JP4968750B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine (generally also referred to as a “pachinko machine”) or a spinning-type gaming machine (generally also referred to as a “pachislot machine”).

  As a type of gaming machine represented by a pachinko machine or pachislot machine, a lottery is performed based on a game by a player, and a large amount of game media used for gaming machines can be obtained based on the result of the lottery, for example. Some of them generate a gaming state that is advantageous to the player, such as a state. As a representative example, when the lottery result is a “big hit”, the player can acquire a large amount of game balls as a game medium by opening a normally closed winning opening. If the pachinko machine is operated so as to become a lottery, or if the lottery result is a “bonus” win, the player can align the bonus picture drawn on each reel with multiple reels that rotate and stop. Such a pachislot machine that operates so as to be in a state in which a player can acquire a large amount of medals as a game medium by controlling in such a manner.

  Such a type of gaming machine is provided with a display means, and the display content displayed on the display means clearly indicates to the player whether the lottery result is a win or a loss. There is something to do. According to such a gaming machine, the player can be greatly interested in the display contents displayed on the display means, and when the player plays a game by inserting a game medium, the display means is It can be enjoyed by watching the display on the display means and deepening the fun as a gaming machine. Further, in such a gaming machine, not only the display content displayed on the display means is updated and the new display content is simply displayed, but also the display content determined after the change is displayed, thereby displaying the display content. There is an effect of giving the player a sense of expectation as to what display content is displayed during the change. In particular, in recent years, a variety of gaming machines have been developed that allow the player to further enjoy the game by concentrating on the ingenuity of the presentation while changing the display contents. Has been devised.

Japanese Patent No. 2825853

  However, in the above-described conventional gaming machine, it may be difficult for the player to determine whether the display on the display means is a changing display content or a fixed display content. Here, if it is not easy to determine whether or not the current display displayed on the display means is a confirmed display content, the display content is changing when the lottery result is a win, Despite the fact that the display contents that clearly indicate that the lottery result is winning is confirmed and displayed, the player may misunderstand that the change has already ended and stop the game and stand up. Yes, there is a risk of disadvantage to the player. In particular, the more you devise the effects that appear on the display means, the more fun the game will be, but the more complicated the effects will be, and the display content on the display means will be finalized. The possibility of not being able to easily determine whether or not is increased.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above situation, and it is easy for a player to determine whether the display on the display means is a changing display content or a fixed display content. The issue is to provide a machine.

Configuration 1: An operation means operated by a player, a start opening for allowing a game ball to enter, and a jackpot determination means for performing a determination process for a big hit based on a game ball entering the start opening And a jackpot process execution means for executing a jackpot process that allows a prize ball to be paid out based on the winning of the jackpot in the determination process by the jackpot determination means, and a result of the determination process by the jackpot determination means. As suggested, there is an effect on the operation means for the effect means for performing the display effect due to the symbol variation, and the effect mode over a plurality of symbol variations in which the effect mode when the symbol is varied by the effect means is determined. Display control according to the display effect in the effect means can be changed according to the allowed state and has the effect mode determined in the effect mode. An effect control means for performing, and the effect mode is continued over a plurality of symbol variations without always depending on the result of the determination process by the jackpot determination means, the effect control means, Among the periods in which the design is changed by the production means, the production execution means capable of executing the first stage production that appears at an early stage and the later stage production that appears at a later stage, and the period during which the design means is not changed The change of the pre-change effect mode enables the change of the effect mode prior to the symbol change in the effect means by controlling the operation means to be permitted when a predetermined condition is satisfied. And when the symbol is stopped and displayed in an out-of-phase manner in the latter stage effect, the player recognizes that the symbol variation in the effect means has ended. A gaming machine characterized by having a special notification executing means for executing the notification processing that can be performed, and continuing the detected notification processing even after the stop-displayed symbol variation is started again. .
Configuration 2: In the gaming machine according to Configuration 1, the jackpot determination means performs a determination process for a jackpot based on a winning determination random number acquired based on a game ball entering the start opening. It is characterized by being.
Configuration 3: In the gaming machine according to Configuration 2, the jackpot determination means temporarily sets a winning determination random number acquired based on a game ball entering the start port to a hold state and performs a predetermined start The jackpot determination process is performed based on the winning determination random number that is released from the hold state when the condition is satisfied.

Mean 1:
Lottery means for performing a lottery based on a game by a player;
Advantageous game state generating means for generating an advantageous game state advantageous to the player based on the result of the lottery performed by the lottery means;
In addition to displaying the confirmed display contents after the change, the winning display contents are displayed when the lottery result of the lottery means satisfies the conditions for generating the advantageous gaming state, while the conditions are not satisfied Display means for providing the player with information on the winning of the lottery result by displaying the winning display content in the case,
Change end notifying means for notifying that the change of display content by the display means has ended;
A gaming machine comprising:

Here, the lottery means may be a lottery means based on a game by a player, in other words, a lottery means based on a player's game operation in which a player inserts a game medium to play a game. Although a specific lottery method is not limited, the following lottery means can be representatively exemplified.
(1) An electronic lottery is performed by a computer based on appropriate timing such as the timing at which a game medium reaches a predetermined destination and the operation timing of an operation unit operated by manual operation of a player such as a lever. .

(2) Reaching the lottery medium using the game medium itself used in the game or an object different from the game medium and moving in an appropriate area such as a game area or lottery area as a lottery medium A lottery is carried out mechanically, for example, by performing a lottery in advance, or by using a lottery medium as a lottery medium, such as a dice or the like.

  The advantageous gaming state means a state that is more advantageous to the player than the normal gaming state, and can be exemplified by the following various states.

(1) In a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine, a game ball is opened and closed repeatedly by opening and closing a predetermined number of times, or continuously opening for a predetermined time or until a predetermined number of game balls are won. A state in which a large amount of winnings are easily made in the winning opening (so-called “big hit state”).

(2) In a game machine such as a pachinko, a so-called “probability fluctuation state” in which a winning probability of a lottery for a big hit is set higher than usual and a probability that a big hit state is generated is set higher than usual.

(3) In a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine, a lottery entrance device for performing a lottery to determine whether or not a big hit state is generated by winning or passing a game ball is set to a state in which a game ball is easier to enter than usual. The state where the lottery lottery is performed more frequently than usual, the so-called “time reduction state”.

(4) In a gaming machine such as a pachislot machine, a state in which the reels are easily stopped in a mode of paying out medals as game media during a predetermined game, a so-called “bonus game state”.

(5) In a gaming machine such as a pachislot machine, a state in which the reels can be stopped with a bonus symbol which is a condition for making the next game state a bonus game state, a so-called “bonus establishment state”.

(6) In a gaming machine such as a pachislot machine, a state that assists the formation of a combination by guiding a reel stop order and symbols for establishing a combination for a predetermined number of games, so-called “assist game state” .

(7) In a gaming machine such as a pachislot machine, a so-called “probability fluctuation state” in which the probability that a bonus state such as a bonus game state, a bonus establishment state, or an assist game state occurs is higher than usual.

  In addition, as the display means, “image display devices such as liquid crystal display devices, plasma display devices, EL display devices, CRTs and the like that can display images such as moving images and videos”, “characters, numbers, symbols, etc. 7-segment display device that can display, and in addition, a symbol display device such as a dot matrix display device that can display designs including pictures imitating various characters and articles, ”“ light emitting diode, incandescent ” A lamp that uses a light-emitting element such as a sphere, a fluorescent tube, or a neon tube ”,“ a movable object that can provide information by operating a movable object such as an object that displays a pattern, an object that imitates various characters or articles, etc. What is necessary is just to comprise using appropriate apparatuses, such as an apparatus.

  Furthermore, the display mode of the display means during the change of the display contents is such that the display contents are not fixed by blinking the display object displayed on the display means or changing to various display contents. However, it is preferable to use a display mode that displays a progress display that progresses step by step. Specifically, the entire display content is composed of a plurality of display units, the display units are sequentially displayed on a plurality of display parts of the display means, the display contents displayed on the display means are sequentially changed, the display means For example, the size, color, etc. of display objects such as symbols displayed on the screen may be sequentially changed, or descriptions that are meaningful in terms of progress, such as competitions, races, fighting, etc., may be sequentially performed. . By displaying the progress while the display contents are changing, it is possible to make the player predict the display contents that will be finalized to some extent, and it is possible to entertain the player with the progress display that is changing. is there.

  Further, the change end notification means may be any means that allows the player to clearly recognize that the change in the display content has ended, and the lottery result is displayed using the display means that clearly indicates the winning of the lottery result. It may be a notification that the change has ended by performing a separate display from the display content related to, using a display means for notification of the end of change separate from the display means for clearly indicating the lottery result, You may alert | report that the fluctuation | variation was complete | finished by the display by this display means. Further, not only the display means but also a speaker may be used to output a guidance voice or a sound effect for notifying the end of change from this speaker.

  In the gaming machine having the above-described configuration, the change end notification means notifies that the change has ended with respect to the display on the display means. Therefore, the player receives this notification and confirms that the change has ended properly. can do. Therefore, according to the said structure, it can be set as the game machine with which it is easy for a player to discriminate | determine whether the display on a display means is the display content which is changing, or it is the fixed display content.

Mean 2:
In the gaming machine of means 1,
The display means includes a mode in which a temporary display content different from a display content to be finally displayed is displayed as a display mode once the display content is changed.

  As an effect during the change on the display means, during the change of the display content, by temporarily producing a temporary display content that is different from the display content to be finally displayed, the game is interesting. When it is assumed that the player wants to deepen the game, there is a concern that it may become even more difficult for the player to determine whether or not the display content on the display means is determined.

  The gaming machine having the above-described configuration is intended for a gaming machine that produces an effect of the above-described aspect, and it is difficult to determine whether or not the display content on the display means is a determined display content. While preventing, you can deepen the fun of the game. In addition, when the change end is not notified and it is unknown at this time whether the display content is changing or not, if the display content displayed on the display means is a lost display content, The person expects that this display content is provisional display content and that the winning display content is changed to winning display content. Therefore, the player can find a new fun such as wishing that the end of the change is not notified during the game, and can enjoy the game more.

Mean 3:
In the gaming machine of means 2,
The advantageous gaming state includes a first advantageous gaming state and a second advantageous gaming state that is more advantageous for the player than the first advantageous gaming state,
When the lottery result of the lottery means satisfies the condition for generating the first advantageous gaming state, the display means displays the first winning display content as the winning display content, and the lottery result of the lottery means When the conditions for generating the second advantageous gaming state are satisfied, the second winning display contents are respectively displayed as the winning display contents.
The display content to be finally displayed is the second winning display content,
The provisional display content is the first winning display content.

  The advantageous gaming state includes a first advantageous gaming state and a second advantageous gaming state that is more advantageous to the player than the first advantageous gaming state, for example, a state in which a larger amount of game media can be obtained. In such a case, the player hopes that the second winning display state is displayed on the display means in the hope that a more advantageous second advantageous game state can be obtained. For this reason, when the first winning display content is displayed on the display means, even if the result of the lottery and the lottery result is won and the first advantageous gaming state can be obtained, not only can this be obediently enjoyed, On the other hand, with a sense of discouragement, the passion for gaming may cool down.

  The gaming machine having the above configuration specifies the contents displayed as the temporary display contents, and the first winning display contents are displayed on the display means by setting the temporary display contents as the first winning display contents. However, there is still a possibility of changing to the second winning display content, thereby maintaining the player's expectation. Even if the first winning display content is displayed on the display means, It can be suppressed that the person immediately feels discouraged. In addition, in the state where the first winning display content is displayed on the display means, the display on the display means is still fluctuating unless the change end notification means is notified, and the first winning display content is changed to the second winning display content. Since there is a possibility that the display content may change, the player can be greatly interested in the notification by the change end notification means, and can be entertained with pleasure with regard to the notification by the change end notification means.

  In addition, when the gaming machine having the above configuration confirms and displays the second winning display contents, “always displays the first winning display contents as the temporary display contents and then displays the second winning display contents. It may be, or “the first winning display content is temporarily displayed as the temporary display content, and then the second winning display content is displayed, or the temporary display content is not displayed. The mode in which the second winning display content is displayed may be appropriately displayed at a preset ratio ”. That is, the gaming machine configured as described above displays the first winning display content as a temporary display content as a display mode when the second winning display content is confirmed and displayed, and then displays the second winning display content. What is necessary is just to have at least the display mode.

Mean 4:
In any one gaming machine from means 1 to means 3,
It has a game area where game media can be entered,
The display means is disposed in the game area,
The change end informing means is constituted by an informing display means separate from the display means, and is disposed outside the gaming area.

  Here, the display means for notification is not limited as long as it allows the player to confirm that the change in the display contents on the display means has been completed by viewing. Can be configured.

  Both the display means for providing information related to the lottery result and the notifying display means for notifying that the change has been completed both provide information to the player through the visual sense and notify that the change has ended. For this reason, when the display means for notification is configured using the display means or arranged in the vicinity of the display means, the player who views the display means can display the display contents displayed on the display means and the display means for notification. While it is possible to obtain an advantage that the presence / absence of notification can be confirmed at a glance, the following problems occur.

  In an aspect in which both the display means and the notification display means can be confirmed at a glance, the player who is gazing at the display means can accurately check the notification display means, so the display displayed on the display means It is immediately determined whether the content is still changing or has been confirmed and displayed. For this reason, a player who wants to enjoy the game by checking again the display means for notification whether the display contents on the display means are changing or have been confirmed. For this reason, this way of enjoying is not possible.

  In the gaming machine configured as described above, the notification display means is separate from the display means, and the display means is disposed outside the game area, whereas the display means is disposed outside the game area. It becomes difficult to confirm both of the notification display means at a glance. Therefore, as a way of enjoying the game that is enjoyed by looking at the display means, a way of enjoying the game such as watching and enjoying the notification display means can be provided accurately.

  A pachinko machine with a game area into which game media is to be played is played in a posture where the player faces the front, but when the player plays a game, the player's eyes and game The machine is about 300 to 600 mm away from the machine, and an area with a radius of less than 200 mm centered on the part that the player gazes at is an area that can be clearly seen by the player. Therefore, the notification display means is separated from the center of the display means by 200 mm or more, preferably 300 mm or more, more preferably 500 mm or more, with the size of the gaming machine itself as the upper limit. It is good to arrange.

Mean 5:
In any one gaming machine from means 1 to means 4,
The display means performs a display accompanied by an effect during a change in display content,
Operation means operated by a player;
Based on the operation of the operation means by the player, the effect state changing means for changing the effect state related to the effect on the display means in the gaming machine,
A state-corresponding performance appearance means for causing the display means to display the effect according to the performance state,
The state-corresponding performance appearance means is configured so as not to change the effect state when the operation means is operated while the display content is changing on the display means. Machine.

  Here, the operation means may be anything that can be intentionally operated by the player, for example, a push button type switch that is operated to be pushed, a seesaw type switch that is operated to be tilted, and a channel that is operated to be rotated. A device having an operation unit that can be accurately operated by manual operation by a player, as represented by a switch of a type, can be exemplified. In addition to this, in a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine that performs a game by driving a game medium such as a game ball into the game area, an operation of driving the game medium into the game area is performed. Therefore, in such a gaming machine, in the gaming area, there is provided an access port through which the game medium can be reached by the player's intention, such as a winning port through which the game medium can be won or a passing port through which the game medium can pass. The operation unit may be operated by causing the game medium to reach the arrival port. In such an aspect, the operation means is configured using the above-described access port.

  By performing the effects related to the game with the display of variation on the display means, it is possible to indulge in the game that tends to become dry and tasteless and entertain the game. There is always a demand for more sophisticated gaming machines from the players. In particular, in recent gaming machines, the updating of the display contents performed by the display means plays an important role in the game, and when the player selects a gaming machine to play, the effect performed by the display means is interesting. Whether or not it is a thing is a big decision factor. Therefore, the reality is that a game machine equipped with a display means is required to have a more elaborate view of the effects performed by the display means. Here, various types of gaming machines that have been devised for presentation on the display means have been proposed in the past. This is a one-sided effect that can only be enjoyed by a player with a one-sided effect.

  On the other hand, in the gaming machine having the above configuration, the production state is changed based on the operation of the operation means, and the production that appears is a production according to the production state. The player can be involved in the production that is only given to the player. Specifically, for example, it is possible for the player to change the effect state by intentionally operating the operation means, and to produce an effect corresponding to the effect state. And in such a gaming machine, for example, for a player, by changing the production state to the production state in which the production of the aspect that you want to enjoy appears, you can enjoy or appear in the game with the production of your favorite aspect It is possible to enjoy an unprecedented way of enjoying such as selecting a mode of production. Therefore, according to the gaming machine having the above-described configuration, the player can intentionally change the effect performed with the game, and the player can effectively enjoy the effect.

  By the way, since the operation means is intended to be operated by the player, it is impossible to predict when the operation means will be operated. On the other hand, depending on the state of the gaming machine, the effect state is changed. In particular, problems may occur. In particular, when the aspect of the effect to be revealed has already been determined and the display content is changing on the display means to provide information on the lottery result, the problem can be solved by changing the effect state. Arise. This is because, while the display contents are changing, even if the player tries to obtain an effect of the desired mode by operating the operation means, the mode of the effect to be displayed is already determined or determined. If the performance of the mode is performed, the performance of the mode different from the mode of the desired performance is performed despite the fact that the operating means has been operated. Because it ends up.

  On the other hand, in the gaming machine having the above-described configuration, even if the operation unit is operated under a state where the display content is fluctuating on the display unit, the production state is not changed. Can be accurately prevented.

  On the other hand, in the gaming machine configured in this way, for an unfamiliar player, in what state the gaming machine cannot change the production state, in other words, in what state the gaming machine is Even if it has a function that can change the production state without knowing whether the production state can be changed, it is considered that this function cannot be fully utilized. On the other hand, the gaming machine is in a state in which the effect state can be changed when the change in the display means is completed, and the fact that the change in the display means is completed indicates that the change end notification means. Will be informed. Therefore, it can make it easy for a player to understand that it became the state which can change an effect state.

  When the display means is configured using, for example, a liquid crystal display device and displays complicated display content such as an image, a predetermined time elapses, for example, 30 seconds after the display content is updated. When the game is interrupted and the game is in a waiting state, a demonstration display may be performed to display the model of the gaming machine, guidance of the manufacturer, etc. by utilizing the function of the display means capable of displaying complicated display contents. . In a gaming machine equipped with display means for performing such a demonstration display, the production state cannot be changed in a state other than the demonstration display, in other words, as long as the demonstration display is being performed. It is conceivable that the production state can be changed. However, in such a mode, in order for the player to change the production state, the game must be interrupted and wait until the demonstration display is made, and for the player who wants to advance the gaming machine without delay, It takes a long time to interrupt and wait. In addition, it is not preferable for an administrator of a gaming machine on the side of installing a gaming machine to operate a game hall because the operating rate is lowered as long as the player pauses the game and waits.

