JP5533832B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine, and more particularly to a ball-type gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine or an arrangement ball gaming machine.

  In a ball-type game machine, an illegal act may be performed in which a prize ball to be paid out is illegally acquired based on a game ball entering a prize opening. On the other hand, there has been proposed a gaming machine that detects an abnormal entry of a game ball into a large winning opening (variable winning opening) that is an electric accessory that opens and closes according to a gaming state (see Patent Document 1). The gaming machine of Patent Document 1 is configured such that the main control unit detects an abnormal entry of a game ball into a big winning opening leading to an unreasonable prize ball payout based on the game state.

JP 2008-43605 A

  However, the above-mentioned fraudulent act may be performed on a general winning opening other than the electric winning combination such as a big winning opening or a starting opening. Unlike the large prize opening and start opening, which are electric accessories that open and close according to the gaming state, the general winning opening can always enter a gaming ball, so it detects abnormal ball entry based on the gaming state. Difficult to do.

  In addition, in the gaming machine of Patent Document 1, the main control unit performs a process of monitoring an abnormality in the entrance of the grand prize opening. However, the process of monitoring an abnormal entry of the game ball in the general prize opening is also performed by the main control unit. In the case of performing the game, the process of monitoring the ball entry abnormality of the “electrical accessory that changes into a state in which the game ball cannot enter and a state in which the game ball can enter (a big winning opening or a start port)” The main control unit needs to perform two types of processing, namely, processing for monitoring the entrance abnormality of the “general winning opening that can always enter”. Such a configuration is inefficient and has a problem that the processing load of the main control unit increases.

  In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of monitoring a ball entry abnormality of a general winning opening without increasing a processing load of a main control unit.

In order to achieve the above object, the gaming machine of the present invention provides:
General prize opening where game balls can enter,
A variable winning opening that changes from a closed state in which a game ball cannot enter into an open state in which a game ball can enter, by satisfying a predetermined condition;
With
For each of the general prize opening and the variable prize opening, a gaming machine that pays out a predetermined number of game balls when a game ball has entered,
Game control means for controlling the progress of the game;
Effect control means for controlling the effect device based on a control command transmitted from the game control means according to the progress of the game;
With
The game control means includes
Specific game execution means for executing a specific game with the variable winning a prize opening in the open state;
Variable prize opening detecting means for detecting that a game ball has entered the variable prize opening;
An abnormality notification command transmitting means for transmitting an abnormality notification command to the effect control means when the variable winning opening detection means detects the entry of a game ball into the variable winning opening when the specific game is not being executed;
General winning opening detecting means for detecting that a game ball has entered the general winning opening;
When the general winning opening detection means detects the entry of a game ball into the general winning opening, a winning command transmission means for transmitting a winning command to the effect control means,
Have
The production control means includes
Determining means for determining whether or not the number of times the incoming command has been received within a predetermined specified time has reached a predetermined number;
When the number of receptions reaches the predetermined number of times or when the abnormality notification command is received, abnormality notification is performed using the effect device to perform abnormality notification indicating that an abnormality has occurred in the entry state of the game ball Means,
Gaming machine characterized in that it comprises a.

  Since the variable prize opening is open only during a specific game, whether or not there is an abnormal entry in the variable prize opening is based on the state when the game ball entered (for example, whether or not a specific game is in progress). Judgment can be made. For this reason, the control burden related to the entrance monitoring process for the variable winning opening is relatively light. On the other hand, it is necessary to always perform the entrance monitoring process at a general winning entrance where game balls can enter at any time, and it is possible to detect abnormal entry only when a game ball enters like a variable winning entrance. Since it is not possible to determine whether or not the occurrence has occurred, the control burden related to the entrance monitoring process of the general winning opening becomes relatively heavy. In the present invention, it is configured such that the game control means performs the pay monitoring process for the variable winning opening with a relatively light control load, and the effect control means performs the pay monitoring process for the general pay opening with a relatively heavy control load. Yes. In this way, by distributing the entrance monitoring processing of the winning holes of different types in the game control means and the effect control means, the processing capacity of the effect control means can be increased without increasing the control burden of the game control means. It is possible to effectively monitor the entrance abnormality effectively used. Further, by monitoring the entrance abnormality of the game ball at the general winning opening with the effect control means, the execution pattern of the abnormality notification when the abnormal entering at the general winning opening occurs, the degree of freedom of setting the pattern The abnormality notification pattern can be diversified.

In addition, in the gaming machine of another invention related to the present invention,
The production control means includes
An elapsed time measuring means for measuring an elapsed time since the incoming command transmission means received one incoming command;
A reception number counting means for counting the number of receptions of the incoming command until the elapsed time measured by the elapsed time measurement means reaches the specified time;
Including
The determination means determines whether or not the number of receptions of the incoming command within the specified time has reached the predetermined number based on the counting result of the reception number counting means.

  In this way, each time a game ball enters the general winning opening, the game control means transmits a ball entry command to the effect control means, and the effect control means generally determines based on the number of received ball command within the specified time. By detecting an abnormal entry of a game ball into the winning opening, it is possible to realize a monitoring process for entering a general winning opening in which a game ball can always enter with a simple configuration using the effect control means.

In addition, in the gaming machine of another invention related to the present invention,
When the number of receptions counted by the reception number counting unit reaches the predetermined number, or before the number of receptions counted by the reception number counting unit reaches the predetermined number, the elapsed time measuring unit measures When the elapsed time reaches the predetermined time, an initialization means for initializing the reception frequency counting means and the elapsed time measurement means is provided.

  Thereby, while the game machine is operating, it is possible to continuously monitor whether or not the ball winning abnormality of the general winning a prize has occurred.

In the gaming machine of the present invention,
Before Ki受 Shin count has reached the number of times counting means for counting the number of times reaches the predetermined number of times,
The abnormality notification execution unit changes the execution pattern of the abnormality notification according to the number of times counted by the arrival number counting unit.

  In this way, by changing the execution pattern of the abnormality notification according to the number of occurrences of abnormality, based on the execution pattern of the abnormality notification, the occurrence frequency of the abnormal entry of the game ball to the general winning opening in the gaming machine is changed. I can grasp it. Further, in the present invention, the effect control means performs the ball entry abnormality monitoring of the general winning opening, and therefore it is possible to easily perform the control of changing the abnormality notification execution pattern in accordance with the number of occurrences of such abnormality. .

  According to the configuration of the present invention as described above, it is possible to monitor the entrance abnormality of the general winning opening without increasing the processing load of the main control unit by monitoring the entrance abnormality of the general winning opening by the effect control means. A gaming machine can be provided.

1 is a front view of a gaming machine according to an embodiment to which the present invention is applied. It is a front view of a game board. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of an electronic controller. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a main job. It is a flowchart which shows a power-on process. It is a flowchart which shows the first half part of a special symbol game process. It is a flowchart which shows the second half part of a special symbol game process. It is a flowchart which shows a special symbol fluctuation display related process. It is a flowchart which shows a big hit game process. It is a flowchart which shows an electric accessory entry monitoring process. It is a flowchart which shows production control processing. It is a flowchart which shows an entrance abnormal process. It is a flowchart which shows the general winning opening entrance monitoring process of 1st Example. It is a flowchart which shows the general winning opening entrance monitoring process of 2nd Example.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following, a pachinko gaming machine (hereinafter simply referred to as a gaming machine) of a type (so-called “seven machine type”) in which a jackpot symbol is stopped and displayed in response to the end of the special symbol variation display, and the jackpot game is triggered by this. Examples to which the present invention is applied will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a front view of the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the front portion of the gaming machine 1 includes an outer frame 2, a middle frame 3, a front frame 4, an upper plate portion 5, a lower plate portion 6, a locking device 9, a game board 20, and the like. In FIG. 1, detailed illustration of the game board 20 is omitted. Further, the middle frame 3 is not clearly shown in FIG. 1 because the front frame 4 and the like are arranged on the front side.

  The outer frame 2 is a wooden plate-like body assembled into a substantially rectangular frame shape. The middle frame 3 is made of plastic and constitutes the main body frame of the gaming machine 1. The middle frame 3 is fitted inside the outer frame 2 and is pivotally supported at the left end so as to be openable and closable with respect to the outer frame 2. The middle frame 3 includes a frame body portion that occupies about 2/3 of the upper side and a lower plate portion that occupies about 1/3 of the lower side. The game board 20 and the front frame 4 are provided so as to overlap each other on the front side of the frame body part, and the upper plate part 5 and the lower plate part 6 are provided on the front side of the lower plate part. Note that the game board 20 is detachably attached to the frame body portion (the middle frame 3). The lower plate portion is provided with a launcher unit (not shown) constituting launching means for launching a game ball onto the game board 20, and a ball feeder (not shown) for supplying the game ball to the launcher unit.

  The front frame 4 is disposed on the front side of the middle frame 3 and is supported at the left end of the middle frame 3 so as to be opened and closed. The front frame 4 is made of plastic, and a circular opening 4a is formed in order to make the board surface of the game board 20 arranged on the back side visible. A substantially rectangular transparent plate frame (not shown) including a transparent plate such as a glass plate corresponding to the opening 4a is attached to the back surface of the front frame 4. Lamps such as LEDs (not shown) are provided around the game board 20 in the front frame 4. These lamps are turned on / off or blinking according to the progress of the game in order to enhance the game effect.

  The upper plate part 5 is provided on the lower side of the front frame 4 and is supported at the left end of the middle frame 3 so as to be opened and closed. The upper dish part 5 includes a dish outer edge part 5a, a discharge port 5b for discharging game balls from the inside of the gaming machine 1, and a ball release button 5c for discharging the game balls of the upper dish part 5 to the lower dish part 6. It has. An effect button 5d, a ball lending button 5e, and the like are provided on the upper surface of the dish outer edge 5a.

  The lower plate part 6 is provided below the upper plate part 5. A discharge port 6 a for discharging game balls from the inside of the gaming machine 1 to the lower plate portion 6 is provided in the approximate center of the lower plate portion 6. An ashtray 7 is provided at the left end of the lower dish portion 6. At the right end of the lower plate part 6, a launching handle 8 is provided for a player to operate a launching device unit (not shown). The firing handle 8 is provided with a touch switch 8a as contact detection means for detecting that the player is touching. On the left side surface of the launch handle 8, a launch stop switch 8b that is operated by the player to temporarily stop the launch of the game ball is disposed.

