JP4376037B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine, and more specifically, a starting ball detection for detecting a gaming ball in a starting area provided in a gaming area where a gaming ball flows down with a rendering means for performing a predetermined rendering. And when the game ball is detected by the start ball detecting means, the start operation for changing the variable winning opening opened / closed by the opening / closing member from the second state disadvantageous to the player to the first state advantageous to the player A variable winning device, and a specific ball detecting means for detecting a game ball that has entered a specific region among a plurality of regions provided in the variable winning device, and a variable winning opening when performing a starting operation. When the game ball that has won a prize is detected by the specific ball detecting means, a round in which the variable prize opening is controlled to the first state in a specific manner more advantageous to the player than the starting operation can be executed up to a predetermined upper limit number of times. Specific When the game ball that has won the variable prize opening during the round is detected by the specific ball detection means, the next ball is shifted to the next round, and the game ball that has won the variable prize slot during the round is the specific ball. The present invention relates to a gaming machine that ends a specific gaming state when it is not detected by a detecting means.

  When a game ball (pachinko ball), which is a game medium, wins at the start winning opening (starting chucker), the opening / closing member (so-called blade member) constituting the large winning opening is opened, and the game ball entering the large winning opening is variable. 2. Description of the Related Art Pachinko gaming machines are known in which a big hit (a specific gaming state) occurs when a V winning that jumps into a V zone (specific area) via a winning space in a winning device occurs. This type of gaming machine is sometimes referred to as a Hikoki type or the like. In the specific gaming state, the round in which the opening / closing member is continuously opened is continuously performed until the number of rounds as the predetermined number of opening cycles is reached.

  Conventionally, this type of pachinko machine has the goal of winning a game ball in the order of a start winning opening, a large winning opening, and a V zone during a normal game. Interest could be gradually lost. Therefore, there has been proposed a gaming machine that improves the game entertainment by notifying the information based on the result of the internal lottery performed in order to determine the number of rounds when a V prize occurs in a plurality of times. (For example, Patent Document 1).

In addition, the player can display the scheduled stop symbol by reducing the variable display period of the display symbol according to the determination result that the predetermined stop button has been operated and the number of times the stop button has been operated. There has also been proposed a gaming machine that can participate in the control and improve the gaming interest (for example, Patent Document 2).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-200252 (page 6, FIG. 6, etc.) Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-317077 (pages 15-21, FIGS. 17-25, etc.)

  In the gaming machine disclosed in Patent Document 1, before the round is started, the notifying means notifies the number of rounds without the player being involved in the display control. For this reason, it has been difficult to improve the fun of the game by making the production monotonous.

  In addition, in the gaming machine disclosed in Patent Document 2, although the player can be involved in display control, only the variable display period of the display symbol can be shortened, and the fun of the game and the production itself cannot be increased. . In addition, since it is necessary to make changes such as shortening the production time such as the variable display period by operating the stop button, there is also a problem that time management for production becomes complicated.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a gaming machine capable of improving the interest in the production by the player being involved in the production control and easily managing the time required for the production. For the purpose.

  In order to achieve the above object, the gaming machine according to claim 1 of the present application includes an effecting means for executing a predetermined effect (for example, the variable display device 4, speakers 8L and 8R, the game effect lamp 9 and the like) and a game ball. Start ball detecting means (for example, start ball detectors 41a to 41c) for detecting a game ball in a start area (for example, start winning ports 6a to 6c) provided in the game area flowing down, and a game ball by the start ball detecting means Is detected, the variable prize opening opened and closed by the opening / closing member is advantageous to the player from the second state disadvantageous to the player (for example, the opening / closing members 30a and 30b closed the big prize opening 31a and 31b). A variable winning device (for example, variable winning device 5) that performs a starting operation in a first state (for example, a state in which the opening and closing members 30a and 30b open the big winning openings 31a and 31b) and a variable winning device are provided. Specific ball detecting means (for example, a specific ball detector 40) for detecting a game ball that has entered a specific area (for example, the V zone 35) of the plurality of areas, and the variable when the starting operation is performed. When a game ball that has won a winning opening is detected by the specific ball detecting means, a round for controlling the variable winning opening to the first state in a specific manner that is more advantageous for the player than the starting operation is set to a predetermined round. A specific game state that can be executed up to the upper limit number of times (for example, a big hit game state) is generated, and when a game ball that has won a prize in the variable winning port during the round is detected by the specific ball detection means, The specific gaming state is terminated when the specific ball detecting means does not detect a game ball that has won the variable winning opening during the round. A game machine (for example, a pachinko game machine 1) that distributes game balls that have won the variable winning device into the specific area and a normal area different from the specific area; By controlling the state of the distribution means, a high-probability round with a high probability that a game ball will enter the specific area (for example, the movable member 32 is positioned downward for a predetermined time and moves upward after storing the game ball). A round in which the stored game balls are released) and a low probability round in which the probability that the game balls enter the specific area is lower than that in the high probability round (for example, the round in which the movable member 32 is always located above and does not store the game balls) ), And a distribution control means (for example, a portion in which the CPU 103 executes the in-round processing in step S116). Numerical data extraction means for extracting numerical data from numerical data update means for updating numerical data when a predetermined condition is satisfied (for example, a portion where the CPU 103 executes the start winning process in step S101), and the numerical data extraction means A high-probability round number determining means for determining the number of times of execution of the high-probability round (for example, a portion where the CPU 103 executes the specific ball detection process in step S113) based on the numerical data extracted by the player, Operation determining means for determining whether or not possible operation means has been operated (for example, a portion where the CPU 103 executes the process of step S222), and effect control means for controlling the effect means (mounted on the main board 11) CPU 103, CPU 122 mounted on display control board 12, ROM 123, RA 124, VDP 125, etc.), and when the specific control state is generated, the effect control means notifies the effect that the operation of the operation means is effective by the effect means (for example, FIG. 16). (C), operation effective time effect control means (for example, the CPU 122 derives the lottery effect result in step S152) for performing control to execute the effect display shown in FIGS. 17 (C), 19 (C), and 20 (C). When a determination is made that the operation means has been operated by the operation determining means after the operation effective effect is executed by the operation effective effect control means (for example, step S261). When the determination of “Yes” is made, the number of executions less than the number of executions of the high probability round determined by the high probability round number determination means is specified. A small number of round notification effects (for example, notification information 61a shown in FIG. 16 (D), notification information 61c shown in FIG. 17 (D), effect display by notification information 61a shown in FIG. 20 (D), etc.) are executed. Notification in the minority round notification effect control means (for example, the part in which the CPU 122 executes the process in step S267 after the CPU 122 executes the process in step S262) performing the control, and the minority round notification effect control means executed by the minority round notification effect control means. When the number of executions reached, the continuous notification effect control means (for example, the CPU 103 determines Yes in step S246) that performs control to execute a continuous notification effect that notifies that the high probability round is continued. In response, the lottery effect start process in step S114 is executed, and the CPU 122 performs stepping accordingly. And the operation determining means determines that the operation means has been operated when the operation effective effect is being executed by the operation effective effect control means. Adjusting the period for performing the control for executing the minority round notification effect by the minority round notification effect control means (the period for executing the process of step S286 after determining No in step S285) according to the period until Thus, the variable winning opening is controlled to the first state in the specific gaming state from when the specific ball detecting means detects the game ball that has won the variable winning opening during the starting operation. Effect period adjusting means (for example, after CPU 122 executes the process of step S283, S284 It includes a portion, etc.) and for executing the processing of the later.

  3. The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein the effect control means determines that the operation means is operated by the operation determination means during a period in which the operation effective effect is executed by the operation effective effect control means. When no operation is performed (for example, when a determination of No is made in step S261), after the operation effective effect is performed by the operation effective effect control means, the effect is different from the minority round notification effect. The non-notification effect control means (for example, the CPU 122 performs the process of step S266) that performs control to execute a non-notification effect (for example, an effect display by the notification information 61f shown in FIG. 19D) that does not notify the number of executions of the high probability round. (The part that executes the process of step S267).

  4. The gaming machine according to claim 3, wherein the effect control unit determines the number of executions of the continuous notification effect by the continuous notification effect control unit according to the number of executions of the high probability round determined by the high probability round number determination unit. The continuous notification number determining means (for example, the part where the CPU 103 executes the lottery effect start process in step S114) is determined, and the continuous notification number determining means is the high probability determined by the high probability round number determining means. When the number of executions of the round is large, the number of executions of the continuous notification effect is determined to be a large number at a higher rate than when the number of executions of the high probability round is small (for example, the number of notification rounds is selected with the selection probability shown in FIG. 8). Etc.)

  5. The gaming machine according to claim 4, wherein when the specific gaming state is ended (for example, when a determination of Yes is made in step S244), the effect control unit performs the continuous notification effect by the continuous notification effect control unit. An end-time effect is determined by the end-time effect determining means (for example, the part where the CPU 103 executes the process of step S249) and the end-time effect determining means for determining whether or not to execute the end-time effect in the same effect mode. When it is determined to be executed, the end time effect control means for performing the control to execute the end time effect (when the determination is Yes in step S249, the CPU 122 performs the step in accordance with the process of step S251 by the CPU 103). A portion for executing the processing of S150 to S153).

  The gaming machine according to claim 5 is a starter provided in a game area where a game ball flows down, with an effect means (for example, variable display device 4, speakers 8L, 8R, game effect lamp 9 etc.) for executing a predetermined effect. Start ball detecting means (for example, start ball detectors 41a to 41c) for detecting a game ball in a region (for example, start winning ports 6a to 6c), and when the game ball is detected by the start ball detecting means, the opening / closing member The first state (for example, the opening / closing member 30a) advantageous to the player from the second state (for example, the state in which the opening / closing members 30a, 30b close the large winning ports 31a, 31b) is disadvantageous for the player. , 30b is a state in which the big winning openings 31a and 31b are opened), a variable winning device (for example, the variable winning device 5), and a specific region among a plurality of regions provided in the variable winning device For example, a specific ball detecting means (for example, a specific ball detector 40) for detecting a game ball that has entered the V zone 35) is provided, and the game ball that has won a prize at the variable winning opening during the start operation is the specified ball. A specific gaming state that, when detected by the ball detecting means, can execute a round for controlling the variable winning opening to the first state in a specific manner more advantageous for the player than the starting operation up to a predetermined upper limit number of times. (E.g., a big hit gaming state) is a gaming machine (e.g., pachinko gaming machine 1), and numerical data extraction means (e.g., numerical data extraction means (e.g., pachinko gaming machine 1) that extracts numerical data from numerical data update means that updates the numerical data when a predetermined condition is satisfied. CPU 103 executes the start winning process in step S101) and the numerical data extracted by the numerical data extraction means Round number determining means for determining the upper limit number of rounds from the number of executions of a plurality of types of rounds (for example, the part where the CPU 103 executes the specific ball detection process in step S113), and operation means operable by the player Operation determining means for determining whether or not the operation has been performed (for example, the portion where the CPU 103 executes the process of step S222), and effect control means for controlling the effect of the effect means (the CPU 103 mounted on the main board 11, And a CPU 122, ROM 123, RAM 124, VDP 125 and the like mounted on the display control board 12, and the effect control means can operate the operation means by the effect means when generating the specific gaming state. An effect when the operation is effective to notify that there is a certain effect (for example, FIG. 16 (C), FIG. 17 (C), FIG. 19 (C), Operation effective effect control means (for example, the part where the CPU 122 executes the lottery effect result derivation pre-processing in step S152) for performing control for executing the effect display shown in FIG. The number of rounds is determined when it is determined that the operation means is operated by the operation determination means (for example, when a determination of Yes is made in step S261) after execution of the operation valid operation by the means. Minority upper limit round notification effect (for example, notification information 61a shown in FIG. 16D, notification information 61c shown in FIG. 17D, FIG. 20 (D), the minority upper limit number notification effect control means (for example, CPU1) that performs control to execute the effect display by the notification information 61a shown in FIG. 2 and the number of executions notified in the minority upper limit round notification effect executed by the minority upper limit number notification effect control means, etc., after the processing of step S262 is executed). Further, the continuation notification effect control means for performing the control for executing the continuation notification effect for notifying that the round is continued (for example, the lottery effect start time process of step S114 is performed in response to the CPU 103 determining Yes in step S246). The CPU 122 executes the processing of steps S150 to S153 in response to this, and the operation determining means when the operation effective effect is being executed by the operation effective effect control means. Depending on the period until it is determined that the user has been operated, When the start operation is performed by adjusting the period for performing the control to execute the minority upper limit round notification effect by the control means (the period for performing the process of step S286 after determining No in step S285), Performance period adjustment for making the elapsed time from when the game ball won in the variable prize opening is detected by the specific ball detecting means to when the variable prize opening is controlled to the first state in the specific game state is constant Means (for example, a part that executes the processing after S284 after the CPU 122 executes the processing of step S283).

