JP5317282B2 - Bullet ball machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the following problem: when the supply of a power source is stopped during a prescribed series of performances such as announcement performances which should continuously be executed, returning to the performance state at the time of the supply stoppage of the power source may not be desirable. <P>SOLUTION: One embodiment of the Pachinko game machine 10 includes: a variation-pattern-determining means 115 for determining the variation pattern by referring to a limit reference which is the determining reference for executing the specified series of performances during a specified limited period after completion of a special game; and a performance-determining means 132 for executing the prescribed series of performances by determining a performance mode in response to the performance state corresponding to the time when the limit reference is referred to. The performance-determining means 132 determines the performance mode corresponding to the game state after the limited period of time even while the limit reference is being referred to in the variation-pattern determining means 115 after the restoration of the power supply when the power supply is stopped during the limited period of time. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a ball game machine such as a pachinko game machine, and more particularly to a technique for controlling screen display contents in a ball game machine.

  Conventionally, among the various ball game machines, a so-called first type pachinko game machine is used while changing a plurality of symbols in a display area such as a liquid crystal display provided substantially at the center of the game board. Display (hereinafter, such display is referred to as “symbol change” or “change display”). This gaming machine shifts to a special game called so-called jackpot where more prize balls can be obtained than a normal game when a combination of symbols when a plurality of rows of symbol variations are stopped becomes a specific mode. It is known as a thing (for example, refer patent document 1). The variable display of symbols in the display area is not only a variable display of multiple symbols, but the time of variable display is usually reduced in a state where it is a big hit if one more symbols are aligned, as in the so-called reach screen. For example, an effect is made to increase the player's expectation, such as making it longer. In addition, the player's expectation is enhanced by controlling the specific game such as the probability variation that changes the probability of transition to special games by giving the story to the variation display using characters on the image such as symbols Yes.

  In such a ball game machine, a plurality of substrates are electrically connected by signal lines. Usually, a main control device called a main board is in charge of a game ball winning determination, lottery, payout and the like. On the other hand, a sub-control device called a sub-board is mainly responsible for audio-visual effects processing such as display of effect images and audio output. Depending on the game state, the main board transmits various control data to the sub board. The sub board performs an effect process based on the control data from the main board.

  Although the main board and the sub board cooperate with each other, basically different computer programs are executed in parallel by different CPUs (Central Processing Units). The main board can execute a program using the nonvolatile memory as a work area, but it is difficult for the sub board to execute the program using the nonvolatile memory as a work area. This is because the nonvolatile memory has a low memory access speed, and in the case of a sub-board that handles a large amount of graphics data such as effect images, the processing cannot be performed in time. Therefore, most of the sub-boards generally execute programs using a volatile memory having a memory access speed higher than that of a nonvolatile memory as a work area.

  In this way, when the volatile memory is used in the sub-board, if the supply of power to the ball game machine is stopped, the data related to the presentation held by the sub-board will be lost. . Patent Document 1 below proposes a gaming machine in which the production is resumed from the state at the time when the power supply is stopped by holding data relating to the production in the backup RAM that can retain the contents even when the power supply is stopped. ing.

JP 2003-236165 A

  However, if a backup memory is provided on the sub-board, the manufacturing cost of the ball game machine will increase. In addition, when the power supply is stopped while a predetermined series of effects such as a notice effect having a predetermined execution order is executed, it may not be preferable to return to the effect state when the power supply is stopped. This is because, after the power supply is restored, a predetermined series of effects are executed in the middle of the process, which may result in halfway effect contents that cannot fulfill the purpose of the effects.

  The present invention has been made in view of these problems, and its purpose is to provide a suitable effect after the power supply is restored even when the power supply is stopped while a predetermined series of effects are being executed in the ball game machine. Is to provide.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a ball game machine according to an aspect of the present invention is provided with a game board on which a game area is formed, and a predetermined position in the game area. A winning lottery means for executing a winning lottery for determining whether or not to shift to a special game that is more advantageous to the player than a normal game, triggered by entering the starting prize port, Special game control means for executing a special game when the result of winning / failing lottery indicates a transition to a special game, a symbol display device for variably displaying a symbol for indicating the result of the winning / failing lottery, A variation pattern determining means for determining a variation pattern in the variation display, which refers to a determination criterion provided in association with the gaming state, and determines a variation pattern according to the result of the lottery determination, and variation For pattern determination means In accordance with the determined variation pattern, the symbol display control means for variably displaying the symbol on the symbol display device, the effect display device for displaying the effect for indicating the result of the success / failure lottery, and the effect state corresponding to the gaming state In response, there is provided an effect determining means for determining an aspect of the effect, and an effect display control means for causing the effect display device to display the effect in the aspect determined by the effect determining means. The variation pattern determining means is provided in the main control device that controls the progress of the game, and the effect determining means is provided in the sub-control device that controls the operation of the effect in the game, and data is transmitted and received between the main control device and the sub-control device. Is made in one direction from the main control device to the sub-control device, and the variation pattern determining means sets a limit criterion which is a determination criterion for executing a predetermined series of effects in a predetermined limit period after the end of the special game. The variation pattern is referred to, and limitation standard information indicating that the limitation criterion is referred to is set in the control command for controlling the production, and is transmitted to the production determination means. When the restriction standard information is set in the control command received from the above, a series of effects can be realized by determining the effect mode according to the effect state corresponding to the reference of the limitation criteria. If the power supply is stopped during the limited period, even if the limited reference information is set in the control command received after the power supply is restored, the presentation mode corresponding to the presentation state corresponding to the gaming state after the limited period is determined. To do.

  The “determination criterion provided in association with the gaming state” may be a different criterion depending on the gaming state applied to determine the variation pattern in each of the plurality of gaming states, and is stored in the memory. It may be a table referred to according to the gaming state. For example, a pattern selection table in which a plurality of lottery value ranges and a plurality of variation patterns are associated with each other in accordance with each of a plurality of gaming states. The “effect mode” includes both a variation effect pattern in the variation display of the decorative symbol and a notice effect pattern that is displayed separately from the change display and suggests a game state, for example, a transition state to a specific game in advance. But you can. The “effect state” may be a processing state on the sub-board side in which effects in some of the effect modes are displayed. The “effect state corresponding to the game state” may be an effect state associated with the game state at the time of determining the effect mode among the plurality of effect states provided in advance in association with the plurality of game states. Note that when a transition is made from one performance state to another, the player may be notified of that fact.

  The “predetermined limited period after the end of the special game” is a period starting from the end of the special game, and may be a period using the occurrence of a predetermined event on the game as a reference for the end. For example, it may be a period of ending on condition that a predetermined number of symbol changes have been made after the special game ends. Further, it may be a period until a predetermined time elapses after the special game ends. The “predetermined series of effects” is an effect that is executed a plurality of times sequentially within a limited period, and is a variable display of a plurality of decorative symbols that is displayed in accordance with a variable display of special symbols that are displayed multiple times during the limited period. There may be a display of a plurality of notice effects. In addition, it is preferable that the multiple effects are effects configured to express a predetermined meaning by being displayed continuously. For example, it may be an effect that a game is presented to a player so that it is possible to determine whether the game state after the end of the special game is a specific game state such as a certain change or a short time by continuously displaying a plurality of effects. . The “limitation criteria information” may be information indicating that the limitation criteria are referred to, or information indirectly indicating that the limitation criteria are referred to, for example, information indicating a variation pattern determined based on the limitation criteria.

  According to this aspect, when the power supply is stopped during the limited period, an effect according to the gaming state after the limited period is executed when the power supply is restored, so that a predetermined series of effects are displayed from the intermediate effect. Can be avoided. Further, as a specification of the ball game machine, even when information necessary for determining an effect mode is not notified from the main board side to the sub board side when power supply is restored, the effect display on the sub board side is possible. This “information necessary to determine the effect mode” may be information indicating which effect mode should be executed among the plurality of effect modes according to the effect state at the time of referring to the limitation criteria. Furthermore, as a specification of the ball and ball game machine, even when information necessary for determining the production mode is notified from the main board side to the sub board side at the time of power supply restoration, the remaining period of the limited period at the time of power supply restoration is small In this case, it can be avoided that the production state is frequently switched.

