JP5673941B2 - Bullet ball machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a ball game machine such as a pachinko game machine, and more particularly to an effect display technique in a ball game machine equipped with a symbol display device driven by a reel unit.

  Conventionally, among the various ball game machines, a so-called first type pachinko game machine is displayed while changing a plurality of symbols in a display area of a display device provided substantially at the center of the game board. (Hereinafter, such display is referred to as “symbol change” or “change display”). In this gaming machine, for example, when a game ball enters a start winning opening formed on the game board, a random lottery value is acquired as a result. The acquired lottery value is temporarily stored as a reserved ball up to a predetermined upper limit number. The reserved balls are sequentially read one by one to determine whether or not they are correct, and a plurality of columns of symbols are displayed in a variable manner according to the determination result. And, when the combination of symbols when the symbol variation of this plurality of rows is stopped becomes a specific aspect, it is assumed that the game shifts to a special game called so-called big hit, in which more prize balls can be obtained than the normal game Are known. In recent years, a display device composed of a liquid crystal display has become the mainstream as a display device for displaying such a plurality of rows of symbol variations, but there are also devices composed of mechanical display means such as a drum rotary type. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1). The variable display of symbols in the display area is not limited to simply displaying multiple symbols in a variable manner, but the time required for the variable display to be a big hit if one more symbols are aligned, such as the so-called reach screen. For example, an effect is made to increase the player's expectation, such as making it longer. In addition, the player's sense of expectation is enhanced by control of changing the probability to increase the efficiency of transition to special games, shortening the variation time, and shifting to the easy-to-enter state to increase the ease of entering the starting prize opening.

  By the way, in a gaming machine equipped with a drum rotation type display device, a plurality of symbols are arranged along the peripheral surfaces of a plurality of rows of reels, and each reel is individually driven to rotate by a driving means such as a stepping motor. Then, the result of the lottery determination is indicated by a combination of symbols that are stopped on the active line when the reels of the plurality of rows are stopped. In such a gaming machine, unlike the image display on the liquid crystal display, the symbols arranged on each reel must be physically changed and the determined symbols must be presented to the player. For this reason, it is necessary to sequentially grasp which symbols are presented to the player on each reel (positioned on the effective line). Therefore, the reel unit including the plurality of rows of reels and the driving means is provided with a detection device for detecting the reference position of each reel. The control device of the gaming machine determines the reference position of each reel based on the detection signal output from the detection device, and the symbol on the effective line at an arbitrary timing based on the number of motor driving steps based on that position. The symbol indicating the result of the lottery recognition can be stopped on the active line.

  On the other hand, the symbol variation is executed in accordance with a variation pattern determined prior to the start of the variation. For this reason, the symbol indicating the result of the lottery must be stopped when the variation time determined by the variation pattern expires. However, since the amount of rotation of the reel up to the symbol to be stopped differs depending on the symbol located on the effective line at the start of variation, it is only necessary to always control the rotation of the reel in the same tone even if the same variation pattern is selected. It is not a thing. Therefore, in general, a correction variation for adjusting the position of the reel, that is, the alignment of the symbol, is performed at a predetermined timing in the symbol variation process.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-87772

  By the way, the contents of the effects such as the reach effect in such a gaming machine are usually determined prior to the start of the change for each symbol change, but a so-called lookahead effect is aimed at the effect of increasing the expectation of the player. Some things to do. In other words, whether or not the symbol variation starts immediately, the lottery value is determined in advance every time the lottery value is held, and a promising effect is continuously generated when a specific result is held. It is a place to go and reap the player's expectations. Such a pre-reading effect is generally started together with the start of the next variation of the symbol variation that is changing when the specific result is put on hold. For this reason, although the pre-reading effect is originally a continuous effect that straddles a plurality of symbol fluctuations, one fluctuation when a specific result is put on hold is not displayed, and the period of inflection is reduced accordingly. In this regard, when an image display device such as a liquid crystal display is used, the symbol variation display can be arbitrarily changed. Therefore, it is possible to display a prefetch effect from the variation for which a specific result is suspended. However, in the case of using a drum rotation type display device, for example, the display image is not misled like the image display device such as forcibly changing the display image instantaneously, and the correction variation described above is also necessary. It was difficult to perform prefetching.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and a main object thereof is to effectively display a prefetch effect in a ball game machine equipped with a reel unit.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a bullet ball game machine according to an aspect of the present invention includes a game board in which a game area is formed, and a start opening provided in the game area, and the entry of the game ball is an opportunity to win or fail In addition, a special winning winning lottery that is provided in the game area and is released according to the result of the lottery, and the game ball will be used as an opportunity to give a profit to the player, and a special symbol indicating the result of the lottery are displayed in a variable manner. Special symbol display device, a plurality of reels arranged with a plurality of symbols along the circumference, and at least a part of the circumference can be presented to the player, and each reel can be driven individually A reel unit that indicates a result of the lottery by a decorative pattern comprising a combination of symbols that are stopped on a predetermined effective line when the plurality of rows of reels are stopped, and a plurality of rows of reels. Located on the active line in each of Mainly control the display design determination means for determining the pattern, the main control device that mainly controls the basic operation of the game including the lottery process, and the effect operation of the game including the display process for indicating the result of the lottery process A sub-control device.

  The main control device has a lottery means for executing a lottery decision upon entering the starting port, and a hold control for holding the result of the lottery up to a predetermined number up to the start of variable display of special symbols corresponding to the lottery Means, a variation pattern determining means for determining a variation pattern for defining the variation time of the special symbol, a special symbol display control means for controlling the variation display of the special symbol, and the result of the lottery result is a big hit, and the special symbol is a big hit. Information indicating the result of the lottery and the special game control means for executing a special game that is advantageous to the player over the normal game by opening the special winning opening when the stop is displayed in the manner shown in FIG. The information indicating the fluctuation pattern is sent to the sub-control device, and the change start command is sent to the sub-control device when the change of the special symbol starts. And a control information transmitting means for transmitting to. The control information transmitting means includes the result of the lottery corresponding to the entry regardless of whether or not the symbol variation display corresponding to the entry is started immediately when the entry to the start opening is made. Prior determination information is transmitted to the sub-control device.

  The sub-control device has a stop symbol pattern storage means for holding a plurality of stop symbol patterns as a combination of symbols of a plurality of columns to be stopped and displayed on the effective line, and a variation from the start to the stop in the variation display of the decorative symbol. Fluctuation effect pattern storage means for holding a plurality of variation effect patterns for which a process has been determined, decoration symbol determination means for selecting one of a plurality of stop symbol patterns based on the received information indicating the result of the success / failure lottery, and reception Based on the information indicating the variation pattern, the effect determination means for selecting the variation effect pattern having the variation time corresponding to the variation pattern, and the drive means drives the plurality of rows of reels when the variation start command is received. Start the decorative display of the decorative design, and display the decorative design in accordance with the selected variation production pattern. Thereby, including a display control means for displaying stopped at symbol combination determined decorative pattern by stopping the reels of a plurality of rows when it receives a change stop command.

  As a stop symbol pattern, it indicates that the result of the lottery decision is off by stopping on the active line, and suggests that the expectation that the big hit is held as a result of the lottery decision after the next change is high A special stop symbol pattern for stopping and displaying a special symbol combination is included.

  The effect determination means changes the symbol variation so that the symbol combination corresponding to the determined stop symbol pattern is stopped on the effective line as the variation effect pattern, regardless of the symbol combination stopped on the effective line at the time of symbol variation start. This variation pattern is set to execute the correction variation that adjusts the variation amount of symbols in multiple rows, and defines the variation process of this variation that is executed in the prefetch effective period provided in the preceding stage of the symbol variation period, and A plurality of variation effect patterns constituted by combinations with correction variation patterns that define a variation process of correction variation executed in a correction period provided in the subsequent stage are selected.

  The decorative symbol determination means, if a special effect condition is established in advance based on the fact that a specific result is held as a result of the success / failure lottery during the pre-reading validity period, the stop symbol determined prior to the symbol variation Regardless of the pattern, the special stop symbol pattern is reset so that the special symbol combination is stopped on the active line when the symbol variation is stopped, and during the period from the next variation to the previous variation of the symbol variation indicating the specific result. Also, a special stop symbol pattern is selected for each symbol variation. When the special stop symbol pattern is set during symbol variation, the effect determining means resets the correction variation pattern after the specific result is suspended to stop the special symbol combination on the active line. During the period from the change to the pre-change of the symbol change indicating the specific result, the change effect pattern is selected so that the special symbol combination is stopped on the effective line when the symbol change is stopped.

  Here, one “effective line” may be formed in a region presented to a player of a plurality of rows of reels, or a plurality of “effective lines” may be formed simultaneously. The “decorative symbol” is composed of a combination of symbols of each reel located on the effective line, and indicates the result of the lottery determination based on the symbol combination. The “display symbol determining means” determines a symbol positioned on an effective line in each reel. For example, detection information is acquired from a rotational position detection device that detects the position of each reel at a predetermined position in the rotational direction, and the arrival of an effective line is determined for each of a plurality of symbols arranged on each reel. Good. More specifically, for example, the position of the detected reel is associated with the symbol positioned on the effective line, and the symbol positioned on the effective line is determined by detecting the position of the reel. You may do it. In that case, if the positions of multiple locations on each reel are associated with all of the multiple symbols arranged on the peripheral surface of the reel, the resolution for determining the symbol that reaches the effective line will be high. Is preferable. For example, a sensor may be installed on the main body (fixed side) of the reel unit, and a plurality of detection pieces corresponding to all symbols may be provided on each reel. In addition, the position of multiple locations on each reel is associated with multiple reference symbols that are part of multiple symbols arranged on the peripheral surface of the reel, and it is determined which reference symbol has reached the active line It is good also as a possible structure. Then, it may be determined from the amount of rotation of the reel based on the position of each reference symbol that the remaining symbols have reached the effective line.

  The “main control device” may be a device that mainly controls basic operations such as a control relating to the appearance, such as a lottery process and a special symbol display process that directly indicates the lottery result. The “sub-control device” may be a device that mainly controls an effect operation such as a display process of a decorative symbol that shows an effect of the lottery based on information received from the main control device. The communication between the main control device and the sub control device may be configured to be one-way communication from the main control device to the sub control device. The “decorative symbol” is controlled so as to start changing in a manner linked to the special symbol and to end the variation. The “preliminary determination information” may include a determination result, a variation pattern lottery result, or both. Since the result determination means transmits the result to the effect determination means every time the result determination lottery executes the result determination lottery, the effect determination means obtains the result before the variable display of the symbol indicating the result of the result determination is started. “Prefetch” can be performed. The “special symbol combination” may be a symbol combination including a special symbol provided in advance as part of a plurality of symbols in at least one of a plurality of rows of reels. In this case, the “special symbol” may indicate that the result of the lottery determination is out of order by stopping on the active line.

  The “main variation” may be a variation that does not specify the position of the symbol. On the other hand, “correction fluctuation” allows the determined symbol to be stopped at the variation stop timing in accordance with the positional relationship between the symbol determined by the decorative symbol determining means and the symbol currently displayed on the active line. It may be a variation for adjusting the symbol variation state. This fluctuation may be faster than the correction fluctuation. The “main variation pattern” defines the variation process of the main variation that is executed in the preceding stage during the symbol variation. The “prefetch effective period” is set in the period of the main fluctuation, and when a specific result is suspended during that period, the special symbol combination is stopped on the effective line when the symbol fluctuation is stopped without waiting for the next fluctuation. It is a period determined as follows. Therefore, even if a specific result is suspended during the correction period, the special symbol combination is not stopped on the active line when the symbol variation is stopped. The “specific result” may be, for example, a specific jackpot. Alternatively, a specific variation pattern may be selected as the variation pattern of the symbol variation related to the suspension. The “special effect condition” may be that a specific result is suspended. Alternatively, in addition to holding a specific result, for example, the holding number may be within a set range. In this aspect, the effect in which the special symbol combination is repeatedly stopped on the active line constitutes a so-called prefetch effect.

  The “correction variation pattern” defines a variation process of correction variation that is executed in a correction period during symbol variation. The rotation amount in the correction variation pattern may be defined by a rotation angle or a rotation movement amount (rotation length). For example, when the driving means is a stepping motor, the rotation amount may be defined by a control amount such as the number of rotation steps of the motor. For each reel, the correction variation pattern may be set in accordance with the difference in the number of symbols between a symbol currently displayed on the effective line and a symbol to be displayed on the effective line later.

  According to this aspect, the prefetch effective period is provided before the symbol variation period, and the correction period is provided after the symbol change period. Thereby, it is possible to determine whether or not to start a prefetching effect that stops the special symbol combination from the symbol variation while securing a necessary correction variation period including the case where the prefetching effect is not performed in the symbol variation. A period is secured. That is, by setting the prefetch effective period and the correction period in the symbol variation period, the prefetch effect can be started quickly from the symbol variation without carrying over to the next variation, and the prefetch effect can be executed more effectively. It becomes like this.

  The decorative symbol determination means is a pattern that forms a preparatory pattern that is a predetermined symbol combination indicating that the result of the success / failure lottery is out as a stop symbol pattern, and the decorative symbol is stopped from the state that the decorative symbol is stopped at the preparatory eye When the period until the shift to the correction variation is the first period and the period until the transition from the state where the decorative symbols are stopped except for the preparation to the correction variation is the second period, a plurality of variation effects The average value of the first period calculated when the symbol variation is executed according to the pattern is the average value of the second period calculated when the symbol variation is respectively executed according to the plurality of variation effect patterns. Alternatively, a pre-stop symbol pattern set to be longer may be included as a selection target. A pre-stop symbol pattern may be set when a result of the lottery determination is lost and a predetermined preparation condition is satisfied.

  Here, the “preparation condition” may be, for example, that the next variation is executed in a short time state when the symbol variation is shorter than the normal state. Alternatively, the symbol variation time may be shorter than the set time in the next variation based on the number of holds as a result of the lottery result. According to this aspect, by selecting the pre-stop symbol pattern that forms the preparation eye, it is possible to lengthen the prefetch effective period, which is a period until the shift to the correction variation, and the prefetch effect starts from the symbol variation. Can increase the possibility of being.

  Specifically, when a plurality of results of the lottery determination are held, the decorative symbol determination means, when selecting a stop symbol pattern that is displayed by digesting one of the results of the plurality of lottery determinations, If it is difficult to stop the symbol combination corresponding to the special stop symbol pattern on the effective line in the next variation unless the symbol variation corresponding to the result of the lottery to be digested is prepared A pre-stop symbol pattern may be set assuming that is established. In this way, a preparatory eye may be formed depending on the situation.

