JP5195578B2 - Gaming machine and gaming machine system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine and a gaming machine system, and relates to a so-called seven machine, a ball-type gaming machine such as a winged article, a right article or an arrangement ball, a revolving type gaming machine called a slot machine, and these The present invention can be applied to a gaming machine system including a gaming machine.

  For example, a ball game machine includes an outer frame, a main body frame (inner frame), a game board held by the main body frame, and a front frame including a transparent plate (glass plate) covering the front portion of the game board. . In such a gaming machine, various winning devices (large winning device, starting winning device, other winning devices, etc.) are arranged in a game area formed by surrounding an outer rail and an inner rail approximately in a circle or substantially oval in the front portion of the game board. A winning device, etc.), a ball gate, a variable display device, an obstacle nail, and the like. In this type of gaming machine, whether or not to shift the gaming state of the gaming machine to the special gaming state is determined because the game ball launched into the gaming area wins the start winning device. The result of this determination is stopped and displayed through the effect display on the variable display device.

  As described above, in this type of gaming machine, “various information transmitted to the player” such as “result of determination of success / failure” is (a) a variable display of a special symbol on a variable display device, and (b) variable. It is transmitted through an effect display for causing a specific character to appear on the display device, (c) an effect using lighting / flashing of a lamp device provided with a front frame or the like (see Patent Document 1). That is, in this type of gaming machine, various types of information transmitted to various types of information are transmitted to the player through various effects. This also applies to the spinning cylinder type gaming machine.

JP 2008-142273 A

  Here, in recent years, a lot of game halls (pachinko halls) where game machines are used (installed) while setting the rental unit price (value) of gaming media to be different from the conventional rental unit price (value) have appeared. doing. In other words, for some or all of the gaming machines installed in the game hall, gaming balls that are usually lent out at 4 yen per ball are lent out at 1 yen per ball. . In the following description, “use mode of gaming machine using gaming balls lent out at 4 yen per ball” will be referred to as “4-yen pachinko” and “use using gaming balls lent out at 1 yen per ball”. The “mode” will be referred to as “one-yen pachinko”.

  However, with the emergence of usage modes in which the unit prices (values) of game media are different, the following problems have arisen. For example, when a gaming machine designed to be used for “4-yen pachinko” is used for “1-yen pachinko”, the gaming machine is in a mode assumed by the designer of the gaming machine. There is a risk that it will not be controlled.

  Explaining with a more specific example, it is used for “4-Yen Pachinko” and every time a “3000 Yen” game ball is thrown into the game area, a “Premium production (for example, rarely appears) If a gaming machine designed under the assumption that “not reach production” appears, it will be used for “1-yen pachinko” as it is. Appears every time you hit an area. That is, an effect that should not appear unless a predetermined amount of money is originally invested appears with a small investment amount, and is not controlled to the state assumed by the designer of the gaming machine.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that easily realizes the control assumed by the designer according to the unit price of the game medium used for the game. And providing a gaming machine system including the gaming machine.

  The present inventors have obtained the following knowledge as a result of intensive studies to achieve the above object. In other words, a plurality of “control modes corresponding to the lending unit price (value) of game media” are stored in advance in the gaming machine, and the administrator of the game hall operates a predetermined selection device (such as a changeover switch), We thought that it would be possible to freely select the control mode to be executed in accordance with “the scheduled unit cost of gaming media”.

  However, in this case, a setting according to the rental unit price of the game medium has to be individually made by the game hall manager, which takes a lot of trouble. In particular, in the case where game machines with different game media lending unit prices coexist in a single amusement hall, much more labor is required. The inventors have further studied and completed the following invention.

The gaming machine according to claim 1,
A gaming machine comprising a lending operation unit and a payout device, and capable of executing different control modes according to the lending unit price of a game medium lent out from the payout device,
A lending processing unit that performs lending processing for lending a predetermined number of game media from the payout device by driving the payout device a specific number of times by performing one lending operation on the lending operation unit;
A dummy lending process for acquiring dummy lending result information for identifying the same information as the regular lending result information generated by the lending process without lending the gaming medium is performed at the time of powering on the gaming machine. Dummy lending processing execution means to be executed without
Aspect specifying information storage means for storing a plurality of aspect specifying information for specifying the control aspect in association with the dummy loan result information;
An aspect specifying information selecting means for selecting one aspect specifying information from among the aspect specifying information stored in the aspect specifying information storage means based on the dummy loan result information acquired by the dummy loan processing;
As a control mode to be executed, a control mode setting unit that sets a control mode corresponding to the mode specifying information selected by the mode specifying information selection unit;
It is characterized by providing.

  In the gaming machine according to the first aspect of the present invention, the control mode to be executed can be set and controlled under the dummy lending result information acquired with power-on. That is, control corresponding to the lending unit price can be easily performed based on the dummy lending result information composed of the same lending result information as the lending result information having a relationship corresponding to the lending unit price of the game medium. Therefore, according to the invention of claim 1, it is easy to realize the control assumed by the designer of the gaming machine for each usage mode of the gaming machine (each time the rental unit price of the gaming medium is different). In addition, since it is not necessary for the manager of the game hall to set the control mode for each usage mode, it is possible to prevent the game hall manager from being forced to use a burden.

  As the gaming machine of the invention of each claim, a pachinko machine (a ball-type gaming machine) that uses a gaming ball as a gaming medium, a slot machine that uses a gaming ball as a gaming medium (so-called “parrot”), An example is a slot machine that uses medals as game media. Further, when the game medium is a game ball, examples of the rental unit price include “4 yen”, “2 yen”, “1 yen”, and the like. The lending operation unit can be exemplified by a “lending button”, for example, disposed on an upper plate member or the like of the gaming machine. In the first aspect of the present invention, “power on” means that the power supply means of the gaming machine is turned on and power is supplied to the gaming machine (main control unit and sub control unit of the gaming machine). Refers to that. In addition, power is supplied from another power source (power source means) to the game medium lending device arranged to be able to communicate with the gaming machine.

  As “regular lending result information”, “information specifying the number of times the payout device is driven”, “information specifying the number of payouts of game media”, and “amount required for the lending process” At least one of the “lending amount information”. The “dummy loan result information” is result information (result state) that specifies the same information as at least one of a plurality of pieces of information included in the “regular loan result information”. For example, when “regular lending result information” is configured with a predetermined count value, “dummy lending result information” is configured with the same count value.

  For example, in the lending process, when counting the number of times of transmission of a specific signal (such as the number of rises and the number of falls) each time the dispensing device is driven once, the count value (C1) indicates “ The “number of times the payout device is driven” and the “number of game media payouts” can be specified. In this case, also in the dummy lending process, the same specific signal is transmitted for the same number of times of transmission, and the count value (C2) is acquired by counting the number of times of transmission. In this case, “regular lending result information (count value C1)” and “dummy lending result information (count value C2)” specify the same numerical value. For example, in the case where “mode identification information for 4-yen pachinko” and “mode identification information for 1-yen pachinko” are stored in the mode identification information storage means, the dummy lending result information is “lending unit price”. Is "lending result information specifying that the price is 4 yen", the mode specifying information selecting means selects "mode specifying information for 4-yen pachinko" and "the lending specifying that the lending unit price is 1 yen" In the case of “result information”, the “mode specific information for 1-yen pachinko” is selected by the mode specific information selecting means.

  The “control mode according to the rental unit price of the game medium” is, for example, a control mode of an effect executed by an effect device (one or more of a variable display device, a lamp device, a speaker, etc.) constituting the game machine. Can be illustrated. For example, (a) a mode in which a demonstration display (demonstration display) executed on the variable display device is changed according to “a game media lending unit price”, and (b) a variable display according to “a game medium lending unit price”. Change the emission color of the lamp device (LED lamp etc.) arranged on the front frame etc., depending on the aspect of changing the appearance rate of the premium effect executed on the device, (c) “game media lending unit price” A mode, (d) A mode of changing a sound effect according to “a rental unit price of game media”, and the like can be exemplified. In these cases, it is easy for the player to discover (discriminate) the “use mode of the gaming machine” when gaming machines having different rental unit prices of the gaming media are mixed in the game hall.

  Moreover, as a “control mode according to the rental unit price of game media”, a control mode for controlling the rental rate of game balls can be exemplified. For example, when the lending unit price of the game medium is low (for example, for a 1-yen pachinko), the lending process associated with one lending operation is lent compared to when the lending unit price is high (for example, for a 4-yen pachinko). Generally, the number of game media to be played increases. Even in such a case, when the lending unit price of the game medium is low, a control that increases the lending speed is performed, so that the player can use the frustration at the time of lending (a frustration caused by spending time on lending the game medium). Can be prevented.

The gaming machine according to claim 2 is the gaming machine according to claim 1,
The dummy lending result information acquired in the dummy lending process includes dummy lending amount data for specifying the same amount as the amount required when acquiring the regular lending result information.

  In the invention of claim 2, since the mode specifying information is selected in consideration of the dummy loan amount data, the control corresponding to the rental unit price of the game medium can be more reliably performed. Detailed contents regarding this point will be described later.

  Here, the gaming machine according to each of the first to third aspects of the present invention is usually provided with a gaming medium lending device, and these gaming machines and the gaming medium lending device are capable of bidirectional communication, and the gaming machine In response to a lending operation to the lending operation unit that constitutes a lending operation signal and a lending request completion confirmation signal are output from the gaming medium lending device to the gaming machine, and based on these signals, the unit from the lending device A number of game media are lent out. On the other hand, the game medium lending device accepts a recording medium or money that can specify the valued valuable value and lends the game medium, but whenever a lending operation to the lending operation unit is performed, The value of the predetermined amount is reduced from the value of the accepted recording medium and the accepted money.

  In addition, a unit number of game media are rented out from the payout device for the reduced value of the game media. Along with this, a signal (for example, a value balance (valuable balance)) of the received recording medium or the accepted money is specified. , A frequency display LED signal) is output from the game medium lending device. For example, by detecting this signal (for example, a frequency display LED signal), it is possible to specify the amount of money required for the lending process.

The gaming machine according to claim 3 is the gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2,
The dummy lending process is a process of generating the dummy lending result information while prohibiting driving of the payout device.

  The invention according to claim 3 exemplifies a specific example of the gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2. That is, even in the gaming machine of the invention of claim 3, for example, the same signal as the signal output from the game medium lending device (lending process signal etc.) at the time of lending processing is received. Since this gaming machine includes a drive prohibition unit that prohibits the driving of the payout device, dummy rental result information can be acquired without paying out game media.

The gaming machine system according to claim 4,
A gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The gaming machine is arranged to be communicable with the gaming machine and transmitted from the gaming machine without the lending operation signal transmitted along with the operation of the lending operation unit constituting the gaming machine or without the operation of the lending operation unit. A game medium lending device that transmits a lending request signal to the gaming machine by receiving the dummy lending signal.
The gaming machine executes the lending process or the dummy lending process based on the lending request signal.

  According to the invention of claim 4, a game can be provided by providing the gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3 capable of executing dummy lending processing and a special game medium lending device capable of controlling corresponding to the dummy lending processing. A gaming machine system including a gaming machine that easily realizes the control assumed by the designer can be obtained according to the unit price of the gaming medium to be used.

Further, the reference invention disclosed in the present specification for reference is as follows:
A lending process for lending a predetermined number of game media from the payout device by driving the payout device a specific number of times by having a lending operation portion and a payout device, and performing one lending operation on the lending operation portion. A gaming machine that includes a lending processing unit for performing, and capable of executing different control modes according to a lending unit price of a gaming medium lent out from the payout device;
A game medium lending device connected to the gaming machine in a state capable of bidirectional communication;
Comprising
When the game medium lending device receives an operation signal generated by a lending operation performed on the lending operation unit, a lending process of outputting ON information of a lending process signal (BRDY signal) from the game medium lending device to the gaming machine Signal output processing;
Following the lending process signal output process, a lending request completion confirmation signal output process for outputting on information of a lending request completion confirmation signal (BRQ signal) from the gaming medium lending device to the gaming machine;
The gaming machine detects the on-information of the lending request completion confirmation signal (BRQ signal) in a state where the on-information of the lending process signal (BRDY signal) is output, so that the gaming machine Lending completion signal output processing for outputting on information of a lending completion signal (EXS signal) to the medium lending device;
Lending request completion confirmation signal stop processing for stopping the output of the lending request completion confirmation signal (BRQ signal) on information due to the gaming medium lending device detecting the on information of the lending completion signal (EXS signal) When,
On the condition that the gaming machine detects the stop of the on-information output of the lending request completion confirmation signal (BRQ signal) in a state where the on-information of the lending completion signal (EXS signal) is output, Unit lending process that lends a unit number of game media by driving once,
And
Performing lending completion signal stop processing for stopping the output of on information of the lending completion signal (EXS signal) after completion of the unit lending processing;
Execution of the lending request completion confirmation signal output processing and execution of the lending completion signal output processing until the game medium lending device detects the stop of the on-information output of the lending completion signal (EXS signal) for the specific number of times. And the execution of the lending request completion confirmation signal stop process, the execution of the unit lending process, and the execution of the lending completion signal stop process in this order, and then the gaming medium lending device is in the lending process The output of the on information of the signal (BRDY signal) is stopped, and further, the gaming machine detects the stop of the output of the on information of the lending processing signal (BRDY signal), and is applied to the lending operation unit. A gaming machine system that completes a lending process associated with a lending operation,
The gaming machine is
Dummy operation signal output means for outputting the dummy operation signal to the gaming medium lending device without the lending operation at power-on;
A mode specifying information storage unit that stores a plurality of mode specifying information for specifying the control mode in association with the number of detected stoppages of output of the on information of the lending completion signal (EXS signal);
An aspect specifying information selecting means for selecting one aspect specifying information from the aspect specifying information stored in the aspect specifying information storage means;
As a control mode to be executed, a control mode setting unit that sets a control mode corresponding to the mode specifying information selected by the mode specifying information selection unit;
With
When the dummy operation signal is output, the execution of the lending process signal output process, the execution of the lending request completion confirmation signal output process, and the execution of the lending completion signal output process are performed in this order, The lending request completion confirmation signal stop process and the lending completion signal stop process are executed simultaneously,
Execution of the lending request completion confirmation signal output processing and execution of the lending completion signal output processing until the game medium lending device detects the stop of the on-information output of the lending completion signal (EXS signal) for the specific number of times. And the simultaneous execution of the lending request completion confirmation signal stop process and the lending completion signal stop process in this order, and then the gaming medium lending device outputs ON information of the lending process in progress signal (BRDY signal) And the gaming machine detects the stop of the on-information output of the lending process signal (BRDY signal), thereby completing the dummy lending process accompanying the output of the dummy operation signal,
The mode specifying information selection unit is configured to select from among mode specifying information stored in the mode specifying information storage unit based on the number of times output of on information of the lending completion signal (EXS signal) detected in the dummy lending process is stopped. One aspect specifying information is selected.

  According to the reference invention, it is possible to obtain a gaming machine system including a gaming machine that can easily realize the control assumed by the designer even if the unit price of the gaming medium used in the game is changed. In other words, in the gaming machine system according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the same signal as the signal output from the game medium lending device (lending process signal etc.) is received during the lending process. However, in the dummy lending process, the on-information output stop of the lending request completion confirmation signal and the output stop of the on-information of the lending completion signal are simultaneously performed, so that the normal lending result information is obtained without lending the game medium. The same loan result information can be obtained.

  Here, in the reference invention, “the gaming medium lending device detects the stop of the output of the on-information of the lending completion signal (EXS signal) a specific number of times” is (a) the gaming machine lending completion signal (EXS signal) (B) the game medium lending device stops outputting the on-information of the lending request completion confirmation signal (BRQ signal) a specific number of times, (c) the gaming machine Is equivalent to detecting the stop of the output of the on-information of the lending request completion confirmation signal (BRQ signal) a specific number of times.

  Here, in this specification, “front” and “front” indicate “front with respect to the gaming machine (that is, a direction close to the player)”, and “rear” and “back” indicate gaming machines. "Rear (that is, a direction away from the player)". Further, “left” indicates “left” as viewed from the player, and “right” indicates “right as viewed from the player”. Further, in “a member that can be opened and closed like a door (hereinafter referred to as a“ door type member ”)” such as a main body frame, a front frame, an upper plate member, a lower plate member, etc., “left”, “right” “Front”, “Rear” and the like are based on the case where these door-type members are in use, that is, in the closed state.

  As described above, according to the inventions of claims 1 to 3, a gaming machine that easily realizes the control assumed by the designer can be obtained according to the unit price of the game medium used in the game. According to the invention of claim 4, it is possible to obtain a gaming machine system including a gaming machine that easily realizes the control assumed by the designer according to the unit price of the gaming medium used for the game.

