JP5459341B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine, and more particularly, to a so-called seven machine, a winged article, a right article, or a ball-type gaming machine such as an arrangement ball.

  As a ball-type game machine (pachinko machine), there is a game machine called a so-called seven machine. In this type of gaming machine, usually, a normal symbol operating gate (passage detecting means), one or more start winning devices including a variable start winning device (ordinary electric accessory), and a variable winning device (large winning device). And a special symbol display means are arranged in the game area (see Patent Document 1). In addition, the determination of success or failure is executed due to the game ball entering the start winning device, and the special symbol display means starts the variable symbol display. Furthermore, when the execution time of the variable display has elapsed, the result of the determination of success or failure is stopped and displayed on the symbol display means.

  When the special symbol display means stops and displays a specific winning symbol (big winning symbol), the gaming machine starts a big winning game, and the large winning device in the closed state is opened. Then, after the open state is reached, a predetermined number of game balls are won in the grand prize winning device, or when the predetermined time has elapsed, the grand prize winning device is once returned to the closed state, and one “big hit round” is performed. Exit. When this “big hit round” is repeated a predetermined number of times (number of rounds), this gaming machine ends the big hit game.

  There are also seven machines (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “mixers”) that have the characteristics of so-called blades. In this type of gaming machine, an ordinary symbol operating gate (passage detecting means), one or more start winning devices including a variable start winning device (ordinary electric accessory), a large winning device, and a center accessory are provided. Arranged in the game area (see Patent Document 2). Then, when a game ball enters the start winning device, the special symbol display means starts to display the variation of the special symbol, and when a specific winning symbol (so-called “big hit symbol”) is stopped and displayed, the special winning symbol device is opened. A big hit game is performed by making it. Further, when another winning symbol (so-called “small winning symbol”) is stopped and displayed, for example, the “small winning prize opening” provided in the center accessory is short (eg, 0.4 seconds). The small hit game that opens is started, and about 1 to 3 game balls can enter the center combination. Then, when the game ball that has entered the center bonus through the small winning prize opening passes through the special area, the big hit game is started.

  In these gaming machines, the normal symbol variation display is started using the normal symbol display means when the normal symbol operation gate detects the passage of the game ball. After this, the normal symbol variation display is terminated, and when the “normal symbol stop symbol indicating the winning result” is displayed on the normal symbol display means, the variable start winning device is in an open state for a predetermined opening time. To change. In these gaming machines, the game can be smoothly performed if the game balls are efficiently won by the start winning device.

JP 2011-72549 A JP 2008-132263 A

  However, this type of gaming machine may not be able to smoothly play a game based on entering a start winning device. For example, a game ball that was going to win a variable start winning device is bounced by an obstacle nail arranged on the board surface of the game board or another game ball flowing down the board surface, and does not win the variable start winning device. is there. In this case, since the “game that should progress based on entering the starting winning device” does not proceed smoothly, the player may feel uncomfortable with the gaming machine.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of smoothly performing a game based on winning a start winning device. is there.

The gaming machine according to claim 1,
A game board in which a game area where game balls flow down is formed on the board surface;
Passage detection means for detecting the passage of a game ball flowing down the game area;
Using the normal symbol display means to display a normal symbol variation game that displays a normal symbol stop symbol indicating the result of winning or losing after executing the normal symbol variation display triggered by the detection of the game ball by the passage detection means Normal symbol variation game execution means to be executed,
One or more start winning devices including a variable start winning device that changes over a predetermined opening time from a state where the game ball is difficult or impossible to win to a state where it is easy to win when the result of the normal symbol variation game is successful When,
With
A gaming machine for determining whether or not to execute a winning game based on a game ball flowing down the game area entering the start winning device,
The game area is disposed at a position located above the entrance of the variable start winning device, and has a entrance for entering a game ball flowing down the game area, and an entrance through the entrance. A ball flow down device comprising a discharge port for discharging a game ball that has been balled toward the receiving port,
The ball falling device is:
The game balls entered from the entrance are allowed to pass through to reach the exit, and the time required for the game balls entered from the entrance to reach the exit is set to be different from each other. A plurality of access means,
The predetermined number of game balls that sequentially enter the entrance from the entrance are in the order of entrance to the entrance, the longer the required time, the later the game balls in the order A distribution unit that distributes to any of the plurality of arrival units so that the required time is shortened;
The predetermined number of game balls are discharged from the discharge port at substantially the same timing or in a state of being vertically connected.

  In the gaming machine according to claim 1, a predetermined number of game balls sequentially entering the entrance of the ball flow-down device at predetermined intervals pass through the ball flow-down device, so that the predetermined number of game balls enter the entrance. The time difference that occurred at the time of entering is eliminated. As a result, a predetermined number of game balls are discharged from the discharge port of the ball flow-down device at substantially the same timing or in a state of being connected vertically, so that a plurality of game balls win the variable start winning device at once (hereinafter referred to as “multiple It is called "winning"). Accordingly, in the gaming machine according to the first aspect, since it becomes possible to efficiently win the game ball in the variable start winning device, winning the start winning device (hereinafter referred to as “start winning”). The game based on it can be performed smoothly.

The gaming machine according to claim 2 is the gaming machine according to claim 1,
A ball entrance for allowing a game ball to enter the game area is provided at the upper left of the game area,
Of the gaming areas, the left area is the left area, the right area is the right area, and the upper area is the upper area.
The upper area part is provided with a guide area part for guiding a game ball that has entered the game area through the ball entrance to the right area part,
The ball entrance of the ball dropping device is arranged in the guide area part or the right area part.

  The invention of claim 2 applies the invention of claim 1 to a gaming machine that performs so-called “right-handed” and causes a variable start winning device to win a game ball. That is, when the game ball is launched toward the game area, the striking force (hereinafter referred to as “blow strength”) applied from the launching device to the game ball is a case where the game ball is launched aiming at the right area ( (Hereinafter referred to as “right-handed”) is larger than the case where a game ball is launched aiming at the left area (hereinafter referred to as “left-handed”). The speed of the played game ball becomes higher than the speed of the game ball launched into the game area by “left-handed”. Moreover, since there are usually few or no obstacles (obstacle nails, board parts) in the “guide area section connecting the ball entrance and the right area section”, it is fired into the game area by “right-handed”. The game balls that have reached the guide area and the right area vigorously.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the entrance port of the ball flow down device is disposed in the guide region portion or the right region portion, the game ball wins (ball entry) into the ball flow down device, and hence the variable start winning device. ) Can be performed more smoothly and at a good tempo. Therefore, in the gaming machine according to the second aspect, the “game based on the start winning prize” can be performed more smoothly.

The gaming machine according to claim 3 is the gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2,
As the start winning device, a fixed start winning device in which the possibility of winning a game ball is fixed, and the variable start winning device,
First determination random number storage means for storing a first determination random number generated based on winning of a game ball to the fixed start winning device;
Second determination random number storage means for storing a second determination random number generated based on a winning of a game ball to the start winning device of the variable start winning device;
A first success / failure determination unit that reads the first determination random numbers stored in the first determination random number storage unit one by one in the storage order and performs the determination as the first determination;
A second success / failure determination means for reading the second determination random numbers stored in the second determination random number storage means one by one in the storage order and performing the determination as a second success / failure determination;
When the first determination random number is stored in the first determination random number storage unit and the second determination random number is stored in the second determination random number storage unit, the second determination of whether or not the second determination is appropriate 1 priority processing means for processing to be performed in preference to the determination of success / failure;
It is characterized by providing.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the entrance of the ball dropping device is provided above the variable start winning device to increase the winning frequency of the variable start winning device. For this reason, it becomes easy to smoothly and preferentially play a game based on winning of a game ball to the variable start winning device. In other words, by making it easy for multiple variable start award devices to be generated, the hold information (second determination random number) based on winning to the variable start award device is made difficult to break, and the variable start award device is It becomes easy to smoothly and preferentially play a game based on the winning of the game balls.

The gaming machine according to claim 4 is the gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The passage detection means is provided in the ball dropping device.

  In the invention of claim 4, since the entry of the game ball into the ball flow down device triggers the execution of the normal symbol variation game, the variable start winning device is provided by causing the game flow ball to enter the ball flow down device. The frequency of opening is increased. Therefore, according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the game ball can be won more efficiently by the variable start winning device, so that the game based on the “start winning” can be performed more smoothly.

The gaming machine according to claim 5 is the gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The plurality of reaching means is composed of one reaching means in which the required time is the shortest and other reaching means excluding the one reaching means,
The other reaching means is provided with a stopping means for stopping the game ball toward the discharge port,
The one reaching means is provided with a passage detecting means for detecting that a game ball directed to the discharge port passes through the one reaching means,
When the passage detecting means detects the passage of the game ball, the stopping of the game ball by the stopping means is released.

  According to the invention of claim 5, the effect of the invention of claim 1 can be achieved more reliably. In other words, in the invention of claim 5, among the “a predetermined number of game balls distributed to any of the plurality of reaching means”, a game ball other than the game ball that last entered the entrance of the ball flow down device (the first ball) The game ball that has entered the ball is turned into a “stop ball” by the action of the stopping means, and the game ball that has finally entered is a “release ball” that generates an opportunity to release the stop of the “stop ball”. And since it is easy to discharge | emit the said "reservation sphere" and the "release ball | bowl" simultaneously from the discharge port of a ball | bowl downflow apparatus, the effect of invention of Claim 1 can be achieved more reliably.

The gaming machine according to claim 6 is the gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The ball dropping device includes two or three reaching means.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the number of game balls discharged from the ball flow-down device at substantially the same timing or in a state of being vertically connected is limited to two or three. For this reason, it is easy for the variable start winning device to win all of the game balls discharged from the ball flow-down device at substantially the same timing or in a state of being vertically connected.
Here, when the number of reaching means is two, “of the two game balls that sequentially enter at a predetermined interval from the entrance, the game ball that enters the entrance first is the time required. An embodiment may be provided that includes a “distribution means” that distributes the game balls that are distributed to the long arrival means and then distributes the game balls that enter later to the arrival means that has the short required time.

The gaming machine according to claim 7 is the gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The predetermined number of game balls are discharged from the discharge port at substantially the same timing in a state of being arranged along the horizontal width direction of the board surface.

  In the seventh aspect of the invention, since the player can visually recognize a plurality of game balls discharged from the discharge port at substantially the same timing, the “game based on winning the start winning device” is being smoothly performed. The “visual effect” can be enhanced. That is, since it becomes easy for the player to confirm the occurrence of “multiple winnings”, it is easy to improve the gaming interest.

  Further, in this specification, “front” and “front” indicate “front with respect to the gaming machine (that is, a direction closer to the player)”, and “rear” and “back” indicate the gaming machine. The reference rear (that is, the direction away from the player) "is shown. Further, “left” indicates “left” as viewed from the player, and “right” indicates “right as viewed from the player”. Further, in “a member that can be opened and closed like a door (hereinafter referred to as a“ door type member ”)” such as a main body frame, a front frame, an upper plate member, a lower plate member, etc., “left”, “right” “Front”, “Rear” and the like are based on the case where these door-type members are in use, that is, in the closed state. Further, in this specification, a game ball entering (accepting) a variety of winning holes provided on the game board surface may be referred to as “winning” or “entering”. Of these, “winning” means that a game ball enters a winning opening, which is a premise for paying out a winning ball, and that a gaming ball enters (accepts) a winning opening. Substantially synonymous with “entering ball”.

  As described above, in the gaming machine of the invention of each claim, it is possible to smoothly perform a game based on winning a start winning device.

It is a front view which shows the game machine which concerns on each Example of this invention. In the gaming machine according to each embodiment of the present invention, it is a perspective view showing an outer frame, a main body frame, a front frame, and a dish member (an upper dish member, a lower dish member). It is a schematic explanatory view for explaining a main body frame and the like in the gaming machine according to each embodiment of the present invention. It is a front view which shows the game board of the game machine which concerns on each Example (except Example 2) of this invention. It is a front view which shows roughly the display screen of the presentation display apparatus of the game machine which concerns on each Example. It is a longitudinal section showing roughly a fixed start prize-winning device etc. FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged front view of FIG. 4. (A) And (b) is a front view which shows schematically the variable start winning device. It is a schematic explanatory drawing of a ball flow-down apparatus. It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows a ball flow down apparatus and a variable start prize-winning apparatus. It is a schematic explanatory drawing of a ball flow-down apparatus. It is a schematic explanatory drawing of a ball flow-down apparatus. It is a schematic explanatory drawing of a ball flow-down apparatus. It is a schematic explanatory drawing of a ball flow-down apparatus. It is a schematic explanatory drawing of a ball flow-down apparatus. It is a schematic explanatory drawing which shows the arrangement | positioning position etc. of a ball dropping device. It is a schematic explanatory drawing of a ball flow-down apparatus. (A) is a front view schematically showing a lower display device of a gaming machine according to each embodiment, and (b) is a special symbol variable display mode executed by the lower display device of the gaming machine according to each embodiment. (C) is explanatory drawing which shows the variable display mode of the auxiliary | assistant symbol performed on the display screen of the presentation display apparatus of the game machine which concerns on each Example. It is a block diagram which shows the electronic control apparatus which concerns on each Example (except Example 2) of this invention. (A) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the 1st determination random number memory, 2nd determination random number memory, etc., (b) is a block diagram which shows the electronic controller which concerns on each Example of this invention. is there. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the data table used by the special figure 1 big hit lottery (1st big hit lottery) of the game machine which concerns on each Example (except Example 2). It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the data table used by the special figure 2 big hit lottery (2nd big hit lottery) of the gaming machine which concerns on each Example (except Example 2). (A) And (b) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the content of a pseudo | simulation symbol. (A)-(c) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the symbol fluctuation effect performed by the game machine which concerns on each Example of this invention. (A) And (b) is explanatory drawing which showed notably the mode that a command was output from the main control part in the gaming machine which concerns on each Example. It is a flowchart which shows the game control process of the game machine which concerns on each Example (except Example 2). (A) is a flowchart which shows an origin detection process, (b) is a flowchart which shows a winning device drive process. It is a flowchart which shows the normal symbol game process of the game machine which concerns on each Example. It is a flowchart which shows the normal symbol game process of the game machine which concerns on each Example. It is a flowchart which shows the normal electric accessory game process of the game machine which concerns on each Example. It is a flowchart which shows the special symbol game process of the game machine which concerns on each Example. It is a flowchart which shows the special symbol game process of the game machine which concerns on each Example. It is a flowchart which shows the special symbol game process of the game machine which concerns on each Example. It is a flowchart which shows the success / failure determination process of the gaming machine according to each embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the symbol change start process of the game machine which concerns on each Example. It is a flowchart which shows the big hit game process of the game machine which concerns on each Example. It is a flowchart which shows the process at the time of the jackpot game end of the game machine which concerns on each Example (except Example 2). It is a front view which shows the game board of the game machine which concerns on Example 2. FIG. (A) is explanatory drawing which shows the winning opening for small hits, an opening-and-closing member, etc., (b) is a top view which shows a distribution apparatus. (A)-(c) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating a sorting apparatus. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an electronic control device according to a second embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline | summary of the game performed with the game machine of Example 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the characteristic of the game performed with the game machine of Example 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the data table used by the special figure 1 big hit lottery (1st big hit lottery) of the gaming machine which concerns on Example 2. FIG. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the data table used by the special figure 2 big hit lottery (2nd big hit lottery) of the gaming machine which concerns on Example 2. FIG. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the data table used by the special figure 1 small hit lottery (1st big hit lottery) of the gaming machine which concerns on Example 2. FIG. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the data table used by the special figure 2 small hit lottery (2nd big hit lottery) of the gaming machine which concerns on Example 2. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the game control process of the game machine which concerns on Example 2. FIG. (A) And (b) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the characteristic of the special symbol game process of the game machine which concerns on Example 2. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the special symbol game process of the game machine which concerns on Example 2. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the success / failure determination process of the gaming machine according to the second embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the symbol change start process of the game machine which concerns on Example 2. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows a small hit game process. It is a flowchart which shows a process at the time of the small hit game completion | finish. It is a flowchart which shows the process at the time of the jackpot game end of the gaming machine according to the second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a ball flow down device according to a third embodiment. (A) And (b) is a schematic explanatory drawing of the ball dropping device concerning Example 3. FIG. (A) And (b) is a schematic explanatory drawing of the ball dropping device concerning Example 3. FIG. (A) is a flowchart which shows a stop start process, (b) is a flowchart which shows a stop cancellation | release process. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the 2nd starting prize-winning apparatus of Example 4. FIG. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the 2nd starting prize-winning apparatus of Example 4. FIG. (A) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the 2nd start winning device of Example 4, (b) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the 2nd starting winning device which concerns on the modification of Example 4. FIG. FIG. 10 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a ball dropping device according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a ball dropping device according to a fifth embodiment. (A) And (b) is a schematic explanatory drawing of the ball dropping device concerning Example 5. FIG. (A) And (b) is a schematic explanatory drawing of the ball dropping device concerning Example 5. FIG. (A) And (b) is a schematic explanatory drawing of the ball dropping device concerning Example 5. FIG. (A) And (b) is a schematic explanatory drawing of the ball dropping device concerning Example 5. FIG. (A) is a flowchart which shows a correction | amendment start process, (b) is a flowchart which shows a correction | amendment end process. It is a schematic explanatory drawing of the ball dropping device concerning the modification 1. It is a schematic explanatory drawing of the ball dropping apparatus which concerns on the modification 2. It is a schematic explanatory drawing of the ball dropping device concerning the modification 3.

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

(1) Mechanical structure a. First, the overall structure of the gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the gaming machine 1 includes an outer frame 2 and a gaming machine main body H (machine body) attached to the outer frame 2. The outer frame 2 includes an outer frame main body 21 configured by a substantially rectangular frame-shaped body, and a front plate portion 22 that covers a lower front portion of the outer frame main body 21.

  The gaming machine main body H is rotatably assembled to the left end side of the outer frame 2 using upper and lower hinges H1 and H2 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) of the outer frame 2. The gaming machine main body H is a portion of the gaming machine 1 excluding the outer frame 2, and as shown in FIG. 2, the main body frame 3, the front frame 4, and the dish member integrated with the front frame 4. (Upper plate member 5 and lower plate member 6) 5A, game board 10 (see FIG. 4), back mechanism board 102 (see FIG. 3) and the like are the main parts. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the main body frame 3 is fitted into the outer frame 2 and is pivotally supported so as to be openable and closable with respect to the outer frame 2. As shown in FIG. 1, a locking device 7 is mounted on the right end side of the main body frame 3. In FIG. 2, the outer frame 2, the main body frame 3, the front frame 4, and the dish member 5 </ b> A are illustrated, and the game board 10 and the back mechanism board 102 are not shown.

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

  When the main body frame 3 holds the game board 10, the “game area 11 formed on the front surface portion 10a of the game board 10” can be viewed from the front of the main body frame 3 through the window 3M. Further, a back mechanism board 102 (see FIG. 3) is mounted on the back surface portion of the game board 10 to cover the back surface portion. The back pack 102 is pivotally supported by the middle frame 3 so that it can be opened and closed. The back pack 102 has a “game ball tank for storing game balls” and a “pay game ball to the upper plate member 5”. A “game ball payout device for taking out”, “a case containing various control boards (main control board 200 to be described later)” and the like are mounted.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the front frame 4 is disposed on the front side of the main body frame 3 and is supported at the left end of the main body frame 3 so as to be openable and closable. The front frame 4 has a visual recognition window 41a at the center thereof. This viewing window 41a is provided in a state penetrating the front and rear of the front frame 4, and a gaming area 11 (a substantially circular gaming area 11 in front view) formed on the board surface of the gaming board 10 is opened in a shape that can be seen from the front. When the front frame 4 is closed, the game area 11 located behind the front frame 4 can be viewed from the front through the viewing window 41a.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the front frame 4 includes a frame main body 41, a glass plate 43 (see FIG. 3) attached to the frame main body 41, and a holder for holding the glass plate 43 on the frame main body 41. (Not shown). Further, in the gaming machine 1, as shown in FIG. 2, “a plate member 5 </ b> A in which the upper plate member 5 and the lower plate member 6 are integrated” is integrated with the front frame 4. 4 can be opened and closed integrally. However, the plate member 5 </ b> A may be mounted below the mounting portion of the front frame 4 in the main body frame 3 so that it can be opened and closed separately from the front frame 4. Further, the upper plate member 5 and the lower plate member 6 are provided separately, arranged below the mounting portion of the front frame 4 in the main body frame 3, and the upper plate member 5 arranged above is separated from the front frame 4. The lower plate member 6 arranged below can be opened and closed and cannot be opened and closed.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, speakers SP <b> 1 and SP <b> 2 (see FIG. 20B) are mounted on the left and right above the front portion of the front frame 4, and the left and right ends of the front plate portion 22 are Speakers SP3 and SP4 (see FIG. 20B) are incorporated. And in this game machine 1, the sound effect according to a game state and other sounds (sound) are generated using these speakers SP1-SP4. In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, in the front surface portion of the front frame 4, a location that constitutes the position of the upper plate member 5 is provided with a receiving port 5 b for receiving a game ball discharged from the gaming machine 1. Yes. Further, a ball rental display board 410 (see FIG. 19) and an effect button board 228 (see FIG. 20B) are provided on the back side of the upper plate member 5. SW ”is arranged (see FIG. 2).

  As shown in FIG. 2, a portion of the dish member 5 </ b> A below the upper dish member 5 constitutes the lower dish member 6. At the approximate center of the lower plate member 6, a receiving port 6 a for receiving a game ball discharged from the upper plate member 5 is provided in the inside of the substantially container shape. A firing handle 9 is provided on the right end side of the lower plate member 6. A launching device unit 90 (see FIG. 4) is disposed on the rear side of the front surface of the main body frame 3 (inside the main body frame 3) and located on the left end side below the game board 10. The launcher unit 9 is connected to the launcher unit 90. Here, the launcher unit 90 is for launching a game ball sent out from a ball feeder (not shown) substantially vertically upward to reach the game area 11. The launch handle 9 is equipped with a touch switch (touch sensor) 9a for detecting that the player is touching, and in the vicinity thereof, the launch stop for temporarily stopping the launch of the game ball is stopped. A switch 9b is attached. Note that the launching device unit 90 of the present embodiment launches a game ball sent out from a ball feeding device (not shown) substantially vertically upward according to the setting of “100 shots / minute” to reach the game area 11. For this reason, when a game ball is continuously fired toward the ball flow down device 70 described later, the game ball reaches the ball flow down device 70 at intervals of “0.6 seconds”.

b. Next, the configuration of the game board 10 will be described with reference to FIG. The game board 10 includes a game board main body 10A configured using a substantially rectangular plywood in front view, and various board components (the outer rail 12, the inner rail 13, and the main accessory attached to the game board main body 10A. Device 20 etc.) is mounted. Note that a sheet-like object on which a cell image is printed is attached to the front surface of the game board main body 10A, but the illustration is omitted.

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

  While the inner rail 13 is arranged in a substantially U shape, the game board main body 10A is disposed at the upper left portion at the left end portion, and the “game” between the “upper left portion of the outer rail 12” located on the left side thereof. A “gap through which a sphere can pass” is provided to form a ball entrance 11S. Further, the left end portion of the outer rail 12 is disposed close to the upper left of the ball outlet 96j of the launcher unit 90. And the part arrange | positioned on the outer side of the inner rail 13 in the outer rail 12 draws the path | route which goes up diagonally to the left from the left end part of the outer rail 12, and when it reached the side of the right end part of the inner rail 13, The route rises while changing the route to an arc-like route substantially parallel to the inner rail 13, and reaches the upper right part of the game board main body 10A beyond the side of the ball entrance 11S.

  The upper end portion of the auxiliary rail 13 </ b> B is integrated with the outer surface portion of the inner rail 13. Then, the “passage formed between the auxiliary rail 13B and the portion of the outer rail 12 substantially parallel to the auxiliary rail 13B” and the “passage formed between the outer rail 12 and the inner rail 13 above it reach the ball entrance 11S. The “passage” continuously constitutes the guide route 11Y. The guide path 11Y communicates with the “ball outlet 96j of the launcher unit 90” at the lower end thereof, and rises leftward from the lower end portion and rises “outside of the inner rail 13 (on the left side)” It passes through the outside of the rail 13 in the clockwise direction and reaches the ball entrance 11S.

  In the area forming unit 10B (the part located in the game area 11 in the game board 10), the main accessory device 20, the first start prize device 17a, the second start prize device 17b, the big prize device 31, A lower display device 60, two general winning devices 40 and 41, a ball-falling device 70, a number of obstacle nails 15 (not shown in FIG. 4, refer to FIG. 7), a windmill 19 and the like are arranged. ing.