  The variation pattern determination means holds a variation pattern selection criterion in which a correspondence relationship between the variation pattern and the pattern lottery value is defined as a selection criterion to be referred to when selecting the variation pattern, and the pending lottery that is held as the variation pattern selection criterion. The normal variation pattern selection criteria selected when the result of the result is less than the predetermined number and the shortened variation pattern selection criteria selected when the result of the pending lottery result is more than the predetermined number are retained, and the normal variation As a pattern selection criterion, holding a selection criterion defined so that the selection probability of a variation pattern having a long variation time is higher than when selected based on a shortened variation pattern selection criterion, The probability of selecting a variation pattern with a short variation time is higher than when it is selected based on the normal variation pattern selection criteria. The decorative design determining means continuously selects a variation effect pattern in which the special symbol combination is stopped on the active line when a specific result is put on hold. In this state, when a plurality of results of the lottery decision are held, when the stop symbol pattern displayed by digesting one of the results of the lottery decision is displayed, If it becomes difficult to stop the special symbol combination on the active line when the number exceeds the specified number, cancel the special stop symbol pattern setting and reset another off-line symbol combination that can be stopped on the active line. Also good.

  According to this aspect, when the number of holds increases after the start of the prefetch effect, the fluctuation time related to the hold after the start is shortened, so that it is difficult to execute the prefetch effect with a certain symbol variation, That is, when it becomes difficult to stop the special symbol combination, other outlier symbol combinations are displayed to ensure the progress of the game. That is, even if it becomes difficult to continue the prefetching effect afterwards, it becomes possible to respond flexibly.

  It should be noted that any combination of the above-described constituent elements, and the constituent elements and expressions of the present invention are mutually replaced between a method, an apparatus, a system, a computer program, a recording medium storing the computer program, a data structure, etc. This is effective as an embodiment of the present invention.

  According to the ball game machine of the present invention, it is possible to effectively display the pre-reading effect in the ball game machine including the reel unit.

It is a figure which shows the basic structure in the front side of a pachinko game machine. It is a figure which shows the basic structure in the back side of a pachinko game machine. It is a figure which shows the functional block of the pachinko game machine in a present Example. It is a figure which shows typically a success / failure determination table. It is a figure which shows typically the prior success determination table referred by prior advance determination. It is a figure which shows a symbol determination table typically. It is a figure which shows typically the prior symbol determination table referred by prior symbol determination. It is a figure which shows a fluctuation pattern table typically. It is a figure which shows typically the prior pattern determination table referred by prior pattern determination. It is a figure which shows the fluctuation pattern table for deviation in detail. It is explanatory drawing showing the structure of a reel unit. It is explanatory drawing showing the structure of a reel unit. It is explanatory drawing showing the structure of a reel unit. It is a schematic diagram which shows the detection method by a position detection sensor. It is explanatory drawing which shows the correspondence of the arrangement | sequence of the symbol in each reel, and a symbol number. It is explanatory drawing which shows the fluctuation | variation control method of the decoration symbol at the time of performing prefetching production. It is a figure which shows typically the correction table used when performing correction | amendment fluctuation | variation. It is a figure which shows notionally the breakdown of the symbol variation process along a variation production pattern. It is a flowchart which shows the basic operation | movement process in a pachinko game machine. It is a flowchart which shows the winning process of S10 in FIG. 19 in detail. It is a flowchart which shows the prior determination process of S28 in FIG. 20 in detail. It is a flowchart which shows the whole process of the normal game control process of S14 in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the prefetch process of S250 in FIG. 22 in detail. It is a flowchart which shows the special symbol fluctuation | variation process of S252 in FIG. 22 in detail. It is a flowchart which shows in detail the decoration design change process of S254 in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows in detail the special game control process of S16 in FIG. FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing in detail a release process of S100 in FIG. 26. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows in detail the closing process of S102 in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows in detail the small hit game control process of S17 in FIG. FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing in detail a release process of S160 in FIG. 29. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the closing process of S162 in FIG. 29 in detail. It is a figure which illustrates the symbol stop state by the stop symbol pattern set as a preparation eye in Example 2. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a decorative pattern stop mode determination process according to the second embodiment. 12 is a flowchart illustrating prefetch effect setting processing in the third embodiment.

[Example 1]
The pachinko gaming machine of the present embodiment has a gaming property equivalent to the conventional type 1 pachinko gaming machine, and in order to realize the gaming property, a start winning opening, a special symbol display device, a holding lamp, and a reel unit are provided. Prepare. That is, this pachinko gaming machine includes a so-called drum rotation type display device, and the display device includes a plurality of rows of reels having a pattern arranged on the peripheral surface, and a motor that can individually drive each reel. It is configured as a unit. When the game ball enters the start winning opening, a winning / losing lottery is executed, and when the winning / losing lottery result is a “hit”, a special game in which the large winning opening is repeatedly opened and closed is started. When a big prize opening is opened and a game ball enters, a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out each time, and the player can obtain a large profit. The result of the winning / failing lottery is directly displayed in the form of a variation display of a special symbol, while being displayed in the form of a decorative symbol composed of a combination of three symbols. The special symbol and the decorative symbol are associated with each other as indicating the same winning / losing lottery result, and control is performed so that the variation start timing and the variation stop timing also coincide.

  In such a gaming machine, it is necessary to stop the decorative symbols in accordance with the fluctuation stop timing in a form showing the result of the lottery. However, since the decorative symbol at the variation start timing changes for each variation, if the reel is rotated at a constant speed and stopped at the variation stop timing at which the determined variation time expires, the decorative pattern is determined as a stop mode. It is difficult to stop at. Therefore, also in the present embodiment, the correction variation for performing the symbol position correction is executed according to the symbol number difference between the symbol to be stopped based on the result of the success / failure lottery and the symbol being displayed on the active line.

  On the other hand, in this embodiment, in a gaming machine equipped with such a drum-rotating display device, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, the player's sense of expectation is given by displaying a pre-reading effect over a plurality of symbol variations. . Specifically, the player is expected to have a high expectation level by displaying a continuous production in which a special symbol combination including a special symbol imitating cherry (hereinafter referred to as “cherry symbol”) is repeatedly displayed on the central reel. To suggest. Therefore, every time the winning / losing lottery value is put on hold by entering the starting winning opening, a pre-determining effect is started when a specific result is put on hold. However, since the pre-reading effect is a continuous effect, it is preferable that the specific effect is quickly started in order to sufficiently exhibit the effect. Therefore, in this embodiment, when a specific result is put on hold, the effect determination process and the effect display process are devised so that the prefetch effect can be started from the symbol variation as much as possible. Hereinafter, such a configuration will be described.

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

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

  The game board 50 has an out port 58, a special symbol display device 61, a reel unit 60, a start winning port (hereinafter referred to as “start port”) 62, on a game area 52 defined by the outer rail 54 and the inner rail 56. A center ornament 64, a grand prize opening 66, an operation opening 68, and a general prize opening 72 are included. Furthermore, in the game area 52, a plurality of mechanisms such as a game nail and a windmill (not shown) are installed.

  The starting port 62 is a starting port that triggers the entrance of a game ball to perform a lottery determination. The starting port 62 is provided in the starting port 62 and a start winning detection device 74 for detecting the entrance of a game ball. A normal electric accessory solenoid 76 for expanding the expansion mechanism 63 (so-called electric tulip) is provided. The expansion mechanism 63 is composed of two blade members provided at the upper part of the opening of the start port 62, and has a narrow opening width that allows only a game ball falling from just above the start port 62 to enter when closed. Become. On the other hand, when the expansion mechanism 63 is expanded and opened, the opening width of the start port 62 is widened, and not only the start port 62 but also a game ball falling in the vicinity thereof can be guided to the start port 62 and can enter. Ease is improved. This lottery determination is a lottery for determining whether or not to shift to a special game that is more advantageous to the player than a normal game, and is executed every time there is a ball entering the start port 62. The start winning detection device 74 is a sensor that detects the entry of a game ball into the start port 62, and generates start win information indicating the winning at the time of entering.

  The general winning opening 72 includes a general winning detecting device 73 for detecting the entering of a game ball. The general winning detection device 73 is a sensor that detects the entry of a game ball into the general winning opening 72, and generates general winning information indicating the winning at the time of winning.

  The special winning opening 66 includes a winning detection device 78 for detecting the entry of a game ball and a special winning opening solenoid 80 for opening the special winning opening 66. The winning detection device 78 is a sensor that detects the entry of a game ball into the big winning opening 66, and generates big winning opening winning information indicating the winning at the time of winning. The big winning opening 66 is a horizontal rectangular winning opening that is opened as a “big hit” in a special game that starts when the special symbol 192 stops in a predetermined manner. The big winning opening 66 is provided at a position above the out opening 58, for example. The number of the big winning openings 66 is not limited to a single arrangement, and a plurality of large winning openings 66 may be installed and used depending on the gaming state or the like. The winning detection device 78 of the big winning opening 66 includes a sensor that detects the passage of a game ball.

  The special symbol display device 61 is a display device that is provided on the left side of the game area 52 and displays a special symbol 192 that indicates the result of the lottery determination. In this embodiment, the special symbol display device 61 includes 7-segment LEDs. The special symbol 192 is a symbol corresponding to the result of the lottery performed when the game ball falls into the start port 62. When the symbol mode when the special symbol 192 is stopped is the symbol that is determined in advance, the timing at which the symbol is displayed is the big hit occurrence timing. The stop symbol is a symbol to be displayed at the end of symbol variation. The special symbol 192 in the present embodiment is represented by numbers, characters, symbols such as “0” to “9” that are hit symbol patterns, or a symbol “−” that is an off symbol pattern. These numbers or symbols are replaced one after another at a high speed and displayed on the special symbol display device 61, whereby the symbol variation display of the special symbol 192 is realized.

  Note that the special symbol 192 is not limited to the above numbers or symbols, and may be letters such as English letters, or may be a generally meaningless symbol formed by a combination of segments constituting a 7-segment LED. May be. Further, the 7-segment LED may be composed of 8 segments including 7 segments forming “eight-letter shape” and 1 segment representing “dot”. In this case, a numerical value for 8 bits can be expressed by combining 8 segments. Further, the special symbol display device 61 may be an LED dot array that is not a 7-segment LED, and a plurality of types of special symbols 192 may be expressed by combinations of lighting patterns and lighting colors.

  The reel unit 60 is a drum rotation type display device that is provided substantially at the center of the game area 52 and displays the decorative symbol 190 in a manner that changes the display of the special symbol 192. The decorative symbol 190 is a symbol for visually rendering the lottery result display indicated by the special symbol 192. The reel unit 60 includes, as decorative symbols 190, a plurality of rows of reels that vary a plurality of rows of symbols simulating a game of a slot machine, and a stepping motor as drive means that can individually drive the reels. In this embodiment, three rows of reels are provided to vary the three symbols of the left symbol 191, the middle symbol 193, and the right symbol 195, and "0" to "5" are provided along the outer peripheral surface of each reel. A blank symbol composed of a numerical symbol and a symbol “*” is arranged. Blank symbols “*” are respectively arranged between numerical symbols arranged in ascending or descending order. In the present embodiment, only one cherry symbol is arranged on the middle symbol 193. Instead, the left symbol 191 and the right symbol 195 have one more number symbol “3” than the middle symbol 193. For this reason, a total of 12 symbols are arranged along the outer peripheral surface of each reel.

  However, while the number symbol and cherry symbol in this embodiment are a part of the stop symbol combination for indicating the result of the success / failure lottery, the blank symbol is a stop symbol combination for indicating the result of the success / failure lottery It differs in that it is a design that is not part of it. That is, the number symbol indicates that the result of the lottery win is a win when a stop symbol combination formed when a plurality of symbols are stopped on the same line becomes a winning symbol combination. On the other hand, although the cherry symbol is included on the effective line and indicates a deviated symbol combination, it is displayed on the central effective line to constitute a pre-reading effect that suggests that the degree of expectation is high. On the other hand, even if a plurality of blank symbols are stopped on the same line, the result of the winning / failing lottery is not shown, and the number of lines that can display the stop symbol combinations of the stop symbol candidates is limited by the stop. To work. Details of the reel unit 60 will be described later.

  Here, since the special symbol 192 does not necessarily have an effect role, in the present embodiment, the special symbol display device 61 on the lower left side of the reel unit 60 is displayed in an inconspicuous size. However, in the case of adopting a technique in which the special symbol itself has an effect role to express without using the decorative symbol, the special symbol may be displayed on the liquid crystal display instead of the 7-segment LED.

  The operation port 68 is provided at the left side position of the game board 50. The operation port 68 includes a passage detection device 69. The passage detection device 69 is a sensor that detects the passage of the game ball to the operation port 68, and generates passage information indicating the passage at the time of passage. The passage of the game ball to the operation port 68 triggers an open lottery that determines whether or not the expansion mechanism 63 is expanded. When the game ball passes through the operation port 68, a normal symbol, which is a symbol indicating the result of the open lottery, is variably displayed on the normal symbol display device 59. Therefore, the open lottery is also called “ordinary symbol lottery”. The normal symbol display device 59 in this embodiment is composed of two lamps for convenience, and the display state of the normal symbols is expressed by which of these lamps is lit. For example, when the first lamp is turned off and the second lamp is hit, the normal symbol fluctuation display is expressed by alternately turning on and off, and finally one of the lights is turned on. A stop symbol of a normal symbol is expressed by being stopped in the state.

  The normal symbol display device 59 is provided at the lower right of the reel unit 60. After a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the change, the normal symbol change display stops. At this time, in the normal state, the normal symbol stops at the winning symbol with a low probability of, for example, about 1/256, and in the easy entry state described later, the normal symbol is in the winning symbol with a high probability of, for example, about 250/256. Stop. When the normal symbol stops at the winning symbol, the expansion mechanism 63 is expanded for a predetermined time. The opening time of the spreading mechanism 63 is, for example, 0.1 seconds in the normal state, and 6 seconds in the easy entry state.

  A center ornament 64 is provided around the reel unit 60. The center decoration 64 has functions such as a flow path of the game ball, protection of the reel unit 60, and decoration. The special symbol hold display device 20 is provided at the lower left portion of the game area 52, and the normal symbol hold display device 22 is provided below the normal symbol display device 59 at the lower right portion of the game area 52, which is the symmetrical position. ing.

