
FIG. 50 is a diagram illustrating an example of effects executed when a game ball enters the big winning opening 30b opened at the time of a small hit.

[Large winning opening]
In FIG. 50, (A): The big winning opening 30b of the movable ball accessory device 30 is opened when the first special symbol is stopped and displayed in a mode corresponding to “small hit 1”. And in the example of illustration, the game ball has entered into the big winning opening 30b of the movable entrance ball apparatus 30.

(Game ball detection)
In FIG. 50 (B): When a game ball enters the big prize opening 30 b of the movable ball accessory device 30, the game ball enters the movable ball accessory device 30, and the count switch 84 moves the game ball Passage is detected. When the passage of the game ball is detected by the count switch 84, the effect display device 42 executes the entry effect. The entrance effect is an effect of moving a small circle up and down in the display area of the effect display device 42, for example.

[Continue to enter the ball]
In FIG. 50, (C): whether the game ball that has passed through the count switch 84 is discharged after passing through the specific area or without passing through the specific area in the movable pitching accessory 30. The sorting operation is performed. The entrance effect on the effect display device 42 is continued until the next game ball is detected by the effect switch 800 or the discharge detection switch 900.

[Direction when entering the final area hole]
FIG. 51 is a diagram illustrating an example of an effect executed when a game ball enters the fixed area hole.
The confirmed area hole 514 is a hole into which a game ball enters when the first distribution operation is successful, and when a game ball enters the confirmed area hole 514, a round distribution is subsequently executed. The jackpot will be confirmed in effect. For this reason, it is decided to execute the production with the content that the big hit has been determined as the production content.

[Reaching the rotating stage]
51A: In the illustrated example, the game ball has reached the rotation stage 510, and the game ball is riding on the guide groove 512 of the rotation stage 510. Here, the entrance effect that moves a small circle up and down in the display area of the effect display device 42 is continued.

[Game ball detection with production switch]
In FIG. 51 (B): When a game ball enters the determined area hole 514 from the rotation stage 510 fortunately, the game ball further enters the inside of the movable ball accessory device 30 from the determined area hole 514 and is determined. The passing of the game ball is detected by the effect switch 800 downstream of the area hole 514. When the effect switch 800 detects the passage of the game ball, the effect display device 42 executes the confirmed effect. As the confirmed effect, for example, an effect suggesting a virtual jackpot in the display area of the effect display device 42 (for example, an effect of displaying the letter F as the initial letter of Fever) is executed.

[Direction when passing through specific areas]
52 and 53 are diagrams showing examples of effects executed when a game ball passes through various areas (such as a specific area and a special area).

[Special route]
52 (A): As a result of the sorting operation in the route sorting unit 200, when the game ball passes the special route guide path 210, the special route switch 902 detects the passage of the game ball. In this case, the effect display device 42 executes a special route transition effect (for example, an effect of displaying the letters “SP” as an initial letter of the special route) indicating that the game ball has advanced to the special route.

[Passing the first specific area]
52 (B): As a result of the sorting operation on the first observatory stage 620, when the game ball passes the first specific area and the passage of the game ball is detected by the first specific area switch 701, Then, the 3 round big hit game is executed. At this time, the effect display device 42 executes an effect during the big hit game (for example, an effect of displaying the character “3”) in accordance with the execution of the three round big hit game.

[Pass through special area]
52 (C): When the game ball passes through the special area as a result of the sorting operation on the first observation platform stage 620, and the passage of the game ball is detected by the special area switch 901, the first view in the game. An operation of raising the game ball from the stage stage 620 to the second observation deck stage 630 is executed. At this time, the effect display device 42 executes an effect during ascent (e.g., an effect of displaying the characters “UP” meaning ascension) in accordance with the rise of the game ball.

[Passing the second specific area]
53 (A): As a result of the sorting operation at the second observation platform stage 630, when the game ball passes through the second specific area and the passage of the game ball is detected by the second specific area switch 702, Then, 7 rounds big hit game is executed. At this time, the effect display device 42 executes an effect during the big hit game (for example, an effect of displaying the character “7”) in accordance with the execution of the seventh round big hit game.