It is a perspective view which shows the game machine which concerns on each Example of this invention. It is a front view which shows the game machine system which concerns on each Example of this invention. It is a schematic explanatory view for explaining a main body frame and the like in the gaming machine according to each embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining a front frame in the gaming machine according to each embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic front view for demonstrating a front frame in the game machine which concerns on each Example of this invention. It is a front view which shows a game board in the game machine which concerns on each Example of this invention. (A) is a schematic front view of a lower left display apparatus, (b) is a schematic front view of a lower right display apparatus. It is a back view which shows the game machine which concerns on each Example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the electronic control apparatus which concerns on each Example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the electronic control apparatus which concerns on Examples 1-3. It is a block diagram which shows the electronic control apparatus which concerns on each Example of this invention. (A) is a schematic front view which shows a special symbol display part in each Example of this invention, (b) is a schematic front view which shows the display screen of a central display apparatus in each Example of this invention. is there. (A)-(c) is a schematic explanatory drawing which shows the mode of the stop symbol of this symbol, and the stop symbol of a pseudo symbol in the gaming machine which concerns on each Example of this invention. (A)-(c) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the outline | summary of a change effect game in the game machine which concerns on each Example of this invention. (A) And (b) is explanatory drawing which showed notably the mode that a command was output from the main control part in the gaming machine which concerns on each Example. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the outline of a normal rental control process in the game machine which concerns on each Example. It is a time chart for demonstrating the outline of a normal rental control process in the game machine which concerns on each Example. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the outline of a dummy rental control process in the game machine which concerns on each Example. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the outline of a dummy rental control process in the game machine which concerns on each Example. It is a time chart for demonstrating the outline of a dummy rental control process in the game machine which concerns on each Example. It is explanatory drawing for comparing and explaining a normal lending control process and a dummy lending control process in the gaming machine according to each embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows a game control process in the game machine which concerns on each Example of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows a power-on process in the game machine which concerns on each Example of this invention. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the outline of a loan control process and a usage condition specific process in the game machine which concerns on each Example. It is a flowchart which shows the usage condition specific process in the gaming machine which concerns on Example 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the gaming machine designation | designated command in the gaming machine which concerns on each Example of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows a demonstration display process in the game machine which concerns on each Example of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the payout control process in the game machine which concerns on each Example of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows a ball lending control process in the game machine which concerns on each Example of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows a normal rental control process in the game machine which concerns on each Example of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows a dummy rental control process in the game machine which concerns on Example 1 and 2 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows a special symbol game start judgment process in the game machine which concerns on each Example of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows a special symbol game process in the game machine which concerns on each Example of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows a special symbol game process in the game machine which concerns on each Example of this invention. (A) is explanatory drawing of a main control part in the game machine which concerns on each Example of this invention, (b) is stored in built-in RAM of the main control part in the game machine which concerns on each Example of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows typical examples, such as various memories. It is a flowchart which shows a sub control process in the game machine which concerns on each Example of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the initialization process in the game machine which concerns on each Example of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows a demonstration effect control process in the game machine which concerns on each Example of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows a design fluctuation related process in the gaming machine which concerns on each Example of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows a fluctuation | variation control process in the game machine which concerns on each Example of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows a frame color control process in the game machine which concerns on each Example of this invention. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating frame color control processing in the gaming machine which concerns on a modification. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a use mode specifying process in the gaming machine according to the second embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the content of the data table used by the usage condition specific process in the gaming machine which concerns on Example 3. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows a dummy rental control process in the game machine which concerns on Example 3. FIG. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an electronic control device according to a third embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the usage condition specific process in the gaming machine which concerns on Example 3. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the usage condition specific process in the gaming machine which concerns on Example 3. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the content of the data table used by the usage condition specific process in the gaming machine which concerns on Example 3. FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a demonstration effect control process in a gaming machine according to Modification 1; It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the modification 2. FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a power-on process according to Modification 3. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the initialization process which concerns on the modification 3.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment showing the best mode for carrying out the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each embodiment described below, each specific example in which the invention according to each claim is applied to a gaming machine system S including a gaming machine (pachinko machine) 1 referred to as a “seven machine” will be described.

(1) Mechanical structure a. First, the overall structure of the gaming machine system S will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 2, the gaming machine system S includes a gaming machine 1 and a CR unit 80 disposed on the left end side thereof. Of these, the gaming machine 1 is a so-called “CR machine” called a “card-type ball game machine”, and is attached to the outer frame 2 and the outer frame 2 as shown in FIGS. A gaming machine main body H. The CR unit (card processing unit) 80 constitutes a specific example of “game medium lending device”.

  The outer frame 2 is used to support the gaming machine main body H while being fixed to an installation site provided in the island facility of the pachinko hall. The outer frame 2 includes an outer frame main body 21 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) configured by a substantially rectangular frame-like body, and a front plate portion 22 that covers a lower front portion of the outer frame main body 21.

  The gaming machine main body H is rotatably attached to the left end side of the outer frame 2 using upper and lower hinges H1 and H2 (see FIG. 1) on the left end side of the outer frame 2. The gaming machine main body H is a portion of the gaming machine 1 excluding the outer frame 2, and as shown in FIG. 1, the main body frame 3, the front frame 4, the upper dish member 5, and the lower dish member 6. The game board 10 (see FIG. 6), the back mechanism board 102 (see FIG. 8), and the like are the main parts. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the main body frame 3 is fitted into the outer frame 2 and is pivotally supported so as to be openable and closable with respect to the outer frame 2. A locking device 7 is mounted on the right end side of the main body frame 3.

  The main body frame 3 is entirely made of plastic, and is constituted by a frame-like body as shown in FIG. The main body frame 3 includes a frame main body portion 3b including a window portion 3M in an upper half portion, and a protruding portion 3c protruding in a substantially rectangular frame shape from the back surface portion of the frame main body portion 3b. And the main body frame 3 comprises the holding | maintenance part for hold | maintaining the game board 10 using this protrusion part 3c. That is, the holding tool 3f is mounted on the protruding end surface of the projecting portion 3c in a state where the holding tool 3f can rotate on the left and right sides of the window 3M and the right and left sides of the window 3M. The game board 10 is held by the main body frame 3 by bringing the protruding end of the game board 10 into contact with the rear surface of the game board 10.

  When the main body frame 3 holds the game board 10, the “game area 11 configured on the front surface portion 10 a of the game board 10” can be viewed from the front of the main body frame 3 through the window 3 </ b> M. Further, a back mechanism board 102 (see FIG. 8) is attached to the back surface portion of the game board 10 so as to cover the back surface portion.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the front frame 4 is disposed on the front side of the main body frame 3 and is supported at the left end of the main body frame 3 so as to be openable and closable. The front frame 4 has a visual recognition window 41a at the center thereof. This viewing window 41a is provided in a state penetrating the front and rear of the front frame 4, and is opened in a substantially circumferential shape corresponding to the outer peripheral shape of the game area 11 (see FIG. 6) formed on the board surface of the game board 10. When the front frame 4 is closed, the game area 11 disposed behind the front frame 4 can be viewed from the front through the viewing window 41a.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the front frame 4 includes a frame main body 41, a glass plate 43 attached to the frame main body 41, and a holder (not shown) for holding the glass plate 43 on the frame main body 41. Is provided. Speakers SP1 and SP2 (see FIG. 11) are built in on the left and right sides of the upper end portion of the front frame 4, respectively. In the gaming machine 1, speakers SP3 and SP4 (see FIG. 11) are also incorporated in the left and right ends of the front plate portion 22. In the gaming machine 1, sound effects and other sounds (sounds) corresponding to the gaming state are generated using the speakers SP1 to SP4.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the frame body 41 includes a base member 41B, a front cover member 41F, a mounting substrate 41T, and a large number of LED lamps 4G. Among these, the base member 41 </ b> B is configured by using a frame-like body having an outer edge shape similar to that of the front frame 4. Further, the front cover member 41F has an outer edge shape similar to that of the front frame 4, is mounted on the front surface side of the base member 41B, and constitutes a portion of the front frame 4 on the front surface side. The front cover member 41F is an integrally molded product made of a transparent resin (translucent resin), and a large number of substantially rod-like convex lens portions 41J are formed on the rear surface portion of the front wall portion 41H. Has been.

  In the frame body 41, the front cover member 41F is mounted on the front surface side of the base member 41B, and a space formed between the front wall portion 41H of the front cover member 41F and the front surface portion of the base member 41B. A mounting substrate T is provided. A large number of LED lamps 4G are mounted on the mounting substrate 41T. This LED lamp 4G is a so-called “full-color LED”. Here, this full-color LED is an LED lamp that provides three kinds of LED chips of red, green, and blue, and the drive control (PWM control) is performed by the “sub control unit 220A (described later)”. The emission color can be controlled (changed). And it is comprised with the transparent raw material of 41 F of front covers, and the light which LED4G emits can be visually recognized from the front of the front frame 4. FIG. For this reason, when the emission color of the LED 4G is controlled, the player can visually recognize the front frame 4 that emits light differently.

  An upper plate member 5 and a lower plate member 6 are provided in a portion below the front frame 4 in the front portion of the gaming machine main body H. In other words, the upper plate member 5 is disposed below the front frame 4 and includes a receiving port 5b for receiving a game ball discharged from the gaming machine 1 inside the container. A ball rental display board 410 (see FIGS. 9 and 10) and an effect button board 228 (see FIG. 11) are provided on the back side of the upper plate member 5, and “ball rental” is provided on the upper surface of the upper plate member 5. A panel 5p ”and an“ effect button SW ”are arranged (see FIG. 1).

  As shown in FIG. 1, the ball lending panel 5p is provided with a lending button 5c and a return button 5q, and a balance display portion 5r. Here, the “lending button 5c” constitutes a specific example of the lending operation unit. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, a prize ball payout device 109 constituting a specific example of the “payout device” is disposed in the back pack 102 as described later. The payout motor 109m (see FIGS. 9 and 10) constitutes a drive source of the prize ball payout device 109.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lower plate member 6 is disposed below the upper plate member 5. At the approximate center of the lower plate member 6, a receiving port 6 a for receiving a game ball discharged from the upper plate member 5 is provided in the inside of the substantially container shape. An ashtray 6 b is provided at the left end of the lower plate member 6, and a firing handle 9 is provided at the right end of the lower plate member 6.

  The firing handle 9 is connected to a launcher unit (not shown). A touch switch 9a for detecting that the player is touching the handle is attached to the launch handle 9, and in the vicinity thereof, a launch stop switch 9b for temporarily stopping the launch of the game ball is provided. It is installed.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the CR unit (card processing unit) 80 is disposed on the left end side of the gaming machine 1 and is installed at an installation site provided in the island facility of the pachinko hall. Further, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the CR unit 80 is electrically connected to the gaming machine 1 and is in a state where transmission / reception with the gaming machine 1 is possible. This CR unit 80 is configured to be long in the vertical direction, and has a bill insertion slot 81 and a card slot 84 opened to the front side. Here, when at least one of insertion of a bill into the bill insertion slot 81 and insertion of a card (however, a card storing frequency balance information) into the card slot 84 is performed, the CR unit The value balance (valuable balance) inserted (inserted) in 80 is displayed on the balance display portion 5r (see FIG. 1). At this time, the balance display section 5r displays the value balance (valuable balance) as a maximum of 3 digits.

  When the necessary balance is displayed on the balance display section 5r, when the “lending button 5c” is pressed, the number of effective frequencies (for example, 5 degrees) (for example, 5 degrees) by one operation (that is, the lending operation) (for example, 125, which is five times the reference number for one degree). Each time the rental of the reference number of game balls is completed, the frequency balance stored in the CR unit 80 (card storing frequency balance information) is rewritten according to the number of loans (1 time). The frequency balance is rewritten), and the frequency balance is displayed on the balance display portion 5r. However, when the return button 5q is pressed in a state where the frequency balance is displayed on the balance display portion 5r, the card (a card storing the frequency balance information) is ejected from the card entrance / exit 84. In this gaming machine system S, when the power balance is “zero”, the card is not discharged, but may be discharged.

b. Next, the configuration of the game board 10 will be described with reference to FIG. The game board 10 includes a game board main body 10A configured using a substantially rectangular plywood in front view, and various board components (the outer rail 12, the inner rail 13, and the main accessory attached to the game board main body 10A. Device 20 etc.) is mounted.

  The game board main body 10A includes a region forming portion 10B that is substantially circular in a front view, and a region outside 10C that is positioned around the region forming portion 10B. In addition, an outer rail 12 and an inner rail 13 that are both configured using a band-shaped metal plate are disposed on the front surface of the game board main body 10A. And the front surface part of the area | region formation part 10B comprises the game area | region 11, being enclosed by the substantially circular surrounding wall which this outer rail 12 and the inner rail 13 form.

  In this area forming part 10B (that is, a part located in the game area 11 in the game board 10), a main accessory device 20, a normal symbol operating gate (normal symbol operating port) 16, a start winning device 17, A lower device 30, a lower left display device 50, a lower right display device 60, four general winning devices 40, 41, 43, 44, a number of obstacle nails (not shown), a windmill 19 and the like are arranged. Has been.

  The main accessory device 20 includes an attachment member (decorative plate) 21 and a central display device 27. Among these, the attachment member 21 is comprised by the plate-shaped body with which the front part of the area | region formation part 10B is mounted | worn, and comprises the site | part except the left end side among the upper half parts of the game area | region 11. The attachment member (decorative plate) 21 is provided with a window portion forming hole 21d, and the window portion forming hole 21d constitutes a substantially rectangular display window 21e in front view.

  The part extending from the top of the mounting member 21 to the lower end of the right edge is close to the outer rail 12, and the part extending from the top to the upper end of the left edge is mounted so that the upper decorative member 21n protrudes forward. Yes. Further, the left decorative member 21q is mounted on the left edge of the mounting member 21 so as to protrude forward, and the stage member 21p is mounted on the lower edge of the mounting member 21 so as to protrude forward. . Furthermore, the left decorative member 21q includes a model 21r in which a game ball passage (not shown) is formed. The entrance of the game ball passage is opened obliquely upward to the left, and the game ball flowing down the game area 11 is received at the entrance and enters the main accessory device 20.

  The stage member 21p constitutes a rolling surface of the game ball by its upper surface portion, and this rolling surface is an inclined surface that descends from the left and right end portions toward the central portion. However, the central portion of the rolling surface is a raised portion that slightly rises upward. The stage member 21p is provided with a discharge passage for discharging the game ball on the rolling surface to the outside of the main accessory device 20. The outlet 21u of the discharge passage opens at a position continuous with the central portion behind the central portion of the rolling surface, and the outlet 21v of the discharge passage opens at a position below the central portion. ing.

  In the present embodiment, the game ball that has flowed down the game area 11 and entered the main accessory device 20 reaches the left end of the rolling surface, rolls right on the rolling surface, Roll in the direction. When the momentum of the game ball has declined, the game ball passes through the discharge passage and is discharged out of the main accessory device 20 or from the front edge portion of the rolling surface. To be discharged. Note that a start winning device 17 described later is located immediately below the exit portion 21v.

  The central display device 27 is constituted by a liquid crystal display device, and constitutes a specific example of a variable display device, similarly to the lower right display device 60 described later. However, in this central display device 27, effect display (variation display) is performed in conjunction with the special symbol variation display and stop display in the lower right display device 60. In the present embodiment, the lower right display device 60 constitutes a “variable display device” for displaying the present symbol (specific example is shown), and the central display device 27 is a pseudo symbol (special symbol). Other specific examples of symbols are shown.) Is displayed.

  The display screen 27a of the central display device 27 can display various symbols using the whole or a part thereof. In this display screen 27a, as shown in FIG. 12 (b), three pseudo symbol display portions 27b to 27d and a background screen display portion 27h composed of other portions may appear. In this case, the three pseudo symbol display portions 27b to 27d are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction on the display screen 27a. In each of the pseudo symbol display portions 27b to 27d that appear in this manner, an effect display (fluctuation display) using “pseudo symbols”, a stop display, and the like are performed. Further, when the pseudo symbol display portions 27b to 27d are displayed on the display screen 27a, the background screen display portion 27h is displayed by the other part of the display screen 27a. The background screen display unit 27h can display a symbol indicating the background (hereinafter referred to as background symbol) or a symbol indicating the character (hereinafter referred to as character symbol) together with the background screen. .

  The normal symbol operating gate (ordinary symbol operating port) 16 is disposed in a portion located on the left side of the main accessory device 20 in the game area 11. Further, a normal symbol operation gate passage detection switch 16s (see FIG. 9) is disposed in the normal symbol operation gate 16. When the “normal symbol variation start condition” is satisfied on the assumption that the game ball is detected by the normal symbol actuating gate passage detection switch 16 s, the lower symbol display device 50 (described later) displays the normal symbol variation display ( Specifically, the normal symbol lamp device blinking display) is started. Then, when a predetermined fluctuation time has elapsed after the start of normal symbol fluctuation, the normal symbol is confirmed (lit or extinguished). When the normal symbol hit display (lighted display) is performed, the normal electric accessory 17 (described later) is driven open for a predetermined time (for example, 0.5 seconds).

