JP6565962B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

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

  As a kind of gaming machine, for example, a pachinko machine equipped with a variable display device that displays a symbol in a variable manner is known.

  In the pachinko machine, for example, a winning lottery is performed in response to the game ball entering the start opening, and the symbols are displayed in a variable display on the variable display device. Is stopped. Here, if the lottery result is a win, the symbols that have been variably displayed are stopped in a specific combination, and a win state that is advantageous to the player occurs.

  Further, in recent years, various display effects have been performed in variable display devices in conjunction with the variable display of symbols. For example, in a stage before the above-described specific combination is stopped, a so-called reach state is established, and various display effects are performed during this period (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2003-111930 A

  However, the game effect is monotonous only with the display effect as in the past, and there is a possibility that the interest of the player is reduced.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems and the like, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of improving interest.

In order to achieve the above object, a gaming machine according to the present invention provides:
A gaming machine that performs a lottery based on a predetermined opportunity and gives a special gaming state advantageous to the player when a winning result is obtained by the lottery,
Display means capable of variably displaying the identification information;
A holding means capable of holding the variable display a predetermined number of times;
Hold display means capable of displaying the hold for the predetermined number of times;
Operation means that can be operated by the player;
Based on the establishment of a predetermined condition, information corresponding to a predetermined notification sound can be displayed, a predetermined effect for causing the player to operate the operation means can be executed, and related to the predetermined effect based on the operation of the operation means Production execution means capable of outputting sound ,
Depending on the content of the hold when the predetermined condition is satisfied, or according to the change of the content of the hold while the predetermined condition is satisfied, the aspect of the hold display means changes, and the aspect of the hold display means Accordingly, the gist is that the amount of information corresponding to the sound changes and the manner in which the player operates the operating means changes.

  According to the gaming machine of the present invention, there is an excellent effect that the interest can be improved.

It is a front view which shows the pachinko machine in one Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows a pachinko machine. It is a perspective view which shows the state which open | released the inner frame and the front frame set. It is a front view which shows structures, such as an inner frame and a game board. It is a rear view which shows the structure of a pachinko machine. It is a perspective view which shows the state which open | released the inner frame, the back pack unit, etc. FIG. 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 the normal process by the main controller. It is a flowchart which shows a timer interruption process. It is a flowchart which shows a NMI interruption process. It is a flowchart which shows a start winning process. It is a flowchart which shows a jackpot determination process. It is a flowchart which shows a jackpot type determination process. It is a flowchart which shows a fluctuation | variation display setting process. (A) is a figure for demonstrating the correspondence of a variation pattern and its command, (b) is a figure for demonstrating the production pattern determination table for jackpot winning, (c), It is a figure for demonstrating the production pattern determination table for the time of a loss. It is a flowchart which shows a display control process. It is a flowchart which shows discrimination | determination information setting processing. It is a flowchart which shows a variable winning apparatus control process. It is a flowchart which shows a reception interruption process. It is a flowchart which shows the main process of the payout control apparatus. 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 the normal process of a sub control apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows a command determination process. It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline | summary of the various counters used for the determination of the content which concerns on the change display of a decoration symbol. It is a flowchart which shows the update process of an off symbol counter. It is a flowchart which shows a fluctuation | variation display setting process. It is a flowchart which shows a mode switching setting process. It is a flowchart which shows a hold display setting process. It is a flowchart showing effect processing. (A) is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the fluctuation | variation display aspect etc. of the symbol in the display part of a decoration symbol display apparatus, (b) is a schematic diagram which shows an example of an aspect of a normal hold display, (c) These are the schematic diagrams which show the example of 1 aspect at the time of a hold display change. It is a front view of a production device. It is a figure for demonstrating the corresponding relationship between the hold images T1-T8 to be changed and each reach.

  As described above, as a kind of gaming machine, for example, a pachinko machine provided with a variable display device that displays a symbol in a variable manner is known.

  In the pachinko machine, for example, in response to the game ball entering the start opening, the jackpot lottery is performed, the symbols are displayed in a variable display on the variable display device, and after a predetermined time has elapsed, the symbols are displayed in a stop mode based on the lottery results. Is stopped. Here, if the lottery result is a big hit, the symbols that are variably displayed are stopped in a specific combination, and a big hit state advantageous to the player occurs. When the big hit state occurs, the variable winning device is opened, and the player can acquire a large number of gaming balls as winning balls by putting the gaming balls into the variable winning device.

  Further, in recent years, various display effects have been performed in variable display devices in conjunction with the variable display of symbols. For example, in a stage before the above-described specific combination is stopped, a so-called reach state is established, and various display effects are performed during this period (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  However, the game effect is monotonous only with the display effect as in the past, and there is a possibility that the interest of the player is reduced.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems and the like, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of improving interest.

  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. Here, FIG. 1 is a front view of the pachinko machine 10, FIG. 2 is a perspective view, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which the inner frame 12 and the front frame set 14 are opened. FIG. 4 is a front view showing the configuration of the inner frame 12, the game board 30, and the like. FIG. 5 is a rear view of the pachinko machine 10, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which the inner frame 12, the back pack unit 203, and the like are opened. However, in FIG. 3, for the sake of convenience, nails and accessories placed on the surface of the game board 30, a glass unit 137 attached to the front frame set 14, and the like are omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 3 and the like, the pachinko machine 10 includes an outer frame 11 that constitutes an outline of the pachinko machine 10, and an inner frame 12 is supported at one side of the outer frame 11 so as to be opened and closed. .

  As shown in FIG. 6 and the like, the outer frame 11 has an upper side frame constituting portion 11a and a lower side frame constituting portion 11b made of a wooden plate material, and the left side frame constituting portion 11c and the right side frame constituting portion 11d are made of aluminum alloy. Each of the frame components 11a to 11d is assembled in a rectangular frame shape as a whole by a detachable fastener such as a screw.

  An upper hinge 81 and a lower hinge 82 are attached to the upper and lower ends of the left side frame constituting portion 11c (see FIG. 1). The upper and lower hinges 81 and 82 support the upper and lower portions of the inner frame 12 so that the inner frame 12 can be rotated. As a result, the inner frame 12 can be opened and closed. And the inner frame 12 etc. are accommodated in the space part formed inside the outer frame 11.

  The right side frame constituting portion 11d is formed with an extending wall portion 83 that protrudes from the vicinity of the rear end portion in the width direction toward the inside of the outer frame 11. The extending wall 83 covers the entire upper and lower sections corresponding to the locking device 600 (see FIG. 6) provided on the back side of the right side of the inner frame 12 from the back side of the inner frame 12 (see FIG. 5). In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, a pair of upper and lower receiving portions 84 and 85 to which the locking member of the locking device 600 is locked are provided on the front surface side of the extending wall portion 83. Further, a pressing portion 86 that abuts on an inner frame opening detection switch 92 described later is provided on the lower receiving portion 85 so as to protrude toward the inner side of the outer frame 11.

  Furthermore, a resin curtain decoration 87 is attached to the lower frame constituting portion 11b. A rib 88 projecting upward is integrally formed at the back of the upper surface of the curtain decoration 87. This makes it difficult to form a gap with the inner frame 12.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the opening / closing axis of the inner frame 12 is set up and down on the left side when viewed from the front of the pachinko machine 10, so that the inner frame 12 can be opened forward with the opening / closing axis serving as an axis. It has become. The inner frame 12 is mainly composed of a resin base 38 whose outer shape is rectangular, and a substantially elliptical window hole 39 is formed at the center of the resin base 38.

  A front frame set 14 is attached to the front side of the inner frame 12 so that it can be opened and closed. As with the inner frame 12, the front frame set 14 can be opened forward with an opening / closing axis set along the top and bottom on the left side when viewed from the front of the pachinko machine 10.

  The front frame set 14 has a rectangular outer shape like the inner frame 12, and covers almost the entire front side of the inner frame 12 in the closed state. A substantially elliptical window 101 is formed at the center of the front frame set 14. Thereby, the game board 30 (game area) attached to the rear surface of the inner frame 12 can be visually recognized from the outside through the window portion 101 of the front frame set 14 and the window hole 39 of the inner frame 12. The detailed configuration of the game board 30 will be described later.

  As shown in FIG. 1, on the front side of the front frame set 14, a lower tray 15 as a ball tray is provided at the lower center, and game balls discharged from the discharge port 16 are stored in the lower tray 15. It is possible. In addition, on the front side of the lower plate 15, a ball removal lever 25 for discharging the game ball from the lower plate 15 is provided.

  In addition, a rendering device 125 as an operation means is provided on the left part of the lower plate 15. The effect device 125 is operated by the player in response to a display effect performed in a decorative symbol display device 42 or the like to be described later. Details of the rendering device 125 will be described later.

  On the right side of the lower plate 15, a game ball launching handle (hereinafter simply referred to as a handle) 18 protruding toward the front side is provided. The handle 18 is provided with a touch sensor (not shown) and an operation amount detection means (not shown) for detecting the operation amount of the operation unit of the handle 18.

  An upper plate 19 is provided above the lower plate 15. The upper plate 19 is a ball tray that temporarily stores the game balls and guides them toward a game ball launching device (hereinafter simply referred to as launching device) 60 as launching means, which will be described later, while being aligned in a row. When the upper plate 19 is full of game balls, the game balls to be paid out are guided to the lower plate 15 via the lower plate communication passage 71 and the discharge port 16 described later.

  The upper plate 19 is provided with a ball lending button 121 and a return button 122. Thereby, in the game hall or the like, when the ball lending button 121 is operated with a bill or a card inserted into a card unit (ball lending unit) arranged on the side of the pachinko machine 10, depending on the operation Rental balls are supplied to the upper plate 19. On the other hand, the return button 122 is operated when requesting the return of a card or the like inserted into the card unit. However, the ball lending button 121 and the return button 122 are not necessary for a pachinko machine in which game balls are directly lending to the upper plate 19 from a ball lending device or the like without using a card unit, so-called cash machine.

  Further, the upper plate 19 is provided with a ball removal button 123. When the ball removal button 123 is pressed, a communication hole (not shown) provided on the downstream side of the ball guide path of the upper plate 19 and communicating with the lower plate 15 is opened and stored in the upper plate 19. The game ball is guided (dropped) to the lower plate 15. That is, the player can move the game ball on the upper plate 19 to the lower plate 15 at any time by operating the ball removal button 123.

  In addition, light emitting means such as various lamps are provided around the front surface of the front frame set 14. 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. For example, a frame lamp 102 incorporating a light emitting means such as an LED is provided on the periphery of the window 101. Further, on both sides of the frame lamp 102, there are provided error display lamps 104 that are turned on when a predetermined error occurs. In the frame lamp 102, a number of fine through holes are formed in the upper part of each error display lamp 104 corresponding to the speaker SP (see FIG. 3) as sound output means provided on the back surface of the front frame set 14. Has been.

  A glass unit 137 is attached to the back side of the front frame set 14. The glass unit 137 is not attached to a pair of conventional front and rear rectangular glass plates separately in front and rear pairs, but is formed into a round shape as a whole and attached after being assembled.

  Next, the inner frame 12 (resin base 38) will be described with reference to FIG. As described above, the game board 30 is mounted on the inner frame 12 (resin base 38) on the rear side of the window hole 39. The game board 30 is attached in a state in which the peripheral edge thereof is in contact with the back side of the inner frame 12 (resin base 38). Therefore, 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 39 of the resin base 38.

  Further, at the lower part of the front surface of the inner frame 12 (resin base 38), that is, below the window hole 39 (game board 30), a launch rail for guiding the launch device 60 and the game ball immediately after being launched from the launch device 60. 61 is attached. In the present embodiment, a solenoid-type firing device is employed as the firing device 60. In addition, above the launching device 60, a ball feeding device that guides the game balls guided from the upper plate 19 one by one to the launching position of the launching device 60 by driving a built-in driving means (for example, a solenoid). 63 is provided.

  Next, the configuration of the game board 30 will be described with reference to FIG. The game board 30 includes a general winning port 31, a variable winning device 32, a central starting port 33, a right starting port 34, a variable display unit 35, a first special display device 43L, a second special display device 43R, and the like by router processing. It is disposed in the formed through hole and is attached from the front side of the game board 30 with a wood screw or the like. As is well known, when a game ball enters (wins) various winning ports such as the general winning port 31, the variable winning device 32, the central starting port 33, the right starting port 34, etc., it is detected by various detecting switches, and the upper plate 19 (or A predetermined number of prize balls are paid out to the lower plate 15). For example, when there is a ball entering the central starting port 33 or the right starting port 34, three balls are entered, when there are ten balls entering the general winning port 31, ten balls are entered into the variable winning device 32. If there is, 15 game balls are paid out to the upper plate 19 (lower plate 15). In addition, the game board 30 is provided with an out port 36, and the game balls that have not won the various winning ports such as the general winning port 31 are discharged out of the game area through the out port 36. . In addition, the game board 30 is provided with a large number of nails for appropriately dispersing and adjusting the falling direction of the game balls, and various members such as windmills (servants).

  As will be described in detail later, the center start opening 33 and the right start opening 34 are provided with a first start winning switch 224 and a second starting winning switch 225 as the ball detecting means for detecting each game ball that has entered. When a game ball is detected by the start winning switches 224 and 225, whether or not to generate a big hit state is determined, and special display devices 43L and 43R (and a decorative symbol display to be described later) The apparatus 42) is configured to perform variable display. And, when winning in the winning / losing lottery, a big win state (special game state) is given.

  In this embodiment, there are “probable jackpot” and “normal jackpot” as jackpot types. In these jackpot states, the variable winning device 32 is opened for 30 seconds, or eight game balls are won in the variable winning device 32, and this is repeated 16 times (16 rounds).

  Further, when a “probability big hit” occurs, a “high probability state” is given after the big hit state is finished. On the other hand, when a “normal jackpot” occurs, a “low probability state” is given after the jackpot state ends. In the present embodiment, the “high probability state” continues until the next jackpot state occurs.

  The first and second special display devices 43 </ b> L and 43 </ b> R are configured by 7-segment display devices and are installed on the right side of the variable winning device 32. Then, a switching display (variation display) is performed on the first special display device 43L when the game ball enters the central start port 33, and the second is triggered by the game ball entering the right start port 34. The special display device 43R is configured to perform switching display (variable display). The display contents of the special display devices 43L and 43R are directly controlled by a main control device 261 described later.

  In addition, after the variable display is performed on the first and second special display devices 43L and 43R, whether or not a big hit is determined is displayed depending on the display mode (for example, characters) when the variable display is stopped. The For example, when a game ball wins at the central start port 33, the corresponding first special display device 43L performs a high speed such as “−” → “7” → “3” → “−” →. Switching display (fluctuation display) is performed (every 4 msec), and when a predetermined time has elapsed, one of the display modes is stopped (for example, stopped for several seconds). Then, when winning the jackpot lottery, either “7” or “3” is displayed when the fluctuation is stopped, and a jackpot state is generated.

  Specifically, when “probable big hit” is given, “7” is stopped and displayed on the first or second special display device 43L, 43R, and when “normal big hit” is given, the first Alternatively, “3” is stopped and displayed on the second special display devices 43L and 43R.

  In addition, when either the first special display device 43L or the second special display device 43R is performing variable display or determination display, the other is turned off ("-" is displayed). However, if neither the change display nor the determination display is performed in either case, “-” is displayed in both cases. Not limited to this, other configurations may be adopted. For example, when either the first special display device 43L or the second special display device 43R is performing variable display or determination display, the content previously stopped and displayed (for example, the previous “3” is stopped) If it is displayed, “3”) is displayed as it is. If neither the variable display nor the determination display is performed, the contents stopped and displayed last time are displayed as they are in both. It is good also as a structure.

  Further, when a game ball is newly won at the central starting port 33 or the right starting port 34 while the first or second special display device 43L, 43R is displayed, the corresponding variation display is performed at that time. The configuration is performed after the end of the variable display. That is, the variable display is on standby (held). The maximum number of variable displays to be held is determined for each model of the pachinko machine, but in this embodiment, it corresponds to the game ball won at the central start port 33 and the game ball won at the right start port 34. Then, the variation display up to four times (total eight variation display) is put on hold. In addition, the number of times of holding is turned on and displayed by the first holding lamp 46L and the second holding lamp 46R. When a new game ball wins the central starting port 33 or the right starting port 34 during the big hit state, the corresponding change display is also suspended.

  Note that the variable display triggered by winning at the central starting port 33 is stored in the order in which the corresponding game balls enter the central starting port 33 and is digested in the order in which they enter, and the winning at the right starting port 34 is determined. The change display as an opportunity is stored in the order in which the corresponding game balls enter the right start opening 34 and is digested in the order in which they enter. However, when both the variable display triggered by winning at the central start port 33 and the variable display triggered by entering the right start port 34 are held (the first hold lamp 46L and the second hold) When one or more lamps 46R are lit), the change display is digested according to the order of entering the game balls into the central starting port 33 or the right starting port 34. For example, in the state where one first holding lamp 46L is lit, when a game ball enters the right start opening 34 and one second holding lamp 46R lights, the entry to the central start opening 33 is performed. The variable display with the ball as a trigger is executed first, and then the variable display with the ball entering the right start port 34 as a trigger is performed.

  The variable display device unit 35 is provided with a decorative symbol display device 42 that performs variable display in accordance with the variable display by the first and second special display devices 43L and 43R.

  The decorative symbol display device 42 constituting the display means (first display means and second display means) in the present embodiment is constituted by a liquid crystal display device, and a sub-control device 262 and a display control device as sub-control means to be described later. The display content is controlled by 45. That is, in the decorative symbol display device 42, the sub-control is performed based on the command from the main control device 261 as the main control means so as to correspond to the results displayed on the first and second special display devices 43L and 43R. The auxiliary display content is determined by the device 262, and the display is performed by the display control device 45 described later.