  The locking device 9 is provided at the center of the right end of the middle frame 3 and is used to lock the front frame 4 when it is closed.

  Further, the gaming machine 1 is provided with speakers 10a to 10d for generating sound effects and the like corresponding to the gaming state. The speakers 10 a to 10 d are composed of upper speakers 10 a and 10 b provided at the upper part of the gaming machine 1 and lower speakers 10 c and 10 d provided at the lower part of the gaming machine 1. Further, a prepaid card unit 13 (CR unit) is mounted on the left side of the gaming machine 1.

  Next, the surface structure of the game board 20 of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a front view of the game board 20. The game board 20 is a substantially rectangular wooden plate-like body and is detachably attached to the middle frame 3, and its back side is covered by a back mechanism board (not shown).

  As shown in FIG. 2, a substantially circular game area 21 is formed on the game board 20 by an outer rail 22 and an inner rail 23 provided on the surface (board surface) of the game board 20. In the gaming area 21, gaming devices such as a central device 24, a normal symbol operating gate 27, a big winning device 33, a starting port 28, general winning ports 34 to 37, a first decorative member 50, and a second decorative member 60 are arranged. It is installed. In addition, a number of obstacle nails are arranged in the game area 21 in consideration of the position balance with each gaming device.

  The central device (center accessory) 24 is arranged at a substantially central portion of the game area 21 and includes an effect display device 25 on the inner side (inner peripheral side). The effect display device 25 is disposed at a substantially central portion of the game area 21. In the present embodiment, a liquid crystal display device is used as the effect display device 25, and various effect displays are performed in the display area of the effect display device 25.

  The big prize device 33 is arranged below the central device 24 in the game area 21, the first decoration device 50 is arranged on the left side of the big prize device 33 in the game area 21, and the second decoration device 60 is arranged in the game area 21. It is arranged on the right side of the big winning device 33. The decoration devices 50 and 60 constitute a so-called side decoration. The first decoration device 50 is integrated with the left general winning ports 34 and 35, and the second decoration device 60 is integrated with the right general winning ports 36 and 37. In addition, at the bottom of the game area 21, there is provided an out port 48 through which game balls that have not entered the various winning ports and start ports are discharged.

  The normal symbol operating gate 27 is provided on the left side of the central device 24. Inside the normal symbol operation gate 27, a normal symbol operation gate detection switch 27s (see FIG. 3) for detecting the passage of the game ball flowing down on the game board is provided. When the game ball passes through the normal symbol operating gate 27, the normal symbol starts to fluctuate.

  The start port 28 is provided below the central position of the central device 24. The start port 28 is a first start port provided on the upper side, in which two entrance ports formed with a game ball receiving port for receiving a game ball flowing down on the surface of the game board 20 are arranged side by side in the vertical direction. 28a and a second start port 28b provided on the lower side. A predetermined number of prize balls (for example, 3 to 4 prize balls for one entry) according to the entry of game balls into the start opening 28 (the first start opening 28a or the second start opening 28b). ) Is paid out.

  The first starting port 28a is configured as a fixed starting port in which the size of the game ball receiving port does not change and the possibility of entering the game ball is constant, so that the game ball can always enter the game. It has become. On the other hand, the second start port 28b is a so-called tulip type and has a pair of wing pieces on the left and right, and the upper end gap between the pair of wing pieces serves as a game ball receiving port. The pair of wing pieces are each opened and closed by tilting in the left-right direction. With this opening and closing action, the second start port 28b is the size of the game ball receiving port of the pair of wing pieces. It is configured as a variable starter that changes. The second start port 28b is in an open state with a high probability of entering by opening a pair of blade pieces, and is in a closed state with a low possibility of entering by closing a pair of blade pieces (injection) Including the impossible state). When the normal symbol is stopped and displayed as a combination of symbols, the pair of wing pieces are opened to expand the game ball receiving port of the second start port 28b, and the second start port 28b is a normal electric accessory. Functions as a (variable winning opening). The opening / closing control of the second start port 28b is realized by a game process per ordinary symbol described later executed by the main control unit 200.

  Inside the start port 28, a first start port entrance detection switch 28s (see FIG. 3) for detecting the entrance of a game ball into the first start port 28a, and the entry of the game ball into the second start port 28b A second start port entrance detection switch 28t (see FIG. 3) for detecting a sphere and a start port solenoid 28c (see FIG. 3) for operating a pair of blade pieces are provided. When the pair of wing pieces are opened to the left and right, the size of the game ball receiving port of the second start port 28b is enlarged from the normal time, and the second start port 28b has a possibility of entering a game ball. The open state becomes higher than the first start port 28a. On the other hand, when the pair of wing pieces are erected, the size of the game ball receiving port of the second start port 28b is slightly larger than the diameter of the game ball (one game ball can pass). The second starting port 28b is in a closed state in which the possibility of entering a game ball is lower than that of the first starting port 28a. When the game ball enters one of the first start port 28a and the second start port 28b, a special symbol described later starts to fluctuate. In the following description, the description that “the game ball enters the start port 28” means that the game ball enters the first start port 28a or the second start port 28b unless otherwise specified. means.

  The big prize device 33 is disposed below the start port 28. Here, the special winning device 33 includes a special winning opening 33a opened in a belt shape, an opening / closing plate 33b for opening / closing the special winning opening 33a, and a large winning opening solenoid 33c (for operating the opening / closing plate 33b). 3) and an incoming ball detection switch 33s (see FIG. 3) for detecting an incoming game ball. The special winning opening 33a is configured as a special electric accessory (variable winning opening). The opening / closing control of the big winning opening 33a is realized by a big hit game process described later executed by the main control unit 200. The “big hit game” corresponds to the “specific game” of the present invention together with the above-mentioned “regular game per game”, and the main control unit 200 corresponds to the “specific game execution means” of the present invention.

  The first decorative member 50 is provided with a plurality of LEDs, and a combination of these LEDs constitutes a normal symbol display portion 51, a general symbol hold display portion 52, and a special symbol hold display portion 53. Similarly, the second decorative member 60 is provided with a plurality of LEDs, and a special symbol display unit 61 is configured by a combination of these LEDs.

  The normal symbol display part 51 is comprised from one LED, and a normal symbol is displayed by this LED. In the normal symbol display unit 51, the normal symbol variation display and stop display are performed. In the normal symbol display unit 51, the normal symbol starts to change when the game ball passes through the normal symbol operating gate 27, and after a predetermined time has passed, the normal symbol hits and stops display in the normal symbol display mode or the dismissed normal symbol display mode. Is done. When the normal symbol is stopped and displayed in the preset normal symbol display mode, the second start port 28b is opened according to a predetermined opening pattern. A plurality of opening patterns of the second start port 28b are set. When the opening time extending function for extending the opening time of the second start port 28b is not operated, a short opening pattern in which a first opening time (for example, 0.2 seconds) is set is set, and when the opening time extending function is operated. A long-time opening pattern in which a second opening time (for example, 5 seconds) longer than the first opening time is set is set.

  In the present embodiment, a random number for determining normal symbol success / failure is prepared, and this random number for determining normal symbol determination is acquired when the game ball passes through the normal symbol operating gate 27, and the second start port 28b. Is used to determine whether or not to operate a normal symbol (whether or not to make it open). A hit value is set in advance for the random number for normal symbol success / failure determination, and a hit is determined when the random number for normal symbol success / failure determination obtained at the timing when the game ball passes the normal symbol operation gate 27 matches the winning value. Is done. When it is determined that the normal symbol is determined to be a win, the normal symbol that is stopped and displayed on the normal symbol display unit 51 is determined as the display mode of the normal symbol. On the other hand, when it is determined to be out (when the acquired normal symbol success / failure random number does not match the winning value), the normal symbol stopped and displayed in the normal symbol display unit 51 is determined as the display mode of the out of normal symbol. Is done.

  Here, normal symbol holding will be described. The normal symbol hold display section 52 displays the normal symbol hold number, and the number of game balls that have passed through the normal symbol operation gate 27 can be held up to the maximum hold number (four in this embodiment). Each time the next normal symbol win / fail determination is made and the normal symbol variation display is started, the number of unstarted times (the number of reservations) is consumed, and the number of normal symbol reservations is decreased by one. The general-purpose hold display unit 52 includes two LEDs, and can display the number of holds with an upper limit of four by combining turning off, lighting, and blinking of the two LEDs. Along with the holding of the normal symbol, a random number for determining whether or not the normal symbol is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM of the main control unit 200.

  The determination of whether or not the normal symbol is determined, the determination of the stop symbol of the normal symbol, the setting of the variation pattern of the normal symbol, the holding of the normal symbol and the holding of the normal symbol are performed by the main control unit 200 described later.

  Next, the special symbol will be described. The special symbol display unit 61 is composed of seven LEDs, and special symbols are displayed by these LEDs. Each LED constituting the special symbol display unit 61 can be turned on and off, and a plurality of special symbol display modes can be displayed by a combination of turning on and off the LEDs. And among the special symbol combinations displayed by the seven LEDs, a specific combination is set as a big hit symbol (big hit special symbol), and other than the big hit symbol is set as an out symbol (out special symbol) . In this embodiment, the special symbol variation display is performed by blinking display in which each LED is repeatedly turned on and off.

  Next, when the game ball enters the start port 28 (the first start port 28a or the second start port 28b), the special symbol starts to fluctuate in the special symbol display unit 61, and the special symbol is a big hit after a predetermined time elapses. A symbol variation game that is stopped and displayed in a symbol or out-of-sequence symbol is performed.

  In the present embodiment, a special symbol success / failure determination random number is provided that is acquired when a game ball enters the start opening 28 and is used for determining whether or not a big hit game is executed. Furthermore, a big hit type determination random number (big hit symbol determination random number) for determining the big hit symbol is provided. As the game ball enters the start port 28, a special symbol success / failure determination random number and a jackpot type determination random number are acquired. The acquired special symbol success / failure determination random number and the jackpot type determination random number are stored in the main control unit 200. Is stored as a hold in a predetermined area (hold storage area) of the RAM.

  Here, the holding of special symbols will be described. The special symbol hold display unit 53 is composed of two LEDs, and can display the number of holds with an upper limit of four by combining turning off, turning on, and blinking of the two LEDs.