  The start winning device 17 is disposed at a position located directly below the discharge path of the stage portion 21d. The first start winning portion 17a and the second start winning portion 17b are arranged vertically. Among these, the first start winning portion 17a is provided with a pocket shape with an opening, that is, a first start opening opened upward. Since the first start port is located directly below the outlet portion 21v of the discharge passage, the probability that the game ball that has passed through the discharge passage will win the start winning device 17 through the first start port is increased. Yes.

  The second start winning portion 17b is located substantially directly below the first start winning portion 17a and includes an ordinary electric accessory at the entrance side portion. This ordinary electric accessory is a so-called tulip type and is formed so that a pair of wing pieces are opened and closed on the left and right. That is, the second start winning portion 17b includes a normal electric accessory solenoid 17c (see FIG. 9) for operating the pair of blade pieces. When the pair of wing pieces are opened to the left and right, the game ball is likely to enter the open state, and the pair of wing pieces are erected so that the game ball is less likely to enter. It becomes.

  Inside the start winning device 17, a start winning detection switch 17s (see FIG. 9) for detecting the passage of a game ball through the first start winning portion 17a or the second start winning portion 17b is disposed. . That is, the game ball won in the first start winning portion 17a and the game ball won in the second start winning portion 17b pass through the same passage (not shown) in the start winning device 17, and this passage This is detected by the start winning detection switch 17s arranged in the middle of the route.

  The lower device 30 is arranged below the start winning device 17 and is constituted by a variable winning device (large winning device) 31. The variable winning device 31 includes an attachment plate portion 31k attached to the front surface portion of the game board 10. The mounting plate portion 31k is provided with an opening having a substantially band shape in a substantially central portion in a state of passing through the front and back, and the opening constitutes a big prize opening 31a. The rear end portion of the grand prize winning port 31a is in communication with “a grand prize winning prize winning passage (a passage through which a game ball to be won from the big prize winning opening 31a passes, not shown)”. . The variable winning device 31 includes an opening / closing plate 31b for opening / closing the large winning opening 31a, a large winning opening solenoid 31c (see FIG. 7) for driving the opening / closing plate 31b, and a large winning opening winning. A winning ball detection switch 31s (see FIG. 7) provided in the middle of the path of the passage or in the path terminal portion. In the variable winning device 31, when the opening / closing plate 31b is in the standing posture, the opening / closing plate 31b closes the large winning opening 31a, so that it is impossible to win a game ball in the variable winning device 31. On the other hand, when the opening / closing plate 31b is tilted forward with the lower end thereof as a fulcrum and assumes a forward leaning posture, the prize winning opening 31a is opened and the rear surface portion (back surface portion) of the opening / closing plate 31b flows down the game area 11. And the guidance part which guides the game ball which reached | attained the variable winning apparatus 31 to the big winning opening 31a is comprised.

  The lower left display device 50 is arranged on the left side of the variable winning device (large winning device) 31. As shown in FIG. 7A, the lower left display device 50 is configured in a substantially arc shape and includes a mounting plate 51 that is attached to the front portion of the game board 10. The mounting plate 51 is provided with a normal symbol hold display unit 52, a special symbol hold display unit 53, a game state display unit 55, and a normal symbol display unit 56.

  The normal symbol hold display unit 52 is configured by using two LEDs, and displays a so-called “number of hold for a normal symbol” with an upper limit of four. In other words, “the number of game balls that have passed through the normal symbol operation gate (normal symbol operation port) 16 but have not yet been digested (ie, the number of reserved balls)” is displayed as the upper limit number of four and undigested games. Each time a ball is digested, the “number of undigested game balls (that is, the number of reserves)” is sequentially decremented and displayed. Here, the “undigested game ball (that is, the holding ball)” relating to the normal symbol has passed through the normal symbol operation gate 16, but the normal symbol display unit 56, which will be described later, shows the result of the lottery result associated with the passage. This indicates a game ball in which neither display nor change display preceding this (in this embodiment, blinking display using an LED) is made.

  The special symbol hold display section 53 is also configured by using two LEDs, and displays a so-called “number of hold for a special symbol” with an upper limit of four. That is, “the number of game balls that have been won in the start winning device 17 but are still undigested (ie, the number of reserves)” is displayed as the upper limit number of 4 and every time an undigested game ball is digested "The number of undigested game balls (that is, the number of reserves)" is sequentially decremented and displayed. Here, the “undigested game ball (that is, the holding ball)” related to the special symbol has been won in the start winning device 17, but the special symbol display unit 61 described later displays the result of the pass / fail determination associated with the passage. And a game ball not preceded by a variable display.

  In the normal symbol hold display unit 52 and the special symbol hold display unit 53, the number of holds is displayed in the same manner. That is, (a) two LEDs are turned off and “hold number” is “zero”, (b) one LED is turned on, one LED is turned off and “hold number” is “ 1), (c) two LEDs are lit and “holding number” is “2”, (d) one LED is blinking, one LED is lit and “ The “holding number” is “3”, and (e) two LEDs are blinked to indicate that the “holding number” is “4”.

  The gaming state display unit 55 is configured by using two LEDs 55a and 55b, and is used to display the current gaming state of the gaming machine 1. That is, by turning off the two LEDs 55a and 55b, it is displayed that “the current gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is the normal gaming state”. In addition, one LED 55a is turned on and the other LED 55b is turned off to indicate that “the current gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is in the probability change mode”. Further, one LED 55a is turned off and the other LED 55b is turned on to display that “the current gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is in the time reduction mode”. Here, in the present embodiment, when the gaming mode (gaming state) of the gaming machine 1 is changed from the normal gaming mode to the probability changing mode, the probability changing means (the probability of making a big hit determination in the determination of success or failure is set to be high). And means for extending the opening (means for increasing the opening time of the ordinary electric accessory 17e or setting the number of times of opening many times). When the gaming mode of the gaming machine 1 is changed from the probability change mode to the time reduction mode, the probability change means stops operating, and the time reduction means (means for setting the variation time of the special symbol or the normal symbol short) operates. To start. Further, when the gaming mode of the gaming machine 1 is returned from the probability changing mode to the normal gaming mode, the time shortening means and the opening extension means stop operating.

  The lower right display device 60 is arranged on the right side of the variable winning device (large winning device) 31. As shown in FIG. 7B, the lower right display device 60 is configured in a substantially arc shape and includes a mounting plate 61 that is attached to the front portion of the game board 10. The mounting plate 61 is provided with a special symbol display unit 62 and a big hit mode display unit 63.

  The special symbol display unit 62 is configured by using “seven LEDs 62a to 62g” arranged in a substantially oval shape, and “game ball winning to the start winning device 17 (hereinafter referred to as“ start winning ”). The display of the result of the success / failure determination associated with “)” is executed through the variable display (in the present embodiment, lighting display using a plurality of LEDs). That is, as shown in FIG. 12A, when the execution time of the “variable display preceding the display of the result regarding the determination of success / failure” comes, “seven LEDs 62a to 62g” are sequentially turned on. Then, this variable display (hereinafter referred to as “circulation display using LEDs 62b to 62g”) is executed, and when the execution time of “display of the result relating to the determination on whether or not the special symbol is reached” comes, the special symbol display unit 62 A special symbol stop display (confirmed display) is executed.

  The big hit mode display unit 63 is configured by using two LEDs 63a and 63b, and is mainly used for displaying “a type of big hit when the result related to the determination on whether or not the special symbol is a big hit”. In other words, when the big symbol display is not performed in the special symbol display unit 62, the two LEDs 63a and 63b are turned off. When the special symbol display unit 62 performs a big hit display, any of the LEDs 63a and 63b is turned on to display the type of the big hit.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, the two general winning devices 40 and 41 are integrated with a mounting plate 51 constituting the lower left display device 50. As shown in FIG. The general winning devices 43 and 44 are integrated with a mounting plate 61 constituting the lower right display device 60. In each of the general winning devices 40, 41, 43, 44, winning detection switches 40s, 41s, 43s, 44s (see FIG. 9) for detecting the winning of the game ball are arranged.

  Returning to FIG. 6, a number of obstacle nails (not shown) are arranged in the game area 11 so as to be suitable for a pachinko game in consideration of the positional balance with each board component described above, and below the game board 10. Is provided with an outlet 18. Further, a back ball preventing member (not shown) is provided below the out port 18. And the game ball which returned without reaching the game area 11 is prevented from returning to the launch position again. On the other hand, the foul ball preventing member 15 is attached to the tip of the inner rail 13.

c. Next, the back surface structure of the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. That is, the back surface structure of the gaming machine 1 is a structure in which various devices are mounted on the large back pack 102, and the back pack 102 is pivotally supported by the pair of hinges 103 so as to be opened and closed. Yes.

  The back pack 102 includes a prize ball tank 105 in which game balls are stored, a prize ball payout device 109 for paying out prize balls, and a main control board case in which a main control board 200 constituting the main control unit 200A is stored. The launcher control board case 130 storing the launch control board 260 for controlling the launcher unit, the payout control board case 118 storing the payout control board 240 for controlling the prize ball payout apparatus 109, and the main control board 200. A relay terminal board that relays and various switches is mounted. Further, the prize ball tank 105 is provided with a tank switch at the bottom, and it is possible to detect a broken ball. The prize ball tank 105 and the prize ball payout device 109 are connected by a tank rail 106. Further, in FIG. 8, a ball removal lever is provided on the right side of the tank rail 106, and a refilling ball breakage detection switch is provided on the downstream side of the tank rail 106.

(2) Configuration of Control Circuit Next, the configuration of the control circuit of the gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. The control circuit of the gaming machine 1 includes a main control unit 200A and a plurality of sub-control units (220A, 222A, 240A, 260A). That is, the main control unit 200A is configured by using the main control board 200 and controls the basic progress of the game and whether or not the prize ball is involved, and a plurality of sub-control units (220A, 222A, 240A, 260A). And.

  The sub-control unit is composed of (a) the sub-control board 220 and “sub control that controls various effects of the game using symbol display, lamp emission, sound effects, movement of moving objects, etc.” It is configured using a control unit 220A, (b) an effect display control board 222, and is configured using an effect display control part 222A that controls the drive of the central display device 27, and (c) a payout control board 240. A payout control unit 240A that controls the operation of paying out rental balls and prize balls, and (d) a launch control unit 260A that is configured by using the launch control board 260 and that controls the game ball launching are provided. The payout control unit 240A constitutes a specific example of the lending processing means.

  The control board (200, 220, 240, 260) constituting these control units (200A, 220A, 222A, 240A, 260A) is a CPU that executes various logical operations and calculation operations, and various programs that are executed by the CPU. ROM in which data is stored, RAM in which the CPU stores temporary data during program execution, peripheral device interface (PIO) for exchanging data with peripheral devices, clock for the CPU to perform operations Various peripheral LSIs such as an oscillator that outputs a CPU, a watchdog timer that monitors CPU runaway, and a CTC (counter timer circuit) that periodically generates an interrupt signal are connected to each other via a bus. Note that the directions of the arrows in FIGS. 9 to 11 indicate the directions in which data or signals are input and output. In FIG. 9, for the “control board other than the main control board 200”, the mounted CPU, RAM, ROM, and the like are not shown.

  The main control unit 200A (main control board 200) receives game ball detection signals from the normal symbol operation gate passage detection switch 16s, the start winning detection switch 17s, the winning ball detection switches 40s, 41s, 43s, 44s, etc. Sub-control unit 200A (sub-control board 220), payout control part 240A (payout control board 240), launch control part 260A (launch control board 260), etc. Toward this, various commands to be described later are output. The main control unit 200A is also connected to a count switch 8s that detects a game ball launched from the launcher unit. The main control unit 200A directly controls these operations by outputting a signal to the ordinary electric accessory solenoid 17c, the special prize opening solenoid 31c, the lower left display device 50, the lower right display device 60, and the drive motor 88. doing.

  When the sub-control unit 220A receives various commands from the main control unit 200A, the sub-control unit 220A analyzes the content of the command and performs a game effect according to the result. That is, an effect display control board 222 for driving the central display device (liquid crystal display device) 27 and an amplifier board 224 for driving the speakers SP1 to SP4 are connected. In addition, the sub-control unit 220A performs a game effect by outputting a drive signal to a decoration driving board 226 that drives various decoration boards such as “boards on which various LEDs 4b to 4h are mounted”.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the effect button SW is connected to the sub control board 220 via the effect button board 228, and thus the signal output from the effect button SW is sent to the sub control board 220 via the effect button board 228. Sent to.

  As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the payout control unit 240A includes relay terminal plates 240B and 240C (however, illustration of the relay terminal plate 240B is omitted in FIG. 10), a firing control unit 260A, and a lower pan full switch 6s. Etc. are connected. The payout control unit 240A is connected to a “payout motor 109m constituting the prize ball payout device (payout device) 109”, the front payout switch 109a, and the rear payout switch 109b via the relay terminal plate 240B. ing. In addition, the CR control unit 80 is connected to the payout control unit 240A via the relay terminal plate 240C so that bidirectional communication is possible, and the rental button 5c is connected via the relay terminal plate 240C and the ball rental display substrate 410. Are connected to the return button 5q. Further, the main control unit 200A is connected to the payout control unit 240A so as to be capable of bidirectional communication.

  The payout control unit 240A is responsible for various types of control related to so-called ball rental and prize ball payout. For example, when the player operates the lending button 5c and the return button 5q, the operation signal is transmitted from the ball lending display board 410 to the prize ball paying apparatus (paying apparatus) 109 via the relay terminal board 240C.

  Further, when the main control unit 200A outputs a prize ball payout command, the payout control part 240A receives this command and outputs a drive signal to the payout motor 109m, whereby the prize ball is paid out. The game balls to be paid out are detected by two payout switches (the front payout switch 109a and the rear payout switch 109b) and input to the payout control unit 240A. Further, the number of prize balls paid out is also detected by the count switch 109c and counted by the main controller 200A. Further, the payout control unit 240A outputs a signal for allowing the game ball to be launched (a launch permission signal) toward the launch control unit 260A under the control of the main control unit 200A. The launch control unit 260A performs various controls for launching the game ball in response to the launch permission signal.

  Next, the input / output relationship of signals or commands to the sub-control unit 220A (sub-control board 220) will be described. As described above, the sub-control unit 220A (sub-control board 220) is connected to the effect display control board 222 and various boards such as the amplifier board 224, the decoration drive board 226, and the effect button board 228. Further, as described above, when the sub control unit 220A receives various production commands from the main control unit 200A, the sub control unit 220A interprets the content of the command, and (a) the specific display content on the central display device 27 (B) Sound effects output from the speakers SP1 to SP4, and (c) specific modes of lighting or blinking of various LEDs and lamps 4b to 4f are determined. Next, the drive signal (various symbol control commands) of the central display device 27 is output to the effect display control unit 222A, and the effect symbols are displayed in a variable stop state. At this time, with respect to some data such as the character symbols and background symbols to be displayed, data stored in the central display device 27 or the effect display ROM 27r (see FIG. 11) built in the effect display control board 222 is used. use.

  Sound effects are output from the speakers SP <b> 1 to SP <b> 4 by outputting an audio signal to the amplifier board 224 in accordance with the pseudo-pattern variation stop display. In addition, by supplying signals to the decorative drive board 226 and outputting drive signals for the various LED lamps 4b to 4h and 4G from the decorative drive board 226, various lamps (LEDs 4b to 4h, 4G, etc.) are turned on.・ Controls blinking operation. Further, when the player operates the effect button SW provided on the front side of the upper plate member 5, this operation signal is supplied to the sub-control unit 220A. The sub-control unit 220A is configured to reflect the operation result in various effects including the central display device 27 based on the supplied operation signal.

(3) Special Symbol Display Mode As described above, in this gaming machine 1, there are two types of display, a fixed display indicating the result of the determination of success / failure and an effect display (fluctuation display) performed before this fixed display. It is executed simultaneously in the symbol display device (lower right display device 60 and central display device 27). Here, the special symbol (special symbol indicated by turning on and off the LEDs 62a to 62g) displayed on the lower right display device 60 (that is, the special symbol display unit 62) is “main symbol”. In the gaming machine 1, the display mode (at least “stop symbol” and “variation time”) is determined in the “main control unit 200A (described later)” that governs the basic progression of the game.

  On the other hand, the special symbol displayed on the display screen 27a of the central display device 27 is a “pseudo symbol”, and “a sub-control unit 220A that controls a game effect under the control of the main control unit 200A (described later). ) "Determines the variation mode and the stop symbol. Usually, this “pseudo symbol” is displayed for the same amount of time as this symbol, and the “display contents (big hit, miss, etc.)” of this “pseudo symbol” stop symbol is the stop symbol of this symbol. It is assumed that there is no contradiction with “display contents (big hit, miss, etc.)”.