  The decorative symbol display device 42 is provided with, for example, three symbol display areas, upper, middle, and lower, and a plurality of types of symbols (numerals) are sequentially displayed (variably displayed) in each symbol display area. The symbols are stopped and displayed in order for each display region (for example, in the order of the upper symbol display region → the lower symbol display region → the middle symbol display region). For example, when “probable big hit” or “ordinary big hit” is confirmed in the main controller 261, a display corresponding to the big hit is made on the first or second special display device 43L, 43R, and the decorative symbol display device 42 is displayed. The symbols are stopped and displayed in a combination corresponding to the jackpot (for example, the symbols stopped and displayed in the upper symbol display area, the middle symbol display area, and the lower symbol display area are the same), and the jackpot state is started.

  Further, when symbols are stopped and displayed in combinations corresponding to jackpots, the same symbol is stopped and displayed in the upper symbol display area and the lower symbol display area, for example, as a preceding stage. In this way, the state where the same symbol is stopped and displayed in the upper symbol display area and the lower symbol display area and the variable display is still being performed in the middle symbol display area is the reach state.

  If the big hit state does not occur even if the reach state occurs, the symbols different from the symbols stopped and displayed in the upper symbol display area and the lower symbol display area are stopped and displayed in the middle symbol display area. In the case of “probable big hit” or “ordinary big hit”, the numbers of the blue eyes are stopped and displayed in the decorative symbol display device 42 as described above, but in the present embodiment, the symbols that are stopped and displayed are displayed. Depending on the type of game, the gaming state (“high probability state” or “low probability state”) given after the jackpot is not discriminated.

  Further, the decorative symbol display device 42 is configured to display the number of variable display hold in the special display devices 43L and 43R in correspondence with the hold lamps 46L and 46R. However, in this embodiment, it is not displayed separately corresponding to each holding lamp 46L, 46R, but the total value of the holding number displayed by both holding lamps 46L, 46R is displayed. Details of the hold display will be described later.

  In the present embodiment, when the front frame set 14 is closed, the special display devices 43L and 43R and the holding lamps 46L and 46R are covered by the front frame set 14 and are not visible to the player. . Therefore, the player can grasp the game state, the lottery result, and the like based on the display contents (symbol display, hold display, etc.) of the decorative symbol display device 42.

  The variable display device unit 35 is provided with a center frame 47 so as to surround the decorative symbol display device 42. A ball entrance 151 is provided in the upper portion of the center frame 47, and a game ball that has entered the ball entrance 151 is formed inside the center frame 47 along the side of the decorative symbol display device 42. It is guided on a stage 153 formed below the decorative symbol display device 42 via a warp channel 152 extending vertically. The game ball guided on the stage 153 falls from the stage 153 to the front game area, or rolls on the stage 153 and then enters the pocket 154 formed at the center back side of the stage 153. . The pocket 154 communicates with a guide passage 155 that leads to a game area directly above the central start opening 33, and a game ball that has entered the pocket 154 enters the central start opening 33 with a relatively high probability. It is designed to play a ball.

  The variable winning device 32 is normally in a closed state in which a game ball cannot be won, and is in an open state in which a game ball can be won in the case of a big hit (occurrence of a special game state).

  The game board 30 includes an inner rail component 51 and an outer rail component 52, and a rail 50 that guides a game ball launched from the launch device 60 to the upper part of the game board 30 is attached. As a result, the game balls fired in accordance with the turning operation of the handle 18 are guided through the launch rail 61 and the rail 50 into a game area formed between the game board 30 and the glass unit 137.

  A return ball preventing member 53 is attached to the tip portion of the inner rail constituting portion 51 (the upper left portion in FIG. 4). This prevents a situation in which the game ball once guided from the rail 50 to the game area returns to the rail 50 again.

  In the present embodiment, the outer rail component 52 is interrupted at the upper right portion of the game board 30, and the inner rail component 51 is interrupted at the lower right portion of the game board 30. For this reason, the game area is defined by the inner peripheral surface of the rail 50 and the window hole 39 of the resin base 38. However, since the game ball launched by the launching device 60 may flow backward through the rail 50 until it passes through the return ball prevention member 53, the parallel portions of the inner and outer rail constituting portions 51 and 52 are excluded from the game area. It is burned.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a ball passage unit 70 is provided on the back side of the front frame set 14 below the window portion 101. The ball passage unit 70 includes a lower plate communication passage 71 connected from a payout mechanism portion 352 described later to the discharge port 16 of the lower plate 15, and an upper plate communication passage 73 connected from the payout mechanism portion 352 to the upper plate 19. In addition, there is a gap of a predetermined interval between the launch rail 61 provided on the inner frame 12 and the rail unit 50 (outer rail constituting portion 52), and the ball path unit 70 receives a game ball dropped from the gap. A foul ball passage 72 for guiding to the lower plate 15 is formed. Thereby, if the game ball launched from the launching device 60 does not reach the return ball prevention member 53 and returns to the rail 50 as a foul ball, the foul ball is returned to the lower plate 15 via the foul ball passage 72. Discharged.

  3 and 4 is a payout passage for guiding a game ball paid out by a payout mechanism portion 352, which will be described later, to the front of the inner frame 12, and an upper plate communication passage 73 (upper plate 19). And a passage leading to the lower plate communication passage 71 (lower plate 15). A shutter 68 is provided below the payout passage 67. When the front frame set 14 is opened, the shutter 68 protrudes forward by an urging force of a spring or the like so that the outlet of the payout passage 67 is almost closed. ing. When the front frame set 14 is closed, the shutter 68 is pushed open by the inlet side rear end of the lower plate communication path 71. In addition, the inlets (sphere inflow portions) of the lower plate communication passage 71 and the upper plate communication passage 73 are adjacent to each other, and in the closed state of the front frame set 14, each of the inlets and the discharge passage 67 are separated by a predetermined distance. A game ball can pass through the gap between the two. For this reason, when the upper plate 19 and the upper plate communication passage 73 are filled with game balls, the game balls to be dispensed flow to the lower plate communication passage 71 side (overflow to the inlet side of the lower plate communication passage 71), and the lower plate connection It will be paid out to the lower plate 15 through the passage 71.

  In addition, the ball path unit 70 is provided with a full detection switch (not shown) that detects a game ball located in the lower dish communication path 71. Due to the presence of the full detection switch, it is grasped that the lower plate 15 is full of game balls (the lower plate 15 is full of game balls, and the game ball stays in the lower plate communication path 71). be able to. In the present embodiment, based on the fact that the game ball is continuously detected for a predetermined time by the full detection switch, the control of prohibiting the launching device 60 from being launched is performed. When the game ball stays in the lower tray communication path 71 and the game ball is not detected by the full detection switch (when it is not detected continuously for a predetermined time), the launching device 60 is allowed to be launched.

  Next, the back configuration of the pachinko machine 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. Various control boards are arranged on the back surface of the pachinko machine 10 so as to be arranged vertically and horizontally and partially overlapped in front and back, and further, a game ball supply device (payout mechanism) for supplying game balls And a protective cover made of resin. The dispensing mechanism and the protective cover are integrated as one unit, and the resin portion is generally sometimes referred to as a back pack. Therefore, this unit is referred to as a “back pack unit 203”.

  First, the back configuration of the game board 30 will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, on the back side of the variable display device unit 35 (see FIG. 4) arranged corresponding to the through hole in the center of the game board 30, a resin frame cover that covers the center frame 47 from the back side. 213 is provided to protrude rearward. Further, on the back side of the frame cover 213, a decorative symbol display device 42, a display control device 45, and a sub control device 262, which are liquid crystal display devices facing forward from the opening of the frame cover 213, can be attached and detached in a state where they are stacked in front and back. Is attached.

  The decorative symbol display device 42 is housed in a housing box 42 a in which an opening for exposing the display unit (liquid crystal screen) of the decorative symbol display device 42 to the front side of the pachinko machine 10 is formed, and the rear surface of the frame cover 213. It is fixed on the side. The display control device 45 is accommodated in the substrate box 45a and fixed to the back side of the decorative symbol display device 42 (accommodation box 42a). The sub-control device 262 is accommodated in the substrate box 262a and fixed to the back side of the display control device 45 (substrate box 45a). In the frame cover 213, an LED control board for driving LEDs and the like built in the center frame 47 is disposed. The storage box 42a and the substrate boxes 45a and 262a are made of a transparent resin material or the like so that the inside can be visually recognized.

  Under the frame cover 213, a back frame set 215 is attached to the game board 30 so as to cover the general winning port 31, the variable winning device 32, the starting ports 33, 34 and the like from the back. The back frame set 215 includes a ball collection mechanism (not shown) for collecting game balls that have won prizes in various winning ports. The game balls collected by the ball collection mechanism are guided to a discharge passage portion 217 described later, and discharged from the discharge chute of the discharge passage portion 217 to the outside of the pachinko machine 10.

  In the present embodiment, the back frame set 215 functions as a mounting base for the main controller 261. More specifically, the board box 263 on which the main controller 261 is mounted is pivotally supported with respect to the back frame set 215 and can be opened rearward.

  The main controller 261 is accommodated in a substrate box 263 made of a transparent resin material or the like. The substrate box 263 includes a box base and a box cover that covers the opening of the box base, and the box base and the box cover are connected by a sealing member. The board | substrate box 263 connected with the sealing member becomes a structure which cannot be opened unless a predetermined trace is left. As a result, it is possible to easily find out that the board box 263 has been illegally opened.

  In addition, the game board 30 corresponds to various winning ports such as a general winning port 31 as a winning means and detects a game ball that has entered the various winning holes (entrance detecting means). Is provided. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, a winning opening switch 221 is provided at a position corresponding to the general winning opening 31, and a count switch 223 is provided in the variable winning device 32. Further, a first start winning switch 224 is provided at the central starting port 33, and a second starting winning switch 225 is provided at the right starting port 34.

  Although not shown, the back frame set 215 is provided with a first board surface relay board that is electrically connected to the prize opening switch 221 and the count switch 223 via a cable connector. The first board surface relay board relays the prize opening switch 221 and the like and the main control device 261, and is electrically connected to the main control device 261 through a cable connector.

  On the other hand, the start winning switches 224 and 225 for detecting a ball entering the central start port 33 or the right start port 34 are directly connected to the main controller 261 via a connector cable without passing through a relay board.

  The detection results detected by the various entrance detection switches are taken into the main controller 261. Then, a payout command (the number of game balls to be paid out) corresponding to the winning situation at each time is transmitted from the main control device 261 to the payout control device 311, and a predetermined number of game balls are based on the output signal from the payout control device 311. Is paid out.

  In addition, although not shown in the figure, a solenoid for a big prize opening is provided on the back surface of the game board 30 so that the variable prize winning device 32 opens the big prize opening. The back frame set 215 is also provided with a second board surface relay board (not shown) that relays between the solenoid and the main controller 261.

  Next, the configuration of the back pack unit 203 will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, 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. Further, the back pack unit 203 is supported so as to be openable and closable with respect to the left side portion (right side in FIG. 5) of the inner frame 12, and can be opened rearward with an open / close axis extending along the vertical direction as an axis. ing. In addition, an external relay terminal plate 240 is provided in the upper left part of the back pack unit 203 (upper right part in FIG. 5).

  The external relay terminal board 240 is for relaying various information transmissions to a hall computer or the like in a game hall, and is provided with a plurality of external connection terminals. For convenience, no reference numeral is given, but for example, a terminal for outputting information on the current gaming state (such as a big hit state or a high probability state), the front frame set 14 detected by the opening detection switches 91 and 92 described later, A terminal for outputting information relating to the opening of the frame 12, a terminal for outputting information relating to various error states such as a ball entry error, a lower tray full tank error, a tank ball no error, a payout error, and the payout from the payout control device 311 A terminal for outputting information on the number of winning balls is provided.

  The back pack 351 is integrally formed of, for example, ABS resin, and includes a protective cover portion 354 that protrudes rearward from the pachinko machine 10 and has a 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 cover at least the frame cover 213. However, in the present embodiment, the protective cover portion 354 covers the upper portion and the right portion of the substrate box 263 (the left portion in FIG. 5). Thereby, in the closed state of the back pack unit 203, the sealing member provided at the right part of the board box 263 and the terminal part (board side connector) provided along the upper edge part of the main controller 261 are covered. It will be.

  The payout mechanism 352 is arranged so as to bypass the protective cover 354. That is, a tank 355 opened upward is provided above the protective cover portion 354, 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 of ball passages in the horizontal direction and that is gently inclined toward the downstream side is connected. Further, a case rail 357 is formed vertically on the downstream side of the tank rail 356. It 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. Then, the game balls paid out from the payout device 358 are supplied to the upper plate 19 and the like.

  The payout mechanism 352 is provided with a payout relay board 381 for relaying a payout command signal from the payout control device 311 to the payout device 358, and a power switch board 382 for taking in the main power from the outside. Yes. The power switch board 382 is supplied with, for example, an AC 24V main power supply via a voltage converter, and the power switch 382a is switched on or off by a switching operation of the power switch 382a.

  Below the back pack unit 203 (substrate box 263), there is provided a lower frame set 251 that is pivotally supported at the left side of the inner frame 12 (right side in FIG. 5) and can be opened rearward. As shown in FIG. 6, the lower frame set 251 is formed with a discharge passage portion 217 into which the game balls collected by the ball collection mechanism described above flow, and a game ball is placed in the most downstream portion of the discharge passage portion 217. A discharge chute (not shown) for discharging to the outside of the pachinko machine 10 is formed. In other words, the game balls that have won the respective winning openings such as the general winning opening 31 are gathered through the ball collecting mechanism of the back frame set 215 and further discharged to the outside of the pachinko machine 10 through the discharge chute of the discharge passage portion 217. In addition, the out port 36 leads to the discharge passage portion 217 in the same manner, and the game balls that have not won any winning port are discharged to the outside of the pachinko machine 10 through the discharge chute. In this embodiment, the back pack unit 203 and the lower frame set 251 are configured separately and can be opened and closed independently. However, the back pack unit 203 and the lower frame set 251 are integrally formed. It is also good to do.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the payout control device 311, the firing control device 312, the power supply device 313, and the card unit connection board 314 are detachably attached to the back side of the lower frame set 251 in a state where they are overlapped in the front-rear direction. It has been.

  The launch control device 312 and the power supply device 313 are accommodated in the substrate box 313a and fixed to the back side of the lower frame set 251. Although the launch control device 312 and the power supply device 313 are described as independent control devices for convenience, they are actually configured by a single board (printed board).

  The payout control device 311 is housed in the substrate box 311a and is fixed to the back side of the substrate box 313a (the launch control device 312 and the power supply device 313). The substrate box 311a in which the dispensing control device 311 is accommodated is provided with a sealing member in the same manner as the substrate box 263 in which the main control device 261 is accommodated, so that an unsealed trace of the substrate box 311a remains. It has become.

  In addition, the card unit connection board 314 is accommodated in the board box 314a and fixed to the back side of the board box 313a (the firing control device 312 and the power supply device 313).

  Each of the board boxes 311a, 313a, and 314a is made of a transparent resin material or the like so that the inside can be visually recognized.

  Further, the dispensing control device 311 is provided with a state return switch 321 that protrudes outward from the substrate box 311a. 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 to eliminate the ball clogging (return to a normal state).

  Further, the power supply device 313 is provided with a RAM erase switch 323 that protrudes outward from the substrate box 313a. This pachinko machine 10 has a backup function, so that even if a power failure occurs, the pachinko machine 10 retains the state at the time of the power failure and can be restored to the state at the time of the power failure when returning from the power failure (power recovery). it can. Therefore, if the power is turned off in the normal procedure (for example, at the end of the game hall), the state before the power is turned off is stored. .

  As shown in FIG. 6, a locking device 600 is provided on the back side of the right side of the inner frame 12. The locking device 600 includes a cylinder lock 700 (see FIG. 1 and the like) exposed on the front surface side of the front frame set 14, and a key is inserted into the key hole of the cylinder lock 700, and the inside is operated by rotating to one side. The frame 12 can be unlocked, and the front frame set 14 can be unlocked by rotating to the other side. In the present embodiment, the inner frame 12 is locked to the outer frame 11, and the front frame set 14 is locked to the inner frame 12.

  In addition, as described above, the extending wall portion 83 that covers the entire upper and lower sections corresponding to the locking device 600 from the back side of the inner frame 12 is formed in the right side frame constituting portion 11d of the outer frame 11 (FIG. 5). reference). Thereby, it becomes difficult to make a wire etc. approach from the back side of outer frame 11, and to operate locking device 600 with the wire etc. As a result, the defense performance can be improved. Further, the extending wall portion 83 is configured to cover the right end portion (the left end portion in FIG. 5) of the back pack unit 203 and the lower frame set 251 from the back side, and in the closed state of the inner frame 12, The back pack unit 203 and the lower frame set 251 cannot be opened.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a front frame open detection switch 91 for detecting the opening of the front frame set 14 is provided on the lower right side of the front side of the inner frame 12 (on the right side of the launching device 60). As shown in FIG. 5, an inner frame opening detection switch 92 for detecting the opening of the inner frame 12 is provided on the lower right side on the back side of the inner frame 12 (lower left in FIG. 5). Each of the front frame opening detection switch 91 and the inner frame opening detection switch 92 includes a detection unit that can move in and out of the switch main body, and the front frame opening detection switch 91 is provided so that the detection unit faces forward. The inner frame opening detection switch 92 is provided so that the detection unit faces rearward. When the detection unit is in a state of protruding from the switch main body, an ON signal is output to the main controller 261, and when the detection unit is pressed toward the switch main body and is immersed in the switch main body, an OFF signal is output. It is configured to output to the main controller 261. That is, when the front frame set 14 is closed, the front frame opening detection switch 91 is turned off when the detection unit is pressed on the back surface of the front frame set 14, and when the front frame set 14 is opened, the detection unit returns to the protruding state. Turns on. Similarly, when the inner frame 12 is closed, the inner frame opening detection switch 92 is turned off by the pressing portion 86 integrally formed with the receiving portion 85 of the outer frame 11 and is detected when the inner frame 12 is opened. The part returns to the protruding state and is turned on.