  The number of game balls that have entered the starting port 28 can be reserved until the maximum number of reservations (four in this embodiment) is reached as the number of special symbol reservations. The special symbol hold number is acquired every time a game ball enters the start port 28 and is stored in a predetermined area (hold storage area) of the RAM of the main control unit 200 (special symbol success / failure). This corresponds to the number of random numbers for determination and random numbers for determining special symbols. In this embodiment, as the game ball enters the start port 28, the special symbol determination random number is also acquired together with the special symbol success / failure determination random number. Therefore, the special symbol holding number is also stored in the number of jackpot type determination random numbers stored. Equivalent to. The number of special symbol reservations is digested each time a special symbol success / failure determination is performed and the variation display of the special symbol is started, and decreases by one. The special symbol holding storage and holding digest are performed by the main control unit 200 described later.

  The special symbol success / failure determination random number is set with a hit value for success / failure determination, and the special symbol success / failure random number acquired at the timing when the game ball enters the first start port 28a or the second start port 28b. Is determined to be a big hit if it matches the big hit value (hit winning value). The special symbol success / failure determination is performed when the special symbol starts the variable display.

  When the special symbol success / failure determination random number coincides with the winning value, it is determined to be a big hit, and the special symbol that is stopped and displayed in the special symbol display unit 61 is determined as the big winning symbol. On the other hand, if the result of the special symbol success / failure determination is not a big hit (decided to the big hit lottery), the result of the special symbol success / failure determination is out of date, and the special symbol that is stopped and displayed in the special symbol display unit 61 is determined to be a lost symbol. The

  The special symbol is configured to change and display according to a predetermined change pattern. This variation pattern specifies the variation time of the special symbol and the presence / absence (effect content) of the reach effect or the notice effect in the variation, and multiple types of variation patterns are associated with the random number for determining the variation pattern. Included in the pattern table. The special symbol variation pattern is selected by lottery from the variation pattern table when the special symbol success / failure determination is executed and the variation display of the special symbol is started. A plurality of special symbol variation pattern tables are prepared, and each is selected and used according to the gaming state.

  Further, the determination of whether or not the special symbol is determined, the determination of the variation pattern of the special symbol, the determination of the stop symbol of the special symbol, the variation display of the special symbol and the stop display (symbol variation game) are performed by the main control unit 200 described later Has been.

  Next, the jackpot game will be described. When the special symbol stopped and displayed on the special symbol display unit 61 is the above-mentioned jackpot symbol (when the result of the special symbol win / fail determination is a big hit), the main control unit 200 as the “hit game execution means” The big hit game which is relatively advantageous to the person is started. The jackpot game is started by setting the jackpot game flag to ON. The big hit game is to give a player a profit (prize ball) with respect to entering the game ball into the big prize opening 33a by operating the big prize device 33, in other words, by opening and closing the big prize opening 33a a plurality of times. It is. The jackpot game is realized by repeatedly executing a jackpot game process described later.

  During the big hit game, the big prize device 33 is operated, and a predetermined number of prize balls (for example, 15 prize balls for one prize) according to the number of game balls entered into the big prize opening 33a. Will be paid out. Specifically, the big winning opening / closing operation for switching the big winning opening 33a between the open state and the closed state is continuously performed a plurality of times by starting the big hit game and operating the big winning device 33. With the start of the operation of the special winning device 33, the special winning opening 33a is opened. This open state is ended when a predetermined end condition is established, and the open special winning opening 33a is closed. As a predetermined end condition, when the opening time of the big winning opening 33a reaches a predetermined opening time (30 seconds in the present embodiment), or the number of game balls that have entered the open large winning opening 33a is a predetermined number (this number In the embodiment, it is possible to reach 10).

  In the case where one round game is performed from the start to the end of the open state of the big winning opening 33a, the big hit game is ended when a predetermined number of round games are performed. In the grand prize winning device 33, after the opening of the big prize winning opening 33a is completed, that is, after a predetermined interval time (2 seconds in this embodiment) has elapsed since the grand prize winning opening 33a is closed, the special winning prize opening 33a is again opened. The game is opened and the next round game starts. The opening / closing operation of the grand prize winning opening 33a, in which one round is from the start to the end of the big winning opening 33a, is repeated until a predetermined maximum number of consecutive rounds (10 rounds in this embodiment) is completed. In the jackpot game of this embodiment, the opening time of the big winning opening 33a is set to be long, and the possibility of executing a prescribed number (10) of entering the big winning opening 33a and paying out the winning balls accompanying this is extremely high. It is high and is positioned as a “game with a ball” that allows a large number of prize balls to be acquired.

  In the gaming machine of this embodiment, after the big hit game is over, the fluctuation time shortening function for shortening the fluctuation time of the normal symbol and the special symbol, the opening time extension function for extending the opening time of the second start port 28b, and the special symbol success / failure determination The probability variation function that changes (improves) the winning probability is activated. The variation time shortening function, the opening time extension function, and the probability variation function operate until the next jackpot game is started after the jackpot game ends. The variable time shortening function, the opening time extending function, and the probability varying function operate by setting the fluctuation shortening flag, the opening extension flag, and the probability changing flag to ON, respectively.

  While the probability variation function is in operation, the probability of winning the jackpot lottery increases as the jackpot winning value for the jackpot lottery increases. Specifically, a low probability lottery table and a high probability lottery table in which the number of jackpot winning values is set larger than that of the low probability lottery table are prepared as the lottery tables in which the big hit winning value is set. When the probability variation function is inactive, the probability of matching the big hit lottery random number with the big winning lottery value becomes low by performing the big hit lottery using the low probability lottery table. By using the jackpot lottery, the probability that the jackpot lottery random number matches the jackpot winning value becomes high.

  The “electric support operation state (electric chew support state)” in which the variable time shortening function and the open time extension function operate is the second in comparison with the electric support non-operation state in which the variable time reduction function and the open time extension function do not operate. The opening frequency (opening frequency, opening time) of the start port 28b (electricity Chu) is remarkably improved. In the electric support operation state, the frequency of entering the game ball into the second start port 28b increases, so that the execution frequency of the special symbol success / failure determination increases, and the big hit game is likely to occur. For this reason, in the electric support operation state, the symbol variation game can be advantageously advanced to the player as compared to the electric support operation non-operation state.

  The variable time shortening function and the open time extending function start to operate simultaneously and end simultaneously. In the following description, when only one of the functions related to the operating state of the variable time shortening function and the open time extending function is described, the other function is also paired. For example, when it is described in the following description that “the variable time shortening function is operating”, this description can be interpreted as “the opening time extending function is also operating”. When it is described that “the function is operating”, this description can be understood as “the variable time reduction function is operating”.

  Four general winning ports 34 to 37 are provided on the upper left side and the upper right side of the big winning device 33 (see FIG. 2). A game ball that does not enter the start opening 28 or the big winning opening 33a can enter these general winning openings 34 to 37. The general winning ports 34 to 37 are configured as winning ports in which the size of the game ball receiving port does not change and the possibility of entering the game ball is constant, as with the first start port 28a. Due to the arrangement configuration of the mouths 34 to 37 and the arrangement configuration (gauge configuration) of obstacle nails (not shown) arranged around the winning openings, the possibility of entering the game ball is lower than that of the first starting port 28a. Yes. In addition, the possibility of entering the game balls into the general winning ports 34 to 37 is lower than that of the second starting port 28b and the large winning port 33a in which the game balls can be entered (open state). Yes. General winning opening entrance balls detection switches 34 s to 37 s (see FIG. 3) are provided inside the general winning openings 34 to 37, respectively. In addition, a predetermined number of prize balls (for example, 7 to 10 prize balls for one entry) are paid out in accordance with the entry of game balls into these general winning openings 34 to 37.

  In the present embodiment, in order to detect the occurrence of illegal entry (abnormal ball entry) of game balls into the second start opening 28b, the big winning opening 33a, and the general winning openings 34 to 37, these winning openings 28b, Entering of game balls is monitored for 33a and 34-37.

  The second start opening 28b and the big winning opening 33a are electrically-powered objects (variable winning openings) that are opened for a preset opening time, and the entry detection valid period is set based on the opening time. Then, the game ball detected during the entrance detection valid period is regarded as normal, and the game ball detected outside the entrance detection valid period is determined to be abnormal. The entrance monitoring process of the second start opening 28b and the big winning opening 33a is performed under the control of the main control unit 200. The main control unit 200 is configured to transmit a ball entry abnormality command to the sub-control unit 260 when it is determined that a ball entry abnormality has occurred at the second start port 28b or the big prize opening 33a. Therefore, the main control unit 200 corresponds to the “abnormality notification command transmission unit” of the present invention.

  The second start port entrance detection valid period during which the game ball enters the second start port 28b is valid for a predetermined period of time from the opening of the second start port 28b to the closing of the second start port 28b. The total winning time entry valid period for detecting the entrance of the game ball to the grand prize opening 33a is predetermined as the opening time of the big prize opening from the opening of the big prize opening 33a to the closing. The total time plus time. The “predetermined time” added to the opening time of the second starting opening 28b and the big winning opening 33a is the game balls that entered the winning openings immediately before the second starting opening 28b and the big winning opening 33a are closed. This is the time required for detection by the ball detection switches 28t and 33s, and is set between “0.5 and 2 seconds” in this embodiment. Note that game ball entry detection and entry monitoring processing for the second start opening 28b and the special winning opening 33a are performed under the control of the main control unit 200. Therefore, the main control unit 200 corresponds to the “variable winning a prize opening detecting means” of the present invention.

  In addition, since the general winning ports 34 to 37 can always enter a game ball, it is not possible to set a winning detection effective period such as the second starting port 28b and the big winning port 33a. For this reason, in this embodiment, a pitch monitoring process is performed to monitor the number of game balls that have entered the general winning openings 34 to 37 within a predetermined period, and based on the monitoring result, the abnormal winning of the general winning openings 34 to 37 is detected. Is configured to detect.