  Therefore, in the gaming machine equipped with the display means for performing the demonstration display, even in the state other than the state in which the demonstration display is being performed, if the change in the display means is completed, the effect state can be changed. Is desirable. In addition, in a gaming machine having a display means configured using a device for displaying a simple symbol such as a 7-segment display device or a dot matrix display device, it is not generally performed to display a demonstration on the display means. The state in which the display content determined by the display means is continuously displayed, that is, the state in which the trouble is hardly caused even when the effect state is changed, frequently occurs. Therefore, it is preferable to apply the above configuration to such a gaming machine.

Mean 6:
In the gaming machine of means 5,
The gaming machine characterized in that the effect state changing means includes an operation status monitoring means for constantly monitoring the operating status of the operating means and a gaming machine status monitoring means for constantly monitoring the status of the gaming machine.

  Since the gaming machine having the above-described configuration includes the operation status monitoring unit and the gaming machine state monitoring unit, the effect state is not changed when the operation unit is operated under a predetermined state of the gaming machine. It is possible to accurately realize the production state changing means that functions in an accurate manner.

  By the way, if the state of the gaming machine is monitored by the gaming machine state monitoring means, and the state of change can be changed, the operation state of the operation means is confirmed and the operation means is operated. Although a method of changing the state can be assumed, in this case, the following problem occurs.

  First, if the operation status of the operation means is confirmed according to the state of the gaming machine, a state in which the operation status of the operation means is not confirmed occurs. Therefore, even if a failure such as a failure occurs in the operation means, this failure cannot be detected early. In addition, since the operation means is arbitrarily operated by the player from the outside of the gaming machine, unlike normal operation, for example, an abnormal operation is performed by using a special device or the like. Although there is a possibility that an abnormal situation such as confusion will occur in the control process in the system, such an abnormal situation cannot be detected early.

  Therefore, in the gaming machine having the above configuration, the operation status of the operation means is constantly monitored, thereby making it difficult to cause the above-described problem.

  As a specific method for constantly monitoring the operation status of the operation means, the operation means is configured by executing an appropriate program in a control device configured using a computer and connected to the operation means. What is necessary is just to always monitor the input port into which the signal from is input.

  Further, if the operation status of the operation means is constantly monitored, the control processing for controlling the entire gaming machine becomes complicated as long as the control for monitoring the operation means is performed. Here, when the display means is configured using, for example, a liquid crystal display device and displays complicated display contents such as an image, the control process of the display means is complicated, and the control process of the display means It may be difficult to perform a control process for monitoring the operation means or to perform a control process for changing the effect state while performing the operation. Therefore, in the gaming machine configured as described above, if the display means is configured using a device that displays a simple symbol such as a 7-segment display device or a dot matrix display device, the control processing of the display means can be reduced, This is preferable because it is easy to perform a control process for monitoring the operation means and a control process for changing the effect state while performing the control process of the display means.

Mean 7:
In any one gaming machine from means 1 to means 6,
Separately from the display means, a special symbol is displayed to indicate whether the lottery result of the lottery means is a winning that satisfies the conditions for generating the advantageous gaming state or a winning that does not satisfy the conditions. A gaming machine comprising a special symbol display means that is clearly indicated to a player.

  Here, examples of the “special symbol display means” include a liquid crystal display device, an EL display device, a plasma display device, a CRT, a dot matrix display device, a 7-segment display device, and the like. The “special symbol” displayed by the special symbol display means includes a single symbol such as a number, a character, a symbol, a picture imitating a character or an article, or a combination of these single symbols. Although what consists of an aggregate can be illustrated, not only this but what can make a player recognize a lottery result correctly by a special design should just be. Further, the special symbol display means is not limited to the one that can variably display the symbols, but uses a lighting device such as a lamp or LED, and can be turned on or off by a single lighting device or by lighting a plurality of lighting devices. Or you may comprise a special symbol by the combination of light extinction. Furthermore, a movable member is used, and a special symbol may be constituted by a symbol drawn on the surface of the member, a position of the member, or the like.

  Whether the lottery result is a win or a loss may be clearly indicated only by display means for displaying an effect associated with the game. In such an aspect, the lottery result is accurately and unambiguously displayed by the display means. Must be explicitly stated. However, for example, when the display means is operated by a computer, a lottery result cannot be clearly and unambiguously indicated due to a bug caused by the execution of the program or a malfunction due to some trouble, which is misunderstood by the player. There is a possibility that the problem of giving In particular, when a variety of effects are expressed by display on the display means, the above-described problem is likely to occur. The same applies when the display means is operated by a mechanical mechanism such as a gear mechanism or a link mechanism.

  On the other hand, in a gaming machine that requires the lottery result to be clearly indicated, if the lottery result is clearly indicated by the display means, the lottery result must be clearly indicated by the display means. It becomes impossible to provide a wide variety of information regarding the display means, and the versatility of the display means is reduced. In addition, since it is difficult to realize various effects on the display means, it is difficult to further improve the taste by the effects on the display means.

  On the other hand, in the above configuration, since the special symbol display means is provided separately from the display means, the player may check the lottery result by the special symbol display means even if the display means malfunctions. It is difficult to make misunderstandings. In addition, since the display means can be used as a display for effects related to the lottery, it is possible to provide a wide variety of information related to the lottery result with this display means. Can also be improved. Furthermore, since the degree of freedom in utilizing the display means is increased, it is easy to realize various effects on the display means, and it is easy to further improve the taste by the effects on the display means.

  In addition, the said structure does not exclude what displays a lottery result by displaying a symbol as a display means, but includes that a display means specifies a lottery result like a special symbol display means. It is a configuration.

Mean 8:
In the gaming machine of means 7,
A main board for controlling the lottery means, the advantageous gaming state generating means, and the special symbol display means;
A gaming machine comprising: a peripheral board that controls the display means based on a control command from the main board.

  In the above configuration, control in the gaming machine is shared between a main board using a computer and a peripheral board using a computer. The main board controls the lottery means, the advantageous game state generating means, and the special symbol display means, which are particularly important parts in the actual game situation. On the other hand, based on the control command from the main board, the display means that plays an important role in playing the game is controlled on the peripheral board. Therefore, it is possible to easily realize various effects that can entertain the player with the display means without increasing the burden on the main board.

Mean 9:
In any one gaming machine of means 1-8,
A gaming machine characterized by being a pachinko machine.

  A pachinko machine is a gaming machine in which an input medium, which is a medium that a player inputs into the gaming machine, and a game medium, which is a medium used for a substantial game performed by the player, are the same. For example, it is a type of gaming machine in which a game is played using a medium such as a game ball. Specifically, “a launching device that launches a game ball in response to the operation of the operation handle, and appropriate equipment such as a number of obstacle nails, accessories, display means, etc. , A game area provided with appropriate entrances for game balls such as passing holes and arrival holes, a rail for guiding the game balls from the launcher to the game area, and entrance of the game balls guided to the game area It has a payout means for paying out a predetermined number of game balls as prize balls according to the entrance to the ball entrance or according to the entrance mode of the game balls to the plurality of entrances.

  In addition, there are various types of pachinko machines, which are generally represented by what is referred to as a “digipachi machine”, “entrance state detection means for detecting the entrance state to the entrance (game state detection And a special lottery means for performing a predetermined lottery when the incoming ball is detected by the incoming ball state detecting means, and a special symbol for varying the special symbol according to the lottery result of the lottery means and stopping the fluctuation. "With a symbol display means" or "Additionally, during special symbol fluctuations, a symbol string composed of a plurality of symbols is displayed in a variable manner, and the symbols are stopped in the symbol string, and characters, various articles, etc. The display further includes an effect display means for displaying an appropriate display by drawing the display object and operating the display object, etc. " Of game balls in One game is played with a predetermined number of game balls, such as sixteen, etc., which is represented by what is generally referred to as an “alepati machine”, and a plurality of entries in one game. For example, “a payout of a predetermined number of game balls according to the manner in which the game balls enter the ball opening” can be exemplified.

  According to this means, in the pachinko machine, the effect of any of the means described above can be achieved.

Mean 10:
In any one gaming machine of means 1-8,
A gaming machine characterized by being a pachislot machine.

  A pachislot machine inserts a medal as an insertion medium, and after inserting the medal, by operating a starting operation means (for example, an operation lever), by rotating a plurality of reels each having a plurality of symbols drawn, A game in which a player performs a game such as variably displaying a symbol sequence constituted by each reel, and then stopping variably displaying each symbol sequence in accordance with an operation of a stop operation means (for example, a stop button). It is. In other words, it can be understood as a slot machine with a stop operation function. If the stop operating means is not operated even after the predetermined time has elapsed, the variable display of the symbol sequence may be stopped when the predetermined time has elapsed. And when the variable display of each symbol sequence is stopped, the specific symbol displayed is a specific symbol, the combination of symbols displayed in each symbol sequence is a specific combination, etc. When the above condition is satisfied, a predetermined number of medals are paid out according to the satisfied condition, or a special advantageous state advantageous to the player who can acquire a large amount of medals is generated. .

  According to this means, in the pachi-slot machine, any of the above-described means can be obtained.

Mean 11:
In any one gaming machine of means 1-8,
A gaming machine characterized by a fusion of a pachinko machine and a pachislot machine.

  Here, “a game machine in which a pachinko machine and a pachislot machine are fused” means that a plurality of (for example, five) game balls are used as one unit of input medium, and after the input medium is input, the starting operation means A symbol string composed of a plurality of symbols is variably displayed in response to an operation of the operation lever (for example, an operation lever), and thereafter, the variation of the symbol string is stopped in response to an operation of a stop operation means (for example, a stop button). If the stop operating means is not operated even after the predetermined time has elapsed, the variable display of the symbol sequence may be stopped when the predetermined time has elapsed. And when the variable display of each symbol sequence is stopped, the specific symbol displayed is a specific symbol, the combination of symbols displayed in each symbol sequence is a specific combination, etc. When the above condition is satisfied, a predetermined number of medals are paid out according to the satisfied condition, or a special advantageous state advantageous to the player who can acquire a large amount of medals is generated. .

  According to this means, in the gaming machine formed by fusing the pachinko machine and the pachislot machine, the operational effect of any of the means described above can be achieved.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a gaming machine that makes it easy for a player to determine whether the display on the display means is a changing display content or a fixed display content.

It is a perspective view which shows the state by which the main body frame was opened by the one side of the outer frame of a pachinko machine, and the front frame was opened by the one side of the main body frame. It is a front view which shows the whole front side of a pachinko machine. It is an enlarged front view which shows the structure of a game area | region. It is a perspective view which isolate | separates the main body frame and game board of a pachinko machine, and shows from diagonally upper right front. It is a rear view which shows the whole rear side of a pachinko machine. It is a perspective view which shows the whole rear side of a pachinko machine from upper right back. It is a perspective view which shows the state which removed the back cover, various control boards, etc. from the perspective view of the pachinko machine shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the state by which various members were assembled | attached to the main body frame of the pachinko machine from diagonally upper right back. It is a perspective view which shows a main-body frame simple substance from diagonally upper right back. It is a cross-sectional view which shows the internal structure in the upper part side of a pachinko machine. It is a perspective view which shows the game board with which various control board boxes were mounted | worn from lower right back. It is a block diagram which shows a control structure roughly. It is a block diagram which shows the detail of the electrical structure of a main control board and a payout control board. It is a flowchart which shows the command transmission process which the arithmetic processing part of a main control board performs. It is a time chart which shows the mode of each signal in the main control board at the time of command transmission processing being performed. It is a flowchart which shows the command reception process which the payout CPU of a payout control board performs. It is a time chart which shows the mode of each signal in the payout control board at the time of command reception processing being performed. It is a block diagram which shows the detail of the electrical structure of a main control board and a payout control board. It is a flowchart which shows the command transmission process which the arithmetic processing part of a main control board performs. It is a flowchart which shows a command output process. It is a flowchart which shows an ACK waiting process. It is a flowchart which shows the command reception process which the payout CPU of a payout control board performs. It is a time chart which shows the mode of each signal in the payout control board at the time of command reception processing being performed. It is a flowchart which shows the routine of a start winning process. It is a flowchart which shows the routine of the game operation | movement process accompanying a start winning prize. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the special figure fluctuation setting process A contained in a special figure fluctuation setting process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the special figure fluctuation | variation setting process B. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the jackpot process. It is a schematic front view which shows an example of the display mode in an effect display apparatus. It is a schematic front view showing an example of effect display on the effect display device. It is a schematic front view showing another example of the effect display on the effect display device. It is a schematic front view showing another example of the effect display on the effect display device. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of the control means regarding an effect display. It is a flowchart which shows an effect state change process. It is a flowchart which shows an operation switch lamp drive process. It is a time chart which shows the operation mode of various equipment concerning production display.

Hereinafter, a pachinko gaming machine (hereinafter simply referred to as a “pachinko machine”) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[Overall Configuration of Pachinko Machine] A description will be given based on FIG.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a main body frame is opened on one side of an outer frame of a pachinko machine and a front frame is opened on one side of the main body frame. Note that FIG. 1 shows a view in which the decorative member in the game area is omitted.
The pachinko machine 1 includes an outer frame 2, a main body frame 3, a front frame 4, a game board 5, and the like. The outer frame 2 is formed into a vertically long rectangular frame shape by upper, lower, left, and right wooden frame members, and has a lower receiving plate 6 that receives the lower surface of the main body frame 3 at the front lower portion of the outer frame 2. On one side of the front surface of the outer frame 2, the main body frame 3 is attached by a hinge mechanism 7 so as to be opened and closed forward. The outer frame 2 may be formed of a light metal such as resin or aluminum.

[Configuration of Main Body Frame] A description will be given based on FIGS. 2 and 4.
2 is a front view showing the entire front side of the pachinko machine 1, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the main body frame 3 and the game board 5 of the pachinko machine 1 separated obliquely from the upper right front.
The main body frame 3 is configured by integrally molding the front frame body 11, the game board mounting frame 12, and the mechanism mounting body 13 with a synthetic resin material. The front frame body 11 of the main body frame 3 is formed in a rectangular frame shape having a size corresponding to the outer shape excluding the support plate 6 on the front side of the outer frame 2 (see FIG. 1). A main body frame side hinge device 15 is fixed to the upper and lower portions on one side of the front frame body 11, and a hinge pin and a hinge are connected to the outer frame side hinge device 14 fixed to the upper and lower portions on one side of the outer frame 2. It is mounted so that it can be opened and closed by a hole. That is, the hinge mechanism 7 is configured by the outer frame side hinge tool 14, the main body frame side hinge tool 15, the hinge pin, and the hinge hole.

  On the front side of the front frame body 11, a speaker box portion 16 is integrally formed in the front lower left area of the front frame body 11 positioned below the game board mounting frame 12, and is formed in the front opening portion of the speaker box portion 16. The speaker mounting plate 17 is mounted so as to close the opening. A speaker 18 is mounted on the speaker mounting plate 17. In addition, in the lower region of the front surface of the front frame 11, a firing rail 19 is attached to the upper half of the front frame 11 in an inclined manner. A lower front plate 30 is mounted on the lower half of the lower area of the front surface of the front frame 11. A lower tray 31 capable of storing game balls is provided at a substantially central portion of the front surface of the lower front plate 30, an operation handle 32 is provided on the right side, and an ashtray 33 is provided on the left side. . The lower plate 31 is provided with a ball discharge lever 34 for discharging the game ball downward.

[Configuration of Front Frame] A description will be given based on FIGS. 1 and 2.
The front frame 4 is mounted on one side of the front surface of the front frame body 11 so as to cover a portion extending from the upper end of the front frame body 11 to the upper edge of the lower front plate 30 so as to be opened and closed forward by a hinge mechanism 36. Yes. In addition, a substantially circular opening window 38 through which the game area 37 of the game board 5 can be seen through from the front is formed at a substantially central portion of the front frame 4. Further, a window frame 39 having a rectangular frame shape larger than the opening window 38 is provided on the rear side of the front frame 4, and a transparent plate 50 such as a glass plate or a transparent resin plate is mounted on the window frame 39. . Further, substantially the entire front surface of the front frame 4 is decorated by a front decoration member in which a lamp or the like is provided, and an upper plate 51 is formed at the lower part of the front surface of the front frame 4. Specifically, around the opening window 38, a side decoration device 52 is mounted on the left and right sides, an upper plate 51 is mounted on the lower portion, and an acoustic decoration device 53 is mounted on the upper portion. The side decoration device 52 is mainly configured by a side decoration body 54 in which a lamp substrate is disposed and formed of a synthetic resin material. A plurality of slit-like opening holes that are long in the horizontal direction are arranged in the side decoration body 54 in the vertical direction, and a lens 55 corresponding to a light source disposed on the lamp substrate is incorporated in the opening hole. The acoustic illumination device 53 includes a transparent cover body 56, a speaker 57, a speaker cover 58, a reflector body (not shown), and the like, and these constituent members are assembled together to form a unit.

  Further, an operation switch 20 in which an operation switch lamp 21 is incorporated is provided on the side of the upper plate 51 below the front frame 4 (on the side opposite to the operation handle 32 side). This operation switch 20 changes an appropriate state of the gaming machine, such as a state relating to the substance of a game performed by driving a game ball, which is a game medium, into the game area 37, a state relating to an effect performed along with the game, An operation that is operated by a player for an appropriate purpose, such as for a player to participate in the above production or to receive various information from a gaming machine, and to be operated by an intentional manual operation by the player Means, an operation unit, and the like are configured.

  As the operation switch 20, a push button type switch operated by a push operation, a seesaw type switch operated by a tilt operation, a channel type switch operated by a rotation operation, and the like can be representatively exemplified. In this example, since the operation switch 20 is provided on the side opposite to the operation handle 32, the player operates the operation switch 20 with the other hand while operating the operation handle 32 with the other hand. can do.

  Then, the operation switch lamp 21 incorporated in the operation switch 20 is allowed to turn on or is allowed in a state where the operation by the operation switch 20 is allowed or not allowed depending on the state of the gaming machine. This is for informing the player that it is not in the state. The operation switch lamp 21 that functions in this way is not limited to the one built in the operation switch 20, and may be provided separately from the operation switch 20. In this case, it is preferable to provide in the vicinity of the operation switch 20. This is because it is easy for the player to confirm the operating state of the operation switch lamp 21.