  Next, the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 10 will be described. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 10. The main controller 261 (main board) 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. However, the CPU, the ROM, and the RAM may not be integrated into one chip but may be configured as a chip for each function. The ROM 502 stores various commands such as a variation pattern command to be transmitted to the sub-control device 262 in a table configuration.

  The RAM 503 is a stack area that stores the contents of the internal registers of the CPU 501, the return address of the 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 pachinko machine 10 is turned off, and is stored in the stack area, work area, and backup area 503a. All data is backed up.

  In the backup area 503a, when the power is cut off due to a power failure or the like, the power of the pachinko machine 10 is restored to the state before the power is turned off when the power is turned on again. (Similarly) is an area for storing stack pointers, values of registers, I / O, and the like. Writing to the backup area 503a is executed when the power is turned off by the main process. Conversely, the return of each value written to the backup area 503a is the main process at the time of power-on (including power-on due to power failure cancellation, and so on). Executed in Note that a power failure signal SK1 output from a power failure monitoring circuit 542, which will be described later, is input to the NMI terminal (non-maskable interrupt terminal) of the CPU 501 when a power failure occurs due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like. Due to the occurrence, the power failure process (NMI interrupt process) is immediately executed.

  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.

  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. A RAM erase switch circuit 543, a payout control device 311, a sub control device 262, first and second special display devices 43L and 43R, which will be described later, are connected to the input / output port 505. With this configuration, the special display devices 43L and 43R 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 sub-control device 262.

  In addition, for convenience, illustration of various relay boards and the like is omitted, but the input / output port 505 includes various detection switches such as a prize opening switch 221, count switch 223, start winning unit switches 224 and 225, and various kinds of boards. Electrical components are connected. That is, the main controller 261 is provided with a plurality of terminal portions (board side connectors) for connecting connectors of various cable connectors, and the input / output port 505 is configured by these terminal portions.

  The sub-control device 262 (sub-control board) includes a CPU 551 that is an arithmetic unit, various control programs executed by the CPU 551, a ROM 552 that stores fixed value data, and various control programs that are stored in the ROM 552. In addition to a RAM 553 that is a memory for temporarily storing data, an input / output port 554, a bus line 555, various circuits such as an interrupt circuit, a timer circuit, and a data transmission / reception circuit (not shown) are also provided. The RAM 553 is a memory that temporarily stores work data and flags used when the CPU 551 executes various programs.

  A CPU 551 and a ROM 552 RAM 553 are connected to the input / output port 554 via a bus line 555 and a display control device 45 is also connected. Furthermore, the speaker SP, the rendering device 125, various lighting units, and the lamps 102 to 104 are connected to the input / output port 554.

  The CPU 551 of the sub-control device 262 causes the display control device 45 to execute display control based on a command (for example, a variation pattern command) transmitted from the main control device 261, for example, and causes the decorative symbol display device 42 to display it. As described above, in the present embodiment, the first and second special display devices 43L and 43R controlled by the main control device 261 display whether or not the big hit, and the sub control device 262 In the decorative symbol display device 42 to be controlled, display in accordance with the display of the special display devices 43L and 43R is performed.

  The payout control device 311 controls payout of prize balls and rental balls by the payout device 358. 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.

  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 has a stack pointer, each register at the time of power off, each register, so that the power of the pachinko machine 10 is restored to the state before the power is turned off when the power is turned off. This is an area for storing values such as I / O. The writing to the backup area 513a is executed when the power is turned off by the main process, and the 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.

  In the work area, a payout permission flag for which the payout control device 311 is set to allow the payout of prize balls, a command reception flag set when a command transmitted from the main control device 261 is received, and the main control device 261 And a command buffer for storing a command transmitted from.

  The payout permission flag is a flag for setting a prize ball payout permission, and is turned on when a specific command for permitting the payout of the prize ball is transmitted from the main control device 261 and received, and is initially set. It is turned off when it is restored before the process or power shutdown. 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 is a flag for confirming whether or not the payout control device 311 has received a command, and is turned on when any command is received. Similar to the payout permission flag, an initial setting process or power-off is performed. It is turned off when returning to the front, and turned off when the command received by the command determination process is determined.

  The command buffer is configured by a ring buffer that temporarily stores commands transmitted from the main control device 261.

  An input / output port 515 is connected to the CPU 511 incorporating the ROM 512 and the RAM 513 through a bus line 514 including an address bus and a data bus. A RAM erase switch circuit 543, a main controller 261, a launch controller 312 and a payout device 358 are connected to the input / output port 515, respectively.

  The card unit connection board 314 includes a ball rental operation unit (a ball rental button 121 and a return button 122) on the front surface of the pachinko machine 10, and a card unit (a ball rental unit) arranged on the side of the pachinko machine 10 in a game hall or the like. Are electrically connected to each other, and receive a ball lending operation command from the player and output it to the card unit. In a cash machine in which game balls are lent directly to the upper plate 19 from a ball lending device or the like without using a card unit, the card unit connection board 314 can be omitted.

  The launch control device 312 permits or prohibits the launch of the game ball by the launch device 60, and the launch device 60 is permitted to drive when predetermined conditions are 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 launching device 60 is driven, and the game ball is launched at an intensity corresponding to the operation amount of the handle 18.

  The display control device 45 executes the variable display of the decorative symbols on the decorative symbol display device 42 in accordance with an instruction from the sub-control device 262. The display control device 45 includes a CPU 521, a program ROM 522, a work RAM 523, a video RAM 524, a character ROM 525, a video display processor (VDP) 526, an input port 527, an output port 529, and bus lines 530 and 531. And. An input / output port 554 of the sub control device 262 is connected to the input port 527. Further, a CPU 521, a program ROM 522, a work RAM 523, and a VDP 526 are connected to the input port 527 through a bus line 530. An output port 529 is connected to the VDP 526 via a bus line 531, and a decorative symbol display device 42 as a liquid crystal display device is connected to the output port 529.

  The CPU 521 of the display control device 45 receives the display command transmitted from the sub-control device 262 via the input port 527, analyzes the received command, or performs predetermined arithmetic processing based on the received command to control the VDP 526. (Specifically, generation of an internal command for the VDP 526) is performed. Thereby, display control in the decorative symbol display device 42 is performed.

  The program 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. It is.

  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 VDP 526 is a kind of drawing circuit that directly operates an LCD driver (liquid crystal driving circuit) incorporated in the decorative symbol display device 42. Since the VDP 526 is an IC chip, it is also referred to as a “drawing chip”, and the substance of the VDP 526 can be said to be a microcomputer chip with a dedicated firmware for drawing processing. The VDP 526 adjusts the respective timings of the CPU 521, the video RAM 524, etc. to intervene in reading and writing data, and reads the display data stored in the video RAM 524 at a predetermined timing and causes the decorative symbol display device 42 to display it.

  The power supply device 313 includes a power supply unit 541 that supplies power to each unit of the pachinko machine 10, a power failure monitoring circuit 542 that monitors power interruption due to a power failure, and a RAM erase switch circuit 543 connected to the RAM erase switch 323. And.

  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. Similarly, operating power is supplied to various switches, motors and the like via a control device to which these are connected.

  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 normally outputs an output of 5 volts, which is a drive voltage of the control system, for a time sufficient to execute the process at the time of a power failure even after the DC stable voltage of 24 volts becomes less than 22 volts. Configured to maintain the value. Therefore, the main control device 261 and the payout control device 311 can normally execute and complete the power failure process.

  The RAM erase switch circuit 543 is a circuit that takes in the switch signal of the RAM erase switch 323 and clears backup data in the RAM 503 of the main controller 261 and the RAM 513 of the payout controller 311 in accordance with the state of the switch 323. When the RAM erase switch 323 is pressed, the RAM erase switch circuit 543 outputs a RAM erase signal SK2 to the main controller 261 and the payout controller 311. When the power of the pachinko machine 10 is turned on with the RAM erase switch 323 pressed (including power-on due to power failure cancellation), the data in the respective RAMs 503 and 513 are cleared in the main controller 261 and the payout controller 311. The

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

  In the present embodiment, the CPU 501 provided in the main control device 261 performs lottery using various counter information in the game. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, a jackpot random number counter C1 used for a jackpot lottery (whether or not lottery) whether or not to generate a jackpot state, a jackpot type determination counter C2 used for determining a jackpot type, Using the variation selection counter C3 used for determining the variation display time of the special display devices 43L and 43R (decorative symbol display device 42) and the initial value random number counter CINI used for setting the initial value of the jackpot random number counter C1. Yes.

  Each of the counters C1, C2, C3, and CINI is a loop counter that adds 1 to the previous value every time it is updated and returns to the lower limit value of 0 after reaching the upper limit 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).

  The RAM 503 is provided with a special variation holding area in which the values of the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type determination counter C2, and the variation selection counter C3 are stored.

  The special variable reserved area includes a first special variable reserved area and a second special variable storage area each having four reserved areas (first to fourth reserved areas), and one execution area. In each holding area of the first special variable holding area, the values of the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type determination counter C2, and the fluctuation selection counter C3 are time-sequentially matched to the winning history of the game balls to the central starting port 33. Stored. In each holding area of the second special fluctuation holding area, the values of the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type determination counter C2, and the fluctuation selection counter C3 are time-sequentially matched to the winning history of the game balls to the right start opening 34. Stored. By adopting this configuration, the variable display on the special display devices 43L and 43R can be suspended up to four times as described above.

  In detail, each jackpot random number counter C1 is incremented by 1 within a range of 0 to 599, for example, and after reaching an upper limit value (ie, 599) as a closing price, 0 is a lower limit value as a starting price. It is the composition which returns to. Normally, when the jackpot random number counter C1 makes one round, the value of the initial value random number counter CINI at that time is read as the next initial value of the jackpot random number counter C1. The initial value random number counter CINI is a loop counter similar to the big hit random number counter C1 (value = 0 to 599), and is updated once for each timer interruption and is repeatedly updated within the remaining time of normal processing. On the other hand, the jackpot random number counter C1 is updated periodically (once every timer interruption in this embodiment), and the value of the jackpot random number counter C1 is stored in the jackpot random number counter buffer. Then, at the timing when the game ball wins the central starting port 33 or the right starting port 34, the value of the big hit random number counter C1 stored in the big hit random number counter buffer is the first special fluctuation holding area or the second special fluctuation holding area. Stored in There are two types of random number values that are jackpots: “low probability state” and “high probability state”. In this embodiment, the number of random number values that are jackpots if “low probability state”. Are three, and their values are “7, 207, 407”. If the “high probability state”, the number of random numbers that are jackpots is six, and the values are “7, 107, 207, 307”. , 407, 507 ". That is, in the “low probability state”, the winning lottery is won with a probability of 1/200 (a jackpot state is generated), and in the “high probability state”, the winning lottery is won with a probability of 1/100. In the present embodiment, the ROM 502 is provided with a success / failure determination table that is referred to when determining whether or not the value of the jackpot random number counter C1 corresponds to the jackpot. In this embodiment, there are two success / failure determination tables, a first success / failure determination table storing “7, 207, 407”, and a second success / failure storing “7, 107, 207, 307, 407, 507”. There is a judgment table.

  The jackpot type determination counter C2 is configured such that, for example, one by one is added in order within a range of 0 to 19, for example, and after reaching the upper limit value (that is, 19), it returns to the lower limit value of 0. In this embodiment, the jackpot type determination counter C2 determines whether to give a jackpot type, that is, “probability jackpot” or “normal jackpot”.

  The ROM 502 is provided with a jackpot type determination table that is referred to when determining which jackpot the value of the jackpot type determination counter C2 corresponds to.

  Specifically, when the game ball wins the central start port 33 or the right start port 34, if the value of the jackpot type determination counter C2 is “0 to 9”, the “probable jackpot” is determined to be given. ˜19 ”, the“ ordinary jackpot ”is determined to be given. That is, when winning or failing lottery triggered by winning at each of the start ports 33 and 34 is won, “probability big hit” is made with a probability of 50%, and “ordinary big hit” is made with a probability of 50%.

  The jackpot type determination counter C2 is periodically updated (once every timer interruption in this embodiment), and the value of the jackpot type determination counter C2 is stored in the jackpot type determination counter buffer. Then, at the timing when the game ball wins each start port 33, 34, the value of the big hit type determination counter C2 stored in the big hit type determination counter buffer is changed to the special fluctuation holding area (the first special fluctuation holding area or the first special holding area). 2 special fluctuation holding area).

  Further, the variation selection counter C3 is configured so that, for example, one by one is added in order within a range of 0 to 99, for example, and after reaching the upper limit value (that is, 99), it returns to 0 which is the lower limit value. In this embodiment, the fluctuation selection counter C3 executes any one of “10s fluctuation pattern” with a fluctuation time of 10 seconds, “20s fluctuation pattern” with a fluctuation time of 20 seconds, and “30s fluctuation pattern” with a fluctuation time of 30 seconds. It is decided whether to do.

  The fluctuation selection counter C3 is updated periodically (once every timer interruption in this embodiment), and the value of the fluctuation selection counter C3 is stored in the fluctuation selection counter buffer. Then, at the timing when the game ball wins the central starting port 33 or the right starting port 34, the value of the variation selection counter C3 stored in the variation selection counter buffer is changed to the special variation reservation area (first special variation reservation area or Stored in the second special variable holding area).

  The ROM 502 is provided with a variation pattern determination table that is referred to when determining which variation pattern the value of the variation selection counter C3 corresponds to. In the present embodiment, there are provided two tables, a variation pattern determination table for winning a big hit and a variation pattern determination table for winning.

  Specifically, in the variation pattern determination table for winning the jackpot, if the value of the variation selection counter C3 is “0 to 9” when the game ball wins the central starting port 33 or the right starting port 34, “20s The “variation pattern” is selected, and if it is “10 to 99”, the “30s variation pattern” is selected.

  On the other hand, in the variation pattern determination table for winning, if the value of the variation selection counter C3 is “0 to 90” when a game ball wins the central starting port 33 or the right starting port 34, the “10s variation pattern” is displayed. Is selected, “20s fluctuation pattern” is selected, and “98,99” is selected “30s fluctuation pattern”.

  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 and the variation selection counter C3 have different prime numbers and are not synchronized in any case.

  The RAM 503 also includes a central hold counter Na that counts the number of variable display holds triggered by entering the central start port 33, and a variable display hold number triggered by entering the right start port 34. Right hold counter Nb for counting, total hold counter Nx for storing the total value of both hold counters Na and Nb, and a hold order for storing the order in which game balls enter the central start port 33 or the right start port 34 A buffer Bj is provided.

  The hold order buffer Bj is configured by a ring buffer. In the present embodiment, for example, “1” is stored when it corresponds to the central start port 33, and “0” is stored when it corresponds to the right start port 34.

  In the ring buffer, the start address and the end address in the buffer area are conceptually connected in a ring shape, and the write address and the read pointer are used to write sequentially from the start address and reach the end address. This buffer is controlled so that it can be written back to the start address again. After data is written at a predetermined address position indicated by the write pointer, the value of the write pointer is updated to a value indicating the next address. Similarly, after data is read from a predetermined address position indicated by the read pointer, the value of the read pointer is updated to a value indicating the next address.

  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 broadly divided into a main process that is started when the power is turned on, a timer interrupt process that is started periodically (in this embodiment, at a cycle of 2 msec), and a stop signal to the NMI terminal (non-maskable terminal). For convenience of explanation, the timer interrupt process and the NMI interrupt process will be described first, and then the main process will be described.

  FIG. 11 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. 11, first, in step S301, 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.

  In step S302, random number initial value update processing is executed. Specifically, the random number initial value counter CINI is incremented by 1 and cleared to 0 when the counter value reaches the maximum value (599 in this example).

  In step S303, random number update processing is executed. Specifically, the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type determination counter C2 and the variation selection counter C3 are each incremented by 1 and cleared to 0 when their counter values reach the maximum value. Then, the updated values of the counters C1, C2, and C3 are stored in the corresponding buffer area of the RAM 503.

  In step S304, a start winning process associated with winning in the start ports 33 and 34 is executed. Thereafter, the timer interrupt process is temporarily terminated.

  Here, the start winning process in step S304 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The execution area of the special variable holding area and each holding area include a jackpot random number storage area for storing the value of the jackpot random number counter C1, a jackpot type random number storage area for storing the value of the jackpot type determination counter C2, and a variation selection counter C3. A variable selection random number storage area is provided for storing the values of. In the present embodiment, the jackpot random number storage area stores the value of the jackpot random number counter C1 using 2 bytes. The jackpot type random number storage area and the variation selection random number storage area each store the value of the jackpot type determination counter C2 and the value of the variation selection counter C3 using 1 byte.

  First, in step S501, whether or not the game ball has won the right start opening 34 is determined based on the detection information of the second start winning switch 225. If an affirmative determination is made in step S501, in step S502, the value of the right hold counter Nb that counts the number of variable display holds triggered by winning the right start port 34 is the upper limit (in this embodiment, “4”). ) Is determined. If a negative determination is made in step S502, the process proceeds to step S509. On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step S502, the process proceeds to step S503, and the right hold counter Nb is incremented by one.

