JP2024051526A - Gaming Machines - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To enhance the appeal of illumination effects. [Solution] A color effect that uses light to produce an effect symbol game is performed using different illumination patterns PD1 to PD4. This adds diversity to the color effect, making it possible to enhance the appeal of the color effect. Furthermore, the "white" color of part of illumination pattern PD1 is used in the color effect of illumination pattern PD2, and the "red" color of part of illumination pattern PD1 is used in the color effect of illumination pattern PD3. This creates a visual correlation between illumination patterns PD1 to PD3 from the player's perspective, making it possible to further enhance the appeal of the color effect. [Selected Figure] Fig. 22

Description

The present invention relates to gaming machines such as pachinko machines.

The above gaming machines include those that judge whether or not a win has occurred when the gaming ball enters a specified starting area, and begin displaying an image of a symbol game if a win or loss has been determined. In the case of this gaming machine, if a win is determined, a win is notified to the player with an image of the symbol game, and then a special game is started in which the specified ball entry area is opened, and the special game is visually presented in response to the image of the special game being displayed during the special game.

JP 2011-131109 A

The above gaming machines include those that perform illumination effects and sound effects. Illumination effects involve flashing illumination devices in a certain pattern during symbol play and special play, while sound effects involve outputting sounds in a certain pattern from a sound device during symbol play and special play, and both leave room for improvement in terms of entertainment value.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a gaming machine that can enhance the entertainment value of its illumination and sound effects.

The gaming machine according to claim 1 includes a display control means (sub-control circuit 60) for displaying a game image (an image of a game pattern and an image of a big win game effect) on a predetermined display (a performance pattern display 28) when a game ball has effectively entered a predetermined start area (a first start hole 18 and a second start hole 23), an illumination control means (sub-control circuit 60) for performing an illumination effect in which the game image is presented with light in response to controlling a predetermined illumination device (an illumination device 29), and a sound control means (sub-control circuit 60) for presenting the game image with sound in response to controlling a predetermined sound device (a speaker 32). The illumination control means performs a first illumination effect (an illumination effect The illumination performances performed are a first illumination performance (color performance of illumination pattern PD1), a second illumination performance (color performance of illumination pattern PD3) that is different from the first illumination performance and has a part of the first illumination performance, and a third illumination performance (color performance of illumination pattern PD4) that is different from both the first illumination performance and the second illumination performance and has a part of the first illumination performance that is different from the second illumination performance, and the sound control means is characterized in that it performs a sound performance (BGM performance) having a common scale corresponding to each of the first illumination performance, the second illumination performance, and the third illumination performance.
According to the above means, the first to third illumination effects, which are different from each other, are performed as illumination effects that illuminate the game image with light. Therefore, the illumination effects are given diversity, and it is possible to enhance the entertainment value of the illumination effects. Moreover, the second illumination effect is performed with a part of the first illumination effect, and the third illumination effect is performed with a part of the first illumination effect that is different from the second illumination effect. Therefore, a visual correlation is generated between the first to third illumination effects from the player's perspective, and it is possible to further enhance the entertainment value of the illumination effects. Moreover, since a ringing effect having a common scale is performed corresponding to each of the first to third illumination effects, it is possible to suggest to the player by sound the connection between the three illumination effects, such as the fact that all three illumination effects suggest the reliability of a jackpot.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention (a perspective view showing the exterior of a pachinko game machine); A diagram showing a game board Diagram showing the front frame Block diagram showing electrical configuration (a) is a diagram showing a list of random number counters, (b) is a diagram showing a normal winning judgment table, (c) is a diagram showing a normal winning display time table, (d) is a diagram showing a normal winning pattern table, (e) is a diagram showing a jackpot judgment table, (f) is a diagram showing a fall judgment table, (g) is a diagram showing a special winning type table for special winning 1, (h) is a diagram showing a special winning type table for special winning 2, (i) is a diagram showing a special winning 1 area, and (j) is a diagram showing a special winning area. (a) is a diagram showing a special chart 1 variation pattern table, (b) is a diagram showing a special chart 2 variation pattern table 1, and (c) is a diagram showing a jackpot game pattern table. Flowchart showing the main process of the main control circuit Flowchart showing timer interrupt processing of the main control circuit Flowchart showing special diagram 2 processing of the main control circuit Flowchart showing the time-saving count update process of the main control circuit Flowchart showing the fall determination process of the main control circuit Flowchart showing the process of FIG. 1 of the main control circuit (a) is a diagram for explaining the transition of game modes, and (b) and (c) are diagrams for explaining the relationship between game modes and presentation modes. (a) to (d) are diagrams showing background images for each presentation mode, and (e) is a diagram showing a list of presentation contents for presentation pattern games. A diagram showing images of normal effects and simultaneous stop of all figures effects A diagram showing an image of a normal reach effect. A diagram showing an image of a special reach performance FIG. 13 shows a jackpot game performance image. FIG. 1A is a flowchart showing a fall avoidance warning effect process of a sub-control circuit, and FIG. 1B and FIG. 1C are diagrams showing a warning pattern table. (a) to (d) are diagrams showing images of fall avoidance notice performances, and (e) is a diagram showing a list of reach notice images. A diagram showing an image after the fall avoidance notice performance has ended. A diagram showing a list of illumination patterns for decorative lights FIG. 1A is a diagram showing an illumination pattern table, and FIG. 1B is a flowchart showing a color production process of a sub-control circuit. A diagram showing the time chart for special reach effects (a) is a flowchart showing the BGM production process of the sub-control circuit, and (b) to (e) are diagrams showing sound data. Flowchart showing main processing of the sub-control circuit Flowchart showing timer interrupt processing of the sub-control circuit Flowchart showing received command analysis processing of the sub-control circuit (a) is a flowchart showing a big win game performance start process of a sub-control circuit, (b) is a flowchart showing a big win game performance stop process, (c) is a flowchart showing a symbol game performance start process, and (d) is a flowchart showing a symbol game performance stop process. FIG. 2 shows a diagram of the second embodiment (a diagram showing a list of the big win notice effects) FIG. 1A is a flowchart showing the process of setting a frequent advance notice mode in a sub-control circuit; FIG. 1B and FIG. 1C are diagrams showing the selection probability of an advance notice pattern; A diagram showing an image of a specific preview performance FIG. 3 shows the third embodiment (a to f are diagrams showing step-up notice images, and g is a diagram showing the relationship between notice steps, illumination patterns, and sound patterns). FIG. 4 shows a fourth embodiment (a modified example of a specific preview performance) FIG. 5 shows a modification of the specific preview performance. FIG. 6 shows a sixth embodiment (a modified example of a specific preview performance) FIG. 13 shows Example 7 (a diagram showing a round promotion effect)

[Example 1]
1. Mechanical configuration of the gaming machine The outer frame 1 in Fig. 1 is installed on the table island of a pachinko parlor. The outer frame 1 is a vertically long rectangular frame with openings on the front and back, and an inner frame 3 is attached to the left end of the outer frame 1 via a hinge metal fitting 2. The inner frame 3 is a rectangular container with an opening on the front, and can be rotated relative to the outer frame 1 around the vertical axis of the hinge metal fitting 2 between a storage position stored in the outer frame 1 and a pull-out position pulled out forward from within the outer frame 1. A vertical, flat game board 4 is attached to the inner frame 3 as shown in Fig. 2. The game board 4 is made of a colorless, transparent synthetic resin, and covers the front opening of the inner frame 3 from the front.

As shown in FIG. 1, a front frame 5 is attached to the hinge metal fitting 2. This front frame 5 is a rectangular frame having an opening 6, and a colorless transparent window plate 7 that covers the opening 6 is fixed to the front frame 5. This front frame 5 can be rotated around the vertical axis of the hinge metal fitting 2 between a closed state in which the game board 4 is covered from the front and an open state in which the game board 4 is opened, and the window plate 7 faces the game board 4 from the front with a gap in between when the front frame 5 is in the closed state. As shown in FIG. 3, an upper tray 8 and a lower tray 9 are fixed to the front frame 5 in two layers, one above the other. The upper tray 8 is for storing game balls, and the lower tray 9 is for storing game balls that cannot be stored in the upper tray 8, and the upper tray 8 is equipped with an operation button 10 that can be operated by the player.

A launching device (not shown) is attached to the front frame 5. This launching device has a striking hammer that strikes the game balls and a launching motor that operates the striking hammer, and game balls are supplied to the striking hammer one by one from within the upper tray 8. This launching device supplies a new game ball to the striking hammer every time the striking hammer strikes a game ball, and a launching handle 11 is connected to the launching device, as shown in Figure 3. This launching handle 11 is attached to the lower right corner of the front frame 5 so that it can be rotated around an axis oriented in the front-to-rear direction, and the force with which the striking hammer strikes the game ball is adjusted according to the amount of operation (rotation angle) of the launching handle 11 in the clockwise direction.

As shown in FIG. 2, an outer rail 12 and an inner rail 13 are fixed to the front of the game board 4. An arc-shaped launch passage 14 is formed between the outer rail 12 and the inner rail 13, and game balls hit by the battering mallet rise from bottom to top within the launch passage 14. The outer rail 12 and the inner rail 13 define a game area 15 on the front of the game board 4. This game area 15 is a circular area connected to the exit at the top end of the launch passage 14, and game balls rising within the launch passage 14 are released into the game area 15 from the exit of the launch passage 14. A number of game nails (not shown) are driven into the game area 15, and game balls released into the game area 15 fall within the game area 15 while colliding with the game nails.

As shown in FIG. 2, a left-hand hitting area 16 and a right-hand hitting area 17 are set within the game area 15. The left-hand hitting area 16 is the area to the left of the center line of the game area 15, and when the amount of operation of the launch handle 11 in the clockwise direction is small, the game ball is released from the exit of the launch passage 14 into the left-hand hitting area 16. This hitting style in which the game ball is released into the left-hand hitting area 16 is called a left hit. The right-hand hitting area 17 is the area to the right of the center line of the game area 15, and when the amount of operation of the launch handle 11 in the clockwise direction is large, the game ball is released from the exit of the launch passage 14 through the left-hand hitting area 16 into the right-hand hitting area 17. This hitting style in which the game ball is released into the right-hand hitting area 17 is called a right hit.

As shown in FIG. 2, a first starting hole 18 is fixed within the game area 15. This first starting hole 18 is pocket-shaped with an open top, allowing game balls to enter from the top. This first starting hole 18 is located across the left hitting area 16 and the right hitting area 17, allowing game balls to easily enter the first starting hole 18 from the entrance at the top when playing from the left, but making it difficult for the ball to enter when playing from the right. This first starting hole 18 corresponds to a specified starting area.

As shown in FIG. 2, the large prize opening 19 is fixed in the right-hand hitting area 17. The large prize opening 19 is in the shape of a horizontally long box with an open front, and is equipped with a door panel 20. The door panel 20 is rotatable about a horizontal axis (not shown) at the lower end between a vertically closed state and a horizontally open state, and closes the front entrance of the large prize opening 19 in the closed state so that game balls cannot enter. When the door panel 20 is open and a game ball is hit from the right, the game ball falls onto the door panel 20 and enters the entrance of the large prize opening 19 as it rolls from front to back along the door panel 20. In other words, the large prize opening 19 is designed to allow game balls to enter when the game ball is hit from the right, and corresponds to a predetermined ball entry area.

In the right-hand hitting area 17, as shown in FIG. 2, a guide plate 21 is fixed below the big prize opening 19. This guide plate 21 slopes downward from right to left, and when the game ball is hit from the right, the game ball falls onto the guide plate 21 and then rolls from right to left along the guide plate 21. In the right-hand hitting area 17, a regular starting opening 22 is fixed above the big prize opening 19. This regular starting opening 22 is a U-shaped frame with openings on the top and bottom, and when the game ball is hit from the right, the game ball can pass through from the top to the bottom.

As shown in FIG. 2, the second starting hole 23 is fixed in the game area 15 below the first starting hole 18. The second starting hole 23 has an open top and is equipped with an opening/closing member 24. The opening/closing member 24 is movable between a projected state in which it projects forward from the front of the game board 4 and a recessed state in which it recesses backward, and the entrance on the top of the second starting hole 23 is closed when the opening/closing member 24 is in the projected state so that the game ball cannot enter. The entrance of the second starting hole 23 is opened when the opening/closing member 24 is in the recessed state, and when the game ball is hit to the right while the second starting hole 23 is open, it enters the entrance of the second starting hole 23 as it rolls from right to left along the guide plate 21. The second starting hole 23 corresponds to a specified starting area.

As shown in FIG. 2, an LED display 25 is fixed to the game board 4. This LED display 25 is disposed outside the game area 15, and the LED display 25 displays the result of the judgment of whether the player has won or lost. A decorative frame 26 is fixed to the game board 4. This decorative frame 26 is colored and opaque, and has an opening 27. This decorative frame 26 is frame-shaped when viewed from the front, surrounding the display area E of the performance pattern display 28. As shown in FIG. 1, this performance pattern display 28 is made of a color LCD display fixed within the inner frame 3, and the display area E is set to be a horizontally long rectangle. This performance pattern display 28 corresponds to a display, and the display area E of the performance pattern display 28 is visible to the player through the window panel 7, the opening 27 of the decorative frame 26, and the game board 4.

As shown in FIG. 3, the front frame 5 is fixed with an electric light 29. The electric light 29 is disposed at the upper end of the front frame 5 and has a plurality of semi-spherical LED covers 30. Each of the LED covers 30 is set to a white color with translucency, and an LED 31 is housed in each LED cover 30. Each of the LEDs 31 is a full-color LED whose color and brightness can be controlled. Each of the LEDs 31 has an LED chip that emits red light, an LED chip that emits green light, and an LED chip that emits blue light, and the light emission color can be controlled by changing the mixing ratio of the three colors according to the amount of current flowing through each LED chip. The brightness of each of the LEDs 31 is controlled according to PWM control, and each LED cover 30 is illuminated in a manner according to the light emission color and brightness of the LED 31 according to the light emission of the internal LED 31. Two speakers 32 are fixed to the front frame 5. These speakers 32 face each other in the left-right direction across the electric light 29, and sound is output from each speaker 32 toward the front. Each of these speakers 32 corresponds to a sound device.

2. Electrical configuration of the gaming machine The main control circuit 40 in Fig. 4 is mainly a microcomputer, and has a ROM, a RAM, a CPU, and an I/O. This main control circuit 40 controls the game contents such as the special drawing 1 lottery, the special drawing 2 lottery, the special drawing variable display, the big win game, the game state setting, the normal drawing lottery, the normal drawing variable display, and the normal game, and corresponds to a game control means. The ROM of this main control circuit 40 stores a program for main processing, a program for timer interrupt processing, a normal drawing hit judgment table, a normal drawing variable display time table, a normal drawing game pattern table, a big win judgment table, a special drawing 1 big win type table, a special drawing 2 big win type table, a special drawing 1 variable pattern table, a special drawing 2 variable pattern table, a big win game pattern table, a normal drawing hit judgment table, a normal drawing game pattern table, etc., and the RAM of the main control circuit 40 has a special drawing 1 area and a special drawing 2 area.

As shown in FIG. 4, the first start hole sensor 41, the second start hole sensor 42, the normal ball sensor 43, and the large prize hole sensor 44 are connected to the main control circuit 40. The first start hole sensor 41 detects game balls that enter the first start hole 18, the second start hole sensor 42 detects game balls that enter the second start hole 23, the normal ball sensor 43 detects game balls that pass through the normal start hole 22, and the large prize hole sensor 44 detects game balls that enter the large prize hole 19.

As shown in FIG. 4, a start port solenoid 45 and a large prize port solenoid 46 are connected to the main control circuit 40. The start port solenoid 45 operates the opening and closing member 24 of the second start port 23, and the large prize port solenoid 46 operates the door panel 20 of the large prize port 19. An LED display 25 is connected to this main control circuit 40, and the main control circuit 40 performs a variable special chart display in response to controlling the display content of the LED display 25.

The payout control circuit 50 in FIG. 4 is mainly a microcomputer. This payout control circuit 50 has ROM, RAM, and a CPU, and when the main control circuit 40 detects signals from the first start hole sensor 41, the second start hole sensor 42, and the large prize hole sensor 44, it sends a payout command to the payout control circuit 50. A prize ball payout device 51 is connected to this payout control circuit 50, and when the payout control circuit 40 detects a payout command from the main control circuit 40, it drives and controls the prize ball payout device 51 to pay out a unit number of game balls as prize balls into the upper tray 8.

The sub-control circuit 60 in FIG. 4 is mainly a microcomputer, and the main control circuit 40 sends commands to the sub-control circuit 60 according to the progress of the game, and the sub-control circuit 60 sets the display contents of the performance pattern display 28, the illumination contents of the illumination device 29, and the sound contents of the speaker 32 in response to commands from the main control circuit 40. This sub-control circuit 60 has ROM, RAM, CPU, I/O, RTC, drive circuit, PWM circuit, and speaker circuit, and the ROM stores programs for main processing, reception interrupt processing, and timer interrupt processing. The RAM functions as a work memory, and the CPU executes the programs for main processing to timer interrupt processing in the ROM in response to commands from the main control circuit 40. The operation button 10 is connected to this sub-control circuit 60, and the sub-control circuit 60 detects the operation contents of the operation button 10 in response to electrical signals from the operation button 10. This sub-control circuit 60 corresponds to a display control means, a performance mode setting means, an illumination control means, and a sound control means.

