JP2020138059A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a game machine having a high degree of freedom in a sound volume adjustment width.SOLUTION: A game machine is configured to be able to perform games and comprises: sound output means; setting means capable of setting one setting value from among a plurality of setting values having different maximum sound volume to be outputted from the sound output means; and adjustment means adjustable in a stepwise manner from a prescribed minimum sound volume to the maximum sound volume corresponding to the setting value set by the setting means. A first sound volume that is a minimum sound volume among the maximum sound volume corresponding to the setting values is larger than a second sound volume that is a maximum sound volume among the sound volume corresponding to a level immediately before the maximum sound volume is reached by the adjustment means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

The present invention relates to a gaming machine.

In recent years, game machines such as ball game machines and rotating body type game machines have come to be equipped with a volume level adjustment function that allows a player to variably set the volume level. For example, there is a gaming machine in which the volume of BGM and the amount of light such as a lamp can be freely set to some extent by a player (Patent Document 1 below).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2008-295551

However, on the other hand, there are cases where the gaming machine can be set to a volume level or a light intensity level that is higher than necessary. For example, even though the maximum adjustable volume level is very loud, the narrow adjustment range makes the inside of the pachinko hall very flies, or it is a comfortable volume level for some players. However, the volume level may not be appropriate for a certain player, and the volume level may be unpleasant. Therefore, a gaming machine having a high degree of freedom in the adjustment range is eagerly desired according to the gaming environment and the user group.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a game machine capable of setting the maximum volume in multiple stages.

(1) Sound output means and
A setting means capable of setting one of a plurality of setting values having different maximum volumes output from the sound output means, and
It is provided with an adjusting means capable of gradually adjusting from a predetermined minimum volume to a maximum volume corresponding to the set value set by the setting means.
It is a game machine that is configured to be able to play games.
The first volume, which is the minimum volume among the maximum volumes corresponding to the set value, is louder than the second volume, which is the maximum volume among the volumes corresponding to the stage immediately before reaching the maximum volume by the adjusting means. is there,
A game machine characterized by that.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a gaming machine having a high degree of freedom in adjusting the volume.

It is a front side perspective view which shows the appearance of the gaming machine which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view of the back side which shows the appearance of the game machine. It is a figure which shows the structure of the game board and the effect button which concerns on the game machine. It is a block diagram which shows the control device which concerns on the game machine. It is a figure which provides the explanation of the hit type which concerns on the game machine. It is explanatory drawing which provides the explanation of the screen display of the liquid crystal display device which concerns on the game machine. It is a figure which shows the display example of the menu screen which concerns on the game machine. It is a figure which shows the display example of the volume adjustment screen which concerns on the game machine. It is a figure which shows the display example of the light amount adjustment screen which concerns on the game machine. It is a figure which shows the adjustment mode selection table for volume, and the volume data selection table. It is a figure which shows the adjustment mode selection table for light quantity, and the light quantity data selection table. It is a figure which shows the modification of the volume adjustment screen. It is a figure which shows the modification of the light amount adjustment screen. It is a figure which shows the specific example 1 of the adjustment mode selection table. It is a figure which shows the specific example 2 of the adjustment mode selection table. It is a figure which shows the specific example 3 of the adjustment mode selection table. It is a figure which shows the specific example 4 of the adjustment mode selection table. It is a figure which shows the modification of the specific example 4 of the adjustment mode selection table. It is a figure which shows the specific example 5 of the adjustment mode selection table. It is a figure which shows the modification 1 of the specific example 5 of the adjustment mode selection table. It is a figure which shows the modification 2 of the specific example 5 of the adjustment mode selection table. It is a figure which shows the display example 1 regarding the adjustment mode selection table. It is a figure which shows the display example 2 regarding the adjustment mode selection table. It is a figure which shows the display example 3 regarding the adjustment mode selection table. It is a figure which shows the display example 4 regarding the adjustment mode selection table. It is a figure which shows the display example 4 regarding the adjustment mode selection table. It is a figure which shows the display example 5 regarding the adjustment mode selection table. It is a figure which shows the display example 5 regarding the adjustment mode selection table. It is a figure which shows the display example 6 regarding the adjustment mode selection table. It is a figure which shows the display example 7 about the adjustment mode selection table. It is a figure which shows the display example 8 regarding the adjustment mode selection table. It is a figure which shows the display example 9 regarding the adjustment mode selection table. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the volume selection table 1 at the time of an error. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the volume selection table 2 at the time of an error. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the volume selection table 3 at the time of an error. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the volume selection table 4 at the time of an error. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the volume selection table 5 at the time of an error. It is explanatory drawing which provides the explanation of the volume adjustment at the time of the conventional error. It is explanatory drawing which provides the explanation of the volume adjustment problem at the time of the conventional error. It is explanatory drawing which provides the explanation of the solution 1 of the volume adjustment problem at the time of an error. It is explanatory drawing which provides the explanation of the solution 2 of the volume adjustment problem at the time of an error. It is explanatory drawing which provides the explanation of the method of controlling an audio volume. It is a figure which shows the control example 1 in the case where the volume can be adjusted during an error. It is a figure which shows the control example 2 in the case where the volume can be adjusted during an error. It is a figure which shows the control example 3 when the volume can be adjusted during an error. It is a figure which shows the control example 1 in the case where the volume cannot be adjusted during an error. It is a figure which shows the control example 2 in the case where the volume cannot be adjusted during an error. It is a figure which shows the control example 3 in the case where the volume cannot be adjusted during an error.

[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the gaming machine according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the embodiment described below, a pachinko gaming machine will be described as an example of the gaming machine according to the present invention.

<1. Configuration overview: FIGS. 1A, 1B and 2>
An outline of the configuration of a pachinko gaming machine according to an embodiment (first embodiment) of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1A, 1B and 2. FIG. 1A is a front perspective view showing the appearance of the pachinko gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing the back side of the pachinko gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. Is a diagram showing the front side of the game board.

First, the configuration of the front side of the pachinko gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 1A. In the pachinko gaming machine 1 shown in FIG. 1A, a frame-shaped front frame 2 is attached to the front surface of a wooden outer frame 4 so as to be openable and closable, and a game is played in a game board storage frame (not shown) attached to the back surface of the front frame 2. It has a configuration in which a board 3 (see FIG. 2) is mounted and a game area 3a formed on the surface of the game board 3 faces the opening of the front frame 2. A glass door 6 that supports transparent glass is provided on the front side of the game area 3a.

A key cylinder (not shown) for unlocking the door is provided on the front side of the glass door 6, and if a key is inserted into this key cylinder and operated on one side, the locked state of the glass door 6 with respect to the front frame 2 can be obtained. By operating the other side, the locked state of the front frame 2 with respect to the outer frame 4 can be released and the front frame 2 can be opened to the front side.

Below the glass door 6, a front operation panel 7 that is pivotally supported by a hinge (not shown) on the front frame 2 is arranged. The front operation panel 7 is provided with an upper saucer unit 8, and the upper saucer unit 8 is formed with an upper saucer 9 for storing the discharged game balls.

Further, the upper saucer unit 8 has a ball removal button 14 for pulling out the game balls stored in the upper saucer 9 below the pachinko gaming machine 1, and a game ball lending device (not shown) on the island facility side. A ball lending button 11 for requesting the payout of the game ball and a card return button 12 for requesting the return of the valuable value medium inserted in the game ball lending device are provided.

Further, the upper tray unit 8 includes an effect button 13 (first operating means) configured to be operable by the player, a button 75a pointing upward, a button 75b pointing to the right, and a button 75c pointing downward. It is composed of buttons 75d pointing in the left direction, and is provided with a cross-shaped direction key 75 direction key 75 (second operating means) that can be operated in the up, down, left, and right directions. The effect button 13 or the direction key 75 functions as an operation means that can be operated by the player, and the reception of the operation input is activated during the predetermined operation valid reception period, and the predetermined operation (for example, 1) is performed during this valid period. When a round press, a long press, a continuous hit, etc. are performed, it is possible to bring about a change in the production before and after the operation. Further, the effect button 13 and the direction key 75 are displayed on the game setting screen (menu screen 100 in FIG. 6 described later) related to the game such as volume setting and light amount setting during the demo screen (customer waiting effect) waiting for customers. It is also used when a person sets his / her favorite game. The effect button 13 is provided with a built-in lamp (button LED 13b) inside, and the operation reception valid period (for example, lighting or blinking in a predetermined color) and the operation are performed depending on the difference in the light emitting mode of the button LED 13b. It is possible to notify the reception invalid period (for example, when the light is off).

A launch operation handle 15 for operating the launch device 32 (see FIG. 3) is provided on the right end side of the front operation panel 7.

Further, speakers 46 that exert a sound effect by sound are provided on both sides of the upper part of the front frame 2 and on the upper side of the firing operation handle 15. In addition, a plurality of decorative lamps 45 (LEDs for directing) that exert a light effect by decorating light are provided in appropriate places of the game machine, for example, in the circumferential direction around the front frame of the glass door 6 or inside the center decorative body 48 described later. It is provided.

As shown in FIG. 1B, a frame-shaped back mechanism board 16 that covers the game board storage frame and presses the game board 3 from the back side is attached to the back surface of the pachinko game machine 1, whereby the game board 3 and the front frame are attached. 2 is integrated. A game ball storage tank 17 for storing game balls supplied from a game ball supply device (not shown) of a pachinko hall side island facility is provided on one side of the upper part of the back mechanism board 16. Further, a game ball payout device 19 (see FIG. 3) is provided by connecting to the inclined lower end of the tank rail 18 for leading the ball from the game ball storage tank 17. Further, in the other side corner of the upper part of the back mechanism board 16, an external terminal board 21 for a frame for electrically connecting to a data counter DT or a hall computer HC (see FIG. 3) installed outside the game machine is provided. It is provided in the terminal board case 22.

A back cover attached to the back side of the game board 3 is fitted in the substantially center of the back mechanism plate, and inside the transparent case 23 (sub-control board case 23) attached to the back cover. , The effect control board 24 is provided. Below the sub-control board case 23, the main control board 20 is provided in a state of being housed in a transparent case 26 (main control board case 26) mounted on the back cover. Further, below the main control board case 26, a payout control board 29 is provided in a transparent case 28 (payout control board case 28), and in a transparent case 30 (power supply board case 30). A power supply board (not shown) is arranged. Furthermore, at a position corresponding to the launch operation handle 15, a launch control board 28 is provided on the rear side of a launch device 32 (see FIG. 3) provided with a hammer for striking a game ball and a launch motor for driving the hammer. ing.

(Game board: Fig. 2)
Next, the configuration of the game board 3 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in the figure, a ball guide rail 5 for guiding the launched game ball is annularly mounted on the game board 3 as a board surface partition member, and a substantially circular region surrounded by the ball guide rail 5 is formed on the game board 3. The game area 3a and the four corners are non-game areas.

A liquid crystal display (LCD) 36 is provided in a substantially central portion of the game area 3a. Under the control of the effect control unit 24, which will be described later, the liquid crystal display device 36 independently has a plurality of types of decorative symbols (for example, a left symbol) in a predetermined display area (symbol variation display area), such as numbers, characters, and symbols. Various effects including the variable display operation (variable display and stop display) of the three decorative symbols (see FIG. 5) of the middle symbol and the right symbol are displayed by images.

Further, in the game area 3a, a center decorative body 48 is provided so as to surround the display surface of the liquid crystal display device 36 in a long-winding manner. The center decorative body 48 is provided along the front side of the game board 3, forms a front mounting plate 48a fixed to the game board 3 and an outer periphery of the center decorative body 48, and surrounds the display screen of the liquid crystal display device 36. The armor frame portion 48b is integrally provided to protect the display surface of the liquid crystal display device 36 from the surrounding game balls, and the flow path of the game balls is distributed to the left and right depending on the launch strength or stroke length of the game balls. It works as a flow path distribution means that enables this. In the present embodiment, a floating region through which the game ball can pass is formed between the upper surface of the center decorative body 48 and the ball guide rail 5, and the game ball driven into the upper side of the game area 3a by the launching device 32. Is distributed to the left and right on the upper side of the armor frame portion 48b, and flows down either the left flow path 3b on the left side of the center ornament 48 or the right flow path 3c on the right side.

In addition, the non-game area near the upper right edge (upper right corner) of the game board 3 is a various function display unit, and the 7-segment display (with dots) is on the upper start port 34 (for the first special symbol) and the lower. Special symbol display device 38a (first special symbol display device: first special symbol display means) and special symbol display device 38b (first special symbol display device: first special symbol display means) configured side by side corresponding to the start port 35 (for the second special symbol). A second special symbol display device: a second special symbol display means) is provided. In the special symbol display devices 38a and 38b, a "special symbol variation display game" is executed by the variation display operation (variation display and stop display) of the "special symbol" represented by the 7-segment display. Then, in the liquid crystal display device 36, the decorative symbol by the image is variablely displayed in synchronization with the variable display of the special symbol by the special symbol display devices 38a and 38b, and various notice effects (effect images) are displayed. At the same time, a'decorative pattern variable display game'is being executed. The details of the special symbol variation display game and the decorative symbol variation display game will be described later.

Further, in the various function display units, a composite display device (LED display for holding composite display) 38c composed of a 7-segment display (with dots) is arranged next to the special symbol display devices 38a and 38b. The compound is called the display of the number of balls on hold for each of the special symbol 1, the special symbol 2, and the normal symbol, and the status notification during the fluctuation time shortening function operation (during time reduction) and during the high probability state (during high probability). This is because it is a hold / time saving / high-accuracy composite display device (hereinafter, referred to as “composite display device”) having five display functions.

Further, the various function display units are provided with a normal symbol display device 39a (normal symbol display means) in which a plurality of (two in this embodiment) LEDs are arranged next to the composite display device 38c. In the ordinary symbol display device 39a according to the present embodiment, the ordinary symbol variation display game is executed by the variation display operation of the ordinary symbol represented by the two LEDs. For example, as a variable display operation, the normal symbol by LED repeats turning on and off alternately like a seesaw, and by stopping with either side lit, it has become clear whether the normal symbol variable display game is correct or not. There is.

In addition, a right-handed display device 39b is provided adjacent to the normal symbol display device 39a. The right-handed display device 39b is advantageous for "right-handed" in which the game ball aims to pass through the right-hand flow path 3c by the combination of the LED lighting and extinguishing states, or the game ball is left-hand flow path 3b. Notify whether "left-handed" aiming to pass through is advantageous. For example, it is notified that when the light emitting state of the LED is in the lit state, it is advantageous to hit right, and when it is off, it is advantageous to hit left.

Further, a round number display device 39c is provided in which two LEDs (round display LEDs) are arranged adjacent to the right-handed display device 39b. The round number display device 39c notifies the specified number of rounds (maximum number of rounds) related to the jackpot by combining the lighting / extinguishing states of the plurality of LEDs.

Below the center decoration body 48, an upper starting port 34 (first special symbol starting port: first starting means) and a lower starting port 35 (second special symbol starting port: second starting means) are provided. A normal variable winning device 41 is provided above and below, and detection sensors 34a and 35a (upper start port sensor 34a, lower start port sensor 35a: see FIG. 3) for detecting the passage of a game ball are formed inside each of the devices. Has been done.

The upper start port 34, which is the first special symbol start port, is the first special symbol in the special symbol display device 38a (first special symbol display device) (hereinafter, the first special symbol is referred to as “special symbol 1”. It is a winning opening related to the starting conditions of the variable display operation (referred to as "Special Figure 1" in some cases), and is a "fixed winning rate type" that does not have a "starting opening opening / closing means" that allows the starting opening to be opened or expanded. It is configured as a "winning device". In the present embodiment, due to the action of the game ball falling direction changing member (for example, a game nail (not shown), a windmill 44, a center decoration body 48, etc.) in the game area 3a, a left flow path to the upper start port 34 The game ball that has flowed down 3b has a structure that makes it easy to enter (win), whereas the game ball that has flowed down the right flow path 3c has a structure that makes it difficult or impossible to enter.

The ordinary variable winning device 41 is configured as a "winning rate variable winning device" in which the winning rate of the game ball at the starting port can be changed by the starting port opening / closing means. In the present embodiment, a pair of left and right movable wing pieces (movable members) 47 are provided as a starting port opening / closing means, and the movable wing pieces 47 perform an opening / closing operation to open and close the lower starting port 35, which is a second special symbol starting port. Can be opened or expanded.

Further, the lower start port 35 of the normal variable winning device 41 is referred to as a second special symbol (hereinafter, the second special symbol is referred to as "special symbol 2") in the special symbol display device 38b (second special symbol display device). , In some cases, abbreviated as "Special Figure 2"), which is a winning opening related to the starting condition of the variable display operation, and the winning area of the lower starting opening 35 depends on the operating state (operated or non-operating) of the movable wing piece 47. It is converted into an open state that facilitates winning (easy winning state) and a closed state that makes it more difficult to win or makes it impossible to win than the open state (difficult to win). In the present embodiment, when the movable wing piece 47 is inactive, it holds a closed state (a winning impossible state) in which the lower starting port 35 cannot be won.

Further, on both sides of the normal variable winning device 41, three general winning openings 43 are arranged on the left side and one on the right side, for a total of four, and inside each of them, a general winning hole for detecting the passage of a game ball is provided. A mouth sensor 43a (see FIG. 3) is formed.

Further, diagonally upward to the right of the normal variable winning device 41, that is, above the middle portion of the right flow path 3c, a normal symbol starting port 37 (third) composed of a passing gate (passing area for normal symbol) through which a game ball can pass. Special symbol starting port: a third starting means) is provided. The normal symbol start port 37 is a winning port related to the fluctuation display operation of the normal symbol in the normal symbol display device 39a, and inside the normal symbol start port sensor 37a (see FIG. 3), which detects a passing game ball. Is formed. In the present embodiment, the normal symbol start port 37 is formed only on the right flow path 3c side and not on the left flow path 3b side, but the present invention is not limited to this, and both flow paths may be formed. ..

In the middle of the route from the normal symbol start port 37 in the right flow path 3c to the normal variable winning device 41, the large winning opening 50 can be opened or expanded by the recessed open door 52b. A device 52 (special electric accessory) is provided, and a large winning opening sensor 52a (see FIG. 3) for detecting a game ball that has entered the large winning opening 50 is formed inside the device 52 (special electric accessory).

The circumference of the large winning opening 50 is a bulging portion (decorative member) 55 bulging from the surface of the game board 3, and the upper side 55a of the bulging portion 55 forms a downstream guide portion of the right flow path 3c. There is. If the large winning opening 50 is closed by the open door 52b (the large winning opening is closed), the downstream guide portion of the right flow path 3c (by forming a surface continuous with the upper side 55a of the bulging portion 55). It is designed to form a part of the upper side 55a). Further, in the downstream region of the right flow path 3c, in the region above the upper side 55a of the bulge portion 55, to be exact, in the game region above the grand prize opening 50, the flow path correction plate is substantially parallel to the flow direction of the game ball. The 51d is projected so as to move the flowing game ball toward the large winning opening 50.

The process of entering the game ball into the grand prize opening 50 is as follows. The game ball that has passed through the floating area between the upper surface of the center decorative body 48 and the ball guide rail 5 is on the top surface (upper side) 55a of the bulging portion 55 that protrudes from the game board 3 and functions as a guide for the game ball. It flows down along the rail. Then, the game ball comes into contact with the right end of the flow path correction plate 51d protruding from the three surfaces of the game board, whereby the flow direction of the game ball is corrected to the direction (downward direction) of the large winning opening 50. At this time, if the large winning opening 50 is covered by the retractable open door 52b (the large winning opening is closed), the game ball rolls on this, and a gauge configuration (not shown) is further formed. (Arrangement pattern of game nails) guides the player in the direction of the tulip-type normal variable winning device 41 (lower starting port 35). At this time, if the lower start opening 35 is in a winning state (starting opening open state), the game ball can win in the lower starting opening 35, but the open door 52b is retracted into the game board surface and the large winning opening 50 If is open (the big winning door is open), the game ball is guided into the big winning door 50.

Further, in the game area 3a, a plurality of movable body accessories are arranged at positions that do not interfere with the flow of the game ball. In the present embodiment, the first movable body accessory (clock-shaped accessory 80 having the clock hand 82) is arranged on the upper right side in the center decorative body 48, and the second movable body accessory is arranged on the diagonally lower right side thereof. The accessory (flower-shaped accessory) 90 is arranged. The clock-shaped accessory 80 (clock hand 82) and the flower-shaped accessory 90 (first movable body 91, second movable body 92) notify the degree of expectation for hitting (the degree of expectation of winning) depending on the operation mode. ..

Each winning opening such as the upper starting opening 34, the lower starting opening 35, the normal symbol starting opening 37, the large winning opening 50, or the general winning opening 43 functions as a winning means arranged in the game area 3a, and also , The upper start opening sensor 34a, the lower start opening sensor 35a, the normal symbol start opening sensor 37a, the large winning opening sensor 52a, or the general winning opening sensor 43a and the like are detection switches (winning detection switches) that have entered the winning means. It functions as a winning detection means for detecting a ball. The winning detection switch can be composed of a non-contact switch such as a photo switch or a proximity switch, or a contact switch such as a micro switch. The number, shape, formation position, and the like of each of the above-mentioned winning means can be appropriately changed according to the playability. Further, for each winning means, whether the game ball flowing down the left flow path 3b and / or the right flow path 3c is difficult to win, cannot be won, or can be won is appropriately changed according to the playability. be able to.

When a game ball is won in each winning opening, the number of winning balls per winning ball promised for each winning opening is paid out from the game ball payout device 19 (see FIG. 3). For example, 3 upper starting ports 34, 1 lower starting opening 35, 0 normal symbol starting ports 37 (without prize balls), 15 large winning openings 50, and 6 general winning openings 43 are paid out. .. The game balls that did not win in each of the above winning openings are discharged from the gaming area 3a through the out opening 49. Here, the "winning" is not a structure in which the winning opening takes in the game ball inside, or the winning opening takes in the game ball inside, but a winning opening consisting of a passing gate (for example, a normal symbol start opening 37). ), It means that the game ball passes through the gate, and when the game ball is actually detected by each winning detection switch formed for each winning opening, "winning" is made in the winning opening. Is treated as if it occurred. The game ball related to this winning is also referred to as a "winning ball".

<2. Control device: Fig. 3>
Next, with reference to FIG. 3, a control device that controls the game operation of the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a control block diagram showing an outline of the control device.

The control device of the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment is a main control board (main control means) 20 (hereinafter, referred to as “main control unit 20”) that collectively controls control (game operation control) related to overall game operation. ) And the effect control board (effect control means) 24 (hereinafter, "effect control unit 24") that receives the effect control command from the main control unit 20 and controls the execution control (appearance control) of the effect by the effect means. (Referred to as), a payout control board (payout control means) 29 that controls the payout of prize balls by the game ball payout device 19, and a power source (including a backup power source) required for each board of the game machine from an external power source. It is mainly composed of a power supply board (power supply control means (not shown)) that is generated and supplied. A liquid crystal display device 36 as an image display device is connected to the effect control unit 24. The power supply route is omitted in FIG.

(2-1. Main control unit 20)
The main control unit 20 is equipped with a microprocessor having a CPU 201 (main control CPU), and is ROM 202 (main control) that stores various data necessary for game operation control in addition to a control program that describes a game operation control procedure. It is equipped with a ROM) and a RAM 203 (main control RAM) that functions as a work area and a buffer memory, and constitutes a microcomputer (Z80 system equivalent) as a whole.

Although not shown, the main control unit 20 includes a CTC that provides a periodic interrupt, a pulse output creation function (bit rate generator) with a constant cycle, and a time measurement function, a timer interrupt that applies an interrupt signal to the CPU, and the like. Interrupt controller circuit that demonstrates the interrupt enable / interrupt prohibition function, a reset circuit that detects power on / off or power failure, and outputs a system reset signal to reset the CPU, operation error of the control program Watchdog timer (WDT) circuit to monitor, out-of-area travel prohibition (IAT) circuit to monitor whether the program is executed correctly within the preset address range, generate random numbers in a certain range in terms of hardware It also has a counter circuit to do this. At least the main control unit (main control board) 20 and the payout control board 29 receive a voltage drop signal received from a power supply board (not shown) to start executing necessary backup processing prior to power interruption and to supply power. The game operation before shutting off can be resumed after the power is restored (backup function). In this pachinko gaming machine 1, it is possible to retain the stored contents of each RAM for at least several days.

The counter circuit includes a random number generation circuit that generates a random number and a sampling circuit that samples a random number value at a predetermined timing from the random number generation circuit, and acts as a 16-bit counter as a whole. By sending an instruction to the sampling circuit according to the processing state, the CPU 201 acquires the numerical value indicated by the random number generation circuit as an internal lottery random number value (big hit determination random number (random number size: 65536)). , The random number value is used for the big hit lottery. The random number for the internal lottery is obtained by adding the soft random number value generated by appropriate software processing and the hard random number value in order to prevent the hitting and the like.