  Next, the display mode of these special symbols will be described. First, in the lower right display device 60, every time a display execution condition as a result of the determination is met, the “special symbol display unit 62” of the lower right display device 60 is used to start the variable display of this symbol. When this variable display period elapses, stop display (definite display) of this symbol is executed. And, there are the following modes for the stop display of this symbol.

i) Big hit Stop display (definite display) of this symbol is performed by turning on two LEDs as shown in the column in FIG. 13B, or 3 symbols as shown in the column in FIG. This is a case where the LED is turned on. In addition, the stop symbol that triggers the jackpot (a symbol that is displayed when two or three LEDs are turned on) is referred to as a “hit symbol”. The game state is a special game state (big hit state), and a special game (big hit game) is executed. When the gaming state of the gaming machine becomes a special gaming state, the big winning opening 31a of the big winning device 31 is opened to a state where the winning is easy, and a profit accompanied with a large amount of prize balls is given to the player.

  However, among the “big hits”, as shown in the middle column of FIG. 13C, when the three LEDs are turned on, the determination result is “big hit” and “probability fluctuation” The result of the lottery of whether or not to perform (hereinafter referred to as “probable lottery”, and in this embodiment, if the type of this symbol is determined by random lottery, the result of the probable lottery will be determined) ” It shows that it is "winning". On the other hand, as shown in the middle column of FIG. 13B, among the “big hits”, those that are performed with two LEDs turned on are “hit”, but the “probable lottery” The result of indicates that it is “out”. Hereinafter, a case where the result of the success / failure determination is a big win and the result of the probability variation lottery is also a win, is referred to as “probability winning”, and the result of the success / failure determination is a jackpot but the result of the probability variation lottery is a loss. Is called “normal hit”.

ii) Disengagement As shown in the middle column of FIG. 11A, when one LED is lit on the “special symbol display portion 62”, it indicates that the determination result is “disappear”. In this case, the result of “probability lottery” is also out of date.

iii) Pseudo symbol (directing symbol)
Also in the central display device 27, each time a display execution condition for the result of the determination (determination result symbol) is satisfied, the pseudo symbol variation display is started on the display screen 27a. When the variable display period elapses, pseudo symbol stop display (determined display) is executed. At this time, the pseudo symbol stop display also displays the result of the determination as to whether or not it is the same as the stop symbol of the main symbol.

  On the display screen 27a of the central display device 27, as shown in FIG. 12 (b), when the pseudo symbol variable display is started, three pseudo symbol display portions 27b to 27d appear, and each pseudo symbol display portion In 27b to 27d, variable display using “pseudo symbols”, stop display, and the like are performed. This pseudo-pattern variation display shows that the numbers from “1” to “9” are displayed in this order, and then the numbers from “1” to “9” are displayed again in this order. Consists of repeated “circular display”. Further, when the pseudo symbol display units 27b to 27d start the variable display, the background screen display unit 27h is displayed by other parts of the display screen 27a. And on this background screen display part 27h, a background design can be displayed or a character design can be displayed with this background screen.

  The confirmed symbols (determination result symbols) that are confirmed and displayed in the pseudo symbol display portions 27b to 27d have the modes shown in the right columns of FIGS. 13 (a) to (c). That is, “stop symbol indicating disengagement (determination result symbol)” in the right column of FIG. 13 (a) and stop symbol indicating the big hits (determination result symbol) shown in the right columns of FIGS. 13 (b) and 13 (c) ” There is. Among these, the “stop symbol indicating a big hit” is configured by arranging three “numbers” of “1” to “9”. However, if this “big hit” is a probability variation, odd numbers are aligned, and if it is a normal hit, even numbers are aligned. In addition, the display mode of the special symbol display unit 62 is not limited to that illustrated in this embodiment.

(4) Outline of Fluctuation Production Game When a start winning is generated and the “display execution condition” regarding the result of the determination of success / failure is satisfied, the special symbol display portions 62a to 62g of the lower right display device 60 shown in FIG. Display (variation display) is started, and, as shown in FIGS. 14A to 14C, variation effect display using pseudo symbols is started in the pseudo symbol display portions 27 b to 27 d of the central display device 27. Then, after a predetermined fluctuation time has elapsed, the stop symbol of the special symbol (the main symbol and the pseudo symbol) is fixedly displayed on both the special symbol display units 62a to 62g and the pseudo symbol display units 27b to 27d.

  Note that the “out-of-display” illustrated in FIG. 14A is “out-of-display with no reach effect (so-called“ normally out ”)”, and the “out-of-display” illustrated in FIG. 14B is “reach”. This is a display accompanied by an effect (so-called “outgoing reach”). Note that the reach display (reach effect) means, for example, that a symbol other than the symbol that is finally stopped (hereinafter referred to as “final stop symbol”) is stopped at a predetermined symbol during the change display (effect display). It is a stunning display showing that there is a possibility that a jackpot display may be made depending on the type of the final stop symbol. For example, if the stop symbol of multiple symbols is the same symbol, when the big hit display is completed, the symbols other than the final stop symbol are stopped at the same symbol, ) Indicates an indication that there is a possibility.

  As shown in FIG. 14 (c), when a definite display (big hit display) is made to the effect that the result of the success / failure determination is “big hit” using “a special symbol (pseudo symbol) stop symbol”, After the “reach display” is performed during the change of the special symbol (pseudo symbol), this fixed display is performed. When this “big hit display” is made, after executing “shift display for shifting to big hit” or the like, the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 shifts to the big hit state, and the big hit game is started. When shifting to the big hit state, unit driving is performed on the opening / closing plate 31b (opening / closing member). In this “unit drive”, the position of the opening / closing plate 31b (opening / closing member) is changed from the position of closing the big prize opening 31a (hereinafter referred to as “closed position”) to the position of opening the big prize opening 31a (hereinafter, “ The position of the opening / closing plate 31b (opening / closing member) is changed to the closing position after the opening position is maintained for a first time (for example, a time selected from 20 seconds to 30 seconds). It is constituted by “opening / closing operation of the opening / closing plate 31b (opening / closing member)”.

  When this “unit drive” is executed a total of 15 times with a predetermined interval time in between, the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is returned from the big hit gaming state to the normal gaming state. The game mode of the gaming machine 1 is maintained in the normal game mode after the end of the jackpot gaming state resulting from the normal hit, and after the end of the jackpot gaming state resulting from the probability hit. The game mode of the gaming machine 1 is changed from the normal game mode to the probability variation mode.

(5) Transmission of command from main control unit 200A to sub-control unit 220A The gaming machine 1 of this embodiment performs various controls in order to realize the above-described “variable effect display” and the like. When executing this control, various commands are transmitted from the main control unit 200A (main control board 200) to the sub control unit 220A (sub control board 220). Next, how the command is transmitted will be described with reference to the schematic diagram of FIG.

  The main control unit 200A and the sub control unit 220A are connected by a 9-bit width parallel signal cable. Of these, one bit is allocated for outputting a strobe signal, and the remaining eight bits are allocated for command output. When a command is output from the main control unit 200A to the sub-control unit 220A, first, command data for 8 bits is output to an 8-bit signal cable assigned for command output, and then A 1-bit strobe signal is output. Further, the sub control unit 220A can reliably read the command transmitted from the main control unit 200A by reading the command data at the rising timing of the strobe signal. Here, examples of commands output from the main control unit 200A (main control board 200) to the sub control unit 220A (sub control board 220) include those illustrated in FIG. 15B. That is, there are (A) an effect pattern designation command (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “CHP”), (B) a special symbol stop information designation command (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “CJS”), and the like. . The effect pattern designation command (also referred to as a variation pattern designation command) is a command for starting the variation of the pseudo symbol and designating the variation time of the pseudo symbol.

(6) Overview of Game Ball Normal Lending Control Process and Dummy Lending Control Process Next, referring to FIGS. 16 to 21, a lending control process for actually renting a game ball (hereinafter referred to as “normal lending control process”). )) And a dummy lending control process that does not actually lend gaming balls.

a. Normal Lending Control Process First, the normal lending control process will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17. In this normal lending control process, the payout control unit 240A first outputs a “PRDY signal (game machine operation signal)” to the CR unit 80 (step 2a), and the CR unit 80 receives this (step 3a). In the following description, the processing step is simply displayed as “S” (for example, “S2a”). The CR unit 80 outputs a power supply signal (VL signal) to the payout control unit 240A. The payout control unit 240A determines whether the CR unit 80 is connected or not based on the input state of the VL signal. In addition, the payout control unit 240A maintains the state in which the PRDY signal is output to the CR unit 80 when “the game ball can be rented out by the prize ball payout device (payout device) 109”.

  A predetermined amount of bills (may be a specified amount of coins) is inserted into the bill insertion slot 81 of the CR unit 80, or a card (prepaid card) in which necessary frequency balance information is stored is inserted into the card slot 84. Assuming that the lending button 5c is operated, a lending operation signal (a signal indicating that the lending button 5c has been operated) is transmitted to the CR unit 80 via the ball lending display board 410 and the relay terminal board 240C. Is output (see FIG. 9). When the CR unit 80 receives this lending operation signal (S3b; YES), the CR unit 80 sends a CR unit REDY signal (a card unit REDY signal, hereinafter referred to as a “BRDY signal”) to the payout control unit 240A. "On information" (S3c, S2b), and then a loan request completion confirmation signal (a terminal terminal loan request completion confirmation signal, hereinafter referred to as a "BRQ signal"). On-information "is transmitted (S3d). Here, the CR unit REDY signal (BRDY signal) is a signal for transmitting that the CR unit 80 is in the lending process, and the lending request completion confirmation signal (BRQ signal) is the basic unit (25 units) for the CR unit 80. ) Is a signal requesting rental of game balls.

  When the payout control unit 240A receives the “ON information” of the lending request completion confirmation signal (BRQ signal) (S2c), the payout control unit 240A has a predetermined monitoring time (the RRQ request acknowledgment ACK monitoring time, which is 100 ms, for example, in FIG. B), a lending completion signal (a terminal lending completion signal, hereinafter referred to as “EXS signal”) is started up (the EXS signal is turned on) and transmitted to the CR unit 80 (S2d). When the CR unit 80 receives the “ON information” of the lending completion signal (EXS signal) (S3e), the CR unit 80 has a predetermined monitoring time (lending instruction monitoring time, for example, less than 251 ms, and is denoted by reference symbol C in FIG. The output state of the lending request completion confirmation signal (BRQ signal) is stopped after a predetermined time) (S3f, the BRQ signal is switched from on to off). When the payout control unit 240A detects the stop of the lending request completion confirmation signal (BRQ signal) (that is, receives the BRQ signal OFF information) (S2e), the payout motor 109m is driven and the number of units (basic unit; 25) gaming balls are lent out (S2f).

  In other words, the drive control means (program) for controlling the driving of the payout motor 109m outputs the lending request completion confirmation signal (BRQ signal) in a state in which the gaming machine 1 outputs the on information of the lending completion signal (EXS signal). On the condition that off information is detected, the payout motor 109m is driven to rent out a unit number (basic unit: 25) of game balls (S2f). That is, “the state in which the on information of the lending completion signal (EXS signal) is output and the off information of the lending request completion confirmation signal (BRQ signal) is output” constitutes a driving signal for driving the dispensing motor 109m. ing. Further, when the lending of the unit number of game balls is completed, the lending information is transmitted from the payout control unit 240A to the main control unit 200A (S2g, S1a).

  When a predetermined monitoring time (the payout monitoring time, which is the time required for paying out a unit number of game balls, which is indicated by the symbol D in FIG. 17) elapses, the payout of the unit number of game balls is completed. The control unit 240A stops the output state of the lending completion signal (EXS signal) (although the EXS signal is switched from ON to OFF), but the CR unit 80 detects the stop of the output state of the EXS signal (S3g), that is, When the OFF information of the EXS signal is received (3g), the number of times of reception is counted using a predetermined counter (S3h), and the frequency stored in the CR unit 80 (card storing frequency balance information) The balance is rewritten. At this time, the frequency LED signal is transmitted from the CR unit 80 to the ball rental display board 410 (S3i), and the value balance (valuable balance) is displayed on the balance display portion 5r (see FIGS. 1 and 10). That is, every time the prize ball payout device (payout device) 109 is driven once (every 25 game balls are paid out), the display of the balance display portion 5r is updated.

  Furthermore, if there are continuous loans, the above process is repeated a predetermined number of times. Here, in the CR unit 80, the “game ball lending unit price” and “the number of times the prize ball paying device 109 (dispensing motor 109m) is driven by one operation performed on the lending button 5c” by the game hall manager in advance. And are set. Then, “the number of times the prize ball paying device 109 (the payout motor 109m) is driven by one operation performed on the lending button 5c” is the number of times of receiving “EXS signal OFF information”. For this reason, the CR unit 80 determines whether or not the “payout associated with one operation performed on the lending button 5c” is completed based on the number of receptions counted in “S3g processing” (S3j), and ends. If not, “processing from S3d” is repeated until a positive determination is obtained in “processing of S3j”.

  If an affirmative determination is obtained in “processing of S3j” (S3h; YES), the CR unit 80 stops outputting the BRDY signal, and outputs OFF information of the BRDY signal to the payout control unit 240A (S3k). , “Lending (lending process) associated with one operation performed on the lending button 5c” is terminated. Accordingly, when the payout control unit 240A receives the OFF information of the BRDY signal (S2i), a payout completion signal is transmitted from the payout control unit 240A to the main control unit 200A. (S2k, S1d). In the present specification, “operation to be performed on the lending button 5c” means an effective operation to be performed on the lending button 5c, and “performed during lending processing associated with one operation performed on the lending button 5c. “Operation (meaningless operation that does not lead to lending processing)” is excluded.

b. Dummy Lending Control Process First, the dummy lending control process will be described with reference to FIGS. This dummy lending control process is started when the gaming machine 1 is turned on (S1d; YES). When the gaming machine 1 is powered on (S1d; YES), the payout control unit 240A is supplied with power using the CR unit 80 (already using a power source means different from the power source means of the gaming machine 1). )) (PRDY signal (game machine operation signal)) is output (step 2a), and the CR unit 80 receives this (step 3a). When the gaming machine 1 is powered on (S1d; YES), the main control unit 200 performs a process of generating a dummy lending operation signal and transmitting it to the payout control unit 240A (S1e). Here, the dummy lending operation signal (referred to as “dummy lending signal” in the figure) is a signal that acts as if the lending button 5c is operated even though the lending button 5c is not operated. When the CR unit 80 receives this dummy lending operation signal, the CR unit 80 performs substantially the same processing as when the lending operation signal is received. This point will be described later.

  When the payout control unit 240A receives the dummy lending operation signal (S2k), a process of setting a dummy flag (S2l) and a process of transferring the dummy lending operation signal to the CR unit 80 (S2m) are performed. When the CR unit 80 receives the dummy lending operation signal (S3l), a process for forcibly starting the dummy lending is performed (S3m). That is, as described above, in the normal lending control process, in order to start lending game balls, a predetermined amount of banknotes (which may be a predetermined amount of coins) is inserted into the banknote insertion slot 81 of the CR unit 80. Alternatively, it is assumed that a card (prepaid card) in which necessary frequency balance information is stored is inserted into the card slot 84. However, in the dummy lending control process, dummy lending is forcibly started even if this premise is not satisfied. The dummy lending control process is executed when the gaming machine 1 is turned on. When the power is turned on, a predetermined amount of bills is normally not inserted into the bill insertion slot 81, and necessary frequency balance information is stored. This is because the inserted card is not inserted into the card slot 84.

  The CR unit 80 that has started the dummy loan transmits “ON information” of the CR unit REDY signal (BRDY signal) to the payout control unit 240A (S3n, S2n), and then a loan request completion confirmation signal (BRQ signal). ) Is transmitted (S3o).

  When the payout control unit 240A receives the “on information” of the lending request completion confirmation signal (BRQ signal) (S2c), a predetermined monitoring time (the RRQ request acknowledgment ACK monitoring time, which is indicated by the symbol B in FIG. 21) , A lending completion signal (EXS signal) is raised (EXS signal is turned on) and transmitted to the CR unit 80 (S2p). Further, when the CR unit 80 receives the “ON information” of the lending completion signal (EXS signal) (S3p), the CR monitoring unit 80 has a predetermined monitoring time (lending support monitoring time, for example, less than 251 ms, and is denoted by reference symbol C in FIG. The output state of the lending request completion confirmation signal (BRQ signal) is stopped after a predetermined time) (S3q, the BRQ signal is switched from on to off).