The drive circuit in FIG. 4 is mainly a microcomputer. This drive circuit controls the performance pattern display 28 according to the display content setting results of the sub-control circuit 60, and has ROM, RAM, CPU, CGROM, CGRAM, and VDP. The ROM stores an image control program for specifying image data, the RAM functions as a work memory, and the CPU executes the program in the ROM. The CGROM stores image data for displaying images on the performance pattern display 28, and the VDP reads image data from the CGROM in response to commands from the CPU. The VDP expands the results of the image data read into the CGRAM, synthesizes the results of the image data expansion, draws them in the CGRAM frame buffer, and outputs the image drawing results to the performance pattern display 28 as RGB signals, and the performance pattern display 28 displays the image in color in response to the RGB signals from the VDP.

The PWM circuit in FIG. 4 is based on a microcomputer, and PWM controls the color and brightness of the multiple LEDs 31 in the illumination device 29 to cause the multiple LED covers 30 in the illumination device 29 to light up according to the settings for the illumination content. The speaker circuit in FIG. 4 is based on a microcomputer, and controls both speakers 32 to output sounds from both speakers 32 with a scale, volume, and tone according to the settings for the sound content.

3. Game Functions 3-1. Regular Game 3-1-1. Regular Lottery When the game ball passes through the regular start hole 22, the value of the regular random number for determining whether or not the regular pattern is a hit is obtained from the regular hit determination table in FIG. 5(a), and the result of the regular hit determination is obtained according to the result of obtaining the value of the random number for determining whether or not the regular pattern is a hit. This regular hit determination table has non-electric support and electric support states set, and in the electric support state, the hit determination result is obtained with a higher probability than in the non-electric support state.

3-1-2. Ordinary map fluctuation display When the result of the judgment of whether the ordinary map is a hit or a miss is obtained, the ordinary map fluctuation display is started. This ordinary map fluctuation display starts flashing a predetermined number of LEDs of the LED display 25 in a predetermined pattern, and then stops flashing in either the "ordinary map hit" or "ordinary map miss" mode. When the predetermined number of LEDs are judged to be a "ordinary map hit", they stop flashing in the "ordinary map hit mode", and when they are judged to be a "ordinary map miss", they stop flashing in the "ordinary map miss mode". The required time for this ordinary map fluctuation display is obtained from the ordinary map fluctuation display time table in FIG. 5(c). This ordinary map fluctuation display time table assigns ordinary map fluctuation times to each of the "electric support state" and the "non-electric support state", and in the "electric support state", a shorter ordinary map fluctuation display time is obtained compared to the "non-electric support state".

3-1-3. Ordinary map play When the ordinary map variation display is stopped in the "ordinary map hit" mode, an ordinary map play pattern corresponding to the current game state is selected from the ordinary map play pattern table in Fig. 5 (d), and an ordinary map play is started with the selection result of the ordinary map play pattern. This ordinary map play is performed with the second start hole 23 in an open state, and in the "electric support state", the second start hole 23 is opened once for a long time (6 seconds) as an ordinary map play, and in the "non-electric support state", the second start hole 23 is opened once for a short time (1 second) as an ordinary map play.

3-2. Special figure 1 game 3-2-1. Acquisition of special figure 1 game data When the game ball enters the first starting hole 18 effectively, the value of the random number for determining whether or not the special pattern is hit, the value of the random number for determining the type of big win, the value of the random number for determining whether or not the ball is hit, and the value of the random number for the change pattern are acquired and stored in the RAM as a set of special figure 1 game data. As shown in FIG. 5(i), special figure 1 reserve areas 1 to 4 are set in this RAM, and the special figure 1 game data is stored in the order of acquisition in the order of "special figure 1 reserve area 4", "special figure 1 reserve area 3", "special figure 1 reserve area 2", and "special figure 1 reserve area 1". In other words, when special figure 1 game data is stored in all of the special figure 1 reserve areas 1 to 4, the special figure 1 game data in "special figure 1 reserve area 4" is the oldest, and the special figure 1 game data in "special figure 1 reserve area 1" is the newest. A state in which special chart 1 game data is stored in all of special chart 1 holding areas 1 to 4 is referred to as the special chart 1 reserved number being "4", a state in which special chart 1 game data is stored in three of special chart 1 holding areas 2 to 4 is referred to as the special chart 1 reserved number being "3", a state in which special chart 1 game data is stored in two of special chart 1 holding areas 3 to 4 is referred to as the special chart 1 reserved number being "2", a state in which special chart 1 game data is stored in one of special chart 1 holding areas 4 is referred to as the special chart 1 reserved number being "1", and a state in which special chart 1 game data is not stored in any of special chart 1 holding areas 1 to 4 is referred to as the special chart 1 reserved number being "0".

3-2-2. Special drawing 1 lottery When special drawing 1 game data is stored in the "special drawing 1 reserve area 4", a special drawing 1 lottery is performed under the condition that the game is currently in a stopped state. This game stop state refers to a state in which special drawing 1 game, special drawing 2 game, and jackpot game are all stopped, and special drawing 1 lottery is allowed during normal game. When special drawing 1 game data is stored in the "special drawing 1 reserve area 4" in this game stop state, the storage result of the value of the random number for special pattern hit/miss is detected from the "special drawing 1 reserve area 4", and in the "high probability state", a judgment result of either "jackpot" or "miss" is obtained from the jackpot judgment table for the high probability state in FIG. 5(e) according to the detection result of the value of the random number for special pattern hit/miss, and in the "normal probability state", a judgment result of either "jackpot" or "miss" is obtained from the jackpot judgment table for the normal probability state according to the detection result of the value of the random number for special pattern hit/miss. The probability of determining a jackpot in this "normal probability state" is set lower than the probability of determining a jackpot in the "high probability state".

When a "jackpot" determination result is obtained from the jackpot determination table, the storage result of the value of the random number for determining the jackpot type is detected from the "Special chart 1 reserved area 4", and the jackpot type according to the detection result of the value of the random number for determining the jackpot type is obtained from the Special chart 1 jackpot type table in Figure 5 (g). Two types of jackpot types, "jackpot pattern 1" and "jackpot pattern 2", are set in this Special chart 1 jackpot type table, and when "jackpot pattern 1" is obtained, "electric support state 1" and "high probability state" are set, and when "jackpot pattern 2" is obtained, "electric support state 2" and "normal probability state" are set.

When the type of jackpot is determined in response to the determination result of "jackpot", the storage result of the value of the fluctuation pattern random number is detected from the "Special Chart 1 Reserve Area 4", and the special chart fluctuation pattern and the special chart fluctuation display time according to the detection result of the value of the fluctuation pattern random number are selected from the special chart 1 fluctuation pattern table of FIG. 6(a). When the determination result of "miss" is obtained, the storage result of the value of the fluctuation pattern random number is detected from the "Special Chart 1 Reserve Area 4", and when the special chart 1 reserved number is in the state of "0-2", the special chart fluctuation pattern and the special chart fluctuation display time according to the detection result of the value of the fluctuation pattern random number are selected from the special chart 1 fluctuation pattern table of FIG. 6(a), and when the special chart 1 reserved number is in the state of "3-4", the special chart fluctuation pattern and the special chart fluctuation display time for time saving are selected from the special chart 1 fluctuation pattern table of FIG. 6(a).

3-2-3. Falling lottery When the special chart change pattern and the special chart change display time are selected, the storage result of the value of the random number for fall judgment is detected from the "special chart 1 reserve area 4", and one of the judgment results of "falling" and "not falling" is selected from the fall judgment table in Fig. 5 (f) according to the detection result of the value of the random number for fall judgment. If "falling" is selected as the judgment result, if the current game state is a "high probability state", the "high probability state" is released, and the "normal probability state" is set instead of the "high probability state".

3-2-4. Special chart 1 variation display When the special chart variation pattern and special chart variation display time are selected, the special chart 1 variation display starts. This special chart 1 variation display is performed by making a predetermined number of LEDs of the LED display 25 start flashing in a predetermined pattern and then stopping the flashing. If the predetermined number of LEDs are determined to be a miss, they stop flashing in the form of "special chart 1 miss", and if they are determined to be a jackpot, they stop flashing in the form of "jackpot" according to the judgment result of the jackpot type. This flashing from start to stop takes a required time according to the selection result of the special chart variation display time.

3-2-5. Big Win Game When the predetermined LEDs of the LED display 25 stop flashing in a manner corresponding to the result of the determination of the big win type, a big win game pattern corresponding to the result of the determination of the big win type is selected from the big win game pattern table of FIG. 6(c), and the big win game starts with the selected big win game pattern. This big win game allows the game ball to enter the big win opening 19 by opening and closing the big win opening 19, and an opening period is set in the big win game pattern before the start of the first round, and an ending period is set after the end of the final round. The opening period is a period in which the big win opening 19 is closed, and is a waiting period for the big win opening 19 to change from a state in which the game ball cannot enter to a state in which the game ball can enter. The ending period is a period in which the big win opening 19 is closed, and is a period in which the player is made aware of the end of the big win game. The period from the start of this opening period to the end of the ending period is called a big win game. This big win game corresponds to a special game.

In the jackpot game pattern table of FIG. 6(c), two types of patterns are set: "jackpot game pattern L" and "jackpot game pattern S". Each of these "jackpot game pattern L" and "jackpot game pattern S" consists of multiple rounds. In each round, the large prize entrance 19 is continuously opened until the time limit has elapsed, and then closed for a certain period of time. If the maximum number of game balls enter before the time limit has elapsed, the large prize entrance 19 is closed for a certain period of time without waiting for the time limit to elapse, and then the game ends. In other words, each of the "jackpot game pattern L" and "jackpot game pattern S" consists of multiple unit games, and the first round starts in response to the end of the opening period, and the ending period starts after the closing time has elapsed after the end of the final round. The jackpot game pattern L consists of 16 rounds, and is capable of paying out a large number of prize balls to the player. This jackpot game pattern L is performed when "jackpot pattern 1" or "jackpot pattern 2" is selected. The jackpot game pattern S consists of five rounds, and can pay out a small number of prize balls to the player. This jackpot game pattern S is played when "jackpot pattern 3" or "jackpot pattern 3" is selected in response to a jackpot being determined in the special drawing 2 lottery, but is not played if a jackpot is determined in the special drawing 1 lottery.

3-2-6. Updating the game state 3-2-6-1. High probability state and normal probability state When "jackpot symbol 2" is selected, the "normal probability state" is set when the jackpot game ends, as shown in Fig. 5(g), and when "jackpot symbol 1" is selected, the "high probability state" is set when the jackpot game ends. There is no limit set for the number of times this "high probability state" can continue, and the "high probability state" continues until "falling" is selected by lottery.

3-2-6-2. Electric support state and non-electric support state When "jackpot pattern 1" is selected, "electric support state 1" is set when the jackpot game ends. This "electric support state 1" has a limit of "100 times" set, and if the "high probability state" falls to the "normal probability state" in response to "falling" being selected before the total of the special chart 1 game and the special chart 2 game reaches the limit number of times, the "high probability state" will continue until the total of the special chart 1 game and the special chart 2 game reaches the limit number of times "100 times", and if the total of the special chart 1 game and the special chart 2 game reaches the limit number of times "100 times", the "high probability state" will fall to the "normal probability state" in response to "falling" being selected, and the "non-electric support state" will be set. When "jackpot pattern 2" is selected, "electric support state 2" is set when the jackpot game ends. This "electric support state 2" has a limit of "100 times," and switches to the "non-electric support state" when the total number of times that special chart 1 play and special chart 2 play reaches the limit.

3-2-6-3. Special chart 1 pre-reading When the acquisition result of the special chart 1 game data is stored in one of the special chart 1 reserve areas 1 to 4 in response to the game ball entering the first starting hole 18, a pre-determination of the win/loss, the pre-determination of the fluctuation pattern, the pre-determination of the fluctuation display time, and the pre-determination of the presence or absence of a fall are performed according to the acquisition result of the special chart 1 game data, and if the pre-determination result of the win/loss is a jackpot, a pre-determination of the jackpot type and a pre-determination of the game state are performed. These pre-determinations of the win/loss and the pre-determination of the jackpot type are performed in the above-mentioned procedure, and the pre-determination of the game state is performed according to the pre-determination result of the jackpot type when the pre-determination result of the win/loss is a jackpot. In other words, if the pre-determination result of the jackpot type is "jackpot pattern 1", "electric support state 1" and "high probability state" are pre-determined, and if it is "jackpot pattern 2", "electric support state 2" and "normal probability state" are pre-determined.

When a pre-determination of win/lose and a pre-determination of the game state are performed, the pre-determination result of win/lose and the pre-determination result of the game state are stored in the RAM as a set of special chart 1 look-ahead data. As shown in FIG. 5(i), special chart 1 look-ahead areas 1 to 4 are set in this RAM, and special chart 1 look-ahead data corresponding to the special chart 1 game data in the "special chart 1 reserved area 4" is stored in the "special chart 1 look-ahead area 4," special chart 1 look-ahead data corresponding to the special chart 1 game data in the "special chart 1 reserved area 3" is stored in the "special chart 1 look-ahead area 3," special chart 1 look-ahead data corresponding to the special chart 1 game data in the "special chart 1 reserved area 2" is stored in the "special chart 1 look-ahead area 2," and special chart 1 look-ahead data corresponding to the special chart 1 game data in the "special chart 1 reserved area 1" is stored in the "special chart 1 look-ahead area 1."

3-3. Special symbol 2 game 3-3-1. Acquisition of special symbol 2 game data When the game ball enters the second starting hole 23, the value of the random number for determining whether or not the special symbol is hit, the value of the random number for determining the type of big win, the value of the random number for determining whether or not the ball is hit, and the value of the random number for the change pattern are acquired and stored in RAM as a set of special symbol 2 game data. As shown in FIG. 5(j), special symbol 2 reserve areas 1 to 4 are set in this RAM, and the special symbol 2 game data is stored in the order of acquisition in the order of "special symbol 2 reserve area 4", "special symbol 2 reserve area 3", "special symbol 2 reserve area 2", and "special symbol 2 reserve area 1". A state in which special chart 2 game data is stored in all of these special chart 2 reserve areas 1 to 4 is referred to as the special chart 2 reserve number being "4", a state in which special chart 2 game data is stored in three of the special chart 2 reserve areas 2 to 4 is referred to as the special chart 2 reserve number being "3", a state in which special chart 2 game data is stored in two of the special chart 2 reserve areas 3 to 4 is referred to as the special chart 2 reserve number being "2", a state in which special chart 2 game data is stored in one of the special chart 2 reserve areas 4 is referred to as the special chart 2 reserve number being "1", and a state in which special chart 2 game data is not stored in any of the special chart 2 reserve areas 1 to 4 is referred to as the special chart 2 reserve number being "0".

3-3-2. Special drawing 2 lottery The special drawing 2 lottery is performed with priority over the special drawing 1 lottery, and when the special drawing 2 game data is stored in the "special drawing 2 reserve area 4", the special drawing 2 lottery is performed on the condition that the game is currently stopped. In other words, when both the special drawing 1 game data and the special drawing 2 game data exist, the special drawing 2 lottery is started according to the special drawing 2 game data, and the special drawing 1 lottery is started after all the special drawing 2 game data has been selected. This special drawing 2 lottery is performed by detecting the special drawing 2 game data from the "special drawing 2 reserve area 4" and according to the detection result of the special drawing 2 game data, and the big win judgment table in FIG. 5 (e) is used to judge whether or not the winning is won.

The special chart 2 jackpot type table in FIG. 5(h) is used to determine the jackpot type of special chart 2. This special chart 2 jackpot type table has "jackpot pattern 1", "jackpot pattern 3", and "jackpot pattern 4" set, and when either "jackpot pattern 1" or "jackpot pattern 3" is obtained, "electric support state 1" or "high probability state" is set, and when "jackpot pattern 4" is obtained, "electric support state 2" or "normal probability state" is set.

The special chart 2 variation pattern table in Figure 6 (b) is used to determine the special chart variation pattern and special chart variation display time for special chart 2. This special chart 2 variation pattern table differs from the special chart 1 variation pattern table in that a time-saving special chart variation pattern and time-saving special chart variation display time are assigned to the special chart 2 reserved number "3 to 4".

3-3-3. Falling lottery When the special chart change pattern and the special chart change display time are selected, the storage result of the value of the random number for fall judgment is detected from the "special chart 2 reserve area 4", and one of the judgment results of "falling" and "not falling" is selected from the fall judgment table in Fig. 5 (f) according to the detection result of the value of the random number for fall judgment. If "falling" is selected as the judgment result, if the current game state is a "high probability state", the "high probability state" is released, and the "normal probability state" is set instead of the "high probability state".

