JP5897510B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine that performs a prior determination of a lottery regarding a gaming state.

  In gaming machines such as pachinko gaming machines, by satisfying various preset conditions, the gaming machine is shifted to various gaming states to improve gaming properties. For example, when a game ball wins a start opening, a big hit lottery is performed with this as an opportunity. In addition, the lottery result is notified to the player by a special symbol. The special symbol stops at the symbol representing the lottery result.

  In this type of gaming machine, depending on the state of the game and the progress of the game, it is possible to display an image on an image display device such as a liquid crystal display, operate a movable accessory, turn on various electric lamps, and output sound by a speaker. The production has been performed. And in the gaming machine in which the lottery regarding the big hit is performed as described above, an effect associated with the change or stop of the special symbol and an effect associated with the lottery result are also performed.

  Conventionally, the result of the above lottery is pre-determined by a process different from the lottery before the lottery is actually performed, and a predetermined result is satisfied, so that the result of the pre-determination is notified to the player. Alternatively, there is a gaming machine that performs a suggestion effect (hereinafter referred to as a notice effect) (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2011-004816 A

By the way, for example, in order to encourage participation by a player, for example, an effect of notifying or suggesting the determination result based on the operation of the operation means of the player, instead of simply notifying the determination result by the prior determination and performing the notice effect. May do.
Here, in the gaming machine, as the game progresses, special symbols are changed one after another, and the effects accompanying the stoppage are executed. In connection with this, in the control part which produces an effect, the process for display control of an image display apparatus is performed, for example, and the load of the process is also large. For this reason, an effective period for validating the operation of the operation means is set in advance, and an effect of notifying or indicating the determination result is provided on the condition that the operation of the operation means is executed within the effective period. There is a case. On the other hand, in the case of such a configuration, there is also a request for appropriately informing the player of the timing when the operation of the operation means becomes effective.
However, for example, if the display mode of the effective period in the image display device is to be changed according to the effective period, in addition to the display control for the effect described above, a display control process for displaying the effective period is required. As a result, the load on the control unit that produces the effect is also increased.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to appropriately suggest the operation timing of the operation means to the player while reducing the load on the control unit in the gaming machine that executes the notice effect based on the operation of the operation means.

The present invention that achieves the above object is realized as the following gaming machine. In the gaming machine 100, the determination means 200 (234, 234) for determining whether or not to shift to a special gaming state advantageous to the player when the predetermined determination condition is satisfied, and the image display unit 114 the determination unit 200 to display the result of the determination by the (234, 234), a determination result notifying means 300 for broadcast knowledge of the result of the determination, which can be operated in the operation unit 161P is the player has an operation section 161P The operation means 161, the operation instruction display means 300 for displaying the instruction display for instructing the operation of the operation means 161 on the image display unit 114 in a predetermined display period, and the effective period set shorter than the display period. The result of determination by the determination unit 200 (234, 234) is suggested on condition that the operation unit 161P of the operation unit 161 is operated. Features and suggested demonstration execution unit 300 that performs suggested effect, provided in front Symbol operation unit 161, that and a notification unit 161L indicating that a during the effective period in the broadcasting period corresponding to the effective period that This is a gaming machine.

  In addition, the said code | symbol in this column is attached | subjected illustratively in the description of this invention, and this invention is not reduced by this code | symbol.

  According to the present invention, in a gaming machine that executes a notice effect based on the operation of the operation means, it is possible to appropriately suggest the operation timing of the operation means to the player while reducing the load on the control unit.

It is a schematic front view of the pachinko gaming machine according to the present embodiment. It is a partial plane enlarged view of the pachinko gaming machine of this embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the production button of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of the control unit of the pachinko gaming 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 an effect control part. It is a flowchart which shows the content of command reception processing. It is a figure which shows the example of a setting of a mode flag. It is a flowchart which shows the content of effect selection processing. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the process during completion | finish of a fluctuation production. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the win production | presentation selection process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the ending effect selection process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of a customer waiting command reception process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of effect button processing. It is a block diagram explaining the structural example of RAM of the game control part which concerns on this embodiment. It is a block diagram explaining the structural example of RAM of the production control part which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of a prior determination process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the reception process of the alerting | reporting command by an effect control part. It is a figure which shows the example of the reservation ball display displayed on an image display part. It is a figure for demonstrating the prefetch alerting | reporting effect. It is a timing chart for demonstrating the operation instruction display and alerting | reporting regarding an effective period.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[Basic configuration of gaming machine]
FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a pachinko gaming machine 100 according to the present embodiment.
A pachinko gaming machine 100 as an example of the gaming machine shown in FIG. 1 is configured to pay out a prize ball when a gaming ball launched by an instruction operation by a player wins. The pachinko gaming machine 100 includes a game board 110 on which game balls are launched, and a frame member 150 that surrounds the game board 110. The game board 110 is detachably attached to the frame member 150.

The game board 110 has a game area 111 for playing with a game ball on the front surface, a rail member 112 that forms a passage where a game ball launched from below rises toward the upper position of the game area 111, and a game A guide member 113 for guiding the game ball is provided on the right side of the region 111.
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.

  The game area 111 is provided with a game nail and a windmill (not shown) for changing the direction in which the game ball falls. Further, in the game area 111, various bonuses relating to winning and lottery are arranged at predetermined positions. 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.

In the present embodiment, as various types of prizes and lotteries, a special symbol lottery (a jackpot lottery) starts when a game ball wins, and a normal symbol when the game ball passes. A start gate (hereinafter simply referred to as a gate) 124 at which a lottery (open / close lottery) starts is disposed on the game board 110. Here, the first start port 121 and the second start port 122 refer to a winning port that triggers the operation of one predetermined special symbol display.
The second start port 122 includes an electric tulip (opening / closing member) 123 as a normal electric accessory that is turned on and off by a pair of blades in the shape of tulip flowers that are 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, 0.15 to 1.8 seconds) and for a specified number of times (for example, 1 to 3 times) while lighting or blinking.

The pachinko gaming machine 100 has a low probability state in which a jackpot lottery is performed with a normal probability and a high probability state in which a jackpot lottery is performed with a higher probability than the low probability state. It should be noted that the state is controlled to a low probability state or a high probability state under a predetermined condition.
Further, the pachinko gaming machine 100 has a short time state where there are few winning opportunities at the second start port 122 and a short state when there are more winning opportunities at the second start port 122 than in the short time state. Note that, in a predetermined condition, the state is controlled to be either a timeless state or a timeless state. Here, the short-time state means, for example, any one or all of the following: increasing the probability of winning the normal symbol lottery, decreasing the normal symbol variation time, or extending the opening time of the electric tulip 123 Controlled by combination. In the short time state, the special symbol variation time of the special symbol may be shortened.

Further, in the present embodiment, as other prizes related to winning and lottery, even if a winning ball 125 is won as a special electric bonus that is opened according to the result of the special symbol lottery and a game ball is won, no lottery is performed. A normal winning opening 126 is disposed on the game board 110.
In the present embodiment, a display 130 for displaying a lottery result and the number of holds is arranged at the lower right position of the game board 110.

  Also, on the back side of the game board 110, a game control board that determines whether or not a special symbol is won, 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 addition, a switching power supply (not shown) that converts the supplied 24V AC power source into a DC power source and outputs it to various boards and the like is disposed on the back surface of the game board 110.

When the player touches the handle 151 and rotates the lever 152 in the clockwise direction, the frame member 150 moves the game balls at a predetermined time interval (for example, 100 per minute) with a hitting force according to the operation angle. And a launching device (not shown) for electrically firing. In addition, the frame member 150 includes a supply device (not shown) that sequentially supplies game balls to the launching device one by one at a timing in conjunction with the operation of the player's lever 152, and a game ball that the supply device supplies to the launching device. And a plate 153 (see FIG. 2-1) for temporarily storing. For example, a payout ball by a payout unit is paid out to the plate 153.
In addition, in this embodiment, although the plate | plate 153 is comprised by the upper-lower plate integral, the structural example which isolate | separates an upper plate and a lower plate is also considered. A configuration example in which the handle 151 of the launching device emits light under a predetermined condition is also conceivable.

The frame member 150 also includes a stop button 154 for temporarily stopping the launch of the game ball even when the player is touching the handle 151 of the launch device, and a game ball stored in the tray 153. A take-out button for dropping the box into a box (not shown) and taking it out.
Further, the frame member 150 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.
The frame member 150 also includes a transparent plate (not shown) for separating the game board 110 from the player.

FIG. 2-1 is a diagram illustrating the pachinko gaming machine 100 according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 2-1 (a) is an enlarged view showing an example of the display device 130 arranged at the lower right of the gaming board 110, and FIG. 2-1 (b) is a partial plan view of the pachinko gaming machine 100. is there.
As shown in FIG. 2A, the display 130 of the pachinko gaming machine 100 includes a first special symbol display 221 that operates in response to winning of the first start port 121, and a second start port 122. A second special symbol display 222 that operates in response to winning, and a normal symbol display 223 that operates in response to passage of the gate 124 are provided. The first special symbol display unit 221 displays the lottery result after stopping displaying the special symbol based on the winning of the first start port 121 after variably displaying. The second special symbol display 222 displays the lottery result after the special symbol is variably displayed on the basis of the winning of the second start port 122 after being variably displayed. Based on the fact that the game ball has passed through the gate 124, the normal symbol display 223 displays the lottery result by stopping the normal symbol after variably displaying it. In the present embodiment, the first special symbol display 221, the second special symbol display 222, and the normal symbol display 223 are each configured by a display device in which LEDs are arranged.

  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. In the present embodiment, each of the first special symbol hold indicator 218, the second special symbol hold indicator 219, and the normal symbol hold indicator 220 is composed of LED display devices arranged in a line, and is held according to its lighting mode. The number is displayed.

  Here, the hold will be described. If a game ball wins in the first start port 121 or the second start port 122 during the special symbol change display operation (while the change display for one win is being performed), the special symbol is changing. In addition, the special symbol variation display operation based on the subsequent winning cannot be started. Therefore, the number of subsequent winnings is memorized up to a specified number (for example, 4), and the right to start a special symbol for the winning game ball is until the variable display operation for the previously winning game ball ends. Deferred. For normal symbols, the same processing as for special symbols is performed. The fact that such a hold has been made and the number of hold (unchanged number) are displayed on the first special symbol hold indicator 218, the second special symbol hold indicator 219 and the normal symbol hold indicator 220.

  Furthermore, the display device 130 includes a state display device 224 that displays the state of the pachinko gaming machine 100. In the present embodiment, the status indicator 224 is configured by a display device in which two LEDs are arranged. One of the two LEDs notifies whether or not the state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 is in a high probability state in which the winning probability of the special symbol lottery is high. The other one is to notify by lighting whether or not the state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 is in a short time state in which it is easy to win the second starting port 122. In addition, by providing an LED on the status indicator 224 and hitting it to the right (by changing the hitting force of the game ball), it is notified by lighting whether or not the game state is advantageous to the player. Also good.

  The frame member 150 of the pachinko gaming machine 100 includes an input device for a player to input an effect. As shown in FIG. 2B, in this embodiment, as an example of an input device, an effect button 161, an effect key 162 that is adjacent to the effect button 161, and includes a plurality of keys arranged in a substantially cross shape, Are disposed on the frame member 150. In the illustrated example, the player can instruct one of a plurality of images displayed on the image display unit 114 by operating an effect key 162 including four keys arranged in a cross, for example. It is also possible to select the designated image by operating the effect button 161. In addition to the effect buttons 161 and the effect keys 162 shown in the figure, various input forms such as levers, dials, and the like can be adopted as the input device.

