JP6278064B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine.

One type of gaming machine is a pachinko machine. The pachinko machines, for example, firing the game region game balls by the firing device performs whether Toraku lottery game ball to the predetermined starting ball entrance means provided in the game area to generate an equivalent or state when ball entrance , the identification information in a particular display device along with it is variably displayed, the Toraku identification information in a particular manner based on the lottery result of the lottery is stopped and displayed, advantageously those or condition occurs to the player, the player gaming Value can be acquired ( see, for example, Patent Document 1) .

JP 2004-000736 A

However, further improvement of interest is demanded in the above-exemplified gaming machines and the like.

The present invention has been made in view of the above exemplified circumstances such as the purpose is to provide a gaming machine capable of improving the interest.

The gaming machine according to the present invention is
A game area in which a game ball fired by a predetermined launching means is guided;
In the game area, a ball entry means capable of entering a game ball,
Entry detection means for detecting a game ball that has entered the entry means;
Lottery means for performing lottery with a predetermined winning probability based on the detection of the entrance detection means;
Display means for performing stop display in a predetermined manner based on the lottery result by the lottery means after performing the fluctuation display for a predetermined time;
In a gaming machine comprising special gaming state generating means for generating a special gaming state advantageous to a player when a winning result is obtained by the lottery means,
The game mode has at least a normal mode, a first specific mode that is more advantageous to the player than the normal mode, and a second specific mode that is more advantageous to the player than the normal mode,
Storage means for storing first information and second information in advance;
When the first specific mode is executed, when the number of executions of the variable display on the display means reaches the first number of changes corresponding to the first information from the end of the special gaming state, the first specific mode is performed. First switching means for ending the mode and setting the game mode to the normal mode;
When the second specific mode is executed, from the end of the special gaming state, the number of executions of the variable display on the display means reaches a second number of changes corresponding to the second information and greater than the first number of changes. And a second switching means for ending the second specific mode and setting the game mode to the normal mode ,
Third switching means for setting the game mode after the end of the special gaming state to the second specific mode when a winning result is obtained by the lottery means in the first specific mode or the second specific mode; that Ru equipped has as its gist.

According to the present invention, it is possible to improve interest .

It is a front view which shows the pachinko machine in one embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the pachinko machine of the state which open | released the inner frame and the front frame set. It is a front view which shows the inner frame etc. in the state which open | released the front frame set. It is a front view which shows the structure of a game board. It is a rear view which shows the structure of a pachinko machine. It is a rear view which shows the structure of an inner frame and a game board. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of a 1st control board unit. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of a 2nd control board unit. It is a front view which shows the structure of a back pack unit. It is a block diagram which shows the main electrical structures of a pachinko machine. It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline | summary of the various counters used for game control. It is a flowchart which shows the main process by the main controller. It is a flowchart which shows a normal process. It is a flowchart which shows an external output process. It is a flowchart which shows a fluctuation process. It is a flowchart which shows a fluctuation | variation start process. It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline | summary of the various counters used for the determination of a decoration design. It is a flowchart which shows the update process of an off symbol counter. It is a flowchart which shows a timer interruption process. It is a flowchart which shows a start winning process. It is a flowchart which shows a NMI interruption process. It is a flowchart which shows a jackpot control process. It is a flowchart which shows discrimination | determination information setting processing. It is a flowchart which shows a time reduction mode counter setting process. It is a flowchart which shows the main process of the payout control apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows a reception interruption process. It is a flowchart which shows a timer interruption process. It is a flowchart which shows a command determination process. It is a flowchart which shows prize ball control. It is a flowchart which shows ball rental control. It is a figure for demonstrating the change of the value of a time shortening mode generation flag and a time shortening mode status flag.

As described above, there is a pachinko machine as a kind of gaming machine. In the pachinko machine, for example, a game ball is launched into a game area by a launching device, and if a game ball enters a predetermined starting entrance means provided in the game area, a winning lottery is performed whether or not a big hit state is generated, Along with this, when the identification information is variably displayed on the special display device and the identification information is stopped and displayed in a specific manner based on the lottery result of the winning lottery, a big hit state advantageous to the player occurs, and there are many players. It becomes possible to acquire the game value (prize ball).

In recent years, depending on the gaming specifications of the pachinko machine, a specific mode that is more advantageous to the player than the normal mode, such as a high probability mode (so-called probability variation mode) or a time reduction mode, is given after the jackpot state ends. There are many (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

When the gaming state is the high probability mode, the winning probability in the winning lottery in the big hit state is increased as compared to the normal mode, and the number of gaming balls is difficult to decrease.

For example, the starting entrance means is a entrance means that switches between a closed state in which a game ball is difficult to enter and an open state in which it is easy to enter, and the game ball enters the entrance means such as a through gate. In addition to performing a winning lottery and displaying a variation on a predetermined display device, a stop display is performed based on the lottery result, and when a stop display is made in a specific stop mode, the starting pitching means has a specified time or specified In a configuration that is open until there are as many balls as there are balls, the probability that a winning result will be obtained by a winning lottery related to the big hit state or opening / closing of the starting ball entry means is increased compared to the normal mode, the big hit state or the starting ball entry means For example, the fluctuation display time related to the open / close winning lottery is shortened, and the specified time during which the starting and entering means is opened is made longer than that in the normal mode. On the other hand, in the time shortening mode, the winning probability related to the big hit state is the same as in the normal mode, but the other processes are performed in the same manner as in the high probability mode, and the number of game balls is difficult to decrease.

In this type of pachinko machine, a winning lottery in a big hit state is performed at the timing when a game ball enters the entrance means, and the mode of the variation display is determined based on the lottery result. Accordingly, jackpot state determination information (for example, a jackpot flag or the like) for determining whether or not a big hit state has occurred is set at least before the start of the fluctuation display (for example, during the setting process routine for starting the fluctuation).

However, for example, in order to simplify the control process, settings such as mode discrimination information for discriminating the occurrence and occurrence of a specific mode, together with the setting of jackpot state discrimination information, at least before the start of variable display When trying to do so, it is determined that it is in the specific mode based on the mode discrimination information even if the big hit state is not ended, and the same control as in the specific mode is performed. There is a risk that. For example, as in the above-described prior art, the probability that a winning result is obtained by a winning lottery related to opening / closing of the starting entering ball means is increased as compared to the normal mode, and the variable display time relating to the winning lottery of opening / closing of the starting entering ball means is shortened. In other words, the specified time for the start ball entering means to be in an open state is made longer than that in the normal mode, and it becomes difficult for the game balls to decrease as in the specific mode. That is, there is a possibility that the amount of game balls used during the big hit state is reduced, and as a result, the number of prize balls acquired by the player may be increased. In addition, a determination is made as to whether or not to grant a specific mode along with the winning lottery in the jackpot state, and in the configuration in which the specific mode is granted or not given based on this result, the specific mode is not For the same reason as described above, there may be an extreme difference in the number of award balls that the player acquires for the same reason as described above. As a result, there is a possibility that the performance of the gaming machine related to the acquisition of the gaming value may be significantly affected.

Such a problem is not limited to pachinko machines but is a serious problem inherent in other gaming machines such as slot machines.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of reducing the influence on performance related to acquisition of gaming value.

  In the following, each means suitable for solving the above-mentioned purpose will be described in terms of items. In addition, the effect etc. peculiar to a corresponding means are added as needed.

Means 1. Lottery means for performing a predetermined winning lottery process triggered by a signal input from a predetermined trigger generation means;
Special game state generation means capable of executing a special game state generation process advantageous to the player when the winning result is obtained by the winning lottery process;
A switching setting means capable of switching the game mode (game state) to at least a normal mode (normal state) and a specific mode (specific state) more advantageous to the player than the normal mode;
In a gaming machine comprising mode determining means for determining whether or not to set the specific mode in the gaming mode after the end of the special gaming state when a winning result is obtained by the winning lottery process,
Confirmation information setting capable of setting mode generation confirmation information for determining whether or not to set the specific mode as the game mode after the end of the special gaming state at least before the start of the special gaming state generation process Means,
At least at the end of the special gaming state generation process or after the end, information having the same content as the mode generation confirmation information can be set as mode generation information for determining whether or not the specific mode is in effect An ongoing information setting means,
Mode discriminating means for discriminating a game mode based on at least the mode occurrence information;
A gaming machine comprising: mode game control means for performing game control during each mode based on at least the discrimination result of the mode discrimination means.

  According to the means 1, in the stage before the start of the special gaming state generation process, the mode generation confirmation information for determining whether or not to set the specific mode is set, and at the end of the special gaming state generation process or In the stage after the end, the special game state is set by setting the mode occurrence information for determining whether or not it is in the specific mode, and considering the mode occurrence information when performing the mode determination. During occurrence of this, it is possible to suppress the possibility that the same control as that in the specific mode is performed. Eventually, when there is a game value granting means that can give a predetermined number of game values triggered by the establishment of a predetermined condition (for example, signal input from the trigger generation means), the influence on the performance related to the acquisition of the game value Can be reduced. Therefore, if the configuration is “provided with game value giving means capable of giving a predetermined number of game values triggered by establishment of a predetermined condition (for example, at least a signal input from the trigger generation means)”, the effect of the above means Is more exhibited (the same applies to the following means). In particular, if the specific mode is given or not given as in this means, and if it is the same as the conventional configuration, the special mode is given while the special gaming state is occurring, and the special mode is not given In this case, there is a possibility that an extreme difference occurs in the number of game values acquired by the player, but such a problem is suppressed by this means as described above.

  The same applies to the following means, but as the “trigger generation means”, for example, “detection means for detecting the entry of a game ball into a predetermined entry means provided in the game area”, “ Examples of the detection means include a detection means for detecting that the start operation means for starting the variable display on the display means is operated. The specific mode includes a game mode (high probability mode) in which the winning probability in the winning lottery process is higher than the winning probability in the normal mode. The specific mode also includes a game mode that is continued until the next special game state is generated. As the mode generation confirmation information, for example, a flag value “1” indicating that the specific mode is set in the game mode after the end of the special game state, or the specific mode is set in the game mode after the end of the special game state. A flag value “0” or the like indicating not to be set is set. On the other hand, as the mode generation information, corresponding to the mode generation confirmation information (flag values “1”, “0”), for example, a flag value “1” indicating that the specific mode is being performed, or not being in the specific mode Is set to a flag value “0”. The mode generation confirmation information is determined based on the determination result of the mode determination means, and the mode generation information is determined based on the mode generation determination information.

Mean 2. Lottery means for performing a predetermined winning lottery process triggered by a signal input from a predetermined trigger generation means;
Special game state generating means for performing generation processing of a special game state advantageous to the player when a winning result is obtained by the winning lottery process;
A switching setting means capable of switching the game mode (game state) between at least a normal mode (normal state) and a plurality of specific modes (specific state) more advantageous to the player than the normal mode;
In a gaming machine comprising mode determining means for determining which of the plurality of specific modes a gaming mode after the end of the special gaming state when a winning result is obtained by the winning lottery process ,
Confirmation information setting capable of setting mode generation confirmation information for determining whether or not to set the specific mode as the game mode after the end of the special gaming state at least before the start of the special gaming state generation process Means,
At least at the end of the special gaming state generation process or after the end, information having the same content as the mode generation confirmation information can be set as mode generation information for determining whether or not the specific mode is in effect An ongoing information setting means,
Mode discriminating means for discriminating a game mode based on at least the mode occurrence information;
A gaming machine comprising: mode game control means for performing game control during each mode based on at least the discrimination result of the mode discrimination means.

  According to the means 2, the same effects as those of the means 1 can be obtained even in a configuration in which a plurality of specific modes are provided.

Means 3. The confirmation information setting means is configured to be able to set a plurality of mode occurrence confirmation information corresponding to each of the plurality of specific modes,
The on-occurrence information setting means is configured to be able to set information having the same content as the plurality of mode occurrence confirmation information as a plurality of mode occurrence information corresponding to each of the plurality of mode occurrence confirmation information. The gaming machine according to means 2, which is characterized.

  According to the means 3, the control program and the like can be simplified by setting the mode generation determination information and the mode generation information for each specific mode. Furthermore, there are merits that it is easy to find bugs when executing debugging of the control program, and that it is possible to change the game specifications of the gaming machine efficiently and relatively easily.

Means 4. Lottery means for performing a predetermined winning lottery process triggered by a signal input from a predetermined trigger generation means;
Special game state generating means for performing generation processing of a special game state advantageous to the player when a winning result is obtained by the winning lottery process;
The game mode (game state) includes at least a normal mode (normal state), a first specific mode (first specific state) that is more advantageous to the player than the normal mode, and a first advantage that is more advantageous to the player than the normal mode. Switching setting means capable of switching between two specific modes (second specific state);
Mode determination means for determining whether the game mode after the end of the special gaming state is the first specific mode or the second specific mode when a winning result is obtained by the winning lottery process When,
Mode generation confirmation information for determining whether or not to set the first specific mode or the second specific mode as the game mode after the end of the special game state at least before the start of the special game state generation process. Fixed information setting means capable of setting,
In order to determine whether or not information having the same content as the mode occurrence confirmation information is in the first specific mode or the second specific mode at least at the end of the special gaming state generation process or after the end On-occurrence information setting means that can be set as current mode occurrence information,
Mode discriminating means for discriminating a game mode based on at least the mode occurrence information;
A gaming machine comprising: mode game control means for performing game control during each mode based on at least the discrimination result of the mode discrimination means.

  According to the means 4, the same effects as the means 1 and 2 can be obtained.

Means 5. A display means for performing a stop display in a predetermined manner based on the lottery result of the winning lottery process after performing the fluctuation display for a predetermined time;
A predetermined game control process (routine) including at least the special game state generation process, the game mode switching setting process and the control process related to the display means is periodically executed;
A process (routine) for setting at least special game state determination information for determining whether or not to generate the special game state, and a process (routine) for setting the mode occurrence confirmation information are performed in the game control process ( The routine 1 is characterized in that it is collectively executed as a discrimination information setting process (routine) in a specific process (routine) performed before the start of the variable display in the display means. 4. The gaming machine according to any one of 4.

  According to the means 5, the processing routine for setting the mode occurrence confirmation information and the like are collectively executed in the specific processing routine that is performed before the start of the variable display in the game control processing routine. That is, since the setting processing of various types of discrimination information and the like are not performed under separate processing but are performed in a state where they are aggregated within a specific processing routine, the control processing can be simplified. In addition, there is a merit that bugs can be found easily when debugging a program. In addition, when changing the game specifications of the gaming machine, there is also an advantage that the specifications can be changed efficiently and easily only by changing each of the processing routines collected in a specific processing routine. In the case of the configuration of this means, as described in the above problem, it is conventionally determined that the special mode is in the specific mode even when the special game state is generated, even though the special game state is not ended. Although there is a possibility that the same control as that in the specific mode may be performed, such a problem is eliminated by the configuration of each means described above.

  Means 6. The gaming machine according to claim 5, wherein the specific process (routine) is a change start process (routine) for starting a change display on the display means.

  According to the means 6, the discrimination information setting process routine is executed in the fluctuation start process routine. Since the lottery result based on the winning lottery process must be reflected in the variable display and stop display on the display means, special game state determination information for determining whether or not at least a special game state is generated in the variable start process routine Set. In accordance with this, the control routine is further simplified by performing a processing routine for setting mode generation confirmation information.

Mean 7 Lottery means for performing a winning lottery process with a predetermined winning probability triggered by a signal input from a predetermined trigger generation means;
Display means for performing a stop display in a predetermined manner based on the lottery result of the winning lottery process after performing the fluctuation display for a predetermined time;
Special game state generating means for performing generation processing of a special game state advantageous to the player when a winning result is obtained by the winning lottery process;
The game mode (game state) includes at least a normal mode (normal state), a first specific mode (first specific state) that is more advantageous to the player than the normal mode, and a first advantage that is more advantageous to the player than the normal mode. Switching setting means capable of switching between two specific modes (second specific state);
Mode determination means for determining whether the game mode after the end of the special gaming state is the first specific mode or the second specific mode when a winning result is obtained by the winning lottery process When,
Mode generation confirmation information for determining whether or not to set the first specific mode or the second specific mode as the game mode after the end of the special game state at least before the start of the special game state generation process. Fixed information setting means capable of setting,
In order to determine whether or not information having the same content as the mode occurrence confirmation information is in the first specific mode or the second specific mode at least at the end of the special gaming state generation process or after the end On-occurrence information setting means that can be set as current mode occurrence information,
Mode discriminating means for discriminating a game mode based on at least the mode occurrence information;
Mode game control means for performing game control during each mode based on at least the determination result of the mode determination means;
A variation number counting means capable of counting the number of executions of variation display in the display means,
The mode determining means includes
Based on at least the discrimination result of the mode discrimination means,
In the normal mode, when a winning result is obtained by the winning lottery process, it is determined that the gaming mode after the end of the special gaming state is the first specific mode,
When a winning result is obtained by the winning lottery process during the first specific mode or the second specific mode, the game mode after the end of the special game state is set to the second specific mode. Configured to determine,
The switching setting means includes
Based on the determination of the mode determination means, the game mode after the end of the special game state is set to the first specific mode or the second specific mode,
When the first specific mode is set, the first specific mode is terminated when the number of executions of the variable display on the display means reaches the first specified variation number from the end of the special gaming state, and the game Switch the mode to the normal mode,
When the second specific mode is set, when the number of executions of the variable display on the display means reaches a second specified variation number greater than the first specified variation number from the end of the special gaming state, 2. A gaming machine configured to end a specific mode and switch the game mode to the normal mode.

  According to the means 7, the same effects as the means 1 and the like can be obtained. Further, when a special gaming state occurs during the normal mode, the first specific mode is set after the completion, and the first specific mode is set when the number of executions of the variable display on the display means reaches the first specified variation number. The mode ends and the mode is switched to the normal mode. In addition, when a special gaming state occurs during the first specific mode or the second specific mode, the second specific mode is set after the completion, and the number of executions of the variable display on the display means is greater than the first specified number of changes. When the number of second specified fluctuations is reached, the second specific mode is terminated and the mode is switched to the normal mode.

  If there is a high probability mode that continues until the next special gaming state occurs, the winning probability of the special gaming state in the normal mode must be set relatively low, and the special gaming state in the normal mode. There is a low probability of occurrence, and there is a risk of lowering interest for the player. On the other hand, simply increasing the winning probability during the normal mode makes it easy for a special gaming state to occur as a whole, and there is a risk that the performance of the gaming machine related to the acquisition of gaming value will deviate significantly from the appropriate range.

  In view of this, in this means, after the special gaming state ends, the specific mode is not granted or not granted, and either the first specific mode or the second specific mode is given, and both modes are the same. By setting the upper limit based on the variable display of the display means during the continuation period, the winning probability of the special gaming state during the normal mode can be set to be relatively high, and the interest for the player can be improved.

  Further, even when the winning probability of the special gaming state in the normal mode is set to be relatively high, the possibility that the performance of the gaming machine related to the acquisition of the gaming value significantly deviates from the appropriate range can be reduced. Furthermore, when a special gaming state occurs during the first specific mode or the second specific mode, the second specific mode, which is a specific mode with a longer duration, is always set after the end of the special game state. Therefore, in some cases, it becomes possible for the player to play a game while the second specific mode is continuously given for a relatively long period of time. As a result, it is possible to improve the interest for the player. The same applies to the following means, but when the winning probability of the special gaming state in the normal mode is set to be relatively high or the advantage of the second specific mode is increased, It is preferable that the difference from the second specified number of fluctuations is set to be relatively large. For example, “the second specified number of changes (for example, 100 times) is 25 times or more of the first specified number of changes (4 times)” can be cited as an example. Of course, since the winning probability in the special gaming state has to be taken into consideration, it is preferable that the second specified variation number does not become extremely large with respect to the winning probability in the special gaming state. For example, “an expected value that the special gaming state wins during the second specified variation count does not exceed 2” is an example. For example, when the winning probability in the special gaming state is 1/60, it is preferable that the second specified variation number does not exceed 120 times. On the other hand, it is preferable that the first specified variation number is relatively small with respect to the winning probability in the special gaming state. For example, it is preferable that “the expected value that the special gaming state wins during the first specified number of fluctuations does not exceed 1”. As a more preferable aspect example, “the expected value that the special gaming state wins during the first specified number of fluctuations does not exceed 0.1” may be mentioned. In consideration of these, for example, a setting in which the winning probability of the special gaming state is 1/60, the first prescribed variation number is 4, and the second prescribed variation number is 100 is given as an example. Of course, as can be seen from the configuration of the above means, it goes without saying that the first specified variation number is 1 or more.

