JP2023101825A - game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To create a game machine having high convenience to a manager of a game house or a player.SOLUTION: In a game machine including a frame bottom part, a prescribed substrate, and a substrate case for covering the prescribed substrate, the substrate case has a prescribed heat radiation port, and is constituted such that the frame bottom part is not positioned on the vertical lower side of the prescribed heat radiation port.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 88

Description

Regarding gaming machines.

Among game machines, there are game machines having operable operation members, frame bottoms, ball trays, and the like.

JP 2010-046387 A JP 2012-210475 A

Even with the operable operating member, the bottom of the frame, and the ball tray, there is still room for improvement in terms of convenience for the manager of the game arcade and the players.

a frame bottom;
a predetermined substrate;
a substrate case covering the predetermined substrate;
with
The board case has a predetermined heat dissipation port,
A gaming machine, wherein the frame bottom portion is not positioned vertically below the predetermined heat radiation port.

The game machine can be highly convenient for the manager of the game hall and the players.

It is a front view of the pachinko game machine to be assumed. It is a perspective view in the front direction of the pachinko game machine with the frame member opened. It is the perspective view of the back direction of the state which opened the frame member of the said pachinko game machine. It is a perspective view showing a game board attached to the pachinko game machine assumed. It is a functional block diagram of the pachinko game machine to be assumed. It is a diagram showing the transition of the game state of the pachinko gaming machine to be assumed. It is a diagram showing the power-on processing of the main control board of the pachinko gaming machine to be assumed. It is a figure which shows the game stop state setting process during the said power-on process. It is a diagram showing the interrupt processing of the main control board of the pachinko gaming machine to be assumed. It is a figure which shows the success-or-failure lottery table of the pachinko game machine which is assumed. It is a diagram showing a winning symbol lottery table of the premise pachinko gaming machine. It is a diagram showing a variation pattern lottery table during the low base state of the pachinko gaming machine to be assumed. It is a diagram showing a variation pattern lottery table during the high base state of the pachinko gaming machine to be assumed. It is a diagram showing a special variation pattern lottery table that is referred to during a limited period of the pachinko gaming machine that is assumed. It is a diagram showing the power-on processing of the effect control board of the pachinko game machine to be assumed. It is a diagram showing the interrupt processing of the effect control board of the pachinko game machine to be assumed. It is a diagram showing a game effect of symbol variation display (decorative symbol stop display) during normal game (low probability/low base) of the premised pachinko gaming machine. It is a figure showing the game production|presentation of the situation where the ready-to-win production|presentation with high expectation which becomes a big hit of the premise pachinko game machine is performed. It is a diagram showing a game effect in a state in which a jackpot game is being executed in the pachinko gaming machine as a premise. It is a diagram showing a game effect during operation of the electric chew support function, which is a specific game state (high probability or low probability/high base) of the premised pachinko game machine. It is a figure which shows the housing|casing exterior perspective view of a slot machine. It is a figure which shows the back surface of a front panel. It is a figure which shows a housing|casing inner surface. It is a figure which shows a functional block. 4 is a flowchart showing program start processing; 4 is a flowchart showing power-off processing; 4 is a flowchart showing interrupt processing; 7 is a flowchart showing power-off recovery processing; It is a flowchart which shows game progress main. 4 is a flowchart showing setting change processing; FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing advantageous section clear counter management processing; FIG. It is a figure which shows the pattern arrangement|sequence in 1st Embodiment. It is a diagram showing a list of symbol combinations that can be displayed as a result of the combination lottery in the first embodiment. It is a diagram showing a list of symbol combinations that can be displayed as a result of the combination lottery in the first embodiment. It is a diagram showing a list of symbol combinations that can be displayed as a result of the combination lottery in the first embodiment. It is a diagram showing a list of symbol combinations forming a winning combination in the first embodiment. It is a diagram showing a list of symbol combinations forming a winning combination in the first embodiment. It is a diagram showing a list of symbol combinations forming a winning combination in the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing numbers set for each winning combination in the first embodiment; It is a figure which shows the RT transition diagram in 1st Embodiment. 4 is a flowchart showing determination of an L mode number in the first embodiment; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the transmission of the light emitted from the reel sheet and the LED attached to the structural house lamp in the house lamp in the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a comparison when a pattern area is provided on the reel sheet in the second embodiment; FIG. 13 is a diagram showing scenario numbers, scenario selection ratios for each set value, and production scenarios corresponding to each scenario in one advantageous section in the third embodiment; It is a figure which shows the pattern arrangement|sequence in 4th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the list of the symbol combination which can be displayed by the result of the role lottery in 4th Embodiment. It is a diagram showing a list of symbol combinations forming a winning combination in the fourth embodiment. FIG. 20 is a diagram showing numbers set for each winning combination in the fourth embodiment; FIG. It is a figure which shows the RT transition diagram in 4th Embodiment. It is a timing chart diagram showing the end timing of the MB-A game in the fourth embodiment. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the medal|token insertion timing and reel control in this example. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the relationship between the reel unit and the reel unit upper screw in this example. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the relationship between the opening on the rear surface of the reel unit and the upper screw of the reel unit in this example. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the relationship between the opening on the rear surface of the reel unit, the central display board protection cover, and the upper screw of the reel unit in this example. FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of a reel unit having upper and lower reel unit openings in this example. FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of a reel unit having a reel unit full-surface opening in this example. FIG. 11 is an operation explanatory cross-sectional view part 1 for explaining the operation principle of the effect input button in the fifth embodiment; FIG. 21 is an operation explanatory cross-sectional view part 2 for explaining the principle of operation of the effect input button in the fifth embodiment; FIG. 11 is a first diagram illustrating a problem with the effect input button in the fifth embodiment; FIG. 11 is a second diagram for explaining a defect of the effect input button in the fifth embodiment; FIG. 11 is a first explanatory diagram of countermeasures for preventing the light source destruction defect of the effect input button in the fifth embodiment; It is a figure explaining arrangement|positioning of the light source of the production|presentation input button in 5th Embodiment, and a screw. There is a countermeasure explanatory diagram No. 2 for preventing the light source destruction defect of the effect input button in the fifth embodiment. It is a figure explaining the mechanism which reduces the malfunction (eccentric movement) of the production|presentation input button in 5th Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the irradiation range of the light source of the production|presentation input button in 5th Embodiment. FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram of light source destruction caused by a failure in the depression mechanism of the effect input button in the fifth embodiment; It is a figure explaining the vibration transmission from the performance button of pachinko in 6th Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the vibration transmission from the performance button of pachinko in 6th Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the vibration transmission from the performance button of pachinko in 6th Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the vibration transmission from the performance button of pachinko in 6th Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the vibration transmission from the performance button of pachinko in 6th Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the vibration transmission displacement from the performance button of pachinko in 6th Embodiment. FIG. 20 is a diagram for explaining vibration transmission from effect buttons of the slot machine in the seventh embodiment; FIG. 20 is a diagram for explaining vibration transmission from effect buttons of the slot machine in the seventh embodiment; FIG. 20 is a diagram for explaining vibration transmission from effect buttons of the slot machine in the seventh embodiment; FIG. 20 is a diagram for explaining vibration transmission from effect buttons of the slot machine in the seventh embodiment; FIG. 20 is a diagram for explaining vibration transmission from effect buttons of the slot machine in the seventh embodiment; It is a figure explaining the vibration transmission displacement from the production|presentation button of the slot machine in 7th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows sectional drawing (a) (b) which shows sensor detection piece operation|movement in 8th Embodiment, and the memory area of RAM. FIG. 22 is a diagram for explaining chattering when high active determination is employed in the eighth embodiment; FIG. 22 is a diagram for explaining chattering when low active determination is employed in the eighth embodiment; It is a bottom view regarding a lower ball plate. It is an image figure about a lower ball plate. It is an image figure about a lower ball plate. It is a rear view of the gaming machine. FIG. 10 is an image diagram of a RAM clear button and an error cancel button; FIG. 10 is an image diagram of a RAM clear button and an error cancel button; It is a side view of the frame bottom of the gaming machine. It is an image figure regarding the thermal radiation port of a payment|withdrawal control board case. It is an image figure regarding the thermal radiation port of a payment|withdrawal control board case. FIG. 2 is an image diagram of a plurality of speakers; FIG.

(Prerequisite technology)
Hereinafter, a pachinko game machine (hereinafter referred to as "prerequisite technology") on which the present invention is based will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 and 3 show a pachinko game machine as a representative example of the pachinko game machine according to the base technology, and FIG. 4 shows a game board provided in this pachinko game machine. First, the mechanical configuration of the pachinko game machine will be described with reference to these figures. In the following description, for convenience, the directions indicated by the arrows in FIG. 2 are referred to as the front-rear direction, the left-right direction, and the up-down direction.