FIG. 2-2 is a diagram for explaining the effect button 161 in detail.
As shown in FIG. 2-2 (a), the effect button 161 of the present embodiment includes an operation unit 161P that is formed in a button shape and can be pressed by the player, and a button lamp 161L that emits light. Yes. Light emission of the button lamp 161L is controlled by a lamp control unit 320 (see FIG. 3). The button lamp 161L can be turned on and off at a predetermined timing. In the present embodiment, when performing a pre-read notification effect described later, as shown in FIG. 2-2 (b), the light is turned on when the operation by the effect button 161 is valid. Also, as shown in FIG. 2-2 (b), it is configured to turn off when the operation of the effect button 161 becomes invalid. Then, the button lamp 161L notifies the player that it is a valid period during the valid period of the operation of the operation unit 161P of the effect button 161 in the prefetch notification effect.
Note that the pre-read notification effect and the notification of the effective period by the light emission of the button lamp 161L of the effect button 161 will be described in detail later.

[Configuration of control unit]
Next, a control unit that performs operation control and signal processing in the pachinko gaming machine 100 will be described.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the control unit.
As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit includes a game control unit 200 that determines whether a special symbol is won or the like 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 ramp control unit 320 for controlling the payout, and a payout control unit 400 for performing payout control of the payout ball.

  As described above, the game control unit 200, the effect control unit 300, the image / sound control unit 310, the lamp control unit 320, and the payout control unit 400 are each a game as a main board disposed on the rear surface of the game board 110. The control board, the effect control board as the sub 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 is used as a CPU 201 that performs arithmetic processing when determining whether or not a special symbol is won, a ROM 202 that stores programs executed by the CPU 201, various data, and the like, a working memory of the CPU 201, and the like. RAM 203 to be provided.
When the game ball wins the first start port 121 or the second start port 122, the game control unit 200 performs a special symbol lottery and sends the lottery result to the effect control unit 300. In addition, the change information of the high probability state and the low probability state and the change information of the short time state and the short time state are sent to the effect control unit 300.

Further, the game control unit 200 performs control to increase the probability of winning the normal symbol lottery, shorten the normal symbol variation time, or extend the opening time of the electric tulip 123. In addition, the game control unit 200 holds up to the limit number (for example, four) of the unchangeable amount when the game ball continuously wins the first start port 121 or the second start port 122, or the game ball continues. Thus, the suspension is set up to the limit number (for example, 4) of the unchangeable amount when passing through the gate 124.
Furthermore, the game control unit 200 opens until the special winning opening 125, which is a special electric accessory, satisfies a predetermined condition (for example, 29.5 seconds have passed or 10 game balls have been won) according to the result of the special symbol lottery. Control is performed so that the round for maintaining the state is repeated a predetermined number of times. 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 payout control unit 400 is instructed to pay out a predetermined number of prize balls. 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, an instruction command (command) is sent to the payout control unit 400 so as to pay out 10 prize balls. Even if it is detected that the game ball has passed through the gate 124, the payout control unit 400 is not instructed to pay out the prize ball in conjunction therewith.
When the payout control unit 400 pays out a prize ball in accordance with an instruction from the game control unit 200, the game control unit 200 acquires information on the number of prize balls paid out from the payout control unit 400. As a result, the number of prize balls paid out is managed.

As shown in FIG. 3, the game control unit 200 includes a first start port detection unit (first start port switch (SW)) 211 that detects a winning of a game ball to the first start port 121, as shown in FIG. , A second start port detection unit (second start port switch (SW)) 212 that detects a winning of a game ball to the second start port 122, an electric tulip opening / closing unit 213 that opens and closes the electric tulip 123, and the gate 124. A gate detection unit (gate switch (SW)) 214 for detecting the passage of the game ball is connected.
Further, the game control unit 200 has a large winning port detecting unit (large winning port switch (SW)) 215 for detecting a winning of a game ball to the large winning port 125, and the large winning port 125 is inclined to be in a closed state. A large winning opening / closing unit 216 set to the open state and a normal winning opening detecting unit (normal winning opening switch (SW)) 217 for detecting the winning of a game ball to the normal winning opening 126 are connected.

In addition, the game control unit 200 includes a first special symbol hold indicator 218 that displays the number of unreserved reserves that have been won to the first start port 121 during the change of the special symbol within a limit number (for example, four). , A second special symbol hold indicator 219 that displays the number of unreserved reserves won in the second starting port 122 during the variation of the special symbol within the limit number, and the non-changed display that has passed through the gate 124 during the variation of the normal symbol A normal symbol hold indicator 220 for displaying the fluctuation hold amount within the limit number is connected.
Further, the game control unit 200 includes a first special symbol display 221 for displaying a special symbol variation display and a special symbol lottery result performed by winning a game ball in the first starting port 121, and a second starting port. A second special symbol display 222 that displays the result of the special symbol variation display and special symbol lottery performed by winning the game ball to 122, and the normal symbol display that displays the normal symbol variation display and the normal symbol lottery result A device 223 and a state indicator 224 for displaying the state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 are connected.

  Then, detection signals detected by the first start port switch 211, the second start port switch 212, the gate switch 214, the big winning port switch 215 and the normal winning port switch 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, and the normal symbol display 223. Thereby, the game control unit 200 performs various controls related to the number of payout prize balls.

  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 about the number of paid-out prize balls, information indicating the state of the game control unit 200, and the like acquired from the payout control unit 400 to the host computer via the board external information terminal board 250. To do.

[Configuration and function of production control unit]
The effect control unit 300 includes a CPU 301 that performs arithmetic processing for controlling effects, a ROM 302 that stores programs executed by the CPU 301 and various data, a RAM 303 that is used as a work memory of the CPU 301, and the like. And a real-time clock (RTC) 304 for measuring.
The effect control unit 300 sets the contents of the effect based on, for example, the determination result of whether or not the winning in the special symbol lottery sent from the game control unit 200 and the variation pattern. At that time, in response to an operation input from the user using the effect button 161 or the effect key 162, the effect content 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, the production control unit 300 instructs setting of a screen display for waiting for a customer as one of the productions.
Furthermore, the production control unit 300 sets the production content based on the change information of the high probability state and the low probability state received from the game control unit 200, and the change information of the short time state and the short time state.
Further, 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.
Then, 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.

The ROM 312 further stores various types 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. 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 includes a CPU 321 that performs arithmetic processing when controlling the light emission of the panel lamp 116, the frame lamp 157, and the button lamp 161L and the operation of the movable accessory 115, and programs and various data executed by the CPU 321. A stored ROM 322 and a RAM 323 used as a working memory for the CPU 321 are provided.
Based on the command sent from the effect control unit 300, the lamp control unit 320 controls lighting / flashing of the panel lamp 116, the frame lamp 157, and the button lamp 161L, the emission color, and the like. 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 (light emission pattern data) of 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.

  Furthermore, the lamp control unit 320 controls the lighting / flashing of the button lamp 161L based on the command sent from the effect control unit 300 together with the change effect and the pre-read notification effect described later.

[Configuration and function of payout control unit]
The payout control unit 400 includes a CPU 401 that performs arithmetic processing for controlling payout of payout balls, a ROM 402 that stores programs executed by the CPU 401, various data, and the like, and a RAM 403 that is used as a work memory for the CPU 401 and the like. And.
The payout control unit 400 controls payout of the payout ball based on the command sent from the game control unit 200.
Specifically, the payout control unit 400 acquires from the game control unit 200 a command for paying out a predetermined number of prize balls according to the place where the game ball has won (such as the first start port 121). Then, the payout driving unit 411 is controlled so as to pay out the number of prize balls specified by the command. Here, the payout drive unit 411 includes a drive motor that sends out the game ball from the storage unit of the game ball.

The payout control unit 400 also includes a payout ball detection unit 412 that detects the number of prize balls actually paid out from the game ball storage unit by the payout drive unit 411, and a game ball in the storage unit (not shown). Sphere detection unit 413 for detecting whether or not there is a storage, and whether or not the plate 153 in which a game ball used when a player plays a game or a prized ball to be held is full is detected. A full tank detection unit 414 is connected. Then, the payout control unit 400 receives detection signals detected by the payout ball detection unit 412, the ball presence detection unit 413, and the full tank detection unit 414, and performs predetermined processing according to these detection signals.
Further, the payout control unit 400 is connected to a frame external information terminal board 450 that transmits various types of information to a host computer installed in the hall. Then, the payout control unit 400, for example, information on the number of prize balls instructed to pay out to the payout driving unit 411, information on the number of prize balls actually paid out detected by the payout ball detection unit 412, etc. Is transmitted to the host computer via the frame external information terminal board 450. Also, similar information is transmitted to the game control unit 200.

[Functional configuration of game control unit]
Next, the functional configuration of the game control unit 200 will be described.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the game control unit 200. As shown in the figure, the game control unit 200 includes a random number acquisition unit 231, a normal symbol determination unit 232, a special symbol variation control unit 233, and a special symbol determination unit 234 as functional units that execute various lottery processes. And a normal symbol fluctuation control unit 237.
In addition, the game control unit 200 includes a variation pattern selection unit 235 as a functional unit that executes a process 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 random number acquisition unit 231 acquires a random number related to a special symbol when a game ball wins the first start port 121 or the second start port 122. Specifically, one numerical value (random number value) is selected (obtained) from a predetermined range of numerical values and used for determination by the special symbol determination unit 234.
The random number acquisition unit 231 acquires a random number related to a normal symbol when a game ball passes through the gate 124. Specifically, one numerical value (random number value) is selected (obtained) from a predetermined range of numerical values, and used for determination by the normal symbol determination unit 232.
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 determination unit 234 uses a random number table as shown in FIG. 17 at the start of the variation of the special symbol, and the lottery result is “whether it is a big hit”, “a type of big hit when winning a big win”, “ It is determined whether or not the jackpot is lost or not when the jackpot is not won. That is, the random number acquisition unit 231 acquires a random number value related to a special symbol when the first starting port switch 211 or the second starting port switch 212 serving as a detection unit detects passage of a game ball, and determines a special symbol. The unit 234 determines based on the acquired random number value whether or not to play a special game (such as a big hit game) advantageous to the player. The special symbol lottery (big hit lottery) described above refers to processing in the random number acquisition unit 231 and the special symbol determination unit 234.

  Here, the “hit” is divided into a plurality of types according to the gaming state that occurs after the end of the jackpot game. Specifically, the type of jackpot is determined depending on the combination of the short-time state or the short-time state and the high-probability state or the low-probability state. That is, as the type of jackpot, after the jackpot game is finished, it becomes a jackpot, short-time state and low-probability state state that has both a short-time state and a high-probability state state. A jackpot that becomes a gaming state, a state that has both short-time and no-probability states, and a short-time and high-probability gaming state that has both a state and a low-probability state. There can be a jackpot. 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, 29.5 seconds have passed or 10 game balls have been won) is repeated, for example, 15 times. In the “short win”, a round in which the special winning opening 125 is opened for a certain time (for example, 0.1 second) is repeated, for example, 15 times.

In addition, in the case of “small winning” when the big winning is not won, for example, a small winning game is performed in which the big winning opening 125 is opened for 15 seconds for 15 times. At the time of winning the small hit, the game state before the small win is continued even after the small hit game is completed. That is, when the game state at the time of winning the small hit is the short-time high-probability gaming state, the short-time high-probability gaming state is continued even after the small hitting game is over, and the gaming state does not shift. Similarly, when the gaming state at the time of winning the small hit is the short-time low-low probability gaming state, the short-time low-low probability gaming state is continued even after the small hitting game ends, and the gaming state does not shift.
Further, “small hit” is a kind of “out of game”, and none of the above gaming states that are advantageous to the player is set.