[Configuration of Locking Device] A description will be given based on FIGS. 1 and 4.
A function of locking the main body frame 3 with respect to the outer frame 2 and a function of locking the front frame 4 with respect to the main body frame 3 on the rear side of the free end side opposite to the hinge mechanism 36 of the front frame body 11 The locking device 70 having both of the above is mounted. That is, in this embodiment, the locking device 70 includes a plurality of upper and lower body frame locking hooks 72 that detachably engage with a closing tool 71 provided on the outer frame 2 to lock the body frame 3 in a closed state, From the front of the pachinko machine 1, a plurality of upper and lower door locking hooks 74 that detachably engage with a closing tool 73 provided on the rear side of the front end of the front frame 4 to lock the front frame 4 in a closed state. And a cylinder lock 75 that is exposed through the front frame 11 and the lower front plate 30 so that the key can be inserted and unlocked. Then, a key is inserted into the key hole of the cylinder lock 75 and rotated in one direction, so that the engagement between the main body frame locking hook 72 and the closing tool 71 of the outer frame 2 is released, and the main body frame 3 is unlocked. By rotating in the opposite direction, the engagement between the door locking hook 74 and the closing tool 73 of the front frame 4 is released and the front frame 4 is unlocked.

[Configuration of Game Board Mounting Frame and Game Board] A description will be given based on FIGS. 1, 3, 4, and 5.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged front view showing the configuration of the game area 37, and FIG. 5 is a rear view showing the entire rear side of the pachinko machine 1.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the game board mounting frame 12 of the main body frame 3 is provided on the rear side of the front frame body 11, and the game board 5 is mounted so as to be attachable / detachable from the front. . The game board 5 is formed in a substantially square plate shape having a size to be fitted from the front of the game board mounting frame 12 (see FIG. 11). A guide rail 78 including an outer rail 76 and an inner rail 77 is provided on the board surface (front surface) of the game board 5, and a game area 37 is defined inside the guide rail 78. A predetermined gap is provided between the launch rail 19 and the guide rail 78, and when the launched game ball returns to the guide rail 78, the game ball is discharged from the gap. It is configured to be guided to the lower plate 31. Further, a front structural member 79 made of synthetic resin is attached to the front surface of the game board 5 in the outer region of the guide rail 78.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in the game area 37, a number of obstacle nails (without reference numerals) are provided in a predetermined gauge arrangement, and a windmill 90 is provided at an appropriate position in the middle thereof. An accessory 91 having an effect display device 115 is arranged at a substantially central position in the vertical direction of the game area 37, and the model of the pachinko machine 1 depends on the effect contents expressed by the effect display device 115 of the accessory 91. And the game concept.

  A pitching device 96 is arranged below the accessory 91, and when a game ball enters the pitching device 96, a start prize is awarded. The ball entry device 96 has a pair of left and right movable pieces 97, and the movable pieces 97 can be expanded left and right to increase the probability of entry.

  An attacker device 98 is disposed further below the above-described ball entry device 96, and the attacker device 98 opens and closes the big prize opening by opening and closing the opening and closing member 99.

  On one side of the upper part of the game area 37, more specifically, the upper part of the accessory 91, there are four lamps 110 (for example, lamps configured by LEDs that emit light in a single color). A special symbol display 332 is provided for expressing a special symbol (details will be described later) according to the lighting mode. In addition to the four lamps 110 described above, the special symbol display 332 includes four special holding ball lamps 111 (for example, LEDs that emit light in a single color) indicating the holding state of a lottery (details will be described later) related to “big hit”. Etc.). The four special holding ball lamps 111 are turned on for the number of holding times (up to 4 times) in the “big hit” lottery.

  Further, on the other side of the upper part of the game area 37, more specifically, the upper part of the accessory 91, one lamp 112a capable of realizing a plurality of light emission modes (for example, red and green light is emitted in two colors). A normal symbol display 112 is provided which expresses a normal symbol (details will be described later) according to the light emission mode (for example, emission color) of the lamp 112a. In addition to the lamp 112a, the normal symbol indicator 112 includes four normal holding ball lamps 112b (for example, LEDs that emit light in a single color) that indicate a holding state of a lottery (details will be described later) related to “winning”. The lamp is also configured. The four ordinary holding ball lamps 112b are turned on for the number of holding times (up to 4 times) in the “win” lottery.

  Further, the pachinko machine 1 has a state indicator 112c for displaying a current lottery state in which a lottery state such as a lottery for “big hit” and a lottery for “winning” is changed. In this example, this state indicator 112c is provided in the normal symbol indicator 112. Specifically, the status indicator 112c is a lamp that is provided in the normal symbol display 112 and can realize a plurality of light emission modes (for example, a lamp that uses LEDs that emit light in two colors such as red and green). ), And the lottery state is expressed by the light emission mode (for example, emission color) of the lamp.

  In addition, the game area 37 is provided with a start gate port 113, a general winning port 114, and the like.

  By the way, the effect display device 115 of the accessory 91 described above is specifically configured by using three indicators 115a, 115b, and 115c arranged in parallel in the horizontal direction, and in particular, the central indicator 115c is provided. It is larger than the other indicators 115a and 115b and is particularly conspicuous. In this effect display device 115, for example, display of pictures such as letters, numbers, symbols and pictures, display of images such as moving images and videos, or operation of a decorative body constituted by characters and models of various articles. Effect display is performed by display or the like. The effect display device 115, more specifically, each of the indicators 115a, 115b, and 115c may be a liquid crystal display device, an EL display device, a CRT, or a 7-segment display as long as it can display a pattern such as a picture or image. Examples thereof include symbol display devices such as devices and dot matrix display devices. Further, the effect display device 115 is not limited to be configured using the plurality of indicators 115a, 115b, and 115c, but may be configured using a single indicator.

  The effect display device 115 is mounted on the rear side of the accessory 91 so as to face the opening window in the center of the accessory. And the accessory 91 is inserted in the assembly hole penetrated in the center part of the game board 5. FIG. As a result, the rear part of the accessory 91 and the display device control board box 117 having the display device control board 116 (see FIG. 10) of the effect display device 115 are provided so as to protrude to the rear side of the game board 5. It has become.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, at the lower rear side of the game board 5, as a collective bag for receiving the game balls flowing into various winning devices and guiding the game balls to a predetermined position in a portion extending from the center portion to the lower portion. A box mounting base 118 having both the above function and the function as a box mounting portion is provided. The box mounting base 118 is mounted with a sub control board box 130 in which a sub control board 119 such as a sound control board and a lamp control board is housed, and is superposed on the rear side of the sub control board box 130. A main control board box 132 in which the main control board 131 is housed is mounted. Further, in a state where the box mounting base 118, the sub control board box 130 and the main control board box 132 are respectively mounted on the rear side of the game board 5, the game board 5 is moved from the front of the game board mounting frame 12 of the main body frame 3. The box mounting base 118, the sub control board box 130, and the main control board box 132 are arranged so as not to protrude outward from the outline of the game board 5 so that they can be fitted and installed.

[Configuration of Main Body Frame Mechanism Mounted Body, Ball Tank, and Tank Rail] A description will be given based on FIGS.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the state in which various members are assembled to the main body frame 3 of the pachinko machine 1 from obliquely upper right rear, and FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the main body frame 3 alone from obliquely upper right rear.
The mechanism mounting body 13 of the main body frame 3 is formed with a tank mounting portion 133, a rail mounting portion 134, a dispensing device mounting portion 135, and the like, and a ball tank 136 is mounted on the tank mounting portion 133. The ball tank 136 is made of a transparent synthetic resin material, and is formed in a box shape opening upward so that a large number of game balls supplied from the island facility can be stored. The storage state of the game balls in the ball tank 136 is visible through the rear side wall of the ball tank 136. In addition, a discharge port 138 for discharging a game ball is formed at the rear corner of the bottom plate portion 137 of the ball tank 136, and the bottom plate portion 137 is formed on an inclined surface that is inclined downward toward the discharge port 138. .

  The mechanism mounting body 13 of the main body frame 3 is integrally formed with a rail mounting portion 134 so as to approach the tank mounting portion 133 downward, and the rail component 139 is mounted on the rail mounting portion 134 so that the tank rail 150 is configured. That is, in this embodiment, the rail mounting portion 134 is formed in a state in which the upper lateral portion of the main body frame 3 is recessed by a predetermined depth, and the back side wall of the recess is used as the front wall portion 151 of the tank rail 150. An inclined rail shelf 155 is formed along the lower edge of the concave portion so as to incline downward from one end (left end toward FIG. 9) to the other end (right end toward FIG. 9). An upward surface extending in the lateral direction of the rail shelf 155 is a rail receiving portion 158.

  The rail constituting member 139 that is mounted on the rail mounting portion 134 and constitutes the tank rail 150 includes a rear wall portion 152 that forms a rail passage between the rail mounting portion 134 and the front wall portion 151, and an inclined lower plate And a partition wall (both not shown) that project along the center in the front-rear direction of the upper surface of the lower plate part and divide the rail passage into front and rear rows (in this embodiment, front and rear rows). It is formed in preparation. The rail constituting member 139 is attached to the rail attaching portion 134 by an appropriate attachment means, thereby forming a tank rail 150 having a plurality of front and rear rows of rail passages. Then, after the game balls discharged from the discharge port 138 of the ball tank 136 (dropped by its own weight) are received at one end of the rail passages in the front and rear rows of the tank rail 150, the game balls are moved along the rail passage by their own weight. And rolling toward the other end of the rail passage. Further, in this embodiment, the rail component member 139 is formed of a transparent synthetic resin material, whereby the flow state of the game balls in the rail passage is visually recognized through the rear wall portion 152 of the rail component member 139. It is possible.

  The front wall portion 151 of the tank rail 150 (rail mounting portion 134) has a first space portion to avoid interference with the upper end portion of the rear portion of the equipment (for example, the center accessory 91) protruding rearward of the game board 5. It is provided in a separated state. In this embodiment, the rear end of the rail shelf 155 serving as the rear end portion of the main body frame 3 and the rear wall portion of the tank rail 150 are substantially flush with the rear side wall of the ball tank 136. In other words, the tank rail 150 is arranged behind the rear surface of the game board 5 so that the rear wall portion of the ball tank 136 is substantially flush with the rear wall portion of the ball tank 136. Accordingly, a first space portion for avoiding interference with the rear portion of the center accessory 91 is provided between the rear side of the game board 5 and the front wall portion 151 of the tank rail 150.

  Above the tank rail 150, a rectifying body 156 for aligning the game balls flowing in the rail passage without overlapping each other is mounted on the upper portion thereof so as to be swingable about the shaft 157. The rectifier 156 is provided with a weight from the center to the bottom.

[Configurations of Dispensing Device Mounting Unit and Ball Dispensing Device] A description will be given based on FIGS. 8 and 9.
A vertically long paying device mounting portion 135 corresponding to a ball paying device (ball paying unit) 170 described below is formed in the vertical direction of one side of the mechanism mounting body 13 of the main body frame 3. The dispensing device mounting portion 135 is formed in a concave shape having an opening on the rear side. In addition, an opening 173 through which a payout motor 172 (see FIG. 4) of the ball payout device 170 can project is formed at a predetermined position on a back wall portion (not shown) having a stepped shape of the payout device mounting portion 135. Yes.

  In a state where the ball paying device 170 is mounted in the recess of the paying device mounting portion 135, a second space portion is provided between the game board 5 and the first space portion, which is at substantially the same level in the front-rear direction. . Thus, the rail passage and the ball passage are arranged at substantially the same level in the front-rear direction. Further, the rear end of the body frame 3, that is, the rear end of the peripheral wall portion of the dispensing device mounting portion 135, the rear end of the rail shelf 155, the rear surfaces of the ball tank 136, the tank rail 150, and the ball dispensing device 170 are substantially the same surface. ing.

  The ball payout device 170 has a vertically long box shape that is substantially the same size as the recess of the payout device mounting portion 135, and is unitized by mounting various parts related to payout. The ball payout device 170 is fitted from the rear opening of the concave portion of the payout device mounting portion 135 and is mounted by appropriate mounting means (for example, mounting means such as an elastic clip, a locking claw, and a screw). It has become.

  Although not shown, the ball dispensing device 170 is formed by dividing the ball passages having inflow ports respectively communicating with the outlets of the rail passages in the tank rail 150 into a plurality of front and rear rows (for example, front and rear rows). Also, the downstream portions of the front and rear rows of ball passages formed in the interior are bifurcated to form front and rear rows of prize balls, a ball rental ball passage and a ball removal ball passage. In addition, a payout member (not shown) made of a rotating body for distributing and paying out game balls to any of the passages is rotated in the forward and reverse directions at a branch portion between the winning ball and the ball passage for lending and the ball passage for ball removal. It is arranged to be possible.

[Equipment on the lower rear side of the main body frame] A description will be given based on Figs.
On the rear side of the front frame body 11 of the main body frame 3, one side (left side in FIG. 5) of the rear lower region of the front frame body 11 located below the game board mounting frame 12 is below the launch rail 19. A launching device unit 194 in which a launching hammer (not shown) for launching a game ball sent to the launching position of the tilted end, a launching motor 192 for operating the launching hammer, etc. are assembled to the mounting substrate 193 and unitized. Is installed. In addition, a power supply board box 196 that houses a power supply board 195 is mounted at a substantially central portion of the rear lower region of the front frame body 11, and the dispensing control board 197 is placed in a state of being superimposed on the rear side of the power supply board box 196. A payout control board box 198 is mounted. The payout control board 197 includes a RAM for storing the number of game balls to be paid out, and transmits a control signal for paying out game balls in accordance with a payout signal transmitted from the main control board 131 to a relay circuit board (not shown). Thus, the operation of the payout motor 172 is controlled.

[Configuration of Rear Cover Body] A description will be given based on FIGS. 5 and 6.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the entire rear side of the pachinko machine 1 from the upper right rear.
The rear end portions of the display device control board box 117 (see FIG. 11) and the main control board box 132 arranged on the rear surface of the game board 5 protrude toward the window opening portion opened in the center portion of the mechanism mounting body 13. . And between the side wall part which comprises one side wall of the window opening part of the mechanism mounting body 13, and the one side wall of the dispensing device mounting part 135 which comprises the other side wall, a substantially square box shape is formed by an opaque synthetic resin material. The formed rear cover body 210 is detachably mounted by a cover hinge mechanism 211.

  The rear cover body 210 is configured integrally with a substantially rectangular rear wall portion 212 and a peripheral wall portion 213 that protrudes forward from the outer peripheral edge of the rear wall portion 212. Of the peripheral wall portion 213 of the rear cover body 210, the wall portion 213 a on one side is attached and detached from above the hinge holes of the hinge body 214 formed at a total of three locations above and below the side wall portion of the mechanism mounting body 13. A hinge body 216 having a hinge pin 215 that can be fitted downward is integrally formed. Further, of the peripheral wall portion 213 of the rear cover body 210, the other wall portion 213b has a locking claw that can be elastically engaged with a locking hole formed in one side wall of the dispensing device mounting portion 135. An elastic closing body 217 is integrally formed.

  That is, in the rear cover body 210, the hinge pins 215 of the upper and lower and intermediate hinge bodies 216 are fitted from above the hinge holes of the hinge body 214 on the side wall portion of the mechanism mounting body 13. In this state, the rear cover body 210 is rotated toward the other side of the mechanism mounting body 13 around the hinge pin 215, and the elastic closing body 217 is inserted into the locking hole on one side wall of the dispensing device mounting portion 135. The rear cover body 210 is held in a closed state on the rear side of the mechanism mounting body 13 by being elastically engaged. Then, the rear cover body 210 covers the entire display device control board box 117 (see FIG. 11) on the rear surface of the game board 5 and a portion extending from the substantially middle portion to the upper end of the main control board box 132 by the rear cover body 210. ing. As a result, the board connector (mainly the board connector for connecting to the display apparatus control board 116) of the main control board 131 exposed at the upper part of the main control board box 132 is hidden from view from behind.

  Further, a portion from the substantially middle portion to the lower end of the main control board box 132 is exposed without being covered by the rear cover body 210. The inspection connector 218 disposed on the main control board 131 is exposed below the main control board box 132, and the inspection connector on the main control board 131 is closed with the rear cover body 210 closed. A board inspection device (not shown) can be connected to the connector 218 for inspection.

  A large number of heat radiation holes 230, 231, 232, and 233 are provided in the rear cover body 210, and internal heat is released from these many heat radiation holes 230, 231, 232, and 233. . In this embodiment, the rear cover body 210 is provided with a large number of slit-like heat radiation holes 230 extending from the peripheral wall portion 213 to the rear wall portion 212, and from the substantially middle height position of the rear wall portion 212 to the upper portion. A large number of elliptical, elliptical, etc. heat radiation holes 231 are provided therethrough, and a large number of elliptical, elliptical, etc. heat radiation holes 232 and a predetermined number of horizontally elongated rectangular heat radiation holes 233 pass through the lower portion of the rear wall 212. It is installed.

  Further, the horizontally long rectangular heat radiation holes 233 have a size corresponding to the size and arrangement position of a plurality of parallel seal portions 235 sealed by the seal screws (sealing members) of the main control board box 132. It penetrates the position. As a result, even when the opaque rear cover body 210 is closed, the plurality of parallel sealing portions 235 of the main control board box 132 are exposed so as to be visible at the portion of the heat radiation hole 233. For this reason, even when the rear cover body 210 is closed, the sealing state of the sealing portion 235 of the main control board box 132 can be easily visually confirmed. Further, since the opaque synthetic resin material can be easily used as a synthetic resin material that is recycled compared to the transparent synthetic resin material, the rear cover body 210 can be manufactured at low cost.

  Of the peripheral wall portion 213 of the rear cover body 210, a predetermined position (two places on the left and right in this embodiment) of the upper wall portion 213c is substantially C-shaped to hold a power cord (not shown) in an appropriately folded state. An elastically deformable cord holder 237 extends toward the rear wall surface of the upper tank rail 150 (the rear wall surface of the rail component 139). A knob for removing the power cord by elastically deforming the cord holder 237 is formed at the tip of the cord holder 237.

  One end of the power cord is detachably connected to the board connector 239 of the distribution board 238, and the power plug at the other end is inserted into a power outlet. As described above, the cord holder 237 is integrally formed on the rear cover body 210 to hold the power cord, so that the power cord hangs and gets caught by foreign objects when the pachinko machine is transported and stored. Problems can be prevented.

[Configuration of Sphere Derivative for Lower Dish, etc. at Rear Lower Part of Main Body Frame] A description will be given based on FIGS.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a state in which the rear cover 210 and various control boards are removed from the perspective view of the pachinko machine 1 shown in FIG.
A lower dish ball derivative 253 is attached to the other side portion (hinge portion) of the rear lower region of the main body frame 3 in the recessed portion of the rear step portion of the speaker box portion 16. The lower tray ball derivative 253 is used when the game balls paid out to the upper plate 51 through the upper plate connection path (not shown) from the award and rental ball passages of the ball dispensing device 170 are full. The game ball on the upper plate communication path is for guiding the game ball to the lower plate 31.