[Machine configuration of pachinko machine]
First, the basic structure of the front side of the pachinko game machine P will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pachinko game machine P is configured in a rectangular outer shape, and is attached to the front of the opening of the outer frame P1 fixed in the game facility so that the front frame P2, which is square in size to match the opening of the outer frame P1, is horizontally opened, opened, and detachable by means of upper and lower hinge mechanisms (upper hinge portion 10, lower hinge portion 20) arranged on the left side edges of the front of each other.

A game board P5 and a glass frame P3 are detachably set on the front frame P2. The glass frame P3 has a rectangular shape, and is mounted and held on the front side of the front frame P2 so as to be able to open and close and be detachably opened laterally using upper and lower hinge mechanisms (upper hinge portion 10, lower hinge portion 20). The game board P5 is detachably set on the front side of the front frame P2, and the player can visually recognize the game area P501 provided on the front side of the game board P5 through the glass P301 of the glass frame P3 which is closed and held. Further, the front frame P2 and the glass frame P3 are rotated in either the left or right direction by inserting a key into a keyhole of a locking part P30 provided on the front right edge of the pachinko game machine P, thereby unlocking the outer frame P1 and the front frame P2 or unlocking the front frame P2 and the glass frame P3 depending on the direction of rotation. As a specific example, when the key is inserted into the keyhole of the locking portion P30 and turned rightward, the locking of the outer frame P1 and the front frame P2 is unlocked, and when the key is inserted into the keyhole of the locking portion P30 and turned leftward, the front frame P2 and the glass frame P3 are unlocked.

Under the glass frame P3, upper and lower ball trays P340 (upper ball tray P341 and lower ball tray P342) for storing game balls are provided. Further, the glass frame P3 is provided with an effect lamp P350 that emits light according to the development of the game, and an upper speaker P370 capable of outputting sounds such as sound effects according to the development of the game. At the center of the lower part of the glass frame P3, an effect operation means P380 for performing a predetermined effect operation is attached, and the effect operation means P380 possessed by the pachinko game machine shown as the underlying technology comprises a push input type button P381 and a tilting operation type lever P382. When the operating means itself is displaced to a state of protruding upward (input permitting state), the operation input is enabled (a plurality of operations are possible with one performance operating means).

A handle P204 is provided at the lower right portion of the front frame P2 for controlling the shooting operation of the game ball and the shooting intensity. A shooting device unit P240 is further provided at the lower part of the front frame P2. Although not shown, a ball feeding mechanism P241 (sometimes referred to as a ball feeding unit) that feeds out the game balls stored in the upper ball tray P341 one by one, a shooting device P242 that has a firing mechanism (a ball-striking hammer driven by a rotary solenoid) that shoots out the game balls fed from the ball feeding mechanism toward the game area P501, the ball feeding mechanism P241 and the shooting device P24. 2, and a firing control board P243 for synchronously controlling the operation of the two.

As shown in FIG. 4, the game board P5 (game board unit) is configured with a base material formed in a rectangular flat plate shape using transparent synthetic resin or wood. 1 is a front view of the pachinko game machine P including the game board P5, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the game board unit P5. FIG. 4 shows a state in which the production accessory P560 (also called "movable production device", "movable production body", "movable production accessory", etc.) provided in the game board unit is in operation. The front face of the game board P5 is provided with an arc-shaped outer rail P502 arranged from the lower left part to the upper right part, an arc-shaped inner rail P503 arranged from the vicinity of the lower center of the game board to the inner side of the outer rail P502 from the lower left part to the upper left part, and a rail decoration P504 formed in a curved shape opened to the left and arranged between the end of the outer rail P502 at the upper right part and the lower part of the board surface. 2, an inner rail P503, and a rail decoration P504, a substantially circular game area P501 is defined inside. This game area P501 has a left area P501L (left-handed area) that is an area on the left side of the center role P540 and a right area P501R (right-handed area) that is an area on the right side of the center role P540. Further, the outer rail and the inner rail form a guide passage for guiding the game ball launched by the launcher unit P240 to the game area P501.