The variation pattern selection unit 235 selects a variation pattern (variation time) of a special symbol displayed on the first special symbol display 221 or the second special symbol display 222. Here, the variation pattern selection unit 235 determines the variation pattern based on the determination result whether or not to play the jackpot game, the determination result whether or not to reach, and the like. Then, based on the variation pattern selected by the variation pattern selection unit 235, the special symbol variation control unit 233 controls the variation of the special symbol. Details of operations of the fluctuation pattern selection unit 235 and the special symbol fluctuation control unit 233 will be described later.
Here, “reach” is an effect for causing a player to expect a big hit in a decorative pattern to be described later.

When the normal symbol lottery is performed, the normal symbol determination unit 232 determines whether the normal symbol lottery result is “winning or not”.
The normal symbol fluctuation control unit 237 controls the fluctuation of the normal symbol according to the lottery result of the normal symbol.
The electric tulip operation control unit 239 releases the electric tulip 123 for a predetermined time and a predetermined number of times when it is determined as “winning” by the normal symbol lottery, so that the game ball can be easily won at the second start port 122. Generate a state. Further, when it is determined as “displacement”, such an open state of the electric tulip 123 is not generated.

The special winning opening operation control unit 238 controls the opening operation of the special winning opening 125.
The prize ball processing unit 240 sets a command for controlling the number of prizes to be received for various types of winnings and lotteries, and a command for controlling the payout of prize balls according to the prize.
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.
The random number control unit 242 controls updating of various random values used in processing by the main 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. Under the control of the game control unit 200, the effect control unit 300, which is a sub-control means, controls the game effect, and the payout control unit 400 controls the payout of the prize ball.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing main operations of the game control unit 200.
The game control unit 200 repeatedly executes each process shown in FIG. 5 at regular time intervals (for example, 4 milliseconds) in 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. 4, 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. 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 switch process and a gate switch process are performed.
In the start port switch process, the random number acquisition unit 231 of the game control unit 200 monitors the state of the first start port switch 211 and the second start port switch 212 in FIG. A lottery process is executed.
In the gate switch process, the normal symbol determination unit 232 of the game control unit 200 monitors the state of the gate switch 214 of FIG. 3 and executes a process for normal symbol lottery when the switch is turned on.
The detailed contents of these switch processes will be described later.

As the symbol processing (step 503), special symbol processing and normal symbol processing are performed.
In the special symbol process, the special symbol variation control unit 233, the special symbol determination unit 234, and the variation pattern selection unit 235 of the game control unit 200 perform the special symbol variation and processing associated with this symbol variation.
In the normal symbol process, the normal symbol variation control unit 237 of the game control unit 200 performs a normal symbol variation and a process associated with the 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 sets a command for controlling the number of winnings and a control for paying out a winning ball 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 and the payout control unit 400. The control command is generated in each process up to step 505, set in the RAM 203, and output in this output process.

[Start-up switch processing in game control unit]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the contents of the start port switch process in the switch process shown in step 502 of FIG.
In the start port switch 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. 6, the game control unit 200 first determines whether or not a game ball has won the first start port 121 and the first start port switch 211 is turned on (step 601). If the first start port switch 211 is turned on, the game control unit 200 next determines whether or not the unchanged hold number U1 in the winning of the first start port 121 is less than the upper limit value (step 602). ). In the example shown in FIG. 6, the upper limit value is four. If the number of holds U1 has reached the upper limit value (No in step 602), it is not possible to hold any more unchanging winnings, so the process for winning at the first start port 121 is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the hold number U1 is less than the upper limit value (Yes in step 602), the game control unit 200 adds 1 to the value of the hold number U1 (step 603). And the random number acquisition part 231 of the game control part 200 acquires the random value for the lottery by this time winning, and stores it in RAM203 (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. Then, the result of the special symbol lottery is determined in the later special symbol processing by this random number value. Random values here include jackpot random numbers that determine jackpot, jackpot or loss, jackpot type (short or short state after jackpot game, short or short state, high probability state or low probability state, long hit, short Symbol random number value that determines the winning pattern, jackpot symbol random number value, fluctuation pattern random number value for specifying the variation pattern in symbol variation, reach random number value that determines whether or not to perform with reach in the event of a loss, etc. Is included.

Next, the game control unit 200 performs a pre-determination process for giving a notice effect of a lottery result to a winning ball (holding ball) for which a special symbol variation display operation is pending (that is, an undrawn lottery). (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 (that is, at step 605). In addition, in the gaming machine that does not perform the notice effect based on the advance determination, the advance determination process may be omitted.
Thereafter, the game control unit 200 sets a hold number U1 increase command for notifying the effect control unit 300 of the increase in the hold number U1 in step 603 in the RAM 203 (step 606). The process ends. 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. 6, the game control unit 200 next determines whether or not the game ball has won the second start port 122 and the second start port switch 212 is turned on (step 607). If the second start port switch 212 is turned ON, the game control unit 200 next determines whether or not the unchanged hold number U2 in the winning of the second start port 122 is less than the upper limit value (step 608). ). In the example shown in FIG. 6, the upper limit value is four. If the number of holds U2 has reached the upper limit (No in step 608), it is not possible to hold any more unchanging winnings, so the processing for winning at the second start port 122 is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the holding number U2 is less than the upper limit value (Yes in Step 608), the game control unit 200 then adds 1 to the value of the holding number U2 (Step 609). Then, the random number acquisition unit 231 of the game control unit 200 acquires a random number value for the lottery by the current winning and stores it in the RAM 203 (step 610). Here, since the winning of the second starting port 122, as in the above step 604, random numbers for special symbol lottery (big hit random number value, big hit symbol random value), reach random number value, variation pattern random value, etc.) To be acquired. The random value acquired at this time is the value updated by the random number update process in step 501. Then, the result of the special symbol lottery is determined in the later special symbol processing by this random number value.

Next, the game control unit 200 performs a pre-determination process for giving a notice effect of a lottery result to a winning ball (holding ball) for which a special symbol variation display operation is pending (that is, an undrawn lottery). (Step 611). The contents of this preliminary determination process are the same as in step 605 above. This prior determination process may also be omitted in a gaming machine that does not perform a notice effect based on prior determination.
Thereafter, the game control unit 200 sets a hold number U2 increase command for notifying the effect control unit 300 of the increase in the hold number U2 in step 609 in the RAM 203 (step 612), and with respect to the winning at the second start port 122 The process ends. 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. 7 is a flowchart showing the contents of the gate switch process when a game ball passes through the gate 124.
In this gate switch process, the game control unit 200 first determines whether or not the game ball has passed through the gate 124 and the gate switch 214 is turned on (step 701). If the gate switch 214 is turned on, the game control unit 200 next determines whether or not the unchanged holding number G is less than the upper limit value (step 702). In the example shown in FIG. 7, the upper limit value is four. If the number of reserves G has reached the upper limit (No in step 702), no more unchanging winnings can be reserved, and the gate switch processing is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the number of held G is less than the upper limit value (Yes in Step 702), the game control unit 200 adds 1 to the value of the number of held G (Step 703). Then, the random number acquisition unit 231 of the game control unit 200 acquires a random value for the lottery by the current winning and stores it in the RAM 203 (step 704). Here, since the gate 124 is won, a random number value (such as a winning random number value) for normal symbol lottery is acquired.

  After the random value is acquired in step 704, the game control unit 200 sets a hold number G increase command for notifying the effect control unit 300 of the increase in the hold number G in step 703 in the RAM 203 (step 705). The process for winning in the gate 124 is terminated.

[Special symbol processing in game control unit]
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the contents of the special symbol processing of 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, the winning game flag is a flag that is set to identify that the result of the special symbol lottery is a big hit. Either the long winning game flag or the short winning game flag is set according to the type of winning. 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 big hit, 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). . If the special symbol is not changing (No in step 802), then the special symbol fluctuation control unit 233 performs processing related to the number U1 and U2 (see FIG. 6) of the special symbols that have not been changed (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 the customer waiting state, and is set in the customer waiting setting process (step 816, see FIG. 12).

  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, by the jackpot determination process and the variation pattern selection process, setting information for variation of the special symbol displayed on the first special symbol display 221 (a jackpot symbol, a gaming state, a variation pattern, etc.) is determined. Is done. These pieces of information are included in a change start command sent to the effect control unit 300.

  Thereafter, the special symbol variation control unit 233 uses the first special symbol display unit 221 and the second special symbol display unit 222 shown in FIG. 2-1 based on the setting contents determined in the jackpot determination process and the variation pattern selection process. The change of the special symbol to be displayed is started (step 810). Then, a change start command including setting information indicating the setting contents (a jackpot symbol, a gaming state, a change pattern, etc.) 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 determines the special symbol variation in the first special symbol display 221 and the second special symbol display 222 as a big hit in step 808. Stop at the symbol determined in the determination process (step 813). A change stop command for stopping a decorative design to be described later 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 change 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. 9 is a flowchart showing the contents of the jackpot determination process (step 808 in FIG. 8).
In this jackpot determination process, the special symbol determination unit 234 of the game control unit 200 first determines a jackpot random number value in the current special symbol lottery (step 901), and determines whether or not the jackpot or small hit ( Steps 902, 905). The value of the jackpot random number acquired in Step 604 or Step 610 of FIG. 6 matches the value set as the winning value of the jackpot or the value set as the winning value of the jackpot whether the jackpot or the jackpot It is determined by judging whether or not (see FIG. 17A).

  If the result of the random number determination in step 901 is a big hit (Yes in step 902), then the special symbol determination unit 234 determines a big hit symbol random value (step 903). Depending on the result of this determination, the type of jackpot (high or low probability state, short or short state, short or short state, long or short hit) is determined. Which jackpot is determined is determined by whether the value of the jackpot symbol random number acquired in step 604 or step 610 in FIG. 6 matches a preset value for each jackpot type (see FIG. 17 (b)).

  After the above determination, the special symbol 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).

  If the result of the random number determination in step 901 is a small hit (No in step 902, Yes in step 905), then the special symbol determination unit 234 displays a symbol indicating that it is a small hit (hereinafter referred to as a small hit symbol). The setting information is set 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 determination unit 234 sets a symbol indicating that the lottery has shifted (hereinafter referred to as a loss symbol). Information is set in the RAM 203 (step 907).

[Change pattern selection process by game control unit]
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the contents of the variation pattern selection process (step 809 in FIG. 8).
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 using the determination result in step 902 of the jackpot determination process (FIG. 9). (Step 1001). If it is a big hit (Yes in step 1001), the fluctuation pattern selecting 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 value to determine whether or not to perform a so-called reach effect for causing the player to expect a jackpot. Perform (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. 6 or in step 610 matches a preset value (FIG. 17C). )reference).
As a result of the determination using the random number value, when the reach effect is performed (Yes in Step 1004), the variation pattern selection unit 235 reads the 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 value using the variation pattern random value acquired in Step 604 or Step 610 of FIG. 6 and the variation pattern table set in Steps 1002, 1005, and 1006. Perform (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 table is different, the determined variation pattern is 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. 8, 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. 11 is a flowchart showing the contents of the stop process (step 815 in FIG. 8).
In this stop process, the game control unit 200 first checks whether or not a flag indicating that the time is short (hereinafter referred to as a short time flag) is ON in the flag setting of the RAM 203 (step 1101). If the time reduction flag is ON (Yes in step 1101), the game control unit 200 subtracts 1 from the value of the number of lotteries (number of fluctuations) J in the time reduction state (step 1102), and whether the number of lotteries J has become 0. Whether or not is checked (step 1103). If the number of lotteries J = 0 (Yes in Step 1103), the time reduction flag is turned OFF (Step 1104). It should be noted that the operation for turning on the hourly flag and the setting of the initial value of the lottery number J are performed in a game state setting process (FIG. 15) in a special winning opening process (FIG. 14) 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 lottery count J is not 0 (No in Step 1103), the game control unit 200 next In the flag setting of the RAM 203, it is checked whether or not a flag indicating a high probability state (hereinafter, probability variation flag) is ON (step 1105). When both the probability variation flag and the previous time-short flag are ON, the high-probability short-time gaming state is established, and when the probability variation flag is ON and the time-short flag is OFF, the high-probability time-short no-game state.