  The main accessory device 20 includes an attachment member (decorative plate) 21 and an effect display device 27. Among these, the attachment member 21 is comprised by the plate-shaped body with which the front part of the area | region formation part 10B is mounted | worn, and comprises the upper half center part of the game area | region 11 as shown in FIG. The attachment member (decorative plate) 21 is provided with a window portion forming hole 21d, and the window portion forming hole 21d constitutes a display window 21e. The display window 21e is substantially rectangular when viewed from the front.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 4, the game area 11 can be divided into four area portions 11L, 11R, 11U, and 11D with the center as a reference. That is, the left region portion 11L located on the left side of the main accessory device 20 provided in the approximate center of the game region 11, the right region portion 11R located on the right side of the main accessory device 20, and the main accessory device 20 It can be divided into an upper region portion 11U located on the upper side and a lower region portion 11D located on the lower side of the main accessory device 20. Then, in the upper region portion 11U, a portion located obliquely above and to the right of the main accessory device 20 guides the game ball that has reached the upper portion of the main accessory device 20 to the right region portion 11R. It is said that.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the stage member 21 p is attached to the lower edge portion of the attachment member 21 so as to protrude forward, and the decorative member 21 </ b> A is attached to the other part of the peripheral portion of the attachment member 21. It is mounted in a state of protruding. The decorative member 21A includes a flange portion 21H protruding from the upper edge portion of the mounting member 21, a left decorative portion 21L protruding from the left edge portion of the mounting member 21, and a right decorative portion protruding from the right edge portion of the mounting member 21. 21R.

  A game ball passage (hereinafter referred to as “warp passage”) 21w is formed inside the left decorative portion 21L. That is, in the left decoration portion 21L, the entrance 211w of the warp passage 21w opens obliquely upward to the left and accepts the game ball flowing down the game area 11 at this entrance, and on the stage portion 21p (main role) The object device 20 is entered. Moreover, the stage part 21p comprises the rolling surface of a game ball by the upper surface part. The rolling surface is configured as an inclined surface that descends from the left and right end portions toward the central portion, and is a raised portion that slightly protrudes upward at the central portion of the rolling surface.

  In the gaming machine 1, the game ball that has flowed down the game area 11 and reached the left end of the rolling surface through the passage 21w rolls right on the rolling surface, and further rolls leftward. . Then, when the momentum of the game ball has declined, this game ball is discharged out of the main accessory device 20, but most of the game balls discharged from the center of the rolling surface are first started with a certain probability. The winning device 17a is won (described later). Among the game balls that flow down the game area 11 and win the first start winning device 17a, those that enter the first start winning device 17a without entering the main winning device 17a and the main winning feature There is one that enters the device 20 and rolls on the stage portion 21p and then wins the first start winning device 17a. The receiving opening (first starting opening) 117a of the first starting winning device 17a is open upward (see FIG. 6).

  That is, as shown in FIG. 6, the central portion of the stage portion 21p (rolling surface) has an inclined surface 21T that descends rearward, and a discharge path is provided behind the central portion of the stage portion 21p (rolling surface). A 21V inlet 21Y is open. And the discharge path 21V draws the path | route which carries out a substantially half circuit, and the discharge port 21X is located in the substantially perpendicular | vertical upper direction of the "receiving opening 171a of the 1st start winning device 17a". For this reason, the game ball whose ball speed has been loosened at the center of the stage portion 21p (rolling surface) enters the discharge path 21V through the introduction port 21Y and then passes through the discharge path 21V. And after discharging | emitting to the game board 10 front from the discharge port 21X, it falls below, and the probability which wins the 1st start winning device 17a through the receiving port 117a is made high.

  The effect display device 27 is configured using a liquid crystal display device, and executes a symbol change effect linked to the special symbol change display and stop display in the lower display device 60. In this embodiment, the lower display device 60 (the first special symbol display unit 62a and the second special symbol display unit 62b) performs a symbol variable game (special symbol variable game) using the special symbol (this symbol). The effect display device 27 performs a symbol variation effect using a pseudo symbol (a specific example of an effect element is shown). Here, in the following description, the special symbol (main symbol) displayed on the first special symbol display unit 62a is referred to as “first special symbol” and the special symbol (book) displayed on the second special symbol display unit 62b. Symbol) is referred to as “second special symbol”. The details of the first special symbol and the second special symbol will be described later.

  The display screen 27a of the effect display device 27 can display various symbols using the whole or a part thereof. On this display screen 27a, as shown in FIG. 5, a pseudo symbol display area 27b in which three (three digits) pseudo symbols are displayed, and a background in which a background symbol (hereinafter referred to as a background symbol) is displayed. A display area 27c may appear. In the pseudo symbol display area 27b, three pseudo symbols are displayed side by side in the horizontal direction, and effect display and stop display using these “pseudo symbols” are performed. Further, in the background display area 27c, there may be a case where a symbol indicating a character (hereinafter referred to as a character symbol) is displayed as a background symbol, or a live-action image (not shown) is displayed. These “pseudo symbols” and the like indicate specific examples of “effect elements” displayed on the display screen 27a of the effect display device 27. These “pseudo symbols”, “background symbols”, and “character symbols” indicate “designs”. "Variation production" and "Big hit production" are realized.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, a first auxiliary symbol display area A that is variably displayed in conjunction with a first special symbol display unit 62a described later at a position on the right end side near the lower edge on the display screen 27a. Then, a second auxiliary symbol display area B that is variably displayed in conjunction with a second special symbol display unit 62b described later appears. In these auxiliary symbol display areas A and B, after the auxiliary symbol using the mosaic pattern is displayed in a variable manner in conjunction with the corresponding special symbol display portions 62a and 62b (first special symbol and second special symbol). The variable display is stopped simultaneously with the corresponding special symbol display parts 62a and 62b. When the variable display is stopped, the stop symbol of the auxiliary symbol is confirmed and displayed, and the result of the determination of success / failure is displayed based on the stop symbol. However, since there are many types of stop symbols, and each stop symbol is misleading, the player can understand the meaning of the stop symbol (whether it is a big hit, miss, probability change big hit, etc.) Have difficulty. Further, the content specified by the stop symbol that is fixedly displayed in the auxiliary symbol display areas A and B is specified by the stop display of the corresponding special symbol display portions 62a and 62b (first special symbol and second special symbol). The content is the same as the content.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the first reserved display area (D1, D2, D3, D4) appears in the upper position near the left edge of the display screen 27a, and the upper area near the right edge. The second reserved display area (E1, E2, E3, E4) may appear at the position on the side. In the first hold display area (D1 to D4), the number of holds (hereinafter referred to as “first hold number”) related to the “first special symbol” generated due to winning in the first start winning device 17a. “4” is displayed as the upper limit number, and in the second hold display area (E1 to E4), the number of holds (hereinafter referred to as “the second special symbol” caused by winning to the second start winning device 17b) "Second hold number") is displayed with "4" as the upper limit number. Note that a display unit for displaying the first hold number and a display unit for displaying the second hold number can be provided outside the display screen 27a. Further, in the following description, a game ball winning in the first start winning device 17a and a game ball winning in the second start winning device 17b may be referred to as “start winning”.

  The first hold display area (D1 to D4) has a configuration in which the first display unit D1, the second display unit D2, the third display unit D3, and the fourth display unit D4 are arranged from the bottom to the top. Prepare. The second hold display area (E1 to E4) also includes a first display unit E1, a second display unit E2, a third display unit E3, and a fourth display unit E4 arranged from below to above. It has a configuration. Each display unit (D1 to D4, E1 to E4) can display a graphic with a sphere (perfect circle).

  Any of the hold display areas (D1 to D4, E1 to E4) won the start winning devices 17a and 17b, but the number of game balls that have not yet been digested (that is, the number of hold) It is displayed by the number of “D1 to D4, E1 to E4”, and each time an undigested game ball is digested, the number of “undigested game balls” (the number of holds) is sequentially decremented and displayed. is there. Specifically, when the number of holdings is “1”, only the display part (D1, E1) with subscript 1 is used, and when the number of holdings is “2”, the display part with subscript 1 ( D1, E1) and the display part (D2, E2) with the subscript 2 are used. Furthermore, when the number of reservations is “3”, display units other than the display unit with subscript 4 (D1 to D3, E1 to E3) are used, and when the number of reservations is “4”, all display units ( D1-D4, E1-E4) are used. In addition, when the number of holdings decreases from “4” to “3”, the use of the display part (D4, E4) with the subscript 4 is stopped, and when the number of holdings decreases from “3” to “2”, The use of the display part (D3, E3) with the subscript 3 is stopped. In addition, when the number of holds decreases from “2” to “1”, the use of the display part (D2, E2) with the subscript 2 is stopped, and when the number of holds decreases from “1” to “zero”, The use of all the display units (D1 to D4, E1 to E4) is to be stopped. The “undigested game balls (holding balls)” related to each special symbol are won in the start winning devices 17a and 17b, but the symbol changing game accompanying the winning is performed in the corresponding special symbol display units 62a and 62b. Refers to a non-playing game ball.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the first start winning device 17a is a fixed (non-variable) start winning device, and has a pocket shape with the receiving port (first starting port) 117a opened upward as described above. I have. And since this 1st starting port is located in the vertical part of the center part of the stage part 21p (rolling surface), the game ball which falls from the center part passes through this 1st starting port, and becomes a 1st start winning prize. The probability of winning the device 17 is increased. In addition, a start winning detection switch 17s (see FIG. 19) for detecting the passage of the game ball is disposed inside the first start winning device 17. In addition, the size of the opening of the first start winning device 17a is set to allow passage of one game ball, and the size is not enlarged or reduced. For this reason, the winning possibility of the game ball to the first start winning device 17a is fixed.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the first start winning device 17a is disposed in the approximate center of the lower region portion 11D, and, as will be described later, a game ball that has been launched into the right region portion 11R is used as the first start winning device. It is substantially impossible to win the device 17a. For this reason, when the first start winning device 17a is caused to play a game ball, it is necessary to launch the game ball to the left region portion 11L. Then, the game ball launched to the left region portion 11L enters (a) the warp passage 21w through the entrance 211w, rolls on the stage portion 21p (rolling surface), and then forwards the game board 10 from the discharge port 21X. Or (b) is guided to a guide path 11h formed in a right-downward slanting shape on the lower left side of the main accessory device 20, and enters a receiving port (first starting port) 117a of the first starting winning device 17a. When it reaches, the first start winning device 17a is won. The guide path 11h is formed between two rows of obstacle nails (guide nails) 15 arranged substantially parallel to the lower left of the main accessory device 20.

  However, a large number of board parts such as a number of obstacle nails 15, a windmill 19, and general winning devices 40 and 41 are arranged in the left region portion 11L. For this reason, even if a game ball is launched toward the left region 11L with the intention of winning a game ball to the first start winning device 17a, the probability that the game ball will win the first start winning device 17a is low. (For example, 5 to 10%). That is, even if a game ball is launched aiming at the warp passage 21w, the game ball is repelled by the board parts, so the probability of reaching the vicinity of the entrance of the warp passage 21w is low (for example, 30%), and the warp The probability that a game ball that has reached the vicinity of the entrance of the passage 21w enters the warp passage 21w is also low (for example, 30%). In addition, the probability that the game ball rolling on the stage portion 21p is discharged from the discharge port 21X is also reduced (for example, 20%). Furthermore, the probability that a game ball that has not entered the warp passage 21w is guided through the guide path 11h is also reduced (for example, 30%). Since the first start winning device 17a is a fixed start winning device, the probability that a game ball launched toward the left region 11L wins the first start winning device 17a is low (for example, 5 -10%).

  The second start winning device 17b is a variable (open / close) start winning device, and is disposed at a lower portion of the right region portion 11R as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 8 (a), the second start winning device 17b is attached to a mounting plate 17c fixed to the game board body 10A by screws and a front portion of the mounting plate 17c, and is attached to the second start winning device 17b. A normal electric accessory 17d that constitutes the inlet side portion and an obstruction member 17k attached to the front surface of the mounting plate 17c.

  The ordinary electric accessory 17d has a so-called tulip type ordinary electric accessory solenoid 17c (see FIG. 19) for operating a pair of movable wing pieces 17e, 17e arranged on the left and right. Among these, the movable blade pieces 17e, 17e can be opened to the left and right so that the upper end sides are separated from each other around the lower support shaft. When the movable wing pieces 17e and 17e are in the closed state where the wing pieces 17e and 17e are erected, the distance between the upper ends of the movable wing pieces 17e and 17e is reduced. Further, when the ordinary electric accessory solenoid 17c is driven and the movable wing pieces 17e and 17e are tilted so that the upper end sides are separated from each other with respect to the lower end side axis, the upper end portions of the movable wing pieces 17e and 17e. The space between them is enlarged, and an open state is established. In addition, the specific example of the receiving port 17W of the 2nd starting prize-winning apparatus 17b is comprised by the upper end part of the movable blade pieces 17e and 17e (refer FIG. 8).

  The obstacle member 17k is disposed vertically above the ordinary electric accessory 17d (second start winning device 17b). In addition, a start winning detection switch 17t (see FIG. 19) for detecting the passage of the game ball is disposed inside the second start winning device 17b.

  As shown in FIG. 8 (a), when the second start winning device 17b is in a closed state, a space K1 that allows one game ball to pass between the upper ends of the pair of movable wing pieces 17e, 17e. However, the obstacle member 17K is disposed vertically above the space K1. For this reason, it is impossible for the game ball to win the second start winning device 17b in the closed state. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8 (b), when the second start winning device 17b is in an open state and the pair of movable blade pieces 17e, 17e are opened to the left and right, the distance between the upper end portions of the movable blade pieces 17e, 17e. K1 is expanded more than the full left and right width of the obstacle member 17K. For this reason, it is possible for the game balls that have passed through the left and right of the obstacle member 17K to win the second start winning device 17b. Further, when the pair of movable wing pieces 17e, 17e are opened to the left and right, the diameter of the game ball (about; approximately; between the upper end portion of the left movable wing piece 17e and the upper end portion of the right movable wing piece 17e). 11 mm) is provided at intervals of about 4 balls (about 44 mm).

  That is, when the pair of movable wing pieces 17e, 17e are opened to the left and right and the second start winning device 17b is opened, the diameter of the game ball (between the obstacle member 17K and the upper end of the left movable wing piece 17e ( An interval of about 2 balls (about; 11 mm) is provided (about; 22 mm), and the diameter of the game ball (about; 11 mm) is about 2 between the obstacle member 17K and the upper end of the right movable wing piece 17e. A space (about; 22 mm) is provided for the spheres. Therefore, in this gaming machine 1, when the four game balls arranged along the board surface of the game board 10 reach the upper side of the second start winning device 17b at the timing when the second start winning device 17b is opened, these Of the game balls can win the second start winning device 17b.

  In this gaming machine 1, when the second start winning device 17b is in an open state, the game balls flowing down the game area 11 can win the second start winning device 17b. Then, when the gaming mode of the gaming machine 1 becomes the open extension mode (described later) and the time for the second start winning device 17b to be in the open state becomes long, the probability that the game ball wins the second start winning device 17b is the first. The probability of winning the 1-start winning device 17a is much higher. In this embodiment, the opening time of the second start winning device 17b in the open extension mode is set to “5 seconds”, and the opening time of the second start winning device 17b in the non-open extension mode (normal opening mode) is set to “0”. .2 seconds ".

  On the other hand, as described above, when the second start winning device 17b is closed, it is impossible for the game ball to win the second start winning device 17b, so that the gaming mode of the gaming machine 1 is not the open extension mode. In this case, the probability that the game ball wins the second start winning device 17b is much lower than the probability that the game ball wins the first start winning device 17a. That is, when the gaming mode of the gaming machine 1 becomes the open extension mode, the case where the gaming ball wins the first start winning device 17a becomes a rare case, and when the gaming mode of the gaming machine 1 is not the opening extension mode, the gaming ball is the first The case that wins the 2-start winning device 17b is a rare case. For this reason, when the gaming mode of the gaming machine 1 is not the open extension mode, the player attempts to launch the gaming ball toward the left region portion 11L and cause the first starting prize winning device 17a to win the gaming ball. When the first game mode is the open extension mode, the game ball is launched toward the right region portion 11R and the second start winning device 17b tries to win the game ball.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the ball descending device 70 is disposed above the second start winning device 17b in the right region portion 11R, receives all game balls that have passed through the guide region portion 11G, and receives the second start winning component. It discharges toward the device 17b. As shown in FIG. 9, the ball dropping device 70 includes a base member 71, an outer wall member 72, a passage way forming wall 73, a front plate member 74 (see FIG. 10), a discharge port forming member 75, And a sorting member 76.

  The base member 71 is configured by using a substantially rectangular plate-like body in a front view, and is attached to the game board 10 in a state of being fitted into a recess 10c provided on the board surface 10b of the game board 10 as shown in FIG. Has been. Further, the front surface portion 71F of the base member 71 and the board surface 10b of the game board 10 are substantially flush with each other. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 9, the right side edge of the base member 71 has a substantially arc shape, and the other edges (upper edge, right edge and lower edge) have a substantially linear shape. As shown in FIG. 9, the outer wall member 72 is a wall body that constitutes the outer peripheral wall of the ball dropping device 70, and has a substantially frame shape that protrudes from the outer edge portion of the base member 71. That is, the outer wall member 72 protrudes from the right wall 72 a that protrudes from the right edge of the base member 71, the left wall 72 b that protrudes from the left edge of the base member 71, and the lower edge of the base member 71. The lower wall part 72c and the upper wall part 72d which protrudes from the vicinity of the upper edge part of the base member 71 are provided. The right side wall portion 72a, the left side wall portion 72b, the lower wall portion 72c, and the upper wall portion 72d are all formed by a long and belt-like wall body, and the front side of the base member 71 with the short side direction facing the front-rear direction. Protruding.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the right wall portion 72 a is configured in a substantially arc shape along the right edge portion of the base member 71, and the left wall portion 72 b is formed in a substantially straight shape along the left edge portion of the base member 71. It is configured. In addition, the upper wall portion 72d has a first inclined wall portion 72e that is arranged in a left-downward slanting manner with the right end portion integrated with the upper end portion of the right wall portion 72a, and the left end portion integrated with the upper end portion of the left wall portion 72b. And a second inclined wall portion 72g arranged in a right-downwardly inclined shape. In addition, a space portion 72K that allows passage of one game ball is provided between the left end portion of the first inclined wall portion 72e and the right end portion of the second inclined wall portion 72g. The space 72K constitutes a entrance 72T for allowing a game ball to enter the ball flow down device 70. The upper surfaces of the first inclined wall portion 72e and the second inclined wall portion 72g constitute a guide surface that guides a game ball entering from the game area 11 to the entrance 72T.

  The lower wall portion 72c is disposed at the lower edge portion of the base member 71 so as to reach the right end portion from the central portion along the left-right direction. That is, the right end portion of the lower wall portion 72 c is integrated with the lower end portion of the right wall portion 72 a, but the left end portion of the lower wall portion 72 c is located at a substantially central portion of the lower edge portion of the base member 71. . For this reason, the space | interval exceeding twice the diameter of a game ball is provided between the lower end part of the left side wall part 72b, and the left end part of the lower wall part 72c.

  The discharge port forming member 75 is disposed at a lower edge portion of the base member 71 so as to hang from a portion located between the lower end portion of the left wall portion 72b and the left end portion of the lower wall portion 72c. The discharge port forming member 75 constitutes a discharge port 75T for discharging the game ball to the outside of the ball flow down device 70 in the ball flow down device 70.

  The passage forming wall 73 is constituted by four wall bodies 73 a, 73 b, 73 c and 73 d integrated with the outer wall member 72. Here, in the following description, the wall body 73a disposed at the right end is referred to as “first wall body 73a”, the wall body 73b disposed on the left side of the first wall body 73a is referred to as “second wall body 73b”, and second The wall body 73c disposed on the left side of the wall body 73b is referred to as a “third wall body 73c”, and the wall body 73d disposed at the left end is referred to as a “fourth wall body 73d”. Moreover, all the wall bodies 73a, 73b, 73c, and 73d are configured in a long band shape, and are in a state in which the lateral direction is directed in the front-rear direction.

  These wall bodies 73a, 73b, 73c, and 73d form substantially bowl-shaped passages L, L1, and L2 in cooperation with the base member 71. In other words, the upper end side portion of the first wall body 73a and the upper end side portion of the fourth wall body 73c constitute an introduction passage L through which a game ball that has entered from the entrance 72T passes first. The introduction passage L is provided with the axis centered vertically, and a normal symbol operation gate 16 is provided at an intermediate portion along the vertical direction. The normal symbol operation gate 16 is configured by using a sensor (switch) for detecting a game ball that has entered the ball dropping device 70. This sensor (switch) is a specific example of “passage detecting means”. Configure. The passing of the game ball through the normal symbol operating gate 16 is the trigger for operating the second start winning device 17b. The passage L1 and the passage L2 constitute a specific example of “arrival means”. In addition, when the passageway L1 is used when passing the game ball, the passageway of the gameball becomes longer than when the passageway L2 is used. The time required to reach 75T becomes longer.

  Further, the first passage L1 through which one game ball that has previously entered the entrance 72T passes by the “part below the upper end side portion in the first wall 73a” and the second wall 73b. Is configured. The first passage L1 includes a portion (hereinafter, referred to as “first upper end passage portion”) B1 disposed in a downwardly inclined manner from the lower end of the introduction passage L, and a lower end of the first upper end passage portion B1. A substantially arcuate path that protrudes in the right direction is drawn, and a part (hereinafter referred to as a “detour part”) B2 that hangs down after a left-sloped path is drawn. Further, an outlet B5 opened downward is provided at the lower end of the detour B2, and the outlet B5 communicates with a half portion on the right end side of the discharge port 75T.

  Furthermore, the “part below the upper end side portion in the fourth wall body 73d” and the third wall body 73c allow other game balls to enter the entrance 72T following the one game ball described above. The 2nd passage L2 which passes is constituted. The second passage L2 includes a portion (hereinafter, referred to as “second upper end passage portion”) C1 disposed in a downwardly inclined manner from the lower end of the introduction passage L, and a lower end of the second upper end passage portion C1. And a portion (hereinafter, referred to as “short-circuit portion”) C2 provided with an outlet portion C5 at the lower end thereof. And the exit part C5 of the lower end part of the short circuit part C2 is connected with the about half part of the left end side of the discharge port 75T. That is, in the present embodiment, the outlet portion B5 of the first passage L1 and the outlet portion C5 of the second passage L2 are arranged in a state of being aligned in the horizontal direction along the board surface of the game board 10, and the ball A discharge port 75T of the flow-down device 70 communicates with the outlet portions B5 and C5 vertically.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the passage passage forming wall 73 just above the entrance 72 </ b> T has a substantially inverted Y shape (a shape in which the “Y letter of the alphabet” is turned upside down) as viewed from the front. The passage is formed. That is, from the introduction passage path L provided in a state continuous with the entrance 72T, the first upper end passage section B1 arranged in a right downward inclination from the lower end of the introduction passage path L, and the lower end of the introduction passage path L The second upper end passage portion C1 arranged in a left-downward inclined shape forms a passage that branches into a substantially inverted Y shape in a front view.

  As shown in FIG. 11, a portion directly below the portion where the first upper end passage portion B1 and the second upper end passage portion C1 merge (hereinafter referred to as “merging portion G”) of the passage passage forming wall 73 is downward. It is set as the bulging part 73f which bulges toward. And the distribution member 76 is arrange | positioned in the state which can rock | fluctuate using the internal space of the confluence | merging part G and the bulging part 73f. In addition, a restriction hole 73g for restricting the swing range of the sorting member 76 is provided in the bulging portion 73f in a substantially arc shape. Furthermore, sensors (for example, optical sensors) S1 and S2 for detecting a game ball are disposed on the left and right sides of the upper end side of the junction G. In the following description, “sensor S1” is referred to as “first sensor S1”, and “sensor S2” is referred to as “second sensor S2.” The distribution member 76 constitutes a specific example of “distribution means”.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the distribution member 76 includes a base part 76a configured in a substantially semicircular shape, and a distribution protrusion protruding in a substantially triangular prism shape from a top surface part 76b configured in a substantially circular shape of the base part 76a. 76c. The distribution member 76 is provided with a mounting hole 76e in a penetrating state at a position located on the proximal end side of the distribution protrusion 76c, and the transmission shaft 76d is mounted in a state in which the transmission shaft 76d can rotate integrally. . The distribution member 76 has a mirror-symmetric (axisymmetric) shape on the left and right sides with respect to a virtual surface (the virtual surface including the broken line bb in the drawing) including the axis of the mounting hole 76e in the plane. Prepare.

  As shown in FIG. 11, in the upper surface portion 76b of the base body portion 76a, the portions located on the left and right of the projecting portion of the sorting protrusion 76c are the contacted portions 76g and 76h with which the game ball reaching from the introduction passage L abuts. Is provided. The right holding portion 76R that holds a game ball reaching the right side of the sorting projection 76c is configured by the right side surface 76n of the sorting projection 76c and the right contacted portion 76h, and the left side surface 76m of the sorting projection 76c. A left holding portion 76L that holds a game ball reaching the left side of the sorting protrusion 76c is configured by the left contacted portion 76g.