Further, the main control unit 20 includes an upper start port sensor 34a for detecting a prize in the upper start port 34, a lower start port sensor 35a for detecting a prize in the lower start port 35, and a game ball for the normal symbol start port 37. The normal symbol start port sensor 37a for detecting the passage of the above, the large winning opening sensor 52a for detecting the winning of the large winning opening 50, and the general winning opening sensor 43a for detecting the winning of the general winning opening 43 are connected. The main control unit 20 can receive the detection signals from these. Based on the detection signals from these sensors, the main control unit 20 grasps which winning opening the game ball has won (winning).

Further, the main control unit 20 is connected to an OUT monitoring switch 49a that detects a game ball (so-called out ball) discharged from the game machine through the out port 49 and each winning port, and the main control unit 20 is an OUT monitoring switch. The detection signal from 49a can be received. The main control unit 20 includes a counting means for counting the number of out balls based on the detection signal from the OUT monitoring switch 49a, and the counting result is used for calculating the performance information (base value) described later.

Further, fraud detection sensors 72a to 72c for detecting fraudulent activity against the pachinko gaming machine 1 are connected to the main control unit 20, and the main control unit 20 fraudulently acts against the gaming machine based on the detection signal from the fraud detection sensor. To monitor. The fraud detection sensor includes a vibration sensor 72a, a radio wave sensor 72b, a magnetic sensor 72c, and the like, which are provided at appropriate positions in the game machine. The error detected by the fraud detection sensor is notified to the gaming machine as a highly serious error with priority over other errors.

Further, the main control unit 20 includes a normal electric accessory solenoid 41c for controlling the opening and closing of the movable wing piece 47 of the lower starting port 35, and a large winning opening solenoid 52c for opening and closing the opening door 52b of the large winning opening 50. Is connected, and the main control unit 20 can transmit a control signal for driving and controlling them.

Further, the special symbol display device 38a and the special symbol display device 38b are connected to the main control unit 20, and the main control unit 20 can transmit a control signal for display control of the special symbols 1 and 2. There is. Further, a normal symbol display device 39a is connected to the main control unit 20, and a control signal for displaying and controlling the normal symbol can be transmitted.

Further, the main control unit 20 is connected to the composite display device 38c, the right-handed display device 39b, and the round number display device 39c, and the main control unit 20 is for displaying and controlling various information displayed on these devices. The control signal can be transmitted.

Further, a frame external terminal board 21 is connected to the main control unit 20, and the main control unit 20 is a signal (outer end signal) game machine including predetermined game information via the frame external terminal board 21. It can be output to the outside. The frame external terminal board 21 is configured to be connectable to a so-called "data counter DT" or "hall computer HC" provided outside the game machine, and the outer end signal is a "data counter DT" or "data counter DT". It is sent to "Hall Computer HC".

As the outer end signal, the main control unit 20 includes, for example, hit game start information, winning information to the starting port (variation start information of a special symbol), prize ball number information, security information (for example, vibration sensor error, radio wave sensor). Outputs one or more outer end signals including error, magnetic sensor error, RAM clear, setting change, etc.). The above-mentioned "data counter DT" can notify specific game information about the game machine (for example, the number of big hits, the number of rotations (the number of changes of the special symbol), the change start / stop information of the special symbol, the winning information, etc.). It is a game information notification device, and is usually installed on the upper part of the game machine. Further, the above-mentioned "hall computer HC" monitors and collects game information of a game machine based on an outer end signal output from an external terminal board 21 for a frame, and controls the operating status of the game machine installed in a pachinko hall. It is a management computer dedicated to pachinko parlors that manages the game.

A payout control board (payout control unit) 29 is connected to the main control unit 20, and when it is necessary to pay out the prize balls, a control command (number of prize balls) related to the payout is given to the payout control board 29. It is possible to send the specified payout control command).

A game ball payout device (game ball payout means) 19 for paying out game balls is connected to the payout control board 29. The main roles of the payout control board 29 are the reception of the payout control command from the main control unit 20, the prize ball payout control of the game ball payout device 19 based on the payout control command, and the payout operation to the main control unit 20, which will be described later. For example, transmission of a status signal.

The game ball payout device 19 is provided with a supply shortage detection sensor 19a for detecting a supply shortage of game balls, a ball counting sensor 19b for detecting a game ball (prize ball) to be paid out, and the like. Each detection signal from these sensors can be received. Further, the game ball payout device 19 is provided with a payout motor 19c for driving a ball payout mechanism unit (not shown) for paying out the game ball, and the payout control board 29 controls the payout motor 19c. It is possible to transmit the control signal of.

Further, the payout control board 29 has a full detection sensor 60 for detecting the stored state of the game balls stored in the upper tray 9 (whether or not the upper tray 9 is full), and the front frame 2 and / or the front operation. A door opening sensor 61 that detects the open state of the panel 7 is connected. The door opening sensor 61 according to the present embodiment functions as a door opening detecting means, and is, for example, an ON state (open state detection) when the front frame 2 is opened to the front side with respect to the outer frame 4, and an OFF state when the front frame 2 is closed. It is configured to be in a state (closed state detection).

Further, the payout control board 29 is based on the detection signals from the fullness detection sensor 60, the door opening sensor 61, the replenishment shortage detection sensor 19a, the ball counting sensor 19b, etc. , "Door open signal" indicating that the front frame 2 and front operation panel 7 are open, "Supply out signal" indicating insufficient supply of game balls from the game ball payout device 19, shortage of prize balls and prizes Various status signals such as a "counting error signal" indicating that an abnormality has occurred in the number of balls and a "payout completion signal" indicating that the payout operation has been completed can be transmitted to the main control unit 20. There is. Based on these status signals, the main control unit 20 determines whether the front frame 2 and the front operation panel 7 are in the open state (door opening error) and whether the payout operation of the game ball payout device 19 is normal (whether the payout operation of the game ball payout device 19 is normal). It monitors whether or not the upper saucer 9 is full (ball jam error) and the like.

Further, a launch control board (launch control unit) 28 is connected to the payout control board 29, and the payout control board 29 can transmit a launch permission signal ES (launch control signal) permitting the launch operation to the launch control board 28. It has become. The launch control board 28 controls the energization of the launch solenoid (not shown) provided in the launch device 32 based on the output of the launch permission signal ES, and the game ball operated by the launch operation handle 15. The firing operation of is realized. Further, the launch strength of the game ball can be changed according to the operation amount of the launch operation handle 15.

Further, the main control unit 20 includes a RAM clear switch 98 for initializing a predetermined area of the RAM 203, a setting key switch 94 for switching to a setting change allowable state capable of changing a set value, and a setting change allowable state thereof. In the state, the setting change switch 95 for changing the setting value and the setting change completion switch 96 for confirming the setting value selected by the setting change switch 95 are connected, and the main control unit 20 is connected from these switches. The detection signal can be received. In the case of the present embodiment, the RAM clear switch 98, the setting change switch 95, and the setting change completion switch 96 are all push button type switches that can be operated by the operator, and the setting key switch 94 sets the setting key. It is a key switch that can be switched between a setting change allowed state (ON) and a setting change prohibited state (OFF) by inserting it and operating it ON / OFF. It should be noted that these switches are formed in appropriate places inside the game machine from the viewpoint of preventing fraudulent acts such as illegal operation of set values, and ON / OFF operations from the outside of the game machine are not possible unless the front frame 2 is opened. It is possible.

Further, a setting display 97 (setting display means) for displaying information related to the set value is connected to the main control unit 20, and the main control unit 20 can transmit a control signal for displaying and controlling the setting display 97. .. The setting display 97 according to the present embodiment is composed of one 7-segment display and is mounted on the main control unit (main control board) 20. The setting display 97 is not limited to the main control board, but is a payout control board 28, a launch control board 29, and a relay board (relay board for relaying the connection between various display devices, switches, etc. and the control board: not shown). ) Or the effect control unit (effect control board (including the liquid crystal control board)) 24, etc., can be provided at an appropriate place inside the game machine.

(About set value)
The above-mentioned "set value" changes the payout rate (so-called machine discount (PAYOUT rate)) in a stepwise manner, and in the present embodiment, six sets of settings 1 to 6 are provided. ing. This "set value" defines at least the lottery probability (winning probability) of a big hit (the winning type at which the condition device described later is activated) in each of the settings 1 to 6 (6 stages), and is a set value. The higher the value, the higher the jackpot lottery probability (big hit winning probability) is set, which is advantageous to the player. For example, at low probability, setting 1 is 1/410, setting 2 is 1/390, setting 3 is 1/370, setting 4 is 1/350, setting 5 is 1/330, setting 6 is 1/320, and so on. is there. That is, the higher the set value, the easier it is to win a big hit (the higher the machine discount), and the more advantageous the player is. As described above, the set value is a value that mainly defines the events that affect the machine discount for each stage, and means the value for the grade related to the likelihood of a specific event such as a big hit. Such "set values" are determined exclusively based on the sales strategy of pachinko halls (game stores). If the jackpot lottery probability is in a high probability state (when the special symbol probability change function described later is activated), the probability increases to a value that does not exceed 10 times, and the increase rate (for each set value) The ratio) is not different. In the above example, if the jackpot lottery probability at low probability is set 1 to 6 = 1 / 41-10 / 320 and the rate of increase is 10 times, the jackpot lottery probability at high probability is set 1 to 6. = 1/41 to 1/32.

When a plurality of types of jackpots are provided, the winning probability of one or a plurality of types of jackpots can be changed according to the set value. For example, when there are four types of jackpots 1 to 4, the higher the set value, the higher the probability of winning all of the jackpots 1 to 4, or some jackpots may be configured. Only a certain jackpot 1 to 3 may be configured to be high (in this case, the jackpot 4 has a common winning probability for all set values), or only a specific jackpot (for example, jackpot 1 only). ) May be configured to be high only (in this case, the winning probabilities common to all set values for jackpots 2 to 4). Further, the higher the set value is, the higher the total winning probability of the jackpots 1 to 4 may be. Further, the winning probability of the small hit type that does not trigger the operation of the conditional device may be changed according to the set value, as in the case of the large hit described above.

(About the operation to change the set value)
In the present embodiment, when the power is turned on, at least when the setting key switch 94 and the RAM clear switch 98 are in the ON state, the setting change is controlled to the allowable state, and when the power is turned on by any other switch operation, It is controlled to the setting change prohibition state. When the setting change switch 95 is turned ON in this setting change allowable state, the current display value of the setting display 97 is "1 → 2 → 3 → 4 → 5 → 6 → 1 → 2 → 3 → ...". It is switched and displayed so as to circulate in the range of 1 to 6. Then, when the desired setting value is displayed, when the setting change completion switch 96 is turned ON (setting confirmation operation), the current display value is confirmed as the current setting value, and the setting value data is the predetermined area of the RAM 203 (the setting confirmation operation). It is stored in the setting value storage area). Then, when the setting key switch 94 is operated from the current ON state to the OFF state, the setting change allowable state is terminated, and thereafter, the game is started under the fixed set value. The main control unit 20 of the present embodiment includes a setting value selecting means for selecting one of a plurality of types of setting values having different advantages for the player based on the operation of the predetermined operating means. It is provided with a setting value setting means for setting a setting value selected by the setting value selection means.

Further, the main control unit 20 can transmit various game processing information such as information about the special symbol variation display game and error information to the effect control unit 24 by the effect control command according to the processing state. .. However, in order to prevent a goto action from the outside, the main control unit 20 only transmits a signal to the effect control unit 24, and the signal from the effect control unit 24 cannot be received. It has become.

(About performance indicator 99)
Further, a performance indicator 99 (information display means) for displaying (notifying) information (hereinafter referred to as "performance information") related to the game result for a predetermined period (specific game period) is connected to the main control unit 20. The main control unit 20 can transmit a control signal for display control of this. The performance display 99 of the present embodiment is composed of a plurality of 7-segment LEDs, and specifically, four 7-segment LEDs (7-segment displays 99a to 99d) in which a display unit and a circuit unit are unitized are laterally arranged. This is mounted on the main control board 20, for example, to form a display capable of displaying a 4-digit number. Further, each 7-segment LED has a decimal point DP (dot) below the 7-segment number.

In the present embodiment, as the above performance information, the total number of payouts (the number of payouts in the normal state) in the normal state (the jackpot lottery probability is low probability (normal probability) and the state without electric support described later) and the cumulative total in the normal state. The number of out balls (normal out number) is measured in real time, and the value obtained by dividing the normal payout number by the normal out number multiplied by 100 (normal payout number ÷ normal out number x 100) (Hereinafter, also referred to as “base value”) is adopted, and this is displayed in a predetermined mode by the performance indicator 99. As for the display value, a value rounded to the first decimal place is displayed in a predetermined display mode. However, instead of simply measuring permanently and displaying the base value (performance information), when the cumulative number of out balls reaches a predetermined specified number (for example, 60,000), the measurement is temporarily terminated and the measurement is terminated. The base value at the end of measurement is stored as history information in a predetermined area (performance display storage area) of RAM 203 (the current base value is stored). In the case of this embodiment, the "specified number" that triggers the end of the above measurement is not the number of outs in the normal state, but the cumulative number of out balls during all gaming states (including during winning games) (hereinafter, "all state outs"). It is called "number"). The number of outs in all states is also measured in real time.

After storing the current base value as the above history information, the measurement information storage area used in this measurement is cleared to zero, and the next normal payout number, normal out number, base value, and all state out spheres are cleared. Start measuring the number and measure a new base value in real time.

(2-2. Production control unit 24)
The effect control unit 24 is equipped with a microprocessor having a CPU 241 (effect control CPU), a ROM 242 (effect control ROM) that stores the effect data required for the effect control process, and a RAM 243 (effect control ROM) that functions as a work area or a buffer memory. It is mainly composed of a microcomputer equipped with an effect control RAM), and also has an acoustic control unit (sound source LSI), an RTC function unit (Real Time Clock), a counter circuit for effect lottery random numbers, an interrupt controller circuit, and a reset circuit. A WDT circuit or the like is provided to control the overall production operation. In addition, the RTC function unit is a clock IC that keeps track of time, and relates to real-time time information and / or date (month, day, day of the week) such as the current time (“current time is hour, minute, second”). It works as a clock means to provide calendar information. Since the RTC function unit is equipped with a secondary battery and can operate permanently by charging the secondary battery with the power supply voltage supplied from the power supply board, the power supply of the pachinko gaming machine 1 can be used. Even if it is turned off, it keeps timing the current date and time. However, the RTC function unit may have a time shift with the passage of time due to a frequency shift of the internal transmitter or the like. Therefore, it is possible to provide accurate time information by adjusting the time of the RTC function unit based on the accurate time information provided by the time adjusting means from the outside of the game machine.

The main roles of the effect control unit 24 are receiving the effect control command from the main control unit 20, determining the selection of the effect based on the effect control command, controlling the image display of the liquid crystal display device 36 which is the effect means, and controlling the sound of the speaker 46. , Light emission control of various effect LEDs (decorative lamp 45, button LED 13b, other effect LEDs), operation control of various movable objects, and the like.

Further, the effect control unit 24 includes a display control unit (not shown) that controls the display of the liquid crystal display device 36. This display control unit mainly controls the effect (image display effect) by the liquid crystal display device 36, and controls the overall image output processing such as image development processing and image drawing, and the VDP performs the image development processing. An image ROM that stores image data (directed image data) to be performed, a VRAM (Video RAM) that temporarily stores image data developed by VDP, and a liquid crystal that outputs control data necessary for VDP to perform display control. Focusing on the control CPU, the liquid crystal control ROM that stores the program that describes the display control operation procedure of the liquid crystal control CPU and various data necessary for the display control, and the liquid crystal control RAM that functions as a work area or buffer memory. It is configured.

Further, the effect control unit 24 includes light including various effect LEDs such as a decorative lamp 45 and a button LED 13b in order to display a light effect, a sound effect, a movable body effect by a movable body, and the like in addition to the above image display effect. It includes an optical display control unit for the display device 45a, an acoustic control unit for the sound generator 46a including the speaker 46, a drive control unit (motor drive circuit) for the movable body accessory motor 80c for operating the movable body accessory, and the like. The effect control unit 24 can transmit a control signal related to the effect means to these control units.

The sound control unit has a sound source LSI (sound effect control means) that comprehensively controls the sound reproduction operation (sound effect operation) for the speaker 16, and a sound data ROM that stores sound data for realizing the sound effect related to the game. (Sound ROM (sound data storage means)) is mounted, and four speakers 16 functioning as sound production means (sound output means) are connected to the sound source LSI via an interface board. The sound data of the sound data ROM includes data capable of specifying the sound effect mode (volume level, timbre, effect, localization, etc.) of the sound effect and sound output from each speaker 16. The sound source LSI acquires the sound data of the sound effect to be displayed from the sound data ROM in response to the command from the CPU 241 and decodes it to generate a desired sound signal and outputs it to the amplifier, whereby the speaker 16 Controls the sound production output from. By the sound effect control process by the sound source LSI, monaural reproduction and stereo reproduction related to the sound effect can be realized.

Further, the effect control unit 24 is connected to a position detection sensor 82a that monitors the movement of the movable body accessory, and the effect control unit 24 is based on the detection information from the position detection sensor 82a and the current operation of the movable body accessory. The operation mode is controlled while monitoring the position (for example, the amount of movement from the origin position). Further, based on the detection information from the position detection sensor 82a, a malfunction in the operation of the movable body accessory is monitored, and if a malfunction occurs, a predetermined error notification is performed.

Further, the effect control unit 24 is connected to the effect button switch 13a for detecting the operation of the effect button 13 and the direction key switches 75a'to 75d' for detecting the operation of the direction keys 75 (75a to 75d) to control the effect. The unit 24 can receive operation detection signals from the effect buttons 13 and the direction keys 75.

When the effect control unit 24 receives the effect control command sent from the main control unit 20, the effect control unit 24 determines by lottery or uniquely from a plurality of types of effect patterns prepared in advance based on the information contained in the command. Then, various production means are controlled at the required timing to bring out the desired production. As a result, the display of the effect image by the liquid crystal display device 36 corresponding to the effect pattern, the reproduction of the sound from the speaker 46, and the lighting / blinking drive of the decorative lamp 45 and other effect LEDs are realized, and various effect patterns (decorative patterns) are realized. By developing the variable display operation, notice production, etc. in chronological order, a "production scenario" in a broad sense is realized. Further, the effect control unit 24 performs any operation on the operation means based on the operation detection signals from the operation means (effect button switch 13a and direction key switches 75a'to 75d') during the predetermined operation reception valid period. It has a functional unit that can detect that (for example, pressing, long pressing, repeated hits, etc.) has been performed (operation mode identification means), and corresponds to the operation mode in the above menu screen or in the player participation type production. It is configured so that the production can be revealed.

The effect control command defines the function by a 2-byte configuration consisting of a 1-byte length mode (MODE) and a 1-byte length event (EVENT), and in order to distinguish between MODE and EVENT, Bit7 of MODE is used. Bit7 of ON and EVENT is OFF. When this information is transmitted as valid, a strobe signal is output corresponding to each of the mode (MODE) and the event (EVENT). That is, when there is a command to be transmitted, the CPU 201 (main control CPU) sets and outputs mode (MODE) information for transmitting the command to the effect control unit 24, and the first time after a predetermined time has elapsed from this setting. The strobe signal of is transmitted. Further, the event information is set and output after a lapse of a predetermined time from the transmission of the strobe signal, and the second strobe signal is transmitted after the lapse of a predetermined time from this setting. The strobe signal is controlled to be active by the CPU 201 for a predetermined period during which the CPU 241 (effect control CPU) can reliably receive the command.

Further, the effect control unit 24 (CPU241) generates an interrupt based on the input of the strobe signal, executes the control program for the command reception interrupt process, and acquires the effect control command in the interrupt process. It has become. Further, unlike the CPU 201, the CPU 241 is executing an interrupt process (a timer interrupt process that is periodically executed) based on another interrupt when an interrupt occurs based on the input of a strobe signal. Even if there is, the command reception interrupt process is performed by interrupting the process, and the command reception interrupt process is preferentially performed even if other interrupts occur at the same time.

<3. Overview of operation>
Next, a gaming operation related to the pachinko gaming machine 1 using the control device (FIG. 3) will be described.

(3-1. Symbol variation display game)
(3-1-1. Special symbol variation display game, decorative symbol variation display game)
In the pachinko gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, the main control unit 20 is based on predetermined starting conditions, specifically, that the game ball enters (wins) the upper starting port 34 or the lower starting port 35. In, a "big hit lottery" is performed by a random number lottery. Based on the lottery result, the main control unit 20 variablely displays the special symbols 1 and 2 on the special symbol display devices 38a and 38b to start the special symbol variable display game, and displays the result as a special symbol after a lapse of a predetermined time. Derived display is performed on the device, thereby ending the special symbol variation display game.

Here, in the present embodiment, the big hit lottery based on the winning of the upper starting port 34 and the big hit lottery based on the winning of the lower starting port 35 are performed separately and independently. Therefore, the jackpot lottery result for the upper starting port 34 is derived on the special symbol display device 38a side, and the jackpot lottery result for the lower starting port 35 is derived on the special symbol display device 38b side. Specifically, on the special symbol display device 38a side, the special symbol 1 is variablely displayed and the first special symbol variable display game is started on the condition that the game ball enters the upper start port 34. On the other hand, on the special symbol display device 38b side, the special symbol 2 is variablely displayed and the second special symbol variable display game is started on the condition that the game ball enters the lower starting port 35. ing. Then, when the special symbol variation display game on the special symbol display device 38a or the special symbol display device 38b is started, after a predetermined variation display time elapses, if the jackpot lottery result is a "big hit", a predetermined "big hit" In the mode, when the big hit lottery result is "small hit", the special symbol in the variable display is stopped and displayed in the predetermined "small hit" mode, and in other cases, in the predetermined "loss" mode. The game result (big hit lottery result) is derived by.

In the present specification, for convenience of explanation, the first special symbol variation display game on the special symbol display device 38a side is referred to as "special symbol variation display game 1", and the second special symbol display device 38b side is referred to as "special symbol variation display game 1". The special symbol variation display game is referred to as "special symbol variation display game 2". Unless otherwise required, "special symbol 1" and "special symbol 2" are simply referred to as "special symbol" (sometimes abbreviated as "special symbol"), and "special symbol variation display game 1" and "special symbol". The "variable display game 2" may be referred to as a "special symbol variable display game".

Further, when the above-mentioned special symbol variation display game is started, the decorative symbol (directing game symbol) is variablely displayed on the liquid crystal display device 36, and the decorative symbol variation display game is started, which accompanies this. Then, various productions are developed. When the special symbol variation display game ends, the decorative symbol variation display game also ends, the special symbol display device reflects a predetermined special symbol indicating the jackpot lottery result, and the liquid crystal display device 36 reflects the jackpot lottery result. The decorative design is derived and displayed. That is, the result of the special symbol variation display game is reflected and displayed by the dramatic decorative symbol variation display game including the variation display operation of the decorative symbol.

Therefore, for example, when the result of the special symbol variation display game (result of the jackpot lottery) is "big hit", the decorative symbol variation display game develops an effect that reflects the result. Then, in the special symbol display device, when the special symbol is stopped and displayed in a display mode indicating a big hit (for example, the 7-segment display state is "7"), the liquid crystal display device 36 displays "left", "middle", and "right". In each display area of "", the decorative symbols reflect the "big hit" (for example, in each of the "left", "middle", and "right" display areas, the three decorative symbols are "7", "7", and " 7 ”is displayed as a stop display.

In the case of this "big hit", specifically, the special symbol variation display game ends, and the decorative symbol variation display game ends accordingly, and as a result, the symbol mode of the "big hit" is derived and displayed. After that, the large winning opening solenoid 52c (see FIG. 3) of the special variable winning device 52 operates to open and close the opening door 52b in a predetermined pattern, whereby the large winning opening 50 is opened and closed, and the normal state (normal game). A special gaming state (big hit game) that is more advantageous to the player than the state) occurs. In this jackpot game, the opening time of the big winning opening is until a predetermined time (maximum opening time: 29.8 seconds, for example) elapses, or the number of game balls won in the big winning opening (winning balls to the big winning opening). Until the number of winning balls reaches a predetermined number (the maximum number of winning balls allowed for the winning opening whose entrance is opened or expanded by one operation of the winning combination (maximum number of winning balls): for example, 10). A predetermined number of "round games" such that the winning area is opened or expanded and the large winning opening is closed when any of these conditions (round game end condition (closing condition)) is satisfied. Repeated (eg up to 16 rounds).

When the above jackpot game starts, the opening effect is first performed using the jackpot start interval time, and after the jackpot start interval time elapses (after the opening effect ends), the round game has a predetermined number of rounds. It is performed multiple times with the upper limit. Then, when the specified number of rounds is completed, the ending effect is performed using the jackpot end interval time, and the jackpot game ends. That is, the jackpot game is roughly classified into each game period of the opening period, the round game period up to the specified number of rounds (maximum number of rounds), and the ending period. In addition, "in-round production" appears during the round game, and "inter-round interval production" appears during the round game.

