JP5863324B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine provided with a launching means for launching a game ball and a supply means for supplying a game ball to the launching means.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a gaming machine that includes a launching device that launches a game ball toward a game area, and a supply device that supplies the game ball to a launching position for launching the game ball (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the gaming machine described in Patent Document 1, a game ball supplied by a supply device is detected, and a game ball is always fired when a game ball supplied by the supply device is detected. The supply device is controlled in synchronization with the launch device by a launch control board that controls the launch device, and immediately after the launch device launches the game ball, the game ball is sent to the launch device.

JP 2005-160632 A

  However, in the gaming machine described in Patent Document 1, when a normally launched game ball returns without being able to reach the game area (a return ball is generated), the supply device operates based on the launch, The game ball is supplied to the launch position. As a result, an abnormal launch situation occurs in which two game balls, a return ball and a newly supplied game ball, are prepared at the launch position and two game balls are launched.

  In view of the above background, an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that can prevent the occurrence of an abnormal launch situation.

The gaming machine according to the present invention includes a launching unit (launching device 160) for launching a game ball toward the game area, a supply unit (supplying device 158) for supplying the launching unit with the game ball, detected, a shot ball detecting means for outputting a shot ball detection signal when detecting (firing SW611), before Symbol firing cycle data (induction passageway supply is reflected in the game ball by firing and the supply means of the game ball by emitting means Firing cycle data storage means (RAM 603) for storing the counter value), and firing by the launching means in a predetermined launch cycle (game ball supply → game ball launch → launch condition established) relating to game ball launch Cow derived results, the firing cycle data storing means can update said firing cycle data stored in the firing result deriving means (guide channel counter Includes updating the data value (addition / subtraction) to CPU 601), the said firing result deriving means, said a firing cycle data to which the firing cycle data storing means stores, the supply means in the predetermined firing cycle The result of launching by the launching means in the predetermined launch cycle is derived on the basis of whether or not the game ball is supplied by and the output of the launch ball detection signal .

  The predetermined launch cycle related to the launch of the game ball means a circulation process for launching the game ball, and the process constituting the predetermined launch cycle includes, for example, supply of the game ball by the supply means, and game by the launch means It consists of launching a sphere and measuring a predetermined time with a timer counter. Note that it is only necessary that a game ball is fired in a predetermined firing cycle, and the order of the predetermined firing cycle is not particularly limited, and may be set as appropriate. For example, even if the supply of game balls is the starting point of the launch cycle, the launch of game balls may be the starting point of the launch cycle. Also, it is not always necessary that the entire firing cycle be constructed in the same process. For example, the supply of the game ball by the supply unit may be performed in a certain launch cycle, but the supply of the game ball by the supply unit may not be performed in another launch cycle.

In the “form for carrying out the invention”, which will be described later, the emission result data reflecting the result of the emission by the emission means is present at the emission position (third guiding path y3) when the predetermined emission cycle ends. A counter value of a guide passage counter indicating the number of game balls is used.
The situation of the game ball related to the predetermined launch cycle is, for example, when the supply of game balls and the launch of game balls are included in the predetermined launch cycle as described above, and the supplied game balls and fired It means the situation of game balls. In other words, it means the general situation of the given launch cycle, which includes the presence or absence of the supply of game balls, the number of game balls launched toward the game area, the number of return balls, etc. It can be said that the situation of going into and out of

Also, the gaming machine of the present invention, the game by the supply means in the predetermined of the predetermined firing cycle at a particular time period (sphere feed determination period) of a game ball from being fired in the firing cycle until a predetermined time elapses Judgment means for determining whether or not to supply the game ball to the supply means in the next predetermined firing cycle based on the presence / absence of supply of the ball and the output of the shot ball detection signal (in the shot ball detection signal interruption process) A CPU 601) for turning on / off a ball feed flag is provided.

According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the abnormal firing situation occurs.

(A) is a perspective view from the front side of the pachinko gaming machine unit according to the present embodiment, and (b) is a perspective view from the back side. (A) is the perspective view from the front side which shows schematic structure inside the housing | casing of the pachinko game machine unit which concerns on this Embodiment, (b) is a perspective view from the back side. (A) is a schematic front view of the game board of the pachinko gaming machine of the present embodiment, and (b) is an enlarged view showing an example of a display device arranged at the lower right of the game board. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the control unit of the pachinko game machine of this embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the game control part of this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the main operation | movement of the game control part of this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the content of a start port switch process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the gate switch process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the special symbol process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the jackpot determination process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the fluctuation pattern selection process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the process during a stop. It is a flowchart which shows the content of a customer waiting | standby setting process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of normal symbol processing. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the big prize opening process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the game state setting process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of an electric tulip process. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the random number used by this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the presentation control part of this embodiment. It is the perspective view which looked at the circulation mechanism for circulating a game ball from the slanting upper side of the upper plate. It is a perspective view which shows schematic structure of a circulation mechanism. It is a perspective view which shows schematic structure of a circulation mechanism. It is the top view which looked at the upper plate from the upper part. It is a perspective view which shows a guidance channel | path. It is a figure for demonstrating a supply apparatus. It is a figure for demonstrating a supply apparatus. It is a figure for demonstrating a supply apparatus. (A) is a front view showing a state before the launching device fires a game ball, and (b) is a front view showing a state immediately after the launching device fires a game ball. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the control unit of a pachinko gaming machine unit. It is a flowchart which shows the basic process which a sphere data management part performs. It is a flowchart which shows a ball | bowl feed timing signal interruption process. It is a flowchart which shows a launch timing signal interruption process. It is a flowchart which shows from the beginning of the firing ball detection signal interruption process to the middle. It is a flowchart which shows from the middle of the firing ball detection signal interruption process to the last. It is a flowchart which shows a ball feed determination timing signal interruption process. It is a flowchart which shows a foul ball detection signal interruption process. It is a time chart which shows an example of a launch condition. It is a time chart which shows an example of a launch condition. It is a time chart which shows an example of a launch condition. It is a time chart which shows an example of a launch condition. It is a time chart which shows an example of a launch condition. It is a time chart which shows an example of a launch condition. It is a time chart which shows an example of a launch condition. It is a time chart which shows an example of a launch condition. It is a time chart which shows an example of a launch condition. It is a time chart which shows an example of a launch condition.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[Basic configuration of pachinko machine unit]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pachinko gaming machine unit PU is a unit in which a plurality of game balls are enclosed in an internal space so as not to be touched from the outside. In other words, the pachinko gaming machine unit PU has a game ball enclosed in its internal space so that the player cannot touch the game ball, and the enclosed game ball is used for the game and the game ball acquired by the game It is used to visualize the number and the number of game balls that can be used for games held by the player.

  The pachinko machine unit PU can visually produce the pachinko gaming machine 100 as an example of the gaming machine and the feeling that the pachinko gaming machine 100 has acquired a game ball, or can be used by the player in the game A rendering device 20 for visually rendering the number of various game balls is provided inside the housing 10.

  The pachinko gaming machine 100 is configured to acquire a prize ball when a game ball launched by a player's instruction operation wins a prize. The pachinko gaming machine 100 includes a game board 110 on which game balls are launched.

  The directing device 20 is a game appearance that can be used by a player who is playing a game, and a ballistic feeling production unit 60 that visually creates a feeling of the number of prize balls acquired by the player who is playing the game. And a ball feeling direction producing unit 70 for visually producing a feeling of a large number of balls. The enclosed game balls are roughly classified into a circulation ball that circulates in the pachinko gaming machine 100 for games, and a production ball that is used for production in the exit ball feeling production unit 60 and the holding ball feeling production unit 70. To be utilized.

  In addition, the pachinko gaming machine unit PU includes a cleaning device 30 that cleans the enclosed game balls, and a distribution device 40 that distributes the game balls cleaned by the cleaning device 30 to the above-described circulation balls and effect balls. In the housing 10. Further, the pachinko gaming machine unit PU includes a CR unit 21 having a banknote identification machine and two card readers / writers that read information from the card and write information to the card.

  In addition, the pachinko gaming machine PU is, for example, a capacitance type that electrically detects a position touched by a finger by detecting a change in surface charge of a panel in which a low-voltage electric field is formed, or an electrode that is separated from each other. A known touch panel 22 such as a resistive film type is provided that electrically detects the position touched by a finger when the position changes from a non-energized state to an energized state. In addition, the pachinko gaming machine unit PU includes, for example, an indicator lamp 23 that lights red when a player presses a button, or blinks red, blue, yellow, etc. when a big hit occurs in the pachinko gaming machine 100. ing.

  The gaming board 110, the rendering device 20, the CR unit 21, the touch panel 22, the indicator lamp 23, the cleaning device 30, the distribution device 40, and the like constituting the pachinko gaming machine unit PU are directly connected to the unit main body (not shown). Alternatively, it is indirectly attached and housed in the housing 10.

  Further, the pachinko gaming machine unit PU includes a unit control board that controls the pachinko gaming machine unit PU in an integrated manner within the housing 10, a ball data management board that manages gaming balls circulating in the pachinko gaming machine 100, Various types (not shown), such as a ball-and-ball feel control board that controls the stage device 20, a cleaning control board that controls the cleaning apparatus 30, a distribution control board that controls the distribution apparatus 40, and a launch board that controls the launch of game balls. A substrate or the like is attached. Further, in the pachinko gaming machine unit PU, a power supply board (not shown) having a switching power supply for converting the supplied 24V AC power supply into a DC power supply is disposed in the housing 10. The power supply board outputs the converted DC power to the unit control board, the launch board, the indicator lamp 23, the panel power supply relay terminal board, and the like. The board power supply relay terminal board outputs DC power to the game board 110 and also outputs DC power to a game control board of the pachinko gaming machine 100 described later. A transparent plate 24 for separating the game board 110 from the player is attached to the front surface of the game board 110 of the housing 10 (see FIG. 1).

[Basic configuration of pachinko machines]
FIG. 3A is a schematic front view of the game board 110 of the pachinko gaming machine according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 3B is an enlarged view showing an example of a display device arranged at the lower right of the game board 110. FIG. The game board 110 forms, on the front surface, a game area 111 for playing a game with a game ball, and a first guide path y1 for a game ball launched from below to rise and go to an upper position of the game area 111. A rail member 112 and a guide member 113 for guiding a game ball to the right side of the game area 111 are provided.

  In the present embodiment, an image display unit 114 that displays various images for production is provided at a position of the game area 111 that is easily visible to the player. The image display unit 114 includes a display screen such as a liquid crystal display, and displays a decorative symbol for notifying the player of a symbol lottery result (symbol variation result), for example, as the game progresses by the player. An effect image by the appearance of a character or the appearance of an item is displayed.

  In addition, a movable accessory 115 and a board lamp 116 used for various effects are provided on the front surface of the game board 110. The movable accessory 115 performs various effects by operating on the game board 110, and the board lamp 116 performs various effects by emitting light.

  In the game area 111, nails, windmills and the like (not shown) for changing the direction in which the game ball falls are arranged. Further, in the game area 111, various bonuses relating to winning and lottery are arranged at predetermined positions.

  In the present embodiment, as various functions related to winning and lottery, the first starting port 121 and the second starting port 122 that win when a game ball enters and a special symbol lottery (big hit lottery) starts, The game board 110 is provided with a gate 124 that starts a normal symbol lottery (open / close lottery) when it passes. Here, the first start port 121 and the second start port 122 refer to a winning port related to winning a game ball that activates one predetermined special symbol display.

  The second start port 122 includes an electric tulip 123 as a normal electric accessory that is turned on and off by a pair of blades in the shape of tulip flowers opened and closed by an electric solenoid. In the electric tulip 123, when the blade is closed, it is difficult for the game ball to enter the second start port 122, but when the blade is opened, the entrance of the second start port 122 is expanded and the game ball is moved to the second start port 122. It is configured to be easy to enter. When the electric tulip 123 wins the normal symbol lottery, the blade opens for a specified time (for example, 6 seconds) and a specified number of times (for example, 3 times) while lighting or flashing.

  In addition, the pachinko gaming machine 100 has a high probability state (for example, 30 minutes) from a low probability state (for example, 1/300) to a high probability state (for example, 30 minutes) when the jackpot probability of winning a big jackpot in a special symbol lottery varies under predetermined conditions 1))). In addition, the pachinko gaming machine 100 can reduce the special symbol variation time during the special symbol lottery under a predetermined condition, increase the probability of winning during the normal symbol lottery, or the normal symbol variation time during the normal symbol lottery. It may be shortened, the opening time of the blades of the electric tulips 123 may be extended, or the number of times the blades of the electric tulips 123 may be opened.

  In the present embodiment, the other prize-winning and lottery items include the special prize opening 125 that opens according to the result of the special symbol lottery, and the lottery starts even if the game ball wins. A normal winning opening 126 that is not to be played is provided on the game board 110.

  In addition, the game area 111 is provided with a discharge port 117 through which game balls launched into the game area 111 that have not been won in the winning area are discharged out of the game area 111. Note that the game board 110 has a ball gathering portion for collecting game balls discharged from the discharge port 117 to the outside of the game area 111 and game balls won in various winning openings, and the games gathered in the ball gathering portion. The balls are discharged out of the game board 110 from a lower end 118 (see FIG. 21) formed at the lower end of the ball assembly.

  In the present embodiment, the first start port 121 and the second start port 122 are disposed in the game area 111, but a configuration example in which only one of them is disposed or another start port is disposed. A configuration example is also conceivable. In the present embodiment, one big prize opening 125 is arranged in the game area 111, but a configuration example in which a plurality of big prize openings 125 are arranged is also conceivable.

  In the present embodiment, a display 130 for displaying the lottery result and the number of holds is arranged at the lower right position of the game board 110.

  On the other hand, on the back side of the game board 110, there are a game control board that performs internal lottery and determination of winning, an effect control board that comprehensively controls effects, an image control board that controls effects by images and sounds, various lamps, Various substrates (not shown) such as a lamp control substrate for controlling the effect by the movable accessory 115 are attached.

  In the pachinko gaming machine 100, when the player touches the handle 151 (see FIG. 1) and performs an operation of rotating the handle lever 152 in the clockwise direction, the game ball is placed at a predetermined time interval with a hitting force according to the operation angle ( For example, it includes a launching device 160 (see FIG. 20) for electrically firing at about 100 per minute. The handle 151 is provided with a stop switch 154a (see FIG. 29) for temporarily stopping the launch of the game ball even when the player is touching.

  In addition, the pachinko gaming machine 100 includes a supply device 158 (see FIG. 20) that sequentially supplies game balls to the launching device 160 one by one at a timing in conjunction with the operation of the player's handle lever 152, and the supply device 158 is a launching device. And an upper plate 153 (see FIG. 2) for temporarily storing game balls to be supplied to 160. In the upper plate 153, a return path 153a (see FIG. 20) for guiding a game ball (foul ball) that has been launched by the launch device 160 and has not reached the game area 111 to the supply device 158 is formed. Yes.

  Further, the upper part of the upper plate 153 is covered with the housing 10 so that the player cannot touch the game balls on the upper plate 153. However, the casing 10 that covers the upper part of the upper plate 153 is provided with a transparent portion 10a that allows the game ball on the upper plate 153 to be visually recognized from the outside. Part of the game ball on the plate 153 can be seen.

  The launching device 160, the supply device 158, and the upper plate 153 are directly or indirectly attached to the unit main body. The launching device 160 is an example of launching means for launching a game ball toward the game board 110, and the supply device 158 is described later as an example of a supply path in which game balls supplied toward the launching device 160 are arranged. It is an example of the supply means which supplies the game ball in the most downstream part of the launch ball guide path 153r to the launch device 160.

  Further, the pachinko gaming machine 100 includes a speaker 156 and a frame lamp 157 for notifying the gaming state and situation of the pachinko gaming machine 100 and performing various effects. The speaker 156 performs various effects based on music, voice, and sound effects, and the frame lamp 157 performs various effects based on light depending on a pattern or light emission color caused by lighting and blinking. In addition, about the frame lamp | ramp 157, the structural example which enables it to perform the effect which changes the irradiation direction of light can be considered. These speaker 156 and frame lamp 157 are attached to the unit main body.

  As shown in FIG. 3B, the display 130 of the pachinko gaming machine 100 receives the first special symbol display 221 that operates in response to the winning of the first starting port 121 and the winning of the second starting port 122. A second special symbol display 222 that operates correspondingly and a normal symbol display 223 that operates corresponding to the passage of the gate 124 are provided. The first special symbol display 221 variably displays the special symbol resulting from winning of the first start port 121 and displays the lottery result. The second special symbol display 222 variably displays special symbols resulting from winning at the second start port 122 and displays the lottery results. The normal symbol display unit 223 displays the normal symbol variably and displays the lottery result when the game ball passes through the gate 124. Each of the first special symbol display 221, the second special symbol display 222, and the normal symbol display 223 is composed of an LED display device, and a symbol representing each lottery result is displayed according to its lighting mode.

  In addition, the indicator 130 operates in response to the hold in the first special symbol display 221 and the first special symbol hold indicator 218 that operates corresponding to the hold in the first special symbol display 221 and the second special symbol display 222. 2 a special symbol hold indicator 219 and a normal symbol hold indicator 220 that operates in response to the hold in the normal symbol indicator 223. Each of the first special symbol hold indicator 218, the second special symbol hold indicator 219, and the normal symbol hold indicator 220 is configured by an LED display device, and the number of holds is displayed by its lighting mode.