3-3-4. Special chart 2 variation display When the special chart variation pattern and special chart variation display time for special chart 2 are selected, the special chart 2 variation display is performed for the required time according to the selection result of the special chart variation display time. This special chart 2 variation display is performed by making the multiple LEDs for special chart 2 of the LED display 25 start flashing in a predetermined pattern and then stopping the flashing, and when it is determined that there is a miss, the LEDs for special chart 2 stop flashing in the form of "special chart 2 miss", and when it is determined that there is a jackpot, the flashing stops in the form according to the judgment result of the jackpot type.

When the LED for the special chart 2 of the LED display 25 stops blinking in a manner corresponding to the judgment result of the jackpot type, a jackpot game pattern corresponding to the judgment result of the jackpot type is selected from the jackpot game pattern table of FIG. 6(c), and the jackpot game is started with the selection result of the jackpot game pattern.
3-3-6. Updating the game state When either "jackpot pattern 1" or "jackpot pattern 3" is selected, "electric support state 1" and "high probability state" are set when the jackpot game ends, and when "jackpot pattern 4" is selected, "electric support state 2" and "normal probability state" are set when the jackpot game ends.

3-3-7. Special chart 2 pre-reading When the acquisition result of the special chart 2 game data is stored in one of the special chart 2 reserve areas 1-4 in response to the game ball entering the second starting hole 23, a pre-determination of the win/loss, the pre-determination of the fluctuation pattern, the pre-determination of the fluctuation display time, and the pre-determination of the presence or absence of a fall are performed according to the acquisition result of the special chart 2 game data, and if the pre-determination result of the win/loss is a jackpot, a pre-determination of the jackpot type and a pre-determination of the game state are performed. These pre-determinations of the win/loss and the game state are performed in the above-mentioned procedure, and the pre-determination result of the win/loss and the pre-determination result of the game state are stored in the RAM as a set of special chart 2 pre-reading data. As shown in Figure 5 (j), special chart 2 pre-reading areas 1 to 4 are set in this RAM, and special chart 2 pre-reading data corresponding to the special chart 2 game data in "special chart 2 reserve area 4" is stored in "special chart 2 pre-reading area 4", special chart 2 pre-reading data corresponding to the special chart 2 game data in "special chart 2 reserve area 3" is stored in "special chart 2 pre-reading area 3", special chart 2 pre-reading data corresponding to the special chart 2 game data in "special chart 2 reserve area 2" is stored in "special chart 2 pre-reading area 2", and special chart 2 pre-reading data corresponding to the special chart 2 game data in "special chart 2 reserve area 1" is stored in "special chart 2 pre-reading area 1".

4. Processing Functions of the Main Control Circuit 40 4-1. Main Processing When the power is turned on, the main control circuit 40 detects the main processing program in Fig. 7 from the ROM, and sets interrupt prohibition in S1. Then, in S2, it updates the values of the random numbers in Fig. 5(a), and sets interrupt permission in S3. The value of each of these random numbers is the current value to which "1" is added, and when it is added to the upper limit value, it is reset to "0" and added again.

4-2. Timer interrupt processing When the main control circuit 40 sets interrupt permission in S3, it allows the timer interrupt processing in S4 to start. This timer interrupt processing is executed at a fixed cycle, and the random number update processing in S3 is repeated during the waiting time from the end of the current timer interrupt processing to the start of the next timer interrupt processing.

Figure 8 shows the timer interrupt processing of the main control circuit 40, in which the main control circuit 40 sends the commands etc. set in the output buffer of the RAM in the previous timer interrupt processing to the sub-control circuit 60 in the output processing of S11 of the current timer interrupt processing. Then, in the random number update processing of S12, the values of the random numbers in Figure 5 (a) are updated, and in the sensor detection processing of S13, the presence or absence of signals from the first start hole sensor 41, the second start hole sensor 42, the normal map sensor 43, and the large prize hole sensor 44 is detected.

When the main control circuit 40 completes the sensor detection process in S13, it determines in S14 whether or not a signal from the regular symbol sensor 44 has been detected in the sensor detection process in S13. If it determines that a signal from the regular symbol sensor 44 has not been detected, it moves to S16, and if it determines that a signal from the regular symbol sensor 44 has been detected, it acquires the value of the random number for determining whether or not the regular symbol is a hit in the regular symbol game data acquisition process in S15, and moves to S16.

When the main control circuit 40 moves to S16, it judges whether or not the signal from the second start hole sensor 42 is detected in the sensor detection process of S13. If it judges that the signal from the second start hole sensor 42 is not detected, it moves to S19, and if it judges that the signal from the second start hole sensor 42 is detected, it compares the special chart 2 reserved number with "4". If it judges that the special chart 2 reserved number is "4", it moves to S19, and if it judges that the special chart 2 reserved number is less than "4", it acquires the special chart 2 game data in S17. Here, the acquisition result of the special chart 2 game data is stored in one of the special chart 2 reservation areas 1 to 4 according to the storage order, a special chart 2 reservation command is set in the output buffer, and it moves to S18. This special chart 2 reservation command notifies the sub control circuit 60 of the special chart 2 reserved number, and is sent to the sub control circuit 60 in the next timer interrupt process.

When the main control circuit 40 proceeds to S18, it performs a pre-determination of whether or not it will win, a pre-determination of the fluctuation pattern, a pre-determination of the fluctuation display time, a pre-determination of the type of jackpot, a pre-determination of whether or not it will fall, and a pre-determination of the game status on the results of the acquisition of the special chart 2 game data, and stores the pre-determination results of whether or not it will win and the game status as special chart 2 pre-read data in one of the special chart 2 pre-read areas 1 to 4 according to the storage order. Next, the stored result of the special chart 2 pre-read data is set in the output buffer of the RAM to be sent to the sub-control circuit 81 in the next timer interrupt process, and proceeds to S19.

When the main control circuit 40 moves to S19, it judges whether or not the signal from the first start hole sensor 41 is detected in the sensor detection process of S13. If it judges that the signal from the first start hole sensor 41 is not detected, it moves to the normal drawing process of S22, the special drawing 2 process of S23, and the special drawing 1 process of S24 in order, and if it judges that the signal from the first start hole sensor 41 is detected, it compares the special drawing 1 reserved number with "4". If it judges that the special drawing 1 reserved number is "4", it moves to S22 to S24 in order, and if it judges that the special drawing 1 reserved number is less than "4", it acquires the special drawing 1 game data in S20. Here, the acquisition result of the special drawing 1 game data is stored in one of the special drawing 1 reserved areas 1 to 4 according to the storage order, and a special drawing 1 reserved command is set in the output buffer. This special drawing 1 reserved command notifies the sub control circuit 60 of the special drawing 1 reserved number, and is sent to the sub control circuit 60 in the next timer interrupt process.

When the main control circuit 40 stores the acquisition result of the special chart 1 game data in S20, it performs a pre-determination of win/loss, pre-determination of the fluctuation pattern, pre-determination of the fluctuation display time, pre-determination of the type of big win, pre-determination of the presence or absence of a fall, and pre-determination of the game state on the acquisition result of the special chart 1 game data in S21, and stores the pre-determination results of win/loss and game state as special chart 1 pre-read data in one of the special chart 1 pre-read areas 1 to 4 according to the storage order. Next, the storage result of the special chart 1 pre-read data is set in the output buffer of the RAM to be sent to the sub-control circuit 60 in the next timer interrupt processing, and proceeds in order to S22 to S24.
4-3. General map processing

The main control circuit 40 performs a win/loss determination based on the result of obtaining the value of the random number for determining whether the normal symbol is a hit or not in the normal symbol processing of S22, and selects a normal symbol change display time corresponding to the current game state from the normal symbol change display time table of FIG. 5 (c). Then, the result of the determination of whether the normal symbol is a hit or not is announced in response to executing the normal symbol change display based on the result of the selection of the normal symbol change display time. Here, when the result of the determination of "normal symbol hit" is announced, a normal symbol play pattern corresponding to the current game state is selected from the normal symbol play pattern table of FIG. 5 (d), and the game ball is allowed to enter the second starting hole 23 in response to playing a normal symbol game based on the result of the selection of the normal symbol play pattern.

4-4. Special chart 2 processing Figure 9 shows the special chart 2 processing of S23, in which the main control circuit 40 selectively executes the special chart 2 lottery processing of S31, the time reduction count update processing of S32, the fall judgment processing of S33, the special chart 2 fluctuation stop processing of S34, the big win game start processing of S35, the big win game in progress processing of S36, and the big win game stop processing of S37 according to the setting result of the value of the second pointer P2 of the RAM. The value of this second pointer P2 is initially set to "1" when the power is turned on.

4-4-1. Special chart 2 lottery processing When the value of the second pointer P2 is set to "1", the main control circuit 40 transitions to the special chart 2 lottery processing of S31. The value of this second pointer P2 is set to "1" in the game stop state in which the special chart 1 game, the special chart 2 game, and the jackpot game are all stopped, and the main control circuit 40 judges whether or not the special chart 2 game data is stored in the "special chart 2 reserve area 4" in the special chart 2 lottery processing of S31. If it is determined that the special chart 2 game data is not stored in the "special chart 2 reserve area 4", the special chart 2 lottery processing is terminated, and if it is determined that the special chart 2 game data is stored in the "special chart 2 reserve area 4", a hit/miss judgment, a fluctuation pattern judgment, and a fluctuation display time judgment are performed based on the special chart 2 game data in the "special chart 2 reserve area 4", and if the hit/miss judgment result is a jackpot, a jackpot type judgment is performed. Then, the result of the hit/miss judgment, the result of the fluctuation pattern judgment, and the result of the big hit type judgment are set in the output buffer of the RAM to be sent as special chart 2 game data to the sub-control circuit 60, and the fluctuation start command 2 is set in the output buffer of the RAM to be sent to the sub-control circuit 60. Here, the fluctuation pattern judgment and the fluctuation display time are judged according to the special chart 2 fluctuation pattern table in FIG.

When the main control circuit 40 sets the output buffer of the RAM in S31, it starts the special chart variable display and organizes "special chart 2 reserve area 1" to "special chart 2 reserve area 4". This process erases the special chart 2 game data from "special chart 2 reserve area 4". When the special chart 2 game data is stored in "special chart 2 reserve area 3", the special chart 2 game data is shifted to "special chart 2 reserve area 4", when the special chart 2 game data is stored in "special chart 2 reserve area 2", the special chart 2 game data is shifted to "special chart 2 reserve area 3", when the special chart 2 game data is stored in "special chart 2 reserve area 1", the special chart 2 game data is shifted to "special chart 2 reserve area 2". When the main control circuit 40 organizes "special chart 2 reserve areas 1 to 4", it organizes "special chart 2 pre-reading area 1" to "special chart 2 pre-reading area 4" in the same procedure and sets the value of the second pointer P2 to "2".

4-4-2. Time-saving count update process When the value of the second pointer P2 is set to "2", the main control circuit 40 proceeds to the time-saving count update process of S32. FIG. 10 shows the time-saving count update process, in which the main control circuit 40 judges whether the current game state is "electric support state 1" or "electric support state 2" in S41. If it is judged that the current game state is "non-electric support state", the value of the second pointer P2 is set to "3" in S48, and if it is judged that the current game state is "electric support state 1" or "electric support state 2", "1" is added to the value of the time-saving count counter in S42. The value of this time-saving count counter measures the number of times "electric support state 1" or "electric support state 2" continues, and the main control circuit 40 sets a time-saving count command when the time-saving count counter is incremented. This time-saving count command notifies the sub-control circuit 60 of the addition result of the value of the time-saving count counter as the number of times the electric support state continues, and when the main control circuit 40 sets the time-saving count command, in S43, it sets the setting result of the time-saving count command in the output buffer of the RAM to send it to the sub-control circuit 60, and then proceeds to S44.

When the main control circuit 40 moves to S44 in FIG. 10, it compares the result of adding the value of the time-saving counter with the upper limit value "100". If it is determined that the value of the time-saving counter is not the upper limit value "100", it sets the value of the second pointer P2 to "3" in S48, and if it is determined that the value of the time-saving counter is the upper limit value "100", it determines whether the current game state is "electric support state 2" in S45. If it is determined that the current game state is not "electric support state 2", it sets the value of the second pointer P2 to "3" in S48, and if it is determined that the current game state is "electric support state 2", it changes it to "electric support state 2" and sets "non-electric support state" in S46. Then, it sets an electric support release command in the output buffer of the RAM in S47, and sets the value of the second pointer P2 to "3" in S48. This electric support cancellation command notifies the user that the state has changed from "electric support state 2" to "non-electric support state" and is sent to the sub-control circuit 60 during the next timer interrupt process.

4-4-3. Fall judgment process When the value of the second pointer P2 is set to "3", the main control circuit 40 proceeds to the fall judgment process of S33. Figure 11 shows the fall judgment process of S33, and the main control circuit 40 judges whether the current game state is a "high probability state" or not in S51. If it is judged that the current game state is a "normal probability state", the value of the second pointer P2 is set to "4" in S62, and if it is judged that the current game state is a "high probability state", it proceeds to S52. Here, the value of the fall judgment random number is detected from the "special chart 2 reserved area 4", and the judgment result according to the detection result of the value of the fall judgment random number is detected from the fall judgment table of Figure 5 (f).

When the main control circuit 40 detects the result of the judgment of whether or not a fall has occurred in S52, it judges whether or not the detection result is "fall has occurred" in S53. If it judges that the detection result is "no fall", it sets the value of the second pointer P2 to "4" in S62, and if it judges that the detection result is "fall has occurred", it sets the "normal probability state" in place of the "high probability state" in S54, and sets it in the output buffer of the RAM to send a fall command to the sub-control circuit 60 in S55. This fall command notifies the sub-control circuit 60 that the "high probability state" has fallen to the "normal probability state", and is sent to the sub-control circuit 60 in the next timer interrupt process.

When the main control circuit 40 sets a fall command in the output buffer in S55, it judges whether the current game state is "electric support state 1" in S56. If it judges that the current game state is not "electric support state 1", it sets the value of the second pointer P2 to "4" in S62, and if it judges that the current game state is "electric support state 1", it compares the value of the time-saving count counter with the limit value "100" in S57. If it judges that the value of the time-saving count counter is less than the limit value "100", it changes "electric support state 1" to "electric support state 2" in S58, sets the electric support change command in the output buffer of the RAM to send it to the sub-control circuit 60 in S59, and sets the value of the second pointer P2 to "4" in S62. This electric support change command notifies the sub-control circuit 60 that "electric support state 1" has been switched to "electric support state 2", and is sent to the sub-control circuit 60 in the next timer interrupt process.

If the main control circuit 40 determines in S57 that the value of the time-saving counter exceeds the limit value "100", it changes "Electric Support State 1" to "Non-Electric Support State" in S60. Then, in S61, it sets an electric support cancellation command in the output buffer of RAM to be sent to the sub-control circuit 60, and in S62 sets the value of the second pointer P2 to "4". This electric support cancellation command notifies the sub-control circuit 60 that "Electric Support State 1" has been switched to "Non-Electric Support State", and is sent to the sub-control circuit 60 in the next timer interrupt process.

4-4-4. Special chart 2 variation stop processing When the value of the second pointer P2 is set to "4", the main control circuit 40 proceeds to the special chart 2 variation stop processing of S34 in FIG. 9. Here, the timer value is added, and the addition result of the timer value is compared with the judgment result of the special chart variation display time. Here, if the addition result of the timer value has not reached the judgment result of the special chart variation display time, the special chart 2 variation stop processing is terminated, and if the addition result of the timer value has reached the judgment result of the special chart variation display time, the special chart variation display is stopped in a manner according to the judgment result of the hit or miss, and the variation stop command 2 is set to the output buffer to send to the sub-control circuit 60. Then, if the judgment result of the hit or miss is "miss", the value of the second pointer P2 is initially set to "1", and if the judgment result of the hit or miss is "jackpot", the value of the second pointer P2 is set to "5".

4-4-5. Big Win Game Start Processing When the value of the second pointer P2 is set to "5", the main control circuit 40 proceeds to the big win game start processing of S35. Here, the big win game is started with a big win game pattern according to the result of the big win type determination, a big win game start command is set in the output buffer to be sent to the sub-control circuit 60, and the value of the second pointer P2 is set to "6".

4-4-6. Processing during jackpot game When the value of the second pointer P2 is set to "6", the main control circuit 40 proceeds to the processing during jackpot game of S36, and proceeds with the jackpot game according to the set result of the jackpot game pattern. The main control circuit 40 sets a round start command in the output buffer every time a round is started in the jackpot game, and transmits it to the sub-control circuit 60. This round start command notifies which round the current round is, and the main control circuit 40 sets a round stop command in the output buffer every time a round is stopped in the jackpot game, and transmits it to the sub-control circuit 60. When the main control circuit 40 has proceeded with the jackpot game to the end of the jackpot game pattern, it ends the jackpot game, sets a jackpot game end command in the output buffer to be sent to the sub-control circuit 60, and sets the value of the second pointer P2 to "7".