  Further, a restriction projection 76p is provided on a portion of the back surface of the base portion 76a through which a virtual surface including the axis of the mounting hole 76e in the plane (a virtual surface including the broken line bb in the drawing) passes. It has been. The restricting protrusion 76p is formed in an arc shape, but the arc length is shorter than the arc length of the restricting hole 73g. The restricting protrusion 76p is inserted into the restricting hole 73g, and when the distributing member 76 swings, the restricting protrusion 76p moves in the restricting hole 73g. However, the range in which the sorting member 76 can swing is such that the end E1 (or E2) of the restricting protrusion 76p contacts the “surface D1 (or D2) that forms the end of the restricting hole 73g at the bulging portion 73f”. It is restricted to the range. Further, the driving force of the drive motor 76M is transmitted to the transmission shaft 76d mounted in the mounting hole 76e via a predetermined transmission mechanism (for example, a gear or the like) (see FIG. 19). The drive motor 76M is a stepping motor, and its rotation operation (rotation operation) and stop operation are controlled using a control signal transmitted from the main control unit 200A.

  Here, although the drive mode of the distribution member 76 is demonstrated, the attitude | position of the distribution member 76 is defined as follows in the following description. That is, as shown in FIG. 12, the posture when the sorting protrusion 76c is inclined leftward and the right end E1 of the restricting protrusion 76p is brought into contact with the right surface D1 is defined as a “first posture”. . Further, as shown in FIG. 15, the attitude when the distribution protrusion 76c is inclined upward to the right and the left end E2 of the restriction protrusion 76p is brought into contact with the left surface D2 is defined as a “second attitude”. . Further, among the portions constituting the “merging portion G” in the passage forming wall 73, the portion located on the right side is referred to as the “right merging wall portion 73R”, and the portion located on the left side is referred to as the “left merging wall portion 73L”. Called.

  Although not shown in each drawing, the ball dropping device 70 detects that the right end E1 of the restricting projection 76p is in contact with the surface D1 (the distribution member 76 is in the “first posture”). A sensor (hereinafter referred to as a “third sensor”) S3 for detecting the presence of the light and detecting that the left end E2 of the restricting projection 76p is in contact with the surface D2 (the distribution member 76 is “ A sensor (hereinafter referred to as “fourth sensor”) S4 for detecting “in the second posture” is provided (see FIG. 19). In addition, as the third sensor S3 and the fourth sensor S4, a contact sensor (for example, a micro switch) or a non-contact sensor (for example, an optical sensor) can be used.

  As shown in FIG. 12, when the sorting member 76 is in the “first posture”, it becomes possible to receive a game ball between the right joining wall portion 73R and the sorting member 76, and the left joining wall portion 73L A game ball cannot be received between the distribution member 76 and the distribution member 76. In this case, it is because the space | interval formed between the protrusion part of the distribution protrusion 76c and the left merge wall part 73L is less than the diameter of a game ball. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 15, when the distribution member 76 is in the “second posture”, a game ball can be received between the left merging wall portion 73 </ b> L and the distribution member 76. A game ball cannot be received between the merging wall portion 73R and the sorting member 76. In this case, it is because the space | interval formed between the protrusion part of the distribution protrusion 76c and the right merge wall part 73R is less than the diameter of a game ball.

  As shown in FIG. 12, when the distribution member 76 is in the “first posture” and the game ball Y1 is received between the right merging wall portion 73R and the distribution member 76, the game ball Y1 is held in the right holding portion. 76R is held. That is, at this stage, since the distance between the right end of the base body portion 76a and the right merge wall portion 73R is less than the diameter of the game ball, the right holding portion 76R is in a state of holding the game ball. However, since the game ball Y1 is received between the right joining wall 73R and the distribution member 76 and the distribution member 76 is in the “first posture”, the first sensor S1 detects the game ball. Accordingly, the main controller 200A drives the drive shaft of the drive motor 76M so that it rotates by the “first rotation amount” in the “first rotation direction (hereinafter referred to as the forward rotation direction)”. The posture of the minute member 76 is changed to “second posture”.

  As shown in FIG. 13, in the middle of changing the distribution member 76 to the “second posture”, the distance between the right end of the base portion 76a and the right merge wall portion 73R exceeds the diameter of the game ball Y1, and Since the contact portion 76h is inclined downward to the right, the game ball Y1 held by the right holding portion 76R flows into the detour portion B2. Then, as shown in FIG. 14, when the distribution member 76 is in the “second position”, the ball dropping device 70 waits until a game ball following the game ball Y1 enters.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 15, when the game ball Y2 is received between the right merge wall portion 73R and the sorting member 76, the second sensor S2 detects the game ball Y2, and accordingly, the main control is performed. The unit 200A drives the drive motor 76M so that the drive shaft rotates in the “reverse direction” by the “first rotation amount”, and changes the orientation of the sorting member 76 to the “first orientation”. In the middle of changing the distribution member 76 to the “first posture”, the distance between the left end of the base portion 76a and the left merge wall portion 73L exceeds the diameter of the game ball Y2, and the right contacted portion 76g Since it is inclined downward to the left, the game ball Y2 held by the right holding part 76R flows into the short circuit part C2. Then, after the posture of the distribution member 76 becomes the “first posture”, the ball dropping device 70 waits until a game ball following the game ball Y2 enters.

  In the present gaming machine 1, the drive shaft of the drive motor 76M is alternately rotated in the normal rotation direction and the counter-rotation direction, and the posture of the distribution member 76 is set to the first posture and the second posture. Repeat alternately. Thereby, the game balls that sequentially enter the ball dropping device 70 through the entrance 72T are alternately distributed to either the detour part B2 or the short-circuit part C2.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the front plate member 74 is configured using a transparent plate (a glass plate or a resin plate), and has a front shape substantially the same as the above-described base member 71. Further, a space slightly exceeding the diameter of one game ball is provided between the rear surface portion 74B of the front plate member 74 and the front surface portion 71F of the base member 71. Then, the game ball that has entered the ball dropping device 70 from the entrance 72T is in contact with the rear surface portion 74B of the front plate member 74 and the front surface portion 71F of the base member 71, and the target passage (“L And L1 "or" L and L2 "). In other words, the game ball that has entered the ball dropping device 70 receives contact resistance (friction resistance) from the rear surface portion 74B and the front surface portion 71F, and the target passage (“L and L1” or “L and L2”). )).

  Here, as shown in FIG. 16, there are no obstacle nails 15 and board parts in the guide area portion 11G, and the game ball Y hit from the launching device unit 90 vigorously, that is, the right area portion 11R is reached. Thus, the guide area 11G is located on the extended line of the path followed by the game ball Y launched in this way. In other words, the guide enters the game area 11 through the ball entrance 11S and rolls on the lower surface of the outer rail 12 to the arcuate path drawn by the game ball Y trying to reach the upper right part of the game area 11. The region 11G is located. Moreover, the range of the substantially upper width of the upper end side of the right region portion 11R is in a state where the upper end side of the ball flow down device 70 is blocked, and the game balls that have passed through the guide region portion 11G and reached the right region portion 11R are not leaked. It is configured to enter the entrance 72T. That is, the ball enters the entrance 72T directly or is guided by the upper surface of the first inclined wall 72e or the second inclined wall 72g (see FIG. 9) and enters the entrance 72T. ing.

  Further, as described above, the launching device unit 90 launches the game ball sent out from the ball feeding device (not shown) substantially vertically upward according to the setting of “100 shots / minute” to reach the game area 11. For this reason, when a game ball is continuously launched from the launcher unit 90 toward the right region portion 11R, the game ball enters the entrance 72T at intervals of about 0.6 seconds. In the gaming machine 1, the time required for the game ball to pass through the bypass portion B2 is set to be approximately 0.6 seconds longer than the time required for the game ball to pass through the short-circuit portion C2. ing. Specifically, by setting the path length of the bypass part B2 to be longer than the path length of the short circuit part C2, the time required for the game ball to pass the bypass part B2 passes through the short circuit part C2. This is longer than the time required.

  In this gaming machine 1, as shown in FIG. 17, if one game ball Y1 that has entered the ball flow down device 70 from the entrance 72T is distributed through the detour part B2, the passage is distributed. Subsequent to one game ball Y1, the passing path is distributed so that another game ball Y2 that has entered the ball flow-down device 70 from the entrance 72T passes through the short-circuit portion C2. When the one game ball Y1 and the other game ball Y2 are continuously fired according to the above-mentioned setting of “100 shots / minute”, the one game ball Y1 is the entrance gate. After entering the ball dropping device 70 from 72T, another game ball Y2 enters the ball dropping device 70 from the entrance 72T after about 0.6 seconds have passed. Further, the one game ball Y1 and the other game balls Y2 are discharged from the discharge port 75T at substantially the same timing after a predetermined time has elapsed.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the discharge port 75T of the ball dropping device 70 is disposed vertically above the receiving port 17W of the second starting prize-winning device 17b, and there is an obstacle between the discharge port 75T and the receiving port 17W. Board parts such as nails 15 are not provided. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 17, when the timing at which the two game balls Y1, Y2 are discharged from the discharge port 75T coincides with the timing at which the second start winning device 17b is in the open state, both game balls are The possibility of winning simultaneously with the second start winning device 17b increases.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a big winning device 31 is disposed below the first start winning device 17a. The special winning device 31 includes a mounting plate portion 31k attached to the front surface portion 10a of the game board 10. The mounting plate portion 31k is provided with an opening having a substantially band shape in a substantially central portion in a state of passing through the front and back, and the opening constitutes a big prize opening 31a. The rear end portion of the grand prize winning port 31a is connected to a “large prize winning prize winning passage (not shown)”. In addition, the “Grand Prize Entrance Award Passage” is a passage for allowing a game ball to win from the Grand Prize Exit 31a to pass through, and the game ball that has won the Grand Prize Exit 31a passes through the Grand Prize Exit Award Passage and then plays this game. It is discharged outside the machine 1.

  The grand prize winning device 31 includes an opening / closing plate 31b for opening / closing the grand prize winning port 31a, a grand prize winning solenoid 31c (see FIG. 19) for driving the opening / closing plate 31b, and a prize winning passage winning path. A special winning opening winning detection switch 31s (see FIG. 19) provided in the middle of the route or in the route terminal unit is provided. When the opening / closing plate 31b is in the standing posture, the opening / closing plate 31b closes the large winning opening 31a in the large winning device 31, so that it is impossible to win a game ball in the large winning device 31. On the other hand, when the opening / closing plate 31b tilts forward with its lower end as a fulcrum and assumes a forward leaning posture, the prize winning opening 31a is opened and the rear surface portion (back surface portion) of the opening / closing plate 31b flows down the game area 11. And the guidance part which guide | induces the game ball which reached | attained the big prize apparatus 31 to the big prize opening 31a is comprised.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the lower display device 60 is arranged on the left side of the big winning device 31. As shown in FIG. 18A, the lower display device 60 includes an attachment plate 61 that is attached to the front surface of the game board main body 10A. The mounting plate 61 includes a first special symbol display unit 62a, a second special symbol display unit 62b, a normal symbol display unit 63, a first special symbol hold display unit 64a, and a second special symbol hold display. A part 64b, a normal symbol hold display part 65, and the like are provided. The first special symbol display unit 62a and the second special symbol display unit 62b constitute a specific example of “special symbol display means”.

  As shown in FIG. 18A, each of the first special symbol display unit 62a, the second special symbol display unit 62b, and the normal symbol display unit 63 is configured using a “7-segment display”. Among these, in the first special symbol display section 62a, “stop symbol of the first special symbol” indicating the result of the determination of success / failure executed due to the detection of the game ball by the first start opening winning detection switch 17s. However, the display is stopped after the change display. Further, in the second special symbol display section 62b, a “second special symbol stop symbol” indicating the result of the success / failure determination executed due to the detection of the game ball by the second start opening winning detection switch 17ts is displayed. Then, stop display after changing display. The contents of the display results of the first special symbol display unit 62a and the second special symbol display unit 62b will be described later. In addition, the result of the symbol variation game (result of the determination of success / failure) displayed on the first special symbol display unit 62a and the second special symbol display unit 62b, and the display result of the symbol variation effect displayed on the effect display device 27 (whether / not determined) The result of determination is assumed to match.

  As shown in FIG. 18A, the normal symbol display unit 63 is composed of a “7-segment display”, and the symbol variation start condition is established due to the game ball passing through the normal symbol operating gate 16 described above. Then, the normal symbol variation display is started. In this normal symbol variation display, the normal symbol display section 63 displays the arithmetic numbers from “0” to “9” in this order, and then again displays the arithmetic numbers from “0” to “9”. It consists of “circular display” that repeats the display in order. When the execution time of these variable displays elapses, the normal symbol stop symbol is executed for a certain period of time. At this time, when the stop symbol is “odd number”, it is a winning symbol, and when the stop symbol is “even number”, it is a missed symbol. The lottery means for performing the lottery to determine whether or not the ordinary electric accessory 17d should be opened is constituted by a main control unit 200A described later. The normal symbol display unit 63 constitutes a specific example of “normal symbol display means”, “circular display” that repeats displaying the arithmetic numbers from “0” to “9” in this order, and the normal symbol. A specific example of “ordinary symbol variation game” is constituted by the final display of the stop symbol.

  The first special symbol hold display unit 64a and the second special symbol hold display unit 64b are each configured by using two LEDs, and display the so-called “number of hold for special symbols” with an upper limit of 4 each. is there. That is, the first special symbol hold display unit 64a displays the number of game balls that have won the first start winning device 17a but cannot be digested yet (that is, the number of holds) as four upper limit numbers, Each time an undigested game ball (hold) is digested, the number of undigested game balls (that is, the number of reserves) is sequentially decremented and displayed. The second special symbol hold display section 64b displays the number of game balls that have won the second start winning device 17b but cannot be digested yet (that is, the hold number) as an upper limit number of four, Each time an undigested game ball (hold) is digested, the number of undigested game balls (that is, the number of reserves) is sequentially decremented and displayed. Here, the “undigested game ball (that is, hold)” related to the special symbol (the first special symbol and the second special symbol) is awarded to the start winning device (17a or 17b), but the special symbol display section ( 62a or 62b) indicates a game ball in which the result of the lottery determination (win / fail judgment) associated with the passage and the fluctuation display preceding this are not displayed.

  The normal symbol hold display unit 65 is also configured by using two LEDs and passes through the normal symbol operation gate 16, but the number of game balls still undigested (holding number) is displayed with the upper limit being four. Each time an undigested game ball is digested, the number of undigested game balls (reserved number) is sequentially decremented and displayed. Here, the “undigested game ball (holding ball)” relating to the normal symbol has passed through the normal symbol operation gate 16, but the normal symbol display unit 63 displays the result of the lottery (the lottery result symbol of the lottery result symbol). A game ball in which neither a fixed display nor a variable display preceding this (a display using a 7-segment display in this embodiment) is made.

  The first special symbol hold display unit 64a, the second special symbol hold display unit 64b, and the normal symbol hold display unit 65 display the number of holds in the same manner. That is, (a) two LEDs are turned off to indicate that the “hold number” is “zero”, and (b) one LED is turned off while one LED is turned on, and “hold number”. Is “1”, (c) two LEDs are lit and “holding number” is “2”, (d) one LED is blinking while one LED is blinking It is turned on to indicate that the “holding number” is “3”, and (e) two LEDs are blinked to indicate that the “holding number” is “4”. The display content of the first hold display area (D1 to D4) corresponds to the display content of the first special symbol hold display section 64a, and the display content of the second hold display area (E1 to E4) is the first. 2 corresponds to the display content of the special symbol hold display section 64b.

  Returning to FIG. 4, the two general winning devices 40 and 41 are arranged on the right side of the main accessory device 20. In each of the general winning devices 40 and 41, general winning detection switches 40s and 41s (see FIG. 19) for detecting the winning of the game ball are arranged. Further, an out port 18 is provided below the game board 10. Further, a back ball preventing member (not shown) is provided below the out port 18. And the game ball which returned without reaching the game area 11 is prevented from returning to the launch position again.

(2) Configuration of Control Circuit Next, the configuration of the control circuit of the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 19 and 20B. The control circuit of the gaming machine 1 includes a main control unit 200A and a plurality of sub-control units (220A, 222A, 240A, 260A). That is, the main control unit 200A that is configured using the main control board 200 and that controls the basic progress of the game and whether or not the prize ball is involved, and a plurality of sub-control units (220A, 222A, 240A, 260A). And.

  The sub-control unit is configured by using (a) the sub-control board 220 and “sub-control that controls various effects of the game using symbol display, light emission of the lamp, sound effect, operation of the movable object, etc. A control unit 220A, (b) an effect display control board 222, and an effect display control part 222A for controlling the effect display device 27 that performs symbol variation effect display, and (c) a payout control board 240 are provided. A payout control unit 240A configured to use and control the operation of paying out a rental ball and a prize ball, and (d) a launch control unit configured to use the launch control board 260 and control the game ball launching The sub-control unit includes a primary sub-control unit (220A, 240A) directly connected to the main control unit 140, and the main control unit 200A via the primary sub-control unit. Connected Secondary sub-control unit (222A, 260A) and are present.

  The control board (200, 220, 222, 240, 260) constituting these control units (200A, 220A, 222A, 240A, 260A) is executed by a CPU that executes various logical operations and calculation operations, and the CPU. ROM in which various programs and data are stored, RAM in which the CPU stores temporary data when the program is executed, a peripheral device interface (PIO) for exchanging data with peripheral devices, and the CPU performs calculations Various peripheral LSIs such as an oscillator that outputs a clock of the above and a watchdog timer that monitors the runaway of the CPU are connected to each other via a bus. In addition, the direction of the arrow in FIG.19 and FIG.20 (b) represents the direction which inputs / outputs data or a signal. In FIG. 19, only the CPU 201, the RAM 202, and the ROM 203 mounted on the main control board 200 are shown. The PIO mounted on the main control board 200 and further the CPU mounted on another control board. Further, illustration of RAM, ROM, etc. is omitted.

  The main control unit 200A (main control board 200) receives the detection signal of the game ball from the normal symbol operation gate passage detection switch 16s, the start opening winning detection switches 17s, 17t, the general winning detection switches 40s, 41s, 43s, etc. After determining the basic progress of the game and whether or not it is related to a prize ball, the sub-control unit 200A (sub-control board 220), the pay-out control part 240A (pay-out control board 240), the firing control part 260A (launch control board 260) Etc., various signals (commands) to be described later are output. The main control unit 200A (main control board 200) is also connected to a count switch 8s that detects a game ball fired from the launcher unit.

  Further, the main control unit 200A (main control board 200) directly controls these operations by outputting signals to the ordinary electric accessory solenoid 17c, the big prize opening solenoid 31c, and the lower display device 60. Further, predetermined signals (commands) determined by the CPU 201 constituting the main control unit 200A (main control board 200) are transmitted to the sub control board 220 and the payout control board 240, respectively. The main control unit 200A is a specific example of the hit game executing means, the normal symbol variation game executing means, the first winning / failing determining means, the second winning / failing determining means, the first determining random number storing means, and the second determining random number storing means. Configure.

  When the sub-control unit 220A (sub-control board 220) receives various signals (commands) from the main control unit 200A (main control board 200), it analyzes the contents of the signals (commands) and plays games according to the results. The production of. That is, the sub-control unit 220A (sub-control board 220) controls the game effects based on the control signal from the main control unit 200A (main control board 200). The sub-control unit 220A (sub-control board 220) functions as an effect display control unit that controls the display of the effect display device 27 in cooperation with the effect display control unit 222A (effect display control board 222).

  As shown in FIG. 20B, the sub-control unit 220A (sub-control board 220) includes an effect display control unit 222A (effect display control board 222), an amplifier board 224, a decoration drive board 226, and an effect. The button substrate 228 is electrically connected to each other. The sub control board 220 includes a CPU 220a, a ROM 220b, and a RAM 220c.

  The CPU 220a of the sub control board 220 receives each control signal from the main control board 200 and controls each board such as the effect display control board 222, the amplifier board 224, the decoration drive board 226, and the effect button board 228. The ROM 220c stores data (especially information related to game decoration) necessary for controlling each board. The CPU 220a receives a display control command (that is, a display control signal) sent from the main control unit 200A (main control board 200), and analyzes the received display control command according to a program stored in the ROM 220c. Then, the CPU 220a configuring the sub-control unit 220A (sub-control board 220), a newly generated command based on the display control command transmitted from the main control unit 200A (main control board 200), the main control unit 200A (main control board 200) The display control command transmitted from the control board 200) is transmitted to the effect display control unit 222A (effect display control board 222) as a symbol control command.

  Speakers SP1 to SP4 that output predetermined sound effects are electrically connected to the amplifier board 224. Further, the decoration driving board 226 is connected to various LED boards on which various decoration LEDs (lamps) provided on the front frame 4 and the game board 10 are mounted. The decoration drive board 226 receives signals from the sub-control board 220A and performs control related to game decoration.

  As shown in FIG. 19, the payout control unit 240A is connected to a relay terminal plate, a firing control unit 260A, a lower pan full switch 6s, and the like. The payout control unit 240A is connected to a payout motor 109m, a front payout switch 109a, and a rear payout switch 109b constituting a game ball payout device (payout device) 109 via a relay terminal plate. Further, the main control unit 200A is connected to the payout control unit 240A so as to be capable of bidirectional communication. The game ball payout device 109 constitutes a specific example of prize ball payout means.

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

  When the main controller 200A outputs a prize ball payout command, the payout control part 240A receives this command and outputs a drive signal to the payout motor 109m to pay out the prize ball. Further, the game balls to be paid out are detected by two payout switches (the front payout switch 109a and the rear payout switch 109b) and input to the payout control unit 240A. Further, the number of prize balls paid out is also detected by the count switch 109c and counted by the main controller 200A.

  Next, the input / output relationship of signals or commands to the sub-control unit 220A (sub-control board 220) will be described. As described above, the sub-control unit 220A (sub-control board 220) is connected to the effect display control board 222 and various boards such as the amplifier board 224, the decoration drive board 226, and the effect button board 228. Further, as described above, when the sub-control unit 220A receives various effect commands (display control commands, etc.) from the main control unit 200A, the sub-control unit 220A interprets the content of the command and (a) the effect display device 27 Specific display contents, (b) sound effects output from the speakers SP1 to SP4, and (c) specific modes of lighting or blinking of various LEDs and lamps 4b to 4f are determined. Next, a drive signal (various symbol control commands) of the effect display device 27 is output to the effect display control unit 222A to perform variable display and stop display of effect symbols (pseudo symbols, background symbols, character symbols, etc.). At this time, display data (still image data, moving image data, etc.) of the displayed effect symbols (pseudo symbols, background symbols, character symbols, etc.) is built in the effect display device 27 or the effect display control board 222. The data stored in the display ROM (not shown) is used.

  A sound effect is output from the speakers SP1 to SP4 by outputting an audio signal to the amplifier board 224 in accordance with the pseudo symbol variation display and stop display. In addition, by supplying a signal to the decorative drive board 226 and outputting drive signals of the various LED lamps 4b to 4h from the decorative drive board 226, lighting / flashing operation of various lamps (LEDs 4b to 4h, etc.), etc. To control. Further, when the player operates the effect button SW provided on the front side of the upper plate member 5, this operation signal is supplied to the sub-control unit 220A. The sub-control unit 220A is configured to be able to reflect the operation result on various effect contents including the effect display device 27 based on the supplied operation signal.

  Next, the “determination random number storage means” and the like will be described with reference to FIG. That is, the RAM 202 mounted on the main control board 200 is provided with a first determination random number memory 202a, a second determination random number memory 202b, a first hold number memory 202c, and a second hold number memory 202d. Yes. In the following description, “effective start prize” refers to a start prize that occurs when the corresponding number of holds (first hold number or second hold number) is not the upper limit number. The first determination random number memory 202a constitutes a specific example of the first determination random number storage means, and the second determination random number memory 202b constitutes a specific example of the second determination random number storage means.

  When a valid starting prize is generated for the first starting prize-winning device 17a, a random number for determination is acquired, and in the main control board 200, the acquired random number for determination is stored in the first determination random number memory 202a in a shift memory format. In addition, the value of the first hold number memory 202c is stored cumulatively. In addition, even when an effective start winning for the second start winning device 17b is generated, a determination random number is acquired, and in the main control board 200, the acquired determination random number is shifted to the second determination random number memory 202d. While being stored in the format, the value of the second reserved number memory 202d is stored cumulatively.

(3) Game flow by gaming machine 1 As described above, in this gaming machine 1, stop display (definite display) of a stop symbol indicating the result of determination of success / failure performed based on the start winning, and before this stop display The variable display performed in stages is executed by two types of symbol display devices, the lower display device 60 and the effect display device 27. Here, the first special symbol displayed on the first special symbol display unit 62a of the lower display device 60 and the second special symbol displayed on the second special symbol display unit 62b of the lower display device 60 are “present symbols”. The “stop pattern” and “variation time (variation pattern)” are determined in the “main control unit 200A” that governs the basic progression of the game.

  In this embodiment, whether or not a game ball is detected by the first start opening winning detection switch 17s (hereinafter referred to as “first start winning”) is determined (hereinafter referred to as “first”). Determination and determination as to whether or not the game ball is detected by the second start opening winning detection switch 17t (hereinafter referred to as “second start winning”) (hereinafter referred to as “second determination”). 2 ”is determined only by“ Big Winning Lottery ”, but at least one of the first and second winning / notifying determinations is“ Big Winning Lottery ”. It may be configured by “small lottery” executed in this case.