  Here, the hold will be described. If there is a prize with another game ball during the fluctuation display operation of special symbols or normal symbols (while the fluctuation display for one win is being performed), the symbol fluctuation display operation for the winning game ball will be A predetermined number (for example, four) is held until the variation display operation for the game ball won in is completed. The fact that such a hold is made and the number of the hold (the number of undrawn lots) are displayed on the first special symbol hold indicator 218, the second special symbol hold indicator 219, and the normal symbol hold indicator 220.

  The pachinko gaming machine 100 includes an input device for a player to input an effect. As shown in FIG. 1A, in this embodiment, as an example of an input device, an effect button 161 and an effect key 162 including a plurality of keys arranged in a substantially cross shape are provided from the surface of the housing 10. It arrange | positions so that it may protrude. The housing 10 is opened at a site where the input device is arranged. The production key 162 is configured such that one central key is arranged at the center, and four peripheral keys having substantially the same shape are arranged around the central key. The player can select one of a plurality of images displayed on the image display unit 114 by operating the four peripheral keys, and can select the selected image by operating the center key. Can be entered as information.

[Configuration of control unit of pachinko machine]
Next, a control unit of the pachinko gaming machine 100 that performs operation control and signal processing in the pachinko gaming machine 100 will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the control unit of the pachinko gaming machine 100. As shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the control unit includes a game control unit 200 that performs various controls relating to the number of prize balls to be paid out, such as internal lottery and determination of winning, as main control means. Further, as sub-control means, an effect control unit 300 that comprehensively controls effects, an image / sound control unit 310 that controls effects using images and sound, and effects using various lamps and movable accessories 115 A lamp control unit 320 that controls the lamp.

  As described above, the game control unit 200, the effect control unit 300, the image / sound control unit 310, and the lamp control unit 320 are each a game control board and a sub board as a main board disposed on the rear surface of the game board 110. The effect control board, the image control board, the lamp control board, and the payout control board are individually configured.

[Configuration and function of game control unit]
The game control unit 200 includes a CPU 201 that performs arithmetic processing when performing various controls related to the number of paid-out prize balls, such as internal lottery and winning determination, and a ROM 202 that stores programs executed by the CPU 201, various data, and the like. And a RAM 203 used as a working memory for the CPU 201.

  The game control unit 200 performs a special symbol lottery when a game ball wins the first start port 121 or the second start port 122, and sends a determination result as to whether or not it is a win in the special symbol lottery to the effect control unit 300. Also, variation setting of winning probability at special symbol lottery (for example, variation setting from 1/300 to 1/30), shortening of special symbol variation time at special symbol lottery, and normal at normal symbol lottery The symbol change time is shortened and the set content is sent to the effect control unit 300.

  Further, the game control unit 200 controls the extension of the opening time of the blades of the electric tulip 123, the setting of the number of times the blades of the electric tulip 123 are opened, and the setting of the opening / closing operation interval when the blades are opened. In addition, when a game ball continuously wins the first start port 121 or the second start port 122, the game ball is suspended until the limit number (for example, four) for the undrawn lots, or the game ball continuously passes through the gate 124. The suspension is set up to the limit number (for example, 4) for the undrawn lots.

  In addition, the game control unit 200 performs a predetermined number of rounds that maintain an open state until the special winning opening 125 satisfies a predetermined condition (for example, 30 seconds have passed or 10 game balls have been won) according to the result of the special symbol lottery. Control to repeat. Furthermore, the opening / closing operation interval when the special winning opening 125 is opened is controlled.

  Further, when the game ball is won in the first start port 121, the second start port 122, the big winning port 125, and the normal winning port 126, the game control unit 200 per game ball according to the place where the game ball has won. The fact that a predetermined number of prize balls has been acquired is output to a unit controller 500 (see FIG. 29) described later. For example, when a game ball wins at the first start port 121, three prize balls, when a game ball wins at the second start port 122, four prize balls, and when a game ball wins the big prize port 125, thirteen prizes. When a game ball wins the ball, the normal winning port 126 is output to the unit controller 500 that 10 winning balls have been acquired. Even if it is detected that a game ball has passed through the gate 124, the acquisition of a prize ball in conjunction with it is not output.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the game control unit 200 includes a first start port detection unit (first start port SW) 211 that detects a winning of a game ball to the first start port 121, and a second start port 122. A second start port detection unit (second start port SW) 212 for detecting the winning of the game ball, an electric tulip opening / closing unit 213 for opening and closing the electric tulip 123, and a gate detection for detecting the passage of the game ball to the gate 124 (Gate SW) 214 is connected.

  Furthermore, the game control unit 200 includes a grand prize opening detection unit (large prize opening SW) 215 that detects a winning of a game ball in the grand prize opening 125, an open state in which the grand prize opening 125 is in a closed state and a protruding inclination. Are connected to a large winning opening / closing unit 216 set to the normal winning port and a normal winning port detecting unit (normal winning port SW) 217 for detecting the winning of a game ball to the normal winning port 126.

  In addition, the game control unit 200 displays the reserved number for the undrawn special symbol lottery (big win lottery) started by winning the game ball at the first start port 121 within the limit number (for example, four). A special symbol hold indicator 218, a second special symbol hold indicator 219 for displaying the number of unsold lots in the special symbol lottery started by winning a game ball in the second start port 122 within the limit number, A normal symbol hold indicator 220 is connected to the normal symbol lottery display (open / close lottery) started by the passage of the game ball to the gate 124 and displays the number of unsettled hold numbers within the limit number.

  Further, the game control unit 200 includes a first special symbol display 221 for displaying a result of a special symbol lottery started by winning a game ball at the first start port 121, and a game ball to the second start port 122. A second special symbol display 222 for displaying the result of the special symbol lottery started by winning, a normal symbol display 223 for displaying the result of the normal symbol lottery, and a status indicator 224 for displaying the state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 , Is connected.

  Then, detection signals detected at the first start port SW 211, the second start port SW 212, the gate SW 214, the big winning port SW 215 and the normal winning port SW 217 are sent to the game control unit 200. In addition, the control signal from the game control unit 200 includes an electric tulip opening / closing unit 213, a prize winning opening / closing unit 216, a first special symbol hold indicator 218, a second special symbol hold indicator 219, a normal symbol hold indicator 220, It is sent to the first special symbol display 221, the second special symbol display 222, the normal symbol display 223, and the status display 224. Thereby, the game control unit 200 performs various controls related to the number of winning balls as described above.

  Further, a board external information terminal board 250 that transmits various kinds of information to a host computer (not shown) installed in the hall is connected to the game control unit 200. Then, the game control unit 200 transmits information regarding the number of paid-out winning balls acquired from the payout control unit 400, information indicating the state of the game control unit 200, and the like to the host computer via the board external information terminal board 250. .

[Configuration and function of production control unit]
Next, the effect control unit 300 includes a CPU 301 that performs arithmetic processing when controlling the effect, a ROM 302 that stores programs executed by the CPU 301, various data, and the like, and a RAM 303 that is used as a work memory for the CPU 301 and the like. And a real-time clock (RTC) 304 for measuring the date and time.

  The production control unit 300 sets the production content based on, for example, the determination result of whether or not the winning is a special symbol lottery sent from the game control unit 200. At that time, in response to an operation input from the user using an effect button or the like (the effect button 161 and the effect key 162), the contents of the effect corresponding to the operation input may be set. In this case, for example, a signal (operation signal) corresponding to an operation is received from a controller (not shown) such as an effect button, and the operation content identified by the operation signal is reflected in the setting of the effect. In addition, when the game is interrupted for a predetermined period, an instruction to set a screen display for waiting for a customer is given as one of the effects.

  Furthermore, when the game control unit 200 changes the winning probability at the time of the special symbol lottery, shortens the special symbol fluctuation time at the time of the special symbol lottery, and shortens the normal symbol fluctuation time at the time of the normal symbol lottery. In this case, the production control unit 300 sets the production content corresponding to the set content. In addition, the effect control unit 300 sends a command for instructing execution of the set effect contents to the image / sound control unit 310 and the lamp control unit 320.

[Configuration / Function of Image / Sound Control Unit]
The image / sound control unit 310 is a CPU 311 that performs arithmetic processing for controlling the image and sound representing the content of the effect, a ROM 312 that stores programs executed by the CPU 311, various data, and the like. And a RAM 313 used as a memory or the like.

  The image / sound control unit 310 controls the image displayed on the image display unit 114 and the sound output from the speaker 156 based on the command sent from the effect control unit 300. Specifically, in the ROM 312 of the image / sound control unit 310, a symbol image or background image displayed during the game on the image display unit 114, a decorative symbol for notifying the player of the lottery result, and a notice effect for the player Image data such as a character or item for displaying is stored. Furthermore, various kinds of acoustic data such as music and sound output from the speaker 156 in synchronization with the image data or independently of the image data, and sound effects such as jingles are stored. The CPU 311 selects and reads out the data corresponding to the command sent from the effect control unit 300 from the image data and the sound data stored in the ROM 312. Furthermore, image processing for background image display, symbol image display, symbol image variation, character / item display, etc., and voice processing using the read acoustic data are performed using the read image data. Then, the image / sound control unit 310 controls screen display on the image display unit 114 based on the image data subjected to image processing. Further, the sound output from the speaker 156 is controlled by the sound data subjected to the sound processing.

[Configuration and function of lamp control unit]
The lamp control unit 320 stores a CPU 321 that performs arithmetic processing when controlling the light emission of the panel lamp 116 and the frame lamp 157 and the operation of the movable accessory 115, and programs executed by the CPU 321 and various data. A ROM 322 and a RAM 323 used as a working memory for the CPU 321 are provided.

  The lamp control unit 320 controls lighting / flashing of the panel lamp 116 and the frame lamp 157, a light emission color, and the like based on the command sent from the effect control unit 300. Further, the operation of the movable accessory 115 is controlled. Specifically, the ROM 322 of the lamp control unit 320 stores lighting / flashing pattern data and emission color pattern data (emission pattern) for the panel lamp 116 and the frame lamp 157 according to the production contents set by the production control unit 300. Data) is stored. The CPU 321 selects and reads out the light emission pattern data stored in the ROM 322 corresponding to the command sent from the effect control unit 300. The lamp controller 320 controls the light emission of the panel lamp 116 and the frame lamp 157 based on the read light emission pattern data. The ROM 322 of the lamp control unit 320 stores operation pattern data of the movable accessory 115 corresponding to the production content set by the production control unit 300. The CPU 321 controls the operation of the movable accessory 115 based on the read operation pattern data.

[Functional configuration of game control unit]
Next, the functional configuration of the game control unit 200 will be described. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the game control unit 200. As shown in the figure, the game control unit 200 is a special symbol lottery unit 231, a normal symbol lottery unit 232, a special symbol variation control unit 233, and a special symbol lottery result determination as functional units for executing various lottery processes. A unit 234 and a normal symbol control unit 237.

  In addition, the game control unit 200 includes a variation pattern selection unit 235 and a game progress control unit 236 as functional units that execute processing associated with special symbol variation. Furthermore, the game control unit 200 is a function unit that executes operation control of various types of objects and data processing related to a prize ball, etc., as a function unit for a prize winning opening operation control unit 238, an electric tulip operation control unit 239, and a prize ball processing unit 240. And an output control unit 241 and a random number control unit 242.

  The special symbol lottery unit 231 performs a special symbol lottery when a game ball wins the first starting port 121 or the second starting port 122. The normal symbol lottery unit 232 performs the normal symbol lottery when the game ball passes through the gate 124. The special symbol fluctuation control unit 233 controls the fluctuation of the special symbol according to the lottery result when the special symbol lottery is performed.

  The special symbol lottery result determination unit 234, when a special symbol lottery is performed, the lottery result is “whether it is a big hit”, “a type of jackpot when a big winner is won”, “not a big winner It is determined whether or not it is a small hit or not.

  “Big hit” is divided into a plurality of types according to the gaming state that occurs after the end of the big hit game. Specifically, the type of jackpot is determined by a combination of the presence / absence of a short-time gaming state in which the variation time of the special symbol is shortened and the presence / absence of a probability-changing gaming state in which the winning probability of the jackpot varies with high probability. In other words, the types of jackpots include jackpots in which both a short-time gaming state and a probability variable gaming state occur after the jackpot game ends, a jackpot in which only a short-time gaming state occurs, a jackpot in which only a probability-changing gaming state occurs, a short-time gaming state and There can be a jackpot where none of the probable gaming states occur. Hereinafter, when distinguishing these jackpots, they are distinguished by describing as “with time reduction”, “without time reduction”, “with certainty change”, “without certainty change”, etc., based on the gaming state that occurs after the end of the jackpot game. Each of these jackpots is associated with an individual special symbol, and the type of jackpot is determined according to the type of special symbol won in the special symbol lottery.

  In addition, the “bonanza” may be divided into a jackpot that can be expected to pay out a large amount of gaming balls for a long time, and a jackpot that can hardly be expected to pay out gaming balls because the jackpot game time is short. The former is called “long hit” and the latter is called “short hit”. For example, in “long win”, a round that is maintained until the open state of the big winning opening 125 satisfies a predetermined condition (for example, a predetermined time has elapsed or a predetermined number of game balls have been won) is repeated a predetermined number of times. In the “short win”, a round in which the big prize opening 125 is opened for a predetermined time is repeated a predetermined number of times. Usually, a jackpot where a short-time gaming state occurs (with time saving) after the jackpot game ends is a long win, and a jackpot where no short-time gaming state occurs (no time saving) is a short win.

  Note that a jackpot in which a probability change gaming state occurs (with probability change) after the jackpot game ends is also referred to as a “probability change jackpot”, and a jackpot in which a probability change gaming state does not occur (without probability change) is also referred to as a “normal jackpot”. Also, depending on the game mode, only a probable gaming state occurs after the jackpot game ends, and a short-time gaming state does not occur (with certain change + no short-time) jackpots are "latent probability change jackpot", "sudden probability change jackpot" Also called etc. In addition, “probability jackpot” may be distinguished as “15 round (15R) probability jackpot”, “2 round (2R) probability jackpot” or the like based on the number of rounds in which the winning prize opening 125 is open. is there.

  In addition, the “small winning” in the case where the big winning is not won, for example, a small winning game in which the opening and closing of the big winning opening 125 is performed a predetermined number of times is performed, and the gaming state at the time of winning the small winning is continued even after the winning. It is a hit. That is, when the game state at the time of winning the small hit is the probability variation game state, the probability variation game state is continued even after the end of the small hit game, and the game state does not shift. Similarly, if the gaming state at the time of winning the small hit is a normal gaming state (normal gaming state) in which neither probability fluctuation nor time reduction is made, the normal gaming state is continued even after the end of the small hitting game, The gaming state does not transition. Further, in the “out of game”, neither “big hit” nor “small win” is set, and none of the above-described gaming states advantageous to the player is set.

  The variation pattern selection unit 235 displays the variation pattern (variation time) of the special symbol displayed on the first special symbol display 221 or the second special symbol display 222 when the lottery result of the special symbol is “big hit”. Select. Further, it is determined whether or not a reach effect is to be performed. The “reach effect” here is an effect performed by the image display unit 114 or the like for causing the player to expect a big hit. The game progress control unit 236 controls the progress of the game in each game state.

  When the normal symbol lottery is performed, the normal symbol control unit 237 determines whether the normal symbol lottery result is “winning or lost”. Further, the fluctuation of the normal symbol is controlled according to the lottery result. The winning probability of this normal symbol lottery is high when there is a winning support (so-called electric chew support) to the second start port 122 by opening the electric tulip 123, which is mainly performed in the short-time gaming state.

  When it is determined as “winning”, the electric tulip 123 is opened for a specified time and a specified number of times, and a state in which the winning probability of the game ball to the second start port 122 is increased is generated. During the above winning support (electrical chew support), the specified number of times and the specified time increase. In addition, when it is determined as “displacement”, such an open state of the electric tulip 123 does not occur.

  The special winning opening operation control unit 238 controls the opening operation of the special winning opening 125. The electric tulip operation control unit 239 controls the opening operation of the electric tulip 123. The prize ball processing unit 240 controls the management of the number of prizes received for various types of winnings related to winning or lottery. The output control unit 241 controls the output of control commands from the game control unit 200 to the effect control unit 300 and the payout control unit 400. Further, the output control unit 241 controls the output of the number of winning balls to the unit control unit 500 described later. The random number control unit 242 controls updating of various random number values used in processing by the main control unit and the sub control unit.

[Basic operation of gaming machine]
Next, the basic operation of the pachinko gaming machine 100 configured as described above will be described. The basic operation of the pachinko gaming machine 100 is performed by a game control unit 200 that is a main control means. Then, under the control of the game control unit 200, the effect control on the game is performed by the effect control unit 300 which is a sub-control means.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing main operations of the game control unit 200. The game control unit 200 repeatedly executes each process shown in FIG. 6 at regular time intervals (for example, 4 milliseconds) during a normal operation except for special cases such as when the power is turned on or when the power is turned off. Referring to FIG. 6, random number update processing, switch processing, symbol processing, electric accessory processing, prize ball processing, and output processing are sequentially executed (steps 501 to 506).