In the game area P501, along with a large number of game nails P510 and a windmill P511 (not shown), there are a first start winning port P711 (first starting port), a second starting winning port P721 (second starting port), a general winning port P731, a general drawing operation port P741 (universal drawing operation gate device), a large winning prize port P751 (attacker), etc. ) are provided. It should be noted that the number of the big prize winning opening may be one, or it may be configured to have a plurality of openings. Further, in this specification, regarding the structure of the ball-entering device, the game ball is discharged after entering the ball-entering device, or further flows down the game area P501 after entering the ball-entering device (gate type), and the detection of the game ball by the internal detection switch is referred to as "entering ball" or "winning (especially, the one where winning balls are generated)". have a case. Also, the ball entry device is sometimes referred to as a ball entry port, and the prize winning device is sometimes referred to as a prize winning port.

In addition, at the lower right of the game area P501, the main control display device P50, such as the first special symbol display device P51, the second special symbol display device P52, the normal symbol display device P53, etc., whose lighting is controlled by the main control board described later, is arranged intensively. A center accessory P540 is arranged substantially in the center of the game area P501, and the screen of the effect display device P80 is provided so as to be visible through the opening of the center accessory P540. Above the center accessory P540, etc., there is provided a production accessory P560 (movable accessory device) that performs a production operation according to the development of the game. At the lower end of the game area P501, there is provided an out port P790 through which game balls that have flowed down without entering the winning ports of various ball entry devices can pass. Game balls that have entered the prize-winning openings of various prize-winning devices or have flowed into the outlet P790 flow down to the rear side of the game board P5 through a through hole (not shown) formed through the game board P5, are collected in a collection passage (played ball passage) at the bottom of the front frame P2, and pass through an out-ball sensor P792 (shot ball number sensor) provided at the bottom of the front frame for detecting the total number of shot game balls. discharged to the outside.

The first starting winning device P710 is provided as a starting winning device corresponding to the first special symbol game. This first start winning device P710 is provided with a first start winning opening P711 into which a game ball can enter. The entry of the game ball into the first start prize winning port P711 is a trigger for acquisition of the random number used for the lottery related to the first special symbol, and the lottery related to the first special symbol is executed based on the entry of the game ball into the first start prize winning port P711 at the timing immediately after the ball enters or after the holding period has elapsed.

The second starting winning device P720 is provided as a starting winning device corresponding to the second special symbol game. This second starting prize winning device P720 is provided with a second starting prize winning port P721 into which a game ball can enter, and an ordinary electric accessory P770 which is a movable body which switches to a state in which the ball enters the second starting prize winning port P721 easily when winning a normal symbol lottery to be described later. The entry of the game ball into the second starting prize winning port P721 triggers the random number used for the lottery related to the second special symbol, and the lottery related to the second special symbol is executed after the timing immediately after the ball entering the second starting winning prize port P721 or after the holding period elapses. The second start winning device P721 changes into an open state in which a game ball can or easily enters the second start winning port P721 and a closed state in which a game ball cannot or is difficult to enter the second start winning port P721 by the action of the normal electric accessory P770. In other words, the second start winning device P720 has a structure in which it is difficult for the game ball to enter the second start winning port unless it is displaced to the open state, and when it is opened at a predetermined opportunity (a chance to win the normal symbol lottery) to be described later, the ease of entry of the game ball increases. Various forms of the structure of the ordinary electric accessory P770 are known, and there are cases where the structure does not change the ease of entering a ball by opening the movable body P771. Therefore, the "open state" and "closed state" are sometimes referred to as "easy-entering state (easy-entering state)" and "difficult-entering state (difficult-entering state)", respectively.

The general winning device P730 has a left general winning device P730L arranged in the left hitting area P501L and a right general winning device P730R arranged in the right hitting area P501R. In the pachinko gaming machine P according to the present base technology, the left general prize winning device P730L is configured as one unit with three general prize winning ports P731La to P731Lc, while the right general prize winning device P730R is configured as part of the big prize winning device P750 to be described later. Entry of a game ball into the general winning hole P731 triggers the payout of prize balls as with other winning devices. It should be noted that the number and positions of the general winning openings P731 of the pachinko game machine, which are assumed, are merely an example, and may be configured to be arranged only in the right-handed area P501R.

The normal pattern operation gate device P740 (normal pattern operation port) is provided as a starting entrance ball corresponding to the normal pattern game. This normal figure operation gate device P740 is provided with an operation gate P741 through which a game ball can pass, and the entered game ball is configured to be able to further flow downstream of the game area of the game board. Passage of the game ball to the operation gate P741 triggers a normal symbol lottery for determining whether or not to open the second starting prize winning device P720, that is, whether or not to operate the normal electric accessory P770. As a modification, it is also possible to configure the above-described general winning port P731 to have the function that triggers the normal symbol lottery.