  On the other hand, the “pseudo symbol” is displayed on the display screen 27a of the effect display device 27, and the variation mode and the stop symbol are controlled by the “sub control unit 220A” that controls the game effect under the control of the main control unit 200A. Is determined. Usually, these “pseudo symbols” symbol variations are executed for the same time as “main symbols”, and the display contents of these “pseudo symbols” stop symbols (big hit, miss etc.) are the first special symbols. It is assumed that there is no contradiction with the display content (big hit, miss, etc.) of the “main symbol” on the display unit 62a or the second special symbol display unit 62b.

  In the present embodiment, when a symbol variation effect such as reach display using a special symbol is performed, the symbol variation effect is performed on the effect display device 27 (pseudo symbol). Hereinafter, the display content of this symbol and the pseudo symbol will be briefly described.

a. The first special symbol display unit 62a performs the variable display and stop display of the first special symbol resulting from the first start winning of the symbol, that is, "the symbol variable game relating to the first special symbol". The second special symbol change display and stop display resulting from the second start winning, that is, “the symbol variable game related to the second special symbol” is performed in the second special symbol display unit 62b. As shown in FIG. 18 (b), these variable displays are imperfect symbols (hereinafter referred to as “unsatisfied”) that cannot be used for arithmetical numbers by the 7-segment display constituting the corresponding special symbol display section (62a or 62b). The content is to perform "circular display" of a complete symbol). In other words, the content is to “circulate and display” imperfect symbols that are not familiar to the player compared to arithmetic numbers and are difficult to identify and store.

  As shown in FIG. 21 and FIG. 22, when the probability mode of the gaming machine 1 is the low probability mode (normal probability mode), the determination result indicating the big hit in both the first and second determinations. The probability that is derived is approximately “1/400”. In addition, when the probability mode of the gaming machine 1 is the high probability mode, the probability that a determination result indicating a big hit is derived is about “1/40” in both the first and second determinations. Is done. Then, when the determination result indicating the big hit is derived in the first special symbol display unit 62a or the second special symbol display unit 62b, a “hit” is generated, and the big hit game execution means starts operating and the big hit game is executed. Is done.

  When the big hit game is started, the main control unit 200A drives and stops the big prize opening solenoid 31c, so that the “opening / closing operation for opening and closing the big prize opening 31a” is executed. Note that while the gaming state is the big hit gaming state, the special symbol (the main symbol) is not displayed in a variable state, that is, the symbol variable game is not executable. On the other hand, when the big hit game is not performed “before the big hit gaming state transition” or “after the big hit gaming state is finished”, the state where the variation display of the special symbol (this symbol) is performed, that is, the symbol fluctuation game is performed. It becomes an executable state (design variation game state).

  Here, “opening the grand prize winning device 31” is realized by driving the big prize opening solenoid 31c so that the open / close plate 31b in the standing position is tilted forward, and the big winning opening 31a is changed to the open state. “Closing the big winning device 31” is realized by stopping the driving of the big winning port solenoid 31c, returning the open / close plate 31b to the standing posture, and returning the big winning port 31a to the closed state. In each round game during the big hit game, an open / close operation is performed for the big prize device 31 to change the big prize opening 31a to the open state only once. In addition, when a predetermined number (10) of game balls enter the big winning opening 31a or when the opening time of the big winning opening 31a reaches the opening limit time (30 seconds), the round end condition is satisfied. To finish the current round game (big hit round). When the opening / closing operation of the big winning device 31 is repeated a plurality of times with a predetermined interval in between, the big hit game is finished.

  In the gaming machine 1, when the gaming state shifts to the big hit gaming state (special gaming state), a “round game” is performed for a predetermined number of times (4 rounds, 8 rounds, or 16 rounds). When the final “round game” is finished, the big hit game is finished. Furthermore, after performing the effect related to the end of the big hit (ending effect), the gaming state is returned to the symbol variation gaming state.

  In this embodiment, the “round start designation command” and the “round end designation command” are transmitted from the main control board 200 to the sub control board 220 at each start and end of each round game. The CPU 220a mounted on the CPU determines the progress status of the currently executed jackpot game (round game) based on the “round start designation command” and the “round end command” from the main control board 200, and according to the progress status. Various jackpot effects are executed by the effect display device 27 and the like. The “round start designation command” is a command indicating the start of a round game and the number of rounds of the started round game, and is also referred to as a “round number designation command”. The “round end designation command” is a command indicating that the big hit round has ended.

  In the present embodiment, the contents of the jackpot game (round game) to be executed according to the mode of the jackpot symbol that is stopped and displayed (determined display) on the first special symbol display unit 62a or the second special symbol display unit 62b, The gaming state of the gaming machine 1 after the big hit game ends will be different. Hereinafter, this point will be described in detail. Here, in the following description, “16R probability variable jackpot” and “16R normal jackpot” are jackpots that trigger the start of a jackpot game (hereinafter referred to as “jackpot game A”) in which “16 rounds” of the round game are performed, “8R probability variable jackpot” and “8R normal jackpot” are jackpots that trigger the start of a jackpot game (hereinafter referred to as “jackpot game B”) in which the round game is “8 rounds”. The “4R probability variable jackpot” and “4R normal jackpot” are jackpots that trigger the start of a jackpot game (hereinafter referred to as “jackpot game C”) in which the round game is “four rounds”. Furthermore, in any jackpot game, “150” game balls are paid out when a prescribed number (10) of game balls enter the big winning opening 31a in each round game. For this reason, the number of planned payout balls for “Big Bonus Game A” is “2,400”, the number of planned ball games for “Big Bonus Game B” is “1,200”, and the planned payout prize for “Big Jack Game C”. The number of balls is “600” (see FIGS. 21 and 22).

  When the determination result indicating “big hit” is derived by the first winning / nothing determination, main control unit 200A determines the type of jackpot (type of jackpot symbol) by random lottery (that is, distribution lottery). Then, as shown in FIG. 20, this random number lottery (distribution lottery) has a “big hit type” of “16R probability variable big hit”, “16R normal big hit”, “8R positive variable big hit”, “8R normal big hit”, “ It is determined as either “4R probability variable big hit” or “4R normal big hit”. A random number for performing “lottery lottery” (hereinafter referred to as “symbol for determining symbols”) is acquired at the timing at which the start winning is generated, similarly to random numbers for determination of success / failure (random numbers for jackpot lottery, etc.). The Note that, even if the result of the first determination is not a big win, the main control unit 200A may determine whether or not to generate a small hit by random number lottery (small hit lottery).

  Even when the determination result indicating “big hit” is derived by the second winning / nothing determination, the main control unit 200A determines the type of jackpot (type of jackpot symbol) by random number lottery (distribution lottery). Also, as shown in FIG. 21, the “big hit type” is “16R probability big hit”, “16R normal big hit”, “8R positive big hit”, “8R normal big hit”, “4R positive big hit” as shown in FIG. And “4R normal jackpot”. The “design determination random number” for performing the “distribution lottery” is also acquired at the timing when the start winning is generated, similarly to the random number for determination of success / failure (such as a random number for big hit lottery). Note that, even when the result of the second win / fail determination is not a big hit, the main control unit 200A may determine whether or not to generate a small hit by random number lottery (small hit lottery).

  The “lottery lottery” in the case where the result of the second win / fail decision is “big hit” is more advantageous for the player than the “lottery lottery” in the case of the result of the first hit / fail judgment is “big hit” Sorting is done. In other words, in the present embodiment, the “lottery lottery” in the case where the result of the second winning / failing determination is “big hit” is compared with the “sort lottery” in which the result of the first hit / failure determination is “big hit”. Thus, there is a high probability that a jackpot where a larger amount of prize balls can be expected is selected (see FIGS. 21 and 22). For this reason, for a player, the first success / failure determination is more continuous in the case of playing a game in which the second success / failure determination is continuously performed (hereinafter referred to as “a game mainly based on the second success / failure determination”). It can be said that the advantage is higher than the case where the game (hereinafter referred to as “the game mainly based on the first win / fail decision”) is performed. In addition, in the gaming machine 1, so-called “right-handed” is performed in a state where the opening extension means (described later) is operated, and the game ball launched into the game area 11 is passed through the ball flow down device 70 to the second start prize. In order to smoothly win the device 17b, the “game mainly based on the second determination of success / failure” is smoothly performed, and it is highly likely that a highly advantageous game is smoothly and frequently performed.

  When “16R probability variation big hit”, “8R probability variation big hit” or “4R probability variation big hit” is generated, the probability that the result of the determination of success / failure will be a big hit after executing the corresponding big hit game is high. That is, the probability that the result of the first success / failure determination is a big hit and the probability that the result of the second success / failure determination is a big hit are respectively high probabilities. As described above, the gaming state in which the probability that the determination result is a big hit is a high probability is the “high probability mode (high probability state)”. In addition, when “16R probability variation big hit”, “8R probability variation big hit” or “4R probability variation big hit” occurs, the game mode in which the release extension means and the variable time reduction means operate after executing the corresponding big hit game, that is, “open extension”. Mode.

  This open extension mode is continued until the cumulative number of change displays (symbol change game) executed without generating a big hit after the corresponding big hit game is ended becomes “10,000 times”. However, in consideration of the jackpot winning probability (big hit probability) that is normally determined for gaming machines (pachinko machines), it is substantially possible that the open extension mode will continue until the cumulative number of variable displays reaches “10,000 times”. Means that the open extension mode continues until the next big hit. Therefore, hereinafter, this case is simply expressed as “the open extension mode continues until the next big hit occurs” (see FIGS. 21 and 22).

  On the other hand, if a “16R normal big hit”, “8R normal big hit” or “4R normal big hit” occurs, the probability that the result of the success / failure determination will be a big hit after executing the corresponding big hit game is a low probability (normal probability). The That is, the probability that the result of the first success / failure determination is a big hit and the probability that the result of the second success / failure determination is a big hit are each low probability (normal probability). In addition, after the corresponding jackpot game is over, the gaming mode of the gaming machine 1 becomes the open extension mode, and the time for the second start winning device 17b to be in the open state becomes long. And this open extension mode is continued until the cumulative number of variable displays (symbol variable game) executed without generating a big hit after the corresponding big hit game ends becomes “100”.

c-2. On the display screen 27a of the pseudo-design effect display device 27, if the symbol variation start condition is satisfied due to winning (start winning) in the first start winning device 17a or the second starting winning device 17b, the pseudo symbol variation display is performed. (Design variation effect using pseudo design) is started. Then, when the execution time (variation time) of the pseudo symbol variable display has elapsed, the pseudo symbol stop display (determined display) is executed for a certain time (about 0.6 seconds). This pseudo-symbol stop display is to display the determination result of the success / failure determination, similar to the stop display by the lower right display device 60 (the first special symbol display unit 62a or the second special symbol display unit 62b).

  On the display screen 27a of the effect display device 27, three (three digits) pseudo-pattern variation display and stop display are performed. This pseudo-pattern variation display shows that the numbers from “1” to “9” are displayed in this order, and then the numbers from “1” to “9” are displayed again in this order. It consists of repeated “circular display (scroll fluctuation display)”. In addition, the confirmed symbols that are confirmed and displayed in the pseudo-symbol display area 27b include “a stop symbol that indicates a loss” and “a stop symbol that indicates a big hit”.

  Here, as described above, in the gaming machine 1, as shown in FIG. 21 and FIG. 22, as the “big hit”, a stop symbol (big hit symbol) of this symbol corresponding to each of a plurality of types of big hits. It is set. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 23 (a), the stop symbol (big hit symbol) of the pseudo symbol is defined as follows. That is, the stop symbol indicating the occurrence of “16R probability variation big hit”, “8R probability variation big hit”, or “4R probability variation big hit” is configured by arranging three “same odd numbers” on the display screen 27a. The stop symbol indicating the occurrence of “16R normal big hit”, “8R normal big hit”, or “4R normal big hit” is configured by arranging three “same even numbers” on the display screen 27a. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 24B, the “off symbol” is configured by displaying a numerical symbol different from the others on at least one of the three pseudo symbol display portions.

  When the effect display device 27 displays the jackpot symbol shown in FIG. 23 (a), as shown in FIG. 24 (c), reach display is performed in the middle of the presumed variation display. In addition, as shown in FIGS. 24A and 24B, when the “stop symbol indicating detachment” is displayed on the effect display device 27, the reach display is not performed in the middle of the fluctuating display which is the premise (hereinafter referred to as “removal display”). , “Simple detachment”) and reach display (hereinafter referred to as “reach detachment”). Further, the reach display of the present embodiment is an effect display in which two pseudo symbols out of the pseudo symbols displayed on the display screen 27a of the effect display device 27 are stopped at the same symbol, and the other one pseudo symbol is changing. It is.

  Although not shown in FIG. 24, as described above with reference to FIG. 5, the position on the right end side near the lower edge on the display screen 27a varies in conjunction with the first special symbol display unit 62a. A first auxiliary symbol display area A to be displayed and a second auxiliary symbol display area B that is variably displayed in conjunction with the second special symbol display unit 62b appear. Then, the special symbol display unit (62a or 62b) that is executing the symbol variable game and the auxiliary symbol corresponding to the special symbol display unit perform a variable display. When the variable display is stopped, the stop symbol of the auxiliary symbol is confirmed and displayed, and the result of the determination of success / failure is displayed based on the stop symbol. Further, although illustration is omitted in FIG. 23, in the background screen display area 27c of the display screen 27a, effects such as “background design”, “character design”, “actual video”, etc. are displayed for exciting the fluctuation of the pseudo design. (See FIG. 5). This effect is generally performed according to the effect pattern determined at the start of the symbol variation effect. Furthermore, the execution time (variation time) of the symbol variation effect is determined by a variation pattern (described later) determined at the start of the symbol variation game.

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

  The main control unit 200A and the sub control unit 220A are connected by a 9-bit width parallel signal cable. Of these, one bit is allocated for outputting a strobe signal, and the remaining eight bits are allocated for command output. When a command is output from the main control unit 200A to the sub-control unit 220A, first, command data for 8 bits is output to an 8-bit signal cable assigned for command output, and then A 1-bit strobe signal is output. Further, the sub control unit 220A can reliably read the command transmitted from the main control unit 200A by reading the command data at the rising timing of the strobe signal.

  Here, examples of commands output from the main control unit 200A (main control board 200) to the sub control unit 220A (sub control board 220) include those illustrated in FIG. That is, there are (A) a variation pattern designation command (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as “CHP”), (B) a special symbol stop information designation command (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as “CJS”), and the like. . The variation pattern designation command is a command for designating a variation pattern, and a variation pattern for normal variation (described later) and a variation pattern for shortened variation (described later) according to the variation pattern table used at the time of starting winning. ) Is specified. The variation pattern designation command is a command for starting the variation of the pseudo symbol and designating the variation time of the pseudo symbol. The mode designation command is a command for designating a game mode set by “main control unit 200A (main control board 200) as game mode setting means”.

(6) Outline of Game Control by Main Control Unit 200A FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing a rough flow of game control processing executed by the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200. In this game control process, when the gaming machine 1 is turned on or the reset switch is pressed, first, an initialization process (S20) and an origin detection process (S30) are performed. This origin detection process (S30) is a process for setting the attitude of the distribution member 76 to the “first attitude” or the “second attitude”, and is executed according to FIG.

  When the origin detection process (S30) is activated, the CPU 201 confirms that “one end E1 (E2) of the restricting protrusion 76p” is in contact with “one surface D1 (D2) of the restricting hole 73g”. It is determined whether or not “third sensor S3” or “fourth sensor S4” is detected (S32). That is, it is detected by the “third sensor S3” that the sorting member 76 is in the “first posture”, and the sorting member 76 is in the “second posture” by the “fourth sensor S4”. It is determined whether or not any of the above has been detected (S32). When it is determined that the orientation of the distribution member 76 is the “first orientation” or the “second orientation” (S32; YES), the origin detection process (S30) is terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the posture of the distribution member 76 is neither the “first posture” nor the “second posture” (S32; NO), the drive motor 76M is moved in a predetermined rotational direction (even in the normal rotational direction). (It may be the direction of rotation.) After a predetermined number of steps (for example, 1 step) are driven (S36), the process proceeds to S32. The process of S36 is repeated until a positive determination is obtained in the process of S32. As a result, when a positive determination is obtained in the process of S32 (S32; YES), the origin detection process (S30) is terminated. To do.

  When this origin detection process (S30) is completed, the winning device drive process (S50), the prize ball payout process (S80), the normal symbol game process (S100), and the normal electric game game process until the power is turned off. Each process such as (S200), special symbol game process (S300), jackpot game process (S800) is repeatedly executed. Note that the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 of this embodiment is configured to execute the processing of S50 to S800 in FIG. 26 every time a timer interrupt with a period of 4 msec occurs after the power is turned on. That is, the processing of S50 to S800 in FIG. 26 is repeatedly executed every 4 msec. In each process constituting the game control process, various signals are transmitted to various control boards including the sub-control board 220. By doing so, the game of the entire gaming machine 1 proceeds. The game control process will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

A. Winning device drive processing (S50)
The CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 performs a winning device driving process (S50) corresponding to the entering of the game ball into the first start winning device 17a. When the winning device driving process (S50) is activated, as shown in FIG. 27B, it is determined whether or not the first sensor S1 (see FIG. 9) detects a game ball (S51). When the sensor S1 detects the game ball (S51; YES), the drive motor 76M is driven so that the drive shaft of the drive motor 76M rotates by the “first rotation amount” in the “forward rotation direction”. Then, the posture of the distribution member 76 is changed to the “second posture” (S55), and the winning device driving process (S50) is ended.

  On the other hand, if the first sensor S1 has not detected a game ball (S51; NO), it is determined whether or not the second sensor S2 (see FIG. 18) has detected a game ball (S56). If the sensor S2 has not detected a game ball (S56; NO), the winning device driving process (S50) is terminated as it is. On the other hand, when the second sensor S2 detects a game ball (S56; YES), the drive motor 76M rotates the drive shaft of the drive motor 76M by the “first rotation amount” in the “reverse direction”. To change the posture of the distribution member 76 to the “first posture” (S57), and the winning device driving process (S50) is terminated.

  The CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 monitors whether or not the distribution member 76 is in an “unscheduled posture”. May be performed. For example, a sensor for detecting a game ball (hereinafter referred to as “entrance detection sensor”) is provided at the terminal portion of the introduction passage L (above the junction G). Then, even if a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds) elapses after the ball detection sensor detects the game ball, the game ball is not detected in either the first sensor S1 or the second sensor S2. In this case, error notification (notification using an illumination device, speakers SP1 to SP4, etc.) may be performed.

  Here, the case where the error notification is necessary indicates a posture in which the sorting member 76 is changing from “first posture to second posture” or “second posture to first posture” and “distribution”. The “interval formed between the protruding end portion of the protrusion 76c and the left tube wall portion 75L” and the “interval formed between the protruding end portion of the sorting protrusion 76c and the right tube wall portion 75R” determine the diameter of the game ball. This is the case. In this case, processing similar to the above-described origin detection process (S30) is performed, and the posture of the sorting member 76 is changed to “first posture” or “second posture”. Will be resolved.

B. Prize ball payout processing (S80)
The CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 performs a process of paying out game balls as prize balls (prize ball payout process) (S80). That is, it is determined whether or not a game ball has entered by detecting the states of the start opening winning detection switches 17s and 17t, the big winning opening winning detection switch 31s and the general winning detection switches 40s, 41s and 43s. If a game ball has entered, this information is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 202 mounted on the main control board 200. Based on the information stored on the RAM 202, a prize ball payout signal is output toward the payout control board 240. If the winning information for the start opening winning detection switch 17s or the like has already been stored on the RAM 202, an appropriate payout number including the previously stored information is designated and a payout signal is output. To do.

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

C. Normal symbol game processing (S100)
28 and 29 are flowcharts showing an outline of the normal symbol game process. When the normal symbol game process is activated, the CPU 201 detects the state of the normal symbol operation gate passage detection switch 16s and operates the normal symbol operation. It is determined whether or not a game ball has passed through the gate 16 (S105). If an affirmative determination is made in the process of S105 (S105; YES), it is determined whether or not the number of reserved symbols related to the normal symbol is less than a predetermined number (four in the present embodiment) (S110). If it is determined (S110; YES), the number of holdings for the normal symbol is incremented by "+1", and a random number for the lottery for the normal symbol is acquired and stored (S115), and then the processing of S120 Migrate to On the other hand, when a negative determination is made in the process of S105 (S105; NO) and when it is determined that the number of reserved symbols related to the normal symbol is greater than or equal to a predetermined number (S110; NO), the process of S115 is performed. Instead, the process proceeds to S120.

  In the process of S120, it is determined whether or not the ordinary electric accessory is in operation (whether or not the second start winning device 17b is in an open state) (S120). If it is in operation (S120; YES), it is normal. The symbol game process is terminated and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. On the other hand, when it is not operating (S120; NO), it is determined whether or not the normal symbol display unit 63 is executing the normal symbol variation display (S125). When it is determined in the process of S125 that the display is not variably displayed (S125; NO), it is determined in the normal symbol display section 63 whether or not the normal symbol is stopped and displayed (S130). If it is determined that the normal symbol is stopped and displayed (S130; YES), it is determined whether or not the “normal symbol stop display time (for example, 0.5 seconds)” has elapsed (FIG. 29). S180). If an affirmative determination is made in S180 (S180; YES), the process proceeds to S185. If a negative determination is made in S180 (S180; NO), the normal symbol game process is terminated and the game control of FIG. Return to processing.

  Also, the normal electric accessory is not operating (S120 in FIG. 28; NO), the normal symbol change display is not being executed in the normal symbol display unit 63 (S125; NO), and the normal symbol is stopped. If it is determined that it is not being executed (S130; NO), it is determined whether or not the number of holds for the normal symbol is “0” (S135). If it is determined that the number of holds is “0” (S135; YES), the normal symbol game process is terminated and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. On the other hand, if it is determined that the number of holds is not “0” (S135; NO), it is determined whether or not the fluctuation shortening means is operating (S138). The details of the fluctuation shortening means will be described later.

  When the fluctuation shortening means is in operation (S138; YES), using the oldest random number stored in the process of S115, the winning lottery regarding the normal symbol is performed with a high probability (high winning probability). At the same time, a process of "-1" is performed for the number of holds for the normal symbol (S145). Then, after “shortened time” is set as “normal symbol variation time” (S155), normal symbol variation display is started (S160). Then, after the process of S160, the normal symbol game process is terminated and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. The normal symbol change time set in S155 is the time set as the normal symbol change display time of “when the change time reduction function is activated” in a general gaming machine.

  On the other hand, when the fluctuation shortening means is not in operation (S138; NO), using the oldest random number stored in the processing of S115, the winning / failing lottery regarding the normal symbol is performed with a low probability (low winning probability). ) And a process of “-1” for the number of holds for the normal symbol (S148). Then, after setting a normal time (time not to be shortened) as the “normal symbol fluctuation display time” (S156), the normal symbol fluctuation display is started (S160). Then, after the process of S160, the normal symbol game process is terminated and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. Note that the variation time of the normal symbol set in S156 is a time set as a variation display time of the normal symbol of “when the variation time reduction function is not activated” in a general gaming machine.

  If the normal electric accessory is not in operation (S120; NO) and the normal symbol display unit 63 is executing the normal symbol variation display (S125; YES), whether or not the normal symbol variation time has elapsed. (S165 of FIG. 29), and when it has not elapsed (S165; NO), the normal symbol game process is terminated and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. On the other hand, when the fluctuation time of the normal symbol elapses (S165; YES), after the normal symbol fluctuation display is stopped (S170), the display time (stop display time) of the normal symbol is set (S175). . Thereafter, when the “ordinary symbol stop display time” elapses (S180; YES), the process proceeds to S185.

  In the process of S185, it is determined whether or not the symbol stopped and displayed on the normal symbol display unit 63 is a symbol that activates the ordinary electric accessory. If the symbol is not actuated (S185; NO), the normal symbol game process And the process returns to the game control process of FIG. On the other hand, if the symbol is to be actuated (S185; YES), it is determined whether or not the normal electric accessory release extension function is in operation, that is, whether or not the release extension flag is set (set to ON). (S188).

  When the release extension flag is set (set to ON) (S188; YES), the release time of the ordinary electric accessory (the time during which the second start winning portion 17b is in the release state) is set to “when the release extension function is activated. After setting to “open time (for example, 5 seconds)” (S190), the ordinary electric accessory is operated (S194), and the second start winning portion 17b is opened. Then, the normal symbol game process is terminated, and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. On the other hand, when the opening extension flag is released (set to OFF) (S188; NO), the opening time of the ordinary electric accessory is set to “opening time when the opening extension function is not operated (for example, 0.2 seconds)”. After the setting (S192), the ordinary electric accessory is operated (S194), and the second start winning portion 17b is opened. Then, the normal symbol game process is terminated and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. Here, the normal symbol game process shown in FIG. 28 and FIG. 29 constitutes a specific example of the process performed by the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 as the “normal symbol variable game execution means”.