  In the random number update process (step 501), the random number control unit 242 of the game control unit 200 updates various random number values used in the process by the main control unit and the sub control unit. Details of the setting of the random number and the update of the random value will be described later.

  As the switch process (step 502), a start port SW process and a gate SW process are performed. In the start port SW process, the special symbol lottery unit 231 of the game control unit 200 monitors the state of the first start port SW211 and the second start port SW212 in FIG. 4, and when the switch is turned on, the special symbol lottery unit Execute the process for. In the gate SW process, the normal symbol lottery unit 232 of the game control unit 200 monitors the state of the gate SW 214 in FIG. 4 and executes processing for the normal symbol lottery when the switch is turned on. Details of these SW processes will be described later.

  As the symbol processing (step 503), special symbol processing and normal symbol processing are performed. In the special symbol processing, the special symbol variation control unit 233, the special symbol lottery result determination unit 234, the variation pattern selection unit 235, and the game progress control unit 236 of the game control unit 200 perform special symbol variation and processing associated with this symbol variation. Done. In the normal symbol processing, the normal symbol control unit 237 of the game control unit 200 performs normal symbol variation and processing associated with this symbol variation. The detailed contents of these symbol processes will be described later.

  As the electric accessory process (step 504), a big prize opening process and an electric tulip process are performed. In the special prize opening process, the special prize opening operation controller 238 of the game control unit 200 controls the opening operation of the special prize opening 125 based on a predetermined condition. In the electric tulip process, the electric tulip operation control unit 239 of the game control unit 200 controls the opening operation of the electric tulip 123 based on a predetermined condition. The detailed contents of these electric accessory processing will be described later.

  In the winning ball process (step 505), the winning ball processing unit 240 of the game control unit 200 manages the number of winning balls and the number of winning balls according to winning. In the output process (step 506), the output control unit 241 of the game control unit 200 outputs a control command to the effect control unit 300. Further, the output control unit 241 outputs information related to the number of winning balls to the unit control unit 500. Information relating to the control command and the number of winning prize balls is generated in each process up to step 505, set in the RAM 203, and output in this output process.

[Start-up SW processing at game control unit]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the contents of the start port SW process in the switch process shown in step 502 of FIG. In the start port SW process, a process for winning at the first start port 121 and a process for winning at the second start port 122 are sequentially performed. Referring to FIG. 7, the special symbol lottery unit 231 of the game control unit 200 first determines whether or not the game ball is won at the first start port 121 and the first start port SW 211 is turned on (step 601). ). If the first start port SW211 is turned on, then the special symbol lottery unit 231 determines whether or not the number U1 of unreserved hold numbers in the winning of the first start port 121 is less than the upper limit value (step 602). ). In the example shown in FIG. 7, the upper limit value is four. If the number of holdings U1 has reached the upper limit (No in step 602), the winnings for the undrawn lots cannot be held any longer, so the process for winning at the first start port 121 is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the number of reservations U1 is less than the upper limit value (Yes in Step 602), the special symbol lottery unit 231 then adds 1 to the value of the number of reservations U1 (Step 603). Then, a random value for the lottery by the current winning is obtained and stored in the RAM 203 (step 604). Here, since the first starting port 121 is won, a random number value for special symbol lottery is acquired. The random value acquired at this time is the value updated by the random number update process in step 501. And the result of the special symbol lottery is determined by this random number value. Random value here is a jackpot random value that determines jackpot, jackpot or lose, jackpot type (whether there is a short-time gaming state after the jackpot game, whether there is a promiscuous gaming state, per jackpot, short hit) A design random number value to be determined (a jackpot symbol random number value), a variation pattern random number for specifying a variation pattern in symbol variation, a reach random number value for determining whether or not to perform a reachable effect, and the like are included.

  Next, the special symbol lottery unit 231 performs a pre-determination process for performing a notice effect of the lottery result on a winning ball (holding ball) for which a special symbol variation display operation is suspended (that is, an undrawn lottery). Perform (step 605). In this pre-determination process, the lottery result is determined not at the start of symbol variation but at the start opening prize (ie, at step 605). In addition, in the gaming machine that does not perform the notice effect of the lottery result, this prior determination process may be omitted. Thereafter, the special symbol lottery unit 231 sets a command for increasing the number of held U1 to notify the effect control unit 300 of the increase in the number of held U1 in Step 603 in the RAM 203 (Step 606), and wins a prize at the first start port 121. The process for is terminated. When the preliminary determination process in step 605 is performed, the information on the determination result of the preliminary determination obtained in step 605 is included in the pending number U1 increase command.

  Next, a process for winning in the second start port 122 is performed. Referring to FIG. 7, the special symbol lottery unit 231 determines whether or not the game ball is won at the second start port 122 and the second start port SW 212 is turned on (step 607). If the second start port SW212 is turned ON, then the special symbol lottery unit 231 determines whether or not the number U2 of unsettled holdings in the winning of the second start port 122 is less than the upper limit value (step 608). ). In the example shown in FIG. 7, the upper limit value is four. If the number of holds U2 has reached the upper limit (No in step 608), the winning for the undrawn lots cannot be held any longer, and the process for winning at the second start port 122 is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the reserved number U2 is less than the upper limit value (Yes in Step 608), the special symbol lottery unit 231 next adds 1 to the value of the reserved number U2 (Step 609). Then, a random value for the lottery by the current winning is acquired and stored in the RAM 203 (step 610). Here, since the winning of the second starting port 122 is won, a random number value for special symbol lottery (a jackpot random number, a jackpot symbol random number, a reach random number, a variation pattern random number, etc.) is acquired as in step 604 above. The random value acquired at this time is the value updated by the random number update process in step 501. And the result of the special symbol lottery is determined by this random number value.

  Next, the special symbol lottery unit 231 performs a pre-determination process for performing a notice effect of the lottery result on a winning ball (holding ball) for which a special symbol variation display operation is suspended (that is, an undrawn lottery). Perform (step 611). The contents of this preliminary determination process are the same as in step 605 above. This pre-determination process may also be omitted in gaming machines that do not perform the notice effect of the lottery result. Thereafter, the special symbol lottery unit 231 sets a command for increasing the number of held U2 for notifying the effect control unit 300 of the increase in the number of held U2 in step 609 in the RAM 203 (step 612), and wins a prize at the second starting port 122. The process for is terminated. When the preliminary determination process in step 611 is performed, the information on the determination result of the preliminary determination obtained in step 611 is included in the pending number U2 increase command.

[Gate switch processing in game control unit]
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the contents of the gate SW process in the switch process shown in step 502 of FIG. In this gate SW process, the normal symbol lottery unit 232 of the game control unit 200 first determines whether or not the game ball passes through the gate 124 and the gate SW 214 is turned on (step 701). If the gate SW 214 is turned ON, then the normal symbol lottery unit 232 determines whether or not the number of holds G for the undrawn lot is less than the upper limit value (step 702). In the example shown in FIG. 8, the upper limit value is four. If the number of holds G has reached the upper limit (No in step 702), the winning for the undrawn lots cannot be held any more, and the gate SW process is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the number of reservations G is less than the upper limit (Yes in Step 702), the normal symbol lottery unit 232 next adds 1 to the value of the number of reservations G (Step 703). Then, a random value for the lottery by the current winning is obtained and stored in the RAM 203 (step 704). Here, since the gate 124 is won, a random number value (such as a winning random number) for normal symbol lottery is acquired.

[Special symbol processing in game control unit]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the contents of the special symbol processing in the symbol processing shown in step 503 of FIG. In this special symbol process, the special symbol variation control unit 233 of the game control unit 200 first checks whether or not the winning game flag is ON in the setting of a flag set in the RAM 203 (hereinafter, flag setting) ( Step 801). Here, when the result of the special symbol lottery is a big win or a small win, the win game flag is a flag that is set to identify a game state corresponding to these wins. Depending on the hit type, one of the long hit game flag, the short hit game flag, and the small hit game flag is set. In the present embodiment, these are collectively called a winning game flag.

  When the winning game flag is ON, since the pachinko gaming machine 100 is already in a gaming state due to some kind of hitting (a state where the special symbol is selected and stopped), the special symbol processing is terminated without starting the special symbol variation. (Yes in step 801). On the other hand, if the winning game flag is OFF (No in Step 801), the special symbol variation control unit 233 next determines whether or not the current state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 is in the special symbol variation (Step 802). . When the special symbol is not changing (No in step 802), the special symbol fluctuation control unit 233 performs processing related to the number of holdings U1 and U2 (see FIG. 7) for the undrawn special symbol (steps 803 to 806). . In the present embodiment, the number of holds U1 related to winning of the first start port 121 and the number of holds U2 related to winning of the second start port 122 are distinguished, so this processing is also performed for each corresponding start port. .

  Specifically, the special symbol variation control unit 233 first determines whether or not the number of holds U2 related to winning in the second start port 122 is 1 or more (step 803). When the number of reservations U2 is 1 or more (Yes in Step 803), the special symbol variation control unit 233 subtracts 1 from the value of the number of reservations U2 (Step 804). On the other hand, if the hold number U2 = 0 (No in step 803), the special symbol variation control unit 233 next determines whether the hold number U1 related to winning in the first start port 121 is 1 or more (step 805). . When the number of reservations U1 is 1 or more (Yes in Step 805), the special symbol variation control unit 233 subtracts 1 from the value of the number of reservations U1 (Step 806). On the other hand, if the number of holdings U1 = 0 (No in step 805), it means that there is no winning for starting the special symbol lottery, so the special symbol change is not started, and the waiting for a different routine is set. The process is executed and the process is terminated (step 816).

  After subtracting the holding number U1 or the holding number U2 in step 804 or step 806, the special symbol variation control unit 233 turns off the customer waiting flag set in the flag setting of the RAM 203 (step 807). The customer waiting flag is a flag for identifying that the pachinko gaming machine 100 is in a customer waiting state, and is set in the customer waiting setting process.

  Next, the special symbol variation control unit 233 executes jackpot determination processing and variation pattern selection processing by separate routines (steps 808 and 809). As will be described in detail later, setting information (design, game state, variation pattern, etc.) included in the variation start command sent to the effect control unit 300 is determined by the jackpot determination processing and variation pattern selection processing.

  Thereafter, the special symbol fluctuation control unit 233, based on the setting contents determined in the jackpot determination process and the fluctuation pattern selection process, the first special symbol display 221 and the second special symbol display 222 shown in FIG. The variation of the special symbol displayed is started (step 810). Then, a change start command including setting information (symbol, gaming state, change pattern, etc.) indicating the setting contents is generated and set in the RAM 203 (step 811). The variation start command set in step 811 is transmitted to the effect control unit 300 by the output process shown in step 506 of FIG.

  If it is determined in step 802 that the special symbol is changing (Yes in step 802), or after the change start command is set in step 811, the special symbol fluctuation control unit 233 determines whether or not the fluctuation time has elapsed. (Step 812). That is, it is determined whether or not the elapsed time since the start of the variation of the special symbol at step 810 has reached the variation time set in the variation pattern selection process at step 809. If the variation time has not elapsed (No in step 812), the special symbol variation is continued, and the special symbol processing is terminated as it is.

  On the other hand, when the variation time has elapsed (Yes in step 812), the special symbol variation control unit 233 first stops the variation of the special symbols in the first special symbol display 221 and the second special symbol display 222 (step 813), a change stop command is set in the RAM 203 (step 814). Then, a stop routine process of another routine is executed (step 815). The contents of the stop process will be described later. The variation stop command set in step 814 is transmitted to the effect control unit 300 by the output process shown in step 506 of FIG.

[Big hit judgment processing by game control unit]
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the contents of the jackpot determination process (step 808 in FIG. 9). In this jackpot determination process, the special symbol lottery result determination unit 234 of the game control unit 200 first determines a jackpot random number in the current special symbol lottery (step 901), and determines whether or not the jackpot or small hit is made. (Steps 902 and 905). The value of the jackpot random number acquired in step 604 or step 610 in FIG. 7 matches the value set as the jackpot winning value or the value set as the jackpot winning value as to whether the jackpot or the jackpot has been won It is determined by judging whether or not (see FIG. 18A).

  If the result of the random number determination in step 901 is a big hit (Yes in step 902), then the special symbol lottery result determination unit 234 determines a big hit symbol random number (step 903). Depending on the result of this determination, the type of jackpot (any of probability variation + time reduction, probability variation + no time shortage, no probability variation + time shortage, no probability variation + no time shortness) is determined. Which jackpot is determined is determined by whether the value of the jackpot symbol random number acquired in step 604 of FIG. 7 matches one of the preset values for each jackpot type (FIG. 18B). )reference). After the above determination, the special symbol lottery result determination unit 234 sets the symbol representing the type of jackpot determined by the determination of the jackpot symbol random number (the jackpot symbol) as setting information in the RAM 203 (step 904).

  When the result of the random number determination in step 901 is a small hit (No in step 902, Yes in step 905), the special symbol lottery result determination unit 234 next displays a symbol indicating a small hit (hereinafter referred to as a small hit symbol). ) As setting information in the RAM 203 (step 906).

  If the result of the random number determination in step 901 is neither big win nor small win (No in step 902 and step 905), then the special symbol lottery result determination unit 234 indicates that the lottery has been lost (hereinafter referred to as a lost symbol). Is set in the RAM 203 as setting information (step 907).

[Change pattern selection process by game control unit]
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the contents of the variation pattern selection process (step 809 in FIG. 9). In this variation pattern selection process, the variation pattern selection unit 235 of the game control unit 200 first determines whether or not a big win has been won in this special symbol lottery (step 1001). This determination is the same as steps 901 and 902 of the jackpot determination process (FIG. 10) (the determination result of step 902 may be used). If it is a big hit (Yes in Step 1001), the fluctuation pattern selection unit 235 reads the big hit fluctuation pattern table from the ROM 202 and sets it in the RAM 203 (Step 1002).

  On the other hand, if the jackpot has not been won (No in step 1001), the variation pattern selection unit 235 then determines a random number for determining whether or not to perform a so-called reach effect for causing the player to expect a jackpot. (Step 1003). Whether or not the reach effect is performed is determined by determining whether or not the reach random number value acquired in step 604 in FIG. 7 matches a preset value (see FIG. 18C).

  As a result of determination using random numbers, when a reach effect is performed (Yes in step 1004), the variation pattern selection unit 235 reads a variation pattern table for reach from the ROM 202 and sets it in the RAM 203 (step 1005). When the reach effect is not performed (No in Step 1004), the variation pattern selection unit 235 reads the variation pattern table for loss from the ROM 202 and sets it in the RAM 203 (Step 1006). Here, the variation pattern table is a table in which a plurality of variation patterns (variation times 10 seconds, 30 seconds, 60 seconds, 90 seconds, etc.) prepared in advance are associated with values of variation pattern random numbers.

  Next, the variation pattern selection unit 235 determines the variation pattern random number using the variation pattern random number acquired in Step 604 or Step 610 of FIG. 7 and the variation pattern table set in Steps 1002, 1005, and 1006 ( Step 1007). That is, the fluctuation pattern selection unit 235 refers to the fluctuation pattern table set in the RAM 203 and selects a fluctuation pattern corresponding to the random value of the fluctuation pattern random number. Therefore, even if the same random number value is acquired, the variation referred to depending on the state difference such as whether or not the result of the special symbol lottery is a big hit or not and whether or not a reach effect is performed if it is not a big hit Since the pattern tables are different, the determined variation pattern may be different.

  Thereafter, the variation pattern selection unit 235 sets the variation pattern selected in Step 1007 in the RAM 203 as setting information (Step 1008). The variation pattern setting information set in step 1008 is included in the variation start command set in step 811 of FIG. 9, and is transmitted to the effect control unit 300 by the output process shown in step 506 of FIG.

[Processing during stop by game control unit]
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the contents of the stop process (step 815 in FIG. 9). In this stop process, the game progress control unit 236 of the game control unit 200 first checks whether or not the time reduction flag is ON in the flag setting of the RAM 203 (step 1101). The short time flag is a flag for identifying that the gaming state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 is the short time gaming state. When the time-short flag is ON (Yes in Step 1101), the game progress control unit 236 subtracts 1 from the value of the number of lotteries (number of fluctuations) J in the time-short game state (Step 1102), and the number of lotteries J becomes 0. It is checked whether or not (step 1103). If the number of lotteries J = 0 (Yes in Step 1103), the time reduction flag is turned OFF (Step 1104). Note that the operation for turning on the time flag and the setting of the initial value of the number of lotteries J are performed in a game state setting process (FIG. 16) in a special prize opening process (FIG. 15) described later.

  If the time reduction flag is OFF (No in step 1101), or after the time reduction flag is turned OFF in step 1104, or if the value of the number of times of lottery J is not 0 (No in step 1103), then the game progress control unit 236 Checks whether or not the probability variation flag is ON in the flag setting of the RAM 203 (step 1105). The probability variation flag is a flag for identifying that the gaming state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 is a probability variation game. When both the probability change flag and the previous time reduction flag are ON, generally, the game state has a probability change and time reduction as performed after a long hit, and the probability change flag is ON and the time reduction flag is OFF. In some cases, the game is generally in a gaming state where the probability change is made after a short win but the time is not short.