Means 8. Lottery means for performing a winning lottery process with a predetermined winning probability triggered by a signal input from a predetermined trigger generation means;
Display means for performing a stop display in a predetermined manner based on the lottery result of the winning lottery process after performing the fluctuation display for a predetermined time;
Special game state generating means for performing generation processing of a special game state advantageous to the player when a winning result is obtained by the winning lottery process;
The game mode (game state) includes at least a normal mode (normal state), a first specific mode (first specific state) that is more advantageous to the player than the normal mode, and a first advantage that is more advantageous to the player than the normal mode. Switching setting means capable of switching between two specific modes (second specific state);
Mode determination means for determining whether the game mode after the end of the special gaming state is the first specific mode or the second specific mode when a winning result is obtained by the winning lottery process When,
At least before the start of the special gaming state generation process, a mode generation confirmation for determining whether or not to set the first specific mode or the second specific mode as the gaming mode after the end of the special gaming state. Fixed information setting means capable of setting information,
Along with the setting of the mode occurrence confirmation information, the first setting period information for specifying the setting period of the first specific mode by the number of executions of the variable display on the display means, or the number of executions of the variable display on the display means. Period information setting means capable of setting second setting period information for specifying a setting period of the two specifying mode;
In order to determine whether or not information having the same content as the mode occurrence confirmation information is in the first specific mode or the second specific mode at least at the end of the special gaming state generation process or after the end On-occurrence information setting means that can be set as current mode occurrence information,
Mode discriminating means for discriminating a game mode based on at least the mode occurrence information;
Mode game control means for performing game control during each mode based on at least the determination result of the mode determination means;
Mode generation determination determination means for determining presence / absence of setting determination of the first specific mode or the second specific mode based on at least the mode generation determination information;
Variation number counting means capable of counting the number of executions of variation display in the display means;
Based on the first setting period information or the second setting period information and the counting result by the fluctuation number counting means, it is determined whether or not it is during the setting period of the first specific mode or the second specific mode. A set period determining means,
The mode determining means includes
Based on the determination result of the mode determination means and the determination result of the mode occurrence determination determination means,
In the normal mode, when a winning result is obtained by the winning lottery process, it is determined that the gaming mode after the end of the special gaming state is the first specific mode,
When a winning result is obtained by the winning lottery process during the first specific mode or the second specific mode, the game mode after the end of the special game state is set to the second specific mode. Configured to determine,
The switching setting means includes
Based on the determination result of the mode determination means or the determination result of the set period determination means,
The game mode after the end of the special game state is set to the first specific mode or the second specific mode,
When the first specific mode is set, when the number of executions of the variable display on the display means reaches the first specified fluctuation number corresponding to the first set period information from the end of the special gaming state End the first specific mode, switch the game mode to the normal mode,
When the second specific mode is set, the second rule corresponding to the second set period information corresponding to the second set period information in which the number of executions of the variable display on the display means is greater than the first predetermined variable number of times from the end of the special gaming state When the number of times of change is reached, the gaming machine is configured to end the second specific mode and switch the game mode to the normal mode.

  According to the means 8, the same effects as the means 7 can be obtained. Furthermore, by providing the period information setting means, it becomes easier to manage the setting period of the specific mode, and the control can be simplified. In addition, since the mode determination means is configured to be able to determine the game mode based on the determination result of the mode determination means and the determination result of the mode occurrence determination determination means, it corresponds to each of the first specific mode and the second specific mode. Thus, the game mode can be determined without setting the separate mode generation confirmation information and mode generation in-progress information, and the control can be simplified. For example, a flag value set as mode generation confirmation information (a flag value “1” indicating that the specific mode is set in the game mode after the end of the special game state, or the specific mode in the game mode after the end of the special game state) And a flag value “1” indicating that the mode is in progress, or a flag value “1” indicating that the mode is not in progress, or a flag value “1” indicating that the mode is not in progress. 0 ”), the logical product operation (AND operation) of the two is performed, and the logical product operation value is“ 1 ”, that is, mode generation confirmation information (flag value) and mode generation information (flag value) When the values of both are “1”, the game mode after the end of the special game state is determined to be the second specific mode. On the other hand, when the logical product value is “0”, that is, the mode occurrence confirmation information (flag) Value) or The value of either the value of over-de occurrence in information (flag value) in the case of "0" is determined as the first specific mode. Further, “the on-going information setting unit is configured to use the first specific information as the on-mode information when the first specific mode or the second specific mode ends based on the determination result of the set period determination unit. If the system is configured to perform a process (reset process) for setting information indicating that it is not in the mode or the second specific mode, it is possible to more reliably prevent the specific mode from continuing after the specified number of fluctuations has elapsed. (The same applies to the following means 13).

Means 9. A game area in which a game ball fired by a predetermined launching means is guided;
In the game area, a ball entry means capable of entering a game ball,
Entry detection means for detecting a game ball that has entered the entry means;
Game value giving means capable of giving a predetermined number of game values based on at least a game ball entering the ball entering means,
The gaming machine according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the lottery means is configured to perform the winning lottery process in response to a signal input from the incoming ball detecting means as the trigger generating means.

Means 10. A predetermined game control process (routine) including at least the special game state generation process, the game mode switching setting process and the control process related to the display means is periodically executed;
A process (routine) for setting at least special game state determination information for determining whether or not to generate the special game state, and a process (routine) for setting the mode occurrence confirmation information are performed in the game control process ( Among the specific routines (routines) that are performed before the start of the variable display on the display means in the routines). 10. The gaming machine according to any one of 9.

  According to the means 10, the same effect as the means 5 can be obtained.

  Means 11. 11. The gaming machine according to claim 10, wherein the specific process (routine) is a change start process (routine) for starting change display on the display means.

  According to the means 11, the same effects as the means 6 can be obtained.

Means 12. A game area in which a game ball fired by a predetermined launching means is guided;
In the gaming area, a first ball entry means capable of switching between a closed state in which game balls are difficult to enter and an open state in which game balls are easy to enter;
First entry detection means for detecting a game ball entered into the first entry means;
First lottery means for performing a first winning lottery process with a predetermined first winning probability triggered by a signal input from the first ball detection means;
First display means for performing stop display in a predetermined manner based on the lottery result of the first winning lottery process after performing the variable display for a predetermined time;
Special game state generating means for performing generation processing of a special game state advantageous to the player when a winning result is obtained by the first winning lottery process;
In the gaming area, a second ball entry means into which a game ball can enter;
Second incoming detection means for detecting a game ball that has entered the second incoming means;
Second lottery means for performing a second winning lottery process with a predetermined second winning probability triggered by a signal input from the second ball detection means;
Second display means for performing stop display in a predetermined manner based on the lottery result of the second winning lottery process after performing the fluctuation display for a predetermined time;
When a winning result is obtained by the second winning lottery process, the first entering means is switched from the closed state to the opened state, and when a prescribed time has elapsed or a prescribed number of game balls are detected by the first entering ball A first ball opening means opening / closing control means capable of executing a predetermined number of times of opening / closing processing to be closed when detected by the means;
The game mode (game state) includes at least a normal mode (normal state), a first specific mode (first specific state) that is more advantageous to the player than the normal mode, and a first advantage that is more advantageous to the player than the normal mode. Switching setting means capable of switching between two specific modes (second specific state);
A mode for determining whether the game mode after the end of the special gaming state is the first specific mode or the second specific mode when a winning result is obtained by the first winning lottery process A determination means;
Mode generation confirmation information for determining whether or not to set the first specific mode or the second specific mode as the game mode after the end of the special game state at least before the start of the special game state generation process. Fixed information setting means capable of setting,
In order to determine whether or not information having the same content as the mode occurrence confirmation information is in the first specific mode or the second specific mode at least at the end of the special gaming state generation process or after the end On-occurrence information setting means that can be set as current mode occurrence information,
Mode discriminating means for discriminating a game mode based on at least the mode occurrence information;
Mode game control means for performing game control during each mode based on at least the determination result of the mode determination means;
Variation number counting means capable of counting the number of executions of variation display in the first display means;
Game value giving means capable of giving a predetermined number of game values based on at least a game ball entering the first ball entry means,
The mode determining means includes
Based on at least the discrimination result of the mode discrimination means,
In the normal mode, when a winning result is obtained by the first winning lottery process, it is determined that the gaming mode after the end of the special gaming state is the first specific mode,
When a winning result is obtained by the first winning lottery process during the first specific mode or the second specific mode, the game mode after the end of the special gaming state is set as the second specific mode. Is configured to determine that
The switching setting means includes
Based on the determination of the mode determination means, the game mode after the end of the special game state is set to the first specific mode or the second specific mode,
When the first specific mode is set, the first specific mode is terminated when the number of executions of the variable display on the first display means reaches the first specified variation number from the end of the special gaming state. , Switch the game mode to the normal mode,
In the case of setting to the second specific mode, when the number of executions of the variable display on the first display means reaches the second specified variation number greater than the first specified variation number from the end of the special gaming state. A gaming machine configured to end the second specific mode and switch the game mode to the normal mode.

  According to the means 12, the same operation and effect as the means 7 are achieved. The same applies to the following means, but the “closed state in which a game ball is difficult to enter” in the first entrance means includes a closed state in which a game ball cannot enter.

Means 13. A game area in which a game ball fired by a predetermined launching means is guided;
In the gaming area, a first ball entry means capable of switching between a closed state in which game balls are difficult to enter and an open state in which game balls are easy to enter;
First entry detection means for detecting a game ball entered into the first entry means;
First lottery means for performing a first winning lottery process with a predetermined first winning probability triggered by a signal input from the first ball detection means;
First display means for performing stop display in a predetermined manner based on the lottery result of the first winning lottery process after performing the variable display for a predetermined time;
Special game state generating means for performing generation processing of a special game state advantageous to the player when a winning result is obtained by the first winning lottery process;
In the gaming area, a second ball entry means into which a game ball can enter;
Second incoming detection means for detecting a game ball that has entered the second incoming means;
Second lottery means for performing a second winning lottery process with a predetermined second winning probability triggered by a signal input from the second ball detection means;
Second display means for performing stop display in a predetermined manner based on the lottery result of the second winning lottery process after performing the fluctuation display for a predetermined time;
When a winning result is obtained by the second winning lottery process, the first entering means is switched from the closed state to the opened state, and when a prescribed time has elapsed or a prescribed number of game balls are detected by the first entering ball A first ball opening means opening / closing control means capable of executing a predetermined number of times of opening / closing processing to be closed when detected by the means;
The game mode (game state) includes at least a normal mode (normal state), a first specific mode (first specific state) that is more advantageous to the player than the normal mode, and a first advantage that is more advantageous to the player than the normal mode. Switching setting means capable of switching between two specific modes (second specific state);
A mode for determining whether the game mode after the end of the special gaming state is the first specific mode or the second specific mode when a winning result is obtained by the first winning lottery process A determination means;
Mode generation confirmation information for determining whether or not to set the first specific mode or the second specific mode as the game mode after the end of the special game state at least before the start of the special game state generation process. Fixed information setting means capable of setting,
Along with the setting of the mode occurrence confirmation information, the first setting period information for specifying the setting period of the first specific mode by the number of executions of the variable display on the display means, or the number of executions of the variable display on the display means. Period information setting means capable of setting second setting period information for specifying a setting period of the two specifying mode;
In order to determine whether or not information having the same content as the mode occurrence confirmation information is in the first specific mode or the second specific mode at least at the end of the special gaming state generation process or after the end On-occurrence information setting means that can be set as current mode occurrence information,
Mode discriminating means for discriminating a game mode based on at least the mode occurrence information;
Mode game control means for performing game control during each mode based on the determination result of the mode determination means;
Mode generation determination determination means for determining presence / absence of setting determination of the first specific mode or the second specific mode based on at least the mode generation determination information;
Variation number counting means capable of counting the number of executions of variation display in the first display means;
Based on the first setting period information or the second setting period information and the counting result by the fluctuation number counting means, it is determined whether or not it is during the setting period of the first specific mode or the second specific mode. A setting period discrimination means;
Game value giving means capable of giving a predetermined number of game values based on at least a game ball entering the first ball entry means,
The mode determining means includes
Based on the determination result of the mode determination means and the determination result of the mode occurrence determination determination means,
In the normal mode, when a winning result is obtained by the first winning lottery process, it is determined that the gaming mode after the end of the special gaming state is the first specific mode,
When a winning result is obtained by the first winning lottery process during the first specific mode or the second specific mode, the game mode after the end of the special gaming state is set as the second specific mode. Is configured to determine that
The switching setting means includes
Based on the determination result of the mode determination means or the determination result of the set period determination means,
The game mode after the end of the special game state is set to the first specific mode or the second specific mode,
When the first specific mode is set, the number of executions of the variable display on the first display means reaches the first specified fluctuation number corresponding to the first set period information from the end of the special gaming state. To end the first specific mode, switch the game mode to the normal mode,
When the second specific mode is set, from the end of the special gaming state, the number of executions of the variable display on the first display means corresponds to the second set period information corresponding to the number of the first predetermined fluctuations greater. 2. A gaming machine configured to end the second specific mode and switch the game mode to the normal mode when the specified number of fluctuations is reached.

  According to the means 13, the same effects as the means 8 and 12 can be obtained.

  Means 14. In the first specific mode and the second specific mode, the first winning probability in the first winning lottery process is the same as the first winning probability in the normal mode, and the unit in the first entry means The gaming machine according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the gaming mode is set such that a ratio of the open state to the closed state per time is higher than the ratio in the normal mode.

  According to the means 14, in the first specific mode and the second specific mode, the first winning probability in the first winning lottery process is the same as the first winning probability in the normal mode, and the first winning means A game mode in which the ratio of the open state to the closed state per unit time is higher than the ratio in the normal mode. Therefore, it becomes difficult for the number of game balls to decrease during the specific mode. In this case, if the same game control as in the specific mode is performed in the special game state, it becomes difficult to reduce the game balls as in the specific mode, and the use amount of the game balls during the special game state is reduced. As a result, there is a possibility that the number of prize balls that the player acquires increases. However, such a problem is suppressed by the configuration of each means described above.

  Further, the first specific mode and the second specific mode are similar game modes except for the difference between the first specified variation count and the second specified variation count, which are the duration of the specific mode. Assuming that the first specific mode and the second specific mode are game modes in which the first winning probability in the first winning lottery process is higher than the first winning probability in the normal mode (so-called high probability mode), And the second specified number of fluctuations are relatively large, the first specific mode and the second specific mode may cause a very large difference in expected values won in the special gaming state during the specific mode. For example, if the first winning probability is 1/60, the first specified variation count is 4 times, and the second specified variation count is 100 times, the expected value for winning the special gaming state in the first specific mode is extremely high. The expected value that the special gaming state is won during the second specific mode is extremely high. As a result, the gaming machine has a plurality of special game state winning probabilities, and the performance of the gaming machine related to acquisition of a preset gaming value may be significantly impaired. Furthermore, if the first specific mode and the second specific mode are set to the high probability mode, the special game state may continue to be won intermittently without interruption of the specific mode (high probability mode). There is a risk of abuse. On the other hand, in this means, since the first specific mode and the second specific mode are not high probability modes in which the winning probability of the special gaming state is higher than that in the normal mode, the operational effects of the above means can be further enhanced. .

  Means 15. The gaming machine according to claim 14, wherein the first specific mode and the second specific mode are game modes that satisfy at least one of the following configurations (1) to (5).

(1) The variable display time in the first display means is shortened. (2) The variable display time in the second display means is shortened. (3) The specified time related to the opening / closing process of the first ball entry means is set. (4) The number of executions of the opening / closing process performed once when a winning result is obtained by the second winning lottery process. (5) The second winning probability in the second winning lottery process is set to be higher than the second winning probability in the normal mode. As the first specific mode and the second specific mode, Is an arbitrary combination of the configurations of (1) to (5) (for example, (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (1) and (2), (1) and ( 3), (1) and (4), (1) and (5), 2) and (3), (2) and (4), (2) and (5), (3) and (4), (3) and (5), (4) and (5), (1) And (2) and (3), (1) and (2) and (4), (1) and (2) and (5), (1) and (3) and (4), (1) and ( 3) and (5), (1) and (4) and (5), (2) and (3) and (4), (2) and (3) and (5), (2) and (4) And (5), (3) and (4) and (5), (1) and (2), (3) and (4), (1), (2), (3) and (5), ( 1), (2), (4), (5), (1), (3), (4), (5), (2), (3), (4), and (5)) can be adopted. .

Means 16. In the gaming area, a third ball entry means capable of switching between a closed state in which a game ball cannot enter and an open state in which a game ball can enter;
Third incoming detection means for detecting a game ball that has entered the third incoming means;
Based on the generation process, the third ball entering means is switched from the closed state to the open state, and when the prescribed time has elapsed or when the prescribed number of game balls are detected by the third incoming ball detecting means, A third ball entry means opening / closing control means capable of executing the opening / closing process a predetermined number of times;
When a winning result is obtained by the first winning lottery process, the opening / closing process of the third ball entry means is executed for the first opening / closing number in the special gaming state, or the second number larger than the first opening / closing number An opening / closing frequency determination means for determining whether to perform the opening / closing frequency,
The third pitching means opening / closing control means includes:
Based on the determination of the opening / closing frequency determination means, the opening / closing process of the third ball entry means is configured to execute a predetermined number of times,
The probability that the opening / closing number determining means determines that the opening / closing process of the third ball entry means is executed is set higher than the probability that the second opening / closing number is determined. The gaming machine according to any one of means 12 to 15, wherein

  According to the means 16, the opening / closing process of the third entering means is performed in the special gaming state (hereinafter referred to as the second special gaming state) in which the opening / closing process of the third entering means is executed for the second opening / closing number of times. The number of times of opening and closing the third ball entry means is more advantageous to the player than the special game state in which the number of times of opening and closing is executed (hereinafter referred to as the first special game state). Further, the probability that the opening / closing process of the third ball entering means is determined to be executed for the first number of opening / closing times is set higher than the probability that the determination is made to execute the second opening / closing number of times. That is, the first special game state is more likely to occur than the second special game state, and the number of game values that the player can acquire in the special game state is also small. Therefore, even when the winning probability of the special gaming state in the normal mode is set to be relatively high, the possibility that the performance of the gaming machine related to the acquisition of the gaming value significantly deviates from the appropriate range can be reduced. In other words, the winning probability of the special gaming state during the normal mode can be set to be relatively high, and the interest for the player can be improved. In order to make the action and effect more prominent, for example, “the second opening / closing frequency is four times or more of the first opening / closing frequency”, “the second specified time is the first specified time”. At least 100 times or more than "the probability that the decision to execute the first opening / closing number of times is two times or more than the probability of the decision to execute the second opening / closing number". Preferably one is satisfied. As an example, the second opening / closing frequency is 15 times, the first opening / closing frequency is 2, and the probability that the first opening / closing frequency is determined is 4/5, and the second opening / closing frequency is executed. A setting such as one-fifth the probability that a decision is made is given.

Means 17. In the gaming area, a third ball entry means capable of switching between a closed state in which a game ball cannot enter and an open state in which a game ball can enter;
Third incoming detection means for detecting a game ball that has entered the third incoming means;
Based on the generation process, the third ball entering means is switched from the closed state to the open state, and when the prescribed time has elapsed or when the prescribed number of game balls are detected by the third incoming ball detecting means, A third ball entry means opening / closing control means capable of executing the opening / closing process a predetermined number of times;
When a winning result is obtained by the first winning lottery process, the opening / closing process of the third ball entry means is executed for the first opening / closing number in the special gaming state, or the second number larger than the first opening / closing number An opening / closing frequency determination means for determining whether to perform the opening / closing frequency,
The third pitching means opening / closing control means includes:
In the case where the opening / closing process of the third entrance means is executed based on the determination of the opening / closing count determination means, the specified time for the third entrance means to be opened is set to the first specified time. And is configured to
Based on the determination of the opening / closing frequency determining means, when the opening / closing process of the third incoming ball means is executed for the second opening / closing frequency, the specified time for the third incoming ball to be in the open state is set to the first specified time. Configured to have a second prescribed time longer than the time,
The probability that the opening / closing number determining means determines that the opening / closing process of the third ball entry means is executed is set higher than the probability that the second opening / closing number is determined. The gaming machine according to any one of means 12 to 15, wherein

  According to the means 17, the same effects as the means 16 can be obtained. Furthermore, since the second special game state is more advantageous to the player than the first special game state, the number of times of opening and closing the third entrance means and the open state time are more advantageous to the player. It can be more prominent. As an example, the second opening / closing frequency is 15, the first opening / closing frequency is 2, the second specified time is 29.5 seconds, the first specified time is 0.2 seconds, and the first opening / closing frequency is executed. For example, the probability of making a decision is four-fifths and the setting is one-fifth of the probability of making a decision to execute the second opening / closing number of times.

Means 18. A predetermined game control process (routine) including at least the special game state generation process, the game mode switching setting process and the control process related to the first display means is periodically executed;
A process (routine) for setting at least special game state determination information for determining whether or not to generate the special game state, and a process (routine) for setting the mode occurrence confirmation information are performed in the game control process ( A specific processing (routine) that is performed before the start of the variable display in the first display means, and is executed collectively as a discrimination information setting process (routine). A gaming machine according to any one of 12 to 17.

  According to the means 18, the same effect as that of the means 5 is achieved.

  Means 19. The gaming machine according to claim 18, wherein the specific process (routine) is a change start process (routine) for starting change display on the first display means.

  According to the means 19, the same effect as that of the means 6 is obtained.

  Means 20. In a stage after the mode generation information setting process is performed by the on-occurrence information setting means, the confirmation information setting means sets the mode occurrence confirmation information to the game mode after the end of the special gaming state. The gaming machine according to any one of means 1 to 19, wherein the game machine is configured to perform processing (reset processing) for setting information indicating that the first specific mode or the second specific mode is not set.

  According to the above means 20, immediately after the mode occurrence information setting process by the occurrence information setting means is performed, whether or not it is determined that the specific mode is set again in the game mode after the end of the special game state. It is possible to prevent such a problem that such a determination is made.

  The basic configuration of various gaming machines to which the above means are applied is shown below.

  A. The gaming machine in each of the above means is a ball game machine. As more detailed mode examples, “an operation means (game ball launching handle) operated by a player, a ball launching means (such as a launch motor) for playing a game ball based on the operation of the operation means, and the launch A ball path (ball guide path of the rail unit) that guides the played game balls to a predetermined game area, and each game component (general winning port, variable winning device, operating port, variable display unit, etc.) arranged in the gaming area ).