4-4-7. Big Win Game Stop Processing When the value of the second pointer P2 is set to "7", the main control circuit 40 proceeds to the big win game stop processing of S37 and detects the result of the judgment of the big win type. Here, if the judgment result of the big win type is "Big Win Pattern 1" or "Big Win Pattern 3", the game state is set to "High Probability State" and "Electric Support State 1", the value of the time-saving count update counter is reset to "0", and the value of the second pointer P2 is initially set to "1". Then, the "high probability command", "electric support command 1", and the time-saving count command 0 are set in the output buffer of the RAM to be sent to the sub-control circuit 60. This time-saving count command 0 notifies the sub-control circuit 60 that the number of times the electric support state continues is "0 times", the "high probability command" notifies the sub-control circuit 60 of the setting of the "high probability state", and the "electric support command 1" notifies the setting of the electric support state 1, which may continue beyond "100 times".

When the result of the jackpot type determination is "jackpot pattern 4", the main control circuit 40 sets the game state to "normal probability state" and "electric support state 2", resets the value of the time-saving count update counter to "0", and initializes the value of the second pointer P2 to "1". Then, it sets the "normal probability command", "electric support command 2", and time-saving count command 0 in the output buffer of the RAM to be sent to the sub-control circuit 60. This "normal probability command" notifies the sub-control circuit 60 of the setting of the "normal probability state", and the "electric support command 2" notifies the setting of electric support state 2 with a limit of "100 times".

4-5. Special chart 1 processing Figure 12 shows the special chart 1 processing of S24, in which the main control circuit 40 selectively executes the special chart 1 lottery processing of S71, the time reduction count update processing of S72, the fall judgment processing of S73, the special chart 1 fluctuation stop processing of S74, the jackpot game start processing of S75, the jackpot game in progress processing of S76, and the jackpot game stop processing of S77 according to the setting result of the value of the first pointer P1 of the RAM. The value of this first pointer P1 is initially set to "1" when the power is turned on.

4-5-1. Special drawing 1 lottery processing When the value of the first pointer P1 is set to "1", the main control circuit 40 transitions to the special drawing 1 lottery processing of S71. The value of this first pointer P1 is set to "1" in the game stop state in which the special drawing 1 game, the special drawing 2 game, and the jackpot game are all stopped, and the main control circuit 40 judges whether or not the special drawing 1 game data is stored in the "special drawing 1 reserve area 4" in the special drawing 1 lottery processing of S71. If it is determined that the special drawing 1 game data is not stored in the "special drawing 1 reserve area 4", the special drawing 1 lottery processing is terminated, and if it is determined that the special drawing 1 game data is stored in the "special drawing 1 reserve area 4", it judges whether or not the special drawing 2 game data is stored in the "special drawing 2 reserve area 4".

When the main control circuit 40 determines that the special chart 2 game data is stored in the "special chart 2 reserve area 4", it ends the special chart 1 lottery process, and when it determines that the special chart 2 game data is not stored in the "special chart 2 reserve area 4", it performs a win/lose judgment, a fluctuation pattern judgment, and a fluctuation display time judgment based on the special chart 1 game data in the "special chart 1 reserve area 4" in S71, and if the win/lose judgment result is a jackpot, it performs a jackpot type judgment. These fluctuation pattern judgments and fluctuation display time judgments are performed according to the special chart 1 fluctuation pattern table in FIG. 6 (a), and the main control circuit 40 sets the win/lose judgment result, the fluctuation pattern judgment result, and the jackpot type judgment result in the output buffer of the RAM to send them to the sub-control circuit 60 as special chart 1 game data, sets the fluctuation start command 1 in the output buffer of the RAM to send it to the sub-control circuit 81, and sets the special chart 1 reserve command in the output buffer of the RAM to send it to the sub-control circuit 81. This special chart 1 reserve command notifies the sub-control circuit 60 of the number of special charts 1 reserved.

When the main control circuit 40 sets the change start command 1, etc., it starts the special chart change display and then organizes "Special Chart 1 Reserve Area 1" to "Special Chart 1 Reserve Area 4". This process is performed in the same manner as "Special Chart 2 Reserve Areas 1 to 4", and the main control circuit 40 also organizes "Special Chart 1 Preview Areas 1 to 4" in the same manner, and then sets the value of the first pointer P1 to "2". In other words, the special chart 1 lottery process is given a lower priority than the special chart lottery 2 process, and if the special chart 2 reserved number is not "0", the special chart 2 lottery process is performed with priority over the special chart 1 lottery process, and when the special chart 2 reserved number becomes "0", the special chart 1 lottery process starts.

4-5-2. Time-saving count update process When the value of the first pointer P1 is set to "2", the main control circuit 40 executes the time-saving count update process of FIG. 10 in S72 and sets the value of the first pointer P1 to "3".
4-5-3. Fall Determination Processing When the value of the first pointer P1 is set to "3", the main control circuit 40 executes the fall determination processing of Fig. 11 in S73 and sets the value of the first pointer P1 to "4".
4-5-4. Special chart 1 variation stop processing When the value of the first pointer P1 is set to "4", the main control circuit 40 transitions to the special chart 1 variation stop processing of S74 in Fig. 12, and when the sum of the timer value reaches the judgment result of the special chart variation display time, the special chart 1 variation display is stopped in a manner according to the result of the hit/miss judgment, and the variation stop command 1 is set to the output buffer to be sent to the sub-control circuit 60. Then, when the hit/miss judgment result is "miss", the value of the first pointer P1 is initially set to "1", and when the hit/miss judgment result is "jackpot", the value of the first pointer P1 is set to "5".

4-5-5. Big Win Game Start Processing When the value of the first pointer P1 is set to "5", the main control circuit 40 proceeds to the big win game start processing of S75. Here, the big win game is started with a big win game pattern according to the result of the big win type determination, a big win game start command is set in the output buffer to be sent to the sub-control circuit 60, and the value of the first pointer P1 is set to "6".
4-5-6. Processing during jackpot game When the value of the first pointer P1 is set to "6", the main control circuit 40 proceeds to the processing during jackpot game of S76, and proceeds with the jackpot game according to the set result of the jackpot game pattern. The main control circuit 40 sets a round start command in the output buffer every time a round is started in the jackpot game, and transmits it to the sub-control circuit 60. The main control circuit 40 sets a round stop command in the output buffer every time a round is stopped in the jackpot game, and transmits it to the sub-control circuit 60. When the final round is stopped in the jackpot game, the main control circuit 40 sets a final round stop command in the output buffer and transmits it to the sub-control circuit 60. When the main control circuit 40 proceeds with the jackpot game to the end of the jackpot game pattern, it ends the jackpot game, sets a jackpot game end command in the output buffer to be sent to the sub-control circuit 60, and sets the value of the first pointer P1 to "7".

4-5-7. Jackpot Game Stop Processing When the value of the first pointer P1 is set to "7", the main control circuit 40 proceeds to the jackpot game stop processing of S77 and detects the judgment result of the jackpot type. If the judgment result of the jackpot type is "jackpot pattern 1", the game state is set to "high probability state" and "electric support state 1", the value of the time-saving count update counter is reset to "0", and the value of the first pointer P1 is initially set to "1". Then, the "high probability command", "electric support command 1", and the time-saving count command 0 are set in the output buffer of the RAM to be sent to the sub-control circuit 60. If the judgment result of the jackpot type is "jackpot pattern 2", the main control circuit 40 sets the game state to "normal probability state" and "electric support state 2", resets the value of the time-saving count update counter to "0", and initially sets the value of the second pointer P1 to "1". Then, the "normal probability command", "electric support command 2", and time-saving count command 0 are set in the output buffer of the RAM to be sent to the sub-control circuit 60.

5. Explanation of the Game Mode The game flow in FIG. 13(a) shows the transition of the game state, and FIG. 13(b) and (c) show the relationship between the game mode and the presentation mode. When the power is turned on, the normal game mode is set. This normal game mode is the "normal probability state" and the "non-electric support state", and in the normal game mode, a left-hitting image that encourages the player to hit the game ball to the left is displayed on the presentation pattern display 28. When the player hits the game ball to the left according to this left-hitting image, the game ball enters the first start hole 18, and when it is determined that a jackpot has been hit in response to the game ball entering the first start hole 18, a low-probability time-saving mode or a high-probability time-saving mode is set.

The low-probability time-saving mode is a state in which the "normal probability state" and "electric support state 2" are set, and is set when the "jackpot pattern 2" is selected in response to a jackpot being determined in the normal game mode. The high-probability time-saving mode is a state in which the "high probability state" and "electric support state 1" are set, and is set when the "jackpot pattern 1" is selected in response to a jackpot being determined in the normal game mode. In each of these low-probability time-saving mode and high-probability time-saving mode, a right-hit image that encourages the player to hit the game ball to the right is displayed on the performance pattern display 28. When the player hits the game ball to the right in accordance with this right-hit image, the game ball passes through the normal game start hole 22, and the second start hole 23 is frequently opened for a long time in response to a high probability of hitting being determined. For this reason, the special chart 2 reserved number is generated to be in the "3 to 4" state for a long period of time in response to the game balls entering the second starting hole 23 at short time intervals, and the special chart variable display time for time saving of "1000 msec" is frequently obtained from the special chart 2 variable pattern table in FIG. 6(b). Therefore, in each of the low-probability time-saving mode and the high-probability time-saving mode, the process of determining whether or not a jackpot has been won is repeated at short time intervals compared to the normal game mode, increasing the probability of winning the next jackpot with fewer game balls consumed. In other words, each of the low-probability time-saving mode and the high-probability time-saving mode is in a state that is more advantageous to the player than the normal game mode.

In the low-probability time-saving mode, the game ball is hit from the right, and if the total number of times that the special drawing number 1 and the special drawing number 2 (actually, only the special drawing number 2) reaches the limit number of times "100 times" without being judged as a jackpot in the low-probability time-saving mode, the "non-electric support state" is set instead of the "electric support state 2", and the game mode transitions to the normal game mode. If the "jackpot pattern 4" is selected in response to the fact that the total number of times that the special drawing number 1 and the special drawing number 2 are judged as a jackpot before reaching the limit number of times "100 times" in this low-probability time-saving mode, the low-probability time-saving mode is repeated, and if the "jackpot pattern 1" or "jackpot pattern 3" is selected, the game transitions to the high-probability time-saving mode. In this high-probability time-saving mode, the game ball is hit from the right, and if the "jackpot pattern 4" is selected in response to the fact that the jackpot is judged as a jackpot, the low-probability time-saving mode is set, and if the "jackpot pattern 1" or "jackpot pattern 3" is selected, the high-probability time-saving mode is set. This high-probability time-saving mode is a state that is determined to be a jackpot with a higher probability than the low-probability time-saving mode, and is a state that is more advantageous to the player than the low-probability time-saving mode, and the degree of advantage to the player is higher in the "high probability state" than in the "electric support state."

In high probability time-saving mode, the presence or absence of a fall is judged each time a special chart 1 drawing and a special chart 2 drawing are performed, and if it is judged that a fall has occurred when the total number of special chart 1 drawing and special chart 2 drawing does not exceed the limit number of times "100 times", the "normal probability state" and "electric support state 2" are set, and the game moves from high probability time-saving mode to low probability time-saving mode. In this high probability time-saving mode, if it is judged that a fall has occurred when the total number of times of special chart 1 drawing and special chart 2 drawing exceeds the limit number of times "100 times", the "normal probability state" and "non-electric support state" are set, and the game falls from high probability time-saving mode to normal play mode all at once.

6. Description of the Presentation Mode The presentation mode is a mode in which a background image is specified as the presentation content when the image of the presentation pattern game is displayed, and the presentation modes include a normal mode, a chance mode, and a speed mode. The normal mode is a presentation mode when the normal game mode is set, and in the normal mode, as shown in Fig. 14(a) and (b), a normal background image 1 imitating an old-fashioned streetscape or a normal background image 2 imitating a modern streetscape is selectively displayed in the display area E of the presentation pattern display 28 according to the operation content of the operation button 10 in the game stop state. The chance mode is a common presentation mode when the low probability time-saving mode and the high probability time-saving mode are set, and in the chance mode, as shown in Fig. 14(c), a chance background image imitating four women is displayed in the display area E of the presentation pattern display 28. The speed mode is a transition from the chance mode when the high probability time-saving mode is set, and in the speed mode, as shown in Fig. 14(d), a speed background image imitating an ancient land is displayed in the display area E of the presentation pattern display 28. This display area E refers to the entire liquid crystal screen of the performance pattern display device 28.

6-1. Behavior of the Presentation Mode Figure 13 (b) shows the behavior of the presentation mode when the jackpot pattern 2 or jackpot pattern 4 is selected in response to a judgment of a jackpot. In this case, the chance mode is set in response to the low probability time-saving mode being set at the end of the jackpot game, and the chance background image is displayed from the first presentation pattern game. In this state, if a total of 100 special chart 1 and special chart 2 lotteries are performed without a judgment of a jackpot, the normal game mode is set, and the normal mode is set in response to the normal background image 1 or normal background image 2 being displayed from the 101st presentation pattern game.

Figure 13(c) shows the behavior of the presentation mode when jackpot pattern 1 or jackpot pattern 3 is selected in response to a judgement of a jackpot. In this case, the chance mode is set in response to the high probability time-saving mode being set at the end of the jackpot play, and the chance background image is displayed from the first presentation pattern play. In this state, if it is judged that a fall has occurred before a total of 100 special pattern 1 and special pattern 2 draws have been performed, the low probability time-saving mode is set as the play mode, but as shown in the upper part of Figure 13(c), the chance background image continues to be displayed in response to the chance mode continuing as the presentation mode. Then, the normal mode is set from the 101st presentation pattern play, and the normal background image 1 or normal background image 2 is displayed.

The lower part of Figure 13(c) shows the behavior of the presentation mode when a total of 100 Special Chart 1 and Special Chart 2 drawings are performed without a fall being determined while the chance mode is set according to the high probability time-saving mode. In this case, the speed mode is set from the 101st presentation pattern play, and a speed background image is displayed accordingly, so from the player's point of view, it gives the impression that the mode has been promoted to the high probability time-saving mode. If this determination of no fall is broken after the 101st play, the normal mode is set according to the normal play mode being set, and from the next time onwards, normal background image 1 or normal background image 2 is displayed.

6-2. Performance pattern game The performance pattern game image starts in time synchronization with the start of the special pattern 1 variable display or the special pattern 2 variable display, and ends in time synchronization with the end of the special pattern 1 variable display or the special pattern 2 variable display. This performance pattern game image is displayed superimposed on top of the background image corresponding to the performance mode, and in normal mode, it is displayed superimposed on top of normal background image 1 or 2. This performance pattern game image is displayed superimposed on top of the chance background image in chance mode, and in speed mode, it is displayed superimposed on top of the speed background image. This performance pattern game image corresponds to a game image.

The images in the effect symbol game are displayed in three horizontal rows on the left, middle, and right in sequence with the numbers "1" through "9" scrolling and stopped, with each row scrolling in ascending order from "1" -> "2" ... "9" before returning from "9" to "1" and repeating. The scrolling of each row stops at one of the numbers "1" through "9," and there are three types of combinations when the scrolling of the three rows stops: "jackpot combination," "miss reach combination," and "complete miss combination."

A jackpot combination is one in which the three columns are identical to each other, and is set by the sub-control circuit 60 when the main control circuit 40 transmits a jackpot special pattern (PO01-PO05). A miss reach combination is one in which the left and right columns are identical to each other, but the middle column is different, and is set by the sub-control circuit 60 when the main control circuit 40 transmits a miss special pattern (PH01-PH05). A complete miss combination is one in which the left and right columns are different, and is set by the sub-control circuit 60 when the main control circuit 40 transmits a miss special pattern (PH06-PH07).

Figure 14 (e) is a list of the effects in the effect pattern game, and there are four types of effects set for the effect pattern game: "normal effect", "all symbols stop simultaneously effect", "normal reach effect", and "special reach effect". The normal effect is started by "start of three-column scrolling display", and "stop of scrolling display" is set in the order of "left column", "right column", and "middle column". This normal effect is set by the sub-control circuit 60 when the main control circuit 40 transmits the special symbol variation pattern PH06 for a miss, and as shown in Figures 15 (a) (b) (c) (d), in the normal effect, the three-column scrolling display stops in the order of "left column", "right column", and "middle column", completing a "complete miss combination".

As shown in FIG. 14(e), the simultaneous stop of all charts effect is started by "start of three-column scroll display", and "stop of scroll display" is set for three columns at the same time. This "simultaneous stop of all charts effect" is set by the sub-control circuit 60 when the main control circuit 40 transmits the special chart change pattern PH07 for a miss in response to the number of reserved special charts 1 or reserved special charts 2 being "3 to 4". In the "simultaneous stop of all charts effect", as shown in FIG. 15(a)(d), the three columns of scroll display stop at the same time, completing a "complete miss combination". This simultaneous stop of all charts effect is completed in the shortest time required, and in the low probability time-saving mode and high probability time-saving mode, the change display time is shortened in response to the high probability of selecting the "special chart change pattern PH07".