  When the probability change flag is ON (Yes in Step 1105), the game progress control unit 236 subtracts 1 from the value of the number of lotteries (number of variations) X in the probability variation game state (Step 1106), and the number of lotteries X is set to 0. It is checked whether or not (step 1107). If the number of times of lottery X = 0 (Yes in Step 1107), the probability variation flag is turned OFF (Step 1108). Note that the operation for turning on the probability change flag and the setting of the initial value of the lottery number X are performed in a game state setting process (FIG. 16) in a special prize opening process (FIG. 15) described later.

  If the probability change flag is OFF (No in step 1105), or after the probability change flag is turned OFF in step 1108, or if the value of the lottery count X is not 0 (No in step 1107), then the game progress control unit 236 Determines whether or not a big win has been won in this special symbol lottery (step 1109). If it is a big hit (Yes in Step 1109), the game progress control unit 236 next determines whether or not the type of big hit is a long win (Step 1110).

  These determinations can be made based on the type of symbol set in the setting information in the jackpot determination process (FIG. 10). For example, when the normal symbol A or the probability variation symbol A is set among symbols shown in the diagram of FIG. 18B described later, it is determined that the jackpot type is long hit. Further, when the normal symbol B, the probability variation symbol B or the latent probability symbol is set, it is determined that the type of jackpot is short hit. Therefore, if the normal symbol A or the probable variation symbol A is set in the setting information, “Yes” in both steps 1109 and 1110. If the normal symbol B, the probability variation symbol B, or the latent probability symbol is set, Yes in step 1109 and No in step 1110. If the off symbol or the small hit symbol is set, No in step 1109. Since these determinations are substantially the same as the steps 902, 903, and 905 of the jackpot determination process (FIG. 10), the determination results of steps 902, 903, and 905 may be used.

  When the jackpot type is a long hit (Yes in Step 1110), the game progress control unit 236 turns on the long hit game flag (Step 1111). Thereby, the setting of the gaming state in the RAM 203 becomes a jackpot gaming state (long winning gaming state) in which the jackpot type is long winning. Here, the presence / absence of probability fluctuation is not distinguished in the per unit length. The presence / absence of the probability change is specified by turning on the corresponding flag in the game state setting process (FIG. 16) in the special winning opening process (FIG. 15) described later.

  When the big hit type is not long hit (No in Step 1110), the game progress control unit 236 turns on the short hit game flag (Step 1112). Thereby, the setting of the gaming state in the RAM 203 becomes a big hit gaming state (short winning gaming state) in which the big hit type is short hit.

  After the winning game flag is turned ON in step 1111 or step 1112, the game progress control unit 236 initializes the values of the lottery times J and X (step 1113). That is, since the special symbol lottery was a big win (step 1109), the lottery times J and X are reset to 0 and newly counted again. Further, the game progress control unit 236 turns off the time reduction flag when the time reduction flag is ON in step 1101 and the lottery count J is not 0 in step 1103 (step 1114). Similarly, if the probability variation flag is ON in step 1105 and the lottery count X is not 0 in step 1107, the probability variation flag is turned OFF (step 1114).

  On the other hand, when the result of the special symbol lottery this time is not a big win (No in step 1109), the game progress control unit 236 determines whether or not the result of the special symbol lottery this time is a big hit (step). 1115). If it is not a small hit (No in step 1115), the in-stop process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is a small hit (Yes in step 1115), the game progress control unit 236 turns on the small hit game flag (step 1116). Thereby, the setting of the gaming state in the RAM 203 becomes the small hit gaming state.

  After initializing the values of the lottery times J and X in step 1113 and turning on the small hit game flag in step 1116, the game progress control unit 236 starts an opening operation (step 1117). Here, the contents of the opening operation differ depending on which of steps 1111, 1112, and 1116 the winning game flag is turned on. In other words, depending on the state of the winning game flag, one of the opening operations set in each gaming state of the long winning game, the short winning game, and the small winning game is performed. Thereafter, the game progress control unit 236 sets an opening command for performing an effect in the opening operation corresponding to the winning game flag in the effect control unit 300 in the RAM 203 (step 1118), and ends the in-stop process. The opening command is transmitted to the effect control unit 300 and the unit control unit 500 by the output process shown in step 506 of FIG.

[Customer waiting setting process by game control unit]
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the contents of the customer waiting setting process (step 816 in FIG. 9). In this customer waiting setting process, the game progress control unit 236 of the game control unit 200 first checks whether or not the customer waiting flag is ON in the flag setting of the RAM 203 (step 1201). Here, the customer waiting flag is a flag that is set to identify that the pachinko gaming machine 100 is in a customer waiting state.

  When the customer waiting flag is ON, since the pachinko gaming machine 100 is in the customer waiting state, the processing is ended as it is (Yes in step 1201). On the other hand, when the customer waiting flag is OFF, the game progress control unit 236 generates a customer waiting command and sets it in the RAM 203 (step 1202), and turns on the customer waiting flag (step 1203). The customer waiting command set in step 1202 is transmitted to the effect control unit 300 by the output process shown in step 506 of FIG.

[Normal symbol processing by game control unit]
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the contents of the normal symbol processing in the symbol processing shown in step 503 of FIG. In this normal symbol process, the normal symbol control unit 237 of the game control unit 200 first checks whether or not the auxiliary game flag is ON in the flag setting of the RAM 203 (step 1301). Here, the auxiliary game flag is a flag that is set in order to identify a game state (auxiliary game state) corresponding to a normal symbol lottery when winning. In the auxiliary gaming state, the electric tulip 123 is opened according to the electric tulip process (FIG. 17) described later, and it becomes easy to win (assistant) the second starting port 122.

  When the auxiliary game flag is ON, the normal symbol is already selected and stopped, so the normal symbol processing is terminated without starting the normal symbol variation (Yes in step 1301). On the other hand, when the auxiliary game flag is OFF (No in Step 1301), the normal symbol control unit 237 next determines whether or not the current state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 is changing the normal symbol (Step 1302). If the normal symbol is not changing (No in Step 1302), then the normal symbol control unit 237 determines whether or not the number G of unreserved normal symbols (see FIG. 8) is 1 or more (Step 1303). If the holding number G = 0 (No in step 1303), it means that there is no winning for starting the normal symbol lottery, and therefore the processing is terminated without starting the normal symbol variation.

  On the other hand, when the reserved number G is 1 or more (Yes in step 1303), the normal symbol control unit 237 subtracts 1 from the value of the reserved number G (step 1304), and the random number in the current normal symbol lottery is calculated. A determination is made to determine whether or not the normal symbol lottery has been won (step 1305). Whether or not winning is determined is determined by determining whether or not the value of the winning random number acquired in step 704 of FIG. 8 matches the value set as the winning value.

  Next, the normal symbol control unit 237 sets the normal symbol in accordance with the result of the normal symbol lottery (step 1306). That is, when a normal symbol lottery is won, a symbol representing the winning (hereinafter referred to as a winning symbol) is set in the RAM 203 as setting information. On the other hand, when the normal symbol lottery is not won, a symbol indicating that the lottery has been lost (hereinafter referred to as a lost symbol) is set in the RAM 203 as setting information.

  Next, the normal symbol control unit 237 sets the variation time of the normal symbol (step 1307). This variation time is set based on the time reduction flag set in the processing of steps 1104 and 1114 in FIG. 12, step 1506 in FIG. That is, when the time reduction flag is ON in the setting in step 1307, it is set to a short time (for example, 1.5 seconds), and when the time reduction flag is OFF, it is set to a long time (for example, 4.0 seconds). Is set. After this setting, the normal symbol control unit 237 starts the variation of the normal symbol in the normal symbol display 223 shown in FIG. 3 based on the setting content in Step 1307 (Step 1308).

  After starting normal symbol variation in step 1308 or when it is determined in step 1302 that normal symbol variation is in progress (Yes in step 1302), the normal symbol control unit 237 determines whether or not the variation time has elapsed. (Step 1309). That is, it is determined whether or not the elapsed time from the start of normal symbol fluctuation in step 1308 has reached the fluctuation time set in step 1307. If the fluctuation time has not elapsed (No in step 1309), the normal symbol variation is continued, and the normal symbol processing is terminated as it is.

  On the other hand, when the variation time has ended (Yes in step 1309), the normal symbol control unit 237 stops the variation of the normal symbol in the normal symbol display 223 (step 1310). Then, the normal symbol control unit 237 determines whether or not the normal symbol lottery is won based on the stopped normal symbol (step 1311). If it is elected (Yes in Step 1311), the auxiliary game flag is turned ON (Step 1312). On the other hand, if the lottery is off (No in step 1311), the normal symbol process is terminated without turning on the auxiliary game flag.

[Large winning mouth processing by game control unit]
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the contents of the special prize opening process in the electric accessory process shown in Step 504 of FIG. In this special winning opening process, the special winning opening operation control unit 238 of the game control unit 200 first checks whether or not the winning game flag is ON in the flag setting of the RAM 203 (step 1401). If the winning game flag is OFF, there is no prize winning in the big prize opening 125, so the big prize opening process is terminated (No in step 1401). On the other hand, if the winning game flag is ON (Yes in Step 1401), the special winning opening operation control unit 238 next performs the operation control at the time of the big hit when the pachinko gaming machine 100 is started in the stop process (FIG. 12). It is determined whether or not the opening operation is in progress (step 1402).

  When the pachinko gaming machine 100 is opening (Yes in Step 1402), the next prize opening operation control unit 238 determines whether or not a predetermined time for opening operation (opening time) has elapsed. Judgment is made (step 1403). If the opening time has not elapsed, the opening operation at the special winning opening 125 is continued, and the special winning opening process is terminated (No in step 1403). On the other hand, if the opening time has elapsed (Yes in step 1403), the special winning opening operation control unit 238 next sets the operation of the special winning opening 125 (step 1404) and initializes the winning number C (C = 0) (step 1405), the value of the number of operation rounds R of the big prize opening 125 is incremented by 1 from the current value (step 1406), and the big prize opening 125 is started (opened) (step 1407).

  In the operation setting of step 1404, the operation pattern of the special winning opening 125 and the number of rounds (operation round number) operated by the operation pattern are set. As the case where the big prize opening 125 is operated, there are a case where it is a big win per long or short in a special symbol lottery and a case where it is a small win. The operation pattern and the number of rounds are variously set according to the hit type. In the case of a long hit, for example, 15 rounds (15R) are operated, and 29.5 seconds are released once in one round. In the case of a short hit, for example, 15 rounds (15R) are operated, and one round is performed once for 0.1 seconds. In the case of a small hit, for example, one round (1R) is operated, and 0.1 second is released 15 times in this round. Here, when the operation with short hits and the operation with small hits are compared in the above examples, both 0.1 seconds of opening is performed 15 times. That is, the action of the big winning opening 125 that can be seen by the player is the same for the case of short win and the case of small win, and the short win and the small win are distinguished only from the action of the big winning opening 125 on the game board 110. I can't do it.

  As another example, 15 rounds (15R) are activated per long, 29.5 seconds are released once per round, 2 rounds (2R) are activated per short, and 0 are rounded per round. .9 seconds are opened twice, and with a small hit, one round (1R) is operated, and 0.9 seconds is opened twice in this round. In this case as well, when the operation with short hits and the operation with small hits are compared, both 0.9 seconds are released twice, and the action of the big prize opening 125 that can be seen by the player is in the case of short hits. It is the same in the case of small hits.

  The law stipulates that the cumulative opening time of the special winning opening 125 must be set within 1.8 seconds for a small hit. On the other hand, in the case of a big hit (long hit or short win), the big winning opening 125 must be continuously opened a plurality of times. Therefore, when trying to make it difficult to visually distinguish the operation with a small hit and the operation with a short hit as described above, within the range that satisfies the cumulative open time within 1.8 seconds in one operation, An operation mode in which the big prize opening 125 is opened two or more times is set, and in the short win, the same number of rounds as the number of small hits is set.

  Next, the special winning opening operation control unit 238 determines whether or not the opening time in the operation pattern set in Step 1404 has elapsed (Step 1408). When the open state at the big prize opening 125 has not passed the opening time (No in step 1408), the big prize opening operation control unit 238 then determines that the number C of winning prizes to the big prize opening 125 is a predetermined number (for example, It is determined whether or not (9) or more (step 1409). If the opening time has not elapsed and the number C of winning prizes is less than the prescribed number, the operating state (opening state) of the big winning opening 125 is continued, so that the big winning opening process is terminated (step 1409). No). On the other hand, if the opening time has passed (Yes in Step 1408) or the winning number C has reached the specified number (Yes in Step 1409), the special winning opening operation controller 238 ends the operation of the special winning opening 125 ( (Step 1410).

  Next, the special winning opening operation control unit 238 determines whether or not the round number R of the operation of the special winning opening 125 has reached the maximum value set in Step 1404 (Step 1411). If the maximum value has not been reached, the remaining operations are performed, and the special winning opening process is terminated (No in step 1411).

  If the number of rounds R of the operation of the special prize opening 125 reaches the maximum value (Yes in Step 1411), the special prize opening operation control unit 238 then starts the ending operation (Step 1412). Here, the content of the ending operation corresponds to the state of the winning game flag among the ending operations set in each gaming state of long hit game, short hit game, and small hit game.

  Thereafter, the special winning opening operation control unit 238 sets an ending command for performing the effect in the ending operation according to the winning game flag in the effect control unit 300 in the RAM 203 (step 1413). The opening command is transmitted to the effect control unit 300 and the unit control unit 500 by the output process shown in step 506 of FIG.

  Next, the prize winning opening operation control unit 238 resets the round number R of the action of the prize winning opening 125 to 0 (step 1414), and then performs an ending operation in which an elapsed time from the start of the ending operation is set in advance. It is determined whether or not the time to be played (ending time) has passed (step 1417). If the ending time has not elapsed, the ending operation is continued, and thus the big prize opening process is terminated (No in step 1417). On the other hand, if the ending time has elapsed (Yes in Step 1417), the special winning opening operation unit 238 next performs the game state setting process (Step 1418), and then turns off the winning game flag to make a big prize. The mouth process is terminated (step 1419). The contents of the game state setting process will be described later.

  If it is determined in step 1402 that the pachinko gaming machine 100 is not opening (No in step 1402), the special winning opening operation control unit 238 determines whether or not ending is in progress (step 1415). If ending is in progress (Yes in step 1415), the operations after step 1417 are executed.

  On the other hand, if the pachinko gaming machine 100 is not ending (No in step 1415), the special prize opening operation control unit 238 determines whether or not the special prize opening 125 is operating (opening) (step 1416). . If it is not in operation (No in Step 1416), the operation after Step 1405 is executed. If it is in operation (Yes in Step 1416), the operation after Step 1408 is executed.

[Game state setting process]
FIG. 16 shows the contents of the game state setting process (step 1418) executed when the ending time has elapsed (Yes in step 1417). As shown in FIG. 16, since the winning game flag is ON in step 1401 of FIG. 15, the special winning opening operation control unit 238 determines the type of winning (steps 1501, 1502, 1503, 1506). These determinations can be made, for example, based on the type of symbol set as setting information in the RAM 203 in the jackpot determination process (FIG. 10). Since these determinations are substantially the same as the steps 902, 903, and 905 of the jackpot determination process (FIG. 10), the determination results of steps 902, 903, and 905 may be used.

  If the win type is a small win (Yes in step 1501), the gaming state (internal state of the pachinko gaming machine 100) is not changed, so the gaming state setting process is terminated. If the winning type is a jackpot with no positive change and a short time (No at Step 1501, Yes at Steps 1502 and 1503), the special winning opening operation control unit 238 turns on the short time flag (Step 1504). Thereby, the setting of the gaming state in the RAM 203 becomes the short-time gaming state. Further, the special winning opening operation controller 238 sets an initial value of the lottery number J (step 1505) and ends the gaming state setting process. The initial value of the lottery number J is 100 in the illustrated example. Therefore, if the lottery in the short-time gaming state is performed 100 times, the short-time gaming state ends.

  On the other hand, when the winning type is a big hit with no probability change + no time reduction (No in step 1501, Yes in 1502, No in step 1503), the special winning opening operation control unit 238 does not set both the time reduction flag and the probability change flag to ON. The process ends. Therefore, the setting of the game state of the RAM 203 for the game after the jackpot does not result in a short-time game state or a probabilistic game state.

  When the winning type is a big hit with certain change + short time (No at Steps 1501 and 1502, Yes at Step 1506), the winning prize opening operation control unit 238 turns on the hourly flag (Step 1507), and the number of lottery times J Is set (step 1508). In this case, the initial value of the number of times of lottery J is 10,000 in the illustrated example. Further, the special winning opening operation control unit 238 sets the probability variation flag to ON (step 1509) and sets the initial value of the lottery number X (step 1510). The initial value of the number of times of lottery X is 10,000 in the illustrated example. Thereby, the setting of the gaming state in the RAM 203 becomes a time-varying probability changing gaming state. If the lottery is performed 10,000 times in the time-varying probability variation game state, the time-variable probability variation game state ends.