[3rd specific area passing]
53 (B): As a result of the sorting operation at the second observation platform stage 630, when the game ball passes through the third specific area and the passage of the game ball is detected by the third specific area switch 703, Then, a 16-round big hit game is executed. At this time, the effect display device 42 executes an effect during the big hit game (for example, an effect of displaying the characters “16”) in accordance with the execution of the 16 round big hit game.

[Director during big role]
FIG. 54 to FIG. 75 are continuous diagrams partially showing an example of a big role effect executed during a jackpot game in the case of “16 round jackpot” and a subsequent effect example. In the case of “3 round jackpot” or “7 round jackpot”, the number of rounds is different from that of “16 round jackpot”, but the basic effects are the same. .

[At the start of 2nd round]
In FIG. 54, (A): When the game ball passes through the third specific area corresponding to the 16 round big hit, the 16 round big hit game is started. Then, when the 16-round big hit game is started, the big prize opening 30b of the movable pitching accessory 30 is opened. Note that the big hit game is started from the second round because the operation of the movable incoming ball accessory device 30 in the small hit game corresponds to the first round.

  When the second round of the big hit game is started, “2” indicating the current number of rounds is displayed in the display area on the left side of the effect display device 42. Further, in the illustrated example, since no game balls have been counted yet, the display area on the right side of the effect display device 42 displays “0” indicating the count number of game balls. .

54 (B): During execution of the second round of the big hit game, a game ball enters the big winning opening 30b of the movable ball accessory device 30. The entered game ball enters the inside of the movable incoming ball accessory device 30, and the passage of the game ball is detected by the count switch 84. When the passing of the game ball is detected by the count switch 84, the effect display device 42 executes an update effect of the count number. Specifically, the display of “0” displayed in the display area on the right side of the display device for effect 42 is changed to the display of “1”. It should be noted that the movable ball accessory device 30 has a condition that the grand prize opening is opened a predetermined number of times (for example, 18 times) or there is a predetermined number (for example, 9) of game balls. Continue one round until satisfied. In this case, the movable entrance ball apparatus 30 is closed by closing the special winning opening 30b.
Although not specifically illustrated, an effect of gradually turning on the various lamps 46 to 52, the panel lamp 53, etc. may be executed in association with the update effect of the count number of the game balls.

  In FIG. 54 (C): During the second round of the big hit game, the game ball enters the big winning opening 30b of the movable ball accessory device 30 again. The entered game ball enters the inside of the movable incoming ball accessory device 30, and the passage of the game ball is detected by the count switch 84. When the passing of the game ball is detected by the count switch 84, the effect display device 42 executes an update effect of the count number. Specifically, the display of “1” displayed in the display area on the right side of the display device for presentation 42 is changed to the display of “2”.

  In FIG. 55 (D): During the second round of the big hit game, the ninth game ball enters the big prize opening 30b of the movable ball accessory device 30, and the game ball that has entered the ball It is detected by the count switch 84. When the passing of the game ball is detected by the count switch 84, the effect display device 42 executes an update effect of the count number. Specifically, the display displayed in the display area on the right side of the effect display device 42 is changed to “9”. In this case, the movable entrance ball apparatus 30 closes the movable piece 30a and finishes the second round on the assumption that the condition that a predetermined number (for example, 9) of game balls have entered is satisfied.

[Large winning prize closing direction]
(E) in FIG. 55: The big prize opening closing effect is executed in response to the end of the second round. The special winning opening closing effect is an effect of moving a small circle up and down in the display area of the effect display device 42, for example.
In addition, when an effect of gradually turning on the various lamps 46 to 52, the panel lamp 53, etc. is executed in association with the update effect of the count number of the game balls, an effect of turning them off (update effect) The effect to be reset) is also executed.

[Continue to close the grand prize award opening]
(F) in FIG. 55: The special winning opening closing effect on the presentation display device 42 is continued until the closing time of the special winning opening ends. In the illustrated example, the effect of moving the small circle up and down in the display area of the effect display device 42 is continued.

[3rd round]
In FIG. 56 (G): When the closing time of the second round big winning opening is over, the third round of the 16 round big hit game is started. And since the 3rd round was started, the movable piece 30a of the movable ball-and-ball accessory 30 is opened, and the big prize opening 30b is open.