  In this dummy lending control process, the payout control unit 240A detects a stop of the lending request completion confirmation signal (BRQ signal) (receives BRQ signal OFF information) (S2q), and at the same time, the payout control unit 240A receives the lending completion signal. The output state of the (EXS signal) is stopped (the EXS signal is switched from on to off). That is, in the above-described normal lending control process, as shown in FIG. 21A, after the payout control unit 240A detects the stop of the lending request completion confirmation signal (BRQ signal) (S2e), a predetermined monitoring time ( While waiting for the payout monitoring time (the time indicated by the symbol D in FIG. 17), the output state of the loan completion signal (EXS signal) is stopped. In the dummy loan control process, the payout control unit 240A issues a loan request. When detecting the stop of the completion confirmation signal (BRQ signal) (S2q), the output state of the lending completion signal (EXS signal) is immediately stopped without waiting for a predetermined monitoring time (time indicated by reference sign D in FIG. 17). ing. Therefore, in the dummy lending control process, pseudo lending (dummy lending) is performed without driving the payout motor 109m.

  When this pseudo lending is performed, lending information is transmitted from the payout control unit 240A to the main control unit 200A (S2r, S1f). Further, when the CR unit 80 detects stop of the output state of the EXS signal (S3r), that is, receives the OFF information of the EXS signal (3r), it counts the number of receptions using a predetermined counter (S3s). Here, the OFF information of the EXS signal constitutes a specific example of “dummy lending information”.

  At this time, unlike the above-described normal lending control process, “the process of rewriting the frequency balance stored in the CR unit 80 (card storing frequency balance information)” is not actually performed. If a loan is made to the terminal, a frequency LED signal for specifying a value balance (valuable balance) that should be consumed is transmitted from the CR unit 80 to the ball rental display board 410 (S3t). That is, every time the CR unit 80 detects a stop of the output state of the EXS signal once (S3r), “to identify the value balance (valuable balance) that should be consumed for paying out 25 game balls. Is sent to the ball rental display board 410 (S3t).

  Furthermore, if pseudo lending is performed continuously, the above processing is repeated a predetermined number of times. Here, in the CR unit 80, as described above, the “game ball lending unit price” and “the prize ball paying device 109 (payout motor 109m) associated with one operation applied to the lending button 5c by the game hall administrator in advance. ) ”Is set. Since the “number of times the driving of the prize ball payout device 109 (the payout motor 109m) with one operation performed on the lending button 5c” is nothing but the number of times of receiving “EXS signal OFF information”, the CR unit 80 sets “S3s. Judgment is made based on the number of receptions (dummy lending result) counted in "Processing of No.", and "Receive the same number of receptions as the number of receptions associated with one operation performed on the lending button 5c" has been completed. If not completed (S3u), "processing from S3d" is repeated until an affirmative determination is obtained in "processing of S3u".

  If an affirmative determination is obtained in “processing of S3u” (S3u; YES), the CR unit 80 stops outputting the BRDY signal, and outputs OFF information of the BRDY signal to the payout control unit 240A (S3v). The “dummy lending process” is terminated. Accordingly, when the payout control unit 240A receives the OFF information of the BRDY signal (S2i), a payout completion signal is transmitted from the payout control unit 240A to the main control unit 200A. (S2t, S1h).

(7) Outline of Game Control by Main Control Unit 200A FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a rough flow of game control processing executed by the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200. This game control process is automatically started when the CPU 201 reads out the program stored in the ROM 203 when the gaming machine 1 is powered on or the reset switch is pressed.

  In this game control process, when the gaming machine 1 is powered on or the reset switch is pressed (S5; YES), first, a power-on process is performed (S10). Thereafter, until the power is turned off (until an affirmative determination is made in S950), a demonstration display process (S50), a prize ball payout process (S145), a normal symbol game process (S150), a normal electric accessory Each process such as a game process (S200), a special symbol game process (S400), and a special electric accessory game process (S900) is repeatedly executed. Since the time required for one round of processing in FIG. 22 is about 4 msec, these processes are repeatedly executed every about 4 msec.

  The above-mentioned CTC (counter / timer circuit) is set to generate an interrupt every about 2 msec. When an interrupt is generated by CTC, various random numbers are updated and various game balls are detected. For example, processing for detecting the state of the switch is performed. In the game control shown in FIG. 22, the normal symbol game processing (S150), the normal electric power generation are performed while generating various interrupts and detecting the game state by generating interrupts almost twice during the round of the control. An accessory game process (S200), a special symbol game process (S400), and a special electric accessory game process (S900) are performed. During these processes, various signals are transmitted to various control boards including the sub-control board 220. By doing so, the game of the entire gaming machine 1 proceeds. Hereinafter, the game control process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

a. Power-on process (S10)
As shown in FIG. 23, in the power-on process (S10), operation check of the CPU 201, initialization of the RAM 202, processing for initializing each control unit such as the payout control unit 240A, the sub control unit 220A, and the like are performed. (S11). Next, the CPU 201 performs a process of specifying a command (hereinafter referred to as a “first gaming machine designation command”) that designates its own model or the classification of specifications as the gaming machine 1 (S13). Note that the first gaming machine designation command transmitted in the power-on process (S10) is set at the time of gaming machine design so as to transmit a predetermined one.

  Based on the first gaming machine designation command, the game control is set (a process for setting the spec and storing it in the RAM 202), and a process for transmitting the first gaming machine designation command to the sub-control unit 220A is performed (S25). Here, the “spec of the gaming machine 1” can exemplify a jackpot probability that a jackpot is made in the determination of success / failure described later. As shown in FIG. 26, in this embodiment, the first gaming machine designation command causes “spec A (so-called full spec)” with a jackpot probability “1/400”, “spec” with “1/300”. B "(so-called middle spec)" and "1/100" "spec B (so-called digital spec)". However, the “specs of the gaming machine 1” includes various settings relating to the progress of the game, such as the number of rounds of the big hit game, the type of special symbol that is in a probable change state, or the number of time reductions when performing the time reduction described later. It can also be.

  Next, the CPU 201 performs a process of specifying a command for specifying its own usage mode (hereinafter referred to as a “second gaming machine specification command”) (that is, a usage mode specifying process) (S20). And while setting game control based on this 2nd game machine designation | designated command (a process which sets a use aspect and memorize | stores in RAM202), the process which transmits this 2nd game machine designation | designated command to 220 A of sub-control parts is performed ( S47). Here, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 24 and FIG. 25, the second gaming machine designation command is identified by the usage mode identification process (S20), and the gaming machine 1 is identified based on the second gaming machine designation command. The usage mode is “Usage mode using game balls lent out at 4 yen per ball (4 yen pachinko)” or “Usage mode using game balls lent out at 1 yen per ball” (1 yen pachinko) It is specified whether there is.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 24, the usage mode specifying process (S20) will be described with reference to FIG. 25. In this usage mode specifying process (S20), the main control unit 200A, first, the payout control unit 240A, the relay A “dummy lending operation signal” is transmitted to the CR unit 80 via the terminal board 240C (S23). When the main control unit 200A receives the “dummy lending information transmitted by the payout control unit 240A” (S26), the main control unit 200A counts the number of times of reception using a predetermined counter (for example, set in the RAM 202) (S29). . Here, the “dummy lending information” in S29 is information indicating that the “EXS signal OFF information” has been output, and from the payout control unit 240A to the main control unit 200A each time the aforementioned pseudo lending is performed. This is information to be transmitted (see processing in S5110 described later).

  By the way, in the normal lending process, the output state of the lending completion signal (EXS signal) is stopped, and lending of the unit number (basic unit; 25 pieces) of gaming balls from the prize ball paying device (paying device) 109 is completed. Each time, the prize ball payout device (payout device) 109 completes one drive. Then, as shown in FIG. 16, information indicating that the output state of the lending completion signal (EXS signal) is stopped is transmitted from the payout control unit 240A to the main control unit 200A (S2g), and is sent by the main control unit 200A. It is counted (S1b). Then, the main control unit 200A obtains “the number of receptions of lending information”, that is, the number of times of driving the prize ball paying device (paying device) 109 as “regular lending result information” by the processing of S1a and S1b. become. That is, the main control unit 200A determines “the number of times the prize ball paying device 109 (the payout motor 109m) is driven by one operation performed on the loan button 5c” according to the number of times of receiving the OFF information of the loan completion signal (EXS signal). It will be detected.

  On the other hand, the main control unit 200A also displays “information indicating that the output state of the lending completion signal (EXS signal) has been stopped” as “dummy lending” by the processing of S26 and S29 in this usage mode specifying process (S20). Income will be obtained as “result information”. That is, the main controller 200A determines that “the number of times that the prize ball payout device 109 (the payout motor 109m) should have been driven (virtual number of times of drive) if the lending button 5c is subjected to a single operation”. Can be detected by the number of times of receiving OFF information of the lending completion signal (EXS signal). That is, the main control unit 200A acquires “dummy lending information reception count” as “dummy lending result information” by the processing of S26 and S29.

  Then, the main control unit 200A determines whether or not the “dummy lending process based on one dummy lending operation signal” has been completed (S32), and if it has not been completed (S32; NO), once the usage mode is specified. The process (S20) is terminated and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. On the other hand, if completed (S32; YES), the process proceeds to S35 and subsequent steps. Here, the determination as to whether or not the “dummy lending process based on one dummy lending operation signal” has been completed (S32) is whether or not a “lending completion signal” has been transmitted from the payout control unit 240A to the main control unit 200A. (That is, whether or not the payout control unit 240A has received the OFF information of the BRDY signal). However, the payout control unit 240A transfers the ON information and OFF information of the BRDY signal to the main control unit 200A, and the process of S32 depends on whether the main control unit 200A receives the OFF information of the BRDY signal. You may make a judgment.

  In the process of S35, it is determined whether or not the reception frequency of the dummy lending information received in the process of S26 is “20 times” (S35). Here, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 24, “500 yen” of game balls are paid out by “lending accompanying one lending operation to the lending button 5 c (normal lending)”. The CR unit 80 is set. Further, in normal lending, when the number of OFF information reception of the lending completion signal (EXS signal) is “20 times”, “500 balls” game balls are paid out. On the other hand, if the number of receptions is “20 times”, when the CR unit 80 is set for 1 yen pachinko (when the lending unit price of the game ball is set to 1 yen), “apply to the lending button 5c. The amount spent on “lending with one lending operation” is “500 yen”, but the CR unit 80 is set for 4 yen pachinko (the gaming unit lending unit price is set to 4 yen) ), The amount spent on “lending associated with one lending operation performed on the lending button 5c” is “2000 yen”.

  Therefore, if the CR unit 80 is set for one-yen pachinko or four-yen pachinko, if the determination in S35 is affirmative, the CR unit 80 is set for one-yen pachinko. When a negative determination is made in the process of S35, it indicates that the CR unit 80 is set for a 4-yen pachinko. In this embodiment, it is clear that the CR unit 80 is set so that “500 yen” of game balls are paid out by lending in accordance with “one operation” performed on the lending button 5c. Therefore, when a negative determination is made in the process of S35 (when the CR unit 80 is set for any one of four-yen pachinko), the number of receptions is “5”.

  However, unlike the present embodiment, even if the amount of money spent on “lending with one lending operation performed on the lending button 5c” is not clear, the CPU 201 determines that the lending result information (number of receptions) is 1 by the processing of S35. It is possible to determine (specify) whether it is loan result information (reception count) for yen pachinko or loan result information (reception count) for 4 yen pachinko. That is, as shown in FIG. 45, the CR unit 80 is normally set so that the amount of money spent on “lending accompanying one lending operation performed on the lending button 5c” is “1000 yen or less”. If the number of receptions is “20 times”, the CPU 201 can determine that it is lending result information (number of receptions) for 1 yen pachinko. That is, when the CR unit 80 is set for any one of the four-yen pachinko machines, the number of receptions is often “5” or “10”. Also, as shown in FIG. 45, the CR unit 80 is normally set so that the amount spent for “lending with one lending operation performed on the lending button 5c” is “100 yen unit”. If the number of receptions is “odd number”, the CPU 201 can determine that the result is loan result information (number of receptions) for 4-yen pachinko.

  If an affirmative determination is made in the process of S35 (S35; YES), the CPU 201 performs a process of specifying the “second gaming machine designation command” as a command for 1 yen pachinko (S38), and then proceeds to the process of S41. To do. If a negative determination is made in the process of S35 (S35; NO), the CPU 201 performs the process of specifying the “second gaming machine designation command” as a command for a 4-yen pachinko (S40), and then the process of S41 Migrate to Here, the “second gaming machine designation command” shown in S38 and the “second gaming machine designation command” shown in S40 constitute a specific example of “aspect identification information”, and these are mounted on the main control board 200. Stored in the ROM 203. This ROM 203 constitutes a specific example of “mode identification information storage means”. In addition, the processes of S35, S38, and S40 constitute a specific example of the process as “mode identification information selection means” performed by the main control unit 200A.

  In the process of S41, the CPU 201 sets game control based on the second gaming machine designation command specified in the process of S38 or S40 (a process of setting the usage mode and storing it in the RAM 202), and the second gaming machine. Processing for transmitting the specified command to the sub-control unit 220A is performed (S124). Thereafter, the counter is initialized, and the process of resetting the “number of receptions of dummy lending information” is performed (S43). Then, the usage mode specifying process (S20) is terminated and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. . Note that the processing of S41 constitutes a specific example of processing as “control mode setting means” performed by the main control unit 200A.

b. Demo display process (S50)
Subsequent to the power-on process (S10), a demo display process (S50) shown in FIG. 27 is performed. Here, the demonstration display (demonstration display) is a display performed to attract the player's attention when the gaming machine 1 is in a so-called customer waiting state (that is, during a non-game).

  When starting the demonstration display process (S50), the CPU 201 first determines whether or not the touch switch 9a (see FIG. 1) provided on the firing handle 9 is ON (S52). If the player is touching the launch handle 9, the touch switch 9a is ON (S522; YES), and it is determined that the customer is not waiting, the demo display is unnecessary, so the demo display process (S50). ) Immediately ends, and the process returns to the game control process of FIG.

  On the other hand, if the touch switch 9a is OFF (S52; NO), there is a possibility that the customer is waiting. Therefore, an elapsed time in which the touch switch 9a is continuously OFF is detected (S54), and whether or not the elapsed time in which the touch switch 9a is continuously OFF has reached a predetermined time (for example, 2 minutes) is determined. Judgment is made (S56). If the elapsed time has not reached the predetermined time (S56; NO), it is determined that the customer is not in a waiting state, the demonstration display process (S50) is terminated, and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. On the other hand, if the elapsed time has reached the predetermined time (S56; YES), after outputting a demonstration effect command from the main control unit 200A to the sub-control unit 220A (S58), the game control process of FIG. Return.

c. Prize ball payout processing The CPU 101 mounted on the main control board 200 performs a process of paying out game balls as prize balls (prize ball payout process) (S145). That is, the state of the start winning detection switch 17s is detected to determine whether or not a game ball has entered. If a game ball has entered, this information is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 202 mounted on the main control board 200. Based on the information stored on the RAM 202, a prize ball payout signal is output toward the payout control board 240. If the winning information for the start winning detection switch 17s has already been stored in the RAM 202, an appropriate payout number including the previously stored information is designated and a prize ball command (payout) Signal).

  When outputting a prize ball command (payout signal) from the main control unit 200A to the payout control unit 240A, first, a strobe signal is output toward the payout control unit 240A (payout control board 240), and then signal data is output. To do. On the other hand, when the CPU mounted on the payout control board 240 constituting the payout control unit 240A receives the prize ball command (payout signal), the CPU interprets the content of the signal and pays out the payout mounted on the prize ball payout device 109. A driving signal is output to the motor 109m to pay out a prize ball. The prize ball payout device 109 is provided with two payout switches (front payout switch 109a and rear payout switch 109b) for detecting the payout game balls. While detecting each, a process of paying out the number of prize balls designated by the prize ball command (payout signal) is performed.

  In relation to the prize ball payout process, the “CPU mounted on the payout control board 240 constituting the payout control unit 240A” performs the “payout control process (S5000)” shown in FIG. In this payout control process (S5000), first, it is determined whether or not a prize ball command (payout signal) has been received from the main control board 200 (S5001). Here, the prize ball command is a command output from the main control board 200 to the payout control board 240, and is a command indicating the number of game balls to be paid out as prize balls.

  When this prize ball command (payout signal) is received (S5001; YES), the number of game balls designated by this prize ball command (payout signal) is calculated (added) to the number of acquired game balls, and the payout control board is calculated. After performing the process of storing in a predetermined area of the RAM mounted on 240 (S5002), the process proceeds to S5004 and subsequent processes. Here, the acquired number of game balls (the number of game balls not paid out) is the number of game balls that have been paid out by a prize ball command (payout signal) but have not been paid out yet. The number of acquired game balls (the number of unpaid game balls) is decremented by “1” every time one game ball is paid out as a prize ball. However, when a prize ball command (payout signal) is received, The specified number of game balls is added. On the other hand, if no prize ball command (payout signal) is received (S5001; NO), the process of calculating (adding) the number of acquired game balls (S5002) is skipped, and the process proceeds to S5004 and subsequent processes.