  On the other hand, when the winning type is a big hit with probability variation + no time reduction (No in steps 1501, 1502, and step 1506), the big prize opening operation control unit 238 turns on only the probability variation flag (step 1509), and the number of lotteries An initial value of X (10000 times) is set (step 1510). As a result, the game state of the RAM 203 is set to a probabilistic gaming state in which time is not set. If the lottery in the timeless probability change game state is performed 10,000 times, the timeless probability change game state ends.

[Electric tulip processing by game control unit]
FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the contents of the electric tulip process in the electric accessory process shown in Step 504 of FIG. In the electric tulip process, the electric tulip operation control unit 239 of the game control unit 200 first checks whether or not the auxiliary game flag is ON in the flag setting of the RAM 203 (step 1601). When the auxiliary game flag is OFF, the electric tulip 123 is not released, and thus the electric tulip process is terminated (No in step 1601). On the other hand, when the auxiliary game flag is ON (Yes in Step 1601), the electric tulip operation control unit 239 determines whether the electric tulip 123 is in operation (Step 1602).

  When the electric tulip 123 is not in operation (No in Step 1602), the electric tulip operation control unit 239 sets the operation pattern of the electric tulip 123 (Step 1603), and operates the electric tulip 123 with the set operation pattern ( Step 1604). Here, the operation pattern is set based on the time reduction flag set in the processing of steps 1104 and 1114 in FIG. 12, steps 1503 and 1506 in FIG. For example, when the time reduction flag is OFF at the time of setting in step 1603, an operation pattern that opens once with a release time of 0.15 seconds is set, and when the time reduction flag is ON, 1.80 seconds are set. An operation pattern that opens three times in the opening time is set. As described above, normally, when the hourly flag is ON (when the hourly gaming state is set), the electric tulip 123 is opened a plurality of times for a long time, and the winning support that makes it easy to win the second starting port 122 (electric chewing support) ) Is performed.

  When it is determined in step 1602 that the electric tulip 123 is in operation (Yes in step 1602), or after the electric tulip is operated in step 1604, the electric tulip operation control unit 239 opens the open time in the set operation pattern. It is determined whether or not elapses (step 1605). If the opening time has not elapsed, the operation state (open state) of the electric tulip 123 is continued, and thus the electric tulip process is terminated (No in step 1605). On the other hand, if the opening time has elapsed (Yes in step 1605), the electric tulip operation control unit 239 sets the auxiliary game flag to OFF and ends the electric tulip process (step 1606).

[Random number judgment method]
Here, a determination method using random numbers performed in the jackpot determination process (FIG. 10), the variation pattern selection process (FIG. 11), the normal symbol process (FIG. 14), and the like will be described in detail. FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a random number used in the present embodiment. 18A shows a configuration example of a jackpot random number, FIG. 18B shows a configuration example of a jackpot symbol random number, FIG. 18C shows a configuration example of a reach random number, and FIG. Configuration examples are shown respectively.

  Referring to FIG. 18 (a), the jackpot random number is set to two types, that is, a jackpot at normal time when the gaming state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 does not change and a jackpot at the time of probability change, and a jackpot. The range of values of random numbers (big hit random numbers) is 300 from 0 to 299. In the case of a special symbol lottery (a jackpot lottery) during normal times, only one winning value is set and the winning probability is 1/300. In the case of special symbol lottery at the time of probability change, ten winning values are set, and the winning probability is 10/300 (= 1/30). In other words, in the example shown in the figure, if the special symbol lottery is performed by winning at the start ports 121 and 122 at the time of the probability change, the winning probability is 10 times that in the case where the special symbol lottery is performed at the normal time. In addition, three winning values are set regardless of whether or not the probability changes, and the winning probability is 3/300 (= 1/100).

  Referring to FIG. 18B, five types of jackpot symbols are prepared: normal symbol A, normal symbol B, probability variation symbol A, probability variation symbol B, and latent probability symbol. Here, the normal symbol A and the normal symbol B are symbols representing a big hit without any probability change. Among them, the normal symbol A has a long hit (with a short time), and the normal symbol B has a short hit (without a short time). Represent. The probability variation symbol A and the probability variation symbol B are symbols representing a jackpot with certain probability variation. Of these symbols, the probability variation symbol A represents a long winning (with time reduction), and the probability variation symbol B represents a short winning (without time shortening). The latent pattern is a pattern that represents a jackpot with certainty + short time. Therefore, the probability variation symbol B and the latent probability symbol have the same gaming state after the jackpot game, but the latent probability symbol is provided separately from the probability variation symbol B in order to make it a condition for performing the probability variation latent effect. The range of random number values is 250 from 0 to 249. In addition, in the jackpot symbol random number, a winning value is set for each of the first start port 121 and the second start port 122 that trigger the special symbol lottery.

  In the normal symbol A, 35 values are assigned as winning values for both the first start port 121 and the second start port 122. Therefore, when winning the jackpot, the probability of winning in the normal symbol A (no change in probability + short time) is 35/250 (= 7/50). In the normal symbol B, 15 values are assigned as winning values for both the first start port 121 and the second start port 122. Therefore, when winning a jackpot, the probability of winning in the normal symbol B (no probability change + no time reduction) is 15/250 (= 3/50).

In the probability variation symbol A, 25 values are assigned as winning values when the first starting port 121 is won. Therefore, the probability of winning in the probability variation symbol A (with certain variation + short time) is 25/250 (= 1/1 /) when winning a big win in the special symbol lottery started by winning the first starting port 121. 10).
On the other hand, 175 values are assigned as winning values when winning at the second start port 122. Therefore, the probability of winning in the probable variation symbol A (with certain variation + short time) is 175/250 (= 7 / 10).

  In the probability variation symbol B, 75 values are assigned as winning values when the first starting port 121 is won. Therefore, the probability of winning in the probable variation symbol B (with certain variation + no short time) when winning a jackpot in the special symbol lottery started by winning the first starting port 121 is 75/250 (= 3 / 10). On the other hand, 25 values are assigned as winning values when winning at the second start port 122. Therefore, the probability of winning with the probability variation symbol B (with certain variation + no short time) when winning a big win in the special symbol lottery started by winning the second starting port 122 is 25/250 (= 1 / 10).

  In the latent symbol, 100 values are assigned as winning values when winning at the first start port 121. Therefore, the probability of winning in the latent symbol (with certainty + no time) when winning a big win in the special symbol lottery started by winning the first starting port 121 is 100/250 (= 2 / 5). On the other hand, the winning value in the latent symbol is not assigned to the second starting port 122, and when winning in the second starting port 122, it is not won in the latent symbol.

  As described above, in the example shown in FIG. 18 (b), the probability that the jackpot when winning the first start port 121 is a jackpot with probability variation + no time reduction (probability variation symbol B, latent probability symbol) is high. There is a high probability that the jackpot when winning at the second start port 122 will be a jackpot with probability variation + short time (probability variation symbol A). In this way, by making the winning probabilities of the jackpot types different when winning at the first start port 121 and when winning at the second start port 122, various game characteristics can be provided. Further, the arrangement of the first start port 121 and the second start port 122 in the game board 110 is devised so that it is easy to aim at either the first start port 121 or the second start port 122 in a specific state (mode). By configuring the above, it is possible to encourage the player to participate in more aggressive games.

  Referring to FIG. 18C, the range of random number values is 250 from 0 to 249, and 22 random numbers are assigned to the lottery result (with reach) for performing the reach effect, and the lottery without the reach effect is performed. 228 random numbers are assigned to the result (no reach). In other words, in the illustrated example, when a special symbol lottery is not won, a reach effect is performed with a probability of 22/250 (= 11/125).

  Referring to FIG. 18D, the range of the random number value is 10 from 0 to 9, and one value is assigned as the winning value when the time-short flag is OFF, and as the winning value when the time-short flag is ON. Nine values are assigned. Therefore, when the game ball passes through the gate 124 and the normal symbol lottery (open / close lottery) is performed when the short-time gaming state has not occurred, the player wins with a probability of 1/10. On the other hand, when the game ball passes through the gate 124 and the normal symbol lottery (open / close lottery) is performed when the short-time gaming state is occurring, the winning is performed with a probability of 9/10.

  These random number values start from a predetermined initial value and are incremented by one each time the random number update process (step 501) shown in FIG. 6 is performed. The values at the time each lottery is performed are acquired by the start port SW process (FIG. 7) and the gate SW process (FIG. 8), and used in the special symbol process (FIG. 9) and the normal symbol process (FIG. 14). The Note that this random value counter is an infinite loop counter, and returns to 0 again after reaching the maximum value of the set random number (for example, 299 for the big hit random number). In addition, since the random number update process is performed at regular intervals, if the initial value of each random number is specified, the winning value may be estimated based on such information. Therefore, in general, a mechanism for randomly changing the initial value of each random number at an appropriate timing has been introduced.

[Operation of production control unit]
Next, the operation of the effect control unit 300 will be described. FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the operation of the effect control unit 300 when a command is received from the game control unit 200. The operation of the effect control unit 300 includes a main process shown in FIG. 19A and an interrupt process shown in FIG. Referring to FIG. 19A, the production control unit 300 first performs initial setting at the time of activation (step 1801), sets the cycle of the CTC (Counter / Timer Circuit) (step 1802), and then sets the set cycle. Accordingly, the interrupt process is accepted while updating the random number used in the production control (step 1803).

  The interrupt process is periodically performed according to the period set in step 1802. Referring to FIG. 19B, in this interruption process, the effect control unit 300 receives a command from the game control unit 200 and performs a command reception process (step 1811). In this command reception process, an effect pattern is selected. In addition, the effect control unit 300 performs effect button processing for accepting operations such as an effect button by the player (step 1812). Thereafter, the effect control unit 300 performs command transmission processing for transmitting a command including information on the selected effect pattern to the image / sound control unit 310 and the lamp control unit 320 (step 1813). As a result, effects such as image display on the image display unit 114, sound output, operation of the movable accessory 115, light emission of the panel lamp 116 and the frame lamp 157 are performed.

[Basic structure of circulation mechanism]
Next, a circulation mechanism for circulating game balls in the pachinko gaming machine 100 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 20 to 22, the pachinko gaming machine 100 includes a discharge ball receiving tray 51 that receives a game ball discharged from a lower end port 118 provided in the game board 110, and a game ball discharged to the discharge ball receiving tray 51. A ball raising device 52 that raises the game ball, and a circulating ball stock 53 that receives the game ball raised by the ball raising device 52 and stores the game ball before being supplied to the upper plate 153. Yes. The discharge ball tray 51, the ball lifting device 52, and the circulating ball stock 53 are directly or indirectly attached to the unit main body.

  The discharge ball receiving tray 51 is provided below the lower end port 118, and the bottom surface of the ball elevating device 52 is lowest so that the game ball supplied from the lower end port 118 or the like is directed toward the ball elevating device 52 by its own weight. Is a concave member formed. The ball raising device 52 raises the game ball guided to the inside from the lower part to the upper part. The circulating ball stock 53 is a concave member that is disposed on the upper part of the ball lifting device 52 and receives a game ball lifted by the ball lifting device 52.

  The pachinko gaming machine 100 further includes a first guide member 54 in which a first guide path 54a for guiding the game ball from the discharge ball receiving tray 51 to the ball lifting device 52 is formed. The first guide path 54a is positioned such that the end on the discharge ball receiving tray 51 side is higher than the end on the ball lifting device 52 side and rolls from the discharge ball receiving tray 51 to the ball lifting device 52 by the weight of the game ball. It is inclined to. Further, the pachinko gaming machine 100 has a switching valve 57 for switching whether to guide the game ball rolling from the discharge ball receiving tray 51 side toward the ball lifting device 52 or toward the pre-cleaning stock 32a side. Is provided.

  The pachinko gaming machine 100 also includes a second guide member 55 in which a path for guiding the game ball from the circulating ball stock 53 toward the upper plate 153 is formed. Then, on the lower side of the second guide member, a predetermined number (1 in this embodiment) of a plurality of game balls falling from the circulating ball stock 53 through the second guide member. A well-known ball-cutting device 58 is provided to supply the game balls to the upper plate 153 in order. The game balls supplied to the upper plate 153 by the ball cutting device 58 are supplied one by one to the launching device 160 by the supply device 158 and fired toward the game area 111 of the game board 110 by the launching device 160.

  In addition, the pachinko gaming machine 100 includes a fourth guide member 56 that is disposed below the upper plate 153 and guides the game ball from the launch ball guide path 153r to the discharge ball receiving tray 51. The fourth guide member 56 is a hollow member through which a game ball can pass, and is arranged below the upper plate 153 and has three receiving portions 56a opened upward, and opened downward. One discharge port 56b is formed. The three receiving portions 56 a are respectively disposed below one of the three dropping holes 153 h and the discharge port 56 b is disposed above the discharge ball receiving tray 51. The fourth guide member 56 is inclined so that the receiving portion 56a side is high and the discharge port 56b side is low. Then, the game balls received by the three receiving portions 56a are directed toward the discharge port 56b by their own weight, jump out of the discharge port 56b, and fall onto the discharge ball receiving tray 51. The fourth guide member 56 is fixed to the upper plate 153 by, for example, screwing.

  Next, the supply device 158 and the launch device 160 will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 20, the supply device 158 has a ball feeding solenoid 158b that is driven by being energized in the case 158a and a rotation axis that is predetermined by energizing or de-energizing the ball feeding solenoid 158b. And a ball feed member 158c that swings within an angle range. When the ball feed solenoid 158b is not energized, the ball feed member 158c is positioned at an angle that stops the game ball at the entrance of the ball feed passage 158d formed in the case 158a (see FIG. 25). When the solenoid 158b is energized, the solenoid 158b rotates (see FIG. 26), and only one game ball is guided to the ball feed path 158d. Thereafter, when the ball feed solenoid 158b is not energized, the ball feed member 158c rotates in a direction to return to the original position by the restoring force of the spring 158e provided in the ball feed solenoid 158b (see FIG. 27), The game ball guided to 158d is guided to a launch rail 160d described later.

  As shown in FIG. 28, the launching device 160 is rotated within a predetermined angle range around a rotation axis by energizing or de-energizing the firing solenoid 160a by being energized or de-energized. And a launcher 160b that launches the game ball placed at the launch position toward the game area 111. Further, the launching device 160 is formed with a third guide passage y3 that guides the game ball launched by the launcher 160b toward the game area 111, and at the lower end of the third guide passage y3, a launch rail 160d and A ball holding portion 160e for holding a game ball at the launch position is provided together with the launch rail 160d. The upper part of the ball holding portion 160e has a function of suppressing the launching rod 160b from rotating in the counterclockwise direction when viewed in FIG. In addition, the launching device 160 includes a suppressing unit 160f that suppresses the launching rod 160b from rotating in the clockwise direction when viewed in FIG.

  In the launching device 160 configured as described above, when the launching solenoid 160a is energized, the launching rod 160b directly connected to the launching solenoid 160a rotates in the clockwise direction when viewed in FIG. The game ball is fired by hitting the game ball guided to the launch position with the tip of the launcher 160b (state of FIG. 28 (b)). Thereafter, when the firing solenoid 160a is not energized, the launching rod 160b returns to its original position due to its own weight and the force of the magnet in the firing solenoid 160a (the state of FIG. 28 (a)).

  The firing solenoid 160a is a rotary solenoid, and the firing strength of the hit ball increases as the current level (height) of the supplied pulse current increases. The current level of the pulse current supplied to the firing solenoid 160a is adjusted according to the operation angle (operation amount) of the rotation operation of the handle lever 152. That is, the launch intensity of the game ball is adjusted according to the operation angle (operation amount) of the rotation operation of the handle lever 152 by the player.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 24, a second guide passage y2 for connecting these is formed between the first guide passage y1 of the game board 110 and the third guide passage y3 of the launcher 160. Yes. That is, a series of guide paths Y for guiding the launched game balls to the game area 111 is formed by the first guide path y1, the second guide path y2, and the third guide path y3.

  The launched game ball goes to the game area 111 through the guide path Y. However, if the launch intensity is insufficient, the game ball 111 cannot reach the game area 111 and is turned back in the middle of the guide path Y to the launch device 160. Come back. Therefore, a foul port 119 for collecting the returning game ball (return ball) is provided in the guide passage Y. In the present embodiment, the foul port 119 is formed in the second guide passage y2. The foul port 119 communicates with the return path 153a, and the game balls collected from the foul port 119 are guided to the launch ball guide path 153r. A foul sphere SW 613 is attached to the foul port 119, and the foul sphere SW 613 outputs a foul sphere detection signal to the unit control unit 500 and the sphere data management unit 600.

  Further, a launch SW 611 for detecting a game ball is provided on the launching device 16 side from the foul port 119 of the second guide passage y2. A game ball that is launched toward the game area 111 by the launch SW 611, that is, a launch ball that is a game ball that is directed to the game area 111 beyond the SW 611, and a game ball that is launched toward the game area 111 is a game A return ball that is a game ball that does not reach the area 111 and is turned back in the middle and is not collected in the foul port 119 is detected. When the launch SW 611 detects a game ball, the launch SW 611 outputs a shot ball detection signal to the unit control unit 500 and the ball data management unit 600.