The big winning device P750 has a big winning opening P751 (special electric accessory P755) that opens and closes when the lottery result of the first special symbol lottery or the second special symbol lottery results in a big win or a small win, and is sometimes called an "attacker (device)". The big winning device P750 changes into an open state in which a game ball can or easily enters the big winning opening P751 (for example, a state in which a special electric accessory is activated P755) and a closed state in which a game ball cannot or is difficult to enter the big winning opening P751 (for example, a state in which the special electric accessory P755 is inactive). In the jackpot game, a plurality of round games (unit games) accompanied by opening and closing operations of the jackpot P751 are performed. Even when the special electric accessory P755 is activated, the movable body P756 that constitutes the big winning opening P751 may be closed due to a series of activation patterns (also referred to as "open pattern").

In addition, depending on the specifications of the gaming machine, the big winning device P750 may be provided with a specific area P760 (called "V zone", "V area", and depending on the function, called "probability change function operating area", "continuous area", etc.) through which game balls can pass. Functions related to this "specific area" include (a) activating a probability variation function (described later) after a big win game when passing through a specific area during a big win game, (b) activating a role product continuous operation device (a flag for continuously operating a special electric role product) when passing a specific area during a big win game, and granting the right to execute a big win game, and (c) determining whether or not a specific area has been passed in a specific round during a big win game. Based on this, execution of subsequent rounds may be deterministic or non-executable. An opening/closing member P761 (valve member), which is a structure for changing the ease of passage, may be provided for the "specific area", and the flow path may be divided by the action of the opening/closing member P761 to pass through the specific area P760 or other non-specific areas. Also, during the big hit game or the small hit game, it may have a period during which the passage of the game ball in the specific area P761 is valid and a period during which it is invalid.

Incidentally, in the pachinko gaming machine P as a premise, the big winning device P750 is provided in the right area P501R (right hitting area) in the game area P501. Therefore, in the big-hit game or the small-hit game, when the game ball is shot toward the game area P501, the ball can be easily entered into the big winning hole P751 by hitting the right side area P501R, i.e. hitting the right side.

Next, the basic structure of the back side of the pachinko game machine P, which is the premise, will be described. On the rear side of the front frame, a back set unit P4 having a front-to-rear communicating window is mounted for mounting the game board unit P5 in the center. The back set unit P4 includes a storage tank P401 for storing a large number of game balls supplied from the gaming facility, a gutter member P402 for letting the game balls flow down from the storage tank P401, a prize ball payout unit P410 for putting out the game balls guided by the gutter member, and a back side passage member P403 for letting the game balls put out from the prize ball payout unit P410 flow down to the upper ball tray P341 or the lower ball tray P342. etc. are provided. In addition, on the game ball flow-down path from the storage tank P401 to the ball tray P340, there is provided a ball removal mechanism (a ball removal operation lever P405, a valve member P406 that forms a flow path for removing the game ball from the flow path in conjunction with the operation lever).

On the back side of the game board P5, a main control board P40 for comprehensively controlling the game progress of the pachinko game machine P, a performance control board P41 for controlling the overall performance in accordance with the game progress accompanying the control of the main control board P40, an image control board P42 for controlling the image display according to the game development, etc. are attached. Note that, in the pachinko game machine P of the underlying technology, the effect control board P41 and the image control board P42 form an effect display unit in an assembled state integrated with the effect display device P80 (liquid crystal display device). On the other hand, on the back side of the back set unit P4, a payout control board P43 for controlling the payout of game balls, a power board P44 (not shown) that receives power from the game facility side and supplies power to various control boards and electric/electronic parts, etc. are attached. In addition, in order to prevent unauthorized modification, these control boards are arranged at predetermined positions on the back of the game board P5 or the back of the back set unit P4 in an assembly state housed in a board case made of transparent resin having a caulking structure and a sealing structure. These control boards and the electric/electronic parts of each part of the pachinko game machine are connected to each other via harnesses (connector cables), so that the pachinko game machine P is configured to allow the progress of games and the execution of effects.

[Function block]
FIG. 5 shows functional blocks of a pachinko game machine as a premise.