  When the third round of the big hit game is started, “3” indicating the current number of rounds is displayed in the display area on the left side of the effect display device 42. In the example shown in the figure, in the third round of the big hit game, since no game balls have been counted yet, the display area on the right side of the effect display device 42 indicates the count number of the game balls. “0” is displayed.

[16th round]
In FIG. 56 (H): After that, the big hit game has progressed smoothly and has shifted to the final 16th round. In the illustrated example, “16” indicating the current number of rounds is displayed in the display area on the left side of the effect display device 42. In the illustrated example, eight game balls have already been counted in the final 16 rounds, and the display area on the right side of the effect display device 42 displays “8” indicating the count number of game balls. Yes.

  In FIG. 56 (I): During the 16th round of the big hit game, the ninth game ball enters the big prize opening 30b of the movable ball accessory device 30, and the game ball that has entered the ball It is detected by the count switch 84. When the passing of the game ball is detected by the count switch 84, the effect display device 42 executes an update effect of the count number. Specifically, the display displayed in the display area on the right side of the effect display device 42 is changed from “8” to “9”. In this case, the movable entrance ball apparatus 30 closes the movable piece 30a and finishes the 16th round on the assumption that the condition that a specified number (for example, 9) of game balls have entered is satisfied.

[Large winning prize closing direction]
In FIG. 57, (J): The big prize opening closing effect is executed when the 16th round is completed. The special winning opening closing effect is an effect of moving a small circle up and down in the display area of the effect display device 42, for example. Note that the grand prize opening closing effect in the 16th round has the same contents as the big winning opening closing effect executed after the end of the second round.

[Continue to close the grand prize award opening]
In FIG. 57 (K): the special winning opening closing effect on the presentation display device 42 is continued until the closing time of the special winning opening ends. In the illustrated example, the effect of moving the small circle up and down in the display area of the effect display device 42 is continued.

[Ending director role production]
In FIG. 57 (L): When the big prize opening closing effect in the final round (16 rounds) of the big hit game is finished, a certain time has passed after the big winning opening closing effect was started (for example, after 1.5 seconds). In addition, the big end effect is executed. In the illustrated example, an English letter “E” is displayed in the display area on the right side of the effect display device 42.

[Continue to finish director role]
In FIG. 58, (M): The big end effect is an effect that is executed using the ending time of the big hit game. In the illustrated example, the big end effect is continuously executed. Specifically, an English letter “E” is displayed in the left display area of the presentation display device 42, and an English letter “n” is displayed in the right display area.

[Continue to finish director role]
(N) in FIG. 58: Here again, the big end effect is continuously executed. Specifically, an English “En” character is displayed in the left display area of the effect display device 42, and an English “d” character is displayed in the right display area. As a result, the character “End” is completed, and the player can be informed that the big hit game has ended. Then, at this point, the big end effect is ended.

  In addition, although not shown in particular, in the big end effect, all the lamps 46 to 52 and the panel lamp 53 are all turned off, or the LED built in the tower main body 400 of the central player device 300 is turned on. For example, an effect that emphasizes that the big hit game has ended may be executed.

[Passing the ball passing object]
FIG. 59 is a diagram showing a state where a game ball passes through the ball passing tool 710 and enters the left start winning opening 26.

In FIG. 59 (A): A game ball is falling toward the ball passing accessory 710.
(B) in FIG. 59: A game ball has entered the ball passing combination 710.
In FIG. 59, (C): In this case, the game ball advances inside the ball passing combination 710 while being guided by a circulation passage 740 formed inside the ball passing combination 710.
59D: Finally, in the illustrated example, the game ball is released from the ball passing accessory 710 and enters the left start winning opening 26. Note that even a game ball released from the ball passing combination 710 may not enter the left start winning opening 26.

  Next, an example of a control method for specifically realizing the above effects will be described. The various effects described above are all controlled through the following control process.