  The variation pattern determining means transmits a control command including information indicating the variation pattern determined with reference to the limitation criterion to the effect determination means during the limited period, and the effect determination means is configured to display an effect state corresponding to the limitation criterion reference. The production pattern associated with the variation pattern based on the limitation standard is determined as the production mode according to the production state corresponding to the limitation standard, and power supply is stopped during the limited period. If there is no production pattern associated with the variation pattern based on the limitation criteria among the plurality of production patterns for the production status corresponding to the gaming state after the limited period, the production criteria is based on the limitation criteria among the plurality of production patterns. An effect pattern corresponding to the effect state corresponding to the gaming state after the limited period, the effect pattern having the effect time corresponding to the change time of the change pattern, It may be determined Te.

  The “effect pattern associated with the variation pattern” may be a variation effect pattern of a decorative pattern associated with the variation pattern, or may be a notice effect pattern for a notice effect. “The plurality of effect patterns” may be a plurality of effect patterns for the effect state corresponding to the gaming state after the limited period. The “effect pattern having an effect time corresponding to the change time of the variation pattern based on the limitation criterion” may be an effect pattern having an effect time that matches the change time identified by the change pattern of the special symbol. Even if there is a difference between them, the difference may be an effect pattern within a predetermined allowable range. According to this aspect, the problem resulting from the mismatch between the game state on the main board side and the effect state on the sub board side can be solved until the limited period ends after the restoration of power supply. That is, even if there is no effect pattern corresponding to the change pattern based on the limitation criteria among the effect patterns corresponding to the effect state on the sub-board side at the time of power restoration, the special symbol change time and the effect display time are maintained in synchronization. can do.

  When transitioning to the normal game after the end of the special game, it is further provided with specific game execution means for shifting to a specific game state that is more advantageous to the player than the normal state when a predetermined transition condition is satisfied. Good. The limitation criterion is a determination criterion for executing a series of effects suggesting the transition state to the specific game state in the game state after the end of the special game, and the effect determination means is an effect corresponding to the game state after the limited period As the production mode according to the state, the production mode in which the transition state to the specific gaming state can be easily distinguished on the appearance, or the production mode in which the transition state to the specific gaming state is difficult to discriminate in appearance is changed to the specific gaming state. You may determine according to a transition condition.

  “Transition status to specific game state” indicates whether or not the game state is probabilistic or time-saving, and if it is time-short, there are multiple types of time-saving such as time to finish a predetermined number of times, time to continue until next big hit. It may be a gaming state that is distinguished depending on whether it is any of the above. “A presentation mode in which the game state can be easily distinguished in appearance” is an effect mode in which the player can check the game state based on the appearance of the ball and ball game machine based on the content of the predetermined presentation and the operation mode of the accessory. Also good.

  According to this aspect, it is possible to avoid reducing the player's expectation even when the suggestive effect that suggests the transition state to the specific gaming state is interrupted due to the power supply stop during the limited period. That is, depending on the transition state to the specific gaming state, the player can easily determine the transition state by the effect according to the gaming state after the limited period. In addition, even if it is difficult for the player to determine the transition status in the performance according to the gaming state after the limited period, there is still a possibility that the player has transitioned to another specific gaming state, so the player's expectation is It becomes easy to be maintained.

  When the transition to the normal game is completed after the end of the special game, there is further provided a specific game execution means for shifting to a specific game state that is more advantageous to the player than the normal state when a predetermined transition condition is satisfied. Good. The limitation criterion is a determination criterion for executing a series of effects suggesting the transition state to the specific game state in the game state after the end of the special game, and the effect determination means is an effect corresponding to the game state after the limited period As an effect mode according to the state, an effect mode in which it is difficult to visually distinguish the transition state to the specific game state may be determined.

  According to this aspect, if the suggestion effect that suggests the state of transition to the specific gaming state in the limited period is interrupted by the power supply stop, and the suggestion effect has become halfway, transition to so-called latent mode, The transition situation is hidden from the player. As a result, since the suggestion effect is halfway in the first place, the player has not been able to determine the status of transition to the specific game state, but since the production in the latent mode is started, the game continues without making the player feel uncomfortable Can be made. In addition, even if it is difficult for the player to determine the transition status in the production according to the gaming state after the limited period, there is still a possibility that the player has transitioned to any of a plurality of specific gaming states. It is easier to maintain the player's expectation.

  It should be noted that any combination of the above-described constituent elements, or the constituent elements and expressions of the present invention may be mutually replaced between methods, apparatuses, systems, computer programs, recording media storing computer programs, data structures, etc. This is effective as an embodiment of the present invention.

  According to the ball game machine of the present invention, even when power supply is stopped while a predetermined series of effects are being executed, it is possible to provide a suitable effect when power supply is restored.

It is a figure which shows the basic structure in the front side of a pachinko game machine. It is a figure which shows the basic structure in the back side of a pachinko game machine. It is a figure which shows the functional block of the pachinko game machine in a present Example. It is a figure which shows the production | presentation state in a present Example. It is a figure which shows the transition conditions between the production | presentation states shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows typically the effect display when the stop of power supply does not generate | occur | produce. It is a figure which shows typically the effect display when the stop of power supply generate | occur | produces. It is a flowchart which shows the basic operation | movement process in a pachinko game machine. It is a flowchart which shows the normal game control process of S14 in FIG. 8 in detail. 10 is a flowchart showing in detail the success / failure determination process of S34 in FIG. 9. It is a flowchart which shows S52 in FIG. 10 in detail. It is a flowchart which shows S16 in FIG. 7 in detail.

  FIG. 1 shows a basic structure on the front side of a pachinko gaming machine. Hereinafter, a so-called first type pachinko gaming machine, which is conventionally known as a bullet ball gaming machine, will be described as an example. The pachinko gaming machine 10 is mainly composed of a gaming machine frame and a gaming board. The gaming machine frame of the pachinko gaming machine 10 includes an outer frame 11, a front frame 12, a transparent plate 13, a door 14, an upper ball dish 15, a lower ball dish 16, and a launch handle 17. The outer frame 11 has an opening and is a frame for fixing the pachinko gaming machine 10 to a position where it should be installed. The front frame 12 is a frame body that aligns with the opening portion of the outer frame 11, and is attached to the outer frame 11 so as to be opened and closed by a hinge mechanism (not shown). The front frame 12 includes a mechanism for launching a game ball, a mechanism for detachably storing a game board, a mechanism for guiding or collecting the game ball, and the like.

  The transparent plate 13 is made of glass or the like and is supported by the door 14. The door 14 is attached to the front frame 12 so as to be openable and closable by a hinge mechanism (not shown). The upper ball tray 15 has a mechanism for storing game balls, sending out the game balls to the launch rail, and extracting the game balls to the lower ball tray 16. The lower ball tray 16 has a mechanism for storing and extracting game balls. A speaker 18 is provided between the upper ball tray 15 and the lower ball tray 16, and a sound effect corresponding to the gaming state is output.

  The game board 50 has an out port 58, a special symbol display device 61, an effect display device 60, and a start winning port (hereinafter referred to as “start port”) 62 on a game area 52 defined by the outer rail 54 and the inner rail 56. , A center ornament 64, a grand prize opening 66, an operation opening 68, and a general prize opening 72. Furthermore, in the game area 52, a plurality of mechanisms such as a game nail and a windmill (not shown) are installed. The start port 62 includes a start winning detection device 74 for detecting the entrance of a game ball and a normal electric accessory solenoid 76 for expanding the expanding mechanism of the start port 62. When the expansion mechanism of the start port 62 is expanded, the opening width of the start port 62 is expanded and the ease of entering the ball is improved. The start winning detection device 74 is a sensor that detects the entry of a game ball into the start port 62, and generates start win information indicating the winning at the time of entering. The general winning opening 72 includes a general winning detecting device 73 for detecting the entering of a game ball. The general winning detection device 73 is a sensor that detects the entry of a game ball into the general winning opening 72, and generates general winning information indicating the winning at the time of winning. The special winning opening 66 includes a winning detection device 78 for detecting the entry of a game ball and a special winning opening solenoid 80 for expanding the special winning opening 66. The winning detection device 78 is a sensor that detects the entry of a game ball into the big winning opening 66, and generates big winning opening winning information indicating the winning at the time of winning.

  The big winning opening 66 is a horizontal rectangular winning opening that is opened as a “big hit” when the special symbol 192 stops in a predetermined manner. The big winning opening 66 is provided above the out opening 58 and the like. The winning detection device 78 of the big winning opening 66 includes a sensor that detects the passage of a game ball.