  The game ball entry monitoring process for the general winning openings 34 to 37 is performed under the control of the sub-control unit 260 that has received the general winning opening entry command transmitted from the main control unit 200. When the main control unit 200 detects a game ball entering the general winning openings 34 to 37, the main control unit 200 transmits a general winning opening input command to the sub-control unit 260. Then, counting of the number of times of reception of the general winning entry ball command using the reception counter and counting of the elapsed time using the monitoring timer are started. Then, the sub-control unit 260, when the value of the reception counter reaches the specified value N (6 in this embodiment) before the time measured by the monitoring timer reaches the specified time M (60 seconds in this embodiment), It is determined that an abnormal ball entry into the general winning openings 34 to 37 has occurred. Then, the sub-control unit 260 clears (initializes) the reception counter and the monitoring timer when the value of the reception counter reaches the specified value N or when the time measured by the monitoring timer reaches the specified time M, It is comprised so that it may prepare for the entrance monitoring process. The main control unit 200 corresponds to the “general winning opening detecting means” and the “incoming command sending means” of the present invention, and the sub-control unit 260 corresponds to the “incoming command receiving means” and the “elapsed time measuring means” of the present invention. "," Reception count counting means "," determination means ", and" initialization means ".

  In addition, as a result of the monitoring of the game balls entering the second start opening 28b, the big winning opening 33a, and the general winning openings 34 to 37, if any entering abnormality occurs in any winning opening, the entering abnormality occurs. The winning a prize opening is specified and an abnormal entry notification is made. Incoming ball abnormality notification can be performed using the effect display device 25, the lamp 262 (see FIG. 3) of the front frame 4, the speakers 10a to 10d, and the like. The incoming ball abnormality notification is performed until a predetermined incoming ball abnormality notification execution time elapses. The landing abnormality notification execution time can be arbitrarily set, and is set between 30 and 60 seconds in this embodiment.

  The ball start abnormality notification of the second start opening 28b, the special winning opening 33a and the general winning openings 34 to 37 is performed under the control of the sub-control unit 260. When the main control unit 200 receives a ball entry abnormality command from the main control unit 200 or when it is determined that a ball entry abnormality has occurred in the ball entry monitoring process of the general winning openings 34 to 37, the ball entry abnormality notification Is configured to do. For this reason, the sub-control unit 260 corresponds to the “abnormality notification execution unit” of the present invention.

  In the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, a symbol change effect is performed on the effect display device 25 in association with a special symbol change game performed using the special symbol display unit 61. As the symbol variation effect, for example, a variation display effect for variably displaying an effect symbol composed of numeric symbols in conjunction with a variation display of the special symbol on the special symbol display unit 61, a reach effect performed during the variation display of the effect symbol, etc. Is mentioned. Note that there are a plurality of types of effect contents, and effect image data is stored in the ROM of the effect display control unit 280.

  Next, the effect symbols displayed on the effect display device 25 will be described. The effect symbol is displayed in conjunction with the special symbol variation display and the stop display of the special symbol display unit 61. As shown in FIG. 2, the display area of the effect display device 25 includes a left symbol display area where a left symbol is displayed, a middle symbol display area where a middle symbol is displayed, and a right symbol display area where a right symbol is displayed. A configured effect symbol display section is provided. Each symbol display area has a symbol variation direction set in a direction substantially orthogonal to the arrangement direction of these display areas, in this case, in the vertical direction (vertical direction). Each symbol display area can display symbols consisting of “1” to “9”.

  When the special symbol starts variable display when the special symbol starts to change, and the special symbol is stopped and displayed on any of the symbols, the direct symbol is stopped and displayed on the symbol corresponding to the stop symbol of the special symbol. The In the effect symbol, a symbol combination having the same three digits corresponds to the special symbol jackpot symbol, and the other symbol combinations correspond to the special symbol missing symbol.

  The design pattern variation mode (variation pattern) and stop symbol determination are configured to be performed by the sub-control unit 260 based on a variation pattern designation command and a stop information designation command transmitted from the main control unit 200. Here, the variation pattern designation command transmitted from the main control unit 200 to the sub-control unit 260 indicates the variation pattern of the special symbol. Specifically, the variation time of the special symbol and the presence / absence of the reach effect The contents of the production are shown. The main control unit 200 determines a variation pattern of the special symbol at random (by random number lottery) according to the determination result of the special symbol. Then, based on the special symbol variation pattern determined by the main control unit 200, the sub-control unit 260 determines the effect pattern of the effect symbol displayed on the effect symbol display unit of the effect display device 25. Further, the stop information designation command transmitted from the main control unit 200 to the sub-control unit 260 indicates a special symbol stop symbol, and the main control unit 200 determines whether the special symbol is determined according to the result of the special symbol determination. A stop symbol is determined at random (by random number lottery). Then, based on the stop information designation command indicating the stop symbol of the special symbol determined by the main control unit 200, the sub control unit 260 displays the stop symbol of the effect symbol that is stopped and displayed on the effect symbol display unit of the effect display device 25. decide.

  Further, in the display area of the effect display device 25, a hold display effect for displaying the number of special symbols held, and a hit-related effect accompanying the progress of the big hit game during the big hit game are performed. The hit-related effects include a jackpot game start effect (fanfare effect) executed at the start of the jackpot game, a round effect (big hit game effect) executed during the jackpot game, and a jackpot game end effect (ending) executed at the end of the jackpot game Production). These hit-related effects are executed by the sub-control unit 260 based on commands transmitted from the main control unit 200 as the jackpot game progresses.

  Next, the electronic control device of the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the electronic control device.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the electronic control unit includes a main control unit 200 and sub-control units 230, 260, and 280 connected to the main control unit 200. The sub control unit includes a payout control unit (prize ball control unit) 230, a sub control unit 260, and an effect display control unit 280. The main control unit 200 includes a main control board 200a, and the sub control units 230, 260, and 280 include a payout control board 230a, a sub control board 260a, and an effect display control board 280a, respectively, as peripheral control boards. Each of these control boards and other boards (a power board, a relay board, a drive board, a decoration board, an amplifier board, an effect button board, etc.) are arranged on the back side of the gaming machine 1.

  Each control unit 200, 230, 260, 280 is supplied with power from a main power source (not shown). Further, when the power is turned on, a system reset signal is transmitted to each control unit 200, 230, 260, 280. Note that the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment includes a backup power supply unit (not shown) that supplies an operating voltage to the main control unit 200 and the payout control unit 230 when the power is turned off. 200 and RAM data of the payout control unit 230 are held.

  The main control unit 200 constitutes a game control means that controls the progress of the game, and transmits a command signal (command data) instructing the processing contents to each of the sub control units 230 and 260, and each sub control unit 230, Reference numerals 260 and 280 are configured to perform various controls based on the command signal.

  The CPU 200b of the main control board 200a constituting the main control unit 200 includes a CPU core, a built-in RAM (hereinafter simply referred to as RAM), a built-in ROM (hereinafter also simply referred to as ROM), etc., and is stored in the ROM. The control program controls operation of the entire gaming machine 1 (basic progress control of the game) using the RAM as a work area. In addition, the main control unit 200 constitutes a right / wrong determination execution unit that determines whether a special symbol is right or wrong by a right / left determination program stored in the ROM, with the CPU 200b as a main body. Further, the CPU 200b of the main control unit 200 determines a specific variation pattern from the variation pattern table of the special symbol stored in the ROM when executing the special symbol validity determination. Note that the control cycle of the CPU 200b of the main control unit 200 of this embodiment is set to 4 ms.

  A board input relay board 201 and a board output relay board 202 are connected to the main controller 200. On the board input relay board 201, a normal symbol operation gate detection switch 27s, a first start entrance entrance detection switch 28s, a second start entrance entrance detection switch 28t, a large entrance entrance entrance detection switch 33s, and a general entrance entrance Detection switches 34 s to 37 s are connected, and these signals are configured to be input to the main control unit 200. The board output relay board 202 is connected to a normal symbol display section 51 (one LED), a special symbol display section 61 (seven LEDs), a start opening solenoid 28c, and a big prize opening solenoid 33c. A control signal from the unit 200 is output.

  The payout control board 230a constituting the payout control unit 230 includes a CPU 230b having the same configuration as the CPU 200b of the main control unit 200. To the payout control unit 230, the launch control unit 250, the CR unit 13, and the like are connected. From the main control unit 200 to the payout control unit 230, commands such as a prize ball instruction command for instructing a prize ball payout, a game start permission signal for instructing a game start permission, and various launch control commands are transmitted. Various launch control commands include ball feed permission / prohibition, launch permission / prohibition, game start permission, and the like. When the CPU 230b of the payout control board 230a receives a prize ball instruction command from the main control unit 200, the CPU 230b of a game ball payout device (not shown) provided on the back side of the gaming machine 1 is based on the number of prize balls indicated by the command. By paying off the payout motor, game balls are paid out (prize ball payout) for the designated number of prize balls. In this game ball payout (prize ball payout), game balls stored in a game ball tank (not shown) provided on the upper back side of the gaming machine 1 are supplied to a game ball payout device via a game ball rail (not shown). Then, the supplied game ball is discharged by rotating the payout motor of the game ball payout device.

  A touch switch 8a and a firing stop switch 8b are connected to the firing control unit 250. When the player touches the firing handle 8, a touch signal is input from the touch switch 8a, and the player operates the firing stop switch 8b. By doing (pressing), a firing stop signal is input from the firing stop switch 8b.

  The sub-control unit 260 constitutes sub-control means for controlling various effects executed as the game progresses. The sub-control board 260a has a CPU 260b, a ROM, a RAM (not shown), an input / output port, etc. Circuit components and a sound generator are provided, and are connected to the main controller 200 at the input / output ports. The sub-control unit 260 (CPU 260b) is configured to control effect control using decoration display by various lamps, sound effects output from the speakers 10a to 10d, display of effect symbols by the effect display device 25, and the like. .

  From the main control unit 200 to the sub-control unit 260, various control commands related to the progress of the game (special symbol variation start command, symbol stop command, jackpot game start designation command, jackpot game end designation command, round designation command, Return command, etc.), various lamp control commands, and various voice control commands are transmitted, and the sub-control unit 260 is configured to control production control as the game progresses. Various symbol control control commands for instructing display control of the effect symbols are transmitted from the main control unit 200 to the effect display control unit 280 via the sub-control unit 260. An effect display control unit 280 is connected to the sub control unit 260, and display of effect symbols according to various symbol control commands from the main control unit 200 (from the sub control unit 260 to the effect display control unit 280). Various effect display control commands for instructing effect display control for realizing a symbol variation effect) are simultaneously transmitted.