  After S5004, the CPU of the payout control board 240 checks whether or not an abnormality related to payout has occurred (S5004, S5006, S5008, S5010, S5012). That is, whether a communication abnormality has occurred with the main control board 200 or the dispensing device (dispensing motor 109m) (S5004), or an abnormality has occurred in the prize ball dispensing device (dispensing device) 109 (S5006). It is determined whether or not the ball is out of state (S5008), whether or not the tray is full (S5010), and whether or not the payout motor 109m is empty (S5012). If any abnormality has occurred, a process for notifying the abnormality (error) (S5016) and a process for canceling the abnormality (error) (S5018) are performed.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that an abnormality relating to payout has not occurred (S5004; NO, S5006; NO, S5008; NO, S5010; NO, S5012; NO), the number of acquired game balls (the number of unpaid game balls) is It is determined whether or not it remains (S5014). If it remains (S5025; YES), a prize ball control process is performed (S5020). In this prize ball control process, the payout motor 109m is rotated to pay out the game balls one by one, and the game balls are detected by the payout switches (the front payout switch 109a and the rear payout switch 109b), and the acquired game each time. The number of balls (unpaid game balls) is subtracted by “1”. This operation is continued until the number of acquired game balls (number of unpaid game balls) becomes “0” or a new prize ball command (payout signal) is transmitted from the main control board 200.

  No abnormality related to payout has occurred (S5004; NO, S5006; NO, S5008; NO, S5010; NO, S5012; NO), and it is determined that the number of acquired game balls (the number of unpaid game balls) does not remain In this case (S5014; NO), the CPU of the payout control board 240 determines whether or not the “dummy lending operation signal” output from the main control unit 200 has been received (S5016). When the CPU of the payout control board 240 determines that the “dummy lending operation signal” has been received (S5015; YES), after setting the “dummy flag” (S5018), the CPU proceeds to the process of S5025, If it is determined that the “lending operation signal” has not been received (S5015; NO), the process proceeds to S5025. Here, the “dummy flag” is a flag indicating that the dummy lending process is executed.

  In the processing of S5025, the CPU of the payout control board 240 determines whether or not a “ball lending signal (consisting of BRDY ON information and BRQ ON information)” has been received from the CR unit 80. When the CPU of the payout control board 240 determines that the “ball lending signal” has been received (S5025; YES), the ball lending control process (S5100) is performed.

  In this ball lending control process (S5100), as shown in FIG. 29, it is determined whether or not a dummy flag is set (S5102). If it is not set (S5102; NO), “normal lending control process” Is executed (S5110), the ball lending control process (S5100) is terminated, and when set (S5102; YES), after executing the "dummy lending control process" (S5170), the ball lending control process (S5100) ) Ends.

  In the normal lending control process (S5110), after the payout control unit 240A receives the “on information” of the lending request completion confirmation signal (BRQ signal) (S5025), as shown in FIG. 30, “RRQ request acknowledgment ACK monitoring time” (Time indicated by reference symbol B in FIG. 17) "Waiting (S5122), the on-information of the lending completion signal (EXS signal) is transmitted to the CR unit 80 (S5125). Then, the payout control unit 240A transmits a lending completion signal (EXS signal), and then waits for a lending instruction monitoring time (time indicated by a symbol C in FIG. 17) to turn off the lending request completion confirmation signal (BRQ signal). Is detected (S5128; YES), the payout motor 109m is driven to lend out a unit number (basic unit; 25) of game balls (S5131).

  At this time, the payout motor 109m is rotated to pay out the game balls one by one (S5131), and this is detected by the payout switches (the front payout switch 109a and the rear payout switch 109b) to count the number of game balls lent out. (S5132). When the number of game balls paid out reaches a specified number (25 in this embodiment) (S5134; YES), the payout control unit 240A transmits the off information of the lending completion signal (EXS signal) to the CR unit 80. (S5137) and a process (S5140) of transmitting a “lending information signal (signal related to lending information)” to the main control unit 200A. In other words, each time the lending of the unit number (basic unit; 25) of the game balls is completed, the payout control unit 240A transmits the off information of the lending completion signal (EXS signal) to the CR unit 80, and the payout control. Lending information is transmitted from unit 240A to main control unit 200A. Note that “the time for the payout motor 109m to lend out the unit number (basic unit; 25) of game balls is the“ payout monitoring time (time indicated by D in FIG. 17) ”shown in FIG. .

  Then, the payout control unit 240A determines whether or not a lending completion signal (OFF information of the BRDY signal) is received from the CR unit 80 (S5143). If not received (S5143; NO), the “lending button 5c Since the “lending accompanying one lending operation performed on” has not been completed, the ball lending control processing (S5100) is once terminated and the processing returns to the “payout control processing (S5000)” shown in FIG. Then, after waiting for a positive determination in S5025, the ball lending control process (S5100) is executed. On the other hand, if a positive determination is made in S5143, a lending completion signal is transmitted from the payout control unit 240A to the main control unit 200A (S5114), and then the ball lending control process (S5100) is terminated.

  In the dummy lending control process (S5170), after the payout control unit 240A receives the “on information” of the lending request completion confirmation signal (BRQ signal) (S5025), as shown in FIG. (Time indicated by reference sign B in FIG. 20) After waiting (S5182), the on-information of the lending completion signal (EXS signal) is transmitted to the CR unit 80 (S5185). Then, after sending out the lending completion signal (EXS signal), the payout control unit 240A waits for the lending instruction monitoring time (the time indicated by the symbol C in FIG. 20) (S5186), the lending request completion confirmation signal (BRQ signal) Simultaneously with detecting the off information, the off information of the lending completion signal (EXS signal) is output to the CR unit 80 (S5188). For this reason, in the dummy lending control process (S5170), even if the off information of the lending request completion confirmation signal (BRQ signal) is detected, the payout motor 109m is not driven.

  Thereafter, the dummy lending information is transmitted from the payout control unit 240A to the main control unit 200A. That is, if it is assumed that information indicating that “off information of the lending completion signal (EXS signal) has been output once”, that is, if the normal lending process (S5110) is performed instead of the dummy lending process (S5170), Information indicating that the payout motor 109m has been driven once is transmitted to the main controller 200A.

  Then, the payout control unit 240A determines whether or not a lending completion signal (BRDY signal OFF information) is received from the CR unit 80 (S5194), and if not received (S5194; NO), Since the “dummy lending process accompanying the output of the dummy lending operation signal” has not ended, the ball lending control process (S5100) is once ended and the process returns to the “payout control process (S5000)” shown in FIG. Then, after waiting for a positive determination in S5025, the ball lending control process (S5100) is executed.

  On the other hand, if a positive determination is made in S5194, a lending completion signal is transmitted from the payout control unit 240A to the main control unit 200A (S5197), the dummy flag is released (S5198), and dummy lending control processing (S5170). Exit. Here, the processing shown in FIG. 31 constitutes a specific example of processing performed by the payout control unit 240A as “dummy lending effective means”.

d. Normal Symbol Game Start Determination Process Next, the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 determines whether or not to start the normal symbol game processing (S150) (S148). If the CPU 201 determines that the normal symbol game is to be started while repeating the game control process of FIG. 22 (S148: YES), the normal symbol game process (S150) described below is started. When the symbol variation start condition is established for the stop symbol indicating the result of the pass / fail lottery performed due to the passage of the normal symbol operating gate 16, a positive determination is made in the processing of S100.

e. Normal Symbol Game Processing When the normal symbol game processing (S150) is started, the normal symbol display unit 56 of the lower left display device 50 starts normal symbol variation display. If the CPU 201 determines that the execution time of the normal symbol variation display has elapsed while repeatedly performing the game control process of FIG. 22, the CPU 201 performs the stop display of the normal symbol stop symbol. In this stop display, the winning symbol (the content is to turn on the lamp device 56a constituting the normal symbol display unit 56) and the off symbol (the lamp device 56a constituting the normal symbol display unit 56 is turned off). Content).

  When the CPU 201 determines that “the symbol has been removed from the normal symbol display section 56 and the execution time of the stop display has elapsed” while repeating the game control process of FIG. 22, the normal symbol game process (S150). End. On the other hand, when the CPU 201 determines that “the symbol is stopped and displayed on the normal symbol display unit 56 and the execution time of the stop display has elapsed” while repeating the game control process of FIG. The operation of 17d is started, and the normal symbol game process (S150) is ended. In this gaming machine 1, when the ordinary electric accessory 17d operates, the ordinary electric accessory solenoid 17c provided therein is driven, and a pair of wing pieces of the second start winning portion 17b constituting the ordinary electric accessory 17d. Is rotated outward, and the second start winning portion 17b is opened.

f. Ordinary Electric Power Game Game Processing If the CPU 201 determines that the normal electric game object 17d is in operation while repeating the game control process of FIG. 22 (S190; YES), the ordinary electric game game process (S200) is performed. Start. When the CPU 201 determines that the operation time of the ordinary electric accessory 17d has passed a predetermined time while repeating the game control process of FIG. 22, the CPU 201 stops the operation of the ordinary electric accessory 17d, and the ordinary electric accessory 17d. The game process is terminated. When the normal electric accessory 17d stops operating, the pair of blade pieces of the second start winning portion 17b returns to the “upright normal state”. However, the CPU 201 may be the start winning device 17 (the first start winning 17a or the first start winning 17b while the ordinary electric accessory 17d (second start winning portion 17b) is opened. .)), It is determined that a predetermined number (for example, 8) of game balls have entered, and even if the predetermined time (opening time is not set), the operation of the ordinary electric accessory 17d is stopped. Then, the ordinary electric game game process is terminated.

  As shown in FIG. 22, in the game control process, when returning from the ordinary electric accessory game process (S200), it is determined whether or not to start the special symbol game process (S300). As a result, when it is determined that the special symbol game process is not started (S300; NO), the special symbol game process (S400) is skipped, and conversely, when it is determined that the special symbol game process is started. (S300; YES), special symbol game processing (S400) is performed.

g. Special symbol game start determination process The special symbol game start determination process is a process for determining whether or not to perform a special symbol game process (S300). This special symbol game start determination process will be described with reference to FIG. Even when it is determined whether or not to start the special symbol game process, first, processing related to the number of special symbols held is performed. Specifically, it is determined whether or not a game ball has entered the start winning device 17 (S302). That is, the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 determines whether “the start winning detection switch 17s has detected the passage of the game ball” or not, thereby performing the process of S302.

  When a winning to the start winning device 17 has occurred (S302; YES), it is determined whether or not the number of reserved special symbols is 4 or more (S304). Here, the data of the special symbol reservation number is written in a predetermined address (the special symbol reservation number memory 202b in FIG. 29) of the RAM 202 mounted on the main control board 200. In S304, this address is stored in this address. The set data is read, and it is determined whether or not the number of reserved special symbols is 4 or more. If the number of reserved special symbols has not reached 4 (S304; NO), the number of reserved special symbols is incremented by 1 (S305), and a random number for determining whether or not the special symbol is successful is obtained (generated / read). The random number value is stored in a predetermined address of the RAM 202 (the special symbol appropriateness determination random number memory 202a in FIG. 35) (S307), and the process proceeds to S310. The special symbol success / failure determination random number memory 202a stores the read determination random number value in the shift memory format in the time series of the start winnings.

  In the process of S304, if it is determined that the number of special symbols held has reached 4 (S304; YES), the process proceeds to S310 without performing the process of S305 or S307.

  When the process related to the special symbol hold is completed in this way, it is determined whether or not the “big hit gaming flag” is set (S310). That is, whether or not “big hit game execution means” (CPU 201 that executes control processing in accordance with a control program related to execution of big hit game stored in ROM 203) is in operation, in other words, “big hit game” is executed. It is determined whether it is in the middle (S780 in FIG. 34).

  If the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 determines in the process of S310 that the “big hit game flag” is set (S310; YES), the special game (that is, the big hit game) is started. In order to avoid this, it is determined that the special symbol game is not started (that is, S300; YES). On the other hand, when the “big hit game flag” is not set (S310; NO), it is determined that the special symbol game is started (S300; YES).

  In step S300 of the game control process shown in FIG. 32, it is determined whether or not a special symbol game is started as described above. If it is determined that the special symbol game is to be started (S300; YES), the special symbol game process (S400) described below is started.

h. Special Symbol Game Processing FIGS. 33 and 34 are flowcharts showing the flow of the special symbol game processing (S400). When the special symbol game process (S400) is started, it is first determined whether or not the special symbol is changing (S404). That is, it is determined whether or not the “variable display using blinking display of the lamp device” is being executed in the special symbol display units 62a to 62g (S404).

  If the special symbol is not fluctuating (S404; NO), it is considered that either the special symbol has not yet fluctuated, or has been stopped and displayed as a stop symbol after the fluctuating display. Therefore, it is determined whether or not it is during the stop display time for displaying the stop symbol of the special symbol (in this embodiment, this stop display time is set to 0.6 seconds) (S410). If the special symbol is not variably displayed and is not within the stop display time during which the special symbol is stopped (S410; NO), it is determined whether or not the variable display can be started (S500). ). That is, if the number of holds is not “zero” (S500; YES), the special symbol win / fail determination process (S610 or S620) is performed through the determination of S600.

  In the process of S600, it is determined whether or not the gaming machine 1 is in the probability variation state. If the gaming machine 1 is not in the probability variation state (S600; NO), this determination is made using the “data table at low probability”. (S620). On the other hand, when the gaming machine 1 is in the probability variation state (S600; YES), this determination is made using the “data table at high probability” (S610).

  In the determination of success / failure (S610, S620), a process of determining “presence / absence determination” and determining a “stop symbol (determined symbol) to be fixedly displayed after the change of the special symbol” is performed. That is, the oldest first determination random number value stored in the special symbol success / failure determination random number memory 202a (see FIG. 35) is read, and the big hit number (win determination value) is read from the big hit number memory (not shown) in the ROM 203. ) And is compared with the random number value for determining whether or not it is correct. If both match, a big hit determination is made, and if they do not match, a miss determination is made.

  When the big hit determination is made in the determination of success / failure (S610, S620), the big hit main symbol (the symbol for indicating a win, which is specified by the number of lamp devices that perform lighting display in the special symbol display units 62a to 62g) Is determined using a random number, and a process of setting a “big hit flag” in the special symbol determination result memory 202i is performed. The “big hit flag” is a flag indicating that the result of the determination is “big hit”. Further, the determined big hit symbol design includes “a big hit real symbol indicating a probability variation hit” and “a big hit symbol design indicating a non-probable variation hit”.

  Here, when “big hit main symbol indicating a probable hit” is selected as the “big hit main symbol”, when the big hit game related to the “big hit” is finished, the gaming mode of the gaming machine 1 is the probable variable gaming mode (probability variation state). ) And the probability change game is started. In this probability variation game, the “data table at the time of high probability” is used when determining whether or not the game is successful (S610), and the probability that the jackpot determination is performed varies with high probability. Further, in the gaming machine 1, the open time extension mode is started together with the start of the probability mode. This open time extension mode is a state in which the open time of the second start winning portion 17b as the ordinary electric accessory 17d is extended more than usual. For example, the normal opening time is about 0.1 seconds, while in the opening time extension mode, it is extended to about 4 seconds.

  This probability variation game mode (probability variation game) is until the next big hit occurs or until a specified number of times (for example, 30 times) of special symbol variation display is performed (that is, until the prescribed number of times of success / failure determination is performed). Continue). In the probability variation game mode, the variation time shortening function for shortening the variation time of the special symbol and the normal symbol is operated as compared with the normal time, and the opening extension function of the second start winning portion 17b (ordinary electric accessory 17d). Operates. Then, after the probability variation game mode ends, the probability of shifting to the big hit becomes a predetermined low probability state that is the same as the normal gaming state, and changes in the special symbol and the normal symbol a predetermined number of times (for example, 20 times). When the time shortening function is activated and the opening extension function of the second start winning portion 17b (ordinary electric accessory 17d) is activated, the short game mode (short time gaming state) is set. In addition, in the case where the determination of losing is made in the determination of success / failure (S610, S620), a process of determining a losing main symbol using random numbers is performed.