  Next, a mechanism for adjusting the launch intensity of the game ball will be described. The handle 151 is fixed directly or indirectly to the unit body, and is disposed on the front side of the handle base 152a (see FIG. 2A) that rotatably supports the handle lever 152. Has a handle cap 151b (see FIG. 2A) that assists the player in operating the handle lever 152. A torsion coil spring having one end connected to the handle lever 152 and the other end connected to the handle base 151a is attached to the handle base 151a. With this torsion coil spring, the handle lever 152 is viewed in FIG. In this case, a rotational force in the counterclockwise direction is applied. In the launching device 160 according to the present embodiment, when the handle lever 152 is rotated, a voltage signal corresponding to the rotation angle of the rotor shaft of the variable resistor 151ar is output to a sphere data management unit 600 (described later). 29).

  The handle 151 has a touch sensor 151c for detecting contact of the player (human body). The touch sensor 151c is, for example, a capacitance type sensor. When the player touches the handle lever 152, the touch sensor 151c detects that the player has touched the handle lever 152, and sends a touch signal to the ball data management unit 600 described later. Output.

  In the pachinko gaming machine 100 configured as described above, due to the operation of the handle 151 by the player, the game balls in the upper plate 153 are sequentially supplied to the launching device 160 by the feeding device 158 one by one. Fired toward the gaming area 111 by the device 160. Then, the game ball that is launched by the launching device 160 and reaches the game area 111 reaches the lower end port 118 through the discharge port 117 or through various winning ports, and is then discharged from the lower end port 118. It reaches the discharge ball tray 51 while being polished by the polishing member 59. Thereafter, the ball riser 52 is reached through the first guide path 54 a and is raised by the ball lifter 52 to reach the circulating ball stock 53. Then, it is supplied to the upper plate 153 by the ball cutting device 58. In this way, the circulation ball circulates in the pachinko gaming machine 100. When the game ball launched by the launching device 160 does not reach the game area 111 and becomes a foul ball, the game ball returns to the upper plate 153 again through the foul mouth 119 and the return path 153a.

  When the game ball is washed, such as after the opening hours of the hall, the switching valve 57 of the first guide member 54 is switched so that the game ball rolls toward the pre-wash stock 32a. Thereby, the game ball reaching the discharge ball receiving tray 51 reaches the pre-cleaning stock 32 a via the first guide member 54. In addition, when the hall is closed, game balls other than the discharge ball receiving tray 51, such as the circulating ball stock 53 and the upper plate 153, are discharged through the fourth guide member 56 or by the discharge device 160 and discharged. It reaches the ball tray 51 and then reaches the pre-cleaning stock 32a via the first guide member 54. In this way, after the hall business hours, all the circulating spheres are collected in the pre-cleaning stock 32 a and then cleaned by the cleaning device 30.

  Next, a mechanism for adjusting the number of game balls on the upper plate 153 will be described. First, the upper plate 153 will be described in detail. FIG. 23 is a plan view of the upper plate 153 as viewed from above. The upper plate 153 is a concave member that is disposed slightly below the game board 110 and slightly in front of the game board 110 and receives the game ball supplied by the ball cutting device 58. On the upper plate 153, a launch ball guide path 153r that aligns the game balls supplied by the ball cutting device 58 in a line and guides the game balls toward the supply device 158, and a game ball that has been guided through the launch ball guide path 153r. And a discharge port 153e that discharges the product toward the supply device 158 to the outside of the upper plate 153. The shot ball guide path 153r is inclined so that the ball cutting device 58 side is high and the discharge port 153e is low so that the game ball supplied by the ball cutting device 58 side is directed toward the discharge port 153e by its own weight.

  In addition, the upper plate 153 is formed with a shot ball stock 153s that is disposed below the ball cutting device 58 and stores the game balls supplied from the ball cutting device 58 on the upstream side of the shot ball guiding path 153r. . The game balls supplied by the ball cutting device 58 fall into the shot ball stock 153s, and then reach the shot ball guide path 153r. If game balls already exist over the entire area of the launch ball guide path 153r, after being supplied by the ball cutting device 58, the game balls wait in the launch ball stock 153s to roll to the launch ball guide path 153r in order.

  The transparent portion 10a is configured such that when a game ball exists over the entire area of the launch ball guide path 153r, the B1 to B2 game balls can be viewed from the outside when counted from the discharge port 153e side. Has been. In other words, the transparent portion 10a makes it possible to visually recognize the launch ball guide path 153r corresponding to the length of the game ball diameter × (B2−B1 + 1). In the case where B1 is 26 and B2 is 40, for example, when a game ball is present in the launch ball guide path 153r, the player receives the 26th to 40th game balls from the most downstream side. It will be visible. In the following, in the shot ball guide path 153r, an area that is visible from the outside via the transparent portion 10a is referred to as “visible area R2,” and an area downstream from the visible area is referred to as “downstream non-visible area R1. “, The region upstream of the visually recognizable region is referred to as“ upstream unrecognizable region R3 ”.

  Three suppression valves 153b are provided in the launch ball guide path 153r of the upper plate 153 to suppress the flow of a plurality of game balls. As shown in FIG. 23, the three suppression valves 153b include a first suppression valve C1 provided in the downstream-side non-visible region R1 and a second side provided in the upstream-side non-visible region R3. And a third suppression valve C3 as an example of the suppression means provided in the upstream invisible region R3. The suppression valve 153b (the first suppression valve C1, the second suppression valve C2, and the third suppression valve C3) is moved up and down by a suppression valve solenoid 153bs disposed below the upper plate 153. The three suppression valves 153b are controlled to open and close according to the number of possessed balls, which is the number of game balls that can be launched by the player toward the game board 110.

  In addition, in the firing ball guide path 153r of the upper plate 153, three drop holes 153h are formed for dropping the game balls flowing down the shot ball guide channel 153r one by one outside the upper plate 153 one by one. The upper plate 153 is provided with three on-off valves 153g for opening and closing the respective drop holes 153h. The three drop holes 153h are a first drop hole H1 formed in the most downstream portion of the shooting ball guide path 153r in the flow-down direction of the game ball, and a second drop hole H2 formed in the downstream-side invisible region R1. And a third drop hole H3 formed in the upstream side unrecognizable region R3. The three on-off valves 153g include a first on-off valve G1 that opens and closes the first drop hole H1, a second on-off valve G2 that opens and closes the second drop hole H2, and a third drop hole H3. It comprises a third on-off valve G3 that opens and closes.

  The first on-off valve G1 is opened when the number of game balls exceeding the number of balls held by the player is in the launch ball guide path 153r, and the extra game balls are removed from the first drop hole H1, the fourth Is discharged to the discharge ball tray 51 through the guide member 56. Further, the first on-off valve G1, the second on-off valve G2, and the third on-off valve G3 correspond to the number of balls at the time of game end selection, which is the number of balls at the time when the game end is selected by the player. be opened.

  The directing device 20 includes a ball appearance feeling producing unit 60 (see FIG. 1) for visually producing a feeling of the number of game balls acquired by the player who is playing on the pachinko gaming machine 100, and a player who is playing the game. Is provided with a ball-ball feeling production unit 70 (see FIG. 1) that visually produces a feeling of a large number of game balls that can be used in the game.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the cleaning device 30 includes a cleaning unit 31 that cleans game balls with water, a ball collection unit 32 that collects game balls distributed to the pachinko gaming machine 100 and the rendering device 20, and a ball collection. A cleaning ball guide unit 33 for guiding the game balls collected by the unit 32 to the cleaning unit 31; As shown in FIG. 2, the cleaning device 30 includes a post-cleaning stock 34 for storing game balls cleaned by the cleaning unit 31, and a cleaning unit 31 for cleaning game balls cleaned by the cleaning unit 31. To the post-cleaning stock 34, and a ball transfer device 36 for sending game balls from the post-cleaning stock 34 to the main stock 41.

  The distribution device 40 circulates all the game balls enclosed in the pachinko gaming machine unit PU to the circulation ball that circulates in the pachinko gaming machine 100 for the game and the exit ball feeling effect production unit 60 before the hall starts business. The effect ball used for the ball feeling effect and the effect ball used for the ball feeling effect in the holding ball feeling effect unit 70 are distributed.

[Configuration of control unit of pachinko machine unit]
FIG. 29 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a control unit of the pachinko gaming machine unit PU. As shown in the figure, the control unit of the pachinko gaming machine unit PU is an example of a control means for comprehensively controlling the pachinko gaming machine unit PU, such as display of the player's balance, the number of balls to be played and the number of balls held. A unit control unit 500, and a ball data management unit 600 that manages the data of the game balls enclosed in the pachinko gaming machine unit PU and controls the launch of the game balls by the supply device 158, the launch device 160, and the like. ing. In addition, a ball and ball feeling control unit 700 that controls the effects in the ball feeling effect producing unit 60 and the ball feeling effect producing unit 70, a cleaning control unit 800 that controls washing of the game balls by the washing device 30, and a distribution device 40, a distribution control unit 900 that controls the distribution of game balls by 40, and a supply device 158.

  Each of the unit control unit 500, the ball data management unit 600, the exit ball / ball feeling control unit 700, the cleaning control unit 800, and the distribution control unit 900 is the unit control described above disposed on the rear surface of the pachinko gaming machine unit PU. The board, the ball data management board, the ball exit / ball feeling control board, the cleaning control board, and the distribution control board are individually configured.

[Configuration and function of unit controller]
The unit control unit 500 includes a CPU 501 that performs arithmetic processing when performing various controls related to the overall control of the pachinko gaming machine unit PU, a ROM 502 that stores programs executed by the CPU 501, various data, and the like, and operations of the CPU 501 And a RAM 503 used as a general memory.

  The unit control unit 500 is connected to the sphere data management unit 600, the cleaning control unit 800, the CR unit 21, and the touch panel 22. The unit controller 500 is connected to the game controller 200 of the pachinko gaming machine 100 through a panel power supply relay terminal board. Furthermore, the unit controller 500 is connected to a unit external information terminal board 450 that transmits various types of information to a host computer installed in the hall.

  The unit control unit 500 plays a game due to a game ball winning from the pachinko gaming machine 100 to the first starting port 121, the second starting port 122, the big winning port 125, and the normal winning port 126 of the pachinko gaming machine 100. Information on prize balls acquired by the player. For example, when a game ball wins at the first start port 121, three prize balls, when a game ball wins at the second start port 122, four prize balls, and when a game ball wins the big prize port 125, thirteen prizes. When a game ball wins the ball, the normal winning opening 126, information indicating that 10 winning balls have been acquired is acquired from the game control unit 200. The unit control unit 500 transmits information regarding the number of winning balls acquired from the game control unit 200 to the host computer via the unit external information terminal board 450.

  In addition, the unit control unit 500 acquires from the ball data management unit 600 information that a game ball has been launched, information that a game ball has been discharged from the lower end port 118, and foul ball information. In addition, the unit controller 500 displays information that the card is inserted from the CR unit 21, information stored in the card inserted into the CR unit 21, information on the amount of cash inserted to borrow a game ball, and the like. Obtained from unit 21. Then, the unit controller 500 manages the balance and the number of balls held based on the information acquired in this way. Further, the unit controller 500 transmits game information such as the balance and the number of balls held to the CR unit 21 as information to be stored in the card inserted in the CR unit 21. Furthermore, the unit control unit 500 transmits information regarding the number of winning balls to the ball data management unit 600.

  In addition, when the business of the hall is finished, the unit control unit 500 controls the cleaning device 30 to instruct the cleaning of all the game balls enclosed in the pachinko gaming machine unit PU. In addition, the unit control unit 500 controls the distribution device 40 so that all game balls enclosed in the pachinko gaming machine unit PU are circulated in the pachinko gaming machine 100 for the game, The effect unit 60 distributes the effect ball used for the ball feeling effect and the effect ball used for the ball feeling effect by the ball feeling effect production unit 70.

  Further, the unit SW 500 is connected to the above-described launch SW 611, lower end SW 612, foul ball SW 613, remaining ball photo sensor 153f, suppression valve solenoid 153bs, and on-off valve solenoid 153gs. Then, the unit controller 500 controls the suppression valve solenoid 153bs, the on-off valve solenoid 153gs, and the like based on information sent from the remaining ball photosensor 153f and the like, and determines the number of game balls on the launch ball guide path 153r. adjust.

  The unit control unit 500 displays a menu screen or the like on the touch panel 22 as an example of an accepting unit, and acquires information indicating that a button displayed on the touch panel 22 such as a menu screen has been pressed from the touch panel 22.

  In the pachinko gaming machine unit PU according to the present embodiment, when the number of held balls is 1 or more and the remaining amount is equal to or more than the amount corresponding to one gaming ball, the launching device 160 launches one gaming ball. Then, the unit controller 500 decrements the number of balls held by one, but does not reduce the remaining amount. In addition, when a game ball that has been launched wins a winning ball due to winning a winning opening, the unit control unit 500 increases the number of possessed winning balls, but increases the remaining amount. Absent. In addition, when the number of possessed balls is zero and the remaining amount is equal to or more than the amount corresponding to one gaming ball, when one gaming ball is fired by the launching device 160, the unit controller 500 determines the remaining amount. When the game ball that has been fired becomes a foul ball, the number of possessed balls is increased by the amount that has become a foul ball.

[Configuration / Function of Sphere Data Management Department]
The ball data management unit 600 is a CPU 601 that performs arithmetic processing when performing various controls related to the launch of a game ball and various processing related to management of a circulating ball, and a program executed by the CPU 601 And a ROM 602 storing various data and the like, and a RAM 603 used as a working memory of the CPU 601 and the like.

  The ball data management unit 600 includes a launch detection unit (launch SW) 611 that detects a game ball launched by the launch device 160, and a lower end port detection unit that detects a game ball that passes through the lower end port 118 of the game board 110 ( A lower end SW) 612 is connected to a foul sphere detection unit (foul sphere SW) 613 for detecting a foul sphere. Then, the ball data management unit 600 receives information from the launch detection unit (launch SW) 611 that the game ball has been fired by the launch device 160, from the lower end port detection unit (lower end port SW) 612, and from the lower end port 118 of the game board 110. Information that the game ball has been discharged and information that the foul ball has been generated are acquired from the foul ball detection unit (foul ball SW) 613, respectively.

  Further, the touch sensor 151c, the stop switch 154a, and the variable resistor 151ar are connected to the sphere data management unit 600. The ball data management unit 600 includes information that the player touches the handle lever 152 from the touch sensor 151c, information that the game switch is stopped from the stop switch 154a, the rotation angle of the rotor shaft from the variable resistor 151ar, That is, information indicating the firing intensity corresponding to the rotation angle of the handle lever 152 is acquired. Further, the ball data management unit 600 is connected to a ball feed solenoid 158b of the supply device 158 and a firing solenoid 160a of the launching device 160, and the ball data management unit 600 controls the driving thereof.

  The ball data management unit 600 includes a ball feed timing signal generation unit 604, a launch timing signal generation unit 605, and a ball feed determination timing signal generation unit 606. A ball feed time (T1) is set in the ball feed timing signal generation unit 604, a launch time (T2) is set in the launch timing signal generation unit 605, and a ball feed judgment time is set in the ball feed judgment timing signal generation unit 606. (T3) is set. Each of the timing signal generation units 604 to 606 measures the set time, and outputs a timing signal (a firing timing signal, a ball feed timing signal, and a ball feed determination timing signal) to the CPU 601 when the time has elapsed.

  Then, when the firing timing signal is output from the firing timing signal generation unit 605, the sphere data management unit 600 starts from the level corresponding to the firing intensity based on the voltage signal according to the rotation angle of the rotor shaft of the variable resistor 151ar. A drive current is supplied to the firing solenoid 160a using the pulse signal as a firing drive signal. In addition, when the ball feed timing signal is output from the ball feed timing signal generation unit 604, the ball data management unit 600 uses the pulse signal having a predetermined level as a ball feed drive signal to drive current to the ball feed solenoid 158b. Supply.

  In addition, the ball data management unit 600 acquires information such as the number of prize balls acquired from the unit control unit 500, calculates the number of balls possessed in the same manner as the unit control unit 500, and manages the number of winning prize balls and the number of possession balls And the number of winning prize balls and the number of possessed balls are transmitted to the exit / holding ball feeling control unit 700. The sphere data management unit 600 is connected to the sphere raising device 52, the sphere cutting device 58, and the suppression valve 153b described above, and the sphere data management unit 600 controls the driving thereof.

[Configuration and function of the ball pitch and ball feel control unit]
The pitching / holding ball feeling control unit 700 stores a CPU 701 that performs arithmetic processing when performing various controls related to the ball pitching effect and the ball feeling effect, and a program executed by the CPU 701, various data, and the like. ROM 702 and RAM 703 used as a working memory for CPU 701 and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 29, the exit / holding ball feeling control unit 700 is connected to an insertion side photosensor 76e, a discharge side photosensor 76f, and a ball detection photosensor 76g. In addition, the ball-and-ball feel control unit 700 includes a drive unit such as a rotating body motor 61b and a regulating valve motor 62c provided in the ball-feeling effect unit 60, and a ball feeling effect unit 70. The drive units such as the insertion-side motor 85 and the discharge-side motor 90 provided are connected. Then, the exit ball / ball feeling control unit 700 controls the ball appearance effect unit 60 and the ball feel effect unit 70 based on the number of winning prize balls and the number of balls acquired from the ball data management unit 600.

