JP6593398B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine using a game ball or a game medal as a game medium, or a slot machine using a game medal.

In general, gaming machines such as pachinko machines and slot machines are provided with a main control board that controls games and a sub-control board that performs control processing based on commands from the main control board. In addition, some gaming machines such as pachinko gaming machines can be adjusted in volume and brightness by a player's operation (paragraphs 0314 and 0315 in Patent Document 1).
JP-A-2006-147020

  By the way, in the pachinko gaming machine and the like as described above, adjustment of the brightness for the effect is performed as an environment setting related to the game. Then, it is desirable that the environment setting such as adjustment of the luminance for production can be easily selected by the player according to his / her preference. Furthermore, various methods have been applied to the environment setting method so far, but further devices are required to have the gaming machine be used in a more favorable state for the player.

  The present invention has been made in view of these problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of appropriately performing environment setting related to a light emission effect.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a main control means (such as a main board) for controlling the progress of the game,
Effect control means (such as a sub main board) that receives effect control information (main command, etc.) from the main control means and performs control processing according to the effect control information;
Light emission effect means (upper sign unit etc.) having a light emission effect part (upper sign etc.) for enabling visual recognition of the light emission effect only when executing a specific effect;
A game effect lamp capable of executing a light emission effect even in a situation other than the specific effect execution, and capable of executing the light emission effect in a plurality of light emission colors;
An operation means (upward key, downward key, etc.) that can be operated by the player to change the light intensity of the light emission effect,
The light emitting effect part uses a light guide plate (inner lens, middle lens, light guide cover, etc.),
The production control means includes
In the transition possible period (such as a period during which the environment setting main menu is displayed) in which the transition to a state in which the light amount of the lighting effect can be changed is possible,
When the transition from the transitionable period to a changeable period (such as a period during which the light amount adjustment menu is displayed) in which the light intensity of the light emission effect can be changed, the gaming effect lamp is caused to emit light in the changeable period light emission mode On the other hand, the light emission effect unit performs control so as not to emit light,
The gaming machine is characterized in that the light emission mode of the changeable period of the game effect lamp is a light emission mode unified to a predetermined light emission color.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the game machine which can perform the environment setting which concerns on a light emission effect appropriately can be provided.

1 is a front view of a pachinko gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a rear view of a pachinko gaming machine. It is a block diagram which shows the function of a pachinko gaming machine. It is a block diagram which shows the main board | substrate structures of a pachinko game machine. It is a block diagram which shows the basic functional means of a main board | substrate, a sub main board | substrate, and a sub sub board | substrate. It is explanatory drawing which shows a main control display apparatus. (A) is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a display in the change of the effect symbol in an effect display apparatus, (b) is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a display during the stop of an effect symbol similarly. (A) is a chart showing a success / failure determination table, and (b) is a chart showing a deviation variation pattern table. (A) is a chart showing a big hit symbol determination table for the first lottery, (b) is a chart showing a big hit symbol determination table for the second lottery, and (c) is a small hit symbol determination table used at the time of a small hit. It is a chart. (A) is a chart showing a fluctuation pattern table used at the time of loss, (b) is a chart showing a fluctuation pattern table used at 15R big hit, and (c) is a chart showing a fluctuation pattern table used at 5R big hit and small hit. It is. It is a flowchart which shows the control start process in a main board | substrate. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a control start process following FIG. 11. It is a flowchart which shows the game progress interruption process in a main board | substrate. It is a flowchart which shows the power-off process in a main board | substrate. It is a flowchart which shows the submain initial setting process in a submain board | substrate. It is a flowchart which shows the main process in a sub main board | substrate. It is a flowchart which shows the main command reception process in a sub main board | substrate. It is a flowchart which shows the timer interruption process in a sub main board | substrate. (A) is a perspective view showing a state in which operation buttons and cross keys and their surroundings are viewed from the front upper side, and (b) is an explanatory view showing an environment setting main menu. (A) is explanatory drawing which shows a volume adjustment menu, (b) is explanatory drawing which shows a light quantity adjustment menu. It is a front view which shows the pachinko game machine in the state where each mark appeared. It is a perspective view which shows the game board in the state where each mark appeared. It is a perspective view which shows the upper label | marker unit in a non-operation state. It is a perspective view which shows the upper label | marker unit in the operation state. It is a perspective view from the upper part which decomposes | disassembles and shows an upper mark. It is a perspective view from the lower part which decomposes | disassembles and shows an upper label | marker. (A) is a front view of an upper label | marker, (b) is sectional drawing along the BB line in (a). FIG. 27A is a cross-sectional view taken along line EE in FIG. 27A, FIG. 27B is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD in FIG. 27A, and FIG. It is sectional drawing along CC line in (a). (A) is an enlarged view of a portion surrounded by a circle A in FIG. 27, (b) is an enlarged view of a portion surrounded by a circle H in FIG. 28 (a), and (c) is in FIG. 28 (b). FIG. 28D is an enlarged view of a portion surrounded by a circle G, and FIG. 28D is an enlarged view of a portion surrounded by a circle F in FIG. It is a front view which shows the lower left marker unit in a non-operation state. (A) is a rear view showing the lower left marker unit in the activated state, and (b) is a perspective view from the rear side showing the lower left marker unit in the activated state. It is a front view which shows the lower right marker unit in a non-operation state with a continuous line. (A) is the perspective view from the front which shows the lower right marker unit in a non-operation state, (b) is the perspective view from the back side which shows the lower right marker unit in a non-operation state. It is a front view showing a game board in a state where a left movable effect member and a right movable effect member have appeared. (A) is explanatory drawing which shows the light emission pattern at the time of light quantity adjustment, (b) is explanatory drawing which shows each division at the time of dividing a game area | region.

Examples of pachinko gaming machines according to the present invention will be described below. Here, first, the basic configuration of the pachinko gaming machine of the present embodiment will be described, and then the gaming procedure, effects, control mode, etc. in the pachinko gaming machine of the present embodiment will be described.
<Basic configuration of pachinko machine>

  FIG. 1 shows a front configuration of a pachinko gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment. In the pachinko gaming machine 10, a gaming board 50 is mounted on a gaming machine frame 11 described later. Among these, the game board 50 has different components such as accessory devices and designs depending on the model of the pachinko gaming machine 10. Further, the gaming board 50 can be separated from the gaming machine frame 11 by releasing the electrical connection relationship and the structural connection relationship with the gaming machine frame 11.

  Further, by sharing the structural and electrical connection relationship with the gaming machine frame 11 for a plurality of types of gaming boards 50, it is possible to change the so-called model in which the gaming machine frame 11 is shared between different models. Yes. In the following, the gaming machine frame 11 will be described first, and then the board configuration of the gaming board 50 will be described.

  The gaming machine frame 11 described above has an outer frame 12, a front frame 13, and a lower front plate 14. Furthermore, a glass door 15 and a dish unit 16 are mounted on the front frame 13. Among these, the outer frame 12 is a rectangular frame used for fixing the pachinko gaming machine 10 to a predetermined position in the island facility in the game hall (game store). As shown in FIG. The front frame 13 having the door 15 and the dish unit 16 and the above-described lower front plate 14 have an opening portion whose front side is closed.