D. Normal electric game processing (S200)
FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing an outline of the ordinary electric game game process. When the ordinary electric game game process is activated while the CPU 201 performs the game control process of FIG. It is determined whether or not it is operating (whether or not the second start winning device 17b is in an open state). If it is determined that the second start winning device 17b is in an open state (S201; YES), the operation time of the ordinary electric accessory 17d (predetermined to maintain the second start winning device 17b in the open state). It is determined whether or not the time has elapsed (5 seconds in the open extension mode and 0.2 seconds in the normal release mode) (S202). If it is determined that the operating time (opening time) has passed the predetermined time (S202; YES), the operation of the ordinary electric accessory 17d is stopped to place the second start winning device 17b in the open state closed ( S206), the ordinary electric accessory game process is terminated.

  However, when the CPU 201 releases the ordinary electric accessory 17d (second start winning device 17b) (S202; NO), a prescribed number (for example, eight) of game balls have entered the second start winning device 17b. If it is determined (S204; YES), even if the aforementioned operating time (opening time) has not reached the predetermined time, the operation of the ordinary electric accessory 17d is stopped (S206), and the ordinary electric accessory game process is terminated. . In the gaming machine 1, when the ordinary electric accessory solenoid 17c is driven during the operation of the ordinary electric accessory 17d, the pair of wing pieces of the second start winning portion 17b constituting the ordinary electric accessory 17d is outward. Rotating, the second start winning device 17b is opened.

D. Special design game processing (S300)
Next, the outline of the special symbol game process will be described with reference to FIGS. When the special symbol game process is activated, as shown in FIG. 31, first, it is determined whether or not a game ball has won the first start winning device 17a or the second start winning device 17b (S302a, S302b). ). If a negative determination is made in the processing of S302a and the processing of S302b (S302a; NO, S302b; NO), the process directly proceeds to the processing after S308 shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that a game ball has won the first start winning device 17a (S302a; YES), the number of first special symbols corresponding to the first starting winning device 17a (first hold number) is a predetermined number. It is determined whether it is less than (less than 4 in this embodiment) (S304a). In the process of S304a, when it is determined that the number is less than the predetermined number (S304a; YES), a determination random number (lottery random number) related to winning in the first start winning device 17a is acquired, and the first determination described above is performed. The value is stored in the first random number memory 202a and the value obtained by adding “+1” to the “first reserved number” is stored in the first reserved number memory 202c (S306a).

  Here, the gaming machine 1 includes a first start winning device 17a and a second start winning device 17b as start winning devices, and a first special symbol corresponding to the first start winning device 17a (hereinafter referred to as "Special Figure 1"). And a second special symbol (hereinafter also referred to as “special figure 2”) corresponding to the second start winning device 17b. The latter is preferentially processed under the situation where the determination random number based on the start winning to the first start winning device 17a and the determination random number based on the start winning to the second start winning device 17b are stored. (Described later). That is, the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 performs processing as “priority processing means” (processing when a negative determination is made in S314b of FIG. 32).

  Further, in FIGS. 31 to 35, among the processes performed by the CPU 201, each process (hereinafter referred to as a process related to FIG. 1) executed due to a game ball winning in the first start winning device 17a. ) And the same processing among the respective processing (hereinafter referred to as processing related to special figure 2) executed due to the winning of the game ball to the second start winning device 17b, the same number of steps (calculation) Number). Since the process with the same number of steps is basically the same process, one of “process related to special figure 1” and “process related to special figure 2” will be described in the following description. The description of the other may be omitted. In addition, “process for special figure 1” is distinguished by adding “a” in alphabet to “number of steps”, and “process for special figure 2” by adding “b” in alphabet to “number of steps”. There is.

  The random numbers for determination acquired and stored in the processing of S306a include (a) a big win lottery (hereinafter referred to as “the first winning determination, that is, the winning of a game ball to the first start winning device 17a” Lottery random numbers (hereinafter referred to as “special figure 1 big hit lottery random numbers”), (b) for determining the symbols to be stopped and displayed on the first special symbol display section 62a. A random number for design determination (special design 1 random number for design determination), (c) a reach random number for determining whether or not to perform reach display in the pseudo-design variation display executed on the display screen 27a of the effect display device 27, and so on. Unlike this embodiment, when a small lottery (special figure 1 small lottery) is performed due to the winning of a game ball to the first start winning device 17a, a random number for determination (in the process of S306a) The random number for lottery) includes a random number for lottery (hereinafter referred to as “lottery random number for special figure 1 small lot”) used in the “special figure 1 small lottery lottery”.

  If it is determined that a game ball has won the second start winning device 17b (S302b; YES), the number of second special symbols corresponding to the second start winning device 17d (second hold number) is a predetermined number. It is determined whether it is less than (less than 4 in this embodiment) (S304b). In the process of S304b, if it is determined that the number is less than the predetermined number (S304b; YES), a random number for determination (lottery random number) related to the second start winning device 17b is acquired and the second determination random number memory 202b described above. And the value obtained by adding “+1” to the “second hold number” is stored in the second hold number memory 202d (S306b).

  Further, the determination random numbers acquired and stored in the process of S306b include (a) a big win lottery (hereinafter referred to as “winning lottery determination”) that is executed due to the second winning / failing determination, that is, the winning of the game ball to the second start winning device 17b. , "Lottery random number for lottery" (hereinafter referred to as "Special figure 2 big lottery lottery"), (b) The symbol to be stopped and displayed on the second special symbol display unit 62b is determined. Design determination random number (special design 2 design determination random number), (c) Reach for determining whether or not to perform reach display in the pseudo symbol variation display executed on the display screen 27a of the effect display device 27 Random numbers, etc. Unlike the present embodiment, when a small lottery (hereinafter referred to as “special drawing 2 small lottery”) due to the winning of a game ball to the second start winning device 17b is obtained in the process of S306b. The determination random numbers (lottery random numbers) include lottery random numbers (hereinafter referred to as “special drawing 2 small lottery random numbers”) used in the “special drawing 2 small lottery”.

  In the process of S308, as shown in FIG. 32, it is determined whether or not a big hit game is being executed (S308). Specifically, if the big hit game flag (see the process of S378 in FIG. 33) is set (set to ON), a positive determination is made in the process of S308. The big hit game flag is a flag indicating that the “big hit game execution means” is in operation.

  When the CPU 201 determines that the big hit game is being executed (S308; YES), the special symbol game process is terminated and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S308 that the big hit game is not being executed (S308; NO), whether or not the special symbol is fluctuating, that is, one of the first special symbol and the second special symbol is fluctuating. It is determined whether or not (S310). If the special symbol is not changing (S310; NO), it is considered that either the special symbol has not yet changed, or has been stopped and displayed as a stop symbol after the change display. Therefore, it is determined whether or not it is during the stop display time for displaying the stop symbol of the special symbol (S312). If the special symbol is not variably displayed (S310; NO), and is not within the stop display time during which the special symbol is stopped (S312; NO), whether or not the variable display can be started. Is determined (S314a, S314b). In the present embodiment, the stop display time for displaying the special symbol stop symbol is 0.6 seconds.

  The “condition for starting the variable symbol display of the special symbol” is that either the “first hold number” or the “second hold number” is not “zero”. Then, the CPU 201 of this embodiment preferentially determines whether or not the “second hold number” is “zero” (S314b). In other words, when the “second hold number” is not “zero”, the oldest determination random number is read from the second determination random number memory 202b (S316b), and the determination process of the second special symbol (second determination process). Perform (S320b). The determination random numbers read in S316b are those acquired in S306b, and include special figure 2 big hit lottery random numbers, special figure 2 symbol determination random numbers, and reach random numbers.

  In the second success / failure determination process (S320b), as shown in FIG. 34, first, it is determined whether or not the gaming mode of the gaming machine 1 is a high probability mode (S322), and when it is a high probability mode (S322). YES), a determination is made using “high probability data table” and “special figure 2 big hit lottery random number read in the process of S316b” (S324), and the gaming mode of the gaming machine 1 is the low probability mode When it is (normal probability mode) (S322; NO), the determination of success / failure is performed using the “low probability data table” and “the special figure 2 big hit lottery random number read out in the process of S316b” (S326). In the high probability mode, the fluctuation shortening function for shortening the fluctuation time of the special symbol and the normal symbol as compared with the normal is activated, and the opening extension function of the second start winning device 17b (ordinary electric accessory) is activated. (It will be described later.) However, in the high probability mode, the case where the fluctuation shortening function and the opening extension function are not operated can be set separately.

  When the result of the success / failure determination performed in the process of S324 or S326 is a big hit (S330; YES), after setting the big hit flag (set to ON) (S332), the second success / failure determination process (S320b) is terminated. Then, the process proceeds to a variation start process related to the second special symbol (hereinafter referred to as “special symbol 2 symbol variation start process”) (S500b in FIG. 32). Further, when the result of the determination is not good (S330; NO), after setting the “off flag”, that is, the “flag indicating that no big hit has occurred” (set to ON) (S339), 2 The winning / no-go determining process (S320b) is terminated, and the process proceeds to the special figure 2 symbol variation starting process (S500b). In addition, the determination process (S320a; first determination process) regarding the first special symbol reads the oldest determination random number (the special figure 1 big hit lottery random number acquired in S306a) from the first determination random number memory 202a ( S316a) is performed in accordance with FIG. The determination random numbers read in S316a are those acquired in S304a, and include special figure 1 big hit lottery random numbers, special figure 1 symbol determination random numbers, and reach random numbers.

  In the special figure 2 symbol variation start process (S500b), as shown in FIG. 35, first, the variation setting process (S510, S540) and the like are performed based on the result of the success / failure determination process (S320b). That is, in the process of S502, when it is determined that the result of the success / failure determination process (S320) is “big hit” (S502; YES), the process proceeds to S510 and “big hit fluctuation setting process” is performed. In the jackpot variation setting process (S510), the symbol determination random number acquired in the process of S306b (see FIG. 31) is read, and the symbol (big hit symbol) to be stopped and displayed on the second special symbol display unit 62b is set (determined). ) And setting (determining) a variation pattern by random lottery using a variation pattern table selected in consideration of the determined jackpot symbol aspect and the gaming state (game mode) of the gaming machine 1. Do.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in the process of S502 that the result of the success / failure determination process (S320b) is not “big hit” (S502; NO), the process proceeds to S540, and the “outside fluctuation setting process” is performed. In this outlier variation setting process (S540), the variation pattern is determined by random lottery using “a variation pattern table selected in consideration of the gaming state (gaming mode) of the gaming machine 1 and whether or not the reach effect is performed”. The process of setting (determining) is performed. Thereafter, a symbol determination random number is acquired, and a process of setting a stop symbol is performed. The presence / absence of execution of the reach effect is determined based on the reach random number acquired in the process of S306b (see FIG. 31) and the read reach random number.

  In the present embodiment, the “shortening variation mode (short time mode)” indicates a state in which the variable time shortening function (short time function) is in operation. And in the game mode in which the opening extension means operates, that is, the “high probability opening extension mode (high probability shortening variation mode)” and the “normal probability opening extension mode (normal probability shortening variation mode)”, the variable time shortening function (time shortening function) ) Is activated. Therefore, in the description of the present embodiment, “shortening variation mode (short time mode)” can be read as “open extension mode”. In addition, a large number of variation patterns (for example, 20 types, 50 types, 100 types) are stored in the variation pattern table selected in S510 or S540. When the result of the determination is “out”, the “variation time specified when the shortened variation mode is set” can be made shorter than the “variation time identified when the shortened variation mode is not set”. High nature. Further, in the present embodiment, when the result of the determination is “displaced”, the number of reserved special symbols is considered. That is, when the number of reserved special symbols is further considered and the number of held is small (for example, when the number of held at the time of determining the variation pattern is “1”), a variation pattern that specifies a longer variation time is selected, When the number of holdings is large (for example, when the number of holdings at the time of determining the variation pattern is “3” to “4”), a variation pattern that specifies a shorter variation time tends to be selected. In addition, the variation time specified by the variation pattern selected when it is determined that the reach display is not performed is compared with the variation time specified by the variation pattern selected when the reach display is determined. There is a tendency to be shortened. Each “variation pattern table” is set in advance in the ROM 203 mounted on the main control board 200.

  After the processing of S510 or S540, the CPU 201 starts the variation of the second special symbol (special symbol 2) in the second special symbol display unit 62b (S590), and causes the sub-control unit 200A (sub-control board 220) to change. A predetermined command (symbol variation start command) indicating the start of symbol variation is transmitted (S592). That is, the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 transmits a “variation pattern designation command (command for designating a fluctuation pattern)”, a “special symbol stop information designation command” and the like related to the second special symbol to the sub control board 220. . Furthermore, the CPU 201 subtracts “1” from the “number of reserved special symbols” related to the second special symbol, and a process of transmitting a command for specifying the number of reserved after subtraction to the sub-control board 220. (S595), the symbol variation start process (S500b) is terminated, the special symbol game process (S300) is terminated, and the process returns to the game control process of FIG.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 25, the variation pattern designation command and the special symbol stop information designation command are output toward the sub-control board 220 together with the strobe signal. This strobe signal is connected to the interrupt terminal of the CPU 220a mounted on the sub-control board 220. When the strobe signal is input, the CPU 220a on the sub-control board 220 receives each designation signal immediately and receives the designation signal. Analyze the contents. Although detailed explanation is omitted, the variation pattern is determined in consideration of various conditions such as whether or not the reach effect is performed and whether or not the symbol for stopping and displaying the special symbol is a winning symbol (big hit symbol). If the variation pattern is known, the time for the special symbol to be variably displayed can be determined. In addition, if the special symbol stop information designation command is analyzed, it can be known whether the special symbol stops at the big hit symbol or the off symbol, and when it stops at the big hit symbol, it is known which of the big hit symbol is. it can. That is, in the special figure 2 symbol variation start process (S500b), the type of jackpot shown in FIG. 15 can be known, and in the special figure 1 symbol variation start process (S500a) described later, the type of jackpot shown in FIG. 14 is known. be able to.

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

  Returning to FIG. 32, when “the number of holdings related to the second special symbol” is “zero” (S314b; YES), and “the number of holdings related to the first special symbol” is not “zero” (S314a; NO), The oldest determination random number is read from the first determination random number memory 202a (S316a), and a first win / no-go determination process is performed (S320a). Then, after performing the special figure 1 symbol variation start process (S500a), the special symbol game process (S300) is terminated and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. Here, the first success / failure determination process performed as the process of S320a is also performed according to FIG. 34 as in S320b, and the special figure 1 symbol variation start process (S500a) performed as the process of S500a is also performed as the process of S500b. Similar to the special figure 2 symbol variation start process (S500b), the process is performed in accordance with FIG. That is, in the first success / failure determination process of S320a, the first success / failure determination is executed according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 34. In the special figure 1 symbol variation start process of S500a, based on the result of the first success / failure determination process (S320a) After performing a process of setting a variation pattern, a process of setting a symbol to be stopped and displayed on the first special symbol display unit 62a (S510, S540), the processes of S590, S592, and S595 are executed.

  Next, when it is determined that the first special symbol or the second special symbol is changing (S310; YES) in S310 of the special symbol game processing (S300) (see FIG. 32), the special symbol game processing (S300) is already special. The symbol variation pattern and the stop symbol are determined, and the special symbol variation is started. Therefore, it is determined whether or not the special symbol variation time has elapsed (S341). That is, since the variation time of the special symbol is determined in advance according to the variation pattern, it is determined whether the predetermined variation time has elapsed by setting the timer at the same time as the variation of the special symbol is started. If the variation time has not yet elapsed (S341; NO), the special symbol game process (S300) is terminated and the process returns to the game control process of FIG.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the fluctuation time has elapsed (S341; YES), the fluctuating first special symbol or second special symbol is stopped (S344), the stopped symbol is displayed, and the symbol is also displayed. A stop command is output toward the sub-control board 220 (S346). The symbol stop command is transferred to the effect display control board 222 via the sub control board 220. Then, after setting the stop display time for stopping and displaying the special symbol (S348), it is determined whether or not the set stop display time has elapsed (S350).

  If it is determined in the process of S350 that the special symbol stop display time has not elapsed (S350; NO), the special symbol game process (S300) is terminated as it is, and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. On the other hand, when the stop display time of the special symbol has elapsed (S350; YES), it is determined whether or not the stop display mode is a mode indicating a big hit (big hit symbol) (S352 in FIG. 33).

  If an affirmative determination is made in the processing of S352 in FIG. 33, the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 sets information indicating the current game progress in a buffer to be referred to at the end of “big hit game” to be described later. (Memorize) (S354). Specifically, “type of big hit” and “game state flag state” are set (stored) (S354). Further, the specific area of the RAM 202 mounted on the main control board 200 functions as a buffer used in the process of S354. Here, the “gaming state flag” is a flag indicating “the gaming state of the gaming machine 1”, that is, “probability change flag”, “fluctuation shortening flag”, “open extension flag”, and the like. In the process of S354, Data indicating whether these flags are set to “ON” or “OFF”, that is, data indicating the current gaming state (gaming mode) is set. Further, the “probability change flag” is a flag indicating that the gaming mode (gaming state) of the gaming machine 1 is in a high probability mode (mode in which the probability changing means operates), and the “change shortening flag” is a game of the gaming machine 1. It is a flag indicating that the mode (game state) is in a variation shortening mode (a mode in which the execution time of symbol variation display is likely to be shortened). The “open extension flag” is a mode in which the game mode (gaming state) of the gaming machine 1 is set to the open extended mode (the “variable start winning device” such as the second start winning device 17b of the present embodiment is lengthened). ).

  Subsequent to the process of S354, a process of setting an opening / closing pattern of the big winning device 31 according to the generated big hit mode is performed (S370). In other words, when “4R normal big hit” or “4R probable big hit” occurs, an opening / closing pattern for performing the above-mentioned round game “4 rounds” is set, and “8R normal big hit” or “8R probable big hit” occurs. In this case, an opening / closing pattern for performing “8 rounds” of the round game described above is set. Further, when “16R normal big hit” or “16R probability variable big hit” occurs, an opening / closing pattern for performing “16 rounds” of the round game described above is set.

  Subsequent to the process of S370, a process of setting a big hit game flag (set to ON) is performed (S378). By setting the “big hit game flag”, the big hit game execution means starts operating, and the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 shifts to the “big hit gaming state”. The main control unit 200A transmits a “hit game start designation command (indicated as start C in the drawing) toward the sub-control unit 220A at the timing when the“ hit game flag ”is set.

  Subsequent to the process of S378, the process proceeds to the process after S380. Here, when the “big hit game flag” is set in the process of S378, the big hit game execution means starts to operate and the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 shifts to the “big hit gaming state”. When the “big hit game flag” is being set (when the big hit game execution means is in operation), the probability changing function, the time reduction function, and the open extension function are not activated. For this reason, after performing a series of processes after S380 as follows, the special symbol game process (S300) is terminated.

  That is, in the process of S380, it is determined whether or not the probability variation flag is set (set to ON) (S380). If it is not set (S380; NO), the process proceeds to S384 as it is and is set. If yes (S380; YES), after canceling the probability variation flag (set to OFF) (S382), the process proceeds to S384. Then, in the process of S384, it is determined whether or not the fluctuation shortening flag is set (set to ON). If it is not set (S384; NO), the special symbol game process (S300) is directly exited. Returning to the game control process of FIG. On the other hand, when it is determined in the process of S384 that the fluctuation shortening flag is set (set to ON) (S384; YES), after the fluctuation shortening flag and the open extension flag are canceled (set to OFF) ( S386, S387), the special symbol game process (S300) is exited, and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. In any case, when returning to the game control process of FIG. 26, a jackpot game process (FIG. 37) described later is started and the jackpot game is executed.

  Next, a process when a negative determination is made in the process of S352 of FIG. 33 will be described. That is, when the special symbol stopped and displayed on the first special symbol display unit 62a or the second special symbol display unit 62b is “out of symbol” (S352; NO), the fluctuation shortening flag is set (set to ON). It is determined whether or not (S398). If the fluctuation shortening flag is not set (set to OFF) (S398; YES), the special symbol game process (S300) is directly exited and the process returns to the game control process of FIG.

  On the other hand, when the variation shortening flag is set (set to ON) (S398; YES), that is, when the game mode at the time of the occurrence of the deviation is “low probability shortening variation mode” or “high probability shortening variation mode”. After the value of the fluctuation shortening counter is set to “−1” (S400), it is determined whether or not the value of the fluctuation shortening counter is “zero” (S404). If it is not "zero" (S404; NO), the special symbol game process (S300) is directly exited and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. Here, the “variation shortening counter” indicates the upper limit number of variations of the special symbol executed while shortening the variation, and when the value becomes “zero”, the shortening variation is not performed in the next variation of the special symbol. .

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the value of the fluctuation shortening counter has become “zero” in the process of S404 (S404; YES), the gaming mode of the gaming machine 1 is changed from the low probability shortening fluctuation mode to the low probability normal fluctuation. Switch to mode. For this reason, the process of canceling the fluctuation shortening flag (set to OFF) (S410), the process of canceling the release extension flag (setting to OFF) (S416), and the process of transmitting the mode designation command to the sub control board 220 (S416). After performing S430), the special symbol game process (S300) is exited and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. In the process of S430, a “mode designation command” that designates the low-probability normal variation mode is transmitted to the sub-control board 220.

E. Big hit game processing (S600)
When the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 repeatedly performs the game control process of FIG. 26, when it is determined that the “hit game flag” is set in the jackpot game process (S800) shown in FIG. 36 (S802; YES), processing related to the execution of the jackpot game is performed.

  When starting the big hit game process, the CPU 201 first determines whether or not the big winning opening 31a is open (S804). However, immediately after the big hit game is started, the big prize winning opening 31a is not open, so a negative determination is made in the processing of S804 (S804; NO), and whether or not the big hit game end condition is satisfied. Is determined (S810). Here, as a condition for ending the big hit game, it is set that the big winning opening 31a is opened a predetermined number of times. However, immediately after the big hit game is started, it is determined that the end condition for the big hit game is not satisfied. (S810; NO).

  Therefore, through the negative determination in S810, it is determined whether or not the closing time of the special winning opening 31a has elapsed (S812). However, immediately after starting the big hit game, since the big winning opening 31a has been closed until then, it is determined that the closing time has passed (S812; YES). For this reason, after opening the big winning opening 31a (S816), the CPU 201 ends the big hit game process shown in FIG. 36 and returns to the game control process shown in FIG.

  After the big winning opening 31a is thus opened (S816), the next big hit game process (S800) is started, and it is determined that the big winning opening 31a is open in the first determination (S804; YES). . Therefore, it is determined whether or not the opening completion condition for the special winning opening 31a is satisfied (S806). Here, the opening completion condition of S806 is established when the opening time of the big prize opening 31a is 30 seconds or the game balls won in the big prize opening 31a have reached the prescribed number of prizes. If it is immediately after opening 31a, it is determined that the opening end condition is not satisfied (S806; NO), so the big hit game process of FIG. 36 is ended as it is, and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. When the jackpot game process (S800) is started again, it is determined whether or not the opening time of the jackpot 31a has elapsed (S806). If it has not elapsed (S806; NO), the jackpot game process is determined. End and return to the game control process of FIG. While the above process is repeated, the opening completion condition for the special winning opening 31a is eventually established. At that time, the special winning opening 31a is closed (S808).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the big hit game ending condition is satisfied (S810). And when the number of times of opening of the special winning opening 31a has not reached the predetermined number (4, 8, or 16) (S810; YES), after confirming that the closing time of the special winning opening 31a has passed ( (S812; YES), the special winning opening 31a is opened (S816), the big hit game process of FIG. 36 is terminated, and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. While repeating the process in this manner, the number of times of opening of the big winning opening 31a eventually reaches a predetermined number of times, and when the big hit game ending condition is satisfied (S810; YES), after executing the big hit game end process (S850) of FIG. End the jackpot game.

  When the big hit game end process (S800) is activated, as shown in FIG. 37, the CPU 201 cancels (sets to OFF) the big hit game flag (see S378 in FIG. 33) (S855), By referring to the “hit end reference buffer (see S354 of FIG. 33)”, information on the type of the big hit symbol (hereinafter referred to as “this big hit symbol”) that is the premise of this big hit game is acquired. Then, based on this information, processing for setting a game mode after the end of the big hit game is performed.

  That is, if the current big hit symbol (the symbol stopped in the process of S344 in FIG. 32) is “ordinary big hit symbol” (S865; NO), a process of setting “100” to the fluctuation shortening counter (S875). Then, the process of setting the fluctuation shortening flag (S880) and the process of setting the release extension flag (S885) are performed. After the jackpot game is completed, a mode designation command designating that the gaming mode of the gaming machine 1 is the “low probability shortening variation mode” is transmitted to the sub-control board 220 (S888), and then the jackpot game end process (S850). ) Ends.