  Here, the effect control means, when it is not determined that the operation means has been operated by the operation determination means in a period in which the operation effective time effect is being executed by the operation effective time effect control means, Non-notification for performing control to execute a non-notification effect in which the effect mode is different from the minority upper limit round notification effect and the non-notification effect is not notified of the upper limit number of rounds. Production control means may be included. The effect control means includes a continuous notification number determining means for determining the number of executions of the continuous notification effect by the continuous notification effect control means according to the upper limit number of rounds determined by the round number determination means, and the continuous notification The number determining means may determine that the number of executions of the continuous notification effect is larger when the upper limit number of rounds determined by the round number determining means is higher than when the upper limit number of rounds is small. Good. The effect control means is an end-time effect determination means for determining whether or not to execute an end-time effect in the same effect mode as the continuous notification effect by the continuous notification effect control means when the specific gaming state ends. In addition, it may include end-time effect control means for performing control to execute the end-time effect when the end-time effect determining means determines that the end-time effect is to be executed.

  The present invention has the following effects.

According to the gaming machine of the first aspect, the minority round notification effect control means performs the determination that the operation means has been operated after the operation effective effect is executed by the operation effective effect control means. By executing the minority round notification effect, the number of executions smaller than the number of executions of the high-probability round determined by the high-probability round number determination unit is notified in an identifiable manner.
Thereby, the minority round notification effect can be executed by the player's involvement, and the interest in the effect can be enhanced.
When the number of executions notified by the minority round notification effect is reached, the continuous notification effect control means executes the continuous notification effect, thereby notifying that the high probability round is continued.
When a specific gaming state occurs, the player is discouraged by being notified of the number of executions of a small number of rounds in the minority round notification effect, but when the notified number of executions is reached, a continuous notification effect is performed. Thus, it is notified that the high probability round continues, so that the unexpectedness and expectation for the high probability round continuing can be enhanced. Thereby, the interest of a game can be improved.
In addition, the effect period adjusting means makes the elapsed time from when the game ball is detected by the specific ball detecting means until the variable winning opening is controlled to the first state.
Thereby, regardless of the determination result of whether or not the operating means has been operated, the timing at which the operating means is operated, etc., it is possible to perform an operation-effective effect and a minority round notification effect that does not give the player a sense of incongruity. it can. In addition, compared to the case where the elapsed time from when the game ball is detected by the specific ball detection unit to when the variable winning opening is controlled to the first state is changed according to whether the operation unit is operated, It is possible to easily perform control for managing the time when the operation is enabled and the time when the minority round notification effect is performed.

In the gaming machine according to claim 2, a non-notification effect that does not notify the number of executions of the high-probability round is performed when the operation means is not operated while the effect when the operation is effective.
Thereby, it is possible to notify the number of executions of the round in an identifiable manner due to the player's involvement, and it is possible to improve the interest with respect to the minority round notification effect and prompt the player to operate the operating means.

In the gaming machine according to the third aspect, as the number of executions of the high-probability round determined by the high-probability round number determination unit increases, the ratio determined as the number of executions of the continuous notification effect increases.
Thereby, the player's sense of expectation for the number of executions of the high-probability round can be effectively increased by increasing the number of executions of the continuous notification effect, and the interest of the game can be improved.

In the gaming machine according to claim 4, when the specific gaming state is ended, it is determined whether or not to execute the end-time effect in the same effect mode as the continuous notification effect by the end-time effect determining unit. When it is determined, the end effect is executed by the end effect control means.
In this way, even when the specific gaming state ends, the end-time effect can be executed in the same effect mode as the continuous notification effect, so that the player can immediately obtain a high probability even if the continuous notification effect is executed. If the round continues, it will not be recognized. Thereby, the interest of a continuous alerting | reporting effect can be maintained.

In the gaming machine according to claim 5, after the effective operation effect is executed by the effective operation effect control means, the minority upper limit number notification effect control is performed in accordance with the timing when the operation means is determined to be operated. By executing the minority upper limit round notification effect by the means, the number of executions smaller than the upper limit number of rounds determined by the round number determination means is notified in an identifiable manner.
Thereby, a minority upper limit round alerting | reporting effect can be performed by a player's involvement, and the interest with respect to an effect can be heightened.
When the number of executions notified by the minority upper limit round notification effect is reached, the continuous notification effect is executed by the continuous notification effect control means to notify that the round is further continued.
When a specific gaming state occurs, the player is discouraged by being notified of the number of executions of a small number of rounds in the minority upper limit round notification effect, but when the notified number of executions is reached, the continuous notification effect is performed. Since it is notified that the round will continue further, the unexpectedness and expectation for the continued round are enhanced. Thereby, the interest of a game can be improved.
In addition, the effect period adjusting means makes the elapsed time from when the game ball is detected by the specific ball detecting means until the variable winning opening is controlled to the first state.
Thereby, regardless of the result of determination as to whether or not the operating means has been operated, the timing at which the operating means is operated, etc., the operation-effective effect and the minority upper limit round notification effect that does not give the player a sense of incongruity Can do. In addition, compared to the case where the elapsed time from when the game ball is detected by the specific ball detection unit to when the variable winning opening is controlled to the first state is changed according to whether the operation unit is operated, It is possible to easily perform control for managing the time when the operation is effective and the minority upper limit round notification effect is performed.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. As a gaming machine in the present embodiment, a game ball as a game medium wins at a start winning opening so that a large winning opening is opened for a predetermined time by an opening and closing member, and a gaming ball picked up by the opening and closing member is predetermined in the large winning opening. If it enters into a field, it may be a game machine of a type that makes a big hit and the opening and closing member repeatedly executes the opening and closing operation.

  FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko gaming machine according to the present embodiment and shows an arrangement layout of main members. The pachinko gaming machine (gaming machine) 1 is roughly divided into a gaming board (gauge board) 2 that constitutes a gaming board surface, and a gaming machine frame (base frame) 3 that supports and fixes the gaming board 2. The game board 2 is formed with a substantially circular game area surrounded by guide rails.

  A variable winning device 5 is arranged at a substantially central position in the game area. Below the variable winning device 5, left, middle and right start winning ports 6a to 6c are arranged. Each of the left, middle and right start winning openings 6a to 6c incorporates start ball detectors 41a to 41c (FIG. 3), and when a game ball wins each start winning opening 6a to 6c, It is detected by the starting ball detectors 41a to 41c. When a game ball is detected by each of the starting ball detectors 41a to 41c, the special winning openings 31a and 31b are opened for a predetermined period by the opening and closing members 30a and 30b provided in the variable winning device 5 shown in an enlarged manner in FIG. The

  Here, when a game ball wins the left and right start winning ports 6a and 6c among the start winning ports 6a to 6c, the variable winning device 5 is opened once for a predetermined period (for example, 0.35 seconds) to start. When a game ball wins the center start winning opening 6b among the winning openings 6a to 6c, the variable winning device 5 is opened twice every predetermined period (for example, 0.65 seconds). In this way, the opening operation performed by the variable winning device 5 in response to the detection of the game balls winning the respective start winning ports 6a to 6c by the respective start ball detectors 41a to 41c is referred to as a start operation.

  A pair of left and right opening / closing members (honey) 30a, 30b is pivotally fixed to the variable winning device 5 so as to be rotatable. The opening / closing members 30a and 30b are connected to the solenoids 50a and 50b (FIG. 3) via a link mechanism, and are in a vertical state in a normal state where the solenoids 50a and 50b are turned off, and when the solenoids 50a and 50b are turned on. It will be in an inclined state.

  When the opening / closing members 30a, 30b are inclined, the winning ports (large winning ports) 31a, 31b closed by the opening / closing members 30a, 30b are opened (opened). The game balls picked up by the opening / closing members 30a, 30b can enter the upper prize space in the variable prize-winning device 5 through the open big prize openings 31a, 31b. Winning ball detectors 42a and 42b are arranged in the vicinity of the big winning holes 31a and 31b, and detect game balls (winning balls) that have passed through the big winning holes 31a and 31b and entered the variable winning device 5. To do. In response to the detection of the game balls by the winning ball detectors 42a, 42b, a predetermined number (for example, 10) of game balls are paid out.

  Rolling plates 37a and 37b are provided below the big prize winning openings 31a and 31b. The rolling plates 37a and 37b have, for example, an inclination that is lowered toward the center of the winning space, and the game balls can roll on the rolling plates 37a and 37b toward the center of the winning space. . A movable member 32 that can move up and down is provided between the rolling plates 37a and 37b.

  The movable member 32 is connected to a solenoid 51 (FIG. 3) via a link mechanism. When the solenoid 51 is off, the movable member 32 is retracted upward and does not store (accommodate) a game ball. When the solenoid 51 is on Then, a part (for example, nine) of the game balls that have moved downward and rolled the rolling plates 37a and 37b is received and stored (accommodated). The movable member 32 distributes the game balls that have rolled on the rolling plates 37a and 37b by switching between a reservable state and a retracted state by switching on / off of the solenoid 51. That is, when the movable member 32 is maintained in the retracted state, the game balls rolling on the rolling plates 37a and 37b are not stored by the movable member 32, and fall on the side portions 34a and 34b of the lower winning space. To do. On the other hand, when the movable member 32 moves upward and changes to the retracted state after the movable member 32 is in a storable state, the game ball stored by the movable member 32 is released from the movable member 32 and a predetermined ball path is reached. Is passed through the ball outlets 33a and 33b to the lower winning space.

  The lower winning space in the variable winning device 5 is provided with a V zone 35 serving as a specific area and a normal area 36 other than the specific area. The V zone 35 is provided with a specific ball detector 40 (FIG. 3) for detecting the entry of a game ball. The accessory forming the V zone 35 is connected to the motor 52 through a link mechanism, for example, and reciprocates in the horizontal direction around a position directly below the ball discharge ports 33a and 33b. When the variable winning device 5 is performing a starting operation, and in a period from when the starting operation is completed until the opening and closing members 30a and 30b are closed until a predetermined period (V effective period) elapses, the big winning a prize ports 31a and 31b When the game ball that has won a prize enters the V zone 35 (V prize) and this game ball is detected by the specific ball detector 40, the pachinko gaming machine 1 is in a specific game state (big hit game state). Become. In this big hit gaming state, the round in which the open / close members 30a, 30b are inclined to open the big winning openings 31a, 31b in a specific manner more advantageous for the player than the starting operation of the variable winning device 5 or the normal state, Execution is possible up to a predetermined upper limit number of times (for example, 15 times).

  In each round, the opening / closing members 30a, 30b open the big winning openings 31a, 31b until the predetermined number (for example, 18 times) is reached, or a predetermined number (for example, 10) of winning balls is the winning ball detector. The open / close members 30a, 30b repeat opening / closing of the special winning openings 31a, 31b until they are detected by 42a, 42b. Then, when a game ball that has won the big winning openings 31a, 31b during the round enters the V zone 35 and is detected by the specific ball detector 40, the next round is entered, and during the round, the big winning openings 31a, 31b. When the game ball that won a prize does not enter the V zone 35 and is not detected by the specific ball detector 40, the big hit gaming state is terminated.