  The front frame 13 has a structure having an outer shape that matches the opening of the outer frame 12, and is attached to the outer frame 12 via hinge mechanisms 15A and 15B shown on the left side in FIG. The front frame 13 is opened from the closed state with respect to the outer frame 12 by swinging forward with the left edge in FIG. 1 as a fixed end and the right edge as a free end.

  The locking of the front frame 13 to the outer frame 12 and the release from the outer frame 12 are performed via a lock device (not shown). That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the cylinder portion 17 of the locking device is disposed on the free end side of the front frame 13, and the cylinder portion 17 covers the lower part of the front frame 13. 16, the keyhole is directed to the front of the pachinko gaming machine 10. Then, when the game shop clerk inserts the key into the key hole of the 17 parts of the cylinder and rotates this key, for example, counterclockwise, the free end side of the front frame 13 is released from the lock device, and the front frame 13 is in the open state. Become.

  With respect to such a front frame 13, the lower front plate 14 described above does not have a configuration for opening and closing like the front frame 13, and is fixed to the outer frame 12 so as not to move. The lower front plate 14 always closes the lower end of the front surface of the outer frame 12.

  The glass door 15 disposed at the front portion of the front frame 13 and the dish unit 16 are attached to the front frame 13 via a hinge mechanism (not shown). Further, both the glass door 15 and the dish unit 16 can swing independently with the left edge in FIG. 1 as a fixed end and the right edge as a free end. Then, the glass door 15 and the dish unit 16 are brought into an open state by, for example, a game shop clerk swinging horizontally forward and swinging backward from the open state to be locked to the front frame 13. It will be in a closed state.

  The locking of the glass door 15 to the front frame 13 and the release from the front frame 13 are performed via the aforementioned locking device (not shown). That is, when a game shop clerk inserts a key into the key hole of the above-described cylinder 17 and turns this key, for example, in the clockwise direction opposite to when the front frame 13 is opened, the free end side of the glass door 15 is locked. The glass door 15 is opened.

  Further, by opening the glass door 15, a locking mechanism (not shown) of the tray unit 16 appears and can be operated, and an operation part (not shown) of this locking mechanism can be operated by a game shop clerk in a downward direction, for example. By performing the pushing operation, the dish unit 16 is opened.

  Further, the glass door 15 holds, for example, two parallel transparent plates so as to be detachable. When the glass door 15 is in a closed state, the gaming board 50 can be viewed from the front of the pachinko gaming machine 10 through these transparent plates. I am doing so. As the transparent plate, in addition to a glass plate, a transparent resin plate or the like can be used.

  The dish unit 16 has an upper ball dish 18, a lower ball dish 19, a firing handle 20, and the like on the front surface thereof. Among these, the upper ball tray 18 stores the game balls, supplies the game balls to the launching device 43 (see FIGS. 2 and 4) operated via the launch handle 20, and plays the games to the lower ball tray 19. Mechanisms for various functions such as ball discharge are provided. The lower ball tray 19 stores game balls, receives game balls sent from the upper ball tray 18, and stores game balls in a ball box (so-called dollar box) placed outside the pachinko gaming machine 10. Mechanisms for various functions such as discharge are provided.

  In this embodiment, various speakers 21 are provided in the upper corner of the glass door 15, the lower front plate 14, and the like, and through these speakers 21, depending on the gaming state, the production pattern, and the like. BGM and various sound effects are output.

  Furthermore, an operation button 22 that can be pressed by the player is provided at a portion of the upper ball tray 18 facing the player (see FIG. 1). The operation button 22 is provided on the outer wall surface of the upper part of the upper ball dish 18 and is located near the center of the upper ball dish 18 in the left-right direction. Further, the operation button 22 includes an operation button light emitter (not shown) inside, and performs light output according to the effect pattern to be executed.

Note that the operation button 22 may be protruded upward or vibrated in a predetermined case using a drive source such as a motor or a solenoid. Although not shown in detail in the present embodiment, the operation button 22 in this embodiment is displaced to a mode in which the tip of the operation button 22 protrudes upward by driving the lifting motor, and forms an operation lever input portion that can perform input by tilting. It is possible and has a half-moon shaped eccentric cam for generating vibration in the drive system of the operating lever. Further, as shown in FIG. 19A, a cross key 96 is provided in addition to the operation button 22, and the player can perform various environment settings and production operations using the cross key 96. . The contents of the environment setting can be exemplified by volume adjustment (adjustment) of the speaker 21, brightness display adjustment (adjustment) and light amount adjustment (adjustment), which will be described later, or change of the effect mode described later. In addition, examples of the production operation using the cross key 96 include a mini-game that is being displayed in a variable manner. Further, in addition to the cross key, for example, a lever-shaped operation means, various types of touch panels, or the like can be used. The light amount adjustment (adjustment) using the cross key 96 will be described later. In FIG. 19A, reference numeral 97 denotes a ball lending button, and reference numeral 98 denotes a return button. Further, reference numeral 98 in FIG. 19A denotes a ball removal button for the upper ball tray 18.
<Back view of pachinko machine>

  Next, a basic configuration on the back side of the pachinko gaming machine 10 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, a set base 31 having a game ball passage for guiding or collecting game balls is attached to the back of the front frame 13, and a gaming machine is provided below the set base 31. A power supply unit 32 for supplying power to the whole and a payout control board 103 for controlling the gaming machine frame side are attached. On the back side of the game board 50, a main board (main control board) 102 that performs overall control of the entire game, and a sub board 104 that executes effect control based on control commands from the main board 102 are set base 31. Are provided in a positional relationship corresponding to the openings.

  In the set base 31, a prize ball tank 33 is provided above the opening. The prize ball tank 33 stores game balls which are supplied from the island facility and become prize balls. Further, below the prize ball tank 33, a prize ball passage 34, a payout unit 35, and a prize ball discharge passage 36 are provided.

  The payout unit 35 communicates with the prize ball passage 34 and can discharge the balls stored in the prize ball tank 33 downward in units of one ball. Further, the prize ball discharge passage 36 guides the game balls flowing down from the payout unit 35 to the ball bowl (the upper ball dish 18 or the lower ball dish 19) as a prize ball.

  The power supply unit 32 described above is provided at a lower left portion of the set base 31 when the pachinko gaming machine 10 is viewed from the back as shown in FIG. The power supply unit 32 converts AC power supplied from the outside of the gaming machine into various voltages used in the gaming machine and supplies it to the payout control board 103, the main board 102, the sub board 104, and the like. The power supply unit 32 is provided with a power switch 40 that is a tilt switch.

  The above-described payout control board 103 is disposed at the lower right portion of the set base 31 when the pachinko gaming machine 10 is viewed from the back as shown in FIG. The payout control board 103 has a payout control function for controlling the payout unit 35 in accordance with a command relating to payout from the main board 102 and a loan request from the outside. The payout control board 103 also has a launch control function for controlling the launch device 43 so as to launch a game ball into the game area with an intensity corresponding to the operation amount of the launch handle 20 (see FIG. 1).