The pachinko game machine has a power supply board P44 that generates power to be used in the game machine based on AC power supplied from the outside of the game machine, a main control board P40 (main control CPU) that controls the basic game operations and progress of the game, a payout control board P43 (payout control CPU) as a frame control device that controls the payout of prize balls and the shooting of game balls, and a performance control board P41 that controls performance operations and processes. morphology. In addition, the arrows shown in the figure indicate upper transmission/reception relationships by solid-line arrows and electrical connection relationships by broken-line arrows.

By operating a power switch P47 provided on the board, the power board P44 generates and supplies power necessary for operation to a main control board P40, a performance control board P41, a payout control board P43, and various game devices electrically connected thereto, which will be described later. Although the details will be described later, since the power-on operation of the power switch P47 is a switch operation that triggers the start of processing of information related to the settings of the gaming machine, the power switch is protected by being covered with an open/close cover to prevent unauthorized operation.

The main control board P40 includes the first start winning port P711 (special 1 starting port switch P712), the second starting winning port P721 (special 2 starting port switch P722), the large winning port P751 (large winning port switch P752), the general winning port P741 (universal drawing operating port switch P742), and other detection switches, the general winning port P731 (left general winning port, right general winning port). , Out port P790 and other detection switches related to game progress, setting key switch P49, vibration detection sensor P72, magnet sensor P73, and other switches and sensors used for management and fraud monitoring of various games. The main control board obtains input of information related to the occurrence of various game states from these switches, determines control details related to the progress of the game, and is composed of solenoids, etc., and is driven to expand the big winning opening P751 at the time of a big win or a small win. Outputs information related to

A sensor or the like connected to the main control board P40 is connected to a terminal called an input port on the main control board, and notifies the main control board P40 of the occurrence of various game states based on sensor detection as information, and receives information output from a terminal called an output port, such as a special electric accessory drive means P70, a normal electric accessory drive means P71, and a launch permission signal for the launcher P242, to control each device.

In addition, the main control board P40 includes special symbol display devices P51 and P52 that perform variable display of the first special symbol and second special symbol, round indicator light P54 that notifies the type (number of rounds) of big hits and small wins, main control display device P50 that performs various displays such as status indicator light P55 that notifies the game state, and performance display device P that displays the performance of the game machine (for example, the base value during the normal game, that is, the ratio of the number of prize balls to the total number of shots). 59 and so on. Regarding the "base value", there are various other accounting methods such as data that excludes the winning of the start winning opening P711, etc., but will be explained separately when necessary in the present invention, and the details will be omitted in the explanation of the pachinko gaming machine that is the premise.

In addition to the above, the main control board P40 is configured to be electrically connectable to devices outside the gaming machine through an external information output terminal P77, a test terminal P78, etc., and transmits and receives various control signals to and from each of them. The main control board P40 is also electrically connected to the effect control board P41 and the payout control board P43, which are other control boards in the gaming machine.

The payout control board P43 controls the payout of prize balls by the payout device P410 based on signals indicating the payout of prize balls and the control state of the main control board transmitted from the main control board P40, and also controls the shooting of game balls by the launcher unit P240 in response to the player's operation of the handle P204. The payout device P410 has, for example, a payout motor P411 and a ball counting sensor P412, and is configured to be able to pay out game balls one by one by the rotation of the payout motor P411. A shooting device (shooting device unit) P240 is configured to move the game balls staying in the ball tray P340 (upper ball tray P341) one by one to a shooting position by a ball feeding unit P241, and then hit the game balls with a hitting mallet to shoot the game balls. The payout control board P43 is provided with a ram clear switch P48 mainly used for initializing the game machine and canceling errors that occur during the game, and operation information of the ram clear switch P48 is input to the main control board via a harness or connector used for connecting the payout control board P43 and the main control board P40.

The production control board P41 includes a production display device P80, a drive source and position detection sensors for production movable accessories P560 (for example, a drive motor, an initial position detection sensor, a production position detection sensor), a speaker P83 (upper speaker P370, a lower speaker 141), a production input device unit P380 (for example, production operation means P81, production button P381, production lever P382, cross key P383, etc.), production lamp P82 ("decorative lamp", "board lamp"). (P550)” and “frame lamp (P350)”), and various control signals are transmitted and received between them. Also, the effect control board P42 and the effect display device P80 may be connected via an image control board P42 (VDP) or the like that controls the display of the effect display device P80 (for example, a device that displays an image such as a liquid crystal display device). In addition, in the pachinko game machine, which is the premise, the speaker P83 is configured to be controlled by the performance control board P41, but a voice control board having an IC for voice control or the like is separately provided to control the speaker P83.