  When the probability variation flag is ON (Yes in Step 1105), the game control unit 200 subtracts 1 from the value of the number of lotteries (number of variations) X in the high probability state (Step 1106), and the number of lotteries X becomes 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. 15) in a special prize opening process (FIG. 14) 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), the game control unit 200 next Then, it is determined whether or not the special symbol lottery has been won (step 1109). If it is a big hit (Yes in step 1109), the game control unit 200 next determines whether or not the big hit type is a long win (step 1110).

  Here, the determination of whether or not the jackpot is possible can be made based on the determination result of the jackpot determination process (FIG. 9). For example, if any of the symbols shown in the diagram of FIG. 17B described later is set, “Yes” is determined in step 1109. If a lost symbol or a small bonus symbol is set in the RAM 203 by the big hit determination process, No in step 1109.

  When the jackpot type is a long hit (Yes in Step 1110), the game control unit 200 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. In addition, here, in the long hit, it is not distinguished whether it is a high probability state or a low probability state. Whether the state is a high probability state or a low probability state is specified by turning on a corresponding flag in a game state setting process (FIG. 15) in a special prize opening process (FIG. 14) described later.

  When the big hit type is not long hit (No in Step 1110), the game control unit 200 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. Similar to the case of long hit, the case of short hit does not distinguish between a high probability state and a low probability state.

  After turning on the winning game flag in step 1111 or step 1112, the game control unit 200 initializes the values of the lottery times J and X (step 1113). Further, the game control unit 200 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 control unit 200 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 control unit 200 starts a small hit game (step 1116). Thereby, the setting of the gaming state in the RAM 203 becomes the small hit gaming state. In the small hit game, as described above, the special winning opening 125 is opened and closed a predetermined number of times, and is ended after a predetermined time has elapsed.

After initializing the values of the lottery times J and X in step 1113, the game control unit 200 starts an opening operation (step 1117). Here, the contents of the opening operation differ depending on which of steps 1111 and 1112 the winning game flag is turned on. That is, according to the state of the winning game flag, one of the opening operations set in each gaming state of the long winning game and the short winning game is performed.
Thereafter, the game control unit 200 sets an opening command for performing an effect in the opening operation according to the winning game flag in the effect control unit 300 in the RAM 203 (step 1118), and ends the stop process. This opening command is transmitted to the effect control unit 300 by the output process shown in step 506 of FIG.

[Customer waiting setting process by game control unit]
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the contents of the customer waiting setting process (step 816 in FIG. 8).
In this customer waiting setting process, 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 control unit 200 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. The customer waiting flag is set in a state where there is no suspension with the special symbol change stopped.

[Normal symbol processing by game control unit]
FIG. 13 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 variation 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 when a normal symbol lottery is won. The state in which the auxiliary game flag is set is a state in which the electric tulip 123 is opened in accordance with the electric tulip process (FIG. 16) described later and it is easy to win the second start port 122 (auxiliary game state).

  When the auxiliary game flag is ON, since the auxiliary game state has already been reached and the normal symbol is stopped, 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 variation control unit 237 next determines whether or not the current state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 is in the normal symbol variation (step 1302). . If the normal symbol is not changing (No in step 1302), then the normal symbol change control unit 237 determines whether the number G of the normal symbols remaining unchanged (see FIG. 7) 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 variation control unit 237 subtracts 1 from the value of the reserved number G (Step 1304), It is determined whether or not the normal symbol lottery is won (step 1305). Whether or not the winner is won is determined by determining whether or not the value of the winning random number acquired in step 704 in FIG. 7 matches the value set as the winning value in the table shown in FIG. Determined by.

  Next, the normal symbol variation control unit 237 sets the normal symbol according to 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 fluctuation control unit 237 sets the fluctuation 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. 11 and steps 1504 and 1507 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 variation control unit 237 starts the variation of the normal symbol in the normal symbol display unit 223 shown in FIGS. 2-1 (a) and 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 variation 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 fluctuation time is over (Yes in step 1309), the normal symbol fluctuation control unit 237 stops the fluctuation of the normal symbol in the normal symbol display unit 223 (step 1310). Then, the normal symbol variation 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. 14 is a flowchart showing the contents of the big 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 started in the pachinko gaming machine 100 being stopped (FIG. 11). 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 in the case of short win and 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 control unit 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 the long winning game and the short winning 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). This opening command is transmitted to the effect control unit 300 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 control unit 238 then performs a game state setting process by the game control unit 200 (step 1418), and then turns off the winning game flag. Then, the special winning opening 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.
The effect performed in the small hit game described above is the same as the effect performed in the short hit game, and it is not possible to distinguish short hit and small hit from the effect.

[Game state setting process]
FIG. 15 shows the content of the game state setting process (step 1418) performed by the game control unit 200 when the ending time has elapsed (Yes in step 1417).
When the game state setting process is performed, the winning game flag is set to ON in step 1401 of FIG. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 15, the game control unit 200 first determines the type of the hit (steps 1501, 1502, 1503, 1506). These determinations can be made based on the types of symbols set as setting information in the RAM 203 in the jackpot determination process (FIG. 9), for example. Since these determinations are substantially the same as steps 902, 903, and 905 of the jackpot determination process (FIG. 9), the determination results of steps 902, 903, and 905 may be used.

If it is a small hit (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.
When the winning type is a big hit in the low probability short game state (No in Step 1501, Yes in Steps 1502 and 1503), the game control unit 200 turns on the short time flag (Step 1504). Thereby, the setting of the gaming state in the RAM 203 becomes the low gaming state when the probability is low. In addition, the game control unit 200 sets an initial value of the lottery count J (step 1505), and ends the game state setting process. The initial value of the lottery number J is 100 in the illustrated example. Therefore, if the lottery in the low probability short game state is performed 100 times, the low probability short game state is ended and the low probability short short game state is entered.

  On the other hand, when the hit type is a big hit in the low probability short-time non-game state (No in step 1501, Yes in 1502, No in step 1503), the game control unit 200 performs processing without turning on both the short-time flag and the probability variation flag. Exit. Therefore, the setting of the game state of the RAM 203 for the game after the jackpot becomes a low probability short time no game state.

  When the winning type is a big hit with a high probability short-time gaming state (No in Steps 1501 and 1502, Yes in Step 1506), the game control unit 200 turns on the short-time flag (Step 1507), and the initial value of the number of lottery 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. In addition, the game control unit 200 turns on the probability variation flag (step 1509) and sets the initial value of the number of lotteries X (step 1510). The initial value of the number of times of lottery X is 10,000 in the illustrated example. As a result, the setting of the gaming state in the RAM 203 becomes a high probability and short gaming state. If the lottery in the high probability short game state is performed 10,000 times, the high probability short game state is terminated and the low probability short short game state is entered.

  On the other hand, when the winning type is a big hit with a high probability short-time non-game state (No in steps 1501, 1502, and step 1506), the game control unit 200 turns on only the probability change flag (step 1509), An initial value (10000 times) is set (step 1510). Thereby, the setting of the gaming state in the RAM 203 becomes a high probability short time no gaming state. Then, if the lottery in the high probability short-time non-game state is performed 10,000 times, the high-probability short-time non-game state is finished and the low-probability short-time non-game state is entered.

[Electric tulip processing by game control unit]
FIG. 16 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. 11, steps 1504 and 1507 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 123 is operated in step 1604, the electric tulip operation control unit 239 opens in the set operation pattern. It is determined whether time has passed (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. 9), the variation pattern selection process (FIG. 10), the normal symbol process (FIG. 13), etc. will be described in detail.
FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of random number determination (determination table) used in the present embodiment.
FIG. 17A shows a configuration example of jackpot random number determination, FIG. 17B shows a configuration example of jackpot symbol random number determination, FIG. 17C shows a configuration example of reach random number determination, and FIG. ) Each show a configuration example of the hit random number determination.

  Referring to FIG. 17 (a), as the determination value of the jackpot random number, two types of gaming states of the pachinko gaming machine 100, a jackpot with a low probability state and a jackpot with a high probability state, and a jackpot are set. 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 at the low probability (big hit lottery), only one winning value is set, and the winning probability is 1/300. In the case of a special symbol lottery in a high probability state, 10 winning values are set, and the winning probability is 10/300 (= 1/30). That is, in the example shown in the figure, if the winning symbols 121 and 122 are won in the high probability state and the special symbol lottery is performed, the winning probability is 10 times that in the case where the special symbol lottery is performed in the low probability state. Further, three winning values are set regardless of the low probability state or the high probability state, and the winning probability is 3/300 (= 1/100).

  Referring to FIG. 17 (b), five types of jackpot symbols are prepared: low probability symbol A, low probability symbol B, high probability symbol A, high probability symbol B, and latent symbol symbol. Here, the low-probability symbol A and the low-probability symbol B are symbols indicating that the low-probability state is a big hit, and among these, the low-probability symbol A is a long hit (low-probability short-time gaming state), Represents each short hit (low probability, short no-game state). The high-probability symbol A and the high-probability symbol B are symbols representing a jackpot of a high-probability state. Among these symbols, the high-probability symbol A is a long win (high-probability short-time gaming state) and the high-probability symbol B is a short-win High probability short-time non-game state). The latent symbol is a symbol representing that it is a big hit in a high probability short-time no-game state. Therefore, the high probability symbol B and the latent probability symbol have the same gaming state after the jackpot game, but the latent probability symbol is a condition for performing a latent effect that does not clearly notify the player that the probability state is high. Therefore, it is provided separately from the high probability symbol B. 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 low probability pattern A, 35 values are assigned as winning values in both the first start port 121 and the second start port 122. Therefore, the probability of winning with the low probability symbol A when winning a jackpot is 35/250 (= 7/50).
In the low probability 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 the jackpot, the probability of winning with the low probability symbol B is 15/250 (= 3/50).

In the high probability symbol A, 25 values are assigned as winning values when winning in the first start port 121. Therefore, the probability of winning with the high-probability symbol A is 25/250 (= 1/10) in the case of winning the jackpot in the special symbol lottery started by winning the first starting port 121.
On the other hand, 175 values are assigned as winning values when winning at the second start port 122. Therefore, the probability of winning with the high-probability symbol A is 175/250 (= 7/10) in the case of winning the jackpot in the special symbol lottery started by winning the second starting port 122.

In the high probability symbol B, 75 values are assigned as winning values when winning in the first start port 121. Therefore, the probability of winning with the high-probability symbol B 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 high-probability symbol B 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 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. 17B, the jackpot when winning the first start port 121 has a probability of becoming a jackpot (high probability symbol B, latent probability symbol) of the high probability short-time non-game state. The probability that the jackpot when winning the second start port 122 is high is a jackpot (high probability symbol A) in the short game state with high probability is high. 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 on 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.

Next, the determination of reach random numbers will be described.
Referring to FIG. 17 (c), 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 reach effect is not 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).

Next, the determination of the winning random number used for the normal symbol lottery will be described.
Referring to FIG. 17 (d), 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 in the timeless state, the player wins with a probability of 1/10. On the other hand, if the game ball passes through the gate 124 and the normal symbol lottery (open / close lottery) is performed in the short-time state, the player wins with a probability of 9/10.

A random value as determination information used for various types of lottery starts from a predetermined initial value and is incremented by one each time the random number update process (step 501) shown in FIG. 5 is performed. Then, the values at the time each lottery is performed are acquired by the start opening switch process (FIG. 6) and the gate switch process (FIG. 7), and used in the special symbol process (FIG. 8) and the normal symbol process (FIG. 13). 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, 1009 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.
Note that the random number range, winning value ratio, and winning value shown in the configuration example of each random number in FIG. 17 are merely examples, and are not limited to the illustrated values.