  The special symbol display device 61 provided on the left side of the game area 52 and the effect display device 60 provided in the approximate center of the game area 52 have a variation of the special symbol 192 on each screen and a decoration linked to the special symbol 192. The variation of the effect image including the symbol 190 is displayed (hereinafter, such display is referred to as “symbol variation” or “variation display”). Here, the special symbol 192 is a symbol corresponding to the result of the lottery performed when the game ball is dropped into the start port 62, and the symbol mode when the change display is stopped is determined to be the winning symbol. When the symbol is a symbol, the timing at which the stop symbol is displayed is the jackpot occurrence timing. The special symbol display device 61 is display means composed of, for example, 7 segment LEDs. The effect display device 60 is a liquid crystal display that variably displays the decorative symbol 190 in a manner interlocked with the variation display of the special symbol 192. The decorative symbol 190 is a symbol for visually rendering the lottery result display indicated by the special symbol 192. The effect display device 60 displays, as the decorative symbol 190, for example, a plurality of rows of moving images of symbol variation simulating a slot machine game in the central area of the screen. The effect display device 60 is constituted by a liquid crystal display in this embodiment, but may be constituted by a mechanical rotating device such as a drum or other display means such as an LED. Since the special symbol 192 does not necessarily have a role of production, in this embodiment, the special symbol 192 is displayed in an inconspicuous size on the special symbol display device 61 at the lower left of the production display device 60. In the case of adopting a technique in which a decorative role is not displayed and a decorative symbol is not displayed, the special symbol may be displayed on a liquid crystal display such as the effect display device 60. The operation port 68 is provided at the left side position of the game board 50. The operation port 68 includes a passage detection device 69. The passage detection device 69 is a sensor that detects the passage of the game ball to the operation port 68, and generates passage information indicating the passage at the time of passage. The passage of the game ball to the operation port 68 triggers an open lottery for determining whether or not to expand the expansion mechanism of the start port 62. When the game ball passes through the operation port 68, a normal symbol, which is a symbol indicating the result of the open lottery, is variably displayed on the normal symbol display device 59. The normal symbol display device 59 is provided on the lower right side of the effect display device 60. When the normal symbol variation display is stopped after a predetermined time has elapsed, the start port 62 is normally expanded for a predetermined time with a probability of about 50% to 80%.

  A center ornament 64 is provided around the effect display device 60. The center decoration 64 has functions such as a flow path of the game ball, protection of the special symbol display device 61 and the effect display device 60, and decoration. A lottery hold lamp 20 is provided below the effect display device 60, and an operation hold lamp 22 is provided below the normal symbol display device 59 at the lower right of the game area 52, which is a symmetrical position. . The lottery hold lamp 20 is composed of four lamps, and displays the number of lottery holds depending on the number of lights. The number of lottery holds is the number of lottery results won to the start port 62 during symbol variation or special game, and indicates the number of winning balls for which symbol variation has not yet been executed. The operation hold lamp 22 is also composed of four lamps, and displays the number of hold of normal symbol fluctuations depending on the number of lights. The number of normal symbol fluctuations held is the number of game balls that have passed through the operation port 68 during the fluctuation of the normal symbol, and indicates the number of normal symbol lotteries for which the fluctuation of the normal symbol has not yet been executed. Furthermore, game effect lamps 90 are respectively provided above and below the effect display device 60. The operation button 82 is a button that the player operates to input a predetermined instruction to the gaming machine. The operation button 82 is provided on the outer wall surface near the upper ball tray 15.

  When the player turns the launch handle 17 by hand, the game balls stored in the upper ball tray 15 are guided one by one to the inner rail 56 and the outer rail 54 with a strength corresponding to the turning angle, thereby playing the game area. To 52. When the player fixes the rotation position of the firing handle 17 by hand, the game ball is repeatedly fired at regular time intervals. The game ball launched to the upper part of the game area 52 falls in a direction according to the way of hitting while hitting a plurality of game nails and windmills. When a game ball is dropped into each of the general winning port 72, the start port 62, and the big winning port 66, the winning ball corresponding to the type of the winning port is paid out to the upper ball plate 15 or the lower ball plate 16. A game ball dropped into each winning hole such as the general winning hole 72 is processed as a safe ball, and a game ball dropped into the out hole 58 is processed as an out ball. Each winning opening includes a gate type through which a game ball passes. In this application, “incoming”, “entering”, and “winning” include “passing”.

  When the game ball falls into the start port 62, the special symbol 192 and the decorative symbol 190 are variably displayed on the special symbol display device 61 and the effect display device 60. The variable display of the special symbol 192 and the decorative symbol 190 is stopped after the elapse of the display time determined prior to the display. When the special symbol 192 and the decorative symbol 190 at the time of the stop are symbols indicating a big hit, the game shifts to a special game that is more advantageous to the player than the normal game, and the opening / closing operation of the big prize opening 66 is started. At this time, the decorative pattern 190 simulating the game of the slot machine takes a display mode in which the three patterns are matched. In the special game, the grand prize winning slot 66 is temporarily closed after being opened for about 30 seconds or after 9 or more game balls are dropped. Such opening / closing of the big prize opening 66 is repeated a predetermined number of times, for example, 15 times.

  In the normal game after the end of the special game, a variable time shortening game (hereinafter referred to as “time reduction” as appropriate) that is one of the specific games is started. In the variation time shortening game, the variation time of the special symbol and the decorative symbol is shortened from the normal time. The variation time of the special symbol and the decorative symbol is returned to the original variation time after the variation display of a predetermined variation number is performed. When a special game occurs and the winning stop pattern at that time is in a specific mode, a probability variation game (hereinafter referred to as “probability change” as appropriate) that is one of the specific games after the special game ends Be started. In the probability variation game, a lottery with a higher win probability than the normal probability state is performed, and a new special game is generated relatively early.

  FIG. 2 shows a basic structure on the back side of the pachinko gaming machine. The power switch 40 is a switch for turning on / off the power of the pachinko gaming machine 10. The main board 102 controls the overall operation of the pachinko gaming machine 10 and processes all game operations such as a lottery when a winning is made to the start port 62. The sub board 104 includes the liquid crystal unit 42 and controls display contents on the effect display device 60, operations of the plurality of movable objects 140, and lighting of the game effect lamp 90, and in particular, display contents according to the lottery result by the main board 102. And the lighting of the movable accessory 140 and the game effect lamp 90 is activated along with the progress of the production. The main board 102 and the sub board 104 constitute a game control device 100. The set substrate 39 includes a prize ball tank 44, a flow path for prize balls, a payout unit 43 for delivering prize balls. The payout unit 43 pays out the game balls supplied from the winning ball tank 44 to the upper ball tray 15 in accordance with winning in each winning opening. The payout control board 45 controls the payout operation by the payout unit 43. The launching device 46 launches the stored balls in the upper ball tray 15 to the game area 52 one by one. The launch control board 47 controls the launch operation of the launch device 46. The power supply unit 48 supplies power to each part of the pachinko gaming machine 10.

  FIG. 3 shows functional blocks of the pachinko gaming machine 10 in this embodiment. In the pachinko gaming machine 10, the game control device 100 includes a start port 62, a big winning port 66, a general winning port 72, an operating port 68, a special symbol display device 61, an effect display device 60, a normal symbol display device 59, and operation buttons 82. The speaker 18, the game effect lamp 90, and the movable accessory 140 are electrically connected to each other, and can transmit and receive various control signals. The game control apparatus 100 controls not only the basic operation of the game but also the staging operations such as the symbol variation display, the movable accessory 140, and the electric decoration. The game control device 100 is configured in such a manner that functions are shared between a main board 102 that controls the overall operation of the pachinko gaming machine 10 including basic operations of the game, and a sub board 104 that controls design effects and the like. The game control device 100 is configured by hardware including elements such as a ROM and a RAM for storing data and programs, and a CPU used for arithmetic processing.

  In the present embodiment, the main board 102 includes a ball entering determination means 110, a winning / failing lottery means 112, a symbol determining means 114, a variation pattern determining means 115, a hold control means 116, a main display control means 118, a special game control means 120, a small hit. The game control means 121, the specific game execution means 122, the opening / closing control means 124, and the power interruption return means 126 are provided. The sub-board 104 in the present embodiment includes a pattern storage unit 130, a design mode determination unit 131, an effect determination unit 132, an effect display control unit 134, and an accessory control unit 136. Each functional block included in the main board 102 may be configured such that any one of the functional blocks is mounted on the sub board 104 instead of the main board 102. Similarly, each functional block included in the sub-board 104 may be configured such that any one of them is mounted on the main board 102 instead of the sub-board 104.