Transmission and reception of data between the main control board P40 and the effect control board P41 is performed by unidirectional data transmission/reception so as to be in one direction from the main control board P40 to the effect control board P41. Since the unidirectionality of data transmission from the main control board P40 to the performance control board P41 is maintained, the data cannot be transmitted from the configuration included in the performance control board P41 to the configuration included in the main control board P40, nor can the data transmission be requested. Therefore, the effect control board P41 cannot refer to the information unless the information generated by the main control board P40 is transmitted. Incidentally, in the pachinko game machine P assumed here, data transmission and reception are performed bidirectionally between the main control board P40 and the payout control board P43. However, as in the case between the main control board P40 and the performance control board P41, it may be configured to transmit and receive data in one direction from the main control board P40 to the payout control board P43.

[Basic game progression]
Next, the basic game progress and game method in the pachinko game machine P as the underlying technology configured as described above will be described for each game state. The "game state" is roughly divided into a "normal game state" and a "special game state" in which game balls are easier to obtain than in the normal game state. The ``normal game state'' is a state in which the aim is to acquire the right to transition to the ``special game state''. Among the normal game states, there are multiple game states that differ in the degree of advantage for the player in acquiring the right to transition to the special game state. . The ``special game state'' corresponds to the so-called ``big win game'' and ``small win game'', and means a state in which the main control board P40 drives the special electric accessory driving means P70 to open the big winning hole P751, thereby facilitating acquisition of game balls.

[Normal game state (low probability / low base state)]
First, the game method and the progress of the game in the normal game state will be explained. It should be noted that the normal game state described here refers to the "normal game state (low probability/low base state)" (see FIG. 6) excluding the specific game state, and generally describes the game state in which the player starts the game. The game method, the progress of the game, and the terms "low (high) probability" and "low (high) base" in the specific game state will be described later.

As a game method in the normal game state (low probability/low base state), first, the player operates the handle P204 to shoot a game ball toward the game area P501 provided on the game board P5. In the premise pachinko game machine P, in the normal game state (low probability/low base state), the player operates the operation amount of the handle P204 so that the game ball is shot toward the left area P501L (left hitting area) of the game area.

When a player shoots a game ball into the left area P501L of the game area, the shot game ball flows down the game area P501, and is displaced in the flowing direction by a game nail P510 (also called an "obstacle nail" or a "nail") or a windmill P511 (not shown). Alternatively, the ball enters (wins) the general winning hole P731L of the left general winning device, or enters the out hole P790 as a played game ball without entering any of the winning holes. When the ball enters the first start winning hole P711 or the general winning hole P731, the main control board P40 outputs information (control command) to the payout control board P43 to release the number of prize balls determined for each winning hole, and the player wins new game balls by paying out the prize balls.

Here, a special figure 1 start opening switch P712 is arranged inside the first start winning opening P711, and the game ball detection information of the special figure 1 starting opening switch P712 is input to the main control board P40 when the ball enters the first start winning opening P711 as a game state (game result) that can occur when the player shoots the game ball to the left side area P501L in the game area.

When the main control board P40 receives the input of the game ball detection information from the special figure 1 starter switch P712, it pays out a predetermined number of game balls, and also acquires a random value for performing a lottery related to the control of the first special symbol. There are several methods for acquiring random numbers, such as acquiring random numbers generated by a random number generating circuit on an electric circuit based on the detection of game balls (hard latch), executing processing to acquire random numbers from the random number generating circuit when the control device of the main control board P40 confirms information on the detection of game balls in software processing, or acquiring random numbers updated by software (soft latch). is also possible. It should be noted that when the ball enters the general winning slot, the random number related to the special symbol is not acquired, and only the prize ball is paid out.

A lottery related to the control of the first special symbol is a "special symbol lottery", and the "special symbol lottery" includes a "win/fail lottery", a "winning symbol lottery", and a "fluctuation pattern lottery". The "win/fail lottery" is a process of determining whether the lottery result using the acquired random number is a "big hit" or a "loss" (depending on the specifications of the gaming machine, the lottery result may include a "minor win"). The ``hit symbol lottery'' (sometimes simply referred to as ``symbol lottery'') is a process of determining the display pattern of the stop display symbol indicating the result of the lottery on the special symbol display device P51 (P52) of the main control display device P50. It is possible to make the execution mode of the game different. "Variation pattern lottery" is a process of determining at what timing the stop display pattern indicating the result of the winning lottery is to be displayed in the special symbol display device P51 (P52), and determines the time (referred to as "variation display time" and "variation pattern") in which the special symbol display device P51 (P52) performs a variation display indicating that the special symbol lottery has been executed. It is common to use different random numbers for ``win-win lottery'', ``win pattern lottery'', and ``fluctuation pattern lottery'', respectively. In addition, the lottery related to the control of the second special symbol, which is performed based on detecting the game ball of the special figure 2 starting port switch P722, is also the same "special symbol lottery". Also, the explanation about the "special symbol lottery" will be described later.