  B. The gaming machine in each of the above means is a bullet ball gaming machine having a gaming area extending in a substantially vertical direction. As more detailed mode examples, “an operation means (game ball launching handle) operated by a player, a ball launching means (such as a launch motor) for playing a game ball based on the operation of the operation means, and the launch A ball path (rail guide path of the rail unit) for guiding the played game ball to a predetermined game area extending in a substantially vertical direction (for example, the game area is constituted by a game board surface, etc.), and each of the game areas arranged in the game area A ball ball game machine comprising game parts (general winning opening, variable winning device, operation opening, variable display unit, etc.) and configured so that the behavior of a gaming ball flowing down the gaming area can be visually recognized. .

  C. The gaming machine in each of the above means or each of the above ball game machines is a pachinko machine or a gaming machine equivalent to a pachinko machine.

  D. The gaming machine in each of the above means is a revolving type gaming machine such as a slot machine. As a more detailed mode example, “a discriminating information string (specifically, a rotating body such as a reel with a symbol) composed of a plurality of identification information (symbols) is displayed in a variable manner (specifically, a reel or the like). Variable display means (specifically, a rotating unit such as a reel unit) that displays the identification information string after being rotated), and is identified due to the operation of the starting operating means (specifically, the start lever). Changes in information (symbols) are started, and changes in identification information (symbols) are stopped due to the operation of the operation means for stoppage (specifically, the stop button) or after a predetermined time has elapsed. There is a revolving type gaming machine configured to generate a special game state (such as a bonus game) advantageous to the player on the condition that the confirmed identification information (symbol) is the specific identification information (symbol).

  E. The gaming machine in each of the above means is a gaming machine configured by combining a pachinko machine and a slot machine (especially a gaming machine of a slot machine specification that uses a gaming ball as a gaming medium). As a more detailed mode example, “a discriminating information string (a symbol string; specifically a rotating body such as a reel or a belt with a symbol) made up of a plurality of identification information (symbols) is variably displayed (specifically, a reel Variable display means (specifically, a rotating body unit such as a reel unit) that displays the identification information string after the rotation is performed, and is caused by the operation of the starting operation means (specifically, the start lever). The variation of the identification information (symbol) is started, and the variation of the identification information (symbol) is stopped due to the operation of the operation means for stopping (specifically, the stop button) or after a predetermined time has passed. It is configured to generate a special gaming state (bonus game, etc.) that is advantageous to the player on the condition that the confirmed identification information (symbol) is specific identification information (symbol), and a ball tray (top plate, etc.) With that An input device for performing an input process of taking a game ball from the tray and a payout device for paying out the game ball to the ball tray, and when the game ball is input by the input device, the operation of the starting operation means is performed. A gaming machine configured to be effective ”.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a pachinko gaming machine (hereinafter simply referred to as “pachinko machine”) will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko machine 10, and FIG. 2 shows a lower plate unit in which a front frame set 14 serving as a front door is opened with respect to an outer frame 11 described later and an inner frame 12 serving as a support frame. It is a perspective view showing the state where 13 was removed. FIG. 3 is a front view showing a state in which the front frame set 14 is removed from the pachinko machine 10. However, in FIGS. 2 and 3, for the sake of convenience, a configuration in a game area on the surface of the game board 30 to be described later is shown blank. .

  The pachinko machine 10 includes an outer frame 11 that forms an outer shell of the pachinko machine 10, and an inner frame 12 is supported on one side of the outer frame 11 so as to be opened and closed. The opening / closing axis of the inner frame 12 is set so as to extend vertically to the left when viewed from the front of the pachinko machine 10, and the inner frame 12 can be opened forward by using the opening / closing axis as an axis.

  A lower tray unit 13 is attached to the inner frame 12 at the lowermost portion, and a front frame set 14 is attached to correspond to a range excluding the lower tray unit 13. The front frame set 14 is attached to the inner frame 12 so as to be openable and closable. Like the inner frame 12, the front frame set 14 is located on the front side with an open / close axis extending vertically to the left when viewed from the front of the pachinko machine 10. It can be opened.

  The lower tray unit 13 is provided with a lower tray 15 as a ball receiving tray at a substantially central portion, so that game balls discharged from the outlet 16 can be stored in the lower tray 15. Reference numeral 24 denotes a sound output port from the speaker 249 (see FIG. 2), and reference numeral 25 denotes a ball release lever for discharging the game ball from the lower plate 15 downward.

  A game ball launching handle (hereinafter simply referred to as “handle”) 18 is disposed on the right side of the lower plate 15 so as to protrude to the front side. An ashtray 26 is provided on the left side of the lower plate 15.

  On the other hand, an upper plate 19 serving as a ball receiving plate is provided above the lower plate 15. Here, the upper tray 19 is a ball receiving tray that temporarily stores the game balls and guides them to a game ball launching device as launching means while aligning them in a line. The upper plate 19 is integrally formed with the glass frame portion that supports the glass 137 in the front frame set 14.

  In FIG. 3, the inner frame 12 is mainly composed of a resin base 20 having a rectangular outer shape, and a substantially circular window hole 21 is formed at the center of the resin base 20. A game board 30 (see FIG. 4) is detachably mounted on the rear side of the resin base 20. The game board 30 is made of a rectangular plywood, and is attached in a state in which the peripheral edge thereof is in contact with the back side of the resin base 20 (inner frame 12). Accordingly, a substantially central portion of the front surface portion of the game board 30 is exposed to the front surface side of the inner frame 12 through the window hole 21 of the resin base 20. The resin base 20 is provided with an opening detection sensor 22 that detects opening of the front frame set 14. Although not shown, an open detection switch for detecting the opening of the inner frame 12 is also provided.

  Next, the configuration of the game board 30 will be described with reference to FIG. The game board 30 includes a general winning opening 31, a variable winning device 32 as third entering means, a first opportunity corresponding unit (starting opening) 33 as first entering means (entrance means), and a second entering ball. A second opportunity corresponding port (through gate) 34, a variable display unit 35 and the like as means are disposed in a through hole formed by router processing. As is well known, a game ball enters the general winning opening 31, the variable winning device 32, and the first opportunity corresponding unit 33, and a predetermined number of games are input to the upper plate 19 (or the lower plate 15) by the output of a detection switch described later. A prize ball as value is paid out. In addition, the game board 30 is provided with an out port 36, and game balls that have not entered the various winning units (a winning device, a winning port, the first opportunity corresponding unit 33, etc.) pass through the out port 36. Then, it is guided toward a ball discharge path (not shown). A number of nails are planted on the game board 30 in order to appropriately disperse and adjust the falling direction of the game balls, and various members (functions) such as the windmill 27 are arranged.

  The first opportunity corresponding unit 33 includes a pair of opening / closing members 33a, and the opening / closing member 33a is configured to open / close in response to establishment of a predetermined condition. Thereby, the first opportunity corresponding unit 33 can be switched between a closed state in which a game ball is difficult to enter and an open state in which a game ball is easy to enter. In the first opportunity corresponding unit 33, for example, when the opening / closing member 33a is in the open state in the normal mode and a specified time (for example, 0.2 seconds) elapses, or a specified number (for example, 1) of game balls has entered. The case is closed. This opening / closing process is performed only once in the normal mode.

  The variable display device unit 35 is triggered by the normal symbol display device 41 as the second display means for variably displaying the normal symbol triggered by the passage of the second trigger corresponding port 34 and the winning in the first trigger corresponding unit 33 as a trigger. A special display device 43 serving as a first display means (display means) for color-changing and displaying (changing display) the LED, and a decorative design display device 42 for variably displaying decorative symbols in accordance with the variable display by the special display device 43 are provided. It has been.

  The normal symbol display device 41 is configured so that “O” or “X” can be lit and displayed as a normal symbol, and each time the game ball passes through the second opportunity corresponding port 34, for example, the normal symbol is changed from “O” to “ When “×” → “○” →... Is displayed at a high speed (variation display), and the variation display is stopped for several seconds with a “○” symbol, the first opportunity corresponding unit 33 is in an operating state for a predetermined time. It is configured to be (opened). Therefore, the stop mode with the “◯” symbol corresponds to the second specific mode in the present embodiment. The display contents of the normal symbol display device 41 are directly controlled by a main control device 261 described later. If a new game ball passes through the second opportunity corresponding port 34 while the normal symbol display device 41 is displaying the fluctuation of the normal symbol, the fluctuation display of the normal symbol corresponding to that change is performed at that time. The configuration is performed after the display is completed. That is, the variable display is on standby (held). The maximum number of the variable display to be held is determined for each model of the pachinko machine, but in this embodiment, it is held up to 4 times, and the hold number is lit and displayed by the hold lamp 44. ing. However, the maximum number of holding times is not limited to this. For example, the maximum number of holdings may be set to 8 in order to wait for the normal symbol variation display for 8 times.

  Note that the normal symbol may be configured to be variably displayed on a part of the decorative symbol display device 42 (liquid crystal display device) in addition to the configuration to be variably displayed by switching the lighting of a plurality of lamps. Similarly, the hold lamp 44 may be configured to be displayed on a part of the decorative symbol display device 42. When the decorative symbol display device 42 is configured to display the normal symbol variation display and the variation hold display in this manner, the main control device 261 transmits a command related to the normal symbol to the display control device 45, and the display control device 45. However, the decorative symbol display device 42 is controlled. However, even in this case, an LED or the like that is directly controlled by the main controller 261 is provided, and a lottery result indicating whether or not the first opportunity corresponding unit 33 is to be opened is displayed by this LED. It is desirable to make the display of the normal symbol on the display device 42 auxiliary. The reason is that the main controller 261 is stored in the sealed board box 263 as will be described later. That is, in view of the fact that an illegal act on the display control device 45 is easier than an illegal act on the main control device 261, the decorative symbol display device by the display control device 45 mainly uses the display using the LED or the like by the main control device 261. By making the normal symbol display using 42 auxiliary, it is possible to easily find an illegal act on the display control device 45 by the display using the LED or the like by the main control device 261.

  The special display device 43 is provided on the right side of the normal symbol of the normal symbol display device 41 controlled by the main controller 261, and is composed of three-color light emitting diodes (three-color LEDs) having red, green, and blue emission colors. Has been. The display content of the special display device 43 is controlled by a main control device 261 described later. In the present embodiment, whether or not a big hit is made is displayed deterministically by the special display device 43, and the decorative symbol display device 42 shown below is a result displayed on the special display device 43. The display control device 45 performs auxiliary display based on a command from the main control device 261 so as to correspond to the above.

  The decorative symbol display device 42 is configured as a liquid crystal display device, and the display content is controlled by a display control device 45 described later. The decorative symbol display device 42 displays, for example, three symbol rows of left, middle and right. Each symbol row is composed of a plurality of symbols, and these symbols are variably displayed on the decorative symbol display device 42 so as to be scrolled for each symbol row. In the present embodiment, the decorative symbol display device 42 (liquid crystal display device) includes a large liquid crystal display having an 8-inch size. The variable display device unit 35 is provided with a center frame 47 so as to surround the decorative symbol display device 42.

  The variable winning device 32 is normally in a closed state in which a game ball cannot be won or difficult to win, and is in an open state in which a game ball is likely to win in a big hit (occurrence of a special game state) and a normal closed state. It is designed to be operated repeatedly. More specifically, when the game ball wins the first opportunity corresponding unit 33, the special display device 43 displays the three-color LED at a high speed such as red → green → blue → red →. When a predetermined time elapses, it is determined and displayed in any color. High-speed color change display means, for example, that red, green, and blue are displayed in order every 4 msec. At this time, when it is determined and displayed in red or green (for example, stopped for a few seconds), that is, when a big win lottery is won, a special gaming state (a big win state) occurs. Here, red or green is a display indicating a big hit, and corresponds to the first specific mode in the present embodiment. Particularly, red is a display (mode) indicating that a 15-round jackpot state to be described later is derived, and green is a display (mode) indicating that a 2-round jackpot state to be described later is derived. For this reason, when the special display device 43 determines and displays the three-color LEDs in red or green, a specific symbol combination is supplementarily displayed on the decorative symbol display device 42. The large winning opening of the variable winning device 32 is in a predetermined open state, and the game ball is configured to be in a state where it is easy to win a prize (a big hit state). More specifically, the special winning opening of the variable winning device 32 is repeatedly opened a predetermined number of times, with the passage of a specified time or a specified number (for example, 9) of winnings as one round (special prize state). For example, in the case of 15 rounds, the second specified time of 29.5 seconds or the specified number of 9 game balls won is regarded as one round, and the large winning opening of the variable winning device 32 is the second opening / closing number. Opened repeatedly 15 times. On the other hand, in the case of two rounds, the first specified time of 0.2 seconds or the specified number of 9 game balls won is regarded as one round, and the large winning opening of the variable winning device 32 is the first opening / closing number. Opened repeatedly twice. The number of rounds is not limited to this, for example, in the case of 15 round jackpots and in the case of 2 round jackpots, but the opening time (specified time) in one round of the big prize opening of the variable winning device 32 is both The same configuration may be used. Further, when a new game ball wins the first opportunity corresponding unit 33 during the variable display of the special display device 43, the corresponding variable display is performed after the end of the variable display at that time. It has a configuration. That is, the variable display is waited (held, stored). The maximum number of the variable display to be held is determined for each model of the pachinko machine, but in this embodiment, it is held up to 4 times, and the hold number is lit and displayed by the hold lamp 46. ing. However, the maximum number of holding times is not limited to this. For example, the maximum number of suspensions may be set to 8 in order to wait for 8 fluctuation displays. The hold lamp 46 may be configured to be displayed on a part of the decorative symbol display device 42.

  Here, for convenience, various game modes will be described. In this embodiment, the game mode (game state) is a normal mode (normal state), a time shortening / short-term mode as a first specific mode (first specific state) that is more advantageous to the player than the normal mode, and normal Switching is set between the time reduction / long-term mode as the second specific mode (second specific state) which is more advantageous to the player than the mode.

  The normal mode refers to a normal state that is neither the time shortening / long-term mode nor the time shortening / short-term mode.

  The time reduction mode (time reduction / short-term mode and time reduction / long-term mode) is a game mode that is set after the jackpot ends, and the jackpot probability is the same as the jackpot probability in the normal mode, and the first This is a game mode in which the ratio of the open state to the closed state per unit time in the opportunity corresponding unit 33 is higher than the ratio in the normal mode. Further, in the present embodiment, (1) the variable display time in the special display device 43 is shortened, (2) the variable display time in the normal symbol display device 41 is shortened, and (3) the opening / closing process of the first opportunity corresponding unit 33 is performed. Increase the specified time (opening time) involved compared to the normal mode, or increase the specified number (winning number) compared to the normal mode. (4) “○” symbol is stopped and displayed on the normal symbol display device 41 Increase the number of times of opening / closing processing of the first opportunity handling unit 33 to be performed at one time as compared with the normal mode, (5) “○” symbol is stopped in the normal symbol display device 41 It is executed to make the displayed probability (winning probability) higher than the winning probability in the normal mode. More specifically, in the time reduction mode, the opening / closing member 33a of the first opportunity corresponding unit 33 is in an open state, and when a specified time (for example, 3 seconds) elapses or a specified number (for example, 3) of game balls enter. Closed when there is a ball. This opening / closing process is repeated twice. As a result, the first opportunity corresponding unit 33 is opened frequently, and lottery lotteries are continuously made, and the ball is in good condition. Not limited to this, the time reduction mode may be any combination of the above configurations (1) to (5) (for example, (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (1) And (2), (1) and (3), (1) and (4), (1) and (5), (2) and (3), (2) and (4), (2) and ( 5), (3) and (4), (3) and (5), (4) and (5), (1) and (2) and (3), (1), (2) and (4) , (1) and (2) and (5), (1) and (3) and (4), (1) and (3) and (5), (1) and (4) and (5), ( 2) and (3) and (4), (2) and (3) and (5), (2) and (4) and (5), (3) and (4) and (5), (1) And (2), (3) and (4), (1), (2), (3) and (5), (1), (2), (4) and (5), (1) and ( 3) and (4) and (5), (2) and (3) Can be adopted (4) and (5)).

  Of the time shortening modes, the time shortening / short-term mode is set after winning the jackpot during the normal mode and after the jackpot ends, and after the jackpot ends, the variation display on the special display device 43 is the first specified number of changes. This is a time reduction mode that is performed until the number of times reaches four.

  Of the time reduction modes, the time reduction / long-term mode is a jackpot winning set during the time reduction mode (time reduction / short-term mode or time reduction / long-term mode) and is set after the jackpot ends. This is a time reduction mode that is performed until the variation display on the display device 43 reaches 100 times, which is the second prescribed variation number.

  Further, the game board 30 is provided with a rail unit 50 as a rail member for guiding the game ball launched from the game ball launching device to the upper part of the game board 30, and the game board 30 was fired as the handle 18 was rotated. The game balls are guided to a predetermined game area through the rail unit 50. The rail unit 50 is formed of a ring-shaped resin molded product, and includes an inner rail constituent part (inner rail part) 51 and an outer rail constituent part (outer rail mounting part) 52 that are integrally formed in an inner and outer double. Have. The inner rail constituting portion 51 is formed in a substantially annular shape except for about 1/4 of the upper portion. Further, the outer rail constituting portion 52 is formed so that a part (mainly the left side portion) faces the inner rail constituting portion 51. In such a case, the inner rail constituting portion 51 and the outer rail constituting portion 52 mainly constitute a guide rail, and each of the rail constituting portions 51 and 52 is guided by a ball by a portion (left portion toward the left) that is parallel with a predetermined interval. A passage is formed.

  Next, the game area will be described. The game area is partitioned and formed in a substantially circular shape by the inner peripheral part (inner and outer rail constituent parts 51 and 52) of the rail unit 50. In particular, in this embodiment, the game area is partitioned on the board surface of the game board 30. Is much larger than before. In the present embodiment, when the game area is viewed from the front of the pachinko machine 10, guidance that is a parallel part of the inner and outer rail constituting parts 51 and 52 among the area surrounded by the inner rail constituting part 51 and the outer rail constituting part 52. The area excluding the rail area.

  Returning to the description of FIG. 3, in the resin base 20, below the window hole 21 (game board 30), a launch rail 61 for guiding the game ball immediately after being launched from the game ball launcher is attached. The firing rail 61 is fixedly attached to the resin base 20 integrally with the metal plate 62 behind the firing rail 61, and is configured to extend linearly at a predetermined firing angle (launch angle). Accordingly, the game ball that is launched in accordance with the turning operation of the handle 18 is first launched obliquely upward along the launch rail 61 and then guided to a predetermined game area through the ball guide passage of the rail unit 50 as described above. It is like that.

  Further, there is a gap of a predetermined interval between the firing rail 61 and the rail unit 50 (guidance rail), and a foul ball passage 63 is formed below the gap. Therefore, if the game ball launched from the game ball launching device does not reach the game area and returns to the inside of the guide rail as a foul ball, the foul ball is discharged to the lower plate 15 through the foul ball passage 63. The Further, the game ball launching device is provided with a ball striking ball, and the game ball is fired with the rotation of the ball striking center around the shaft portion.

  In addition, the code | symbol 67 in FIG. 3 is the discharge port connected to the upper plate 19, and a game ball is discharged to the upper plate 19 through this discharge port 67. FIG. An open / close shutter 68 is attached to the discharge port 67. Although detailed disclosure of the drawings is omitted, the shutter 68 is rotatable about the shaft portion provided along the lower side portion thereof, and is in a state where the front frame set 14 is opened (state of FIG. 3). The shutter 68 substantially closes the discharge port 67 by a biasing force such as a spring. When the front frame set 14 is closed, the shutter 68 is pushed open by a ball passage rod 69 (see FIG. 2) provided on the back surface of the front frame set 14. Note that the game ball is discharged to the lower plate 15 in the opened state of the front frame set 14.

  In the middle of the foul ball passage 63, a lower pan full tank switch (not shown) for detecting that the lower pan 15 is full of balls is provided so as to form a part of the bottom of the passage. When the balls are dispensed in a large amount in a short period of time, the balls start to accumulate on the lower plate 15 after the upper plate 19 is full. Thereafter, even if the balls continue to be paid out, if the balls in the lower plate 15 are not pulled out, the balls start to accumulate in the middle of the foul ball passage 63. It is stopped by a payout control device 311 described later.

  Next, the front frame set 14 will be described with reference to FIG. The front frame set 14 is formed with a substantially elliptical window 101 so that most of the game area can be viewed from the outside. A pair of glass 137 having a rectangular shape is attached to the front frame set 14 at a predetermined interval in the front-rear direction. In addition, the front frame set 14 is provided with light emitting means such as various lamps around it (for example, a corner portion). These light emitting means play a role of enhancing the effect of the game during the game by changing and controlling the light emission mode such as lighting and blinking according to the change of the game state at the time of big hit or predetermined reach.

  In addition, a ball lending operation unit 120 is disposed below the window unit 101, and the ball lending operation unit 120 is provided with a ball lending button 121, a return button 122, and a frequency display unit 123. If the ball lending operation unit 120 is operated in a state where a bill or a card is inserted into a card unit (ball lending unit) arranged on the side of the pachinko machine 10, a game ball is lent according to the operation. . The ball lending button 121 is operated to obtain a lending ball based on information recorded on a card or the like (recording medium), and the lending ball is supplied to the upper plate 19 as long as there is a remaining amount on the card or the like. Is done. The return button 122 is operated when requesting the return of a card or the like inserted into the card unit. The frequency display unit 123 displays remaining amount information such as a card. It should be noted that the ball rental operation unit 120 is not necessary for a pachinko machine in which game balls are lent directly to the upper plate from a ball lending device or the like without using a card unit, that is, a so-called cash machine.