  However, since data transmission / reception between the main board 102 and the sub board 104 is unidirectional from the main board 102 to the sub board 104, each operation is performed so that the entire operation is realized by such data transmission / reception in one direction. The configuration is arranged on the main board 102 and the sub board 104. In this way, since the unidirectionality of data transmission from the main board 102 to the sub board 104 is maintained, data cannot be transmitted from the configuration included in the sub board 104 to the configuration included in the main board 102. It is not possible to request data transmission. Therefore, the information generated on the main board 102 cannot be referred to from the sub board 104 unless the main board 102 unilaterally transmits the information to the sub board 104.

  The entrance determination means 110 determines whether or not a game ball has entered each winning opening. When receiving the start winning information, the winning determination means 110 determines that the game ball has won the start opening 62, and when receiving the big winning opening winning information, determines that the game ball has won the big winning opening 66, and the general winning is obtained. When the information is received, it is determined that the game ball has won the general winning opening 72. When receiving the passage information, the ball entering determination unit 110 determines that the game ball has passed through the operation port 68.

  The success / failure lottery means 112 accepts a random number value to determine whether or not to shift to a special game that is more advantageous to the player than the normal game when the game ball enters the start port 62. Get as a value. For example, the success / failure lottery value is acquired from a value range from “0” to “65535”. The “random number” in the present application may not be a mathematically generated random number, but may be a pseudo-random number generated by a hardware random number, a software random number, or the like. The success / failure lottery means 112 holds a plurality of success / failure tables to be referred to in the success / failure determination. In the plurality of success / failure tables, the determination result of winning or losing is associated with the winning / losing lottery value, and the success / failure probability is determined according to the associated winning range setting. The success / failure lottery means 112 refers to a success / failure table for determination of success / failure based on a normal probability in normal times, and refers to a success / failure table in which the winning probability is higher than the normal probability when the probability changes. The success / failure lottery means 112 refers to any of the plurality of success / failure tables and determines whether or not the success / failure lottery value is a win. The determination result by the success / failure lottery means 112 is variably displayed in a special symbol form on the special symbol display device 61. In addition, a decorative symbol that shows the determination result by the success / failure lottery means 112 in an effect manner is variably displayed on the effect display device 60.

  The symbol determination means 114 determines the stop symbol of the special symbol to be displayed on the special symbol display device 61 according to the lottery result by the success / failure lottery means 112. Moreover, the symbol determination means 114 determines the stop symbol of the normal symbol displayed on the normal symbol display device 59 by lottery. The stop symbol is a symbol to be displayed at the end of symbol variation. The symbol determination means 114 holds a symbol range table to be referred to in order to determine a special symbol or a normal symbol stop symbol.

  The symbol determination means 114 acquires a symbol determination lottery value for determining a special symbol, and determines the stop symbol of the special symbol according to the determination result of the success / failure lottery means 112 and the symbol determination lottery value. The symbol determination unit 114 sends data indicating the determined stop symbol to the main display control unit 118, the symbol mode determination unit 131, and the effect determination unit 132.

  The symbol determining means 114 acquires a lottery random number for determining a normal symbol when the game ball passes through the operation port 68, and determines a stop symbol of the normal symbol according to the lottery random number. When the stop symbol of the normal symbol is a specific symbol, the opening / closing control means 124 expands the normal electric accessory at the start port 62 for a predetermined time.

  The variation pattern determination means 115 selects any variation pattern from a plurality of types of variation patterns according to the result of the success / failure lottery. The variation pattern determining means 115 holds a pattern selection table to be referred to in order to determine the variation pattern. The variation pattern determination unit 115 sends data indicating the determined variation pattern to the main display control unit 118, the symbol mode determination unit 131, and the effect determination unit 132. The variation pattern determination means 115 stores a plurality of types of variation patterns in which variation modes from the variation start to the stop when the special symbol is variably displayed are defined. A plurality of types of variation patterns are defined on the assumption that there are various variation times, short and long, and that symbol variation is also performed by a decorative symbol composed of a plurality of symbols in the variation time. In each variation pattern, a variation display time is defined for each pattern as an end condition of the symbol variation, and the variation of the special symbol and the decorative symbol is stopped when the variation display time elapses.

  The variation pattern determining means 115 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of special figure pattern tables provided in association with a plurality of game states identified by a result of the lottery determination or a transition state to a specific game state as a pattern selection table. Hold. Then, the variation pattern is determined with reference to a special figure pattern table corresponding to the gaming state when the variation pattern should be determined. The variation pattern determining means 115 is a special pattern pattern table (hereinafter referred to as “limited pattern”) for executing a predetermined series of notice effects for suggesting the state of transition to the specific gaming state during a predetermined period after the end of the special game. See also “table”. This limited pattern table is a table that is referred to when the special game has ended, regardless of the state of transition to a specific game state such as time reduction or probability change. Further, the table is different from any of the special figure pattern tables that are referred to in each of the short-time state, the probability variation state, and other normal game states. The “predetermined period after the end of the special game” in the present embodiment is four special symbol fluctuation periods performed immediately after the end of the special game, and this period is also referred to as a “limited period” below.

  The hold control means 116 holds the winning / losing lottery value acquired by the winning / failing lottery means 112 as a holding ball. The success / failure lottery value is accumulated until the number of holds reaches a predetermined upper limit. The upper limit of the number of holds is 4.

  The main display control means 118 causes the special symbol display device 61 to display the lottery result by the success / failure lottery means 112 as a special symbol fluctuation display according to the fluctuation pattern determined by the fluctuation pattern determination means 115. The main display control means 118 transmits the change start command and the change stop command to the effect determining means 132 and the effect display control means 134 at the timing of starting and stopping the change display of the special symbol, thereby performing the main display control. The variable display by the means 118 and the effect display control means 134 are synchronized, and the interlock is maintained. The main display control means 118 displays the normal symbol variation on the normal symbol display device 59. Hereinafter, the change start command and the change stop command are collectively referred to as a “change control command”.

  The special game control means 120 controls the execution process of the special game when the result of the lottery determination by the success / failure lottery means 112 is a win. The special game is a game in which the opening / closing operation of the special winning opening 66 is continuously performed a plurality of times, and is configured by a plurality of unit games with one opening / closing as a unit. The unit game is repeated up to 15 times, for example, and the grand prize opening 66 is opened for about 30 seconds in one unit game. If the number of continuations of the unit game has not reached the upper limit number, the special game control means 120 starts the next unit game after the end of the current unit game. When the upper limit number of unit games is exhausted, the special game is terminated.

  In the present embodiment, the special game control means 120 has a result that the result of winning or failing lottery by the winning or failing lottery means 112 shows a big win, and the result of the symbol determination lottery is that the maximum number of unit games for which the big winning opening 66 is opened is 15 In the case of showing the execution of a special game repeated (hereinafter also referred to as “15R jackpot”), a special game (hereinafter referred to as “15R special game”) in which the unit game in which the big winning opening 66 is opened is repeated up to 15 times. Is also called.). Further, the special game control means 120 indicates that the winning / losing lottery result by the winning / failing lottery means 112 is a big hit, and the result of the symbol determination lottery indicates execution of a special game in which the unit game in which the big winning opening 66 is opened is repeated twice. In a case (hereinafter also referred to as “2R jackpot”), a special game (hereinafter also referred to as “2R special game”) in which the unit game in which the big winning opening 66 is opened is repeated twice. At this time, the opening time of the special winning opening 66 is set to 0.8 seconds.

  Further, in this embodiment, a “small hit” is provided that is a shift to a small hit game with less profits from the player than the special game. The small hit game control means 121 executes the small hit game when the success / failure lottery value and the symbol determination lottery value indicate a small hit, and the special symbol 192 is stopped in a predetermined small hit mode. The small hit game is composed of one unit game. However, the big prize opening 66 is opened twice during one unit game. The opening time of the special winning opening 66 is less than a predetermined time (for example, 1.8 seconds) per opening. In this embodiment, it is set to 0.8 seconds. As a result, the 2R jackpot and the appearance are the same in appearance. However, the small hit game is different from the 2R big hit constituted by two unit games in that it is constituted by one unit game.

  The specific game execution means 122 executes control for shifting the game state from the normal state to the specific game state, and control for returning the specific game state to the normal state. The specific game in the present embodiment has a probability change in which the winning probability of the winning / failing lottery is switched from a normal probability state to a high probability state, and a short time in which the symbol variation time is switched from a normal time to a short time.