Regarding the information necessary for executing the above-mentioned decorative symbol variation display game, first, the main control unit 20 first enters (wins) a game ball into the upper start port 34 or the lower start port 35, and specifically. , "Big hit", "Small hit", or "Loss" on condition that the game ball is detected by the upper start port sensor 34a or the lower start port sensor 35a and the start condition (start condition related to the special symbol) is satisfied. If it is a "big hit", the big hit type is selected, if it is a "small hit", the small hit type is selected, and if it is a "miss", the big hit type is selected. Perform a big hit lottery including'design lottery (winning type lottery)'to draw a lottery for the loss type (if there is only one type of big hit, small hit or loss, it is not necessary to perform the symbol lottery, so omit the lottery. Based on the lottery result information, the fluctuation pattern of the special symbol and the special symbol (special stop symbol) to be finally stopped and displayed are determined. Then, as an effect control command for specifying the processing state, the effect control unit 24 issues a "variation pattern designation command" including at least the variation pattern information of the special symbol (for example, the jackpot lottery result, the information regarding the variation time of the special symbol, etc.). Send to the side. As a result, the basic information required for the decorative symbol variation display game is sent to the effect control unit 24. In the present embodiment, a "decorative symbol designation command" including information on the special stop symbol (design lottery result information (information on the winning type)) is also transmitted to the effect control unit 24 in order to enrich the variation of the effect. It has become like.

In the fluctuation pattern information of the above special symbol, the occurrence of a specific advance notice effect (for example, reach effect type (so-called normal reach (N reach), special reach (SP reach), etc.), pseudo-continuous effect and its number of times) is specified. Can contain information to be done. Specifically, the fluctuation pattern of the special symbol is roughly classified into a "hit fluctuation pattern" in the case of a hit and a "loss fluctuation pattern" in the case of a loss, depending on the result of the big hit lottery. 'Reach fluctuation pattern' that specifies the occurrence of reach effect,'Normal variation pattern' that does not specify the occurrence of reach effect,'Pseudo-ream reach variation pattern'that specifies the occurrence of pseudo-ream effect and reach effect, Pseudo-ream effect Multiple types of fluctuation patterns are included, such as'pseudo-ream normal fluctuation pattern', which specifies the occurrence of and does not specify the occurrence of reach effect. Further, the fluctuation pattern that specifies a specific advance notice effect is basically defined to have a longer variation time than the variation time of the normal variation pattern in order to secure the effect time of the advance notice effect.

The effect control unit 24 is time-series during the decorative symbol variation display game based on the information included in the effect control commands (here, the variation pattern designation command and the decorative symbol designation command) sent from the main control unit 20. The content of the effect (effect scenario) to be developed in the above, the decorative pattern to be finally stopped and displayed (decorative stop pattern), etc. are decided, and according to the time schedule based on the variation pattern of the special symbol, the advance notice effect during the decorative symbol variation display game and Controls the appearance of the variable display effect of the decorative pattern. As a result, the decorative symbol by the liquid crystal display device 36 is variablely displayed in synchronization with the variable display of the special symbol by the special symbol display devices 38a and 38b, and the period of the special symbol variable display game and the decorative symbol variable display game are in progress. The period of is substantially the same time width. Further, the effect control unit 24 controls the liquid crystal display device 36, the light display device 45a, or the sound generator 46a, respectively, so as to correspond to the effect scenario, and develops various effects in the decorative symbol variation display game. As a result, the reproduction of the image (image effect) on the liquid crystal display device 36, the reproduction of the sound effect (sound effect), and the lighting / blinking drive (light effect) of the effect LED such as the decorative lamp 45 are realized.

In this way, the special symbol variation display game and the decorative symbol variation display game have an inseparable relationship, and what reflects the display result of the special symbol variation display game is expressed in the decorative symbol variation display game. , These two symbol variation display games may be regarded as equivalent symbol games. Unless otherwise specified in the present specification, the above two symbol variation display games may be simply referred to as "symbol variation display games".

(3-1-2. Ordinary symbol fluctuation display game)
Further, in the pachinko gaming machine 1, based on the fact that the game ball has passed (winning) through the normal symbol start port 37, the main control unit 20 performs a “subsidy winning lottery” by a random number lottery. Based on this lottery result, the normal symbol represented by the LED is variablely displayed on the normal symbol display device 39a to start the normal symbol variable display game, and after a predetermined fluctuation time elapses, the result is turned on and off by the LED. It is designed to stop and display in combination. For example, when the result of the normal symbol variation display game is "auxiliary hit", the display unit of the normal symbol display device 39a is stopped and displayed in a specific lighting state (for example, all two LEDs 39 are in the lighting state).

In the case of this "auxiliary hit", the normal electric accessory solenoid 41c (see FIG. 3) is activated, whereby the movable wing piece 47 opens in an inverted "C" shape and the lower starting port 35 opens. Alternatively, the game ball is expanded to a state in which the game ball easily flows in (starting opening open state), and an auxiliary game state (hereinafter, referred to as "solenoid open game") that is more advantageous to the player than the normal state occurs. In this general electric opening game, the opening time of the lower starting port 35 (the operating time during which the lower starting port 35 is opened by the movable wing piece 47) is set to a predetermined time (for example, by the movable wing piece 47 of the normal variable winning device 41). The winning area is opened or expanded until the number of game balls that have won a prize in the lower starting port 35 reaches a predetermined number (for example, 4), and one of these conditions is satisfied. In that case, the operation of closing the lower starting port 35 is repeated a predetermined number of times (for example, up to two times).

(3-1-3. Operation hold ball)
Here, in the present embodiment, each start port 34 to 35 or the normal symbol start port 37 wins a prize during the special / decorative symbol variation display game, the normal symbol variation display game, the hit game, or the normal electric open game. When it occurs, that is, when there is an input of a detection signal from the start port sensors 34a to 35a or the normal symbol start port sensor 37a and the corresponding start condition (symbol game start condition) is satisfied, this is the start right of the variable display game. As the data related to the above, except for the data related to the variable display, the maximum number of reserved storages (for example, a maximum of 4), which is a predetermined upper limit value, is reserved and stored. The pending data that is not used for this symbol variation display operation or the game ball related to the reserved data is also referred to as an "operation pending ball". In order to clarify the number of operation holding balls to the player, a dedicated holding display (not shown) provided at an appropriate position in the pachinko gaming machine 1 or a holding provided as an icon image on the screen by the liquid crystal display device 36. Turn on the display.

Further, in the present embodiment, up to four operation holding balls related to the special symbol 1, the special symbol 2, and the ordinary symbol are reserved and stored in the corresponding storage area of the RAM 203, and are retained as the number of times the fluctuation of the special symbol or the ordinary symbol is confirmed. The maximum number of stored balls (maximum number of reserved balls) for each of the special symbol 1, special symbol 2, and normal symbol is not particularly limited (the number of reserved balls for a specific symbol may be zero). .. Further, all or part of the maximum number of reserved memories of each symbol may be different, and the number can be appropriately determined according to the playability. In the present specification, each of the special symbol 1, the special symbol 2, and the normal symbol operation holding ball is also referred to as a special figure 1 operation holding ball, a special figure 2 operation holding ball, and a normal figure operation holding ball, respectively.

(3-2. Game state)
Next, the gaming state will be described. The pachinko gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment is configured to be capable of generating a plurality of types of gaming states in addition to the above-mentioned jackpot, which is a special gaming state. In order to facilitate the understanding of the present invention, first, functions (means) related to the occurrence of various gaming states will be described.

The pachinko gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment has a "probability variation function (probability variation function)" in which the main control unit 20 (CPU201) is responsible for the functional unit. There are two types of this, a probabilistic function related to a special symbol (hereinafter referred to as "special symbol probabilistic function") and a probabilistic function related to a normal symbol (hereinafter referred to as "ordinary symbol probabilistic function").

The special symbol probability change function changes the jackpot lottery probability from a low probability (for example, 1/320) of a predetermined probability (normal probability) to a high probability (for example, 1/32), which is more advantageous than the normal state. It is a function to generate a "high probability state (big hit high probability state)". Under the gaming state (high probability state) in which this special symbol probability change function is operating, the jackpot lottery probability is high, so that a jackpot is likely to occur.

The normal symbol probability change function is more advantageous than the normal state by changing the lottery probability per auxiliary from a low probability (for example, 2/256), which is a predetermined probability (normal probability), to a high probability (for example, 255/255). It is a function to generate a "probability change state per auxiliary". Under the game state (auxiliary hit probability change state) in which this normal symbol probability change function is operating, the auxiliary hit lottery probability becomes a high probability state, so that auxiliary hits are likely to occur, and the public electric open game frequently occurs. , The operation rate is improved, in which the operation rate of the movable wing piece 47 per unit time is improved as compared with the normal state.

Further, the pachinko gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment is provided with a "variation time shortening function (time saving function)" in which the main control unit 20 is responsible for its functional unit. There are two types of this: a time saving function related to a special symbol (hereinafter referred to as "special symbol time saving function") and a time saving function related to a normal symbol (hereinafter referred to as "ordinary symbol time saving function").

The special symbol time reduction function generates a "special symbol time reduction state" that shortens the average time required for one special symbol fluctuation display game (the average time from when the special symbol starts to change to when it is stopped and displayed). It is a function to make it. Under the gaming state (special symbol time saving state) in which this special symbol time saving function is operating, the average fluctuation time of the special symbol in one special symbol fluctuation display game is shortened (for example, the average required for the reachless loss fluctuation). The time is shortened from 8 seconds to 2 seconds), and the number of big hit lottery per unit time is improved as compared with the normal state.

The normal symbol time saving function generates a "normal symbol time saving state" that shortens the average time required for one normal symbol fluctuation display game (the average time from when the normal symbol starts to change to when it is stopped and displayed). It is a function to make it. Under the gaming state (normal symbol time saving state) in which the normal symbol time saving function is activated, the average fluctuation time of the normal symbol in one normal symbol variation display game is shortened (for example, from 30 seconds to 1 second). The lottery number is improved, in which the number of lottery per auxiliary per unit time is improved as compared with the normal state.

Furthermore, the pachinko gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment has an "open extension function" in which the main control unit 20 is responsible for its functional unit. This open extension function is a function of generating an "open extension state" in which the open operation period (opening time of the movable wing piece 47) of the movable wing piece 47 of the normal variable winning device 41 is extended from the normal state. This open extension state is a so-called "electric chew support state". Under the open extension state, the open operation period (starting port open state time) of the movable wing piece 47 is extended from, for example, 0.2 seconds to 1.7 seconds, and the number of times of opening and closing thereof is, for example, once (open extension). It is extended from 2 times (when the function is not operating) to 2 times (when the opening extension function is operating), and the operating rate of the movable wing piece 47 per unit time is improved as compared with the normal state. .. Therefore, when the open extension function is activated, the frequency of winning the lower starting port 35 increases. Therefore, as a game state, the frequency of establishment of the starting condition of the special symbol variation display game for deriving the lottery result of the big hit is higher than the normal state. Compared to the state in which the opening extension function is not activated (non-operating), the gaming state is advantageous for the player. In the present embodiment, a state in which the three functions of the normal figure probability change function, the normal figure time saving function, and the open extension function are activated is treated as an "electric chew support state (state with electric support)".

By operating one or a plurality of types of each of the above functions, it is possible to change the internal gaming state (internal gaming state) of the gaming machine. In the following, for convenience of explanation, the gaming state in which the special symbol probability change function, the special symbol time saving function, the normal symbol probability change function, the normal symbol time reduction function, and the open extension function are activated is referred to as a "probability change state", and among these functions, The game state in which the special symbol probability change function is removed is referred to as a "time saving state", and at least the game state in which the special symbol probability change function is activated and the open extension function is not activated (in the present embodiment, only the special symbol probability change function is activated). ) Is referred to as a "latent state", and a state in which all functions are not operating (non-operating) is referred to as a "normal state". Therefore, paying attention to the jackpot lottery probability in these gaming states, when the gaming state is the "time saving state" or the "normal state", the jackpot lottery probability becomes the "low probability state (normal probability)" and the gaming state becomes. In the case of "latent state" or "probability change state", the jackpot lottery probability is "high probability state". In addition, during the big hit, a hit game in which the big winning opening is opened and closed occurs, but all the functions are inactive for each of the above functions, and basically, the game is placed under the same game state as the above normal state.

(High base game state)
When focusing on the normal symbol probability change function, the normal symbol time saving function, and the open extension function individually, when at least one of these functions is activated, the operating rate of the movable wing piece 47 is improved. Since the improvement state is reached and the frequency of winning the lower start port 35 increases, the game state is a "high base game state" in which the frequency of establishment of the start condition of the special symbol variation display game for deriving the lottery result of the big hit is higher than the normal state. (Starting condition improvement state) ”. The "high base game state" here means a game state when a function related to a normal symbol is activated, and at least one of a function related to a special symbol, that is, a special symbol probability change function and a special symbol time saving function is activated. It is different from the game state when playing.

On the other hand, when focusing on the functions related to the special symbol (special symbol probability change function and special symbol time saving function) individually, when the above special symbol probability change function is activated, the jackpot lottery probability becomes a "high probability state" higher than the normal game state. When the above-mentioned special symbol time saving function is activated, the digestion time of the special symbol variation display game (average one game digestion time) becomes a "special symbol time reduction state" earlier than the normal state. In this respect, it is distinguished from the above-mentioned "high-base game state" in which the frequency of establishment of the start condition of the special symbol variation display game is higher than that in the normal game state.

Further, in the present embodiment, as an example of the above-mentioned "high-base gaming state", at least the electric chew support state to which the opening extension function is provided is treated as the "high-base gaming state". Under the electric chew support state, the operating rate (opening time and number of times of opening) of the movable wing piece 47 of the normal variable winning device 41 is improved, the winning rate to the lower starting port 35 is increased, and the winning frequency per unit time is increased. Therefore, the gaming state is advantageous for the player as compared with the case where the electric chew support state is not applied (low base gaming state). Focusing on the presence or absence of this electric chew support state, when the game state is "normal state" or "latent state", it becomes "no electric chew support state (hereinafter referred to as" no electric support state ")". When the game state is "time saving state" or "probability change state", it is "with electric chew support state (hereinafter referred to as" electric support state ")". Therefore, in the probable change state and the time saving state, the normal symbol probability change function, the normal symbol time saving function, and the opening extension function are activated, so that the normal electric opening game is easily generated and the operating rate of the movable wing piece 47 is remarkably improved. It is considered to be in a game state. In addition, the gaming state focusing on the operating status of each function (special symbol probability change function, special symbol time saving function, normal symbol probability change function, normal symbol time reduction function, and open extension function) related to determination of jackpot lottery probability and presence / absence of electric support. Is also referred to as "internal gaming state".

<4. About hit>
Next, with reference to FIG. 4, the “hit” of the gaming machine according to the present embodiment will be described.

(4-1. About hit type and hit game)
In the pachinko gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the types of hits drawn in the above-mentioned special symbol variation display game, that is, the types of hits subject to the big hit lottery, are 1 to 11 big hits and 1 small hit. There are multiple types of hits such as. Of these hits, the big hits 1 to 11 are hits belonging to the big hit type that triggers the operation of the conditional device, and the small hit 1 is a hit that belongs to the small hit type that does not trigger the operation of the conditional device. Here, the "condition device" is a device whose operation is a condition necessary for the operation of the accessory continuous operation device (device for continuously operating the special electric accessory) for performing the round game, and is specific. A combination of special symbols is displayed, or the game ball operates when it passes through a specific area in the large winning opening (excluding the one that wins the large winning opening while the accessory continuous operating device is operating).

Therefore, when the small hit is won, the accessory continuous operating device does not operate, and the round game such as the big hit is not executed. However, it is possible to control the opening / closing operation of the big winning opening in the same or very similar or completely different operation mode as the round game by the big hit. In other words, it is possible to perform an apparent round game (pseudo round game). Similar to the big hit, such a small hit is different from a mere "loss" in that it triggers an occurrence (transition trigger) of a hit game (special game state) accompanied by an opening / closing operation of the big winning opening. Although the small hit 1 is a hit belonging to the "small hit type", it is treated in the same line as one of the big hit types without distinguishing it from the above-mentioned big hit unless it is particularly necessary for convenience of explanation.

The notation of "16R", "8R", "4R", and "2R" in the jackpots 1 to 11 in the column of "contents of hit" in FIG. .. In addition, the notation of "long opening" in the same column means that the maximum opening time of the big winning opening in one round game is expected to reach the maximum number of winnings (10). It indicates that it is a big hit set to "opening time (for example, 29.8 seconds)", and "short opening" means "short opening time (for example, short opening time)" in which the maximum opening time of the big winning opening is shorter than "long opening". It indicates that it is a big hit set to "1.8 seconds)". In addition, the notations of "probability change", "time saving", and "latent probability" in the same column are "probability change jackpot" that triggers the transition to the probabilistic state, "time saving jackpot" that triggers the transition to the time saving state, and the latent probability state, respectively. Shows the "latent jackpot" that triggers the transition. Therefore, for example, if the jackpot is 1 "12R long open probability variation jackpot", it is a jackpot that triggers the probability variation transition, the maximum number of rounds is 12R, and the jackpot of each round game is opened and closed in a long opening pattern. Indicates that. The profit status during the jackpot game becomes higher as the maximum number of rounds is relatively larger, and becomes higher as the maximum opening time of the jackpot is relatively longer.

(4-2. About the transition destination game state after the hit game)
Next, with reference to FIG. 4, a game state that is transferred after the end of the winning game will be described. In the column of the game state at the time of winning in FIG. 4, the relationship between the game state at the time of winning and the game state transferred to the winning game is shown according to the winning type.

(About the transition destination game state when winning a big hit)
When a big hit is won, the game state after the big hit game is determined is determined according to the game state at the time of winning. Specifically, as shown in the figure, when the jackpots 1, 3, 5, 8, and 10 are won, the "probability change state (high probability / electric)" regardless of the gaming state at the time of winning. With support) ”. That is, the jackpots 1, 3, 5, 8, and 10 are all probabilistic jackpots that trigger the transition to the probabilistic state. In addition, if the jackpots 2, 4 and 9 are won, the process shifts to "time reduction A (time reduction 100 times)", and if the jackpots 6 and 11 are won, the time shift to "time reduction B (time reduction 50 times)". It is supposed to be done. That is, the jackpots 2, 4, 6, 9, and 11 are all time-saving jackpots that trigger the transition to the time-saving state. However, when the jackpot 7 is won, the game state of the transition destination differs depending on the game state at the time of winning, and if the game state at the time of winning is the normal state, the "latent state (high probability)".・ It functions as a probabilistic jackpot that shifts to "no electric support)", but if it is in a latent state, time saving state or probabilistic state, it functions as a probabilistic jackpot that shifts to "probability change state" (Fig.) See column 7 for jackpot 4). In FIG. 4, for convenience of explanation, names such as probabilistic jackpot, time-saving jackpot, and latent jackpot are given based on what kind of gaming state the player will be in when the player wins in the normal state.

Regarding the "latent state", "probability change state", or "time saving state" according to the present embodiment, the number of executions of the special symbol variation display game (number of changes of the special symbol) is continued until the predetermined number of times is completed. , When the special symbol variation display game ends without winning a big hit (excluding a small hit that does not trigger the transition of the internal game state) within the specified number of times, the game shifts to the normal state (normal game state) from the next game. It is supposed to be done. In the case of the present embodiment, the total number of executions of the special symbol variation display games 1 and 2 (total number of fluctuations of the special symbols 1 and 2) is counted as the number of executions of the special symbol variation display game.

With respect to the predetermined specified number of times, 65536 times is set as the predetermined specified number of times (hereinafter referred to as "ST number of times") for the latent probability state or the probability change state. Due to the relationship with the jackpot winning probability (for example, the jackpot probability during probability change, setting 1 to 6 = 1/41 to 1/32), the number of STs will almost certainly be the next jackpot without reaching the number of STs. It is the number of times that the high probability state can be continued until the winner is won. Of course, the number of STs may be set to an appropriate value (for example, the number of STs = about 33) in order to set the continuation rate of the high probability state to an appropriate rate of consecutive villas (for example, about 65% of the continuation rate). However, the high probability state may be maintained 100% until the next big hit is won (the number of STs may be infinite). Further, regarding the time saving state, in the case of the time saving A, the time saving number of times is set to 100 times, and in the case of the time saving B, the time saving number of times is set to 50 times. The time saving A and the time saving B may be the same number of times (for example, 70 times).

<5. About production>
(5-1. Production mode)
Next, the effect mode (effect state) will be described. The pachinko gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment is provided with a plurality of types of effect modes for producing effects related to the game state, and is configured to be capable of transition control between each effect mode in response to the transition of the game state. ing. The above-mentioned effect modes include "normal effect mode" related to "normal state", "latent effect mode" related to "latent state", "probability effect mode" related to "probability state", and "time saving state". A plurality of types of effect modes are provided according to each game state, such as a "time saving effect mode" and a "win game effect mode" related to the "win game state". Regarding the time saving effect mode, the time saving effect mode may be common to the time saving A and the time saving B, or may be different production modes. In each effect mode, the background display as the background of the variable display screen of the decorative pattern is displayed in a different display mode so that the player can grasp what kind of game state the player is staying in in the effect mode. Is displayed.

The effect control unit 24 (CPU 241) has a function unit (effect state transition control means) for transition control between a plurality of types of effect modes. The effect control unit 24 specifies a specific effect control command sent from the main control unit 20 (CPU201), specifically, the current game state or the fact that the game state is transferred. Based on the effect control command, it is configured to be capable of transition control between a plurality of types of effect modes in a form that maintains consistency with the game state on the main control unit 20 side. Such specific effect control commands include fluctuation pattern specification commands, game state specification commands, customer waiting commands, spec specification commands, and commands transmitted during hits (big hit start command and big hit end command described later). There is. Further, the effect control unit 24 has a function unit (effect state management means) for managing the effect mode related to the game state, and manages the current effect mode.

(5-2. Notice production)
Next, the notice production will be described. The effect control unit 24 is the content of the effect control command from the main control unit 20, specifically, the variation pattern information included in at least the variation pattern designation command (in the present embodiment, the “variation pattern designation command” and / or “. Based on the information included in the "decorative symbol designation command"), various "notice effects" related to the jackpot lottery result can be controlled to appear (notice effect control means). Such a notice effect is an expectation of whether or not a person has won a winning type (a well-known "winning expectation"), and / or a predetermined event (for example, a winning, a specific winning, or another notice). It works as a "fanning effect" to suggest (notice) the occurrence etc.) and to fuel the player's expectation of winning. Typical widely known notice effects (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-174722) are so-called "reach effects", "pseudo-continuous effects" in which pseudo-variation is performed one or more times, and symbol variation display "Look-ahead notice effect" that announces the winning expectation of the operation-holding ball (undigested operation-holding ball) that is not used for the execution of the game (variable display operation of the special symbol), the game that requires a specific operation In response to this, there is a "player participation type production" that changes the production content by operating the operation means, and there are also "step-up notice production" and "background change notice production".

An outline of the screen display of the liquid crystal display device according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 5, including the pre-reading notice effect. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram provided for explaining the screen display of the liquid crystal display device 36 according to the present embodiment.

In a part of the screen of the liquid crystal display device 36 (in the figure, below the display area of the decorative symbol), a hold display area 76 for displaying the number of special pattern 1 operation hold balls and the number of special figure 2 operation hold balls are displayed. A hold display area 77 for displaying is provided, and the presence or absence of the operation hold ball is indicated by a lighting state (with operation hold ball: “○ (white circle)” in the figure) or an off state (without operation hold ball:). Information on the current number of pending balls is notified by the dashed circles in the figure).

The display regarding the presence / absence of the operation hold ball (hereinafter referred to as “hold display”) is sequentially displayed in the order of occurrence (winning order), and in each hold display area 76, 77, the leftmost operation hold ball is displayed. It is displayed as the earliest (that is, oldest) actuated hold ball on the time axis among all actuated hold balls in the hold display. In the present embodiment, as shown in the figure, hold display units a1 to d1 (icon images) composed of hold icons (icon images) provided in a part of the screen of the liquid crystal display device 36 in the same number (4 pieces) as the maximum number of hold storages. (Corresponding to the special symbol 1 side) and a2 to d2 (corresponding to the special symbol 2 side) are provided. Further, on the left side of the hold display areas 76 and 77, a changing display area 78 for showing the operation hold ball actually used in the special symbol change display game is provided. In the case of this embodiment, the changing display area 78 is configured so that an image in which the icon of the game in progress hold K currently used for the game is placed appears on the icon of the seat J. That is, when the variable display of the special symbol 1 or the special symbol 2 is started, the oldest icon (icon image) of the hold a1 or a2 displayed in the hold display areas 76 and 77 is the hold K during game execution. As an icon, the icon is moved onto the icon of the seat J in the changing display area 78, and the state is maintained for a predetermined display time.