  In the subsequent step S504, the values of the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type determination counter C2 and the variation selection counter C3 updated in the random number updating process in the above step S303 are obtained from the vacant reserved areas in the second special variable reserved area. Store in the first area. After step S504, the process proceeds to step S505.

  In step S505, a jackpot determination process is performed to determine whether or not the value of the jackpot random number counter C1 newly stored in the second special variable suspension area is a value corresponding to the jackpot. Details of the jackpot determination process will be described later.

  In subsequent step S506, when it is determined in step S505 that the value of the jackpot random number counter C1 is a value corresponding to the jackpot, it is based on the value of the jackpot type determination counter C2 newly stored in the second special variable holding area. The jackpot type determination process for determining the jackpot type is performed. Details of the jackpot type determination process will be described later.

  In the subsequent step S507, a variation display setting process for performing various settings related to variation display such as selection of a variation pattern and setting of a variation pattern command to be transmitted to the sub-control device 262 is executed. Details of the variable display setting process will be described later.

  Here, the details of the jackpot determination process in step S505 will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, in step S5101, the value of the jackpot random number counter C1 newly stored in the second special variable holding area is a value corresponding to the jackpot (value stored in the first success / failure determination table) “7, 207, 407”. It is discriminated whether or not it matches any of the above.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step S5101, that is, if it is determined that a jackpot state occurs, the winning flag is turned on in step S5102, and then the present process ends.

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S5101, it is determined in step S5103 whether or not a high probability state flag, which will be described later, is on, and whether or not it is a “high probability state”.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step S5103, that is, if the state is a “high probability state”, the value of the jackpot random number counter C1 newly stored in the second special variable holding area in step S5104 is a value corresponding to the jackpot. It is determined whether or not it matches any of “7, 107, 207, 307, 407, 507” (value stored in the second determination table).

  If an affirmative determination is made in step S5104, that is, if it is determined that a big hit state occurs in the “high probability state”, the winning flag is turned on in step S5102, and then the present process ends.

  If a negative determination is made in step S5103 or step S5104, that is, if it is “out”, this processing is terminated as it is.

  Next, the jackpot type determination process in step S506 will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, in step S5201, it is determined whether or not the winning flag is set in the jackpot determination process performed immediately before. If a negative determination is made in step S5201, this processing is terminated as it is.

  On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step S5201, the value of the jackpot type determination counter C2 newly stored in the second special variable holding area is set to “normal jackpot” in consideration of the jackpot type determination table in step S5202. It is determined whether or not it matches any of the values “10 to 19” corresponding to. If a negative determination is made in step S5202, that is, if the value of the jackpot type determination counter C2 is one of the values “0 to 9” corresponding to “probable variation jackpot”, the probability variation jackpot flag is turned on in step S5203. Then, this process ends.

  On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step S5202, the normal jackpot flag is turned on in step S5204, and then this process ends.

  Next, the variable display setting process in step S507 will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, in step S5301, it is determined whether or not the variable display corresponds to a jackpot by determining whether or not the winning flag is ON. If an affirmative determination is made here, that is, if it is determined that it corresponds to a jackpot, the process moves to step S5302.

  In step S5302, a variation pattern is selected based on the value of the variation selection counter C3 stored in the second special variation suspension area in consideration of the variation pattern determination table for winning a big win.

  In the following step S5303, it is determined whether or not the fluctuation display corresponds to “probable variation jackpot” by determining whether or not the probability variation jackpot flag is ON.

  If an affirmative determination is made here, in step S5304, the variation pattern command table stored in advance in the ROM 502 (see FIG. 17A) is referred to, corresponding to “probability big hit” and selected. Sets a variation pattern command corresponding to the variation pattern. Thereafter, this process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S5303, the process proceeds to step S5305, and it is determined whether the normal jackpot flag is on, thereby determining whether or not the variable display corresponds to “normal jackpot”. Is determined.

  If an affirmative determination is made here, in step S5306, the fluctuation pattern command corresponding to “normal jackpot” and corresponding to the selected fluctuation pattern is set with reference to the fluctuation pattern command table. Thereafter, this process is terminated. On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S5305, the present process is terminated as it is.

  If a negative determination is made in step S5301, that is, if it is “out”, the process proceeds to step S5307, and the time for defeat is based on the value of the fluctuation selection counter C3 stored in the second special fluctuation holding area. The variation pattern is selected in consideration of the variation pattern determination table.

  In the subsequent step S5308, referring to the variation pattern command table, a variation pattern command corresponding to “out” and corresponding to the selected variation pattern is set. Thereafter, this process is terminated.

  Note that the variation pattern command set here is output in an external output process (step S201) described later. Then, the sub-control device 262 that has input the variation pattern command determines the variation mode of the decorative symbol display device 42 based on the command, and displays the variation mode on the decorative symbol display device 42 (variable display). An instruction is issued to the display control device 45.

  For convenience, the variation pattern command will be described here. The variation pattern command according to the present embodiment has a two-byte configuration, and the first byte (upper byte) is configured by information specifying the jackpot type and the like, and the second byte (lower byte) specifies the variation time. It is configured by information (see FIG. 17A). More specifically, regarding the first byte, “FF” corresponds to information indicating “out”, “FD” corresponds to information indicating “ordinary jackpot”, and “FE” indicates information indicating “probability jackpot”. Equivalent to. For the second byte, the value of the variation selection counter C3 is set as it is. That is, if the value of the second byte when the first byte is “FF (out)” is “0 to 90”, it corresponds to the “10s fluctuation pattern”, and if it is “91 to 97”, the “20s fluctuation pattern”. "98, 99" corresponds to "30s fluctuation pattern". On the other hand, if the value of the second byte when the first byte is “FD (ordinary big hit)” or “FE (probable big hit)” is “0-9”, it corresponds to the “20s fluctuation pattern”, and “10-10 99 ”corresponds to“ 30s fluctuation pattern ”.

  Accordingly, when the fluctuation display corresponds to “out”, any one of “FF00” to “FF99” is set as the fluctuation pattern command. More specifically, when the variation pattern is “10s variation pattern”, “FF00” to “FF90” are set, and when the variation pattern is “20s variation pattern”, “FF91” to “FF97” are set, When the variation pattern is “30s variation pattern”, “FF98” or “FF99” is set.

  If the fluctuation display corresponds to “normal jackpot”, any one of “FD00” to “FD99” is set as the fluctuation pattern command. More specifically, when the variation pattern is “20s variation pattern”, “FD00” to “FD09” are set, and when the variation pattern is “30s variation pattern”, “FD10” to “FD99” are set. .

  Similarly, when the fluctuation display corresponds to “probability big hit”, any one of “FE00” to “FE99” is set as the fluctuation pattern command. More specifically, when the variation pattern is “20s variation pattern”, “FE00” to “FE09” are set, and when the variation pattern is “30s variation pattern”, “FE10” to “FE99” are set. .

  Returning to the description of FIG. 13, after the process of step S <b> 506 or when a negative determination is made in step S <b> 501, in step S <b> 509, it is determined whether or not the game ball has won the central start port 33. The determination is made based on the detection information of the switch 224. If a negative determination is made in step S509, the process is terminated as it is. On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made, in step S510, the value of the central hold counter Na that counts the number of variable display holds triggered by winning at the central start port 33 is the upper limit (in this embodiment, “4”). ) Is determined. If a negative determination is made in step S510, the process is terminated as it is. On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step S510, the process proceeds to step S511 to increment the central hold counter Na by one.

  In subsequent step S512, the values of the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type determination counter C2 and the variation selection counter C3 are stored in the first area among the reserved areas in which the first special variable suspension area is vacant. After step S512, the process proceeds to step S513.

  In step S513, a jackpot determination process is performed to determine whether or not the value of the jackpot random number counter C1 newly stored in the first special variable suspension area is a value corresponding to the jackpot. Note that the jackpot determination process in step S513 is the same as the jackpot determination process in step S505 described above, except that the information regarding the variable display to be processed is based on the ball entering the central start port 33. Different. For this reason, detailed description is omitted for convenience.

  In the following step S514, when it is determined in step S513 that the value of the jackpot random number counter C1 is a value corresponding to the jackpot, it is based on the value of the jackpot type determination counter C2 newly stored in the first special variable holding area. The jackpot type determination process for determining the jackpot type is performed. Note that the jackpot type determination process in step S514 is the same as the jackpot type determination process in step S506, and the information regarding the variable display to be processed is based on the ball entering the central starting port 33. Only the difference. For this reason, detailed description is omitted for convenience.

  In the subsequent step S515, a variation display setting process for performing various settings relating to variation display, such as selection of a variation pattern and setting of a variation pattern command to be transmitted to the sub-control device 262, is executed. Note that the variation display setting process in step S515 is the same as the variation display setting process in step S507, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted. After step S515, this process ends.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the NMI interrupt process. This process is executed by the CPU 501 of the main controller 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 S401, 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 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. 12 is started. The contents are as described above.

  Next, the flow of main processing executed by the CPU 501 in the main controller 261 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 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, for example, 1 is set in order to set a predetermined value in the stack pointer and wait for the sub-side control device (sub-control device 262, payout control device 311, etc.) to become operable. Wait process is executed for about 2 seconds. In the subsequent step S102, RAM access is permitted.

  Thereafter, data backup processing is executed for the RAM 503 in the CPU 501. That is, in step S103, it is determined whether or not the RAM erase switch 323 provided in the power supply device 313 is pressed (ON), and if it is pressed, the process proceeds to step S112 to clear (erase) the backup data. To do. On the other hand, if the RAM erase switch 323 has not been pressed, it is determined in the subsequent step S104 whether or not occurrence information of power supply interruption is set in the backup area 503a of the RAM 503. Here, if it is not set, no backup data is stored, so in this case as well, the process proceeds to step S112. If power failure occurrence information is set in the backup area 503a, a RAM determination value is calculated in step S105, and in the subsequent step S106, 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 has been destroyed, and in this case, the process also proceeds to step S112.

  In the process of step S112, an initialization command is transmitted in order to initialize the sub control device 262, the payout control device 311 and the like which are the sub-side control devices. The sub-control device 262 that has received the initialization command executes its own initialization process as described later, and sets the game mode to the normal mode that is the initial setting.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to RAM initialization processing (step S113 and the like). 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, for example, when the hall starts business. Therefore, if the RAM erase switch 323 is ON, the process proceeds to a RAM initialization process (step S113, 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 S113 or the like). That is, the use area of the RAM 503 is cleared to 0 in step S113, and the initial value of the RAM 503 is set in subsequent step S114. Thereafter, interrupt permission is set in step S111, and the process proceeds to normal processing described later.

  On the other hand, if the RAM erase switch 323 has not been pressed (step S103: NO), it is a condition that the information on occurrence of power interruption is set and the RAM judgment value (checksum value etc.) is normal. In addition, the process at the time of power recovery (process at the time of power failure recovery) is executed. That is, in step S107, the stack pointer before the power interruption is restored, and in step S108, the information on the occurrence of the power interruption is cleared.

  In step S109, a return command for returning the sub control device 262, the payout control device 311 and the like serving as the sub control devices to the gaming state at the time of power-off is transmitted.

  In step S110, the used register is restored from the backup area 503a of the RAM 503. Thereafter, interrupt permission is set in step S111, and the process 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 overview, the process up to step S210 is executed as a periodic process with a period of 4 msec, and the counter update process of step S211 is executed in the remaining time.

  First, in step S201, a control signal based on the setting contents of the special display devices 43L and 43R updated in the previous process is transmitted to each device, and output data such as a command is transmitted to each control device on the sub side. Execute external output processing.

  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, display control processing is executed. In this process, what kind of control is performed in the first and second special display devices 43L and 43R, setting of control contents of the special display devices 43L and 43R, and the like are performed. Details of this display control processing will be described later.

  In step S206, variable winning device control processing is executed. In this process, the control content of the variable winning device 32 is set as to what control is performed in the variable winning device 32. As a result, when the big win state (special game state) is reached, the opening / closing process of the big winning opening of the variable winning device 32 is repeatedly executed for a predetermined number of rounds. Details of the variable winning device control process will be described later.

  After that, in step S209, it is determined whether or not occurrence information of power interruption is set in the backup area 503a of the RAM 503. Here, if the occurrence information of power interruption is not set in the backup area 503a, it is determined in step S210 whether or not the next normal processing execution timing has been reached, that is, a predetermined time from the start of the previous normal processing (this embodiment) It is determined whether or not 4 msec) has elapsed. 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 since the start of the previous normal process, the random number initial value counter CINI is repeatedly updated within the remaining time until the execution timing of the next normal process (step S211). . Specifically, the random number initial value counter CINI is incremented by 1 and cleared to 0 when the counter value reaches the maximum value (599 in this example).

  Here, since the execution time of each process of steps S201 to S209 changes according to the state of the game, the remaining time until the next execution timing of the normal process is not constant and varies. Therefore, the random number initial value counter CINI (that is, the initial value of the big hit random number counter C1) can be updated at random by repeatedly executing the update of the random number initial value counter CINI using the remaining time.

  Now, if the occurrence information of power interruption is set in the backup area 503a of the RAM 503 (step S209: YES), the power is cut off, so that the processing after step S213 is performed as a power failure process at the time of power interruption. Is called. In the power failure process, first, the generation of each interrupt process is prohibited in step S213, the contents of each register used by the CPU 501 are saved in the stack area in step S214, and the value of the stack pointer is saved in the backup area 503a in step S215. To remember. Thereafter, in step S216, a power-off notification command indicating that the power has been cut off is transmitted to other control devices (such as the payout control device 311). In step S217, 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 S218, and the infinite loop is continued until the power supply is completely shut down and processing cannot be executed.

  The process of step S209 is the timing when the series of processes corresponding to the game state change performed in steps S201 to S208 is completed, or the end of one cycle of the process of step S211 performed within the remaining time. Running on. 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 processing is prohibited before the data is stored (step S213), 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 display control process of step S205 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In FIG. 18, in step S801, a jackpot occurrence flag, which will be described later, is referred to in detail to determine whether or not a jackpot is currently being hit. The jackpot includes a jackpot state (special game state) and a predetermined time after the jackpot state ends. Here, the predetermined time after the end of the jackpot state is the time until the normal game (variable display on the special display devices 43L and 43R) starts after the end of the jackpot state. In general, this time zone is a decorative symbol display. The end of the jackpot state is displayed on the device 42, and various game states and game modes given after the jackpot are displayed. In addition, a period from when the variable display is stopped and displayed in a manner corresponding to the jackpot on the special display devices 43L and 43R and the decorative symbol display device 42 until the variable winning device 32 (big winning opening) is opened. (In general, this time zone is displayed on the decorative symbol display device 42 to indicate the start of the big hit state) and is included in the big hit.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step S801, that is, if the game is a big hit, the process is terminated as it is. On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S801, in step S802, a display flag setting state to be described later is set. , It is determined whether the first or second special display device 43L, 43R (decorative symbol display device 42) is in a variable display. Here, when the display flag is set (in the ON state), it is regarded as a variable display, and when the display flag is canceled (in the OFF state), the variable display is stopped. It is considered that the stop corresponding to the state is being displayed. As will be described in detail later, the display flag is turned on when starting the variable display of the first and second special display devices 43L and 43R (see step S808), and the first and second special display devices 43L. , 43R is turned off when the change display is stopped (see step S814).

  If a negative determination is made in step S802, that is, if there is no big win and no change display is in progress, the process proceeds to step S803, and the value of the total hold counter Nx (the value of the central hold counter Na and the value of the right hold counter Nb) It is determined whether or not (the total value of the values) is greater than zero.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step S803, that is, if at least one change display is held in the central hold counter Na or the right hold counter Nb, the process proceeds to step S804. On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S803, that is, if no variable display is stored on hold, this processing is terminated as it is.

  In step S804, it is determined whether the current variation display is triggered by entering the starting port of the central starting port 33 or the right starting port 34 in consideration of the value of the holding order buffer Bj. More specifically, it is determined whether or not the value stored in the holding order buffer Bj is “0”, that is, whether or not the current variation display is triggered by the entry to the right start opening 34. . If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S805.

  In step S805, 1 is subtracted from the right hold counter Nb. In a succeeding step S806, a process for shifting the data stored in the second special variation holding area is executed. This data shift process is a process for sequentially shifting the data stored in the holding first to fourth areas of the second special variable holding area to the execution area side. The holding first area → the execution area, the holding second Data in each area is shifted, such as area → holding first area, holding third area → holding second area, holding fourth area → holding third area. After step S806, in step S807, the second hold lamp 46R is turned on / off, and then the process proceeds to step S808.

  If a negative determination is made in step S804, that is, if the current fluctuation display is triggered by entering the central starting port 33, 1 is subtracted from the central holding counter Na in step S809. In a succeeding step S810, a process for shifting the data stored in the first special variation holding area is executed. This data shift process is a process for sequentially shifting the data stored in the holding first to fourth areas of the first special variable holding area to the execution area side. The holding first area → the execution area, the holding second Data in each area is shifted, such as area → holding first area, holding third area → holding second area, holding fourth area → holding third area. After step S810, in step S811, the first hold lamp 46L is turned on / off, and then the process proceeds to step S808. In the present embodiment, the execution area of the special variable reservation area is one, and the data stored in the first special variable reservation area and the second special variable reservation area are displayed when the variable display based on the data is performed. Therefore, it is shifted to a common execution area.