  The specific game execution means 122 shifts the game state after the special game to the probability change state when the winning / failing lottery value is a value indicating a big hit and is a value to be shifted to the probability change state. The probability variation state is continued until the next jackpot is generated in principle, and during that time, the probability of the hit determination by the success / failure lottery means 112 is maintained at a high value. In addition, the specific game executing means 122 shifts the game state to the time-shortened state after the special game regardless of the winning lottery value. The time saving in one aspect is continued until the number of times the special symbol fluctuates after the special game reaches a predetermined number of times (hereinafter also referred to as “time saving duration”), for example, 100 times. In another mode, the time reduction duration is not defined and continues until the next special game is started after the next jackpot occurs after the special game.

  Hereinafter, the 15R jackpot that shifts to probability change after the end of the special game is simply referred to as “15R probability change”. In addition, a 15R jackpot that does not shift to a probable after the end of the special game is simply referred to as “15R non-probable”. Furthermore, the 2R jackpot that shifts to probability change after the end of the special game is called “sudden probability change”.

  In the case of sudden change in probability, the special winning opening 66 is opened only twice in a short opening time as described above so that the player is less likely to notice that the special game has been executed. In addition, even in the case of a small winning game, a small winning game is executed in which the big winning opening 66 is opened only twice in a short opening time, similar to sudden probability change. In this way, it is difficult for a player to distinguish whether it was a sudden hit or a small hit game simply by confirming how the special winning opening 66 was opened.

  The variation pattern determining means 115 of this embodiment sets a variation control command for controlling the symbol variation of the decorative symbol 190. This variation control command includes information indicating the variation pattern of the special symbol and information indicating the gaming state (hereinafter also referred to as “gaming state information”). The game state information includes information related to winning, for example, information indicating whether or not a special game is in progress, whether or not 15R probability change, 15R non-probability change, and sudden probability change. Also, information regarding probability variation, for example, information indicating whether or not probability variation is being performed is included. Also, information regarding time reduction, for example, information indicating whether the time is short or not, and the remaining number of time reductions is included. In addition, information regarding the special specific game, for example, information indicating whether or not the special specific game state is present is included. Further, information on the special figure pattern table being referred to, for example, identification information of the special figure pattern table being referred to is included. As described above, this variation control command is sent from the main display control means 118 to the effect determination means 132 at the timing when the symbol variation of the decorative symbol 190 should be started and stopped. It should be noted that the variation control command transmitted at the timing at which the symbol variation of the decorative symbol 190 is to be started includes at least information related to winning and information related to the special symbol pattern table being referred to. In addition, the variation control command transmitted at the timing at which the symbol variation of the decorative symbol 190 should be stopped includes at least information regarding probability variation, information regarding time reduction, and information regarding special specific games.

  The opening / closing control means 124 controls the opening / closing of the ordinary electric accessory at the start opening 62 and the special winning opening 66. When the normal symbol is stopped at a specific symbol, the opening / closing control unit 124 sends an opening instruction to the ordinary electric accessory solenoid 76 to open the start port 62. Further, the opening / closing control means 124 sends an opening instruction to the special winning opening solenoid 80 during the special game, and opens the special winning opening 66. In addition, the opening / closing control means 124 executes an open extension that causes the expansion mechanism of the start port 62 to expand for a longer time than the normal state in the probability change state and the short time state after the 15R special game, but after the 2R special game, In the certain change state, the extension is not performed. In the 15R special game, as an advantage of normal probability change and short time, the opening time of the start port 62 is lengthened so that the player can continue the game without reducing his possession. On the other hand, after the 2R special game, it is to prevent the player from easily recognizing that the player has been in the special special game, that is, has been shifted to a certain degree with the extension. In other words, by preventing the recognition of whether a small hit game or a 2R special game has occurred by the operation of the ordinary electric accessory, it guarantees a gameability that makes it difficult to distinguish which game. .

  The power interruption recovery means 126 executes a backup process in preparation for when the supply of power is stopped, and executes a return process for returning the game when the supply of power is restored. Specifically, as a backup process, the contents of the RAM of the main board 102 are periodically backed up to a predetermined nonvolatile memory. Further, as a recovery process, when it is detected from the power supply unit 48 that the power supply has been restored, the backup data stored in the nonvolatile memory is written back to the RAM of the main board 102 to supply the gaming state of the main board 102 to the power supply. Return to the stopped state. In addition, when the power supply is restored, a power failure recovery signal for notifying the restoration of the power supply is transmitted to the sub-board 104. The power interruption return signal includes the above-described game state information, and includes at least information related to winning, information related to probability change, information related to time reduction, and information related to special specific games. The timing at which the variation control command is sent from the main board 102 to the sub-board 104 and the contents of the game state information to be included in the various variation control commands and the power interruption return signal are based on the specifications of the pachinko gaming machine 10 and the like. Various designs and selections are possible.

  Thus, when the supply of power is restored, the main board 102 returns to the original gaming state. Therefore, even when the supply of power is stopped during the limited period, the variation pattern determination unit 115 includes the variation control including the game state information indicating that the limited pattern table is being referred to for the remaining period of the limited period after the power supply is restored. The command is sent to the effect determining means 132.

  The pattern storage means 130 holds a plurality of effect patterns in which effect image contents to be displayed on the effect display device 60 in the variation of the decorative design 190 and the display process thereof are determined. The effect pattern is displayed separately from a plurality of variation effect patterns in which the variation process from the variation start to the stop in the variation display of the decoration symbol 190 and the effect process are defined, and the variation display of the decoration symbol, and the degree of expectation to the jackpot And a plurality of notice effect patterns suggesting the height of the notice.

  The effect determining means 132, as a result of the lottery by the acceptance / rejection lottery means 112, changes the special effect stop pattern, the change effect pattern and the notice effect effect pattern according to the change pattern of the special symbol (collectively, simply referred to as “effect pattern”). To decide. The effect determining means 132 holds a plurality of effect pattern tables corresponding to a plurality of effect states that should be referred to in order to determine the effect pattern. The effect determining means 132 sends information on the effect pattern determined with reference to the effect pattern table corresponding to the effect state when the effect pattern is to be determined to the effect display control means 134.

  The plurality of performance states are provided in association with the plurality of game states in the pachinko gaming machine 10. In other words, when the game state shifts from one state to another state, the effect state also shifts from one state to another state. FIG. 4 shows the effect state in the present embodiment. The arrow in the figure indicates a transition from the original production state of the arrow to the production state ahead of the arrow. The effect state in the present embodiment includes a normal effect mode 200, a special game effect mode 202, a limited effect mode 204, a first suggestion effect mode 206, a latent effect mode 208, and a second suggestion effect mode 210. included.

  The normal performance mode 200 is a performance state corresponding to a non-probabilistic and non-time-saving normal game. The special game effect mode 202 is an effect state corresponding to a special game. The limited effect mode 204 is an effect state corresponding to a limited period after the special game ends. The first suggestion effect mode 206 and the second suggestion effect mode 210 are effect states that provide an effect in an aspect in which the state of transition to the specific game state can be easily distinguished in appearance. The latent effect mode 208 is an effect state that provides an effect in a form in which it is difficult to visually distinguish the state of transition to the specific game state. The latent effect mode 208 is maintained for a certain period (hereinafter also referred to as “latent period”) from the transition to this mode. The incubation period is a period in which, for example, 20 special symbol changes are performed.

  FIG. 5 shows the transition conditions between the rendering states shown in FIG. The transition source mode column in the figure shows the effect state as the transition source, and the transition destination mode column indicates the effect state as the transition destination. The transition condition column indicates the transition condition, and when the transition condition is satisfied, the transition from the transition source mode to the transition destination mode is performed. Note that when the effect state transition is performed, an effect for notifying the player of the effect of the transition, for example, a notice effect that causes the effect display device 60 to display information on the transfer destination mode may be executed.

  In the normal performance mode 200, a mode transition to the special game performance mode 202 occurs when the 15R jackpot is reached, and a mode transition to the latent effect mode 208 occurs when the 2R jackpot or the jackpot is reached. In the special game effect mode 202, when the special game ends, the mode transition to the limited effect mode 204 occurs. In the limited effect mode 204, in the case of a specific game state in which the time is continued until the next big hit (hereinafter, also referred to as “special specific game state”), when the limited period ends, the first suggestion effect mode 206 is entered. A mode transition occurs. In the limited effect mode 204, when it is in a state other than the special specific gaming state, the mode shift to the latent effect mode 208 occurs when the limited period ends. In the latent effect mode 208, in the case of probability change, the mode transition to the second suggestion effect mode 210 occurs when the latent period ends. When the latent effect mode 208 is other than the probability change, the mode transition to the normal effect mode 200 occurs when the latent period ends.