When an operation-holding ball occurs, as an effect control command, the look-ahead judgment information related to the jackpot lottery result and the number of operation-holding balls at the time of the look-ahead judgment (the number of existing operation-holding balls including the operation-holding ball generated this time) are input. A identifiable "hold addition command" is transmitted to the effect control unit 24.

Specifically, the pre-reading determination information is game information related to a jackpot lottery result (big hit lottery result at the start of fluctuation) executed when the operation holding ball is provided to the symbol variation display game in the main control unit 20. Or, it refers to game information related to a look-ahead fluctuation pattern obtained when a look-ahead determination is made for a fluctuation pattern at the start of fluctuation.

When the effect control unit 24 receives the hold addition command, the effect control process related to the "look-ahead notice effect" is performed as a part of the display control process related to the hold display based on the look-ahead determination information included therein. Specifically, based on the information included in the hold addition command, a look-ahead notice lottery is performed to draw a lottery as to whether or not the look-ahead notice effect can be executed. A look-ahead notice production according to the winning expectation will appear. The winning probability of the pre-reading notice lottery is higher for the "big hit" than for the "missing", and for the reach type with a relatively high expectation of winning. Therefore, the degree of expectation of winning the winning type is indicated by whether or not the pre-reading notice effect occurs.

In this embodiment, when the look-ahead notice lottery is won, among the hold icons of the hold display units a1 to d1 and a2 to d2, the hold icon targeted for the look-ahead notice is, for example, a normal hold display (normally). Pre-reading notice of "hold display change system" that changes from white of (hold display mode) to blue, green, red, D pattern, rainbow-colored special hold color or color hold display (special hold display mode) Directing (pending change notice) will be performed. FIG. 5 shows an example in which the hatched hold display unit b1 has changed to a special hold display. Here, the display of the hold icon in blue, green, red, D pattern, and rainbow color means that the winning expectation is high in the order of this color, and in particular, the display of the rainbow-colored hold icon is confirmed as a big hit. ) It is a premium hold icon (notice of reservation) to be displayed.

The existing operation hold balls are sequentially digested when the symbol variation display game is executed. At this time, in order to express that one operation-holding ball has been digested, the display position of the hold display unit corresponding to the existing operation-holding ball is moved forward (shifted to the left side in sequence), and the number of the display is reduced. Although control (shift display) is performed, the above-mentioned special hold display continues to be displayed continuously while changing the display position of the hold display during this period. In the lower right corner of the LCD screen, as a display area for sub-effects (sub-effects) that are different from the main effects such as decorative symbols and notice effects, variable display operations for special symbols and ordinary symbols, and operation hold balls A sub-display area 79 relating to the number is provided.

(6. Directing means)
Various effects in the pachinko gaming machine 1 are manifested by the effect means provided in the gaming machine. Such a directing means may be any stimulus transmitting means capable of exerting a directing effect by appealing to human perception such as sight, hearing, and touch, and is a light generating means (light directing means) such as a decorative lamp 45 or an LED device. ), Sound generators such as speakers 46 (sound effect means), effect display devices such as liquid crystal display device 36 (display means), pressurizing devices that transmit contact pressure to the operator's body, and apply wind pressure to the player's body. A typical example is a wind pressure device or a movable body accessory that exerts a visual effect by its operation. Here, the effect display device is a display device that appeals to the eyes like the image display device (image display means), but differs from the image display device in that it includes a display device that does not depend on an image (for example, a 7-segment display). When referred to as an image display device, it mainly refers to a type that displays an effect (image display effect) by displaying an image, and a device that displays an effect other than an image, such as a 7-segment display, is a concept of the above-mentioned effect display device. Included in.

(Customer waiting effect, menu screen: Fig. 6)
When the special figure 1 operation hold ball and the special figure 2 operation hold ball are in the zero state, the main control unit 20 transmits a “customer waiting command” as an effect control command to the effect control unit 24. When the production control unit 24 receives this customer waiting command, a demo movie for explaining and introducing (demonstrating) the game related to the pachinko gaming machine 1 is played based on a predetermined execution condition. Screen) ”appears. Specifically, after receiving the customer waiting command, the game is not started, that is, the operation hold ball is not generated (without receiving the hold addition command or the fluctuation pattern specification command), and for a predetermined time (for example). , 180 seconds), the customer waiting effect is displayed. In the case of a normal game, the display state of the decoration stop symbol stopped after the end of the current symbol variation display game is continuously displayed until the waiting time of 180 seconds elapses, and the decoration lamp 45 emits a predetermined light. A "demo start waiting effect" that emits light in a pattern and sets the speaker 43 to a mute state (a predetermined sound effect may be executed) appears, and this state is maintained until the customer waiting effect starts.

(About power saving mode)
After the start of the customer waiting effect (demo screen display), if the predetermined power saving mode transition condition is satisfied, the mode is shifted to the "power saving mode". This power saving mode is shifted to the case where a predetermined time (for example, 120 seconds) elapses after the start of the customer waiting effect, without the operation holding ball being generated and without switching to the menu screen (game setting screen). It has become like. The effect control unit 24 monitors the establishment of the power saving mode transition condition, and when the condition is satisfied, ends the demo mode (customer waiting effect) and shifts to the power saving mode. At this time, the liquid crystal display device 36 displays a power saving screen (for example, the character display of "power saving is in progress" on the liquid crystal screen), and some or all of the decorative lamp 45 and other effect LEDs are turned off to put the power saving state. Control (power saving control). In the following, when referring to "waiting for customers", unless otherwise specified, at least one period (all periods or a part of the period) during the demonstration start waiting production, the customer waiting production, and the power saving mode. It means that there is.

Further, in the present embodiment, when there is no operation holding ball, that is, during the above-mentioned demonstration start waiting production, customer waiting production, or power saving mode, settings related to predetermined game information and game environment (volume, light intensity, etc.), etc. The "menu screen (game setting screen)" that can be displayed and controlled is configured (game setting mode control means). Specifically, the effect control unit 24 monitors the presence or absence of a "menu display request operation (for example, pressing operation of the effect button 13)" from the player during the demo start waiting effect or the customer waiting effect, and requests the menu display. When there is an operation, the current display screen is switched to the menu screen 100 shown in FIG. The switchable period for the menu screen is notified by the button LED 13b in a predetermined light emitting mode. The menu screen 100 is a menu screen that displays a plurality of options (selected items).

FIG. 6 shows a menu screen according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, eight items of the menu item images 102a to 102h are displayed in a grid pattern on the menu screen 100 as selection items (menu items) related to the game environment, and a menu screen is displayed below the menu item screen 100. Along with character information (selection, determination) for explaining the operation method in the above, the direction key image 104 imitating the direction key 75 and the button image 106 imitating the effect button 13 are displayed side by side. Further, in the menu item images 102a to 102h, names related to the contents of the menu items such as "volume adjustment" and "light intensity adjustment" are displayed.

Various menu items can be selected by the direction keys 75, and the selected menu item is highlighted so that it can be easily identified which menu item is being selected. In the illustrated example, an example in which "this sunrise ball ranking 102f" is selected is shown. Then, when the effect button 13 is pressed, the selected menu item is confirmed as a display target, and the screens (information screen, setting screen) corresponding to the menu item are displayed. The effect control unit 24 includes a function unit for display control related to these menu screens (game setting control means). Hereinafter, "light intensity adjustment 102g" and "volume adjustment 102c" will be described as menu items closely related to the present invention.

When the above "volume adjustment 102c" is determined, a volume adjustment screen capable of adjusting the volume of the speaker 46 is displayed.

FIG. 7A shows an example of the volume adjustment screen. As shown in the figure, the volume adjustment screen 110 displays the direction key image 104a, the button image 106b, and the roles played by the buttons of these images, and the liquid crystal screen suggests a setting method with images and messages. In the figure, the arrangement of the five rectangular frames (volume adjustment bar) 110a is a setting level meter, and the current volume level is represented by the number of filled rectangular frames (Arabic numerals 1 to 5 in the rectangular frame). .. While the volume adjustment screen 110 is being displayed, the volume can be adjusted stepwise by operating the direction keys 75 left and right (here, the volume can be adjusted in 5 steps from volume level 1 to 5) and the effect button. By the determination operation of 13, the player can adjust the volume to his / her favorite (user volume adjusting means). Specifically, with the left and right buttons, the setting can be changed in the low volume level direction by pressing the left button 75a, and the setting can be changed in the high volume level direction by pressing the right button 75d. (The same applies to the light intensity adjustment operation described later). When the effect button 13 is pressed after this change operation, the volume level is confirmed at the selected volume level, the volume adjustment screen 110 is closed, and the screen returns to the menu screen 100. After that, the game will proceed at the volume (total volume value) based on the set volume level. In the following, the volume that can be set on the volume adjustment screen 110 may be referred to as a "user-set volume", if necessary.

When "light amount adjustment 102 g" is determined, a light amount adjustment screen such as a decorative lamp 45 or a liquid crystal screen capable of adjusting the light amount (brightness) is displayed.

FIG. 7B shows an example of the light intensity adjustment screen. As shown in the figure, the light amount adjusting screen 111 displays the direction key image 104a, the button image 106b, and the roles played by the buttons of these images, and the liquid crystal screen suggests a setting method with images and messages. In addition, the arrangement of the five rectangular frames (light adjustment bars) 111a in the figure is a setting level meter, and the current light intensity level is determined by the number of filled rectangular frames in the figure (Arabic numerals 1 to 5) of the rectangular frame. Shown. Regarding the operation of adjusting the amount of light, the basic operation is the same as the above-mentioned volume adjustment, and the amount of light is gradually adjusted by operating the direction keys 75 left and right (here, the adjustable range of the amount of light is 5 steps of the amount of light level 1 to 5). The amount of light can be adjusted) and the effect button 13 can be used to adjust the amount of light to the player's preference (user light amount adjusting means). In the following, the volume that can be set on the light amount adjustment screen 111 may be referred to as a "user-side set light amount", if necessary.

As described above, when the player presses the direction key 75 or the effect button 13 for the purpose of adjusting the volume or the amount of light in the game environment while the adjustment screen of FIG. 7A or FIG. 7B is displayed, the player desires. You can adjust the volume and amount of light to the set level. The volume adjustment and / or light intensity adjustment using the direction keys 75 may be configured to be independently adjustable not only during the waiting for customers but also during the symbol variation display game.

When "menu screen end 102h" is determined, the menu screen 100 is ended and the demo start waiting effect is displayed.

(Regarding the volume setting for the game machine: Fig. 7A, Fig. 8)
In the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the volume output from the gaming machine, that is, from the speaker 46, is placed at an appropriate position (for example, on the effect control board 24) on the back side (see FIG. 1B) of the pachinko gaming machine 1. A back switch 71 (adjustment mode switching means) is provided for stepwise setting the maximum value of the output volume (the upper limit of the total volume value that can be adjusted by the left and right operation of the direction keys 75). Since the back switch 71 is formed inside the gaming machine, it is usually inoperable on the player side, and is exclusively operated by a pachinko hall clerk. In the present embodiment, a rotary type DIP switch (DIP Switch) shown in FIG. 8C, which will be described later, is adopted as the back switch 71, but the switch is provided as long as the volume adjustment can be set in multiple stages. The type of light is not particularly limited (the same applies to the light amount adjustment according to the second embodiment described later). For example, a slide type or piano type DIP switch, an automatic return type push switch, a position holding type switch (alternate switch, push lock switch), and the like can be used.

FIG. 8C shows the configuration of the back switch 71 of this embodiment. The back switch 71 includes a housing portion 71a having a plurality of selection terminals inside thereof, and an operation portion 71b that is rotatably configured and for switching the selection terminals to which the common terminals are connected. The operation unit 71b is formed with scales 0 to 9 indicating the selection position and a concave arrow indicating which selection terminal is connected. By rotating the operation unit 71b, a setting state ( Adjustment mode) can be switched. The back switch 71 of the present embodiment employs a rotary type DIP switch having 10 positions, and can be freely switched to any of the adjustment modes "adjustment modes 0 to 9" shown in FIG. 8 (A) described later. It is possible.

The maximum value (maximum volume) of the above volume is adjusted exclusively by the hall clerk. In the present embodiment, the back switch 71 can be used to switch the 10 steps of "adjustment modes 0 to 9" shown in FIG. 8 (A) one by one, and the maximum volume (the maximum volume () is within the switchable range. As the maximum sound pressure), "SAC00 (silence: 0 dB)", "SAC11 (presentation setting: 70 dB)," SAC23 (factory setting: 85 dB) ", which are mainly used for testing and factory shipment. "SAC15 (low volume: 75 dB)", "SAC19 (low volume: 80 dB)", "SAC23 (medium volume: 85 dB)" (common for shipping), "SAC15 (low volume: 75 dB)", "SAC23 (low volume: 85 dB)", which are mainly used in normal games. There are seven levels of volume (maximum volume (maximum volume level) according to multiple levels (multiple set values)) of "SAC27 (medium volume: 90 dB)" and "SAC31 (loud volume: 95 dB)" (Fig. 8 (Fig. 8). (See the column of "maximum volume" according to the adjustment mode of A)). Each volume of these seven stages is the "maximum volume (limit volume)" of the above total volume value, and in this embodiment, the maximum volume is concerned. The volume can be adjusted step by step using the back switch 71 (maximum volume can be limited). Note that the above-mentioned "SAC00" silence means no sound output (volume zero) or inaudible volume. Means.

Further, in the case of the volume in the audible range of "SAC01" to "SAC031" shown in FIG. 8B, the loudness (dB) of the volume is the numerical value ('**' of "SAC **") associated with SAC. The higher the numerical value), the larger the tendency. However, it is not always necessary to have such a tendency, and the volume output corresponding to each SAC (volume data) is the characteristic of the gaming machine (for example, whether or not it is a model that produces a flashy sound). It can be appropriately determined according to the type of the game machine (for example, a blade, a general probability change machine, an arrange ball game machine, a rock game machine, etc.). In the case of the present embodiment, as shown in the volume data selection table of FIG. 8B, it is possible to select 32 levels of volume data including silence. This makes it possible to set various volumes. The "volume" is not limited to the actual volume, and may be any one that can numerically (quantitatively) indicate the volume. Further, in the present embodiment, a decibel (dB) is used as an index of the volume output from the speaker 46, which is an example for expressing the loudness, and is a loudness (sone) or a loudness level (phon). For example, another volume may be used.

In the present embodiment, the pachinko hall side can set the desired adjustment mode by using the back switch 71, and the maximum volume output from the gaming machine can be limited stepwise. That is, on the volume adjustment screen 110 shown in FIG. 7A, the pachinko hall side can set (limit) the upper limit value (maximum volume of the user side set volume) of the volume adjustment range by the left and right operation of the direction key 75. It has become. Therefore, even if the player sets the volume level to the maximum level (level 5MAX shown in FIG. 7A) on the volume adjustment screen 110, the volume cannot be set to a volume higher than the maximum volume limited in the current adjustment mode. However, the user-set volume can be freely set within the range of the maximum volume corresponding to the adjustment mode set by the pachinko hall side.

Regarding the use of the adjustment mode shown in FIG. 8A, the adjustment mode 0 (for silence) or the adjustment mode 1 (for presentation) is mainly set when testing a game machine or giving a presentation. In normal business, it is set to any of the adjustment modes 2 to 9 (normal game adjustment mode). The adjustment mode 2 (for shipping) is an adjustment mode set at the time of shipment from the factory, and the maximum volume is adjusted to a predetermined value or less (85 dB or less) from the viewpoint of legal request.

Further, in the present embodiment, it is possible to set whether or not to shift to the power saving mode according to the adjustment mode. Specifically, the adjustment modes 3 to 7 are set to "power saving mode transition not possible (for non-power saving mode (hereinafter, also referred to as" normal "))" (normally 1 to 5), adjustment modes 2, 8 to 9. Is set to "power saving mode transition possible (hereinafter, also referred to as" for power saving mode ")" (power saving 1, power saving 3, power saving 5). In each adjustment mode, the volume adjustment operation by the direction key 75 is performed. This can be done (see the'Volume Variable Width'column in FIG. 8A).

(Setting the default volume (default volume))
When the power of the pachinko machine 1 is turned on or the adjustment mode is changed by the back switch 71, the default volume (initial setting volume (initial setting volume level)) according to the adjustment mode is automatically set. There is. The default volume (volume level) is, for example, the adjustment modes 0 to 1 are set to volume level 1, and the adjustment modes 2 to 9 are set to intermediate level volume (volume level 3) (FIG. 8 (A) ) In the gray block frame). Further, in this setting state, for example, the corresponding volume level is displayed by the setting level meter 110a of the volume adjustment screen 110 shown in FIG. 7A. If the volume adjustment operation of the direction key 75 changes the volume level to another volume level different from the default volume level and the customer waiting effect is executed in that state, the customer waiting effect is executed as an opportunity. It is set to the default volume level.

Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the maximum volume set according to the adjustment mode by using the back switch 71 is referred to as “hall side set volume” without distinguishing by adjustment mode unless otherwise required.

Next, with reference to FIG. 8, the volume output from the game machine (speaker 46) will be described according to the adjustment mode. FIG. 8A shows a conceptual diagram of an adjustment mode selection table used for selecting and setting an adjustment mode according to the setting state of the back switch 71, and FIG. 8B shows a volume output from the speaker 46 (B). It shows a conceptual diagram of a volume data selection table used to determine (total volume value).

The volume output from the game machine (speaker 46) is adjusted by the player up to the "hole side set volume" set by the back switch 71 and the hall side set volume (maximum volume). It is decided based on "side set volume".

In the present embodiment, when a person involved in the hall operates the back switch 71 to set the scale to any of 0 to 9, the adjustment mode corresponding to the scale of 0 to 9 is determined. Specifically, the effect control unit 24 monitors the signal input state of the back switch 71, and sets the adjustment mode corresponding to the setting state by the back switch 71 based on the adjustment mode selection table shown in FIG. 8A. .. For example, when the tip pointed by the arrow of the operation unit 71b of the back switch 71 is set to the scale "3", the adjustment mode 3 is set (see FIGS. 8A and 8C).

In this way, when the back switch 71 is operated to change the setting state, the adjustment mode selection table (for volume) shown in FIG. 8A is referred to, and a new adjustment mode is set (updated). To do. As a result, the maximum value of the volume output from the game machine (the upper limit value of the volume that can be adjusted by the player) is determined. Further, when the adjustment mode is changed, as described above, the initial volume of the game machine is set to the default volume according to the current adjustment mode.

In the case of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8A, the minimum volume in each adjustment mode 1 to 9 (excluding adjustment mode 0 because the volume cannot be adjusted (fixed value at all volume levels)) is a uniform "SAC03". 40 dB (see the column of'volume level 1'in FIG. 8 (A)). Further, among the adjustment modes 1 to 9, the adjustment modes 3 to 7 for the non-power saving mode (normal use) have different maximum adjustable volumes. Therefore, the adjustable range of the user-set volume also differs depending on the adjustment mode, and the player can adjust the volume within the range of the maximum volume or less according to the adjustment mode. For example, the adjustment mode 3 can be adjusted from a minimum of 40 dB to a maximum of 75 dB, and the adjustment mode 7 can be adjusted from a minimum of 40 dB to a maximum of 95 dB (however, as shown in the figure, the volume value corresponding to five levels of volume). The adjustment mode 2 for the power saving mode is the same as the adjustment mode 5, the adjustment mode 8 is the same as the adjustment mode 7, and the adjustment mode 9 is the same as the adjustment mode 3.

Here, in order to avoid duplication of description, a case in which the back switch 71 is set to “adjustment mode 3” will be typically described. In the case of this adjustment mode 3, the set volume on the hall side is "SAC15 (75 dB)". Then, while the volume adjustment screen 110 shown in FIG. 7A is being displayed, the player can perform a five-step volume adjustment operation within the range of the minimum volume "SAC03" to the maximum volume "SAC15" to set the desired volume. It is possible. Specifically, under the adjustment mode 3, each time the volume level is raised or lowered by one step, "SAC03 (minimum volume) (40 dB)" ⇔ "SAC06 (50 dB)" ⇔ "SAC09 (default volume) (60 dB)". ⇔ "SAC012 (72 dB)" ⇔ "SAC15 (maximum volume) (75 dB)", and so on, the maximum volume "SAC15" can be switched in sequence.

The volume setting processing contents are as follows. When the effect control unit 24 (CPU 241) detects the left-right direction operation of the direction key 75 while the volume adjustment screen is being displayed (during the volume adjustment period), the current volume of the 32 levels shown in FIG. 8 (B) is present. The volume data specified by the address destination obtained by adding or subtracting the offset value "3" from the defined address value of the volume data indicating the volume is acquired. For example, when the current volume level is "SAC03 (40 dB)" of the lowest level "volume level 1 (minimum volume)", the player presses the right direction key 75b of the direction key 75 once (volume). (When the level is raised by one step), the effect control unit 24 refers to the "volume data selection table" shown in FIG. 8 (B) and offsets the offset value "3" from "SAC03" (current reference address). Acquires the volume data (volume data of the relative address destination) "SAC06 (50 dB)" specified by the address obtained by adding the above. At this time, at a volume (50 dB) corresponding to this "SAC06", a predetermined operation sound is output from the speaker 46, and the degree of increase in volume is notified to the player. In this state, when the player presses the effect button 13 which is the determination button (decision operation), the effect control unit 24 receives the detection signal of the press operation to generate the current volume data "SAC03". Update to new volume data "SAC06" and change the total volume value. As a result, the volume level is raised by one step, and the volume level becomes "2".

Then, until a new volume level is changed, the game will proceed at a volume corresponding to the "SAC06" set this time. After that, for example, while the volume adjustment screen 110 is being displayed, when the player adjusts the volume with the direction key 75 and presses the left direction key 75a of the direction key 75 once (the volume level is lowered by one step). Case), the effect control unit 24 acquires "SAC03" specified by the address destination obtained by subtracting the offset value "3" from the address (current reference address) indicated by "SAC06" based on the detection signal. Then, at a volume (40 dB) corresponding to "SAC03", a predetermined operation sound is output from the speaker 46, and the player is notified of the degree of decrease in volume. In this state, when the player presses the effect button 13, which is a decision button, the effect control unit 24 uses the current volume data "SAC06" as a new volume data when the detection signal of the pressed operation is received. Update to "SAC03" and change the total volume value. As a result, the volume level is lowered by one step, and the volume level becomes "1". When raising or lowering the volume level by a plurality of steps, the above-mentioned process of raising or lowering the volume by one step is only repeated a plurality of times, and the processing contents are the same.

In this way, in the case of the adjustment mode 3, as shown in FIG. 8A, a predetermined value is added or subtracted each time the player operates the direction key 75 in the left-right direction to raise or lower the volume level by one step. Acquire volume data and limit the maximum volume "SAC15" to "SAC03 (minimum volume)" ⇔ "SAC06" ⇔ "SAC09 (default volume)" ⇔ "SAC012" ⇔ "SAC15 (maximum volume)". As a result, it is possible to switch between 5 stages.

The processing contents are substantially the same for the adjustment modes 4 to 7. However, as shown in FIG. 8 (A), since the maximum volume that can be set differs between the adjustment modes 3 to 7 (see the column of "volume level 5" in the figure), the offset when raising or lowering the volume level by one step. The value (variable volume width) is different. Specifically, for the adjustment mode 4, the volume of the offset value "± 4" is set every time the volume level is raised or lowered within the range of the minimum volume "SAC03 (40 dB)" to the maximum volume "SAC19 (80 dB)". For the adjustment mode 5, the volume data of the offset value "± 5" is input every time the volume level is raised or lowered within the range of the minimum volume "SAC03 (40 dB)" to the maximum volume "SAC23 (85 dB)". For the adjustment mode 6, the volume data of the offset value "± 6" is adjusted every time the volume level is raised or lowered within the range of the minimum volume "SAC03 (40 dB)" to the maximum volume "SAC27 (90 dB)". For mode 7, volume data with an offset value of "± 7" is acquired each time the volume level is raised or lowered by one level within the range of the minimum volume "SAC03 (40 dB)" to the maximum volume "SAC31 (95 dB)". It has become. In this way, the adjustment modes 3 to 7 have different offset values (addition value or subtraction value), that is, volume variable widths. In addition, as a technique for raising or lowering the volume level by one step, when the volume level is gradually raised by one step within the same adjustment mode, a predetermined value (constant volume variable width: for example, adjustment mode 3) is used for each step. In this case, "3") is added sequentially to make "volume louder", and when the volume level is lowered by one step in the same adjustment mode, a predetermined value (constant volume variable width:) is used for each step. Here, “3”) is sequentially subtracted to make the volume “low” (see FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 described later). Note that the adjustment modes 2, 8 and 9 for the power saving mode are described. It is the same as the adjustment modes 5, 7, and 3. Further, the form of raising or lowering the volume level with the "constant volume variable width" may be a form of raising or lowering the volume value itself by a constant value. For example, when there are three types of adjustment modes, small, medium, and large, when the adjustment mode is small, "40 dB ⇔ 49 dB ⇔ 58 dB ⇔ 67 dB ⇔ 76 dB (9 dB can be raised or lowered at equal intervals)", during the adjustment mode In the case of "40 dB ⇔ 51 dB ⇔ 62 dB ⇔ 73 dB ⇔ 84 dB (11 dB can be raised or lowered at equal intervals)", and in the case of large adjustment mode, "40 dB ⇔ 53 dB ⇔ 66 dB ⇔ 79 dB ⇔ 92 dB (13 dB at equal intervals) It can be increased or decreased by the value) ”, which can be increased or decreased at equal intervals.