[Operation of production control unit]
Next, the operation of the effect control unit 300 will be described.
FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the operation of the effect control unit 300.
The operation of the effect control unit 300 includes a main process shown in FIG. 18A and an interrupt process shown in FIG. Referring to FIG. 18A, 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. 18B, 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 an operation of the effect button 161 or the like 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). Thereby, 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, the frame lamp 157, and the button lamp 161L are performed.

[Command reception processing by the production control unit]
FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the contents of the command reception process (step 1811 in FIG. 18B).
In this command reception process, the effect control unit 300 first determines whether or not the received command is a command for increasing the number of holds (holding number increase command) (step 1901). This pending number increase command is set in the start port switch process shown in FIG. 6 in the game control unit 200 (steps 606 and 612), and transmitted to the effect control unit 300 in the output process shown in FIG. Is done. If the command is an increase command for the number of holdings (Yes in Step 1901), the effect control unit 300 adds 1 to the value of the number of holdings held in the RAM 303 (Step 1902), and shows the value of the number of holdings after the addition. A number command is set in the RAM 303 (step 1903).

When the received command is not a pending number increase command (No in step 1901), or when a command is received after setting the pending number increase command in step 1903, the effect control unit 300 determines whether or not the received command is a change start command. Is determined (step 1904). This variation start command is set in the special symbol process shown in FIG. 8 in the game control unit 200 (step 811), and transmitted to the effect control unit 300 in the output process (step 506) shown in FIG.
When the received command is a change start command (Yes in Step 1904), the effect control unit 300 executes an effect selection process (Step 1905). Details of the effect selection process will be described later.

When the received command is not a change start command (No in Step 1901 and Step 1904), or when a command is received after the execution selection process in Step 1905 is executed, the effect control unit 300 determines whether or not the received command is a change stop command. Is determined (step 1906). This variation stop command is set in the special symbol process shown in FIG. 8 in the game control unit 200 (step 814), and transmitted to the effect control unit 300 in the output process (step 506) shown in FIG.
When the received command is a variation stop command (Yes in Step 1906), the effect control unit 300 executes a process during the end of the variation effect (Step 1907). Details of the process during the end of the variation effect will be described later.

When the received command is not the change start command and the change stop command (No in Step 1901, Step 1904, and Step 1906), or when the command is received after the execution of the changing effect end process in Step 1907, the effect control unit 300 It is determined whether or not the received command is an opening command for starting the opening in the jackpot effect (step 1908). This opening command is set in the stop process shown in FIG. 11 (step 1118), and transmitted to the effect control unit 300 in the output process (step 506) shown in FIG.
When the received command is an opening command (Yes in Step 1908), the effect control unit 300 executes a hit effect selection process (Step 1909). Details of the winning effect selection process will be described later.

If the received command is not a change start command, change stop command, or opening command (No in step 1901, step 1904, step 1906, and step 1908), or if a command is received after the execution effect selection process in step 1909, Control unit 300 determines whether or not the received command is an ending command for starting the ending in the jackpot effect (step 1910). This ending command is set in the big prize opening process shown in FIG. 14 (step 1413), and is transmitted to the effect control unit 300 in the output process (step 506) shown in FIG.
If the received command is an ending command (Yes in Step 1910), the effect control unit 300 executes an ending effect selection process (Step 1911). Details of the ending effect selection process will be described later.

  If the received command is not a variation start command, variation stop command, opening command, or ending command (No in step 1901, step 1904, step 1906, step 1908, and step 1910), or after the end of the ending effect selection process in step 1911 Next, the effect control unit 300 executes a customer waiting command reception process for shifting the received command to the customer waiting state (step 1912). Details of the customer waiting command reception process will be described later.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a setting example of the mode flag.
When an effect is performed by the effect control unit 300, various effect patterns are selected and executed based on the set effect mode. This effect mode is determined by a mode flag set in the RAM 303. Here, the mode flag is set to any value from 0 to 4, and five types of effect modes from A mode to E mode are assigned to each mode flag. The mode flag is set according to the lottery result of the special symbol lottery or the number of lotteries of the special symbol lottery.
Mode flag 1 for jackpot of high probability symbol A, mode flag 2 for jackpot of low probability symbol A, mode flag 3 for jackpot of high probability symbol B and low probability symbol B, jackpot of latent symbol symbol and A mode flag 4 is assigned to each small hit. Here, the types of these symbols are the same as those shown in FIG. No mode flag 0 is assigned to any of them. In mode flags 1 to 4, mode flag 0 is set by executing special symbol lottery a predetermined number of times.
Furthermore, in the example shown in FIG. 20, the parameter M (M value) used in the process during the end of the changing effect is set individually for each mode except the A mode.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the contents of the effect selection process (step 1905) of FIG.
In this effect selection process, the effect control unit 300 first analyzes the received variation start command (step 2101). Further, the effect control unit 300 refers to the current mode flag of the pachinko gaming machine 100 from the setting of the RAM 303 (step 2102), and subtracts 1 from the value of the number of holdings held in the RAM 303 (step 2103). Then, the effect control unit 300 is based on various setting information (information about jackpot type, gaming state after jackpot game, variation pattern, etc.) obtained from the analysis result of the change start command and the effect mode determined by the mode flag. Then, an effect pattern (fluctuation effect pattern) of the symbol variation by the image displayed on the image display unit 114 in the effect mode is selected (step 2104). Finally, the effect control unit 300 reads from the ROM 302 image data and sound data used for the effect by the selected effect pattern, and sets a change effect start command instructing the start of execution of the selected effect in the RAM 303 together with these data. Then, the effect selection process ends (step 2105).
Although not described in detail, in the symbol variation effect pattern selection process in step 2104, the effect mode, the variation pattern, and the effect random number (one of the random numbers updated in step 1801 in FIG. The production pattern is determined based on the random number. Based on the effect pattern determined here, the decorative symbol variation display, the background effect, and the notice effect are determined. The decorative symbol variation display is an effect display performed by the image display unit 114 in accordance with the special symbol variation display performed by the first special symbol display 221 or the second special symbol display 222. In this variable display of decorative symbols, a reach effect or the like is executed.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the contents of the changing effect end process (step 1907) of FIG.
In the process during the end of the change effect, the effect control unit 300 first analyzes the received change stop command (step 2201). Further, the effect control unit 300 refers to the current mode flag of the pachinko gaming machine 100 from the setting of the RAM 303 (step 2202). Then, the production control unit 300 determines whether or not the lottery result of the special symbol lottery is based on the information indicating the type of the symbol when the special symbol variation obtained from the analysis result of the variation stop command is stopped (big hit or small hit). It is determined whether or not (step 2203). If it is any hit (Yes in Step 2203), the mode flag set in the RAM 303 is changed based on the setting example shown in FIG. 20 according to the type of hit (Step 2204).

  On the other hand, when the lottery result of the special symbol lottery is not successful (No in Step 2203), the effect control unit 300 next checks whether or not the value of the mode flag is 0 (Step 2205). When the mode flag is not 0 (No in Step 2205), the effect control unit 300 subtracts 1 from the parameter M (Step 2206), and checks whether the value of M has become 0 (Step 2207). If the value of M becomes 0 (Yes in Step 2207), the effect control unit 300 sets the mode flag to 0 (Step 2208).

  If the mode flag is 0 in Step 2205 (Yes in Step 2205), if the value of the parameter M is not 0 in Step 2207 (No in Step 2207), or the mode flag is set to 0 in Step 2208 After or after changing the mode flag in step 2204, the effect control unit 300 sets a change effect end command for instructing the end of the effect of symbol change in the RAM 303, and ends the process during the end of the change effect ( Step 2209). Here, referring to FIG. 20, when the mode flag is changed in step 2204, the effect mode after the end of the change effect is an effect mode corresponding to the winning type. When the mode flag is 0 in step 2205 and when the mode flag is set to 0 in step 2208, the effect mode after the end of the change effect is the A mode. If the value of the parameter M does not become 0 in step 2207, the previous production mode is continued.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing the contents of the hit effect selection process (step 1909) of FIG.
In the winning effect selection process, the effect control unit 300 first analyzes the received opening command (step 2301) and selects an effect pattern (winning effect pattern) according to the contents of the effect mode based on the mode flag (step 2301). 2302). Then, the effect control unit 300 reads out image data and sound data used for the effect by the selected effect pattern from the ROM 302, and sets a hit effect start command for instructing the selected effect in the RAM 303 together with these data. The effect selection process is terminated (step 2303). As a result, the performance during the big hit is determined.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the contents of the ending effect selection process (step 1911) of FIG.
In this ending effect selection process, the effect control unit 300 first analyzes the received ending command (step 2401), and selects an effect pattern (ending effect pattern) according to the contents of the effect mode based on the mode flag (step 2401). 2402). Then, the effect control unit 300 reads out image data and sound data used for the effect by the selected effect pattern from the ROM 302, and sets an ending effect start command for instructing the selected effect in the RAM 303 together with these data. The effect selection process is terminated (step 2403).

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing the contents of the customer waiting command reception process (step 1912) of FIG.
The production control unit 300 determines whether or not a customer waiting command for shifting to the customer waiting state has been received (step 2501). When the customer waiting command is received (Yes in step 2501), the effect control unit 300 starts measuring the elapsed time (step 2502) and turns on the measurement flag in the RAM 303 (step 2503). On the other hand, when the received command is not a customer waiting command (No in Step 2501), the effect control unit 300 determines whether or not the measurement flag held in the RAM 303 is ON (Step 2504). If the measurement flag is OFF (No in step 2504), the customer waiting command reception process is terminated.

  When the measurement flag is ON (Yes in step 2504 or after being turned ON in step 2503), the effect control unit 300 next determines whether or not the measurement time has reached a predetermined time-up time ( Step 2505). If the time is not up (No in step 2505), the customer waiting command reception process is terminated. On the other hand, when the time is up (Yes in Step 2505), the effect control unit 300 turns off the measurement flag held in the RAM 303 (Step 2506), and sets a customer waiting effect command for performing the customer waiting effect in the RAM 303. Then, the customer waiting command reception process ends (step 2507).

  When the command reception process is completed as described above, the RAM 303 is set with any one of a variation effect start command, a variation effect end command, a hit effect start command, an ending effect start command, and a customer waiting effect command.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing the contents of the effect button process (step 1812 in FIG. 18B).
In this effect button process, the effect control unit 300 first determines whether or not an operation means such as the effect button 161 by the player has been operated (step 2601). Here, the operation of the operating means means that the operation unit 161P (see FIG. 2-2) of the effect button 161 is pressed and turned ON, and the center key and surrounding keys of the effect key 162 are pressed and turned ON. including. In addition, when an operation device other than the effect button 161 and the effect key 162 such as a touch panel is provided in the pachinko gaming machine 100, this includes detecting the operation of the device. The effect control unit 300 receives an operation signal from the controller of these devices and detects that an operation has been performed.

  If the operation means such as the effect button 161 is operated (Yes in step 2601), the effect control unit 300 sets an effect button command including information indicating the operation content of the operation means in the RAM 303 and ends the effect button process. (Step 2602).

  Thereafter, the effect control unit 300 performs the command transmission process (step 1813) of FIG. 18B, and the command set in the RAM 303 by the above-described command reception process and effect button process is transmitted to the image / sound control unit 310 and Transmit to the lamp controller 320. Then, the image / sound control unit 310 and the lamp control unit 320 display the image on the image display unit 114, the sound output, the operation of the movable accessory 115, the panel lamp 116, the frame lamp 157, and the button lamp based on the received command. 161L light emission and the like are controlled to execute the set effect.