  The above-mentioned main board 102 is disposed at the center lower part on the back side of the game board 50, and is mainly used for various lottery functions, control functions for the payout control board 103 and the sub board 104, and the like. 10 has a central processing function. The above-described sub-board 104 is disposed at the center upper part on the back side of the game board 50 and mainly has a function for controlling various effects described later. Although not shown, the main substrate 102 includes a performance display unit composed of four 7-segment displays and a setting display unit composed of one 7-segment display. .

For the above-described sub-board 104, a main sub-board (sub-main board 301 in this embodiment) responsible for the main function of effect control and a sub-sub-board specialized for a specific effect function such as image creation (this implementation). In the example, it is divided into the sub-sub board 302), but the term “sub-board” includes these. In addition, an external relay terminal board 46 that relays signals from the main board 102, the payout control board 103, and the like to devices outside the pachinko gaming machine 10 is provided at the upper right portion on the back side of the set board 31.
<Board configuration of game board>

  Next, the game board 50 described above and components (board surface parts) arranged on the board surface of the game board 50 will be described. In this embodiment, the game board 50 is composed of a plurality of parts made of a transparent resin material (for example, transparent acrylic resin) or wood (plywood). The game board 50 is formed in a plate shape, and has a game ball passage for guiding the game ball to the back side of the game board 50, a predetermined space, and the like. The gaming board 50 is attached to the front frame 13 of the gaming machine frame 11 with the board surface on which various board surface parts are mounted facing forward, and is closed by the glass door 15 in a closed state. The front is covered. Further, on the front side of the game board 50, a game area 52 is defined by combining an inner rail and an outer rail formed in a curved belt shape.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the game area 52 includes a first start winning port 62 and a second starting winning port 63, a large winning port device 90 (attacker unit), an operation port 68, a plurality of general winning ports 72, and An out port (58), etc., which is arranged at the bottom of the game area 52 and is hidden behind the operation button 22 in FIG. Further, the game area 52 is provided with an effect display device 60 composed of a liquid crystal display device capable of performing display for effects, a center ornament 64 for decorating the periphery of the effect display device 60, and the like.

The game area 52 is provided with a number of game nails, windmills, and the like (not shown). It is also possible not to provide a windmill. Further, a main control display device 53 is provided outside the game board 50 at the lower left of the game area 52. A specific configuration and function of the main control display device 53 will be described later. Moreover, the above-mentioned board surface structure of the game board 50 can differ variously according to the game property etc. which were employ | adopted for the pachinko game machine 10, for example.
<Functions of panel parts>

  Next, specific functions and configurations related to the individual panel parts described above will be described. First, the first start winning opening 62 is a start winning opening relating to the first game, and is of a type that always opens the entrance of the game ball and does not change the size of the entrance of the game ball. Further, the first start winning opening 62 has a first start winning detection device 74 (sensor) that detects the entry of a game ball into the first start winning opening 62, and the output signal of this sensor is the same as that described above. The main board 102 is input.

  The aforementioned second start winning opening 63 is a starting winning opening relating to the second game, and is arranged on the right side of the first starting winning opening 62. The second start winning port 63 is a start port related to a normal electric accessory (so-called “electric tulip” or “electric chew”), and when a normal symbol to be described later is stopped and displayed in a winning manner, A blade (opening / closing blade) that opens is provided on the right side in FIG. Then, the second start winning opening 63 is expanded by opening and closing the opening and closing blades for a predetermined time based on the operation of the ordinary electric accessory, thereby allowing the game ball to enter the second starting winning opening 63. It becomes possible. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the ordinary electric combination is not provided at the start port related to the second game, or the normal electric combination is arranged at the start port related to the first game.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the second start winning opening 63 includes a second start winning detection device 75 (sensor) and a normal electric accessory solenoid 76 for opening and closing the above-described opening and closing blades. . The output signal of the second start winning detection device 75 is input to the main board 102.

  Further, in the present embodiment, a plurality of types are provided as modes in which the second start winning opening 63 is opened. These opening modes include a relatively short time (for example, about 0.2 seconds) (referred to as “short opening” or “short opening”), or a relatively long time (for example, about 5 seconds). There are modes (referred to as “long open”, “long open”, etc.). It is also possible to provide a middle opening mode set at the opening time between short opening and long opening. Various opening modes related to the second start winning opening 63 will be described later.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the aforementioned general winning opening 72 includes a general winning detecting device 73 (sensor) for detecting the entering of a game ball. The output signal of the general winning detection device 73 is input to the main board 102.

  When the general winning detection device 73 is shared by the plurality of general winning ports 72, the game balls that have entered the plurality of general winning ports 72 are gathered at the place where the general winning detection device 73 is arranged and detected. Is possible. It is also possible to group the plurality of general winning openings 72 for each positional relationship or for each number of prize balls (common winning detection device 73 is shared). A specific aspect relating to the payout of prize balls will be described later.

  The aforementioned big prize opening device 90 is formed in a case shape by combining parts made of transparent synthetic resin, and although not shown in the figure, a big prize opening that can be visually recognized by the player is provided inside. . The special winning opening has an opening formed in a horizontally long rectangular shape, and includes a first opening / closing door (not shown) for opening and closing the opening. The special winning opening performs an opening operation in a predetermined manner when a predetermined hit occurs.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the special winning opening device 90 includes a special winning detection device 78 for detecting the entrance of a game ball and a special winning opening solenoid 80 for driving the opening / closing door. Yes. Among these, the big prize detection device 78 has a sensor for detecting the entry of a game ball into the big prize opening device 90, and its output signal is inputted to the main board 102.

  Various devices can be adopted as the special prize opening device 90. For example, as the big prize opening device 90, it is possible to employ a thing that opens the big prize opening forward or an upward opening. In addition, as the big prize opening device 90, a plurality of types of operation patterns (opening and closing patterns) related to the above-mentioned opening and closing doors (not shown) for opening and closing the big prize opening are provided, and a plurality of types of special winning games are executed during the big hit game. It is possible to employ one that operates the door with different operation patterns. Further, as the big prize opening device 90, it is possible to employ a device that has a plurality of big prize openings and distributes game balls to each big prize opening according to the game situation.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the aforementioned operation port 68 a includes a passage detection device 69, and this passage detection device 69 has a sensor that detects the passage of a game ball at the operation port 68. An output signal of the sensor in the passage detection device 69 is input to the main board 102, and the passage detection device 69 changes the output signal of the sensor according to the presence / absence of a ball.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the aforementioned out port 58 includes an out ball detecting device (out port sensor) 82. The out port sensor 82 detects a game ball (out ball) that has entered the out port 58 instead of being a winning ball (safe ball) in the game area 52. The detection result of the out mouth sensor 82 is used for counting out balls and displaying (base display) on the performance display unit.