The embodiments described above have the following characteristic configurations (a) to (c).
(A) The offset value (addition value or subtraction value) per level, that is, the volume variable width differs depending on the setting state by the back switch 71, that is, each adjustment mode (setting value). However, in the case of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8A, the offset values are not different in all the adjustment modes, and at least the offset values corresponding to the adjustment modes 3 to 7 are different values (offset values). It is the configuration of 3 to 7). However, the adjustment modes 0 to 2 are special adjustment modes used exclusively for testing, presentation, and factory shipment, and these are adjustment modes that are rarely used in normal games. Therefore, it can be said that the offset value (volume variable width) is different for each adjustment mode used in a normal game.

(B) The adjustment modes according to the present embodiment include adjustment modes 2, 8 and 9 for power saving mode (power saving mode transition is possible) and adjustment modes 3 to 7 for non-power saving mode (power saving mode transition is not possible). It is provided. Here, when focusing on the point of "a game machine that can be controlled in a power saving mode", it has the following features (α) to (θ).
(Α) At least for the adjustment mode for the non-power saving mode, the offset value (volume variable width) is different.
(Β) At least for the adjustment mode for the power saving mode, the offset values (volume variable width) are different from each other.
(Γ) A configuration having the above (α) and the above (β).
(Δ) The maximum volume of the adjustment mode for the power saving mode can be set to the same (common) volume value as the loudest volume value among the maximum volumes set in each adjustment mode for the non-power saving mode. Specifically, it refers to the relationship between the adjustment mode 8 (power saving 5) for the power saving mode and the adjustment mode 7 (normally 5) for the non-power saving mode (maximum volume "SAC031 (95 dB)").
(Ε) The maximum volume of the adjustment mode for the power saving mode can be set to the same (common) volume value as the lowest volume value among the maximum volumes set in each adjustment mode for the non-power saving mode. Specifically, it refers to the relationship between the adjustment mode 9 (power saving 5) for the power saving mode and the adjustment mode 3 (normally 1) for the non-power saving mode (maximum volume "SAC015 (75 dB)").
(Ζ) The maximum volume of the adjustment mode for the power saving mode can be set to the same (common) volume value as the intermediate volume value among the maximum volumes defined in each adjustment mode for the non-power saving mode. Specifically, it refers to the relationship between the adjustment mode 2 (power saving 3) for the power saving mode (also for factory shipment) and the adjustment mode 5 (normally 3) for the non-power saving mode.
(Η) The adjustment mode for the power saving mode includes at least the first adjustment mode and the second adjustment mode, and the maximum volume of the first adjustment mode is the loudest volume value among the adjustment modes for the non-power saving mode. The maximum volume of the second adjustment mode can be the same (common) volume value as the smallest volume value of the adjustment modes for the power saving mode.
(Θ) The adjustment mode for the power saving mode includes at least the first to third adjustment modes, and the maximum volume of the first adjustment mode is the same as the loudest volume value among the adjustment modes for the non-power saving mode (). The maximum volume of the second adjustment mode is the same (common) volume value as the middle volume value of the adjustment modes for the non-power saving mode, and the maximum volume of the third adjustment mode is the non-power saving mode. The volume value can be the same (common) as the lowest volume value in the adjustment mode for the mode.

(C) The present embodiment has the following features (ι) to (λ) with respect to the lower limit value of the volume (volume of volume level 1) and the upper limit value of volume (volume of volume level 5). However, adjustment mode 0 (silence), which cannot adjust the volume (fixed), is excluded.
(Ι) The lower limit of the volume is common (same) in the adjustment modes 1 to 9. However, the upper limit of the volume is different in the adjustment modes 3 to 7 belonging to the non-power saving mode (first group) and different in the adjustment modes 2, 8 and 9 belonging to the power saving mode (second group).
(Κ) The lower limit of the volume is common (same) in each adjustment mode (adjustment modes 3 to 7) for the non-power saving mode, but the upper limit of the volume is different in each adjustment mode.
(Λ) The lower limit of the volume is common (same) in each adjustment mode (adjustment modes 2, 8 and 9) for the power saving mode, but the upper limit of the volume is different in each adjustment mode.

(D) Instead of the setting level meter 110a of the volume adjustment screen 110 shown in FIG. 7A, or together with the setting level meter 110a, a volume value notification image for notifying volume value information can be displayed. For example, when the volume level is 1 (SAC03), character information such as "currently 40 dB" can be displayed in a predetermined area of the liquid crystal screen.
Further, the volume value information of the selected volume level may be displayed alone or together with the current volume value information.
Further, as shown in FIGS. 7A to 7C, the volume values corresponding to the volume levels 1 to 5 according to the current adjustment mode may be numerically displayed. In the figures (A) to (C), the volume is displayed (numerically displayed) in decibel (dB) format at the lower part of each of the setting level meters 1 to 5 (volume levels 1 to 5) of reference numeral 110a. The adjustment screen is illustrated. The figure (A) shows a display example in the case of adjustment mode 7 (maximum volume: loud), and the figure (B) shows a display example in the case of adjustment mode 5 (maximum volume: medium) and adjustment mode 3 (maximum volume: low). It is shown. As can be seen from the figure, the volume of the volume levels 2 to 5 is different depending on the adjustment mode, but the player can adjust to any of the five setting levels by operating the direction keys 75. (All volume levels can be selected). This point is different from FIG. 10 described later, in which a volume level non-selectable region exists depending on the adjustment mode. Further, in the case of the volume adjustment screen 110, it is possible to numerically notify the player how loud the volume will be when the volume level is changed to any of 1 to 5. That is, the player can visually grasp the adjustment range, the minimum volume (MIN), the maximum volume (MAX), etc. of the current adjustment mode by looking at the setting level meter (the same applies to FIG. 7B described later). ).
The display position of the image related to the volume information is not particularly limited, and can be displayed at the upper part of the rectangular frame of the setting level meter 110a, inside the rectangular frame, at the lower part of the rectangular frame, or overlapped with the rectangular frame. .. Further, it can be displayed at a position that does not interfere with other images (for example, a button image) displayed on the volume adjustment screen 110, such as the upper right corner and the lower right corner of the volume adjustment screen 110.

(Modified example of the first embodiment)
Further, the present embodiment can be configured as follows (e) to (le). Regarding the configuration examples of (e) to (le) below, unless otherwise specified, the adjustment mode is used for adjustment mode 0 where volume adjustment is not possible (fixed), or exclusively for testing, and is normal. Adjustment modes 0 to 1 that are not used in the game are not considered.

(Modification example 1)
(E) When the adjustment mode is changed by the back switch 71 while the volume adjustment screen 110 shown in FIG. 7A is being displayed, the display mode of the setting level meter 110a does not change, but only the volume changes. Specifically, the display mode of the setting level meter 110a does not change, and the volume is adjusted to the default volume corresponding to the changed adjustment mode. If the volume is the same before and after the change, neither the display nor the volume of the setting level meter 110a changes.

(Modification 2)
(F) The volume of the sound effect (hereinafter abbreviated as "error sound") related to the error notification effect when there is an abnormality in the game operation can be set to the volume dedicated to the error according to the adjustment mode. The volume dedicated to the error can be set to, for example, a volume (for example, +5 dB) higher than the maximum volume of the sound effect other than the error sound (for example, the sound effect related to the symbol variation display game). Typically, if the adjustment modes 3 to 7 are focused on, the maximum volume of the error sound can be set to 80 dB to 100 dB (see FIG. 8A for the maximum volume of the adjustment mode).
Further, when the volume dedicated to the above error according to the adjustment mode is set, the volume variable width of the maximum volume may be different between the error sound and the sound effect other than the error sound depending on the adjustment mode. For example, the maximum volume variable width between the adjustment mode 3 and the adjustment mode 4 is "5 dB", but in the case of an error sound, it can be set to "10 dB". Further, the volume may be raised or lowered (changeable) by following the error sound according to the user-set volume (volume level 1 to volume level 5). Note that "sound effects other than error sounds" include not only sound effects related to the symbol variation display game (sound effects related to the advance notice effect, etc.), but also production sounds when the symbol variation display game is not executed, for example, volume. It also includes sound effects (operation sounds) during light volume adjustment operations.

(Modification 3)
(G) The volume of the error sound can be set to the maximum volume according to the adjustment mode (fixed at the volume according to the adjustment mode). In this case, the error sound can be output at the maximum volume (constant volume) according to the adjustment mode without depending on the user-set volume (volume level 1 to volume level 5). In this case, the volume of the error sound can be adjusted by operating the back switch 71 on the pachinko hall side, but the volume cannot be adjusted by the operating means on the player side. Regarding the error sound, the fact that the volume changes indiscriminately according to the volume adjustment on the player side achieves the original purpose of the error notification that the error notification is sent to the surroundings when an error occurs. This is because it can be inconvenient.

(Modification example 4)
(H) The volume of the error sound related to a specific error can be configured not to change according to the adjustment mode. For example, when the RAM clear process is executed by the RAM clear switch 98, an error notification effect for a RAM clear error (RAM clear notification) is executed, but an error sound related to the error notification effect (alarm sound at the time of RAM clear) is executed. ) Does not change regardless of the adjustment mode, that is, it can be output at a constant volume. This is because it is preferable that the volume of the error sound is not changed unnecessarily for an error having a high seriousness to the game machine, such as a RAM clear error or an error detected by the fraud detection sensors 72a to 72c. The "specific error" is not limited to one type, and may be a plurality of types. For example, for RAM clear error and door open error, the volume of the error sound does not change according to the adjustment mode, but for other errors, the volume of the error sound changes according to the adjustment mode. be able to. Further, for an error having a high severity for the game machine, it is preferable to set a special volume (for example, 100 dB) higher than any maximum volume set in each adjustment mode.

(Modification 5)
(I) Even in the same adjustment mode, the maximum volume can be different between the error sound and the sound effect other than the error sound. For example, the volume of the sound effect other than the error sound is the maximum volume determined in the adjustment mode (for example, "SAC15 (75 dB)" in the case of the adjustment mode 3), but the error sound is louder than the volume determined in the adjustment mode. (For example, "SAC16 (77 dB)" or higher). To put it simply, the relationship between the error sound and the volume of the sound effect other than the error sound satisfies "error sound> sound effect other than the error sound".

(Modification 6)
(N) In the same adjustment mode, the maximum volume (volume of volume level 5) is the same (common) between the error sound and the sound effect other than the error sound, but the upper limit value other than the maximum volume is "Error". The configuration can satisfy the relationship of "sound> sound production other than error sound". That is, when the volume level is adjusted to any of 1 to 4, the volume of the error sound is louder than the volume corresponding to the adjusted volume level. For example, when the volume level is set to 4 under the adjustment mode 3, the volume can be set to be higher than "SAC12 (72 dB)" (for example, "SAC13 (73 dB)" or higher). The same applies to the other volume levels 1 to 3.

According to the configurations (e) to (nu) above, the volume of the sound effect (error sound) related to the error notification effect is higher than the volume of the sound effect other than the error notification effect, so that an error occurs. It is possible to effectively notify the surroundings to that effect.

(Modification 8)
(L) In the above embodiment, regarding the default volume (initial setting volume) according to the adjustment mode, as shown in FIG. 8A, the default volume (volume level) is, for example, adjustment modes 0 to 1. It has been described that the volume level 1 is set and the adjustment modes 2 to 9 are set to the intermediate level (volume level 3). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be configured as follows (λ) to (ρ).
(Λ) In the full adjustment mode, the default volume is set to the minimum level (lower limit) volume level 1.
(Μ) In the full adjustment mode, set the default volume to the intermediate level volume level 3.
(Ν) In the full adjustment mode, the default volume is set to the maximum level (upper limit) volume level 5.
(Ξ) The default volume (ξ) for adjustment modes 1 to 9 excluding adjustment mode 0 (silence) for which volume adjustment is not possible (fixed), or for adjustment modes 2 to 9 excluding adjustment modes 0 to 1 for presentations, etc. The default volume) can be set to the same volume level. For example, for adjustment modes 1-9 (or 2-9), the default volume can be volume level 1 (lower limit), volume level 3, or volume level 5 (upper limit).
(Ο) The default volume can be set to a different volume level in the adjustment mode for the power saving mode and the adjustment mode for the non-power saving mode. For example, in the case of the adjustment mode for the power saving mode, the volume level is 1, and the adjustment mode for the non-power saving mode is the volume level 3.
(Π) The default volume (volume level) can be set to different volume levels depending on the adjustment mode. For example, in the adjustment mode where the maximum volume is the first volume (for example, 85 dB) or less, set it to'volume level 1', and in the adjustment mode where the maximum volume exceeds the first volume, set it to the volume level 3. Can be done. Also, for example, the default volume level can be set to be relatively high as the maximum volume is relatively high. Specifically, when focusing on adjustment modes 3 to 7 for non-power saving mode (normal use), adjustment mode 3 is volume level 1, adjustment mode 4 is volume level 2, adjustment mode 5 is volume level 3, and adjustment mode. 6 is a volume level 4, adjustment mode 7 is a volume level 5, and so on. On the contrary, as the maximum volume becomes relatively large, the default volume level can be set to be relatively low.
(Ρ) In the above configurations (λ) to (π), the setting level meter 110a of the volume adjustment screen 110 shown in FIG. 7A can be configured to display the volume level corresponding to the default volume setting state. .. For example, in the case where the default volume is set to the volume level 4, four filled rectangular frames are displayed as shown in the setting level meter 110a shown in FIG. 7A to notify that the volume level is 4. The default. At this time, as shown in FIG. 7A, the volume corresponding to the volume levels 1 to 5 can be numerically displayed in a form attached to the setting level meter 110a.

(Modification 9)
(W) When the adjustment mode is switched by the back switch 71, the liquid crystal display device 36 may be configured to display the volume adjustment screen 110 (at least display the setting level meter 110a). In this case, it is preferable that the volume level corresponding to the default volume setting state is displayed. More preferably, as shown in FIG. 7A, the volume corresponding to the volume levels 1 to 5 is numerically displayed (see the description in (d) above, the volume adjustment screen 110 in FIG. 7A). In this way, when the hall clerk changes the adjustment mode, it becomes easy to check the maximum volume and the like.

(Modification example 10)
(W) Although the adjustment mode 2 for factory shipment has been described as being able to adjust the volume level, the volume adjustment may not be possible (fixed value at all volume levels: for example, 80 dB) as in the adjustment mode 0.

Regarding the first embodiment and the embodiments (configuration examples) disclosed in the above (a) to (wa), the adjustment mode in which the volume cannot be adjusted (fixed) and the silent adjustment mode 0 are obtained for all the embodiments related to the volume adjustment. The presence or absence does not affect the technical idea of the present invention. Further, the presence or absence of adjustment modes (for example, adjustment modes 0, 1, etc.) that deviate from the use in normal games does not affect the technical idea of the present invention. Further, the present invention relates to the configuration example relating to the volume adjustment disclosed in the first embodiment, (a) to (wa) above, and "(d) of other modified examples" (see FIG. Of these, at least two can be combined.

According to the first embodiment (including the modified example) shown above, the following problems can be solved. If the number of gaming machines in the pachinko hall is large or crowded, the output sound from the gaming machines may interfere and the sound echoing in the pachinko hall may change to an explosive sound (100 dB or more). .. In such a gaming environment, for example, an alarm sound from a fire alarm or an urgent alarm sound such as the National Instant Alert System (J-Alert) may be overlooked, which may cause problems in disaster prevention and crime prevention. In particular, if you miss the siren sound of the warning related to national protection, the expected damage is extremely great. In addition, if exposed to a loud volume, there is a risk of causing acoustic trauma (for example, noise-induced hearing loss) to the hall clerk and the player. In the present embodiment, the upper limit value (maximum volume) of the volume output from the sound producing means (speaker 46) can be adjusted in multiple stages, and the volume suitable for the game environment can be output. There is. This makes it possible to provide a gaming machine that can solve the above problems.

[Second Embodiment]
In the embodiment described above (first embodiment), the configuration in which the maximum volume of the light effect output from the game machine can be adjusted in multiple stages has been described. Next, a configuration (second embodiment) in which the maximum amount of light of the light effect produced by the game machine, that is, the amount of light emitted from the decorative lamp 45 can be adjusted in multiple stages will be described.

In the description of the second embodiment, the description of the components substantially the same as those of the first embodiment described above will be omitted as appropriate to avoid duplicate description, and mainly the points different from the first embodiment will be omitted. explain. Further, regarding the matters relating to the volume described in the first embodiment, the matters that can be explained by replacing the wording of "volume" with the wording of "light intensity" will be described by appropriately replacing them, and at that time, substantially Items with the same content will be omitted as appropriate to avoid duplicate descriptions.

(Regarding the light intensity setting for the game machine: Fig. 7B, Fig. 9)
The pachinko gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment has the same function as the back switch 71 described in the first embodiment, and is a rotary type DIP switch for adjusting the amount of light (hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, “back”. A switch 71 (referred to as a switch 71) is provided at an appropriate position on the back side of the pachinko gaming machine 1 (for example, on the effect control board 24), and by operating the back switch 71, the amount of light emitted from the gaming machine is increased. It is possible to set the maximum value (upper limit value of the amount of light that can be adjusted by operating the direction key 75 left and right) step by step. This point is the same as the volume adjustment operation by the back switch 71. However, in the case of this embodiment, two independent back switches 71 (volume adjustment mode changeover switch and light amount adjustment mode changeover switch) are provided, and the maximum volume and the maximum light amount can be adjusted independently. It has become. Here, the "light amount" means, for example, luminosity (SI unit system: cd), illuminance (SI unit system: lp), brightness (SI unit system: cd / m ² ), luminous flux (SI unit system: lm), luminous flux. It can be replaced with a degree of divergence (SI unit system: rlx) or the like.

The adjustment of the maximum value (maximum amount of light) of the above-mentioned light amount is performed exclusively by the hall clerk as in the adjustment of the maximum volume described in the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, the back switch 71 can be used to switch the 10 steps of "adjustment modes 0 to 9" shown in FIG. 9A one by one, and the maximum amount of light is within the switchable range. , Mainly used for testing and factory shipment, "LAC00 (lights off: 0%)", "LAC11 (presentation setting: 50%)," LAC23 (factory setting: 80%) ", main In addition, "LAC15 (small light intensity: 60%)", "LAC19 (small and medium light intensity: 70%)", "LAC23 (medium light intensity: 80%)" (common to shipping), "LAC15 (small light intensity: 60%)", "LAC23 (medium light intensity: 80%)", which are used in normal games There are seven levels of light intensity (MAX light intensity level) of "LAC27 (medium light intensity: 90%)" and "LAC31 (large light intensity: 100%)". Each of these 7 stages of light amount is defined as "maximum light amount (limit light amount)" and can be adjusted stepwise (maximum light amount can be limited) (of "maximum light amount" according to the adjustment mode of FIG. 9 (A). See column). The "100%" light intensity in the present embodiment is a numerical value indicating the maximum light intensity of the decorative lamp 45 (directing LED). For example, when the amount of light is expressed as "50%" or "70%", it means that the decorative lamp 45 emits light at the amount of light obtained by multiplying the maximum amount of light by the percentage. That is, when the amount of light is 70%, the irradiation light is brighter than when the amount of light is 50%, and the player feels dazzling.

In the present embodiment, the pachinko hall side can set the desired adjustment mode by using the back switch 71, and the maximum amount of light output from the gaming machine can be limited stepwise. That is, on the light amount adjustment screen 111 shown in FIG. 7B, the pachinko hall side can set the upper limit value of the light amount adjustment range (maximum light amount of the user side set light amount) by the left and right operation of the direction key 75. .. Therefore, even if the player sets the light amount level to the maximum level (level 5MAX shown in FIG. 7B), the light amount cannot be set to the maximum light amount or more limited by the current adjustment mode. However, the user-set light intensity can be freely set within the range of the maximum light intensity corresponding to the adjustment mode set by the hall side.

As shown in the figure, the uses of the adjustment modes 0 to 9 and the power saving mode setting shown in FIG. 9A are the same as those of the first embodiment. When the power is turned on to the pachinko gaming machine 1 or when the adjustment mode is changed by the back switch 71, the default light amount (initial setting light amount) according to the adjustment mode is automatically set. This point is also the same as that of the first embodiment. The default light intensity is, for example, set to the light intensity level 1 in the adjustment modes 0 to 1 and set to the intermediate level light intensity (light intensity level 3) in the adjustment modes 2 to 9 (FIG. 9A). See gray block frame). In this setting state, the corresponding light amount level is displayed by the setting level meter 111a of the volume adjustment screen 111 shown in FIG. 7B. If the light amount adjustment operation of the direction key 75 is changed to another light amount level different from the default light amount level and the customer waiting effect is executed in that state, the default light amount is triggered by the execution of the customer waiting effect. It is designed to be reset to the light intensity level.

Next, with reference to FIG. 9, the amount of light emitted from the game machine (decorative lamp 45) according to the adjustment mode will be described. FIG. 9A shows a conceptual diagram of an adjustment mode selection table used for selecting and setting an adjustment mode according to the setting state of the back switch 71, and FIG. 9B defines the amount of light of the decorative lamp 45. The conceptual diagram of the light quantity data selection table used for this is shown.

The amount of light output from the game machine (decorative lamp 45) is the "hole side set light amount" set by the back switch 71 and the above "user side setting" adjusted by the player within the range of the hall side set light amount. It is determined based on "the amount of light".

When the back switch 71 is operated to change the setting state, in the case of light intensity, set to a new adjustment mode by referring to the adjustment mode selection table (for light intensity) shown in FIG. 9 (A) (for light intensity). Update. As a result, the maximum value of the amount of light (the upper limit of the amount of light that can be adjusted by the player) is determined. Further, when the adjustment mode is changed, as described above, the initial volume of the game machine is set to the default volume according to the current adjustment mode.

In the case of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9A, the minimum light amount in each adjustment mode 1 to 9 (excluding adjustment mode 0 because the light amount cannot be adjusted (fixed value at the total light amount level)) is a uniform "LAC03". 30.0% (see the column of'light intensity level 1'in FIG. 9 (A)). Of the adjustment modes 1 to 9, the adjustment modes 3 to 7 for normal use (without transition to the power saving mode) can be adjusted with the adjustable range of the user-set light amount (light amount of the light amount levels 1 to 5 shown). The maximum amount of light is different, but the adjustment mode 2 for the power saving mode is the same as the adjustment mode 5, the adjustment mode 8 is the same as the adjustment mode 7, and the adjustment mode 9 is the same as the adjustment mode 3. It has become.

Here, in order to avoid duplication of description, a case in which the back switch 71 is set to “adjustment mode 3” will be typically described. In the case of this adjustment mode 3, the set light amount on the hall side is "LAC15 (30.0%)". Then, while the light amount adjustment screen 110 shown in FIG. 7B is being displayed, the player operates the direction key 75 in the left-right direction to perform a five-step light amount adjustment operation within the range of the minimum volume "LAC03" to the maximum volume "LAC15". It is possible to set the amount of light to your liking. Specifically, under the adjustment mode 3, each time the light intensity level is raised or lowered by one step, "LAC03 (minimum light intensity) (30.0%)" ⇔ "LAC06 (37.5%)" ⇔ "LAC09 (default)" Light intensity) (45.0%) ”⇔“ LAC012 (52.5%) ”⇔“ LAC15 (maximum light intensity) (60.0%) ”, etc. Is possible. The light amount is set using the adjustment mode selection table shown in FIG. 9A and the light amount data selection table shown in FIG. 9B, but the content of the setting process is other than the point of using the table. Is substantially the same as the content of the volume setting process described in the first embodiment, and therefore the details thereof will be omitted in order to avoid duplicate description.

The processing contents are substantially the same for the above adjustment modes 4 to 7, and as can be seen from FIG. 9 (A), the light amount adjustment range of each adjustment mode is set in the "user side set light amount level" column for each adjustment mode. The variable light intensity (offset value) is as shown in the "variable light intensity" column, and the maximum light intensity set according to each adjustment mode is as shown in the "maximum light intensity [%]" column.

The embodiment described above has the following characteristic configurations (tsu) to (f).
(T) The offset value (addition value and / or subtraction value) per level level, that is, the variable width of the amount of light differs depending on each adjustment mode (set value).