  The locking mechanism of the front frame set 14 is integrated with the locking mechanism of the inner frame 12, and the main body of the integrated locking mechanism G1 (see FIG. 5 and the like) is on the back side of the inner frame 12. Is provided.

  Next, the configuration of the back surface of the pachinko machine 10 will be described in detail. FIG. 5 is a rear view of the pachinko machine 10, and FIG. 6 is a rear view showing the configuration of the game board 30 assembled to the inner frame 12.

  First, an overall outline of the rear configuration of the pachinko machine 10 will be described. In the pachinko machine 10, various control boards are arranged on the back side (actually the back side of the inner frame 12 and the game board 30) so as to be arranged vertically or horizontally, or to be stacked in front and back, A game ball supply device (payout mechanism) for supplying game balls, a protective cover made of resin, and the like are attached. In this embodiment, various control boards are divided into two mounting bases to form two control board units, and these control board units are individually attached to the inner frame 12 or the back of the game board 30. ing. In this case, the main board and the sound lamp control board are mounted on one mounting base to form a unit, and the dispensing control board, launch control board, and power supply board are mounted on the other mounting base to form a unit. Here, for convenience, the former unit is referred to as “first control board unit 201”, and the latter unit is referred to as “second control board unit 202”. In addition, since the dispensing mechanism and the protective cover are integrated as one unit, and the resin portion is generally referred to as a back pack, the unit is referred to as a “back pack unit 203”. The detailed configuration of each unit 201 to 203 will be described later.

  As will be described later, the first control board unit 201 having a substantially L-shape is arranged at substantially the center of the pachinko machine 10, and the second control board unit 202 is arranged therebelow. Further, the back pack unit 203 is arranged in a region partially overlapping the first control board unit 201.

  A variable display device unit 35 is disposed in the center of the game board 30. In the variable display device unit 35, a frame cover 213 made of resin (for example, made of ABS) that covers the center frame 47 (see FIG. 4) from behind is provided to protrude rearward, and at the rear end of the frame cover 213, A decorative symbol display device 42 and a display control device 45, which are liquid crystal display devices, are detachably attached in a state where they are overlapped in the front-rear direction. In the frame cover 213, an LED control board for driving LEDs and the like built in the center frame 47 are disposed.

  A back frame set 215 is attached to the back surface of the game board 30 so as to surround the variable display device unit 35. The back frame set 215 is a thin resin-molded product (for example, made of ABS) provided so as to stick to the back surface of the game board 30 and is formed with a game ball collecting mechanism that collects game balls won in various winning openings. Has been. Specifically, below the back frame set 215, the general winning opening 31, the variable winning device 32, and the first opportunity corresponding unit 33 (see FIG. 4 respectively) described above correspond to the game board opening and 1 on the downstream side. A collection passage 216 that collects at a place is formed. In addition, a discharge passage board 217 made of resin (for example, made of polycarbonate resin) is also attached to the inner frame 12 below the game board 30, and discharge balls are sent to the outside of the pachinko machine 10 in the discharge passage board 217. A guide discharge passage 218 is formed. Accordingly, all the game balls won in the general winning opening 31 and the like are gathered through the collection passage 216 of the back frame set 215 and further discharged to the outside of the pachinko machine 10 through the discharge passage 218 of the discharge passage board 217. In addition, the out port 36 (see FIG. 4) similarly communicates with the discharge passage 218, and the game balls that have not won any winning opening are discharged to the outside of the pachinko machine 10 through the discharge passage 218.

  Also, on the back surface of the game board 30, a winning detection mechanism (entrance detecting means) for detecting the passage of gaming balls such as various winning holes is provided. Specifically, a prize opening switch 221 is provided at a position corresponding to the general prize opening 31 on the front side of the game board 30, and a specific area switch 222 and a count switch 223 are provided in the variable prize winning device 32. The specific area switch 222 and the count switch 223 constitute third entrance detection means in the present embodiment. The specific area switch 222 is a switch for determining that a game ball won in the variable winning device 32 in the big hit state has entered a specific area (an area for determining whether to continue the big hit state), and the count switch 223 counts the winning balls. Switch. In addition, a first trigger corresponding unit (starting port) switch 224 is provided at a position corresponding to the first trigger corresponding unit 33 as first pitch detecting means (entrance detecting means). A second opportunity corresponding port (gate) switch 225 is provided at the corresponding position as the second entrance detection means.

  The prize opening switch 221 and the second opportunity corresponding gate (gate) switch 225 are connected to the board relay board 226 through electric wiring (not shown), and this board relay board 226 is further connected to a main board (main controller 261) described later. ing. Further, the specific area switch 222 and the count switch 223 are connected to the special winning opening relay board 227, and the special winning opening relay board 227 is also connected to the main board. On the other hand, the first opportunity corresponding unit (starting port) switch 224 is directly connected to the main board without the relay board.

  Although not shown in the drawings, the variable prize winning device 32 is provided with a big prize opening solenoid that opens the big prize opening and a winning ball distribution plate solenoid that guides the winning ball to a specific area. Is provided with a first trigger corresponding unit (starting port) solenoid that opens and closes the opening and closing member 33a. In FIGS. 5 and 6, reference numeral 228 denotes a set handle including a hitting ball and the like, and reference numeral 229 denotes a firing motor.

  The detection results detected by the winning detection mechanism are taken into a main board, which will be described later, and a payout command (the number of game balls to be paid out) corresponding to the winning situation is transmitted from the main board to the payout control board. The Then, a predetermined number of game balls are paid out by the output of the payout control board.

  Next, the first control board unit 201 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the unit 201.

  The first control board unit 201 has a mounting base 251 having a substantially L shape, and the main control device 261 and the initialization device 543 (board box 263) and the sound lamp control device 262 (board box 265) are mounted on the mounting base 251. ) And are installed.

  The main control device 261 includes a CPU that controls the main control, a ROM that stores a game program, a RAM that stores necessary data according to the progress of the game, a port for communicating with various devices, and a random number used in various lotteries. It includes a main board including a generator, a clock pulse generation circuit used for time counting and synchronization, and the like.

  The initialization device 543 is electrically connected to the RAM erase switch 323, detects whether the RAM erase switch 323 has been pressed, and transmits the detection result to the main control device 261. (See FIG. 10).

  The main board and the RAM erasing switch circuit 543a are housed in a board box 263 (encapsulating means) made of a transparent resin material or the like, thereby constituting a main controller 261 and an initialization unit 543. The substrate box 263 includes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box base and a box cover that covers the opening of the box base. The box base and the box cover are connected to each other by a sealing unit 264 (sealing means) so that the substrate box 263 is sealed.

  The RAM erase switch 323 that is electrically connected to the initialization device 543 is a switch that is operated when the pachinko machine 10 is returned to the initial state when the power is turned on. This pachinko machine 10 has a backup function, so that even if a power failure occurs, it maintains the state at the time of a power failure, and can be restored to the state at the time of a power failure when returning from a power failure (power recovery) It has become. Therefore, if the power is turned off in the normal procedure (for example, when the hall is closed), the state before the power is turned off is stored and retained. We are going to throw it in. By providing the RAM erase switch 323 in the substrate box 263, a signal generating device or the like is attached between the initialization device 543 and the RAM erase switch 323, and the main controller 261 is forced to the initial state. Can be prevented. As will be described later, the jackpot of the pachinko machine 10 is drawn by lottery based on the value of the jackpot random number counter C1 stored in the reserved ball storage area in accordance with the winning timing of the ball to the first opportunity corresponding unit 33. Therefore, if a signal generating device is attached between the first trigger corresponding unit switch 224 that detects entering the first trigger corresponding unit 33 and the main control device 261, a jackpot can be generated illegally, Since the main control device 261 can be prevented from being forced to the initial state, it is possible to prevent the jackpot from being illegally generated.

  As the sealing unit 264 as the sealing means, any configuration can be applied as long as the box base and the box cover are connected so as not to be opened, but here, the sealing unit 264 has a configuration in which five sealing members are connected. The box base and the box cover are connected so as not to be opened by inserting a locking claw into the long hole of the member. The sealing process by the sealing unit 264 prevents unauthorized opening after the sealing, and makes it possible to detect such a situation early and easily even if the unauthorized opening is performed. It is possible to perform the opening / sealing process again even after the operation. That is, the sealing process is performed by inserting the locking claw into the long hole of at least one sealing member among the five sealing members constituting the sealing unit 264. And when opening the board | substrate box 263 by the malfunction of the accommodated main board | substrate etc., the connection of the sealing member in which the latching claw was inserted, and another sealing member is cut | disconnected. Thereafter, when the sealing process is performed again, the locking claws are inserted into the long holes of the other sealing members. If the history of opening the board box 263 is left in the board box 263, it can be easily found that the illegal opening has been performed by looking at the board box 263.

  The voice lamp control device 262 is a voice lamp including, for example, a CPU that controls voice and lamp display in accordance with instructions from the main control device 261 (main board) or the display control device 45, and other ROM, RAM, various ports, and the like. The audio lamp control board is housed in a board box 265 made of a transparent resin material or the like. A power relay board 266 is mounted on the sound lamp control device 262, and power supplied from a power board described later is output to the display control device 45 and the sound lamp control device 262 via the power relay board 266. It is like that.

  A board box 263 in which the main controller 261 (main board) and the initialization device 543 are accommodated on one board mounting surface is disposed in a horizontally oriented direction, and an audio lamp control is provided on the other board mounting surface. A board box 265 in which the device 262 (sound lamp control board) is accommodated is arranged in a vertically long direction. In particular, the main control device 261 (board box 263) is arranged on the near side when viewed from the back of the pachinko machine 10, and the sound lamp control device 262 (board box 265) is arranged on the back side.

  Next, the second control board unit 202 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the unit 202.

  The second control board unit 202 has a horizontally long mounting base 301 on which a payout control device 311, a firing control device 312, a power supply device 313 and a card unit connection board 314 are mounted. As is well known, the payout control device 311, the launch control device 312 and the power supply device 313 are equipped with a control board including a central control CPU, ROM, RAM, various ports, etc., and payout as game value giving means. The payout control board of the control device 311 controls the payout of prize balls and rental balls. The launch control board of the launch control apparatus 312 controls the launch motor 229 in accordance with the player's operation of the handle 18, and the power supply board of the power supply apparatus 313 generates a predetermined power supply voltage required by various control apparatuses. Is output. The card unit connection board 314 is electrically connected to the ball lending operation unit 120 on the front surface of the pachinko machine and a card unit (not shown). is there. Note that the card unit connection board 314 can be omitted in a cash machine in which game balls are lent directly to the upper plate from a ball lending device or the like without using a card unit.

  The payout control device 311, the firing control device 312, the power supply device 313, and the card unit connection substrate 314 are respectively configured to be accommodated in substrate boxes 315, 316, 317, and 318 made of a transparent resin material or the like. In particular, in the dispensing control device 311, similarly to the main control device 261 described above, the box base and the box cover constituting the substrate box 315 (encapsulating means) are connected by the sealing unit 319 (sealing means) so that they cannot be opened. Thus, the substrate box 315 is sealed.

  The payout control device 311 is provided with a state return switch 321. For example, when the state return switch 321 is pressed when a payout error occurs, such as a ball clogged in the payout motor unit, the payout motor is rotated forward and reverse so that the ball clogging is eliminated (return to the normal state). It has become.

  Next, the configuration of the back pack unit 203 will be described. The back pack unit 203 is a unit in which a back pack 351 formed of resin and a payout mechanism portion 352 for a game ball are integrated, and a rear view seen from the back of the pachinko machine 10 is shown in FIG.

  The back pack 351 has a substantially flat base portion 353 and a protective cover portion 354 that protrudes rearward of the pachinko machine and has a horizontally long, substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The protective cover 354 has a shape in which the left and right side surfaces and the upper surface are closed and only the lower surface is opened, and has a size sufficient to surround at least the variable display device unit 35.

  In addition, a payout mechanism portion 352 is disposed on the base portion 353 so as to bypass the protective cover portion 354. That is, a tank 355 opened upward is provided at the uppermost portion of the back pack 351, and game balls supplied from the island facilities of the game hall are sequentially supplied to the tank 355. Below the tank 355, for example, a tank rail 356 that has two rows (two rows) of ball passages in the horizontal direction and that is gently inclined toward the downstream side is connected. Further, the tank rail 356 is arranged vertically on the downstream side of the tank rail 356. A case rail 357 is connected. The payout device 358 is provided at the most downstream portion of the case rail 357, and a required number of game balls are paid out appropriately according to a predetermined electrical configuration such as a payout motor 358a. The game balls paid out from the payout device 358 are supplied to the upper plate 19.

  A vibrator 360 that applies vibration to the tank rail 356 is attached to the tank rail 356. Therefore, if a ball clogging occurs near the tank rail 356, the vibrator 360 is driven to eliminate the ball clogging.

  The payout mechanism 352 is provided with a payout relay board 381 that relays a payout command signal from the payout control device 311 to the payout device 358, and a power switch board 382 that takes in the main power from the outside. The power switch board 382 is supplied with, for example, AC 24V main power via a voltage converter, and is turned on or off by switching the power switch 382a.

  Also, the base 353 of the back pack unit 203 is provided with an opening 391 for the external relay terminal plate 230, so that the external relay terminal plate 230 can be removed and operated even when the back pack unit 203 is fixed. It is possible.

  Next, the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 10 will be described. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the electrical structure of the pachinko machine 10. The main controller 261 (main board) of the pachinko machine 10 is equipped with a CPU 501 as a one-chip microcomputer that is an arithmetic unit. The CPU 501 includes a ROM 502 that stores various control programs executed by the CPU 501 and fixed value data, and a RAM 503 that is a memory that temporarily stores various data when the control program stored in the ROM 502 is executed. Various circuits such as an interrupt circuit, a timer circuit, and a data transmission / reception circuit are incorporated.

  The RAM 503 is a stack area that stores the contents of the internal registers of the CPU 501, the return address of a control program executed by the CPU 501, and a work area (work area) that stores various flags, counters, I / O values, and the like. ) And a backup area 503a. The RAM 503 is configured to retain (backup) data by being supplied with a backup voltage from the power supply device 313 even after the power of the pachinko machine 10 is turned off, and all stored in the stack area, work area, and backup area 503a. Data is backed up.

  Note that if data stored in at least the stack area and the backup area 503a is backed up, it is not always necessary to back up data stored in all areas. For example, the data stored in the stack area and the backup area 503a may be backed up, and the data stored in the work area may not be backed up.

  The backup area 503a stores values such as a stack pointer, each register, and I / O when the power is shut down (including when a power failure occurs, the same applies hereinafter) when the power is shut down due to the occurrence of a power failure. At the time of power-on (including power-on due to power failure cancellation, the same applies hereinafter), the state of the pachinko machine 10 is restored to the state before power-off based on the information in the backup area 503a. Writing to the backup area 503a is executed when the power is shut off by normal processing (see FIG. 13), and on the contrary, returning of each value written to the backup area 503a includes power-on (including power-on due to power failure cancellation). The same processing is performed in the main process (see FIG. 12). The N501 terminal (non-maskable interrupt terminal) of the CPU 501 is configured to receive a power failure signal SK1 output from a power failure monitoring circuit 542, which will be described later, when a power failure occurs due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like. When the signal SK1 is input to the CPU 501, the NMI interruption process as the process at the time of power failure is immediately executed.

  An input / output port 505 is connected to the CPU 501 incorporating the ROM 502 and RAM 503 via a bus line 504 including an address bus and a data bus. The input / output port 505 is connected to an initialization device 543, a payout control device 311, a display control device 45, a special display device 43, a normal symbol display device 41, and other switches (not shown). With this configuration, the special display device 43 and the normal symbol display device 41 described above are directly controlled by the main control device 261. On the other hand, the decorative symbol display device 42 is controlled via the display control device 45.

  The initialization device 543 is provided with a RAM erase switch circuit 543a, and a RAM erase switch 323 is electrically connected to the RAM erase switch circuit 543a. The RAM erase switch circuit 543a is a circuit that outputs a RAM erase signal SK2 for clearing backup data to the main controller 261 when the RAM erase switch 323 is pressed. When the RAM erase switch 323 is pressed when the pachinko machine 10 is turned on, the data in the RAMs 503 and 513 (backup areas 503a and 513a) of the main controller 261 and the payout controller 311 are cleared. As described above, the initialization device 543 and the main control device 261 are housed in the board box 263.

  The payout control device 311 controls payout of prize balls and rental balls by a payout motor 358a. The CPU 511 that is an arithmetic unit includes a ROM 512 that stores a control program executed by the CPU 511, fixed value data, and the like, and a RAM 513 that is used as a work memory or the like.

  The RAM 513 of the payout control device 311, like the RAM 503 of the main control device 261, has a stack area for storing the contents of the internal registers of the CPU 511 and the return address of the control program executed by the CPU 511, various flags and counters, A work area (work area) in which values such as I / O are stored, and a backup area 513a are provided. In the work area, a payout permission flag 513b in which the payout permission of the prize ball by the payout control device 311 is set, a command reception flag 513c that is set when a command transmitted from the main control device 261 is received, and main control A command buffer 513d for storing a command transmitted from the device 261 is provided. The RAM 513 is configured to hold (backup) data by being supplied with a backup voltage from the power supply device 313 even after the power of the pachinko machine 10 is turned off, and all stored in the stack area, work area, and backup area 513a. Data is backed up.

  Note that if data stored in at least the stack area and the backup area 513a is backed up, it is not always necessary to back up data stored in all areas. For example, the data stored in the stack area and the backup area 513a may be backed up, and the data stored in the work area may not be backed up.

  The backup area 513a stores a stack pointer at the time of power interruption, a value of each register, I / O, a storage pointer and a read pointer in the command buffer 513d, etc. when the power is cut off due to a power failure or the like. When the power is turned on, the state of the pachinko machine 10 is restored to the state before the power is shut off based on the information in the backup area 513a. Writing to the backup area 513a is executed when the power is shut off by the main process (see FIG. 25), and restoration of each value written to the backup area 513a is executed in the main process when the power is turned on. As with the CPU 501 of the main controller 261, the power failure signal SK1 is input to the NMI terminal of the CPU 511 from the power failure monitoring circuit 542 when the power is interrupted due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like. When input to the CPU 511, NMI interrupt processing as power failure processing is immediately executed.

  The payout permission flag 513b is a flag for setting a prize ball payout permission, and is turned on when a specific command for permitting the payout of prize balls is transmitted from the main control device 261, and when the specific command is received, It is turned off when returning to the setting process or before power-off. In the present embodiment, the specific commands are a payout initialization command for instructing the initial processing of the RAM 513 of the payout control device 311, a prize ball command for instructing payout of a prize ball, and the main controller 261 having been restored to power. There are three payout return commands to be transmitted in this case.

  The command reception flag 513c is a flag for confirming whether or not the payout control device 311 has received a command. The command reception flag 513c is turned on when any command is received, and, similarly to the payout permission flag 513b, This is turned off when the power is restored before the power is shut off, and turned off when the received command is determined by a command determination process (see FIG. 28) described later.

  The command buffer 513d is configured by a ring buffer that temporarily stores commands transmitted from the main control device 261. The ring buffer has a predetermined storage area, and commands are stored with regularity from the beginning to the end of the storage area. When commands are stored in all storage areas, the ring buffer is at the start of the storage area. The return command is configured to be updated. Therefore, when the command is stored and when the command is read, the storage pointer and the read pointer in the command buffer 513d are updated, and the command is stored and read based on each pointer.

  An input / output port 515 is connected to the CPU 511 of the payout control device 311 via a bus line 514 including an address bus and a data bus. Main controller 261, launch controller 312 and payout motor 358a are connected to input / output port 515, respectively.

  The launch control device 312 permits or prohibits the launch of the gaming machine by the launch motor 229, and the launch motor 229 is permitted to drive when a predetermined condition is met. Specifically, a firing permission signal is output from the payout control device 311, a sensor signal is detected that the player is touching the handle 18, and a firing stop switch that stops firing is operated. On the condition that it is not done, the launch motor 229 is driven, and the game ball is launched at an intensity corresponding to the operation amount of the handle 18 (see FIGS. 5 and 6).

  The display control device 45 controls the variation display of the decorative symbols on the decorative symbol display device 42. The display control device 45 includes a CPU 521, a ROM (program ROM) 522, a work RAM 523, a video RAM 524, a character ROM 525, an image controller 526, an input port 527, two output ports 528 and 529, and a bus. Lines 530 and 531 are provided. The output of the main controller 261 is connected to the input of the input port 527, and the CPU 521, ROM 522, work RAM 523, and image controller 526 are connected to the output of the input port 527 and one output port is connected via the bus line 530. 528 is connected. An audio lamp control device 262 is connected to the output of the output port 528. Further, an output port 529 is connected to the image controller 526 via a bus line 531, and a decorative symbol display device 42 which is a liquid crystal display device is connected to an output of the output port 529.

  The CPU 521 of the display control device 45 controls the display of the decorative symbol display device 42 based on the display command transmitted from the main control device 261. The main control device 261 displays whether the special display device 43 is decisively big or not, so that the display command is sent for auxiliary display on the decorative symbol display device 42. The ROM 522 is a memory that stores various control programs executed by the CPU 521 and fixed value data. The work RAM 523 is a memory that temporarily stores work data and flags used when the CPU 521 executes various programs. is there. This is provided with a counter buffer for storing various counter values to be described later.