As shown in FIG. 14(e), the normal reach effect begins with the "start of three-column scrolling display," and is set to "slow scrolling speed" before "stopping scrolling display" for the "middle column." This normal reach effect is set by the sub-control circuit 60 when the main control circuit 40 transmits the special chart change pattern PH05 for a miss and the special chart change pattern PO05 for a jackpot. As shown in FIG. 16(a), (b), and (c), in the "normal reach effect," when the "stopping of scrolling display" is performed in the order of the "left column" and "right column," the "left column" and "right column" are in the same reach state, and the scrolling display of the "middle column" is switched from normal speed to low speed in the reach state.

In the "normal reach presentation" for a miss, the scrolling display of the "middle row" stops with a different presentation pattern than the "left row" and "right row", and in the "normal reach presentation" for a miss, the miss-reach combination is completed when the scrolling display of the final "middle row" stops, as shown in FIG. 16(e). In the "normal reach presentation" for a jackpot, the scrolling display of the "middle row" stops with the same presentation pattern as the "left row" and "right row", and in the "normal reach presentation" for a jackpot, the jackpot combination is completed when the scrolling display of the final "middle row" stops, as shown in FIG. 16(d).

As shown in FIG. 14(e), the special reach effect is started by "start of three-column scrolling display", and "decrease in scrolling speed" is set for the "middle column" before "stop of scrolling display". This special reach effect is set by the sub-control circuit 60 when the main control circuit 40 transmits the special chart change patterns PH01-PH04 for misses and the special chart change patterns PO01-PO04 for big wins, and in the "special reach effect", a reach state occurs when "stop of scrolling display" is performed in the order of the "left column" and "right column", and the scrolling display of the "middle column" is switched from normal speed to low speed in the reach state.

As shown in Figure 14 (e), the special reach effect is set by "reducing the scroll speed" for the "middle row" followed by "removing three rows," and in this special reach effect, three rows of performance symbols are removed in the reach state. This special reach effect is set by "removing three rows" followed by "displaying a battle image." Figure 17 shows battle images BL1 to BL4. Each of these battle images BL1 to BL4 begins with the three rows of performance symbols removed, and is set to show the silhouette of a woman fighting an enemy dinosaur.

As shown in FIG. 17(a), the battle image BL1 is set to have two enemies, "Dinosaur D1 and Dinosaur D2". This battle image BL1 is set to have two dinosaurs, D1 and D2, fighting with a female silhouette W at the same time, and after the female silhouette W defeats one of the dinosaurs D1, the dinosaur D1 is erased, and after the dinosaur D1 is erased, the female silhouette W fights one of the other dinosaurs D2. This image is displayed when the main control circuit 40 transmits the "special chart change pattern PO01" for a big win and when the "special chart change pattern PH01" for a miss. As shown in FIG. 17(b), the battle image BL2 is set to have one of the enemies, "Dinosaur D1", and is displayed when the main control circuit 40 transmits the "special chart change pattern PO02" for a big win and when the "special chart change pattern PH02" for a miss.

As shown in FIG. 17(c), the enemy is set to one of the "Dinosaur D2" heads, and the battle image BL3 is displayed when the main control circuit 40 transmits the "Special Chart Variation Pattern PO03" for a jackpot and when the main control circuit 40 transmits the "Special Chart Variation Pattern PH03" for a miss. As shown in FIG. 17(d), the enemy is set to one of the "Dinosaur D3" heads, and the battle image BL4 is displayed when the main control circuit 40 transmits the "Special Chart Variation Pattern PO04" for a jackpot and when the main control circuit 40 transmits the "Special Chart Variation Pattern PH04" for a miss. The reliability of a jackpot for these battle images BL1 to BL4 is set in the order of "Battle Image BL4", "Battle Background BL3", "Battle Image BL2", and "Battle Image BL1" (see FIG. 6).

Each of the battle images BL1 to BL4 has two possible endings: a winning ending and a losing ending. As shown in FIG. 17(e), a winning ending suggests that the female protagonist's silhouette W has won, and is displayed when the "special chart fluctuation pattern PO01 to PO04" for a jackpot is sent. As shown in FIG. 17(f), a losing ending suggests that the female protagonist's silhouette W has lost, and is displayed when the "special chart fluctuation pattern PH01 to PH04" for a miss is sent.

As shown in FIG. 14(e), the special reach effect is a "battle image display" followed by a "three-row still display." As shown in FIG. 17(e), in the special reach effect for a big win, the main character wins a fight in each of the battle images BL1 to BL4, and then three rows of performance symbols are displayed in a big win combination after a victory ending, while in the special reach effect for a loss, as shown in FIG. 17(f), the main character loses a fight in each of the battle images L1 to BL4, and then three rows of performance symbols are displayed in a loss ending combination. Note that in battle image BL1, dinosaur D1 has already been defeated before the ending is reached, and the female main character ends up winning the fight against the remaining dinosaur D2.

6-3. Reserve performance The reserve performance is a performance that displays the reserved number of special chart 1 or the reserved number of special chart 2. The reserved number of special chart 1 is displayed in normal mode, and the reserved number of special chart 2 is displayed in chance mode and speed mode, respectively, and the reserved number of special chart 1 and the reserved number of special chart 2 are notified to the player as the number of cloud images C as shown in FIG.

6-4. Jackpot Game Presentation The jackpot game presentation displays a jackpot game background image in the display area E of the presentation symbol display 28, and begins when the jackpot game starts and ends when the jackpot game ends. Fig. 18 shows a jackpot game background image. This jackpot game background image is made up of an image of two dancing female silhouettes, and a "hit right" announcement image A1 is displayed superimposed in front of the jackpot game background image to encourage the player to hit right. This jackpot game background image corresponds to a game image.

6-5. Prize ball acquisition presentation During the jackpot game presentation, a prize ball acquisition presentation is performed. This prize ball acquisition presentation displays prize ball acquisition information superimposed on the jackpot game background image, and is performed in presentation pattern 1 in a 5-round jackpot game, and in presentation pattern 2 in a 16-round jackpot game. This prize ball acquisition information counts up the number of prize balls that the player can acquire in the currently ongoing jackpot game from an initial value to an end value. The initial value of this prize ball acquisition information is set to "0" in each of presentation patterns 1 and 2, and the end value of the prize ball acquisition information is set to "400" in presentation pattern 1, and to "1280" in presentation pattern 2.

The count-up display of the prize ball acquisition information is performed as the rounds progress. The update unit of this prize ball acquisition information is set to "80/1 round", and as shown in Figures 18(a) to (d), in presentation pattern 1, the prize ball acquisition information is displayed as a count-up of "80" per round from the initial value "0" to the final value "400", and as shown in Figures 18(a) to (h), in presentation pattern 2, the prize ball acquisition information is displayed as a count-up of "80" per round from the initial value "0" to the final value "1280". During this jackpot game, a display area E1 is set on the presentation pattern display 28, and the prize ball acquisition information is displayed as a count-up within the display area E1.

19(a) shows the fall avoidance notice performance process of the sub-control circuit 60, in which the sub-control circuit 60 judges whether the current performance mode is the speed mode in S101. If it is judged that the current performance mode is the normal mode or chance mode, the process is terminated. If it is judged that the current performance mode is the speed mode, the process is compared in S102 with the "PO01-04" for the special reach of the jackpot. If it is judged that the reception result of the variation pattern is one of "PO01-04", the process proceeds to S103, and it is judged whether the reception result of the jackpot type is the jackpot pattern 1 or 3. If it is judged that the reception result of the jackpot type is the jackpot pattern 2 or 4, the process is terminated. If it is judged that the reception result of the jackpot type is the jackpot pattern 1 or 3, the fall avoidance notice performance is set in S104, and a combination of completely missing symbols is set as a tentative combination of the three rows of performance symbols in S105.

If the sub-control circuit 60 determines in S102 that the received result of the fluctuation pattern is not one of "PO01-04," it compares the received result of the fluctuation pattern with "PH01-04" for a losing special reach in S106. If it determines that the received result of the fluctuation pattern is not one of "PH01-04," it ends the processing, and if it determines that the received result of the fluctuation pattern is one of "PH01-04," it sets a fall avoidance notice performance in S104 and sets a completely losing combination as a provisional combination of the three rows of performance symbols in S105. There are two types of fall avoidance warning effects: warning pattern B and warning pattern R. As shown in FIG. 19(b), when determining a jackpot, the sub-control circuit 60 sets warning pattern B with a probability of "10%" and warning pattern R with a probability of "90%." When determining a miss, as shown in FIG. 19(c), it sets warning pattern B with a probability of "90%" and warning pattern R with a probability of "10%."

The fall avoidance notice indicates to the player that the three rows of symbols will form a jackpot combination in the current symbol play during the high-probability time-saving mode, and is not performed when a jackpot occurs that would end the high-probability time-saving mode (jackpot symbol 2 and jackpot symbol 4), but is performed when the high-probability time-saving mode continues regardless of whether it is a hit or not. In other words, the fall avoidance notice notifies the player with a 100% probability that the high-probability time-saving mode will continue, while at the same time suggesting to the player how highly likely it is that a jackpot will occur, and notice pattern R is set to have a higher probability of a jackpot than notice pattern B.

Figure 20 is an image of the fall avoidance notice performance, and the fall avoidance notice performance starts with an image in which the left column performance pattern, the middle column performance pattern, and the right column performance pattern move downward from the initial position at the top end of the liquid crystal screen of the performance pattern display 28 at the same speed as shown in Figure 20 (a). These three columns of performance patterns are displayed as a result of the setting of a completely miss combination in S105 of Figure 19 (a), and the initial positions are set to the same height between the left column performance pattern, the middle column performance pattern, and the right column performance pattern. This image is displayed in front of the speed background image and has an announcement image A1 of "right hit", an announcement image A2 of time-saving information, and a female character image Cw. The announcement image A1 encourages the player to hit right, the announcement image A2 notifies the player of the number of times the electric support state 1 has continued in numerical value, and the character image Cw notifies the player that the current game mode is the high-probability time-saving mode. The fall avoidance notice effect image corresponds to the specific effect image and the notice effect image, and the three rows of effect patterns correspond to the specific image.

In the fall avoidance notice performance, as shown in FIG. 20(b), display areas El, Ec, and Er are set on the performance pattern display 28. Display area El is for the performance patterns in the left row, and the moving display of the left row performance patterns is stopped within display area El. Display area Ec is for the performance patterns in the middle row, and the moving display of the middle row performance patterns is stopped within display area Ec. Display area Er is for the performance patterns in the right row, and the moving display of the right row performance patterns is stopped within display area Er. This display area Er is set at the lowest point among the display areas El to Er, display area Ec is set at the second lowest position, and display area El is set at the highest point, and the moving display of the three rows of performance patterns is stopped in the order of left row → middle row → right row, and the three rows of performance patterns are arranged in an upward inclination from right to left in the stopped state.

The window area W in FIG. 20(b) is substantially the entire display area E at the time when the three rows of performance patterns stop moving, and is set to an area including the three rows of performance patterns. As shown in FIG. 20(c), this window area W is shifted together with the three rows of performance patterns in the fall avoidance performance. This shifting is performed with respect to the reference area, which is the area immediately before the start of the fall avoidance notice performance, and the window area W is shifted two-dimensionally by being displayed in a reduced size while being displayed in a tilted manner so as to rise from right to left. The outer area O in FIG. 20(c) is the remaining outer area of the reference area (see the two-dot chain line) of the display area E of the performance pattern display device 28 immediately before the fall avoidance notice performance starts to be displayed. This outer area O is also the window area W immediately before being shifted, and is enlarged in accordance with the window area W being displayed in a tilted and reduced size. When this window area W is displayed in a tilted and reduced size, the character image Cw and the three rows of performance patterns are displayed in a tilted and reduced size together with the window area W, and the three rows of performance patterns are erased from the window area W. This window area W corresponds to the specific area, and the outer area O corresponds to the external area.

After the tilted reduced display is complete, the window area W is displayed so that it shifts three-dimensionally. This three-dimensional movement is performed so that the left end of the window area W moves away from the right end in the depth direction, and FIG. 20(d) shows the image at the end of the three-dimensional shifting of the window area W. When the three-dimensional shifting of the window area W is complete, the left window area Wl is in its completed form. This left window area Wl is adjacent to the left side of the window area W via the partition line image L, and gradually appears as the three-dimensional shifting of the window area W progresses. This left window area Wl is an area that is three-dimensionally shifted from the window area W, and corresponds to a separate area.

When the three-dimensional shifting movement of the window area W is completed, as shown in FIG. 20(d), a character image Cw is superimposed on the left window area Wl. This character image Cw is the image displayed in the display area E of the effect pattern display 28 immediately before the start of the fall avoidance notice performance, and notifies the player that the current play mode is the high probability time-saving mode. One of the reach notice images R1 to R4 is superimposed on the window area W. Each of these reach notice images R1 to R4 is an image of the current effect pattern play, and notifies the player with 100% reliability of the type of battle image to be displayed after the fall avoidance notice performance. As shown in FIG. 20(e), the reach notice image R1 predicts the display of battle image BL1, the reach notice image R2 predicts the display of battle image BL2, the reach notice image R3 predicts the display of battle image BL3, and the reach notice image R4 predicts the display of battle image BL4.

When the left window area Wl is displayed in the completed form, a caption image T saying "It's OK" is displayed in the outer area O. This caption image T is an image that was not displayed in the display area E of the performance pattern display 28 immediately before the start of the fall avoidance notice performance. This caption image T indicates to the player that the high probability time-saving mode will not fall into the normal play mode in this performance pattern play, and is displayed in "blue" color when the result of the setting of the notice pattern in S104 of FIG. 19 is notice pattern B, and is displayed in "red" color when the result of the setting of the notice pattern in S104 of FIG. 19 is notice pattern R.

The fall avoidance notice performance ends when the caption image T is displayed in a color according to the setting result of the notice pattern, and when the fall avoidance notice performance ends, the left window area Wl, character image Cw, window area W, reach notice image, and caption image T are erased, and the three columns of performance patterns are redisplayed in a scrolling state superimposed on top of the speed background image as shown in Figure 21 (a). These three columns of performance patterns scroll and stop in the order of the left column and the right column as shown in Figure 21 (b) and (c), and when the left column performance patterns and the right column performance patterns stop scrolling, the three columns of performance patterns enter a reach state, and the middle column performance patterns switch to a slow scrolling state in a reach state.

When the middle row of performance symbols is switched to a slow scroll state, as shown in FIG. 21(d), the three rows of performance symbols are erased and then a battle image corresponding to the reach preview image begins to be displayed. As shown in FIG. 21(e)(f), this battle image has a low probability of a winning outcome when the caption image T is displayed in blue, and a high probability of a winning outcome when the caption image T is displayed in red. The three rows of performance symbols have a low probability of a winning outcome when the caption image T is displayed in blue, and a high probability of a winning outcome when the caption image T is displayed in red. This caption image T corresponds to the preview image.

6-7. Color Effects The color effects are produced by making each LED 31 of the illumination device 29 emit light in a manner corresponding to the illumination pattern, and by illuminating each LED cover 30 in a manner corresponding to the illumination pattern, the images of the performance symbol game are produced with light, and the illumination patterns are set to illumination patterns PD1 to PD4 as shown in Fig. 22. This color effect corresponds to the illumination effect.

Each of the illumination patterns PD1 to PD4 turns on and off each LED 31 of the illumination device 29 in the same time-sequential blinking pattern of "on for T1 seconds and off for T2 seconds," and the brightness of each LED 31 is set to be the same. These illumination patterns PD1 to PD4 have LEDs 31 of different colors, and in illumination pattern PD1, the light emission color of each LED 31 when it is on changes in a common color pattern of "white → red → gold," in illumination pattern PD2, the light emission color of each LED 31 when it is on changes in a common color pattern of "white → purple," in illumination pattern PD3, the light emission color of each LED 31 when it is on changes in a common color pattern of "white → red," and in illumination pattern PD4, the light emission color of each LED 31 when it is on changes in a common color pattern of "white → gold." The illumination pattern PD1 corresponds to the first illumination effect, the illumination pattern PD2 corresponds to the second illumination effect, and the illumination pattern PD3 corresponds to the third illumination effect.

Figure 24 (a) shows the display contents of the effect pattern display 28 when the sub-control circuit 60 displays an image of the effect pattern game according to the special pattern change patterns PO01 and PH01. When the time T, which is based on the reference T0 when the image of the effect pattern game starts to be displayed, is "T1 ≦ T ≦ T2", two dinosaurs D1 and D2 are displayed simultaneously in the battle image BL1, and when it is "T2 ≦ T ≦ T3", one dinosaur D1 is displayed. These images of the dinosaurs D1 and D2 correspond to character images, and the battle image BL1 corresponds to the first character effect. Figure 24 (b) shows the display contents of the effect pattern display 28 when the sub-control circuit 60 displays an image of the effect pattern game according to the special pattern change patterns PO02 and PH02. When the time T, which is based on the reference T0 when the image of the effect pattern game starts to be displayed, is "T1 ≦ T ≦ T2", one dinosaur D1 is displayed in the battle image BL2. This battle image BL2 corresponds to the second character effect.