  The effect display control board 280a of the effect display control unit 280 is provided with arithmetic circuit components (not shown) including a CPU 280b, a RAM, a ROM, an input / output port, a VDP (video display processor), and the like. The display unit 25 is connected to the control unit 260, and the effect display device 25 is connected to the effect display control unit 280. Further, the effect display control board 280a is provided with an image ROM (not shown). The image ROM displays image data of effects symbols displayed on the effect display device 25 (such as the image data relating to the above-described symbol variation effects). ) Are stored. The effect display control unit 280 (CPU 280b) is configured to perform drive control of the effect display device 25 (display output processing of symbol data and image data for various effects).

  In addition, various LEDs and lamps 262 are connected to the sub-control unit 260 via a decorative driving board 261, and the speaker 10a that outputs various sounds, sounds, and the like to the amplifier board 263 in accordance with the progress of the game. 10d are connected. Further, the effect button 5 d is connected to the sub-control unit 260 via the effect button board 264. The sub-control unit 260 selects / selects lighting / flashing patterns of various LEDs / lamps based on various commands from the main control unit 200 and the production button 5d (reception of a variation pattern designation command, input of a production button operation signal, etc.). An execution process, a selection / output process of sound effect data output from the speakers 10a to 10d, an execution process of an effect display on the effect display device 25, and the like are performed. The effect display device 25, the various LEDs / lamps 262, and the speakers 10a to 10d correspond to the “effect device” of the present invention.

  Next, the operation of the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment will be described based on a flowchart. FIG. 4 is an example of a main job performed under the control of the main control unit 200. The main job shown in FIG. 4 is executed by the CPU 200b mounted on the main control board 200a based on a program stored in a ROM (not shown) (an internal ROM of the CPU 200b or a ROM mounted on the main control board 200a). After the power-on process (S100), the game start process (S200), the normal symbol game process (S300), the normal symbol game process (S400), the special symbol game process (S500), the jackpot game process (S600), electric Each process of the accessory entry monitoring process (S700) is repeatedly executed every time a timer interrupt of the CPU 200b occurs (every 4 ms in this embodiment). When the power interruption occurs (S50), when the power interruption occurs due to a power failure or the like, the used registers and stack pointers are saved, the payout motor is stopped, and the power is turned on when the system reset occurs (S100). ).

  The power-on process (S100) is performed when the power is turned on and when power is restored after the power is cut off. When the power is turned on, RAM initialization processing is performed, and when the power is turned off, the game state is restored when the power is turned off. The return setting etc. for making it do is performed.

  Next, the game start process (S200) will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. First, the states of all switches other than the RAM clear switch connected to the main control unit 200 are read (S201), and each switch state is stored in the RAM as switch information (S202). The switch information is information indicating that when the switch to be read in the process of S201 is a switch that detects the passage or entry of a game ball, the switch is ON (the game ball has passed or entered). Or, it is information indicating that the switch is OFF (the game ball has not passed or entered).

  Next, various random numbers such as a random number for determination of success / failure and a random number for symbol display are updated (S203). Specifically, the value of the random number counter set in the above-described RAM is incremented by 1 between an initial value (for example, 0) and a predetermined value (for example, 255). When the value of the random number counter exceeds a predetermined value, the initial value is restored.

  Next, it is determined whether or not there is a winning (S204). In the determination process of S204, the switch information stored in the process of S202 described above includes “information indicating that a game ball has been detected for each of the ball detection switches 28s, 28t, 33s, and 34s to 37s”. If the information is included, it is determined that there has been a prize. As a result, if it is determined that there is a winning (S204: YES), the winning detection information corresponding to the winning port (starting port 28, large winning port 33a, general winning ports 34 to 37) where the winning has been made is displayed. Store in the RAM (S205). On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no winning (S204: NO), the process proceeds to S206 as it is.

  Next, it is determined whether or not winning detection information is stored in the RAM (S206). As a result, when it is determined that the winning detection information is not stored (S206: NO), the game start process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the winning detection information is stored (S206: YES), the number of winning balls set in advance for the winning port (including the start port 28) corresponding to the winning detection information is set. A prize ball number designation command to be designated is transmitted to the payout control unit 230 (S207).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the winning detection information is based on winning (game ball entering) to the general winning ports 34 to 37 (S208). As a result, when it is determined that it is not due to winning in the general winning openings 34 to 37 (S208: NO), the game start process is ended. On the other hand, when it is determined that the game is due to winning in the general winning openings 34 to 37 (S208: YES), a general winning opening entering command indicating that a game ball has entered the general winning openings 34 to 37 is determined. Is transmitted to the sub-control unit 260 (S209). In the general winning opening entry command of the present embodiment, the types of the general winning openings 34 to 37 into which a game ball has entered among the plurality of general winning openings 34 to 37 are specified. The sub-control 260 executes a general winning opening entrance monitoring process (S1200), which will be described later, based on the general winning opening entering command transmitted from the main control unit 200. Note that the switch information stored in the process of S202 and the winning detection information stored in the process of S205 are erased at the start of the game start process (S200) based on the next timer interrupt. That is, it is deleted every time a timer interrupt occurs (in this embodiment, every 4 ms).

  Next, referring back to FIG. 4, in the normal symbol game process (S300), first, the normal symbol is determined whether or not, and the normal symbol display unit 51 (see FIG. 2) hits the normal symbol in the normal symbol display mode. It is determined whether to stop display or to stop display in the display mode of the off-normal symbol. Here, as described above, the probability of whether or not the normal symbol is correct in this embodiment is a probability of winning depending on the operating state of the opening time extension function (and the fluctuation time reduction function) that extends the opening time of the start port 28b. Are different, and the probability of hitting is higher when the open time extension function (and the variable time shortening function) is operating than when the open time extension function (and the variable time shortening function) is not operating.

  Next, when the result of determining whether or not the normal symbol is correct is obtained, the normal symbol fluctuation display time is set, and the normal symbol fluctuation display is started in accordance with the fluctuation display time. When the variable display time elapses, the normal symbol is stopped and displayed in the determined display mode, and when the normal symbol is hit and displayed in the normal symbol display mode, the operation of the normal electric accessory is started. (The second start port 28b is opened). In the normal symbol game process, the normal symbol variation display and stop display are performed as described above, and when the normal symbol is stopped and displayed in the normal symbol display mode, the second start port 28b is activated. I do. When the second start port 28b is actuated, the pair of blade pieces open to the left and right, and the second start port 28b is opened.

  In the normal symbol game processing (S400), it is determined whether or not the opening time for maintaining the second start port 28b in the open state has elapsed. If the open time has not elapsed, the second start port 28b is set to the second start port 28b. It is determined whether or not a predetermined number of winnings has been won. When it is determined that the predetermined number of winnings has been won at the second starting port 28b in the open state, or when it is determined that the opening time of the second starting port 28b in the open state has elapsed, a pair of The blade piece is closed, and the second start port 28b is in a normal state (closed state).

  Next, the special symbol game process (S500) will be described based on the flowcharts of FIGS. First, as shown in FIG. 6A, it is determined whether or not a winning (game ball has entered) is made at the starting port 28 (first starting port 28a or second starting port 28b) (S501). If it is determined that the player has not won 28 (S501: NO). The process proceeds to S504. On the other hand, if it is determined that the start port 28 has been won (S501: YES), it is determined whether or not the number of special symbol reservations is less than 4 (S502). As a result, when it is determined that the number of special symbol reservations is not less than 4 (4 or more) (S502: NO), the process proceeds to S504, where it is determined that the number of special symbol reservations is less than 4. In this case (S502: YES), a special symbol random number is acquired and stored in a predetermined area of the RAM (S503). Thereby, the number of special symbol reservation increases by one. The special symbol random number includes a special symbol success / failure determination random number, a symbol determination random number, a reach random number, and the like.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the jackpot game is being played (whether or not the jackpot game flag is ON) (S504). As a result, if it is determined that the game is a hit game (the jackpot game flag is ON) (S504: YES), the special symbol game process is terminated, and the jackpot game is not played (the jackpot game flag is OFF). ) (S504: NO), it is determined whether or not the special symbol is changing (S505).

  As a result, when it is determined that the special symbol is changing (S505: YES), the process proceeds to S509 described later, and when it is determined that the special symbol is not changing (S505: NO). Then, it is determined whether or not it is during the special symbol stop display time (S506). Here, the stop display time of the special symbol is a time for determining the special symbol stopped and displayed. In this embodiment, the stop display time of the special symbol is “1 second”. If it is determined that it is during the special symbol stop display time (S506: YES), the process proceeds to S513 described later, and if it is determined that it is not during the special symbol stop display time (S506). : NO), it is determined whether or not the number of special symbol hold is zero (S507).

  As a result, when it is determined that the number of special symbol hold is zero (S507: YES), the special symbol game process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the number of special symbol hold is not zero (S507: NO), special symbol variation display related processing is performed (S508).

  Here, the special symbol variation display related processing (S508) will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. First, the random number for determining whether or not the special symbol is stored in a predetermined area (holding storage area) of the RAM of the main control unit 200 (the random number for determining whether or not the game ball has entered the start opening 28) is read (S508a). ), Special symbol winning / failing determination is performed (S508b).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the result of the special symbol success / failure determination performed in S508b is a big hit (S508c). As a result, if it is determined that the result of the special symbol win / fail determination is a big hit (S508c: YES), a special symbol fluctuation pattern table is set by the big hit hour fluctuation pattern table distribution process (S508d). On the other hand, when it is determined that the result of the special symbol winning / failing determination is not a big hit (out of the game) (S508c: NO), the variation pattern table of the special symbol is set by the variation pattern table distribution process at the time of removal (S508g). .

  Next, the random number for determining the variation pattern is acquired, and the random number for determining symbols stored in a predetermined area of the RAM of the main control unit 200 (obtained when the game ball enters the first start port 28a or the second start port 28b). The special symbol determination random number is read out (S508h).

  Next, a variation pattern and a stop symbol of the special symbol are determined (S508i). As a special symbol variation pattern, a specific variation pattern is selected from the variation pattern table set in the processing of either S508d or S508g using the special symbol variation pattern determination random number acquired in S508h. Further, the special symbol stop symbol is determined by using the symbol determining random number read in S508h, and the special symbol stop symbol type (LED display pattern in the special symbol display unit 61).