  The center decoration 64 has a production function and the like, and an LED substrate on which a large number of chip-type LEDs are mounted is provided inside the center decoration 64. Then, by driving the LED of the center decoration 64, the light of the LED is transmitted through the center decoration 64, and the center decoration 64 performs light decoration (light effect). Furthermore, the light decoration in the center decoration 64 is performed not only during the game but also during the waiting for the start of the game or during the game preparation for the player to adjust the light amount (light amount setting). The details will be described later.

  In addition, a plurality of movable effect members are provided on the back surface (inner side) of the center ornament 64, and these movable effect members constitute a gimmick for effects. In the present embodiment, various light guide plate signs (lower left sign 601, upper sign 602, lower right sign 603) shown in FIG. 21 are provided as main movable effect members. These movable effect members (601 to 603) are usually hidden inside the center decoration 64 as shown in FIG. However, when a predetermined effect is performed, these movable effect members (601 to 603) appear in front of the effect display device 60 as shown in FIG.

  Here, FIG. 21 shows a state in which all three movable effect members (601 to 603) have appeared. In the present embodiment, light decoration (light effect) is also performed on the movable effect member. Furthermore, the light decoration on the movable effect member is performed not only during the game, but also during the waiting for the start of the game, or during the game preparation for the player to adjust the light amount, etc. It will be described later.

  Further, a game ball passage portion 65 is formed in the right part of the center decoration 64 when viewed from the front, and the center decoration 64 has a function of the flow path of the game ball in addition to the above-described effect function. Have.

  The center decoration 64 is provided with a light guide plate 88. As the light guide plate 88, although not shown, it is possible to adopt, for example, a plate provided with two transparent plates arranged in parallel with the plate surfaces facing forward and backward. Furthermore, the light guide plate 88 is attached to the center ornament 64 and shields the outside and the inside of the center ornament 64 in front of the effect display device 60. The light guide plate 88 also functions as a protective cover for the effect display device 60 in the center decoration 64.

  The light guide plate 88 can be configured as follows, for example. That is, inside the center decoration 64, a plurality of LEDs serving as light sources are arranged in a strip shape so as to face one of the left and right end faces of the transparent plate, for example. In normal times, the display content of the effect display device 60 is transmitted to the outside of the transparent plate so that the player can visually recognize the image without overlapping another image on the screen of the effect display device 60.

  However, fine irregularities are formed inside each transparent plate constituting the light guide plate 88 so as not to be visible under normal circumstances. Then, when executing a predetermined effect, for example, the above-described light source facing the end face of one of the transparent plates is driven, and light from the light source is emitted from the end face of the transparent plate toward the inside of the transparent plate. The Further, the light is diffused by the unevenness of the transparent plate irradiated with the light, and a predetermined illustration or the like is colored and emerges by the diffused light so as to be recognized by the player.

  Further, of the two transparent plates of the light guide plate 88, the other transparent plate is engraved with unevenness for forming an image different from the above-described illustration or the like. Then, by driving the light source facing the end face during a predetermined performance, illustrations and the like different from those described above emerge so that the player can recognize them.

  Here, not only one of the left and right end surfaces of the transparent plate, but also one of the upper and lower end surfaces can face the light source, and other illustrations and the like can be projected by the light from the light source. In this way, it is possible to display two types of images per transparent plate. Further, the number of transparent plates may be one or three or more. Further, a transmissive liquid crystal display body can be used instead of or in combination with the light guide plate 88.

  In this embodiment, the above-described movable effect member (such as 601 to 603 in FIG. 21) also performs an effect using the light guide plate, but the movable effect member (601 to 601 in FIG. 21). 603 etc.) and the usage pattern of the light guide plate will be described later.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the main control display device 53 includes a plurality of LED indicator lamps arranged on a symbol display board (main symbol display board) 256 or a seven-segment display on the main board 102. A performance display unit and a setting display unit are arranged. On the symbol display board side of the main control display device 53, a normal symbol display unit 59 for displaying the above-mentioned normal symbols, and a first special symbol display for displaying a first special symbol (described later) corresponding to the first game. The unit 70, a second special symbol display unit 71 for displaying a second special symbol (described later) corresponding to the second game, and other various display units are formed so as to be visible to the player from the front of the gaming machine. . The normal symbol display unit 59 described above constitutes a normal symbol display device. Moreover, the 1st special symbol display part 70 comprises the 1st special symbol display apparatus, and the 2nd special symbol display part 71 comprises the 2nd special symbol display apparatus. On the other hand, the performance display unit arranged on the main board 102 side can display a base for each gaming state (the value of the number of award balls per number of shots). The present set value can be displayed with respect to the set value for varying the operation probability (the operation probability of the device that operates the special electric accessory continuously, so-called jackpot probability). Details of each display unit formed in the main control display device 53 will be described later.

In the following, the normal symbol is “normal”, the special symbol is “special”, the first special symbol is “first special”, “special” 1, “special 1”, and the second special symbol is “special”. It may be referred to as “second special figure”, “special figure 2”, “special 2”, or the like. Further, the first special symbol may be referred to as “special symbol 1” or “symbol 1”, and the second special symbol may be referred to as “special symbol 2” or “symbol 2”.
<Basic game procedure>

  Then, the game procedure in the pachinko gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment will be described. First, in a situation where a game ball is supplied to the upper ball tray 18, when the player operates and turns the launch handle 20, the upper ball tray 18 has a strength according to the rotation angle. The game balls stored in are fired one by one at predetermined intervals. The game balls are guided by the inner rail and the outer rail described above, reach the upper part of the game area 52, and are discharged to the game area 52 from between the inner rail and the outer rail.

  In a normal game, the player launches so that the game ball flows down on the left side of the game area 52, and aims at the first start winning opening 62 located at the lower center of the game area 52. Such a mode of launching mainly using the left side of the game area 52 is called left-handed. In addition, while the player operates the launch handle 20, the launch of the game ball is repeated at a predetermined time interval (for example, an interval not exceeding 100 shots per minute) by the launch device 43 described above. Then, the game ball continuously released to the game area 52 falls in a direction according to factors such as speed and incident angle (or reflection angle) while interfering with a plurality of game nails and windmills.

  When the game ball falls into various winning ports such as the general winning port 72 and the first start winning port 62 described above, the ball is detected and the payout control of the game ball is performed. Then, a predetermined number of game balls are paid out to the upper ball tray 18 as prize balls via the above-described payout unit 35 according to the type of the winning opening entered. In addition, when the upper ball tray 18 is filled with many game balls and the subsequent game balls that have been paid out cannot enter the upper ball tray 18, these game balls are guided to the lower ball tray 19 as overflow balls. .

  In addition, the game balls dropped into various winning holes become safe balls and are guided from the front side to the back side of the game board 50. In addition, the game ball that has not become a safe ball reaches the lower end of the game area 52, falls into the out port (58), and is guided to the back side of the game board 50. Then, the game ball that has reached the back side of the game board 50 is guided downward through a predetermined guide rod or game ball passage in the set base 31, and from the pachinko game machine 10 toward the above-mentioned island facility side. Discharged.

  The aforementioned operation port 68 is a gate through which a game ball passes, unlike the above-described prize winning port that generates a safe ball. In the following description, the winning opening including the operation opening 68 is referred to as “winning opening”, and the terms “incoming”, “entering ball”, and “winning” in this embodiment include the meaning of “passing” related to the gate.