Figure 24 (c) shows the display contents of the effect pattern display 28 when the sub-control circuit 60 displays an image for effect pattern play according to the special pattern change patterns PO03 and PH03, and when the time T, which is based on the reference T0 when the image for effect pattern play starts to be displayed, is "T1≦T≦T2", one dinosaur D2 is displayed in the battle image BL3. Figure 24 (d) shows the display contents of the effect pattern display 28 when the sub-control circuit 60 displays an image for effect pattern play according to the special pattern change patterns PO04 and PH04, and when the time T, which is based on the reference T0 when the image for effect pattern play starts to be displayed, is "T1≦T≦T2", one dinosaur D3 is displayed in the battle image BL4.

As shown in FIG. 23(a), the illumination patterns PD1 to PD4 are selected according to the type of reach character that appears in the reach state when the reach state occurs in the image of the performance pattern game. The color performance process in FIG. 23(b) is for the sub-control circuit 60 to illuminate the illumination device 29 with an illumination pattern according to the type of reach character, and the sub-control circuit 60 judges in S111 whether the two dinosaurs D1 and D2 are displayed as reach characters on the performance pattern display device 28. This process is performed by judging whether the measurement value of the timer T based on the start of displaying the image of the performance pattern game according to the special pattern variation pattern PO01 or PH01 is "T1≦T≦T2", and the sub-control circuit 60 judges that the two dinosaurs D1 and D2 are displayed as reach characters when "T1≦T≦T2". In this case, the process proceeds to S112, and the illumination device 29 is illuminated with the illumination pattern PD1 in response to controlling each LED 31 of the illumination device 29 with the illumination pattern PD1.

In S113, the sub-control circuit 60 judges whether one of the dinosaurs D1 is displayed on the performance pattern display 28 as a reach character. This process is performed by judging whether the measurement value of the timer T based on the start of displaying the image of the performance pattern game according to the special pattern variation pattern PO02 or PH02 is "T1 ≦ T ≦ T2" or not, and the sub-control circuit 60 judges that one of the dinosaurs D1 is displayed as a reach character when "T1 ≦ T ≦ T2" is true. In this case, the process proceeds to S114, and the illumination device 29 is illuminated with the illumination pattern PD2 in response to controlling each LED 31 of the illumination device 29 with the illumination pattern PD2. This process is also performed by judging whether the measurement value of the timer T based on the start of displaying the image of the performance pattern game according to the special pattern variation pattern PO01 or PH01 is "T2 < T ≦ T3" or not, and the sub-control circuit 60 judges that one of the dinosaurs D1 is displayed as a reach character when "T2 < T ≦ T3" is true. In this case, the process proceeds to S114, and the illumination device 29 is illuminated with the illumination pattern PD2 by controlling each LED 31 of the illumination device 29 with the illumination pattern PD2.

In S115, the sub-control circuit 60 judges whether one of the dinosaurs D2 is displayed as a reach character on the effect pattern display 28. This process is performed by judging whether the measured value of the timer T based on the start of displaying the image of the effect pattern game according to the special pattern change pattern PO03 or PH03 is "T1≦T≦T2", and the sub-control circuit 60 judges that one of the dinosaurs D2 is displayed as a reach character when "T1≦T≦T2" holds. In this case, the process proceeds to S116, and the illumination device 29 is illuminated with the illumination pattern PD3 in response to controlling each LED 31 of the illumination device 29 with the illumination pattern PD3.

In S117, the sub-control circuit 60 judges whether one of the dinosaurs D3 is displayed as a reach character on the performance pattern display 28. This process is performed by judging whether the measured value of the timer T based on the start of displaying the image of the performance pattern game according to the special pattern change pattern PO04 or PH04 is "T1 ≦ T ≦ T2" or not, and the sub-control circuit 60 judges that one of the dinosaurs D3 is displayed as a reach character when "T1 ≦ T ≦ T2" holds. In this case, the process proceeds to S118, and the illumination device 29 is illuminated with the illumination pattern PD4 in response to controlling each LED 31 of the illumination device 29 with the illumination pattern PD4.

The illumination pattern PD1 changes the color pattern of the illumination device 29 from "white → red → gold" and is composed of the "white" part of the color pattern of the illumination pattern PD2, the "red" part of the color pattern of the illumination pattern PD3, and the "gold" part of the color pattern of the illumination pattern PD4. This illumination pattern PD1 is set for battle image BL1, which has the highest reliability among battle images BL1 to BL4, and the player can infer that battle image BL1 has the highest reliability because battle image BL1 is illuminated with "white", which is part of the color pattern for battle image BL2, "red", which is part of the color pattern for battle image BL3, and "gold", which is part of the color pattern for battle image BL4.

6-8. BGM Production
The BGM effect is to produce a sound effect for each of the battle images BL1 to BL4 by outputting a sound corresponding to the sound data from both speakers 32 while each of the battle images BL1 to BL4 is being displayed. The sound data S1 to S4 are set in the sound data S1 to S4. The BGM effects correspond to the ringing effects, and the BGM effect in the sound data S1 corresponds to the first ringing effect, and the BGM effect in the sound data S2 corresponds to the second ringing effect. The BGM effect in sound data S3 corresponds to the third ringing effect.

The sound data S2 outputs the sound of the dinosaur D1 roaring, and as shown in FIG. 25(c), the length (playback time) of the sound data S2 is set to "T (e.g., 2 seconds)," the musical scale of the sound data S2 is set to "CS," the volume of the sound data S2 is set to "L1," and the tone of the sound data S2 is set to "T1." The sound data S3 outputs the sound of the dinosaur D2 roaring, and as shown in FIG. 25(d), the playback time of the sound data S3 is set to "T," the same as the sound data S2, the musical scale of the sound data S3 is set to "CS," the same as the sound data S2, the volume of the sound data S3 is set to "L2," which is different from the sound data S2, and the tone of the sound data S3 is set to "T2," which is different from the sound data S2.

The sound data S4 outputs the sound of the dinosaur D3 roaring, and as shown in FIG. 25(e), the playback time of the sound data S4 is set to "T", the same as the sound data S2 and S3, the scale of the sound data S4 is set to "CS", the same as the sound data S2 and S3, the volume of the sound data S4 is set to "L3", which is different from the sound data S2 and S3, and the tone of the sound data S4 is set to "T3", which is different from the sound data S2 and S3. The sound data S1 outputs the sound of the dinosaur D1 roaring, the sound of the dinosaur D2 roaring, and the sound of the dinosaur D1 roaring, in that order. This sound data S1 is set by combining the sound data S2, the sound data S3, and the sound data S2, and the playback time is set to "3T".

Figure 25 (a) shows the BGM performance process in which the sub-control circuit 60 selects sound data for the BGM performance. The sub-control circuit 60 determines in S121 whether the electric light 29 is being controlled to blink with the electric light pattern PD1. If it is determined that the electric light 29 is being controlled to blink with the electric light pattern PD1, then in S122 both speakers 32 are controlled to ring with sound data S1, and if it is determined that the electric light 29 is not being controlled to blink with the electric light pattern PD1, then the process proceeds to S123.

When the sub-control circuit 60 proceeds to S123, it determines whether the electric light 29 is being controlled to blink with the electric light pattern PD2. If it is determined that the electric light 29 is being controlled to blink with the electric light pattern PD2, it controls both speakers 32 to sound with the sound data S2 in S124. If it is determined that the electric light 29 is not being controlled to blink with the electric light pattern PD2, it determines whether the electric light 29 is being controlled to blink with the electric light pattern PD3 in S125. If it is determined that the electric light 29 is being controlled to blink with the electric light pattern PD3, it controls both speakers 32 to sound with the sound data S3 in S126. If it is determined that the electric light 29 is not being controlled to blink with the electric light pattern PD3, it determines whether the electric light 29 is being controlled to blink with the electric light pattern PD4 in S127. If it is determined that the electric light 29 is being controlled to blink with the electric light pattern PD4, it controls both speakers 32 to sound with the sound data S4 in S128.

That is, when two dinosaurs, D1 and D2, are displayed as reach characters on the performance pattern display 28, the illumination device 29 flashes in illumination pattern PD1, and both speakers 32 output the roaring sound of dinosaur D1 and the roaring sound of dinosaur D2. When one dinosaur D1 is displayed as a reach character on the performance pattern display 28, the illumination device 29 flashes in illumination pattern PD2, and both speakers 32 output the roaring sound of dinosaur D1. When one dinosaur D2 is displayed as a reach character on the performance pattern display 28, the illumination device 29 flashes in illumination pattern PD3, and both speakers 32 output the roaring sound of dinosaur D2. When one of the dinosaurs D3 is displayed as a reach character on the performance pattern display 28, the illumination device 29 flashes in illumination pattern PD4, and both speakers 32 output the roaring sound of the dinosaur D3.

7-1. Main Processing When the power is turned on, the sub-control circuit 60 detects the main processing program shown in Fig. 26 from the ROM, sets access permission to the RAM in S201, and sets interrupt prohibition in S202. Then, in the random number update process in S203, the values of multiple random numbers in the RAM are updated, and after interrupts are permitted in S204, S202 to S204 are repeated. During this interrupt permission, the start of the reception interrupt process in S205 and the timer interrupt process in S206 is permitted.

The sub-control circuit 60 starts the reception interrupt process of S205 every time the STB signal from the main control circuit 40 is input to the INT terminal. This reception interrupt process is executed in priority to the timer interrupt process of S206, and the sub-control circuit 60 stores the command etc. transmitted by the main control circuit 40 in the output process of S11 in Fig. 8 in the reception buffer of the RAM during the reception interrupt process.

7-3. Timer interrupt processing The sub-control circuit 60 starts the timer interrupt processing of S206 every time a timer interrupt signal is input at a fixed cycle. Fig. 27 shows the timer interrupt processing, in which the sub-control circuit 60 turns on the symbol game presentation start processing flag (S212), the symbol game presentation stop processing flag (S214), the big win game presentation start processing flag (S216), and the big win game presentation stop processing flag (S218) in the received command analysis processing of S211, and executes the symbol game presentation start processing of S213 when the symbol game presentation start processing flag is in the on state, executes the symbol game presentation stop processing of S215 when the symbol game presentation stop processing flag is in the on state, executes the big win game presentation start processing of S217 when the big win game presentation start processing flag is in the on state, and executes the big win game presentation stop processing of S219 when the big win game presentation stop processing flag is in the on state.

The sub-control circuit 60 performs the prize ball acquisition presentation in the prize ball acquisition presentation process of S220 in Fig. 27, performs the color presentation process of Fig. 23(b) in S221, and performs the BGM presentation process of Fig. 25(a) in S222. This prize ball acquisition presentation process determines whether a 5-round jackpot game or a 16-round jackpot game will be played based on the result of the jackpot type determination from the main control circuit 40, and if it determines that a 5-round jackpot game will be played, it performs the prize ball acquisition presentation in presentation pattern 1, and if it determines that a 16-round jackpot game will be played, it performs the prize ball acquisition presentation in presentation pattern 2.

7-3-1. Received command analysis process FIG. 28 shows the received command analysis process of S211. In S231, the sub-control circuit 60 judges whether the fluctuation start command 1 or the fluctuation start command 2 from the main control circuit 51 is stored in the receiving buffer, and if it judges that the fluctuation start command 1 or the fluctuation start command 2 is stored, it turns on the pattern game performance start processing flag in S232. When the pattern game performance start processing flag is in the on state, the process moves from S212 to S213 by the timer interruption process, and executes the pattern game performance start processing. In S233 of FIG. 28, the sub-control circuit 60 judges whether the fluctuation stop command 1 or the fluctuation stop command 2 from the main control circuit 40 is stored in the receiving buffer, and if it judges that the fluctuation stop command 1 or the fluctuation stop command 2 is stored, it turns on the pattern game performance stop processing flag in S234. When the pattern game performance stop processing flag is in the on state, the process moves from S214 to S215 by the timer interruption process, and executes the pattern game performance stop processing.

The sub-control circuit 60 determines whether or not a jackpot game start command from the main control circuit 40 is stored in the receiving buffer in S235 of FIG. 28, and if it determines that a jackpot game start command is stored, it turns on the jackpot game presentation start processing flag in S236. When the jackpot game presentation start processing flag is in the on state, the process moves from S216 to S217 by timer interrupt processing, and executes the jackpot game presentation start processing. The sub-control circuit 60 determines whether or not a jackpot game stop command from the main control circuit 40 is stored in the receiving buffer in S237 of FIG. 28, and if it determines that a jackpot game stop command is stored, it turns on the jackpot game presentation stop processing flag in S238. When the jackpot game presentation stop processing flag is in the on state, it moves from S218 to S219 by timer interrupt processing, and executes the jackpot game presentation stop processing.

29(a) shows the jackpot game performance start process of S217, in which the sub-control circuit 60 sets the jackpot game performance mode in S241. Then, in S242, the video data for the jackpot game performance is started to be played back, and the background image for the jackpot game performance is started to be displayed on the performance pattern display 28, and in S243, the jackpot game performance start process flag is turned off.
29(b) shows the jackpot game presentation stop processing of S219, in which the sub-control circuit 60 releases the jackpot game presentation mode in S251, erases the background image for the jackpot game presentation in response to stopping the playback of the video data for the jackpot game presentation in S252, and turns off the jackpot game presentation stop processing flag in S253.

7-3-4. Pattern game presentation start processing FIG. 29 (c) is the pattern game presentation start processing of S213, and the sub-control circuit 60 detects the reception result of the special pattern 1 game data (the judgment result of whether it is a win or not, the judgment result of the type of the jackpot, the judgment result of the special pattern change pattern, and the judgment result of whether it falls or not) or the reception result of the special pattern 2 game data (the judgment result of whether it is a win or not, the judgment result of the type of the jackpot, the judgment result of the special pattern change pattern, and the judgment result of whether it falls or not) from the reception buffer in S261.

When the sub-control circuit 60 finishes S261 in FIG. 29(c), it sets a combination of three columns of performance symbols in S262. The three columns of performance symbols are set to a "jackpot combination" when the result of the hit/miss detection is "jackpot", and when the result of the hit/miss detection is "miss", the three columns are set to a "miss reach combination" when the result of the fluctuation pattern detection is "PH01-PH05" for miss, and are set to a "complete miss combination" when the result of the fluctuation pattern detection is "PH06, PH07" for miss. When the sub-control circuit 60 finishes S262, it detects video data corresponding to the result of the fluctuation pattern detection from the CGROM in S263, and starts displaying the image of the performance symbol game on the performance symbol display 28 in response to starting the playback of the detection result of the video data. When the sub-control circuit 60 finishes S263, it turns off the symbol game performance start processing flag in S264.
29(d) shows the pattern game performance stop processing of S215, in which the sub-control circuit 60 displays the three rows of performance symbols as a result of the combination setting in S271, and turns off the pattern game performance stop processing flag in S272.

According to the above-mentioned first embodiment, the following effects are obtained.
The fall avoidance notice performance image is started to be displayed when a specific image in which three rows of performance patterns stop scrolling is displayed while the performance pattern game image is displayed in the display area E of the performance pattern display 28. This fall avoidance notice performance is a performance in which the window area W including the three rows of performance patterns shifts relative to the reference area immediately before the start of the fall avoidance notice performance, and an outer area O of the window area W is formed within the display area E (reference area) of the performance pattern display 28. This fall avoidance notice performance can be started to be displayed regardless of the development of the performance pattern game image, without requiring a special start such as displaying a rare character image in the performance pattern game image. Therefore, the degree of freedom regarding the timing of starting the display of the fall avoidance notice performance is increased, so it is possible to easily improve the ingenuity of the performance pattern game image.

Since the caption image T is displayed in the fall avoidance notice performance, not only is the player's expectation for a big win heightened by the shifting movement of the window area W, but the reliability of the big win can be specifically indicated to the player. Moreover, since the caption image T is displayed in the outer area O where the player's gaze is focused in the fall avoidance notice performance, the player is less likely to miss the caption image T. Moreover, since the caption image T that was not displayed in the display area E of the performance pattern display device 28 immediately before the start of the fall avoidance notice performance is displayed as a notice pattern, the freshness of the image is enhanced in the player's line of sight.
In the fall avoidance notice performance, the left window area Wl is displayed which is further displaced from the window area W in response to the three-dimensional shifting of the window area W, thereby enhancing the visual appeal of the image of the fall avoidance notice performance. Moreover, in response to the display of the reach notice image in the left window area Wl, information related to the image of the performance pattern game is provided to the player, thereby enhancing the appeal of the game.