  If the current big hit symbol is the “probable change big hit symbol” (S865; YES), the probability change flag is set (set to ON) (S868), and the fluctuation shortening counter is set to “10,000”. Processing (S870), processing for setting a variation shortening flag (S880), and processing for setting an open extension flag (S885) are performed. Further, after the mode designation command for designating that the gaming mode of the gaming machine 1 is “high probability shortening variation mode” after the big hit game is ended (S888), the big hit game end processing (S850) ) Ends. Note that the main control unit 200A releases a “hit game end designation command (denoted as R end C in the figure)” toward the sub-control unit 220A at the timing of releasing (setting OFF) the big hit game flag (S855). Send.

(7) Effects of the embodiment In this gaming machine 1, two game balls that sequentially enter the entrance 72T of the ball flow down device 70 at predetermined intervals (0.6 second intervals) pass through the ball flow down device 70. This eliminates the time difference that has occurred between the “two” game balls when entering the entrance 72T. As a result, the two game balls are discharged from the discharge port 75T of the ball flow down device 70 at substantially the same timing, so that two game balls win at a stretch in the variable start winning device (second start winning device 17b). The possibility (the possibility of multiple winnings) is generated. Therefore, in this gaming machine 1, the variable start winning device (second start winning device 17b) can be made to win a game ball efficiently, so that the game based on the “start winning” can be performed smoothly. .

  Further, in the gaming machine 1, the ball entrance of the ball descent device 70 is disposed in the guide region 11G, and the closed start winning device (second start winning device 17b) is disposed in the right region 11R. It is possible to smoothly enter the game ball into the ball flow-down device 70 and, consequently, the variable start winning device (second start winning device 17b) with good tempo (speedy). Therefore, in this gaming machine 1, the “game based on the start winning prize” can be performed more smoothly also from this point.

  Further, in this gaming machine 1, the entrance 72T of the ball flow down device 70 is provided above the closed start winning device (second start winning device 17b), and the variable start winning device (second start winning device 17b) is provided. Increase the frequency of entering. Therefore, it becomes easy to smoothly and preferentially play a game based on the game ball entering the variable start winning device. That is, the hold information (second determination random number) based on the ball entering the variable start winning device can be made difficult to be interrupted.

  Further, in this gaming machine 1, since a game ball entering the ball flow down device 70 triggers execution of the normal symbol variation game (passes through the normal symbol operation gate 16), , The frequency at which the closed start winning device (second start winning device 17b) is opened is increased. Therefore, the variable start winning device (second start winning device 17b) can be made to win the game ball more efficiently, so that the game based on the “start winning” can be performed more smoothly.

  Next, a gaming machine according to the second embodiment will be described. The gaming machine of the second embodiment shows an application example to a seven machine (hereinafter referred to as “mixer”) having the characteristics of so-called feathers. In the second embodiment, FIG. 38 is used instead of FIG. 4, FIG. 41 is used instead of FIG. 19, and FIGS. 43 to 47 are used instead of FIGS. 48 is used instead of FIG. 26, FIG. 32 is modified as shown in FIG. 49 (a), FIG. 50 and FIG. 49 (b) are used instead of FIG. 33, and FIG. 52 differs from the first embodiment in that FIG. 52 is used instead of FIGS. 51 and 35 and that FIG. 55 is used instead of FIG. 39, 40, 42, 43, 47, 52 and 53 are different from the first embodiment.

  First, the features of the game board 10 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The game board 10 of the second embodiment is the same as the game board 10 of the first embodiment except that the configuration of the main accessory device 20 is different. The main accessory device 20 arranged in the game board 10 of the second embodiment is different from the main accessory device 20 of the first embodiment in that an opening / closing device 25 and a sorting device 26 are added.

  As shown in FIG. 39 (a), the opening / closing device 25 includes a small winning winning opening 25a provided on the upper end side of the right decorative portion 21R, a guide passage 21x provided in the right decorative portion 21R, and a game board. 11 is provided with an opening / closing member 25b whose lower end is supported by a support shaft 25j perpendicular to the board surface, and a small winning prize opening solenoid 25c (see FIG. 41) for operating the opening / closing member 25b. Among them, the opening / closing member 25b is a member for opening and closing the small winning prize winning opening 25a, and by rotating around the lower support shaft 25j, the game balls to the small winning winning opening 25a A closed state in which the small hitting winning opening 25a is closed so that winning is impossible, and an open state in which the small hitting winning opening 25a is opened so that a game ball can be won in the small winning winning opening 25a. And can change.

  That is, when driving of the small winning prize opening solenoid 25c is started, the opening / closing member 25b is rotated clockwise (in front view), and the opening / closing member 25b is changed to “a tilting posture in which it rises obliquely upward to the right”. The small winning winning opening 25a is changed to an open state, and a game ball can be won. On the other hand, when the driving of the small winning prize opening solenoid 25c is stopped, the opening / closing member 25b rotates counterclockwise (front view) when viewed from the front, so that the small winning prize opening 25a changes to the closed state, Winning is impossible.

  As shown in FIGS. 39 (a) and (b), the guide passage 21x has the inlet portion 211x aligned with the small winning winning opening 25a, and the outlet portion 212x is disposed inside the main accessory device 20. It is opened toward the sorting device 26. That is, the guide passage 21x is a passage for guiding the game ball received from the small winning prize opening 25a toward the sorting device 26. In addition, a ball detection sensor 21y for detecting the entrance of a game ball from the small winning prize winning opening 25a is disposed in a part of the guide passage 21x located in the vicinity of the small winning winning opening 25a. Yes.

  The distribution device 26 is disposed in a portion on the right side of the central portion inside the main accessory device 20 (see FIG. 38). The distribution device 26 receives the game ball guided through the guide path 21x after entering the main accessory device 20 from the small winning prize opening 25a, and guides it to one of the normal region TR and the special region SR. To do.

  As shown in FIG. 39B, the sorting device 26 includes a base portion 26a, a rotary derivative 26b, and an induction motor 26c (see FIG. 41). Among these, the upper surface portion of the base portion 26a is provided with a concave portion 26d that opens upward and whose outer edge portion has a substantially circular shape. The concave portion 26d includes a mounting portion 26e that is located on the center side and has a substantially circular planar shape, and a sphere introduction portion 26f that surrounds the mounting portion 26e in a circular shape and has a substantially ring-shaped planar shape. The depth of the mounting portion 26e is deeper than the depth of the ball introducing portion 26f. Further, the bottom surface portion of the ball introducing portion 26f is an inclined surface that is inclined downward toward the mounting portion 26e.

  On the bottom surface of the mounting portion 26e, as shown in FIG. 40B, a normal guide hole 26g for guiding the game ball to the normal region TR and a special guide hole for guiding the game ball to the special region SR. 26h. However, the distance between the opening position of the special guide hole 26h and the center portion 26j of the mounting portion 26e is smaller than the distance between the opening position of the normal guide hole 26g and the center portion 26j of the mounting portion 26e. In other words, the distance of the former is made smaller than the distance of the latter by a length exceeding the “game ball diameter (11 mm)”.

  As shown in FIG. 39 (b), a special guide groove 26p is provided in a portion located on the right side of the concave portion 26d in the upper surface portion of the base portion 26a. The special guide groove 26p is for receiving the game ball that has passed through the guide passage 21x and introducing it into the ball introduction portion 26f. The inlet portion 261p of the special guide groove 26p is connected to the outlet portion 212x of the guide passage 21x, and the outlet portion 262p of the special guide groove 26p is connected to the ball introduction portion 26f. The floor surface portion of the special guide groove 26p is inclined downward from the inlet portion 261p toward the outlet portion 262p. For this reason, the game ball that has passed through the special guide groove 26p can enter the ball introducing portion 26f.

  As shown in FIG. 39 (b), the rotary derivative 26b is mounted on the mounting portion 26e in a rotatable state. Further, as shown in FIG. 40 (a), the rotary derivative 26b has a configuration in which four guide recesses 261b, 261b, 261b, and 262b are provided on a disk whose upper surface is a curved surface. Prepare. These guide recesses 261b and 262b are formed at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the rotary derivative 26b and are sized to receive one game ball. In addition, any of the guiding recesses 261b and 262b is formed in a state of being recessed from the outer peripheral side of the rotary derivative 26b to the central side of the rotary derivative 26b, and is also open at the upper and lower portions of the rotary derivative 26b. doing. And it is possible to receive the game ball on the ball introduction part 26f.

  However, the three guide recesses 261b are used to guide the game ball to the normal guide hole 26g, and the remaining one guide recess 262b is used to guide the game ball to the special guide hole 26h. . In other words, as shown in FIG. 40 (c), the game balls received in the guide recesses 261b and 262b are connected to the normal guide holes 26g and the special guide holes 26h from the outlets 265b and 266b of the guide recesses 261b. It is guided to either one. The outlet portions 265b and 266b are open at the bottom surface of the rotary derivative 26b. (A) Three guide recesses (hereinafter referred to as “normal guide recesses”) 261b are provided as the rotary derivative 26b. Is provided at a position that can be vertically aligned with the guide hole 26g (inlet portion), and (b) the remaining one guide recess (hereinafter referred to as "special guide recess") 262b. This is because, by rotating the rotary derivative 26b, it is provided at a position that can be aligned vertically with the special guide hole 26h (inlet portion).

  The induction motor 26c is a motor for rotating the rotary derivative 26b. The rotational driving force generated from the induction motor 26c is transmitted to the rotational derivative 26b via a predetermined transmission member (gear or the like). The main control unit 200A described later functions as a control unit that controls the operation of the induction motor 26c. In this embodiment, the main control unit 200A controls the operation of the induction motor 26c, so that the rotation shaft always rotates at a constant speed. Therefore, the rotary derivative 26b always rotates at a constant speed ( When viewed from the upper side, the rotation direction is counterclockwise.

  A game ball that has passed through the guide passage 21x is received by the ball introduction portion 26f. The game ball rolls on the ball introducing portion 26f and then enters one of the normal guiding recess 261b and the special guiding recess 262b. Then, the game ball that has entered the normal guide recess 261b is guided to the normal guide hole 26g by rotating the rotary derivative 26b, and the game ball that has entered the special guide recess 262b is rotated by rotating the rotary derivative 26b. It is guided to the special guide hole 26h.

  When the game ball is guided to the normal guide hole 26g, it reaches the normal region TR and is detected by the passage detection switch 8n (see FIG. 41). When the game ball is guided to the special guide hole 26h, the game ball reaches the special region SR and is detected by the passage detection switch 8t (see FIG. 41). Here, since three normal guiding recesses 261b and one special guiding recess 262b are arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the rotating derivative 26b, the rotating derivative 26b is introduced with a sphere. The probability that the game ball that has reached the part 26f is guided to the special area SR is "1/4".

  As shown in FIG. 38, also in the game board 10 of the second embodiment, the game area 11 can be divided into four area portions 11L, 11R, 11U, and 11D with the main accessory device 20 as a reference. That is, a left region portion 11L located on the left side of the main accessory device 20, a right region portion 11R located on the right side of the main accessory device 20, an upper region portion 11U located on the upper side of the main accessory device 20, It can be divided into a lower region portion 11D located below the main accessory device 20. It should be noted that other board components (first start winning device 17a, second start winning device 17b, large winning device 31, lower display device 60, general winning device 40, etc. disposed on the surface of the gaming board 10 of the second embodiment. 41 and 43, the ball dropping device 70, a number of obstacle nails (not shown), and the windmill 19) are arranged in the same manner as the gaming board 10 of the first embodiment, and therefore, the second embodiment. In FIG. 4, the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment are assigned to the corresponding panel parts, and the description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 38, the opening / closing device 25, the second start winning device 17b, and the ball flow lowering device 70 are arranged in the right region portion 11R. For this reason, when a small hit game or a big hit game is being executed, or when aiming for a start winning to the second start winning device 17b (open extended state), the player moves toward the right region portion 11R. Is fired (so-called “right-handed”). And in the upper area | region part 11U which a game ball passes before reaching | attaining the right area | region part 11R, the arrangement | positioning density of an obstruction nail is low. In particular, a region located in the vicinity of the right region portion 11R in the upper region portion 11U is a “no-nails region” in which no obstacle nail is disposed. In addition, since the game ball that has been “right-handed” has a higher momentum than the game ball that is aimed at the left region portion 11L, the game ball can be awarded to the small hitting winning opening 25a or the ball dropping device 70. Done efficiently. In addition, as will be described later, when the open extension mode is entered, since the probability of occurrence of a small hit increases, a big hit is generated via the small hit by causing the second start winning device 17b to win a game ball efficiently. The probability of making it also increases.

  Next, the outline of the game performed in the gaming machine of the second embodiment will be briefly described with reference to FIG.

  Also in the second embodiment, when the execution timing of the result display of the success / failure determination (first success / failure determination) executed due to the winning of the game ball (first start winning award) to the first start winning device 17a is reached, In the first special symbol display unit 62a of the display device 60, a variable display using the first special symbol and a fixed display (stop display) are executed. In addition, when the execution time of the result display of the determination of whether or not to be executed (second determination of success / failure) due to the winning of the game ball to the second start / winning device 17b (second start winning) is reached, the lower display device 60 In the second special symbol display unit 62b, the variable display using the second special symbol and the fixed display (stop display) are executed.

  When the first special symbol display section 62a displays the confirmation of the first special symbol that "the result of the first determination is wrong" and the second special symbol display section 62b confirms the second special symbol If the display indicates that the result of the second win / fail decision is out of play, the gaming state of the gaming machine is maintained in a non-special gaming state (a state that is neither a big hit state nor a small hit state), and a large The winning opening 31a and the small winning winning opening 25a are kept closed.

  In addition, the confirmation display of the first special symbol indicates that “the result of the first success / failure determination is a big hit”, or the confirmation display of the confirmation display of the second special symbol indicates that the result of the second special determination is “ When “Big hit” is displayed, the big hit game execution means (main control unit 200A) starts the big hit game. As a result, a “big hit game” is executed in which the special winning opening 31a is opened for a predetermined number of times (8 times or 16 times). That is, when this big hit game is started, “unit drive” is applied to the opening / closing plate 31b for a predetermined number of times. In this “unit drive”, the position of the open / close plate 31b is referred to as an attitude (hereinafter referred to as “open attitude”) in which the prize winning opening 31a is opened from an attitude in which the prize winning opening 31a is closed (hereinafter referred to as “closed attitude”). ), And the opening posture is maintained for a first time (for example, a time selected from 20 seconds to 30 seconds, but “30 seconds” is exemplified in the present embodiment), and then the opening and closing plate 31b The content is to return the posture to the closed posture.

  When this “unit drive” is executed a predetermined number of times (8 times or 16 times) with a predetermined interval time (for example, about 2 seconds) interposed therebetween, the big hit game execution means changes the state of the gaming machine from the special game state. Return to a non-special game state. In the following, a jackpot game whose content is to perform “unit drive” eight times (8 rounds) is referred to as “8R jackpot game”, and a jackpot that triggers the execution of the 8R jackpot game is referred to as “8R jackpot”. Further, a big hit game with the content of performing “unit drive” 16 times (16 rounds) is referred to as “16R big hit game”, and a big hit that triggers the execution of the 16R big hit game is referred to as “8R big hit”.

  Further, the fact that the result of the first special determination is a small hit is displayed by the confirmation display of the first special symbol, or the result of the second special determination is displayed by the confirmation display of the confirmation display of the second special symbol. Is displayed, a small hit game is executed. In this small hit game, the opening / closing member 25b performs an opening operation according to a predetermined operation pattern. This operation pattern has a content of “performing the opening / closing member 25b to be in the open posture for a short time (for example, 0.4 seconds) once or three times”. The winning prize winning opening 25a is opened for a short time (for example, 0.4 seconds). At this time, when a game ball enters the main accessory device 20 through the small winning prize opening 25a and reaches the normal area TR, it becomes “disengaged”, and the big hit game execution means changes the state of the gaming machine to a non-special game state. maintain.

  On the other hand, when a game ball enters the main accessory device 20 through the small winning prize opening 25a and reaches the special area SR within a predetermined effective time, it becomes a “big hit”, and the big hit game execution means starts the big hit game. . There are also "8R big hit" and "16R big hit" in this "big hit", but in the big hit game that shifts from the small hit game, it shifts from the non-special game state to the big hit game state without passing through the small hit game. The number of rounds (the number of times the big winning opening 31a is opened) is reduced by one compared to the big hit game executed in this manner. That is, in the jackpot game executed with “8R jackpot” as a trigger, “unit drive” is performed seven times, and in the jackpot game executed with “16R jackpot” as a trigger, “unit drive” is performed 15 times.

  Next, the flow of “symbol changing game and symbol changing effect” in the gaming machine of the second embodiment will be briefly described. That is, also in the gaming machine 1 of the second embodiment, stop display (definite display) of the stop symbol indicating the result of the determination of success / failure performed based on the start winning, and change display performed before the stop display are performed. This is executed by two types of symbol display devices, the lower display device 60 and the effect display device 27. On the other hand, the “pseudo symbol” is displayed on the display screen 27a of the effect display device 27, and the variation mode and the stop symbol are controlled by the “sub control unit 220A” that controls the game effect under the control of the main control unit 200A. Is determined. Usually, the symbol variations of these “pseudo symbols” are executed for the same time as the “main symbol”, and the display contents (big hit, small hit, miss) of these “pseudo symbols” are the first. It is assumed that there is no contradiction with the display content (big hit, small hit, miss) of the “main symbol” in the special symbol display part 62a or the second special symbol display part 62b. Also in the second embodiment, when a symbol variation effect such as reach display using a special symbol is performed, the symbol variation effect is performed on the effect display device 27 (pseudo symbol).

  Also in the gaming machine of the second embodiment, the change display and stop display of the first special symbol due to the first start winning, that is, the “symbol change game related to the first special symbol” is performed in the first special symbol display unit 62a. . The second special symbol change display and stop display resulting from the second start winning, that is, “the symbol variable game related to the second special symbol” is performed in the second special symbol display unit 62b. As shown in FIG. 18 (b) described above, these variable displays are incomplete symbols (hereinafter referred to as “computational symbols” which cannot be formed by 7-segment display bodies constituting the corresponding special symbol display section (62a or 62b). The content is to perform “circular display”. In other words, the content is to “circulate and display” imperfect symbols that are not familiar to the player compared to arithmetic numbers and are difficult to identify and store.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 43, the gaming state that can be set in the gaming machine 1 includes (a) a state in which the opening extension means and the fluctuation shortening means are not activated (hereinafter referred to as “state A”), and (b). ) A state in which the opening extension means and the fluctuation shortening means operate (hereinafter referred to as “state B”). And even if the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is either “state A” or “state B”, after “big hit” is generated and the big hit game triggered by the occurrence of the big hit is executed, The probability that the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is set to “state A” is “50%”, and the probability that the gaming state is set to “state B” is “50%”.

  As shown in FIG. 43, regardless of whether the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is “State A” or “State B”, the determination indicating a big hit in any of the first and second determinations as to whether or not The probability that the result is derived (hit probability) is about “1/400”. In addition, the probability that the determination result indicating the small hit is derived (small hit probability) is “1/399” in the case of the first hit / fail decision, and “10/11” in the second hit / fail decision. Has been. Then, when the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is “state A”, the opening extension means does not operate, and therefore, the possibility of executing the second determination is very low. For this reason, the small hit probability in “state A” is substantially “1/399”. In addition, when the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is “state B”, the opening extension means operates, so that the player executes the game with the aim of the second start winning device. For this reason, the small hit probability is substantially about “10/11”. In other words, in the “state A”, the first winning / failing determination is mainly executed, and in the “state B”, the second winning / failing determination is mainly executed.

  When the determination result indicating the big hit is derived in the first special symbol display unit 62a or the second special symbol display unit 62b, a “hit” is generated and the big hit game is executed. Note that while the gaming state is the big hit gaming state, the special symbol (the main symbol) is not displayed in a variable state, that is, the symbol variable game is not executable. On the other hand, when the big hit game is not performed “before the big hit gaming state transition” or “after the big hit gaming state is finished”, the state where the variation display of the special symbol (this symbol) is performed, that is, the symbol fluctuation game is performed. It becomes an executable state (design variation game state).

  Here, “opening the grand prize winning device 31” is realized by driving the big prize opening solenoid 31c so that the open / close plate 31b in the standing position is tilted forward, and the big winning opening 31a is changed to the open state. “Closing the big winning device 31” is realized by stopping the driving of the big winning port solenoid 31c, returning the open / close plate 31b to the standing posture, and returning the big winning port 31a to the closed state. In each round game during the big hit game, the big winning device 31 is subjected to an opening / closing operation for changing the big winning opening 31a to the open state once. In addition, when a predetermined number (10) of game balls enter the big winning opening 31a or when the opening time of the big winning opening 31a reaches the opening limit time (30 seconds), the round end condition is satisfied. To finish the current round game (big hit round). When the opening / closing operation of the big winning device 31 is repeated a plurality of times with a predetermined interval in between, the big hit game is finished.

  In the gaming machine 1, when the gaming state shifts to the big hit gaming state (special gaming state), a “round game” is executed for a predetermined number of times (8 rounds or 16 rounds). When the final “round game” is finished, the big hit game is finished. Furthermore, after performing the effect related to the end of the big hit (ending effect), the gaming state is returned to the symbol variation gaming state.

  When a determination result indicating a small hit is derived in the first special symbol display unit 62a or the second special symbol display unit 62b, a “small hit” is generated, and the small hit game execution means starts operating to play the small hit game. Is executed. Then, when the small hit game is started, the main control unit 200A drives and stops the small hit prize winning solenoid 25c, thereby executing the “opening / closing operation for opening / closing the small hit winning prize opening 25a”. While the gaming state is the small hit gaming state, the special symbol (main symbol) is not displayed in a variable state, that is, the symbol variable game is not executable.

  In the present embodiment, depending on the type of winning symbol (big winning symbol, small winning symbol) stopped and displayed (determined display) on the first special symbol display unit 62a or the second special symbol display unit 62b and the game state at the time of occurrence of the hit Thus, the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 after the big hit game ends and the content of the hit game (round game) to be executed are different. Hereinafter, this point will be described with reference to FIGS. 44 to 47. Here, in this gaming machine 1, as a small hit game, a small content that includes “performing the opening / closing member 25b to be in an open position for a short period of time (for example, 0.4 seconds) three times”. The contents are a winning game (hereinafter referred to as “3T small hit game”) and “performing the opening / closing member 25b to be in an open posture for a short time (for example, 0.4 seconds)”. The small hit game (hereinafter referred to as “1T small hit game”) is scheduled. In the following description, the small hits that trigger the execution of “3T small hit games” are referred to as “3T small hits”, and the small hits that execute the “1T small hit games” are referred to as “1T small hits”. In addition, the random numbers (hereinafter referred to as “symbols for design determination”) for performing the “sort lottery” shown below are random numbers for determination of success / failure (random numbers for big hit lottery, random numbers for small lottery, etc.) In the same manner as above, it is acquired at the timing when the start prize is generated.

  In the gaming machine of the second embodiment, when a determination result indicating “big hit” is derived by the first winning / nothing determination, as shown in FIG. 44, the main control unit 200A selects the type of big hit (type of big hit symbol). Determined by random lottery (distribution lottery). Also, when the determination result indicating “big hit” is derived by the second winning / nothing determination, as shown in FIG. 45, the main control unit 200A selects the type of jackpot (type of jackpot symbol) as a random lottery (distribution lottery). ). In any random lottery (distribution lottery), the “big hit type” is (A) big hits (16R big hit A, 8R big hit A) with the game state after the big hit game being ended as (A) A big hit (16R big hit B, 8R big hit B) in which the gaming state after the big hit game is ended is determined as one of the states B.

  In the gaming machine of the second embodiment, when a determination result indicating “small hit” is derived by the first winning / failing determination, as shown in FIG. 46, the main control unit 200A determines the type of the small hit (the type of the big hit symbol). ) Is determined by random number lottery (distribution lottery). In addition, when the determination result indicating “small hit” is derived by the second winning / failing determination, as shown in FIG. 47, the main control unit 200A selects the type of small hit (type of big hit symbol) by random lottery (vibration). Determined by lottery). In any random lottery (distribution lottery), if the “big hit type” is “big hit,” a big hit (3T small hit A, 1T big hit) with the gaming state after the big hit game as state A A) ”and (B)“ If a big hit is generated, a small hit (3T small hit B, 1T small hit B) in which the gaming state after the big hit game is the first state B ”is selected. It is decided.

  In any of the cases shown in FIGS. 44 to 47, after the big hit game is executed, the probability that the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is set to “state A” is “50%” and “state B”. The probability of setting is “50%”. However, in the “lottery lottery” in the case where the result of the second win / fail decision is “big hit” or “small win”, the “win” in the case where the result of the first win / fail decision is “big win” or “small win” Compared with “minute lottery”, there is a higher probability that a jackpot where a larger amount of prize balls can be expected is selected (see FIGS. 44 to 47). For this reason, for a player, a game in which the first success / failure determination is continuously performed is more effective in a game in which the second success / failure determination is continuously performed (a game mainly based on the second success / failure determination). It can be said that the advantage is higher than that in the case of playing a game mainly based on one-win determination.