  In this embodiment, a board box 254 that houses the interface board 252 is mounted on the outer surface of the rear wall of the lower dish ball derivative 253. The interface board 252 is interposed between the ball lending machine installed adjacent to the pachinko machine 1 and the payout control board 197, and transmits / receives a signal related to ball lending between the ball lending machine and the payout control board 197. Electrical connection is possible.

[Configuration of Special Symbol Display] This will be described with reference to FIG.
In the present embodiment, four lamps 110 are arranged, and the arrangement of these lamps 110 functions as a special symbol display 332.

  In the present embodiment, the function of the special symbol display 332 can be realized by turning on / off the lamp 110. For example, when the start winning prize is triggered, the four lamps 110 are blinked in various patterns to display the variation state of the special symbol. When the predetermined fluctuation time is over, the stop state in which the special symbol is determined is displayed by the lighting / extinguishing display patterns of the four lamps 110. Thereby, when the lottery is performed, the result information is notified by turning on / off the lamp 110. Note that the main control board 131 controls the special symbol variation display and stop display by turning on and off the lamp 110.

  Specifically, each lamp 110 is a light emission type of one color (for example, red), and each lamp 110 can switch a display pattern in two ways of “off” and “on”. Accordingly, 16 lighting patterns (24 = 16) can be prepared in total when the four lamps 110 are arranged. Although only one color is shown here for convenience of explanation, the lighting color of the lamp 110 may be two or more colors. Further, the lamps 110 need not be arranged in one place, and may be arranged separately in a single special symbol indicator 332 or using a plurality of special symbol indicators 332, In particular, it is not necessary to be arranged on the board surface. Or you may display a special symbol with five or more lamps, and may display using indicators, such as 7 segment LED. Further, the result of the lottery may be notified by turning on / off one lamp. Furthermore, the special symbol display 332 is not limited to a display using a lighting device such as a lamp, but a display such as a liquid crystal display device that displays an image or video such as a still image or a moving image, or a movable body that operates. It may be a thing.

On the other hand, in the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment, two jackpot modes are prepared as modes in which a profit is given to the player, and these are (1) “normal (non-probable) jackpot”, (2) “ It is distinguished by “probable big hit”.
(1) “Normal (non-probable change) big hit” is a repetition of a round operation that opens and closes the attacker device 98 in a predetermined pattern for a predetermined time, for example, up to 30 seconds, for example, up to a predetermined round such as 15 rounds. Repeating a round operation is called “big hit game”. The player can obtain a lot of prize balls by winning a game ball in the attacker device 98 during the big hit game. Note that each round operation ends when an appropriate condition is satisfied, for example, whether a predetermined time elapses or a predetermined number of winning balls such as ten are counted. The big hit game ends when the round operation is repeated up to a predetermined round.

  (2) The “probable big hit” is to enable a big hit game similar to the above (1), but after the big hit game is finished, the probability of the next big hit is set higher than normal (for example, the normal big hit game) When the jackpot probability is 1/320, a privilege of changing to 5 / fold 1/64) is added. For this reason, when the player wins a promising big hit, the next big hit probability becomes high, and it becomes possible to win the big hit continuously (so-called consecutive play).

  In addition, the specific numerical values referred to in the above (1) and (2) are the best in the practice of the present invention. In addition, these numerical values can be variously changed and are not limited by the best numerical values.

  Further, when the probability variation state (high probability state) is caused by the “probability big hit” in the above (2), the random variation maintenance lottery (falling lottery) may be performed every time the start winning prize is triggered. The maintenance lottery is performed with a certain probability, and when the lottery is lost with this maintenance lottery, a process of internally returning from the high probability state to the low probability state (normal probability) is performed.

[Functional Configuration of Main Substrate and Peripheral Substrate] A description will be given based on FIG.
FIG. 12 is a block diagram schematically showing the control configuration.
The control of the pachinko machine 1 is broadly divided into a group of the main board 310 and a group of the peripheral boards 311, and among these, the group of the main board 310 plays game operations (winning detection, winning judgment, special symbol display, awards, etc.). Sphere payout etc.), and a group of peripheral boards 311 controls production operations (light emitting decoration, sound output, liquid crystal display, etc.).

  The main board 310 includes a main control board 131 and a payout control board 197. The main control board 131 includes a CPU 314 as a central processing unit, a ROM 315 as a read-only memory, and a RAM 316 as a readable / writable memory. The CPU 314 controls various games performed in the pachinko machine 1 by executing a control program stored in the ROM 315, and creates a command signal to be output to the peripheral board 311 and the payout control board 197. The RAM 316 temporarily stores various data generated in various processes executed by the main control board 131 and information such as input signals. Detection signals from the gate sensor 317, the start port sensor 318, the count sensor 319, and the like are input to the main control board 131. On the other hand, the main control board 131 outputs a drive signal to the solenoid 331, the special symbol display 332, the normal symbol display 112, the state display 112c, and the like. The payout control board 197 includes a CPU 333 as a central processing unit, a ROM 334 as a read-only memory, and a RAM 335 as a readable / writable memory. The payout control board 197 processes the command signal input from the main control board 131 and outputs a drive signal to the ball payout device 170. Thereby, the ball payout device 170 pays out the game ball according to the drive signal.

  Bidirectional communication is performed between the main control board 131 and the payout control board 197 via respective input / output interfaces. For example, when the main control board 131 transmits a prize ball command, payout control is performed in response thereto. An ACK signal is returned from the board 197 to the main control board 131.

  On the other hand, the peripheral board 311 includes, for example, a plurality of illumination control boards 337 and 338 and a waveform control board 339 in addition to the sub-integrated board 336. Between the main control board 131 and the sub-integrated board 336, communication in only one direction is performed between the input / output interface and the input interface, and the main control board 131 and the sub-integrated board 336 communicate with each other. The command is sent, but not the other way around.

  The sub-integrated board 336 also includes electronic components such as the CPU 350, the ROM 351, the RAM 352, and the like, and a predetermined effect control program can be executed by these electronic components. Bidirectional communication is performed between the sub-integrated board 336 and the other illumination control boards 337 and 338 and the waveform control board 339 with each input / output interface. The first electric decoration control board 337 is mainly connected to a decoration lamp 353 including a special holding ball lamp 111, a normal holding ball lamp 112b, a side decoration device 52, and the like. When the lighting signal of the special holding ball lamp 111, the normal holding ball lamp 112b, and the decoration lamp 353 is transmitted to the decoration control board 337, the electric decoration control board 337 receives each of the lamps 111, 112b, and 353. Process to light up. An effect lamp 354 is connected to the second illumination control board 338 together with the effect display device 115. For example, when a display command for the effect display device 115 is transmitted from the sub-integrated substrate 336 to the illumination control board 338, the illumination control board 338 receives this and performs a process of actually operating the effect display device 115. Although not shown in the drawings, for example, in an aspect including a moving body for production such as a moving character body, an appropriate drive device such as a motor or a solenoid for driving the movable body is used as the lighting control boards 337, 338, etc. Are appropriately connected to the substrate, and driving is controlled. In an aspect provided with a movable body that directly influences the actual state of the game (the state in which the player acquires the game medium) by operating, for example, by being provided at a winning opening of a game ball. The driving device of the movable body is connected to a substrate constituting the main substrate 310 such as the main control substrate 131, and the driving is controlled.

  The waveform control board 339 performs processing for generating and transmitting / receiving waveform signals such as inaudible ultrasonic waves as well as audible sound waves as acoustic outputs. For example, when an acoustic output command is transmitted from the sub-integrated board 336 to the waveform control board 339, the waveform control board 339 receives this and performs processing for driving the speakers 18 and 57 described above. In addition, an ultrasonic transmission / reception device 356 is connected to the waveform control board 339, and the ultrasonic transmission / reception device 356 enables ultrasonic communication between a plurality of platforms. Normally, a plurality of pachinko machines 1 are installed side by side in the island facility of the hall, but between the pachinko machines 1 equipped with the ultrasonic transmission / reception device 356, mutual ultrasonic communication is possible. By using this communication function, a plurality of pachinko machines 1 can synchronize the effect operation or exchange game information between specific stands.

  The illumination control boards 337 and 338 and the waveform control board 339 are also CPUs 357, 358 and 359 as central processing units, ROMs 370, 371 and 372 as read-only memories, and RAMs 373 and 374 as read / write memories, respectively. , 375.

  The sub-integrated board 336 is connected to the operation switch 20 and an operation switch lamp 21 that is configured using an appropriate lamp such as an LED and is built in the operation switch 20. The sub-integrated board 336 monitors the operation state of the operation switch 20 and controls driving of an appropriate device such as the effect display device 115 according to the operation state. In addition, the sub-integrated board 336 controls the operation of the operation switch lamp 20 and turns on the operation switch lamp 20, thereby notifying the player that the operation by the operation switch 20 is being accepted and turning it off. Thus, the player is notified that the operation by the operation switch 20 is not accepted. It is assumed that the operation switch lamp 21 emits light in a plurality of colors such as red and green, and the operation by the operation switch 20 is accepted when emitting light in green, for example, and not accepted when emitting light in red. For example, the state may be notified by the form of the emission color. Since such an operation switch lamp 21 is lit in any state, it is possible to immediately find out when a failure such as a broken bulb occurs.

  Next, communication processing between the main control board 131 and the payout control board 197 will be described in detail. A signal name prefixed with “#” means a negative theory. “High level” means “1” level of the two levels of the binary signal, and “Low level” means “0” level.

[Communication between main control board and payout control board]
Various commands are transmitted between the main control board 131 and the payout control board 197 by serial transfer. The board that has normally received the command transmits an ACK (Acknowledge) signal that indicates that the command has been received normally to the board that has transmitted the command. As main commands from the main control board 131 to the payout control board 197, there are commands related to payout of game balls and commands for instructing the payout control board 197 to report the operation state. As commands relating to game ball payout, for example, a command for designating the number of game balls to be paid out, a command for instructing start of payout of game balls, a command for instructing stop of payout of game balls, and the like are conceivable. As a main command from the payout control board 197 to the main control board 131, there is a command for transmitting an operation state of the payout control board 197.

  FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing details of the electrical configuration of the main control board 131 and the payout control board 197. The main control board 131 includes a CPU 314 (main CPU) having a serial communication function and a parallel communication function with the outside as a CPU for performing various arithmetic processes in the main control board 131. The CPU 314 has a circuit configuration of an arithmetic processing unit 390 that performs arithmetic processing, a serial IF unit 391 as a serial communication unit that performs serial communication with the outside, and a parallel IF unit 392 that performs parallel communication with the outside. . Exchange of commands with the payout control board 197 is performed via the serial IF unit 391, and exchange of ACK signals with the payout control board 197 is performed via the parallel IF unit 392.

  The serial IF unit 391 receives the parallel data TDa from the arithmetic processing unit 390, receives the transmission buffer register 393 that stores the data, and the data stored in the transmission buffer register 393, converts the data into serial data Dab, and The transmission shift register 394 for serial transfer to the payout control board 197, the serial data Dba from the payout control board 197, the reception shift register 395 for storing the data, the data stored in the reception shift register 395, and the data Is received and stored as parallel data RDa by the arithmetic processing unit 390, and a serial management unit 397 for managing the operation state of each unit in the serial IF unit 391. These are integrated on one chip. Is There. The transmission buffer register 393, the transmission shift register 394, the reception shift register 395, and the reception buffer register 396 are registers each having a storage capacity of 1 byte.

  The serial management unit 397 allows the transmission shift register 394 and the transmission buffer register 393 to transfer data from the transmission buffer register 393 to the transmission shift register 394 when the transmission shift register 394 is not performing serial transfer. The data is erased from the transmission buffer register 393.

  The serial management unit 397 permits the data transfer from the reception shift register 395 to the reception buffer register 396 when the data is not stored in the reception buffer register 396 with respect to the reception shift register 395 and the reception buffer register 396. The processing unit 390 reads the parallel data RDa from the reception buffer register 396 and then erases the data from the reception buffer register 396.

  Note that the transfer rate of serial transfer by the serial IF unit 391 is determined based on a signal obtained by dividing the clock signal for operating the CPU 314. The frequency division ratio of the clock signal that determines the transfer rate can be set by the value of a register (not shown) included in the serial IF unit 391.

  The arithmetic processing unit 390 writes the parallel data TDa to the transmission buffer register 393 by raising the write signal #WRa to the transmission buffer register 393, and raises the read signal #REa to the reception buffer register 396. As a result, the parallel data RDa is read from the reception buffer register 396.

  The arithmetic processing unit 390 receives signals indicating various states in the serial IF unit 391 from the serial management unit 397. Signals that the arithmetic processing unit 390 receives from the serial management unit 397 include a transmission buffer empty signal TEa that is set to a high level when the transmission buffer register 393 is cleared, and a transmission shift register 394 that is performing serial transfer. There is a serial transfer signal TCa that is set to a high level, and a reception data presence signal DFa that is set to a high level when data is stored in the reception buffer register 396.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the payout control board 197 includes a CPU 333 (payout CPU) that performs various arithmetic processes in the payout control board 197, a serial IF chip 398 in which a circuit for serial communication with the outside is formed, and an external And a parallel IF chip 399 on which a circuit for performing parallel communication is formed. Commands are exchanged with the main control board 131 via the serial IF chip 398, and ACK signals are exchanged with the main control board 131 via the parallel IF chip 399.

  The serial IF chip 398 receives the parallel data TDb from the CPU 333, receives the transmission buffer register 400 that stores the data, and the data stored in the transmission buffer register 400, converts the data into serial data Dba, and converts the data into the main control board. The transmission shift register 401 for serial transfer to 131, the serial data Dab from the main control board 131, the reception shift register 402 for storing the data, the data stored in the reception shift register 402, and the data by the CPU 333 A reception buffer register 403 that stores data readable as parallel data RDb, and a serial management unit 404 that manages the operation state of each unit in the serial IF chip 398 are provided, and these are integrated on one chip. . The transmission buffer register 400, the transmission shift register 401, the reception shift register 402, and the reception buffer register 403 are registers each having a storage capacity of 1 byte.

  The serial management unit 404 allows the transmission shift register 401 and the transmission buffer register 400 to transfer data from the transmission buffer register 400 to the transmission shift register 401 when the transmission shift register 401 is not performing serial transfer. The data is erased from the transmission buffer register 400.

  The serial management unit 404 permits the transfer of data from the reception shift register 402 to the reception buffer register 403 when no data is stored in the reception buffer register 403 with respect to the reception shift register 402 and the reception buffer register 403, and the CPU 333. Is configured to erase data from the reception buffer register 403 after reading the parallel data RDb from the reception buffer register 403.

  Note that the timing at which the serial IF chip 398 samples the serially transferred command is determined based on a sampling clock obtained by dividing the clock signal for operating the CPU 314 of the main control board 131. The frequency division ratio of the clock signal for determining the sampling clock can be set by the value of a register (not shown) included in the serial IF chip 398.

  The CPU 333 writes the parallel data TDb to the transmission buffer register 400 by raising the write signal #WRb to the transmission buffer register 400, and raises the read signal #RDb to the reception buffer register 403. Then, the parallel data RDb is read from the reception buffer register 403.

  The CPU 333 receives signals indicating various states in the serial IF chip 398 from the serial management unit 404. The signal received by the CPU 333 from the serial management unit 404 includes a transmission buffer empty signal TEb that is high when the transmission buffer register 400 is cleared, and a high level when the transmission shift register 401 is performing serial transfer. There is a serial transfer in-progress signal TCb and a reception data presence signal DFb which is set to a high level when data is stored in the reception buffer register 403.

  Next, the operation at the time of command transfer between the main control board 131 and the payout control board 197 will be described. The pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment can perform command transfer from the main control board 131 to the payout control board 197 and command transfer from the payout control board 197 to the main control board 131.

[About command transmission of main control board]
The operation of the main control board 131 that transmits a command to the payout control board 197 will be described. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing command transmission processing executed by the arithmetic processing unit 390 of the main control board 131. The arithmetic processing unit 390 of the main control board 131 repeatedly executes a scheduled interrupt process at a predetermined interval (in this embodiment, 4 milliseconds (hereinafter referred to as ms)) in order to realize a process for controlling the progress of the game. Then, as part of the regularly executed interrupt process, the command transmission process shown in FIG. 14 is executed when a command is transmitted to the payout control board 197.

  When the command transmission process shown in FIG. 14 is started, the arithmetic processing unit 390 generates a command for the payout control board 197 (step S1001). In this embodiment, the command for the payout control board 197 is a 2-byte command larger than 1 byte which is the storage capacity of each register of the serial IF unit 391.

  After the command is generated (step S1001), whether or not “transmission buffer empty signal TEa is high level” and “serial transfer in-progress signal TCa is low level”, that is, “data is stored in transmission buffer register 393” It is determined whether or not “when there is no” and “when the transmission shift register 394 is not performing serial transfer” (step S1002).

  When “the transmission buffer empty signal TEa is at the high level” and “the serial transfer in-progress signal TCa is at the low level” (step S1002), the first byte which is the upper 1 byte among the 2 bytes of the generated command is transmitted. Write to the buffer register 393 (step S1003). Thereafter, after waiting for a preset write standby period Lwa (step S1004), the second lower byte of the generated command is written into the transmission buffer register 393 (step S1005). The transmission process ends.

  Here, the write standby period Lwa is longer than the transmission register delivery period Lbs, which is the period from the writing of the first byte of the command to the transmission buffer register 393 until the transfer of the first byte to the transmission shift register 394. Is a period in which the second byte write process (step S1005 in FIG. 14) is allowed to be executed before the end of the scheduled interrupt process, and the period is prolonged until the start of the next scheduled interrupt process. is not. The write standby period Lwa is shorter than the serial transfer period Lsc which is a period until the serial transfer of the first byte of the command is completed, and is shorter than 4 ms which is the interval of the regular interrupt processing. . In this embodiment, the write standby period Lwa is set to 2.5 microseconds (hereinafter referred to as μs). Note that the transmission register delivery period Lbs according to the hardware specifications of the serial IF unit 391 of this embodiment is about 1.25 μs. If the calculation processing time of the calculation processing unit 390 required for the second byte write processing (step S1005 in FIG. 14) is equal to or longer than the transmission register delivery period Lbs of the serial IF unit 391, the command shown in FIG. The standby process (step S1004) by the standby process software is not necessary.