When it is determined that the game state will not be downgraded from the high probability time-saving state to the low probability non-time-saving state in this performance pattern game, an image of the fall avoidance notice performance is displayed as an image of a notice performance suggesting a non-fall of the game state. Therefore, the image of the fall avoidance notice performance gives the player a sense of security that the game can be continued in the high probability time-saving state, so that the player can enjoy the image of the fall avoidance notice performance with peace of mind.
A character image Cw is displayed in the left window area Wl where the player's gaze is focused during the fall avoidance notice performance. This character image Cw was displayed in the display area E of the performance pattern display 28 immediately before the start of the fall avoidance notice performance, and by visually checking the character image Cw in the left window area Wl, the player can easily recognize that the game state is the same high probability time-saving state as immediately before the start of the fall avoidance notice performance.
In the fall avoidance notice performance, three rows of performance symbols and character images Cw are two-dimensionally moved together with the window area W while being displayed within the window area W, so that the player can clearly recognize that the current performance symbol game is continuing.

The color effects, which use light to create images in the performance pattern game, are performed using different illumination patterns PD1 to PD4, and the BGM effects, which use sound to create images in the performance pattern game, are performed according to the sound data S1 to S4. This provides diversity to each of the color effects and BGM effects, making it possible to enhance the appeal of the color effects and BGM effects. Furthermore, the color effect of illumination pattern PD2 uses the "white" color of part of illumination pattern PD1, the color effect of illumination pattern PD3 uses the "red" color of part of illumination pattern PD1, and the color effect of illumination pattern PD4 uses the "gold" color of part of illumination pattern PD1. This creates a visual correlation between illumination patterns PD1 to PD4 at the player's line of sight, making it possible to further enhance the appeal of the color effects.

When images of dinosaurs D1 and D2 are displayed simultaneously in the performance pattern game image, the illumination device 29 is illuminated with illumination pattern PD1 and a sound corresponding to sound data S1 is output from both speakers 32; when an image of dinosaur D1 is displayed in the performance pattern game image, the illumination device 29 is illuminated with illumination pattern PD2 and a sound corresponding to sound data S2 is output from both speakers 32; when an image of dinosaur D2 is displayed in the performance pattern game image, the illumination device 29 is illuminated with illumination pattern PD3 and a sound corresponding to sound data S3 is output from both speakers 32. Therefore, the illumination and sound effects are performed in a manner corresponding to the type of dinosaur character image currently displayed in the performance pattern game image, improving the entertainment value of the game.

Since one common white color is used among the color effects in the illumination pattern PD1 to the illumination pattern PD3, it becomes clear from the player's point of view that each of the three color effects notifies the reliability of a big win.
In the color presentation in the illumination pattern PD1, the illumination device 29 is illuminated with a plurality of colors including white and red, in the color presentation in the illumination pattern PD2, the illumination device 29 is illuminated with a plurality of colors including white, and in the color presentation in the illumination pattern PD3, the illumination device 29 is illuminated with a plurality of colors including red, and accordingly, the color presentation in the illumination pattern PD1 to the color presentation in the illumination pattern PD3 are linked by one color, so that it becomes clear to the player that each of the three color presentations indicates a different degree of reliability of a jackpot.

Since the BGM effects in sound data S1 to S3 use a common scale, it becomes clear to the player that each of the three BGM effects notifies the player of the reliability of the big win. Moreover, since the tone and volume are different between the three BGM effects, it becomes clear to the player that the reliability is different between the three BGM effects.
The roar of dinosaur D1, which is part of the BGM performance in sound pattern S1, is used in the BGM performance in sound pattern S2, and the roar of dinosaur D2, which is another part of the BGM performance in sound pattern S1, is used in the BGM performance in sound pattern S3. This makes it clear to the player that each of the BGM performances in sound pattern S1 to S3 notifies the reliability of a jackpot.

In the above-mentioned first embodiment, a caption image T may be displayed in the window area W in a fall avoidance warning performance.
In the above-mentioned first embodiment, the character image Cw may be displayed in the window area W in the fall avoidance notice performance, and the reach notice image may be displayed in the left window area Wl.
In the above-described first embodiment, when the dinosaurs D1 and D2 are displayed in the battle image BL1, the roar of the dinosaur D1 in the sound data S2 may be output from one speaker 32, and the roar of the dinosaur D2 in the sound data S3 may be output from the other speaker 32. That is, the first sound effect may be a sound effect in which at least a part of the second sound effect and at least a part of the third sound effect are simultaneously superimposed.

[Example 2]
Fig. 30 shows a notice performance that occurs during the display of the image of the performance pattern game, and the notice performance includes a reserved change notice, a cut-in notice, a dialogue notice, and an illumination notice. The reserved change notice, as shown in Fig. 30(a), changes the cloud image C in accordance with the superimposition of a notice picture C1 on the cloud image C in the reserved performance, and suggests to the player that the three rows of performance patterns will be a jackpot combination in the image of the performance pattern game from the next time onwards according to the cloud image C. The cut-in notice, as shown in Fig. 30(b), superimposes a notice picture C2 in front of the three rows of performance patterns before the combination of the three rows of performance patterns is determined in the image of the performance pattern game, and suggests to the player that the three rows of performance patterns will be a jackpot combination in the image of the current performance pattern game. As shown in Fig. 30(c), the dialogue notice is a notice picture C3 superimposed on the front of the three rows of performance symbols before the combination of the three rows of performance symbols is determined in the image of the performance symbol game, and at the same time, a sound corresponding to the notice picture C3 is output from both speakers 32, suggesting to the player that the three rows of performance symbols will be a big hit combination in the image of the current performance symbol game. As shown in Fig. 30(d), the illumination notice is a notice that the illumination device 29 flashes in a pattern different from the illumination patterns PD1 to PD4 before the combination of the three rows of performance symbols is determined in the image of the performance symbol game, suggesting to the player that the three rows of performance symbols will be a big hit combination in the image of the current performance symbol game.

The presentation mode is set to a frequent notice mode. This frequent notice mode is a presentation mode in which the probability of occurrence of each of the hold change notice, cut-in notice, dialogue notice, and illumination notice is increased compared to when the frequent notice mode is not set, and ends when a certain amount of time (e.g., 10 minutes) has elapsed based on when the frequent notice mode was set. Figure 31 (a) shows the frequent notice mode setting process executed by the sub-control circuit 60 in the pattern game presentation start process of Figure 29 (c), and the sub-control circuit 60 determines in S301 whether the current game mode is the low-probability non-time-saving mode. If it is determined that the current game mode is the low-probability non-time-saving mode, the process proceeds to S302, and a lottery is held to determine whether or not to set the frequent notice mode.

When the sub-control circuit 60 has completed the lottery process in S302, it determines in S303 whether the lottery result is a win or not. If it determines that the lottery result is a win, it sets the frequent preview mode to the on state in S304, and sets the preview performance pattern in S305. This preview performance pattern refers to the performance content of the image of a specific preview performance that determines whether the frequent preview mode is set or not, and the sub-control circuit 60 selects preview performance pattern P1 with a higher probability than preview performance pattern P2 in S305, as shown in FIG. 31(b).

If the sub-control circuit 60 determines in S303 that the lottery result is a loss, it draws in S306 whether to display an image of a specific preview effect. If the lottery result is a win, it selects in S307 whether to display the image of the specific preview effect in preview effect pattern P1 or preview effect pattern P2. When the frequent preview mode is not set, the sub-control circuit 60 selects preview effect pattern P1 with a lower probability than preview effect pattern P2, as shown in FIG. 31(c), and from the player's point of view, when the image of the specific preview effect is displayed in preview effect pattern P1, the frequent preview effect mode is set with a higher probability than when it is displayed in preview effect pattern P2.

Figure 32 shows an image of a specific preview effect. This image of the specific preview effect is displayed while the image of the effect pattern game is being displayed, and corresponds to the image of the specific effect and the image of the suggested effect. This image of the specific preview effect is started by displaying a reduced normal background image in a scrolling display state of three rows of effect patterns, as shown in Figures 32 (a) and (b). The window area W in Figure 32 is the reduced normal background image, and the outer area O is the area between the reference area and the window area W of the display area E of the effect pattern display 28 just before the image of the specific preview effect starts to be displayed, and it is enlarged as the window area W is reduced in size.

Figure 32 (c) shows an image when the reduced display of the window area W is completed. When the reduced display of the window area W is completed, the tilted display of the window area W is started as shown in Figures 32 (c) and (d). This tilted display is a three-dimensional tilt of the left edge of the window area W toward the depth of the screen relative to the right edge, and in preview performance pattern 1, it is superimposed in front of a red effect image Ef1. This effect image Ef1 has a shape imitating seven stars and is displayed in the outer area O. In preview performance pattern 2, the tilted display of the window area W is superimposed in front of a blue effect image Ef2 as shown in Figures 32 (c) and (e). This effect image Ef2 has a shape imitating five stars and is displayed in the outer area O.

The specific preview performance of preview performance pattern 1 ends when the window area W and effect image Ef1 are erased, and the specific preview performance of preview performance pattern 2 ends when the window area W and effect image Ef2 are erased. When the specific preview performance ends, the image of the performance pattern game resumes from the state it was in just before the specific preview performance started, as shown in FIG. 32(a). In other words, the specific preview performance suggests to the player that the frequent preview mode is on, and from the player's point of view, when the red effect image Ef1 is displayed, the player can expect the specific frequent mode to be on with a higher degree of confidence than when the blue effect image Ef2 is displayed.

According to the above-mentioned second embodiment, the following effects are obtained.
The entertainment value of the game is improved by suggesting to the player to set the frequent notice mode with an interesting specific notice performance image in which the window area W shifts and moves. Moreover, since the specific notice performance image is displayed in the normal game mode, it is possible to alleviate the boredom of the player who does not get a big win combination of three rows of performance patterns with the interesting specific notice performance image.

[Example 3]
A step-up notice is given while the image of the effect pattern game is displayed. This step-up notice suggests to the player that the three rows of effect patterns in the image of the effect pattern game this time will be a combination of big wins, and has notice steps 1, 2, and 3. This step-up notice notifies the player of the probability of a big win in three stages, "low,""medium," and "high." The probability of a big win is set to "low" when the step-up notice ends at notice step 1, the probability of a big win is set to "medium" when it develops from notice step 1 to notice step 2 but ends at notice step 2, and the probability of a big win is set to "high" when it develops from notice step 1 to notice step 2 and then to step 3.

As shown in FIG. 33(a), preview step 1 displays character image C3 in a sitting position on the performance pattern display 28 while scrolling three rows of performance patterns, and preview step 2 changes character image C3 from a sitting position to a standing position holding an umbrella while scrolling three rows of performance patterns, as shown in FIG. 33(b). Preview step 3 displays an image with a performance content in which the window area W shrinks relative to the reference area while tilting toward the depth of the screen, as shown in FIG. 33(c), with the area including character image C3 in preview step 2 as the reference area, and an outer area O is formed in the display area of the performance pattern display 28 as the tilted and reduced display of the window area W progresses. This outer area O is the remaining area of the reference area of the window area W.

In the notice step 3, a high-high reliability ending and a high-low reliability ending are set. The high-high reliability ending is a seven-star ending image Ss displayed in the outer area O as shown in FIG. 33(d), and the high-low reliability ending of the notice step 3 is a five-star ending image Sf displayed in the outer area O as shown in FIG. 33(e). The high-low reliability ending has a higher reliability of the jackpot than notice step 1 and notice step 2, but is set lower than the high-high reliability ending. When notice step 3 ends with a high-high reliability ending or a high-low reliability ending, the step-up notice image is erased and the three-row performance pattern game image is redisplayed from the state immediately before the start of the step-up notice as shown in FIG. 33(f).

Figure 33 (g) shows the illumination patterns of the illumination device 29 during the step-up preview, where the illumination device 29 is illuminated with illumination pattern 1 while preview step 1 is displayed, the illumination device 29 is illuminated with illumination pattern 2 while preview step 2 is displayed, and the illumination device 29 is illuminated with illumination pattern 3 while preview step 3 is displayed. Illumination pattern 1 causes the illumination device 29 to flash in a "blue" color, and illumination pattern 2 causes the illumination device 29 to flash in a "red" color, with the illumination device 29 flashing at the same normal speed in both illumination patterns 1 and 2. Illumination pattern 3 causes the illumination device 29 to alternate between "flashing in blue" and "flashing in red," and is a combination of illumination pattern 1 and illumination pattern 2 in terms of color. This illumination pattern 3 involves the illumination device 29 flashing in blue and red at a higher speed than normal, and differs from illumination pattern 1 and illumination pattern 2 in terms of the flashing speed.

Figure 33 (g) shows the ringing patterns of both speakers 32 during the step-up preview, where sound is output from both speakers 32 in ringing pattern 1 while preview step 1 is displayed, sound is output from both speakers 32 in ringing pattern 2 while preview step 2 is displayed, and sound is output from both speakers 32 in ringing pattern 3 while preview step 3 is displayed. Ringing pattern 1 is for outputting a "whistling" sound in a predetermined scale from both speakers 32, ringing pattern 2 is for outputting a "humming" sound in the same scale as ringing pattern 1 from both speakers 32, and ringing pattern 3 is for outputting a "singing voice" sound in the same scale as ringing patterns 1 and 2 from both speakers 32, with ringing patterns 1 to 3 being set in common in terms of scale but differing in terms of sound quality and volume.

[Example 4]
As shown in FIG. 34(a), the performance pattern display 28 displays three or more preview images Ym in a scroll state of three columns of performance patterns. These preview images Ym are displayed in front of a normal background image and have different colors including "blue" and "gold". These preview images Ym are displayed together with a normal background image in a window area W in a specific preview performance as shown in FIG. 34(b) and (c), and are erased one by one during the tilt display of the window area W. As shown in FIG. 34(d), when the tilt display of the window area W ends, only one preview image Ym is displayed in the window area W. This one preview image Ym indicates the reliability of the big win in the current performance pattern game in stages based on its color, and the highest reliability is set for the "gold" preview image Ym, and the lowest reliability is set for the "blue" preview image Ym.

[Example 5]
As shown in FIG. 35(a), the performance symbol display 28 displays one preview image Ym in a scroll state of three columns of performance symbols. This preview image Ym is displayed in front of the normal background image and is displayed in one of a plurality of different colors including "blue" and "gold". This preview image Ym indicates the reliability of a big win in the current performance symbol game in stages, and the normal background image and the preview image Ym are continuously displayed even during the display of the image of the specific preview performance. This specific preview performance is started by displaying a window area W on the performance symbol display 28 as shown in FIG. 35(b). This window area W is a reduced version of the entire normal background image, and the preview image Ym is not displayed on the window area W.

When the image of the specific preview performance starts to be displayed, the window area W is displayed in a reduced size, as shown in Fig. 35(b)(c). This reduced display of the window area W is performed with the window area W superimposed in front of the normal background image, and when the reduced display of the window area W ends, an image of the window area W in a reduced state and tilted is displayed, as shown in Fig. 35(c)(d). This tilted display of the window area W stops at a small angle when the reliability of the jackpot is high, as shown in Fig. 35(d), and stops at a large angle when the reliability of the jackpot is low, as shown in Fig. 35(e). The reliability of the jackpot is suggested to the player by the color of the preview image Ym as well as the position of the window area W at the time when the shifting movement of the window area W ends.

[Example 6]
36 shows a specific preview performance, and before the specific preview performance starts, a suggestion image Hh or a suggestion image Hl is displayed in a scrolling display state of three rows of performance patterns within the display area E of the performance pattern display 28. Each of these suggestion images Hh and Hl suggests to the player that a specific preview performance will start, and while being displayed within the window area W, they are shifted together with the window area W. Each of these suggestion images Hh and Hl is also a preview image that suggests to the player that the three rows of performance patterns will be a jackpot combination in the image of the current performance pattern game, and when the suggestion image Hh is displayed, the three rows of performance patterns will be a jackpot combination with a higher probability than when the suggestion image Hl is displayed.
According to the sixth embodiment, the following effects are obtained.
Since the start of the specific advance notice performance is suggested to the player in response to the display of the suggestive image Hh and the suggestive image Hl, the player can expect the start of the specific advance notice performance in response to viewing the suggestive image Hh or the suggestive image Hl. Moreover, since the suggestive image Hh and the suggestive image Hl are shifted together with the window area W, the visual appeal of the specific advance notice performance is improved.

[Example 7]
The effect pattern display 28 displays an image of the round promotion effect during the jackpot game. This round promotion effect suggests to the player that the 5-round jackpot game will be promoted to a 16-round jackpot game, and is displayed to visually produce the image of the jackpot game effect while the image of the jackpot game effect is displayed. As shown in Fig. 37 (a) and (b), this image of the round promotion effect is started by shifting the window area W during the execution of the 5 rounds relative to the reference area immediately before the start of the round promotion effect. This window area W is called the display area E1, and the round promotion effect is started in a state where the prize ball information "320" is displayed as a specific image in the window area W.

There are two types of round promotion effects: a successful ending and a failed ending. As shown in FIG. 37(c), a successful ending changes the prize ball information in the window area W from "320" to "320/1280", and if the current jackpot game is a 16-round jackpot game, the round promotion effect ends with a successful ending. As shown in FIG. 37(d), a failed ending changes the prize ball information in the window area W from "320" to "320/400", and if the current jackpot game is a 5-round jackpot game, the round promotion effect ends with a failed ending. The denominator of the prize ball information in the window area W notifies the player of the number of rounds in the current jackpot game.