  As shown in FIGS. 44 to 47, when the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 becomes “state B”, the opening extension means and the fluctuation time shortening means are activated. When the cumulative number of change displays (symbol change games) executed without causing a big hit becomes “100”, the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is returned to the state A.

  Also on the display screen 27a of the effect display device 27, when the symbol variation start condition is satisfied due to winning (start winning) in the first start winning device 17a or the second start winning device 17b, a pseudo symbol variation display (pseudo) is displayed. The symbol variation effect using symbols is started. Then, when the execution time (variation time) of the pseudo symbol variable display has elapsed, the pseudo symbol stop display (determined display) is executed for a certain time (about 0.6 seconds). This pseudo-symbol stop display is to display the determination result of the success / failure determination, similar to the stop display by the lower right display device 60 (the first special symbol display unit 62a or the second special symbol display unit 62b).

  On the display screen 27a of the effect display device 27, three (three digits) pseudo-pattern variation display and stop display are performed. This pseudo-pattern variation display shows that the numbers from “1” to “9” are displayed in this order, and then the numbers from “1” to “9” are displayed again in this order. It consists of repeated “circular display (scroll fluctuation display)”. The confirmed symbols that are confirmed and displayed in the pseudo-symbol display area 27b include “stop symbol indicating big hit”, “stop symbol indicating small hit”, and “stop symbol indicating loss”.

  In this gaming machine 1, as shown in FIG. 44 to FIG. 47, the “big hit symbol” main symbol is set according to the type of the big hit, and the “small hit symbol” main symbol is set according to the type of the big hit. It is set. On the other hand, although not shown, the stop symbol of the pseudo symbol is defined as follows. That is, the stop symbol (hit symbol) indicating the occurrence of a big hit is configured by arranging three “identical odd numbers” on the display screen 27a. The stop symbol (small symbol) indicating the occurrence of a small hit is configured by arranging three “different odd numbers” in ascending order from left to right on the display screen 27a. Furthermore, the “off symbol” is configured by arranging “a three-digit numeric symbol (a three-digit numeric symbol excluding a small hit symbol)” at least one of which is arranged on the display screen 27a. Further, when the big hit symbol is displayed on the effect display device 27, the reach display is performed in the middle of the fluctuation display which is the premise thereof.

  In addition, when displaying the “stop symbol indicating disconnection” on the effect display device 27, when reach display is not performed in the middle of the presumed variation display (simple disconnect), when reach display is performed (reach disconnect). There is. Further, as described above with reference to FIG. 5, the first auxiliary symbol display area that is variably displayed in conjunction with the first special symbol display unit 62 a at the position on the right end side near the lower edge on the display screen 27 a. A and a second auxiliary symbol display area B that is variably displayed in conjunction with the second special symbol display unit 62b appear. Then, the special symbol display unit (62a or 62b) that is executing the symbol variable game and the auxiliary symbol corresponding to the special symbol display unit perform a variable display. When the variable display is stopped, the stop symbol of the auxiliary symbol is confirmed and displayed, and the result of the determination of success / failure is displayed based on the stop symbol.

  Next, the features of the game control of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 48 is a flowchart showing a rough flow of game control processing executed by the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200. Also in this game control process, when the gaming machine 1 is turned on or the reset switch is pressed, first, an initialization process (S20) and an origin detection process (S30) are performed. When this origin detection process (S30) is completed, the winning device drive process (S50), the timer update process (S70), the prize ball payout process (S80), and the normal symbol game process (until the power is turned off) Each process such as S100), ordinary electric game game process (S200), special symbol game process (S300), small hit game process (S600), big hit game process (S800), etc. is repeatedly executed.

  The CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 of the second embodiment is configured to execute the processing of S50 to S800 in FIG. 48 every time a timer interrupt with a period of 4 msec occurs after the power is turned on. That is, the processing of S50 to S800 in FIG. 48 is repeatedly executed every 4 msec. In each process constituting the game control process, various signals are transmitted to various control boards including the sub-control board 220. By doing so, the game of the entire gaming machine 1 proceeds. Hereinafter, according to the flowchart of FIG. 48, the characteristic part in the game control process of Example 2 is demonstrated. The contents of the winning device driving process (S50), the winning ball payout process (S80), the normal symbol game process (S100), and the normal electric equipment game process (S200) of the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment. Since these are the same, their description is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 48, the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 performs a timer update process (S70). In this timer update process, the CPU 201 determines that “the opening time of the small winning prize opening 25a when a small hit occurs”, “the opening time of the big winning opening 31a when a big hit occurs”, “the effective time of the V winning" (Effective time timer) "or the like is performed to update a timer for measuring various times related to the game.

  The special symbol game process (S300) of the second embodiment is different from the special symbol game process (S300) of the first embodiment in the following points. First, the random numbers for determination acquired and stored in the process of S306a in FIG. 31 include (a) special figure 1 big hit lottery random number and (b) winning of a game ball to the first start winning device 17a. Random number for lottery (hereinafter referred to as “Special Figure 1 small lottery random number”) used for the small lottery to be executed (hereinafter referred to as “Special Figure 1 small lottery lottery”), (c) For special figure 1 symbol determination Random numbers, (d) reach random numbers for determining whether or not to perform reach display in the pseudo symbol variation display executed on the display screen 27a of the effect display device 27, and the like are included.

  Further, the determination random numbers acquired and stored in the process of S306b are executed due to (a) special figure 2 big hit lottery random numbers and (b) winning of game balls to the second start winning device 17b. Random numbers for lottery (hereinafter referred to as “Special Figure 2 small lottery random numbers”), (c) Random numbers for determining symbols of Special Figure 2 ( d) Reach random numbers for determining whether or not to perform reach display in the pseudo symbol variation display executed on the display screen 27a of the effect display device 27, and the like.

  Further, in the special symbol game process (S300) of the second embodiment, the process of S309 is performed as shown in FIG. 49A instead of the process of S308 (see FIG. 32). In the process of S309, it is determined whether or not a winning game (big hit game or small hit game) is being executed (S309). Specifically, the big hit game flag (see the process of S332 in FIG. 51) is set (set to ON) or the small hit game flag (see the process of S360 in FIG. 49B) is set (ON). A positive determination is made in the processing of S309. The small hit game flag is a flag indicating that the “small hit game execution means” is in operation.

  When the CPU 201 determines that the winning game is being executed (S309; YES), the special symbol game process is terminated and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. On the other hand, if it is determined in the process of S309 that no winning game is being executed (S309; NO), the process proceeds to S310 (see FIG. 32).

  Further, in the second winning / failing determination process (S320b) executed in the special symbol game process (S300) of the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 51, “the special figure 2 big hit lottery random number read in the process of S316b” is used. Then, a big hit determination (big hit lottery) is performed (S323). If the result of the jackpot determination is a jackpot (S328; YES), after setting the jackpot flag (set to ON) (S332), the second winning / failing determination process (S320b) is terminated and the second special symbol is set. The process shifts to the fluctuation start process (Special Figure 2 design fluctuation start process) (S500b in FIG. 32).

  Further, when the result of the big hit determination (big hit lottery) is out of place (S328; NO), the special hit 2 lottery random number read in the process of S316b is used to determine the small hit (small hit lottery). Is performed (S329). If the result of the small hit determination is a small hit (S333; YES), after setting the small hit flag (set to ON) (S338), the second win / fail determination process (S320b) is terminated, The process shifts to a change start process (special figure 2 pattern change start process) relating to 2 special symbols (S500b in FIG. 32). On the other hand, if the result of the small hit determination is out (S333; NO), after setting the “out flag”, that is, the “flag indicating that no big hit or small hit has occurred” (set to ON) ( S339), the second success / failure determination process (S320b) is terminated, and the process proceeds to the special figure 2 symbol variation start process (S500b). In addition, the determination process (S320a; first determination process) regarding the first special symbol reads out the determination random numbers acquired in S306a (Special Figure 1 big lottery random number, Special Figure 1 small lottery random number) (S316a). In the same manner according to FIG. The determination random number read in S316a is acquired in S306a, and includes a special figure 1 design determination random number, a reach random number, and the like.

  In the special figure 2 symbol variation start process (S500b) of the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 52, first, a variation setting process (S511, S540) and the like are performed based on the result of the success / failure determination process (S320b). That is, in the processing of S503, if it is determined that the result of the success / failure determination processing (S320) is “hit (big hit or small win)” (S503; YES), the process proceeds to S510 and “hit variation setting processing”. I do. In the hit variation setting process (S510), the symbol determination random number acquired in the process of S306b (see FIG. 31) is read, and the symbol (winning symbol) to be stopped and displayed on the second special symbol display unit 62b is set (determined) ) And setting (determining) a variation pattern by random lottery using a variation pattern table selected in consideration of the determined winning symbol mode and the gaming state (game mode) of the gaming machine 1. Do.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in the process of S503 that the result of the success / failure determination process (S320b) is not “winning” (S503; NO), the process proceeds to S540, and the “outlier variation setting process” is the same as in the first embodiment. I do.

  The processing after S511 or S540 is the same as in the first embodiment. Further, the first success / failure determination process (S320a) of the second embodiment is also executed according to FIG. And the special figure 1 symbol variation start process (S500a) performed as the process of S500a is also performed according to FIG.

  Furthermore, in the special symbol game process (S300) of the second embodiment, when the positive determination of S350 is made (see FIG. 32), the process is performed according to FIG. 50 instead of FIG. This is different from the special symbol game process (S300). That is, when the special symbol stop display time has elapsed (S350 in FIG. 32; YES), as shown in FIG. Judgment is made (S351). If a negative determination is made in the process of S351 (S351; NO), the process proceeds to the process after S398 as in the first embodiment.

  On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in the process of S351, the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 sets information indicating the current game progress status in a buffer to be referred to at the end of “winning game” described later ( (S355). Specifically, “type of hit (big hit, small hit)” and “game state flag state” are set (stored) (S355). In addition, a predetermined area of the RAM 202 mounted on the main control board 200 functions as a buffer used in the process of S355.

  Following the processing of S355, it is determined whether or not the generated hit is a small hit (S356). If the generated hit is a big hit (S356; NO), as in the first embodiment, S370 and subsequent steps are performed. Move on to processing. On the other hand, when the generated hit is a small hit (S356; YES), as shown in FIG. 49 (b), a process for setting a small hitting prize opening pattern (S358), After performing the process (S360) of setting the winning game flag (set to ON), the process proceeds to the process after S398 shown in FIG. 50, and the same process as in the case where a negative determination is made in the process of S351. Do. Here, in the process of S358, when the occurrence is “1T small hit”, “the opening operation for opening the closed small winning winning opening 25a for a short time (0.4 seconds) is 1”. When the “pattern to be rotated” is set and the occurrence is “3T small hit”, the “opening operation for opening the closed small winning prize opening 25a for a short time (0.4 seconds)” is performed three times. "Pattern to perform" is set. In addition, by setting the “small hit game flag”, the small hit game execution means starts operating, and the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 shifts to the “small winning game state”. The main control unit 200A transmits a small hit game start designation command to the sub-control unit 220A at the timing when the “small hit game flag” is set.

  Further, in the game control process of the second embodiment (see FIG. 48), the “small hit game process (S600)” shown in FIG. 53 and FIG. 54 and the “big hit game end process (S850)” are performed. This is different from the first embodiment in that it is performed according to FIG. That is, while the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 repeatedly performs the game control process of FIG. 48, it is determined that the “small hit game flag” is set in the small hit game process (S600) shown in FIG. Then (S602; YES), a small hit game process is performed.

  When starting the small hit game processing, the CPU 201 first determines whether or not the small hit prize winning opening 25a is open (S604). However, immediately after the start of the small hit game, since the small winning prize opening 25a is not opened, a negative determination is made in the processing of S604 (S604; NO), and the end condition of the small hit game is set. It is determined whether or not it is established (S610). Here, as a condition for ending the small hit game, it is set that the small hit prize winning opening 25a is opened a predetermined number of times, but immediately after the small hit game is started, the condition for ending the small hit game is satisfied. (S610; NO).

  Therefore, after the negative determination in S610, it is determined whether or not the closing time of the small winning prize winning opening 25a has elapsed (S612). However, immediately after the start of the small hit game, since the small hit prize winning opening 25a has been closed until then, it is determined that the closing time has passed (S612; YES). Therefore, the CPU 201 opens the small winning prize opening 25a (S616), ends the small winning game process shown in FIG. 53, and returns to the game control process of FIG.

  After the small hitting winning opening 25a is thus opened (S616), the next small hitting game process (S600) is started, and it is determined that the small winning winning opening 25a is open at the first determination. (S604; YES). For this reason, it is determined whether or not the opening time of the small winning prize winning opening 25a has elapsed (S606). However, since it is determined that the opening time has not elapsed immediately after opening the small winning winning opening 25a (S606; NO), the small hit game processing of FIG. Return to control processing. Then, when the small hit game processing (S600) is started again, it is determined whether or not the opening time of the small hit prize winning opening 25a has passed (S606). If it has not passed (S606; NO), The winning game process is terminated and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. While the above process is repeated, the opening time of the small winning prize winning opening 25a eventually elapses. At that time, the small winning prize winning opening 25a is closed (S608).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the condition for ending the small hit game is satisfied (S610). If the number of openings of the small winning prize opening 25a has not reached the predetermined number (1 or 3 times) (S610; YES), after confirming that the closing time of the small winning prize opening 25a has elapsed. (S612; YES), the small winning prize opening 25a is opened (S616), the small hit game process of FIG. 53 is terminated, and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. While the processing is repeated in this manner, the number of times of opening of the small winning prize winning opening 25a eventually reaches a predetermined number, and when the small hitting game ending condition is satisfied (S610; YES), the small hitting game end processing (S650) of FIG. After executing, the small hit game is terminated.

  When the small hit game end process (S650) is activated, the CPU 201 cancels the small hit game flag (see S360 of FIG. 49) (sets it to OFF) as shown in FIG. It is determined whether or not the game ball has passed the special area SR during the winning game (S660). Here, as described above, the passage detection switch 8t (see FIG. 41) is provided on the downstream side of the special area SR. If the game ball passes through the special area SR, the passage detection switch 8t is used. Can be detected. If it is determined in the process of S660 that the game ball has passed the special area SR (S660; YES), it is determined whether or not the passage of the special area SR was within the effective time. (S665). This “whether or not it is an effective time” is determined using the above-mentioned effective time timer. In this embodiment, after the small winning prize opening 25a is opened (the small winning prize opening solenoid 25c is turned ON). It ends in “8 seconds”.

  (A) When it is determined that the game ball has not passed through the special area SR in the process of S660 (S660; NO), and (b) it is determined that the game ball has passed the special area SR through the process of S660. However, when the passage is outside the valid time (S660; YES, S665; NO), the big hit game is not performed, so the big hit mode is not set and the big hit game is not started. The small hit game end process (S650), the small hit game process of FIG. 53 is terminated, and the process returns to the game control process of FIG.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in the process of S660 that the game ball has passed through the special area SR, and the pass is within the valid time (S660; YES, S665; YES), a process for setting the big hit game mode (S670) ) And a process of setting the big hit game flag (set to ON) (S675), then the small hit game end process (S650) is ended. Here, the big hit mode set in the processing of S670 corresponds to the mode of “small hit (1T small hit, 3T small hit) that triggered the execution of the small hit game ended this time”. According to the jackpot gaming mode set in S670, the “big winning opening opening pattern” and the gaming state after the jackpot game is ended are specified. In addition, when the “big hit game flag” is set in the process of S675, the big hit game execution means starts operating, and the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 shifts to the “big hit gaming state”. The main control unit 200A transmits a big hit game start designation command (denoted as big start C in the drawing) toward the sub-control unit 220A at the timing when the “big hit game flag” is set. Then, as the “big hit game flag” is set (set to ON), the big hit game process shown in FIG. 36 is executed.

  Also in the second embodiment, while the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 repeatedly performs the game control process of FIG. 48, the “hit game flag” is set in the jackpot game process (S800) shown in FIG. If it is determined that there is a game (S602; YES), processing related to the execution of the jackpot game is performed. Thus, in the second embodiment, the big hit game process (S800) is executed according to FIG. 36, but the big hit game end time process (S850) is executed according to FIG. 55, which is different from the first embodiment.

  When this jackpot game end process (S850) is started, the CPU 201 cancels the jackpot game flag (see the process of S370 in FIG. 50 or the process of S675 in FIG. 54) as shown in FIG. 55 (set to OFF). After that (S855), by referring to the above-mentioned “reference buffer at the end of hitting (see S355 of FIG. 50)”, information on the type of big hit (current big hit) that is the premise of this big hit game is obtained. Acquired (S860), and based on this information, processing for setting a gaming state (gaming mode) after the end of the big hit game is performed.

  That is, if the big hit this time is not a big hit that triggers the setting of the extended extended state (hereinafter referred to as “open extended big hit”) (S866; NO), the game of the gaming machine 1 after the end of the big hit game After the mode designation command designating that the state is the above-mentioned “state A (non-open extension state)” is transmitted to the sub-control board 220 (S890), the big hit game end process (S850) is terminated. Note that the “open extension jackpot” shown in the process of S866 includes not only “open extension jackpot” generated without passing through the small hit game but also “open extension jackpot” generated through the small hit game. It is.

  That is, “if a big hit occurs, a small hit with the game state after the big hit game is set to the open extended state (state B)”, and at the end of the small hit game triggered by the occurrence of the big hit, Also included are those for which processing for setting (set to ON) a “hit game flag” is performed (see S675 in FIG. 54). Here, “open extension big hit” is generated through “16R big hit B”, “8R big hit B”, “big hit generated through small hit games of 1T small hit B”, and “small hit B of 3T small hit B” Big hit "(see FIGS. 44 to 47). In addition, “non-open extended big hit” is generated through “16R big hit A”, “8R big hit A”, “big hit generated through small hit game of 1T small hit A” and “small hit game of 3T small hit A”. Big hit "(see FIGS. 44 to 47).

  On the other hand, if the current big hit is an “open extension big hit” (S866; YES), a process for setting an open extension flag (S871), a process for setting a fluctuation shortening flag (S872), and an open extension counter The process of setting “100” to (10087) and the process of setting “100” to the fluctuation shortening counter (S874) are performed. Then, after the mode designation command for designating that the gaming state (gaming mode) of the gaming machine 1 after the end of the big hit game is “state B” is transmitted to the sub-control board 220 (S890), the big hit game end processing (S850) ) Ends.

  According to the second embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained. In particular, in the gaming machine according to the second embodiment, when a so-called “right-handed” is performed in the gaming state (state B) in which the opening extension means acts, the gaming ball is placed in the ball descending device 70 with a probability of approximately “100%”. Enters the ball. For this reason, the game based on entering into the 2nd start winning device 17b can be performed more smoothly. As a result, a game mainly based on the second win / fail decision can be smoothly executed, and the execution probability of the small hit game, and hence the execution probability of the big hit game via the small hit game is increased, so that the game interest is effectively enhanced. be able to.

  In other words, in a seven machine (mixer) that has the characteristics of feathers, as a process up to a big hit, a process that generates a big hit without going through a small hit game (hereinafter referred to as “process 1”), There is a process (hereinafter referred to as “process 2”) that generates a big hit through a small hit game. Then, unlike the mixer shown in the second embodiment, the probability variation of the big hit probability is not performed, but when the probability of occurrence of the small hit at the time of opening extension means operation becomes high, the process 2 can be performed smoothly. It is important to effectively enhance interest.

  However, the process 2 is “actuating the opening extension means”, “obtaining a winning as a result of the normal symbol variation game”, “making the second starting winning device 17b win a game ball”, “ “The game ball is awarded to the winning opening 25a” and “the game ball that has won the small winning prize opening 25a passes through the special area SR within the valid period” are smooth and efficient in this order. To do it. In the gaming machine according to the second embodiment, it is possible to smoothly and efficiently perform “making the second starting prize device 17b win a game ball”, so that it is possible to effectively increase the gaming interest.

  Next, a gaming machine according to the third embodiment will be described. The gaming machine of the third embodiment is the same as the gaming machine 1 of the first embodiment, except that the configuration of the ball flow down device 70 is different.

  As shown in FIG. 56, the ball dropping device 70 of the third embodiment also includes a base member 71, an outer wall member 72, a passage forming wall 73, a front plate member 74 (see FIG. 10), and a discharge port forming member. 75 and a sorting member 76. The ball flow-down device 70 is also arranged in the right region portion 11R above the second start winning device 17b, accepts all the game balls that have passed through the guide region portion 11G, and heads toward the second start winning device 17b. Are discharged.

  The base member 71 of the third embodiment is also mounted on the game board 10 in a state of being fitted into a recess 10c provided on the board surface 10b of the game board 10 (see FIG. 10). Further, although detailed illustration is omitted in FIG. 55, the outer wall member 72 of the third embodiment is also a wall body constituting the outer peripheral wall of the ball flow down device 70, and has a substantially frame shape protruding from the outer edge portion of the base member 71. It is configured. The outer wall member 72 includes a right wall portion (not shown in FIG. 56) protruding from the right edge portion of the base member 71 and a left wall portion (not shown in FIG. 56) protruding from the left edge portion of the base member 71. A lower wall portion 72c protruding from the lower edge portion of the base member 71, and an upper wall portion 72d protruding from the vicinity of the upper edge portion of the base member 71.

  The upper wall portion 72d of the third embodiment also includes a first inclined wall portion 72e arranged in a left-downwardly inclined shape and a second inclined wall portion 72g arranged in a right-downwardly inclined shape. In addition, a space portion 72K that allows passage of one game ball is provided between the left end portion of the first inclined wall portion 72e and the right end portion of the second inclined wall portion 72g. A ball entrance 72T for allowing a game ball to enter the ball dropping device 70 is configured. The upper surfaces of the first inclined wall portion 72e and the second inclined wall portion 72g constitute a guide surface that guides a game ball entering from the game area 11 to the entrance 72T.

  The lower wall portion 72c is disposed at the lower edge portion of the base member 71 except for positions where outlet portions B5 and C5 described later open, and the discharge port forming member 75 hangs down at the lower edge portion of the base member 71. Is arranged. The discharge port forming member 75 constitutes a discharge port 75T for discharging the game ball to the outside of the ball flow down device 70 in the ball flow down device 70.

  The passage forming wall 73 of the third embodiment is also configured by four wall bodies 73a, 73b, 73c, and 73d integrated with the outer wall member 72. That is, the first wall body 73a disposed at the right end, the second wall body 73b disposed on the left side of the first wall body 73a, the third wall body 73c disposed on the left side of the second wall body 73b, A fourth wall body 73d disposed at the left end is provided, and any of the wall bodies 73a, 73b, 73c, 73d is formed in a long band shape, and the short side direction is directed in the front-rear direction.

  These wall bodies 73 a, 73 b, 73 c, 73 d also form substantially bowl-shaped passages L, L 1, L 2 in cooperation with the base member 71. Specifically, an introduction passage L that first passes through a game ball entered from the entrance 72T is configured by the upper end side portion of the first wall body 73a and the upper end side portion of the fourth wall body 73c. ing. The introduction passage L is provided with the axis centered vertically, and a normal symbol operation gate 16 is provided at an intermediate portion along the vertical direction as in the first embodiment.

  Also in the passage forming wall 73 of the third embodiment, one game ball that has entered the entrance 72T first by the portion below the upper end side portion of the first wall 73a and the second wall 73b. Constitutes a first passage L1 through which. Furthermore, this 1st passage L1 is a part (first upper end passage part) B1 arrange | positioned from the lower end of the introduction passage L to the right downward inclination, and the part suspended from the lower end of 1st upper end passage part B1. (Hereinafter referred to as “first passage main part”) B4. Moreover, the exit part B5 open | released below is provided in the lower end part of 1st passage way main-body part B4.

  Also in the passage path forming wall 73 of the third embodiment, the portion below the upper end side portion of the fourth wall body 73d and the third wall body 73c are described as “the entrance 72T following the one game ball described above. The second passage L2 through which the “other game balls entering the ball” pass is formed. The second passage L2 includes a portion (second upper end passage portion) C1 arranged in a left-downward inclined manner from the lower end of the introduction passage L, and a portion depending on the lower end of the second upper end passage portion C1 (hereinafter referred to as “second passage passage portion C1”). , "Second passage main part") C4. Moreover, the exit part C5 opened below is provided in the lower end part of the 2nd passage way main-body part C4. Also in the third embodiment, the outlet part B5 of the first passage L1 and the outlet part C5 of the second passage L2 are arranged in a state of being arranged in the lateral direction along the board surface of the game board 10, and the ball A discharge port 75T of the flow-down device 70 communicates with the outlet portions B5 and C5 vertically.

  By the way, in the ball dropping device 70 of the third embodiment, the first passage L1 and the second passage L2 are mirror-symmetric, and the path length of the first passage L1 and the path length of the second passage L2 are the same. Are equal. The time required for the game ball to pass through the first passage L1 is equal to the time required for the game ball to pass through the second passage L2. However, in the ball flow down device 70 of the third embodiment, the “game ball Y1 that has entered the first passage L1” is provided by providing a stop plate 78a for stopping the game ball in the middle of the first passage L1. And “the game ball Y2 that has entered the second passage L2 with a predetermined interval (about 0.6 seconds) later than the game ball Y1” are discharged from the discharge port 75T at substantially the same timing. ing.