  Next, according to the stop symbol and the variation pattern determined in S508i, the special symbol display unit 61 starts the variation display of the special symbol (S508j), and accompanying this, the variation of the special symbol as a command variation start command The pattern designation command and stop information designation command are transmitted to the sub-control unit 260 (S508k). The variation pattern designation command is a command for designating the variation pattern of the special symbol set in S508i, and the special symbol information designation command is a command for designating the stop symbol of the special symbol. When this variation pattern designation command and stop information designation command are transmitted to the sub-control unit 260, the symbol variation effect (effect) is controlled under the control of the sub-control unit 260 and the effect display control unit 280 that have received these commands (design variation start command). Symbol variation display) is started. Then, 1 is subtracted from the number of reserved special symbols (S508l). The processing up to this point is when the special symbol variation display is started.

  Next, returning to FIG. 6A, if it is determined in S505 that the special symbol is changing (S505: YES), whether or not the changing display time of the changing special symbol has elapsed. Is determined (S509). As a result, when it is determined that the special symbol variation display time has not elapsed (S509: NO), it is determined that the special symbol game processing is terminated and the special symbol variation display time has elapsed. In this case (S509: YES), the special symbol variation display is stopped (S510), and a special symbol variation command indicating that the special symbol variation display is stopped is transmitted to the sub-control unit 260 (S511). A stop display time is set (S512).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the special symbol stop symbol display time has elapsed (S513). As a result, when it is determined that the special symbol stop symbol display time has not elapsed (S513: NO), the special symbol game processing is terminated and it is determined that the special symbol stop symbol display time has elapsed. If it is determined (S513: YES), it is determined whether or not the stop symbol of the special symbol stopped and displayed on the special symbol display unit 61 is a big hit symbol (S514 in FIG. 6B).

  As a result, when it is determined that the stop symbol of the special symbol is a big hit symbol (S514: YES), the opening pattern of the big winning opening 33a is set (S515), and the big hit game flag is set to ON (S515). S516). Thereby, the big hit game is started according to the big winning opening opening pattern set in the process of S515. Then, a jackpot game start designation command indicating that the jackpot game is started is transmitted to the sub-control unit 260 (S517).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the probability variation flag is ON (S518). If it is determined that the probability variation flag is ON (S518: YES), the probability variation flag is set to OFF (S519). Transition to processing. On the other hand, when it is determined that the probability variation flag is not ON (S518: NO), the process proceeds to S520 as it is.

  In the process of S520, it is determined whether or not the fluctuation shortening flag is ON. If it is determined that the fluctuation shortening flag is not ON (S520: NO), the special symbol game process is terminated as it is. On the other hand, if it is determined that the fluctuation shortening flag is ON (S520: YES), the fluctuation shortening flag is set to OFF (S521), and further the release extension flag is set to OFF (S522). Thereby, with the start of the big hit game, the probability variation function, the variation time shortening function, and the open time extension function stop operating.

  Next, in the determination process of S514, when it is determined that the special symbol stopped symbol displayed on the special symbol display unit 61 is not a big hit symbol (in other words, it is a miss symbol) (S514: NO). Then, it is determined whether or not the fluctuation shortening flag is ON (S523). As a result, if it is determined that the variation shortening flag is not ON (S523: NO), the special symbol game process is terminated, and if it is determined that the variation shortening flag is ON (S523: YES), the variation shortening is performed. The counter is decremented by 1 (S524), and it is determined whether or not the fluctuation shortening counter has become zero (S525). The fluctuation shortening counter is for counting the operating period of the fluctuation time shortening function and the opening time extending function, and is set in the process of S614 (see FIG. 8) described later according to the type of jackpot after the jackpot game ends. The

  When it is determined that the fluctuation shortening counter is not zero (S525: NO), the special symbol game process is terminated, and when it is determined that the fluctuation shortening counter is zero (S525: YES), The fluctuation shortening flag is turned off (S526), and the open extension flag is turned off (S527). As a result, the variable time shortening function and the open time extending function are deactivated.

  Next, the jackpot game process (S600) will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. First, it is determined whether or not the jackpot game is being played (whether or not the jackpot game flag is ON) (S601). As a result, when it is determined that the jackpot game is not being played (the jackpot game flag is OFF) (S601: NO), the jackpot game process is terminated and the jackpot game is being played (the jackpot game flag is ON). Is determined (S601: YES), it is determined whether or not the special winning opening 33a is being opened (S602). As a result, if it is determined that the big prize opening 33a is being opened (S602: YES), whether or not the opening time of the big prize opening 33a has elapsed, in other words, the opening time is the specified opening time (this In the embodiment, it is determined whether or not 30 seconds) has been reached (S603), and if it is determined that the opening time of the special winning opening 33a has not elapsed (S603: NO), the special winning opening 33a is defined. It is determined whether or not the winning number has been won (whether or not a specified number of game balls have been entered) (S604). In the present embodiment, it is determined whether or not ten game balls have entered the special winning opening 33a as the prescribed number of winnings.

  As a result of the process of S604, if it is determined that the specified number of winnings has not been won in the big winning opening 33a (S604: NO), the big hit game process is terminated, and the predetermined winning number is won in the large winning opening 33a. If it is determined (S604: YES) or if it is determined that the opening time of the special winning opening 33a has elapsed (the specified time has been reached) (S603: YES), the special winning opening 33a Is closed (S605).

  If it is determined in S602 that the special winning opening 33a is not being opened (S602: NO), it is determined whether or not the big hit game ending condition is satisfied (S606). The determination process of S606 determines whether the number of rounds of the big hit game has reached 10 rounds.

  As a result, when it is determined that the big hit game ending condition is not satisfied (S606: NO), it is determined whether or not the closing time (interval time) of the big winning opening 33a has passed (S607), When it is determined that the closing time of the big prize opening 33a has not elapsed (S607: NO), the big hit game process is terminated, and it is determined that the closing time of the big prize opening 33a has elapsed. (S607: YES), the big winning opening 33a is opened (S608), and a round designation command indicating the number of rounds of the big hit game (the number of opening of the big winning opening 33a) is transmitted to the sub-control unit 260 (S609). Receiving the round designation command, the sub-control unit 260 executes a round effect (big hit game effect).

  When it is determined in S606 that the big hit game ending condition is satisfied (S606: YES), the big hit game flag is set to OFF (S609). As a result, the big hit game ends.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the type of jackpot symbol that has caused the start of the terminated jackpot game is a probability variation jackpot symbol (S610).

  As a result, when it is determined that the type of jackpot symbol is “probability variation jackpot symbol” (S610: YES), the probability variation flag is set to ON (S611). As a result, the probability variation function starts to operate. On the other hand, if it is determined that the type of jackpot symbol is not “probable variation jackpot symbol” (“normally jackpot symbol”) (S610: NO), the processing for setting the probability variation flag to ON (S611) is not performed. , The process proceeds to S612. Then, the fluctuation shortening flag is set to ON (S612), the opening extension flag is set to ON (S613), and values for determining the operating period of the varying time reduction function and the opening time extension function in the opening extension number counter (initial value) Value) is set (S614). As a result, the variable time shortening function and the open time extending function are activated. In this embodiment, when the type of jackpot symbol that triggered the terminated jackpot game is a probabilistic jackpot symbol (S610: YES), “10,000” is set to the open extension counter. In the case of a normal jackpot symbol (S610: NO), “100” is set in the open extension number counter. As a result, the probability variation function is activated after the end of the jackpot game triggered by the stop display of the probability variation jackpot symbol, and the variation time reduction function and release until the number of variations of the special symbol reaches “10,000 times”. The time extension function is activated. That is, all of the probability variation function, variation time shortening function, and opening time extension function are operated until the next big hit game is started. In addition, the probability variation function does not operate after the end of the jackpot game, which is usually triggered by the stop display of the jackpot symbol, and the variation time shortening function and the open time extension function are set to “100 times”. Operates until it reaches.

  Next, the electric accessory entry monitoring process (S700) will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. First, it is determined whether or not it is the second start opening entrance detection valid period (S701). As a result, if it is determined that it is the second start-entry ball detection valid period (S701: YES), the process proceeds to S704. On the other hand, if it is determined that it is not the second start port entrance detection valid period (S701: NO), the entrance of the game ball by the second start port entrance detection switch 28t (game to the second start port 28b). It is determined whether or not a ball has entered (S702). In the process of S702, the entry detection information stored in the RAM by the process of S205 of the game start process (see FIG. 5) is “entrance detection information corresponding to the second start opening 28b (second start opening Entry detection of a game ball by the second start-entrance entrance detection switch 28t (“entrance detection information”). It is determined that a game ball has entered the second start port 28b.

  As a result, when it is determined that the entrance detection of the game ball by the second start entrance entrance detection switch 28t has not occurred (S702: NO), the process proceeds to S704. On the other hand, when it is determined that the game ball has been detected by the second start port entrance detection switch 28t (S702: YES), the second start port 28b indicates that an entrance error has occurred. 2 A start-entry ball abnormality command is transmitted to the sub-control unit 260 (S703).

  Next, it is determined whether or not it is a valid winning entrance entrance detection valid period (S704). As a result, when it is determined that the winning prize entry ball detection detection period is valid (S704: YES), the electric accessory entry monitoring process is terminated. On the other hand, when it is determined that it is not the period for detecting the winning game entrance (S704: NO), the entry of the gaming ball by the winning game entrance detection switch 33s (entering the game ball into the winning game port 33a). It is determined whether or not (sphere) has occurred (S705). In the process of S705, the pitch detection information stored in the RAM by the process of S205 of the game start process described above (see FIG. 5) is “the pitch detection information corresponding to the big prize opening 33a (the big prize opening entrance) Detection information), and in the case of “big prize opening entry detection information”, the entry of a game ball by the big prize opening entrance detection switch 33s (large prize opening 33a). It is determined that a game ball has entered).

  As a result, if it is determined that the entry detection of the game ball by the special winning opening entrance detection switch 33s has not occurred (S705: NO), the electric accessory entry monitoring process is terminated. On the other hand, when it is determined that the game ball has been detected by the special winning entry entrance detection switch 33s (S705: YES), the special winning entry indicating that an abnormal entry to the special winning entry 33a has occurred. An incoming ball abnormality command is transmitted to the sub-control unit 260 (S706).