  When a game ball enters the operation port 68, a normal symbol (described later) is displayed on the main control display device 53 if a predetermined variation start condition (ordinary variation start condition) as described later is satisfied. Fluctuation is displayed. The normal symbol displayed on the main control display unit 53 indicates the result of random number lottery (ordinary drawing lottery) executed based on the entrance to the operation port 68, and is stopped and displayed after a predetermined fluctuation time. Is done.

  When a game ball enters a starting port (here, the first starting winning port 62 or the second starting winning port 63), a predetermined variation start condition (special figure variation start condition) as will be described later is satisfied. For example, a special symbol (described later) is variably displayed on the main control display device 53. The special symbol displayed on the main control display device 53 shows the result of random number lottery (big hit lottery) executed based on the entrance to the starting port, and is stopped and displayed after a predetermined fluctuation time. .

  In the above-described effect display device 60, effect display related to the special symbol is performed. This effect display is different depending on whether the special symbol is variably displayed or stopped, and whether the special symbol's stop display mode is a big hit or off. In relation to this, the production of various aspects determined in advance is performed.

  In a big hit game in which a special game is executed, a unit game in which the big prize opening device 90 is activated and the big prize opening (not shown) is opened is repeated a plurality of times. Furthermore, there are special games in which a unit game is repeated a maximum number of times, and a unit game is repeated a number of times less than the maximum number of times. Examples of the maximum number of times include 15 times (15R (round)), and examples of the number of times smaller than the maximum number of times include 5 times (5R). Note that a special game in which a unit game in which a special winning opening is performed only once is referred to as “small hit”.

  In each unit game, when a predetermined number (for example, 10) of game balls is detected at the corresponding big prize opening, or when the total opening time reaches a predetermined time (for example, about 30 seconds), The termination condition is met and the big prize opening is closed. As the end condition of the unit game, the total opening time indicates that the upper limit value is set even when the opening of a large number of big winnings is divided and performed in one unit game. ing. In order to give a wide range of gameplay during big hits, such as increasing the technical intervention by performing multiple opening of the big prize opening in the unit game, or easily gaining a lottery by performing a single opening, The opening mode of the big prize opening can be selected from preset patterns.

  Furthermore, in the pachinko gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment, as described above, a game characteristic in which a plurality of (here, two) games corresponding to the conventional first type pachinko gaming machine are mixed is employed. That is, in the present embodiment, the plurality of games described above can be divided into a first game in which the first start winning opening 62 is used and a second game in which the second start winning opening 63 is used. In the situation where the second game has priority over the first game, and at the same time the game start condition is satisfied, the second game is executed with priority, and the first game is put on hold. The first game and the second game are not executed simultaneously.

  Further, in the pachinko gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment, the specific game may be executed after the special game is ended, depending on the result of the big hit lottery. This specific game is in a mode different from the above-mentioned special game and is in a gaming state that is more advantageous to the player than the normal game. In the present embodiment, a probability variation game (hereinafter referred to as “probability variation”), a variation time shortening game (hereinafter referred to as “time reduction”), and an easy-to-enter game are provided as specific games. As the specific game, there is a game that executes only one of probability change, time saving, and easy-to-enter game, and a game that performs a plurality of specific games at the same time.

  When the specific game is executed, a notification regarding the launch position and launch timing of the game ball recommended by an image or sound of the effect display device 60 (for example, an effect that prompts the player to make a right strike) is executed. Then, when the player increases the amount of rotation of the launch handle 20 clockwise to increase the firing force and launches the game ball toward the area on the right side of the game area 52, the game ball passing above the center ornament 64 is Then, it enters the game ball passage portion 65 of the center decoration 64 and flows down the center decoration 64. Further, the game ball released from the center ornament 64 falls in a direction according to the way of hitting while hitting a plurality of game nails and other structures.

  A part of the large number of game balls released from the center decoration 64 passes through the operation port 68 (see FIG. 1) and is detected by the passage detection device 69 (see FIG. 3). Then, as described above, when the game ball passes through the operation port 68, the above-described normal symbol is displayed in a variable manner on the main control display device 53 (see FIG. 6), and the normal symbol variation display is stopped in a predetermined hit state. Then, the ordinary electric accessory at the second start winning opening 63 is expanded for a predetermined time according to the hit mode.

  In the present embodiment, the game ball reaching the right side of the game area 52 can be guided to the vicinity of the second start winning opening 63 and the big winning opening device 90 by a nail or the like. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the easy-to-enter game is added when the time is a specific game, and during the short-time, the opening of the ordinary electric character is extended by the easy-to-enter game, The combination of the change in the probability of the object and the time reduction of the ordinary electric accessory is performed, and the above-described long opening of the ordinary electric accessory is easily performed. In the short time, one or a plurality of game balls can enter the second start winning opening 63 when the ordinary electric accessory of the second starting winning opening 63 is expanded once. ing.

When a big hit occurs and a special game is executed, the big prize opening (not shown) of the big prize opening device 90 is opened. During this special game, the player is right-handed. Is possible. In this case, before starting the special game, it is conceivable to execute an effect that prompts the player to make a right strike using an image or sound of the effect display device 60.
<Example of jackpot type: ST>

  Next, the types of jackpots in the first game and the second game described above will be described. First, as a big hit, a big hit that repeats the above unit game 15 times (hereinafter also referred to as “15R big hit” as appropriate) and a big hit that repeats a unit game seven times (hereinafter also referred to as “7R big hit” as appropriate) are provided. . These jackpot lottery modes will be described later.

  The above-mentioned unit game is started in conjunction with the opening of the big prize opening 91 (not shown) in the special prize opening device 90 in the special game, and when a predetermined time (for example, about 30 seconds) has passed, When a predetermined number (for example, 10 or more) of game balls are dropped, the process is terminated, and the special winning opening is closed. A special game that repeats such a unit game is based on a game with a so-called ball-out (sometimes referred to as a ball-out) for the purpose of allowing a player to acquire a game ball. Further, among the various big hits, the 15R big hit and the 7R big hit are intended to cause the player to acquire a relatively large number of game balls.

  However, the present invention is not limited to this, and as one kind of big hit, it is possible to provide, for example, a portion that does not change reliably (15R normal or 7R normal) in 15R big hit or a part of 15R big hit. In addition, for example, even if it is 15R big hit, the opening period of the big prize opening is short, and it is possible to acquire only the same number of balls as the 5R big hit (15R probability variation (actual 5R)), 5R big hit Even in such a case, it is possible to provide a thing in which it is almost impossible to obtain a ball (for example, only a minimum degree (for example, one ball) can be entered into the big prize opening device 90 in each R).