  In addition, each round includes a high-probability round in which the probability that a game ball enters the V zone 35 is increased by changing the movable member 32 to the retracted state after the movable member 32 is stored for a predetermined time, and the movable member 32 is in the retracted state. By controlling so as to be maintained, it is controlled to one of the low probability rounds in which the probability that the game ball enters the V zone 35 is lower than that in the high probability round. In the big hit gaming state, after the high probability round is executed or without the high probability round being executed, the number of executions of the round until one low probability round ends is determined by the internal lottery in the pachinko gaming machine 1 It is determined as the number of continuous rounds according to the result. In the high-probability round, the game ball released after being stored by the movable member 32 is likely to enter the V zone 35. Therefore, the specific ball detector 40 may detect the game ball and move to the next round. Higher than low probability rounds. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the number of continuous rounds is determined to be any one of “1”, “3”, “7”, and “15”.

  In the variable winning device 5, a variable display device 4 composed of a liquid crystal panel or the like is disposed. Under the control of the display control board 12, the variable display device 4 executes a lottery effect display for the number of continuous rounds corresponding to the number of executions of the high probability round, a notification effect display for the number of continuous rounds, and the like. In the lottery effect display, for example, a lottery effect such as variably displaying notification information indicating which number of execution times is set as the number of continuous rounds among a predetermined number of execution times of a plurality of rounds is executed. In the notification effect display, for example, the display result is derived and displayed by causing the notification information variably displayed in the lottery effect display to be displayed in a decelerating stop mode, and the number of continuous rounds corresponding to the derived and displayed notification information is notified. A notification effect is executed.

  Further, in the game area of the pachinko gaming machine 1, a plurality of general winning holes, a windmill that gives randomness to the flow of the hit ball, a number of obstacle nails, an out port for discharging the game ball, and the like are provided. Further, the game machine frame 3 includes speakers 8L and 8R for sound output, a plurality of game effect lamps 9 for decoration and production, operation buttons 20 that can be operated by a player, a launch motor for launching a game ball (see FIG. A hitting operation handle for performing an operation (not shown) is arranged.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration example centering on the main board 11. Various control boards such as a power supply board 10, a main board 11, a display control board 12, an audio control board 13, a lamp control board 14, and a payout control board 15 are mounted on the pachinko gaming machine 1. . The main board 11 is transmitted with detection signals from the operation buttons 20 and various detectors 40, 41a to 41c, 42a, 42b, 44, and control signals to the solenoids 50a, 50b, 51 and the motor 52 are transmitted. Wiring etc. are connected.

  The main board 11 is a control board on the main side, and is a control command that is an example of command information for sub-side control boards such as the display control board 12, the audio control board 13, the lamp control board 14, and the payout control board 15, respectively. The function to output and transmit. In addition, the main board 11 has a function of generating a random number used to control the progress of the game in the pachinko gaming machine 1, a function of inputting a signal from a switch or the like disposed at a predetermined position, and a hall management computer. It has a function to output various information.

  The control command transmitted from the main board 11 to the display control board 12 is a display control command. This display control command includes, for example, a specific ball detection command indicating that a game ball has been detected by the specific ball detector 40, a start ball detection command indicating that a game ball has been detected by the start ball detectors 41a to 41c, An operation by a player or the like when a winning ball detection command indicating that a game ball has been detected by the winning ball detectors 42a and 42b, a lottery effect start command for instructing start of a lottery effect display, or a lottery effect display is being executed. An operation detection command indicating that the operation of the button 20 has been detected, a pre-round effect end command for instructing the end of the lottery effect display or the notification effect display performed before the round is started when the big hit gaming state occurs, etc. Is included. Here, in the lottery effect start command, notification round number designation data for designating the number of rounds to be notified (number of notification rounds) so that a player or the like can be specified by a lottery effect display, a notification effect display, or the like. Etc. are included.

  The main board 11 includes, for example, a basic circuit 100, a switch circuit 110, a solenoid circuit 111, a motor circuit 112, and the like. The basic circuit 100 is, for example, a one-chip microcomputer, and performs a control operation according to a ROM (Read Only Memory) 101 that stores a game control program, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 102 that is used as a work memory, and the program. A central processing unit (CPU) 103 and an input / output interface (I / O) 104 are included.

  In the main board 11, various random numbers are counted in order to control the progress of the game. As a specific example, the CPU 103 performs setting of a random number generation operation by a predetermined random number generation circuit mounted on the main board 11 and periodically updates numerical data according to a predetermined procedure, for example, the number of notification rounds. Control is performed so that numerical data used as a random number for determination, a random number for determination of lottery effect execution, a random number for round lottery, etc. can be counted. The random number for determining the number of notification rounds is a random number used to determine the number of rounds to be notified so that a player or the like can be specified in the lottery effect display or the notification effect display. The random number for determining the lottery effect execution is a random number used for determining whether or not to execute the lottery effect display when the big hit gaming state ends.

  The random number for round lottery is a random number used to determine the number of continuation rounds as the number of executions of a round until one low probability round ends in the big hit gaming state. For example, “0” to “39” Takes a range value. In this embodiment, the number of continuous rounds is set to “1” when the value of the random number for round lottery is “0” to “9”, and “3” when the value is “10” to “19”. It is assumed that “7” is determined when any of “20” to “29” and “15” is determined when any of “30” to “39”.

  Here, the number of continuous rounds is the number of rounds executed until one low probability round ends in the big hit gaming state. Therefore, when the number of continuation rounds is “15”, the low probability round can be executed once after the high probability round can be executed up to 14 times. When the number of continuation rounds is “7”, the high probability round is 6 After the number of continuation rounds is “3”, the low probability round is executed after the high probability round is executed up to two times. Execution is possible until the predetermined upper limit number is reached, and when the number of continuous rounds is “1”, only the low probability round can be executed until the predetermined upper limit number is reached without executing the high probability round.

  In addition to the game control program, the ROM 101 stores various data tables used for controlling the progress of the game. For example, the ROM 101 stores a determination table prepared for the CPU 103 to make various determinations. In this determination table, for example, the value of the random number for round lottery extracted from the random number generation circuit by the CPU 103 when a predetermined condition such as that a game ball is detected by any of the starting ball detectors 41a to 41c is satisfied. A round number determination table for determining the number of continuous rounds based on the numerical data shown is included.

  The RAM 102 stores start winning information for storing various data for controlling the start operation and the execution of the round in the big hit game state when a game ball is detected by any of the start ball detectors 41a to 41c. There is an area. For example, in the start winning information storage area, for start lottery information for identifying which of the left, middle and right start winning ports 6a to 6c a game ball has won, or for a round lottery extracted from a random number generation circuit Numerical data indicating a random number value, a valid remaining time timer value for measuring the remaining time for validating the stored contents in the start winning information storage area, and the like are stored.

  In addition, game control for setting a plurality of types of flags that are set or reset in the RAM 102 in accordance with the gaming state in the pachinko gaming machine 1 and signals transmitted from various detectors via the switch circuit 110, etc. A flag setting area, a game control timer setting area for storing data indicating a plurality of types of timer values used for game control of the pachinko gaming machine 1, a game control counter setting area for storing data indicating various count values, and the like are provided. It may be done. Note that a circuit used for flag setting, a timer, a counter, or the like may be configured by a register circuit provided separately from the RAM 102.

  In the game control flag setting area, for example, a game control process flag, a start winning flag and the like are provided. The game control process flag indicates which process should be selected and executed in a game control process process (FIG. 6) described later. The start winning flag is set to an on state when a game ball wins any of the left, middle and right start winning ports 6a to 6c.

  In addition, the game control timer setting area includes, for example, an area in which data indicating a timer value for realizing a function as a round start waiting time timer is stored. The round start waiting time timer, for example, measures the elapsed time from the start of the lottery effect display to the end of the notification effect display. The process from when the game ball that has won 31a, 31b enters the V zone 35 and is detected by the specific ball detector 40 until the big winning opening 31a, 31b is opened by the opening / closing members 30a, 30b in the big hit game state Allows control to keep time constant.

  The game control counter setting area includes, for example, an area in which data indicating a count value for realizing a function as a remaining round number counter, a notification round counter, and a round execution number counter is stored. The remaining round counter is used to count the remaining number of rounds that are executed until one low-probability round ends in the big hit gaming state as the remaining number of rounds. The notification round counter is for counting the remaining number of rounds notified by the player or the like in an identifiable manner through a lottery effect display or a notification effect display. The round execution number counter is for counting the number of rounds executed after the big hit gaming state has occurred.

  The switch circuit 110 shown in FIG. 3 includes a specific ball detector 40 disposed in the V zone 35 in the variable winning device 5, and starting ball detectors 41a to 41c disposed in the left, middle, and right starting winning ports 6a to 6c. 41c, winning ball detectors 42a, 42b arranged in the large winning openings 31a, 31b of the variable winning device 5, the discharged ball detector 44 arranged in the normal region 36 in the variable winning device 5, and the operation button 20. Each detection signal is input. The switch circuit 110 captures these detection signals and transmits them to the basic circuit 100.

  The solenoid circuit 111 drives each solenoid 50a, 50b, 51 in accordance with a command from the basic circuit 100. The solenoids 50a and 50b are connected to the opening and closing members 30a and 30b via link mechanisms, respectively. The solenoid 51 is connected to the movable member 32 via a link mechanism. The motor circuit 112 drives the motor 52 in accordance with a command from the basic circuit 100. The motor 52 is connected to an accessory forming the V zone 35 via a link mechanism.

  The display control board 12 controls display operations in the variable display device 4. For example, the display control board 12 causes the variable display device 4 to perform image switching display based on a display control command transmitted from the main board 11, thereby performing a lottery effect display, a notification effect display, and the like regarding the number of continuous rounds. Perform control to be executed.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the display control board 12. The display control board 12 includes an oscillation circuit 120, a reset circuit 121, a display control CPU 122, a ROM 123, a RAM 124, a VDP (Video Display Processor) 125, a CGROM 126, and a VRAM (Video RAM) 127. ing.

  In the display control board 12, various random numbers are counted in order to control the presentation effect on the variable display device 4. As a specific example, the CPU 122 determines a display result by setting a random number generation operation by a predetermined random number generation circuit mounted on the display control board 12 and periodically updating numerical data according to a predetermined procedure. It is controlled so that numerical data used as random numbers can be counted. The random number for determining the display result is detected when the operation button 20 is operated by the player or the like when the variable display device 4 performs a lottery effect display and informs that the operation of the operation button 20 is valid. It is a random number used to determine a display result used to notify the number of executions of the round in the notification effect display according to the determined timing.

  The oscillation circuit 120 outputs a reference clock signal to the CPU 122 and the VDP 125, and the reset circuit 121 outputs a reset signal for resetting the CPU 122 and the VDP 125. When the CPU 122 receives the display control command from the main board 11, the CPU 122 reads control data for performing display control from the ROM 123 while using a predetermined area of the RAM 124 as a work area. Based on the control data read in this way, the CPU 122 sends a drawing command to the VDP 125 to control the image display operation in the variable display device 4.

  The ROM 123 is a semiconductor memory that stores various control programs executed by the CPU 122, fixed parameters, and the like. For example, the ROM 123 stores a process table for determining image display timing and switching timing in the lottery effect display and the notification effect display, an image reading position (for example, an address of the CGROM 126, etc.), and the like.

  The RAM 124 is a semiconductor memory used as a work area by the CPU 122. In the RAM 124, a display control flag setting area for setting a plurality of types of flags that are set or cleared according to the display state of the variable display device 4, the display control command from the main board 11, and the like, and the variable display device 4 There may be provided a display control timer setting area for storing data indicating a plurality of types of timer values used for measuring various times when performing the display control. The circuit used for flag setting and timer may be constituted by a register circuit provided separately from the RAM 124.

  In the display control flag setting area, for example, a display control process flag, a result display start flag, and the like are provided. The display control process flag indicates which process should be selected and executed in the display control process process (FIG. 11) described later. The result display start flag is set to the on state when the display result is derived and displayed in the lottery effect display and the display is shifted to the notification effect display.

  The display control timer setting area includes, for example, an area for storing data indicating a timer value for realizing a function as an effect timer. The effect timer measures the time during which the lottery effect display and the notification effect display are performed.