  That is, in the second wall body 73b, a slit 731b is provided at a portion constituting the terminal side of the first passage L1, and the end of the retaining plate 78a is inserted into the slit 731b. The stop plate 78a is slidable using an actuator such as a solenoid. The stop plate 78a can be moved in and out of the first passage L1 using an actuator. The stop plate 78a constitutes a specific example of stop means.

  Further, in the middle of the path of the first passage L1, a sensor A for detecting the passing of the game ball is arranged at a portion upstream of the portion where the slit 731b is formed, and the route of the second passage L2. A sensor B for detecting the passing of the game ball is also arranged on the way. Here, the sensor A is arranged in a part of the first passage L1 in a part away from the part where the slit 731b is formed by one game ball diameter or more away from the outlet part B5. . In addition, the sensor B is disposed in a part of the second passing path L2 that is separated from the part corresponding to the part where the slit 731b is formed by a radius of the game ball in a direction away from the exit part C5. .

  Further, the configuration of the sorting member 76 according to the third embodiment, the game ball sorting direction, and the like are the same as those of the sorting member 76 according to the first embodiment.

  In Example 3, when the game ball Y1 that has passed through the entrance 72T and the introduction passage L is caused to enter the first passage L1, the game ball Y1 as shown in FIG. 57 (a). Y1 is detected by the sensor A when it flows down a predetermined distance in the first passage L1. When the sensor A detects the game ball Y1, as shown in FIG. 57 (b), the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 drives the actuator to cause the stop plate 78a to project partway along the first passage L1. The first passage L1 is blocked in the middle of the path (projected downstream from the position where the sensor A is disposed). As a result, the game ball Y1 detected by the sensor A is blocked on the way to the stop plate 78a and stops halfway along the first passage L1.

  After the game ball Y1, the sorting member 76 causes the game ball Y2 that has passed through the entrance 72T and the introduction passage L to enter the second passage L2. As shown in FIG. 58 (a), the game ball Y2 is detected by the sensor B when it flows down a specific distance in the second passage L2. Then, when the sensor B detects the game ball Y2, as shown in FIG. 58 (b), the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 stops driving the actuator and moves the stop plate 78a from the middle of the first passage L1. Exclude. At this time, the distance to the exit portion C5 of the game ball Y2 and the distance to the exit portion B5 of the game ball Y1 stopped by the stop plate 78a are made equal.

  Thereafter, the game ball Y1 released from the stop by the stop plate 78a and the game ball Y2 detected by the sensor B are discharged from the discharge port 75T at substantially the same timing. In the third embodiment, the first passage L1, the slit 731b, the stop plate 78a, the actuator that drives the stop plate 78a, and the sensor A that constitutes the drive trigger of the actuator, and the second passage L2 The time required for the game ball that has entered from the entrance 72T to reach the discharge port 75T by using the former arrival means is the time required for the game ball that has entered from the entrance 72T. The time required to reach the discharge port 75T using the latter reaching means is made longer. That is, in the former reaching means, the stop is performed using the stop plate 78a, so that it takes a long time to reach the discharge port 75T.

  In the third embodiment, the game control process (see FIG. 26) executed by the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 includes a stop start process (S1000) shown in FIG. 59 (a) and a stop release shown in FIG. 59 (b). The difference from the first embodiment is that processing (S1100) is added. That is, also in the game control process of the third embodiment, when the gaming machine 1 is turned on or the reset switch is pressed, first, an initialization process (S20) and an origin detection process (S30) are performed. When the origin detection process (S30) is completed, the winning device drive process (S50), the prize ball payout process (S80), the normal symbol game process (S100), and the normal electric game game until the power is turned off. Each process such as the process (S200), the special symbol game process (S300), the big hit game process (S800), the stop start process (S1000), and the stop release process (S1100) is repeatedly executed.

  Then, when the stop start process (S1000) is started, as shown in FIG. 59 (a), the stop plate 78a is currently excluded from the first passage L1 (hereinafter referred to as “stop canceling”). (S1005), and if the stop is not being released (S1005; NO), the stop start process (S1000) is terminated as it is. On the other hand, if the stop is being released (S1005; YES), at the timing when the sensor A detects the game ball, the driving of the actuator is started, and the stop plate 78a protrudes into the first passage L1 ( Hereinafter, the stop start process (S1000) is terminated as “during stop”.

  Further, when the stop end process (S1100) is activated, as shown in FIG. 59 (b), it is determined whether or not it is currently “stopped” (S1105), and if it is not stopped (S1105; NO). Then, the termination completion rule (S1100) is terminated as it is. On the other hand, if the vehicle is stopped (S1105; YES), at the timing when the sensor B detects the game ball, the driving of the actuator is terminated and the stop plate 78a is excluded from the first passage L1 (stop release). Middle), the stop cancellation process (S1100) is terminated.

  According to the third embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be achieved more reliably. That is, in the third embodiment, one game ball Y1 that has entered the entrance 72T of the ball descending device 70 is set as a “stop ball” by the action of the stop plate 78a, and the other game ball Y1 that has entered after the one game ball Y1. The game ball Y2 is a “release ball” that generates an opportunity to cancel the stop of the “stop ball”. And since it is easy to discharge | emit the said "reservation ball | bowl" and the "release ball | bowl" simultaneously from the discharge port 75T of the ball | bowl downflow apparatus 70, the effect of invention of Example 1 can be achieved more reliably.

  Next, a gaming machine according to the fourth embodiment will be described. The gaming machine of the fourth embodiment is the same as the gaming machine 1 of the first embodiment, except that the configuration of the second start winning device 17b and the configuration of the ball flow lowering device 70 are different.

  As shown in FIG. 60, the second start winning device 17b according to the fourth embodiment includes a ball receiving member 17f that can be moved in and out toward the front of the board surface 10b of the game board 10, and a protruding and retracting movement (back and forth movement) of the ball receiving member 17f. And an ordinary electric accessory solenoid 17c. The ball receiving member 17f has a substantially pocket shape opened upward, and can receive a game ball reaching from above. The bottom portion 17g of the ball receiving member 17f is an inclined surface that is inclined downward toward the rear. The game board 10 is provided with a storage space 10g for storing the ball receiving member 17f.

  In the second start winning device 17b, when the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 drives the ordinary electric accessory solenoid 17c, the tip end portion 17h of the ball receiving member 17f is on the surface 10b of the game board 10 as shown in FIG. Protrusively forward. At this time, the discharge port 75T of the ball dropping device 70 is positioned above the tip end portion 17h, and the game ball discharged from the discharge port 75T can be received. However, as shown in FIG. 62 (a), the front end portion 17h has a width (width along the board surface 10b) and a depth (front-rear width) that can accept one game ball, It is said that game balls cannot be accepted. Further, the tip portion 17h is capable of receiving two game balls that overlap one above the other at the same time (see FIG. 60).

  When the CPU 201 stops driving the ordinary electric accessory solenoid 17c, as shown in FIG. 61, the ball receiving member 17f is stored in the storage space 10g, and the front surface of the ball receiving member 17f is substantially flush with the board surface 10b. Become one. At this time, the ball receiving member 17f cannot receive a game ball. In addition, the front-end | tip part 17h of the ball | bowl receiving member 17f comprises the receiving opening (substantially pocket-shaped receiving opening) opened upwards. In the second start winning device 17b, when the opening extension means is operating, the time (opening time) for the tip 17h of the ball receiving member 17f to protrude forward of the board surface 10b is set to "5 seconds". Has been. In addition, when the opening extension means is inactive, the time (opening time) during which the tip 17h of the ball receiving member 17f is projected forward of the board surface 10b is set to “0.2 seconds”.

  As shown in FIG. 63, the ball dropping device 70 of the fourth embodiment also includes a base member 71, an outer wall member 72, a passage forming wall 73, a front plate member 74 (see FIG. 10), and a discharge port forming member. 75 and a sorting member 76. This ball flow down device 70 is arranged above the second start winning device 17b of the fourth embodiment in the right region portion 11R, and accepts all the game balls that have passed through the guide region portion 11G. It is discharged toward the second start winning device 17b.

  The base member 71 of the fourth embodiment is also mounted on the game board 10 in a state of being fitted into a recess 10c provided on the board surface 10b of the game board 10 (see FIG. 10). The base member 71, the outer wall member 72, the front plate member 74 (see FIG. 10), the discharge port forming member 75, and the distribution member 76 have the same configuration as that of the first embodiment.

  The passage forming wall 73 of the fourth embodiment also forms substantially bowl-shaped passages L, L1, and L2 in cooperation with the base member 71. That is, an introduction passage L, a first passage L1, and a second passage L2 are provided. Among these, the introduction passage L has the same configuration as the introduction passage L of the first embodiment, but the first passage L1 and the second passage L2 are the first passage L1 of the first embodiment in the following points. And the second passage L2.

  That is, the first passing path L1 and the second passing path L2 merge at the lower end side joining portion V, and the game ball Y1 that has entered the first passing passage L1 below the joining portion V, and the second The game ball Y2 that has entered the passage L2 is a common passage L12 into which both can enter. And the exit part B9 open | released below is provided in the lower end part of the shared passage L12.

  Also in the ball descending device 70 of the fourth embodiment, the sorting member 76 causes the one game ball Y1 that has passed through the entrance 72T and the introduction passage L to enter the first passage L1. When the game ball Y1 reaches the middle of the first passage L1, the other game ball Y2 that has passed through the entrance 72T and the introduction passage L is caused to enter the second passage L2. At this time, as shown by the broken line in FIG. 63, in the ball flow down device 70 of the fourth embodiment, the distance between the game ball Y1 that has entered the entrance 72T first and the junction V is the entrance 72T. The distance is set so as to be shorter than the distance between the game ball Y2 and the merge portion V that have entered later (about 11 mm).

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 60, the game ball Y1 that entered the entrance 72T first and the game ball Y2 that entered the entrance 72T afterwards overlap in order from the bottom up. It is discharged from 75T. As a result, there is a possibility of entering the ball receiving member 17f (substantially pocket-shaped receiving port) in a state where the game ball Y1 and the game ball Y2 overlap.

  According to the fourth embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained. In the first embodiment, the second start winning device 17b (tulip-type ordinary electric accessory) including the pair of movable blade pieces 17e and 17e is illustrated, and in the fourth embodiment, the retractable second start winning device 17b is illustrated. Although illustrated, the aspect of the second start winning device 17b is not limited to these. For example, as shown in FIG. 62 (b), a second start winning device 17b including only a single opening / closing member (movable blade piece) 17e can be exemplified.

  Next, a gaming machine according to the fifth embodiment will be described. In the gaming machine according to the fifth embodiment, the timing at which the gaming ball Y1 that has entered the ball lowering device 70 is discharged from the outlet 75T, and the timing at which the gaming ball Y2 that has entered later is discharged from the outlet 75T. This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that it has a function of correcting this timing shift when a shift occurs between the two. The other points are the same as in the first embodiment.

  In the ball flow down device 70 of the fifth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 64, a sensor D for detecting that a game ball passes in the middle of the path of the first passage L1 is disposed. A sensor F for detecting the arrival (passing) of the game ball is arranged at the terminal portion. In addition, a sensor E for detecting that the game ball passes in the middle of the second passage L2 is also arranged to detect the arrival (passage) of the game ball at the terminal portion of the second passage L2. The sensor G is arranged. The distance between the outlet portion B5 of the first passage L1 and the sensor D and the distance between the outlet portion C5 of the second passage L2 and the sensor E are made equal.

  Further, in the ball dropping device 70 of the fifth embodiment, the opening / closing member X1 for opening / closing the outlet portion B5 of the first passage L1, and the opening / closing member for opening / closing the outlet portion C5 of the second passage L2 are provided. X2 is disposed. As an actuator for driving the opening / closing member X1 and the opening / closing member X2, for example, a solenoid can be exemplified.

  In the fifth embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 65 (a) and 65 (b), the timing at which one game ball Y1 that has previously entered the entrance 72T is detected by the sensor D, and the entrance 72T When the deviation from the timing at which another game ball Y2 that has entered later is detected by the sensor E is very small (for example, within 0.1 seconds), the exit B5 of the first passage L1 and the second The exit C5 of the passage L2 is kept open. For this reason, the game ball Y1 and the game ball Y2 are directly discharged from the discharge port 75T.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 66 (a) or 66 (b), the timing at which one game ball Y1 that has entered first is detected by the sensor D, and the other game ball Y2 is detected by the sensor E. When the deviation from the timing is not very small (for example, when it exceeds 0.1 seconds), the actuator for driving the opening / closing member X1 and the actuator for driving the opening / closing member X2 are operated. That is, as shown in FIG. 66 (a), when the timing at which the game ball Y1 is detected by the sensor D is earlier than the timing at which the game ball Y2 is detected by the sensor E, or in FIG. 66 (b). As shown in FIG. 67 (a), when the timing at which the game ball Y1 is detected by the sensor D is later than the timing at which the game ball Y2 is detected by the sensor E, the preceding game Before the ball (Y1) reaches the corresponding outlet part (B5), the outlet part B5 is closed by the opening / closing member X1, and the outlet part C5 is closed by the opening / closing member X2.

  Thereby, as shown in FIGS. 67 (b) and 68 (a), both the game balls Y1 and the game balls Y2 are stopped before the exits B5 and C5. Then, as shown in FIG. 68 (a), when the condition that the sensor F detects the game ball Y1 and the condition that the sensor G detects the game ball Y2 are satisfied at the same time, As shown in b), the actuators for driving the opening / closing member X1 and the actuators for driving the opening / closing member X2 are stopped. Thereby, since both exit parts B5 and C5 will be in an open state, both game balls Y1 and Y2 will be discharged | emitted from the discharge port 75T at the same timing.

  In the fifth embodiment, the game control process (see FIG. 26) executed by the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 includes the correction start process (S1200) shown in FIG. 69 (a) and the correction end shown in FIG. 69 (b). The difference from the first embodiment is that processing (S1300) is added. That is, also in the game control process of the fifth embodiment, when the gaming machine 1 is powered on or the reset switch is pressed, first, an initialization process (S20) and an origin detection process (S30) are performed. When the origin detection process (S30) is completed, the winning device drive process (S50), the prize ball payout process (S80), the normal symbol game process (S100), and the normal electric game game until the power is turned off. Each process such as a process (S200), a special symbol game process (S300), a big hit game process (S800), a correction start process (S1200), a correction end process (S1300), etc. is repeatedly executed.

  When the correction start process (S1200) is started, as shown in FIG. 69 (a), whether or not both outlet parts B5 and C5 are currently open (opening and closing members X1 and X2 are connected to both outlet parts B5 and C5). (S1205). If not open (S1205; NO), the correction start process (S1200) is terminated as it is. On the other hand, if it is open (S1205; YES), it is determined whether or not the sensor D and the sensor E have detected a game ball at intervals within 0.1 seconds (S1210). If the difference between the timing at which the sensor D detects the game ball and the timing at which the sensor E detects the game ball is within 0.1 seconds (S1210; YES), the correction start processing (S1200) is terminated. . On the other hand, when the difference between the timing at which the sensor D detects the game ball and the timing at which the sensor E detects the game ball exceeds 0.1 seconds (S1210; NO), the opening / closing member X1 is driven. For this purpose, the actuator for driving the opening / closing member X2 and the actuator for driving the opening / closing member X2 are operated to close both outlet portions B5 and C5 (S1215), and the correction start processing (S1200) is terminated.

  When the correction end process (S1300) is started, as shown in FIG. 69 (b), whether or not both outlet portions B5 and C5 are currently closed (opening / closing members X1 and X2 are connected to both outlet portions B5). , C5 is closed) (S1305). If not closed (S1305; NO), the correction end process (S1300) is terminated as it is. On the other hand, if closed (S1305; YES), it is determined whether the sensor F and sensor G have detected a game ball (S1310). When the sensor F and the sensor G detect a game ball (S1310; YES), the actuators for driving the opening / closing member X1 and the actuator for driving the opening / closing member X2 are stopped, and both outlet portions B5 , C5 is opened (S1315), and the correction end process (S1300) is terminated.

  According to the fifth embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be achieved more reliably. That is, in the fifth embodiment, one game ball Y1 that has entered the entrance 72T of the ball descending device 70 and another game ball Y2 that has entered following the one game ball Y1 have some cause (game board). 10), even if it is originally difficult to discharge from the discharge port 75T at the same timing, correction processing (correction start processing (S1200), correction end processing (S1300)) It is easy to discharge from the discharge port 75T at the same timing. For this reason, the effect of invention of Example 1 can be achieved more reliably.

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

  That is, in each embodiment, an example in which the number of reaching means is two has been illustrated, but the number of reaching means may be three or more as in Modification 1 of FIG. In the first modification, the first passage L1 is branched into the third passage L3 and the fourth passage L4 in the middle of the route, the outlet B7 of the third passage L3, and the fourth passage The aspect which can discharge | release a game ball from the exit part B8 of L4 and the exit part C5 of the 2nd passage L2 is illustrated.

  Moreover, in each Example, although the aspect which provides one of the 1st passage L1 and the 2nd passage L2 linearly was illustrated, like the modification 2 of FIG. 71, 1st passage L1 and You may provide both the 2nd passage L2 non-linearly. In this case, since it is easy to give appropriate frictional resistance to both the game ball flowing down the first passage L1 and the game ball flowing down the second passage L2, the game ball passes through the first passage L1. It is easy to control the time required for playing and the time required for the game ball to pass through the second passage L2.

  Moreover, in each Example, although the aspect which provided the action | operation gate 16 in the vicinity of the inlet part 72T of the ball flow down apparatus 70 was illustrated, you may provide the operation gate 16 in the outside of the ball flow down apparatus 70, or in the ball flow down apparatus 70 You may provide in another site | part. For example, an aspect provided in the course of a passage (the first passage L1, the second passage L2) through which the game ball passes in the ball flow down device 70, a mode provided in the discharge port 75H of the ball flow down device 70, and a guide region portion 11G A mode provided in the right region portion 11R where the obstacle nail is disposed can also be exemplified.

  In each embodiment, the gaming machine 1 including one variable start prize device (second start prize device 17b) and one non-variable start prize device (first start prize device 17a) is illustrated. A gaming machine having only one variable start prize device, a gaming machine having only a plurality of variable start prize devices, a plurality of variable start prize devices and one or more non-variable starters The invention of each claim can be applied to a gaming machine including a winning device, a gaming machine including one variable start winning device and a plurality of non-variable starting winning devices.

  Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the mode in which the game balls are distributed using a periodic motion member that performs periodic motion (for example, a rotating body that rotates at a constant speed) is illustrated. For example, a seesaw-type periodic motion member can be exemplified.

In the second embodiment, an application example for a seven machine (mixer) having the characteristics of a blade is described, and in the first embodiment, an application example for a pure seven machine is described.
That is, as exemplified in Example 2, the seven machine (mixer) having the characteristics of the feathers is as follows:
One or more start ports including a variable start port that changes over a predetermined opening time from a closed state in which a game ball is difficult or impossible to enter into an open state in which it is easy to enter;
A symbol display means (for example, constituted by an LED lamp, a liquid crystal display device, etc.) for performing a deterministic display of the determination result symbol indicating the result of the determination of validity
Small hit game execution means for executing a small hit game when the result of the determination is a small hit;
A jackpot game execution means for executing a jackpot game when the result of the success / failure determination is a jackpot, and when the game ball passes a special area within a valid period during a hit game;
Is provided.

  In addition, the mixer shown in the second embodiment (a game in which a big hit is generated in two modes: a case where the symbols are all together and a big hit, and a case where all the symbols are together and the big hit is made via the small hits) In the machine), the small winning prize opening 25a that is opened during the small hit game and the large winning opening 31a that is opened during the big hit game are separately provided. The mouth 25a may also be used. Further, in the mixer shown in the second embodiment, a mode in which one small winning prize opening 25a and one opening / closing member 25b for opening and closing the small winning prize opening 25a are illustrated. It is also possible to exemplify an aspect in which a plurality of winning holes 25a are provided and an opening / closing member 25b is provided for each small winning hole 25a.

  In each of the embodiments, the second starting prize-winning device 17b in which the game ball cannot win when it is in the closed state is illustrated. However, the invention of each claim indicates that it is difficult for the game ball to win when in the closed state. This can also be applied to the second start winning device 17b. As this 2nd start winning device 17b, what excluded the obstruction member 17k from the 2nd starting winning device 17b shown in FIG. 8 can be illustrated, for example.

  In each embodiment, the embodiment in which the ball dropping device 70 and the second starting prize-winning device 17b are arranged in the right region portion 11R is illustrated, but these arrangement locations are not limited to those shown in each embodiment. For example, as shown in Modification 3 shown in FIG. 72, the entrance 72T of the ball dropping device 70 may be arranged on the entrance side of the guide area 11G. In other words, the guide area 11G may be closed by the ball flow down device 70. In this case, the game ball that is launched toward the right area 11R is nothing but a shot towards the ball flow down apparatus 70. It becomes.

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

1; gaming machine (ball game machine),
2; outer frame,
10: Game board,
11: Game area,
17a; first start winning device,
17b; second start winning device (variable start winning device),
27; production display device;
27a; display screen,
31; Grand prize-winning device,
62a; first special symbol display section,
62b; second special symbol display section,
63: Normal symbol display part (normal symbol display means),
200A; main control unit (ordinary symbol variation game execution means, first win / fail determination means, second win / fail determination means, first determination random number storage means, second determination random number storage means, hit game execution means, jackpot game execution means , Small hit game execution means),
220A; sub-control unit,
222A; effect display control unit.

Claims (7)

A game board in which a game area where game balls flow down is formed on the board surface;
Passage detection means for detecting the passage of a game ball flowing down the game area;
Using the normal symbol display means to display a normal symbol variation game that displays a normal symbol stop symbol indicating the result of winning or losing after executing the normal symbol variation display triggered by the detection of the game ball by the passage detection means Normal symbol variation game execution means to be executed,
One or more start winning devices including a variable start winning device that changes over a predetermined opening time from a state where the game ball is difficult or impossible to win to a state where it is easy to win when the result of the normal symbol variation game is successful When,
With
A gaming machine for determining whether or not to execute a winning game based on a game ball flowing down the game area entering the start winning device,
The game area is disposed at a position located above the entrance of the variable start winning device, and has a entrance for entering a game ball flowing down the game area, and an entrance through the entrance. A ball flow down device comprising a discharge port for discharging a game ball that has been balled toward the receiving port,
The ball falling device is:
The game balls entered from the entrance are allowed to pass through to reach the exit, and the time required for the game balls entered from the entrance to reach the exit is set to be different from each other. A plurality of access means,
The predetermined number of game balls that sequentially enter the entrance from the entrance are in the order of entrance to the entrance, the longer the required time, the later the game balls in the order A distribution unit that distributes to any of the plurality of arrival units so that the required time is shortened;
The game machine is characterized in that the predetermined number of game balls are discharged from the discharge port at substantially the same timing or in a state of being vertically connected. A ball entrance for allowing a game ball to enter the game area is provided at the upper left of the game area,
Of the gaming areas, the left area is the left area, the right area is the right area, and the upper area is the upper area.
The upper area part is provided with a guide area part for guiding a game ball that has entered the game area through the ball entrance to the right area part,
The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein a ball entrance of the ball dropping device is disposed in the guide area part or the right area part. As the start winning device, a fixed start winning device in which the possibility of winning a game ball is fixed, and the variable start winning device,
First determination random number storage means for storing a first determination random number generated based on winning of a game ball to the fixed start winning device;
Second determination random number storage means for storing a second determination random number generated based on a winning of a game ball to the start winning device of the variable start winning device;
A first success / failure determination unit that reads the first determination random numbers stored in the first determination random number storage unit one by one in the storage order and performs the determination as the first determination;
A second success / failure determination means for reading the second determination random numbers stored in the second determination random number storage means one by one in the storage order and performing the determination as a second success / failure determination;
When the first determination random number is stored in the first determination random number storage unit and the second determination random number is stored in the second determination random number storage unit, the second determination of whether or not the second determination is appropriate 1 priority processing means for processing to be performed in preference to the determination of success / failure;
The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising:   The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the passage detection means is provided in the ball dropping device. The plurality of reaching means is composed of one reaching means in which the required time is the shortest and other reaching means excluding the one reaching means,
The other reaching means is provided with a stopping means for stopping the game ball toward the discharge port,
The one reaching means is provided with a passage detecting means for detecting that a game ball directed to the discharge port passes through the one reaching means,
The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein when the passage detecting unit detects passage of a game ball, the stopping of the game ball by the stopping unit is released.   The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the ball dropping device includes two or three reaching means.   The said predetermined number of game balls are discharged | emitted from the said discharge port at the substantially the same timing in the state located in a line along the width direction of the said board surface, The one of Claims 1-6 characterized by the above-mentioned. Gaming machine.

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