  In step S808, start setting processing is performed to indicate that a condition for performing switching display (variable display) is satisfied in the special display devices 43L and 43R. In the start setting process, a display flag indicating whether or not the variable display is being displayed on the special display devices 43L and 43R is turned on, and a display timer setting process is performed. The display timer is means for measuring the variation time (residual time for variation display) in the special display devices 43L and 43R, and is considered when determining whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the beginning of the variation display. In addition, the value corresponding to the variation pattern selected by the variation selection counter C3 is set as the variation display time of the special display devices 43L and 43R in the present embodiment. At the same time, in the start setting process, setting of a start command for instructing the sub-control device 262 to start changing display on the decorative symbol display device 42 is also performed. Then, after the end of step S808, the display control process is terminated.

  Based on the above setting, when a control signal for starting switching display (variable display) is output to the special display devices 43L and 43R in the next external output processing of the normal processing, the special display device 43L. , 43R, switching display (variation display) is started. The special display devices 43L and 43R are 7-segment display devices as described above. If the displayed character is “−”, it is “7”, if it is “7”, it is “3”, and if it is “3”. Switch display to “-”.

  If the determination in step S802 is affirmative, that is, if the variable display is being performed, the process proceeds to step S812 to perform display timer subtraction processing. Each time this process is performed, the value of the display timer is subtracted by 4 msec. For example, when the variation time is 10 seconds (10000 msec), “2500” is set for the display timer, and 1 is subtracted every 4 msec.

  Subsequently, the process proceeds to step S813, and it is determined whether or not a predetermined fluctuation time has elapsed with reference to the value of the display timer after the subtraction. At this time, when a predetermined fluctuation time has elapsed, that is, when the value of the display timer becomes “0”, an affirmative determination is made in step S813.

  When a negative determination is made in step S813, in step S817, a switching display setting for continuously performing switching display (variable display) of the special display devices 43L and 43R is performed, and this process is terminated. Based on the setting contents of the switching display setting, a control signal for performing switching display is output to the special display devices 43L and 43R in the external output processing in the next normal processing as described above. As a result, display control processing timing, that is, switching display (variable display) of the special display devices 43L and 43R is realized every 4 ms.

  On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step S813, the display flag is released (turned off) in step S814, and stop display setting is performed in step S815 to perform stop display on the special display devices 43L and 43R.

  In addition, based on the setting contents of the stop display setting, a control signal for performing stop display is output to the special display devices 43L and 42R in the next external output process in the normal process. That is, if it is a “probable big hit” with a transition to a “high probability state”, “7” is stopped (for example, lit only for a few seconds) and “normal jackpot” with a transition to a “low probability state” is displayed. If there is, “3” is stopped and “−” is stopped and “−” is stopped.

  Subsequently, after the discrimination information setting process is performed in step S816, the present process is terminated. Here, the discrimination information setting process will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, in step S1001, the winning flag is taken into consideration to determine whether or not the stop display corresponds to a jackpot. Here, when it corresponds to jackpot, it transfers to step S1002 and performs jackpot setting. Specifically, setting processing of a big hit occurrence flag, a variable flag, a variable timer, a round number counter, a winning counter, and the like is performed. And after completion | finish of step S1002, a discrimination | determination information setting process is complete | finished.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1001 that it does not correspond to the jackpot, that is, the winning flag is OFF, this processing is ended as it is.

  The jackpot occurrence flag is state determination information for determining whether or not the jackpot state is a special gaming state, and here, “1” indicating the occurrence of the jackpot state is set (turned on) as a flag value. .

  The variable flag is discrimination information for discriminating whether or not the variable winning device 32 (large winning opening) is in an open state.

  The variable timer is a means for measuring the opening time or the like of the variable winning device 32, and is taken into account when determining whether or not a specified time has elapsed since the start of opening. In this example, “7500” is set as a value for the variable timer. As a result, the maximum opening time per round (the longest time during which the variable winning device 32 is opened) is 30 seconds.

  The round number counter is discriminating information for discriminating the number of rounds executed during the jackpot state (the number of times a special prize state is generated, that is, the number of executions of the opening / closing process of the variable winning device 32). “16” shown is set as a value.

  The winning counter is a means for counting the number of game balls that have entered the variable winning device 32. In this process, “8” indicating the maximum number of winning balls per round is set as a value. In addition, in the switch reading process of the timer interrupt process (see FIG. 11), it is determined whether there is a ball entering the variable winning device 32 based on the detection information of the count switch 223, and there is a ball entering the variable winning device 32. When determined, the value of the winning counter is decremented by 1.

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

  First, in step S1201, it is determined whether or not the big hit occurrence flag is on. If a negative determination is made here, this processing is terminated as it is.

  If a positive determination is made in step S1201, 1 is subtracted from the count value of the variable timer in step S1202. In a succeeding step S1203, it is determined whether or not the variable flag is ON.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step S1203, that is, if the variable winning device 32 is in the open state, the process proceeds to step S1204, whether or not the count value of the variable timer is “0”, that is, per round. It is determined whether or not the open time of the variable winning device 32 remains.

  If a negative determination is made in step S1204, the process proceeds to step S1205, and whether or not the value of the winning counter is “0”, that is, the number of game balls won to the variable winning device 32 is per round. It is determined whether or not the prescribed number (eight in this example) has been reached. If a negative determination is made in step S1204, that is, if the timing for turning the variable prize-winning device 32 to the closed state (the timing of the end of the round) has not yet arrived, this processing is terminated as it is.

  On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step S1204 or step S1205, the process proceeds to step S1206, and whether or not the counter value of the round number counter is “0”, that is, the number of rounds (the number of times the variable winning device 32 is released). ) Has reached the specified number of times.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step S1206, an end setting process is performed in step S1207, and this process ends.

  In the end setting process of step S1207, the variable flag and the jackpot occurrence flag are turned off, a high probability state flag setting process, a gaming state notification command setting process, and the like are performed.

  The high probability state flag is state determination information for determining whether or not the gaming state is a “high probability state”. In the high probability state flag setting process, the above-described “probability variation jackpot flag” and “normal jackpot” Based on the “flag”, the high probability state flag is switched. As a result, when the “high probability state” is set after the jackpot is ended (“probability variation jackpot flag” is on), “1” indicating the occurrence of the “high probability state” is set as the flag value, and “low probability When “status” is set (“normal jackpot flag” is on), “0” indicating the occurrence of “low probability status” is set as the flag value.

  The “probable variation jackpot flag” and the “normal jackpot flag” are turned off after the setting process of the high probability state flag. In addition, when the jackpot setting (step S1002) is performed in the determination information setting process of FIG. 19, the high probability state flag may be reset once ("0" is set).

  The gaming state notification command is a command for notifying the sub-control device 262 of the gaming state (“high probability state” or “low probability state”) set after the jackpot is over.

  If a negative determination is made in step S1206, that is, if the number of rounds has not reached the prescribed number, round feed processing is performed in step S1208, and this processing is terminated. In the round feed process, 1 is subtracted from the value of the round number counter. That is, the opening / closing process is repeated until the number of executed rounds reaches a predetermined number of times set in advance. In the round sending process, the variable flag is turned off and the time (wait time) until the next round is started is set for the variable timer.

  If a negative determination is made in step S1203, that is, if a wait period between rounds is in progress, the process proceeds to step S1209, where it is determined whether or not the value of the variable timer is “0”.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step S1209, that is, if the wait period ends and the timing for starting the next round is reached, a round start process is performed in step S1210. In the round start process, the variable flag is turned on, the opening time of the variable winning device 32 per round is set for the variable timer, and the maximum number of winnings per round (in this example, “ 8 ”) is set. Further, “7500” is set for the variable timer as the opening time of the variable winning device 32. If a negative determination is made in step S1209, or if the round start process is completed in step S1210, this process ends.

  Various control signals are output to the variable winning device 32 in the next external output process of the normal process based on the ON / OFF state of the variable flag. When the variable flag is ON, a control signal for opening the big prize opening is output to the variable winning device 32, and the variable winning device 32 is opened. On the other hand, when the variable flag is OFF, a control signal is output to the variable winning device 32 to close the big winning opening, and the variable winning device 32 is closed.

  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. 21, and then the main process will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a reception interrupt process executed by the payout control device 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 control device 261 in step S3001 is first stored in the command buffer of the RAM 513, and the command transmitted from the main control device 261 is stored in step S3002. Turns on the command reception flag and ends this reception interrupt processing. As described above, when a command is stored in the command buffer, the storage pointer is referred to and stored in a predetermined storage area, and the storage pointer is stored in order to store the next received command in the next storage area. 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 S3201) is performed, it is confirmed whether or not a command is received. If a command is received, the command is stored in the command buffer of the RAM 513. The command reception flag may be turned on, and if no command is 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 confirming a port corresponding to the command input of the input / output port at predetermined intervals.

  Next, main processing of the payout control device 311 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the main process of the payout control apparatus 311. This main process is started upon reset when the power is turned on.

  First, in step S3101, 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 S3103, the RAM access is permitted, and in step S3104, an external interrupt vector is set.

  Thereafter, in step S3106, it is determined whether or not occurrence information of power interruption is set in the backup area 513a of the RAM 513. If the information on occurrence of power interruption is set in the backup area 513a, a RAM determination value is calculated in step S3107, and in step S3108, 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 no power-off occurrence information is set in step S3106, or if a backup abnormality is confirmed by a RAM determination value (checksum value or the like) in step S3108, the process proceeds to initialization processing of the RAM 513 after step S3115. Transition.

  In step S3115, the entire area of the RAM 513 is cleared to 0, and in step S3116, the initial value of the RAM 513 is set. Thereafter, in step S3117, the CPU peripheral device is initialized, and the process proceeds to step S3114 to permit interruption.

  On the other hand, on the condition that the power failure occurrence information is set in step S3106 and the RAM judgment value (checksum value etc.) is normal in step S3108, the process at the time of power recovery (at the time of power failure recovery) Process). That is, in step S3109, the stack pointer before power-off is restored, power-off occurrence information is cleared in step S3110, and a payout permission flag that permits payout of prize balls is cleared in step S3111. In step S3112, the CPU peripheral device is initialized. In step S3113, the used register is restored from the backup area 513a of the RAM 513. In step S3114, an interrupt is permitted.

  After the interruption is permitted in step S3114, it is determined in the process of step S3122 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. Therefore, the processing after step S3123 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 S3123, and a command determination process described later is executed in the next step S3124. Thereafter, the contents of each register used by the CPU 511 are saved in the stack area in step S3125, the stack pointer value is stored in the backup area 513a in step S3126, and the RAM determination value is calculated in step S3127 to calculate the backup area 513a. In step S3128, 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.

  Note that since the process of step S3122 confirms the occurrence information of the power-off after the process performed at the time of turning on the power, 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 S3201). This command determination process will be described below with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing command determination processing performed by the payout control device 311. In the command determination process (steps S3124 and S3201), first, it is determined whether or not the command reception flag is turned on in step S3301. The command reception flag is turned on when a command transmitted from the main control device 261 is received in the above-described reception interrupt process (see FIG. 21).

  If it is determined in step S3301 that the command reception flag is OFF, a new command has not been received from the main control device 261, and thus this process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S3301 that the command reception flag is on, the received command is read from the RAM 513 in step S3302, and the command reception flag is turned off in step S3303. By turning off the command reception flag in step S3303, the processing in steps S3302 to S3311 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 step S3304 to step S3306. In step S3304, it is determined whether or not the command transmitted from the main control device 261 is a payout initialization command. In step S3305, it is determined whether or not it is a payout return command. In step S3306, 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 S3307 whether or not the payout permission flag has already been turned on. If the payout permission flag has been turned off, the main power is turned on. Since the initialization of the RAM 513 is instructed from the control device 261, the work area (area) other than the stack area of the RAM 513 is cleared to 0 in step S3308, and the initial value of the RAM 513 is set in step S3309. Thereafter, in step S3311, the payout permission flag is turned on, and the payout permission for the winning 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 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 has already been turned on in step S3307, 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 processing in step S3307 prohibits initialization of the RAM 513 with the payout permission flag set. The payout initialization command is a command that 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 in a state where the payout permission flag 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 S3308) and the initial value setting of the RAM 513 (step S3309) is executed in a state where the payout permission flag is turned on, the payout is not made when a prize ball remains. Although an adverse effect occurs and causes a loss to the player, since the RAM 513 is prevented from being initialized while the payout permission flag is turned on, it is possible to prevent the player from being lost.

  Further, if the command transmitted from the main control device 261 is a payout return command (step S3304: NO, step S3305: YES), the main control device 261 and the payout control device 311 return to the state before the power cut-off. In order to permit the payout of the prize ball, the payout permission flag is turned on in step S3311. 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 is turned on in the process of step S3311, the process based on the command stored in the predetermined storage area of the command buffer is completed, so the read pointer is changed to the read pointer corresponding to the next storage area. Updated.

  Further, if the command transmitted from main controller 261 is a prize ball command (step S3305: NO, step S3306: YES), the received prize ball number is added to the total prize ball number and stored in step S3310. In order to permit the payout of prize balls, the payout permission flag is turned on in step S3311. At this time, the payout control device 311 sequentially reads out the prize ball commands stored in the command buffer (ring buffer), and adds the number of prize balls corresponding to the command to the total number of prize balls stored in a predetermined buffer area. And remember. 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. . 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 is turned on in the process of step S3311, the process based on the command stored in the predetermined storage area of the command buffer is completed, so the read pointer is changed to the read pointer corresponding to the next storage area. Updated.

  Note that the command transmitted from the main controller 261 is not a payout initialization command (step S3304: NO), is not a payout return command (step S3305: NO), and is not a prize ball command (step S3306: NO), The command determination process is terminated without turning on the payout permission flag.

  Returning to the flowchart of FIG. When the command determination process ends, it is determined in step S3202 whether or not the payout permission flag is turned on in the command determination process. Here, if the payout permission flag 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 S3202, the launch permission is set for the launch control device 312 in step S3203, the state return switch 321 is checked in step S3204, 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 S3205, setting of the lower plate full state or the lower plate full state is performed according to the change in the state of the lower plate 15. That is, when the lower pan 15 is detected based on the detection signal of the lower pan full switch, when the lower pan is full, the lower pan full state is set, and when the lower pan full is not reached , Set the lower pan full release state. In step S3206, setting of a tank ball absence state (out of ball state) or a tank ball absence release state (ball state) is executed in accordance with a change in the state of the tank ball. In other words, the tank ball no switch state is determined based on the detection signal of the tank ball no switch, and the special setting for the absence of the tank ball and the setting for the no tank ball state are executed. Perform configuration.

  Thereafter, in step S3207, for example, the presence / absence of a state to be notified, such as an error state, is determined. If there is a state to be notified, a notification is made.

  Subsequently, a payout control process for prize balls and rental balls is executed. Specifically, a payout number setting process is performed in step S3208, a motor control state acquisition process is performed in step S3209, and a motor drive process is performed in step S3210.

  In step S3211, the state return switch 321 is checked to execute the ball removal process by driving the payout motor 358a on the condition that the ball removal disabled state is not set and the ball removal operation is not started. In a succeeding step S3212, the control of the vibrator 360 (vibration motor control) is executed on condition that the ball is clogged. Thereafter, the process returns to the beginning of the timer interrupt process.

  Next, normal processing of the sub-control device 262 will be described with reference to FIG. First, in step S3901, the port corresponding to the command input of the input / output port 554 is confirmed, and it is determined whether or not the command transmitted from the main controller 261 is received.

  If a command has been received, the command is stored in the command buffer of the RAM 553 in step S3902. The command buffer of the RAM 553 is a ring buffer that temporarily stores commands transmitted from the main control device 261. As described above, 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 storage is performed. It is configured to return to the beginning of the area and update the command. Therefore, when the command is stored and when the command is read, the storage pointer and the read pointer in the command buffer are updated, and the command is stored and read based on each pointer.

  In a succeeding step S3903, a command determination process is performed. Here, the command determination processing will be described with reference to FIG. In step S4101, the received command is read from the command buffer of the RAM 553. In subsequent step S4102, it is determined whether or not the command is an initialization command. In step S4103, it is determined whether or not the command is a return command. In step S4104, it is determined whether or not the command is a variation pattern command. In step S4111, it is determined whether or not it is a gaming state notification command. In step S4111, it is determined whether or not it is a start command.

  If the command transmitted from the main control device 261 is an initialization command, it means that the initialization of the RAM 553 is instructed from the main control device 261 when the power is turned on. Therefore, the RAM 553 is cleared in step S4105, and in step S4106. The initial value of the RAM 553 is set. Thereby, the game state information corresponding to the “low probability state” which is the initial setting is stored in the game state information storage area of the RAM 553. Thereafter, this process is terminated.

  Further, if the command transmitted from the main control device 261 is a return command (step S4102: NO, step S4103: YES), the main control device 261 returns to the state before power-off, so that the sub that does not have a backup function. In step S 4107, the control device 262 reads the gaming state information included in the return command and stores it in the gaming state information storage area of the RAM 553. Thereafter, this process is terminated.

  Further, if the command transmitted from main controller 261 is a variation pattern command (step S4103: NO, step S4104: YES), storage processing for storing the contents of the variation pattern in sub-hold buffer Bf in step S4108 To end this process.

  The sub-holding buffer Bf includes eight holding areas (holding first area to holding eighth area) and one execution area. In each reserved area, information related to the variable display executed by the decorative symbol display device 42 according to the reception history (reception order) of the variable pattern command (a jackpot type, a variable time, an effect pattern described later, etc.) is time-sequentially. Stored. Thereby, the sub-control device 262 can grasp the number of suspended display and the contents thereof.

  In this embodiment, the value of the first byte of the variation pattern command is stored as it is as the jackpot type information, and the value of the second byte of the variation pattern command is stored as it is as the variation time information.