  The VDP 125 has a display control function and a high-speed drawing function for displaying an image, and executes image processing according to a drawing command from the CPU 122. Further, it has a two-dimensional address space independent from the CPU 122, and the VRAM 127 is mapped there. For example, the VDP 125 generates image data based on the data read from the CGROM 126 and develops it in a predetermined area on the VRAM 127. Then, R (red), G (green), B (blue) signals and a synchronization signal are output to the variable display device 4. As an example, each of the R, G, and B signals is represented by 8 bits, and the variable display device 4 synthesizes each of R, G, and B in 256 gradations according to an instruction from the VDP 125, and synthesizes them to obtain a large number of about 16.7 million colors. Color display can be performed. The number of bits of the R, G, and B signals may be other than 8 bits, and the number of bits of the R, G, and B signals may be different from each other.

  The CGROM 126 is for storing various image data used to display an image on the variable display device 4. For example, the CGROM 126 stores character image data frequently used among images displayed on the variable display device 4, specifically, a person, an animal, a character, a figure, a symbol, or the like in advance. The VRAM 127 is a frame buffer memory for expanding image data generated by the VDP 125.

  Next, the operation (action) of the pachinko gaming machine 1 in this embodiment will be described. In the main board 11, when the power supply voltage from the power supply board 10 is supplied, the basic circuit 100 is activated, and the CPU 103 executes a predetermined game control main process. In this game control main process, the operation of each part of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is initialized and predetermined initial settings are performed. By executing such a game control main process, the CPU 103 is set to generate a timer interrupt periodically (for example, every 2 milliseconds).

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the game control interrupt process executed every time a timer interrupt occurs. In this example, when a timer interrupt occurs in the CPU 103, first, a predetermined switch process is executed, so that each detector 40, 41a to 41c, 42a, 42b, 44 and the operation button 20 are operated via the switch circuit 110. The state of the input detection signal is determined (step S11). Subsequently, by executing predetermined error processing, abnormality diagnosis of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is performed, and a warning can be generated if necessary according to the diagnosis result (step S12). Thereafter, a random number update process (step S13) for updating numerical data indicating the random number value counted on the main board 11 side is executed.

  Thereafter, the CPU 103 executes game control process processing (step S14). In the game control process, various processes are selected and executed in order to control the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to a predetermined procedure. Following the game control process, a predetermined command control process is executed, and a control command is transmitted from the main board 11 to the sub-side control boards (display control board 12, voice control board 13, lamp control board 14, etc.). Then, an operation control instruction in accordance with the gaming state is given (step S15). For example, the basic circuit 100 reads out the data stored in the output port buffer provided for each control board and sets it to the output port of the corresponding I / O 104 to send a control command to each control board. .

  Subsequently, the CPU 103 executes a predetermined solenoid output process to control (on / off control) excitation or demagnetization of each solenoid 50a, 50b, 51 via the solenoid circuit 111 (step S16). For example, the data stored in the output port buffer provided corresponding to each solenoid 50a, 50b, 51 is read and set in the output port of the I / O 104 corresponding to the solenoid circuit 111. Further, the CPU 103 outputs a drive signal to the motor 52 via the motor circuit 112, and executes a motor control process for reciprocating the accessory forming the V zone 35 (step S17). Thereafter, the CPU 103 executes predetermined prize ball processing to set the number of prize balls corresponding to the winning of game balls in each prize opening, and the prize balls are paid out to the payout control board 15. Is set to be transmittable (step S18).

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the game control process executed in step S14. In this game control process, the CPU 103 first determines whether or not the game ball has won any of the start winning ports 6a to 6c, and starts ball detectors 41a to 41c arranged at the respective starting winning ports 6a to 6c. Is determined by checking a detection signal input from the switch circuit 110 via the switch circuit 110 (step S100). When the game ball wins one of the start winning openings 6a to 6c and any of the detection signals from the start ball detectors 41a to 41c is turned on (step S100; Yes), the start winning process is performed. If it is executed (step S101) and no game ball is won in any of the start winning openings 6a to 6c (step S100; No), the start winning process is skipped.

  In the start winning process of step S101, the CPU 103 extracts numerical data indicating the value of the random number for round lottery from the random number generation circuit mounted on the main board 11, and uses the extracted numerical data as the start winning ports 6a to 6c. The information is stored in the start winning information storage area of the RAM 102 together with start winning opening information indicating which game ball has been won. At this time, in the game control timer setting area of the RAM 102, a predetermined period after the start winning memory is validated (for example, from the time when the variable winning device 5 starts the starting operation to a certain time after closing the big winning openings 31a and 31b). A valid remaining time timer value corresponding to a period corresponding to a required time until elapses may be initialized.

  Thereafter, the CPU 103 executes each process of steps S110 to S119 shown below in accordance with the value of the game control process flag updated in accordance with the gaming state.

  When the value of the game control process flag is “0”, the CPU 103 starts the starting operation of the variable winning device 5 based on the numerical data indicating the value of the random number for round lottery stored in the starting winning information storage area of the RAM 102. A “game control normal process” including a process for determining whether or not is performed (step S110). When the value of the game control process flag is “1”, the CPU 103 determines the number of opening / closing operations of the large winning openings 31a, 31b by the opening / closing members 30a, 30b based on the starting winning opening information stored in the starting winning information storage area. A “starting operation setting process” including a determining process or the like is executed (step S111).

  When the value of the game control process flag is “2”, a “starting operation process” including a process for controlling the starting operation in the variable winning device 5 by performing setting for outputting a drive signal to the solenoids 50a and 50b Is executed (step S112). In this process, when the detection signal from the specific ball detector 40 is turned on, the value of the game control process flag is updated to “3”. On the other hand, when the effective remaining time timer value becomes “0” while the detection signal from the specific ball detector 40 is off, the value of the game control process flag is updated to “0”.

  When the value of the game control process flag is “3”, the CPU 103 performs “specification” including processing for determining the number of continuous rounds based on numerical data indicating the value of the random number for round lottery stored in the start winning information storage area. The “ball detection process” is executed (step S113). For example, the CPU 103 determines the number of continuation rounds by referring to a continuation round number determination table stored in advance in the ROM 101 based on numerical data indicating the value of the random number for round lottery read from the start winning information storage area. To do. The continuation round number determination table stores setting data that associates, for example, the value of the random number for round lottery with the number of continuation rounds, and the continuation corresponding to the value of the random number for round lottery indicated by the numerical data read by the CPU 103. The number of rounds can be determined. The process for determining the number of continuous rounds may be executed when numerical data indicating the value of the random number for round lottery is extracted in the start winning process in step S101 described above. In this case, information indicating the determined number of continuous rounds may be stored in the start winning information storage area. The number of continuous rounds determined in this way is set in the remaining round counter.

  In this specific ball detection process, in response to the detection of a game ball that has entered the V zone 35 by the specific ball detector 40, for example, predetermined control data is set in a predetermined command transmission table. Settings for transmitting a specific ball detection command from the main board 11 to the display control board 12 are performed. Furthermore, in this specific ball detection process, a predetermined timer initial value is set in the round start waiting time timer, and measurement of the waiting time until the round is started in the big hit gaming state is started. Then, after waiting until the timer value of the round start waiting time timer becomes a predetermined lottery effect start reference value, the value of the game control process flag is updated to “4”.

  When the value of the game control process flag is “4”, the CPU 103 executes “lottery effect start process” for setting for starting the lottery effect display by the variable display device 4 (step S114). FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a lottery effect start process executed in this embodiment.

  In the lottery effect start process shown in FIG. 7, the CPU 103 first extracts numerical data indicating the value of the notification round number determination random number from the random number generation circuit mounted on the main board 11 (step S201). Subsequently, the notification round number determination table stored in advance in the ROM 101 is referred to based on the value of the random number for determining the notification round number extracted in step S201 and the remaining number of rounds counted by the remaining round number counter. Thus, the number of notification rounds, which is the number of rounds that the player or the like notifies in an identifiable manner by means of a lottery effect display or a notification effect display, is determined (step S202).

  The notification round number determination table stores setting data that associates, for example, the remaining number of rounds, the notification round number determination random number value, and the notification round number. Here, in the broadcast round number determination table, not only the number of broadcast rounds that is the same as the number of continuous rounds but also the number of broadcast rounds that is smaller than the number of continuous rounds is assigned a random number for determining the number of broadcast rounds. In addition, when the number of continuous rounds is large, a random number for determining the number of notification rounds is set so that the number of times that the lottery effect display is executed before the big hit gaming state ends at a higher rate than when the number of continuous rounds is small. The value is associated with the number of remaining rounds and the number of notification rounds. For example, a random number for determining the number of notification rounds is assigned so that the number of notification rounds is selected with a selection probability as shown in FIG. 8 according to the number of remaining rounds.

  After determining the number of notification rounds in step S202, the CPU 103 sets the determined number of notification rounds in the notification round counter as a count initial value (step S203). Further, a setting for transmitting a lottery effect start command including notification round number designation data corresponding to the number of notification rounds from the main board 11 to the display control board 12 is performed (step S204). Thereafter, the value of the game control process flag is updated to “5” which is a value corresponding to the round start waiting process (step S205).

  In the game control process shown in FIG. 6, when the value of the game control process flag is “5”, the CPU 103 corresponds to the fact that the lottery effect display and the notification effect display are performed by the variable display device 4. A “round start waiting process” for waiting until a round is started is executed (step S115). FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the round start waiting process executed in this embodiment.

  In the round start waiting process shown in FIG. 9, the CPU 103 first determines whether or not the display result derivation display showing the lottery result in the lottery effect display by the variable display device 4 has been completed (step S221). Here, the CPU 103 determines whether or not the lottery result display is completed in the lottery effect display based on the setting information stored in the RAM 102 or the like in step S224 described later, the timer value of the round start waiting time timer, or the like. Can be determined.

  When it is determined in step S221 that the display of the lottery result has not been completed (step S221; No), it is determined that it is within the button operation reception period during which the operation of the operation button 20 by the player or the like can be effectively received. Then, based on the detection signal transmitted from the operation button 20 via the switch circuit 110, it is determined whether or not the button operation of the operation button 20 is detected (step S222). When it is determined in step S221 that the display of the lottery result has been completed (step S221; Yes), or when it is determined in step S222 that the button operation of the operation button 20 has not been detected (step S222; No), step S225. Proceed to

  When it is determined in step S222 that the operation of the operation button 20 is detected (step S222; Yes), the CPU 103 performs setting for transmitting an operation detection command from the main board 11 to the display control board 12 (step S222). S223). Subsequently, setting information indicating that the operation detection command has been transmitted is stored in the RAM 102 or the like (step S224).

  Thereafter, after subtracting 1 from the timer value of the round start waiting time timer in step S225, the CPU 103 determines whether or not the subtracted timer value is “0” (step S226). At this time, if the timer value of the round start waiting time timer is “0” (step S226; Yes), a pre-round effect end command is transmitted from the main board 11 to the display control board 12. Setting is performed (step S227), and the value of the game control process flag is updated to “6” (step S228). In the round start waiting time timer, a predetermined timer initial value is set in the specific ball detection time process in step S113 shown in FIG. 6, and the timer value is decremented by 1 in step S226 every time the round start waiting process is executed. Therefore, regardless of what effect display (lottery effect display, notification effect display, etc.) is performed on the variable display device 4, a pre-round effect end command is transmitted when a certain time has elapsed. It will be. For this reason, when the variable winning device 5 is performing the starting operation, the game ball that has won the big winning opening 31a, 31b enters the V zone 35 and is detected by the specific ball detector 40, and thus in the big hit gaming state. The period until the round is started is maintained so as to have a certain elapsed time regardless of what kind of effect display is performed by the variable display device 4.

  In the game control process shown in FIG. 6, when the value of the game control process flag is “6”, an initialization process for performing a round in the big hit gaming state and various processes related to the operation of the variable winning device 5 and the like in the round The “in-round processing” including the above is executed (step S116). When the value of the game control process flag is “7”, the CPU 103 executes “round end process” corresponding to the end of the round (step S117). FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of round end processing executed in this embodiment.