[Advance notice based on prior judgment]
Next, a notice effect based on prior determination according to the present embodiment will be described.
As described with reference to FIG. 6, in the present embodiment, when a game ball is won at the first start port 121 and the first start port switch 211 is turned ON, and at the second start port 122, When the first start opening switch 211 is turned ON and the lottery result of the special symbol lottery result (pre-reading) (See steps 605 and 611 in FIG. 6).

  Moreover, in this embodiment, based on the result of said prior determination, the notice effect which alert | reports or suggests a determination result to a player is performed. This notice effect is executed at the time of a symbol change for another winning ball that is performed prior to a symbol change for the winning ball (holding ball) for which a prior determination has been made. In the present embodiment, the upper limit of the number of holding balls is four per one start port (first start port 121 or second start port 122) (see FIG. 6). In addition, priority is given to the digestion of the reserved balls in the second start port 122. In this case, for example, when a determination is made in advance for a reserved ball having the second start port 122, a maximum of three winning balls including the one that is changing before the symbol change for that reserved ball is made. Will be changed. In the notice effect related to the reserved ball that has been determined in advance, if multiple symbol changes are made before the symbol change for the reserved ball, even if the notice effect that spans the multiple symbol changes is performed good.

[Configuration of the RAM of the Game Control Unit and the RAM of the Production Control Unit for Performing the Advance Effect]
In order to execute such a notice effect based on the prior determination, the RAM 203 of the game control unit 200 and the RAM 303 of the effect control unit 300 in this embodiment have the following configurations.
FIG. 27 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the RAM 203 (see FIG. 3) of the game control unit 200 according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 27A is a block diagram showing the configuration of the storage area 204, and FIG. 27B is a block diagram showing the configuration of each storage unit shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 27A, the RAM 203 is a jackpot random number acquired when winning at the first start port 121 and the second start port 122 (hereinafter referred to as the start ports 121 and 122 if they are not distinguished). (See Steps 604 and 610 in FIG. 6) A storage area 204 is provided as a special symbol holding storage area for storing information. This storage area 204 has eight storage units corresponding to the maximum number of reservations of the first start port 121 and the number of reservations of the second start port 122 (when the upper limit value of each reservation number is 4). . Specifically, the storage area 204 includes a first storage unit 204a, a second storage unit 204b, a third storage unit 204c, a fourth storage unit 204d, a fifth storage unit 204e, a sixth storage unit 204f, and a seventh storage. Part 204g and eighth storage part 204h.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 27B, each of these storage units 204a to 204h includes an area for storing the number of fluctuations N when winning the jackpot, and a winning start port (first start port 121 or And an area in which information indicating the second start port 122) is stored. Each of the storage units 204a to 204h includes an area for storing the acquired jackpot random number, an area for storing a design random number, and an area for storing a reach random number. That is, each of the storage units 204a to 204h stores a jackpot random number, a design random number, and a reach random number.
In addition, each of the storage units 204a to 204h has an area for storing prior determination information. The pre-determination information is information obtained by the pre-determination process based on each random number (see steps 605 and 611 in FIG. 6). The content of the pre-determination information is the same as the information obtained as various determination results in the special symbol processing (see FIG. 8), and specifically, the type of winning (big hit, small hit, off) and big hit In this case, the type of jackpot and the content of the production are information for indicating whether the production is a reachable production or a non-reach production.

  Here, each random number is stored in order from the first storage unit 204a. More specifically, for example, when no random number is stored in any of the first storage unit 204a to the eighth storage unit 204h, the acquired random number is stored in the first storage unit 204a. Further, for example, when random numbers are already stored in the first storage unit 204a to the fourth storage unit 204d, the acquired random number is stored in the fifth storage unit 204e.

FIG. 28 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the RAM 303 (see FIG. 3) of the effect control unit 300 according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 28A is a block diagram showing the configuration of the storage areas 305 and 306, and FIG. 28B is a block diagram showing the configuration of each storage unit shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 28A, the RAM 303 includes a first hold storage area 305 and a second hold storage area 306 as a hold status storage area for storing a status where a hold ball is held. The first holding storage area 305 and the second holding storage area 306 correspond to holding for winning in the first starting port 121 and holding for winning in the second starting port 122, respectively. Have. Specifically, the first reserved storage area 305 includes a first storage unit 305a, a second storage unit 305b, a third storage unit 305c, and a fourth storage unit 305d. The second reserved storage area 306 includes a first storage unit 306a, a second storage unit 306b, a third storage unit 306c, and a fourth storage unit 306d.

  As shown in FIG. 28 (b), each of these storage units 305a to 305d and 306a to 306d has a hold flag storage area for turning ON / OFF the hold flag and a notification flag storage for turning ON / OFF the notification flag. And a region. The hold flag is a flag for identifying the presence or absence of a hold ball for each of the storage units 305a to 305d and 306a to 306d. That is, for example, when the number of holds due to winning at the first start port 121 is 3, the hold flag is turned ON in the three hold flag storage areas of the first to third storage units 305a, 305b, and 305c. The notification flag is a flag for identifying the presence / absence of a notification command of a pre-read result to be described later for each reserved ball. That is, for example, when a pre-determination process (see steps 605 and 611 in FIG. 6 and FIG. 29 described later) is performed on the above-described three reserved balls and a notification command is set for the third reserved ball, In the notification flag storage area of the three storage unit 305c, the notification flag is turned ON.

That is, the RAM 203 and the RAM 303 are information including a result of a prior determination (reserved ball information) together with a right to receive a determination by the special symbol lottery result determination unit 234 as a determination unit regarding the retained ball in the game control unit 200 and the effect control unit 300. ) Functions as a storage ball information storage unit. The game control unit 200 is a determination unit that determines whether or not to perform a special game (such as a big hit game) that is advantageous to the player through a big win lottery, and functions as a pre-determination unit that performs a pre-determination process. Further, the game control unit 200 is a game execution means for performing execution control of the entire game including a special game advantageous to a player such as a jackpot game.
The effect control unit 300 is a determination result notifying unit that controls the image / sound control unit 310 to notify the image display unit 114 of the determination result, and is an effect executing unit that performs a suggestion effect suggesting the determination result.

[Preliminary judgment processing]
Next, the prior determination process will be described in detail.
First, a determination method using random numbers in the prior determination process will be described. The pre-determination process (steps 605 and 611) performed in the start port process of FIG. 6 uses a random number (steps 604 and 610) acquired at the start port winning, and a special symbol performed at the start of symbol variation at the start port winning. The same determination as the various determinations in the process (see FIG. 8) is performed.

  The contents of this pre-determination are the same as the various determinations in the special symbol processing, that is, whether or not it is a win (big hit or small win), whether or not the big win (symbol) is determined, whether or not there is a reach effect, etc. It is. Therefore, the determination method can be performed by using the table as shown in FIG. 17 and the same method as the determination in the special symbol processing at the start of symbol variation. In addition, since the pre-determination process is performed for use in a notice effect that informs the result of the pre-determination of the lottery relating to the holding ball, separately from the determination in the special symbol process, the table used in the special symbol process is not necessarily used. It is not necessary to use the same table. For example, in the table used in the prior determination, only a part of the winning values set in the table used in the determination in the special symbol process can be set as the winning value. Furthermore, although the reliability of the determination result is lowered, it is also possible to set a winning value that is not set in the table used in the determination in the special symbol process in the table used in the prior determination process.

  The determination itself in the prior determination process is performed in the same manner as the various determinations in the jackpot determination process of the special symbol process using the random numbers as described above. However, the overall processing procedure is different from the processing procedure of the special symbol processing shown in FIG. Therefore, an example of the overall processing flow of the prior determination processing will be described below.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of the prior determination process.
Referring to FIG. 29, the game control unit 200 first determines whether or not the gaming state is a high probability state (step 2901), and if it is determined that the gaming state is a high probability state (Yes in step 2901), It is determined how many times the jackpot lottery right acquired in (see FIG. 6) corresponds to the right of the jackpot lottery right after shifting to the current high probability state.

  In other words, when the jackpot winning in which the gaming state after the jackpot game is in a high probability state is confirmed, the number of fluctuations N when winning the jackpot is set as the reference number M. For example, when winning a jackpot of a short game state with a high probability by winning the jackpot lottery (special symbol variation display) for the 200th time after turning on the power, the data “200” is stored in the RAM 203, and accordingly Thus, the gaming state becomes a high probability state. Therefore, the jackpot lottery performed at the 201st time after turning on the power corresponds to the first jackpot lottery after shifting to the high probability state, and similarly, the jackpot lottery performed at the 210th time is This corresponds to the tenth jackpot lottery since the transition to the high probability state. In this way, it is calculated how many jackpot lottery rights the jackpot lottery right acquired by the start port switch process (see FIG. 6) corresponds to after shifting to the high probability state. Specifically, the game control unit 200 obtains the calculated value Z by subtracting the reference number M from the variation number N (step 2902).

  Then, the game control unit 200 determines whether or not the calculated value Z is equal to or less than the predetermined number of times Y (step 2903). Here, the predetermined number of times Y is the upper limit number of times that the big hit random number is determined based on the high probability hourly determination table. For example, assuming that a winning game with a high probability state after the jackpot game is won, it is assumed that the jackpot random number is determined based on the high probability hourly determination table with the upper limit being 100 times. In this case, the predetermined number of times Y is set to 100, and it is determined whether or not the calculation value Z is 100 or less. As a result, whether the jackpot random number acquired by the start switch processing (see FIG. 6) is determined with the winning probability at the time of high probability, or is determined with the winning probability at the time of low probability when the high probability state ends. Is determined (see FIG. 17A).

  When the game control unit 200 determines that the calculated value Z is equal to or less than the predetermined number of times Y (Yes in step 2903), next, pre-determination information related to “big hit” for changing the gaming state after the big hit game to a low probability state Is stored before the start port switch process (see FIG. 6) is started (step 2904). This is because if such a holding ball is put on hold first, the gaming state becomes a low probability state when digesting the holding ball put on hold in the start port switch process (see FIG. 6). It is. Accordingly, if it is determined No in step 2904, the determination with the winning probability at the time of high probability is selected (step 2906). If it is determined Yes in step 2904, the winning probability at the time of low probability is selected. Is selected (step 2907).

  In contrast, the game control unit 200 determines that the calculated value Z exceeds the predetermined number of times Y even when the current gaming state is a low probability state (No in step 2901) or even if the current gaming state is a high probability state. If it is determined that it is determined (No in step 2903), the following processing is performed. In other words, the game control unit 200 stores in the storage area 204 (see FIG. 27) of the RAM 203 the advance determination information relating to the jackpot for changing the gaming state after the jackpot game to a high probability state, and the start switch processing (see FIG. 6). It is determined whether or not it is stored before starting (step 2905). For example, when random numbers are stored in the sixth storage unit 204f (see FIG. 27) of the storage area 204, the gaming state after the big hit game is high in the first storage unit 204a to the fifth storage unit 204e (see FIG. 27). It is determined whether or not prior determination information related to the jackpot that becomes a probability state is stored. That is, it is determined whether there is a reserve ball that is digested prior to the currently held reserve ball that changes the gaming state to the high probability gaming state. This is because if such a holding ball is held first, the gaming state becomes a high probability state when digesting the holding ball held in the start port switch process. Therefore, if it is determined No in Step 2905, the determination with the winning probability at the low probability is selected (Step 2907). If it is determined Yes in Step 2905, the winning probability at the high probability is selected. Is selected (step 2906).

  Although not shown in detail, in step 2904 and step 2905, tentatively storing a jackpot for changing the gaming state after the jackpot game to a high probability state and a jackpot for changing the gaming state after the jackpot game to a low probability state are stored. When stored in the area 204 (see FIG. 27), the game control unit 200 makes a determination based on the prior determination information related to the reserved ball to be digested later among these two jackpots.