(N) The adjustment modes according to the present embodiment include adjustment modes 2, 8 and 9 for power saving mode (power saving mode transition is possible) and adjustment modes 3 to 7 for non-power saving mode (power saving mode transition is not possible). It is provided. It has the following features (δ2) to (θ2). Here, with respect to the case of focusing on the point of "a game machine that can be controlled in the power saving mode", the same applies to (α) to (γ) among (α) to (θ) according to the first embodiment. Therefore, the description thereof will be omitted.
(Δ2) The maximum light intensity of the adjustment mode for the power saving mode can be set to the same (common) light intensity value as the largest light intensity value among the maximum light intensity defined in each adjustment mode for the non-power saving mode. Specifically, it refers to the relationship between the adjustment mode 8 (power saving 5) for the power saving mode and the adjustment mode 7 (normally 5) for the non-power saving mode (maximum light intensity "LAC031 (100%)").
(Ε2) The maximum light amount of the adjustment mode for the power saving mode can be set to the same (common) light amount value as the smallest light amount value among the maximum light amounts determined in each adjustment mode for the non-power saving mode. Specifically, it refers to the relationship between the adjustment mode 9 (power saving 1) for the power saving mode and the adjustment mode 3 (normally 1) for the non-power saving mode (maximum light intensity "LAC015 (60.0%)").
(Ζ2) The maximum light intensity of the adjustment mode for the power saving mode can be set to the same (common) light intensity value as the intermediate light intensity value among the maximum light intensity defined in each adjustment mode for the non-power saving mode. Specifically, it refers to the relationship between the adjustment mode 2 (power saving 3) for the power saving mode (also for factory shipment) and the adjustment mode 5 (normally 3) for the non-power saving mode.
(Η2) The adjustment mode for the power saving mode includes at least the first adjustment mode and the second adjustment mode, and the maximum light intensity of the first adjustment mode is the largest light intensity value among the adjustment modes for the non-power saving mode. The maximum light intensity of the second adjustment mode can be the same (common) light intensity value as the smallest light intensity value of the adjustment modes for the power saving mode.
(Θ2) The adjustment mode for the power saving mode includes at least the first to third adjustment modes, and the maximum light intensity of the first adjustment mode is the same as the largest light intensity value among the adjustment modes for the non-power saving mode ((θ2). It is a common) light intensity value, and the maximum light intensity of the second adjustment mode is the same (common) light intensity value as the intermediate light intensity value of the adjustment modes for the non-power saving mode, and the maximum light intensity of the third adjustment mode is non-power saving mode. The light intensity value can be the same (common) as the smallest light intensity value in the adjustment mode for the mode.

(N) In the present embodiment, the lower limit of the amount of light (the amount of light at the amount of light level 1) has the following characteristics (ι2) to (λ2). However, adjustment mode 0 (off) where the amount of light cannot be adjusted is excluded.
(Ι2) The lower limit of the amount of light is common (same) in the adjustment modes 1 to 9. However, the upper limit of the amount of light is different in the adjustment modes 3 to 7 belonging to the non-power saving mode (first group) and different in the adjustment modes 2, 8 and 9 belonging to the power saving mode (second group).
(Κ2) The lower limit of the amount of light is common (same) in each adjustment mode (adjustment modes 3 to 7) for the non-power saving mode, but the upper limit of the amount of light is different in each adjustment mode.
(Λ2) The lower limit of the amount of light is common (same) in each adjustment mode (adjustment modes 2, 8 and 9) for the power saving mode, but the upper limit of the amount of light is different in each adjustment mode.

(La) Instead of the setting level meter 111a of the light amount adjustment screen 111 shown in FIG. 7B, or together with the setting level meter 111a, a light amount value notification image for notifying the light amount value information can be displayed. For example, at the light intensity level 1 (LAC03), character information such as "currently 40 dB" can be displayed in a predetermined area of the liquid crystal screen.
Further, the light amount value information of the selected light amount level may be displayed alone or together with the current light amount value information.
Further, as shown in FIGS. 7B (A) to 7B, the light amount values corresponding to the light amount levels 1 to 5 according to the current adjustment mode may be numerically displayed. In the figures (A) to (C), the amount of light is displayed (numerically displayed) in percentage (%) format at the lower part of each of the setting level meters 1 to 5 (volume levels 1 to 5) of reference numeral 110a. The adjustment screen is illustrated. The figure (A) shows an example of display in the case of adjustment mode 7 (maximum light amount: large), and the figure (B) shows a display example in the case of adjustment mode 5 (maximum light amount: medium) and adjustment mode 3 (maximum light amount: small). It is shown. As can be seen from the illustration, the light intensity of the light intensity levels 2 to 5 differs depending on the adjustment mode, but the player can operate the direction key 75 to adjust to any of the five setting levels. (Total light intensity level can be selected). In this respect, it is different from FIG. 11 described later in which a non-selectable region of the light amount level exists depending on the adjustment mode. Further, in the case of the light amount adjustment screen 111, it is possible to numerically notify the player how much the light amount will be increased when the light amount level is changed to any of 1 to 5. That is, the player can visually grasp the adjustment range, the minimum light amount (MIN), the maximum light amount (MAX), etc. of the current adjustment mode by looking at the setting level meter.
The display position of the image related to the light intensity information is not particularly limited, and can be displayed at the upper part of the rectangular frame of the setting level meter 111a, in the rectangular frame, at the lower part of the rectangular frame, or overlapped with the rectangular frame. .. Further, it can be displayed at a position that does not interfere with other images (for example, a button image) displayed on the light amount adjustment screen 111, such as the upper right corner and the lower right corner of the light amount adjustment screen 111.

(Modified example of the second embodiment)
Further, the present embodiment can be configured as follows (c) to (c). Regarding the configuration examples of (c) to (c) below, unless otherwise specified, the adjustment mode is used as the adjustment mode 0 in which the amount of light cannot be adjusted (fixed), or exclusively for testing, and is normal. Adjustment modes 0 to 1 that are not used in the game are not considered.

(Modification example 1)
(C) When the adjustment mode is changed by the back switch 71 during the display of the light amount adjustment screen 111 shown in FIG. 7B, the display mode of the setting level meter 111a does not change, but only the light amount changes. Specifically, the display mode of the setting level meter 111a is adjusted to the default light intensity corresponding to the changed adjustment mode without changing. If the amount of light is the same before and after the change, neither the display of the setting level meter 111a nor the amount of light changes.

(Modification 2)
(I) The amount of light of the light effect (hereinafter, abbreviated as "error light") related to the error notification effect can be set to the amount of light dedicated to the error according to the adjustment mode. The light amount dedicated to the error can be set to, for example, a light amount larger than the maximum light amount of the light effect other than the error light (for example, + 5%). Typically, if the adjustment modes 3 to 7 are focused on, the maximum amount of error light can be set to 60% to 100% (see FIG. 8A for the maximum amount of light in the adjustment mode).
In addition, when the amount of light dedicated to the above error is set according to the adjustment mode, the maximum amount of light is determined by the error light and the light effect other than the error light (for example, the light effect related to the symbol variation display game) according to the adjustment mode. The variable width of the amount of light may be different. For example, the variable width of the maximum amount of light in the adjustment mode 3 and the adjustment mode 4 is "10%", but in the case of error light, it can be "15%". Further, the configuration may be such that the amount of light can be increased or decreased (changeable) by following the error light according to the amount of light set on the user side (light amount level 1 to light amount level 5). Note that the "light effect other than error light" is not only the light effect related to the symbol variation display game (light effect related to the advance notice effect, etc.), but also the light effect when the symbol variation display game is not executed, for example: It also includes light effects during adjustment operations (light effects during operations).

(Modification 3)
(No) The amount of error light can be set to the maximum amount of light according to the adjustment mode (fixed at the amount of light according to the adjustment mode). In this case, the error light can be emitted with the maximum light amount (constant light amount) according to the adjustment mode without depending on the light amount set by the user (light amount level 1 to light amount level 5). In this case, the light amount of the error light can be adjusted by the back switch 71, but the light amount cannot be adjusted by the operating means on the player side. Regarding the error light, the fact that the light amount changes indiscriminately according to the light amount adjustment on the player side achieves the original purpose of the error notification that the error notification is sent to the surroundings when an error occurs. This is because it can be inconvenient.

(Modification example 4)
(E) The amount of error light related to a specific error can be configured not to change according to the adjustment mode. For example, when the RAM clear processing by the RAM clear switch 98 is executed, the error notification effect for the RAM clear error is executed, but the amount of light of the error light (alarm sound at the time of RAM clear) related to the error notification effect is , It does not change regardless of the adjustment mode, that is, it can emit light with a constant amount of light. This is because it is preferable not to change the amount of error light unnecessarily for an error having a high seriousness to the game machine, such as a RAM clear error or an error detected by the fraud detection sensors 72a to 72c. The "specific error" is not limited to one type, and may be a plurality of types. Further, it is preferable to set the amount of light to 100% for an error having a high severity for the game machine.

(Modification 5)
(H) Even in the same adjustment mode, the maximum amount of light can be different between the error light and the light effect other than the error light. For example, the light amount of the light effect other than the error light is the maximum light amount determined in the adjustment mode (for example, "LAC15 (60.0%)" in the case of the adjustment mode 3), but the error light is the light amount determined in the adjustment mode. Can be higher than (eg, "LAC16 (62.5%)" or higher). To put it simply, the relationship between the error light and the amount of light produced by the light other than the error light satisfies "error light> light effect other than the error light".

(Modification 6)
(A) In the same adjustment mode, the maximum light intensity (light intensity at light intensity level 5) is the same (common) between the error light and the light effect other than the error light, but the upper limit value other than the maximum light intensity is "error". The configuration can satisfy the relationship of "light> light effect other than error light". That is, when the light amount is adjusted to any of the light amount levels 1 to 4, the light amount of the error light is larger than the light amount corresponding to the adjusted light amount level. For example, when the light amount level 4 is set under the adjustment mode 3, the light amount can be higher than "LAC12 (52.5%)" (for example, "LAC13 (55.0%)" or more). The same applies to other light intensity levels 1 to 3.

According to the configurations of (i) to (ya) above, an error occurs because the amount of light of the light effect (error light) related to the error notification effect is larger than the amount of light of the light effect other than the error notification effect. It is possible to effectively notify the surroundings to that effect.

(Modification 8)
(M) In the above embodiment, regarding the default light amount (initial setting light amount) according to the adjustment mode, as shown in FIG. 8A, the default light amount is, for example, the light amount level 1 in the adjustment modes 0 to 1, respectively. It has been described that the adjustment modes 2 to 9 are set to an intermediate level (light intensity level 3). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be configured as follows (λ2) to (ρ2).
(Λ2) Set the default light intensity to the minimum level light intensity level 1 in the full adjustment mode.
(Μ2) In the full adjustment mode, the default light intensity is set to the intermediate level light intensity level 3.
(Ν2) In all adjustment modes, the default light intensity is set to the maximum light intensity level 5.
(Ξ2) Default light intensity (initial setting light intensity) for adjustment modes 1 to 9 excluding adjustment mode 0 (off), which cannot be adjusted (fixed), or adjustment modes 2 to 9 excluding adjustment modes 0 to 1. Can have the same light intensity level. For example, for adjustment modes 1-9 (or 2-9), the default light intensity can be light intensity level 1 (lower limit), light intensity level 3, or light intensity level 5.
(Ο2) The default light intensity can be set to different levels in the adjustment mode for the power saving mode and the adjustment mode for the non-power saving mode. For example, in the case of the adjustment mode for the power saving mode, the light amount level 1 and the adjustment mode for the non-power saving mode are the light amount level 3.
(Π2) The default light intensity can be set to different light intensity levels depending on the adjustment mode. For example, in the adjustment mode in which the maximum light amount is the first light amount (for example, 70%) or less, it is set to'light amount level 1', and in the adjustment mode in which the maximum light amount exceeds the first light amount, it is set to the light amount level 3. be able to. Further, for example, the default light amount level can be set to be relatively high as the maximum light amount becomes relatively large. Specifically, when focusing on the normal adjustment modes 3 to 7, the adjustment mode 3 has a light intensity level 1, the adjustment mode 4 has a light intensity level 2, the adjustment mode 5 has a light intensity level 3, and the adjustment mode 5 has a light intensity level 4. The adjustment mode 6 has a light intensity level of 5. On the contrary, the default light amount level can be set to be relatively low as the maximum light amount becomes relatively large.
(Ρ2) In the above configurations (λ2) to (π2), the setting level meter 111a of the light amount adjustment screen 111 shown in FIG. 7B can be configured to display the light amount level corresponding to the default light amount setting state. .. For example, in the case where the default light intensity is set to the light intensity level 3, three filled rectangular frames are displayed as shown in the setting level meter 111a shown in FIG. 7B to notify that the light intensity level is 3. The default. At this time, as shown in FIG. 7B, the amount of light corresponding to the amount of light levels 1 to 5 can be numerically displayed in a form attached to the setting level meter 111a.

(Modification 9)
(K) When the adjustment mode is switched by the back switch 71, the liquid crystal display device 36 can be configured to display the light amount adjustment screen 111 (at least display the setting level meter 111a). In this case, as in the configuration of (π2) and (ρ2) of the above-described modification 8, the default light amount is changed according to the adjustment mode, and the light amount level corresponding to the default light amount setting state is displayed. Is preferable. More preferably, as shown in FIG. 7B, the light amount corresponding to the light amount levels 1 to 5 is numerically displayed (see the description in (La) above, the light amount adjustment screen 111 in FIG. 7B). In this way, when the hall clerk changes the adjustment mode, it becomes easy to check the maximum amount of light and the like.

(Modification example 10)
(F) Although the adjustment mode 2 for factory shipment has been described as being able to adjust the light intensity level, the light intensity may not be adjustable (fixed value at the total light intensity level: for example, 80%).

(Modification 11)
(H) In the present embodiment, two adjustment mode changeover switches, a back switch for volume adjustment and a back switch for light adjustment, are provided, and an adjustment mode for light intensity and an adjustment mode for volume adjustment are provided, respectively. It was explained that it is an independently adjustable configuration. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an adjustment mode selection table including the volume adjustment data of FIG. 8 (A) and the light amount adjustment data of FIG. 9 (A) (hereinafter, "volume light amount adjustment mode selection table"). It can be configured to be set to any of the adjustment modes 0 to 9 by one back switch 71. In the case of the present embodiment, as can be seen from FIGS. 8 (A) and 9 (A), the number of adjustment modes is the same for the volume adjustment mode and the light intensity adjustment mode, and the uses of both adjustment modes are also the same. It is configured as follows. Therefore, for example, when the adjustment mode 3 is set by one back switch 71, the volume is the common adjustment of the adjustment mode 3 shown in FIG. 8 (A) and the light intensity is the common adjustment of the adjustment mode 3 shown in FIG. 9 (A). Set to mode 3. Then, for the volume, the data of the adjustment mode 3 shown in FIG. 8A is referred to, the maximum volume is set to 75 dB of “SAC15”, and the default volume is set to 60 dB of “SAC09” of volume level 3. .. Further, the setting range of the user-side set volume is "SAC03 (minimum volume)" ⇔ "SAC06" ⇔ "SAC09 (default volume)" ⇔ "SAC012" ⇔ "SAC15 (maximum volume)". On the other hand, for the amount of light, the data of the adjustment mode 3 shown in FIG. 9A is referred to, the maximum amount of light is set to "LAC15 (60.0%), and the default amount of light is 45% of" SAC09 "of the amount of light level 3. Is set to. The setting range of the light amount set on the user side is "LAC03 (minimum light amount) (30.0%)" ⇔ "LAC06 (37.5%)" ⇔ "LAC09 (default light amount) (45.0%)" ⇔ "LAC012 (52.5%)" ⇔ "LAC15 (maximum light intensity) (60.0%)".

(Other variants)
(D) The volume adjustment screen 110 (setting level meter 110a) according to the first embodiment is not limited to the display mode shown in FIG. 7. For example, the display mode may be such as the volume adjustment screens 110b, 110d, 110f (setting level meters 110c, 110e, 110g) shown in FIG. An example of modification of the volume adjustment screen shown in FIG. 10 will be described. Here, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that 12 levels can be set. To put it simply, in this modification, the larger the set maximum volume, the wider the range in which the volume level can be set by the setting level meter.

Specifically, for example, the adjustment modes 7 and 8 have a "maximum volume of 95 dB", the adjustment modes 2 and 5 have a "maximum volume of 85 dB", and the adjustment modes 3 and 9 have a "maximum volume of 75 dB". .. Here, in the case of the adjustment modes 7 and 8, as shown in FIG. 10A, all 12 levels can be set (see the setting level meter 110c), but the maximum volume is higher than that of the adjustment modes 7 and 8. In the case of the small adjustment modes 2 and 5, as shown in FIG. 10B, the volume levels 11 to 12 of the 12 levels indicated by the setting level meter 110e are painted in gray, and this range is covered. Cannot be set (level non-selectable range), that is, the volume level is limited to 10 levels. Similarly, in the case of the adjustment modes 3 and 9 in which the maximum volume is further reduced, the volume levels 9 to 12 of the 12 levels indicated by the setting level meter 110f are painted in gray as shown in FIG. 10 (C). The volume level is limited to 8 levels. As described above, in this modification, when the maximum volume is set to the relatively low adjustment mode, the level setting range by the setting level meter is relatively narrowed, and conversely, the maximum volume is relatively large. When the mode is set, the level setting range by the setting level meter is relatively widened, and the setting value of the current adjustment mode can be indirectly notified through the setting level meter.

As described above, instead of changing the level setting range by the setting level meter according to the set maximum volume, the level setting range by the setting level meter may be changed according to the value of the adjustment mode. .. For example, if it is explained that 7 levels can be set, the level setting range is up to 3 levels (volume levels 1 to 3) in the adjustment mode 3, and the level setting range is up to 4 levels in the adjustment mode 4. Up to (volume levels 1 to 4), ..., Level setting range up to 6 levels in adjustment mode 6 (volume levels 1 to 6), level setting range up to 7 levels in adjustment mode 7 (volume level 1 to 6) Volume levels 1 to 7) and so on. In any case, the configuration may be such that the current adjustment mode setting value can be indirectly notified through the setting level meter.

Similarly, for the set level meters 111c, 111e, 111g of the light amount adjusting screens 111b, 111d, 111f shown in FIGS. 11A to 11C, the larger the set maximum light amount, the light amount level by the set level meter. This is a display example showing that the settable range of is expanded. The modified example related to this light amount adjustment is the same phenomenon as the modified example of the volume adjustment described above. Therefore, in order to avoid duplicate description, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

According to the second embodiment (including a modification), the following problems can be solved. In recent years, in game machines such as bullet game machines and rotating body type game machines, in order to fuel the player's expectation of winning, dazzling light effects such as flashes are continuously displayed, and flashy light effects are lengthened. There are many game machines that show time, and many players say that the too bright light is unpleasant. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the upper limit value (maximum light amount) of the light amount of the light effect means can be adjusted in multiple steps, and the upper limit value (maximum light amount) of the light amount emitted from the gaming machine is set to the pachinko hall side. It can be adjusted as appropriate. This makes it possible to provide a gaming machine that can adjust the amount of light to suit the needs of the player and the gaming environment. The light amount adjusting portion may be all or part of the light effect means (decorative lamp 45) provided in the game machine (for example, only the light emitting means group of the center decoration body 48).

The light amount cannot be adjusted (fixed) with respect to the second embodiment, the above (tsu) to (ko), and the embodiment (configuration example) disclosed in the above (d) (FIG. 11) of the other modified examples. The presence or absence of the adjustment mode and the adjustment mode 0 of turning off the light does not affect the technical idea of the present invention. Further, the presence or absence of adjustment modes 0 to 1, which deviates from the use in normal games, does not affect the technical idea of the present invention. Further, the present invention can be configured by combining at least two of the above-mentioned second embodiment and the above-mentioned configuration examples relating to the amount of light adjustment disclosed in (tsu) to (ko) and (d). Further, the present invention is among the constituent examples disclosed in the first embodiment, (a) to (wa), the second embodiment, (tsu) to (ko), and (d) above. , At least two can be combined. That is, the present invention also includes a configuration in which various configuration examples according to the first embodiment relating to volume adjustment and the second embodiment relating to light intensity adjustment are appropriately combined.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, the default volume level (initial setting volume) and a display example thereof will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 to 28. In the first embodiment described above, the adjustment mode 2 has been described as being a mode for both "shipping" and "power saving mode (power saving 3: maximum volume" medium ")". When the term "for shipping" is used, the adjustment mode is described as an adjustment mode dedicated to "for shipping". Further, in FIGS. 12 to 28, in order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, the Arabic numerals in the adjustment mode selection table shown in FIGS. 12 to 28 are not changed to “SAC” shown in FIG. It is simply changed to "decibel [dB]" notation. However, the volume value expressed in decibels is used to simply indicate the magnitude relationship of the volume depending on the magnitude of the numerical value, and it goes without saying that it is different from the actual volume. Further, in FIGS. 12 to 28, the “initial position” indicated by the light gray block frame means a default volume (volume level).

(Specific example 1: FIG. 12)
FIG. 12 shows a specific example of the “mode in which the default volume level is set to a different volume level according to the adjustment mode” described in the above “(le) (π) of the modified example 8”. Here, as an adjustment mode selection table, the maximum volume can be adjusted in 5 steps (it can be set to any of the 5 types of maximum volume. However, the default volume level may differ depending on the adjustment mode). The configuration of the "5 x 5 stage version" that can be adjusted to 5 stages of volume levels 1 to 5 is illustrated (the same applies to the specific example 2 described later).

In FIG. 12, for example, in the case of adjustment modes 0 to 2 (for silence, for presentation, for shipment: adjustment mode belonging to the first adjustment mode), the volume level is set to 1, and adjustment modes 3 to 7 for normal use (first adjustment mode 3 to 7). In the case of the adjustment mode belonging to the two adjustment modes), different volume levels 1 to 5 can be set. Further, in this example, two types of adjustment modes for the power saving mode, the adjustment mode 8 (low volume) and the adjustment mode 9 (loud volume), are typically shown. For the adjustment modes 8 (low volume) and 9 (loud volume) for the power saving mode, the default volume is set to the same volume level as for normal use due to the maximum volume (adjustment mode 8 is set to volume level 1). Adjustment mode 9 is set to volume level 5).

(About the display of the default volume level)
Further, the information on the default volume (volume level) is configured so that the default volume level can be notified by using the setting level meter as already described in the above-mentioned "(le) (ρ) of the modification 8". (See FIGS. 12 (A) to 12 (C)). In addition to simply notifying the default volume level, as described in "(le) (ρ)" of the above "Modification 8", the volume corresponding to the volume level is numerically indicated in the form of being attached to the setting level meter. (Refer to the decibel (dB) display image at the bottom of the setting level meter 110a in FIGS. 7A (A) to 7C). The display of the default volume level is the same for Specific Examples 2 to 5 described later.

In this example, the adjustment mode for silence, presentation, and shipment and the adjustment mode 3 for normal use (the one with the lowest maximum volume in the normal mode) have the same volume value (for example, 65 dB). May be.

(Specific Example 2: FIGS. 13 (A) to 13 (C))
13 (A) to 13 (C) show the modification of FIG. 12 described above, and the basic configuration is the above-mentioned "(λ), (μ), (ν) of (le) of the modification 8. ) ”Same as the configuration described in. More specifically, regarding the adjustment mode in which the volume can be adjusted except for the adjustment mode 0 in which the volume cannot be adjusted, the configuration example is "set the default volume (volume level) to a predetermined volume level regardless of the adjustment mode". Specifically, regarding the default volume, FIGS. 13 (A) to 13 (C) are examples of setting the minimum level (volume level 1), the intermediate level (volume level 3), and the maximum level (volume level 5), respectively. It is shown.

(Specific example 3: FIG. 14)
In FIGS. 14A and 14B, the volume value for each adjustment mode does not change (the volume value for each volume level is common (same) in each adjustment mode), but the player sets the volume value according to the adjustment mode. This is a configuration example in which the maximum volume is made different according to the adjustment mode by making the possible volume adjustment range (the range of the volume level that can be adjusted by the player's volume adjustment operation) different. Here, the configuration of the "5 × 10 step version" in which the maximum volume can be adjusted in 5 steps and the volume level can be adjusted in 10 steps from 1 to 10 is illustrated. In the following, the range of the volume level that can be adjusted by the volume adjustment operation by the player may be referred to as the "player side volume adjustment range".

In FIG. 14, the dark gray (inside the thick line frame) portion in the figure (excluding the adjustment mode for silence) indicates the range in which the player cannot adjust (the level cannot be selected) (FIGS. 15 to 15 to be described later). The same applies to FIGS. 17C and 21 to 28). For example, in the case of the adjustment mode 3, the volume levels 7 to 10 cannot be adjusted (level non-selectable range), that is, the volume adjustment range on the player side is in the range of volume levels 1 to 6, whereby the player can adjust. , It can be adjusted only up to "50 dB" of volume level 6. On the other hand, in the case of the adjustment mode 4, the volume levels 8 to 10 cannot be adjusted (level non-selectable range), but the volume adjustment range on the player side is in the range of volume levels 1 to 7, and the player can adjust the volume. Compared with the case of the adjustment mode 3, it is possible to adjust up to "59 dB" of the volume level 7. In this example, in the case of adjustment modes 7 (normally 5) and 9 (power saving 5), all volume levels from volume level 1 to 10 can be selected, and the maximum volume of 86 dB can be adjusted. The other adjustment modes are as shown in the figure.