  Further, in the present embodiment, the specific gaming state such as the above-mentioned probability change and time reduction occurs for a specific jackpot determined in advance. As a mode of occurrence of such a specific game state, for example, it is possible to provide a big hit that does not give at least one of the privilege functions such as probability change, time saving, and easy entry game. More specifically, it is conceivable to provide a big hit with only a probability change or a big hit with only a short time. Furthermore, the type of jackpot can be made different depending on the difference in the duration of probability change or the difference in duration of the shorter time. Further, when the electric chew support is executed during the short time, the “short duration duration” can be rephrased as “the duration of the electric chew support”. Furthermore, it is also conceivable that only the electric Chu support is executed out of the time reduction and the electric Chu support.

However, the combination of the big hit, the probability change, the time reduction, etc. is not limited to that of the present embodiment, and various combinations can be employed. For example, the probability change may occur for all jackpots. In this case, all of the 15R big hits in this embodiment are 15R big hits with a certain probability change (15R positive variation), and all the 7R big hits are a 7R big hit with a certain probability change (7R accurate variation).
<Hits other than jackpot>

In this embodiment, small hits are provided as types of hits other than big hits. In the first game (or the second game), when this small hit occurs, the special prize opening device 90 is opened once, for example. The small lottery mode will be described later.
<Main control display device>
<< Configuration of main control display device >>

  Next, the aforementioned main control display device 53 will be described with reference to FIG. The main control display device 53 is configured by arranging a large number of LED indicator lamps on a symbol display board 256 and overlapping a transparent plate in front of various display bodies. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the main control display device 53 is configured by arranging a large number (36 in this case) of LED indicator lights in two rows (upper and lower) on the symbol display board 256. Yes. In this embodiment, the number of LED indicator lamps in the upper and lower stages is 18, and the LED indicator lights in each stage are arranged at equal intervals in the horizontal direction. Further, the intervals between the LED indicator lamps in the vertical relationship are also constant for all 18 lamps.

  In the main control display 53, the 10 LED indicators at the right end in the upper stage when viewed from the front are used for information display according to FIG. 1, and the 10 LED indicators at the right end in the lower stage are shown in FIG. It is used for such information display. In the upper and lower stages, the two rightmost LED indicators constitute a first special symbol storage display unit 83 and a second special symbol storage display unit 84 indicating the number of reserved memories. The eight LED indicator lamps arranged on the left of the first special symbol memory display unit 83 constitute the first special symbol display unit 70 described above, and 8 arranged on the left of the second special symbol memory display unit 84. Each LED indicator lamp constitutes the second special symbol display section 71 described above.

  The 1st special symbol display part 70 can perform change display and stop display of the 1st special symbol concerning the 1st game by the operation mode of eight LED indicator lights arranged in a line in the horizontal direction. The first special symbol by the first special symbol display unit 70 is a symbol corresponding to the result of the first lottery performed when the game ball enters the first start winning opening 62, and its variation display is predetermined. When the game is stopped in the winning mode, a big hit occurs and a special game is executed. In addition, the first special symbol display unit 70 displays a maximum of 255 (= 2 ^ 8) when the first special symbol is stopped and displayed, by combination of lighting and extinguishing of each LED indicator lamp. -1) The type of identification information can be displayed.

  Similarly for the second special symbol display unit 71 described above, a maximum of 255 (= 2 at the time of stop display of the second special symbol due to the operation mode of the eight LED indicator lamps arranged in a line in the horizontal direction. {Circle around (8)} Types of identification information can be displayed.

  Furthermore, in the upper stage, the four LED indicator lamps arranged on the left of the first special symbol display unit 70 are used for displaying information related to the normal symbol (ordinary symbol). The two LED indicator lights arranged on the left side of the first special symbol display unit 70 constitute a normal symbol storage display unit 85 for displaying the number of reserved symbols stored in the normal symbol. The two LED indicator lamps arranged side by side constitute a normal symbol display section 59.

  The normal symbol display unit 59 performs normal symbol variation display and stop display according to the operation mode of the two LED indicator lamps. And the normal symbol display part 59 can display the identification information of 3 (= 2 ^ 2-1) types at the maximum in the case of a stop display.

  In addition, a round number display section 86 is configured by two LED display lamps arranged on the left side of the normal symbol display section 59 in the upper stage and two LED indicator lights located at the lower left end of the lower stage. Further, the four LED indicator lamps between the round number display section 86 and the second special symbol display section 71 in the lower stage are a first state display section (state display lamp 1) 87a and a second state display section in order from the left. (Status indicator lamp 2) 87b, third status indicator (status indicator lamp 3) 87c, and fourth status indicator (status indicator lamp 4) 87d.

  The first state display unit 87a described above is turned on when the probability variation function according to the special drawing is activated, and the second state display unit 87b is turned on when the probability variation function according to the usual diagram is activated. Yes. The second state display portion 87b is also lit when the open extension is in a so-called electric support (electric chew support) state. Further, the third state display portion 87c is used as a divided (right-handed) state indicator lamp. The fourth state display part 87d is used as an error indicator lamp.

  Here, the above-mentioned third state display part 87c (battering state indicator lamp) is lit not only during the electric support state but also during a big hit. During a big hit, even if it is during a retreat, a flag (electric support flag) or the like for setting the power support state is off. Further, the third state display portion 87c is also lit when, for example, a long opening relating to the ordinary electric accessory in other states (normal time).

As shown in FIG. 3, the main control display device 53 having such a configuration is electrically connected to the main board 102 described above. Various display units in the main control display device 53 are controlled by the main board 102. In FIG. 3, only the normal symbol display unit 59, the first special symbol display unit 70, and the second special symbol display unit 71 among the various display units in the main control display device 53 are shown.
<< Functions of main control display device >>

  When the game ball passes through the aforementioned operation port 68, the normal symbol display section 59 blinks, and the normal symbol variation display is executed. Then, when a predetermined variation time (ordinary variation time) elapses after the normal symbol variation display is started, the ordinary symbol is stopped and displayed. And, if the normal symbol is displayed in an out-of-phase (out-of-phase) mode, if there is a ball entering the subsequent operating port after the elapse of a predetermined stop time (ordinary stop time), it is normal The next variable display related to the symbol is started. In addition, when a normal symbol is stopped and displayed in a predetermined hit mode (a hit mode), the display shifts to the next fluctuation display in the same manner as in the case of losing, while the normal symbol hits and stops first. Depending on the mode, the second start winning opening 63 performs an opening operation for a predetermined time.

  The number of holdings related to the regular symbol lottery is the number of game balls that have passed through the operating port 68 during the variation of the normal symbol, and indicates the number of regular symbol lotteries for which the variation display of the regular symbol has not yet been executed. That is, if the symbol variation performed in the normal symbol memory display unit 85 has not ended, the variation start condition is not satisfied, and when the symbol variation ends, the variation start condition is satisfied, Based on the stored lottery result (holding lottery result), a new symbol variation is started. The upper limit of the number of holds is four, and the hold storage is not performed more than four.

  The display of four types of numerical values by the normal symbol storage display unit 85 is, for example, when both the number of holds is 0 (no hold), both are turned off, and when the number of holds is 1, either one is turned on. It is possible to perform in such a manner that the other is turned off. In addition, when the number of holds is 2, both are lit, when the number of holds is 3, one of them is lit and the other blinks, and when the number of holds is 4, both are blinked. Can be displayed.