  FIG. 15 is a time chart showing the state of each signal on the main control board 131 when the command transmission process is executed. If it is determined in the command transmission process described above that “the transmission buffer empty signal TEa is at the high level” and “the serial transfer in-progress signal TCa is at the low level” (step S1002 in FIG. 14), the arithmetic processing unit 390 Output of the first byte of the command to the transmission buffer register 393 as parallel data TDa is started (timing ta1). Thereafter, the first byte of the command is written to the transmission buffer register 393 at the rising edge of the write signal #WRa (timing ta2, step S1003 in FIG. 14).

  The transmission buffer register 393 delivers the first byte of the written command to the transmission shift register 394, and is cleared by the serial management unit 397 when the delivery is completed. The transmission shift register 394 outputs the first byte of the command received from the transmission buffer register 393 as serial data Dab. In serial data Dab during serial transfer, each bit from the first bit D0 to the eighth bit D7 of the command follows the start bit ST, and finally a stop bit SP is output. Thus, when the serial transfer of the first byte of the command is started, the serial transfer in-progress signal TCa becomes high level (timing ta3).

  After writing the first byte of the command (timing ta2, step S1003 in FIG. 14) and after waiting for the write standby period Lwa (step S1004 in FIG. 14), the transmission buffer is similar to the first byte of the command. The second byte of the command is written to the register 393 (timing ta4, step S1005 in FIG. 14).

  At this time, the transmission shift register 394 is serially transferring the first byte of the command and cannot receive the second byte of the command from the transmission buffer register 393. The byte is stored and held, and the transmission buffer empty signal TEa becomes low level (timing ta4).

  Thereafter, when the serial transfer of the first byte of the command by the transmission shift register 394 is completed, the transmission buffer register 393 delivers the second byte of the command to be stored to the transmission shift register 394, and when this delivery is completed, the serial management unit 397 Cleared and the transmission buffer empty signal TEa becomes high level (timing ta5).

  Thereafter, the transmission shift register 394 outputs the second byte of the command received from the transmission buffer register 393 as the serial data Dab, similarly to the first byte of the command (timing ta6 to ta7).

  By the operation of the main control board 131 described above, a 2-byte command is transmitted to the payout control board 197. The main control board 131 according to the present embodiment retransmits the command when there is no response of the ACK signal from the payout control board 197 within a predetermined period after transmitting the command to the payout control board 197.

  Conversely, the operation of the payout control board 197 for transmitting a command to the main control board 131 is performed by the CPU 333 instead of the arithmetic processing unit 390, the transmission buffer register 400, and the transmission shift register 394 instead of the transmission buffer register 393. Instead, the transmission shift register 401 is realized by performing the same operation as that of the main control board 131 described above.

  In the present embodiment, the CPU 314 repeatedly executes the scheduled interrupt process in a sense of 4 milliseconds, whereas the serial IF unit 391 executes serial transfer at a transfer rate of 1200 bps (Bit Per Second). Therefore, in the present embodiment, the time for serial transfer of the 2-byte command by the serial IF unit 391 is about 16.7 ms, and the CPU 314 repeatedly executes the scheduled interrupt process about four times during that time. As described above, if the CPU 314 writes a command in the transmission buffer register 393, the serial IF unit 391 can leave the serial transfer of the command to the payout control board 197. The transfer rate of 1200 bps in serial transfer is a transfer rate that can ensure the reliability of command transfer with respect to electrical noise, and can be transferred serially by isolation using a relatively inexpensive photocoupler. The transfer rate.

  Note that the main control board 131 executes other control processing such as storing winning information if there is a win without interrupting the control processing during serial transfer (a state in which there is a command in the transmission buffer register 393). In the case of a pachinko machine, the number of game balls launched to the game board 5 is restricted to a maximum of 100 per minute, so the launch interval of game balls is about 600 ms. Therefore, even if game balls continuously win the winning opening, the main control board 131 can process the detection information of the game balls without delay and serially transfer the prize ball command to the payout control board 197.

[Receipt control board command reception]
The operation of the payout control board 197 that receives a command from the main control board 131 will be described. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing command reception processing executed by the CPU 333 of the payout control board 197. The CPU 333 of the payout control board 197 executes the command receiving process shown in FIG. 16 when receiving a command from the main control board 131 as part of controlling the payout of the game ball.

  When starting the command reception process, the CPU 333 determines whether or not “the reception data present signal DFb is at a high level”, that is, “when data is stored in the reception buffer register 403”. (Step S1101).

  Here, when it is determined in the command reception process that “the received data present signal DFb is at the high level” (step S1101), the 2-byte command transmitted from the main control board 131 to the payout control board 197. Among these, the first byte of the command is stored in the reception buffer register 403 via the reception shift register 402.

  If “the received data present signal DFb is at the high level” (step S1101), the first byte of the command stored in the reception buffer register 403 is read (step S1102). Thereafter, the second byte of the command stored in the reception buffer register 403 is read via the reception shift register 402 (step S1103), and the command reception process is terminated.

  FIG. 17 is a time chart showing the state of each signal on the payout control board 197 when the command receiving process is executed. When the first byte of the command is output as serial data Dab from the main control board 131 to the payout control board by the command transmission process in the main control board 131 described above (timing tb1 to tb2), the command is sent to the reception shift register 402. After the first byte is stored, the first byte of the command is transferred to the reception buffer register 403, and the reception data present signal DFb becomes high level.

  When the second byte of the command is output as serial data Dab following the first byte of the command (timing tb3 to tb4), the second byte of the command is stored in the reception shift register 402. At this time, since the first byte of the command has not been read from the reception buffer register 403 and the reception buffer register 403 has not been cleared by the serial management unit 404, the reception shift register 402 has the second byte of the command. Retain memory.

  Thereafter, in the command reception process shown in FIG. 16, when it is determined that “the received data present signal DFb is at the high level” (step S1101 in FIG. 16), the parallel data is detected by the fall of the read signal #REb. The first byte of the command as RDb is read from the reception buffer register 403 by the CPU 333 (timing tb5 to tb6, step S1102 in FIG. 16).

  When the reading of the first byte of the command is completed, the reception buffer register 403 is cleared by the serial management unit 404, and the reception data presence signal DFb becomes low level (timing tb6). Thereafter, when the second byte of the command is transferred from the reception shift register 402 to the reception buffer register 403, the reception data present signal DFb becomes high level (timing tb7). Thereafter, similarly to the first byte of the command, the second byte of the command is read from the reception buffer register 403 as the parallel data RDb (timing tb8 to tb9, step S1103 in FIG. 16). For convenience of explanation, in FIG. 17, the scale of the serial transfer time for the first byte and the second byte of the command is reduced as compared with the scale of the arithmetic processing time of the CPU 333. The serial transfer time between the byte and the second byte requires a considerable time compared to the calculation processing time of the CPU 333. Therefore, the command reception process shown in FIG. 16 is a process executed by dividing into a plurality of scheduled interrupt processes as part of the scheduled interrupt process repeatedly executed by the CPU 333 at a predetermined interval.

  Through the operation of the payout control board 197 described above, a 2-byte command transmitted from the main control board 131 is received. The payout control board 197 of this embodiment transmits an ACK signal to the main control board 131 during a predetermined period after receiving the command from the main control board 131.

  In this embodiment, the sampling timing of the serial IF chip 398 is set to 19.2 kilohertz (kHz), which is 16 times the transfer rate (1200 bps). In this embodiment, the serial IF chip 398 performs sampling three times for each of the start bit, each data bit of the command, and each bit of the stop bit, and determines the majority of the values detected by these three samplings. As a result, the reliability of command reception is improved.

  Conversely, the operation of the main control board 131 that receives a command from the payout control board 197 is replaced with the arithmetic processing unit 390 instead of the CPU 333, the reception shift register 395 instead of the reception shift register 402, and the reception buffer register 403. The reception buffer register 396 is realized by performing the same operation as that of the above-described payout control board 197.

  As in the above configuration, the command output from the arithmetic processing unit 390 and serially transferred from the serial IF unit 391 is divided into unit commands having an appropriately set amount of information such as 1 byte, and each unit command is serial IF unit By allocating and storing in the transmission buffer register 393 and the transmission shift register 394, the CPU 314 of the main control board 131 serializes the entire command composed of 2 bytes or the like while performing one timed interrupt processing. It can be stored in the IF unit 391, and the period related to the serial transfer of commands by the CPU 314 of the main control board 131 can be shortened. As a result, the progress of other control processes on the main control board 131 and the complexity of the control program executed on the main control board 131 can be suppressed. Therefore, smooth game control can be realized when commands are divided and serially transferred.

  By the way, although the above-described payout control board 197 is shown to include the CPU 333, the serial IF chip 398, and the parallel IF chip 399, it may be configured as follows. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 18, the payout control board 197 is formed with a CPU 333 (payout CPU) that performs various arithmetic processes in the payout control board 197 and a circuit that performs serial communication and parallel communication with the outside. It is also possible to provide a serial IF IF chip 405. The serial IF chip 405 includes a parallel IF unit 406 that performs parallel communication with the parallel IF unit 392 of the main control board 131. FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing details of the electrical configuration of the main control board 131 and the payout control board 197 different from those shown in FIG. In addition, the configuration other than the above is the same as that shown in FIG.

  The serial management unit 407 of the payout control board 197 shown in FIG. 18 is different from the serial management unit 404 that deletes data in the reception buffer register 403 by reading by the CPU 333 as shown in FIG. The data is erased from the reception buffer register 403 based on the buffer clear signal #CBb.

[Command transmission of main control board in FIG. 18]
The operation of the main control board 131 that transmits a command to the payout control board 197 will be described. FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing command transmission processing executed by the arithmetic processing unit 390 of the main control board 131. The arithmetic processing unit 390 of the main control board 131 repeatedly executes the command transmission process shown in FIG. 19 at a predetermined timing as part of the process for controlling the progress of the game.

  When starting the command transmission process shown in FIG. 19, the arithmetic processing unit 390 determines the value of the job flag Fj (step S1201). The job flag Fj is a flag indicating a state in the command transmission process, and is set to “0” when the arithmetic processing unit 390 is activated.

  If “job flag Fj = 0”, a command output process for outputting a command to the payout control board 197 is executed (step S1202). If “job flag Fj = 1”, the payout control board 197 is executed. An ACK wait process for confirming the ACK signal from is executed (step S1203). After completing the command output process (step S1202) or the ACK waiting process (step S1203), the command transmission process is terminated. Details of the command output process (step S1202) and the ACK wait process (step S1203) will be described later.

  Details of the command output process (step S1202 in FIG. 19) in the command transmission process shown in FIG. 19 will be described. FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing command output processing (step S1202 in FIG. 19). The arithmetic processing unit 390 is. When the command output process shown in FIG. 20 is started, whether or not “transmission buffer empty signal TEa is high level” and “serial transfer in-progress signal TCa is low level”, that is, “data is stored in transmission buffer register 393”. It is determined whether or not “if not” and “if the transmission shift register 394 is not performing serial transfer” (step S1301). If “the transmission buffer empty signal TEa is at the high level” and “the serial transfer in-progress signal TCa is at the low level” (step S1301), it is determined whether or not “check flag Fc = 1” (step S1302). . The check flag Fc is a flag for instructing the payout control board 197 to report the operation state when the ACK signal from the payout control board 197 cannot be confirmed, and is set to “0” when the arithmetic processing unit 390 is activated. Is set.

  If it is not “check flag Fc = 1” (step S1302) and there is a winning of a game ball in the winning opening (step S1303), the payout control board 197 is instructed to pay out a predetermined number of prize balls. The first byte of the winning command to be generated is generated (step S1304).

  On the other hand, if “check flag Fc = 1” (step S1302), the check flag Fc is set to “0” (step S1305), and a check command for instructing the dispensing control board 197 to report the operation state. The first byte is generated (step S1306). The main control board 131 receives the report of the operation state from the payout control board 197 in the form of a command for the main control board 131 from the payout control board 197.

  After the first byte of the winning command or the check command is generated (steps S1304 and S1306), each bit of the generated first byte is inverted, that is, the bit which is “0” among the bits of the first byte. “1” is set, the bit “1” is set to “0”, and the second byte of the command is generated (step S1307). In this embodiment, the first byte of the command is data having a substantial meaning as a command, and the second byte of the command is data for determining whether the command is correct on the payout control board 197 side.

  After the second byte of the command is generated (step S1307), the generated command is transmitted (steps S1308 to S1310). This process (steps S1308 to S1310) is the same as the process (steps S1003 to S1005) in the command transmission process shown in FIG. After transmitting the command (steps S1308 to S1310), the job flag Fj is set to “1” (step S1311), and the command output process is terminated.

  The state of each signal on the main control board 131 when command transmission is executed in the command output process (steps S1308 to S1310) is the same as the state of each signal on the main control board 131 shown in FIG.

  Details of the ACK wait process (step S1203 in FIG. 19) in the command transmission process shown in FIG. 19 will be described. FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the ACK waiting process (step S1203 in FIG. 19). When the arithmetic processing unit 390 starts the ACK waiting process shown in FIG. 21, it determines whether or not an ACK signal is detected from the payout control board 197 (step S1401). If an ACK signal is detected (step S1401), the job flag Fj is set to “0” (step S1402), and the ACK waiting process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if no ACK signal is detected (step S1401), it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the command transmission (similar to steps S1308 to S1310 in FIG. 20) has been completed (step S1403). . This predetermined time is a time for waiting for the response of the ACK signal from the payout control board 197, and is set to 100 ms in this embodiment. If the predetermined time has not elapsed (step S1403), the ACK waiting process is terminated as it is, and if the predetermined time has elapsed (step S1403), the check flag Fc is set to “1” (step S1403). S1404) After setting the job flag Fj to “0” (step S1402), the ACK waiting process is terminated.

  By the operation of the main control board 131 described above, a 2-byte command is transmitted to the payout control board 197. Conversely, the operation of the payout control board 197 for transmitting a command to the main control board 131 is performed by the CPU 333 instead of the arithmetic processing unit 390, the transmission buffer register 400, and the transmission shift register 394 instead of the transmission buffer register 393. Instead, the transmission shift register 401 is realized by performing the same operation as that of the main control board 131 described above.

[Receiving command of payout control board in FIG. 18]
The operation of the payout control board 197 that receives a command from the main control board 131 will be described. FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing command reception processing executed by the CPU 333 of the payout control board 197. The CPU 333 of the payout control board 197 executes the command receiving process shown in FIG. 22 when receiving a command from the main control board 131 as part of controlling the payout of the game ball. Note that the command reception process shown in FIG. 22 is divided into a plurality of scheduled interrupt processes as part of the scheduled interrupt process repeatedly executed by the CPU 333 at predetermined intervals, as in the command reception process shown in FIG. Process.

  When starting the command reception process, the CPU 333 determines whether or not “the reception data present signal DFb is at a high level”, that is, “when data is stored in the reception buffer register 403”. (Step S1501).

  Here, when it is determined in the command reception process that “the received data present signal DFb is at the high level” (step S1501), the 2-byte command transmitted from the main control board 131 to the payout control board 197 is displayed. Of these, the first byte of the command is stored in the reception buffer register 403. If the reception data presence signal DFb is not at the high level, no data is stored in the reception buffer register 403, so the subsequent processing is skipped and the processing ends.

  If “the received data present signal DFb is at the high level” (step S1501), the first byte of the command stored in the reception buffer register 403 is read (step S1502), and then stored in the reception buffer register 403 again. The first byte of the command being read is read (step S1503). Thereafter, the first byte of the command read for the first time is compared with the first byte of the command read for the second time (step S1504), and it is determined whether or not they match (step S1505).

  If the first byte of the read command matches the first time and the second time (step S1505), the first byte of the command stored in the reception buffer register 403 is cleared by falling the buffer clear signal #CBb. (Step S1506). As a result, the second byte of the command stored in the reception shift register 402 is transferred to the reception buffer register 403.

  After clearing the reception buffer register 403 (step S1506), the second byte of the command stored in the reception buffer register 403 is collated after being read twice, similarly to the first byte of the command (step S1507). , S1508, S1509) When the first time and the second time match (step S1510), the second byte of the command stored in the reception buffer register 403 is cleared (step S1511).

  Thereafter, the first byte of the read command is compared with the second byte of the read command (step S1512), and it is determined whether or not they match (step S1513). As described above, the second byte of the command is data generated by the main control board 131 by inverting each bit of the first byte of the command.

  If the first byte and the second byte of the read command match (step S1513), an ACK signal is transmitted to the main control board 131 (step S1514), and the command transmission process is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the first and second bytes of the read command do not match between the first and second times (steps S1505 and S1510), or when the first and second bytes of the read command do not match In step S1513, in order to prepare for the next command reception, the reception shift register 402 and the reception buffer register 403 are cleared (step S1515), and the command transmission process ends.

  FIG. 23 is a time chart showing the state of each signal on the payout control board 197 when the command receiving process is executed. For convenience of explanation, in FIG. 23, the scale of the serial transfer time of the first byte and the second byte of the command is reduced compared to the scale of the arithmetic processing time of the CPU 333.

  When it is determined in the command reception process shown in FIG. 22 that “the received data present signal DFb is at the high level” (step S1501 in FIG. 22), the fall of the read signal #REb causes the parallel data RDb to be obtained. The first byte of the command is read from the reception buffer register 403 by the CPU 333 (timing tb11 to tb12, step S1502 in FIG. 22). Thereafter, the first byte of the command is further read in the same manner as the first time (timing tb13 to tb14, step S1503 in FIG. 22).

  After the second reading of the first byte of the command is completed, the reception buffer register 403 is cleared by the fall of the buffer clear signal #CBb, and the reception data presence signal DFb becomes low level (timing tb15, in FIG. 22). Step S1506). Thereafter, when the second byte of the command is transferred from the reception shift register 402 to the reception buffer register 403, the reception data presence signal DFb becomes high level (timing tb16).

  Thereafter, the second byte of the command is read twice from the reception buffer register 403 in the same manner as the first byte of the command (timing tb21 to tb24, steps S1507 and S1508 in FIG. 22). After the reading of the second byte of the command is completed, the reception buffer register 403 is cleared by the fall of the buffer clear signal #CBb, and the reception data presence signal DFb becomes low level (timing tb25, step S1511 in FIG. 22). .

  Through the operation of the payout control board 197 described above, a 2-byte command transmitted from the main control board 131 is received. Conversely, the operation of the main control board 131 that receives a command from the payout control board 197 is the same as the example described first.

  As described above, according to the configuration shown in FIGS. 18 to 23, it is possible to suppress the progress of other control processes in the main control board 131 and the complexity of the control program executed on the main control board 131. Furthermore, since the command stored in the reception buffer register 403 can be deleted according to the convenience of the CPU 333 side of the payout control board 197, the command is serially transferred in units of an appropriate amount of information such as 1 byte. On the other hand, handling by the CPU 333 can be facilitated.