  In the present embodiment, in addition to the process of storing the contents of the variation pattern in the sub reservation buffer Bf, the effect pattern related to the variation display of the decorative symbol based on the variation time information stored in the reservation area of the sub reservation buffer Bf. Is selected, and a stop symbol (combination of stop symbols) to be stopped and displayed after the fluctuation time has elapsed is determined based on the jackpot type information (including “off”). Information relating to the effect pattern and stop symbol determined here is added to the reserved area of the corresponding sub reserved buffer Bf. The correspondence relationship between the variation time information and the effect pattern and the correspondence relationship between the jackpot type information and the stop symbol are stored in a table in the ROM 552 of the sub-control device 262.

  Here, the correspondence between the variation time information and the effect pattern will be described. First, the types of effect patterns will be described. Examples of performance patterns include “Normal reach” that does not display any special effects other than decorative design changes, “Super reach” that displays characters after the reach state is established, and a player's expectation. There are “complete detachment” etc. that can not be.

  In particular, in the present embodiment, after the reach state is established, “A reach” and “B reach” corresponding to “reach other than front / rear detachment” in which the final stop symbol stops other than before and after the reach symbol are prepared as the above “normal reach”. Similarly, after the reach state is established, the “C reach” and the “D reach” corresponding to the “front / rear detach reach” in which the final stop symbol is shifted by one shift before and after the reach symbol and the “super reach” is described above. It is prepared as.

  The ROM 552 of the sub-control device 262 is provided with an effect pattern determination table for determining which effect pattern the variation time information corresponds to. In the present embodiment, there are provided two tables, an effect pattern determination table for winning a big win and an effect pattern determination table for winning.

  Specifically, in the effect pattern determination table for the jackpot winning selection, as shown in FIG. 17B, if the value of the variation time information is “0 to 4”, “A reach” is selected, and “5 If it is ˜9 ”,“ B reach ”is selected, if it is“ 10 to 54 ”,“ C reach ”is selected, and if it is“ 55 to 99 ”,“ D reach ”is selected. That is, when the fluctuation pattern is “20s fluctuation pattern”, “A reach” or “B reach” is selected, and when the fluctuation pattern is “30s fluctuation pattern”, “C reach” or “D reach” is selected. The

  On the other hand, in the effect pattern determination table for lost selection, as shown in FIG. 17C, if the value of the variation time information is “0 to 90”, “completely out” that does not become a reach mode is selected. If “91-94”, “A reach” is selected; if “95-97”, “B reach” is selected; if “98”, “C reach” is selected; “99” If so, “D reach” is selected. That is, when the variation pattern is “10s variation pattern”, “completely out” is selected, and when the variation pattern is “20s variation pattern”, “A reach” or “B reach” is selected, and the variation pattern is “ In the case of “30s fluctuation pattern”, “C reach” or “D reach” is selected.

  Therefore, “C reach” or “D reach” is a reach with high expectation that is a big hit compared to “A reach” or “B reach”.

  If the command transmitted from main controller 261 is a gaming state notification command (step S4104: NO, step S4110: YES), it is the timing at which the gaming state is switched in main controller 261, so in step S4107 The game state information (for example, information corresponding to the “high probability state”) included in the game state notification command is read out and stored in the game state information storage area of the RAM 553. Thereafter, this process is terminated.

  If the command transmitted from the main control device 261 is a start command (step S4110: NO, step S4111: YES), it is the timing for starting the variable display on the decorative symbol display device 42, so in step S4112. A start setting process is performed, and then this process ends.

  In the start setting process of step S4112, various settings related to the variable display performed by the decorative symbol display device 42 are performed.

  In this start setting process, first, a process of shifting the data stored in the sub-hold buffer Bf is executed. This data shift process is a process for sequentially shifting the data stored in the hold first to eighth areas to the execution area side, and the hold first area → the execution area, the hold second area → the hold first area, Data in each area is shifted, such as hold 3rd area → hold 2nd area,... Hold 8th area → hold 7th area.

  Subsequently, a value corresponding to the fluctuation time stored in the execution area of the sub-hold buffer Bf is set in the fluctuation display timer. The variation display timer is a means for measuring a variation time (residual time for variation display) in the decorative symbol display device 42 and is considered when determining whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the variation display.

  In addition, the variable display flag that is considered when determining whether or not the variable display is being displayed on the decorative symbol display device 42 is turned on.

  The command transmitted from the main control device 261 to the sub-control device 262 is not limited to the above-exemplified command, but can also be a jackpot effect start command output when, for example, a big hit state occurs (or at the end). (Or a jackpot presentation end command).

  Returning to the description of FIG. 25, after step S3903 or when a negative determination is made in step S3901, the process proceeds to step S3904, whether or not the execution timing of the next normal process has been reached, that is, the start of the previous normal process It is determined whether or not a predetermined time (1 msec in this example) has elapsed. If the predetermined time has already elapsed, the process proceeds to step S3905. On the other hand, if the predetermined time has not yet elapsed from the start of the previous normal process, the process proceeds to step S3912.

  In step S3905, various counter update processes are executed. The CPU 551 of the sub-control device 262 uses various counter information when displaying decorative symbols. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 27, the upper, middle, and lower symbols used for setting the off-set symbols of the big symbol decoration symbol counter C5, the upper symbol display area, the middle symbol display area, and the lower symbol display area. Each off symbol counter CL, CM, CR is used. The off symbol counters CL, CM, CR are configured such that register values are added using an R register (refresh register) in the CPU 551, and as a result, the numerical values change randomly. The values of these counters are stored in the counter buffer of the RAM 553 as appropriate.

  The jackpot decorative symbol counter C5 is for determining a symbol (a jackpot symbol) to be stopped and displayed on the decorative symbol display device 42 in the case of a jackpot ("probable variation jackpot" or "normal jackpot"). In the present embodiment, 10 types of jackpot symbols are set regardless of “probable variation jackpot” or “normal jackpot”. Accordingly, 10 (0 to 9) counter values are prepared as the big hit decoration 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 9, and after reaching the upper limit value (that is, 9), it returns to 0.

  The jackpot decoration symbol counter C5 is periodically updated in the counter update process of step S3905, and stored in the jackpot decoration symbol counter buffer of the RAM 553. When the jackpot type information stored in the hold area of the sub hold buffer Bf is “FD” or “FE” indicating a jackpot in the hold buffer storage process in step S4108, based on a table (not shown), For example, if the value of the jackpot decorative symbol counter C5 is “0”, it is “0” (the flat eye), if it is “1”, “1” (the flat eye), and so on, “0”. The combination of symbols of any of the “9” flats is determined as a combination of stop symbols (big hit symbol).

  The upper, middle, and lower off symbol counters CL, CM, and CR indicate that each stop symbol (combination of off symbols) in the upper, middle, and lower symbol display areas when the big win lottery is “out”. Since each of the 10 decorative symbols is displayed in each column, 10 (0 to 9) counter values are prepared for each column. The stop symbol in the upper symbol display area is determined by the up / down symbol counter CL, the stop symbol in the middle symbol display area is determined by the middle / off symbol counter CM, and the stop symbol in the lower symbol display area is determined by the bottom / off symbol counter CR. Is determined.

  In the present embodiment, the values of the counters CL, CM, and CR are randomly updated by using the value of the R register built in the CPU 551. That is, when each outlier symbol counter CL, CM, CR is updated, the value of the lower 3 bits of the R register is added to the previous value, and when the addition result exceeds the upper limit 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 the front / rear outreach symbol buffer of RAM 553, the 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. As shown in FIG. 28, in step S4001, it is determined whether or not it is time to update the up / down symbol counter CL. In step S4002, it is determined whether or not it is time to update the center / out symbol symbol CM. The upper, middle, and lower outlier counters CL, CM, and CR are configured to be sequentially updated one by one in one update process. Therefore, if the down / out symbol counter CR has been updated in the previous update process, an affirmative determination is made in step S4001. If the up / down symbol counter CL has been updated in the previous update process, an affirmative determination is made in step S4002. If it is time to update the up / down symbol counter CL (YES in step S4001), the flow advances to step S4003 to update the up / down symbol counter CL. If it is the time to update the middle / outgoing symbol counter CM (YES in step S4002), the process proceeds to step S4004 to update the middle / outlier symbol counter CM. Further, if it is time to update the down / out symbol counter CR (both steps S4001 and S4002 are NO), the process proceeds to step S4005, and the down / out symbol counter CR is updated. In updating the outlier symbol counters CL, CM, and CR in steps S4003 to S4005, 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 upper limit 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 up, middle, and lower outlier counters CL, CM, and CR are updated one by one in one update processing, and the update times of the counter values overlap. There is nothing. 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.

  Thereafter, in step S4006, the combination of the updated symbol counters CL, CM, CR is a combination of reach symbols (the symbols in the upper symbol display area and the symbols in the lower symbol display area are the same, and the upper and lower symbol display areas And the symbol in the middle symbol display area are different from each other), and in the case of a combination of reach symbols (S4006 is YES), in step S4007, it is a back-and-forth outreach. It is determined whether or not there is. If the out symbol counters CL, CM, CR are a combination of front / rear out of reach (front / rear out symbol) (YES in S4007), the process proceeds to step S4008, and the combination of the out symbol counters CL, CM, CR at that time is stored in the RAM 553. Is stored in the front / rear reach reach symbol buffer. If the out symbol counters CL, CM, CR are a combination of reach other than front / rear disengagement (design other than front / back disengagement) (NO in S4007), the process proceeds to step S4009, and the out symbol counters CL, CM, CR at that time The combination is stored in the reach symbol buffer other than the front and rear deviation of the RAM 553.

  If the combination is other than the reach symbol (NO in S4006), the process proceeds to step S4010 to determine whether or not the combination of the symbol symbols CL, CM, and CR is out of the combination, and the symbol is separated. If it is a combination of symbols (completely deviated symbols) (YES in S4010), the process proceeds to step S4011, and the combination of deviated symbol counters CL, CM, CR at that time is stored in the completely deviated symbol buffer of the RAM 553. If NO in both steps S4006 and S4010, the symbols are aligned at the top, middle, and bottom, that is, it corresponds to a combination of jackpot symbols. In this case, the off symbol counters CL, CM, CR are used as buffers. This process is terminated without storing.

  If the jackpot type information stored in the holding area of the sub-holding buffer Bf is “FF” indicating “out” in the holding buffer storing process in step S4108, the corresponding processing is performed based on a table (not shown). A combination of symbols stored in the counter buffer (see FIG. 27) of the RAM 553 is determined as a combination of stop symbols (out-of-band symbols). More specifically, if the jackpot type information stored in the predetermined holding area is “displaced” and the value of the variation time information is “0 to 90” (if the production pattern is “completely disengaged”), it is completely disengaged. A combination of symbols stored in the symbol buffer is determined as a stop symbol. Similarly, if the value of the variation time information is “91 to 97” (the production pattern is “A reach” or “B reach”), the combinations of symbols stored in the reach symbol buffer other than the back and forth deviation. Is determined as a stop symbol. If the value of the variation time information is “98, 99” (the production pattern is “C reach” or “D reach”), the combination of symbols stored in the front / rear reach symbol buffer of the RAM 553. Is determined as a stop symbol.

  Now, returning to the description of FIG. 25, in step S3907, display setting processing for performing various displays on the decorative symbol display device 42 is performed. In the display setting process, a variable display setting process for mainly displaying a decorative symbol in the decorative symbol display device 42 or a display mode of the decorative symbol display device 42 is performed in a mode corresponding to the type of game mode to be described later. Mode switching setting processing for holding, holding display setting processing for holding display, and the like are performed. Here, the decorative symbol constitutes the identification information, and the function of performing the fluctuation display setting process constitutes the fluctuation display control means in the present embodiment.

  First, the variable display setting process will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 29, in step S4301, it is determined whether or not the decorative symbol display device 42 is performing variable display by looking at the setting state of the variable display flag. Specifically, when the variable display flag is set (when ON), it is considered as variable display, and when the variable display flag is cleared (when OFF), the variable display is displayed. It is assumed that the stop display corresponding to the stopped state is being displayed. The variable display flag is turned on when the variable display of the decorative symbol display device 42 is started (start setting process in step S4112) as described above, and when the variable display of the decorative symbol display device 42 is stopped and displayed. It is turned off (see step S4305).

  If an affirmative determination is made here, that is, if the change starts or is changing, the process proceeds to step S4302, and if a negative determination is made, the process ends.

  In step S4302, variable display timer subtraction processing is performed. Each time this process is performed, the value of the display timer is subtracted by 4 msec. For example, when the fluctuation time is 10 seconds (10000 msec), “2500” is set for the fluctuation display timer, and 1 is subtracted every 4 msec.

  Subsequently, the process proceeds to step S4303, and it is determined whether or not a predetermined fluctuation time has elapsed in consideration of the value of the fluctuation display timer after the subtraction. At this time, when a predetermined fluctuation time has elapsed, that is, when the value of the fluctuation display timer becomes “0”, an affirmative determination is made in step S4303.

  If a negative determination is made in step S4303, in step S4304, a change execution process for executing a change display of the decorative symbol display device 42 is performed, and this process ends.

  In this variable execution process, for example, based on various information stored in the execution area of the sub-hold buffer Bf of the RAM 553, various arithmetic processes such as generating a display command to be output to the display control device 45 and command output setting are performed. .

  As a result, the display control device 45 performs a drawing process in response to a command from the sub-control device 262, and starts a variable display of symbols on the decorative symbol display device. Once the start command is received from the main control device 261, the change display timer value set in the start setting process in step S4112 is “0” until the change display change time corresponding to the start command elapses. ”Until the symbol is changed to“ ”), the symbol change display is continued under the cooperation of the sub-control device 262 and the display control device 45.

  The display command described above is, for example, a command for designating a series of display effects from the start to the end of the variable display, and a necessary display command is generated each time based on information stored in the sub-hold buffer Bf. Is done. Usually, the display commands related to the variable display generated by the sub-control device 262 are roughly divided into a normal variable data group, a reach effect data group, and the like. Basically, each data constituting these data groups is the variable time timer. Are sequentially output in accordance with a predetermined time order, thereby providing display effects according to various variation patterns. For example, the normal fluctuation data group includes normal fluctuation data 1, normal fluctuation data 2,..., And normal fluctuation data m, and the reach effect data group includes reach effect data 1, reach effect data 2,. In the case of n, data output is sequentially performed in the order of normal fluctuation data 1 → 2 →... → m with the start of normal fluctuation, and subsequently reach effect data 1 → 2 → with the start of reach effect. ... → Data is sequentially output in the order of n.

  On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step S4303, that is, if the value of the variable display timer is determined to be “0”, stop display setting for performing stop display on the decorative symbol display device 42 in step S4305. To end this process. In the stop display setting, the variable display flag is released (turned off), and a stop command for instructing the display control device 45 to stop the variable display on the decorative symbol display device 42 is set.

  Here, the display mode in the display unit of the decorative symbol display device 42 will be described. As shown in FIG. 33A, the decorative symbol display device 42 is provided with three upper, middle, and lower symbol display areas, and a plurality of types of decorative symbols are variably displayed for each symbol display area. The In the present embodiment, various symbols Z are displayed as decorative symbols with numbers “0” to “9”. The various symbols Z are scrolled and displayed from right to left with periodicity in ascending or descending numerical order, thereby forming a series of symbol strings. Of course, the pattern variation mode is not limited to scroll variation, but may be switching variation or the like.

  In such a case, in the upper symbol row, various symbols Z are displayed in descending order (in the order in which the attached numbers decrease), and in the middle symbol row and the lower symbol row, the various symbols Z are also in ascending order (indicated numbers increase). Are displayed in order). Then, after the predetermined time has elapsed, the variable display stops in the order of the upper symbol display area → the lower symbol display area → the middle symbol display area, and at the time of the stop, the symbol Z is, for example, a combination of jackpot symbols on a predetermined jackpot line (this In the embodiment, the jackpot state is started by arranging the same type of symbols). Note that immediately before the above-mentioned combination of jackpot symbols is displayed, a so-called reach state (reach state establishment state) is established. However, even if it reaches a reach state, it may not reach a big hit state.

  In this embodiment, the jackpot line is composed of left, middle and right vertical lines and two diagonal lines (referred to as five lines). Therefore, in the upper / middle / lower symbol display areas, if three of the same symbol Z among the various symbols Z are displayed on the fixed stop display side by side on any one of the five lines, a big hit state occurs.

  Next, the mode switching setting process will be described in detail. The mode switching setting process is a process for performing the display mode on the decorative symbol display device 42 in a mode corresponding to the type of game mode. The function of performing the mode switching setting process constitutes the mode switching means in this embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, the game mode is switched between a “notification mode” as the second specific mode, a “suggestion mode” as the first specific mode, and a “normal mode (non-notification mode)”.

  The “notification mode” is a mode in which the current gaming state (“high probability state” or “low probability state”) is explicitly notified to the player.

  The “suggest mode” is a mode that suggests the current game state to the player.

  The “normal mode” refers to a normal state that is not the “notification mode” or the “suggestion mode” as the specific mode. In the “normal mode”, the current gaming state is difficult for the player to grasp. Therefore, if the gaming state is a “high probability state” in the normal mode, this is a so-called “latent state” that the player cannot grasp.

  In the present embodiment, mode information regarding the game mode is stored in the mode information storage area of the RAM 553. The sub-control device 262 is configured to be able to determine the game mode based on the value of the mode flag Mf stored as mode information in the mode information storage area. More specifically, when the game mode is “normal mode”, the value of the mode flag Mf is set to “0”, and when the game mode is “suggestion mode”, the value of the mode flag Mf is set to “ When “1” is set and the game mode is “notification mode”, the value of the mode flag Mf is set to “2”.

  Here, the flow of the mode switching setting process will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, in step S4401, it is determined based on the input of a command from the main control device 261 or the like whether or not a big hit state has occurred (or has ended). If an affirmative determination is made here, the process proceeds to step S4402. If a negative determination is made, the present process is terminated.