As described above, in the configuration example shown in FIG. 14, the volume adjustable range that can be adjusted by the player differs depending on the adjustment mode. As a result, although the maximum volume for each adjustment mode is the same, the maximum volume can be changed according to the adjustment mode (all or part of all adjustment modes).

As shown in the figure, the default volume level differs between FIG. 14 (A) and FIG. 14 (B). Specifically, the example shown in FIG. (A) shows a case where the default volume level is set to the maximum volume level in the player-side volume adjustment range. On the other hand, FIG. (B) shows a case where the same volume level (default = volume level 6 in this example) is set regardless of the adjustment mode. That is, in the case of FIG. (B), the volume level is set to a volume level that can be set by the player in any of the adjustment modes. In this example, the volume level can be set to any of 1 to 6. ..

In FIGS. 12 to 14, 17A to 22, 25, 26, and 28, the volume adjustment itself is not possible in the adjustment mode 0 (for silence) in which the volume cannot be adjusted. As a method of disabling the volume adjustment itself, for example, the setting level meter itself is not displayed, or the setting level meter is displayed but the volume adjustment operation is disabled, so that the volume adjustment itself cannot be performed. Can be configured in. Further, a message such as "volume adjustment not possible" may be displayed (for example, see FIG. 18A described later) to notify that the volume adjustment operation cannot be performed.

(Specific Example 4: FIGS. 15 to 16)
FIG. 15 shows a modified example of the specific example 3 of FIG. 14 described above. The difference between this example and the configuration example of FIG. 14 is that the maximum volume can be adjusted in 10 steps (the maximum volume can be set to any of 10 types), and the volume level can be adjusted in 10 steps from 1 to 10. The point is that it has a "10 x 10 stage version" configuration, and that it does not have adjustment modes such as "for silence, for presentation, for shipping, and for power saving".

Regarding the default volume level shown in FIG. 15, in FIG. 15 (A), the default volume level is different for each adjustment mode, and the default volume level is the maximum in the player side volume adjustment range. Set to volume level. In addition, when the adjustment mode is changed in the ascending or descending direction, the default volume level changes regularly in a stepwise manner. Further, the adjustment mode 0 of this example is not an adjustment mode for silence, but is an adjustment mode in which the volume adjustment operation cannot be performed.

On the other hand, FIG. 15B is a case where a predetermined volume level is set regardless of the adjustment mode, and the basic configuration is the same as that of FIG. 14 (Specific Example 3) (B) described above. However, in the case of FIG. 15B, since the volume level that can be set by the player is the volume level 1, here, the default volume is set to the minimum volume level (volume level 1). ing.

(Variation example of Specific Example 4: FIG. 16)
Further, as a modification of FIG. 15 (Specific Example 4) described above, for example, as shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B, the default volume level may be set to a common level in a plurality of adjustment modes. .. For example, as shown in FIG. 16A, adjustment modes 0 to 2 (first group) are volume level 1, adjustment modes 3 to 5 (second group) are volume level 4, and adjustment modes 6 to 9 (third group). ) Can be grouped into a plurality of groups, such as volume level 7, and each of them can be set as a common level. Further, as shown in FIG. 16B, the adjustment modes 0 to 4 (first group) are set to the volume level 1, the adjustment modes 5 to 8 (second group) are set to the volume level 5, and the player side volume adjustment range is set to the maximum. The adjustment mode 9 to be performed may be configured to have one or a plurality of groups and one or a plurality of single adjustment modes that are not shared, such as a maximum volume level 10 by itself.

(Specific example 5: FIG. 17)
17A to 17C show the specific example 5 of FIG. 15 (or FIG. 16) described above. The difference between this example and the configuration example of FIG. 15 is that the maximum volume can be adjusted in 16 steps (the maximum volume can be set to any of 16 types), which is larger than that of the configuration example of FIG. This is the point of the "16 x 10 stage version" configuration that can be adjusted in 10 stages from 1 to 10.

In the configuration example shown in FIG. 17A, five types of adjustment modes A to E for the power saving mode are provided, but the maximum volume can be set in three types of "large", "medium", and "small".
Further, in the configuration examples shown in FIGS. 17B and 17C, five types of adjustment modes A to E for the power saving mode are provided. As shown in the figure, the maximum volume is different in the adjustment modes A to E, and "low" and "small" and " Five types of maximum volume can be set: medium, large, extra large, and MAX.

In the configuration example shown in FIG. 17A, the defaults described in the following (A) to (E) for the adjustment modes 0 to E except for the adjustment mode F (silence) in which the volume cannot be adjusted (fixed) or the adjustment mode for presentation. It is in the form of including the volume setting.
(A) The normal adjustment modes 0 to 9 are set to different default volume levels. The basic configuration is the same as that of FIG. 15A (Specific Example 4) described above (the default volume level is different for each adjustment mode).
(B) When focusing on the adjustment modes A to C for the power saving mode, different default volume levels are set. The basic configuration is the same as that of FIG. 15A (Specific Example 4) described above (the default volume level differs for each adjustment mode), and specifically, the adjustment modes A to C for the power saving mode. , Normal (non-power saving mode) adjustment modes 0-9 have the same tendency of default volume setting, that is, the default volume level is set to the maximum volume level in the player side volume adjustment range. It has become like.
(C) The maximum volume of the adjustment mode for the power saving mode is the same (common) volume value as the loudest volume value among the maximum volumes defined in the normal (non-power saving mode) adjustment mode (first). Same as (δ) in (b) above described in the embodiment). The default volume level is also the same. Specifically, there is a relationship between the adjustment mode C for the power saving mode and the adjustment mode 9 for the normal use.
(D) The maximum volume of the adjustment mode for the power saving mode can be set to the same (common) volume value as the lowest volume value among the maximum volumes determined in the normal adjustment mode (first embodiment). (Same as (ε) in (b) above). The default volume level is also the same. Specifically, it refers to the relationship between the adjustment mode A for the power saving mode and the adjustment mode 0 for the normal use.
(E) Of the adjustment modes A to F for the power saving mode, some of them are common default volume levels. Specifically, it refers to the relationship between the adjustment mode D and the adjustment mode E.

In the configuration example shown in FIG. 17B, in addition to the configuration including the default volume settings of (A) to (D) described in FIG. 17A, (F) normal adjustment modes 0 to 9 and an adjustment mode for power saving mode are used. A to E have the characteristic that the default volume level is different, and the default volume level is set to a higher level as the maximum volume increases (the default volume level decreases as the maximum volume decreases). Set to level). Here, as in the configuration example shown in FIG. 15A, the default volume level is set to the maximum volume level in the player-side volume adjustment range.

The configuration example shown in FIG. 17C is the same as the configuration example shown in FIG. 15B in that the volume level is set to a predetermined level regardless of the adjustment mode. However, also in the case of FIG. 17C, since the volume level that can be set by the player is the volume level 1, here, the default volume is set to the minimum volume level (volume level 1).

(About the display example of the setting level meter 110a when the back switch 71 is operated while the setting level meter 110a (volume adjustment screen 110) is appearing: FIGS. 18 to 28)
Next, with reference to FIGS. 18 to 28, how the display mode of the volume adjustment screen 110, particularly the setting level meter 110a, is displayed when the back switch 71 is operated while the volume adjustment screen 110 is appearing. Explain in detail whether it will change. In the adjustment mode selection table shown in FIGS. 18 to 28 described below, the “default volume level” in each adjustment mode is the block frame shown in light gray as in FIGS. 12 to 17 (not shown). It shall be set to the volume level (see the description of "Initial position"). Further, the block frame shown in dark gray (for example, the range of the volume level 7 to 10 of the adjustment mode 0 in FIG. 18 and the volume level 1 in the adjustment mode 1 in FIG. "Is shown. Hereinafter, the details of the above-mentioned "default volume level" and "level non-selectable range" corresponding to the adjustment mode are clear as shown in FIGS. 18 to 28, and are therefore omitted as appropriate for convenience of explanation.

(Display example 1: FIG. 18)
FIG. 18 shows a display example 1. FIG. 18 shows a display example relating to the adjustment mode selection table of the “5 × 5 step version” similar to the configuration example (Specific Example 2) shown in FIG. 13 (A). Here, the default volume level of the adjustment modes 1 and 2 is set to the volume level 1, and the other adjustment modes are set to the volume level 5.

18 (A) to 18 (E) show the setting state of "adjustment mode 0" in which the volume cannot be adjusted (for silence) in the illustrated adjustment mode selection table, and FIGS. 18 (B) to 18 (B) show. (E) is a display mode of the setting level meter 110a when the adjustment mode is switched from the setting state of the adjustment mode 0 to “0 → 1”, “1 → 2”, “2 → 3”, and “3 → 4”. Is shown.

Here, FIG. 18A is a display when the adjustment mode is set to 0. In the case of this embodiment, a large "volume adjustment not possible" message is displayed in the center of the liquid crystal screen, and the volume adjustment operation is controlled by the direction key 75 (control to the volume adjustment operation impossible state). The setting level meter may or may not be displayed on this volume non-adjustable screen. The adjustment mode 0 in FIGS. 19 to 22, 25, 26, and 28, which will be described later, is controlled in the same manner as shown in FIG. 18 (A), and is controlled in the same manner as shown in FIGS. 19 to 22, 25. 26 and 28, a detailed description of the adjustment mode 0 will be omitted in order to avoid duplication.

In the case of this display example 1, as shown in FIGS. 18 (B) to 18 (E), the setting level meter 110a has a “volume level” when the adjustment mode is switched to “0 → 1” or “1 → 2”. "1" is displayed, and when the adjustment mode is switched to "2 → 3" or "3 → 4", "volume level 5" is displayed. That is, the setting level meter 110a has a display corresponding to the default volume level of the adjustment mode after switching.

(Display example 2: FIG. 19)
FIG. 19 shows a display example 2. FIG. 19 shows a display example relating to a modification of the adjustment mode selection table described with reference to FIG. In the adjustment mode selection table shown in FIG. 19, unlike FIG. 18, the default volume level is set to the volume level 5 except for the adjustment mode 0 in which the volume cannot be adjusted.

In FIGS. 19B to 19E, the adjustment modes are set to "3 → 4", "4 → 5", "5 → 6", and "6 →" from the setting state of the adjustment mode 3 ((A) in the same figure). It shows the display mode of the setting level meter 110a when it is switched to "7".

In the case of this display example 2, as in the display example of FIG. 18, the setting level meter 110a is displayed corresponding to the default volume level of the adjustment mode after switching. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 19B to 19E, even if the adjustment mode 3 is switched to any adjustment mode (excluding the adjustment mode 0 in which the volume cannot be adjusted), the default volume level is the maximum level "volume level". Since it is set to "5", the display state of the setting level meter 110a is always displayed in the setting state of "volume level 5". That is, the display state of the setting level meter 110a does not change according to the adjustment mode. However, the volume changes according to the volume level. In this respect, the present display example 2 exemplifies a mode in which the display mode of the setting level meter 110a does not change, but the volume does change.

(Display example 3: FIG. 20)
FIG. 20 shows a display example 3. FIG. 20 shows a display example relating to the adjustment mode selection table of the “5 × 5 step version” similar to the configuration example (Specific Example 1) shown in FIG. Here, the default volume level of the adjustment modes 1 to 3 is the volume level 1, and the other adjustment modes are as shown in the figure.

In FIGS. 20 (B) to 20 (E), the adjustment modes are set to "3 → 4", "4 → 5", "5 → 6", and "6 →" from the setting state of the adjustment mode 3 ((A) in the same figure). It shows the display mode of the setting level meter 110a when switching to "7".

In the case of this display example 3, as in the display example of FIG. 18, the setting level meter 110a is displayed corresponding to the default volume level of the adjustment mode after switching. Therefore, when the adjustment mode is switched from the adjustment mode 3 to "3 → 4", "4 → 5", "5 → 6", and "6 → 7", as shown in FIGS. 20B to 20E. , The setting level meter 110a is also displayed as a volume level 2 → 3 → 4 → 5 step by step (level up display). The volume also changes according to the volume level. In this respect, the present display example 3 exemplifies a form in which both the display and the volume of the setting level meter 110a change.

(Display Example 4: FIGS. 21 to 22)
FIG. 21 shows a display example 4. FIG. 21 shows a display example relating to the adjustment mode selection table of the “10 × 10 step version” similar to the configuration example (specific example 3) shown in FIG. 14 (B). In the adjustment mode selection table shown in FIG. 21, the default volume level is set to volume level 6 except for adjustment mode 0.

In FIGS. 21 (B) to 21 (E), the adjustment modes are set to “3 → 4”, “4 → 5”, “5 → 6”, “6 →” from the setting state of the adjustment mode 3 ((A) in the same figure). It shows the display mode of the setting level meter 110a when switching to "7".

In the case of this display example 4, in the setting state of the adjustment mode 3, as shown in FIG. 3A, the setting level meter 110a displays the volume level 6, and the level non-selectable range is the volume level 7 to 10. ing. However, when switching the adjustment mode to "3 → 4", "4 → 5", "5 → 6", "6 → 7" (when the adjustment mode is changed in the upward direction), the default volume level is , Both remain at "volume level 6", but the level non-selectable range decreases by one volume level, that is, the player-side volume adjustment range increases by one volume level. In response to such a change in the volume adjustment range on the player side, in this display example 4, as shown in FIGS. 21 (B) to 21 (E), the level non-selectable range disappears by one level, that is, the player. The display mode is changed so that the side volume adjustment range is increased by one level. For example, when the adjustment mode is switched from "3 to 4", the substantially trapezoidal frame of volume level 7 changes from the display state in which the level is not selectable and is filled in dark gray to a white frame without filling. It is notified that the volume adjustment range on the player side has been increased by one level. When switching to the adjustment mode 7, as shown in FIG. 21 (E), the default volume level remains the volume level 6, but the level non-selectable range disappears and the player side volume adjustment range becomes the full volume level. Will increase to. However, even if the adjustment mode changes, the step display of the setting level meter 110a (for example, the number of volume adjustment bars (10 in this case), the form, etc.) does not change (the same applies to FIGS. 22 to 28 described later). .. From the above points, the present display example 4 exemplifies a form in which the display of the setting level meter 110a changes but the volume does not change.

In FIG. 22, the adjustment mode is switched in reverse from the setting state of the adjustment mode 7 in FIG. 21 (E) to “7 → 6”, “6 → 5”, “5 → 4”, and “4 → 3”. It shows the display mode of the setting level meter 110a at the time of going (when the adjustment mode is changed in the downward direction). In this case, as can be seen from FIG. 22, the display mode of the setting level meter 110a follows the reverse of the display of FIGS. 21 (A) to 21 (E), that is, FIGS. 21 (E) → (D) → (C). → (B) → (A) changes in the order of display mode.

(Display example 5: FIGS. 23 to 24)
FIG. 23 shows a display example 5. FIG. 23 shows a display example relating to the adjustment mode selection table of the “10 × 10 step version” similar to the configuration example (specific example 4) shown in FIG. 15 (B). In the adjustment mode selection table shown in FIG. 23, the default volume level is set to volume level 1 in all adjustment modes.

In FIGS. 23 (B) to 23 (E), the adjustment modes are set to "0 → 1", "1 → 2", "2 → 3", and "3 →" from the setting state of the adjustment mode 0 ((A) in the same figure). It shows the display mode of the setting level meter 110a when it is switched to "4".

In the case of this display example 5, in the setting state of the adjustment mode 0, as shown in FIG. 3A, the setting level meter 110a displays the volume level 1, and the level non-selectable range is the volume level 2 to 10. ing. However, when switching the adjustment mode to "0 → 1", "1 → 2", "2 → 3", "3 → 4" (when the adjustment mode is changed in the upward direction), the default volume level is , Both remain at "volume level 1", but the level non-selectable range decreases by one volume level, that is, the player-side volume adjustment range increases by one volume level. In this respect, it is the same phenomenon as the display example 4 shown in FIG. 21 described above. In this display example 5, the setting level meter 110a has a display mode as shown in FIGS. 23 (B) to 23 (E). Note that this display example 5 and the display example 4 shown in FIG. 21 differ only in the default volume level, and the changes in the display mode are substantially the same. Therefore, in order to avoid duplicate description, details are given. Description will be omitted.

In FIG. 24, in the present display example 5, the adjustment modes are set to “9 → 8”, “8 → 7”, “7 → 6”, and “6 → 5” from the setting state of the adjustment mode 9 (volume level MAX). On the contrary, the display mode of the setting level meter 110a when switching is performed (when the adjustment mode is changed in the downward direction) is shown. As can be seen from FIG. 24, the display mode of the setting level meter 110a is the same phenomenon as the display example 4 shown in FIG. 22 described above, and when the adjustment mode is sequentially switched from 9, the adjustment mode is changed in the ascending direction. As can be seen from the display mode opposite to the case, that is, FIGS. 24 (B) to 24 (E), the level non-selectable range increases by one volume level, and the player-side volume adjustment range decreases by one volume level. , Is a display mode transition.

(Display example 6: FIG. 25)
FIG. 25 shows a display example 6. FIG. 25 shows a display example relating to the adjustment mode selection table of the “16 × 10 step version” similar to the configuration example (Specific Example 5) shown in FIG. 17C. In the adjustment mode selection table shown in FIG. 25, the default volume level is set to volume level 1 in all adjustment modes.

In FIGS. 25 (B) to 25 (E), the adjustment modes are set to “C → B”, “B → A”, “A → 9”, “9 →” from the setting state of the adjustment mode C ((A) in the same figure). It shows the display mode of the setting level meter 110a when it is switched to "8".

In the case of this display example 5, in the setting state of the adjustment mode C, as shown in FIG. 3A, the setting level meter 110a shows the volume level 1 as the default volume level, and the volume is set as the volume adjustment range on the player side. Levels 1 to 6 are shown (the range of the light gray frame + white frame in the figure), and the level non-selectable range shows the volume levels 7 to 10 (the “adjustment mode C” column of the adjustment mode selection table shown in FIG. 25). reference).

When the adjustment mode is switched from "C to B", the default volume level is volume level 1, the player side volume adjustment range is volume level 1 to 3, and the level of adjustment mode B, referring to the adjustment mode selection table. The non-selectable range is the volume level 4 to 10. Therefore, the setting level meter 110a has the display mode shown in FIG. 25 (B). Similarly, when the adjustment mode is switched to "B → A", "A → 9", and "9 → 8", the default volume level remains "volume level 1", but the game The volume adjustment range on the user side and the level non-selectable range change according to each adjustment mode, and the display mode of the setting level meter 110a changes as shown in FIGS. 25 (C) to 25 (E).

(Display example 7: FIG. 26)
FIG. 26 shows a display example 7. FIG. 26 shows a display example relating to the adjustment mode selection table of the “5 × 10 step version” similar to the configuration example (specific example 3) shown in FIG. 14 (A). In the adjustment mode selection table shown in FIG. 26, as shown in the figure, the default volume level is set to the maximum volume level of the player side volume adjustment range.

In FIGS. 26 (B) to 26 (E), the adjustment modes are set to “3 → 4”, “4 → 5”, “5 → 6”, and “6 →” from the setting state of the adjustment mode 3 ((A) in the same figure). It shows the display mode of the setting level meter 110a when it is switched to "7".

In the case of this display example 7, when the adjustment mode is switched, the default volume level is set to the maximum volume level of the player side volume adjustment range according to the adjustment mode, so that the adjustment mode is set to "3 → 4". When switched to, the setting level meter 110a indicates the volume adjustment range on the player side of the volume levels 1 to 7 (default volume level = volume level 7) (the range of the light gray frame in the figure), and the volume levels 8 to 8 to Shows 10 level non-selectable ranges. In this display example 7, since the default volume level is set to the maximum volume level of the player side volume adjustment range, the setting level meter 110a is a light gray setting level meter on the left side with the default volume level as a boundary. The volume adjustment range on the player side, and the right side is the level selection non-range of the dark gray setting level meter. When the adjustment mode is switched from "4 → 5", "5 → 6", and "6 → 7", the setting level meter 110a has the display mode shown in FIGS. 26 (C) to 26 (E). When switching to the adjustment mode 7, as shown in FIG. 26 (E), the level non-selectable range disappears, and the volume adjustment range on the player side becomes the full volume level. In this display example 7, both the display and the volume of the setting level meter 110a change, and when the change is made, the maximum volume level of the upper limit is always set. The same applies when the adjustment mode is changed in the downward direction.

(Display example 8: FIG. 27)
FIG. 27 shows a display example 8. FIG. 27 shows a display example relating to the adjustment mode selection table of the “10 × 10 step version” similar to the configuration example (specific example 4) shown in FIG. 15 (A). In the adjustment mode selection table shown in FIG. 27, the default volume level is set to the maximum volume level of the player side volume adjustment range, as in the display example 7 shown in FIG. 26 described above.

In FIGS. 27 (B) to 27 (E), the adjustment modes are set to "0 → 1", "1 → 2", "2 → 3", and "3 →" from the setting state of the adjustment mode 0 ((A) in the same figure). It shows the display mode of the setting level meter 110a when it is switched to "4". In this display example 8, when the adjustment mode is changed in the ascending or descending direction, the default volume level changes regularly in a stepwise manner, which is a partial random default volume of the display example 7 shown in FIG. Different from the level.

In the case of this display example 8, in the setting state of the adjustment mode 0, as shown in FIG. 3A, the setting level meter 110a displays the volume level 1 (default volume level), and the level non-selectable range is the volume. It is level 2-10. However, when the adjustment mode is switched between "0 → 1", "1 → 2", "2 → 3", and "3 → 4" (when the adjustment mode is changed in the upward direction), FIG. 27 (B) As shown in ~ (E), the default volume level increases by one step, and the level non-selectable range decreases by one volume level (the player's volume adjustment range increases by one volume level). I will do it). In this display example 8, as in the display example 7 of FIG. 26, the default volume level is set to the maximum volume level of the player side volume adjustment range, so that the setting level meter 110a borders the default volume level. The left side is the player-side volume adjustment range of the light gray setting level meter, and the right side is the level selection non-range of the dark gray setting level meter. Although not shown, when the adjustment mode 9 is switched, the level non-selectable range disappears and the volume adjustment range on the player side becomes the full volume level. In this display example 8, as in the display example 7 shown in FIG. 26, both the display and the volume of the setting level meter 110a change, and when the change is made, the maximum volume level of the upper limit is always set. The same applies when the adjustment mode is changed in the downward direction.

(Display example 9: FIG. 28)
FIG. 28 shows a display example 9. FIG. 28 shows a display example relating to the adjustment mode selection table of the “16 × 10 step version” similar to the configuration example (Specific Example 5) shown in FIG. 17B. This display example 9 is different from the regular default volume level of the display example 8 shown in FIG. 27, and is partially random because the adjustment mode for the power saving mode exists in the adjustment modes A to F in the latter half. Although it is the default volume level, it is basically the same as the above display examples 7 and 8.

In FIGS. 28 (B) to 28 (E), the adjustment modes are set to “C → B”, “B → A”, “A → 9”, “9 →” from the setting state of the adjustment mode C ((A) in the same figure). It shows the display mode of the setting level meter 110a when it is switched to "8".

In this display example 9, similarly to the display examples 7 and 8 of FIGS. 26 to 27, when the adjustment mode is switched, the default volume level is the maximum volume level of the player side volume adjustment range according to the adjustment mode. Since the setting is set to, the display mode of the setting level meter 110a when the adjustment mode is switched between “C → B”, “B → A”, “A → 9”, and “9 → 8” is shown in FIG. 28 ( As shown in B) to (E), the setting level meter 110a has the player-side volume adjustment range of the light gray setting level meter on the left side and the dark gray setting level meter on the right side of the default volume level. The level cannot be selected. When the adjustment mode is switched from "A to 9", the level non-selectable range disappears, and the player-side volume adjustment range becomes the full volume level. In this display example 9, as in the display examples 7 and 8, both the display and the volume of the setting level meter 110a change, and when the change is made, the maximum volume level of the upper limit is always set.

(About error sound)
Next, the error sound will be described with reference to FIGS. 29 to 33. 29 shows an error volume selection table when the adjustment mode selection table of FIG. 12 or 13 is used, and FIG. 30 shows an error when the adjustment mode selection table of FIG. 14 ((A) or (B)) is used. FIG. 31 shows an hour volume selection table, and FIG. 31 shows an error volume selection table when the adjustment mode selection table of FIGS. 15 ((A) or (B)) and 16 ((A) or (B)) is used. 32 shows an error volume selection table when the adjustment mode selection table of FIG. 17A is used, and FIG. 33 shows an error volume selection table when the adjustment mode selection table of FIG. 17B or 17C is used. ..