  In addition, the payout control board 197 reads the command redundantly and collates the redundantly read command (steps S1502 to S1505 and S1507 to S1509 in FIG. 22). It is possible to prevent processing from being performed based on an abnormal command that has been rewritten due to the influence of noise or the like during delivery.

  The main control board 131 inverts the first byte of the command to generate the second byte (step S1307 in FIG. 20), and the payout control board 197 collates the first byte and the second byte of the command. (Step S1512 in FIG. 22), when the command is transferred from the main control board 131 to the payout control board 197, processing is performed based on an abnormal command that has been rewritten due to the influence of noise or the like. This can be prevented.

  Further, since the payout control board 197 that has received the command transmits an ACK signal to the main control board 131, the main control board 131 can confirm whether or not the command has been normally transferred. Further, since the main control board 131 transmits a check command to the payout control board 197 when there is no response of the ACK signal from the payout control board 197, the reason why the command was not normally transferred is the payout control board. It can be determined whether or not it is based on an abnormal operation in 197.

  The configurations shown in FIGS. 13 to 23 can be applied to the sub-integrated board 336, the illumination control boards 337 and 338, and the waveform control board 339, or the main control board 131 and the sub-integrated board. 336 may be applied to command transfer to and from 336. The commands transmitted from the main control board 131 to the sub-integrated board 336 include various commands such as a production command for instructing display contents on the production display device 115.

  Further, a command of 2 bytes or more generated by the sending CPU may be an even number of bytes. As a result, it is possible to efficiently store a command for 2 bytes per one-time interrupt process from the sending CPU to the serial communication unit. For example, the main control board 131 generates, as a group of commands, a total of 4 bytes of commands including a 3-byte instruction command that defines the display content instruction and a 1-byte check command that calculates the checksum of the instruction command. Then, a group of commands of 4 bytes may be divided into two portions and serially transferred every 2 bytes by two regular interrupt processing.

  The main control board 131 also generates a total of 8 bytes of commands as a group of commands, including a 4-byte inversion command obtained by inverting each bit of the 3-byte instruction command and the 1-byte check command. A group of commands of 8 bytes may be divided into 4 times, and serial transfer may be performed every 2 bytes by 4 scheduled interrupt processes.

  Next, an example of control processing executed by the main control board 131 (particularly the CPU 314) will be described.

[Starting winning process] The process will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 24 shows a routine of the start winning process.
In this start winning process, it is determined whether or not there is a start win during the game (step S101). Specifically, when a detection signal is input from the start port sensor 318 corresponding to the above-described pitching device 96, it is determined that there is a start prize, and if no detection signal is input, it is determined that there is no start prize. Is done.

  If it is determined that there is a start prize (YES in step S101), it is next determined whether or not the number of start suspensions is less than the maximum of 4 (step S102). If the start pending number has already reached 4 at this time (NO), the start winning process routine is returned as it is. On the other hand, if the number of start-up holds is less than 4 (YES), a hold storage process is performed next (step S103). In the hold storage process, for example, “1” is added to the hold number counter secured in the RAM 316, and the number of lighting of the special hold ball lamp 111 is increased by one.

  In the hold storage process, a random value is acquired together. The random value acquired at this time includes, for example, a jackpot determining random number, a jackpot design random number, a variable variation random number (variable variation counter), an effect display pattern random number, and the like. Of these, the big hit determination random number is a random number for determining whether or not the big hit. The next jackpot symbol random number is used when the jackpot determination random number is determined to be a jackpot, and more specifically, a display pattern (in the four lamps 110) that is stopped and displayed by the special symbol display 332. This is a random number for specifying a combination pattern of lighting states). The variable variation random number (variable variation counter) is a random number for varying the symbol variation time by the special symbol display 332. The effect display pattern random number is a random number for specifying a variable display pattern of effect display displayed on the effect display device 115. When the above random number values are acquired and stored in, for example, the RAM 316, the suspension storage process is finished and the present routine is returned.

[Game Operation Processing] Description will be given based on FIG.
FIG. 25 shows a game operation process routine associated with the start winning.
In this game operation process, it is first determined whether or not there is a start suspension (step S201). Specifically, when the value of the hold number counter is not 0, it is determined that there is a start hold (YES), and then it is determined whether or not the special symbol (lighted state) in the special symbol display 332 is an unchanged state. (Step S202). At this time, if the variable symbol display has not yet started on the special symbol display 332 (YES), a hold shift process is executed (step S203).

  In the hold shift process, the value of the hold number counter is decremented by “1”, and the process of shifting the contents of each random number value stored in the hold storage area of the RAM 316 is performed. Subsequently, a special figure variation setting process is executed (step S204). Here, the variation time of the special symbol and the display pattern when the variation is stopped are set. The contents of the special figure variation setting process will be described in detail later using still another flowchart (FIGS. 26 and 27).

  When the special figure variation setting process (step S204) is completed, an information output process (step S205) is executed next. Here, a control information command is generated and transmitted from the main control board 131 to the sub-integrated board 336. . Based on the received control information command, the sub-integrated board 336 controls the control information of the main control board 131 (start winning / holding presence / absence, special symbol fluctuation / stop display mode, hit determination result, probability fluctuation presence / absence, and effect image The fluctuation pattern etc.) is interpreted, and a predetermined performance operation is controlled.

  In the game operation process of FIG. 25, a hit determination process (step S206) is finally performed. It should be noted that the value of the hold number counter is 0 at the start of the game operation process (NO in step S201), or the special symbol display 332 is changing even if the value of the hold number counter is not 0 (in step S202). If NO, in either case, the information output process (step S205) and the hit determination process (step S206) are executed bypassing the hold shift process (step S203) and the special figure fluctuation setting process (step S204).

  In the hit determination process (step S206), the hit flag set at the start of the variation of the special symbol is referred to, and if the hit flag is set, another process (FIG. 28) is executed.

[Details of Special Figure Variation Setting Process (Step S204)] A description will be given with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 26 shows the contents of the special figure fluctuation setting process A included in the special figure fluctuation setting process, and FIG. 27 shows the contents of the special figure fluctuation setting process B.
In the special figure fluctuation setting process A, the special symbol display 332 sets the fluctuation time and selects the display pattern at the time of stopping mainly based on the lottery result. Specifically, the result of the lottery is determined based on the jackpot determination random number that has already been acquired (step S301), and if it is a win (hit) (YES), the hit variation setting process (step S302) is performed. Executed. Note that “winning” here means that either (1) normal jackpot or (2) probability variation jackpot is met.

  On the other hand, if the result of the lottery is out of lane, that is, it is determined that none of (1) and (2) is true (NO), the variable fluctuation random number that has already been acquired (variable fluctuation) The value of the counter is compared with a predetermined value (for example, 1024) (step S303). The variable fluctuation random number is acquired within a range of 0 to 65535, for example. If this random number value is less than 1023 (YES), the variable fluctuation setting process (step S304) is executed. On the contrary, if the value of the random number for variable fluctuation is 1024 or more (NO), the fluctuation timer is set through each determination in step S305 or step S306. The variation timer is a timer for setting the variation time by the special symbol display 332. Specifically, if the current start pending number is “0” to “2” (YES in step S305), the variation timer is predetermined. Is set to a relatively long 10 seconds (step S307). Similarly, if the start hold number is “3” (YES in step S306), the variable timer is set to a relatively medium 8 seconds (step S308), and if the start hold number is “4” (step S308) In step S306, NO), the variation timer is set to a relatively short 6 seconds (step S309) (so-called holding time is short). In any case, when the variation timer is set, a special symbol stop pattern is subsequently selected (steps S310 to S312). As the stop pattern, a combination of lighting states of the four lamps 110 is appropriately selected from patterns that do not correspond to any of the hit modes.

  When the above special figure fluctuation setting process A is summarized, if the lottery result corresponds to any hit, the special symbol fluctuation display is started after another hit fluctuation setting process (step S302) is executed. (Step S313). On the other hand, if the lottery result does not correspond to any hit (displacement), another variable variation setting process (step S304) with a distribution ratio of 1/64 according to the value of the acquired variable variation random number (variable variation counter). ) Is executed, but in other cases (63/64), the change display of the special symbol (step S313) is started after the time of the change timer is set in three stages according to the number of start pending It becomes.

  Here, the variable variation setting process in step S304 is based on the concept of “outlier reach variation”. In other words, when the symbol is removed by lottery, the variation time of the special symbol is gradually shortened according to the number of start suspensions (steps S307 to S309). By changing the fluctuation time to be longer or shorter, or changing the stop pattern of the special symbol, it is difficult to make the player notice that the fluctuation is out of place. In addition, in order to distinguish this “out” from normal “out”, it is referred to as “special out”. In this variable variation setting process, for example, as described below, the variation times are distributed in a plurality of ways (six ways) using a table in which the variation times are allocated according to the random numbers for variable variation. Note that “ms” shown below is a unit indicating milliseconds.

  The variable fluctuation random number is 33000 ms for 0-31, 28500 ms for 32-63, 24000 ms for 64-127, 18500 ms for 128-511, 15000 ms for 512-895, 11500 ms for 896-1023, and 11500 ms for 896-1023. A table with variable time allocated according to the numerical value is used.

  On the other hand, the hit fluctuation setting process in step S302 uses variable random numbers (variable fluctuation counter) values from 0 to 65535, for example, and assigns a fluctuation time according to the variable fluctuation random value as follows. Using this table, the variation time is distributed in a plurality of ways (six ways). Note that “ms” shown below is also a unit indicating milliseconds.

  The variable fluctuation random value is 60000 ms for 0 to 1, 33000 ms for 2-13108, 28500 ms for 13109-29492, 24000 ms for 29493-45876, 18500 ms for 45877-58164, and 15000 ms for 58165-65535. A table with variable time allocated according to the numerical value is used.

  FIG. 27 shows the contents of the special figure fluctuation execution process B included in the special figure fluctuation setting process (step S204 in FIG. 25). When the variation of the special symbol is started by the previous special symbol variation setting process A, it is determined here whether or not it is during the variation period (step S401). Specifically, whether or not it is during the fluctuation period can be determined by referring to the above-described fluctuation timer. If the fluctuation timer is activated, it is determined that the fluctuation period is in effect (YES). Conversely, if the variation timer is stopped, it is determined that the variation period is not in effect (NO).

  If it is determined in step S401 that it is during the special symbol fluctuation period, then the fluctuation display control process (step S402) is executed. Here, for the four lamps 110 constituting the special symbol display 332, for example, a counter value of 0 to 15 is acquired and assigned to an 8-bit value, and a total of four switches (four lamps are used by using this value). Min) is switched every 40 ms. Thereby, the high speed fluctuation | variation by the special symbol display 332 is implement | achieved, while the four lamps 110 blink. Here, the lighting / extinguishing of the lamp 110 is controlled with reference to the counter value, but the lighting / extinguishing pattern of the lamp 110 can be switched using a predetermined variation pattern table, for example.

  Thereafter, when the fluctuation timer counts up and the fluctuation period ends, it is determined that the special symbol fluctuation period is not in effect (NO), and then stop pattern display control (step S403) is executed. In this stop pattern display control, the on / off display pattern data of the stop pattern already selected in the special figure variation setting process A (FIG. 26) or the like is transmitted to the special symbol display 332. It is not necessary to transmit the pattern data at every interruption cycle (for example, 4 ms), and it is preferable to adjust the light emission luminance of the lamp 110 by sampling appropriately.

[About jackpot processing] It demonstrates based on FIG.
FIG. 28 shows the contents of the jackpot process.
When the condition device operates internally and the big hit process is executed, first, a predetermined round counter is initialized (step S501). The round counter is secured in, for example, the RAM, and the value of the round counter is reset with the initialization. The round counter is for counting the number of rounds in the big hit game, and when the value reaches the set maximum number of times, the big hit process ends.

  After the round counter is initialized, “0” is set in a predetermined winning ball counter (step S502), and then the big winning opening (attacker device 98) is opened (step S503). Then, in the next step S504, it is determined whether or not the opening period of the big prize opening is within the set maximum period (for example, 30 seconds). If the opening period is within the set maximum period (YES), it is next determined whether or not the value of the winning ball counter is less than 10 (step S505). At this time, if the value of the winning ball counter is less than 10 (YES), it is determined whether or not the detection signal of the count sensor corresponding to the big winning opening is turned on (step S506). When the count sensor is turned ON by winning a prize at the big winning opening (YES), “1” is added to the winning ball counter in the next step S507, and the determination in step S504 is performed again. Alternatively, if there is no winning in the big winning opening in step S506 and the count sensor is not ON (NO), the determination in step S504 is performed without adding the winning ball number counter.

  In the case of “ordinary big hit” or “probable big hit”, one round ends when either the set maximum period of 30 seconds elapses or the winning ball reaches 10 counts. . If either of these two conditions is satisfied, the determination in step S504 or step S505 is negative (NO), so that the big prize opening is closed for the end of the round (step S508). Then, in the next step S509, it is determined whether or not the value of the round counter has reached the set maximum continuation count (for example, 15 rounds).

  If the value of the round counter has not reached the set maximum number of continuations (15 rounds) (NO in step S509), then “1” is added to the value of the round counter (step S510) and the winning ball counter is set to “0”. (Step S502).

  The above processing is the content corresponding to the processing of the first round in the “normal big hit” or “probability big hit”. Thereafter, when the round operation is repeated and it is determined that the value of the round counter has reached the set maximum continuation count (15 rounds) (YES in step S509), the jackpot processing is ended there.

  The above is the lottery process related to “big hit”, but the pachinko machine 1 of this example also performs the lottery related to “win”. Here, the lottery regarding “win” is the timing at which the game ball passes through the start gate port 113 during the game, more specifically, the game at the gate sensor 317 provided at the start gate port 113 to detect the game ball. Depending on the detection timing of the ball, the main control board 131 (especially the CPU 314) obtains random numbers and determines whether or not the lottery is successful. It is an electrical method as well. Therefore, detailed description is omitted.

  In addition, the lottery regarding “winning” is to hold a predetermined number, for example, four, and by turning on the number of normal holding ball lamps 112b according to the number of holdings, the player can set the number of holdings. Inform. Further, the result of the lottery regarding “winning” is notified to the player by, for example, causing the lamp of the normal symbol display 112 to emit light in different colors such as green when winning and red when winning. To do.

  By the way, in this example, when the result of the lottery regarding “winning” is a win, in the pitching device 96 that performs the lottery regarding “big hit” by winning a game ball, the movable piece 97 is operated for a predetermined time and a predetermined number of times to the open side Thus, a state in which the game ball is likely to win a game, that is, a so-called “hit state” is generated in the ball entering device 96. In addition, the state of the hit state to be generated differs depending on whether the game state is a normal state or a special state represented by, for example, the above-described “probability variation state”. For example, in a normal state, a lottery result is notified after a long time (for example, 30 seconds), and a winning state is generated. In a special state, a lottery result is notified in a short time (for example, 3 seconds). As well as generating a hit state. Moreover, in the normal state, the operation of the movable piece 97 to the opening side is a short time (for example, 0.3 seconds) and a small number of times (for example, once), whereas in a special state, the movable piece 97 is opened. The operation to the side is different such as many times (for example, 3 times) in a long time (for example, 3 seconds). As a result, in a special state, compared to the normal state, a game state called a “time-reduced state” in which the player can frequently receive lottery related to “hit” is obtained, and the game is more advantageous than usual. It becomes a state. And when it becomes such a time shortening state, the lamp of the state indicator 112c provided in the normal symbol display 112 is normally lit in red while being lit in green, which is a special gaming state. Inform you.

  In the pachinko machine 1 of this example, the main board 310 (more specifically, the main control board 131) mainly controls the game operation as described above, but the peripheral board 311 (more specifically) The sub-integrated board 336 and the illumination control board 338) are various devices included in the pachinko machine 1 such as the effect display device 115, the speakers 18 and 57, and the decoration lamp 353 based on the control command from the main board 310. Production processing is performed to make various productions appear. The effect display device 115 is for determining and displaying the “big hit” lottery result after changing the symbol, and can be regarded as a display means for providing information regarding the lottery result to the player. . Further, the effect display device 115 performs display with various effects until the symbol is confirmed and displayed after changing the design.

  Next, details of display contents displayed on the effect display device 115 will be described. Here, in this example, as shown in FIG. 29, the effect display device 115 is configured by three indicators 115a, 115b, and 115c each using a 7-segment display device, and can be expressed by the 7-segment display device. Designs such as numbers, letters, symbols, etc. are displayed on the respective indicators 115a, 115b, 115c. In this example, numbers “0” to “9” are adopted as symbols.

  Further, the effect display device 115 displays the display contents constituted by three display units, with the symbols displayed individually on the respective indicators 115a, 115b, and 115c as display units, and the combination of the display units. However, for example, by displaying the display contents in a specific combination, such as all with the same symbol, as the “winning display contents”, the above-mentioned identification that the lottery result regarding “big hit” is a win By displaying the displayed contents other than the combination of “as a lost display content”, it is clearly indicated that the result of the lottery is a lost game. Here, clearly indicating the winning of the lottery result is one aspect of providing information regarding the lottery result. Therefore, this effect display device 115 can also be regarded as a lottery result information providing means for providing information regarding the result of the lottery to the player.

  In addition, the effect display device 115 displays the display content that is confirmed by stopping each of the indicators 115a, 115b, and 115c after the symbols are changed, as shown in FIG. In the state where the fluctuation is stopped, the display contents of the previous lottery result ("1", "2", "3" from the left in the figure) are still displayed (a). In addition, in the state where the power of the pachinko machine 1 is turned on, preset display contents are displayed.

  Next, when the lottery regarding “big hit” is performed based on the winning of the game ball to the pitching device 96, the display variation starts in each of the indicators 115a, 115b, and 115c (b). At this time, in each of the indicators 115a, 115b, and 115c, the display and change of the symbols are repeated at high speed so that they cannot be visually recognized, thereby expressing a state in which the symbols change rapidly.

  Then, the changing symbols are sequentially stopped and displayed on the respective indicators 115a, 115b, and 115c. First, the change is stopped on the left indicator 115a and the symbols ("7" in the figure) are displayed. Is displayed (c). At this time, the display is continuously changed in the other indicators 115b and 115c.

  Next, the fluctuation is stopped and the symbol (“7” in the figure) is displayed on the right display 115b (d). At this time, the display is continuously changed in the remaining one display 115c. Here, in this example, if the symbols displayed on all the indicators 115a, 115b, and 115c are the same, the winning display content is constituted by these symbols, so the last one indicator 115c. When the display is fluctuating, if the symbols that are sequentially stopped and displayed on the two indicators 115a and 115b are the same, the winning display content is satisfied, and this display forms a “reach display”. It will be. On the other hand, if the symbols displayed after being sequentially stopped on the two indicators 115a and 115b are not the same, the display that does not satisfy the winning display content, in other words, without waiting for the display on the last indicator 115c. The display that has already satisfied the contents of the winning display is satisfied, and this display forms a “non-reach display”.