  In the round end process shown in FIG. 10, the CPU 103 first determines whether or not a game ball that has won a prize winning opening 31 a or 31 b in this round has entered the V zone 35 and is detected by the specific ball detector 40. Is determined (step S241). At this time, if it is determined that the game ball is detected by the specific ball detector 40 (step S241; Yes), the CPU 103 subtracts 1 from the count values of the remaining round counter and the notification round counter (step S242). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the count value of the subtracted round remaining number counter has become “0” (step S243), and when it is “0” (step S243; Yes), the round in the big hit gaming state It is determined whether or not the number of executions has reached a predetermined upper limit value (for example, “15”) (step S244). For example, the CPU 103 can determine whether or not the number of round executions has reached the upper limit value by checking the count value of the round execution number counter. When it is determined in step S244 that the number of executions of the round has not reached the upper limit value (step S244; No), in response to the determination that the game ball has been detected by the specific ball detector 40 in step S241, the next It is determined that it is possible to shift to the round, and the value of the game control process flag is updated to “6” that is a value corresponding to the in-round processing (step S245).

  If it is determined in step S243 that the count value of the remaining round counter is a value other than “0” (step S243; No), it is determined whether or not the count value of the notification round counter is “0”. Determination is made (step S246). When the count value of the notification round counter is a value other than “0” (step S246; No), the process proceeds to step S245, and the value of the game control process flag is updated to “6”. On the other hand, when the count value of the notification round counter is “0” (step S246; Yes), the number of executions of the round executed in the big hit gaming state is determined by the player or the like in the lottery effect display or the notification effect display. After reaching the number of executions of the notified round so that it can be identified, it is possible to move to the next round. Therefore, the CPU 103 executes a lottery effect display and a notification effect display similar to those when a big hit gaming state occurs as a continuous notification effect display for notifying that the player or the like can be identified that the round will continue. And the value of the game control process flag is updated to “4” corresponding to the lottery effect start time process (step S247).

  When it is determined in step S241 that the specific ball detector 40 has not detected a game ball (step S241; No), or when it is determined in step S244 that the number of rounds has reached a predetermined upper limit ( Step S244; Yes), it is not possible to move to the next round. At this time, the CPU 103 extracts numerical data indicating the value of the random number for lottery effect execution determination from the random number generation circuit mounted on the main board 11 (step S248), for example, a lottery effect execution determination table stored in advance in the ROM 101. It is determined by referring to whether or not to execute the lottery effect display (step S249). Here, the lottery effect execution determination table stores setting data that associates the value of the random number for determining the lottery effect execution with the determination result as to whether or not to execute the lottery effect display. Whether or not to execute the lottery effect display can be determined by referring to the lottery effect execution determination table based on the value of the random number for use.

  When it is determined in step S249 that the lottery effect display is not executed (step S249; No), the value of the game control process flag is updated to “9” which is a value corresponding to the specific game end process (step S250). On the other hand, when it is determined to execute the lottery effect display (step S249; Yes), the lottery effect display is performed in the same effect mode as the continuous notification effect display as the end effect display corresponding to the end of the big hit gaming state. Is determined to execute. Therefore, the CPU 103 performs a setting for transmitting a lottery effect start command corresponding to the end of the big hit gaming state to the display control board 12 (step S251), and sets the value of the game control process flag to a specific game end wait. The value is updated to “8” corresponding to the process (step S252).

  In the game control process shown in FIG. 6, when the value of the game control process flag is “8”, the big hit gaming state is terminated in response to the fact that the lottery effect display and the notification effect display as the effect display at the end are performed. The “specific game end waiting process” is executed to wait until the process (step S118). In this specific game end waiting process, a process similar to the round start waiting process in step S115 is executed. Here, instead of the round start waiting time timer used in the round start waiting process of step S115, a jackpot end waiting time timer is used, and the elapsed time from the start of the lottery effect display to the end of the notification effect display, etc. May be measured. Then, when the timer value of the big hit end waiting time timer becomes “0”, the value of the game control process flag may be updated to “9” which is a value corresponding to the specific game end process. When the value of the game control process flag is “9”, a “specific game end process” including a process for transmitting a command for instructing the end of the big hit game state to the display control board 12 is executed (step S119).

  Next, processing in the display control board 12 will be described. In the display control board 12, the CPU 122 detects, for example, the occurrence of a timer interrupt every 33 milliseconds by determining whether or not the timer interrupt flag provided in the display control flag setting area of the RAM 124 is turned on, for example. Thus, the display control process process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 11 is executed. The period at which the timer interrupt is generated in the CPU 122 is not limited to 33 milliseconds, and can be arbitrarily set according to various processes executed by the CPU 122.

  In the display control process process shown in FIG. 11, the CPU 122 executes the following processes of steps S150 to S155 corresponding to the value of the display control process flag provided in the display control flag setting area of the RAM 124.

  When the value of the display control process flag is “0”, the CPU 122 executes “lottery effect start command reception waiting process” including a process of determining whether or not a lottery effect start command has been received from the main board 11 ( Step S150). In this lottery effect start command reception waiting process, when it is detected that a specific ball detection command has been received from the main board 11, the CPU 122 sends a predetermined drawing command to the VDP 125, for example, to send V to the variable display device 4. An image for notifying that there has been a win may be displayed.

  When the value of the display control process flag is “1”, “lottery effect setting processing” for starting the lottery effect display in response to the lottery effect start command received from the main board 11 is executed (step S151). In this process, for example, a predetermined timer initial value corresponding to the total execution time of the lottery effect display is set in the effect time timer provided in the display control timer setting area of the RAM 124, and the operation detection command is not transmitted from the main board 11. Sometimes the measurement of the remaining time until the lottery effect display ends is started.

  When the value of the display control process flag is “2”, “lottery effect result derivation pre-processing” is performed to perform display control before the display result indicating the lottery result is derived and displayed in the lottery effect display (step S152). FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the lottery effect result derivation pre-processing executed in this embodiment.

  In the lottery effect result derivation pre-process shown in FIG. 12, the CPU 122 first determines whether or not an operation detection command has been received from the main board 11 (step S261). When it is determined that the operation detection command has been received (step S261; Yes), the lottery effect display is performed with the display result corresponding to the notification round number specified by the notification round number specifying data in the lottery effect start command received from the main board 11. Is determined as the lottery result (step S262). After the display result is determined in step S262, the process proceeds to step S267.

  When it is determined in step S261 that an operation detection command has not been received (step S261; No), the timer value of the effect time timer is decremented by 1 (step S263), and the subtracted timer value has become “0”. It is determined whether or not (step S264). When the timer value of the effect time timer is a value other than “0” (step S264; No), for example, the CPU 122 reads the process table stored in the ROM 123 and transmits a drawing command corresponding to the read result to the VDP 125. For example, the lottery effect display according to the timer value of the effect time timer is continued (step S265).

  When it is determined in step S264 that the timer value of the effect time timer is “0” (step S264; Yes), the display result indicating the lottery result in the lottery effect display is set as non-notification information in which the number of rounds is not notified. After deciding to do (step S266), the process proceeds to step S267.

  Thereafter, for example, the CPU 122 sends a drawing command to the VDP 125, and the display result determined in step S262 or step S266 is derived and displayed (step S267). At this time, the timer value of the production time timer is stored (step S268), the result display start flag is set to the on state (step S269), and the value of the display control process flag is updated to “3” (step S269). S270).

  In the display control process shown in FIG. 11, when the value of the display control process flag is “3”, the “lottery effect result” for displaying the notification effect after the display result indicating the lottery result is derived and displayed in the lottery effect display. “Derived post-processing” is executed (step S153). FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the lottery effect result derivation post-process executed in this embodiment.

  In the lottery effect result derivation post-process shown in FIG. 13, the CPU 122 first determines whether or not the result display start flag is on (step S281). When the result display start flag is OFF (step S281; No), the process proceeds to step S284. On the other hand, when the result display start flag is on (step S281; Yes), after the result display start flag is cleared and turned off (step S282), the effect time timer stored in step S268 shown in FIG. The timer value is added to the timer value for a predetermined time (step S283). Here, the predetermined time timer value is determined in advance corresponding to the execution time (for example, 2 seconds) of the notification effect display when the operation button 20 is not detected during the lottery effect display. Timer value. In this way, the execution time of the notification effect display is measured by the effect time timer based on the new timer setting value to which the predetermined time timer value is added.

  Thereafter, the CPU 122 subtracts 1 from the timer value of the effect time timer in step S284, and then determines whether or not the subtracted timer value has become “0” (step S285). At this time, when the timer value of the effect time timer is a value other than “0” (step S285; No), the variable display device 4 displays the lottery result corresponding to the display result derived and displayed in the lottery effect display. The display of the image indicating is continued (step S286).

  On the other hand, when the timer value of the effect time timer becomes “0” (step S285; Yes), it is determined whether or not a pre-round effect end command has been received from the main board 11 (step S287). If the pre-round effect end command has not been received at this time (step S287; No), it is determined that the pre-round effect end command has not been received at regular timing, and a predetermined error process is executed (step S288). . On the other hand, when the pre-round effect end command is received (step S287; Yes), the value of the display control process flag is updated to “4” (step S289).

  In the display control process shown in FIG. 11, when the value of the display control process flag is “4”, the number of game balls detected by the winning ball detectors 42a and 42b in the round executed in the big hit gaming state, “In-round display processing” including processing for performing control for displaying the number of executions is executed (step S154). When the value of the display control process flag is “5”, the “big hit end display process” for controlling the display operation of the variable display device 4 is executed for the display notifying that the big hit gaming state has ended (step S155). .

Next, the operation of the pachinko gaming machine 1 described above will be described based on a specific example. When the player operates a hitting operation handle provided at the lower right position of the pachinko gaming machine 1, a game ball is driven into the game area by the launch motor and descends within the game area. When a game ball wins one of the left, middle and right starting winning holes 6a to 6c, the starting ball detectors 41a to 41c detect this, and the variable winning device 5 is opened and closed by the opening / closing members 30a and 30b. An execution condition for starting operation for opening and closing 31a and 31b is established. At this time, the CPU 103 extracts numerical data indicating the value of the random number for round lottery counted by a predetermined random number generation circuit, and stores it in the start winning information storage area of the RAM 102 together with the starting winning opening information (FIG. 6). Start winning process in step S100). At this time, the effective remaining time timer is also initialized.
Subsequently, when a predetermined start condition for starting the start operation (for example, that a game control time timer for measuring the waiting time has timed out) is established, the opening / closing members 30a and 30b open the special winning openings 31a and 31b. To do. For example, when the game ball wins the left or right start winning opening 6a, 6c, the opening / closing members 30a, 30b open the large winning opening 31a, 31b once for a predetermined period (for example, 0.35 seconds), and the middle start winning win When winning the opening 6b, the opening / closing members 30a and 30b open the large winning openings 31a and 31b twice for a predetermined period (for example, 0.65 seconds). The game balls picked up by the opening / closing members 30a and 30b while opening the big winning openings 31a and 31b enter the winning space in the variable winning apparatus 5 through the big winning openings 31a and 31b, respectively. At this time, the game balls are detected by the winning ball detectors 42a and 42b, and the payout balls 55 are paid out by the ball payout device 55 under the control of the payout control board 15 (award ball processing in step S18 shown in FIG. 5).

  When a game ball that has won a prize winning opening 31a, 31b enters the V zone 35 and is detected by the specific ball detector 40 during such a starting operation, the CPU 103 controls the display control board 12. Settings for transmitting the specific ball detection command are performed (specific ball detection time processing in step S113 shown in FIG. 6). Further, since the CPU 103 generates a big hit gaming state in response to the detection of the game ball by the specific ball detector 40, the CPU 103 continues based on the numerical data indicating the value of the random number for round lottery extracted in the start winning process in step S101. Determine the number of rounds.

  Subsequently, the CPU 103 refers to, for example, the notification round number determination table stored in advance in the ROM 101, and based on the number of continuous rounds and numerical data indicating the value of the notification round number determination random number, The number of notification rounds is determined as the number of rounds to be notified so that a player or the like can be identified by the notification effect display (step S202 shown in FIG. 7). In the notification round number determination table, as shown in FIG. 8, the probability that each notification round number is selected according to the number of remaining rounds, which is the remaining number of rounds executed until one low-probability round ends, is shown. A random number for determining the number of notification rounds is assigned so as to be different.