In the above embodiment 7, an image of the probability change promotion effect may be displayed during the jackpot game. This probability change promotion effect indicates whether or not a "high probability state" will be set at the end of the current jackpot game. If a "high probability state" is set at the end of the current jackpot game, the color of the denominator number is changed from a normal color to a special color different from the normal color, such as "gold," when the prize ball information in the window area W is changed from "320" to "320/1280" and from "320" to "320/400" in the image of the round promotion effect. If a "low probability state" is set at the end of the current jackpot game, it is preferable to keep the color of the denominator number normal when the prize ball information in the window area W is changed from "320" to "320/1280" and from "320" to "320/400" in the image of the round promotion effect.

In the above-mentioned first to seventh embodiments, the present invention may be applied to one, two or three types of pachinko gaming machines.
The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned Examples 1 to 7, and is not limited to the wording of each claim as long as it does not deviate from the scope of each claim, and also extends to a scope that can be easily substituted by a person skilled in the art, and improvements based on the knowledge that a person skilled in the art would normally have can be appropriately added.

In addition to the inventions described in the claims, the above-mentioned Examples 1 to 7 also describe the following [Reference Inventions 1-1 to 1-9] and [Reference Invention 2-1]. Some gaming machines are configured to perform a special game in which a winning or losing decision is made when a gaming ball enters a predetermined starting area, and when a winning or losing decision is made, the predetermined ball entry area is opened. In the case of this gaming machine, a gaming image is displayed on a predetermined display. This gaming image is displayed in a state where the identification pattern is displayed in a variable state and then in a state where the variation is stopped, and the result of the winning or losing decision is notified to the player by the state in which the identification pattern is in the variable stopped state. In this gaming machine, when the player effectively operates the operator while the game image is displayed, the character image is displayed in a manner that corresponds to the operation of the operator, such as jumping (see JP Patent Publication 2011-131109). This character image is a special image that makes the player expect the occurrence of an advantageous state, and is displayed infrequently. This conventional gaming machine starts by displaying a character image that is rare to the player, and increases the player's sense of expectation as the game image progresses. For this reason, there are many restrictions on the presentation of game images, making it difficult to easily enhance the visual appeal of game images. The present invention was made in consideration of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a gaming machine that can easily enhance the appeal of game images.

[Reference Invention 1-1]
A game control means for determining whether or not a game has been won when a game ball has entered a predetermined starting area, and for playing a special game in which the predetermined ball entry area is opened when the game ball has been determined to be a win;
A display device having a display area in which a game image is displayed when a game ball has effectively landed in the starting area;
A display control means for displaying an image of a specific effect in a display area of the display device, the display control means including a display control means for starting to display the image of the specific effect when the specific image is displayed in the display area of the display device during the display of the game image;
The display control means
A gaming machine that displays an image of a performance content in which a specific area including the specific image within the display area of the display device is shifted relative to a reference area immediately before the image of the specific performance begins to be displayed as the image of the specific performance, characterized in that the image of the performance content in which the specific area is shifted is displayed in such a manner that an external area of the specific area is formed within the reference area.
According to the above means, the special effect is started when a special image is displayed while a game image is being displayed in the display area of the display device. In this special effect, the special area including the special image is shifted relative to the reference area immediately before the start of the special effect, and an outer area of the special area is formed within the reference area. This special effect does not require a special trigger such as displaying a rare character image in the game image, and can start displaying regardless of the development of the game image's presentation content. This increases the degree of freedom regarding the timing at which the special effect starts to be displayed, making it possible to easily increase the ingenuity of the game image.

[Reference Invention 1-2]
The gaming machine described in [Reference Invention 1-1] is characterized in that the display control means displays an image of the specific effect as an image of a preview effect to suggest to the player that a win has been determined.
According to the above-mentioned means, the specific effect is performed as a preview effect, so that not only can the shifting movement of the specific area heighten the player's anticipation of a big win, but it is also possible to concretely suggest to the player the reliability of the big win.

[Reference Invention 1-3]
The gaming machine described in [Reference Invention 1-1] is characterized in that the display control means displays a preview image in the external area as an image of the specific effect, which indicates to the player the reliability of a win, and displays as the preview image an image that was not displayed in the display area of the display immediately before the image of the specific effect began to be displayed.
According to the above means, since the preview image is displayed in the special performance, not only the player's expectation for a big win is heightened by the shifting movement of the special area, but also the player can be specifically suggested the reliability of the big win. Moreover, since the preview image is displayed in the external area where the player's gaze is concentrated in the special performance, the player is less likely to miss the preview image. Moreover, since the image that was not displayed in the display area of the display just before the start of the special performance is displayed as the preview image, the freshness of the image is enhanced in the player's line of sight.

[Reference Inventions 1-4]
The gaming machine described in [Reference Invention 1-1] is characterized in that the display control means displays an image of a presentation content in which another area that shifts relative to the specific area in response to the specific area shifting three-dimensionally appears adjacent to the specific area as an image of the specific presentation.
According to the above means, a different area is displayed that is displaced relative to the specific area in response to the specific area being displaced three-dimensionally in the specific effect, thereby enhancing the visual appeal of the image of the specific effect. Moreover, information related to the game image can be provided to the player in response to the image being displayed in the different area, thereby enhancing the appeal of the game.

[Reference Inventions 1-5]
The gaming machine described in [Reference Invention 1-4] is characterized in that the display control means displays the image that was displayed in the display area of the display device immediately before the image of the specific performance began to be displayed in the specific area or the other area.
According to the above-mentioned means, a pattern is displayed in a specific area where the player's gaze is focused during a special effect or in another area. This pattern is the one that was displayed in the display area of the display immediately before the start of the special effect, and the player can easily recognize that the game state is the same as immediately before the start of the special effect by viewing the pattern in the specific area or in the other area.

[Reference Inventions 1-6]
The gaming machine described in [Reference Invention 1-1] is characterized in that the display control means moves the specific image together with the specific area while keeping the specific image displayed within the specific area in the image of the specific performance.
According to the above means, the specific image is moved together with the specific area while remaining displayed within the specific area during the specific presentation, so that it is possible for the player to clearly recognize that the current game image is continuing.

[Reference Invention 1-7]
the game control means determines whether or not to downgrade a game state from a current state to a state that is less favorable to a player than the current state when the game ball enters the starting area,
The gaming machine described in [Reference Invention 1-1] is characterized in that, when the gaming control means determines that the gaming status will not be downgraded, the display control means displays the image of the specific effect as an image of a preview effect that suggests to the player that the gaming status will not be downgraded.
According to the above means, if the game state is not downgraded by the current game image, the image of the specific effect is displayed as the image of the advance notice effect. Therefore, the image of the specific effect gives the player a sense of security that he can continue playing in an advantageous state, so that the player can enjoy the image of the specific effect with peace of mind.

[Reference Invention 1-8]
A presentation mode setting means for setting a presentation mode is provided,
The display control means displays the game image in a manner corresponding to the result of the presentation mode setting, and displays the image of the specific presentation as an image of a suggestive presentation that suggests to the player the setting of a specific presentation mode.The gaming machine described in [Reference Invention 1-1] is characterized in that the display control means displays the game image in a manner corresponding to the result of the presentation mode setting, and displays the image of the specific presentation as an image of a suggestive presentation that suggests to the player the setting of a specific presentation mode.
According to the above means, the setting of a specific presentation mode is suggested to the player by an interesting image in which the specific area shifts and moves, thereby improving the entertainment value of the game.

[Reference Invention 1-9]
The gaming machine described in [Reference Invention 1-1] is characterized in that the display control means displays a suggestive image as the specific image, suggesting to the player that the image of the specific effect will begin to be displayed, and the suggestive image is moved together with the specific area while remaining displayed within the specific area in the image of the specific effect.
According to the above-mentioned means, the start of the specific effect is suggested to the player in response to the display of the suggestive image, so that the player can expect the specific effect to start in response to viewing the suggestive image. Moreover, since the suggestive image shifts and moves together with the specific area, the visual appeal of the specific effect is improved.

[Reference Invention 2-1]
A game control means for determining whether or not a game has been won when a game ball has entered a predetermined starting area, and for playing a special game in which the predetermined ball entry area is opened when the game ball has been determined to be a win;
A display having a display area in which a game image is displayed to inform a player of a winning or losing decision result;
The display device includes a display control means for displaying an image of a specific effect in a display area of the display device, the display control means starting to display the image of the specific effect when the specific image is displayed in the display area of the display device while the game image is being displayed;
The display control means
A gaming machine characterized in that an image of a specific effect is displayed as an image of the specific effect in which a specific area including the specific image within the display area of the display is shifted relative to the area immediately before the image of the specific effect begins to be displayed.
According to the above means, the special effect is started when a special image is displayed while a game image is being displayed in the display area of the display device. This special effect shifts the special area including the special image relative to the area immediately before the start of the special effect, and can start displaying regardless of the development of the game image's performance content without requiring a special trigger such as displaying a rare character image in the game image. This increases the degree of freedom regarding the timing at which the special effect starts to be displayed, making it possible to easily increase the ingenuity of the game image.

In addition to the inventions described in the claims, the above-mentioned Examples 1 to 7 also describe the following [Reference Inventions 3-1 to 3-6] and [Reference Invention 4-1]. Some gaming machines are configured to determine whether or not a game has been won when a game ball enters a specified starting area, and to start displaying an image of a symbol game when the game ball has entered a specified starting area. In the case of this gaming machine, if a win is determined, a win is notified to the player with an image of the symbol game, and then a special game is started in which the specified ball entry area is opened, and the special game is visually produced in response to the image of the special game being displayed during the special game (see JP Patent Publication 2011-131109). Some gaming machines are configured to perform illumination and sound effects. The illumination effect is a flashing of an illumination device in a certain pattern during the symbol game and the special game, and the sound effect is a sound output from a sound device in a certain pattern during the symbol game and the special game, and both of these left room for improvement in terms of their ingenuity. The present invention was made in consideration of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a gaming machine that can enhance the entertainment value of illumination and sound effects.

[Reference Invention 3-1]
A display control means for displaying a game image on a predetermined display device when the game ball enters a predetermined starting area;
an illumination control means for controlling a predetermined illumination device to perform illumination effects for producing the game image with light;
A sound control means is provided for controlling a predetermined sound device to produce a sound effect on the game image by using sound,
The illumination control means includes:
a first illumination performance, a second illumination performance that is different from the first illumination performance and has a part of the first illumination performance, and a third illumination performance that is different from both the first illumination performance and the second illumination performance and has a part of the first illumination performance that is different from the second illumination performance,
The ringing control means
The gaming machine is characterized in that it performs a first sound effect corresponding to the first illumination effect, performs a second sound effect corresponding to the second illumination effect, and performs a third sound effect corresponding to the third illumination effect.
According to the above means, the first to third illumination effects, which are different from each other, are performed as illumination effects that use light to produce the game image, and the first to third rumble effects are performed as rumble effects that use sound to produce the game image, corresponding to the first to third illumination effects. Therefore, the illumination effects and the rumble effects are each given diversity, so that it is possible to enhance the ingenuity of the illumination effects and the rumble effects. Moreover, the second illumination effect is performed with a part of the first illumination effect, and the third illumination effect is performed with a part of the first illumination effect that is different from the second illumination effect. Therefore, a visual correlation is generated between the first to third illumination effects from the player's perspective, so that it is possible to further enhance the ingenuity of the illumination effects.

[Reference Invention 3-2]
the display control means performs a first character presentation for simultaneously displaying two different character images in the game image, a second character presentation for displaying one of the two character images, and a third character presentation for displaying the other of the two character images;
The gaming machine described in [Reference Invention 3-1] is characterized in that the illumination control means performs the first illumination performance in response to the first character performance, performs the second illumination performance in response to the second character performance, and performs the third illumination performance in response to the third character performance.
According to the above means, when two character images are displayed simultaneously in the game image, a first illumination effect and a first sound effect consisting of a combination of a part of the second illumination effect and a part of the third illumination effect are performed, when one character image is displayed in the game image, a second illumination effect and a second sound effect are performed, and when the other character image is displayed in the game image, a third illumination effect and a third sound effect are performed. Therefore, the illumination effect and the sound effect are performed in a manner according to the type of the character image currently displayed in the game image, improving the entertainment value of the game.

[Reference Invention 3-3]
The illumination control means illuminates the illumination device in a plurality of colors including two different colors in the first illumination performance, illuminates the illumination device in a plurality of colors including one of the two colors in the second illumination performance, and illuminates the illumination device in a plurality of colors including the other of the two colors in the third illumination performance.
According to the above means, the first to third illumination effects are linked by colors, so that the links between the three illumination effects, such as the fact that each of the first to third illumination effects indicates the probability of a jackpot, become clear to the player.

[Reference Invention 3-4]
The gaming machine described in [Reference Invention 3-3] is characterized in that the illumination control means has a common color for illumination of the illumination device among the first illumination performance, the second illumination performance, and the third illumination performance.
According to the above-mentioned means, a single common color is used among the first to third illumination effects, so that the connection between the three illumination effects, such as the fact that each of the first to third illumination effects indicates a different reliability of a jackpot, becomes clearer from the player's point of view.

[Reference Invention 3-5]
The gaming machine described in [Reference Invention 3-1] is characterized in that the ringing control means performs different effects as the first ringing effect, the second ringing effect, and the third ringing effect, the second ringing effect having a part of the first ringing effect, and the third ringing effect having a part of the first ringing effect that is different from the second ringing effect.
According to the above means, the first to third ringing effects are linked by sound, so that the link between the three ringing effects, such as the fact that each of the first to third ringing effects notifies the player of the probability of a jackpot, becomes clear to the player.

[Reference Invention 3-6]
The gaming machine described in [Reference Invention 3-1] is characterized in that the ringing control means performs the first ringing effect, the second ringing effect, and the third ringing effect which have the same scale, but at least one of the tone color and volume is different from each other.
According to the above means, since the first to third ringing effects each use a common scale, the connection between the three ringing effects, such as the fact that each of the first to third ringing effects notifies the player of the reliability of a big win, becomes clear to the player. Moreover, since at least one of the tone color and volume is different between the first to third ringing effects, the difference between the three ringing effects, such as the difference in reliability between the first to third ringing effects, becomes clear to the player.

[Reference Invention 4-1]
A display control means for displaying a game image on a predetermined display device when the game ball enters a predetermined starting area;
an illumination control means for controlling a predetermined illumination device to perform illumination effects for producing the game image with light;
a sound control means for controlling a predetermined sound device to produce the game image with sound;
The illumination control means includes:
a first illumination performance, a second illumination performance that is different from the first illumination performance and has a part of the first illumination performance, and a third illumination performance that is different from both the first illumination performance and the second illumination performance and has a part of the first illumination performance that is different from the second illumination performance,
The ringing control means
The gaming machine performs a ringing performance having a common musical scale corresponding to each of the first illumination performance, the second illumination performance, and the third illumination performance.
According to the above means, the first to third illumination effects, which are different from each other, are performed as illumination effects that illuminate the game image with light. Therefore, the illumination effects are given diversity, and it is possible to enhance the entertainment value of the illumination effects. Moreover, the second illumination effect is performed with a part of the first illumination effect, and the third illumination effect is performed with a part of the first illumination effect that is different from the second illumination effect. Therefore, a visual correlation is generated between the first to third illumination effects from the player's perspective, and it is possible to further enhance the entertainment value of the illumination effects. Moreover, since a ringing effect having a common scale is performed corresponding to each of the first to third illumination effects, it is possible to suggest to the player by sound the connection between the three illumination effects, such as the fact that all three illumination effects suggest the reliability of a jackpot.

18 is the first start gate (start area), 19 is the big prize gate (ball entry area), 23 is the second start gate (start area), 28 is the performance pattern display (display), 29 is the electric light, 32 is the speaker (sound device), 40 is the main control circuit (game control means), 60 is the sub-control circuit (performance mode setting means, display control stage, electric light control means, sound control means), Cw is the character image (picture), D1 is the dinosaur image (character image), D2 is the dinosaur image (character image), E is the display area, Hl and Hl are suggestion images, O is the outer area (external area), T is the caption image (preview image), W is the window area (specific area), and Wl is the left window area (another area).

Claims (1)

A display control means for displaying a game image on a predetermined display device when the game ball enters a predetermined starting area;
an illumination control means for controlling a predetermined illumination device to perform illumination effects for producing the game image with light;
a sound control means for controlling a predetermined sound device to produce the game image with sound;
The illumination control means includes:
a first illumination performance, a second illumination performance that is different from the first illumination performance and has a part of the first illumination performance, and a third illumination performance that is different from both the first illumination performance and the second illumination performance and has a part of the first illumination performance that is different from the second illumination performance,
The ringing control means
The gaming machine performs a ringing performance having a common musical scale corresponding to each of the first illumination performance, the second illumination performance, and the third illumination performance.

Images