  The display of the number of reserved first special symbols by the first special symbol memory display unit 83 is performed by displaying four types of information with two LED indicator lamps as one set. The display of the number of reserved second special symbols by the second special symbol storage display unit 84 is also performed by displaying four types of information with two LED indicator lights as one set.

In addition, when it becomes the game situation which should perform the above-mentioned right strike, the display in the predetermined aspect using the 3rd state display part 86c of the main control display apparatus 53 (refer FIG. 6) is performed. In the present embodiment, the third state display portion 86c is set to turn off when left-handed, which is a game situation to be left-handed, and to light up when right-handed, which is a game situation to be right-handed.
<Configuration and basic display contents of production display device>

  Next, the configuration of the effect display device 60 described above and a basic display example of the effect display device 60 will be described. In this embodiment, a large-sized (for example, about 15 inches) liquid crystal display is used as the effect display device 60. In the display area 194 of the effect display device 60, other effect displays such as an effect display for the first special symbol or the second special symbol displayed on the main control display device 53 and a story display are performed. Although various images are displayed on the effect display device 60, here, basic effect display directly related to the first special symbol or the second special symbol will be described.

  As described above, when the variable display of the first special symbol or the second special symbol is started in the main control display device 53, the effect display device 60 produces an effect as shown in FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b). A variation effect with a variation display of the symbol 190 is executed. In the present embodiment, the effect design 190 includes a left effect design 190a, a middle effect design 190b, and a right effect design 190c. In the following, the left middle right effect symbols 190a to 190c may be referred to as “effect symbols 190” or “effect symbols 190a to 190c” depending on the situation.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the effect design 190 has seven types of element symbols (symbol element effect symbols) having the meanings of the numerals “1” to “7”. Details of the above-described element design will be described later. Here, in order not to complicate the explanation, the explanation is made using seven kinds of element symbols having the meanings of the numerals “1” to “7”. As the element symbols, for example, a predetermined word or the like is used. It is also possible to adopt symbols with meanings other than numbers. Furthermore, it is also possible to use both elements having numerical meanings and elements having other meanings as element designs. In addition, in order to execute a special effect (a pseudo-continuous notice or a special zone effect, which will be described later), an effect suggestion that appears only at a certain time of change (displayed by adding or replacing a normal symbol) is performed. The special symbol for this is also included in the production symbol 190 in a broad sense.

  With the variation display of the first special symbol or the second special symbol on the main control display device 53, the above-mentioned effect symbol 190 is variably displayed on the effect display device 60 (see FIG. 7A). In the present embodiment, the variation display of the effect symbols is such that the left effect symbols 190a to the right effect symbols 190c are individually moved in the vertical direction (vertical scrolling), and the above-described element symbols are made to appear in the display area 194 sequentially. It is executed by. In addition, as the scroll direction of the production symbols 190a to 190c, various modes such as the horizontal direction, rotation, or turning can be adopted in addition to the vertical direction. Various modes of scroll display will be described later. To do.

  Further, the effect symbol 190 may constitute a so-called “reach” combination as an intermediate stage of variable display. In this “reach”, two of the effect symbols 190 (here, the left effect symbol 190a and the right effect symbol 190c) are, for example, “7” and “7” having the same number of symbols, the same meaning, Alternatively, the combination is configured with symbols having a predetermined relationship. Furthermore, in this “reach”, the remaining one symbol (in this case, the middle effect symbol 190b) other than the effect symbols 190a and 190c that constitute the reach combination is in a variation state that cannot be combined with other effect symbols. It has become.

  Note that various types of “reach” and other various types can be adopted as the display mode of the effect design 190, and details of the various display modes will be described later. Further, in the effect display device 60, various effects are performed in addition to the effects by the effect symbol 190, and details thereof will be described later.

  In this embodiment, the effect display device 60 uses a liquid crystal display. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and other types of display bodies such as a mechanical drum body and an LED display body are used. It may be a thing. Furthermore, the effect display device 60 is not limited to the one provided with only one display body, and for example, an additional display body may be added and configured by a combination of a plurality of display bodies.

Furthermore, it is also possible to provide such an additional display body as a movable effect member and configure a gimmick with the additional display body. Normally, an additional display body is arranged outside the display area 194 so as not to obstruct the visual recognition of the display area 194 of the effect display device 60, and a predetermined effect pattern is executed. In some cases, it is conceivable that an additional display body appears in front of the display area 194.
<Electric configuration of pachinko machines>

  Next, the electrical configuration of the pachinko gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. Here, the main components of the electrical configuration are extracted and described. First, as shown in FIG. 4, the pachinko gaming machine 10 includes a power supply board 251, a payout control board 103, a main board 102, a sub main board 301, and the like. Among these, the above-described payout control board 103 and the like are connected to the power supply board 251, and the payout control board 103 is connected to the main board 102, the launching device 43, and a lending device connection terminal board (not shown) such as a game ball. ) Etc. are connected. The main control display device 53 and the sub main board 301 are connected to the main board 102, and the sub sub board 302 is connected to the sub main board 301.

  The power supply board 251 among the various configurations described above is provided in the power supply unit 32 (see FIG. 2). Although not shown, the payout control board 103 is also connected with a status display unit used for displaying the type of error, a card unit for executing monetary processing related to ball lending and ball lending processing, and the like. . Furthermore, a ball operation board or the like used for the ball operation is connected to the above-described rental device connection terminal plate (not shown) such as a game ball. Further, the above-described launching device 43 is connected to a touch switch (not shown), a firing stop switch (not shown) and the like provided on the launching handle 20 (see FIG. 1).

  As shown in FIG. 3, the main board 102 is connected to various game board connection boards (not shown), as shown in FIG. 3, the main control display device 53, the passage detection device 69, the ordinary electric accessory solenoid 76, and the first start winning detection. The device 74, the second start winning detection device 75, the general winning detection device 73, the big winning detection device 78, the big winning opening solenoid 80, a magnetic sensor, a radio wave sensor (not shown), and the like are connected. In addition, an out port sensor 82 is connected to the main board 102.

  The sub-main board 301 is connected to various production devices via various relay boards (not shown). As each device for production, various LED boards for electric decoration in the center decoration 64, various movable body motors of movable production members (601 to 603, etc.), LED board for electric decoration in the gaming machine frame 11, gaming machine An effect frame motor provided in the frame 11 can be exemplified. Here, examples of the electrical decoration in the gaming machine frame 11 include those performed by the dish unit 16 and those performed by the button device provided with the operation buttons 22 in addition to those performed by the glass door 15 described above. . The frame motor described above is used for driving a movable effect member (not shown) provided in the gaming machine frame 11.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the sub-sub board 302 is connected to the liquid crystal unit 42 provided in the effect display device 60 described above, various speakers 21, and the like. Various speakers 21 may be connected to the sub-main board 301 described above.