  Finally, the fluctuation is stopped and the symbol (“7” in the figure) is displayed on the remaining one central display 115c (e). Here, if the same symbol as the symbol already stopped and displayed on the other indicators 115a and 115b is stopped, the winning display content in which the same symbol is displayed on all the indicators 115a, 115b and 115c is obtained. . On the other hand, if a symbol different from the symbols already stopped and displayed on the other indicators 115a and 115b is stopped and displayed, the content of the winning display is displayed. Further, in the above “non-reach display”, whatever the symbol displayed on the last display 115c is not the winning display content, but all are the winning display content. In addition, in the aspect in which the display content that is confirmed by stopping sequentially after changing a plurality of display units is displayed in this manner, the display of the winning selection is displayed through “non-reach display” as a mode of displaying the winning display content. There is a mode that displays the lost display content through the “reach display” mode, the mode of displaying the lost display content through the “non-reach display”, the “simple out” display mode, and the lost display content through the “reach display” Each mode can be distinguished, for example, as a mode of displaying “reach out”.

  Moreover, in the pachinko machine 1 of this example, there are two types of “big hit”, “normal big hit” and “probable big hit”. Depending on the type of winning display content, either “normal big hit” or “probable big hit” ”. Specifically, if the symbols displayed on all the indicators 115a, 115b, and 115c are the same and the symbols are “0” and an even number, it is determined as “ordinary big hit”, and if it is an odd number. As “probability big hit”, “big hit” and “type of big hit” are specified.

  In this way, the effect display device 115 provides the player with information on the lottery result regarding “big hit” by displaying the display contents that have changed and confirmed, and more specifically, whether the lottery result is a win. If it is a loss, and if it is a win, it will clearly indicate to the player whether the type of “big hit” is “ordinary big hit” or “probable big hit”, but the display content is changing In this, various effects as described below are performed. The effects described below are typical examples of effects performed while the display contents are changing. In the effect display device 115 of the pachinko machine 1 of this example, the change time is increased or displayed. Various effects are performed, such as changing the color of the design.

  FIG. 30 shows an example of the effect. This effect is performed during the change of display contents in all the display devices 115a, 115b, and 115c of the effect display device 115, and is performed at an early stage in a series of change display on the effect display device 115. This is the first stage production. In addition, the previous stage effect is also performed at the stage before the reach display or the non-reach display in the variable display on the effect display device 115.

  In the first-stage production, as shown in FIGS. 30A to 30E, an appropriate symbol is temporarily displayed on the central display 115c while the display units displayed on the respective displays 115a, 115b, and 115c are fluctuating. To display. In this example, various symbols are displayed by changing the segments to be lit among the seven segments included in the indicator 115c as the symbols to be temporarily displayed. For example, in FIG. 30 (a), the bottom one segment is lit, in FIG. 30 (b), the bottom three segments are lit, and in FIG. 30 (c), the bottom three segments and the center segment are lit. A total of four segments of one segment are turned on. In FIG. 30D, six segments excluding the uppermost one segment are turned on. In FIG. 30E, all seven segments are turned on. .

  In addition, in this example, by performing the previous term production in which the types of symbols displayed temporarily are different, the player is expected to have “reach display” on the effect display device 115, and the display content of “hit” Is the display of the expectation displayed when the game is confirmed and the “big hit” display content, and the expectation displayed when the display content of the “probable big hit” is fixed, etc. It is designed to give different feelings of expectation regarding events.

  Here, in order to give the player a different sense of expectation, it is easy to present if the result of the lottery is “winning” corresponding to an already determined event such as “winning” or “losing”. It is only necessary to make various effects appear at different probabilities, such as making it difficult to appear if “lost”. It should be noted that the expectation can be expressed numerically as to the possibility of a specific event such as “big hit”, for example, by presenting an appropriate performance. For example, if the performance is “big hit” at a rate of once per 10 times, the expected value of “big hit” is 10%. The effect that the expected value of “big hit” is 50%, and the effect that is surely “big hit” when it appears can be expressed as an effect that the expected value of “big hit” is 100%.

  Next, the details of the previous period production will be described. First, the effect shown in FIG. 30A is an effect indicating that there is a high possibility of reach display. Specifically, in the state where the previous stage production does not appear, the expected value for reach display is 10%, whereas when the effect of FIG. 30 (a) appears, the expected value for reach display is 50%. It becomes. Therefore, it is possible to increase the expectation that the player who has seen this effect will reach display.

  Next, the effect shown in FIG. 30B is an effect indicating that it is determined that the reach display is performed, and is an effect in which the expected value for the reach display is 100%. Therefore, it is possible to give a player who has seen this effect a sense of relief that the reach display is performed, and to increase the expectation that a big hit will be made through the reach display.

  Next, the effect shown in FIG. 30C is an effect indicating that it is determined that the reach display will be performed and that the possibility of a big hit is high. When this production is reach display without appearing (except for the case where an effect that is confirmed to be a big hit, which will be described later, appears), the expected value for big hit is 10%, When this effect appears, the expected value that is a big hit is 50%. Therefore, it is possible to increase the expectation that the player who has seen this effect will be a big hit through reach display.

  Next, the effect shown in FIG. 30 (d) is an effect indicating that it has been determined that a big hit will be achieved, and is an effect in which the expected value for the big hit is 100%. Therefore, the player who sees this effect can quickly confirm that it will be a big hit while the display contents are changing, and it will give a big relief and win a more favorable probability change big hit as a big hit. Can raise the expectation of

  Lastly, the effect shown in FIG. 30 (e) is an effect indicating that it has been determined that a big hit will be made, and it is a big hit, and the expected value that its type will be a promising big hit is 100%. Therefore, the player who has seen this effect can be confirmed early that it will be a big hit and a more favorable probability change big hit while the display contents are changing, and a great joy can be given.

  By the way, there is a possibility that the above-mentioned first-stage effects may appear a plurality of times, up to a predetermined number of times (for example, 3 times) before reaching reach display or non-reach display while the display contents are changing. There is something. In addition, each of the above-mentioned first-stage effects has a high and low rank with respect to the level of expectation given to the player. Specifically, the first-stage effects shown in FIG. 30A give the lowest expectation, and the first-stage effects shown in FIGS. 30B to 30E give high expectations one after another. It has become a thing. Therefore, in the case where the previous period production is made to appear multiple times, the previous period production with lower expectations than the previous previous period production is not displayed, but the same or higher expectations of the previous period production are made to appear sequentially. It is said.

  Thereby, it is possible to entertain the player in the previous period without lowering the expectation during the change of the display contents, particularly at an early stage during the series of changes. In addition, it is possible to expect the production of the previous period to appear more frequently, and it is possible to expect the production with a higher expectation to appear, and the effect display on the effect display device 115 is effective. Can be entertained.

  As shown in FIG. 30 (a), an effect that does not increase the sense of expectation for the player even if it appears, is an effect that has a low value for the player, and is shown in FIG. 30 (e). As shown, the performances that can greatly increase the expectation (relief) for the player when appearing are highly valuable for the player. It can be understood as an effect that has a different value for the user, and can also be regarded as an effect that ranks in value.

  Moreover, in this example, each indicator 115a, 115b, 115c of the production display device 115 includes LEDs of three colors of blue, red, and green, and LEDs that can light up segments in various colors are used. 7 segment display device. Each of the previous-stage effects is an effect that can give the player a different expectation depending on the lighting color, even if the lighting manner of the segments is the same. For example, 20% for blue, 50% for red, 80% for white, etc. In each previous stage production, the expected value for a specific event such as jackpot depending on the lighting color of the segment Are different. In addition, since the first-stage effect shown in FIG. 30 (e) indicates that it has been determined that “probability big hit”, which is the highest privilege that can be obtained for the player, is not a single color, for example, a plurality of The lighting mode is completely different from the other previous stage effects, such as blinking in the color of. As a result, it is possible for the player to clearly distinguish it from other previous stage effects.

  Next, FIG. 31 shows another example of effects. This effect is displayed on the two display devices 115a, 115b of the display devices 115a, 115b, 115c of the effect display device 115 (this display may be a temporary display content display as described later). Therefore, the display unit to be displayed is still changed after a predetermined time has elapsed (including the timing at which the player cannot discriminate before or after) or after a predetermined time has elapsed. It is an effect performed at an appropriate frequency on the display 115c, and is a late effect performed at a late stage in a series of variable displays on the effect display device 115. In addition, this latter stage effect is performed when reach display is configured by display on the two indicators 115a and 115b in the variable display on the effect display device 115, and during the reach display. It is also done.

  In this latter stage effect, usually, the display 115c that displays the changing state by blinking each segment in red performs a variable display in which the blinking color of each segment is blue. For example, if the late stage production does not appear even if the reach display is made, the expected value of the jackpot is 10%. It will be. This late stage effect can increase the player's expectation. In addition, a late stage effect is provided in which the flashing color is flashed vigorously as white, and a flash-like display is provided. In this latter stage effect, the expected value for the big hit is 100%. In addition, there is a late stage production that flashes the flashing colors as multiple colors of 3 or more colors as if it were a rainbow-colored flash. In this late stage production, the expected value for the probable big hit is 100%. It has become. In this way, by allowing a plurality of types of late effects to appear, it is possible to give the player different feelings of expectation.

  Next, FIG. 32 shows still another example of effects. In this effect, each display unit 115a, 115b, 115c of the effect display device 115 displays a change in each display unit (a), and the display units are once displayed on all the display units 115a, 115b, 115c. After (b), the variable display is performed again (c), and finally, the display content that is the same as or different from the display content once displayed is displayed (d). Here, the temporary display contents are formed by the display contents once displayed on the respective display devices 115a, 115b, and 115c.

  In addition, the temporary display contents are the same for the symbols displayed on the respective indicators 115a, 115b, and 115c, and the symbols are "0" and an even number, indicating "normal big hit". It is. And in the pachinko machine 1 of this example, after displaying the temporary display content, the display content that is finally confirmed and displayed is the same display content as the temporary display content or equivalent (also indicating a normal jackpot). Or the display content for displaying “probability big hit” is displayed.

  In the pachinko machine 1 of this example, when the display content of “normal big hit” is fixed and displayed, the display content of “normal big hit” is immediately displayed without displaying the temporary display content. However, even if the display content of “normal jackpot” is displayed, the player can have a sense of expectation that this display content may change to the display content of “probable big hit” It is possible to prevent the player from feeling disappointed at the time of displaying the “normal jackpot”. Further, in the pachinko machine 1 of the present example, the display content of “probable big hit” is not displayed as temporary display content. In other words, if the display content of “probable big hit” is displayed, it is determined that “big hit” is “probable big hit”. For this reason, when the above-mentioned effect appears, the value of the “hit” acquired on the effect display device 115 may increase for the player, but it does not decrease. Therefore, the said effect can be grasped as a promotion effect.

  In the pachinko machine 1 of the present example, an advantageous game state advantageous to the player such as a “hit state” is generated. The “hit state” includes two of “normal hit state” and “probable big hit state”. If there are types and the “normal big hit state” is the first advantageous gaming state, the “probability big hit state” is a second advantageous gaming state that is more advantageous to the player than the first advantageous gaming state. In addition, the display content of “normal jackpot” is the first winning display content indicating that the first advantageous gaming state is generated, and the display content of “probable bonus jackpot” is that indicating that the second advantageous gaming state is generated. It will be the content displayed in the second prize. The first winning display contents and the second winning display contents constitute winning display contents indicating that the lottery result is winning and that an advantageous gaming state is generated. In addition, the display contents other than the first winning display contents and the second winning display contents, that is, the display contents other than the display contents indicating “ordinary big hit” and “probable big hit”, the lottery result is lost, and advantageous The content of the winning display indicates that the gaming state is not generated.

  By the way, the above-mentioned first stage production is shown only when the state of the pachinko machine 1 is capable of producing the first production, and the second stage production described above is the state of the pachinko machine 1 showing the latter production. Appears only in available state. Specifically, as the state of the pachinko machine 1 related to the production on the production display device 115, two types of states, a first-stage production state and a second-stage production state, are set in advance. It is in one of the late stage production states. And if it is the previous stage production state, the late stage production can be shown, but the latter stage production is impossible to appear, and if the latter stage production state, the latter stage production can be shown, but the previous stage production is impossible to appear. ing.

  In addition, the pachinko machine 1 of the present example is configured so that the first-stage effect state and the second-stage effect state can be changed by operating means that are intentionally operated by the player. Thereby, the player can enjoy the game by arbitrarily selecting whether to enjoy watching the early stage production or enjoying the latter stage production.

  Further, when the pachinko machine 1 is in a predetermined state, the first stage production state and the second stage production state are configured so that the first stage production state and the second stage production state cannot be changed even if the operation means is operated. Is not accepted, that is, non-acceptance state notifying means for notifying that the operation of the operating means is not accepted is provided. Accordingly, the player can accurately change the state of the pachinko machine 1 by operating the operation means in a situation where the state can be changed without using the operation means unnecessarily in a situation where the state cannot be changed.

  Furthermore, when the state of the pachinko machine 1 is changed from the previous stage production state to the later stage production state, or from the later stage production state to the previous stage production state, change notification means for notifying the player of this is provided. Thereby, the player can confirm well that the state was changed.

  On the other hand, if the effect display on the effect display device 115 is devised, the player may not be able to clearly understand that the change in display content has ended. In particular, in this example, the effect display device 115 may display the temporary display content, so that it is difficult for the player to understand that the change in the display content has ended. Therefore, the pachinko machine 1 of this example has a change end notification means for notifying that the change of the display content has ended in order for the player to clearly understand that the change of the display content has ended in the effect display device 115. It has.

  Next, based on FIG. 33, details of the state of the pachinko machine 1 such as the first stage production state and the second stage production state, the operation unit 631, the non-acceptance state notification unit (variation end notification unit) 641, and the change notification unit 611 will be described below. To do.

  In the pachinko machine 1 of this example, the main board 310 includes, as a functional configuration, a lottery means 500, a special symbol variation control means 510, an advantageous gaming state generation means 520, and an effect command selection means 530. The peripheral substrate 311 includes the effect display control means 600.

  The lottery means 500 performs lottery based on the player's game. Specifically, in this example, the starting port sensor 318 detects a gaming state in which a game ball wins the ball entering device 96, and by this detection, a random number is obtained from random number generation means, and the obtained random number is used. If it can be determined as “big hit”, the lottery result is won, and if it cannot be determined as “big hit”, the lottery result is lost. The details are as described in the above “start winning process”.

  The special symbol variation control means 510 directly controls the special symbol display means 511 that clearly indicates the lottery result by displaying the special symbols by the main board 310 without any other control means. The special symbol display means 511 is configured by using a special symbol display 332, and the details of the processing in the special symbol fluctuation control means 510 and the operation mode of the special symbol display means 511 are described in the above-mentioned "Special Figure. This is as described in “Variation setting process”.

  Further, in this example, the special symbol display means 511 clearly indicates the result of the lottery regarding “big hit” separately from the effect display device 115, so that the special symbol change start time in the special symbol display means 511 is set. The special symbol display means 511 has a special symbol change end time after the display content change start time before the display content change start time on the effect display device 115. The timing is as follows. As a result, the effect display on the effect display device 115 is not performed at the start and stop of the variation display of the special symbol, and a misleading display on the effect display device 115 is prevented with respect to the variation display of the special symbol. At the same time, the special symbol display means 511 is not able to confirm whether or not it is a big hit during the display effect on the effect display device 115, so that the effect display device 115 can greatly enjoy the player. It is possible to perform an effective production that can be.

  The advantageous game state generating means 520 forms a “hit state” which is a game state advantageous to the player, and the details are as described in the above “hit process”.

  The effect pattern selection means 530 selects an effect command for causing the effect display device 115 to produce an effect of an appropriate effect pattern and display appropriate display contents, and transmits it to an effect display control means 60 described later. It is. Here, it is assumed that the production command selection means 530 selects the production command based on the information obtained by the “start winning process”, such as various random numbers acquired in the “start winning process” described above. Thus, the effect display device 115 can display the effect of the effect pattern that matches the lottery result of the lottery means 500 and the display contents. In this example, in the process of selecting the effect command, a selection table in which various effect commands are appropriately allocated in accordance with the information acquired in the “start winning process” is used. The production command may be a single command that can specify both the production pattern and the display content, or the production pattern command corresponding to the production pattern and the display corresponding to the display content. It may consist of a plurality of commands such as a content command. Further, the effect pattern command and the display content command may be composed of a single command or may be composed of a plurality of commands.

  By the way, the effect display control means 600 determines the effect pattern and the type of display content based on the received effect command, and the effect display device 115 constituting the display means 601 performs the effect of the determined effect pattern. Or display the determined display content, but in the process of determining the production pattern and display content, the production pattern and display content uniquely determined according to the type of production command are decided. Alternatively, an appropriate effect pattern and display content may be determined using a selection table in which various effect patterns and display contents are appropriately allocated according to the effect command. Here, in the latter mode, the main board 310 functions as the one that primarily determines the outline of the effects and display contents on the display unit 601, and the peripheral board 311 displays the effects and display contents on the display unit 601. It functions as a final decision on a specific aspect. Further, the effect command may uniquely correspond to the information acquired in the “start winning prize process”. In this case, the main board 310 selects an effect command indicating the information itself acquired in the “start winning process”, and does not determine the effect on the display means 601 and the outline of the display contents. On the other hand, the peripheral board 311 directly determines the effects and display contents on the display means 601 based on the information acquired in the “start winning process” without going through the rough determination by the main board 310. Become.

  The effect display control means 600 is based on the control command from the main board 310, more specifically, the effect command selected by the effect command selection means 530, and the display means 601, more specifically the effect display device. 115. Specifically, the effect display control means 600 includes a plurality of types of effect programs related to effects and a plurality of types of display symbol programs related to display contents stored in advance in the ROM of the peripheral board 311, more specifically, the illumination control board 338. By selecting and executing an appropriate effect program or a display symbol program based on an effect command from the main board 310, the effect display device 115 can perform an effect of an appropriate effect pattern, or an appropriate display content. Is determined and displayed. The effect display control unit 600 includes a state corresponding performance appearance unit 620 and an effect state change unit 610.

  The state corresponding performance appearance means 620 selects an effect pattern according to the state of the pachinko machine 1 from various effect patterns, and causes the display means 601 to display the effect of the selected effect pattern. . Specifically, if the pachinko machine 1 is in the previous stage production state, the above-mentioned previous stage production can be selected and the above-mentioned latter stage production is not selectable. If the pachinko machine 1 is in the later stage production state, the latter stage production is selected. An effect pattern corresponding to the state of the pachinko machine 1 is selected from various effect patterns prepared in advance based on the effect command, while enabling the previous period effect to be disabled.