  In step S4402, it is determined whether or not the value of the mode flag Mf is “0”, that is, whether or not the game mode is “normal mode”.

  If the determination is affirmative, in step S4403, a normal mode setting process for setting the display mode on the decorative symbol display device 42 to the normal mode is performed, and the present process is terminated. In the normal mode setting process, for example, setting of a display command to be executed by the display control device 45 is performed (the same applies to the following various mode setting processes).

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S4402, it is determined in step S4404 whether or not the value of the mode flag Mf is “1”, that is, whether or not the game mode is “suggest mode”.

  If the determination is affirmative, suggestion mode setting processing is performed in step S4405, and this processing is terminated. In the suggestion mode setting process, the gaming state is determined based on the gaming state information stored in the gaming state information storage area of the RAM 553, and if the gaming state is “high probability state”, in addition to the normal mode display, for example, A display setting such as “may be a high probability state?” Is performed with a probability of 70%. That is, when the “suggest mode” is entered, a suggestion display that suggests the current gaming state to the player is performed with a predetermined probability.

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S4404, it is determined in step S4406 whether or not the value of the mode flag Mf is “2”, that is, whether or not the game mode is “notification mode”.

  If an affirmative determination is made here, a notification mode setting process is performed in step S4407, and the process ends. In the notification mode setting process, the gaming state is determined based on the gaming state information stored in the gaming state information storage area of the RAM 553. If the gaming state is “high probability state”, instead of displaying the normal mode, For example, the background image BG is set to a reddish monotone mode, and a notification display setting such as “high probability state” is performed. On the other hand, if the gaming state is “low probability state”, in addition to the normal mode display, notification display setting such as “under low probability state” is performed. That is, in the “notification mode”, a notification display for notifying the player of the current gaming state is performed with a probability of 100%.

  Next, the hold display setting process will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The sub hold buffer Bf constitutes a holding means in this embodiment.

  First, in step S4501, the reach pattern (“A reach”, “B reach”, “C reach” or “D reach”) is included in the effect patterns stored in the hold first to eighth areas of the sub hold buffer Bf. It is determined whether or not.

  If a negative determination is made here, that is, if any reach pattern is not included, a normal hold display update process is performed in step S4505. As shown in FIG. 33A, in the normal hold display, the number of holds can be determined by the hold images T1 to T8 formed of “hold lamp images” simulating a circular hold lamp.

  In the present embodiment, among the eight reserved images T1 to T8 that are the maximum number of reserved images, the number of the variable display held according to the number of the reserved images T1 to T8 that are displayed without being covered by the covering image W as the covering means. It is configured to be able to grasp. In the example shown in FIG. 33B, among the reserved images T1 to T8, the sixth to eighth reserved images T6 to T8 are covered with the covering image W, and only the first to fifth reserved images T1 to T5 are visible. Is displayed. This indicates that the current variable display hold count is “5”.

  That is, when the number of holds in the sub hold buffer Bf is “0”, all of the first to eighth hold images T1 to T8 are covered with the cover image W and cannot be visually recognized.

  When the number of holds in the sub hold buffer Bf is “1”, the second to eighth hold images T2 to T8 are covered with the cover image W, and only the first hold image T1 is visible.

  When the number of holds in the sub hold buffer Bf is “2”, the third to eighth hold images T3 to T8 are covered with the cover image W, and the first and second hold images T1 and T2 are visible.

  When the number of holds in the sub hold buffer Bf is “3”, the fourth to eighth hold images T4 to T8 are covered with the cover image W, and the first to third hold images T1 to T3 are visible.

  When the number of holds in the sub hold buffer Bf is “4”, the fifth to eighth hold images T5 to T8 are covered with the cover image W, and the first to fourth hold images T1 to T4 are visible.

  When the number of holds in the sub hold buffer Bf is “5”, the sixth to eighth hold images T6 to T8 are covered with the cover image W, and the first to fifth hold images T1 to T5 are visible.

  When the number of holds in the sub hold buffer Bf is “6”, the seventh and eighth hold images T7 and T8 are covered with the cover image W, and the first to sixth hold images T1 to T6 are visible.

  When the number of holds in the sub hold buffer Bf is “7”, only the eighth hold image T8 is covered with the cover image W, and the first to seventh hold images T1 to T7 are visible.

  When the number of holds in the sub hold buffer Bf is “8”, all the hold images T1 to T8 are visible without being covered with the cover image W.

  In the normal hold display update process in step S4505, the display update process for increasing or decreasing the number of hold images T1 to T8 that are not covered by the cover image W according to the increase or decrease of the hold number in the sub hold buffer Bf is performed. .

  On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step S4501, that is, if information related to the reach pattern is included in any of the hold first to eighth areas of the sub hold buffer Bf, the reach type is set in step S4502. Identify. Here, when two or more (two or more types) reach patterns are stored in the reserved first to eighth areas, one reach pattern is determined according to a predetermined priority order. In this embodiment, “D reach”, “C reach”, “B reach”, and “A reach” are assigned in descending order of priority.

  Therefore, if “D reach” is stored in the reserved first area and “A reach” is stored in the reserved second area, the reach pattern stored in the reserved first to eighth areas is “ D reach ”is specified. For example, when “A reach” was initially stored in the reserved third area, but “C reach” was stored in the reserved fifth area after that, The reach pattern stored in the eight areas is initially “A reach”, but is switched to “C reach”. As a result, the content of the change hold display (arrangement of “note image” and “rest image”), which will be described later, is switched from the one corresponding to “A reach” to the one corresponding to “C reach”. Become.

  In the subsequent step S4503, a melody setting process corresponding to the reach pattern specified in step S4502 is performed.

  In this embodiment, a unique melody is set for each of “A reach”, “B reach”, “C reach”, and “D reach”. Specifically, in “A reach”, a melody consisting of eight sounds of “Doremifa sofa mired” (hereinafter referred to as “melody A”) is repeatedly played from the speaker SP. In “B reach”, a melody composed of “doremi de de” is repeatedly played (hereinafter referred to as “melody B”). Here, “•” indicates “one beat rest” (the same applies hereinafter). In “C reach”, a melody composed of “doremi doremi” (hereinafter referred to as “melody C”) is repeatedly played. In “D reach”, a melody composed of “Doremi Dremir” (hereinafter referred to as “Melody C”) is repeatedly played.

  In the melody information setting process in step S4503, melody information corresponding to various reach patterns is stored in a predetermined area (melody storage area) of the RAM 553. The melody storage area includes eight storage areas for storing the eight sounds of each melody.

  In the subsequent step S4504, a hold display change process is performed in accordance with the melody information specified in the melody setting process in step S4503, and then this process is terminated.

  By the hold display change processing in step S4504, the eight hold images T1 to T8 are copied from the “hold lamp image” at the time of the normal hold display to the “musical note image” or “star” imitating the “eighth note”. It is replaced with the “rest image”. For example, as shown in FIG. 33 (b), in the state where the first to fifth reserved images T1 to T5 are displayed, one of the reserved first to eighth areas of the sub reserved buffer Bf relates to “A reach”. When the information is stored, as shown in FIG. 33 (c), the first to fifth reserved images T1 to T5 are respectively replaced from the “held lamp image” to the “musical note image”. The display information control means in the present embodiment is constituted in particular by the function of the hold display change process.

  More specifically, as shown in FIG. 35, if “A reach”, all of the on-hold images T1 to T8 are replaced with “note image”.

  In the case of “B reach”, three of the fourth, sixth, and eighth reserved images T4, T6, and T8 are replaced with “rest images”, and the remaining first to third reserved images T1 to T3 and The fifth and seventh reserved images T5 and T7 are replaced with “musical note images”.

  If it is “C reach”, two of the fourth and eighth reserved images T4 and T8 are replaced with “rest images”, and the remaining first to third reserved images T1 to T3 and fifth to seventh reserved Images T5 to T7 are replaced with “note image”.

  If it is “D reach”, the fourth reserved image T4 is replaced with “rest image”, and the remaining first to third reserved images T1 to T3 and the fifth to eighth reserved images T5 to T8 are “notes”. It is replaced with “image”.

  The change pending display (arrangement of “note image” and “rest image”) replaced in this way causes melodies (“melody A” to “D reach”) corresponding to the above reach (“A reach” to “D reach”). The rhythm of melody D ") will be displayed. The music information (predetermined information) in the present embodiment is configured by the change hold display (arrangement of “note image” and “rest image”).

  However, even in the case of the change hold display, the number of the hold images T1 to T8 that can be visually recognized by the player is the same as the normal hold display, and depends on the number of hold of the variable display. ~ T8) In order to visually recognize everything, the number of reservations needs to be "8".

  For example, as shown in FIG. 35, when the number of hold of the variable display is “3”, the player can only view the change hold display because the first to third hold images T1 to T3 are only visible. It is impossible to determine whether the arrangement of the “note image” and the “rest image” is a rhythm corresponding to any of “melody A” to “melody D”. Here, when the number of hold of the variable display becomes “4” and the fourth hold image T4 becomes visible, if the fourth hold image T4 is “musical note image”, the change hold display is “melody”. It can be determined that this corresponds to “A”.

  Further, when the variable display hold number is “5”, since the first to fifth hold images T1 to T5 are only visible, the player simply sees the change hold display. It cannot be determined whether the arrangement of the “note image” and the “rest image” is a rhythm corresponding to “melody B” to “melody D”. Here, when the number of hold of the variable display becomes “6” and the sixth hold image T6 becomes visible, if the sixth hold image T6 is “rest image”, the change hold display is “ It can be determined that it corresponds to “Melody B”.

  Further, when the variable display hold number is “7”, since the first to seventh hold images T1 to T7 are only visible, the player simply sees the change hold display. It cannot be determined whether the arrangement of the “note image” and “rest image” is a rhythm corresponding to “melody C” or “melody D”. Here, at the stage when the number of hold of the variable display becomes “8” and the eighth hold image T8 becomes visible, whether the eighth hold image T8 is “rest image” or “note image”. Thus, it can be determined whether the change hold display corresponds to “melody C” or “melody D”.

  Now, returning to the description of FIG. 25, in step S3908, effect processing for executing a game effect using the effect device 125 is performed. As a result, a “melody application effect” is performed in which the player applies a melody corresponding to the reach pattern (reach pattern to be executed later) stored in the sub-hold buffer Bf. First, the configuration of the rendering device 125 will be described in detail.

  As shown in FIG. 34, the rendering device 125 simulates a keyboard such as a piano, and a plurality of key members 126a to 126f are arranged side by side.

  Each of the key members 126a to 126f is configured so that the player can perform a pressing operation, and a sensor (not shown) is provided behind the key members 126a. When the player operates, the operation can be detected.

  As will be described later, when each of the key members 126a to 126f is operated when a predetermined condition is satisfied, the sub-control device 262 that has received the detection signals from the key members (sensors) 126a to 126f drives and controls the speaker SP. Then, a sound corresponding to the operated key members 126a to 126f is emitted.

  In the present embodiment, the first key member 126a corresponds to a so-called “de” sound, the second key member 126b corresponds to a so-called “le” sound, and the third key member 126c corresponds to a so-called “mi” sound. Correspondingly, the fourth key member 126d corresponds to a so-called “fa” sound, and the fifth key member 126e corresponds to a so-called “so” sound. Note that the sixth key member 126f corresponds to “one-beat rest” in which no sound is produced even when pressed.

  Next, the flow of the rendering process in step S3908 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, in step S4601, it is determined whether the current time is an operation permission period. In the present embodiment, the change-pending display is being performed (step S4504) and the variable display high-speed change period is set as the operation permission period. The high-speed fluctuation period is a period from the start of fluctuation display until the first symbol row (upper symbol row) stops, that is, a period during which all symbol rows are variably displayed without stopping. The high-speed fluctuation period in this embodiment is set to “8 seconds” in common regardless of the fluctuation pattern. The determination in step S4601 is made based on the variation display timer.

  The change hold display is continuously performed as long as the information related to the reach pattern is included in any of the hold first to eighth areas of the sub hold buffer Bf. As long as the information related to the reach pattern is included in the buffer Bf, it is set any number of times. For example, when the normal hold display (“hold lamp image”) is switched to the change hold display (“note image” etc.) when the number of hold of the variable display becomes “5”. Until the variable display corresponding to the fifth hold is executed, the operation permission period is set five times.

  If a negative determination is made in step S4601, that is, if it is not the operation permission period, the process proceeds to step S4602, and after clearing the contents of an operation history buffer described later, this process ends.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step S4601, the process proceeds to step S4603, and the decorative symbol display device 42 performs a setting for displaying a message prompting the player to operate the effect device 125. As a result, a message that the player operates the effect device 125 and actively participates in the “melody guess effect”, such as “Let me hit what melody!” It is continuously displayed during the operation permission period.

  In the following step S4604, it is determined whether or not the player has operated the key members 126a to 126f even once within the operation permission period based on the detection signals from the key members (sensors) 126a to 126f.

  Here, if a negative determination is made, it means that the player has not participated in the “melody guessing effect”. Therefore, the value of the mode flag Mf is set to “0” in step S4605, and this processing is performed. Exit.

  On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made, in step S4606, the sound corresponding to the operated key members 126a to 126f ("do", "re", "mi", "fa", "so" or "one beat" "Rest") is stored in the operation history buffer.

  The operation history buffer is provided with eight storage areas set in a predetermined correspondence relationship with the eight storage areas of the melody storage area, and the sounds corresponding to the key members 126a to 126f are sequentially operated. It is stored for each storage area.

  Subsequently, in step S4607, sound output setting is performed to output the sound stored in the operation history buffer, that is, the sound corresponding to the operated key members 126a to 126f, from the speaker SP. Of course, in the case of “one beat rest”, no sound is output.

  In the following step S4608, 8 sounds stored in each storage area of the operation history buffer and 8 sounds stored in each storage area of the melody storage area in the melody setting process in step S4503 (eight sounds of predetermined melody information). Is matched. The function of performing such processing constitutes a determination unit in the present embodiment. Here, when all the eight storage areas of the operation history buffer are not filled, a negative determination is always made.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step S4608, that is, if all eight sounds stored in the operation history buffer match the predetermined melody information, the process proceeds to step S4609, and the value of the mode flag Mf is set to “ 2 ”and the process is terminated. The function of performing such processing mainly constitutes the providing means in the present embodiment.

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S4608, the process proceeds to step S4610, and whether or not the rhythm stored in the operation history buffer matches the rhythm of the predetermined melody information stored in the melody storage area. Determine. Here, “rhythm” means an arrangement of “sounds (notes)” and “one-beat rests (rests)” regardless of the pitch of “do”, “re”, “mi”, etc. To do. Therefore, for example, when the melody information stored in the melody storage area corresponds to “melody A”, all the eight sounds stored in each of the eight storage areas of the operation history buffer are “do”. In this case, the melody is different but the rhythm is matched, and the determination in step S4610 is affirmative.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step S4610, the value of the mode flag Mf is set to “1” in step S4611, and this process ends. On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S4610, it means that the answer is incorrect, the process proceeds to step S4605, the value of the mode flag Mf is set to “0”, and this process ends.

  With the above configuration, when the correct melody is obtained in the “melody hit effect”, the “notification mode” is given as a privilege after the next jackpot, and the player can play the game state (“high probability state” or “low The probability state)). Thus, the player can make a determination, for example, to continue the game if it is in the “high probability state” or to end the game if it is in the “low probability state”.

  In addition, if the correct rhythm is obtained, the “suggest mode” is given after the next jackpot, and if the answer is incorrect or the melody guessing effect is not taken, the “normal mode” is given. The

  Now, returning to the description of FIG. 25, in the lamp setting process in step S <b> 3909, the lighting pattern of the lamp / electrical accessories is set so as to be synchronized with the display effect performed by the decorative symbol display device 42.

  In the sound setting process in step S3910, the output pattern of the speaker SP is set so as to be synchronized with the display effect performed by the decorative symbol display device 42. In addition, when a voice-related command such as an error notification is transmitted from the main control device 261, settings for performing these controls are also performed in step S3910.

  In step 3911, an external output process for transmitting a control signal based on the setting contents in steps S3905 to 3910 to each device is executed. For example, a display command is transmitted to the display control device 45 when the decorative symbol display device 42 displays the variation of the decorative symbol.

  After the processing of steps S3905 to S3911 performed every 1 msec is performed, or when a negative determination is made in step S3904, the process proceeds to step S3912, and whether or not the information on occurrence of power interruption is stored in the RAM 553 is determined. Is determined. The information on the occurrence of power interruption is stored when a power interruption command is received from the main controller 261.

  If the occurrence information of the power interruption is not stored, the process proceeds to step S3913, and it is determined whether or not the RAM 553 is destroyed. If the RAM 553 is not destroyed here, the process returns to step S3901 and the normal process is repeatedly executed. On the other hand, if the RAM 553 is destroyed, the processing is looped infinitely in order to stop the subsequent processing.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S3912 that the power-off occurrence information is stored, power-off processing is executed in step S3914. In power-off processing, interrupt processing is prohibited and each output port is turned off. In addition, the storage of information on occurrence of power interruption is also deleted. After executing the power-off process, the process loops infinitely.

  As described above in detail, according to the present embodiment, when the information related to the reach pattern is included in the sub-hold buffer Bf, the hold images T1 to T8 are displayed from the “hold lamp image” at the time of normal hold display. A change hold display to be replaced with a “note image” or “rest image” is performed, and the player is made to play the effect device 125 to perform a “melody application effect”.