  The special symbol hold display device 20 is composed of four lamps, and displays the number of lottery holds depending on the number of lights. The number of lottery holds is the number of lottery results won to the start port 62 during symbol variation or special game, and indicates the number of winning balls for which symbol variation has not yet been executed. When the number of lottery holds is three, the symbol variation time in the case of a loss is shortened from the normal time in order to increase game efficiency (hereinafter also referred to as “shortening variation”). Similarly, when the number of pending lottery holds is 4, in order to further increase the game efficiency, the symbol variation time in the case of losing is further shortened than in the case of the above 3 (hereinafter also referred to as “super shortened variation”). ).

  The normal symbol hold display device 22 is also composed of four lamps, and displays the number of normal symbol fluctuation hold depending on the number of lights. The number of normal symbol fluctuations held is the number of game balls that have passed through the operation port 68 during the fluctuation of the normal symbol, and indicates the number of normal symbol lotteries for which the fluctuation of the normal symbol has not yet been executed.

  Game effect lamps 90 are provided above and below the reel unit 60, respectively. The operation button 82 is an operation input unit that is operated by the player to input a predetermined instruction to the gaming machine, and changes are made to the contents of the effect according to the contents of the operation input. The operation button 82 is provided on the outer wall surface near the upper ball tray 15. Although the operation button 82 in this embodiment is composed of one button, it may be composed of a plurality of buttons and direction instruction buttons such as a cross key.

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

  When the game ball falls into the start port 62, the special symbol 192 and the decorative symbol 190 are variably displayed on the special symbol display device 61 and the reel unit 60. The variation display of the special symbol 192 and the decorative symbol 190 is stopped after the lapse of the variation display time determined prior to the display. The special symbol 192 is variably displayed in accordance with a variation pattern in which a variation mode from the variation start to the stop is determined. The decorative symbol 190 is variably displayed according to a variation effect pattern in which a variation mode from the start to the end of the variation is determined. A plurality of types of variation patterns and variation production patterns are prepared, and each has various variation times. While the special symbol 192 is variably displayed according to the variation pattern, the decorative symbol 190 is variably displayed according to the variation effect pattern having the same variation time. In the variation pattern, a variation display time is determined for each pattern as an end condition of the symbol variation, and the variation of the special symbol 192 and the decorative symbol 190 is stopped when the variation display time elapses.

  As a variation display of the decorative symbol 190, first, as the variation starts, the symbols are varied in all three columns like the reel rotation of the slot machine, and when it approaches the variation end timing, it is stopped one by one as a final stop mode. The symbol combination is displayed. When the special symbol 192 and the decorative symbol 190 at the time of the stop are in a stop mode indicating a big hit, the game shifts to a special game that is more advantageous to the player than the normal game, and the opening / closing operation of the big prize opening 66 is started. The The stop mode of the decorative symbol 190 indicating the big hit is, for example, a mode of combination (hit symbol combination) in which three types of symbols match.

  The variation effect pattern includes a normal loss effect pattern, a reach failure effect pattern, and a reach jackpot effect pattern. The normal off effect pattern is an effect pattern for displaying a normal off symbol combination. The reach out effect pattern is an effect pattern for displaying an out symbol combination through a reach state, which is a big win if one more symbols are arranged. The reach jackpot effect pattern is an effect pattern when displaying a jackpot symbol combination through the reach state. In particular, the patterns when reaching the reach state include patterns with various long and short fluctuation times. Reach patterns with relatively short fluctuation times are called “normal reach”, and reach patterns with long fluctuation times are called “super reach”. ".

  The special game is started by an effect display called a start demonstration effect. After the start demonstration effect is displayed, the special winning opening 66 is opened, and after the opening lasts for about 30 seconds, or after nine or more game balls are dropped, it is temporarily closed. From such opening to closing of the big prize opening 66 is basically called a unit game, but it may be repeated a plurality of short-time opening during one unit game. After the special winning opening 66 is opened and closed or the unit game is repeated a predetermined number of times, for example, 15 times, the special game is ended by an effect display called an end demo effect. Note that the start demonstration effect and the end demonstration effect in the present embodiment are performed by predetermined lighting and blinking display of the game effect lamp 90 and the reel unit 60, which will be described later, and a specific driving mode of the reel. On the other hand, when the winning lottery corresponds to a result called “small hit”, the small hit game is executed. The small hit is a result included as a result of the lottery. The small hit game is a unit game executed in a manner similar to some types of special games. However, the unit game executed as a small hit game is only one time, which is different from a special game in which a plurality of unit games are executed.

  In the normal game after the end of the special game, the fluctuation time of the special symbol 192 and the decorative symbol 190, which are one of the specific games, is started (hereinafter referred to as “time reduction” as appropriate). The time shortening of the special symbol 192 and the decorative symbol 190 is a state in which the variation time of the special symbol 192 and the decorative symbol 190 is shortened from the normal state. The variation time of the special symbol 192 and the decoration symbol 190 is returned to the original variation time after a predetermined variation number, for example, 100 variation display, but if the big hit occurs before the variation number is reached, the time is shortened. Also ends. Due to the shortening of time, the variation time of the special symbol 192 and the decorative symbol 190 is shortened, so that it is possible to shorten the time until the big hit occurs compared to the normal state where the symbol variation is performed with the normal variation time. Therefore, it is possible to relatively increase the jackpot acquisition ease.

  During the time shortening of the special symbol 192 and the decorative symbol 190, the easy entry state which is one of the specific games is performed. The easy entry state is a state in which the ease of entering the starting port 62 is enhanced by executing the short time of the normal symbol, the probability variation of the open lottery, and the open extension of the expansion mechanism 63. The normal symbol time reduction is a state in which the variation time of the normal symbol is shortened from the normal state. The probability variation of the open lottery is a state in which the winning probability of the open lottery is higher than the normal state. The opening extension of the spreading mechanism 63 is a state in which the opening time of the spreading mechanism 63 is longer than the normal state. As described above, in the easy entry state, the possibility that the number of fluctuations of the normal symbol per certain time increases as compared to the normal state increases, and the ease of entering the start opening 62 also increases. There is a high possibility that the number of entering will increase. Therefore, due to the shortened time of the special symbol 192 and the decorative symbol 190 and the easy entry state, the chance to obtain a winning ball by entering the starting port 62 increases during that period, and as a result, the player can play the game with little decrease in possession. It is possible to continue.

  Note that the easy entry state in the present embodiment increases the ease of entering the starting port 62 by using three functions such as a short time for a normal symbol, a probability variation of an open lottery, and an open / extended extension of the expansion mechanism 63. However, as a modification, it is good also as a structure which improves the entrance ease to the starting port 62 using one or two functions among these three functions. Thus, even if only a part of the three functions is used, it is possible to improve the ease of entering the starting port 62. Moreover, it is good also as a structure which switches according to a gaming state at least any one of three functions by the period to implement and the period which does not implement.

  When a special game occurs and the winning stop pattern at that time is in a specific mode, the probability variation game of the winning lottery (hereinafter referred to as “probability change” as appropriate) that is one of the specific games after the end of the special game ) Is further started. During the chance change of the winning / failing lottery, the winning / failing lottery with a higher probability of winning than the normal probability state is performed, and a new special game can be generated relatively early. The probability change of the success / failure lottery is continued until the next big hit occurs, but as a modification, it may be configured to end when a predetermined limited number of symbol changes are made. In this embodiment, the special symbol 192 and the decorative symbol 190 are started at the same time as when the probability change is started, and the easy entry state is also started. May be executed.

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

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

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

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

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

  The success / failure lottery means 112 obtains, as a success / failure lottery value, a random number value for determining whether or not to shift to a special game that is more advantageous to the player than the normal game when the starting hole 62 is entered. To do. For example, the success / failure lottery value is acquired from a value range from “0” to “65535”. The “random number” in the present application may not be a mathematically generated random number, but may be a pseudo-random number generated by a hardware random number, a software random number, or the like. The value acquired as the success / failure lottery value by the success / failure lottery means 112 is temporarily held by the hold control means 116. However, the lottery value is held within a range not exceeding the predetermined holding upper limit number.

  The success / failure lottery means 112 holds a plurality of success / failure determination tables referred to in the determination of success / failure. In the plurality of success / failure determination tables, determination results of big hits, small hits and misses, and winning / failing lottery values are associated with each other, and the success / failure probabilities are determined according to the associated jackpot range settings. The success / failure lottery means 112 refers to the success / failure determination table based on the normal probability at the normal time, and refers to the success / failure determination table whose winning probability is higher than the normal probability when the probability changes. The success / failure lottery means 112 refers to any of the plurality of success / failure determination tables, and determines whether or not the success / failure lottery value is a win.

  The success / failure lottery means 112 acquires a lottery value as an open lottery for determining a normal symbol when the game ball passes through the operation port 68. The success / failure lottery means 112 holds a success / failure table in which the correspondence between the lottery value of the open lottery and the success / failure result is determined, and determines the success / failure result of the open lottery with reference to the success / failure table. In the normal state, the winning / failing table with a probability of 1/256 is referred to, and in the easy entry state, the winning / failing table with a probability of 250/256 is referred to. The lottery value of the normal symbol is temporarily held by the hold control means 116. However, the lottery value is held only when the predetermined hold upper limit number held by the hold control means 116 is not exceeded.

  The success / failure lottery means 112 determines whether or not to shift to the special game or the small hit game based on the success / failure lottery value, and whether or not the lottery value range in the success / failure determination corresponds to the prior / presence Make a decision. The success / failure lottery means 112 holds a success / failure determination table and a prior / failure determination table to be referred to in the determination of success / failure. In addition, in order to distinguish especially the prior / failure determination that is performed when starting the symbol variation, it is also referred to as “predetermined whether or not the main determination is appropriate”.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing the success / failure determination table. The success / failure determination table in this figure associates determination results of big hits, small hits and misses, and winning / failing lottery values. Depending on the respective range settings, the hit / failure probabilities of big hits and small hits are determined. Is determined. The success / failure lottery means 112 refers to the success / failure determination table of FIG. In the success / failure lottery performed by the success / failure lottery means 112, in the normal state, as shown in FIG. 4 (a), only when the success / failure lottery value falls within the range of 0 to 399 is a big hit. At the time of certainty change, as shown in FIG. 4B, the range of the big hit is expanded, and not only when the winning / losing lottery value falls within the range of 0 to 399 but also when the lottery falls within the range of 400 to 2999. Thus, the range corresponding to the big hit changes according to the gaming state. In the case of hitting a big hit, whether it is a 15R big hit or a 2R big hit and whether or not there is a probability change is determined separately according to the stop symbol of the special symbol. In this figure, the single hit / fail judgment table shows the big hit range for both normal time and probability change, but the success / fail judgment table may be prepared separately for normal time and for probability change.

  In the present embodiment, even if the winning / raising lottery value does not correspond to the big hit range, that is, a so-called out of range, it becomes a small hit if it falls within the predetermined range. In the example of this figure, when the success / failure lottery value acquired by the success / failure lottery means 112 falls within the range of 65000 to 65535, it is a small hit. In this way, if it does not correspond to the big hit, it is all “out”, but in the example in this figure, the winning lottery value range when it does not correspond to the small hit out of the cases where it does not correspond to the big hit Is expressed as “displacement”. In addition, although the example which implement | achieved the determination table of whether it is a big hit and the determination table of whether it is a small win in the figure in the form of a single winning / nothing determination table was shown in this figure, each may be implement | achieved as a separate table. Good.

  The winning / failing lottery means 112 executes a pre-winning determination as to which lottery value corresponds to the winning / failing determination as a pre-determination process at the timing of entering the starting port 62, and the determination result is used as the lottery result. Is transmitted to the symbol form determining means 131 and the effect determining means 132. The result of the preliminary determination process is temporarily stored, and then transmitted to the symbol mode determination unit 131 and the effect determination unit 132 regardless of whether or not the symbol variation display corresponding to the lottery is immediately started. Therefore, for the sub-board 104 side, a so-called “prefetch” process is realized in which the result of the success / failure can be presumably recognized in advance before the order of the start of symbol variation comes around. As described later, the pre-reading process may be configured to transmit all the information of the determination result of the success / failure determination, the symbol determination, and the pattern determination to the sub-board 104 and use it as the pre-reading process. Alternatively, the sub-board 104 may use only one or two determination results among the received information. In addition, the presence / absence of the received information and the type of information to be used may be determined according to the gaming state such as probability change, time reduction, and easy entry state. Further, as processing in the main board 102, whether or not advance determination is possible, whether or not prior determination results are transmitted, and the type of information for performing prior determination or prior determination result transmission may be appropriately set according to the state of the game.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing a prior success / failure determination table referred to in prior advance / failure determination. The success / failure lottery means 112 refers to this prior success / failure determination table, and when the success / failure lottery value is “0 to 399”, sets a value of “1” indicating a big hit in the success / failure range as a determination result. In the case where the winning / losing lottery value is “400 to 2999”, a value of “2” indicating that it is out of the normal state but is a big hit if it is in a probable variation state is set as the determining range. When the winning / failing lottery value is “3,000 to 64999”, a value “3” indicating a deviation is set as a determination result. When the winning / losing lottery value is “65000 to 65535”, a value of “4” indicating a small hit is set as the winning / incoming range as a determination result. Each time the success / failure lottery means 112 sets the success / failure range as described above, the value is sent to the symbol form determining means 131 and the effect determining means 132 together with the number of suspensions.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the symbol determination unit 114 determines the stop symbol at the start of symbol variation based on the symbol lottery value acquired separately and the result of the determination of success / failure, and the symbol lottery value corresponds to any symbol range. The prior symbol determination is executed. The symbol determination means 114 holds a plurality of symbol determination tables and a prior symbol determination table that are referred to in order to determine a special symbol stop symbol. The symbol determination means 114 refers to a symbol determination table that differs depending on the determination result. In addition, in order to distinguish the symbol determination performed in starting symbol variation especially from prior symbol determination, it is also referred to as “symbol determination as the main determination” as appropriate.

  The symbol determination means 114 determines the stop symbol of the normal symbol to be displayed on the normal symbol display device 59 according to the result of the open lottery by the success / failure lottery means 112. The symbol determination means 114 determines the stop symbol of the normal symbol according to the result of the open lottery in order to display the result of the open lottery in the normal symbol display device 59 in the form of a normal symbol. When the determined stop symbol becomes a predetermined symbol, it is determined that the normal symbol is a hit, and after the change display of the normal symbol is stopped at the stop symbol, the opening / closing control means 124 expands the start port 62. The opening mechanism 63 is expanded for a predetermined time.