[Configuration and function of cleaning control unit]
The cleaning control unit 800 includes a CPU 801 that performs arithmetic processing when performing various controls related to the cleaning of game balls, a ROM 802 that stores programs executed by the CPU 801, various data, and the like, a working memory of the CPU 801, and the like. RAM 803 used as

  The cleaning control unit 800 includes a pre-cleaning ball detection unit (pre-cleaning ball SW) 811 for detecting a game ball supplied from the pre-cleaning stock 32a to the inner case 38, and a game supplied from the cleaning device 30 to the main stock 41. A post-cleaning sphere detection unit (post-cleaning sphere SW) 812 that detects the sphere is connected.

  Further, the cleaning control unit 800 includes a vertical movement device and a rotation device that are provided in the cleaning device 30 to move the inner case 38 up and down, a stepping motor 33am that drives the ball feeding device 33a, a rotation motor that rotates the nozzle 33b, and the like. Are connected to each other. Then, based on the command acquired from the unit control unit 500, the cleaning control unit 800 controls the cleaning device 30 so as to clean all the game balls enclosed in the pachinko gaming machine unit PU.

[Configuration and function of distribution control unit]
The distribution control unit 900 includes a CPU 901 that performs arithmetic processing when performing various controls related to the distribution of game balls, a ROM 902 that stores programs executed by the CPU 901, various data, and the like, a work memory of the CPU 901, and the like. And a RAM 903 used as the above. A nozzle position detection sensor 49 is connected to the distribution control unit 900. Further, the distribution control unit 900 is connected to each drive unit provided in the distribution device 40 such as a ball cutting device 43 and a rotation motor that rotationally drives the distribution nozzle 44. Then, the distribution control unit 900 controls the distribution device 40 based on a command from the unit control unit 500. In other words, the distribution control unit 900 controls the distribution device 40 so that all the game balls enclosed in the pachinko gaming machine unit PU are circulated in the pachinko gaming machine 100 for the game, The effect unit 60 distributes the effect ball used for the ball feeling effect and the effect ball used for the ball feeling effect by the ball feeling effect production unit 70.

[Basic operations related to launching game balls of pachinko machine units]
Next, a basic operation related to the launch of a game ball of the pachinko gaming machine unit PU configured as described above will be described. A basic operation related to the launch of the game ball of the pachinko gaming machine unit PU is performed by the ball data management unit 600. Then, under the control of the management unit 600, the game data is managed by the ball data management unit 600, and the supply device 158 and the launch device 160 are controlled.

[Basic processing by the sphere data management department]
When power is supplied to the sphere data management unit 600, a system reset occurs in the CPU 601, and the CPU 601 (sphere data management unit 600) performs basic processing shown in FIG.

  First, in step S5001, initialization processing is performed. In this process, the CPU 601 reads a startup program from the ROM 602 in response to power-on and initializes each storage area of the RAM 603 (step S5001).

  Next, flag setting processing is performed (step S5002). Specifically, the ball feed flag is turned on in the ball feed flag storage area of the RAM 603.

  Next, it is determined whether or not a later-described launch standby flag is ON in the launch standby flag storage area of the RAM 603 (step S5003). If the firing standby flag is ON (YES in step S5003), the process proceeds to step S5007. If the firing standby flag is not ON (NO in step S5003), the launch is a condition for firing a game ball. It is determined whether or not the condition is satisfied (step S5004). Specifically, the unit control unit 500 acquires information that a bill or a coin for playing a game has been inserted and information that a player's card is inserted into the CR unit 21, and the touch sensor. It is determined whether or not the touch signal is output from 151c and the firing stop signal is not output from the stop switch 154b.

  If the firing condition is not satisfied (NO in step S5004), the determination process is repeated, and if the firing condition is satisfied (YES in step 5004), the launch standby flag is turned on in the launch standby flag storage area of the RAM 603. (Step S5005), a predetermined time (for example, 560 ms for the ball feed timing signal generation unit 604 and 600 ms for the launch timing signal generation unit 605) is set in the ball feed timing signal generation unit 604 and the launch timing signal generation unit 605. Time measurement is started (step S5006).

  As described above, each of the timing signal generation units 604 and 605 measures the predetermined time set for each, and outputs a timing signal (ball feed timing signal and launch timing signal) to the CPU 601 when the predetermined time has elapsed. . As will be described later, based on these timing signals, the ball data management unit 600 performs a ball feed timing signal interrupt process and a firing timing signal interrupt process.

  Next, the number of balls is updated (step S5007). Since the number of balls is counted by a ball number counter provided in the RAM 603, the counter value of the ball number counter is updated in this process. Specifically, when information indicating that there is a winning ball from the unit control unit 500 is acquired, the number of winning balls is added to the holding ball number counter.

  Next, the ball data management unit 600 determines whether or not a game end condition such as having acquired information that an operation related to the end of the game has been performed or that the number of possessed balls is “0” is satisfied (step S5008). ). The operation relating to the end of the game can be configured, for example, by touching a button image for ending the game displayed on the touch panel 22. If the game end condition is not satisfied (NO in step S5008), the process proceeds to step S5003. If the game end condition is satisfied (YES in step S5008), the basic process ends.

[Ball feed timing signal interrupt processing by the ball data management unit]
FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing the content of the ball feed timing signal interrupt process. The ball feed timing signal interrupt process is executed based on the ball feed timing signal output from the ball feed timing signal generation unit 604. In this ball feed timing signal interrupt process, the ball data management unit 600 first sets the interrupt disabled state (step S5101), and determines whether or not the ball feed flag is turned on in the ball feed flag storage area of the RAM 603. (Step S5102).

  If the ball feed flag is ON (YES in step S5102), a ball feed drive signal is output to the ball feed solenoid 158b (step S5103), and the counter value of the guide passage counter is incremented by “1” (step S5104). The interrupt disabled state is canceled and the interrupt enabled state is set (step S5105), and the ball feed timing signal interrupt process is terminated. If the ball feed flag is not ON (NO in step S5102), the process proceeds to step S5105.

  Note that the ball feed solenoid 158 b is activated when a ball feed drive signal is received, and a game ball is supplied to the launching device 160. The counter value of the guide passage counter represents the number of game balls existing in the third guide passage y3 of the guide passage Y.

[Launch timer interrupt processing by the ball data management unit]
FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing the contents of the firing timing signal interrupt process. The launch timing signal interrupt process is executed based on the launch timing signal output from the launch timing signal generation unit 605. In the firing timing signal interrupt process, the ball data management unit 600 first sets the interrupt disabled state (step S5201), and outputs a firing drive signal to the firing solenoid 160a (step S5202). When the launch solenoid 160a receives the launch drive signal, the launch solenoid 160a launches a game ball toward the game area 111 according to the launch intensity indicated by the launch drive signal.

  Next, the fire detection flag turned on in the fire detection flag storage area of the RAM 601 is turned off (step S5203), and the fire counter provided in the RAM 603 is reset (counter value is set to “0”) (step S5204). Then, the firing standby flag set in the firing standby flag storage area of the RAM 603 is turned OFF (step S5205).

  Next, the ball data management unit 600 turns on the ball feed determination flag in the ball feed determination flag storage area of the RAM 601 (step S5206), and sends a ball feed determination time (T3: 420 ms, for example) to the ball feed determination timing signal generation unit 606. ) Is set to start measurement of the time (step S5207), the interrupt disabled state is canceled and the interrupt enabled state is set (step S5208), and the firing timing signal interrupt process is terminated.

[Launched ball detection signal interrupt processing by the ball data management unit]
33 to 34 are flowcharts showing the contents of the fired ball detection signal interrupt process. The shot ball detection signal interruption process is executed based on the shot ball detection signal output from the launch SW 611 provided in the second guide path y2. In this shot ball detection signal interrupt processing, first, the ball data management unit 600 sets the interrupt disabled state (step S5301), and determines whether or not the ball feed flag is turned on in the ball feed flag storage area of the RAM 603. (Step S5302).

  If the ball feed flag is turned on (YES in step S5302), it is determined whether or not the firing detection flag is turned off in the firing detection flag storage area of RAM 603 (step S5303). If the firing detection flag is OFF (YES in step S5303), the ball feed flag that is turned on in the ball feed flag storage area of RAM 603 is turned off (step S5304), and the launch detection flag is stored in the launch detection flag storage area of RAM 603. Is turned on (step S5305). Then, the ball data management unit 600 updates the counter value of the ball count counter provided in the RAM 603 by subtracting “1” (step S5306), and subtracts “1” to update the counter value of the guide passage counter. In step S5307, it is determined whether or not the guide passage counter is “0” (step S5308). Here, the counter value of the guide passage counter is decremented by “1” because it is determined that the shot ball detection signal is due to the shot ball launched toward the game area 111.

  If the guide path counter is “0” (YES in step S5308), the ball feed flag is turned ON in the ball feed flag storage area of RAM 603 (step S5309), and the count value of the firing counter provided in RAM 603 is set to “1”. ”Is added and updated (step S5310), the interrupt disabled state is canceled and the interrupt enabled state is set (step S5311), and the fired ball detection signal interrupt process ends. If the guide path counter is not “0” (NO in step S5308), the process proceeds to step S5311.

  If the firing detection flag is not OFF (NO in step S5303), the counter value of the guide passage counter is updated by adding “1” (step S5312), and the ball feed determination flag is stored in the ball feed determination flag storage area of the RAM 603. It is determined whether or not it is turned on (step S5313). Here, the counter value of the guide passage counter is incremented by “1” because it is determined that the shot ball detection signal is due to the return ball.

  If the ball feed determination flag is ON (YES in step S5313), that is, if it is within the ball feed determination period, the ball feed flag turned on in the ball feed flag storage area of RAM 603 is turned OFF (step S5314). Then, the fire detection flag turned on in the fire detection flag storage area of the RAM 603 is turned off (step S5315), and the process proceeds to step S5311. If the ball feed determination flag is not turned on (NO in step S5313), the process directly proceeds to step S5311.

  If the ball feed flag is not turned on (NO in step S5302), it is determined whether or not the firing detection flag is turned off in the firing detection flag storage area of RAM 603 (step S5316). If the firing detection flag is not OFF (NO in step S5316), the counter value of the guide passage counter is decremented by “1” and updated (step S5317), and the process proceeds to step S5308. Here, the counter value of the guide passage counter is decremented by “1” because it is determined that the shot ball detection signal is caused by the second shot ball launched toward the game area 111. is there.

  If the firing detection flag is OFF (YES in step S5316), it is determined whether or not the firing counter is “0” (step S5318). If the firing counter is not “0” (NO in step S5318), it is determined whether or not the guide passage counter is “0” (step S5319). If the guide passage counter is not “0” (NO in step S5319), it is determined whether or not the guide passage counter is “1” (step S5321). If the guide passage counter is “0” (YES in step S5319) or if the guide passage counter is “1” (YES in step S5321), the counter value of the guide passage counter is incremented by “1” and updated. (Step S5320), the process proceeds to Step S5311. If the firing counter is “0” (YES in step S5318), or if the guide path counter is not “1” (NO in step S5321), the process proceeds to step S5317.

[Ball feed determination timer interrupt processing by the ball data management unit]
FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing the content of the ball feed determination timing signal interrupt process. The ball feed determination timing signal interrupt process is executed based on the ball feed determination timing signal output from the ball feed determination timing signal generation unit 606. In this ball feed determination timing signal interrupt process, first, the ball data management unit 600 sets the interrupt disabled state (step S5401), and turns off the ball feed determination flag that is turned on in the ball feed determination flag storage area of the RAM 603. Then, the interrupt disabled state is canceled and the interrupt enabled state is set (step S5403).

[Foul ball detection signal interrupt processing by the ball data management unit]
FIG. 36 is a flowchart showing the contents of the foul ball detection signal interrupt process. The foul sphere detection signal interruption process is executed based on the foul sphere detection signal output from the foul sphere SW 613. In the foul ball detection signal interrupt process, the ball data management unit 600 sets the interrupt disabled state (step S5501), adds the counter value of the ball holding counter to “1”, and updates it (step S5502). The prohibition state is canceled and the interrupt permission state is set (step S5503).

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 37 to 46, an example of a launch situation (situation relating to a launched game ball) in a series of launch cycles relating to the launch of the game ball will be described. FIG. 37 to FIG. 39 are examples of launch conditions on the assumption that no return ball is generated in the launch cycle before the launch cycle, and that the game ball is normally launched in the launch cycle. FIG. 46 is an example on the premise that a return ball is generated in the launch cycle before the launch cycle, and that the game ball is abnormally fired in the launch cycle.

  FIG. 37 is a time chart for a launch situation in which a normally launched game ball reaches the game area 111 and flows down the game area 111. In the previous firing cycle, a firing drive signal is output (step S5202), the firing standby flag is turned off (step S5205), and when the firing condition is satisfied, the ball feed time (T1) is set in the ball feed timing signal generation unit 604. At the same time, the launch time (T2) is set in the launch timing signal generator 605 (step S5006).

  When the ball feed time (T1) elapses, a ball feed timing signal interruption process is executed, a ball feed drive signal is output, the supply device 158 is activated, and a game ball is supplied to the launching device 160. On the other hand, when the firing time (T2) elapses, a firing timing signal interruption process is executed, a firing drive signal is output, the launching device 160 is activated, and a game ball is launched. In addition, the firing drive signal is output, the ball feed determination flag is turned ON (step S5206), the ball feed determination time signal (T3) is set in the ball feed determination timing signal generation unit 606, and measurement of that time is started. (Step S5207). As described above, in the present embodiment, the launch of the game ball and the establishment of the launch condition are the starting point of the launch cycle including the ball feed determination, the supply of the game ball, and the launch of the game ball.

  When a shot ball detection signal is output after the game ball is launched, the launch flag is turned on (step S5305), the ball count counter is decremented by “1” (step S5306), and the guide path counter is decremented by “1” (step S5306). In step S5307), the ball feed flag is turned ON (step S5309), and the firing counter is incremented by “1” (step S5310). In the example of FIG. 37, since the launched game ball enters the game area 111 and no return ball is generated, the game ball is normally launched also in the next launch cycle. Thus, in this embodiment, based on the state of the ball feed flag, the launch detection flag, and the guide path counter, whether or not the launch ball detection signal is due to the launch ball heading to the game area 111, that is, the launch status Is determined. When it is determined that the shot ball detection signal is based on the game ball, the ball feed flag is turned on, and supply of the game ball is executed in the next launch cycle. Further, in the firing cycle related to one game ball, the number of possessed balls is decremented by “1” based on the fired ball detection signal.

  FIG. 38 is a time chart when a normally launched game ball cannot reach the game area 111 and returns within the ball feed determination period, that is, when a return ball is generated within the ball feed determination period. is there. The ball feed determination period is a period from when a game ball is launched until the ball feed determination time (T3) elapses. In the present embodiment, the ball feed time (T1) −the ball feed determination time (T3) constitutes the minimum time required to execute the ball feed after determining that the ball feed is to be executed. .

  In the example of the launch situation shown in FIG. 38, the launch ball detection signal is output twice within the ball feed determination period. The state of various flags and counters at the start of the launch cycle is the same as in FIG. 37, and the launch situation before the launch cycle is normal. As in the case, flag ON / OFF processing and various counter addition / subtraction processing are performed.

  Here, the states of various flags and counters after the shot ball detection signal interrupt process based on the first shot ball detection signal have changed from before the interrupt process was executed. Specifically, the firing detection flag is turned ON by the fired ball detection signal interruption process, the counter value of the guide passage counter becomes “1”, and the counter value of the launch counter becomes “1”. That is, the states of various flags and counters before the start of the first and second shot ball detection signal interrupt processing are different. Therefore, the states of various flags and counters after the first and second shot ball detection signal interrupt processing are different (see the shot ball detection signal interrupt processing). Specifically, in the second shot ball detection signal interrupt process, YES is determined in step S5302 and NO is determined in step S5303. As a result, the counter value of the guide passage counter is “1” (step S5303). At the same time, the ball feed flag is turned off (step S5314), and the firing detection flag is turned off (step S5315). Thus, since the ball feed flag is turned off based on the second shot ball detection signal, the supply of the game ball by the supply device 158 is not executed in the next launch cycle (NO in step S5102). That is, since it is determined that the second shot ball detection signal is based on the return ball based on the state of the ball feed flag and the shot detection flag, supply of game balls is not executed in the next launch cycle. Although the supply of the game ball by the supply device 158 is not performed, the return ball is generated and the game ball has already been guided to the launch position of the third guide passage y3, so that the launch device 160 operates in the next launch cycle. A game ball will be fired. Thus, based on the launch status data indicating the launch status such as various flags and counter states, the content / event (launch status) indicated by the launch ball detection signal is determined, and the game by the supply device 158 in the next launch cycle. Whether to supply the sphere is determined. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a plurality of game balls from being supplied to the launching device 160 and launching the game balls in an abnormal state.