  As described above, the processing of step 2904 and step 2905 makes it possible to make a jackpot determination based on the gaming state during the special symbol processing. Therefore, even when the gaming state changes from the high probability state to the low probability state, or when the gaming state changes from the low probability state to the high probability state, an accurate preliminary determination result can be derived.

Thereafter, the game control unit 200 determines each random number based on various tables (step 2908), and stores the determination result in the storage area 204 (see FIG. 27) as prior determination information (step 2909). Then, it is determined whether or not the determination result is a big hit or a small win (step 2910). If the big hit or the small hit is (Yes in step 2910), a prefetch result notification command (in FIG. Is set (step 2911), and if it is out of place (No in step 2910), a normal command is set (step 2912), and the preliminary determination process ends. Here, the notification command of the pre-reading result is for enabling the notification of the result of the prior determination (pre-reading) in the display related to the holding ball displayed on the image display unit 114 by the effect control unit 300 (hereinafter referred to as holding ball display). Command. The normal command is a command for displaying only the number of holds without notifying the result of the pre-determination (prefetching) in the holding ball display.
These set commands are included in the pending number increase command (see steps 606 and 612 in FIG. 6), and are transmitted to the effect control unit 300 in the output process (see step 509 in FIG. 5). In the above example, the normal command is set when it is determined that the pre-determination is a deviation (steps 2910 and 2912). A notification command for notification may be set.

[Preliminary production by production control unit]
In the pachinko gaming machine 100, when a game ball wins further to the starting port during a special symbol change and a holding ball is generated, the first special symbol hold display on the display 130 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). Display according to the number of holdings is performed by the device 218 and the second special symbol holding display 219. Further, in addition to the display by the display device 130, there is a pachinko gaming machine 100 that displays information (presence / absence, number of holds, etc.) on the holding ball on the image display unit 114 as a part of the effect display (holding ball display). Furthermore, when a preliminary determination is made regarding the holding ball as described above, a notice effect that informs or suggests the determination result can be performed. In order to perform this notice effect, the effect control unit 300 performs the notification command reception process.

  As described above, the notification command and the normal command are sent from the game control unit 200 to the effect control unit 300 in the pending number increase command. Therefore, in the command reception process (see step 1811 in FIG. 18B and FIG. 19), when receiving the hold number increase command, the effect control unit 300 sets the hold number addition and sets the hold number command (step 1901). In addition, the notification command or the normal command is extracted from the pending number increase command and stored in the RAM 303.

[Notification command acceptance processing]
FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing the contents of notification command reception processing by the effect control unit 300.
After the processing at the time of reception of the above-described hold number increase command, the effect control unit 300 determines whether or not the notification command extracted from the hold number increase command is stored in the RAM 303 (step 3001). If it is determined that the notification command is stored (Yes in step 3001), the effect control unit 300 stores the storage area (first to fourth storage units 305a to 305d and first to fourth storages) corresponding to the current reserved ball in the RAM 303. In any of the units 306a to 306d), the holding flag and the notification flag are turned ON. When the normal command is extracted from the hold number increase command instead of the notification command, only the hold flag is turned ON (step 3002). If the notification command is not stored (No in step 3001), the notification command receiving process is terminated.

  Next, the effect control unit 300 determines whether the notification flag is ON in any of the first to fourth storage units 305a to 305d and the first to fourth storage units 306a to 306d of the RAM 303 (step) 3003). When it is determined that the notification flag is ON in any of the storage units 305a to 305d and 306a to 306d (Yes in step 3003), the effect control unit 300 next has the variation time H greater than the predetermined value K. Whether or not (step 3004). If it is determined that the variation time H is greater than the predetermined value K (Yes in step 3004), a notification effect command for performing a notice effect is set (step 3005), and the notification command reception process is terminated. To do.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the notification flag is not ON in any of the first to fourth storage units 305a to 305d and the first to fourth storage units 306a to 306d (No in step 3003), the fluctuation time H is a predetermined value. When it is determined that it is K or less (No in Step 3004), the effect control unit 300 sets a normal effect command for performing a normal effect that does not notify the prefetch result (Step 3006), and ends the notification command receiving process. .

  Note that these commands are for informing the player of the number of holds in the effect control process, and individual information for each hold ball (whether the hold ball is the first start port 121 or the second start port 122) , And the number of the holding ball at each starting port). The notification effect command also includes information indicating which of the first to fourth storage units 305a to 305d and the first to fourth storage units 306a to 306d has the notification flag turned on.

  More specifically, the fluctuation time H mentioned here is a time when the special symbol is changed by the jackpot determination process (see FIG. 9), and can also be called a fluctuation time related to the fluctuation. Further, the predetermined value K is a value larger than the time (scale) necessary for performing the notice effect. For example, when the scale of the notice effect to be executed is 3 seconds, a value of 4 seconds may be adopted as the predetermined value K. This is because the notice effect cannot be performed during the symbol change unless the fluctuation time H is longer than the scale of the notice effect to be executed. Therefore, even when the notification flag is ON in any of the first to fourth storage units 305a to 305d and the first to fourth storage units 306a to 306d, when the variation time H is the predetermined value K or less. Is set not a notification effect command but a normal effect command (see steps 3003, 3004, and 3006).

[Flag setting process when production is selected]
As described above, the effect control unit 300 that has received the hold number increase command sets a hold flag or the like based on the notification command or the normal command included in the received hold number increase command. Based on the hold flag or the like and information on the previous hold ball, a command (notification effect command or normal effect command) for notifying information on the hold ball in the effect is set.

  However, the storage areas 305 and 306 corresponding to each reserved ball are switched every time the reserved ball is digested by changing the special symbol. For example, consider the first to fourth storage units 306a to 306d. In this case, when the first one of the reserved balls that won the second start port 122 is digested, the second to fourth reserved balls are moved up to the first to third reserved balls. Therefore, the storage area 306 to which each reserved ball corresponds switches from three of the second to fourth storage units 306b to 306d to three of the first to third storage units 306a to 306c. Thus, for example, when the number of holds is subtracted in the effect selection process (see FIG. 21) (see step 2103), as additional processing, the first to fourth storage units 305a to 305d and the first to fourth storage units 306a to 306a The flag 306d is reset.

  Further, when the flag is reset, a command (notifying effect command or normal effect command) for notifying information about the holding ball in the effect is also reset. The command set processing procedure is the same as the procedure shown in steps 3003 to 3006 in FIG.

  Although not specifically shown, when the effect control unit 300 executes a routine process, a prior determination command and an effect execution command may be received simultaneously. In this case, a notification effect command or a normal effect command is already set in step 3005 or step 3006 of the notification command reception process shown in FIG. On the other hand, at the time of selecting an effect, a notification effect command or a normal effect command is set based on the information after the reserved ball and the storage areas 305 and 306 are switched separately from the notification command receiving process. Therefore, the command set at step 3005 or step 3006 is different from the command set at the time of effect selection.

Subsequently, the prefetch notification effect will be specifically described.
[Specific example of pre-reading notification effect]
Here, a specific example of the prefetch notification effect according to the present embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, information related to the holding ball is notified by the effect image displayed on the image display unit 114. The information to be notified includes presence / absence of a reserved ball, the number of held balls, and pre-read information (determination result of prior determination) regarding each held ball.
FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating an example of the reserved sphere display displayed on the image display unit 114.
In the example shown in FIG. 31, the positions at which the first holding ball object 51 to the fourth holding ball object 54 and the first holding ball object 51 to the fourth holding ball object 54 are displayed at the bottom of the screen of the image display unit 114 are shown. The first hold position display 61 to the fourth hold position display 64 are displayed. Further, a pedestal image 71 and a digested object 72 representing that the reserved ball is digested and the change is executed are displayed at the bottom of the screen of the image display unit 114.

The first holding ball object 51 to the fourth holding ball object 54 are images that display the holding ball generated by winning the first start port 121. In the example shown in FIG. 31 (a), four held balls are displayed, each being the maximum value of the number of holds in the first start port 121. Basically, the first reserved ball object 51 to the fourth reserved ball object 54 are expressed using the same image. In this embodiment, an image that imitates “Gyoen” is used as a default shape.
In an actual game, an image is displayed according to the increase / decrease in the number of holds in the command reception process (see step 1902 in FIG. 19) and the number of holds in the effect selection process (see step 2103 in FIG. 21). The holding ball display displayed on the part 114 changes. That is, the information on the presence / absence of the holding ball and the number of holdings is notified to the player by the holding ball display.

A first holding position display 61 that is a position for displaying the presence / absence of a first holding ball as a ranking for waiting for a lottery, a second holding position display 62 that is a position for displaying the presence / absence of a second holding ball, and a third A third holding position display 63 that is a position for displaying the presence / absence of the holding ball and a fourth holding position display 64 that is a position for displaying the presence / absence of the fourth holding ball are provided. In the present embodiment, the first holding position display 61 to the fourth holding position display 64 are provided adjacent to the pedestal image 71. And it arrange | positions in order of the 1st reservation position display 61-the 4th reservation position display 64 from the side close | similar to the base image 71 to the side far.
The first holding ball object 51 is displayed on the first holding position display 61, the second holding ball object 52 is displayed on the second holding position display 62, and the third holding ball is displayed on the third holding position display 63. The object 53 is displayed, and the fourth holding ball object 54 is displayed on the fourth holding position display 64, respectively.

  The digest object 72 is an image displayed on the upper side of the pedestal image 71. The digest object 72 is an image having the same shape as the reservation ball object (51 to 54). Then, by using an expression such that the digest object 72 is placed on the pedestal represented by the pedestal image 71, it is displayed that the reservation ball has been digested and the variation is being executed.

  For example, when the number of holdings is added by command reception processing according to the winning at the first starting port 121 (see step 1902 in FIG. 19), the first holding ball object 51 is displayed, the second holding ball object 52, The third reserved ball object 53 and the fourth reserved ball object 54 are displayed in this order.

Then, when the reservation number subtraction (see step 2103 in FIG. 21) is performed by the effect selection process according to the change in the special symbol, as shown in FIG. 31B, the fourth reservation ball object 54 is erased, and the base image The digest object 72 is displayed on 71. As a result, the first holding ball object 51 moves on the pedestal image 71 and the movement as if the second holding ball object 52 to the fourth holding ball object 54 have moved to the pedestal image 71 side is expressed.
Further, when a new hold occurs, the fourth hold ball object 54 is displayed on the fourth hold position display 64.
Here, the holding ball object display of the holding ball based on the winning at the first starting port 121 has been specifically described, but the same applies to the holding ball based on the winning at the second starting port 122.

FIG. 32 is a diagram for explaining the prefetch notification effect.
[Execution of pre-read notification effect]
In the pachinko gaming machine 100 to which the present embodiment is applied, a prefetch notification effect that is an effect of notifying the determination result of the prior determination of the present embodiment is executed. The prefetch notification effect is configured with two stages. That is, the display mode of the holding ball object is changed based on the “operation instruction effect” for instructing the player to operate the effect button 161 and the operation unit 161P of the effect button 161 being actually operated. The “result suggesting effect” for informing the result of the prior determination is executed. As described above, in this embodiment, when the notification flag corresponding to the holding ball is ON, the determination result of the prior determination is not immediately notified as it is, but the determination is based on the operation of the effect button 161 by the player. The result notification is executed.