[Production control processing]
FIG. 60 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the effect control process executed by the effect control CPU 126. This effect control process is executed, for example, in a timer interrupt process (interrupt management process) separately from a reset start (main) process (not shown). The effect control CPU 126 generates a timer interrupt at a predetermined interrupt period (for example, a period of several milliseconds) during execution of the reset start process, and executes the timer interrupt process.

  The effect control process includes a command reception process (step S400), an effect management process when the movable ball accessory apparatus is not activated (step S403), an effect management process when the movable ball accessory apparatus is activated (step S404), and a display output process ( This includes a subroutine group of step S405), lamp driving processing (step S406), acoustic driving processing (step S408), effect random number update processing (step S410), and other processing (step S412). Hereinafter, the basic flow of the effect control process will be described along each process.

  Step S400: In the command receiving process, the effect control CPU 126 receives an effect command transmitted from the main control CPU 72. The effect control CPU 126 analyzes the received commands and stores them in the command buffer area of the RAM 130 according to type. The production commands transmitted from the main control CPU 72 include, for example, a model designation command, a start opening winning tone control command, a lottery result command, a variation pattern command, a variation start command, a stop symbol command, an accessory device closing command, Jackpot status designation command, jackpot type command, jackpot status transition command, number of rounds command, major role end command, customer waiting designation command, special game management status command, illegal winning error command, remaining ball error command, discharged ball shortage error status command, There are area passing commands and the like.

  Step S403: In the production management process at the time of non-operation of the movable entrance ball apparatus, the production control CPU 126 controls the production in a state where the movable entry hall device 30 is not operated. Specifically, the effect control CPU 126 accesses the command buffer area of the RAM 130 and confirms whether or not the customer waiting designation command is stored from the main control CPU 72. When it is confirmed that the customer waiting designation command is stored, the effect control CPU 126 executes a demo selection process for selecting a demo effect pattern. The demonstration effect pattern defines the contents of the effect indicating that the pachinko machine 1 is in a so-called customer waiting state.

  Step S404: In the effect management process during the operation of the movable ball accessory device, the effect control CPU 126 controls the effect after hitting a small hit (corresponding to "small hit 1" or "small hit 2") in the special symbol lottery. . The details of the specific process will be further described later using another flowchart.

  Step S405: In the display output process, the effect control CPU 126 instructs the effect drive control device 144 (drive control CPU 146) of basic control information (for example, effect pattern number) of the effect contents. Thereby, the production drive control device 144 (drive control CPU 146) controls the display operation by the production display device 42 based on the instructed content of the production.

  Step S406: In the lamp driving process, the effect control CPU 126 outputs a control signal to the lamp driving circuit 132. In response to this, the lamp driving circuit 132 drives (turns on or off, blinks, changes in luminance gradation, etc.) the various lamps 46 to 52 and the panel lamp 53 based on the control signal.

  Step S408: In the next acoustic drive process, the effect control CPU 126 gives the effect details to the sound drive circuit 134 (for example, during the opening operation of the movable ball accessory device 30 and during the sorting operation in the movable ball player device 30). , BGM during the big hit effect, voice data, etc.). Thereby, the sound according to the production content is output from the speakers 54, 55, and 56.

  Step S410: In the effect random number update process, the effect control CPU 126 updates various effect random numbers in the counter area of the RAM 130. The effect random number includes, for example, a random number for effect selection when a plurality of effect contents are prepared.

  Step S412: In other processing, for example, when there is a movable body for presentation, the presentation control CPU 126 outputs a control signal to the movable body driving IC. Although not particularly illustrated, the movable body is operated by a driving source such as a solenoid or a stepping motor, for example, and performs an effect in synchronism with the display of an image by the effect display device 42 or alone. These drive sources such as solenoids and stepping motors can be connected to, for example, the panel illumination board 138 in FIG.

[Direction management process when the movable pitching equipment operates]
FIG. 61 is a flowchart showing a configuration example of the effect management process during operation of the movable ball accessory apparatus. For example, the execution management process (step S500), the small hit effect selection process (step S502), the in-game game effect selection process (step S504), and the area passing effect are performed. This is a configuration including subroutine groups for the selection process (step S506) and the big hit effect selection process (step S508). Hereinafter, the basic flow of the effect control process will be described along each process.