  The symbol determination unit 114 sends data indicating the determined stop symbol to the main display control unit 118, the symbol mode determination unit 131, and the effect determination unit 132.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing a symbol determination table. FIG. 6A is a table that is referred to when the determination result is a big hit, FIG. 6B is a table that is referred to when the determination result is wrong, and FIG. This table is referred to when the determination result is a small hit. The symbol determination means 114 refers to the symbol determination table of this figure in the symbol determination as the main determination. In each symbol determination table, the correspondence between the special symbol represented by the numbers “0” to “9” and the symbol “−” and the symbol lottery value is defined. Each type of special symbol is associated with the result of determining whether or not the big hit, small hit, or missed, the odd number corresponds to the big hit, the even number corresponds to the small hit, and the symbol “-” is out. Correspond.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, the special symbols “1”, “3”, “5”, “7”, and “9”, which are odd numbers among the special symbols “0” to “9”, are associated with the jackpot. . Among them, the special symbol “7” indicates a 15R jackpot with certainty and is associated with a symbol lottery value range “0 to 99”. The special symbol “3” indicates a 2R jackpot with certainty and is associated with a symbol lottery value range “100 to 149”. Special symbols “1”, “5”, and “9” indicate 15R big hits without any probability change, the special symbol “1” is associated with the symbol lottery value range “150 to 189”, and the special symbol “190 to 229”. “5” is associated with, and “230 to 255” is associated with the special symbol “9”.

  As shown in FIG. 6 (b), the special symbol “-” is associated with the symbol lottery values in the entire range when the result of the determination is wrong.

  As shown in FIG. 6C, the special symbols “0”, “2”, “4”, “6”, and “8” that are even numbers among the special symbols “0” to “9” are associated with the small hits. Yes. The special symbol “0” is associated with the symbol lottery value range “0 to 49”, and the special symbol “2” is associated with the symbol lottery value range “50 to 99”. The special symbol “4” is associated with the symbol lottery value range “100 to 149”, the special symbol “6” is associated with the symbol lottery value range “150 to 199”, and the special symbol “8” is the symbol lottery. Corresponding to the value range “200 to 255”.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically illustrating a prior symbol determination table referred to in prior symbol determination. The symbol determination means 114 refers to this pre-symbol determination table when the success / failure lottery value corresponds to the jackpot. When the symbol lottery value is “0 to 99”, the value “1” indicating that is set in the symbol range as the determination result, and when the symbol lottery value is “100 to 149” “2” indicating that fact "Is set in the symbol range as the determination result. When the symbol lottery value is “150 to 255”, the value “3” indicating that is set in the symbol range as the determination result. Each time the symbol determining unit 114 sets the symbol range as described above, the value is transmitted to the symbol mode determining unit 131 and the effect determining unit 132 together with the number of holds. Note that when the winning / no-win lottery value falls out or hits a small hit, the table in this figure is not referred to, and a value of “4”, for example, may be set in the symbol range as a value indicating a loss or a small hit. Alternatively, even if the winning / losing lottery value falls outside or corresponds to a small hit, the symbol range is set according to the table of this figure, and it is later determined whether the determination result should be taken into consideration based on the setting of the winning / failing range on the sub-board 104 side. Good. Or nothing may be set.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the variation pattern determining means 115 performs a plurality of variations based on the pattern lottery values separately acquired for the variation pattern in which the symbol variation display process to be displayed on the special symbol display device 61 and the effect display device 60 is determined. The pattern is determined and sent to the main display control means 118. The variation pattern determination means 115 determines a variation pattern of the symbol variation with reference to the variation pattern table when the symbol variation is started. In addition, the variation pattern determination unit 115 performs a prior pattern determination as to which variation pattern range the pattern lottery value corresponds to. The variation pattern determination means 115 holds a variation pattern table and a prior pattern determination table that are referred to for determining a variation pattern. In the variation pattern, a variation time from a variation start to a stop when the special symbol is variably displayed is determined, and has various variation times depending on the type. That is, for each variation pattern, a variation display time is defined for each pattern as an end condition of the symbol variation, and the variation of the special symbol is stopped when the variation display time elapses. It should be noted that the variation pattern determination executed when starting the symbol variation is also referred to as “variation pattern determination as the main determination” as appropriate in order to distinguish it from the prior pattern determination.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically showing the variation pattern table. The variation pattern determining means 115 refers to the variation pattern table of this figure in the variation pattern determination as the main determination. The variation pattern determining means 115 refers to the variation pattern table for removal shown in FIG. 8A when the result of the determination is wrong. When the determination result is a 15R jackpot, the fluctuation pattern table for 15R jackpot shown in FIG. 8B is referred to. When the determination result is 2R big hit or small hit, the 2R big hit and small hit variation pattern table shown in FIG. 8C is referred to.

  In FIG. 8A, the pattern lottery values 0 to 10 are associated with a super reach “super 1”, and the pattern lottery values 11 to 20 are associated with a super reach “super 2”. The pattern lottery values 21 to 255 are associated with any variation pattern of “normal 1”, “normal 2”, and “no reach”. As described above, when the result of the determination is wrong, any one of super reach, normal reach, and no reach may be selected. In the variation pattern table for detachment, when a variation pattern of “no reach” is selected, a different table is referred to so that a variation pattern having a shorter variation time than the normal state is selected in the short time state. Further, the deviation variation pattern table is defined such that the column to be referred to is different for each number of reservations, and details of the normal state will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 8B, the super lot of “super 1” is associated with the pattern lottery values 0 to 120, and the super reach of “super 2” is associated with the pattern lottery values 121 to 240. The pattern lottery values 241 to 250 are associated with the reach of “normal 1”, and the pattern lottery values 251 to 255 are associated with the reach of “normal 2”. As described above, when the determination result is 15R big hit, the variation pattern with reach is selected.

  In FIG. 8C, the pattern lottery values 0 to 122 are associated with the super reach “super 3”, and the pattern lottery values 123 to 255 are associated with the normal reach “normal 3”. As described above, when the determination result is 2R big hit or small hit, “Super 3” or “Normal 3” is selected with a probability of about 50%.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically illustrating a prior pattern determination table referred to in prior pattern determination. The variation pattern determining means 115 refers to the table of FIG. 9A when the result is wrong, and when the pattern lottery value is “0 to 10”, the value “1” indicating that is used as the determination result. Set to the pattern range. When the pattern lottery value is “11 to 20”, the value “2” indicating that is set in the pattern range as the determination result. When the pattern lottery value is “21 to 255”, the value “3” indicating that is set in the pattern range as the determination result.

  The variation pattern determination means 115 refers to the table of FIG. 9B when the result is a 15R big hit, and when the pattern lottery value is “0 to 120”, the value “4” indicating that is determined as the determination result. Set the pattern range as. When the pattern lottery value is “121 to 240”, the value “5” indicating that is set in the pattern range as the determination result. When the pattern lottery value is “241 to 250”, the value “6” indicating that is set in the pattern range as the determination result. When the pattern lottery value is “251 to 255”, the value “7” indicating that is set in the pattern range as the determination result.

  The variation pattern determining means 115 refers to the table of FIG. 9C when the result of the success / failure is 2R big hit or small hit, and when the pattern lottery value is “0 to 122”, a value of “8” indicating that fact. Is set to the pattern range as the determination result. When the pattern lottery value is “123 to 255”, the value “9” indicating that is set in the pattern range as the determination result. Whenever the pattern range is set as described above, the variation pattern determination unit 115 transmits the value to the symbol mode determination unit 131 and the effect determination unit 132 together with the number of holdings.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the fluctuation pattern determination means 115 determines the fluctuation display time of the normal symbol. In the normal state, the variable display time is determined to be 60 seconds, and in the easy entry state, the variable display time is determined to be 6 seconds.

  When there is a new entry at the start port 62 and a new winning / failing lottery is executed, the holding control means 116 displays a new entry when a symbol change corresponding to the previous entry or lottery is displayed. The result of the success / failure lottery based on is suspended until the start of variable display of the symbol corresponding to the lottery. In the present embodiment, as a result of the lottery determination, the number of the lottery is held as a holding ball with an upper limit of four. The success / failure lottery value here includes a success / failure lottery value, a symbol lottery value, and a variation pattern lottery value. The holding control means 116 may further hold the setting of the success / failure range, the symbol range, and the pattern range as the preliminary determination result as a holding ball. However, the result of the prior determination may be held in a region different from the winning / failing lottery value. The holding control means 116 further holds the usual lottery value acquired by the success / failure lottery means 112 as a holding ball. These numbers of holdings are represented by the number of lighting or blinking numbers of the special symbol holding display device 20 and the normal symbol holding display device 22, respectively.

  The main display control means 118 causes the special symbol display device 61 to display the lottery result by the success / failure lottery means 112 as a variation display of the special symbol 192 according to the variation pattern determined by the variation pattern determination unit 115. The main display control means 118 sets a new symbol variation start condition that the symbol variation display corresponding to the success / failure lottery performed before that has ended. The main display control means 118 transmits a change start command and a change stop command to the effect display control means 134 at the timing for starting and stopping the change display of the special symbol 192. When transmitting the variation start command, the values indicating the determination result, the stop symbol, and the variation pattern determined as the main determination are transmitted to the effect display control means 134 together with the variation start command. When transmitting the variation stop command, a value indicating the stop symbol is transmitted to the effect display control means 134 together with the variation stop command. Thereby, the fluctuation display by the main display control means 118 and the effect display control means 134 is synchronized, and the interlock is maintained. The main display control means 118 displays the result of the normal symbol lottery on the normal symbol display device 59 as a normal symbol variation display.

  The special game control means 120 indicates that the special game operation condition is established when the special symbol 192 is stopped in a predetermined big hit mode when the success / failure lottery by the success / failure lottery means 112 results in the transition to the special game. A special game is executed by determining and opening the special winning opening 66. The special game is a game in which the opening / closing operation of the special winning opening 66 is continuously performed a plurality of times, and is configured by a plurality of unit games with one opening / closing as a unit. Special games include a 15R jackpot that repeats a unit game 15 times and a 2R jackpot that repeats a unit game that has a shorter opening time than the 15R jackpot only twice. In the case of 15R jackpot, in principle, the big winning opening 66 is opened for about 30 seconds in one unit game. In the case of 2R big hit, the big winning opening 66 is opened for about 0.5 seconds in one unit game. The special game control means 120 ends the special game when the set round number of unit games is exhausted. Even in the case of 2R big hit, if the predetermined condition is satisfied, the big winning opening 66 may be opened in the same manner as the 15R big hit.

  The specific game executing means 122 controls the normal game in the probability changing state, the short time state, and the easy-to-enter state. The specific game execution means 122 shifts the game state to the time-saving state and the easy-to-enter state after the end of the special game. On the other hand, the transition to the probability variation state after the end of the special game is limited to the case where the symbol determined by the symbol determination means 114 is a big hit symbol accompanied by the transition to probability variation. The short-time state and the easy-to-enter state are continued until the number of times of display of the special symbol 192 reaches a predetermined number of end conditions, for example, 100 times from the end of the special game. However, when the state changes to the probability changing state at the same time, as long as the probability changing state continues, the short time state and the easy entry state are continued. That is, it continues until the next big hit occurs.

  Thus, the end of the short time state and the easy entry state is determined according to the gaming state. In the short time state, the fluctuation pattern determining means 115 selects a fluctuation pattern having a short fluctuation time so that the fluctuation display time of the special symbol 192 is substantially shortened. However, in a normal state, a variation pattern table corresponding to the number of holds of the result of lottery determination by the hold control unit 116 is referred to, and a change pattern with a long variation time is likely to appear as the number of hold by the hold control unit 116 decreases. In the easy entry state, the normal symbol time is shortened, the normal symbol probability change, and the expansion mechanism 63 is opened and extended. On the other hand, the probability variation state is continued until a special game with the next jackpot is executed. During the probable change state, the probability that the success / failure determination result by the success / failure lottery means 112 is a big hit is maintained at a high value.

  The opening / closing control means 124 controls the opening / closing of the ordinary electric accessory at the start opening 62 and the special winning opening 66. When the normal symbol is stopped at a specific symbol, the opening / closing control unit 124 sends an opening instruction to the ordinary electric accessory solenoid 76 to open the start port 62. Further, the opening / closing control means 124 sends an opening instruction to the special winning opening solenoid 80 during the special game, and opens the special winning opening 66.

  The pattern storage unit 130 holds a plurality of variation effect patterns in which the display process of the symbol variation effect of the decorative symbol 190 by the reel unit 60 is defined. In the variation effect pattern, a variation process (that is, a variation process of a plurality of rows of reels) from the start to the end of variation of each symbol of the decorative symbol 190 including three columns of symbols is defined.

  The effect determination unit 132 selects a variation effect pattern corresponding to the variation pattern of the special symbol determined by the variation pattern determination unit 115 based on the result of the success / failure lottery received from the success / failure lottery unit 112. Then, the selected variation effect pattern is read from the pattern storage unit 130, and information on the variation effect pattern is sent to the effect display control unit 134. The effect determining means 132 holds a pattern table that should be referred to in order to select a variable effect pattern.

  Each variation effect pattern has a variation time for each pattern as an end condition of the symbol variation, and the symbol variation is stopped when the variation time elapses. The effect determining means 132 selects a change effect pattern having the same change time according to the change pattern of the special symbol.

  The symbol form determining means 131 determines the combination of stop symbols of the decorative symbol 190 and their arrangement according to the result of the success / failure lottery by the success / failure lottery 112, depending on the special symbol stop symbol, the special symbol variation pattern, and the decorative symbol variation effect pattern. To decide. The symbol form determination unit 131 transmits information indicating the determined combination of stop symbols to the effect display control unit 134. The symbol form determining means 131 holds a symbol determination table to be referred to in order to determine the stop symbol of the decorative symbol.