  As described above, after performing the special symbol success / failure determination processing (S600), this time, the processing for setting the variation pattern of the special symbol, that is, the effect pattern designation signal (CHP) is performed (S700). The process of setting the variation pattern is performed with reference to a “variation pattern table” set in advance in the ROM 203 mounted on the main control board 200. More specifically, the “variation pattern table” is selected in consideration of whether or not the big hit determination is made in the previous determination (S610, S620) and whether or not the current gaming state is short. It is done with reference to. In other words, “a pattern table used when the determination result is a big hit and the time is short”, “a pattern table used when the result is a big hit and the time is not short,” The variation pattern of the special symbol is set using the “pattern table used in this case” or “the pattern table used when the result of the determination is wrong and not within the time limit”. Note that, when the current gaming state is short, the “variation pattern that shortens the variation time of the special symbol” tends to be set as compared with the case where the current gaming state is not short. Also, when the number of reserved special symbols is large, a “variation pattern that shortens the variation time of special symbols” tends to be set as compared with the case where the number of special symbols is small.

  As shown in FIG. 33, when the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 sets the variation pattern of the special symbol, after outputting the “variation pattern designation command (CHP)” to the sub-control substrate 220 (S740), the special symbol. A stop information designation command (CJS) is output (S744), and the special symbol (this symbol) fluctuation display (flashing display) is started in the “special symbol display units 62a to 62g” of the lower right display device 60 (S748). . Then, a process of subtracting “1” from the number of reserved special symbols is performed (S752).

  Here, the variation pattern designation command (CHP) output in S740 is transferred to the effect display control board 222 via the sub control board 220. In addition, the special symbol stop information designation command (CJS) output in S744 designates the stop symbol mode of the special symbol (this symbol) (stop symbol mode such as big hit symbol, normal loss symbol, reach loss symbol, etc.). This command is transferred to the effect display control board 222 via the sub control board 220.

  The fluctuation pattern designation command (CHP) and the special symbol stop information designation command (CJS) are output toward the sub-control board 220 together with the strobe signal, as shown in FIG. This strobe signal is connected to the interrupt terminal of the CPU 220a mounted on the sub control board 220. When the strobe signal is input, the CPU 220a on the sub control board 220 receives each designation command and receives the designation command. Analyze the contents. Although detailed explanation is omitted, the variation pattern is determined in consideration of various conditions such as the probability variation design, whether or not the reach effect is performed, and the symbol (stop symbol of this symbol) that stops and displays the special symbol If the variation pattern is known, the time during which the special symbol (the main symbol) is displayed in a variable manner can be determined. Also, by analyzing the special symbol stop information designation command, the type of stop symbol of the special symbol (this symbol) can be known.

  The CPU 220a mounted on the sub-control board 220 determines an effect mode on the central display device 27 based on these pieces of information, and then displays a pseudo-symbol display control signal (display control command) to the effect display control board 222. Is output, and pseudo symbol change / stop display is performed. Further, based on the variation time (variation pattern designation command) of the special symbol, it is also determined whether or not to perform a so-called reach effect on the central display device 27, and what kind of reach effect is to be used. Then, the sub-control board 220 controls the effect display control board 222, the amplifier board 224, the decoration drive board 226, and the like according to the contents of the effect thus determined, thereby performing the effect of the determined contents.

  When the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 determines the variation pattern of the special symbol and the stop symbol of the special symbol as described above, and outputs the variation pattern designation command and the special symbol stop information designation command corresponding to these, The special symbol game process shown in FIG. 27 is ended, and the process returns to the game control process shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the special symbol is changing in the “processing of S404” immediately after starting the special symbol game processing (S400) (S404; YES), the variation pattern of the special symbol and the stop symbol are already present. It is considered that the change of special symbols has been started. Therefore, it is determined whether or not the special symbol variation time has elapsed (S756). That is, since the variation time of the special symbol is determined in advance according to the variation pattern, it is determined whether a predetermined variation time has elapsed by setting a timer at the same time as the variation of the special symbol is started. If the variation time has not yet elapsed (S756; NO), the special symbol game process (S400) is terminated as it is, and the process returns to the game control process shown in FIG. On the other hand, if it is determined that the variation time has elapsed (S756; YES), the pseudo symbol effect stop designation command (CZE) that is variably displayed on the central display device 27 toward the sub-control board 220. And the special symbol (main symbol) that is variably displayed (flashing) in the “special symbol display portions 62a to 62g” is stopped and displayed (S760). The effect stop designation command (CZE) is transferred to the effect display control board 222 via the sub control board 220. Then, after setting the display time for stopping and displaying the special symbol in the special symbol display units 62a to 62g (S772), it is determined whether or not the set display time has elapsed (S776).

  If it is determined in S776 that the special symbol stop display time has not elapsed (S776; NO), the special symbol game process (S400) is terminated as it is, and the game control process shown in FIG. 22 is resumed. . On the other hand, when the special symbol stop display time has elapsed (S776; YES), it is determined whether or not the stop display is a display indicating a big hit (that is, a big hit symbol) (S778 in FIG. 35).

  If an affirmative determination is made in the process of S778, the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 sets a “big hit gaming flag” (S780). By setting the “big hit gaming flag”, the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 shifts to the “big hit gaming state”. Thus, by setting the “big hit game flag” (that is, when the big hit game execution means starts operating), when the special symbol game process (S400) is exited and the game control process shown in FIG. The physical game process is started, and the special game state is started.

  By the way, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, the probability changing function and the variation time shortening function do not work while the “big hit gaming flag” is being set (that is, when the big hit game executing means is operating). For this reason, if the “big hit gaming flag” is set in the process of S780, it is determined whether or not the current gaming state (the gaming state when the big hit gaming flag is set) is being probabilistically changed (in the probability changing gaming mode) ( S782). If it is during probability change (in probability change game mode) (S782; YES), since the probability change function (probability changing means) and the fluctuation time shortening function (time reduction means) are operating, these functions (means) are stopped. (S790). On the other hand, if the current gaming state (the gaming state at the time of setting the big hit gaming flag) is not changing reliably (S782; NO), it is confirmed whether or not the time is short (in the short-time gaming mode) (S786), If the time is short (in the short time game mode) (S786; YES), the variable time shortening function (time shortening means) is stopped (S788).

  In this embodiment, when the probability change is in progress (in the probability change game mode) (S782; YES), or in the case of being short in time (in the short time game mode) (S786; YES), the normal electric accessory release time is set. Since the extension function (open extension means) is also activated, the extension function (open extension means) of the ordinary electric accessory release time is also stopped in the process of S792 (S792), and then shown in FIG. 27 and FIG. Exit the special symbol game process (S400) and return to the game control process of FIG. On the other hand, if the game state when the big hit game flag is set in the process of S780 is neither sure change nor short time (S786; NO), the special symbol game process (S400) is exited and the game control process is resumed. .

  If a negative determination is made in the process of S778, that is, if the special symbol that is stopped and displayed in the “special symbol display units 62a to 62g” is “disappearing symbol” (S778; NO), the following processing is performed. Do. First, it is determined whether or not the current gaming state is in the probability change (in probability change game mode) (S794). When a positive determination is made in the process of S794 (S794; YES), “After the gaming machine 1 has shifted to the probability variation game mode currently being executed, the process of S778 is executed without obtaining a positive determination. The number of special symbol fluctuations (cumulative number) "is counted (incremented) (S796). When the number of fluctuations (cumulative number) has not reached the upper limit number (30 in this embodiment) (S798; NO), the probability variation state is maintained, as shown in FIG. 33 and FIG. The special symbol game process is exited, and the process returns to the game control process of FIG.

  On the other hand, when the number of fluctuations (cumulative number) reaches the upper limit number (30 in this embodiment) (S798; YES), the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 changes the gaming mode of the gaming machine 1 to the probability-changing gaming mode. After shifting to the short time game mode (S800, S802), the special symbol game process shown in FIGS. 33 and 34 is exited, and the game control process of FIG. 22 is resumed.

  If it is determined in S794 that the current gaming state is not in the probability changing mode (in the probability changing gaming mode) (S794; NO), it is determined whether or not the current gaming state is in the short time mode (in the short time gaming mode). (804). When a positive determination is made in the process of S804 (S804; YES), “after the gaming machine 1 has shifted to the currently running time-saving game mode, the process of S778 is executed without obtaining a positive determination. The number of special symbol fluctuations (cumulative number) "is counted (incremented) (S806). If the number of fluctuations (cumulative number) has not reached the upper limit number (for example, 20 times) (S808; NO), the special symbol game shown in FIG. 33 and FIG. Exiting the process, the process returns to the game control process of FIG.

  On the other hand, when the number of fluctuations (cumulative number) counted in the process of S808 reaches the upper limit number (for example, 20 times) (S808; YES), the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 changes the gaming mode of the gaming machine 1. After returning from the short-time game mode to the normal mode (S810), and after stopping the function for extending the normal electric utility release time (open extension means) (S812), the special symbol game process shown in FIGS. 33 and 34 is exited. Returning to the game control process of FIG.

i. Special Electric Goods Game Processing When the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 determines that the “big hit gaming flag” is set while repeating the game control processing of FIG. 22 (S880; YES), the special The electric accessory game process is started (S900), and a so-called “big hit game (special game)” is realized. That is, the processing of S900 is processing as “special game state generating means”. The “special electric accessory” in the present specification means an accessory provided with a large winning opening 31d, and in this embodiment, the variable winning device 31 corresponds.

  If the CPU 201 repeats the opening and closing of the big prize opening 31d while further repeating the game control process of FIG. 22, the “big hit game (special game)” is ended, and the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is normal. The game state is restored and the big hit gaming flag is released. If the jackpot related to the terminated jackpot game is “ordinary hit”, the special electric accessory game process (S900) is terminated as it is, but if it is “probable hit”, the probability variation function (probability variation means) Then, after starting the operation of the variable time shortening function (time shortening means) and the normal electric accessory opening time extending function (open extending means), the special electric accessory game process (S900) is ended.

(8) Sub-Control Processing FIG. 36 is a flowchart showing a rough flow of the sub-control processing executed by the CPU 220a mounted on the sub-control board 220. In this sub-control processing, when the gaming machine 1 is powered on or the reset switch is pressed (980; YES), first, initialization processing is performed (S1000). Thereafter, until the power is turned off (until affirmative determination is made in S2300), demonstration effect processing (S1200), symbol variation related processing (S1600), voice control processing (S1800), lamp control processing (S2000). ), Frame color control processing (S2200) and the like are repeatedly executed. Note that the time required for one round of processing in FIG. 36 is approximately 2 msec, and therefore these processes are repeatedly executed about every 2 msec. Hereinafter, the sub-control processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

a. Initialization processing (S1000)
In the initialization process (S1000), as shown in FIG. 31, it is first determined whether or not a first gaming machine designation command has been received from the main controller 200A (S1010). If it is detected that the first gaming machine designation command has been received (S1010; YES), data (model data) representing the specifications of the gaming machine 1 is stored in a predetermined address of the RAM 220b mounted on the sub control board 220. (S1015).

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not an initial setting command for the second gaming machine designation command has been received (S1020). If it is detected that the second gaming machine designation command has been received (S1020; YES), the received second gaming machine designation command is stored in a predetermined address of the RAM 220b mounted on the sub control board 220 (S1025). The initialization process (S1000) is completed. That is, in the process of S1025, when the second gaming machine designation command received in the process of S1020 indicates that the usage mode of the gaming machine 1 is “4-yen pachinko”, data indicating that is stored in the RAM 220b. If the second gaming machine designation command stored in the predetermined address and received in the process of S1020 indicates that the usage mode of the gaming machine 1 is “1-yen pachinko”, data indicating that is stored in the RAM 220b. Stored in the address.

b. Demo production process (S1200)
Following the initialization process (S1000), a demonstration effect process (S1200) is performed. That is, when starting the demonstration effect process (S1200), the CPU 220a mounted on the sub control board 220 monitors whether or not a demonstration effect command is output from the main control unit 140 (S1210). . When it is determined that a demonstration effect command has been output (S1210; YES), a demonstration effect (demonstration display) is started on the display screen 27a of the central display device 27 and the like.

c. Symbol Variation Related Process The symbol variation related processing (S1000) is started when the sub control unit 220A (sub control board 220) receives the variation pattern designation command (CHP) (S1605; YES) as shown in FIG. The That is, when the sub control unit 220A receives the variation pattern designation command (S1605; YES), the sub control unit 220A transfers the received variation pattern designation command (CHP) to the effect display control unit 222A (effect display control board 222). Then, the central display device 27 starts the variable display of the pseudo symbol and the background symbol (S1610). However, prior to the processing of S1610, it is determined whether or not the demonstration display is performed (S1606). If the demonstration display is performed (S1606; YES), after the demonstration display is stopped (S1608), the processing of S1610 is performed. Process.

  Next, when the sub-control unit 220A receives an “information designation command” (S1620; YES), a “variation control process” is performed (S1700). In the variation control process (S1700), as shown in FIG. 40, first, based on the received “information designation command”, the result of the determination of whether or not the main control unit 200A (main control board 200) has executed is a big hit. It is determined whether or not (S1705).

  When it is determined that the game is a big hit (S1605; YES), after selecting and specifying “execution mode of effect display” (S1710), after executing a reach effect according to the specified mode (S1720), variation control The process ends, and the process returns to the “symbol fluctuation related process” of FIG. Note that the processing of S1710 is executed based on the type of variation pattern designation command (CHP) received in S1605, etc. (1) “Pseudo symbol display mode (for example, “Pseudo symbol stop symbol mode, reach display mode, etc.)” and the like are specified. For example, this specification may be performed by selecting predetermined data from random number lottery (performed by the sub-control unit 220A) from “a plurality of data prepared in advance for specifying the mode”. Good.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the result of the determination as to whether or not the main control unit 200A (main control board 200) has executed is “out” based on the “information designation command” received in the processing of S1620 (S1705; NO) ) Is also selected and specified as “execution mode of effect display” (S1730). The processing of S1730 is executed based on the type of variation pattern designation command (CHP) received in S1605, and (1) “Pseudo symbol display mode (for example, pseudo symbol display) executed in the pseudo symbol display units 27b to 27d”. Symbol stop pattern mode, etc.) ”and (2) whether or not to execute reach display is specified.

  In the process of S1730, “If the reach display is not to be executed (S1735; NO), after performing the effect without the reach display (S1735), the fluctuation control process is terminated, and the“ symbol change ”of FIG. Return to "Related processing". If “reach display is to be executed (S1735; YES), after performing an effect with reach display (S1740), the fluctuation control process is terminated and the process returns to the“ symbol fluctuation related process ”in FIG. To do.

  After returning to the “symbol variation related process” through the variation control process (S1700), when the sub control unit 220A (sub control board 220) receives the symbol stop command (S1800; YES), the pseudo symbol and the background symbol Change stops (S1810).

d. Audio control process In this audio control process (S1800), the speakers SP1 to SP4 are driven using "a drive signal generated by a sound generator, an amplifier, etc.", and various sounds (sound effects) corresponding to the progress of the game are played. The process to output the alarm and the process to output the alarm sound for fraud prevention. A detailed description of the voice control process is omitted.

e. Lamp control process In this lamp control process (S2000), LED lamps (excluding LED lamps R1 to R12) and other lamp devices such as light bulbs are turned on or flashed in accordance with the progress of the game. Performs decoration processing and lighting / flashing processing to prevent fraud. A detailed description of this lamp control process is omitted.

f. Frame Color Control Process The frame color control process (S2200) is a process of changing the emission color of the LED lamp 4G disposed on the front frame 4 according to the usage mode of the gaming machine 1. That is, as shown in FIG. 41, when the usage mode of the gaming machine 1 is “for four-yen pachinko (see S1440)” (S2210; YES), the LED lamp 4G is caused to emit “red (R)” ( If the usage mode of the gaming machine 1 is “for 1 yen pachinko (see S1440)” (S2210; YES), the LED lamp 4G is caused to emit “blue (B)” (S2230).

  That is, the designer of the gaming machine 1 says, “The emission color of the LED lamp 4G is changed according to the usage mode of the gaming machine 1 and the front frame 4 is changed to the player according to the usage mode of the gaming machine 1. It is intended to be visually recognized by color. Then, the player can determine the usage mode of the gaming machine 1 only by looking at the color of the front frame 4. In the present embodiment, the light emission color of the LED lamp 4G may be selected in consideration of not only the usage mode of the gaming machine 1 but also its specifications. For example, as shown in FIG. 42, six kinds of LED chips of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) constituting the LED lamp 4G are driven and controlled (PWM control), so that six kinds of An emission color may be realized.

(9) Effects of the embodiment In the gaming machine 1, the control mode to be executed is set by itself under the “dummy lending result information” generated in the dummy lending process, and control is performed. That is, control corresponding to this lending unit price can be performed based on the dummy lending result information having a relationship corresponding to the lending unit price of the game balls. Therefore, it becomes easy to realize the control assumed by the designer of the gaming machine 1 for each usage mode of the gaming machine 1. In addition, since it is not necessary for the manager of the game hall to set the control mode for each usage mode, it is possible to prevent the game hall manager from being forced to use a burden.