  As will be described later, upon receiving the variation control command set in the variation pattern determining unit 115, the effect determining unit 132 of the present embodiment recognizes the effect state recognized at that time by the effect determining unit 132 and the variation control command. The effect state at the time of effect is identified according to the game state indicated by the game state information. Then, an effect pattern table corresponding to the effect state is referred to. Then, the variation effect pattern and the notice effect pattern associated with the variation pattern of the special symbol indicated by the variation control command (hereinafter also referred to as “special pattern variation pattern”) are selected.

  The variation production pattern includes a pattern for displaying a normal out-of-order symbol combination, a pattern for displaying an out-of-order symbol combination after reaching a big win if one more symbols are aligned, and a reach state. A pattern for displaying a jackpot symbol combination is included. In particular, the pattern that passes through the reach state includes patterns having various fluctuation times. Each variation effect pattern has a variation time for each pattern as an end condition of the symbol variation, and the symbol variation is stopped when the variation time elapses. The effect determining unit 132 selects a variation effect pattern of the effect image having the same variation time according to the variation pattern of the special symbol.

  The symbol form determining means 131 determines the combination and arrangement of the stop symbols of the decorative symbols in accordance with the result of the lottery by the pass / fail lottery means 112, the special symbol stop symbol, the special symbol variation pattern, and the decorative symbol variation effect pattern. To do. The symbol form determination unit 131 transmits information indicating the determined combination of stop symbols to the effect display control unit 134. The symbol form determining means 131 holds a symbol range table to be referred to in order to determine the stop symbol of the decorative symbol.

  The stop symbol of the decorative symbol is formed as a combination of three symbols. For example, when the determination result by the success / failure lottery means 112 indicates a shift to a special game, three symbols such as “777” and “111” are arranged. A combination is selected. In this case, it is preferable that the same numbers as the special symbols are selected as the numbers arranged as the decorative symbols. For example, when the special symbol is “3”, the decorative symbol is “333”. In the case where the determination result by the success / failure lottery means 112 indicates that the game does not shift to the special game, a combination that does not have three symbols such as “312” and “946” is selected. However, if the determination result is that the game does not shift to the special game, and the variation pattern of the special symbol indicating the detachment with reach or the variation effect pattern of the decorative symbol is selected, “191” or “727” is selected. "A combination that does not have only one symbol, such as"

  The notice effect pattern is an effect pattern for temporarily displaying an image, animation, video, or the like of a specific character or motif, or an effect pattern for outputting a specific sound. The effect by the notice effect pattern is executed in parallel with the symbol variation, and suggests in advance that the symbol variation is highly expected to stop in the big hit mode. For example, there are a normal notice effect in which only one character image is displayed on the screen, and a group notice effect in which a large number of characters are displayed so as to pass from one end to the other end of the screen. Further, the display process of the notice effect is divided into a plurality of stages, and the number of stages to be displayed is variable, and a step-up notice effect that is set such that the higher the number of stages is, the higher the expectation for the big hit is included.

  The notice effect pattern includes a pattern in which the effect is executed at a timing after the display form of the decorative symbol 190 reaches the reach state and the final stop state of the symbol is notified, and no decorative symbol 190 is stopped. There is a pattern in which the performance is executed at the timing and the reach is reached at the same time.

  The effect determining means 132 determines whether or not to display the notice effect on the effect display device 60 according to the result of the lottery determination, and determines the notice effect pattern to be displayed. The effect determining means 132 holds a notice determination table that should be referred to in order to determine whether or not to display the notice effect, and a notice type table that should be referred to when selecting the type of the notice effect pattern. The notice decision table is set so that different columns are referred to depending on the result of the lottery, and if the lottery is a win, the notice lottery will be displayed with a higher probability than if it was missed. Correspondence between whether to display the result and the notice effect is determined. Thereby, the high expectation degree to the jackpot can be suggested by displaying the notice effect itself.

  The effect display control means 134 displays the effect image including the decorative pattern on the effect display device 60 according to the selected change effect pattern data as a result of the success / failure lottery by the success / failure lottery means 112.

  The effect display control means 134 causes the effect display device 60 to display the notice effect according to the selected notice effect pattern when the effect determining means 132 determines to display the notice effect. The effect display control means 134 further controls effect processing such as lighting and extinguishing of the game effect lamp 90 and sound output from the speaker 18.

  In accordance with the instruction received from the effect display control means 134, the accessory control means 136 causes the movable accessory 140 to act in an effect manner in accordance with the effect contents in the effect display device 60 and the blinking process of the game effect lamp 90.

  The effect determining means 132 of the present embodiment refers to the effect pattern table corresponding to the limited effect mode 204 when detecting game state information indicating that the limited pattern table is being referred to from the variation control command set in the variation pattern determining means 115. To do. Then, an effect pattern associated with the special figure change pattern, that is, a change effect pattern and a notice effect pattern are selected. Here, in the effect pattern table corresponding to the limited effect mode 204, a special figure fluctuation pattern corresponding to four special symbol fluctuations in a limited period and a notice effect pattern corresponding to a series of four notice effects. It is associated. Therefore, a series of four notice effects are displayed during the limited period after the special game ends.

  The effect determining means 132 detects the game state information indicating that the game is not in the limited pattern table but in the special specific game state from the variation control command received while referring to the effect pattern table corresponding to the limited effect mode 204. In this case, switching is made so as to refer to the effect pattern table corresponding to the first suggestion effect mode 206. Then, an effect pattern associated with the special figure variation pattern is selected. In the effect pattern table corresponding to the first suggestion effect mode 206, it is assumed that an effect pattern corresponding to the special figure variation pattern determined based on the limited pattern table is set.

  The effect determining means 132 detects gaming state information indicating a gaming state other than the special specific gaming state, not referring to the limiting pattern table, from the variation control command received while referring to the effect pattern table corresponding to the limited effect mode 204. In this case, the display is switched so as to refer to the effect pattern table corresponding to the latent effect mode 208. Then, an effect pattern associated with the special figure variation pattern is selected. In the effect pattern table corresponding to the latent effect mode 208, an effect pattern corresponding to only a part of the special figure variation pattern determined based on the limited pattern table is set.

  When the power supply to the pachinko gaming machine 10 is stopped and then the power supply is restored, the effect determination means 132 receives the power interruption return signal from the power interruption recovery means 126. Even if the game state information indicating that the limited pattern table is being referred to is set in the variation control command received from the variation pattern determination unit 115 after receiving the power interruption return signal, the effect determination unit 132 has special game state information. When the specific game state is indicated, an effect pattern table corresponding to the first suggestion effect mode 206 is referred to. Then, an effect pattern associated with the special figure variation pattern is selected.

  Even if the game state information indicating that the limited pattern table is being referred to is set in the variation control command received from the variation pattern determination unit 115 after receiving the power interruption return signal, the effect determination unit 132 stores the game state information. When a game state other than the special specific game state is indicated, an effect pattern table corresponding to the latent effect mode 208 is referred to. Then, an effect pattern associated with the special figure variation pattern is selected.

  Here, when there is no production pattern associated with the special figure variation pattern in the production pattern table corresponding to the latent production mode 208, the production determination means 132, as an alternative, the variation time specified by the special figure fluctuation pattern, A production pattern having the same production time is selected. Typically, only the variation effect pattern of the decorative design 190 is selected without selecting the notice effect pattern. As a result, the notice effect is not displayed, and only the symbol variation of the decorative symbol 190 is displayed. For this reason, in the remaining period of the limited period after the power supply restoration, it can be a monotonous effect, but when the limited period ends, the variation effect pattern and the notice effect pattern associated with the special figure variation pattern are selected, Return to normal performance mode.

  For the predetermined number of symbol variations after receiving the power interruption return signal, the effect determining unit 132 may not execute the notice effect pattern selection process in the first place. Moreover, even if there is a notice effect pattern associated with the special figure variation pattern, it may be unselected. In other words, the effect determining unit 132 may limit or restrict the execution of the notice effect in a predetermined period after receiving the power interruption return signal.

  Next, an effect display example in the effect display device 60 of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 schematically shows an effect display when the power supply does not stop. 6A to 6H show the display contents in time series on the effect display device 60. FIG. FIG. 6A shows that the special game has ended. FIG. 6B shows the start of the limited performance mode 204 “A time”. 6 (c) to 6 (f) display a series of four notice effects for suggesting the state of transition to the special specific game state in the limited effect mode, along with the variable display of the decorative symbol 190. FIG. 6G shows the start of the latent effect mode 208 “B time” following the limited effect mode 204. FIG. 6 (h) displays a display effect that makes it difficult to visually determine the state of transition to the specific game state in the latent effect mode 208, as well as the variation display of the decorative symbol 190.