  The stop symbol of the decorative symbol 190 is formed as a combination of three symbols. In this embodiment, when the result of the success / failure determination by the success / failure lottery means 112 indicates a shift to a special game of 15R jackpot, any one of “111”, “222”, “333”, “444” and “555” is selected. A specific combination in which three symbols are aligned on the active line is selected. In this embodiment, if the result of the lottery determination is a big hit with a probability change (also referred to as “probable big hit”), any one of “111”, “333” and “555”, that is, three symbols are odd symbols. The combination that is aligned with is selected. On the other hand, if the winning / failing lottery result is a big hit (also referred to as “ordinary big hit”) that does not involve a probability change, “222” or “444”, that is, a combination in which three symbols are even-numbered symbols is selected. When the determination result is 2R big hit or small hit, a predetermined combination in which the odd symbols or even symbols that are either “135” or “246” are arranged in ascending order from the left is selected. That is, the specific combination of 2R big hit and small hit in the present embodiment is not a combination of three symbols. When the determination result is neither big hit nor small hit, it is a combination in which three symbols such as “312” and “546” are not arranged, and a specific combination selected at the time of 2R big hit or small hit A combination that does not apply is selected. When the determination result is not 15R big hit, and a variation pattern indicating a loss with reach is selected, a combination having only one symbol such as “151” or “323” is selected. . In the present embodiment, “cherry symbol” is arranged as a constituent symbol only for the middle symbol 193 as a symbol for executing the pre-reading effect. The pre-reading effect in which the cherry symbol is repeatedly stopped at the central effective line is suggested to indicate that the winning lottery result with a high expectation level is put on hold. The specific configuration of the decorative pattern 190 will be described later. The effect determining unit 132 sends the stop symbol combination of the decorative symbol 190 and the variation pattern data of the decorative symbol to the effect display control unit 134.

  The effect display control means 134 drives each reel of the reel unit 60 according to the selected variation effect pattern data as a result of the success / failure lottery by the success / failure lottery means 112, and variably displays the decorative symbols. The effect display control means 134 starts a new symbol variation when a variation start command for the decorative symbol 190 is received. The effect display control means 134 further controls effect processing such as lighting and extinguishing of the game effect lamp 90 and sound output from the speaker 18.

  The position determination unit 136 determines the position of each reel in the rotation direction of the reel unit 60 (corresponding to a symbol positioned on the effective line on which the determination result is shown). The position of each reel is determined by detecting any detection piece associated with each symbol in each reel by a position detection sensor provided in the main body of the reel unit 60. It will be described later.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing in detail a variation pattern table for detachment. In the variation pattern table 210 of this figure, the range of the pattern lottery value associated with the variation pattern is different for each number of holds. Specifically, the smaller the number of holds, the wider the range of pattern lottery values assigned to variation patterns with relatively long variation times, and the probability that variation patterns with long variation times will be selected is increased. . Therefore, the average fluctuation time becomes longer as the number of holdings by the holding control means 116 is smaller. Therefore, when the number of holds by the hold control means 116 is less than a predetermined number, for example, 1 to 2, the selection probability of the change pattern having a long change time becomes higher than usual, and the change time tends to be relatively long.

  The first column 212 shows the correspondence between the pattern lottery value range and the variation pattern when the number of holds as a result of the lottery determination by the hold control means 116 is one. Similarly, in the second column 214, the third column 216, and the fourth column 218, the correspondence between the pattern lottery value range and the variation pattern in the case where the number of holdings as a result of the lottery determination by the holding control means 116 is 2, 3, and 4, respectively. The relationship is shown. That is, it can be considered that the first column 212, the second column 214, the third column 216, and the fourth column 218 indicate the variation pattern table for each number of holds. In this figure, an example will be described in which a plurality of variation patterns that can be selected at the time of deviation are classified into five types according to variation time, but actually, a plurality of variation effect patterns are prepared for each of these classifications. This is equivalent to the fact that dozens of types of variation effect patterns are associated with the lottery value ranges for each category. In order to compare the ratio of each pattern lottery value range in the second column 214, the third column 216, and the fourth column 218 in this figure with the ratio of the pattern lottery value range in the first column 212, Broken lines indicating the ratio of the pattern lottery value range are drawn in the second column 214, the third column 216, and the fourth column 218.

  The first range 222 includes any of the first column 212, the second column 214, the third column 216, and the fourth column 218 as a variation pattern when the lottery value corresponds to a pattern lottery value from 0 to 10. A super reach variation pattern of “super 1” is associated. The second range 224 includes any of the first column 212, the second column 214, the third column 216, and the fourth column 218 as a variation pattern when the lottery value corresponds to a pattern lottery value from 11 to 20. A super reach variation pattern of “super 2” is associated. Thus, in the case of the pattern lottery value with the lottery value from 0 to 10 and the pattern lottery value with the lottery value from 11 to 20, the variation pattern having the same variation time is selected regardless of the number of holdings.

  The third range 226 includes normal reach in the first column 212, the second column 214, the third column 216, and the fourth column 218 as a variation pattern when the lottery value corresponds to a pattern lottery value from 21 to 255, respectively. “Normal 1”, “Normal 2”, and “Reach without reach” are associated with each other. However, the range of pattern lottery values associated with each variation pattern varies depending on the number of holds. In the first column 212, the sizes of the lottery value ranges to which “normal 1”, “normal 2”, and “no reach” are associated are approximately equal, and the ranges obtained by dividing 21 to 255 into approximately three equal portions are associated with each other. Yes. On the other hand, in the second column 214, the size of the lottery value range associated with “normal 1” and “normal 2” is smaller than the lottery value range associated with “no reach”. Further, in the third column 216 and the fourth column 218, the size of the lottery value range associated with each of “normal 1” and “normal 2” is further reduced.

  The fluctuation time of “Normal 1” and “Normal 2” may be longer than the fluctuation time of “Out of reach”, and in the case of “Out of reach”, the fluctuation time may be shortened like a short time state. Depending on the setting contents of the third range 226, the average variation time varies. The pattern lottery value range for “Normal 1” and “Normal 2” decreases as the number of holds increases from 0 to 1, 2, 3, 4, and conversely the pattern lottery value range for “out of reach” increases. Therefore, the average fluctuation time becomes shorter as the number of holds increases, and conversely, the average change time becomes longer as the number of holds decreases. In this way, by using a variation pattern table in which the correspondence between the pattern lottery value range and the variation pattern is different for each number of holdings, control that makes it easy to select a variation pattern with a long variation time when the number of holdings decreases is realized. be able to.

  The variation pattern of “out of reach” associated with the third column 216 has a shorter variation time than the “out of reach” associated with the first column 212 and the second column 214, so-called “shortening variation”. This is the fluctuation pattern. Further, the fluctuation pattern of “out of reach” associated with the fourth column 218 has a shorter variation time than the “out of reach” associated with the first column 212 and the second column 214, and the third column This is a fluctuation pattern of so-called “super-shortening fluctuation” in which the fluctuation time is shorter than “216 shortening fluctuation”.

  Next, a specific configuration for detecting the position of each reel of the reel unit 60 and its position detection method will be described. 11 to 13 are explanatory diagrams showing the configuration of the reel unit. In each figure, the reel unit 60 extracted from the game board 50 is shown for convenience. FIG. 11A is a perspective view of the reel unit 60, and FIG. 11B is a perspective view of a reel device that constitutes the reel unit 60. FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the reel device. FIG. 13A is a front view of the reel device, and FIG. 13B is a side view of only the detected member 231 shown in FIG. 13A.

  As shown in FIG. 11A, the reel unit 60 is configured to accommodate a left reel device 201, a middle reel device 203, and a right reel device 205 in a rectangular case 200. Each reel device includes an individual reel and an actuator such as a motor for driving the reel. The case 200 contains an actuator for individually rotating each reel, and a sensor for detecting the position of each reel in the rotational direction. The drive current is supplied to the actuator, and the output of the sensor. A harness (not shown) for taking out a signal is drawn out to the outside. The harness is connected to the sub board 104 and the power supply unit 48.

  That is, the left reel device 201 includes a left reel 206a on which a left symbol 191 is disposed, the middle reel device 203 includes a middle reel 206b on which a middle symbol 193 is disposed, and the right reel device 205 includes a right symbol 195. It includes a right reel 206c provided. The three reels of the left reel 206a, the middle reel 206b, and the right reel 206c are arranged side by side in the case 200, and a part of the reels is supported so as to be exposed from the opening 211 on the front side of the case 200. . That is, each reel is arranged so that a part of its peripheral surface can be presented to the player. In the following description, when the left reel 206a, the middle reel 206b, and the right reel 206c are not particularly distinguished, they are collectively referred to as “reel 206” as appropriate.

  As shown in FIG. 11B, in each reel device (left reel device 201, middle reel device 203, and right reel device 205), a reel 206 is rotatably supported on a rotation shaft of a motor fixed to a base member 213. It is configured as described. Then, by fixing the base member 213 to the case 200, the left reel 206a, the middle reel 206b, and the right reel 206c are supported by the case 200 so that the rotation axes thereof are arranged on the same axis. Each reel device includes a position detection sensor 215 for detecting the position of each reel in the rotation direction.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the base member 213 is provided with a motor 217, a backlight 219, and a position detection sensor 215. The motor 217 is composed of a stepping motor, and is driven forward or backward by switching its energization direction. The backlight 219 has a main body with an arc-shaped cross section, and is configured to be lit or blinking in a plurality of colors when energized. The backlight 219 is disposed on the inner side of the reel 206, and is lit or blinked when a specific effect is performed to illuminate the reel 206 from the inner side. The position detection sensor 215 detects a detection piece, which will be described later, fixed to the reel 206. As will be described later, by detecting a plurality of detection pieces provided on the reel 206, it is possible to detect the position of the reel 206 in the rotational direction, and thus the symbol presented to the player.

  The reel 206 has a cylindrical reel body 207 having translucency, and is formed by being stuck so as to wind a reel tape 208 along the outer peripheral surface of the reel body 207. As will be described later, a plurality of symbols (numerical symbols “1” to “5”, cherry symbols, blank symbols “*”, etc.) are printed on the reel tape 208 in the longitudinal direction. The plurality of symbols are printed at equal intervals (every 30 degrees) along the outer peripheral surface of the reel body 207. The reel 206 is provided with a cross-shaped beam 220 so as to bridge one opening in the diametrical direction, and a cylindrical shaft 221 is formed at the center of the beam 220. The reel 206 is rotatably supported by the motor 217 by fixing the cylindrical shaft 221 to the rotation shaft of the motor 217. The reel 206 is disposed so as to surround the motor 217 and the backlight 219. Since the reel body 207 has translucency, the lighting or blinking mode of the backlight 219 is provided in a form that decorates the reel 206.

  Three detected members 231, 232, and 233 are attached to the reel 206. Each detected member is formed by processing a plate-like member into a cross shape. The detected member is provided with arms 234 extending radially outward from the center thereof every 90 degrees, and a detection piece 235 is projected on one side surface of the tip of each arm 234. That is, each detection member is provided with four detection pieces 235, and the detection member 231, the detection member 232, and the detection member 233 are assembled to the reel body 207 in this order.

  As shown in FIG. 13A, the detected member 231 is assembled to the reel body 207 along the beam 220. The four detection pieces 235 of the member to be detected 231 extend to the position detection sensor 215 side through insertion holes that penetrate the beam 220 in the thickness direction. The detected member 232 is attached so as to be shifted by 30 degrees with respect to the detected member 231, and the detected member 233 is attached so as to be further shifted by 30 degrees with respect to the detected member 232. As a result, as shown in the figure, twelve detection pieces 235 provided on the three detected members 231, 232, 233 are arranged at equal intervals (every 30 degrees) along the circumference where the position detection sensor 215 is located. Be placed.

  As shown in FIG. 13B, the position detection sensor 215 includes a transmissive photosensor having a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion, and each detection piece 235 is positioned between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion to receive light. When the light reception by the unit is interrupted, the corresponding detection piece 235 is detected. Since the twelve detection pieces 235 have shapes with different light shielding positions, the effect display control means 134 can determine which detection piece 235 is detected, that is, the position in the rotation direction of the reel 206. On the other hand, since the positional relationship is set such that one of the symbols is positioned on an effective line, which will be described later, when each detection piece is detected, the effect display control means 134 uses the detection information of the position detection sensor 215. It can be determined which symbol arranged on the reel 206 is located on the effective line. In the modified example, the widths of the twelve detection pieces 235 are made different so that the respective light shielding times with respect to the rotation speed of the motor 217 are different, and which detection piece 235 is detected based on the light shielding time, and thus You may make it determine which symbol was located on the effective line.

  FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating a detection method using a position detection sensor. (A)-(c) is explanatory drawing which shows the specific example of the detection method by the position detection sensor 215, respectively. That is, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14 (a), the symbols of the detection piece 235 to symbol number 12 for detecting that the symbol of symbol number 1 has reached the first effective line L1 are the first effective line. A total of twelve detection pieces 235 of detection pieces 235 for detecting the arrival at L1 are provided, and the length of each detection piece (the length of the portion that blocks light from the light emitting portion: “light shielding length”). Is also different). As illustrated, the position detection sensor 215 includes 12 light emitting elements and 12 light receiving elements corresponding thereto. Since light is emitted from each light emitting element toward the opposite light receiving element, the light receiving element can receive the light unless the light is blocked. For this reason, for example, when the detection piece corresponding to the symbol of symbol number 1 is positioned on the first effective line L1, the light from one light emitting element is shielded, and the detection piece corresponding to the symbol of symbol number 3 is the first effective line. When positioned at L1, light from the three light emitting elements is shielded. The effect display control means 134 determines which symbol is positioned on the effective line by determining the light shielding state (or the light receiving state) when the detection piece 235 reaches the effective line from the detection state of the light receiving element. can do.

  In the modification, a different detection method may be employed. For example, as shown in FIG. 14B, through holes are provided in different modes in the length direction of each detection piece so that the light-shielding mode (combination of light-shielding positions: also referred to as “light-shielding pattern”) by each detection piece is different. May be. In the illustrated example, the position detection sensor 215 includes four light emitting elements and four corresponding light receiving elements. The through hole in each detection piece is provided in accordance with any of a plurality of optical paths connecting the light emitting element and the light receiving element. For this reason, for example, when the detection piece corresponding to the symbol of symbol number 1 is positioned on the first effective line L1, all the light from the four light emitting elements is detected on the light receiving element side. Further, when the detection piece corresponding to the symbol of symbol number 3 is positioned on the first effective line L1, light from the three light emitting elements is received (light at a specific one position is blocked). The effect display control means 134 determines which pattern is located on the effective line by determining the pattern of the light shielding position (or the light receiving position) when the detection piece 235 reaches the effective line from the detection state of the light receiving element. Can be determined.

  Or as shown in FIG.14 (c), what has a different transmittance | permeability of light may be used as each detection piece, and the transmittance | permeability by each detection piece may differ. Even in this way, the effect display control means 134 determines which pattern is effective by determining the transmittance (the amount of transmitted light or the intensity of light) when any of the detection pieces 235 reaches the effective line. It can be determined whether it is located on the line.