  Step S500: In the execution selection process, the effect control CPU 126 selects the jump destination of the process to be executed next (any one of steps S502 to S508). For example, the effect control CPU 126 sets the program address of the process to be executed next as the jump destination address, and sets the end of the effect management process during operation of the movable ball accessory apparatus as the return address in the “jump table”. . Which process is selected as the next jump destination depends on the progress of the processes performed so far. For example, the effect control CPU 126 selects a small hit effect selection process (step S502) as the first jump destination. On the other hand, if the small hit effect selection process has already been completed, the effect control CPU 126 selects the in-function game effect selection process (step S504) as the next jump destination, up to the in-game game effect selection process. If it has been completed, the region selection effect selection process (step S506) is selected as the next jump destination. Note that the big hit effect selection process (step S508) is selected as a subsequent jump destination only when the big hit hour bonus device operation start process (step S5000 in FIG. 32) is selected in the main control CPU 72. In this case, steps S502 to S506 are not executed.

  Step S502: In the small hit effect selection process, the effect control CPU 126 selects an effect pattern (FIG. 47, FIG. 48, FIG. 49, etc.) for operating the movable ball accessory device 30. By executing such an effect, it is possible to prevent the player from digesting the game indiscriminately and to reconfirm the purpose consciousness to prevent a decrease in gaming motivation.

  Step S504: In the in-game-game effect selection process, the effect control CPU 126 selects an effect pattern corresponding to the above-mentioned entrance effect ((B) (C) in FIG. 50, (A) in FIG. 51, etc.)) Definite production execution means). Thereby, it is possible to appeal the player to the flow of the game in the movable entrance ball apparatus 30.

  Step S506: In the area passing effect selection process, the effect control CPU 126 produces an effect (in FIG. 51 (B), FIG. 52, FIG. 53, etc.) that is executed when the game ball passes through the specific area, special area, or the like. Select a pattern. Thereby, a game can be excited when it passes through various areas.

Step S508: In the big hit effect selection process, the effect control CPU 126 controls the contents of the effect during the big hit. For example, the effect control CPU 126 selects a dedicated effect pattern during the big hit as the effect contents to be displayed on the effect display device 42, and instructs the effect drive control device 144 (drive control CPU 146) to select it. In addition, when the effect control CPU 126 selects an effect pattern in accordance with the progress status (for example, the progress status of the round) of the big hit game, these are appropriately instructed to the effect drive control device 144 (drive control CPU 146). . As a result, a dedicated effect is displayed during the big hit on the display screen of the effect display device 42, and the contents of the effect change as the round progresses.
When the above procedure is completed, the effect control CPU 126 returns to the effect control process (FIG. 60).

As described above, according to the present embodiment, there are the following effects.
(1) According to the present embodiment, a part of the circulation path 740 is formed in the base member 720, and the remaining passage of the circulation path 740 is formed in the cover member 730. The parts 710 can be composed of two parts, a base member 720 and a cover member 730. Compared to the case of three parts such as a base member, a cover member, and a spiral guide path, the number of parts is reduced. Can be reduced.

(2) According to the present embodiment, since the circulation passage 740 is formed in the base member 720 and the cover member 730, the base member 720 and the cover member 730 are constituted by three separate members such as a base member, a cover member, and a spiral guide path. In comparison, the size of each member can be reduced (thickness can be reduced), and space saving can be achieved.

(3) According to this embodiment, since the circulation path 740 is formed in the base member 720 and the cover member 730, the circulation path 740 is formed only in the base member 720, or the circulation path 740 is formed only in the cover member 730. Compared with the method of forming the circular passage 740, the formation region of the circular passage 740 (position where the circular passage 740 is disposed) can be distributed to the base member 720 and the cover member 730, and each of the base member 720 and the cover member 730 An increase in size can be avoided.

(4) According to the present embodiment, the rear side 726 on the rear side of the base member 720 is disposed on the same plane as the rear side 8e on the rear side of the game board 8b, and thus the rear side 726 on the rear side of the base member 720. Does not protrude rearward from the rear surface 8e on the rear side of the game board. As a result, the base member 720 does not get in the way when other members, wiring, boards, and the like are arranged on the rear side of the game board 8b, and as a result, it contributes to space saving of the entire gaming machine. it can.