Returning to the description of the game method in the normal game state (low probability/low base state), in the normal game state (low probability/low base state), the player shoots the game ball into the left area P501L of the game area, enters the game ball into the first start winning opening P711, executes the lottery related to the first special symbol (special symbol lottery), and the special symbol indicating "big win" ("small win") on the special symbol display device. is displayed, a game aiming to acquire the execution right of the special game is performed.

In the process of receiving the special symbol lottery, the variable display of the special symbols is performed according to the time determined by the variation pattern lottery, but in the premise pachinko game machine P, when there is a new start winning opening (first start winning opening P711, second start winning opening P721) during the variable display period of the special symbols, a random value corresponding to the execution right of the special symbol lottery of a predetermined number of times is temporarily stored. It has a hold function to In the premised pachinko game machine P, as a holding function corresponding to the special symbol lottery based on the winning of the first start winning hole P711, it is possible to suspend the special symbol lottery up to four times. The holding function can be set for each special pattern, and in the Pachinko game machine P of the underlying technology, apart from the holding of the first special pattern, the holding function of the special pattern lottery for the second special pattern is also capable of holding the random number used for the special pattern lottery up to four times.

In this way, in the normal game state (low probability/low base state), the player shoots the game ball to the left area P501L of the game area and causes the special symbol lottery related to the first special symbol to be executed. In the special pattern lottery, when the lottery result of the special game state such as ``big hit'' or ``minor win'' is won and acquisition of the right to shift to the special game state is displayed on the special pattern display device, the game state of the pachinko game machine P shifts to the special game state.

[Special game state]
Next, the game method and progress of the game in the special game state will be explained. The special game state includes a "big win (game)" and a "small win (game)", but both are states in which the special electric role product P755 is activated, that is, a drive signal is output from the main control board P40 to the special electric role product driving means P70, and the big winning opening P751 is in an easy-to-enter state. The big difference is that the "small hit" ends with one operation of the special electric role product. Another difference is that in the operation of the special electric role (jackpot) based on the operation of the accessory continuous actuating device, it is possible to make the operation of the special electric role P755 more advantageous to the player. Specifically, the total opening time of the big winning opening P751 in the operating state of the accessory continuous operating device (jackpot) is allowed up to 30 seconds, while the total opening time of the big winning opening P751 in the small winning is limited to 1.8 seconds. There is a point to be made. In the following description of the game method and the progress of the game in the special game state, the jackpot will be described as an example.

The progress of the special game in the pachinko gaming machine P, which is the base technology, is performed in chronological order, and includes an effect period called a "special game start demo" (in the case of a big win, it is called a "jackpot start demo" or a "role combination operation start demo", and in the case of a small win, it is called a "minor win start demo") for informing the player that various special games have been won; The operation period of the special electric role P755 of the time and the ``special game end demo'' (referred to as ``jack end demo'', ``role combination operation end demo'', etc. in the case of a big win, and ``small win end demo'' in the case of a small win).

Next, the game method during each special game period described above will be described. First, during the "special game start demo" period, in the pachinko machine P of the underlying technology, the large winning opening P751 is arranged in the right area P501R (right hitting area) of the game area, and even if a game ball is shot into the left area P501L, which is the same as the normal game state (low probability/low base state), the ball entering the large winning opening P751 can hardly be expected. Before the start of the trick, a right-hand hitting notification performance for prompting the player to shoot the game ball to the right-hand side area P501R (right-hand hitting area) of the game area is executed by using a performance display device P80, speakers (lower speaker P141, upper speaker P370) and performance lamp P82. The player adjusts the amount of operation of the handle P204 to increase the shooting intensity of the game ball according to the right-handed informing performance, and changes the shooting position so that the game ball flows down to the right area P501R (right-handed area) of the game area (performs right-handed shooting).

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