  Next, the effect control process executed by the sub-control unit 260 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is an example of the effect control process performed under the control of the sub-control unit 260. The effect control process shown in FIG. 10 is executed by the CPU 260b mounted on the sub-control board 260a based on a program stored in a ROM (not shown) (an internal ROM of the CPU 260b or a ROM mounted on the sub-control board 260a). Thus, every time a timer interrupt of the CPU 260b occurs (every 4 ms in the present embodiment), the start winning process (S800), the symbol variation effect process (S900), the big hit game effect process (S1000), and the ball abnormality notification process (S1100) ), Each process of the general winning opening entrance monitoring process (S1200) is repeatedly executed. In this embodiment, four general winning openings 34 to 37 are provided, and the general winning opening entrance monitoring process (S1200) is executed for each of the general winning openings 34 to 37.

  In the start winning process (S800), when a game ball enters the start port 28, the on-hold display effect is updated in the effect display device 25 and sound effects are output from the speakers 10a to 10d. In the symbol variation effect process (S900), in conjunction with the special symbol variation display and stop display, a variation display effect in which the effect symbol variation display and stop display are performed in the display area of the effect display device 25 is performed. In the jackpot game effect process (S1000), a fanfare effect is performed at the start of the jackpot game, a round effect is performed during the round game, and an ending effect is performed at the end of the jackpot game.

  Next, the incoming ball abnormality notification process (S1100) will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. First, it is determined whether or not the second starting entrance ball abnormality notification flag is set to OFF (S1101). The second start-entry ball abnormality notification flag is a flag indicating that second start-entry ball abnormality notification indicating that an abnormality related to the game ball entering the second start port 28b has occurred. As a result of the determination process of S1101, if it is determined that the second start-entrance ball abnormality notification flag is set to OFF (S1101: YES), the second start-entrance abnormality notification is not currently performed. In this case, it is determined whether or not the second start-entry ball abnormality command transmitted by the main control unit 200 in the process of S703 (FIG. 9) has been received (S1102).

  As a result, if it is determined that the second start-entry ball abnormality command has not been received (S1102: NO), the process proceeds to S1108. On the other hand, if it is determined that the second start-entry ball entry abnormality command has been received (S1102: YES), the second start-entry ball entry abnormality notification flag is set to ON (S1103), and the second start-entry ball entry is determined. Abnormality notification is started (S1104). In the second start entrance ball abnormality notification, using the display area of the effect display device 25, the lamp 262 of the front frame 4, the sound output from the speakers 10a to 10d, etc., the game ball entrance to the second start entrance 28b is related. Notifies that an abnormality (an abnormality in entering the second starting port 28b) has occurred.

  Next, when it is determined in the determination process of S1101 that the second start-entry ball abnormality notification flag is not set to OFF (set to ON) (S1101: NO), 2 It can be determined that the starting entrance ball abnormality notification is being performed. In this case, the starting abnormality notification execution time (30 to 60 seconds in the present embodiment) is started after the second starting entrance ball abnormality notification is started. It is determined whether or not it has elapsed (S1105). As a result, when it is determined that the incoming ball abnormality notification execution time has not elapsed (S1105: NO), the process proceeds to S1108. On the other hand, if it is determined that the time for entering the ball abnormality notification has elapsed (S1105: YES), the second start port entrance abnormality notification flag is set to OFF (S1106), and the second start port entrance abnormality notification is made. Is finished (S1107).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the special winning entrance entrance abnormality notification flag is set to OFF (S1108). The special winning opening entrance abnormality notification flag is a flag indicating that a special winning entrance entrance abnormality notification is performed indicating that an abnormality relating to the entering of the game ball into the special winning opening 33a has occurred. As a result of the determination processing in S1108, if it is determined that the big winning entrance entrance abnormality notification flag is set to OFF (S1108: YES), it is determined that the big winning entrance entrance abnormality notification is not currently being performed. In this case, it is determined whether or not a special winning entry entrance abnormal command transmitted by the main control unit 200 in the process of S706 (FIG. 9) has been received (S1109).

  As a result, when it is determined that the winning prize entry abnormal command has not been received (S1109: NO), the abnormal entry notification process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the special winning entry entrance abnormal command has been received (S1109: YES), the special winning entry entrance abnormality notification flag is set to ON (S1110), and the exceptional entry entrance abnormal notification is issued. Start (S1111). In the prize winning entrance ball abnormality notification, using the display area of the effect display device 25, the lamp 262 of the front frame 4, the sound output from the speakers 10a to 10d, etc., an abnormality related to the game ball entering the prize winning opening 33a ( It is informed that an occurrence of an abnormal ball entry at the special winning opening 33a has occurred.

  Next, in the determination process of S1108, if it is determined that the special winning entrance entrance ball abnormality notification flag is not set to OFF (set to ON) (S1108: NO), it is currently a big prize. It can be determined that the entrance ball abnormality notification is being performed. In this case, has the entrance abnormality notification execution time (30 to 60 seconds in this embodiment) elapsed since the start of the entrance prize notification notification for the big prize opening? It is determined whether or not (S1112). As a result, when it is determined that the incoming ball abnormality notification execution time has not elapsed (S1112: NO), the incoming ball abnormality notification process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the entry abnormality notification execution time has elapsed (S1112: YES), the winning entry entrance abnormality notification flag is set to OFF (S1113), and the end winning entry notification notification is finished. (S1114).

  Next, the general winning opening entrance monitoring process (S1200) will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. As described above, in this embodiment, since the general winning opening entrance monitoring process (S1200) is executed for each of the general winning openings 34 to 37, the monitoring timer used in the general winning opening entrance monitoring process (S1200) A reception counter is provided for each of the general prize winning openings 34-37.

  First, it is determined whether or not the general winning entrance entrance abnormality notification flag is set to OFF (S1201). The general winning entry entrance abnormality notification flag is a flag indicating that a general winning entrance entrance abnormality notification indicating that an abnormality relating to the game ball entering the general winning openings 34 to 37 has occurred. As a result of the determination process of S1201, when it is determined that the general winning entrance entrance abnormality notification flag is set to OFF (S1201: YES), it is determined that the general winning entrance entrance abnormality notification is not currently being performed. In this case, it is determined whether or not a general winning opening entry command transmitted by the main control unit 200 in the process of S209 (FIG. 5) has been received (S1202).

  As a result, if it is determined that the general winning opening entry command has not been received (S1202: NO), it can be determined that no game balls have entered the general winning openings 34 to 37, so the general winning opening is determined. The entrance monitoring process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined that a command for entering a general winning opening has been received (S1202: YES), it can be determined that a game ball has entered the general winning openings 34 to 37, so the monitoring timer operation flag is set to OFF. It is determined whether it has been performed (S1203). The monitoring timer operation flag is a flag indicating that a monitoring timer for monitoring the entry of game balls into the general winning openings 34 to 37 is operating.

  As a result of the determination process in S1203, when it is determined that the monitoring timer operation flag is not set to OFF (S1203: NO), it can be determined that the monitoring timer is operating, and the process proceeds to S1206. On the other hand, if it is determined that the monitoring timer operation flag is set to OFF (S1203: YES), it can be determined that the monitoring timer is not operating, the monitoring timer operation flag is set to ON (S1204), The operation of the monitoring timer is started (S1205). As a result, the monitoring timer starts to operate when the game ball enters the general winning holes 34 to 37 when the monitoring timer is not operating.

  Next, 1 is added to the reception counter for counting the number of times of receiving the general winning opening entry command (S1206). Then, it is determined whether or not the reception counter has reached a specified value N (“6” in this embodiment) (S1207). As a result, if it is determined that the reception counter has reached the specified value N (S1207: YES), any of the general winning awards 34 to 37 until the time measured by the monitoring timer reaches the specified time M. It can be determined that the number of game balls that have entered the winning opening has reached the specified number N. In this case, the general winning entrance entrance abnormality notification flag is set to ON (S1208), and the general winning entrance entrance abnormality notification is started (S1209).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S1207 that the reception counter has not reached the specified value N (S1207: NO), the time measured by the monitoring timer reaches the specified time M (60 seconds in this embodiment). It is determined whether or not (S1210). As a result, when it is determined that the time measured by the monitoring timer has not reached the specified time M (S1210: NO), the general winning entrance entrance monitoring process is terminated. On the other hand, when it is determined that the time measured by the monitoring timer has reached the specified time M (S1210: YES), the number of game balls that have entered the winning port of any of the general winning ports 34 to 37 is specified. It can be determined that the time measured by the monitoring timer has reached the specified time M without reaching the number N. In this case, the process proceeds to S1211 without performing the processes in S1208 and S1209.

  In the process of S1211, the monitoring timer operation flag is set to OFF (S1211), and the operation of the monitoring timer is ended accordingly (S1212). Then, the values of the monitoring timer and the reception counter are cleared (initialized) (S1213, S1214).

  Next, when it is determined in the determination process of S1201 that the general winning opening entrance ball abnormality notification flag is not set to OFF (set to ON) (S1201: NO), the current general winning prize is determined. It can be determined that the entrance ball abnormality notification is being performed. In this case, it is determined whether or not the entrance abnormality notification execution time has elapsed since the start of the general winning entrance entrance abnormality notification (S1215). As a result, when it is determined that the incoming ball abnormality notification execution time has not elapsed (S1215: NO), the general winning opening entrance monitoring process is terminated. On the other hand, when it is determined that the entry abnormality notification execution time has elapsed (S1215: YES), the general winning entrance entrance abnormality notification flag is set to OFF (S1216), and the general winning entrance entrance abnormality notification is terminated. (S1217).

  Here, the correspondence relationship between the processing shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 5 to 12 and each means of the present invention will be described. “Processing in S209 (FIG. 5)” corresponds to “incoming command transmission means”. “Processing in S703 and S706 (FIG. 9)” corresponds to “Abnormality notification command transmitting means”, “Processing in S1202 (FIG. 12)” corresponds to “Incoming command receiving means”, and “Processing in S1205” (FIG. 12) corresponds to “elapsed time measuring means”, “processing of S1206 (FIG. 12)” corresponds to “reception count counting means”, and “processing of S1207 and S1210 (FIG. 12)” is “determination”. "Processing in S1104, S1111 and S1209 (FIGS. 11 and 12)" corresponds to "Abnormality notification executing means", and "Processing in S1213 and S1214 (FIG. 12)" is "Initialization means". It corresponds to.