  Next, the characteristic configuration and operation of the present embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, as described above, every time a lottery value is put on hold, a pre-determination is performed by pre-reading, and when the result is a specific result, the pre-reading is repeatedly stopped on the central effective line. By displaying the performance, it is suggested to the player that the degree of expectation is high. Hereinafter, a configuration and a control method for executing the prefetch effect will be described.

  FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing the correspondence between the symbol arrangement and symbol number in each reel. The effect determining means 132 manages the design of each reel with the design number, and specifies the stop design of the decorative design 190 by the combination of the design number. In the present embodiment, symbol numbers “1” to “12” are set. When the reel 206 is rotated forward in normal symbol variation control, symbols are displayed on the active line in the order of symbol numbers “1” to “12” (see arrows in the diagram).

  As shown in the figure, for the left symbol 191, a numeric symbol “1” is assigned to the symbol number “1”, a blank symbol “*” is assigned to the symbol number “2”, and a numeric symbol “3” is assigned to the symbol number “3”. 2 ”, and so on. That is, in the left symbol 191, numeric symbols are associated with symbol numbers in ascending order, and blank symbols are set between the numeric symbols as described above. However, since the cherry symbol is provided for the middle symbol 193, the symbol number “11” of the left symbol 191 is associated with the numeric symbol “3”. That is, two number symbols “3” are arranged in the left symbol 191.

  For the middle symbol 193, a blank symbol “*” for symbol number “1”, a numeric symbol “4” for symbol number “2”, a blank symbol “*” for symbol number “3”,.・ It is associated with such a condition. That is, the middle symbol 193 is also associated with the symbol number in ascending order with respect to the symbol number, but the symbol number “6” is associated with a cherry symbol imitating cherry. A blank symbol is set between the numeric symbols and between the numeric symbol and the cherry symbol, and the corresponding relationship is different from that of the left symbol 191.

  For the right symbol 195, the symbol number “3” for the symbol number “1”, the blank symbol “*” for the symbol number “2”, the numeral symbol “5” for the symbol number “3”,.・ It is associated with such a condition. That is, in the right symbol 195, numeric symbols are associated with symbol numbers in descending order, and a blank symbol is set between the numeric symbols. However, because the cherry symbol is provided for the middle symbol 193, the symbol symbol “1” of the right symbol 195 is associated with the numeric symbol “3”. That is, two numeric symbols “3” are also arranged on the right symbol 195. The left symbol 191 and the middle symbol 193 are arranged in ascending order as described above, while the right symbol 195 is arranged in descending order in order to form a plurality of effective lines (form a multiline). It is.

  FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing a decorative symbol variation control method when executing a prefetch effect. FIGS. 9A to 9D show an example of the process of changing the decorative pattern. As shown in FIG. 16A, in the reel unit 60, the left symbol 191, the right symbol 195, and the middle symbol 193 are sequentially changed as the left reel 206a, the right reel 206c, and the middle reel 206b are rotationally driven individually. Is displayed. In the symbol row of each reel, three symbols can be displayed in the upper, middle, and lower rows, and as shown in the figure, a line (effective line) that can display the result of winning / failing lottery by combining the three rows of symbols. Are formed. That is, the first effective line L1 that is the middle horizontal line, the second effective line L2 that is the upper horizontal line, the third effective line L3 that is the lower horizontal line, the fourth effective line L4 that is the diagonal line, and the fifth An effective line L5 is formed. For this reason, even if the winning symbol combination is displayed on any effective line, the big hit is shown. However, when a blank symbol “*” is displayed on the active line, the active line does not function as a line indicating the result of the lottery. That is, as described above, the blank symbol “*” functions as a symbol that limits the effective line.

  In this embodiment, when it is determined that a specific result is suspended by a pre-determined pre-determined valid period during symbol variation, as illustrated in FIG. 16B and FIG. A cherry symbol is displayed at the center position where each active line intersects when the fluctuation stops. This cherry symbol suggests to the player that the winning lottery result with a high expectation level is put on hold by the display. A continuous effect (prefetch effect) for repeatedly stopping the cherry symbol for each symbol variation is executed after the next variation until the change before the hold that triggers the start of the prefetch effect is exhausted. When the hold that triggered the start of the pre-reading effect is a big hit, for example, as shown in FIG. 16D, it is shown that the decorative symbol 190 is a big hit by stopping the three rows of symbols with the same type of symbols. It is.

  Next, the content of the correction variation executed during the symbol variation will be described. In the present embodiment, as described above, the decorative symbol 190 is displayed in a variable manner according to the variable effect pattern, and the symbol variation is performed in order to stop the three rows of symbols (left symbol 191, right symbol 195, middle symbol 193) sequentially. In the process, correction variation for position correction is performed. Hereinafter, a configuration and a control method therefor will be described.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram schematically illustrating a correction table used when executing the correction variation. The effect determining unit 132 refers to the illustrated correction table when determining a correction variation pattern that determines the variation process of the correction variation. The numbers in the figure indicate the number of driving steps of the motor 217. In this embodiment, when each reel (left reel 206a, middle reel 206b, right reel 206c) is rotated in one direction, it is set to make one rotation in 504 steps. Therefore, the amount of rotation for rotating each reel by one symbol including a blank symbol is 42 steps.

  That is, in order to stop the stop symbol combination of the decorative symbol 190 determined by the symbol pattern determining means 131 on the active line when the variation stop command is received, the variation of the three columns of symbols in the correction period during the symbol variation. Correction fluctuation for adjusting the speed and the fluctuation amount is executed. This correction variation is started at a correction start timing set in advance for each variation effect pattern, and is completed before the symbol variation related to the variation effect pattern is stopped. The effect determining means 132 determines a correction variation pattern with reference to the illustrated correction table in order to incorporate the correction variation into the symbol variation according to the variation effect pattern. The correction variation pattern defines the reel rotation speed and the rotation amount at each rotation speed that are changed stepwise during the correction period. In this embodiment, a plurality of types of correction correction patterns are provided for each of the basic correction table and the lottery correction table. A correction variation pattern is provided. The correction variation pattern of the present embodiment is set so that the symbol variation speed changes in three stages during the correction period.

  When determining the correction variation pattern, the effect determining unit 132 follows the stop symbol combination of the decorative symbol 190 determined by the symbol pattern determining unit 131, and the three columns of symbols (left symbol 191, middle symbol 193, right symbol 195). For each, a stop symbol (also referred to as “scheduled stop symbol”) constituting the stop symbol combination is specified. Then, for each of the three rows of symbols, the number of symbols to be displayed on the active line during the correction period is calculated from the symbol number of the symbol scheduled to be stopped and the symbol number of the symbol currently displayed on the active line at the start of correction fluctuation. A certain number of correction symbols is calculated. Subsequently, a correction variation pattern is determined with reference to the correction table in accordance with the correction symbol. Then, the rotation amount at each stage in the determined correction variation pattern is set as the correction rotation amount at each stage of the correction period.

  Specifically, as shown in the drawing, in the correction table, correction variation patterns PT1 to PT12 are associated with the number of correction symbols “0” to “11”. Here, the “number of corrected symbols” means the difference in the number of symbols between the symbol positioned on the effective line at the start of the correction variation and the symbol to be stopped on the effective line. Therefore, the minimum symbol number difference is “0”, and the maximum symbol number difference is “11”. In each of the correction variation patterns of the present embodiment, the first stage rotational speed is set to a speed that requires 1.28 (ms) per step, and the second stage rotational speed is 1.92 (ms) per step. Is set to a speed that requires 2.56 (ms) per step. In other words, the rotation speed of the reel, that is, the symbol fluctuation speed is reduced at each stage. For example, the correction variation pattern PT1 corresponding to the correction symbol number “0” is determined so that the first stage is 27 steps, the second stage is 24 steps, and the third stage is 453 steps. The correction variation pattern PT12 corresponding to the correction symbol number “11” is determined such that the first stage is 962 steps, the second stage is 2 steps, and the third stage is 2 steps. As a tendency, the larger the number of corrected symbols, the longer the stay time in the first stage, and the shorter the stay time in the second stage and the third stage. In other words, the higher the number of correction symbols, the longer the time for high speed rotation and the shorter the time for low speed rotation.

  For example, the decorative symbol 190 indicating the result of the lottery determination is determined, the symbol to be stopped as the left symbol 191 is “1” of symbol number 1, and the left symbol 191 displayed on the active line at the start of the correction variation is the symbol When the number is “4”, the number of corrected symbols is 6 symbols (see FIG. 15). Therefore, the effect determination means 132 selects the correction variation pattern PT7 corresponding to 6 symbols, which is the number of correction symbols to be adjusted by the correction variation pattern. In this embodiment, even if any correction fluctuation pattern is selected, the total operation time of the left reel 206a is set to be constant (145.36 (ms)). The same applies to the middle symbol 193 and the right symbol 195. Therefore, the overall correction time of the decorative pattern 190 is constant. In the modification, the total correction time of each reel may be different depending on the number of correction symbols.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram conceptually showing a breakdown of the symbol variation processing along the variation effect pattern. FIG. 18A shows a case where normal fluctuation is performed in a normal state (non-time-short state), FIG. 18B shows a case where normal fluctuation is performed in a time-short state, and FIG. FIG. 18 (d) shows a case where a super shortening change is performed in a normal state. “Stop” in the figure indicates a “stop transition period” in which a constant speed fluctuation time after correction in which a constant speed fluctuation is made after correction fluctuation and a deceleration fluctuation time in which the constant speed fluctuation is stopped are combined. .

  As shown in the figure, regardless of whether or not the gaming state is a short-time state, and whether the symbol variation is a normal variation, a shortening variation, or a super shortening variation, the symbol position is preceded by the symbol variation period. This change is made without specifying, and a correction change is made later. In this embodiment, the period of the main variation is set as the “prefetch effective period”, and when a specific result is suspended during the prefetch effective period, the cherry pattern is centered when the pattern variation is stopped without waiting for the next variation. The prefetching production to be stopped is started. In other words, even if a specific result is suspended during the correction period, the cherry symbol is not stopped from the time when the symbol variation is stopped, and the pre-reading effect is started from the next variation. In this way, the prefetch effective period is set before the symbol variation, so that the prefetching effect can be started from the very symbol variation where the specific result is reserved. In this embodiment, since the correction period is constant as described above, the total time of the correction period and the stop transition period is constant. For this reason, by making the end timing of the stop transition period coincide with the variable stop timing and setting the correction period and the stop transition period as late as possible in the symbol variation period, the prefetch effective period can be secured as long as possible. ing.

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a basic operation process in the pachinko gaming machine. First, processing is performed when a game ball enters the start port 62, the general winning port 72, the big winning port 66, etc. (S10). A game control process is executed (S14), and if it is not in a normal game (N in S12), a special game control process (S16) or a small hit game control process is executed (S17), and a winning process in S10 In accordance with the number of prize balls set at, prize ball payout according to various winnings is processed (S18).

  FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing in detail the winning process of S10 in FIG. When there is a ball in the starting port 62 (Y in S20), the number of prize balls corresponding to the starting port 62 is set (S22), and it is referred to whether or not the holding number by the holding control means 116 is less than 4. If it is in a state where further hold is possible (Y in S24), the winning / not-lotting value is acquired (S26). A pre-judgment process for determining whether or not to win is executed based on the winning or failing lottery value (S28), and the winning or failing lottery value is held in the holding control means 116 (S30). If there is no ball entering the starting port 62 in S20, the processing from S22 to S30 is skipped (N in S20). If the number of holds reaches the upper limit in S24 and further holding is impossible, the processing from S26 to S30 is skipped (N in S24).

  If there is a winning at the general winning opening 72 (Y of S32), the number of winning balls corresponding to the general winning opening 72 is set (S34), and if there is no winning at the general winning opening 72, S34 is skipped. (N in S32). If there is a ball in the big prize opening 66 (Y of S36), the number of prize balls corresponding to the big prize slot 66 is set (S38), and if there is no ball in the big prize slot 66, S38 is skipped. (N in S36).

  FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing in detail the advance determination process of S28 in FIG. First, a preliminary success / failure determination is performed with reference to the preliminary design determination table (S40), a value indicating the target range is set as the determination result (S42), and a preliminary design determination is performed with reference to the preliminary design determination table. (S44), a value indicating the symbol range is set as the determination result (S46), the preliminary pattern determination is executed with reference to the preliminary pattern determination table (S48), and a value indicating the pattern range is set as the determination result. (S50). The value of the pre-determination result set as described above is temporarily stored together with the number of suspensions, and is transmitted to the symbol form determining means 131 and the effect determining means 132 of the sub-board 104 (S52).

  FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing an overall process of the normal game control process of S14 in FIG. In this normal game control process, the pre-reading process in the sub-board 104 is executed (S250), the special symbol changing process in the main board 102 (S252), and the decorative symbol changing process in the sub-board 104 (S254) are repeated. Will be processed.

  FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing in detail the prefetching process of S250 in FIG. Based on information obtained by so-called prefetching, the criteria such as what kind of production is executed in the sub-board 104 and what kind of result the prior determination result is executed according to the result are Pachinko game Various methods are conceivable depending on the design of game play in the machine 10. In the present embodiment, the sub-board 104 side recognizes in advance that the variation pattern of “Super 1” has been selected based on the result of the pre-determination process, and the fact that the expectation of the big hit is high due to the pre-reading effect. I will suggest.

  When the effect determining means 132 of the sub-board 104 receives the pre-determined result from the main board 102 (Y in S260), it is the pre-reading valid period (Y in S262), and the effect display control means 134 has received the pre-determined result. Based on the information on the range, the pattern range, and the number of reservations, the number of reservations at that time is the number of reservations in which the symbol variation is secured more than the number of times necessary for execution of the pre-reading effect (Y in S264). If the value of the success / failure range set by 1 is “1” and the value of the pattern range is “4”, that is, the big hit is confirmed regardless of whether or not the probability variation state, and “Super 1” is accompanied (Y in S266) ), Advance effect setting is turned on (S272). On the other hand, even if the value of the success / failure range is different from this (N in S266), if the value of the success / failure range set by the prior determination is “3” and the value of the pattern range is “1”, that is, it is out of place. Even if “Super 1” is involved, the advance effect setting is turned on (S272).