(5) According to the present embodiment, the speed of the game ball can be decelerated by the ball passing tool 710, and the game ball enters the left start winning opening 26 etc. in the decelerated state. Compared to the case where the game ball enters the left start winning opening 26 and the like without the detection, non-detection or erroneous detection at the left start winning opening switch 80 (detection means) can be avoided.

(6) According to the present embodiment, since the ball passing combination 710 is arranged at the upper part of the left starting winning opening 26 and the like, the ball passing combination 710 can be used in place of the hook nail, and the structure Can play the role of a nail.

(7) According to the present embodiment, the circulation passage 740 is a passage that circulates the game ball once, so that the positions of the inlet 750 and the outlet 760 of the ball passing agent 710 are the same in the vertical direction. The game ball can be guided downstream in a natural flow by matching the position where the game ball enters and the position where the game ball is released in the vertical direction.

  The present invention can employ various modifications without being limited to the above-described embodiments. In one embodiment, an example in which no working memory is provided for a special symbol is given. However, the present invention can be applied to an embodiment in which working memory (four) is provided for a special symbol.

  In the embodiment described above, an example in which the normal symbol and the ordinary electric accessory are not provided has been described. .

  Although the gaming machine of the above-described embodiment has been described with respect to the example of a gaming machine (so-called feathers, old type 2 gaming machine) that is a big hit when a gaming ball passes a specific area, the result of winning by internal lottery May be a big hit game machine (so-called digital pachinko, old type 1 game machine). In this case, the game machine may be a so-called loop type (a type in which a practical upper limit is not set for the probability variation number) or an ST type (a type in which a substantial upper limit is set for the probability variation number). It may be a gaming machine that does not have a game machine, a gaming machine that has a probability variation area, or a gaming machine that does not employ the “simultaneous rotation of the first special symbol and the second special symbol”, and adopts simultaneous rotation. It may be a game machine. Further, the gaming machine may be a so-called one-type two-type mixing machine.

  In the embodiment described above, the ball passing combination 710 has been described as being disposed above the left start winning opening 26 and the right start winning opening 27, but may be disposed above the middle starting winning opening 28.

  In the above-described embodiment, the ball passing accessory 710 has been described as an example where it is arranged above the start winning port such as the left start winning port 26, but it may be arranged above the starting gate. Further, the ball passing accessory 710 may be arranged in a simple passage (flow path, right-handed region, etc.) in which no winning opening or starting gate exists below.

  In the above-described embodiment, the circulation passage 740 has been described as an example of a passage that circulates the game ball once. However, the circulation passage 740 may be a passage that circulates the game ball twice or more.

  In the embodiment described above, a light emitting unit (LED or the like) may be disposed on the ball passing object 710 so that the light emitting unit emits light in conjunction with or without interlocking with the passage of the game ball.

  In addition, the structure and board configuration of the pachinko machine 1 are preferable examples including those shown in the drawings, and these can be appropriately modified.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Pachinko machine 8 Game board unit 8a Game area 30 Movable ball-and-ball accessory device 34 1st special symbol display device 35 2nd special symbol display device 42 Production display device 70 Main control device 72 Main control CPU
74 ROM
76 RAM
124 Production control device 126 Production control CPU

Claims (3)

A game area where game balls flow down,
A ball passing instrument that is arranged in the game area and through which a game ball can pass;
The ball passing role is
A base member formed with a part of a circulation path for guiding the game ball in a downstream direction while circulating the game ball;
A gaming machine comprising: a cover member that is coupled to the base member and has a remaining passage of the circuit passage. In the gaming machine according to claim 1,
The game area is formed, and includes a game board in which a predetermined opening is formed,
The base member is
Stored in the predetermined opening,
The back side of the rear side of the base member is
A gaming machine, wherein the gaming machine is arranged on the same plane as the rear side of the game board or on the front side of the rear side of the game board. In the gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2,
A lottery opportunity generation area that generates a predetermined lottery opportunity when a game ball passes,
The ball passing role is
A gaming machine, which is arranged above the lottery opportunity generation area.

Images