  According to the present embodiment described above, a general winning opening entry command is transmitted from the main control unit 200 to the sub-control unit 260 every time a game ball enters the general winning openings 34 to 37, and the sub-control unit 260 By determining whether or not the number of receptions of the general winning opening reception command within the specified time M has reached a predetermined value N, the ball winning monitoring process for the general winning openings 34 to 37 is performed. As described above, the sub control unit 260 performs the ball entry monitoring process for the general winning ports 34 to 37 based on the general winning port reception command from the main control unit 200, thereby increasing the control burden on the main control unit 200. Without any problem, it is possible to monitor the abnormal entry of the game balls into the general winning openings 34 to 37.

  In addition, the second start opening 28b and the large winning opening 33a, which are variable winning openings, have a preset ball detection valid period, so whether or not there is an occurrence of an abnormality in the second starting opening 28b and the large winning opening 33a. Can be determined based on whether or not the entry time of the game ball is within the entry detection valid period. For this reason, the control burden concerning the entrance monitoring process of the 2nd starting opening 28b and the big winning opening 33a becomes comparatively light. On the other hand, it is necessary to always perform the entrance monitoring process at the general winning openings 34 to 37 through which game balls can always enter, and “whether or not the game ball entry occurs is within the entry detection valid period. It is not possible to determine whether or not there is an abnormality in entering the ball only by judging the state at the time of occurrence of the ball. For this reason, the control burden related to the winning monitoring process for the general winning openings 34 to 37 is relatively heavier than the controlling burden related to the winning monitoring process for the variable winning opening (the second start opening 28b and the big winning opening 33a). It becomes. In the present embodiment, the main control unit 200 performs the ball entering monitoring process for the second starting port 28b and the big winning port 33a with a relatively light control burden, and the ball entering monitoring for the general winning ports 34 to 37 with a relatively heavy control burden. The processing is performed by the sub-control unit 260. In this way, by allowing the main control unit 200 and the sub-control unit 260 to perform different types of winning entrance entrance monitoring processing in a distributed manner, the sub-control unit does not increase the control burden on the main control unit 200. Efficient fraud countermeasures that effectively use the processing capacity of 260 can be realized.

  In addition, by monitoring the entrance abnormality of the game ball to the general winning openings 34 to 37 by the sub-control unit 260 as the effect control means, the execution pattern of the abnormal entering notification regarding the general winning openings 34 to 37 is as follows. The degree of freedom of the setting can be increased, and diversification of the incoming ball abnormality notification pattern can be achieved.

  Further, in this embodiment, monitoring is performed when the reception counter value for counting the number of times of reception of the general winning opening entrance command at the sub-control unit 260 reaches the specified value N or before the reception counter value reaches the specified value N. When the time measured by the timer reaches a specified time M, the reception counter and the monitoring timer are initialized. Thereby, while the gaming machine 1 is in operation, it is possible to continuously monitor whether or not there is an abnormal entry in the general winning openings 34 to 37.

(Second embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Hereinafter, description of the same parts as those in the first embodiment will be omitted, and only different parts will be described.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of the general winning opening entrance monitoring process of the second embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 12 of the first embodiment. In FIG. 13, the processing from S1201 to S1208 and from S1209 to S1217 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 13, in the second embodiment, when it is determined in the determination processing of S1207 that the reception counter has reached the specified value N (S1207: YES), the general winning entrance entrance ball abnormality notification flag is set. After being set to ON (S1208), the specified value arrival counter is incremented by 1 (S1218). The “specified value arrival counter” is a counter for counting the number of times the reception counter reaches the specified value N before the time measured by the monitoring timer reaches the specified time M. That is, it is a counter for counting the number of occurrences of ball entry abnormalities in the general winning openings 34 to 37 while the gaming machine 1 is operating. Then, as the notification pattern of the general winning entrance entrance abnormality notification, the entrance abnormality notification pattern corresponding to the count value of the specified value arrival counter is set (S1219). Note that the processing of S1218 performed by the sub-control unit 260 in this embodiment corresponds to the “arrival number counting means” of the present invention.

  In this embodiment, when the count value of the specified value arrival counter is “1” or “2”, “entrance abnormality notification pattern A” is set, and the count value of the specified value arrival counter is “3” or “4”. "Incoming ball abnormality notification pattern B" is set, and when the count value of the specified value arrival counter is "5" or "6", "incoming ball abnormality notification pattern C" is set. ing. The contents of the incoming ball abnormality notification patterns A to C can be arbitrarily set. For example, as the count value of the specified value arrival counter increases, a light incoming abnormality notification, a moderate incoming abnormality notification, It can be changed in the order of the ball abnormality notification.

  Specifically, an error message is displayed in the display area of the effect display device 25 in the incoming ball abnormality notification pattern A, and in the incoming ball abnormality notification pattern B, in addition to the notification content of the incoming ball abnormality notification pattern A, the lamp of the front frame 4 In addition to blinking notification information of the landing abnormality notification patterns A and B, a voice message indicating that an error has occurred can be output from the speakers 10a to 10d. Alternatively, in the incoming ball abnormality notification pattern A, an error message is displayed small in a part of the display area of the effect display device 25, and in the incoming ball abnormality notification pattern B, an error message is displayed in about half of the display area. In the pattern C, an error message can be displayed on the entire display area of the effect display device 25.

  According to the second embodiment described above, the number of occurrences of abnormal entry of game balls into the general winning openings 34 to 37 is counted, and the incident abnormality notification pattern is changed according to the number of occurrences of abnormality. Thereby, based on the ball abnormality notification pattern, it is possible to grasp the frequency of occurrence of a ball abnormality in the game balls in the general winning ports 34 to 37 in the gaming machine. Further, in this embodiment, since the sub-control unit 260 which is the effect control means monitors the ball entry abnormality of the general winning openings 34 to 37, the ball abnormality notification pattern is displayed according to the number of occurrences of such abnormality. Control of changing can be easily performed.

(Other embodiments)
As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to this, Unless it deviates from the range described in each claim, it is not limited to the description word of each claim, and those skilled in the art Improvements based on the knowledge that a person skilled in the art normally has can be added as appropriate to the extent that they can be easily replaced.

  For example, in the above embodiment, when a game ball has entered the general winning openings 34 to 37, the time counting by the monitoring timer and the counting by the reception counter are started, and before the specified time M is reached, the general winning openings 34 to 37 are counted. Clear the monitoring timer and the reception counter when the number of entered balls reaches the specified value N or when the number of balls entered into the general winning openings 34 to 37 reaches the specified time M before reaching the specified value N (initialization) Then, when a game ball enters the general winning opening 34 to 37, the time counting by the monitoring timer and the counting by the reception counter are started again. That is, it is configured such that the ball winning monitoring process is performed on the general winning openings 34 to 37 using one monitoring timer and a reception counter. In this case, it is possible that the result of monitoring the pitches for the general winning openings 34 to 37 depends on the timing when the counting by the monitoring timer and the counting by the reception counter are started.

  On the other hand, this invention can be comprised so that a several entrance monitoring process may be performed in parallel using a some monitoring timer and a reception counter with respect to the general winning openings 34-37. In this case, every time a game ball enters the general winning opening 34 to 37, the time counting by the monitoring timer and the counting by the reception counter are started, and a plurality of times are counted by the time counting by a plurality of monitoring timers having different start times and the counting by the receiving counter. Can be performed in parallel. Thereby, it is possible to perform the entrance monitoring process for the general winning openings 34 to 37 without being affected by the timing by the monitoring timer and the timing at which the counting by the reception counter is started.

  In each of the above embodiments, the general winning opening entrance monitoring process is executed for each of the general winning openings 34 to 37. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the general winning opening entrance monitoring process is performed. You may comprise so that one general winning opening entrance monitoring process may be performed with respect to all the winning holes of the general winning openings 34-37. In this case, the sub-control unit 260 may be configured to count the number of receptions of the general winning opening entry command for the plurality of general winning openings 34 to 37 with one reception counter. That is, as in each of the above embodiments, the general winning entry command is not provided for each type of the general winning openings 34 to 37, but is provided as one common command (one type), and the one type of general winning command is provided. What is necessary is just to comprise so that the frequency | count of reception of an entrance ball command may be counted with one reception counter. In this case, it is not always necessary to provide a general winning opening entrance detection switch for each of the general winning openings 34 to 37, and a game for a plurality of general winning openings 34 to 37 with one general winning entry entrance detection switch. You may comprise so that the entrance of a ball | bowl may be detected.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Game machine, 20 ... Game board, 25 ... Production display device (production device), 28a ... 1st starting port, 28b ... 2nd starting port (variable winning port), 34-37 ... General winning port, 33a ... Large Winning mouth (variable winning mouth), 61 ... special symbol display part (symbol display device), 200 ... main control part (game control means, specific game execution means, variable winning mouth detection means, abnormality notification command transmission means, general winning mouth Detection means, incoming command transmission means), 260... Sub-control unit (effect control means, incoming command reception means, elapsed time measurement means, reception count counting means, determination means, abnormality notification execution means, initialization means, arrival times Counting means), 280 ... effect display control unit.

Claims (1)

General prize opening where game balls can enter,
A variable winning opening that changes from a closed state in which a game ball cannot enter into an open state in which a game ball can enter, by satisfying a predetermined condition;
With
For each of the general prize opening and the variable prize opening, a gaming machine that pays out a predetermined number of game balls when a game ball has entered,
Game control means for controlling the progress of the game;
Effect control means for controlling the effect device based on a control command transmitted from the game control means according to the progress of the game;
With
The game control means includes
Specific game execution means for executing a specific game with the variable winning a prize opening in the open state;
Variable prize opening detecting means for detecting that a game ball has entered the variable prize opening;
An abnormality notification command transmitting means for transmitting an abnormality notification command to the effect control means when the variable winning opening detection means detects the entry of a game ball into the variable winning opening when the specific game is not being executed;
General winning opening detecting means for detecting that a game ball has entered the general winning opening;
When the general winning opening detection means detects the entry of a game ball into the general winning opening, a winning command transmission means for transmitting a winning command to the effect control means,
Have
The production control means includes
Determining means for determining whether or not the number of times the incoming command has been received within a predetermined specified time has reached a predetermined number;
When the number of receptions reaches the predetermined number of times or when the abnormality notification command is received, abnormality notification is performed using the effect device to perform abnormality notification indicating that an abnormality has occurred in the entry state of the game ball Means,
Arrival number counting means for counting the number of times the reception number has reached the predetermined number;
Have
The abnormality notification execution unit changes the execution pattern of the abnormality notification according to the number of times counted by the arrival number counting unit .

Images