  If the value of the success / failure range and the value of the pattern range do not correspond in S268 (N of S268), S272 is skipped. If it is not the prefetch effective period (N of S262), the processing from S264 to S272 is skipped. When the number of holds is less than the predetermined number (N in S264), the processing from S266 to S272 is skipped. In the present embodiment, since 1 is set as the number of reservations in S264, S264 can be omitted. If the result of the pre-determination process has not been received, the entire flow in this figure is skipped (N in S260). In the example of this figure, it is determined whether or not the pre-effect setting should be turned on based on the success / failure range and the pattern range set in advance. As a modification, it may be determined whether or not the pre-effect setting should be turned on using any information of the success / failure range and the pattern range sent as the pre-judgment result, and whether or not the pre-effect setting is turned on. You may decide by lottery separately. In the present embodiment, an example is shown in which the pre-effect setting is turned on when the result of the success / failure determination is a big hit regardless of whether it is normal or the probability change, i.e., when the big hit is confirmed, In such a case, the pre-effect setting may be turned on when it is a small hit. Alternatively, the pre-effect setting may be turned on at the time of 15R big hit or 2R big hit.

  FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing in detail the special symbol variation process of S252 in FIG. If the symbol variation display has not yet started (N in S60), if the winning / notifying lottery value is being held by the holding control means 116 (Y in S70), the winning / notifying lottery means 112 is determined from the holding control means 116 to determine whether or not the lottery is true Is read again to determine whether or not the special symbol 192 is correct (S72), the symbol determining unit 114 determines the special symbol 192 (S74), and the variation pattern determining unit 115 determines the variation pattern of the special symbol 192 (S76). A variation start command is transmitted to the sub-board 104 together with the determined result, and the symbol variation of the special symbol 192 is started (S77). If the lottery value is not held by the hold control means 116, the processing from S72 to S77 is skipped (N in S70).

  When the symbol variation display has already been started (Y in S60), the symbol variation display of the special symbol is processed (S78), and when the predetermined variation time has passed and the symbol display stop timing is reached (S80) Y), a variation stop command is transmitted to the sub-board 104, and the symbol variation being displayed is stopped at a predetermined stop symbol (S82), and the flow of this diagram ends. If the symbol display stop timing has not been reached (N in S80), the process of S82 is skipped and the flow of this figure is terminated.

  FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing in detail the decorative symbol variation process of S254 in FIG. When the effect determining means 132 of the sub-board 104 receives the change start command from the main board 102 (Y in S280), the stop pattern of the decorative symbol is determined according to the received special symbol stop symbol, the variation pattern, and the result of the determination. (S282) and a new variation effect pattern is determined (S284). Here, if the pre-effect setting is on (Y in S286), if the change is the trigger for the pre-effect setting (Y in S288), the pre-effect setting is returned to off (S289). On the other hand, if the fluctuation is not the trigger for the pre-effect setting (N in S288), the pre-read effect is set as the notice effect (S290). If the pre-effect setting is not turned on in S286 (N in S286), the processing from S288 to S290 is skipped. Thereafter, the decorative symbol variation display is started, and the determined notice effect is started (S292). When the change start command is not received from the main board 102 (N in S280), S282 to S292 are skipped.

  If the variation display of the decorative symbol has already started (Y in S294), if the pre-effect setting is turned on during the change (Y in S296), the pre-reading effect is displayed even if the notice effect has already been determined. Setting is made (S298). If the pre-effect setting is not turned on during the change (N in S296), S298 is skipped. Then, display processing of symbol variation and notice effect is executed (S300), and when a variation stop command is received from the main board 102 (Y in S302), the decorative symbol is displayed in the stop mode determined in S282, S290, or S298. The variable display is stopped by stopping the display (S304). When the change stop command has not been received from the main board 102, S304 is skipped (N in S302), and when the change display has not started (N in S294), S300 to S304 are skipped.

  FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing in detail the special game control process of S16 in FIG. If the result of the lottery is a big hit (Y in S90), the special game has already started (Y in S92), and the grand prize opening 66 has not been opened (N in S98), the big prize opening The release process 66 is executed (S100). At this time, display of the set jackpot effect is also started. If the big prize opening 66 has been opened (Y of S98), the closing process of the big prize opening 66 is executed (S102). As a result, if the special winning opening 66 is closed (Y in S104), the process proceeds to S106. If it is not in the closed state (N in S104), the process after S106 is skipped, and this process is temporarily ended. On the other hand, if the special game has not started in S92 (N in S92), the special game is started (S94), the display of the start demonstration effect is started (S96), and this process is temporarily ended.

  In S106, it is determined whether or not a demonstration production, which is a production during a special game, is being performed. Note that the “demonstration effect” here includes a start demonstration effect and an end demonstration effect. If the demonstration is not in progress (N in S106), it is determined whether or not a special game end condition is satisfied with reference to an end flag described later (S110), and if the special game end condition is satisfied (S110). Y) After the end flag is turned off (S112), display of the end demonstration effect is started (S114). If the special game end condition is not satisfied (N in S110), this process is temporarily ended. If it is determined in S106 that the demonstration effect is being performed (Y in S106), and the end demonstration effect is completed (Y in S116), the special game is terminated (S118), and the specific game, that is, the probability change, the time reduction, and the entry The easy state is started (S120). If the end demonstration effect has not ended (N in S116), the processes in S118 and S120 are skipped. If it is not a big hit (N in S90), the flow after S92 in this figure is skipped.

  FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing in detail the release process of S100 in FIG. When the opening timing of the special winning opening 66 based on the set opening / closing pattern is reached (Y in S122), the opening / closing control means 124 uniformly turns off the passage flag and sets the operation of the opening / closing pattern (S124). The special winning opening 66 is opened (S126). In addition, a big hit effect corresponding to the number of repetitions of the current unit game or a big hit effect corresponding to the number of repetitions being different is set and started. When it is not the opening timing (N of S122), the processes of S124 and S126 are skipped.

  FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing in detail the closing process of S102 in FIG. When the closing timing of the special winning opening 66 based on the set opening / closing pattern is reached, the open / close control means 124 closes the special winning opening 66. That is, during a special game, whether the end condition based on the number of balls is satisfied (Y in S130) or the end condition based on the number of balls is not satisfied (N in S130), the end condition based on the opening time is satisfied ( (Y of S132), the special winning opening 66 is closed (S134). If the termination condition based on the opening time is not satisfied (N in S132), the flow after S134 is skipped.

  The end condition based on the number of balls in the 15R jackpot is 10 or more balls entering the grand prize opening 66, and the end condition based on the opening time is a set time according to the opening / closing pattern from the opening start of the big prize opening 66. It is progress. In the case of 15R big hit, 30 seconds have elapsed since the start of opening, and in the case of 2R big hit, 0.5 seconds have elapsed since the start of opening. However, since the opening for 0.5 seconds is extremely short, it is difficult to enter more than 10 balls as well as to enter the ball itself. Even if a game ball is launched at the same time as the opening of the grand prize opening, it is difficult to enter the game, so it is predicted that the 2R big hit will be opened before the grand prize opening 66 is opened. It is necessary to launch a game ball. On the other hand, the end condition based on the number of balls in the 15R jackpot is 10 or more balls entering the grand prize opening, and the end condition based on the opening time is 30 seconds from the start of opening the big prize opening 66. At this time, if the maximum number of continuations has been reached (Y in S136), the end flag is turned on (S138). If the maximum number of continuations has not been reached (N in S136), the process in S138 is skipped. In this embodiment, the upper limit number of continuations is 15 times. If neither the end condition based on the number of entered balls nor the end condition based on the opening time is satisfied (N in S130, N in S132), the processes after S134 are skipped.

  FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing in detail the small hit game control process of S17 in FIG. If the result of the lottery is a small hit (Y in S150), the small hit game has already started (Y in S152), and the big winning opening 66 has not been opened (N in S158). A process for opening the winning opening 66 is executed (S160), and if it is already opened (Y in S158), a closing process for the big winning opening 66 is executed (S162). As a result, if the special winning opening 66 is closed (Y in S164), the process proceeds to S166. If it is not in the closed state (N of S164), the process after S166 is skipped and this process is temporarily ended. On the other hand, if the small hit game has not started in S152 (N in S152), the small hit game is started (S154), and the display of the start demonstration effect similar to the 2R big hit is started (S156). Exit once.

  In S166, it is determined whether or not a demonstration effect which is an effect during the small hit game is being performed. If the demonstration effect is not in progress (N in S166), it is determined whether or not the small hit game end condition is satisfied. Here, if an end flag, which will be described later, is on, the small hit game end condition is satisfied. If the small hit game end condition is satisfied (Y in S170), the end flag is turned off (S172), and the display of the end demonstration effect is started (S174). If the small hit game ending condition is not satisfied (N in S170), this process is temporarily ended. When it is determined in S166 that the demonstration effect is being performed (Y in S166) and the end demonstration effect is completed (Y in S176), the small hit game is terminated (S178). If the end demonstration effect has not ended (N in S176), the process of S178 is skipped. If it is not a small hit (N in S150), the flow after S152 in this figure is skipped.

  FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing in detail the release process of S160 in FIG. When it is the opening timing of the big winning opening 66 based on the set opening / closing pattern (Y in S180), the opening / closing control means 124 sets the operation of the opening / closing pattern (S182) and starts opening the big winning opening 66. (S184). When it is not the opening timing (N of S180), the processing of S182 and S184 is skipped.

  FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing in detail the closing process of S162 in FIG. When the end timing of the special winning opening 66 based on the set opening / closing pattern is reached (Y in S190), the end flag is turned on (S192), and the special winning opening 66 is closed (S194). This closing timing is the timing when 0.5 seconds have elapsed since the opening of the special winning opening 66. If it is not the closing timing (N of S190), the processes of S192 and S194 are skipped.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the prefetch effective period is provided before the symbol variation period, and the correction period is provided after the symbol change period. Accordingly, a period for determining whether to start a prefetching effect for stopping the cherry symbol from the symbol variation while securing a necessary correction variation period including the case where the prefetching effect is not performed in the symbol variation. Is secured. That is, by setting the prefetch effective period and the correction period in the symbol variation period, the prefetch effect can be started quickly from the symbol variation without carrying over to the next variation, and the prefetch effect can be executed more effectively. It becomes like this.

[Example 2]
The pachinko gaming machine of the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the processing method for mainly executing the prefetch effect. Since other configurations and game methods are basically the same as those in the first embodiment, differences will be mainly described and description of common points will be omitted.

  In the present embodiment, unlike the correction table of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 17, the correction period based on the correction variation pattern is set to be different depending on the number of correction symbols (the difference in the number of symbols). That is, the correction period tends to become longer as the number of correction symbols increases. For this reason, the correction period may vary as it is, and there is a possibility that the prefetch effective period cannot be sufficiently secured especially in a gaming state where the variation time is short. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the number of reservations is 3 or more and the variation is shortened (3 retentions) or extremely shortened (4 retentions), the stop symbol pattern to be prepared is determined, Prepare a state in which the cherry pattern can be stopped quickly. Here, the “preparation eye” is a symbol that is shifted from the cherry symbol by one symbol as the middle symbol 193, and a symbol that does not form a big hit with the middle symbol 193 as the left symbol 191 and the right symbol 195. . In the modified example, the “preparation eye” may be a symbol that is shifted from the cherry symbol by two or more symbols as the middle symbol 193. In other words, any symbol can be used as long as it can stop the decorative symbol 190 within an error range with respect to the symbol variation time even if the variation is a shortened variation or a very shortened variation.

  FIG. 32 is a diagram illustrating a symbol stop state by a stop symbol pattern set as a preparation pattern in the second embodiment. For example, as shown in FIG. 32 (a), the symbol (blank symbol of symbol number “5”) presented immediately before the cherry symbol as the middle symbol 193 is stopped at the center of the effective line, and the left symbol 191 and The stop symbol pattern constituting the off symbol combination corresponds to the right symbol 195. 32 (b) to 32 (d) are also stop symbol patterns that form the preparatory stitches. In the present embodiment, as shown in the figure, the same symbol is stopped for the middle symbol 193, but a combination of a plurality of types of symbols is prepared for the left symbol 191 and the right symbol 195. The stop symbol pattern constituting this preparation eye is defined in a preset preliminary stop symbol table. That is, when this preparation item is designated, if the change is stopped as it is, the preparation item is displayed as stopped. However, if a specific result is suspended during the prefetch effective period, the preparation item The symbol 193 is moved so as to slide by one symbol, and the cherry symbol can be displayed at the center of the effective line.

  FIG. 33 is a flowchart illustrating a decorative pattern stop mode determination process according to the second embodiment. The process of S282 shown is executed as S282 of FIG. In other words, the symbol form determining means 131 determines whether or not the shortening variation is being performed when determining the decorative symbol stop mode. This shortening variation includes the above-described shortening variation and super-shortening variation, and whether or not the shortening variation is in progress can be determined by determining whether or not the number of reservations is three or more. If it is during the shortening variation (Y of S320), the preliminary stop symbol table is referred to (S322), and the preliminary stop symbol pattern to be prepared is determined (S324). On the other hand, if the change is not shortening (N in S320), the normal stop symbol table is referred to (S326), and the normal stop symbol pattern is determined (S328).

  Thus, the preparation period is prepared in advance, so that the correction period can be shortened, and thereby the prefetch effective period can be ensured even in the shortened variation state. As a result, it becomes possible to start the prefetch effect even in the shortened variation state. In the present embodiment, an example is shown in which a preparation is formed in a shortened variation state based on the number of holdings. However, a preparation may be formed in the same way even when the time is short.

[Example 3]
The pachinko gaming machine of the present embodiment is different from the first and second embodiments in the processing method for mainly performing the prefetching effect. Since other configurations and game methods are basically the same as those in the first and second embodiments, differences will be mainly described and description of common points will be omitted.

  Also in the present embodiment, like the second embodiment, unlike the correction table of the first embodiment, the correction period based on the correction variation pattern is set to be different depending on the number of correction symbols (design number difference). That is, the correction period tends to become longer as the number of correction symbols increases. For this reason, there are variations in the correction period as they are, and especially in a gaming state in which the variation time is short, it is assumed that there is not enough time to stop the cherry symbol even if the pre-reading effect has already been started. Is done. Therefore, in this embodiment, the position of the currently displayed symbol and the cherry symbol when the number of reservations is 3 or more and the variation is shortened (3 retentions) or extremely shortened (4 retentions). From the relationship, it is determined whether or not the cherry symbol can be stopped at the center of the active line. If it is determined that it is impossible to stop the cherry symbol, the stop symbol that can be stopped is stopped.