  The video RAM 524 is a memory for storing display data to be displayed on the decorative symbol display device 42, and the display content of the decorative symbol display device 42 is changed by rewriting the contents of the video RAM 524. The character ROM 525 is a memory that stores character data such as symbols displayed on the decorative symbol display device 42. The image controller 526 adjusts the timing of each of the CPU 521, the video RAM 524, and the output port 529 to intervene in reading and writing data, and reads display data stored in the video RAM 524 from the character ROM 525 at a predetermined timing. It is displayed on the display device 42.

  Further, the power supply device 313 includes a power supply unit 541 that supplies power to each part of the pachinko machine 10 and a power failure monitoring circuit 542 that monitors power interruption due to a power failure or the like. The power supply unit 541 supplies necessary operation power to the main control device 261, the payout control device 311 and the like through a power supply path (not shown). As its outline, the power supply unit 541 takes in AC 24 volt power supplied from the outside, generates + 12V power for driving various switches and motors, + 5V power for logic, backup power for RAM backup, etc. These + 12V power supply, + 5V power supply and backup power supply are supplied to the main control device 261, the payout control device 311 and the like. Note that operation power (+12 V power, +5 V power, etc.) is supplied to the launch control device 312 via the payout control device 311.

  The power failure monitoring circuit 542 is a circuit that outputs a power failure signal SK1 to each NMI terminal of the CPU 501 of the main control device 261 and the CPU 511 of the payout control device 311 when the power is cut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like. The power failure monitoring circuit 542 monitors the DC stable voltage of 24 volts, which is the maximum voltage output from the power supply unit 541, and determines that a power failure (power failure) has occurred when this voltage is less than 22 volts. The power failure signal SK1 is output to the main controller 261 and the payout controller 311. Based on the output of the power failure signal SK1, the main control device 261 and the payout control device 311 recognize the occurrence of a power failure and execute a power failure process (NMI interrupt processing). The power supply unit 541 is a drive voltage of the control system for a time sufficient for execution of the power failure process (NMI interrupt process) even after the DC stable voltage of 24 volts becomes less than 22 volts. It is configured to maintain the output of the bolt at a normal value. Therefore, the main controller 261 and the payout controller 311 can normally execute and complete the power failure process (NMI interrupt process).

  By the way, the decorative symbol display device (liquid crystal display device) 42 is set with three symbol rows, not shown, left, middle, and right, and the symbols (decorative symbols) are variably displayed for each symbol row. In the present embodiment, the decorative symbols are configured so as to be given numbers “0” to “9”, respectively, and the decorative symbols are displayed in ascending or descending order of the numbers to constitute a series of symbol strings. The decorative symbols are displayed in a variable manner from top to bottom with periodicity.

  In such a case, in the left symbol row, the decorative symbols are displayed in descending order (in the order in which the attached numbers decrease), and in the middle symbol row and the right symbol row, the decorative symbols are also in ascending order (in the order in which the attached numbers increase). Is displayed. Then, the variable display stops in the order of left symbol sequence → right symbol sequence → middle symbol sequence. When the jackpot is confirmed by the main control device 261, the fact is displayed on the special display device 43, and the decorative symbol is a combination of the jackpot symbols on the decorative symbol display device 42 (in the present embodiment, the same A special game animation is displayed as a jackpot (a jackpot state is started).

  Next, the operation of the pachinko machine 10 configured as described above will be described.

  In the present embodiment, the CPU 501 in the main controller 261 performs lottery (big hit lottery) using various counter information in the game. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, the jackpot random number counter C1 used for the jackpot lottery, the round number determination counter C2 used for the determination of the number of rounds in the jackpot, and the decorative symbol display device 42 fluctuate. Reach random number counter C3 used for reach lottery, random number initial value counter CINI used for initial value setting of jackpot random number counter C1, and variation type counters CS1 and CS2 used for variation pattern selection of decorative symbol display device 42 And to use. Although the variation type counters CS1 and CS2 are used for variation pattern selection, in detail, the effect and variation time in the decorative symbol display device 42 are determined by the determined variation pattern, and the special display device 43. The variation time is determined.

  Each of the counters C1, C2, C3, CINI, CS1, and CS2 is a loop counter that adds 1 to the previous value every time it is updated and returns to 0 after reaching the maximum value. Each counter is periodically updated, and the updated value is appropriately stored in a counter buffer set in a predetermined area of the RAM 503 (except for the random number initial value counter CINI). In addition, the RAM 503 is provided with a holding ball storage area as a storage area composed of one execution area and four holding areas (holding first to fourth holding areas). The values of the jackpot random number counter C1, the round number determination counter C2, and the reach random number counter C3 are stored in time series in accordance with the winning histories of the game balls to the one-time opportunity corresponding unit 33.

  In detail, each of the counters is configured such that the jackpot random number counter C1 is incremented one by one within a range of, for example, 0 to 676, and returns to 0 after reaching the maximum value (that is, 676). In particular, when the jackpot random number counter C1 makes one round, the value of the random number initial value counter CINI at that time is read as the initial value of the jackpot random number counter C1. Note that the random number initial value counter CINI is a loop counter similar to the jackpot random number counter C1 (value = 0 to 676), and is updated once for each timer interrupt and is repeatedly updated within the remaining time of normal processing. The jackpot random number counter C1 is updated periodically (once every timer interruption in the present embodiment), and stored in the reserved ball storage area of the RAM 503 at the timing when the game ball wins the first opportunity corresponding unit 33. In the present embodiment, the number of random numbers that are jackpots is 10, and the values are “67, 131, 199, 269, 337, 401, 463, 523, 601, 661”. That is, the jackpot probability (winning probability) is 1 / 67.7 in any game mode. This jackpot probability corresponds to the first winning probability (winning probability) in the present embodiment.

  For example, the round number determination counter C2 is incremented one by one within a range of 0 to 9, for example, and reaches a maximum value (that is, 9) and then returns to 0. In the present embodiment, the round number determination counter C2 determines whether the number of rounds in the jackpot state is 2 rounds or 15 rounds. Specifically, if the value of the counter is “3, 7”, a 15-round jackpot state (15-round jackpot) is derived and “0, 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9” is derived. If the value is, a round-two jackpot state (two-round jackpot) is derived. That is, the probability of making a big hit for 2 rounds is set to 4/5, which is higher than the probability of making a big hit for 15 rounds.

  Further, the reach random number counter C3 is configured to increment one by one within a range of 0 to 238, for example, and returns to 0 after reaching the maximum value (that is, 238). In the present embodiment, the reach random number counter C3 causes the final stop symbol after the occurrence of reach to stop by shifting the last stop symbol by one before and after the reach symbol, and the final stop symbol after the occurrence of reach also reaches the reach symbol. “Reach other than front / rear off” that stops other than before and “completely out” that does not generate reach, for example, C3 = 0, 1 corresponds to front / rear reach, and C3 = 2-21 It corresponds to reach other than front / rear detachment and C3 = 22 to 238 corresponds to complete detachment. Note that the reach lottery may be set individually according to the state of the lottery probability, the number of starting and holding balls at the start of change, and the like. The reach random number counter C3 is updated periodically (once every timer interruption in this embodiment), and stored in the reserved ball storage area of the RAM 503 at the timing when the game ball wins the first opportunity corresponding unit 33.

  Further, one of the two variation type counters CS1 and CS2 is incremented by one within a range of 0 to 198, for example, and reaches a maximum value (that is, 198) and then returns to 0. For example, the other variation type counter CS2 is incremented one by one within a range of 0 to 240, for example, and reaches the maximum value (that is, 240) and then returns to 0. In the following description, CS1 is also referred to as “first variation type counter” and CS2 is also referred to as “second variation type counter”. This is shown in FIG. The first variation type counter CS1 determines the reach types of decorative symbols such as so-called normal reach, super reach, premium reach, and other rough symbol variations, and the second variation type counter CS2 determines the final stop symbol (book) In the embodiment, a more detailed symbol variation mode such as an elapsed time (in other words, the number of variation symbols) until the middle symbol) stops is determined. Therefore, a variety of variation patterns can be easily realized by combining these variation type counters CS1 and CS2. It is also possible to determine the symbol variation mode only by the first variation type counter CS1, or to determine the symbol variation mode similarly by combining the first variation type counter CS1 and the stop symbol.

  The variation type counters CS1 and CS2 are updated once every time a normal process to be described later is executed once, and are repeatedly updated even within the remaining time in the normal process. Then, the buffer values of CS1 and CS2 are acquired when determining the variation pattern at the start of variation of the decorative symbol by the decorative symbol display device 42.

  In addition, the magnitude | size and range of each counter are only examples, and can be changed arbitrarily. However, it is desirable that the big hit random number counter C1, the reach random number counter C3, and the variation type counters CS1 and CS2 are all different prime numbers and are not synchronized in any case.

  Although not shown, the normal symbol random number counter C4 is used for the lottery of the normal symbol display device 41. The normal symbol random number counter C4 is configured as a loop counter that is incremented one by one within a range of 0 to 250, for example, and returns to 0 after reaching the maximum value (that is, 250). The normal symbol random number counter C4 is updated periodically (once every timer interruption in the present embodiment), and is acquired when the game ball passes through the left or right second opportunity corresponding port 34. The number of random number values to be won is 149 in the normal mode to be described later, and the range is “5 to 153”. On the other hand, in the time reduction mode (time reduction / short-term mode or time reduction / long-term mode) described later, there are 224, and the range is “5-228”. The winning probability is 149/251 in the normal mode, and 224/251 in the time reduction mode. This winning probability corresponds to the second winning probability in the present embodiment. As described above, the stop probability (winning probability) of the “◯” symbol in the normal symbol display device 41 is higher in the time reduction mode than in the normal mode.

  Next, each control process executed by the CPU 501 in the main controller 261 will be described with reference to a flowchart. The processing of the CPU 501 is roughly divided into a main processing that is started when the power is turned on, a timer interrupt processing that is started periodically (in this embodiment, at a cycle of 2 msec), and a stop to the NMI terminal (non-maskable terminal). There is NMI interrupt processing activated by signal input. For convenience of explanation, first, timer interrupt processing and NMI interrupt processing will be described, and then main processing will be described.

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing timer interrupt processing. This processing is executed by the CPU 501 of the main control device 261 every 2 msec, for example.

  In FIG. 19, first, in step S601, reading processing of various winning switches is executed. That is, the state of various switches (except for the RAM erase switch 323) connected to the main controller 261 is read, and the state of the switch is determined and the detection information (winning detection information) is stored.

  Thereafter, in step S602, the random number initial value counter CINI is updated. Specifically, the random number initial value counter CINI is incremented by 1 and cleared to 0 when the counter value reaches the maximum value (676 in this embodiment). Then, the update value of the random number initial value counter CINI is stored in the corresponding buffer area of the RAM 503. In subsequent step S603, the big hit random number counter C1, the round number determination counter C2, and the reach random number counter C3 are updated. Specifically, the jackpot random number counter C1, the round number determination counter C2 and the reach random number counter C3 are each incremented by 1 and their counter values reach the maximum values (in this embodiment, 676, 9, 238, respectively). Clear to 0 each. Then, the updated values of the counters C1, C2, and C3 are stored in the corresponding buffer area of the RAM 503.

  Thereafter, in step S604, a start winning process associated with winning in the first opportunity corresponding unit 33 is executed. This start winning process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 20. In step S701, whether or not the game ball has won the first trigger corresponding unit 33 is determined based on the detection information of the first trigger corresponding unit (start opening) switch 224. . When it is determined that the game ball has won the first opportunity corresponding unit 33, in the subsequent step S702, it is determined whether or not the number N of starting reserved balls is less than the upper limit value (4 in the present embodiment). The process proceeds to step S703 on the condition that there is a winning in the first opportunity corresponding unit 33 and the number N of starting reserved balls is smaller than 4, and the number N of starting reserved balls is incremented.

  In subsequent step S704, a random number related to the winning is acquired. Specifically, the values of the jackpot random number counter C1, the round decision counter C2 and the reach random number counter C3 updated in step S603 are stored in the first area of the free storage area of the reserved ball storage area of the RAM 503. Then, after the start winning process, the CPU 501 once ends the timer interruption process. Therefore, the function of the start winning process constitutes the first lottery means (first winning lottery process), the lottery means (winning lottery process), and the opening / closing number determining means in the present embodiment.

  In addition, although illustration is abbreviate | omitted regarding the process accompanying passage of the game ball to the 2nd opportunity corresponding port 34, it is the flow similar to the start winning process shown in FIG. That is, it is periodically determined whether or not the game ball has passed through the second opportunity corresponding port 34 on either the left or right side, and if the passage is detected, the number N of retained balls is an upper limit value (in this embodiment, 4) It is determined whether or not it is less. Then, the number of reserved balls N is incremented on the condition that there is a passage to the second opportunity corresponding port 34 and the number of reserved balls N <4, and the value of the normal symbol random number counter C4 is reserved for normal symbols in the RAM 503 Store in the first area of the free storage area of the ball storage area. The function of this process constitutes the second lottery means (second winning lottery process) in the present embodiment.

  FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the NMI interrupt processing. This processing is executed by the CPU 501 of the main control device 261 when the power of the pachinko machine 10 is cut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like. By this NMI interruption, the state of the main controller 261 at the time of power-off is stored in the backup area 503a of the RAM 503. That is, when the power of the pachinko machine 10 is cut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like, the power failure signal SK1 is output from the power failure monitoring circuit 542 to the NMI terminal of the CPU 501 in the main controller 261. Then, the CPU 501 interrupts the control being executed and starts the NMI interrupt process. In step S801, the CPU 501 stores the power interruption occurrence information in the backup area 503a of the RAM 503 as the setting of the power interruption occurrence information, and performs the NMI interruption process. finish.

  The above NMI interrupt processing is executed in the same manner in the payout control device 311, and information on the occurrence of power interruption is stored in the backup area 513 a of the RAM 513 by the NMI interrupt. That is, when the power of the pachinko machine 10 is cut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like, the power failure signal SK1 is output from the power failure monitoring circuit 542 to the NMI terminal of the CPU 511 in the payout control device 311 and the CPU 511 interrupts the control being executed. The NMI interrupt process in FIG. 21 is started. The contents are as described above.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of a main process executed by the CPU 501 in the main control device 261. This main process is started upon reset when power is turned on.

  First, in step S101, an initial setting process associated with power-on is executed. Specifically, in order to set a predetermined value in the stack pointer and wait for the sub-side control device (sound lamp control device 262, payout control device 311 etc.) to become operable, for example, Wait processing is performed for about 1 second. In the subsequent step S103, RAM access is permitted.

  Thereafter, data backup processing is executed for the RAM 503 in the CPU 501. That is, in step S104, it is determined whether or not the RAM erase switch 323 is pressed (ON). If it is pressed, the process proceeds to step S113 to clear (erase) the backup data. On the other hand, if the RAM erase switch 323 has not been pressed, it is determined in the subsequent step S105 whether power-off occurrence information is set in the backup area 503a of the RAM 503. Here, if it is not set, no backup data is stored. In this case as well, the process proceeds to step S113. If power failure occurrence information is set in the backup area 503a, a RAM determination value is calculated in step S106, and in the subsequent step S107, whether or not the RAM determination value matches the RAM determination value stored when the power is turned off. That is, the effectiveness of the backup is determined. If the RAM determination value calculated here does not match the RAM determination value stored when the power is turned off, the backed up data is destroyed, and the process also proceeds to step S113 in this case.

  In the process of step S113, a payout initialization command (and a voice initialization command, etc.) is transmitted in order to initialize the payout control device 311 (and the sound lamp control device 262 and the like) which is a sub-side control device. Thereafter, the process proceeds to a RAM initialization process (step S114, etc.). Note that the RAM determination value is, for example, a checksum value at the work area address of the RAM 503. Instead of the RAM determination value, it is possible to determine the effectiveness of backup based on whether or not the keyword written in a predetermined area of the RAM 503 is correctly stored.

  As described above, the pachinko machine 10 is turned on while pressing the RAM erase switch 323 when it is desired to return to the initial state when the power is turned on. Therefore, if the RAM erase switch 323 is ON, the process proceeds to a RAM initialization process (step S114, etc.). Similarly, when the information on occurrence of power interruption is not set, or when a backup abnormality is confirmed by a RAM determination value (checksum value or the like), the process proceeds to initialization processing of the RAM 503 (step S114 or the like). That is, in step S114, the used area of the RAM 503 is cleared to 0, and in the subsequent step S115, the initial value of the RAM 503 is set. Thereafter, interrupt permission is set in step S112, and the routine proceeds to normal processing described later.

  On the other hand, if the RAM erase switch 323 has not been pressed, the power-off occurrence information is set, and the RAM judgment value (checksum value, etc.) is normal. Execute the process (process when power is restored). That is, in step S108, the stack pointer before the power interruption is restored, and in step S109, the information on the occurrence of the power interruption is cleared. In step S110, a command for returning the control device on the sub side to the gaming state at the time of power-off is transmitted, and in step S111, the used register is returned from the backup area 503a of the RAM 503. Thereafter, interrupt permission is set in step S112, and the routine proceeds to normal processing described later.

  Next, the flow of normal processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In this normal process, the main process of the game is executed. As an outline, the processing of steps S201 to S207 is executed as a periodic processing with a period of 4 msec, and the counter update processing of steps S209 and S210 is executed with the remaining time. This normal process corresponds to the game control process routine in the present embodiment, and the function of this normal process constitutes the mode game control means.

  In FIG. 13, first, in step S201, output data such as a command updated in the previous process is transmitted to each control device on the sub side. For example, a variation pattern command, a symbol command, a determination command, and the like are transmitted to the display control device 45 when the decoration symbol display device 42 displays the variation of the decoration symbol. Here, the external output processing will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, in step S2001, it is determined whether or not the variation start process shown in FIG. 16 has been executed immediately before. Specifically, as will be described later, a flag indicating the start of variation display is set in the variation start process. Here, it is determined whether or not this flag is set. This flag is reset in this process (step S2001). In the variation start process, a variation pattern and a symbol command including variation time information are respectively determined. If it is determined that it is immediately after the start of fluctuation (step S2001: YES), a fluctuation pattern command is transmitted in step S2002, a flag indicating transmission of the fluctuation pattern command is set, and the process proceeds to step S2005. On the other hand, when it is determined that it is not immediately after the start of fluctuation (step S2001: NO), the process proceeds to step S2003.

  In step S2003, it is determined whether or not a variation pattern command has been transmitted in the previous process. This determination is made based on whether or not a flag indicating transmission of the variation pattern command is set. If it is determined that the variation pattern command has been transmitted (step S2003: YES), the symbol command is transmitted in step S2004, the flag indicating the transmission of the variation pattern command is reset, and the process proceeds to step S2005. . On the other hand, when it is determined that the variation pattern command is not transmitted (step S2003: NO), the process proceeds to step S2005 as it is.

  In step S2005, other processing is performed. For example, when a determination command is set, the determination command is transmitted. Also, the presence / absence of winning detection information is determined, and if there is winning detection information, a winning ball payout command corresponding to the number of acquired game balls is transmitted to the payout control device 311. In addition, a control signal for driving the first opportunity corresponding unit 33 and the variable winning device 32 is also output here.

  According to the above-described external output process, when the decoration symbol changes, one command is sent for each normal process in the order of the fluctuation pattern command → the symbol command (that is, one command every 4 msec). A decision command is sent at the timing.

  Further, the display control device 45 that has input the variation pattern command, the symbol command, the determination command, etc. determines the display mode of the decorative symbol display device 42 based on the various commands, and the display mode is displayed on the decorative symbol display device 42. It is supposed to be displayed. More specifically, the decorative symbols are displayed for a predetermined time based on the variation pattern command. In the present embodiment, the second variation type counter CS2 determines the elapsed time until the middle symbol that is the final stop symbol stops after the occurrence of reach, and the display control device as a variation pattern command based on the variation type counters CS1 and CS2. 45. In a normal state, the left symbol is stopped and displayed 3 seconds after the start of fluctuation, and the right symbol is stopped and displayed 4 seconds after the start of fluctuation. Therefore, the display control device 45 can grasp the variation time from the variation start to the final stop display based on the variation pattern command. Note that the variation pattern command may be configured to directly indicate the variation time from the variation start to the final stop display.

  Further, the display control device 45 determines a stop symbol based on the symbol command and displays it after the lapse of the variation time. The symbol command is a command for causing the display control device 45 to determine a stop symbol, and designates five categories: a special symbol, a normal symbol, a front / rear off symbol, a symbol other than front / rear off symbol, and a completely off symbol. These divisions are indicated by numerical values “1”, “2”, “3”, “4”, “5”, and any of these numerical values is set as a symbol command. Hereinafter, the description is continued on the assumption that any one of “1” to “5” is set in the symbol command. The special symbol is a symbol to which numbers 3 and 7 are added, and when “1” indicating the special symbol is set in the symbol command, the display control device 45 stops one of these symbols. Determine as. The normal symbol is a symbol to which the numbers 0, 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 9 are added. When “2” indicating the normal symbol is set in the symbol command, the display control device 45 One of these symbols is determined as a stop symbol. The back-and-forth back-and-forth symbol corresponds to “front-back off-reach” in which the final stop symbol stops by one shift before and after the reach symbol after a reach occurs. When it is, the display control device 45 determines a symbol stored in a back-and-forth out-reach symbol buffer, which will be described later, as a stop symbol. Symbols other than front / rear off correspond to “reach other than front / rear off” where the final stop symbol stops other than before or after the reach occurrence, and “4” is set in the symbol command. In this case, the display control device 45 determines the symbol stored in the reach symbol buffer other than the back-and-forth deviation described later as the stop symbol. The completely missed symbol corresponds to “completely missed” in which no reach occurs, and when “5” indicating the completely missed symbol is set in the symbol command, the display control device 45 stores it in the completely missed symbol buffer described later. The displayed symbol is determined as a stop symbol.