(Operation instruction production)
As shown in FIG. 32A, the operation instruction effect displays an operation instruction object 73 that is an image for instructing an operation of the effect button 161 on the screen of the image display unit 114. Then, the image display unit 114 indicates that there is a reserved ball to be notified, and prompts the operation of the effect button 161 for executing the notification result effect on the reserved ball. In the present embodiment, the operation instruction object 73 is an image imitating the shape of the effect button 161. Then, the operation instruction object 73 is displayed so as to be superimposed on the corresponding holding object of the holding ball. In the example shown in FIG. 32A, the operation instruction object 73 is displayed so as to overlap the third reservation ball object 53. The player can grasp that the prefetch notification effect can be executed with respect to the holding ball corresponding to the holding ball object.
In addition, in this embodiment, the button lamp 161L in the effect button 161 is also lit as an operation instruction effect. Thereby, not only the image display unit 114 but also the effect button 161 at hand can prompt the player to operate the effect button 161.

(Result suggestion)
In the present embodiment, the operation instruction effect is executed, and when the effect button 161 is actually operated, the prefetch notification effect is executed and the determination result of the preliminary determination process is notified. Here, the pre-reading information of the holding ball is information obtained by the pre-determination process (see steps 605 and 611 in FIG. 6), and specifically, the winning type (big hit, small hit, off) If there is, the type of jackpot and the content of the production are information for indicating whether the production is a reachable production or a non-reach production. However, when changing the mode of the first holding ball object 51 to the fourth holding ball object 54, the determination result is suggested using not only information indicating the determination result as it is but also an ambiguous expression or a metaphorical expression. Information that causes the player to guess the determination result may be output.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 32 (b), when it is determined that the winning type is jackpot by the prior determination, the third reserved ball object 53 is different from the default image based on the operation of the effect button 161. Apply white glowing effect. In this way, for example, by changing the display mode of the first holding ball object 51 to the fourth holding ball object 54 from the default shape depending on the type of winning, the player has a sense of expectation. Yes.

Instead of notifying the final determination result by one operation of the effect button 161, the determination result may be notified based on a plurality of operations of the effect button 161. In this case, it is configured to change the mode stepwise in accordance with the number of operations toward the final display mode of the holding ball object. As a result, the player can be encouraged to participate more actively, and the player can have a higher sense of expectation and further enhance interest.
Further, information (that is, ska information) that has nothing to do with the determination result of the prior determination may be output. As described above, by providing information other than the information indicating the determination result of the prior determination as it is, the player guesses the determination result as compared with the case where only the information indicating the determination result is provided as it is. Can be expected to increase interest.

  As shown in FIG. 32 (c), after the operation instruction effect is executed, if the operation by the effect button 161 is not performed before the reserved ball is digested, the reserved ball to be notified is handled. The operation instruction object 73 is continuously displayed so as to overlap the holding ball object to be displayed. For example, in the state shown in FIG. 32A, the notification target is initially set as the third holding ball, and the operation instruction object 73 is displayed so as to overlap the third holding ball object 53. Then, if the effect button 161 is not operated, the hold order is advanced by digesting the hold, and the hold ball to be notified is displayed as the second hold ball object 52 as shown in FIG. When this is done, the operation instruction object 73 is displayed so as to overlap the second holding ball object 52.

  Thereafter, the player may not operate the effect button 161 until the notification target reserved ball is consumed. In this case, when the reserved ball to be notified is digested, and when the digest object 72 is displayed on the pedestal image 71, the image of the digest object 72 is not the default form but as described above. The display mode is changed by applying a light effect. As a result, the player who has not operated the effect button 161 this time operates the effect button 161 to change the display mode of the holding ball object, and can know the presence of the pre-read notification effect.

[Valid period of result suggestion operation]
Subsequently, the setting of the effective period in the result suggesting effect and the display (informing) of the effective period will be described.
FIG. 33 is a timing chart for explaining operation instruction display and notification related to the effective period.
In the example of FIG. 33, there is two reserved balls in one variation that is exactly changing (the variation), and the notification flag is set to ON in the second reserved ball. . That is, the second reserved ball is the target of the prefetch notification effect. And the operation instruction display of the effective period and notification of the effective period related to the pre-read notification effect of the reserved ball will be described.

First, the effective period of operation will be described with reference to FIGS. 33 (a) and 33 (b).
In this embodiment, in order to execute the result suggesting effect, an effective period during which an operation using the effect button 161 is possible is determined. For example, the effective period is set to a part of the period during the fluctuation of one fluctuation as shown in FIG. On the other hand, the operation with the effect button 161 for executing the result suggesting effect is invalidated immediately before the end of one change or until the start of the next change after the end of one change.

Specifically, as described with reference to FIG. 22, the process during the end of the change effect is executed until one change ends (the change stops). When the processing during the end of the variation effect is executed, the effect control unit 300 analyzes the variation stop command (step 2201 in FIG. 22), and performs a process for setting the variation effect end command (step 2209 in FIG. 22). Do. Therefore, the burden of various processes in the effect control unit 300 increases until the change actually stops.
In addition, during the period from the end of one change to the start of the next change, the effect selection process is executed as described with reference to FIG. When the effect selection process is executed, the effect control unit 300 analyzes the change start command and performs a process for setting the change effect start command (step 2105 in FIG. 21). Therefore, until the next change is actually started, a burden for various processes in the effect control unit 300 is large.

And also regarding the pre-read notification effect described above, a certain processing burden is required to draw the result suggesting effect in the pre-read notification effect. Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 33 (b), in the process for executing the variation effect in the effect control unit 300, the result suggestion in the pre-read notification effect as described above during a period when the processing load is particularly large. An invalid period is provided in a certain period during one fluctuation time so as not to execute the effect.
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 33 (b), the effect button for the pre-read notification effect during the one change time (or during the next change time) except for the period during which the change effect end process is executed. 161 is enabled. That is, an effective period in which the operation by the effect button 161 is effective only in a predetermined period of a specific period in which one change is performed is set.

In the present embodiment, regarding the operation instruction for executing the operation effect for the player, different instruction modes are performed in the image display unit 114 and the effect button 161.
First, in the operation instruction performed by displaying the operation instruction object 73 on the image display unit 114, as long as the holding ball object is displayed, it continues to be displayed together with the holding ball object. That is, display on the image display unit 114 is performed regardless of the valid / invalid period. In the present embodiment, the hold ball object corresponding to the notification target hold ball is displayed with the change as a break. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 33C, the operation instruction object 73 is displayed corresponding to the period during the variable display operation (while the variable display for one winning is being performed). That is, since the reservation ball object is updated in units of change display for one winning, the display period of the operation instruction object 73 is set corresponding to a series of the change periods.

For example, as shown in FIG. 33A, there is a certain period between the fluctuation period of one fluctuation and the fluctuation period of another fluctuation. Then, when the player does not operate the effect button 161, when one change and another change are sequentially executed, the operation instruction object 73 is not displayed during the certain period. However, in practice, this certain period is very small, and it appears to the player that the operation instruction object 73 is continuously displayed across one variation and another variation.
Further, in the present embodiment, the operation instruction object 73 is displayed so as to overlap the holding ball object corresponding to the notification target holding ball. Here, for example, an aspect may be employed in which an object for instructing an operation is displayed separately from the holding ball object. In this case, it is not always necessary to display the operation instruction object 73 accompanying the update of the display of the holding ball object of the holding ball to be notified. Therefore, for example, the operation instruction object 73 can be continuously displayed over one fluctuation period or another fluctuation period until the operation of the effect button 161 is performed.

On the other hand, in the effect button 161, as shown in FIG. 33 (d), the button lamp 161L is turned on in accordance with the operation effective period, and the effective period is notified during the operation effective period. That is, the button lamp 161L of the effect button 161 is turned on in accordance with the set valid period of the operation, and the button lamp 161L of the effect button 161 is turned off in accordance with the invalid period of the operation.
Since the lighting process of the button lamp 161L is performed separately from the process for displaying the change display and the holding ball, the processing load on the effect control unit 300 is suppressed. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the operation instruction in accordance with the effective period of the operation is configured to be performed by the button lamp 161L of the effect button 161.

In particular, the player pays attention to the image display unit 114 on which the decorative symbols are displayed in a variable manner. Therefore, it is preferable to display the operation instruction object 73 (see FIG. 32A) on the image display unit 114 so that the prefetch notification effect is executed and the prefetch result can be known. Further, by keeping the display mode of the operation instruction display in the image display unit 114 of the effect button 161 being displayed without being changed, an increase in the drawing processing load in the effect control unit 300 can be suppressed.
On the other hand, in the button lamp 161L having a relatively small processing load, the player can execute the operation of the effect button 161 at an appropriate timing by accurately displaying the effective period.

  Note that, for example, when there are many opportunities for winning the second guidance opening in a short time state, the display control processing in the image display unit 114 is crowded with the processing of the holding ball or the processing for changing display. . In such a gaming state, in particular, by applying the configuration of the present embodiment, it is possible to appropriately notify the operation timing while suppressing the load on the effect control unit 300.

In this embodiment, in order to notify the effective period, the lamp is turned on when the operation is valid, and the lamp is turned off when the operation is invalid. However, the present invention is not limited to this notification mode.
For example, a speaker may be provided on the effect button 161 to output a sound indicating that the operation period is valid, or a fan may be provided on the effect button 161 and the operation period may be valid. You may blow air so that it can be grasped.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, although the production | presentation which suggests the result of the determination of the result of prior determination (prefetching) is performed in association with the holding ball display, the present invention is not limited to this. You may perform the production | presentation which suggests the result of prior determination in relation to aspects other than a holding ball display. Even in this case, when the player is instructed to operate the operation means in order to display the result of the prior determination, the operation of the effect button 161 is performed during a specific period including the valid period set on the screen of the image display unit 114. An operation instruction image for instructing is displayed. On the other hand, the effect button 161 may be configured to notify that the effective period is in effect.

Moreover, the following effects can be illustrated as another example of the effect which suggests the result of the determination of the result of prior determination (prefetching).
For example, an effect that displays the result of the determination is executed on condition that the effect button 161 is continuously operated for a certain period of time, such as when the effect button 161 is repeatedly hit or pressed.
At this time, the display of the operation instruction display of the effect button 161 displayed on the image display unit 114 is rounded up early with respect to the effective period of the operation. Then, at the end of the effective period, the player feels as if the effective period has ended, even though it is actually a period during which an operation can be accepted. Here, after the display of the operation instruction display on the image display unit 114 is finished, the determination result is notified when the player continues to operate the effect button 161 and satisfies the operation for a certain period as a condition. Thereby, it is possible to improve the mood of the player who has operated the effect button 161 without giving up.

  And in said production | presentation, the alerting | reporting of the operation in the production | production button 161 (lighting of the button lamp 161L) is made to correspond with the effective period of the predetermined operation. By configuring in this way, the player who thinks that the effective period has expired due to the screen display of the image display unit 114 is made aware of the lighting state of the button lamp 161L in the effect button 161, so that the operation of the effect button 161 is performed. You can create a chance to continue. And as a result, a determination result is alert | reported as mentioned above, and it can make a player feel good.

50 (51-54) ... Reserved ball object, 73 ... Operation instruction object, 161 ... Production button, 161L ... Button lamp, 200 ... Game control unit, 203, 303 ... RAM, 300 ... Production control unit, 310 ... Image / Sound Control unit, 320 ... lamp control unit

Claims (1)

A determination means for determining whether or not to shift to a special game state advantageous to the player, when the predetermined determination condition is satisfied,
To display the result of determination by the determining means in the image display unit, and the determination result informing means for broadcasting knowledge the result of the determination,
An operation means having an operation unit and capable of being operated by the player;
An operation instruction display means for displaying an instruction display for instructing an operation of the operation means on the image display unit in a predetermined display period;
A suggestion effect execution means for performing a suggestion effect suggesting a result of the determination by the determination means, on condition that the operation of the operation unit of the operation means is performed in an effective period set shorter than the display period ;
And informing means for informing that the a valid period in the previous SL provided on the operation unit, the notification period corresponding to the valid period,
A gaming machine comprising:

Images