  At the time of occurrence of the big hit gaming state, the number of continuous rounds is set as the remaining number of rounds (specific ball detection process in step S113 shown in FIG. 6). Therefore, for example, when it is determined that the number of continuation rounds is “15” when the jackpot gaming state occurs, it is determined that the number of notification rounds is “3” with a probability of 7/10, and 1/10 It is determined that the number of broadcast rounds is “7” with the probability of “1”, the number of broadcast rounds is determined to be “12” with the probability of 1/10, and the number of broadcast rounds is “15” with the probability of 1/10. It is decided that. Also, when it is determined that the number of consecutive rounds is “7” when the big hit gaming state occurs, it is determined that the number of notification rounds is “3” with a probability of 1/10, and the probability of 1/10 The number of broadcast rounds is determined to be “4”, the number of broadcast rounds is determined to be “5” with a probability of 7/10, and the number of broadcast rounds is set to “7” with a probability of 1/10. Is determined. After the notification round number is determined in this way, the CPU 103 performs a setting for transmitting a lottery effect start command including notification round number designation data for designating the determined notification round number to the display control board 12. (Step S204).

  On the display control board 12 side, in response to the CPU 122 receiving the specific ball detection command, the variable display device 4 starts an effect display for notifying a player or the like that a big hit gaming state is generated. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a display control process (image display state) in the variable display device 4. FIGS. 15A and 15B show display control examples when effect display such as lottery effect display and notification effect display is performed.

  In the display control example shown in FIG. 15A, the button operation of the operation button 20 by the player or the like is performed from when the lottery effect display is started until when 5 seconds, which is an example of a predetermined time, elapses. As an example of the case where is detected, the button operation of the operation button 20 is detected 3 seconds after the lottery effect display is started. Here, it is assumed that the number of continuous rounds is determined to be “15” in response to the detection of the game ball by the specific ball detector 40.

  In the display control example shown in FIG. 15A, the CPU 122 first detects a game ball (V winning) by the specific ball detector 40 by the process a when receiving the specific ball detection command from the main board 11. Control to execute the effect display for notifying the effect is performed. Thereby, for example, a predetermined drawing command is transmitted from the CPU 122 to the VDP 125, and the variable display device 4 displays an image as shown in FIG.

  Subsequently, the CPU 122 starts control for executing the lottery effect display in response to receiving the lottery effect start command from the main board 11, and first notifies that the lottery effect display has been started by the process b. An effect display is performed (a lottery effect setting process in step S151 shown in FIG. 11). Thereby, for example, an image indicating the start of the round lottery as shown in FIG. 16B is displayed.

  Thereafter, as an effect display before the display result of the process c is derived and displayed, for example, as shown in FIG. 16C, an image for variably displaying the notification information indicating the number of executions of the round is displayed (FIG. 12). Step S265). At this time, by performing an operation-effective performance display for displaying the notification information 60, the player or the like is notified that the operation of the operation button 20 is effective. Thereafter, when the timer value of the effect time timer is a value other than “0” (step S264; No), the CPU 122 continues the variable display of the notification information indicating the number of executions of the round, etc. Is done.

  When button operation of the operation button 20 is detected 3 seconds after the lottery effect display is started (step S222 in FIG. 9; Yes), an operation detection command is transmitted from the main board 11 to the display control board 12. (Step S223). When the CPU 122 of the display control board 12 determines that the operation detection command from the main board 11 has been received (step S261 in FIG. 12; Yes), notification information to be derived and displayed as a display result corresponding to the number of notification rounds is determined ( Step S262).

  For example, when the count initial value indicating “15” is set in the remaining round counter corresponding to the number of continuous rounds being “15”, as shown in FIG. Is the highest probability (7/10). If the notification round number designation data included in the lottery effect start command specifies that the notification round number is “3”, for example, as shown in FIG. The notification information 61a indicating “3” is derived and displayed (step S267).

  At this time, the CPU 122 saves the timer value of the effect time timer (step S268), adds the timer value to the timer value for a predetermined time (step S283 in FIG. 13), and then displays the derived notification information 61a. Correspondingly, a round number notification effect display for notifying that the number of round executions is “3” is executed by the process d (step S286). With such a lottery effect display and a subsequent round number notification effect display, it is possible to notify the execution number “3” which is smaller than the continuous round number “15”. Accordingly, the player recognizes that the number of continuous rounds is “3”, that is, the high probability round can be executed up to two times.

  Further, by adding the timer value for a predetermined time to the timer value of the effect time timer stored in step S268, the period for performing the control for executing the round number notification effect display is adjusted, and the timer value of the effect time timer is set to “0”. The effect display for notifying the number of executions of the round continues until “ Thereafter, when the timer value of the effect time timer becomes “0”, in response to the reception of the pre-round effect end command from the main board 11 (step S287; Yes), the round number notification effect display is ended. Following this, the CPU 122 starts control to execute a predetermined effect display during the round (display processing during round in step S154 shown in FIG. 11).

  Thus, when the round in the big hit gaming state is started and the third round is ended, for example, a command for instructing the end of the round is transmitted from the main board 11 to the display control board 12, etc. FIG. An image for notifying that the third round is completed is displayed. At this time, if the game ball that has won the grand prize opening 31a, 31b in the third round enters the V zone 35 and is detected by the specific ball detector 40 (step S241 in FIG. 10; Yes), When the CPU 103 of the substrate 11 executes the process of step S242, the count value of the remaining round counter is “12” and the count value of the notification round counter is “0”. Since the count value of the remaining round counter is other than “0” (step S243; No) and the count value of the notification round counter is “0” (step S246; Yes), the CPU 103 sets the game control process flag. The value is updated to “4”, and the lottery effect start time process of step S114 shown in FIG. 6 is executed in the same manner as when the big hit gaming state occurs.

  When the count value of the remaining round counter is “12”, as shown in FIG. 8, the probability that the number of notification rounds is determined to be “4” is the highest (3/5). Then, when the number of notification rounds is determined to be “4” and a lottery effect start command is transmitted from the main board 11 to the display control board 12, the number of rounds to be executed is shown, for example, as shown in FIG. When the button operation of the operation button 20 is detected after the lottery effect display in which the notification information is variably displayed, the number of round executions as illustrated in FIG. 16G is “4”. The notification information 61b indicating is derived and displayed. Thereafter, when the fourth round ends, for example, an image for notifying that the fourth round is ended is displayed as shown in FIG. At the same time, on the main board 11 side, in response to the count value of the remaining round counter being “8” and the count value of the notification round counter being “0”, the process again in step S114 shown in FIG. The lottery effect start process is executed. Thus, when the number of round executions notified by the lottery effect display or the notification effect display is reached, the lottery effect start time process is executed, so that the high-probability round continues to be notified. As the display, a lottery effect display and a notification effect display can be performed.

  In the setting as shown in FIG. 8, when it is determined that the number of continuous rounds is “15” when the big hit gaming state occurs, “3”, “4”, “3” ”,“ 3 ”,“ 2 ”Probability of determining the number of broadcast rounds, or“ 3 ”,“ 4 ”,“ 3 ”,“ 2 ”,“ 3 ” The probability of being the highest is the highest (both 63/625 [> 1/10]). That is, when the number of continuous rounds is “15”, after the lottery effect display and the notification effect display are performed when the big hit gaming state occurs, the lottery effect display and the notification effect display are performed until the big hit gaming state is finished Has the highest probability of being executed as a continuous notification effect display.

  Next, the number of continuous rounds is set to “7” in response to the fact that the specific ball detector 40 has detected a game ball that has won a prize winning opening 31a, 31b when the variable winning device 5 is starting. The case where it is determined will be described. Also in this case, as shown in FIG. 15A, the CPU 122 first displays an effect display for notifying that the process a has won the V prize when the specific ball detection command is received from the main board 11. For example, an image as shown in FIG. 17A is displayed on the variable display device 4.

  Subsequently, the CPU 122 starts control for executing the lottery effect display in response to receiving the lottery effect start command from the main board 11, and the effect display for notifying that the lottery effect display has been started by the process b. For example, an image as shown in FIG. 17B is displayed. Next, as an effect display before the display result by the process c is derived and displayed, for example, an image display as shown in FIG. Notifies that the operation of the button 20 is valid. If an operation detection command is received from the main board 11 before a certain time (for example, 5 seconds) has elapsed since the start of the lottery effect display (step S261 in FIG. 12; Yes), it is designated by the lottery effect start command. Broadcast information to be derived and displayed as a display result corresponding to the number of broadcast rounds determined is determined (step S262).

  For example, when a count initial value indicating “7” is set in the remaining round counter corresponding to the number of continuous rounds being “7”, the number of notification rounds is “5” as shown in FIG. Is the highest probability (7/10). When a lottery effect start command including notification round number designation data for designating the notification round number to “5” is transmitted from the main board 11 to the display control board 12, for example, as shown in FIG. In addition, the notification information 61c indicating that the number of executions of the round is “5” is derived and displayed (step S267). At this time, the CPU 122 saves the timer value of the effect time timer (step S268), adds the timer value to the timer value for a predetermined time (step S283 in FIG. 13), and then displays the derived notification information 61c. Correspondingly, a round number notification effect for notifying that the number of round executions is “5” is executed by the process d (step S286). Thereby, the player recognizes that the number of continuous rounds is “5”, that is, the high probability round can be executed up to four times.

  Thereafter, when the timer value of the effect time timer becomes “0”, in response to the reception of the pre-round effect end command from the main board 11 (step S287; Yes), the round number notification effect display is ended. Following this, the CPU 122 starts control to execute a predetermined effect display during the round. Then, when the round in the big hit gaming state is started and the fifth round is finished, for example, an image for notifying that the fifth round is finished is displayed as shown in FIG. At this time, on the main board 11 side, the count value of the remaining round counter is “2”, and the count value of the notification round counter is “0”. Since the count value of the remaining round counter is other than “0” (step S243 in FIG. 10; No), the CPU 103 of the main board 11 has the count value of the notification round counter is “0” (step S246; Yes). ), The lottery effect start time process of step S114 shown in FIG. 6 is executed in the same manner as when the big hit gaming state occurs.

  When the count value of the remaining round counter is “2”, the number of notification rounds is always determined to be “2” as shown in FIG. Then, when the number of notification rounds is determined to be “2” and a lottery effect start command is transmitted from the main board 11 to the display control board 12, for example, as shown in FIG. When the button operation of the operation button 20 is detected after the lottery effect display in which the notification information shown is variably displayed, the number of round executions illustrated in FIG. 17G is “2”. The notification information 61d indicating this is derived and displayed. With such a continuous notification effect display, the player can recognize that the higher probability round continues. Thereafter, when the second round ends, for example, an image for notifying that the second round is ended is displayed as shown in FIG. At the same time, the count value of the remaining round counter is “0” on the main board 11 side.

  The count value of the remaining round counter is “0” when the number of round executions reaches the number of continuous rounds. Accordingly, the round that is performed when the count value of the remaining round counter is “0” is a low-probability round in which the movable member 32 is always maintained in the retracted state and the probability that the game ball enters the V zone 35 is low. . The CPU 103 of the main board 11 determines whether or not to execute the lottery effect display when the specific ball detector 40 does not detect the specific ball detector 40 in this low probability round (step S241 in FIG. 10; No). (Step S249).

  Here, when it is determined to execute the lottery effect display (step S249; Yes), a lottery effect start command corresponding to the end of the big hit gaming state is transmitted from the main board 11 to the display control board 12 (step S251). . The CPU 122 of the display control board 12 displays the lottery effect corresponding to the end of the big hit gaming state when the image shown in FIG. 18A is displayed in the same manner as when the image shown in FIG. In response to receiving the start command, for example, as shown in FIG. 18B, control is performed to execute a lottery effect display in which notification information indicating the number of executions of a round is variably displayed (step S265 in FIG. 12). . Then, when the button operation of the operation button 20 is detected (step S261; Yes), by determining the display result corresponding to the lottery effect start command (step S262), as illustrated in FIG. 18C. Notification information 61e indicating the end of the big hit gaming state is derived and displayed (step S267). The player can recognize that the jackpot gaming state is ended by such an effect display at the end.