  Next, in step S202 in FIG. 13, update of the variation type counters CS1 and CS2 is executed. Specifically, the variation type counters CS1 and CS2 are incremented by 1, and are cleared to 0 when the counter values reach the maximum values (198 and 240 in this embodiment). Then, the update values of the variation type counters CS1 and CS2 are stored in the corresponding buffer area of the RAM 503.

  In the subsequent step S203, the prize ball counting signal received from the payout control device 311 is read. Next, in step S204, the payout abnormality signal received from the payout control device 311 is read. Thereafter, in step S205, variation processing is executed. By this variation processing, the special display device 43 is controlled, and jackpot determination and setting of a variation pattern of the decorative symbol in the decorative symbol display device 42 are performed. However, details of the variation process will be described later.

  Thereafter, in step S206, a jackpot control process is executed. With this process, when the jackpot is reached, the opening / closing control of the variable winning device 32 is repeatedly executed for a predetermined number of rounds. However, details of the jackpot control process will be described later. The function of the jackpot control process constitutes the special game state generating means (generation process) and the third ball entry means opening / closing control means (third ball entry means opening / closing process) in this embodiment.

  In step S207 in FIG. 13, normal symbol related control processing is performed. Specifically, the normal symbol display control by the normal symbol display device 41 and the opening / closing control of the first opportunity corresponding unit 33 are executed. In other words, based on the value of the normal symbol random number counter C4 acquired on the condition that the game ball has passed through the second opportunity corresponding port 34 as described above, the normal symbol display device 41 draws the normal symbol. When the hit state is reached, as described above, the first opportunity corresponding unit 33 is released until a predetermined time elapses or a predetermined number of balls are entered. As described above, the normal symbol random number counter C4 is also updated by the timer interrupt process shown in FIG. 19, like the jackpot random number counter C1, the round number determination counter C2, and the reach random number counter C3. Therefore, the function of the normal symbol related control process constitutes the first ball entry means opening / closing control means (opening / closing process of the first ball entry means) in the present embodiment.

  Here, since the execution time of each process of steps S201 to S207 changes according to the state of the game, the remaining time until the next normal process execution timing is not constant but varies. Therefore, it is possible to update the random number initial value counter CINI (that is, the initial value of the big hit random number counter C1) at random by repeatedly executing the update of the random number initial value counter CINI using the remaining time, and similarly change The type counters CS1 and CS2 can also be updated at random.

  After that, in step S211, it is determined whether or not occurrence information of power interruption is set in the backup area 503a of the RAM 503. If the occurrence information of the power interruption is not set in the backup area 503a, it is determined in step S208 whether or not the next normal process execution timing has been reached, that is, a predetermined time from the start of the previous normal process (4 msec in the present embodiment). ) Or not. And if predetermined time has already passed, it will transfer to Step S201 and will repeat the processing after the above-mentioned Step S201.

  On the other hand, if the predetermined time has not yet elapsed from the start of the previous normal process, the random number initial value counter CINI and the variation type counters CS1 and CS2 are updated within the remaining time until the execution timing of the next normal process. Repeatedly execute (step S209, step S210). That is, in step S209, the random number initial value counter CINI is updated. Specifically, the random number initial value counter CINI is incremented by 1 and cleared to 0 when the counter value reaches the maximum value (676 in this embodiment).

  In step S210, update of the variation type counters CS1 and CS2 is executed (same as step S202). Specifically, the variation type counters CS1 and CS2 are incremented by 1, and are cleared to 0 when the counter values reach the maximum values (198 and 240 in this embodiment). Then, the change values of the variation type counters CS1 and CS2 are stored in the corresponding buffer area of the RAM 503.

  Also, in the process of step S211, it is determined whether or not the information on occurrence of power interruption is set in the backup area 503a. Here, if the information on occurrence of power supply interruption is set, the power supply is cut off, and therefore, the process after step S212 is performed as a power failure process at the time of power supply interruption. In the power failure process, first, the generation of each interrupt process is prohibited in step S212. In step S213, the contents of each register used by the CPU 501 are saved in the stack area. In step S214, the value of the stack pointer is stored in the backup area 503a. To remember. Thereafter, in step S215, a power-off notification command indicating that the power has been cut off is transmitted to another control device (such as the payout control device 311). In step S216, a RAM determination value is calculated and stored in the backup area 503a. The RAM determination value is, for example, a checksum value at the work area address of the RAM 503. Thereafter, RAM access is prohibited in step S217, and the infinite loop is continued until the power supply is completely shut down and processing cannot be executed.

  The process of step S211 is performed at the end of a series of processes corresponding to the game state change performed at steps S201 to S207, or at the end of one cycle of the processes of steps S209 and S210 performed within the remaining time. It is executed at the timing. Therefore, in the normal process of the main controller 261, the occurrence information of the power interruption is confirmed at the end of each process, so that the amount of data stored in the backup area 503a of the RAM 503 is less than that in the middle of each process. And can be easily memorized. Further, when returning to the state before power-off, since the amount of data stored in the backup area 503a is small, it can be easily restored and the processing load of the main control device 261 can be reduced. . Further, since the interruption process is prohibited before the data is stored (step S212), it is possible to prevent the data from being changed when the power is shut off, and to reliably store the state before the power is shut off. .

  Next, the fluctuation process in step S205 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In FIG. 15, in step S301, it is determined whether or not a big hit is currently being made. The jackpot includes a special game and a predetermined time after the special game. In a succeeding step S302, it is determined whether or not the special display device 43 is performing color change display (variable display). If it is not being a big hit and not being changed, the process proceeds to step S303, and it is determined whether or not the number N of starting reserved balls is greater than zero. At this time, if it is a big hit or if the number N of starting reserved balls is 0, this processing is terminated as it is.

  If neither the big hit or the variable display is being displayed and if the number of starting reserved balls N> 0, the process proceeds to step S304. In step S304, 1 is subtracted from the number N of starting reserved balls. In step S305, a process for shifting the data stored in the reserved ball storage area is executed. This data shift process is a process of sequentially shifting the data stored in the reserved first to fourth areas of the reserved ball storage area to the execution area side, and the reserved first area → execution area, reserved second area → The data in each area is shifted such as the first hold area, the third hold area → the second hold area, the fourth hold area → the third hold area.

  Thereafter, in step S306, a change start process (change start process routine) is executed. Here, the details of the variation start process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The variation start processing routine corresponds to a specific processing routine in the present embodiment.

  First, in the first step S400, color change display (variation display) on the special display device 43 is started. Here, a flag indicating the start of variable display is set (see step S2001). The special display device 43 is a three-color LED as described above, and changes color to green if the lit color is red, blue if it is green, and red if it is blue. Further, here, a process of subtracting 1 from the value of the time reduction mode state counter described later is performed, and when the value of the time reduction mode state counter becomes 0, the time reduction mode state flag is reset (set to “0”). Processing is performed. That is, the process here is a process for determining the end timing of the duration (set period) of the time reduction mode, and the function of this process constitutes the variation number counting means and the set period determining means in this embodiment. .

  In a succeeding step S401, it is determined whether or not the jackpot is based on the value of the jackpot random number counter C1 stored in the execution area of the reserved ball storage area. Specifically, whether or not the jackpot is determined is determined based on the value of the jackpot random number counter C1, and as described above, among the numbers 0 to 676 of the jackpot random number counter C1, “67, 131, 199, 269, 337, 401, 463”. , 523, 601 and 661 "is the winning value. If it is determined that the game is a big hit (step S401: YES), the process proceeds to step S402. On the other hand, when it is determined that it is not a big hit (step S401: NO), that is, when it is out of place, the process proceeds to step S407.

  In step S402, it is determined whether or not it is a big hit of 15 rounds. In the present embodiment, as described above, in the case of a big hit, 15 round jackpots are derived with a probability of 1/5 and 2 round jackpots are derived with a probability of 4/5. Specifically, whether or not 15 rounds are a big hit is determined based on the value of the round number determination counter C2 stored in the execution area of the reserved ball storage area. If the number of rounds determination counter C2 is from 0 to 9, "3, 7", the derivation of 15 rounds is determined, and if "0, 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9", 2 rounds Is derived. If it is determined that 15 rounds have been won (step S402: YES), discrimination information setting processing (discrimination information setting processing routine) is performed in step S403, a jackpot variation pattern is determined in step S404, and step S405. The special symbol (“1” in the present embodiment) is set to the symbol command at, and the variation start process is terminated.

  In the discrimination information setting process in step S403 (also in step S406 described later), as shown in FIG. 23, a jackpot occurrence flag setting process routine (step S2201), a time reduction mode occurrence flag setting process routine (step S2202), A time reduction mode counter setting processing routine (step S2203) and a round number determination flag setting processing routine (step S2204) are sequentially performed. The function of this discrimination information setting process (step S403, step S406 to be described later) constitutes the mode determining means in this embodiment.

  The jackpot occurrence flag is state determination information for determining whether or not to generate a jackpot state as a special gaming state, and “1” indicating the occurrence of a jackpot state is set as a flag value in this process. . This jackpot occurrence flag (flag value) corresponds to the special gaming state determination information in the present embodiment.

  The time reduction mode occurrence flag is a state for determining whether or not to generate the time reduction mode, that is, the time reduction / short-term mode as the first specific mode or the time reduction / long-term mode as the second specific mode. In this process, “1” indicating the occurrence of the time reduction mode is set as the flag value. This time reduction mode generation flag (flag value) corresponds to the mode generation confirmation information in the present embodiment. Accordingly, the function of the time reduction mode occurrence flag setting processing routine and the function of the process of resetting the value of the time reduction mode occurrence flag described later constitute the confirmation information setting means in the present embodiment.

  The time reduction mode counter is frequency determination information for determining the duration of the time reduction mode (the number of times of variable display). In the time reduction mode counter setting processing routine in step S2203, as shown in FIG. 24, first, in step S2301, the logical product is calculated by referring to the value of the time reduction mode generation flag and the value of the time reduction mode state flag described later. Perform an operation (AND operation). In a succeeding step S2302, it is determined whether or not the logical product value is 1. If the AND operation value is “1” (step S2302: Yes), that is, if both the time reduction mode occurrence flag and the time reduction mode state flag are “1”, a time reduction mode counter is set in step S2303. “100” is set as the value of, and this processing is terminated. On the other hand, when the logical product value is “0” (step S2302: No), that is, when the value of either the time shortening mode generation flag or the time shortening mode status flag is “0” (of course, the time is always shortened here). If the value of the time reduction mode state flag is “0” because the value of the mode generation flag is “1”), “4” is set as the value of the time reduction mode counter in step S2304. Exit. The value “4” of the time shortening mode counter corresponds to the first set period information (first prescribed variation number) in the present embodiment, and the value “100” of the time shortening mode counter corresponds to the second set period information (second prescribed period information). Equivalent to the number of fluctuations). Therefore, when the occurrence of the jackpot is determined in the normal mode, after the jackpot is over, the time reduction / short-term mode, which is a time reduction mode corresponding to four variable displays on the special display device 43, is set, and the time reduction mode (time reduction / short-term If the occurrence of jackpot is confirmed in the mode or time shortening / long-term mode), after the jackpot is ended, the time-shortening / long-term mode, which is a time-saving mode for 100 variable displays on the special display device 43, is set. The function of the time reduction mode counter setting processing routine in step S2203 constitutes the period information setting means in this embodiment. In addition, when performing the logical product operation (AND operation) in step S2301, the process of determining the value of the time reduction mode occurrence flag and the value of the time reduction mode state flag is performed. Constitutes a mode discriminating unit and a mode occurrence determination discriminating unit in the present embodiment. Of course, the function of the flag value determination processing performed in other processing also constitutes a mode determination means and a mode occurrence determination determination means.

  The round number discriminating flag is discriminating information for discriminating the number of rounds executed during the jackpot state as will be described later. In this process, “15” indicating 15 rounds is set as the flag value. In place of the round number determination flag setting processing routine, a round occurrence number determination counter is set as number determination information for specifying the number of round occurrences (the number of occurrences of a special prize state, that is, the number of times the variable winning device 32 is opened and closed). A processing routine may be performed. For example, here, the counter value is set to “15”.

  If it is determined in step S402 that it is not a big hit of 15 rounds (step S402: NO), that is, if it is a big hit of 2 rounds, a discrimination information setting process (discrimination information setting process routine) is performed in step S406. In step S407, the big hit variation pattern is determined. In step S408, the normal symbol (“2” in the present embodiment) is set as the symbol command, and the variation start process is terminated.

  In the discrimination information setting process in step S406, similar to step S403 (see FIGS. 23 and 24), a jackpot occurrence flag setting process routine, a time reduction mode occurrence flag setting process routine, a time reduction mode counter setting process routine, A round number determination flag setting processing routine is sequentially performed. The value of the jackpot occurrence flag is set to “1” indicating the occurrence of a jackpot state, and the value of the time reduction mode occurrence flag is set to “1” indicating the occurrence of the time reduction mode. The value of the mode counter is set to “4” or “100” based on the logical product operation. However, “2” indicating two rounds is set as the value of the round number determination flag.

  In steps S404 and S407, the variation pattern at the time of the big hit is determined, and the variation pattern is set in the variation pattern command. At this time, the values of the variation type counters CS1 and CS2 stored in the counter buffer of the RAM 503 are confirmed, and the reach type of the decorative symbol such as normal reach, super reach, premium reach, etc. based on the value of the first variation type counter CS1. And other rough symbol variation modes, and the elapsed time until the final stop symbol (in this embodiment, the middle symbol) stops after occurrence of reach based on the value of the second variation type counter CS2 (in other words, variation More detailed symbol variation mode is determined. The relationship between the numerical value of the first variation type counter CS1 and the reach pattern and the relationship between the numerical value of the second variation type counter CS2 and the stop symbol time are respectively defined in advance by a table or the like. Here, if it is determined that the time reduction mode (time reduction / long-term mode or time reduction / short-term mode) is in effect by referring to the time reduction mode status flag described later, the table for the time reduction mode is referred to. Then, processing such as shortening the variation time is performed as appropriate. The symbol commands in step S405 and step S408 indicate the jackpot symbol in a predetermined section, and the display controller 45 determines the stop symbol as will be described later. Specifically, when “1” indicating the special symbol is set in the symbol command (step S405), the display controller 45 determines the symbol to which any of the numerical values 3 and 7 are attached as the stop symbol. To do. On the other hand, when “2” indicating the normal symbol is set in the symbol command (step S408), the symbol to which any of 0, 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 9 is attached is displayed. The display control device 45 determines the stop symbol.

  Further, in step S409, which is shifted when a negative determination is made in step S401, it is determined whether or not it is a reach. This determination is made based on the value of the reach random number counter C3 stored in the execution area of the reserved ball storage area. As described above, in the present embodiment, the reach random number counter C3 causes the final stop symbol after the occurrence of the reach to stop by shifting by one by one before and after the reach symbol, and the final stop after the occurrence of reach. “Reach other than front / rear detachment” where the symbol stops other than before and after the reach symbol and “completely disengagement” where reach does not occur are selected by lottery. For example, C3 = 0, 1 corresponds to front / rear outreach and C3 = 2 to 21 correspond to reach other than front / rear disengagement, and C3 = 22 to 238 corresponds to complete disengagement. If it is determined that it is reach (step S409: YES), the process proceeds to step S410. On the other hand, if it is determined that it is not reach (step S409: NO), that is, if it is “completely out”, a dislocation variation pattern is determined in step S415, and in FIG. “5”) is set in the symbol command, and this variation start process is terminated.

  In step S410, it is determined whether or not the front / rear reach is reached. If it is determined that the front / rear reach has been reached (step S410: YES), a deviation variation pattern is determined in step S411, and the front / rear pattern ("3" in this embodiment) is used as a symbol command in step S412. After setting, this variation start process ends. On the other hand, when it is determined that the reach is not a back-and-forth deviation (step S410: NO), that is, when the reach is other than a back-and-forth deviation, a deviation variation pattern is determined in step S413 and In the embodiment, “4”) is set as the symbol command, and this variation start process is terminated.

  When the outlier variation pattern is determined in steps S411, S413, and S415, the variation pattern is determined based on the values of the variation type counters CS1 and CS2 stored in the counter buffer of the RAM 503. And so on. Of course, the same applies to the processing in the time reduction mode. Further, the symbol command in step S412, step S414, and step S416 indicates a predetermined division of the symbol that is out of the same manner as in step S405 and the like. Specifically, when “3” indicating the front / rear off symbol is set as the symbol command (step S412), the display control device 45 that has received the symbol command is stored in the front / rear outreach symbol buffer of the work RAM 523. The symbol corresponding to the front / rear detachment reach is determined as the stop symbol. When “4” indicating a symbol other than front / rear detachment is set in the symbol command (step S414), the symbol corresponding to the reach other than front / rear detachment stored in the reach symbol buffer stored in the work RAM 523 is displayed on the display control device 45. Is determined as a stop symbol. When “5” indicating a completely disconnected symbol is set in the symbol command (step S416), the display control device 45 determines the symbol corresponding to the completely disconnected symbol stored in the completely disconnected symbol buffer of the work RAM 523 as the stopped symbol. To do.

  Returning to the description of FIG. 15, if step S302 is YES, that is, if the fluctuation display is being performed, the process proceeds to step S307 to determine whether or not the fluctuation time has elapsed. Of course, the fluctuation time here is also shortened in the time reduction mode. In step S308, which is shifted when an affirmative determination is made in step S307, determination display by the special display device 43 is performed. That is, if the round 15 is a big hit, red is determined and displayed (for example, lit only for a few seconds), if the round 2 is a big hit, the green is determined and displayed (for example, lit for a few seconds), and if it is off, The blue color is displayed (lit only for a few seconds). Again, such a determination display by the special display device 43 is the main display, and the display of the decorative symbols by the decorative symbol display device 42 is auxiliary. In the next step S309, a determination command for completely synchronizing the decorative pattern variation stop with the LED variation stop in the special display device 43 is set, and then this processing is terminated. On the other hand, in step S310, which is shifted when a negative determination is made in step S307, color change display (variation display) of the LED of the special display device 43 is performed. Specifically, if the current lighting color is red, the color is changed to green, blue if it is green, and red if it is blue. Thereby, the color change display (variation display) of the LED of the special display device 43 is realized at the timing of the variation processing, that is, every 4 ms.

  Next, the jackpot control process in step S206 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In FIG. 22, in step S2101, it is determined whether or not a big hit state is occurring. Here, the determination is performed by taking into account a jackpot state flag described later. If it is determined that the jackpot state is in effect (step S2101: YES), the process proceeds to step S2104. On the other hand, if it is determined that the jackpot is not in a state (step S2101: NO), it is determined in step S2102 whether a jackpot has occurred. Here, the determination is made by considering the jackpot occurrence flag. If it is determined that a big hit has occurred (step S2102: YES), the process proceeds to step S2103. If it is determined that a big hit is not being made (step S2102: NO), the process is terminated.

  In step S2103, start setting processing is executed. Specifically, the value of the round number determination flag is taken into consideration to determine whether or not the current jackpot is a 15-round jackpot or a 2-round jackpot. If 15 rounds are big, set for 15 rounds (for example, set the maximum number of rounds to 15). If 2 rounds are big, set for 2 rounds (set the maximum number of rounds to 2). Set). Thereafter, a time shortening mode state flag reset processing routine, a time shortening mode state counter reset processing routine described later, a round number determination flag reset processing routine, a jackpot state flag setting processing routine described later, and a jackpot occurrence flag reset Processing routines are performed sequentially. Note that the start setting process in step S2103 is included in the jackpot control process, but is actually included in a process performed before the derivation process (generation process) for deriving the jackpot state.

  The time reduction mode state flag is state determination information for determining whether or not the time reduction mode (time reduction / short-term mode or time reduction / long-term mode) is occurring. When this determination is made, the value of the time reduction mode state flag is referred to instead of the value of the time reduction mode occurrence flag. In the reset process, a process of once resetting the value of the time reduction mode state flag (set to “0”) is performed. This time reduction mode state flag (flag value) corresponds to the mode generation information in the present embodiment. Therefore, the function of reset processing routine of the time reduction mode state flag and the function of the process of saving (copying) the value of the time reduction mode occurrence flag, which will be described later, to the value of the time reduction mode state flag will be described. Configure the means.

  The time reduction mode state counter is the number determination information for determining the duration of the time reduction mode (how many times the variable display is displayed) in the same manner as the time reduction mode counter described above. It is the time shortening mode state counter that is considered when determining the end timing. In the reset process, the time reduction mode state counter value is reset (set to “0”).

  The jackpot state flag is state determination information for determining whether or not a jackpot state is occurring. In this process, “1” indicating that the jackpot is being set is set as a flag value.

  In the round number determination flag reset process, “0” is set as the flag value, and in the jackpot occurrence flag reset process, “0” is set as the flag value.