  Next, a gaming machine system according to the second embodiment will be described. The gaming machine system of the third embodiment is the same as the gaming machine system of the gaming machine of the first embodiment, except that the use mode specifying process (S20) is performed according to FIGS. 43 and 44. That is, the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that FIG. 43 is used instead of FIG.

  The usage mode specifying process (S20) of the third embodiment differs from the usage mode specifying process (S20) of the first embodiment in that after the process of S32, the process of S36 is followed by the process of S38 or S40. Yes. That is, in the usage mode specifying process (S20) of the second embodiment, the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 uses the “mode determination table” shown in FIG. (S36). Here, this “aspect determination table” indicates that when the lending unit price of the game ball is set to 1 yen and when it is set to 4 yen, “the normal lending process was performed instead of the dummy lending process” The amount of money consumed by the player ”,“ the number of game balls to be rented when normal lending processing is performed instead of dummy lending processing ”, and“ normal lending processing instead of dummy lending processing ” 3 is a table listing valid data among the data indicating the relationship with “the number of times the prize ball payout device 109 is driven”.

  Then, when the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 determines that the number of receptions of the dummy lending information is the number of receptions unique to “4 yen pachinko” (S111; YES), the CPU 201 issues a “second gaming machine designation command”, After performing the process specified for the command for 4-yen pachinko (S40), the process proceeds to S41. If the CPU 201 determines that the number of receptions of dummy lending information is the number of receptions unique to “1 yen pachinko” (S36; NO), the CPU 201 identifies “second gaming machine designation command” as a command for 1 yen pachinko. (S38), the process proceeds to S41. Furthermore, it is a case where it is not possible to determine whether the number of receptions is “4 yen pachinko” or “1 yen pachinko” (the same case, for example, 4 times or 8 times) ( (S36; YES) After performing the process specified for the command for 4-yen pachinko (S40), the process proceeds to S41.

  According to the third embodiment, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the effects of the first embodiment. That is, when the CPU 201 cannot specify the usage mode based on the number of receptions, the CPU 201 forcibly specifies the specific usage mode. That is, when the CPU 201 cannot specify the usage mode, for example, the CPU 201 can complete the usage mode specifying process (S20) in order to forcibly specify the usage mode with a high execution frequency. That is, the gaming machine of the invention of each claim indicates that, when the CPU 201 cannot specify the usage mode, the usage mode to be executed is “a plurality of usage modes (for any one of a plurality of usage modes assumed by the designer). Forcibly specifying means for automatically specifying ".

  Next, a gaming machine system according to the third embodiment will be described. The gaming machine system according to the third embodiment is different from the first embodiment except that the use mode specifying process (S100) is performed according to FIGS. 47 and 48 and the dummy lending control process (S5170) is performed according to FIG. This is the same as the gaming machine system of this gaming machine.

  That is, in Example 3, as shown in FIG. 45, “every time the CR unit 80 detects the stop of the output state of the EXS signal, the power LED signal transmitted from the CR unit 80 to the ball rental display board 410” The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that it can be transmitted to the payout control unit 240A (the payout control board 240) using a predetermined signal line S1. That is, in the gaming machine system of the third embodiment, in the payout control unit 240A (payout control board 240), the value balance (valuable balance) stored in the CR unit 80 (the card storing the frequency balance information), It is possible to detect “a frequency LED signal for specifying a value balance (valuable balance) that should be consumed if the lending process is actually performed”.

  Also in the dummy lending control process (S5170) of the third embodiment, the process of S5188 is executed through the processes of S5182, S5185, and S5186 as shown in FIG. In other words, after detecting the off information of the lending request completion confirmation signal (BRQ signal) and simultaneously outputting the off information of the lending completion signal (EXS signal) to the CR unit 80 (S5188), from the payout control unit 240A Dummy lending information is transmitted to the main control unit 200A (S5191). In other words, information indicating that “off information of the lending completion signal (EXS signal) has been output once” is transmitted to the main control unit 200A (S5191).

  However, in the dummy lending control process (S5170) of the third embodiment, after the process of S5191, the dummy LED frequency update information (that is, the value balance (valuable value that should be consumed if the lending process is actually performed) is performed. Waiting for reception of (frequency LED signal for specifying (balance)) (S5192; YES), this LED frequency update information (frequency LED signal) is transferred to the main controller 200A (S5193). That is, every time the off information of the lending completion signal (EXS signal) is output to the CR unit 80, the LED frequency update information is transmitted from the payout control unit 240A to the main control unit 200A. Here, the “dummy LED frequency update information” constitutes a specific example of “dummy loan amount data”.

  Then, the payout control unit 240A determines whether or not a lending completion signal (BRDY signal OFF information) is received from the CR unit 80 (S5194), and if not received (S5194; NO), Since the “dummy lending process accompanying the output of the dummy lending operation signal” has not ended, the ball lending control process (S5100) is once ended and the process returns to the “payout control process (S5000)” shown in FIG. Then, after waiting for a positive determination in S5025, the ball lending control process (S5100) is executed.

  On the other hand, if a positive determination is made in S5194, a lending completion signal is transmitted from the payout control unit 240A to the main control unit 200A (S5197), the dummy flag is released (S5198), and then a ball lending control process (S5100). Exit.

  Also in the usage mode specifying process (S20) of the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 47, when the main control unit 200A receives “dummy lending information transmitted by the payout control unit 240A” (S26; YES), A process of counting the number of receptions using a predetermined counter (for example, set in the RAM 202) is performed (S29). The “dummy lending information” in S29 is also information indicating that “EXS signal OFF information” has been output, and is transmitted from the payout control unit 240A to the main control unit 200A each time the pseudo lending is completed. Information. That is, the main control unit 200A acquires “dummy lending information reception count” as “dummy lending result information” by the processing of S26 and S29.

  Through the process of S29, the “dummy LED frequency update information (see S5193)” transmitted by the payout control unit 240A is received (S30). This dummy LED frequency update information (frequency LED signal) is also included in the “dummy lending result information” to specify “value balance (valuable balance) that should be consumed if lending processing is actually performed”. Information.

  After the process of S30, the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 determines whether or not the “dummy lending process associated with the output of one dummy lending operation signal” has been completed (S32). If not (S32; NO), the usage mode specifying process (S20) is once ended and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. On the other hand, if completed (S32; YES), the process proceeds to S36a and subsequent processes.

  In the process of S36a, the “frequency display update status” is grasped based on the “dummy LED frequency update information” received in the process of S30 (S36a). That is, “a value balance (valuable balance) that should be consumed if a loan process is actually performed” is grasped. Specifically, when the lending button 5c is lending once, the frequency reduction range generated in the balance display portion 5r (for example, “10 degrees” to “5 degrees”, “10 degrees” to “ The CPU 201 can grasp such as “decrease to zero degree”. As a result, the CPU 201 uses the decrease amount of the “value balance (valuable balance)” that occurs each time the lending button 5c is lended (for example, 500 yen or 1000 yen). To grasp.

  Subsequent to the processing of S36a, the CPU 201 narrows down usage mode candidates based on the number of times the dummy lending information is received. For example, the usage mode candidates are narrowed down with reference to a data table as shown in FIG. 49 (S36b). Here, the “mode determination table” indicates that, when the lending unit price of the game ball is set to 1 yen, when the game ball is set to 2 yen and when set to 4 yen, It is a table listing appropriate data among the data indicating the relationship between the “consumed amount”, “the number of game balls to be lent”, and “the number of times the prize ball payout device 109 is driven (number of times received)”.

  After this, use mode A (for 1-yen pachinko), use mode B (for 2-yen pachinko) according to the “frequency display update status” ascertained in the process of S36a from the use mode candidates narrowed down in S36b And one use mode is specified from use mode C (for 4 yen pachinko) (S36c). Here, a specific example of the processing of S36a, S36b, and S36c will be described.

  For example, when “the number of receptions of dummy lending information” is “20 times” (see the triangle mark in the figure), usage mode A (for 1 yen pachinko) and usage mode B (for 2 yen pachinko) are candidates. Become. In this case, if the amount consumed according to the “dummy frequency display update status” grasped in the process of S36a is grasped as 500 yen, the use aspect is specified as use aspect A (for 1 yen pachinko), and 1000 yen. If it is grasped, the usage mode is specified as usage mode B (for 2-yen pachinko). In addition, when “the number of times of receiving dummy rental information (the number of times the prize ball paying device 109 is driven)” is “4 times” (see the circle in the figure), usage mode A (for 1 yen pachinko), usage mode B (for 2-yen pachinko) and usage mode C (for 4-yen pachinko) are candidates. In this case, if the amount consumed according to the “frequency display update status” grasped in the process of S107 is grasped as 100 yen, the use aspect is identified as use aspect A (for 1 yen pachinko) and grasped as 200 yen. Then, the usage mode is specified as usage mode B (for 2-yen pachinko), and if it is grasped as 400 yen, the usage mode is specified as usage mode B (for 4-yen pachinko).

  After the process of S36c, a process of specifying the “second gaming machine designation command” in the usage mode specified in the process of S36c is performed. That is, the process of S38a is performed after the positive determination of S36d, the process of S38b is performed after the negative determination of S36d and the positive determination of S36e, or the process of 38c is performed after the negative determination of S36d and the negative determination of S36e. The “second gaming machine designation command” is specified as the usage mode specified in the process of S36c.

  When the process of specifying the “second gaming machine designation command” in the usage mode specified in the process of S36c is performed, game control is set based on the specified second gaming machine designation command (the usage mode is set and the RAM 202 is set). And storing the second gaming machine designation command to the sub-control unit 220A (S41). Thereafter, the count counter is initialized, and the process of resetting the “number of times of lending information reception” is performed (S44). Then, the use mode specifying process (S20) is terminated and the process returns to the game control process of FIG.

  According to the third embodiment, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the effects of the first embodiment. That is, in Example 3, since “dummy LED frequency update information (frequency LED signal)” is also included in the “dummy lending result information”, the control assumed by the designer of the gaming machine 1 for each usage mode of the gaming machine 1 is performed. It is even easier to implement. In other words, from the “dummy LED frequency update information”, the “amount that will be spent each time the lending button 5c is lent” is specified, and the gaming machine is designated based on the dummy lending result including this amount. Since the command is determined, it is much easier to realize the control assumed by the designer.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and is not limited to the wording of each claim without departing from the scope described in each claim. Can be easily replaced by these, and improvements based on knowledge that a person skilled in the art normally has can be added as appropriate.

  That is, in each embodiment, the mode in which the emission color of the LED lamp 4G of the front frame 4 is controlled according to the usage mode of the gaming machine 1 is exemplified. However, in the invention of each claim, the emission of the LED lamp 4G Other effects may be controlled together with the color or instead of the emission color.

  For example, the demo display may be controlled according to the usage mode of the gaming machine 1 as in Modification 1 shown in FIG. That is, also in the first modification, when starting the demonstration effect process (S1200), the CPU 220a mounted on the sub control board 220 monitors whether or not a demonstration effect command is output from the main control unit 140 (S1210). If it is determined that the demonstration effect command has been output (S1210; YES), after determining the usage mode (for example, for 4 yen pachinko or 1 yen pachinko), the central display device 27 A demonstration effect (demonstration display) corresponding to the usage mode is started on the display screen 27a or the like (S1222 or S1226).

  Specifically, a “message indicating that it is a 4-yen pachinko” is displayed on the display screen 27a (S1222), or a “message indicating that it is a 1-yen pachinko” is displayed (S1226). According to the first modification, it is much easier for the player to select a gaming machine in a usage mode that the player wants to use, relying on the demonstration display.

  Further, as in Modification 2 shown in FIG. 51, control may be performed so as to change the appearance rate of the specific effect according to the usage mode of the gaming machine 1. That is, also in the modified example 2, the CPU 220a mounted on the sub control board 220 selects and specifies the “execution mode of effect display” in the “variation control process” shown in FIG. 40 (S1710, S1730). At that time, the mode of reach production (in the case of the processing of S1730, in the case of reach display) is determined by random number lottery using the data table shown in FIG.

  In the second modification, the game machine designer assumes that “the probability of encountering a premium effect is increased for a one-yen pachinko player”, so premium reach (rarely rarely) The selection rate of a specific character that only appears, a reach production with a live-action that rarely appears, etc.) is about “8” when the usage mode is for “1-yen pachinko” and “4-yen pachinko”. .5 times ". And also in this modification 2, it is easy to implement | achieve the control aspect which a player assumes. In this way, the appearance rate of premium production and the reliability of the advance notice such as reach, etc., are considered as “the one-yen pachinko customer group (players who want to play for a long time), and the distribution that seems to be the most appropriate. , "If you think that there are more people who want to see the production than the one-yen pachinko audience, you can increase the appearance rate of the premium production, 10 times) It is possible to take measures such as lowering the threshold of specific effects (fanfare / ending) appearing in a continuous sequence (obtaining big hits continuously).

  In each embodiment, the main control unit 200 functions as a mode specification information storage unit, a mode specification information selection unit, and a control mode setting unit, recognizes a game form on the sub-control unit 220 side, and switches switching conditions such as distribution of effects. However, for example, the sub-control unit 220 may function as a mode specifying information storage unit, a mode specifying information selection unit, and a control mode setting unit. For example, as shown in FIG. 52, in the power-on process (S10), the main control unit 200 transfers dummy rental information transmitted to the main control unit 200 to the sub-control unit 220. Further, as shown in FIG. 53, in the initialization process (S100) executed in the sub control process (S800), the usage mode specifying process (the process after S1022 in FIG. 53) is performed. As a result, the usage mode is specified and set in the sub-control process (S800).

  In each embodiment, an example of application to a ball-type game machine is illustrated, but the invention of each claim is also suitable for a rotary-type game machine (particularly, a parrot that uses a game ball as a game medium). Applicable to.

  In addition, as the “control mode according to the lending unit price of the game medium”, for example, in the case of “1 yen pachinko”, the payout speed is changed to control that lends quickly by control, and the effect of reducing frustration at the time of lending The mode which aims at can be illustrated.

  Further, the number of game balls launched in the game area 11 may be counted, and the effects may be distributed using the value as a trigger. However, in this case, if the 4-yen pachinko and the 1-yen pachinko are assigned to the same sub-effects (production on the sub-control unit 220 side), even if the 1-yen pachinko is the same amount, more game balls can be obtained. Since it can be launched (the number of rented balls is large), it is difficult to make the same distribution. Therefore, in the 4-yen pachinko machine, the sub-control unit 220 sends a “selected second gaming machine designation command” to generate a lottery for production every time a predetermined number of balls (for example, 30 balls) are fired. By doing so, the production lottery is performed every time a predetermined number of balls (for example, 30 balls) is fired four times (for example, 120 balls). Thereby, with one sub control unit 220, it is possible to maintain a balance of effects corresponding to various specifications and installation specifications.

  The present invention can be used in the field of manufacturing and selling gaming machines.

1; gaming machine (ball game machine),
2; outer frame,
3; body frame,
5c; Lending button,
11: Game area,
20; central device,
27; central display,
27a; display screen,
80; CR unit (game media lending device),
109: Prize ball payout device (payout device),
200A; main control unit (mode specific information storage means, mode specific information selection means, control mode setting means),
240A; payout control unit (dummy lending process execution means),
S: A gaming machine system.

Claims (4)

A gaming machine comprising a lending operation unit and a payout device, and capable of executing different control modes according to the lending unit price of a game medium lent out from the payout device,
A lending processing unit that performs lending processing for lending a predetermined number of game media from the payout device by driving the payout device a specific number of times by performing one lending operation on the lending operation unit;
A dummy lending process for acquiring dummy lending result information for identifying the same information as the regular lending result information generated by the lending process without lending the gaming medium is performed at the time of powering on the gaming machine. Dummy lending processing execution means to be executed without
Aspect specifying information storage means for storing a plurality of aspect specifying information for specifying the control aspect in association with the dummy loan result information;
An aspect specifying information selecting means for selecting one aspect specifying information from among the aspect specifying information stored in the aspect specifying information storage means based on the dummy loan result information acquired by the dummy loan processing;
As a control mode to be executed, a control mode setting unit that sets a control mode corresponding to the mode specifying information selected by the mode specifying information selection unit;
A gaming machine comprising:   The dummy lending result information acquired by the dummy lending process includes dummy lending amount data for specifying the same amount as the amount required when acquiring the regular lending result information. The gaming machine according to 1.   The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the dummy lending process is a process of generating the dummy lending result information while prohibiting driving of the payout device. A gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The gaming machine is arranged to be communicable with the gaming machine and transmitted from the gaming machine without the lending operation signal transmitted along with the operation of the lending operation unit constituting the gaming machine or without the operation of the lending operation unit. A game medium lending device that transmits a lending request signal to the gaming machine by receiving the dummy lending signal.
A gaming machine system, wherein the gaming machine executes the lending process or the dummy lending process based on the lending request signal.

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