  In the setting as shown in FIG. 8, when it is determined that the number of continuation rounds is “7” when the big hit gaming state occurs, the notification is made in the order of “5” and “2” until the big hit gaming state ends. The probability that the number of rounds is determined is the highest (7/10). That is, when the number of continuous rounds is “7”, after the lottery effect display and the notification effect display are performed when the big hit gaming state occurs, one lottery effect display and the notification effect display are performed until the big hit gaming state ends. Has the highest probability of being executed as a continuous notification effect display. As described above, when it is determined that the number of continuation rounds is “15”, the lottery effect display and the notification effect display are performed when the big hit gaming state occurs, and then four times until the big hit gaming state ends. The probability that the lottery effect display and the notification effect display are executed as the continuous notification effect display is the highest. For this reason, according to the setting as shown in FIG. 8, when the number of continuous rounds is large, the number of continuous notification effect display executions is determined to be higher at a higher rate than when the number of continuous rounds is small. Become. That is, when the number of executions of the high probability round in the big hit gaming state is large (the number of times determined to be executable), the number of executions of the continuous notification effect display is higher at a higher rate than when the number of executions of the high probability round is small. Can be determined.

  Further, in the display control example shown in FIG. 15B, the button operation of the operation button 20 by the player or the like is performed from when the lottery effect display is started until when a predetermined fixed time of 5 seconds elapses. Is not detected. Here, it is assumed that the number of continuous rounds is determined to be “15”, and the number of notification rounds is determined to be “3”. In this case, when the CPU 122 first receives a specific ball detection command from the main board 11, the CPU 122 performs an effect display for notifying that a V prize has been obtained by the process a. An image as shown in A) is displayed.

  Subsequently, the CPU 122 starts control for executing the lottery effect display in response to receiving the lottery effect start command from the main board 11, and the effect display for notifying that the lottery effect display has been started by the process b. For example, an image as shown in FIG. 19B is displayed. Next, as an effect display before the display result by the process c is derived and displayed, for example, an image display as shown in FIG. 19C is performed, and an operation effective effect display for displaying the notification information 60 is performed. Notifies that the operation of the button 20 is valid. Then, when the timer value of the effect time timer is a value other than “0” (step S264 in FIG. 12; No), the CPU 122 performs lottery by continuing the variable display of the notification information indicating the number of executions of the round. Perform production display.

  When the operation detection command is not received from the main board 11 until the timer value of the effect time timer becomes “0” (step S264; Yes), the display result in which the number of round executions is not notified as the display result in the lottery effect display Is selected and determined (step S266), for example, non-notification information 61f as shown in FIG. 19D is derived and displayed (step S267). Here, when the non-notification information 61f is derived and displayed, the notification information indicating the number of executions of the round when the performance time timer times out may be replaced with non-notification information 61f that does not notify the number of executions of the round. Then, in the lottery effect display, the non-notification information 61f that does not notify the number of round executions is variably displayed together with the notification information indicating the number of round executions, and the non-notification information 61f is derived and displayed when the effect time timer times out. It may be. Then, after adding the timer value for a predetermined time to the timer value of the production time timer that has become “0” (step S283 in FIG. 13), the number of rounds executed by the process e in accordance with the derived notification information 61f. A non-notification effect display that does not notify is performed (step S286). As a result, the player cannot recognize whether or not a high probability round is performed and how many times it is performed.

  After the non-notification effect display is executed in this way, when the timer value of the effect time timer becomes “0” (step S285; Yes), the CPU 122 responds to the reception of the pre-round effect end command from the main board 11. (Step S287; Yes), the non-notification effect display ends. Following this, the CPU 122 starts control to execute a predetermined effect display during the round. When the round in the big hit gaming state is started and the third round is finished, the count value of the remaining round counter on the main board 11 side becomes “12” and the count value of the notification round counter is “ In response to becoming “0” (step S246 in FIG. 10; Yes), the lottery effect start time process in step S114 shown in FIG. 6 is executed in the same manner as when the big hit gaming state occurs. Thus, even when the non-notification effect display is performed and the player or the like cannot recognize the number of executions of the high probability round, when the number of executions determined as the number of notification rounds is reached, the lottery as the continuous notification effect display An effect display and a notification effect display are performed.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, in the lottery effect display that is performed when the big hit gaming state occurs, the operation of the operation button 20 is performed by performing the operation effective effect display that displays the notification information 60. It is notified that it is valid. Thereafter, when a button operation of the operation button 20 is detected, a display result corresponding to the number of notification rounds determined in step S202 in FIG. 7 is derived and displayed, so that it is possible to specify the number of executions less than the number of continuous rounds. Can be notified. When the number of executions in which the rounds performed in the big hit gaming state are notified is reached, the value of the game control process flag is set to “4” in step S247 of FIG. Similarly to the time of occurrence, the lottery effect start time process of step S114 shown in FIG. 6 is executed. Thereby, the lottery effect display and the notification effect display can be executed again as the continuous notification effect display for notifying that the high probability round continues. The player may be discouraged by being notified of the number of executions less than the number of continuous rounds when the big hit gaming state occurs. However, since the continuous notification effect display is performed when the notified number of executions is reached, it can be recognized that the high-probability round continues further, and the unexpectedness and expectation of the high-probability round continuing And is enhanced. In addition, in the lottery effect display, since the display result is derived and displayed according to the timing at which the operation of the operation button 20 is detected, it is possible to notify the execution number of rounds less than the continuous round number due to the player's involvement, It is possible to enhance interest in the production.

  When it is determined in step S264 in FIG. 12 that the timer value of the effect time timer has reached “0”, it is determined in step S266 that the display result does not indicate the number of round executions. As a result, it becomes clear that when the operation is displayed when the operation is valid, the number of executions of the round can be specified by the player's involvement so that the number of executions of the round can be specified. Can be encouraged.

  Further, the CPU 103 of the main board 11 has a selection probability according to the remaining number of rounds, which is the remaining number of rounds executed until one low probability round is completed in the big hit gaming state, for example, as shown in FIG. In the lottery effect display and the notification effect display, the number of notification rounds for determining the number of rounds that can be specified is determined. As a result, when the number of continuation rounds, which is the number of rounds executed from when the big hit gaming state occurs until the end of one low probability round, is higher than when the number of continuation rounds is small, The progress of the production can be controlled so that the number of executions of the continuous notification production display is large. For the player, an increase in the number of executions of the continuous notification effect display increases the expectation for the number of executions of the high-probability round, thereby improving the interest of the game.

  In step S249 in FIG. 10, when the big hit gaming state ends without being able to shift to the next round in the big hit gaming state, the lottery effect display that is the same effect mode as the continuous notification effect display is displayed at the end time. It is determined whether or not to execute. When it is determined that the end effect display is to be executed, a lottery effect start command corresponding to the end of the big hit gaming state is transmitted from the main board 11 to the display control board 12, so that the end effect display is performed. The lottery effect display and the notification effect display can be executed. In this way, even when the big hit gaming state ends, by enabling the end-time effect display to be executed in the same effect mode as the continuous notification effect display, the player can execute the continuous notification effect display, It becomes impossible to recognize that the high-probability round will continue immediately, and it is possible to maintain interest in the production.

  In the lottery effect result derivation post-process in FIG. 13, the lottery result is obtained until the timer value of the effect time timer becomes “0” after the timer value of the effect time timer is added to the timer value of the effect time timer in step S283. The notification information corresponding to the display result derived and displayed as is continuously displayed. That is, the period during which the effect display for notifying the number of executions of the round is performed according to the period from when the lottery effect display is started until it is determined that the operation button 20 is operated. Thereby, regardless of whether or not the operation button 20 is operated when the lottery effect display is being performed, the game ball that has won a prize winning opening 31a, 31b when the variable winning device 5 is performing the starting operation. When the player enters the V zone 35 and is detected by the specific ball detector 40, the player can keep the elapsed time from the opening of the big winning holes 31a and 31b in the first round in the big hit gaming state to the player. It is possible to perform an effect display that does not give a sense of incongruity. In addition, compared to the case where the above-described elapsed time changes depending on whether or not the operation button 20 is operated, the time during which an effect is provided for notifying the number of executions of the round in the big hit gaming state in an identifiable manner is managed. Control can be easily performed.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications and applications are possible. For example, in the embodiment described above, the lottery effect display and the notification effect display, which are the same effect modes as when the big hit gaming state is generated, are described as the continuous notification effect display and the end effect display. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the continuous notification effect display may be any effect display that allows the player or the like to specify that the high probability round will continue, It is only necessary that the effect display at the end can be performed in the same effect mode as the continuous notification effect display.

  In the above embodiment, the CPU 103 refers to the notification round number determination table to determine the same number of notification rounds as the number of remaining rounds or the number of notification rounds less than the remaining number of rounds with a selection probability as shown in FIG. Described as possible. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and in step S202 described above, it may be determined that the number of round executions is not notified according to the number of remaining rounds. If it is determined not to notify the number of round executions, an arbitrary numerical value smaller than the remaining number of rounds may be set as the initial count value of the notification round counter in step S203, or the same as the remaining number of rounds May be set as the initial count value of the notification round counter. Further, when the CPU 122 of the display control board 12 specifies that the number of round executions is not notified by the notification round number designation data included in the lottery effect start command, the display result of the lottery effect display in the above-described step S262. It may be determined that the non-notification information 61f is derived and displayed.

  Also, in the above embodiment, the number of rounds that can be executed before the low probability round ends once in the big hit gaming state is set as the number of continuous rounds, and the notification that the number of continuous rounds can be specified in the round number notification effect display is notified. It was described as displaying information. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, notification information for indicating the number of high-probability rounds that can be executed in the big hit gaming state in an identifiable manner may be displayed. Further, the notification information is not limited to information indicating a numerical value corresponding to the number of executions of the round, and for example, notification information indicating a character corresponding to the number of continuous rounds is displayed using a predetermined character image prepared in advance. It may be as described above. That is, the contents of the effect display can be arbitrarily changed as long as the player or the like can notify the number of executions of the high probability round in the big hit gaming state.

  In the pachinko gaming machine 1 in the above embodiment, by controlling the state of the movable member 32, the round in the big hit gaming state is divided into a high-probability round and a high-probability round with a high probability of causing the game ball to enter the V zone 35. The game ball controlled to one of the rounds including a low-probability round that has a low probability of entering the game ball into the V zone 35 in comparison, and the game ball that won the big prize opening 31a, 31b during the round enters the V zone 35. When the specific ball detector 40 detects the maximum number of rounds, it is assumed that the number of continuous rounds can be exceeded and the next round can be reached. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and when a game ball wins the start winning opening 6a to 6c, or when a game ball enters the V zone 35, the value of the random number for round lottery is shown. Numeric data is extracted and the maximum number of rounds is determined from the number of executions of multiple types of rounds. In the jackpot game state, it is possible to move to the next round until the maximum number of rounds is reached, and the maximum number of rounds has been reached. Sometimes, regardless of whether or not the game balls that have won the big winning openings 31a and 31b enter the V zone 35 during the round, the big hit gaming state ends without moving to the next round. Good.

  In this case, the upper limit number of rounds determined based on the numerical data indicating the value of the random number for round lottery may be identifiable in the same manner as the number of continuous rounds in the above embodiment. That is, when the big hit gaming state occurs, the effect display when the operation is effective is notified to notify that the operation of the operation button 20 is effective, and the upper limit number of rounds when the button operation of the operation button 20 is detected. What is necessary is just to be able to alert | report the smaller number of executions. And what is necessary is just to be able to perform the continuous alerting | reporting effect display which alert | reports that a round continues, when the notified execution frequency is reached.

  In the lottery effect result derivation post-process shown in FIG. 13, the notification information corresponding to the display result derived and displayed as the lottery result is stepped until it is determined in step S285 that the timer value of the effect time timer has become “0”. It demonstrated as what adjusts the period in which the production | presentation which alert | reports the frequency | count of execution of a high probability round is specified by continuing displaying in S286. Here, instead of the notification information for informing the number of executions of the high probability round in an identifiable manner, or together with the informing information for informing the number of executions of the high probability round in an identifiable manner, the operation button 20 or the like is operated. You may make it perform the production | presentation which displays the alerting | reporting information which alert | reports that.