  FIG. 34 is a flowchart illustrating prefetch effect setting processing according to the third embodiment. The process of S290 shown in the drawing is executed as S290 and S298 of FIG. That is, the symbol form determining means 131 determines whether or not the cherry symbol can be stopped at the center of the active line if the shortening is being changed (Y in S340). For this determination, for example, the difference in the number of symbols between the symbol currently displayed on the active line and the symbol scheduled to be displayed later on the effective line is associated with the time required for the correction variation, and the required time is reduced. A control map is prepared in advance, which defines whether or not the length is acceptable for each of the variation time at and the variation time in the super-variation shortened state. The symbol form determining means 131 calculates the symbol number difference between the symbol currently displayed on the active line and the cherry symbol, refers to the control map, and if the required time for stopping the cherry symbol is within the allowable range, It is determined that the cherry symbol can be stopped. If it is determined that the cherry symbol can be stopped (Y in S342), the cherry symbol is set as a stop symbol (S344). On the other hand, if it is determined that the cherry symbol cannot be stopped (N in S342), the setting of the cherry symbol is canceled and the other symbols are set as the stopped symbols (S346). On the other hand, if the change is not being shortened (N in S340), the cherry symbol is set as the stop symbol (S344).

  With such a configuration, even when the pre-reading effect is started and the state is shifted to the fluctuation shortening state, it is possible to respond flexibly. In the present embodiment, an example is shown in which a preparation is formed in a shortened variation state based on the number of holds. However, similar processing may be performed even when the time is short.

  The embodiment has been described above. This embodiment is merely an example, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the combination of each component and each processing process, and such modifications are within the scope of the present invention. is there.

(Modification 1)
In the above embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, twelve detection pieces 235 corresponding to the number of symbols arranged on the reel 206 (a total of twelve numeric symbols and blank symbols) are provided to detect the position. An example is shown in which the sensor 215 detects the position of the reel 206 in the rotational direction, and thus the symbol positioned on the effective line. In the modification, for example, the number of detection pieces corresponding to the number symbol and the cherry symbol or the number of detection pieces corresponding to the blank symbol may be provided, and the position detection sensor 215 may detect them. In this case, whether or not a symbol that does not correspond to the detection piece 235 is positioned on the effective line may be calculated from the number of steps of the motor 217 based on the position of the symbol that the detection piece 235 corresponds to. Alternatively, one or a plurality of detection pieces 235 and a plurality of position detection sensors 215 may be provided so that a plurality of symbols can be detected.

(Modification 2)
In the said Example, the example which starts rotation of the left symbol 191, the right symbol 195, and the middle symbol 193 in this order, and stops in the same order was shown. In a modified example, the rotation of all reels of the left symbol 191, middle symbol 193 and right symbol 195 may be started simultaneously, and stopped in the order of left symbol 191, right symbol 195 and middle symbol 193. That is, the rotation start timing of each reel may be the same, while the rotation stop timing may be sequentially performed. Moreover, although the example which distribute | arranges only one cherry symbol to the middle symbol 193 was shown in the said Example, you may distribute more than one to the middle symbol 193. In addition, a cherry symbol may be provided on at least one of the left symbol 191 and the right symbol 195, and a pre-reading effect encouraging stoppage on a specific active line may be displayed.

(Modification 3)
In the above embodiment, an example in which the number of detection pieces 235 corresponding to the number of symbols arranged on the reel 206 is provided, and the position detection sensor 215 detects the position of the reel 206 in the rotation direction and thus the symbol located on the effective line. Indicated. In a modified example, the number of detection pieces corresponding to any one of the symbols arranged on the reel 206 may be provided as a reference position, and the position detection sensor 215 may detect it. Then, whether or not a symbol that does not correspond to the detection piece 235 is positioned on the effective line may be calculated from the number of steps of the motor 217 based on the position of the symbol that the detection piece 235 corresponds to. In that case, the effect determination means 132 holds a table in which the number of steps from the reference position and the rotation position of the reel 206 (the symbols displayed on the effective line) are associated with each other, and the determination is made based on the table. Stop the design.

(Modification 4)
In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, the example of transmitting the success / failure range and the symbol range as the pre-determination information from the main board 102 has been shown, but information on the success / failure lottery value itself may be transmitted. Further, information indicating the symbol itself, that is, information that can identify each symbol may be transmitted instead of including a plurality of symbols in the symbol range. Then, the stop symbol pattern may be selected by specifying the success / failure range including the corresponding success / failure lottery value and the symbol range including the symbol on the sub-board 104.

(Modification 5)
In the above-described embodiment, as shown in S266 and S268 of FIG. 23, an example of determining whether or not to set the pre-effect setting based on the success / failure range and the pattern range, that is, whether to start the pre-read effect or not. Indicated. In a modification, it is good also considering that the design range shown in FIG. 7 exists in a specific range as conditions for turning on pre-production setting. That is, it is only necessary to set at least one of the success / failure range, the pattern range, and the symbol range as a start condition for the prefetch effect. In other words, it is sufficient to set any one or any combination of the success / failure range, the pattern range and the symbol range as the start condition of the prefetch effect. For example, the pattern range may not be set as the start condition for the pre-reading effect, and it may be determined whether or not the pre-effect setting is turned on based on the success / failure range and the symbol range. For example, it may be included in one of the conditions for starting the pre-reading effect that the winning / losing lottery value, which is a big hit with a probability shift, is suspended.

(Modification 6)
In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 33, it is determined whether or not a shortening variation or a super shortening variation (simply referred to as “shortening variation”) is performed for each symbol variation. The example which determines the prior stop symbol pattern used as an eye was shown. In the modification, when it is determined that the shortening variation is made, the prior stop symbol table may be set so that the prior stop symbol pattern is selected even after the next variation of the symbol variation. In other words, when a prior stop symbol pattern is selected for a certain symbol variation, the prior stop symbol pattern is forcibly selected during the period from the next variation to the previous variation of the symbol variation indicating the specific result. May be. By doing so, even if the presence or absence of a shortening change is switched by increasing or decreasing the number of holds after a certain number of holds, it is possible to secure the cherry symbol stop in the symbol fluctuation when the specific result is held. It becomes like this.

  Alternatively, when a hold that is one less than the number of holds that is a shortened variation is made, a prior stop symbol pattern may be determined for the symbol variation. By doing so, even if a hold is added in the middle of the change and the change is switched from the next change to a shortened change, the change is stopped by the preparation, so the cherry symbol is immediately stopped at the next change. Can be made. In addition, this makes it possible to prevent a situation in which the cherry symbol cannot be stopped due to a shortening variation. That is, as in the third embodiment shown in FIG. 34, it is not necessary to determine whether or not the cherry symbol can be displayed due to the shortening variation, and there is an advantage that the processing is simplified.

(Modification 7)
In the said Example, the special symbol combination was set as a symbol combination containing a cherry symbol (special symbol), and the cherry symbol showed the example which forms only a detachment. In a modified example, for example, a specific numeric symbol may be set as the special symbol, the specific numeric symbol may be arranged at the center of the effective line, and a symbol combination indicating detachment may be set as the special symbol combination.

  10 Pachinko machines, 50 game boards, 52 game areas, 59 normal symbol display device, 60 reel unit, 60 production display device, 61 special symbol display device, 62 start port, 66 big prize port, 68 operation port, 72 general prize Mouth, 100 Game control device, 102 Main board, 104 Sub board, 112 Pass / fail lottery means, 114 Symbol determining means, 115 Fluctuation pattern determining means, 116 Holding control means, 118 Main display control means, 120 Special game control means, 131 Symbol Aspect determining means, 132 effect determining means, 134 effect display control means, 190 decorative symbol, 206 reel, 215 position detection sensor, 217 motor, 235 detection piece, L1 first effective line, L2 second effective line, L3 third effective Line, L 4 Fourth effective line, L5 5th effective line.

Claims (4)

A game board in which a game area is formed;
A start opening provided in the game area, and the entrance of the game ball is an opportunity for the lottery decision,
A big winning opening that is provided in the game area and is opened according to the result of the success / failure lottery, and the entry of the game ball is an opportunity to give a profit to the player,
A special symbol display device in which a special symbol indicating the result of the success / failure lottery is variably displayed;
A plurality of symbols are arranged along the peripheral surface, and at least a part of the peripheral surface is arranged so as to be presented to the player, and has a driving means capable of individually driving each reel, A reel unit that indicates the result of the lottery determination by a decorative pattern comprising a combination of symbols that are stopped on a predetermined effective line when the reels of the plurality of rows are stopped;
Display symbol determination means for determining a symbol positioned on the effective line in each of the reels of the plurality of rows;
A main controller that mainly controls the basic operation of the game including the lottery process;
A sub-control device that mainly controls the staging operation of the game including a display process for indicating the result of the lottery process;
A ball game machine comprising
The main controller is
A winning / losing lottery means for executing the winning / failing lottery upon entering the starting opening;
Hold control means for holding the result of the lottery lottery up to a predetermined number up to the start of variable display of special symbols corresponding to the lottery;
Variation pattern determining means for determining a variation pattern that defines the variation time of the special symbol;
Special symbol display control means for controlling the variation display of the special symbol;
When the winning / losing lottery result is a big hit and the special symbol is stopped and displayed in a manner indicating a big hit, a special game that is more advantageous to the player than a normal game is executed by opening the big winning opening. Special game control means,
Information indicating the result of the winning / failing lottery and information indicating the determined variation pattern are transmitted to the sub-control device, and a variation start command is transmitted when the variation of the special symbol is started, and a variation stop command is transmitted when the variation of the special symbol is stopped. Control information transmitting means for transmitting to the sub-control device;
Including
The control information transmission means, when there is a ball entering the start opening, regardless of whether or not the symbol variation display corresponding to the ball is started immediately, the result of the winning lottery corresponding to the ball The prior decision information including
The sub-control device
Stop symbol pattern storage means for holding a plurality of stop symbol patterns as a combination of a plurality of columns of symbols to be stopped and displayed as the decorative symbols on the active line;
A variation effect pattern storage means for holding a plurality of variation effect patterns in which a variation process from a variation start to a stop in the variation display of the decorative symbol is defined;
Decorative symbol determination means for selecting any one of the plurality of stop symbol patterns based on the received information indicating the result of the lottery determination;
Production determining means for selecting a variation production pattern having a variation time corresponding to the variation pattern based on the received information indicating the variation pattern;
When the change start command is received, the decorative means is started to change display by driving the plurality of rows of reels to the driving means, and the decorative design is changed and displayed according to the selected change effect pattern. Display control means for stopping and displaying the decorative symbols in the determined symbol combination by stopping the reels of the plurality of rows when receiving a variable stop command;
Including
As the stop symbol pattern, it indicates that the result of the success / failure lottery is out of place by being stopped on the active line, and a high expectation that the big hit is held as a result of the success / failure lottery after the next change A special stop symbol pattern that stops and displays a special symbol combination to suggest
The effect determination means stops the symbol combination corresponding to the determined stop symbol pattern on the effective line as the variation effect pattern, regardless of the symbol combination stopped on the effective line at the time of symbol variation start. Thus, the fluctuation process of the main fluctuation executed during the prefetch effective period set in the preceding stage of the symbol fluctuation period is set to execute the correction fluctuation for adjusting the fluctuation amount of the symbols of the plurality of columns during the symbol fluctuation. A plurality of variation effect patterns configured by a combination of the present variation pattern to be determined and a correction variation pattern that defines the variation process of the correction variation to be executed in a correction period provided in the subsequent stage are selected.
The decorative symbol determining means is determined prior to the symbol variation when a predetermined special effect condition is established based on the fact that a specific result is held as a result of the success / failure lottery during the prefetch effective period. Regardless of the stop symbol pattern, the special symbol pattern combination is reset so that the special symbol combination is stopped on the effective line when the symbol variation is stopped, and the symbol variation indicating the specific result from the next variation In the period up to the previous change, select the special stop design pattern for each design change,
When the special stop symbol pattern is set during symbol variation, the effect determining unit is configured to correct the variation pattern after the specific result is suspended so as to stop the special symbol combination on the effective line. And selecting the variation effect pattern so that the special symbol combination is stopped on the effective line when the symbol variation is stopped during a period from the next variation to the previous variation of the symbol variation indicating the specific result. A ball game machine characterized by The decorative design determining means
As the stop symbol pattern, a pattern that forms a preparatory eye that is a predetermined symbol combination indicating that the result of the success / failure lottery is out, and the correction from the state where the decorative symbol is stopped by the preparatory eye When the period until the transition to the fluctuation is the first period and the period until the decoration symbol is shifted from the state other than the preparation eye to the correction fluctuation is the second period, the plural periods The average value of the first period calculated when the symbol variation is executed according to the variation effect pattern is calculated when the symbol variation is executed according to the plurality of variation effect patterns. Including the pre-stop symbol pattern set to be longer than the average value of the period of 2,
2. The ball game machine according to claim 1, wherein the preliminary stop symbol pattern is set when a result of the lottery determination is lost and a predetermined preparation condition is satisfied. 3.   When a plurality of results of the success / failure lottery are held, the decorative design determining means is digested next when selecting a stop symbol pattern to be displayed by digesting one of the results of the plurality of success / failure lotteries. If the symbol variation corresponding to the result of the lottery is not started in the preparation, it is difficult to stop the symbol combination corresponding to the special stop symbol pattern on the effective line in the next variation. The ball game machine according to claim 2, wherein the preliminary stop symbol pattern is set assuming that is established. The variation pattern determining means includes
A variation pattern selection criterion in which a correspondence relationship between the variation pattern and a pattern lottery value is determined as a selection criterion to be referred to in the selection of the variation pattern,
As the variation pattern selection criteria, when a normal variation pattern selection criterion that is selected when the number of the result of the lottery being held is less than a predetermined number, and a case where the result of the lottery that is pending is a predetermined number or more Holds the shortening variation pattern selection criteria selected by
As the normal variation pattern selection criterion, holding a selection criterion defined so that the selection probability of a variation pattern having a long variation time is higher than when selected based on the shortened variation pattern selection criterion,
As the shortened variation pattern selection criterion, holding a selection criterion defined so that the selection probability of a variation pattern with a short variation time is higher than when selected based on the normal variation pattern selection criterion,
In the state in which the variation effect pattern in which the special symbol combination is stopped on the active line is continuously selected when the specific result is suspended, the decorative symbol determination means In the case where a plurality of results are held, when the stop symbol pattern displayed by digesting one of the results of the plurality of winning / failing lotteries is selected, the holding number of the results of the winning / failing lotteries is equal to or more than the predetermined number. If it becomes difficult to stop the special symbol combination on the effective line, cancel the setting of the special stop symbol pattern and reset another off-line symbol combination that can be stopped on the effective line. The bullet ball game machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein

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