  In addition, in the process of selecting an effect pattern according to the state of the pachinko machine 1 based on the command for the effect, when using a selection table in which various effect patterns are appropriately allocated, a selection table for the effect state of the previous period is used. And a selection table for the late stage production state may be prepared, and the selection table corresponding to the state of the pachinko machine 1 may be referred to. The state of the pachinko machine 1 is not limited to this, and the command selection means 530 for the effect on the main board 310 selects both the effect command for the previous effect state and the effect command for the later effect state. Accordingly, one effect command may be validated and the other effect command may be invalidated, and an effect pattern may be selected based on the validated effect command.

  The effect state changing unit 610 includes an operation state monitoring unit 630 that monitors whether or not the operation unit 631 has been operated by the player. When the player performs an intentional operation of the operation unit 631, a pachinko game is performed. The state of the pachinko machine 1 is changed to the first stage production state or the second stage production state, except when the operation state of the machine 1 is an operation state that causes a problem when the state is changed as will be described later. . In addition, the production state changing unit 610 controls the driving of the change notification unit 611 so as to notify the player when the state of the pachinko machine 1 is changed. Here, in this example, the change notification unit 611 is configured by using the speakers 18 and 57, and the speaker 18 and 57 outputs a sound indicating the changed effect state such as “XX state”. Thus, the player is clearly notified of the changed state.

  By the way, in this example, the operation means 631 is configured using the operation switch 20 provided on the front frame 4, and the operation status monitoring means 630 always monitors whether or not the operation means 631 is operated. It is configured as something to do. More specifically, by executing an operation monitoring program stored in advance on the peripheral board 311, the presence or absence of an input signal to the input port of the peripheral board 311 to which the operation switch 20 is connected is monitored. Here, “always monitor” does not mean a narrow sense of continuous monitoring in a state where there is no interruption in time, but the operation monitoring program is scheduled interrupted at predetermined time intervals such as every 10 ms. It is meant to include an aspect that is temporally disconnected as represented by an aspect that is intermittently executed corresponding to the process. In other words, it means a mode in which monitoring is always continued during normal games. In other words, an exclusive state in which monitoring is not performed under predetermined conditions during normal games. Is meant to exclude a specific embodiment.

  Further, the production state changing means 610 has a gaming machine state monitoring means 640 that constantly monitors whether or not the operation state of the pachinko machine 1 is an operation state that causes a malfunction when the operation state is changed to the first stage production state or the second stage production state. is doing. Here, the meaning of “always monitor” is the same as described above. Further, the gaming machine state monitoring means 640, in detail, executes a gaming machine operation monitoring program stored in advance on the peripheral board 311 in correspondence with a scheduled interruption process at predetermined time intervals such as every 10 ms. Thus, an appropriate operating state of the pachinko machine 1 is monitored.

  And in the production state changing means 610, even if the operation means 631 is operated by the player, when the operation state of the pachinko machine 1 is changed to the first stage production state or the second stage production state, it is an operation state that causes a problem. Is configured such that the program process executed on the peripheral board 311 does not accept this operation and does not change the state of the pachinko machine 1. Note that the operating state of the pachinko machine 1 that causes a problem when it is changed to the first stage production state or the second stage production state is a state where the start-up of the pachinko machine 1 is not completed immediately after the power is turned on, and the display means 601 confirms the display content and displays it. A state of not being changed, a state in which notification by the change notification unit 611 has not been completed, a state of executing the “big hit state”, and a state in which an effect peculiar to the “big hit state” is being executed on the display unit 601 Etc.

  In addition, the gaming machine state monitoring means 640 is in an operating state that causes a problem when the operating state of the pachinko machine 1 is changed to the first stage production state or the second stage production state, and does not accept the operation of the operation means 631. If so, the driving of the non-acceptance state notifying means 641 is controlled so as to notify the player of this. Here, in this example, the non-acceptance state notification unit 641 is configured by using the operation switch lamp 21 built in the operation switch 20 constituting the operation unit 631, and in the state where no operation is accepted, this operation switch By turning off the lamp 21, the player is notified that the operation cannot be accepted. In other words, when the operation is accepted, the operation switch lamp 21 is turned on to notify the player that the operation is acceptable. Therefore, when it is desired for the player to change the state relating to the performance of the pachinko machine 1, the state of the pachinko machine 1 is confirmed by operating the operation switch 20 after confirming that the operation switch lamp 21 is lit. Can be accurately changed to the desired state.

  In such a non-acceptance state notification means 641, if the display content on the display means 601 is changing, the operation switch lamp 21 is turned off to notify the player that the operation cannot be accepted. On the contrary, when the change of the display contents on the display means 601 is completed, the operation can be accepted and the operation switch lamp 21 is lit. Therefore, the non-acceptance state notifying unit 641 also functions as a change end notifying unit for notifying that the change in display content on the display unit 601 has ended. Therefore, the player can accurately confirm that the change in the display content on the display unit 601 has been completed by confirming that the operation switch lamp 21 is turned on.

  By the way, the operation switch 20 is disposed outside the game area 37, and the operation switch lamp 21 which is built in the operation switch 20 and functions as the change end notification means and the non-acceptance state notification means 641 is also included in the game area 37. It is arranged outside. Therefore, for a player gazing at the display means 601, the operating state of the operation switch lamp 21 cannot be confirmed at a glance, and the operation switch lamp 21 is intentionally changed by shifting the line of sight or moving the neck. If it is not caught with eyes, the operating state of the operation switch lamp 21 cannot be confirmed accurately. Accordingly, when the player expects the display content displayed on the display means 601 to be the above-mentioned temporary display content, the operation switch determines whether or not the display fluctuation on the display means 601 has ended. By confirming the operating state of the lamp 21 intentionally, it is possible to feel anxious. In other words, not only to enjoy the game by checking the display on the display means 601, but also to enjoy the game by checking the notification by the change end notification means 641 separately. So you can play games.

  Of the advantageous game states such as “big hit”, the second advantageous game state such as “probable big hit” has a higher occurrence ratio (over 50%) than the first advantageous game state such as “normal big hit”. ) In the aspect, the second winning display content such as the “probability big hit” display content is higher than the first winning display content such as the “normal jackpot” display content, etc. The display of the second winning display content is felt as a matter of course, and the display of the second winning display content may make it difficult to give great joy. On the other hand, when displaying the second winning display contents, not only the second winning display contents are displayed immediately, but also the first winning display contents are displayed as the temporary display contents, and then the second winning display contents are displayed. By including the aspect to do, by displaying the first winning display content as a temporary display content, to make the player feel a sense of anxiety, and then confirm and display the second winning display content, A great pleasure can be given to the player, and the display means 601 can provide an effective presentation that can entertain the player.

  Further, in such an aspect, the player is greatly interested in whether or not the variable display on the display unit 601 has ended. Therefore, in the pachinko machine 1 of such a mode, it is preferable to provide the change end notification means 611 because the contents of the game can be deepened.

  In particular, if the second advantageous gaming state is 60% or more, preferably 70% or more, more preferably 80% or more (of course, less than 100%) of the advantageous gaming states, the winning display content is displayed. In most cases, the above-described configuration is more effective because most of the content is displayed as the second winning display content. In addition, in the mode in which the second advantageous gaming state is “probable big hit”, it is promised that if the “probable big hit” is acquired, it is promised that the next “big hit” can be acquired early, and the “probable big hit” is repeatedly acquired. In a state where a large number of “big hits” are continuously acquired, that is, a so-called “renso state”, while in the condominium state, a “normal big hit” that is a first advantageous gaming state is obtained. Rengo state will end. Therefore, in the pachinko machine 1 having such a mode, the player has great interest in ending the change while being excited about the change display on the display unit 601 in the consecutive resort state. The configuration is more effective.

  By the way, the winning ratio of the first advantageous gaming state and the second advantageous gaming state can be appropriately allocated by the processing in the lottery means 500 of the pachinko machine 1, while the first winning display content and the first on the display means 601. The ratio on the surface of the two winning display contents, that is, the apparent ratio is specified according to the display mode on the display unit 601. For example, among the numbers “0” to “9”, if “0” and an even number are the first winning display contents and the odd number is the second winning display contents, the first winning display is apparently The content and the second winning display content are 1: 1, that is, 50% each. Here, if the apparent ratios of the first winning display contents and the second winning display contents and the ratios of the first advantageous gaming state and the second advantageous gaming state by the processing in the lottery means 500 are greatly different, apparently And the actual ratio do not match at all, which may cause distrust to the player. Accordingly, the display mode of the display unit 601 is such that the apparent ratio and the actual ratio are substantially matched (each difference is within ± 20%, preferably within ± 10%, more preferably within ± 5%). It is good.

  For example, if the percentage of occurrence of the first advantageous gaming state is 20% and the percentage of occurrence of the second advantageous gaming state is 80% among the advantageous gaming states to be generated, the winning means is selected as the display mode of the display means 601. The display contents are green numbers “4” and “9” and red numbers “0” to “9” in total, and the first winning display content is green “4”. And the number of “9” is used, and the second winning display content is red “0” to “9”. In this case, the winning display contents are apparently about 17% (2/12) for the first winning display contents and about 83% (10/12) for the second winning display contents. It almost matches the type.

  In particular, in the aspect in which the occurrence ratio of the second advantageous gaming state is 60% or more, preferably 70% or more, more preferably 80% or more, the display of the first winning display content is difficult to appear from the appearance. When the first winning display content is displayed, the player indicates the meaning of confirmation such as “I will not confirm” and the expectation of “I do not want to confirm”. Since the game can be enjoyed by confirming the above, in such a mode, as described above, the display mode of the display unit 601 is such that the apparent rate and the actual rate substantially match. Is preferred.

  Next, the effect state changing process performed by the effect state changing means 610 will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. This process is a process of changing the state related to the effect display on the display unit 601 in the pachinko machine 1 in accordance with the operation of the operation unit 631 by the player. In this example, the operation unit 631 uses the operation switch 20. In the following, the operation means 631 is expressed as the operation switch 20.

  In the effect state change process, first, in the process of S2001, it is determined whether or not the operation switch 20 has been operated, that is, whether or not the operation switch 20 has been turned on. If the operation switch 20 is not turned on (NO), the subsequent processing is skipped and the processing is terminated. On the other hand, if the operation switch 20 is ON (YES), the process proceeds to the next step S2002.

  In the process of S2002, whether or not the state of the pachinko machine 1 is changeable to the first stage production state or the second stage production state, that is, the acceptance permission that the state of the pachinko machine 1 can accept the operation of the operation switch 20 It is determined whether or not it is in a state. Here, if it is not in the acceptance allowable state (NO), the subsequent processing is skipped and the processing is terminated. On the other hand, if it is in an acceptance-permitted state (YES), the process proceeds to the next step S2003.

  In the process of S2003, in the pachinko machine 1, the state relating to the effect display on the display unit 601 is changed. That is, if the current state is the previous stage production state in which the previous stage production can appear, the later stage production is changed to the later stage production state in which it can appear, and if the current state is the later stage state, the previous stage production state is changed. Then, the process proceeds to S2004. In the process of S2004, the change notification means 611 is activated, specifically, the speaker 18 or 57 has changed from the previous stage production state to the later stage production state, or has changed from the later stage production state to the previous stage production state. , Outputting a voice clearly indicating that the state of the pachinko machine 1 has been changed, and ending all processing.

  Next, the operation switch lamp driving process performed by the effect state changing means 610 will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. This process is a process for driving the non-acceptance state notifying means (variation end notifying means) 641. In this example, the non-acceptance state notifying means (variation end notifying means) 641 uses the operation switch lamp 21. Since it is configured, hereinafter, the non-acceptance state notification means (variation end notification means) 641 is expressed as the operation switch lamp 21.

  In the operation switch lamp driving process, first, in the process of S2101, whether or not the state of the pachinko machine 1 can be changed to the first stage production state or the second stage production state, that is, the state of the pachinko machine 1 is the operation switch. It is determined whether or not it is in a reception permission state in which 20 operations can be received. If it is in the acceptance-permitted state (YES), the operation switch lamp 21 is turned on in step S2102, that is, turned on, and the process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is not in the acceptance-permitted state (NO), the operation switch lamp 21 is turned off, that is, turned off in the processing of S2103, and the processing is terminated. Here, in the pachinko machine 1, the gaming machine state monitoring unit 640 monitors various states such as the operating state of the display unit 601, the operating state of the change notification unit 611, the occurrence state of the “hit state”, and the like. Based on the monitoring result of the gaming machine state monitoring unit 640, the determination process in S2101 is performed.

  Next, the effect display device 115 constituting the display means 601, the non-acceptance state notifying means (the operation switch lamp 21 constituting the change end notifying means 641, the operation switch 20 constituting the operation means 631, and the change notifying means 611 are provided. The operation modes of the speakers 18 and 57 constituting the above will be described based on the timing chart shown in FIG.

  In the pachinko machine 1, after the power is turned on and the normal startup of all the devices included is completed, the game ball enters the ball entry device 96 and the start ball sensor 318 detects the game ball. In the effect display device 115, the display content starts to change, and accordingly, the operation switch lamp 21 changes from the lighting state (ON) to the extinguishing state (OFF) (t1). Next, when the change in the display contents in the effect display device 115 is completed, the operation switch lamp 21 is changed from the unlit state (OFF) to the lit state (ON) (t2). And until the operation switch 20 is operated from the outside, the pachinko machine 1 repeats such an operation (t3, t4). Note that, as described in the start winning process and the game operation process described above, in the state where the start hold exists, the display is stopped while the change of the display content is finished in the effect display device 115 and the next change display is started. Even in such a case, the operation switch lamp 21 is turned on (ON), and a change in the production state is accepted.

  In this way, in this example, even when the change is stopped in the effect display device 115 when there is a start suspension, the effect state can be changed by accepting the operation of the operation switch 20, so that the player The game can be changed to any desired state without interrupting the game unnecessarily for a long time, and the game can be enjoyed at a good tempo.

  Next, when the operation switch 20 is operated (ON) while the fluctuation is stopped in the effect display device 115 and the operation switch lamp 21 is in the lighting state (ON), the operation switch is accordingly turned on. The lamp 21 is turned off (OFF), and a change notification sound is output from the speakers 18 and 57 (t5). Then, until the output of the change notification from the speakers 18 and 57 is completed, the operation switch lamp 21 is kept in the extinguished state (OFF), and it is notified that the state in which the operation for changing the production state is not accepted is continued. To do. When the output of the change notification is completed, the operation switch lamp 21 is changed from the unlit state (OFF) to the lit state (ON) immediately or after a certain grace period such as about 0.5 to 1 second has passed. It is notified that it has become a state to accept the change of the state again (t6).

  In the pachinko machine 1 of this example, when the “hit state” is generated, the effect display device 115 displays information on the progress of the “hit state”, such as the number of winning game balls and the number of rounds. In a broad sense, it is in a state of displaying fluctuations. Therefore, when the big hit state occurs, the effect display device 115 starts to change, and accordingly, the operation switch lamp 21 is turned off (OFF) (t7). When the “big hit state” ends, the fluctuation is stopped in the effect display device 115, and the operation switch lamp 21 is turned on (ON) (t8).

  By the way, not only in the above-mentioned example, even when the display unit 601 is performing the variable display, the operation state of the operation unit 631 may be received to change the effect state.

  For example, when the state of the pachinko machine 1 is in the previous stage production state, even if the display content is changing once on the display means 601 than the stage where the latter stage production can be made to appear. If the time is early, the non-acceptance state notifying unit 641 is operated so as to notify the user that the operation unit 631 is allowed to accept the operation, and the player operates the operation unit 631 at that time. If is operated, the production state may be changed from the previous production state to the later production state. By doing in this way, the player who confirmed the first stage effect can further confirm the second period effect by operating the operation means 631 while the display content on the display means 601 is changing. Whether or not to confirm the late stage production by operating the operation means 631 while the display content on the display means 601 is changed is also the player's choice, and the player can find a new way to enjoy the game. . In such an aspect, the gaming machine state monitoring unit 640 monitors not only whether the display content is changing on the display unit 601, but also the progress of the change display.

  As described above, in this example, a pachinko machine is shown as a gaming machine, but the present invention is also applied to a gaming machine other than a pachinko machine, for example, a gaming machine in which a pachinko machine and a slot machine are fused. can do.

1 Pachinko machine (game machine)
20 operation switch 21 operation switch lamp 115 effect display device 310 main board 311 peripheral board 500 lottery means 510 special symbol variation control means 511 special symbol display means 520 advantageous game state generation means 600 effect display control means 601 display means 610 effect state change means 611 Change notification means 620 State corresponding performance appearance means 630 Operation status monitoring means 631 Operation means 640 Gaming machine state monitoring means 641 Non-acceptance state notification means (change end notification means)

Claims (3)

Operation means operated by a player;
A start opening where a game ball can enter,
A jackpot determining means for performing a determination process for the jackpot based on the game ball entering the start opening,
A jackpot process execution means for executing a jackpot process in which a winning ball can be paid out based on the winning of the jackpot in the determination process by the jackpot determination means;
An effect unit that performs a display effect due to symbol variation so as to suggest a result of the determination process by the jackpot determination unit;
An effect mode over a plurality of symbol variations, in which an effect mode when the effect is changed by the effect means, can be changed according to the operation to the operation means being permitted. Effect control means for performing display control related to the display effect in the effect means with the effect mode determined in the mode,
The effect mode is to continue over a plurality of symbol variations without always depending on the result of the determination process by the jackpot determination means,
The production control means includes
Production execution means capable of executing a first stage production that appears at an early stage and a later stage production that appears at a later stage in the period during which the design is changed by the production means, and
During the period when the design means is not changing, when the predetermined condition is satisfied, the operation means is controlled so that the operation is allowed. Before-change effect mode changing means for enabling mode change, and
When the symbol is stopped and displayed in an out-of-phase manner in the latter stage effect, while performing the notification process that enables the player to recognize that the symbol variation in the effect means has ended, Special notification executing means for continuing not only the state in which the symbol is stopped and displayed in an out-of-phase manner, but also after the stop-displayed symbol variation is started again
Gaming machine characterized in that it comprises a.   The jackpot determination means performs a determination process for jackpot based on a winning determination random number acquired based on a game ball entering the start opening.
  The gaming machine according to claim 1.   The jackpot determination means temporarily holds a winning determination random number acquired based on the game ball entering the start port, and holds the hold state when a predetermined start condition is satisfied. Based on the released winning judgment random number, the jackpot judgment process is performed.
  The gaming machine according to claim 2.

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