  For example, in the display control example shown in FIG. 15A, images as shown in FIGS. 20A to 20C are displayed in the same manner as the image display examples shown in FIGS. Then, when button operation of the operation button 20 is detected, as shown in FIG. 20 (D), the notification information 63a is displayed together with the notification information 61a for specifying the number of rounds to be specified, Notifies that the operation button 20 has been operated. Further, when an effect of notifying the number of round executions is performed by the process d, the notification information 63b is displayed together with the notification information 62a for notifying the number of round executions as shown in FIG. As an example, the notification information 63b is information for notifying the operation speed of the operation button 20 corresponding to the elapsed time from when the lottery effect display is started until the operation button 20 is operated. For example, the timer value of the presentation time timer when the operation detection command is received from the main board 11 on the display control board 12 side is stored in the RAM 124 in order from the maximum value. Then, based on the timer value of the effect time timer at the timing at which the operation detection command is received in the current lottery effect display, it is possible to specify the order of the operation speeds of the operation buttons 20, and notification information for notifying the specified order 63b may be displayed.

  In the said embodiment, it demonstrates as what produces the effect which alert | reports the number of times of execution of a round in a big hit gaming state by the effect display using the display image in the variable display apparatus 4, or does not alert | report the number of times of execution of a round. did. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the sound output from the speakers 8L and 8R under the control of the sound control board 13 and the game effect lamp 9 performed under the control of the lamp control board 14 are used. The effect of notifying the number of rounds to be executed or the number of rounds to be executed when a big hit gaming state occurs by lighting or blinking of a predetermined lamp included, or an action of a variable-driveable accessory or the like. You may make it perform. Furthermore, the number of executions of a round when a big hit gaming state occurs by combining any of image display on the variable display device 4, sound output from the speakers 8L and 8R, lighting or blinking of a predetermined lamp, and action of an accessory An effect that informs the user of being identifiable or an effect that does not inform the number of executions of the round may be performed.

  In the above embodiment, the operation button 20 has been described as being detected by a player or the like. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the player or the like touches the touch panel provided on the variable display device 4. Any device can be used as long as it can detect that any operation means has been operated, such as detecting that an operation such as contact has been performed.

  The apparatus configuration shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the block configuration shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the flowchart configurations shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 and 9 to 13, etc., are arbitrarily set within the scope of the present invention. Changes and modifications are possible. Further, the selection probability of the number of notification rounds shown in FIG. 8 is also shown as an example, and by determining the number of notification rounds according to the number of remaining rounds, the number of executions of the high probability round in the big hit gaming state or the number of rounds Even if the upper limit count is large, it can be arbitrarily changed as long as the number of executions of the effect such as the continuous notification effect display can be determined at a high rate compared to when the upper limit count is small. Good.

  In addition, the present invention is not limited to a payout type gaming machine that pays out a predetermined number of prize balls in response to detection of winning balls, and encloses game balls and gives points in response to detection of winning balls. It can also be applied to an enclosed game machine. Furthermore, the present invention can be applied to a game machine that simulates the operation of the pachinko gaming machine 1. The program and data for realizing the present invention are not limited to a form distributed and provided to a computer device or the like by a detachable recording medium, but preinstalled in a storage device such as a computer device or the like in advance. You may take the form distributed by keeping it. Furthermore, the program and data for realizing the present invention are distributed by downloading from other devices on a network connected via a communication line or the like by providing a communication processing unit. It doesn't matter.

  The game execution mode is not only executed by attaching a detachable recording medium, but can also be executed by temporarily storing a program and data downloaded via a communication line or the like in an internal memory or the like. It is also possible to execute directly using hardware resources on the other device side on a network connected via a communication line or the like. Furthermore, the game can be executed by exchanging data with other computer devices or the like via a network.

It is a front view of the pachinko gaming machine in the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of a variable winning apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the system structural example centering on the main board | substrate mounted in the pachinko gaming machine. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the hardware constitutions in a display control board. It is a flowchart which shows a game control interruption process. It is a flowchart which shows game control process processing. It is a flowchart which shows a lottery production start time process. It is a figure which shows an example of the selection probability of the number of alerting | reporting rounds. It is a flowchart which shows a round start waiting process. It is a flowchart which shows a process at the time of a round end. It is a flowchart which shows a display control process process. It is a flowchart which shows the lottery effect result derivation | leading-out process. It is a flowchart which shows the lottery effect result derivation post-processing. It is explanatory drawing which shows the display control process in a variable display apparatus. It is a timing chart showing an example of display control in effect display. It is a figure which shows the example of effect display. It is a figure which shows the example of effect display. It is a figure which shows the example of effect display. It is a figure which shows the example of effect display. It is a figure which shows the example of effect display.

Explanation of symbols

1 ... Pachinko machine (game machine)
2… Game board (gauge board)
3 ... Frame for gaming machines (underframe)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 4 ... Variable display apparatus 5 ... Variable winning apparatus 6a-6c ... Start winning opening 8L, 8R ... Speaker 9 ... Game effect lamp 10 ... Power supply board 11 ... Main board 12 ... Display control board 13 ... Sound control board 14 ... Lamp control board DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 15 ... Dispensing control board 20 ... Operation button 30a, 30b ... Opening / closing member 31a, 31b ... Grand prize opening 32 ... Movable member 33a, 33b ... Ball discharge port 35 ... V zone (specific area)
36 ... Normal regions 37a, 37b ... Rolling plate 40 ... Specific ball detectors 41a-41c ... Starting ball detectors 42a, 42b ... Winning ball detector 44 ... Discharged ball detectors 50a, 50b, 51 ... Solenoid 52 ... Motor 100 ... Basic circuit 101 ... ROM
102 ... RAM
103 ... CPU
104 ... I / O
110 ... Switch circuit 111 ... Solenoid circuit 112 ... Motor circuit 120 ... Oscillator circuit 121 ... Reset circuit 122 ... CPU
123… ROM
124 ... RAM
125 ... VDP
126 ... CGROM
127 ... VRAM

Claims (5)

When an effect means for executing a predetermined effect, a start ball detecting means for detecting a game ball in a start area provided in a game area where the game ball flows down, and a game ball detected by the start ball detecting means, A variable winning device that performs a starting operation to change a variable winning opening that is opened and closed by an opening and closing member from a second state that is disadvantageous to the player to a first state that is advantageous to the player, and a plurality of variable winning devices provided in the variable winning device Specific ball detecting means for detecting a game ball that has entered a specific area of the area, and the specific ball detecting means detects the game ball that has won the variable winning opening when performing the starting operation. And generating a specific gaming state in which a round in which the variable prize opening is controlled to the first state can be executed up to a predetermined upper limit number in a specific manner that is more advantageous for the player than the starting operation. When a game ball that has won a prize in the variable prize opening during the round is detected by the specific ball detection means, the game moves to the next round, and a game ball that has won a prize in the variable prize slot during the round is detected by the specific ball. A gaming machine that terminates the specific gaming state when not detected by the means,
A distribution means for distributing the game balls won in the variable winning device into the specific area and a normal area different from the specific area;
By controlling the state of the distribution means, a high probability round with a high probability of entering a game ball into the specific area, and a low probability round with a low probability of entering a game ball into the specific area compared to a high probability round Distribution control means for controlling to any one of the rounds including,
Numerical data extraction means for extracting numerical data from numerical data updating means for updating numerical data when a predetermined condition is satisfied;
High probability round number determining means for determining the number of executions of the high probability round based on the numerical data extracted by the numerical data extracting means;
Operation determining means for determining whether or not the operation means operable by the player has been performed;
Effect control means for effect control of the effect means,
The production control means includes
When the specific gaming state is generated, an operation effective effect control means for performing control to execute an operation effective effect that informs that the operation of the operation means is effective by the effect means;
After execution of the operation-validation effect by the operation-validation effect control means, when the operation determining means determines that the operation means has been operated, the high probability round number determining means determined by the high probability round number determining means A minority round notification effect control means for performing a control to execute a minority round notification effect that informs the number of executions less than the number of executions of the probability round so that it can be specified
Continuous notification for performing control to execute a continuous notification effect for notifying that a high-probability round is continued when the number of executions notified in the minority round notification effect executed by the minority round notification effect control means is reached. Production control means;
The minority round notification effect control according to a period until the operation determining means determines that the operation means is operated when the operation effective effect control means is executed by the operation effective effect control means. By adjusting the period during which the control for executing the minority round notification effect is performed by the means, the game ball that has won the variable winning opening during the starting operation is detected from the time when the specific ball detecting means detects the game ball. Production period adjustment means for making the elapsed time until the variable prize opening is controlled to the first state in a specific gaming state constant,
A gaming machine characterized by that. The production control means includes
When the operation valid presentation control means does not determine that the operation means has been operated by the operation determination means during a period in which the operation valid presentation effect is being executed, the operation valid presentation control means performs the operation. Including a non-notification effect control means for performing control to execute a non-notification effect that does not notify the number of executions of the high-probability round after the execution of the effective time effect, which is an effect that is different from the minor round notification effect.
The gaming machine according to claim 1. The production control means includes
Including a continuous notification number determining means for determining the number of executions of the continuous notification effect by the continuous notification effect control means according to the number of executions of the high probability round determined by the high probability round number determination means,
The continuous notification number determination means executes the continuous notification effect at a higher rate when the number of execution times of the high probability round determined by the high probability round number determination means is large than when the number of execution times of the high probability round is small. Decide the number of times as many times,
The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that. The production control means includes
When the specific gaming state ends, an end-time effect determination unit that determines whether or not to execute an end-time effect in the same effect mode as the continuous notification effect by the continuous notification effect control unit;
Including an end-time effect control unit that performs control to execute the end-time effect when the end-time effect determining unit determines that the end-time effect is to be executed.
The gaming machine according to claim 1, 2, or 3. When an effect means for executing a predetermined effect, a start ball detecting means for detecting a game ball in a start area provided in a game area where the game ball flows down, and a game ball detected by the start ball detecting means, A variable winning device that performs a starting operation to change a variable winning opening that is opened and closed by an opening and closing member from a second state that is disadvantageous to the player to a first state that is advantageous to the player, and a plurality of variable winning devices provided in the variable winning device Specific ball detecting means for detecting a game ball that has entered a specific area of the area, and the specific ball detecting means detects the game ball that has won the variable winning opening when performing the starting operation. And a gaming machine that generates a specific gaming state in which a round for controlling the variable prize opening to the first state can be executed up to a predetermined upper limit number in a specific manner that is more advantageous for the player than the starting operation. I,
Numerical data extraction means for extracting numerical data from numerical data updating means for updating numerical data when a predetermined condition is satisfied;
Based on the numerical data extracted by the numerical data extraction means, the round number determination means for determining the upper limit number of rounds from the number of executions of a plurality of types of rounds;
Operation determining means for determining whether or not the operation means operable by the player has been performed;
Effect control means for effect control of the effect means,
The production control means includes
When the specific gaming state is generated, an operation effective effect control means for performing control to execute an operation effective effect that informs that the operation of the operation means is effective by the effect means;
The upper limit of the round determined by the round number determining means when the operation determining means determines that the operation means is operated after the operation effective effect control means is executed by the operation effective effect control means. A minority upper limit number notification effect control means for performing control to execute a minority upper limit round notification effect informing that the number of executions less than the number of times can be specified;
Continuous notification for performing control to execute a continuous notification effect for notifying that the round is continued when the number of executions notified in the minority upper limit round notification effect executed by the minority upper limit number notification effect control means is reached. Production control means;
The minority upper limit number notification effect according to a period until the operation determining means determines that the operation means is operated when the operation effective effect control is executed by the operation effective effect control means. By adjusting the period during which the control means performs the control for executing the minority upper limit round notification effect, when the game ball that has won the variable prize opening is detected by the specific ball detecting means during the starting operation Production period adjustment means for making the elapsed time until the variable prize opening is controlled to the first state in the specific gaming state,
A gaming machine characterized by that.

Images