  FIG. 7 schematically shows an effect display when power supply stops. (A) to (h) in FIG. 7 show the display contents in time series on the effect display device 60, and (a) to (d) in FIG. 7 are (a) to (d) in FIG. It is the same. (E) of FIG. 7 shows that the supply of power to the pachinko gaming machine 10 stops and the effect display is also displayed in the middle of a series of four notice effects for suggesting the state of transition to the special specific game state in the limited effect mode. Indicates a stopped state. FIG. 7F shows a state where the supply of power has been restored. (G) of FIG. 7 shows that the latent effect mode 208 is started instead of the limited effect mode 204 after the power supply is restored. FIG. 7 (h) shows only the change display of the decorative design 190 that does not display the notice effect when there is no effect pattern corresponding to the special figure change pattern in the latent effect mode 208 and matches the change time of the special figure change pattern. Indicates that this is done.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a basic operation process in the pachinko gaming machine. First, processing is performed when a game ball has won the start port 62, the general winning port 72, the big winning port 66, or when the game ball has passed through the operation port 68 (S10). (N in S12), control processing for normal games such as winning / failing lottery is executed (S14), and if a special game is in progress (Y in S12), control processing for special game is executed (S16), from S10 to S16 In step S18, prize ball payout corresponding to various winnings is processed.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing in detail the normal game control process of S14 in FIG. In the normal game control process, if the winning / losing lottery value is on hold (Y in S30) and the symbol variation is not being displayed (N in S32), the winning / losing lottery means 112 executes the determining process. (S34). In accordance with the determination result, the main display control means 118 starts changing display, transmits a change start command to the effect display control means 134, and the effect display control means 134 that receives the command displays the effect image according to the change pattern data. The fluctuation display is started (S36). If the winning or failing lottery value is not held in S30 (N in S30), the processing from S32 to S36 is skipped, and if the symbol variation is being displayed in S32 (Y in S32), S34 and S36 Is skipped. Subsequently, if the symbol variation display has already started (Y in S38), the symbol variation display process is executed (S40). If the symbol variation display has not started (N in S38), S40 is skipped. .

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing in detail the success / failure determination process of S34 in FIG. First, the success / failure lottery means 112 reads the success / failure lottery value (S42), and determines the success / failure based on the success / failure lottery value (S44). The symbol determination means 114 determines a special symbol stop symbol based on the determination result (S46). The variation pattern determination means 115 selects a variation pattern of the special symbol with reference to the special pattern pattern table corresponding to the gaming state (S48). The variation pattern determining means 115 selects the variation pattern of the special symbol with reference to the limitation pattern table in the limitation period after the end of the special game. The symbol form determining means 131 determines the stop symbol combination of the decorative symbols based on the determination result and the special symbol (S50). The effect determining means 132 refers to the effect pattern table corresponding to the effect state corresponding to the gaming state, and selects the decorative symbol variation pattern and the notice effect pattern according to the special symbol variation pattern (S52).

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing in detail S52 in FIG. The effect determination unit 132 receives the variation control command from the variation pattern determination unit 115 (S100). When it is detected from the fluctuation control instruction that the limited pattern table is being referred to (Y in S102), and the power failure recovery signal is not received from the power failure recovery means 126, that is, the power supply has not stopped. In the case (N in S104), an effect pattern table corresponding to the limited effect mode 204 is selected (S106). Then, with reference to the selected effect pattern table, the change effect pattern and the notice effect pattern associated with the special figure change pattern are selected (S108). When the effect determining means 132 has received the power interruption return signal from the power interruption recovery means 126, that is, after the power supply is stopped or restored (Y in S104), the specific game is determined from the game state information of the variation control command. Detect the status transition status.

  When the transition to the special specific gaming state is detected (Y in S110), the effect determining unit 132 selects an effect pattern table corresponding to the first suggestion effect mode 206 (S112), and executes S108. When the transition to a state other than the special game state is detected (N in S110), the effect determining unit 132 selects an effect pattern table corresponding to the latent effect mode 208 (S114). If there is an effect pattern associated with the special figure variation pattern in the effect pattern table (Y in S116), S108 is executed. When there is no effect pattern associated with the special figure variation pattern (N in S116), an effect pattern with an effect time that matches the variation time of the special figure variation pattern is selected (S118). When it is not detected from the variation control command that the limited pattern table is being referred to (N in S102), an effect pattern table in the effect state corresponding to the game state indicated by the game state information is selected (S120), and S108 is executed. .

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing in detail S16 in FIG. First, if the big prize opening 66 has not been opened (N in S70), the production display control means 134 starts the special game production process (S72), and the open / close control means 124 opens the special prize opening 66 (S74). ). If the big winning opening 66 has been opened, S72 and S74 are skipped (Y in S70). When the predetermined opening time has elapsed since the grand prize opening 66 was opened (Y in S76), or the opening time has not elapsed (N in S76), there are nine or more game balls to the big winning opening 66 When the player has entered the ball (Y in S78), the opening / closing control means 124 closes the special winning opening 66 (S80). If the opening time has not elapsed (N in S76) and the number of balls entered into the grand prize winning opening 66 has not reached nine or more (N in S78), the processing after S80 is skipped and the flow of S16 Exit.

  If the number of rounds of the unit game has reached the final round after the closing of the special winning opening 66 in S80 (Y in S82), the effect display control means 134 ends the effect process of the special game (S84), and the special game control The means 120 ends the special game (S86). If the number of rounds has not reached the final round (N of S82), 1 is added to the number of rounds and the flow of S16 is terminated (S90). When the 15R special game is over (Y in S92), the specific game execution means 122 starts time reduction (S94), and the variation pattern determination means 115 is to be referred to when determining the variation pattern of the special symbol. The limited pattern table is selected (S96). When the 2R special game is over (N in S92), the time reduction is not started, and the variation pattern determining means 115 selects a special figure pattern table to be referred to during the incubation period (S98). If the 2R special game occurs and ends during the time reduction, the time reduction starts after the end.

  In the above, this invention was demonstrated based on the Example. This embodiment is merely an example, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the combination of each component and each processing process, and such modifications are within the scope of the present invention. is there. A modification is shown below.

  A first modification will be described. In the above-described embodiment, the production state transitions to the first suggestion production mode 206 or the latent production mode 208 after the power supply is stopped and restored in the limited production mode 204 according to the state of transition to the specific game state after the special game. It was done. In a modified example, the transition to the latent effect mode 208 may be made after the power supply is stopped and restored in the limited effect mode 204, regardless of the state of transition to the specific game state after the special game. Since the suggestion of the state of transition to the specific game state in the limited effect mode 204 has become a halfway state due to the stop of power supply, the player may not be able to recognize the state of transition to the specific game state. Therefore, the game can be continued without making the player feel uncomfortable by starting the latent effect mode 208 after the power supply is restored. In addition, after the power supply is restored, the player's expectation for the transition to the specific gaming state during the latent period by temporarily shifting to the latent effect mode 208 in which the player cannot visually determine the transition state to the specific gaming state. A feeling can be continued.

  A second modification will be described. In the above-described embodiment, a predetermined series of notice effects is displayed during the limited period. In the modified example, the transition state to the specific gaming state may be suggested by repeating the predetermined number of times during the limited period and displaying the same notice effect. In this case, a special figure variation pattern for displaying the same notice effect repeatedly a predetermined number of times may be set in the limited pattern table. Other configurations such as a condition for switching the effect state may be the same as in the embodiment. According to this aspect, even when the notice effect that should be repeated a predetermined number of times is interrupted due to the stoppage of power supply, the first suggestion effect mode 206 or the latent effect when the power supply is restored depending on the state of transition to the specific gaming state. Since the production in the mode 208 is started, it can be avoided that the player's expectation is reduced. Further, in combination with the first modification, the production in the latent production mode 208 may be started regardless of the transition state to the specific game state. In this case, even if the notice effect that should be repeated a predetermined number of times is interrupted in the middle due to the stop of the power supply, and the suggestion of the transition state to the specific game state becomes halfway, the effect of the latent effect mode 208 is displayed once. Thus, without making the player feel uncomfortable, the player's expectation for the transition to the specific gaming state can be continued during the incubation period.