  When the correct melody is obtained in the “melody guessing effect”, the “notification mode” is given as a privilege after the next jackpot is over, and the player can play the game state (“high probability state” or “low probability state”). )). Thus, the player can make a determination, for example, to continue the game if it is in the “high probability state” or to end the game if it is in the “low probability state”.

  On the other hand, when the correct rhythm is obtained, the “suggest mode” is given after the end of the next jackpot, and “normal mode” is given if the answer is incorrect or the melody guessing effect is not participated. The

  In addition, since the number of the hold images T1 to T8 that can be visually recognized in the hold display changes according to the hold number of the variable display, when the “melody application effect” is performed, the more the hold number, the more the melody It becomes easy to recognize the whole picture. That is, it becomes easier to obtain a correct melody. For this reason, the player eagerly plays the game to increase the number of holds. For example, when the normal hold display (“hold lamp image”) is switched to the change hold display (“note image” etc.) when the number of hold of the variable display becomes “5”. Since it can be determined that the effect pattern of the variable display corresponding to the fifth hold is a reach pattern, the player can perform several times during the remaining five variable displays (five operation permission periods). Challenge and get the correct melody.

  As a result, the players will actively participate in the game, and the overall production using visual, auditory, tactile, etc. will suppress the monotony of the game and aim to dramatically improve the interest. Can do.

  In addition, it is not limited to the description content of embodiment mentioned above, For example, you may implement as follows.

  (A) In the above-described embodiment, there are “probable big jackpot” and “ordinary jackpot” as jackpot types, and in the jackpot state, the variable winning device 32 is opened for 30 seconds or eight in the variable winning device 32 It is configured that this game ball is won as a round and this is repeated 16 times (16 rounds), but the type and content of the jackpot is not limited to the above embodiment, and other configurations are possible. It may be adopted.

  (B) In the above embodiment, the two start ports (the central start port 33 and the right start port 34) are provided to be separated from each other on the left and right, but the configuration of the start port is limited to this. is not. For example, the number of start ports may be one, or three or more. Moreover, it is good also as a structure which arranged the two start ports in parallel up and down, and it is good also as a structure provided with the opening-and-closing member which can open and close a start port.

  (C) In the above embodiment, when both the variable display triggered by winning at the central start port 33 and the variable display triggered by entering the right start port 34 are suspended, The variation display is digested according to the order in which the game balls enter the start port 33 or the right start port 34. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to preferentially perform the variable display triggered by entering the ball at either the central starting port 33 or the right starting port 34, and digest the hold. Under this configuration, the change hold display may be applied only to the hold display related to the one start port.

  (D) In the above embodiment, a “high probability state” and a “low probability state” can be set as the gaming state. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and another game state may be set. For example, instead of or in addition to the “high probability state” or “low probability state”, a “time reduction state” in which at least the variable display time in the special display devices 43L and 43R is shortened may be set. Of course, when the “time reduction state” is set, a conventional configuration such as increasing the opening time of the start ports 33 and 34 (opening / closing members) or increasing the number of opening times may be combined. In addition, the “high probability state” and the “time reduction state” may be shifted to the “low probability state” after the special display devices 43L and 43R display the variable display for a total of 100 times.

  (E) In the above embodiment, when the front frame set 14 is closed, the special display devices 43L and 43R and the holding lamps 46L and 46R are covered by the front frame set 14, and are invisible to the player. Become. Not limited to this, the special display devices 43L, 43R and the like may be configured to be visible. However, the special display devices 43L and 43R are provided in an inconspicuous place such as the lower corner of the game area that is not easily noticeable by the player, and the size of the display portion is small, and the characters for determination are stopped and displayed. The time is also relatively short. Therefore, it is practically impossible to grasp the gaming state that can be given unless the eyes are carefully observed without special attention from the special display devices 43L and 43R.

  (F) The configuration of the operation means is not limited to the rendering device 125 in the above embodiment. For example, if it is only an effect that applies a rhythm regardless of the pitch, a configuration having only one button may be employed. Further, the handle 18 may be provided with an operation means serving as a rendering device so that it can be operated with the right hand, or a touch panel provided corresponding to the decorative symbol display device 42 may be used as the operation means.

  (G) In the above embodiment, the change hold display is performed when the information related to the reach pattern is included in the sub hold buffer Bf. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the change hold display may be performed when other production conditions are satisfied, for example, when the sub-hold buffer Bf includes information related to the jackpot.

  Moreover, it is good also as a structure which performs an effect lottery separately irrespective of big hit lottery etc., and performs a change pending | holding display based on the said lottery result. By combining such a configuration with the above configuration, it is possible to perform an effect of disguising a reach suggestion, a jackpot suggestion, or the like, and further improve interest. Conversely, as a jackpot finalizing effect or the like, even if the information related to the reach pattern or jackpot is included in the sub-hold buffer Bf, the change hold display may not be performed. In this way, the predetermined regularity is lost. As a result, when it is determined that a specific display mode or a specific game state is derived, a player who recognizes that the regularity is lost visually recognizes the mode etc. where the regularity is lost. By doing so, a feeling of expectation that a specific display mode or a specific game state may be derived is obtained, and the interest is improved.

  (H) In the above embodiment, the change hold display (arrangement of “note image” and “rest image”) indicating the rhythm of the melody corresponding to each reach is displayed as music information. The music information is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a song title.

  (I) In the above embodiment, music is changed by changing the hold display, that is, by replacing the hold images T1 to T8 with the “note image” or “rest image” from the “hold lamp image” at the time of the normal hold display. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, apart from the reserved images T1 to T8, a “musical note image” or the like may be displayed as music information.

  (J) In the above embodiment, the high-speed fluctuation period of the fluctuation display is set as the operation permission period of the rendering device 125. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and another period such as a reach or a big hit may be set as the operation permission period. However, since there are many cases where special effects are not performed during the high-speed fluctuation period immediately after the start of the fluctuation of the symbol Z, compared to during reach or jackpot, it becomes easier for players to actively participate in the game. .

  In addition, for example, during the “notification mode” or “high probability state”, whether or not to perform the effect is determined according to the gaming state, the game mode, or the like, such as not performing an effect that causes the effect device 125 to be used. It is good also as a structure.

  (K) Operation means such as the production device 125 and the production performed using the music information are not limited to the “melody application production” in the above embodiment. For example, it is good also as a structure which produces the effect etc. which select BGM in reach from several music.

  (L) The privilege for correctly answering “melody application effect” or the like is not limited to the provision of the specific mode. For example, a prize ball may be paid out.

  (M) You may implement as a pachinko machine of a different type from the above-mentioned embodiment. In addition to pachinko machines, the present invention can also be implemented as various gaming machines such as slot machines, arrange ball machines, and sparrow balls.

  (N) The determination method of “melody correct answer” or “rhythm correct answer” related to “melody guessing effect” is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the operation history buffer of the above embodiment is provided with eight storage areas set in correspondence with the eight storage areas of the melody storage area, and the order in which the sounds corresponding to the key members 126a to 126f are operated. 8 sounds stored in each storage area of the operation history buffer and 8 sounds (8 sounds of predetermined melody information) stored in each storage area of the melody storage area. It is the structure which determines whether it corresponds. Instead of this, for example, an operation history buffer having 20 storage areas is provided, and 8 sounds stored in 8 consecutive storage areas of the operation history buffer coincide with 8 sounds stored in each storage area of the melody storage area. If it does, it is good also as a structure which becomes a "melody correct answer".

  (O) In the above embodiment, the game mode such as the “notification mode” is switched at the time of a big hit (at the time of occurrence or end), but the present invention is not limited to this. When the correct melody is obtained, the game mode may be switched without waiting for the next jackpot end.

  (P) In the above embodiment, when the information related to the reach pattern is included in the sub hold buffer Bf, the hold images T1 to T8 are changed from the “hold lamp image” to the “musical note image” or “rest” in the normal hold display. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and when the information related to the reach pattern is included in the sub-hold buffer Bf, for example, the position above the “hold lamp image” or the like. In addition to the “hold lamp image”, a “note image” or “rest image” may be displayed.

  (R) In the above embodiment, in the “melody application effect (step S3908)”, when a plurality of operation permission periods are set (for example, the normal hold display until then is the variable display hold number “ When switching to the change hold display at the stage of “5”, the operation permission period is set five times before the variable display corresponding to the fifth hold is executed. ), The player can try “melody guessing” several times in order to obtain “melody correct answer”, but once the “melody correct answer” or “rhythm correct answer” is obtained, If you challenge the “melody guessing” and give a lower-ranked answer (eg, “rhythm correct answer” or “wrong answer” after the “melody correct answer”), it will be given after the jackpot ends Game mode is disadvantageous for players There is a fear that is downgraded to mode. For this reason, instead of the above embodiment, when a plurality of operation permission periods are set, once a “melody correct answer” or “rhythm correct answer” is obtained, an inferior answer is given. Even in the case of being closed, the game mode that is given after the end of the jackpot may not be downgraded to an unfavorable mode. Moreover, it is good also as a structure provided with the clear button etc. for erasing the content of the operation history buffer so that an answer input mistake (operation mistake of the key members 126a-126f) etc. can be corrected.

  (S) In the embodiment described above, a “melody application effect” is performed in which the player applies a melody corresponding to the reach pattern (reach pattern to be executed later) stored in the sub-hold buffer Bf. Not limited to this, for example, one character such as “frog” is displayed as the predetermined information, and this is covered with a predetermined cover image, and the degree of visibility of the character changes according to the number of variable display suspensions It is good.

  (T) In the above embodiment, the degree (number) of the reserved images T1 to T8 as the predetermined information changes depending on the cover image W. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the density of the character image gradually increases as the number of variable displays increases. Conversely, as the number of variable displays increases, the density of the predetermined image gradually decreases, and some information displayed in the back may be visible.

  Hereinafter, the technical idea that is not described in the claims and that can be grasped from the above embodiment will be described together with the effects thereof.

Means 1. A gaming machine that performs a lottery based on a predetermined opportunity and gives a special gaming state advantageous to the player when a winning result is obtained by the lottery,
First display means capable of variably displaying the identification information;
A holding means capable of holding the variable display a predetermined number of times;
A second display means capable of displaying predetermined information;
A display information control means for changing the degree of visibility (range, number, etc.) of the predetermined information displayed on the second display means in accordance with the number of pending variable displays. Machine.

  According to the means 1, the degree of visibility of the predetermined information displayed on the second display means changes according to the number of variable display suspensions. For example, if the number of reservations increases, it becomes easier to recognize the whole picture of the predetermined information, and if the number of reservations is increased, the player will be eager to play the game and further enhance the interest. Can do.

  In recent years, a gaming machine or the like that performs a notice effect or the like by a hold number display means (a hold lamp, a liquid crystal display device, or the like) that displays the hold number of the variable display stored in the hold storage means can be seen.

  For example, the holding storage means includes four holding areas and one execution area. In each holding area, information related to variable display of symbols (identification information) executed on the liquid crystal display device (a jackpot lottery) Result, variation pattern, etc.) are stored in time series. The data stored in each holding area is changed from the holding first area to the execution area, the holding second area to the holding first area,... The area is sequentially shifted to the execution area side.

  On the other hand, the number-of-holds display means is configured to light and display a predetermined display target (LED, image, etc.) corresponding to the hold area according to the presence or absence of data stored in each hold area of the hold storage means. ing. When there is a data shift (increase / decrease in the number of holdings) in the holding storage means, the holding number display means also performs a shift display corresponding to this.

  Under such a configuration, when the notice effect is performed, for example, data that is not a big hit is stored among display targets (LEDs, images, etc.) corresponding to each holding area that is lit and displayed on the holding number display means. In order to be distinguishable from the display object corresponding to the reserved area (for example, an LED that is lit in green or a round image), the display object corresponding to the reserved area that stores data that is a big hit (for example, an LED that is lit in red, Display a heart-shaped image, etc.) to notify the player that a big hit will occur.

  In the conventional configuration in which the hold display is shifted and displayed as described above, a specific display object is moved and displayed each time the variable display is executed. Therefore, once displayed information is continuously displayed in the same mode for a long time. Difficult to do. On the other hand, this means is a configuration that changes the degree of visibility of the displayed predetermined information according to the number of suspended variable displays, and does not directly change the content of the predetermined information. For this reason, if the hold is always full, it is possible to always maintain the predetermined information in a visible state. Therefore, if the predetermined information is useful information for the player, the player eagerly plays the game in order to maintain it in a state with a large number of holdings, which can further enhance the interest.

  In addition, in the conventional configuration, it becomes clear which notice display is executed in the variable display corresponding to which display object, but conversely, in contrast to the variable display related to other display objects that are not the object of the notice effect, etc. The player may lose interest. On the other hand, according to this means, it is possible to perform a notice effect or the like on the entire hold display (a plurality of display objects), and the occurrence of the above-described problems can be reduced.

  The same applies to the following means, but as the “predetermined opportunity”, for example, “an opportunity to detect the entry of a game ball into a predetermined entry means provided in the game area by a predetermined detection means” And “an opportunity when the predetermined detection means detects that the start operation means for starting the variable display on the predetermined display means is operated”.

  Further, as a more specific configuration of the holding means taking a pachinko machine as an example, for example, “at least during the first variation display, when a game ball enters the entering means, it is caused by the entry. In addition to the second variation display, after completion of the first variation display, it has a plurality of storage areas so that the second variation display can be performed, and at least every lottery result information every time the lottery is performed And a holding means capable of storing a group of information including information regarding the variation mode (variation time) in each storage area and storing the information group for a plurality of times in time series.

Mean 2. Storage means for storing a plurality of types of the predetermined information;
2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the content of the predetermined information displayed on the second display means can be switched based on establishment of a predetermined condition.

  According to the above means 2, the content of the predetermined information displayed on the second display means is appropriately switched, thereby reducing the possibility that the player's interest in the predetermined information will be diminished, and maintaining interest for a longer period of time. Can do.

Means 3. The predetermined information is composed of a plurality of information,
The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the number of pieces of information to be displayed among the predetermined information is changed in accordance with the number of suspensions of the variable display.

  According to the means 3, the number of pieces of information to be displayed among the predetermined information changes according to the number of variable display suspensions. Thereby, it is possible to clearly indicate to the player the number of variable display suspensions depending on the number of information.

Means 4. It has operating means that can be operated by the player,
The gaming machine according to any one of means 1 to 3, characterized in that an effect of causing the player to apply predetermined information displayed on the second display means to the player using the operation means.

  According to the said means 4, the improvement of the further interest can be aimed at by performing the production | presentation of the quiz form which makes a player apply information.

  Means 5. The gaming machine according to claim 4, wherein a predetermined privilege is given when the player hits the predetermined information.

  According to the means 5, since the player is more actively participating in the production using the operation means by giving the privilege, it is possible to further improve the interest.

  Conventionally, whether or not a privilege (predetermined game mode or the like) is granted has been determined by lottery or the like on the gaming machine side regardless of the player's intention. On the other hand, in this means, it will be determined by the operation of the operation means by the player. As a result, the player actively participates in the game, and the entertainment can be further improved.

Means 6. A mode switching means capable of switching the game mode between at least the normal mode and a specific mode more advantageous to the player than the normal mode;
The gaming machine according to claim 5, wherein the specific mode is given as the privilege.

  As the “normal mode” and the “specific mode”, for example, “a non-notification mode in which the game state cannot be notified to the player” and “notification mode in which the player can be notified of the game state” can be considered. When the notification mode is set, the player can grasp the gaming state at that time. As a result, it becomes a judgment material when judging whether or not the game should be continued, and convenience is improved. Further, the first specific mode and the second specific mode that is more advantageous to the player than that may be set as the specific mode.

  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 a more detailed mode example, “an operation means (game ball launching handle) operated by a player, a launching means (shot motor, etc.) for playing and launching a game ball based on an operation of the operation means, A ball ball game machine including a game area where a game ball is guided and each ball entry means (general prize opening, variable prize winning device, operation opening, etc.) arranged in the game area.

  B. 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.

  C. 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 (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 unit such as a reel unit) that stops and displays the identification information sequence after the rotation of the starting information means. The identification information (symbol) starts to fluctuate and the identification information (symbol) fluctuates due to the operation of the stop operation means (specifically, the stop button). A spinning-type gaming machine configured to be given game value on condition that the information is specific identification information.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Pachinko machine, 33 ... Center start opening, 34 ... Right start opening, 42 ... Decoration symbol display device, 43L ... First special display device, 43R ... Second special display device, 45 ... Display control device, 46L ... First Hold lamp, 46R ... second hold lamp, 125 ... production device, 126a to 126f ... key member, 261 ... main control device, 262 ... sub control device, Na ... central hold counter, Nb ... right hold counter, Nx ... total hold Counter, Bj ... Hold order buffer, Bf ... Sub hold buffer, Mf ... Mode flag, SP ... Speaker, T1-T8 ... Hold image, W ... Cover image.

Claims (2)

A gaming machine that performs a lottery based on a predetermined opportunity and gives a special gaming state advantageous to the player when a winning result is obtained by the lottery,
Display means capable of variably displaying the identification information;
A holding means capable of holding the variable display a predetermined number of times;
Hold display means capable of displaying the hold for the predetermined number of times;
Operation means that can be operated by the player;
Based on the establishment of a predetermined condition, information corresponding to a predetermined notification sound can be displayed, a predetermined effect for causing the player to operate the operation means can be executed, and related to the predetermined effect based on the operation of the operation means Production execution means capable of outputting sound ,
Depending on the content of the hold when the predetermined condition is satisfied, or according to the change of the content of the hold while the predetermined condition is satisfied, the aspect of the hold display means changes, and the aspect of the hold display means Accordingly, the amount of information corresponding to the sound changes, and the manner in which the player operates the operating means changes.   The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the gaming machine is a pachinko machine.

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