In the error volume selection table, volume data for determining the volume of the error sound is defined according to the current adjustment mode. When outputting an error sound, this error volume selection table is referred to. The error volume selection tables of FIGS. 29 to 33 show five types of error volume selection tables (a) to (e), respectively.

First, (a) to (e) related to the error volume selection table 1 shown in FIG. 29 and (a) to (e) related to the error volume selection table 2 shown in FIG. 30 will be described. These tables (a) to (e) have the following features.
Table (a): Outputs an error sound at the upper limit of each adjustment mode. That is, an error sound is output at a volume corresponding to the volume level 5.
Table (b): Outputs an error sound at a volume higher than the upper limit of each adjustment mode (the same volume for the maximum volume adjustment mode). As shown in the illustrated table (b), in each adjustment mode, the relationship of "maximum volume of adjustment mode <volume of error sound" is satisfied. However, among the adjustment modes, the adjustment mode in which the loudest volume is set is set to "maximum volume of adjustment mode = volume of error sound". For example, referring to the table (b) shown in FIG. 29 or the table (b) shown in FIG. 30, the loudest volume value is set in the adjustment modes 7 and 9 among the adjustment modes 0 to 9. is there. In the case of the adjustment modes 7 and 9, the error sound is output at the maximum volume related to the adjustment mode.
Table (c): The volume range of (b) + error sound is smaller than the one-step range of volume related to the game. “The volume range of the error sound is smaller than the one-step range of the volume related to the game” is described in reference to the adjustment mode selection table of FIG. 12 and the adjustment mode 3 to 7 for normal use (c). Focusing on normal 1 to 5), in the table (c) shown in FIG. 29, the error volume range is "76 to 80 (the difference in volume value is" 4 ")", and the adjustment mode selection table in FIG. 12 (related to the game). In terms of volume), the difference in volume value in the one-step range of the volume related to the game is uniformly "5". By setting "the range of the volume of the error sound <the range of one level of the volume related to the game", the error sound is not output at an unreasonably low volume.
Table (d): Adjustment modes 3 and 4 output with an upper limit value corresponding to the adjustment mode, and adjustment modes 5, 6 and 7 output with a maximum value. Here, as in the table (c), the focus is on the adjustment modes 3 to 7 for normal use. The reason is that the adjustment modes 0 to 2 are for silence, presentation, and shipping, so they are rarely used in normal games, and the adjustment mode for power saving mode is also frequently used. Therefore, we pay particular attention to the relationship between the adjustment modes for normal use (the same applies to FIGS. 30 to 33 described later).
Table (e): In the tables (a) to (d), the maximum error type (for example, RAM clear notification, backup recovery notification, setting change notification, setting confirmation notification, etc.) that can occur when the power is turned on is maximum. Output with a value (for example, the loudest volume value in each adjustment mode). The "backup recovery notification" is a power failure recovery display command transmitted from the main control unit 20 when the backup recovery process for recovering the game from the backup data at the time of power failure is executed when the power is turned on. This is one of the error notifications executed when the 24 is received. Further, the "setting change notification" is transmitted from the main control unit 20 when the setting change process for changing the setting value is executed (when the switching operation is executed to the above setting change allowable state). This is one of the error notifications executed when the effect control unit 24 receives the command during setting change. In addition, the "setting change notification" is the main control unit 20 when a setting confirmation process (a process in which a pachinko hall clerk or the like displays the current set value on the setting display 97) for confirming the set value is executed. This is one of the error notifications executed when the effect control unit 24 receives the setting checking command transmitted from. It is also preferable to output the maximum value even in the case of an error type having a high severity for the game machine (for example, an error due to fraud detection by a fraud detection sensor (vibration sensor 72a, radio wave sensor 72b, magnetic sensor 72c)).

Next, (a) to (e) related to the error volume selection table 3 shown in FIG. 30 will be described. The tables (a) to (e) have the following features. The features substantially the same as those in the error volume selection tables of FIGS. 29 and 30 will be omitted as appropriate to avoid duplicate description.
Table (a): Outputs an error sound at the upper limit of each adjustment mode.
Table (b): Outputs an error sound at a volume higher than the upper limit of each adjustment mode (the same volume for the maximum volume adjustment mode).
Table (c): The volume range of (b) + error sound is smaller than the one-step range of volume related to the game.
Table (d): Adjustment modes 3 and 4 output with an upper limit value corresponding to the adjustment mode, and adjustment modes 5, 6 and 7 output with a maximum value.
Table (e): In the above tables (a) to (d), the maximum value of the error type that can occur when the power is turned on is output.

Next, (a) to (e) related to the error volume selection table 3 shown in FIG. 31 will be described. These tables (a) to (e) have the following features. The features substantially the same as those in the error volume selection tables of FIGS. 29 and 30 will be omitted as appropriate to avoid duplicate description.
Table (a): Outputs an error sound at the upper limit of each adjustment mode.
Table (b): Outputs an error sound at a volume higher than the upper limit of each adjustment mode (the same volume for the maximum volume adjustment mode).
Table (c): The volume range of (b) + error sound is smaller than the one-step range of volume related to the game.
Table (d): Adjustment modes 3 and 4 output with an upper limit value corresponding to the adjustment mode, and adjustment modes 5, 6 and 7 output with a maximum value.
Table (e): In the above tables (a) to (d), the maximum value of the error type that can occur when the power is turned on is output.

Next, (a) to (e) related to the error volume selection table 3 shown in FIG. 32 and (a) to (e) related to the error volume selection table 4 shown in FIG. 33 will be described. These tables (a) to (e) have the following features. The features substantially the same as those in the error volume selection tables of FIGS. 29 and 30 will be omitted as appropriate to avoid duplicate description.
Table (a): Outputs an error sound at the upper limit of each adjustment mode.
Table (b): Outputs an error sound at a volume higher than the upper limit of each adjustment mode (the same volume for the maximum volume adjustment mode).
Table (c): The volume range of (b) + error sound is smaller than the one-step range of volume related to the game.
Table (d): Adjustment modes 0, 1 and 2 are output at the upper limit value corresponding to the adjustment mode, and adjustment modes 3 to 9 are output at the maximum value. The relationship between the adjustment modes A to F for the power saving mode is also included in the same idea.
Table (e): In the above tables (a) to (d), the maximum value of the error type that can occur when the power is turned on is output.

When an error sound is output using the error volume selection table shown in FIGS. 29 to 33, the volume adjustment operation by the player is controlled so as not to be possible. During an error (which may be during a specific error), the volume level set by the player is invalidated and the volume data in the error volume selection table is used preferentially, that is, the volume dedicated to the error. Will output an error sound. Further, regarding the adjustment of the amount of light during the error, the brightness of the light effect related to the normal game can be adjusted, but the brightness of the error light is controlled so as not to be adjustable. For example, when the jamming error is only an error sound and an error display (image), it is possible to adjust the amount of light of the light effect related to the symbol variation display game, but in the case of error notification accompanied by the light effect, the error light The amount of light is controlled so that it cannot be adjusted. Therefore, during an error (may be limited to a specific error), adjustments for the error sound and the error light are not possible.

<Regarding the volume adjustment control system: FIGS. 34 to 44>
The gaming machine according to the present embodiment is provided with an acoustic control unit (sound output control unit (for example, sound source LSI)) in the effect control unit 24. This acoustic control unit includes a sound source unit in which various sound effects (sound effects related to normal game progress (game sounds), sound effects related to error notification (error sounds), etc.) are recorded according to the progress of the game. It has a volume adjusting unit that can adjust the volume of the sound effect by an external operating means (for example, the back switch 71). This volume adjustment unit has a hard volume level setting that can be adjusted from a back switch 71 that can be normally operated by a pachinko hall clerk and cannot be operated by a player, and an operation means such as a direction key 75 or an effect button 13 for the player. It has two setting functions called soft volume level setting that can be adjusted by.

In this embodiment, the volume output from the speaker is defined by the total value (V1 * Vs * TV) of the primary volume V1, the secondary volume Vs (= V2, V3), and the total volume TV, and is pachinko. The volume setting value artificially defined by the hall clerk or the player is reflected in the total volume value TV at the final stage.

With reference to FIG. 34 (a), as the former “hard volume level setting function”, a pachinko hall clerk opens the front frame 2 of the gaming machine and operates the back switch 71 provided inside the gaming machine. The values of "primary volume V1" (primary Vol) and "secondary volume Vs" (secondary Vol) are set as the basic volume levels. To be precise, in the hard volume level setting, the values of "primary volume" (primary Vol) and "secondary volume Vs" (secondary Vol) are determined by the selected position of the rotary type back switch 71.

The latter "soft volume level setting function" sets the range of the above hard volume level to "total volume (total Vol)", and the range of this total volume is displayed on the LCD screen by the player by performing a predetermined volume adjustment operation. , The volume level can be adjusted in multiple stages (see FIG. 7A, etc.). For example, in the conventional example of FIG. 34, in the case of the game sound of (a), the primary Vol (0x80) and the secondary Vol (0x80) are set, and the total volume is stepwise from 40 to 80 in 5 steps from 1 to 5. The volume level is set to.

Here, as shown in FIG. 34 (b), fraudulent acts based on error notification at power-on (for example, RAM clear notification, backup recovery notification, setting change notification, setting confirmation notification, etc.) and goto behavior. When a detection error (strong) occurs, the secondary volume Vs is masked, the total volume TV is masked, and an error sound is output at the maximum volume (maximum output volume). However, as shown in FIG. 34 (c), in the case of a non-fatal error (weak) such as a ball jam, the player can adjust the total volume by masking the secondary volume only for the game sound. There is.

FIG. 35 shows a case where the error sound is raised or lowered while keeping the conventional specifications. When an error occurs, the secondary volume Vs is completely masked for the game sound, but the total volume TV is not masked, so there is a problem that the error sound goes up and down due to the adjustment operation of the player. ..

FIG. 36 shows one of the methods for solving the above-mentioned problems, and the solution method 2-1 outputs by referring only to the hard volume. According to this, since the soft volume (total volume TV) is not referred to, the error sound does not go up or down depending on the adjustment operation of the player. Solution 2-2 refers to the soft volume (total volume TV) as before, but makes it impossible for the player to perform the adjustment operation. According to this, although the soft volume (total volume TV) is to be referred to, since the adjustment operation cannot be performed by the player, the error sound does not go up or down due to the adjustment operation of the player.

FIG. 37 differs from FIGS. 34 to 36 in that the secondary volume Vs can be set in five stages. The solution to the above problem shown here is to mask the secondary volume Vs of the game sound and fix the total volume to MAX.

(Voice volume control: FIG. 38)
Next, how to control the audio volume will be described.
In FIG. 38 (1), when the power is turned on, the set state of the back switch 71, that is, the value of the adjustment mode is read and set to "W_hard VOL" and "W_soft VOL". "W_Hard VOL" and "W_Soft VOL" are work areas related to volume, "W_Hard VOL" is set with a value according to the adjustment mode, and "W_Soft VOL" is a volume adjustment operation by the player. The value corresponding to the volume level is set according to (the default volume level data is set when the power is turned on). Then, periodic monitoring processing and audio volume reset processing are performed.

Periodically monitor whether the setting status of the back switch 71 has changed (whether the adjustment mode has changed), compare the value of W_hard VOL with the value of adjustment mode, and if they are different, reset to W_soft VOL. Then, W_hard VOL is also updated with new information (data value corresponding to the new adjustment mode).

The setting by the volume adjustment operation of the player is performed for "W_soft VOL". During the valid period of the volume adjustment operation, the volume adjustment screen 110 appears (the liquid crystal command required for the volume adjustment screen 110 including the display of the setting level meter 110a (change in the display of the level meter, etc.) is sent to the liquid crystal control unit. Will be sent).

For example, the voice volume adjustment of "during specific error notification" is set by W_soft VOL, but during the occurrence of a specific error, the error volume dedicated to the error (for example, the volume data of the error volume selection table in FIGS. 29 to 33). ) Is set. To reset the audio volume, the volume (volume level) position set by the player is set to the initial position of the current adjustment mode (default volume (default volume (default volume)) when the customer waiting effect is executed (when the demo timer becomes zero). If it is less than (volume level)), the audio volume is reset and reset to the default volume (for example, the volume returns to the default volume level when the player turns down the volume and leaves).

<Examples in which the player can adjust the volume even during an error, FIGS. 39 to 41>
FIGS. 39 to 41 show a case where the player can adjust the volume even during an error, and here, it is considered that the error has a low severity for the game machine (an error having a low notification priority). is there.

(Movable body accessory error: Fig. 39)
FIG. 39 shows an example of switching the reference destination when adjusting the volume with the ON / OFF of the error flag as a trigger for the movable object accessory error (when the movable object accessory has not returned to the origin position). The pattern) is shown. For the movable body accessory, the section (time t1 to t2) from the occurrence of the error flag to the end of the sound, the lamp (light), and the liquid crystal (image display on the liquid crystal screen) is shown. In this error interval (time t1 to t2), the hard volume is referenced, but the soft volume is not referenced. Also, the setting level meter is not displayed. However, the adjustment mode adjustment operation by the back switch 71, that is, the volume level adjustment is possible, and since it is an error that is not very serious to the game machine, the volume adjustment (volume level adjustment) by the player is also possible. It is possible. When the back switch 71 is adjusted, the hard volume and soft volume values are updated with the data corresponding to the new adjustment mode, as described above. When the player is adjusted, the hard volume is not updated and the soft volume value is updated.

When the movable body accessory error is resolved (end point t2), the error flag is switched, the hard volume is not referenced, the soft volume is referenced, and the setting level meter is switched to a displayable state.

In FIG. 39, the display of the setting level meter can be displayed and the adjustment by the player is possible in the error section, but the display of the setting level meter can be displayed and the adjustment operation by the player may not be possible. "Unable to adjust" means that the result of the player operation is not reflected in the setting level meter 110a and is not reflected in the actual volume, or the result of the player operation is reflected in the display bar but is reflected in the actual volume. It is a concept that includes both.

(Door opening error: Fig. 40)
FIG. 40 shows an example of a pattern for switching the reference destination when adjusting the volume with respect to the door opening error. The error section from door opening to door closing (time t1 to t2), the sound stops at time ta in the middle, and the lamp (light) and liquid crystal operate over the section from the occurrence of the error flag to the end. are doing.

Pattern 1 shows an example of a pattern for switching a reference destination when adjusting the volume, triggered by the presence / absence of sound output related to the error regarding the door opening error. In the section from the occurrence of this error to the middle (time t1 to ta), the hard volume is referred to, but the soft volume is not referred to. Also, the setting level meter is not displayed. However, the volume level can be adjusted by the back switch 71, and the volume level can be adjusted by the player. When the back switch 71 is adjusted, the values of the hard volume and the soft volume are updated respectively. When the player is adjusted, the hard volume is not updated and the soft volume value is updated.

Pattern 2 shows an example of switching the reference destination triggered by the occurrence / cancellation of an error. In the section from opening the door to closing the door (time t1 to t2), whether the hard volume and soft volume are referred to, whether the setting level meter is displayed, and whether the volume level can be adjusted by the back switch 71. It describes whether or not the volume level can be adjusted by the player. They are the same as pattern 1 except that the time ta is changed to t1.

Pattern 3 shows an example of switching the reference destination by using the error flag ON / OFF as a trigger. In the case of this example, the sound and the liquid crystal are finished at t2 at the same time as the door is closed, but only the lamp is turned off at t3 when another 30 seconds have passed. In this pattern 3, the reference destination is switched at this time t3. The difference from pattern 2 is that the switching is at time t3, and the rest is the same as pattern 2.

(RAM clear notification: FIG. 41)
FIG. 41 shows an example of a pattern for switching the reference destination when adjusting the volume with respect to the RAM clear notification. The error section (time t1 to t2) from the start of RAM clear notification to the end of notification, sound, lamp (light), and liquid crystal are operating, and the movable object (initialization operation when clearing RAM) is at time tb in the middle. It is in a relationship that works up to.

Pattern 1 shows an example of switching the reference destination when adjusting the volume with the ON / OFF of the error flag as a trigger for the RAM clear notification. Regarding the RAM clear notification, the hard volume is referred to, but the soft volume is not referred to in the error section (time t1 to t2) from the occurrence of the error flag to the end of the sound, the lamp (light), and the liquid crystal. Also, the setting level meter is not displayed. Also, it is impossible for the player to adjust the volume level. However, the volume level can be adjusted by the back switch 71.

When the error is resolved for the RAM clear notification (t2 at the end of the notification), the error flag is switched, the hard volume is not referenced, the soft volume is referenced, and the setting level meter is switched to a displayable state.

Pattern 2 shows an example of switching the reference destination by using the error flag ON / OFF as a trigger. In the error section (time t1 to t2) until the end of the RAM clear notification, the hard volume is referred to, but the soft volume is not referred to. This point is the same as pattern 1. At the time t2 at the end of the notification, the hard volume is switched to non-reference and the soft volume is switched to reference.

Further, the setting level meter is hidden until the time tb, and is displayed after the time tb. The volume level can be adjusted by the back switch 71 in the error section (time t1 to t2). Then, the volume level adjustment by the player is impossible until the time tb, and the time tb shift is possible.

Pattern 3 shows an example of switching the reference destination by using the error flag ON / OFF as a trigger. The difference from the pattern 2 is that in this pattern 3, the setting level meter and the back switch 71 adjustment are not switched at the time tb, and the rest is the same as the pattern 2.

<Example in which the player cannot adjust the volume even during an error, FIGS. 42 to 44>
42 to 44 show a case where an error occurs and the player cannot adjust the volume, that is, a case where the error is treated as a serious error.

(Movable body accessory error: Fig. 42)
FIG. 42 shows an example of switching the reference destination when adjusting the volume with the ON / OFF of the error flag as a trigger for a specific movable object accessory error (an error having a high severity among the movable object accessory errors). It is shown. For the movable body accessory, the hard volume is not referred to, but the soft volume is referred to in the error section (time t1 to t2) from the occurrence of the error flag to the end of the sound, the lamp (light), and the liquid crystal. Also, the setting level meter is not displayed. However, although the adjustment mode can be adjusted (volume level adjustment) by the back switch 71, it is impossible for the player to adjust the volume level because it is a highly serious error given to the game machine. This relationship continues even if the error of the movable body accessory is resolved (end point t2). The setting level meter can be displayed, the back switch 71 can be adjusted, and the player can be adjusted.

(Door opening error: Fig. 43)
FIG. 43 shows an example of a pattern for switching the reference destination when adjusting the volume with respect to the door opening error. The error section from door opening to door closing (time t1 to t2), the sound stops at time ta in the middle, and the lamp (light) and liquid crystal operate over the section from the occurrence of the error flag to the end. are doing.

Pattern 1 shows an example of a pattern for switching a reference destination when adjusting the volume, triggered by the presence / absence of sound output related to the error regarding the door opening error. In the section from the occurrence of this error to the middle (time t1 to ta), the hard volume is not referred to, but the soft volume is referred to. The setting level meter is hidden. However, although the volume level can be adjusted by the back switch 71, the volume level cannot be adjusted by the player.

Pattern 2 shows an example of switching the reference destination triggered by the occurrence / cancellation of an error. In the section from opening the door to closing the door (time t1 to t2), the hard volume is not referred to, but the soft volume is referred to. The setting level meter is hidden, the volume level can be adjusted by the back switch 71, and the volume level cannot be adjusted by the player.

Pattern 3 shows an example of switching the reference destination by using the error flag ON / OFF as a trigger. In the case of this example, the sound and the liquid crystal are finished at t2 at the same time as the door is closed, but only the lamp is turned off at t3 when another 30 seconds have passed. In this pattern 3, the reference destination is switched at this time t3. The difference from pattern 2 is that the switching is at time t3, and the other points are the same as pattern 2.

(RAM clear notification: FIG. 44)
FIG. 44 shows an example of a pattern for switching the reference destination when adjusting the volume with respect to the RAM clear notification. The error section (time t1 to t2) from the start of RAM clear notification to the end of notification, sound, lamp (light), and liquid crystal are operating, and the movable body accessory is in a relationship of operating until time tb in the middle. ..

Pattern 1 shows an example of switching the reference destination when adjusting the volume with the ON / OFF of the error flag as a trigger for the RAM clear notification. Regarding the RAM clear notification, the hard volume is referred to, but the soft volume is not referred to in the error section (time t1 to t2) from the occurrence of the error flag to the end of the sound, the lamp (light), and the liquid crystal. Also, the setting level meter is not displayed. Also, it is impossible for the player to adjust the volume level. However, the volume level can be adjusted by the back switch 71.

Pattern 2 shows an example of switching the reference destination by using the error flag ON / OFF as a trigger. In the section (time t1 to t2) until the end of the RAM clear notification, the hard volume is not referred to, but the soft volume is referred to.

Further, the setting level meter is hidden until the time tb, and is displayed after the time tb. In the error section (time t1 to t2), the volume level can be adjusted by the back switch 71, but the volume level cannot be adjusted by the player. The volume level can be adjusted by the player at time t2.

Pattern 3 shows an example of switching the reference destination by using the error flag ON / OFF as a trigger. The difference from the pattern 2 is that in this pattern 3, the setting level meter and the back switch 71 adjustment are not switched at the time tb, and the rest is the same as the pattern 2.

Regarding the embodiments (configuration examples and control examples) disclosed in Specific Examples 1 to 5 and Display Examples 1 to 9 according to the third embodiment described above, a volume adjustment non-adjustable (fixed) adjustment mode, a silent adjustment mode, and the like. The presence or absence of an adjustment mode (for shipping, for presentation) that deviates from the use in normal games does not affect the technical idea of the present invention. Further, with respect to the embodiment (configuration example, etc.) including the adjustment mode for normal use (for non-power saving mode) and the adjustment mode for power saving mode, the presence or absence of the adjustment mode for power saving mode is a technical idea of the present invention. Has no effect. Further, the technical idea of the present invention also includes a relationship focusing only on the adjustment mode for normal use (for non-power saving mode) and a relationship focusing only on the adjustment mode for power saving mode (in the first and second embodiments). The same applies to all disclosed forms). Further, for all the embodiments disclosed in the first to third embodiments, at least two of them can be combined. That is, the present invention also includes a configuration in which various configuration examples according to the first and third embodiments relating to volume adjustment and the second embodiment relating to light intensity adjustment are appropriately combined. Further, the third embodiment is closely related to the first embodiment, and can exert the action and effect described in the first embodiment.

It may be a configuration in which one or a plurality of all the embodiments described above (including all the configurations and modifications described in each embodiment) are combined, and the contents described in each embodiment are limited to individual embodiments. It is not limited.

In each of the embodiments described above, a pachinko gaming machine using a gaming ball as a gaming medium has been described, but the pachinko gaming machine is not particularly limited as long as it can achieve the object of the present invention. For example, a game machine that uses a game medal as a game medium, a game machine that uses a game medium that uses electromagnetic recording (so-called “managed game machine”), a rotating body type game machine, or the like may be used.

The present invention is useful for gaming machines.

1 game machine,
2 Front frame (door),
3, 3a game board, game area,
19 Game ball payout device,
20 Main control unit (main control board),
24 Production control unit (Production control board, LCD control board)
28 Launch control board,
29 Payout control board,
34, 34a Upper start port, upper start port sensor 35, 35a Lower start port, lower start port sensor,
37, 37a Normal symbol start port, normal symbol start port sensor,
38a, 38b special symbol display device,
39a Ordinary symbol display device,
50, 52a Large winning opening, large winning opening sensor 41, 41c Ordinary variable winning device, ordinary electric accessory solenoid,
52, 52c Special variable winning device, large winning opening solenoid,
36, 45, 46 Liquid crystal display, decorative lamp, speaker,
49 out mouth,
94 setting key switch,
95 setting change switch,
96 Setting change completion switch,
97 Setting indicator,
98 RAM clear switch,
201, 202, 203 Main control CPU, main control ROM, main control RAM,
241 242, 243 effect control CPU, effect control ROM, effect control RAM

Claims (1)

Sound output means and
Display means and
A first operating means that is arranged in a position where the player cannot see and is capable of performing the first setting operation related to the sound output means.
It is provided with a second operating means which is arranged at a position where the player can see and can perform a second setting operation related to the sound output means.
A gaming machine capable of sound output control by the sound output means based on the setting contents set by the first setting operation and the second setting operation.
Based on the first setting operation, a setting means capable of setting any one of a plurality of setting values having different settable ranges for the second setting operation, and
Based on the second setting operation, an adjusting means capable of adjusting the volume from a predetermined minimum volume to a maximum volume corresponding to the set value set by the setting means is provided.
A level meter indicating the number of steps in which the volume can be adjusted can be displayed on the display means.
The plurality of set values include at least a first set value and a second set value.
The maximum volume in the second set value is smaller than the maximum volume in the first set value.
The number of adjustable steps in the second setting operation differs between the first set value and the second set value.
At least the total number of level meters displayed by the first set value and the second set value is the same, and the number of level meters that the player can adjust is different.
The initial position of the volume stage when any of the set values is set by the setting means is the same regardless of whether the set set value is the first set value or the second set value. The same volume level on the common display
A game machine characterized by that.