  A third modification will be described. In the above-described embodiment, the limited period is a predetermined period after the end of the 15R special game. In the modification, it may be a period in which a predetermined series of effects should be provided to the player triggered by another game event. For example, the end of another event that causes the opening / closing operation of the special electrically-operated accessory such as the big prize opening 66 may be used as a trigger. Specifically, the limited period may be a predetermined period after the end of the 2R special game or the small hit game. Also in this modified example, the same effects as those described in the embodiments can be obtained.

  A fourth modification will be described. The effect determining unit 132 may temporarily hold the number of times the effect pattern is determined with reference to the effect pattern table corresponding to the limited effect mode 204 as the limited effect number in the memory of the sub-board 104. Then, when the variation control command is received, an effect pattern corresponding to the limited number of effects may be selected from the plurality of effect patterns set in the effect pattern table corresponding to the limited effect mode 204. Also in this modified example, when the supply of power is stopped, the limited number of presentations held in the memory of the sub-board 104 is lost, so that it is preferable even after the power supply is restored by the mechanism described in the above-described embodiment. Can provide a variety of performances.

  A fifth modification will be described. Before the limited period elapses, the effect state may transition to the first suggestion effect mode 206 with a predetermined probability. This transition may involve an action of a predetermined accessory. In addition, even after the effect state has shifted to the first suggestion effect mode 206, during the limited period, the variation pattern determining means 115 of the main board 102 may select the special figure variation pattern with reference to the limitation pattern table. . As already described in the embodiment, since the effect pattern table of the first suggestion effect mode 206 is set with the effect pattern corresponding to the special figure variation pattern based on the limited pattern table, there is no problem in effect.

  Thus, while the variation pattern determining means 115 refers to the limited pattern table and selects the special figure variation pattern, the effect determining means 132 while referring to the effect pattern table corresponding to the first suggestion effect mode 206, Consider the case where the power supply is stopped. Here, even when information for precisely specifying the game state of the main board 102 is set in the power interruption return signal or the fluctuation control command, for example, the number of times of reference to the limited pattern table or the remaining period of the limited period is set. If the sub board 104 strictly returns to the production state corresponding to the game state of the main board 102 after the restoration, a mismatch in production may occur. That is, while the effect of the first suggestion effect mode 206 is displayed before the power supply is stopped, the effect of the limited effect mode 204 is displayed after the power supply is restored. According to the mechanism described in the above-described embodiment, after the power supply is restored, the effect in the first suggestion effect mode 206 is displayed without returning to the limited effect mode 204, so that consistency in the effect display can be maintained. .

  A sixth modification will be described. In the above-described embodiment, after the 15R special game is over, the game state is uniformly shifted to a limited period, that is, a game state referring to the limited pattern table. In the modified example, whether or not to shift to a limited period after the end of the 15 special game, depending on the game state before and after the start of the 15R special game, the winning / losing lottery value that triggered the 15 special game, the winning pattern of the symbol, etc. If not, the main board 102 may determine which gaming state to transition to, and select a special figure pattern table corresponding to the gaming state of the transition destination. Further, the sub board 104 may select an effect pattern table corresponding to the effect mode determined by the game state of the transition destination determined by the main board 102.

  A seventh modification will be described. In the above-described embodiments, the conventional so-called first type pachinko gaming machine has been described as an example. In a modified example, the present invention may be realized in a model in which a plurality of first type pachinko gaming machines are combined into one model and fused. In that case, there are also a plurality of start winning awards, winning / failing lottery means, special symbols, decorative symbols, holding control means, etc., and it has a game characteristic that a plurality of pachinko games are mixed. For example, the above-described effect state switching process may be executed only in a game based on a ball entered into one of the first start prize port and the second start prize port, and a game based on any ball entered The effect state switching process described above may also be executed.

  The present invention is also applicable to other pachinko gaming machines in which decorative symbols are presented to players. For example, a composite that provides a game corresponding to a special game in the first type pachinko gaming machine as the first special game and a game corresponding to a special game in the second type pachinko game machine as the second special game. It can also be applied to the machine.

  Any combination of the above-described embodiments and modifications is also useful as an embodiment of the present invention. The new embodiment resulting from the combination has the effects of the combined example and modification.

  It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the functions to be fulfilled by the constituent elements recited in the claims are realized by a single element or a combination of the constituent elements shown in the embodiments and the modified examples.

  10 Pachinko machines, 50 game boards, 52 game areas, 60 effect display devices, 112 winning / losing lottery means, 115 variation pattern determining means, 120 special game control means, 121 small hit game control means, 122 specific game execution means, 126 electric Break return means, 132 effect determining means, 134 effect display control means, 200 normal effect mode, 202 special game effect mode, 204 limited effect mode, 206 first suggestion effect mode, 208 latent effect mode, 210 second suggestion effect mode.

Claims (4)

A game board in which a game area is formed;
A start winning opening provided at a predetermined position in the game area, and a game ball entering is a lottery opportunity;
Triggering lottery means for determining whether or not to shift to a special game that is more advantageous to the player than a normal game, triggered by entering the starting winning opening,
Special game control means for executing the special game when the result of the success / failure lottery indicates that the game is shifted to the special game;
A symbol display device in which a symbol for indicating the result of the winning / failing lottery is variably displayed;
A variation pattern determination for determining a variation pattern in the symbol variation display, wherein a variation pattern is determined according to a result of the winning / failing lottery with reference to a determination criterion provided in association with a gaming state. Means,
In accordance with the variation pattern determined by the variation pattern determination means, the symbol display control means for variably displaying the symbol on the symbol display device;
An effect display device on which an effect for indicating the result of the winning / failing lottery is displayed;
Effect determining means for determining the mode of the effect according to the effect state corresponding to the gaming state;
Effect display control means for displaying the effect on the effect display device in a mode determined by the effect determining means;
With
The variation pattern determining means is provided in a main control device that controls the progress of the game, and the effect determining means is provided in a sub-control device that controls the operation of the effect in the game, between the main control device and the sub-control device. Data transmission / reception is performed in one direction from the main control device to the sub-control device,
The variation pattern determining means determines a variation pattern with reference to a limitation criterion, which is a determination criterion for executing a predetermined series of performances, and controls the performance during a predetermined limited period after the special game ends. Setting limitation standard information indicating that the limitation criterion is referred to in the control command for transmitting to the effect determination means,
When the limitation standard information is set in the control command received from the variation pattern determination unit, the production determination unit determines the production mode according to the production state corresponding to the limitation standard when the series is determined. When the production is executed and the power supply is stopped during the limited period, even if the limitation reference information is set in the control command received after the restoration of the power supply, the production state corresponding to the gaming state after the limited period is set. A bullet ball game machine characterized by determining a corresponding production mode. The variation pattern determining means transmits a control command including information indicating a variation pattern determined with reference to the limitation criterion to the effect determining means in the limited period,
The effect determining means includes an effect pattern associated with a variation pattern based on the limitation criterion from among a plurality of effect patterns for an effect state corresponding to the limitation criterion reference. In response to the variation pattern based on the limitation criteria among the plurality of performance patterns for the performance state corresponding to the gaming state after the limitation period. When there is no attached production pattern, the production state corresponding to the gaming state after the limited period is selected as the production pattern having the production time corresponding to the variation time of the variation pattern based on the limitation criterion. The ball game machine according to claim 1, wherein the ball game machine is determined as an effect mode according to the game. When transitioning to the normal game after the special game is completed, if a predetermined transition condition is satisfied, the game further includes specific game execution means for shifting to a specific game state that is more advantageous to the player than the normal state,
The limitation criterion is a determination criterion for executing a series of effects suggesting a transition state to the specific gaming state in the gaming state after the special game ends,
The effect determining means, as an effect mode according to the effect state corresponding to the game state after the limited period, to an effect mode in which the state of transition to the specific game state can be easily distinguished in appearance, or to the specific game state The ball game machine according to claim 1, wherein an effect mode in which it is difficult to distinguish the transition status of the game is determined according to the status of transition to the specific game status. When the transition to the normal game after the special game ends, the game further comprises a specific game execution means for shifting to a specific game state that is more advantageous to the player than the normal state when a predetermined transition condition is satisfied,
The limitation criterion is a determination criterion for executing a series of effects suggesting a transition state to the specific gaming state in the gaming state after the special game ends,
The effect determining means determines an effect mode in which it is difficult to visually distinguish the transition state to the specific game state as an effect mode corresponding to the game state after the limited period. The bullet ball game machine according to claim 1 or 2.

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