  FIG. 39 is a time chart when a normally launched game ball cannot reach the game area 111 and returns outside the ball feed determination period, that is, when a return ball is generated outside the ball feed determination period. is there. Therefore, the shot ball detection signal is output once within the ball feed determination period, and the shot ball detection signal is output once outside the ball feed determination period. Here, the first shot ball detection signal is the same as in the case of FIG. 37 and the first shot ball detection signal of FIG. That is, the return ball generation time is different from the case of FIG. In this case, before the second shot ball detection signal is output, the ball feed determination flag is turned OFF by the ball feed determination timing signal interrupt process (step S5402), so the second shot ball detection signal interrupt is performed. In the processing, the ball feed flag is not turned OFF (NO in step S5313). As a result, since the supply of the game balls by the supply device 158 is executed in the next launch cycle, two game balls are prepared at the launch position of the third guide passage y3 when the game balls are fired in the next launch cycle. The Rukoto. As a result, in the case of FIG. 39, two game balls are launched.

  Thus, in the case of FIG. 38 and FIG. 39, there is an abnormal launch situation in which a return ball is generated, but in the case of FIG. In this firing cycle, two game balls are prepared in the launching device 160, and two game balls can be prevented from being launched. In the case of FIG. 38 and FIG. 39, a return ball is generated in the launch cycle and two shot ball detection signals are output. Absent. Specifically, the number of held balls is not subtracted based on the second shot ball detection signal indicating the return ball.

  FIGS. 40 to 46 show the time for an abnormal launch situation in which two game balls are fired as a result of the game balls returning before the next launch cycle is started as in FIG. It is a chart. FIG. 40 shows a case where any game ball is collected from the foul port 119, FIG. 41 and FIG. 42 show a case where any game ball returns as a return ball, and FIG. 43 and FIG. When the region 111 can be reached and the other game ball returns as a return ball, FIG. 45 shows that when one game ball is collected from the foul port 119 and the other game ball returns as a return ball, FIG. It is a time chart when one game ball can reach the game area 111 and the other game ball is collected from the foul port 119. In any case, when the game ball is fired (launch timing signal interrupt processing), the counter value of the guide passage counter becomes “2”, the counter value of the fire counter becomes “1”, and the ball The feed flag is turned on and the fire detection flag is turned off.

  First, the state of the launch data when two game balls are launched will be described as a common matter of the launch situation according to FIGS. When two game balls are fired and the first game ball is detected by the fire SW 611, the ball feed flag is turned off (step S5304), the fire detection flag is turned on (step S5305), and the number of balls held "1" is subtracted (step S5306), and the guide path counter is subtracted "1" (step S5307). Here, the guide passage counter is “1”. Therefore, the ball feed flag is not turned ON (NO in step S5308). In the case of FIGS. 40 to 46, the counter value of the guide passage counter is “2” before the two game balls are fired, which is different from the case of FIGS. The ball feed flag is not turned on after the second shot ball detection signal is output.

  When the second game ball is detected by the launch SW 611, since the ball feed flag is not turned on and the launch detection flag is turned on, the guidance path counter is decremented by “1” in step S5317. The As a result, since the guide passage counter becomes “0”, the ball feed flag is turned on (step S5309), and the firing counter is incremented by “1” (step S5310).

  In addition, when one game ball is launched as shown in FIG. 38 but returned as a return ball, and when two game balls shown in FIGS. Two shot ball detection signals are output in the cycle. However, when both cases are compared, the launch data before the two launch ball detection signals are output are different. Specifically, in the former case, the ball feed flag is turned on, the firing detection flag is turned off, and the guide passage counter is “1”. On the other hand, in the latter case, the ball feed flag is turned on, the firing detection flag is turned off, and the guide path counter is “2”. Thereby, in any case, the launch data after the first launch ball detection signal is output and the launch data after the second launch ball detection signal is output are different. In other words, the launching situation indicated by the launching ball detection signal is different. Specifically, in the former case, the first launch ball detection signal is based on the launch ball and the second launch ball detection signal is based on the return ball on the premise that one game ball has been launched. It is determined that there is. On the other hand, in the latter case, it is determined that the first shot ball detection signal and the second shot ball detection signal are due to the shot ball on the assumption that two game balls have been shot. As described above, the type of signal detected is the same in the shot ball detection signal, but the launch status indicated by the shot ball detection signal can be determined based on the shot data when the signal is output. In addition, as shown in FIGS. 40 to 46, two game balls are fired and the twice-shot ball detection signal number is output. Not. Specifically, the number of held balls is not subtracted based on the second shot ball detection signal.

  Next, the difference in the firing situation according to FIGS. 40 to 46 will be described. In the case of FIG. 40, any game ball is collected from the foul mouth 119. Since the foul port 119 is provided closer to the game area 111 than the launch SW 611 in the guide passage Y, when either is recovered from the foul port 119, no launch ball detection signal is output from the launch SW 611, but from the far ball SW 613 A sphere detection signal is output. As a result, the counter value of the number-of-balls counter is incremented by “2” (step S5502). Here, since there is no game ball in the guide passage Y and the ball feed flag remains ON, the game ball is normally launched in the next launch cycle.

  In FIG.41 and FIG.42, both game balls return as a return ball. In the case of FIG. 41, all the game balls return within the ball feed determination period. In the case of FIG. 42, any game ball returns outside the ball feed determination period. First, FIG. 41 will be described. As described above, when the second shot ball detection signal interruption process is completed in the launch cycle, the ball feed flag and the shot detection flag are turned on. Is incremented by “1” (step S5312), and the ball feed flag and the firing detection flag are turned OFF (steps S5314 and S5315). Similarly, the guide path counter is incremented by “1” for the second return ball, and the ball feed flag and the firing detection flag are turned OFF (steps S5314 and S5315). Here, since the ball feed flag is OFF at the end of the ball feed judgment period, the supply of the game ball by the supply device 158 is not executed in the next launch cycle (NO in step S5102). However, since two game balls are prepared in the third guide passage y3, the launching device 160 is activated to fire two game balls.

  On the other hand, in FIG. 42, as in the case of FIG. 41, the guide path counter is incremented by “1” (step S5312), but the ball feed determination flag is turned off (step S5402). The detection flag is not turned off (NO in step S5313). As a result, the supply of the game balls by the supply device 158 is executed in the next launch cycle (YES in step S5102), and three game balls are prepared at the launch position of the third guide passage y3. The device 160 is activated to fire three game balls. In the case of FIGS. 41 and 42, a return ball is generated in the launch cycle and four launch ball detection signals are output. In either case, the number of balls held in the launch cycle is “1”. Only subtracted. More specifically, the second shot ball detection signal indicating the second shot ball heading toward the game area 111, the third shot ball detection signal indicating the return ball, and the fourth shot ball detection signal are retained. The number of balls is not subtracted.

  43 and 44, one game ball can reach the game area 111, and the other game ball returns as a return ball. In the case of FIG. 43, the game ball returns within the ball feed determination period, while in the case of FIG. 44, the game ball returns outside the ball feed determination period. First, FIG. 43 will be described. As described above, since the ball feed flag and the fire detection flag are turned on when the second fire ball detection signal interrupt process is completed in the fire cycle, the guide path counter is incremented by “1” (step S5312), the ball feed flag and the firing detection flag are turned off (step S5314, step S5315). This shows the same firing status data (ON / OFF of various flags and counter values of various counters) as that after the end of the second shot ball detection signal interruption process in the case of FIG. Further, since the ball feed flag is turned off based on the third shot ball detection signal, the supply of game balls by the supply device 158 is not executed in the next launch cycle (NO in step S5102). Here, since it is determined that the third shot ball detection signal is based on the return ball based on the state of the ball feed flag and the shot detection flag, supply of game balls in the next launch cycle is not executed. In addition, although the supply of the game ball by the supply device 158 is not performed, the game ball as the return ball is prepared at the launch position of the third guide passage y3, so that the launch device 160 operates to fire the game ball. become.

  Next, in the case of FIG. 44, although the guidance path counter is incremented by “1” as in the case of FIG. 43, the ball feed flag and the firing detection flag are not turned OFF because it is outside the ball feed determination period (step S5313). NO). This shows the same launch status data after the end of the second launch ball detection signal interrupt process in the case of FIG. Further, since the ball feed flag is not turned off based on the third shot ball detection signal, the supply of game balls by the supply device 158 is executed in the next launch cycle (YES in step S5102). Similarly to the case of FIG. 39, two game balls are prepared at the launch position of the third guide path y3 when the game balls are launched in the next launch cycle, and the two game balls are launched. .

  43 and 44, a return ball is generated in the launch cycle and three launch ball detection signals are output. In either case, the number of balls held in the launch cycle is “1”. Only subtracted. Specifically, the number of held balls is not subtracted based on the second shot ball detection signal indicating the second shot ball toward the game area 111 and the third shot ball detection signal indicating the return ball. .

  In the case of FIG. 45, one game ball is collected from the foul port 119, and the other game ball returns as a return ball. A return ball detection signal is output from the return ball, and the guide path counter is incremented by “1” based on this shot ball detection signal (step S5312). If a return ball is generated within the ball feed determination period (YES in step S5313), the ball feed flag and the firing detection flag are turned off (steps S5314 and S5315), and if a return ball is generated outside the ball feed determination period (step S5313). NO in step S5313), the ball feed flag and the firing detection flag are not turned OFF (step S5314, step S5315). When the game ball is collected at the foul port 119, the counter value of the possession ball number counter is incremented by “1”.

  In FIG. 46, since one game ball reaches the game area 111 and the other game ball is collected from the foul port 119, the counter value of the number-of-ball counter is only incremented by “1”.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the launch situation is determined using the ball feed flag, the launch detection flag, the guide path counter, and the launch counter, and stored as the launch situation data. For example, even if two shot ball detection signals are output, one game ball has been fired, but two shot ball detection signals have been output and two shot ball detection signals have been output. Thus, it is difficult to determine whether two shot ball detection signals are output. However, as described above, based on ON / OFF of the ball feed flag and the launch detection flag, the counter value of the guide passage counter and the launch counter, it is possible to accurately determine what launch status the shot ball detection signal indicates. Can do. Then, it is possible to determine whether or not the supply device 158 can supply the game ball to the launch device 160 based on the accurately determined launch situation. As a result, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of an abnormal launch situation in which a plurality of game balls are prepared at the launch positions of the game balls and a plurality of game balls are launched.

  In addition, a launch cycle for launching one game ball, specifically, establishment of launch condition → game ball supply determination (ball feed determination) → game ball supply (ball feed) → game ball launch In a series of firing cycles, the number of balls to be subtracted based on the shot ball detection signal by the launch SW 611 is limited to “1”. That is, there is an upper limit on the number of balls that can be subtracted in the firing cycle for one game ball. As a result, the number of balls can be accurately counted. For example, if the number of balls held is simply subtracted based on the operation of the supply device 158 or the operation of the launch device 160, the number of balls held will be subtracted even in the case of an empty shot, and the number of balls held can be accurately counted. Can not. Further, when the game ball is normally fired but a return ball is generated, when the number of held balls is subtracted according to the output of the shot ball detection signal, the number of held balls is decremented by “2”. Further, when two game balls are fired as a result of the return ball, when the number of balls is subtracted according to the output of the shot ball detection signal, the number of balls held is subtracted by “2”. In this case, the subtracted number of balls is “4”, and the true number of balls and the counted number of balls are different. Here, in the present embodiment, only “1” is subtracted from the number of possessed balls in the firing cycle for one game ball. That is, based on the detection of the game ball by the launch SW 611 after the launch device 160 is operated, the number of possessed balls is decremented by “1” on the assumption that the game ball has actually been launched. Here, when a return ball is generated, if it is outside the ball feed determination period, a game ball will be supplied in the next launch cycle and two game balls will be fired. Since the number of game balls is “1” and the number of possessed balls is only subtracted by “1” even in the firing cycle, the true number of possessed balls eventually matches the counted number of possessed balls. In this way, even if two game balls are fired, since one game ball has been counted previously, the true number of balls matches the counted number of balls. Can be accurately counted.

  In addition, the guide passage counter that counts the number of game balls at the launch position of the game ball is supplied with the game ball by the supply device 158 (ball feed flag ON / OF) and the shot ball detection signal output from the launch SW 611. Updated based on Here, the update mode of the guide passage counter based on the launch ball detection signal output from the launch SW 611 changes according to the counter value of the guide passage counter immediately before launch. This is based only on the shot ball detection signal output from the launch SW 611, and specifies whether it indicates a game ball launched toward the game ball or a game ball returning to the launch position (launch status). This is because it is difficult to determine the launch situation indicated by the launch ball detection signal in the launch cycle based on the number of game balls at the launch position indicated by the counter value of the guide path counter immediately before launch. The number of game balls at the launch position immediately before launch is determined by the counter value of the guide passage counter at the start of the launch cycle and whether or not game balls are supplied by the supply device 158 (ON / OFF of the ball feed flag). The As described above, the counter value of the guide passage counter at the end of the firing cycle includes the number of game balls at the launch position at the start of the launch cycle, the supply status and launch status of the game balls in the launch cycle (the launch cycle in the launch cycle). The number of game balls entering and exiting the position is counted. As a result, the number of game balls remaining at the launch position as a result of launch by the launch device 160 in the launch cycle is accurately derived.

  In the present embodiment, since a predetermined time is required to supply the game ball to the launch position using the supply device 158, a ball feed determination period is provided. That is, a predetermined time is required from the time when it is determined that the supply of the game balls by the supply device 158 is executed to the time when the supply of the game balls by the supply device 158 is executed. As a result, when a return ball is generated during this period, a plurality of game balls are prepared at the launch position for the next launch. Here, during the period from the end of the ball feed determination period to the start of the next launch cycle, that is, from the end of the ball feed determination period to the end of the launch cycle, The guide passage counter is updated based on the information, and the guide passage counter is updated based on the supply by the supply device 158 for the next launch. Therefore, even if a plurality of game balls are prepared at the launch position for the next launch, the result of the next launch can be accurately derived.

  In addition, the number of game balls at the launch position immediately before the launch and the number of foul balls collected from the foul mouth 119 between the launch and the next launch and the game area 111 are reached, and the game area 111 flows down. When the total number of game balls is the same, that is, when no return ball is generated, the supply device 158 supplies a game ball. On the other hand, the number of game balls at the launch position immediately before launch reaches the game area 111 and the number of foul balls collected from the foul mouth 119 between the launch and the next launch, and flowed down the game area 111. When the total number of game balls is smaller, that is, when a return ball is generated, the supply device 158 does not supply the game ball. In this way, by appropriately supplying the game ball according to the situation of the launch position when the game ball is launched, the operation of the launching device 160 in the state where the game ball is not prepared (empty shot) and It is possible to prevent the operation of the launching device 160 in a state where game balls are prepared excessively (two hits), that is, the occurrence of an abnormal launching situation.

  Although the present invention is applied to the enclosed pachinko gaming machine 100 in which the game ball is blocked from the outside and circulated inside, it can also be applied to a normal pachinko gaming machine in which the upper plate is opened. Further, the present invention may be applied to an encapsulated pachinko gaming machine that does not include the rendering device 20 and circulates a plurality of game balls enclosed in an internal space only for games so as not to be touched from the outside. In addition, a plurality of game balls enclosed in the internal space so as not to be touched from the outside are circulated by a plurality of pachinko gaming machines housed in a single housing, instead of being circulated by only one pachinko gaming machine. You may apply to the pachinko game machine in the pachinko game machine group comprised so that it might make it.

  In the above-described embodiment, the ball feed flag, the launch detection flag, the guide path counter, and the launch counter constitute the launch status data, and the launch status is determined based on the launch status data. Other flags, counters, etc., and other data may be used.

  The reference of the launch cycle is game ball launch (operation of the launch device 160), but can be set as appropriate, such as supply of game balls (operation of the supply device 158). Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the number of possessed balls is decremented by “1” when the first firing ball detection signal is output in the firing cycle related to the launch of one game ball, but the time of subtraction is limited to this. Absent. For example, it may be at the end of the ball feed determination period.

PU ... Pachinko machine unit, 10 ... Housing, 20 ... Production device, 30 ... Cleaning device, 40 ... Distributing device, 60 ... Ball-ball feeling production unit, 70 ... Holding ball production production unit, 100 ... Pachinko game machine, 110 ... Game board, 119 ... Foul mouth, 153 ... Top plate, 158 ... Supply device, 160 ... Launch device, 600 ... Sphere data management unit, 611 ... Launch SW, 613 ... Foul ball SW

Claims (2)

A launching means for launching a game ball toward the game area;
Supply means for supplying game balls to the launch means;
A fired ball detection means for detecting the launched game ball and outputting a shot ball detection signal when detected,
A firing cycle data storing means for storing the firing cycle data supply is reflected in the game ball by firing and the supply means of the game ball by pre Symbol firing means,
Deriving a result of firing by the firing means in predetermined firing cycle according to the firing of the game ball, and a firing result deriving means updatable the firing cycle data stored in the firing cycle data storing means ,
The launch result deriving means includes
Based on the firing cycle data stored in the firing cycle data storage means, the presence / absence of supply of the game ball by the supply means in the predetermined firing cycle, and the output of the firing ball detection signal, the predetermined firing A gaming machine, wherein a result of launching by the launching means in a cycle is derived . Based on the presence or absence of the supply of the game ball by the supply means in the predetermined launch cycle and the output of the shot ball detection signal in a specific period from when the game ball is launched in the predetermined launch cycle until a predetermined time elapses. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising a determining unit that determines whether or not to supply the game ball to the supply unit in a next predetermined firing cycle .

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