  Subsequently, in step S2104, opening / closing processing of the variable winning device 32 is executed. More specifically, when the setting for the 15 rounds is performed, the maximum opening time of the variable winning device 32 of 29.5 seconds has elapsed, or the variable winning device 32 has a predetermined number of nine pieces. It is determined whether or not the game ball has been won, and when any of these conditions is satisfied, the variable winning device 32 is closed. In addition, when the setting for the two rounds is performed, the maximum opening time of the variable winning device 32 is 0.2 seconds, or the predetermined number of game balls in the variable winning device 32 is nine game balls. Is determined, and if any of these conditions is satisfied, the variable winning device 32 is closed.

  In step S2105, it is determined whether or not the number of executed rounds has reached the preset maximum number of rounds. For example, if it is a big hit of 15 rounds, it is determined whether it has reached 15 times, and if it is a big hit of 2 rounds, it is determined whether it has been reached twice. If a determination result indicating that the maximum number of rounds has been obtained is obtained (step S2105: YES), the process proceeds to step S2106. On the other hand, if a determination result indicating that the maximum number of rounds has not been reached is obtained (step S2105: NO), this processing is terminated as it is. That is, the opening / closing process is repeated until the number of executed rounds reaches the preset maximum number of rounds.

  In step S2106, end setting processing is performed. More specifically, the process of saving (copying) the value of the time reduction mode occurrence flag to the value of the time reduction mode state flag, and saving (copying) the value of the time reduction mode counter to the value of the time reduction mode state counter Are sequentially executed, then the time reduction mode occurrence flag value is reset (set to “0”), and the time reduction mode counter value is reset (set to “0”). Further, a process for resetting the set value set as the maximum number of rounds is executed, and this process is terminated. Therefore, the game mode switching setting process after the jackpot ends is performed by the end setting process. That is, the switching setting means in this embodiment is constituted by the function of this processing.

  Next, changes in the game mode will be described based on changes in the values of the time reduction mode occurrence flag and the time reduction mode state flag shown in FIG. During the normal mode, both the time shortening mode occurrence flag and the time shortening mode state flag are “0”. When the big hit is won during the normal mode, the value of the time reduction mode occurrence flag is “1” in the above-described variation start process, but at this time, the value of the time reduction mode state flag is still “0”. It is. After that, both flag values do not change until the jackpot control process end setting process is performed. However, in the big hit control process start setting process, the value of the time reduction mode state flag is once reset to “0”.

  In the end setting process of the jackpot control process, the value of the time reduction mode occurrence flag is saved (copied) to the value of the time reduction mode status flag, so that both flag values are once “1”, and then the time is reduced. The value of the mode generation flag is reset to “0”. Therefore, at the end of the big hit, the value of the time reduction mode occurrence flag is “0”, and the value of the time reduction mode state flag is “1”.

  Thereafter, the value of the time shortening mode state flag is maintained at “1” until the value of the time shortening mode state counter becomes 0 or until the next jackpot is won. By considering the value, various processes related to the time reduction mode are performed. As described above, when the big hit is won in the normal mode, after the big hit, the time reduction / short-term mode, which is a time reduction mode for four variable displays on the special display device 43, is set.

  When the big win is won during the time reduction / short-term mode (while the variable display is performed four times on the special display device 43), the values of the time reduction mode occurrence flag and the time reduction mode status flag are both “1”. Then, “100” is set to the value of the time reduction mode counter based on both flag values in the above-described variation start processing. In other words, if the occurrence of a big hit is confirmed in the time reduction / short-term mode, after the big hit, the time reduction / long-term mode, which is a time reduction mode for 100 variable displays on the special display device 43, is entered. Of course, when the jackpot is won during the time reduction / long-term mode, the time reduction / long-term mode is entered after the jackpot is finished. The change in both flag values after the jackpot derivation is the same as described above. Therefore, the value of the time reduction mode state flag that has been set to “1” is also temporarily reset to “0” in the start setting process of the jackpot control process.

  On the other hand, when the jackpot is not won during the time reduction mode and the value of the time reduction mode state counter becomes 0, that is, when the mode duration (4 times or 100 times of change display) has elapsed, the normal mode Return to.

  Next, processing of the display control device 45 will be described. The display control device 45 that has input the variation pattern command, the symbol command, the determination command, etc. determines the display mode of the decorative symbol display device 42 based on the various commands, and displays the display mode on the decorative symbol display device 42. It is like that. More specifically, the decorative symbols are displayed for a predetermined time based on the variation pattern command. Then, a stop symbol is determined based on the symbol command and displayed. In addition, after the determination display of the special display device 43, the determination command is transmitted to the display control device 45 as described above. This determination command is transmitted between the main special display device 43 and the auxiliary decorative symbol display device 42. It is intended for complete synchronization. That is, in order to achieve complete synchronization, it is desirable to transmit the determination command as described above. However, if the configuration is such that both the main control device 261 and the display control device 45 can grasp the variation time, the determination command is transmitted. It is good also as a structure which does not transmit.

  In the present embodiment, the CPU 521 in the display control device 45 uses various counter information when displaying decorative symbols. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 17, the jackpot decorative symbol counter C5 and the left, middle and right off symbol counters CL and CM used for setting the off symbol of the left column, the middle column and the right column, respectively. , CR. The off symbol counters CL, CM, CR are configured such that register values are added using an R register (refresh register) in the CPU 521, and as a result, the numerical values change randomly.

  The jackpot decorative symbol counter C5 determines a symbol when the variation of the decorative symbol display device 42 is stopped (a jackpot symbol) in the case of a big hit. In the present embodiment, the decorative symbol display device 42 There are 2 special symbols and 8 normal symbols. Accordingly, eight (0 to 7) counter values are prepared as the jackpot decorative symbol counter C5. That is, the jackpot decorative symbol counter C5 is configured so that 1 is added in order within the range of 0 to 7, and after reaching the maximum value (that is, 7), it returns to 0. If the symbol command transmitted from the main control device 261 is “1” indicating a special symbol, for example, if the counter value is 0 based on a table (not shown) (a table for associating a counter value with a decorative symbol). “3”, 1 if “7”, 2 if “3”, 3 if “7”, 4 if “3”, 5 if “7”, 6 if “3”. If it is “3” or “7”, the special symbol is determined such as “7”. Further, when the symbol command is “2” indicating the normal symbol, for example, if the counter value is 0, “0”, 1 based on another table (a table that associates the counter value with the decorative symbol) (not shown). "1", 2 if "2", 3 if "4", 4 if "5", 5 if "6", 6 if "8", 7 For example, “9” is determined as a normal symbol. The jackpot decorative symbol counter C5 is periodically updated, and is read from the counter buffer at the timing when the display control device 45 receives the symbol command. In the present embodiment, the jackpot decoration symbol counter C5 is stored in the jackpot decoration symbol counter buffer of the work RAM 523. However, it is not stored in the buffer, but the counter value is referred to when the symbol command is received. You may make it do.

  The left, middle and right off symbol counters CL, CM, CR determine the stop symbol (out symbol) of the left row ornament symbol, middle row ornament symbol, right column ornament symbol when the big hit lottery is missed. Since each of the ten decorative symbols is displayed in each column, ten (0 to 9) counter values are prepared for each column. The stop symbol of the left symbol row is determined by the off symbol counter CL, the stop symbol of the middle symbol row is determined by the off symbol counter CM, and the stop symbol of the right symbol row is determined by the off symbol counter CR.

  In the present embodiment, the value of each counter CL, CM, CR is updated at random by using the value of the R register built in the CPU 521. That is, when each outlier symbol counter CL, CM, CR is updated, the lower 3 bits of the R register are added to the previous value, and when the addition result exceeds the maximum value, 10 is subtracted to determine the current value. The Each outlier symbol counter CL, CM, CR is updated so that the update times do not overlap, and the combination of these outlier symbol counters CL, CM, CR is a front / rear outreach symbol buffer of the work RAM 523, a reach symbol buffer other than front / rear out, and It is stored in one of the completely off symbol buffers.

  Here, the update process of each off symbol counter CL, CM, CR will be described in detail. This processing is executed by the display control device 45 every predetermined time such as 4 msec.

  As shown in FIG. 18, in step S501, it is determined whether or not it is time to update the left symbol row out symbol counter CL. In step S502, it is determined whether or not it is time to update the out symbol counter CM in the middle symbol row. . In addition, each off symbol counter CL, CM, CR of the left symbol row, the middle symbol row, and the right symbol row is configured to be sequentially updated one by one in one update process. Therefore, if the out-of-right symbol counter CR in the right symbol sequence has been updated in the previous update process, an affirmative determination is made in step S501. In addition, when the out symbol counter CL in the left symbol row has been updated in the previous update process, an affirmative determination is made in step S502. If it is time to update the left symbol sequence (YES in step S501), the process advances to step S503 to update the left symbol sequence outlier symbol counter CL. Further, if the update timing of the middle symbol sequence (YES in step S502), the process proceeds to step S504, where the middle symbol sequence outlier symbol counter CM is updated. Further, if the update timing of the right symbol sequence (both NO in steps S501 and S502), the process proceeds to step S505, and the outlier symbol counter CR of the right symbol sequence is updated. In the update of the symbol counters CL, CM, CR out of steps S503 to S505, the lower 3 bits of the R register are added to the previous counter value, and 10 is subtracted when the addition result exceeds the maximum value. The calculation result is set as the current value of the off symbol counters CL, CM, CR.

  According to the above-described CL, CM, and CR update processing, the left symbol row, middle symbol row, and right symbol row outlier symbol counters CL, CM, and CR are updated one by one in a single update process. The update times of the values do not overlap. As a result, every time the update process is executed three times, the set symbol counters CL, CM, and CR are updated for one set.

  After that, in step S506, it is determined whether or not the combination of the updated out symbol counters CL, CM, and CR is a reach symbol combination. It is determined whether or not it is a missed reach. If the off symbol counters CL, CM, and CR are combinations of front and rear outreach, the process proceeds to step S508, and the combination of out symbol symbols CL, CM, and CR at that time is stored in the front and rear outreach symbol buffer of the work RAM 523. If the out symbol counters CL, CM, CR are a combination of reach other than front / back off, the process proceeds to step S509, and the combination of the out symbol counters CL, CM, CR at that time is stored in the reach symbol buffer other than front / back out of the work RAM 523. Store.

  In the case of a combination other than the reach symbol, in step S510, it is determined whether or not the combination of the symbol symbols CL, CM, CR is a symbol combination, and if it is a symbol combination, Proceeding to step S511, the combination of the off symbol counters CL, CM, and CR at that time is stored in the off symbol buffer of the work RAM 523. If NO in both steps S506 and S510, the symbols are aligned on the left, middle, and right, that is, it corresponds to a jackpot state. In such a case, the off symbol counters CL, CM, and CR are stored in the buffer. The process is terminated without any processing.

  As described above, the display control device 45 determines a stop symbol to be displayed on the decorative symbol display device 42 based on the symbol command transmitted from the main control device 261.

  Specifically, when the symbol command transmitted from the main control device 261 is “1” indicating a special symbol, for example, a big hit decoration based on a table (not shown) (a table that associates a counter value with a decorative symbol) “3” if the value stored in the symbol counter buffer is 0, “7” if 1, 2 “3”, 3 if “7”, 4 if “3”, 5 If so, the special symbol is determined such as “7”, 6 if “3”, 7 if “7”. Further, when the symbol command is “2” indicating a normal symbol, for example, the value stored in the jackpot decorative symbol counter buffer is based on another table (a table for associating the counter value and the decorative symbol). 0 for “0”, 1 for “1”, 2 for “2”, 3 for “4”, 4 for “5”, 5 for “6”, 6 If there is “8” if it is 7, “9” if it is 7, the normal symbol is determined. Furthermore, when the symbol command transmitted from the main control device 261 is “3” indicating a back-and-forth out-of-front symbol, the symbol corresponding to the back-and-forth out-of-front reach stored in the work RAM 523 is used as a stop symbol. decide. When the symbol command is “4” indicating a symbol other than front / rear detachment, the symbol corresponding to the reach other than front / rear detachment stored in the reach symbol buffer stored in the work RAM 523 is determined as a stop symbol. Furthermore, when the symbol command is “5” indicating a completely unsymbolized symbol, the symbol corresponding to the completely unsymbol stored in the completely unsymbolized symbol buffer of the work RAM 523 is determined as a stop symbol.

  The display control device 45 is configured to stop the symbol change mode such as the reach type of the decorative symbols such as normal reach, super reach, and premium reach, and the final stop symbol (the middle symbol in this embodiment) based on the change pattern command. The elapsed time is determined and the decorative symbols are displayed in a variable manner. Then, the stop symbol is determined based on the symbol command, the passage of time is judged, and the stop symbol is displayed. When displaying the stop symbol, the main controller 261 sends a determination command in order to completely synchronize the change stop of the special display device 43 and the stop change of the decorative symbol display device 42. It should be noted that the determination command from main controller 261 is not necessarily required, and can be implemented with a configuration in which the determination command is not transmitted. This is because the main control device 261 and the display control device 45 can grasp the variation time, and usually complete synchronization is realized without using the determination command.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the special display device 43 directly controlled by the main control device 261 mainly performs determination display such as jackpots, and the decorative symbol display device 42 controlled by the display control device 45. Is intended to provide an auxiliary display.

  Conventionally, there has been known a fraudulent act of forcibly opening a special winning opening using a cell or the like and acquiring a ball even though it is not a big hit. In that case, it is conceivable that some signal is sent to the display control device 45 so as to make it appear as if it is a big hit even though it is not a big hit.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the main control device 261 is stored in the board box 263 that is strictly sealed, and therefore, different from the display control device 45, an illegal act such as sending some illegal signal. It is difficult to illuminate the LED of the special display device 43 illegally in a jackpot of “red” or “green”. Therefore, even if the decorative symbol display device 42 can display as if it was a big hit, such an illegal act can be easily found by the lighting mode of the special display device 43.

  Next, payout control executed by the CPU 511 in the payout control device 311 will be described. For convenience of explanation, the reception interrupt process will be described first with reference to FIG. 26, and then the main process will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing a reception interrupt process executed by the payout control apparatus 311. The reception interrupt process is a process executed by interruption when the payout control device 311 receives a command transmitted from the main control device 261. When the payout control device 311 confirms that the command transmitted from the main control device 261 has been received, the other processing executed by the CPU 511 in the payout control device 311 is temporarily waited, and the reception interrupt process is executed. When the reception interrupt process is executed, the command transmitted from the main controller 261 in step S3001 is first stored in the command buffer 513d of the RAM 513, and the command transmitted from the main controller 261 is stored in step S3002. At this time, the command reception flag 513c is turned on, and this reception interrupt process is terminated. As described above, when a command is stored in the command buffer 513d, the storage pointer is referred to and stored in a predetermined storage area, and the next received command is stored to be stored in the next storage area. The pointer is updated.

  In the present embodiment, the reception process of the command transmitted from the main control device 261 is performed by the interrupt process executed when the command is received. For example, as illustrated in FIG. In the timer interrupt process, before the command determination process (step S1001) is performed, it is confirmed whether or not a command has been received. If a command has been received, the command is stored in the command buffer 513d of the RAM 513. The command reception flag 513c may be turned on, and if a command has not been received, the process may proceed to command determination processing. In such a case, it is confirmed whether or not a command has been received by checking a port corresponding to a command input of the input / output port 515 at predetermined intervals.

  Next, main processing of the payout control device 311 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing the main process of the payout control device 311. This main process is started upon reset when the power is turned on.

  First, in step S901, an initial setting process associated with power-on is executed. Specifically, a predetermined value set in advance is set in the stack pointer, and an interrupt mode is set. In step S903, RAM access is permitted, and in step S904, an external interrupt vector is set.

  After that, in step S906, it is determined whether or not occurrence information of power interruption is set in the backup area 513a of the RAM 513. If the occurrence information of power interruption is set in the backup area 513a, the RAM determination value is calculated in step S907, and in step S908, whether the RAM determination value matches the RAM determination value stored when the power is turned off. No, that is, the validity of the backup is determined. The RAM determination value is, for example, a checksum value at a work area address in the RAM 513. It should be noted that it is possible to determine the effectiveness of backup based on whether or not the keywords written in a predetermined area of the RAM 513 are correctly stored.

  If power failure occurrence information is not set in step S906, or if a backup abnormality is confirmed by a RAM determination value (checksum value, etc.) in step S908, the process proceeds to initialization processing of the RAM 513 after step S915. Transition.

  In step S915, the entire area of the RAM 513 is cleared to 0, and in step S916, the initial value of the RAM 513 is set. Thereafter, in step S917, the CPU peripheral device is initialized, and the process proceeds to step S914 to permit interruption.

  On the other hand, on the condition that the information on occurrence of power interruption is set in step S906 and the RAM judgment value (checksum value etc.) is normal in step S908, the process at the time of power recovery (when the power interruption is restored). Process). That is, in step S909, the stack pointer before power-off is restored, information on occurrence of power-off is cleared in step S910, and a payout permission flag 513b that permits payout of prize balls is cleared in step S911. In step S912, the CPU peripheral device is initialized, and in step S913, the used register is restored from the backup area 513a of the RAM 513. In step S914, an interrupt is permitted.

  After the interruption is permitted in step S914, it is determined in the process of step S922 whether power-off occurrence information is set in the backup area 513a. Here, if the information on occurrence of power supply interruption is set, the power supply is cut off, and therefore, the process after step S923 is performed as a power failure process at the time of power supply interruption. In the power failure process, first, the generation of each interrupt process is prohibited in step S923, and a command determination process described later is executed in the next step S924. Thereafter, the contents of each register used by the CPU 511 are saved in the stack area in step S925, the stack pointer value is stored in the backup area 513a in step S926, the RAM determination value is calculated in step S927, and the backup area 513a is stored. In step S928, RAM access is prohibited, and the infinite loop is continued until the power supply is completely shut down and processing cannot be executed. Here, the RAM determination value is, for example, a checksum value in the stack area and work area to be backed up in the RAM 513.

  In the process of step S922, the occurrence information of the power interruption is confirmed after the process performed when the power is turned on. Therefore, the amount of data stored in the backup area 513a of the RAM 513 is smaller than that in the middle of each process. Less and can be easily memorized. Further, when returning to the state before power-off, since the amount of data stored in the backup area 513a is small, it can be easily restored and the processing load of the payout control device 311 can be reduced. .

  Next, timer interrupt processing of the payout control device 311 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This timer interrupt process is started periodically (in this embodiment, at a cycle of 2 msec).

  In the timer interrupt process, first, a command from the main control device 261 is acquired, and a determination process for the command is performed (step S1001). This command determination process will be described below with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 28 is a flowchart illustrating command determination processing performed by the payout control device 311. In the command determination process (steps S924 and S1001), first, it is determined whether or not the command reception flag 513c is turned on in step S1301. The command reception flag 513c is turned on when a command transmitted from the main controller 261 is received in the above-described reception interrupt process (see FIG. 26).

  If it is determined in step S1301 that the command reception flag 513c is off, a new command has not been received from the main controller 261, and thus this process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1301 that the command reception flag 513c is on, the received command is read from the RAM 513 in step S1302, and the command reception flag 513c is turned off in step S1303. By turning off the command reception flag 513c in step S1303, the processing in steps S1302 to S1311 can be skipped until a new command is received, so that the control of the payout control device 311 can be reduced.

  The type of command read from the RAM 513 is determined in the processing of steps S1304 to S1306. In step S1304, it is determined whether or not the command transmitted from the main control device 261 is a payout initialization command. In step S1305, it is determined whether or not it is a payout return command. In step S1306, it is determined whether the command is a prize ball command. It is determined whether or not.

If the command transmitted from the main controller 261 is a payout initialization command, it is determined in step S1307 whether or not the payout permission flag 513b has already been turned on. If the payout permission flag 513b has been turned off, the power is turned on. Since the initialization of the RAM 513 is sometimes instructed by the main controller 261, the work area (area) other than the stack area of the RAM 513 is cleared to 0 in step S1308, and the initial value of the RAM 513 is set in step S1309. To do. Thereafter, in step S1311, the payout permission flag 513b is turned on, and the payout permission for the prize ball is set.

As described above, the main controller 261 performs initialization processing of the RAM 503 after transmitting the payout initialization command, and the payout control device 311 initializes processing of the RAM 513 after receiving the payout initialization command. Therefore, the timing at which the RAM 503 is initialized and the timing at which the RAM 513 is initialized are substantially at the same time. Therefore, even if the payout control device 311 receives a command transmitted from the main control device 261 due to a shift in the initialization timing, the RAM 513 is initialized, and control corresponding to the received command cannot be performed. The occurrence of adverse effects can be prevented. In addition, since the payout permission flag 513b is turned on after the RAM 513 is initialized, it is possible to reliably set the payout allowance for prize balls.

  On the other hand, if the payout permission flag 513b has already been turned on in step S1307, the command determination process is terminated without clearing the work area of the RAM 513 and the initialization process of the RAM 513. That is, the process in step S1307 prohibits the RAM 513 from being initialized while the payout permission flag 513b is set. The payout initialization command is transmitted only when the RAM erase switch 323 is turned on when the power is turned on. Therefore, the payout initialization command is not received when the payout permission flag 513b is turned on. It is conceivable that the payout control device 311 has recognized the payout initialization command due to the influence of noise or the like. Therefore, if the work area of the RAM 513 is cleared (step S1308) and the initial value setting of the RAM 513 (step S1309) is executed in a state where the payout permission flag 513b is turned on, the payout is not made when a prize ball remains. However, the RAM 513 is prevented from being initialized while the payout permission flag 513b is turned on, so that the player is prevented from being lost. it can.

  Further, if the command transmitted from the main control device 261 is a payout return command (step S1304: NO, step S1305: YES), the main control device 261 and the payout control device 311 return to the state before the power shut-off. In order to permit the payout of the prize ball, the payout permission flag 513b is turned on in step S1311. That is, when there is information on occurrence of power interruption and the main control device 261 and the payout control device 311 return to the state before the power interruption, the payout of the prize ball is permitted. When the payout permission flag 513b is turned on in the process of step S1311, the process based on the command stored in the predetermined storage area of the command buffer 513d is completed, so that the read pointer corresponds to the next storage area. Updated to pointer.

  Further, if the command transmitted from main controller 261 is a prize ball command (step S1305: NO, step S1306: YES), the received prize ball number is added to the total prize ball number and stored in step S1310. In order to permit the payout of the prize ball, the payout permission flag 513b is turned on in step S1311. That is, since a prize ball corresponding to the number of prize balls is paid out based on the prize ball command transmitted from the main controller 261, the prize ball command is a payout instruction command for instructing the prize ball to be paid out. It is. In addition, when a winning ball command is received, the payout permission is immediately set, so that the winning ball can be paid out early for winning. When the payout permission flag 513b is turned on in the process of step S1311, the process based on the command stored in the predetermined storage area of the command buffer 513d is completed, so that the read pointer corresponds to the next storage area. Updated to pointer.

  The command transmitted from the main controller 261 is not a payout initialization command (step S1304: NO), is not a payout return command (step S1305: NO), and is not a prize ball command (step S1306: NO), The command determination process is terminated without turning on the payout permission flag 513b.

  Returning to the flowchart of FIG. When the command determination process ends, it is determined in step S1002 whether or not the payout permission flag 513b is turned on in the command determination process. Here, if the payout permission flag 513b is not turned on, this processing is ended as it is. That is, it is possible to prevent award balls from being paid out before a command is transmitted from the main controller 261.

  On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step S1002, the launch permission setting is set for the launch control device 312 in step S1003, the state return switch 321 is checked in step S1004, and the state return operation is determined to be started. Perform a return operation. With this process, when the state return switch 321 is pressed when a payout error occurs, for example, when the payout motor is clogged, the payout motor is rotated forward and reverse to eliminate the ball clogging (return to the normal state). .

  Thereafter, in step S1005, setting of the lower pan full state or the lower pan full tank release state is executed in accordance with the change in the state of the lower pan 15. That is, when the lower pan 15 is full based on the detection signal of the lower pan full switch, the lower pan full state is set when the lower pan is full. Set the lower pan full tank release state. In step S1006, the setting of the tank ball absence state or the tank ball absence release state is executed in accordance with the change in the tank ball state of the tank 355. That is, the absence of the tank ball is determined based on the detection signal of the no-ball detection switch. When the tank ball is not used, the setting of the tank ball no-use state is executed. Perform configuration.

  Thereafter, in step S1007, the presence / absence of a state to be notified is determined. If there is a state to be notified, a state display unit (7 segment LED) (not shown) provided in the payout control device 311 is notified.

  In steps S1008 to S1010, a prize ball payout process is executed. In this case, if the prize ball is not paid out and the total number of prize balls stored in step S1001 is not 0 (both NO in steps S1008 and S1009), the process proceeds to step S1010 and a prize ball control process (to be described later). FIG. 29) is started. Further, if the prize ball cannot be paid out or the total number of prize balls is 0 (YES in any one of steps S1008 and S1009), the process proceeds to a lending payout process.

  Thereafter, in steps S1011 to S1013, a rental ball payout process is executed. In this case, if it is not possible to pay out the rented ball and if a rented ball payout request from the card unit has been received (NO in step S1011 and YES in S1012), the process proceeds to step S1013, and a renting control process (described later). FIG. 30) is started. Further, if a rental ball cannot be paid out or a rental ball payout request is not received (YES in step S1011 or NO in S1012), the subsequent ball removal process is executed.

  In step S1014, the state return switch 321 is checked to check that the ball removal is not disabled and that the ball removal operation is not started and the dispensing motor 358a is driven to execute the ball removal process. In the subsequent step S1015, the control of the vibrator 360 (vibration motor control) is executed on condition that the ball is clogged. Thereafter, the process returns to the top of the payout control process.

  Here, in the winning ball control process shown in FIG. 29, in step S1101, the payout motor 358a is driven to execute payout of the winning ball. In subsequent step S1102, whether the rotation of the payout motor 358a is normal is determined based on the detection result of the payout rotation sensor. If the rotation of the payout motor 358a is not normal, the process advances to step S1103 to drive the payout motor 358a to execute a retry process and execute a stop process of the payout motor 358a, and then return to the timer interrupt process in FIG.

  If the rotation of the payout motor 358a is normal, the process proceeds to step S1104, and whether or not the game ball is normally counted is determined based on the detection result of the payout count switch. If the game ball count is not normal, the process advances to step S1105 to drive the payout motor 358a to execute the retry process and execute the stop process of the payout motor 358a, and then returns to the timer interrupt process of FIG.

  Further, if the game ball count is normal, the process proceeds to step S1106, and it is determined whether or not the game ball count by the payout count switch has reached the total number of prize balls and the payout has been completed. If the payout has been completed, a stop process for the payout motor 358a is executed in step S1107, and then the process returns to the timer interrupt process in FIG.

  In the ball lending control process shown in FIG. 30, in step S1201, the payout motor 358a is driven to pay out a lending ball. In the subsequent step S1202, it is determined from the detection result of the dispensing rotation sensor whether the rotation of the dispensing motor 358a is normal. If the rotation of the payout motor 358a is not normal, the process proceeds to step S1203, where the payout motor 358a is driven to execute retry processing and stop processing of the payout motor 358a, and then return to the timer interrupt processing in FIG.

  If the rotation of the payout motor 358a is normal, the process advances to step S1204 to determine whether or not the game ball is normally counted based on the detection result of the payout count switch. If the game ball count is not normal, the process advances to step S1205 to drive the payout motor 358a to execute a retry process and execute a stop process of the payout motor 358a, and then return to the timer interrupt process of FIG.

  If the game ball count is normal, the process proceeds to step S1206, where it is determined whether or not the game ball count by the payout count switch has reached a predetermined number of rented balls (25) and the payout is completed. If the payout has been completed, a stop process for the payout motor 358a is executed in step S1207, and then the process returns to the timer interrupt process in FIG.

  As described in detail above, when the big win is won in the normal mode, the time reduction / short-term mode is set as the game mode after the big hit and the number of executions of the variable display on the special display device 43 reaches four times. The time shortening / short-term mode is completed on the condition that it is switched to the normal mode. If the jackpot is won during the time shortening / short-term mode or the time shortening / long-term mode, the time shortening / long-term mode is set after the jackpot is ended, and the number of executions of the variable display on the special display device 43 is 100 times. The time reduction / long-term mode ends on the condition that it reaches, and the mode is switched to the normal mode. In this way, after the end of the jackpot state, for example, the high probability mode is not given or not given, but the time reduction mode is always given, and the upper limit based on the variable display of the special display device 43 is set for the duration. By determining, it is possible to set the jackpot winning probability in the normal mode to be relatively high and improve the interest for the player. Further, even if the jackpot winning probability in the normal mode is set to be relatively high, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the performance of the gaming machine related to the acquisition of the gaming value will significantly deviate from the appropriate range.

  Furthermore, when winning a jackpot in the time reduction / short-term mode or the time reduction / long-term mode, the time reduction / long-term mode, which is a time reduction mode with a longer duration, is always set after the end of the win. Therefore, in some cases, it becomes possible for the player to play a game in a state where the time reduction / long-term mode is continuously given for a relatively long period of time. As a result, it is possible to improve the interest for the player.

  In this embodiment, 15 round jackpots and 2 round jackpots are set, and the 15 round jackpot is advantageous to the player not only regarding the number of times the variable winning device 32 is opened but also in the open state time. . In the present embodiment, the 15 round jackpot is set to 15 open times and an open state time of 29.5 seconds, and the 2 round jackpot is set to 2 open times and an open state time of 0.2 seconds. Furthermore, the probability of winning 15 rounds (1/5) is set higher than the probability of winning 2 rounds (4/5). In other words, 2 round jackpots are more likely to occur than 15 round jackpots, and the number of prize balls that a player can win in the jackpot state is also small. Therefore, even when the jackpot winning probability in the normal mode is set to be relatively high, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the performance of the gaming machine related to the acquisition of the gaming value significantly deviates from the appropriate range. In other words, it is possible to set the jackpot winning probability in the normal mode to be relatively high and improve the interest for the player.

  In addition, a time reduction mode generation flag for determining whether or not to set the time reduction mode (time reduction / short-term mode or time reduction / long-term mode) is set in the stage before the start of the big hit state generation process, At the end of the big hit state generation process, the value of the time reduction mode generation flag is saved (copied) to the value of the time reduction mode state flag, and the value of the time reduction mode state flag is taken into account when mode determination is performed. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress the possibility that the same control as the control in the time reduction mode is performed during the occurrence of the big hit state. For example, as in the time shortening mode, the number of game balls is difficult to decrease, and the amount of game balls used during the big hit state is reduced, resulting in an increase in the number of prize balls acquired by the player. can do. In addition, it is possible to suppress the possibility that an extreme difference in the number of award balls that a player obtains between the case where a time reduction mode is provided and the case where no time reduction mode is provided during the occurrence of a big hit state. be able to. As a result, it is possible to reduce the influence on the performance related to the acquisition of the prize ball.

  In addition, a processing routine for setting the time reduction mode generation flag and the like are collectively executed in a variation start processing routine that is performed before the start of variation display in the normal processing routine. That is, the setting processing of various flags and the like is not performed under separate processing, but is performed in a state of being integrated in the variation start processing routine, so that the control processing can be simplified. In addition, there is a merit that bugs can be found easily when debugging a program. In addition, when changing the gaming specifications of the gaming machine, there is also an advantage that the specifications can be changed efficiently and easily only by changing the processing routines integrated in the variation start processing routine.

  Further, in the setting processing routine of the time reduction mode counter, a game mode (time reduction / short-term operation) is performed by performing an AND operation with reference to the value of the time reduction mode occurrence flag and the value of the time reduction mode status flag. Mode or long-term mode) can be determined, so there is no need to set a separate time-shortening mode generation flag and time-shortening mode status flag corresponding to each of the time-shortening mode, short-term mode, and time-shortening mode. The game mode can be determined, and the control can be simplified.

  As mentioned above, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment at all, and it cannot be overemphasized that it can implement with a various form, unless it deviates from the meaning of this invention.

  (A) jackpot winning probability (1 / 67.7), time shortening / short-term mode duration (4 times of variable display), time reduction / long-term mode duration (100 times of variable display), normal symbol display device 41 The winning probability in the lottery (in the normal mode 149/251, in the time reduction mode 224/251) is not limited to the above embodiment. However, when setting the jackpot winning probability to be relatively high or increasing the advantage of time reduction / long-term mode, the difference between the duration of the time reduction / short-term mode and the duration of time reduction / long-term mode should be relatively It is preferable to set a large value. For example, the duration of the time shortening / long-term mode may be 120 times of variable display, and the duration of the time shortening / short-term mode may be 5 times of variable display, which is 1/24. Of course, since the jackpot winning probability must be considered, it is preferable that the duration of the time reduction / long-term mode does not become extremely long with respect to the jackpot winning probability. For example, if the jackpot winning probability is 1 / 67.7, the duration of the time reduction / long-term mode will be within about 135 fluctuation displays so that the expected value for winning the jackpot during the time reduction / long-term mode does not exceed 2. It is preferable that On the other hand, the duration of the time reduction / short-term mode is preferably relatively short with respect to the jackpot winning probability. For example, if the jackpot winning probability is 1 / 67.7, the duration of the time reduction / short-term mode will be within about 67 fluctuation displays so that the expected value for winning the jackpot during the time reduction / short-term mode does not exceed 1. It is preferable that Furthermore, when the expected value for winning the jackpot during the time reduction / short-term mode does not exceed 0.1, that is, when the probability of winning the jackpot is 1 / 67.7, the duration of the time reduction / short-term mode is displayed in a variable manner about 6 It is preferable to be within the batch.

  (B) In the above embodiment, the time reduction / short-term mode is set as the first specific mode, and the time reduction / long-term mode is set as the second specific mode. However, the first specific mode and the second specific mode are not limited to the time reduction mode, and may be other modes. For example, at least one of the first specific mode and the second specific mode may be a high probability mode. Further, a high probability mode or a time reduction mode that is continued until the next jackpot state is derived may be used. Moreover, it is good also as a structure by which 3 or more specific modes are switched and set. Further, instead of a configuration in which a plurality of specific modes are switched and set, one specific mode and a normal mode may be switched and set.

  Here, the high probability mode is a game mode that is set after the jackpot is ended, and is a game mode in which the jackpot probability is higher than the jackpot probability in the normal mode. In addition to this, the high probability mode may be a game mode that satisfies at least one of the following configurations (1) to (5) in addition to the high probability. (1) Shorten the variable display time in the special display device 43, (2) Shorten the variable display time in the normal symbol display device 41, (3) Specified time (opening time) related to the opening / closing process of the first opportunity corresponding unit 33 ) Is longer than that in the normal mode, or the specified number (winning number) is increased as compared with the normal mode. (4) The winning result that the symbol “○” is stopped and displayed on the normal symbol display device 41 is displayed. If it is obtained, the number of times of opening / closing processing of the first opportunity handling unit 33 to be performed at one time is increased as compared to the normal mode. (5) Probability that the symbol “○” is stopped and displayed on the normal symbol display device 41 (winning) Probability) is higher than the winning probability in normal mode. That is, in the high probability mode, in addition to the jackpot probability being higher than the jackpot probability in the normal mode, any combination of the above configurations (1) to (5) (for example, (1), (2), (3 ), (4), (5), (1) and (2), (1) and (3), (1) and (4), (1) and (5), (2) and (3), (2) and (4), (2) and (5), (3) and (4), (3) and (5), (4) and (5), (1), (2) and (3 ), (1) and (2) and (4), (1) and (2) and (5), (1) and (3) and (4), (1) and (3) and (5), (1) and (4) and (5), (2) and (3) and (4), (2) and (3) and (5), (2) and (4) and (5), (3 ), (4) and (5), (1), (2), (3) and (4), (1), (2), (3) and (5), (1) and (2) and (4 And (5) it can be employed (1) and (3) and (4) (5), and (2) and (3) and (4) (5)).

  However, if the first specific mode and the second specific mode that are set after the jackpot are set to the high probability mode with different durations, the difference between the durations is relatively large (for example, 4 times and 100 times of the variable display). ) In the first specific mode and the second specific mode, there is a possibility that an extremely large difference may occur in the expected value for winning the big hit in the specific mode (high probability mode). For example, if the jackpot winning probability in the specific mode (high probability mode) is 1/60, the duration of the first specific mode is 4 times of variable display, and the duration of the second specific mode is 100 times of variable display, The expected value for winning the jackpot in the first specific mode is extremely low, and the expected value for winning the jackpot in the second specific mode is extremely high. As a result, the gaming machine has a plurality of jackpot winning probabilities, and there is a possibility that the performance of the gaming machine related to acquisition of a preset gaming value may be significantly impaired. On the other hand, in the said embodiment, since the 1st specific mode and the 2nd specific mode are not the high probability mode in which the jackpot winning probability is higher than the normal mode, such a problem is eliminated.

  (C) The game mode may be determined by setting different time reduction mode generation flags and time reduction mode state flags corresponding to the time reduction / short-term mode and the time reduction / long-term mode. In this way, the control program and the like can be simplified. Furthermore, there are merits that it is easy to find bugs when executing debugging of the control program, and that it is possible to change the game specifications of the gaming machine efficiently and relatively easily.

  (D) In the above embodiment, 15 round jackpots and 2 round jackpots are set, and the 15 round jackpot is advantageous to the player not only in terms of the number of times the variable winning device 32 is opened but also in the opening time. . However, the game specifications are not limited to this. For example, the present invention may be applied to a gaming machine in which the number of rounds of jackpots is unchanged.

  Of course, the probability of making a round-round jackpot decision (4/5) and the probability of making a round-round jackpot decision (1/5) are not limited to the above embodiment. However, when the jackpot winning probability in the normal mode is set to be relatively high, it is preferable that the probability of making a 2-round jackpot is higher than the probability of making a 15-round jackpot. For example, the probability of making a 2-round jackpot decision is, for example, 9 / 10th, 15-round jackpot so that the probability of making a 2-round jackpot decision is more than twice the probability of making a 15-round jackpot decision. The probability that the decision is made may be 1/10.

  Further, the number of rounds is not limited to the above embodiment. However, when the probability of winning a big hit in the normal mode is set to be relatively high, the number of rounds of the jackpot that is harder to win than the number of rounds of the jackpot that is easy to win, that is, the number of opening of the variable winning device 32 (variable winning) It is preferable that the number of times of opening of the device 32 is larger. For example, the number of jackpot rounds (for example, 12 times) that are hard to win may be four times or more than the number of rounds of jackpot (for example, 3 times) that are easy to win. In addition, the opening time (for example, 25 seconds) of the variable winning device 32 in the jackpot of the person who is hard to win is 100 times or more of the opening time (for example, 0.2 seconds) of the variable winning device 32 in the jackpot of the person who is easy to win. You may do it.

  (E) You may implement as a pachinko machine etc. of a different type from the said embodiment. In addition to pachinko machines, revolving game machines such as arrange ball machines, sparrow balls, and slot machines, and game machines that are configured by combining pachinko machines and slot machines (especially slots that use game balls as game media). It can also be implemented as various gaming machines such as machine-specific gaming machines).

  As an example of a spinning machine such as a slot machine, an “identification information string (symbol string; specifically, a rotating body such as a reel with a symbol) composed of a plurality of identification information (symbols) is variably displayed. It comprises variable display means (specifically, a rotating unit such as a reel unit) for confirming and stopping the identification information string after (specifically, rotating the reel or the like), and operating means for starting (specifically, a start lever). The identification information (symbol) changes due to the operation of the stop operation means (specifically, the stop button) or when a predetermined time elapses. Is configured to generate a special gaming state (bonus game, etc.) that is advantageous to the player on the condition that the confirmed identification information (design) at the time of the suspension is specific identification information (design) “Amusement machines” It is.

  As an example of a gaming machine configured by combining a pachinko machine and a slot machine (especially a gaming machine of a slot machine specification that uses a game ball as a game medium), an identification information sequence consisting of a plurality of identification information (designs) A variable display means (specifically, a symbol string; specifically, a rotating body such as a reel or a belt with a symbol) is variably displayed (specifically, a reel or the like is rotated), and an identification information string is fixedly stopped and displayed. Is provided with a rotating unit such as a reel unit, and the variation of the identification information (design) is started due to the operation of the start operation means (specifically, the start lever), and the stop operation means (specifically, The change of the identification information (design) is stopped due to the operation of the stop button) or when a predetermined time elapses, and it is necessary that the fixed identification information (design) at the time of the stop is the specific identification information (design) A charging device configured to generate a special gaming state (bonus game or the like) advantageous to the player as a matter, and further provided with a ball tray (upper plate or the like) to perform a loading process of taking a game ball from the ball tray; And a payout device for paying out the game balls to the ball tray, and a game machine configured such that the operation of the starting operation means is made effective when the game balls are thrown by the throwing device.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Pachinko machine as a gaming machine, 32 ... Variable winning device as third entry means, 33 ... First opportunity corresponding unit as first entry means, 34 ... Second opportunity correspondence as second entry means Mouth, 41... Normal symbol display device as second display means, 43. Special display device as first display means, 222... Specific area switch constituting third entrance detection means, 223. 224 ... first trigger corresponding unit switch as first entrance detecting means, 225 ... second opportunity corresponding port switch as second entrance detecting means, 261 ... first lottery means, second lottery Means, mode determination means, special gaming state generation means, first ball entry means opening / closing control means, third ball entry means opening / closing control means, switching setting means, variation count counting means, fixed information setting means, in-progress information setting means, Mo De discrimination means, mode game control means, time information setting means, the mode generating deterministic determination means, a main control unit that constitutes the setting period discrimination means.

Claims (2)

A game area in which a game ball fired by a predetermined launching means is guided;
In the game area, a ball entry means capable of entering a game ball,
Entry detection means for detecting a game ball that has entered the entry means;
Lottery means for performing lottery with a predetermined winning probability based on the detection of the entrance detection means;
Display means for performing stop display in a predetermined manner based on the lottery result by the lottery means after performing the fluctuation display for a predetermined time;
In a gaming machine comprising special gaming state generating means for generating a special gaming state advantageous to a player when a winning result is obtained by the lottery means,
The game mode has at least a normal mode, a first specific mode that is more advantageous to the player than the normal mode, and a second specific mode that is more advantageous to the player than the normal mode,
Storage means for storing first information and second information in advance;
When the first specific mode is executed, when the number of executions of the variable display on the display means reaches the first number of changes corresponding to the first information from the end of the special gaming state, the first specific mode is performed. First switching means for ending the mode and setting the game mode to the normal mode;
When the second specific mode is executed, from the end of the special gaming state, the number of executions of the variable display on the display means reaches a second number of changes corresponding to the second information and greater than the first number of changes. And a second switching means for ending the second specific mode and setting the game mode to the normal mode ,
Third switching means for setting the game mode after the end of the special gaming state to the second specific mode when a winning result is obtained by the lottery means in the first specific mode or the second specific mode; gaming machine, characterized in that the Ru with.   The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the gaming machine is a pachinko machine.

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