  Next, the configuration of the main board 102 and the payout control board 103 will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, a CPU (main CPU) 501, a ROM (main ROM) 502, and an RWM 503 are mounted on the main board 102. Among these, as the CPU 501, for example, a central processing unit in a CPU device (CPU device) in which resin packaging is performed can be used. The “ROM” and “RWM” described in this embodiment are comprehensive concepts including both those built in the CPU device and those externally attached to the CPU device.

  Further, although not shown, in the CPU device mounted on the main board 102, in addition to the CPU 501, a control clock generation circuit, a random number clock generation circuit, a random number circuit for 16-bit random numbers, an 8-bit random number Random number circuit and the like. Among these, the random number circuit for 16-bit random numbers and the random number circuit for 8-bit random numbers are for generating hardware random numbers that are built-in random numbers.

  The main board 102 is equipped with an input / output port 505 for inputting / outputting data to / from devices outside the main board 102. Furthermore, although not shown, various circuit portions such as an interrupt circuit and a timer circuit are formed on the main substrate 102.

  The ROM 502 described above stores a game program for the CPU 501 to perform processing related to the game, predetermined control data, and the like. The RWM 503 stores data necessary for various processes, data generated during the process, and the like so that the CPU 501 can execute the game program.

  Subsequently, a CPU (payout CPU) 511, a ROM (payout ROM) 512, and an RWM 513 are mounted on the payout control board 103. Among these, as the CPU 511, for example, a central processing unit in a CPU device (CPU device) in which resin packaging is performed can be used. The ROM 512 stores a payout program for the CPU 511 to perform processing related to payout, predetermined control data, and the like. Further, the RWM 513 described above stores rewritable data necessary for various processes and data generated during the process when the payout program is executed by the CPU 501.

  The sub-main board 301 includes a CPU (sub-main CPU) 521, a ROM (sub-main ROM) 522, a work RWM 523, an input port 527, an output port 528, a bus line (not shown), and the like. . The output side of the main board 102 is connected to the input side of the input port 527, and the CPU 521, ROM 522, work RWM 523, output port 528, and the like are connected to the output side of the input port 527.

  The CPU 521 of the sub main board 301 controls the display of the effect display device 60 based on the effect display command (command) for symbol display transmitted from the main board 102. The ROM 522 is a memory for storing various control programs and fixed value data executed by the CPU 521, and the work RWM 523 is for temporarily storing work data and flags used when the CPU 521 executes various programs. Memory.

  Note that transmission / reception of data between the main board 102 and the sub-main board 301 is performed in a one-way communication (one-way communication) from the main board 102 to the sub-main board 301. Therefore, information held by the main board 102 cannot be referred to by the sub main board 301 unless the main board 102 transmits the information to the sub main board 301.

  The sub-sub board 302 includes a CPU 531, a work RWM 532, a program ROM 533, a sound ROM 534, a character ROM 535, an image controller (VDP) 536, a sound control circuit 537, an input port 538, an output port 539, and a bus line (not shown). It has. Further, the image controller (VDP) 536 includes a video memory 540. The output side of the sub-main board 301 is connected to the input side of the input port 538, and the devices such as the CPU 531, the work RWM 532, and the program ROM 533 are connected to the output side of the input port 538.

The video memory 540 described above is a memory for storing display data displayed on the effect display device 60, and the display content (frame image) of the effect display device 60 is rewritten by rewriting the content of the image data in the video memory 540. ) Is changed. The character ROM 535 is a memory for storing character data such as symbols displayed on the effect display device 60. The image controller 536 adjusts the operation timing of each of the CPU 531, the video memory 540, and the output port 539 to intervene in reading and writing data, and reads display data stored in the video memory 540 from the character ROM 535 at a predetermined timing. Furthermore, the effect is displayed on the effect display device 60 by superimposing the symbols in the order of layers in which priorities are determined in advance.
<Power supply and data backup>

  The power supply board 251 includes a power supply unit 541 for supplying power to each part of the pachinko gaming machine 10 and an initialization switch circuit unit 543 having an initialization switch 544. The power supply unit 541 supplies a predetermined amount of voltage for driving various switches, motors, logic circuits, and the like to the main board 102 and the payout control board 103 through the power supply path (not shown). 103 and other predetermined devices.

  The initialization switch circuit unit 543 includes a circuit that outputs an initialization signal for clearing backup data to the main board 102 and the payout control board 103 when the initialization switch 544 is pressed when the power is turned on. .

  As described above, the RWM 503 in the main board 102 can hold (backup) data by being supplied with the backup voltage from the power board 251 even after the pachinko gaming machine 10 is powered off. That is, the RWM 503 is provided with a backup area 503a in addition to a memory and an area (not shown) for temporarily storing various data. This backup area 503a has a stack pointer or the like when the power is cut off when the power is cut off (when a power interruption occurs) due to the occurrence of a power failure (including a so-called instantaneous power failure due to a momentary voltage drop). This is an area for storing values such as registers and I / O. Then, with the normal power-on or power failure cancellation, the state of the main board 102 and the like is returned to the state before power-off based on the information in the backup area 503a.

  In addition, the RWM 513 on the payout control board 103 can also hold (backup) data by supplying a backup voltage from the power board 251 after the power supply of the pachinko gaming machine 10 is cut off, similarly to the RWM 503 on the main board 102. It has become.

  The aforementioned main board 102 is provided with a power failure monitoring circuit unit 506 that monitors the power interruption due to the power failure as described above. The power failure monitoring circuit unit 506 monitors the DC stable (for example, 30 volts) voltage, which is the maximum voltage output from the power source unit 541 of the power supply board 251, and when this voltage becomes less than a predetermined voltage, When the occurrence of interruption is detected, the above-described power interruption signal is output. Based on the input of such a power interruption signal, the CPU 501 of the main board 102 and the CPU 511 of the payout control board 103 execute a predetermined power-off process.

  Next, basic functions of the main board 102 will be described. The main board 102 according to the present embodiment performs various functions such as a ball entry determination, a lottery, and a command transmission, for example, by the functions of the above-described components (see FIG. 4).

  FIG. 5 shows representative functional means in each of the main board 102, the sub main board 301, and the sub sub board 302. Among these, the main board 102 includes the entrance determination means 110, the first lottery means 111, the second lottery means 112, the general drawing lottery means 113, the hold control means 114, the main display control means 115, the special game control means 116, Specific game control means 117, opening / closing control means 118, prior information notification means 119, main command transmission means 120, and the like are provided. Then, the main board 102, by these functional means, as described in order below, lottery concerning special symbols, lottery concerning ordinary symbols, hold control, main control display, special games, specific games, opening / closing control, advance information Execute notifications and so on.

The above-described winning determination means 110 includes sensors provided at each winning opening for entering a game ball into each winning opening (operating opening, various starting winning openings, large winning opening, general winning opening, out opening, etc.). Judgment is made based on the signal output from.
<< Lottery function for special design >>

  The aforementioned first lottery means 111 executes the first lottery based on the ball entering the first start winning opening 62. The first lottery unit 111 has functions of a first lottery value acquisition unit 121, a first winning / failure determining unit 122, a first symbol determining unit 123, and a first pattern determining unit 124. The result of the first lottery is represented by the first special symbol stopped and displayed in the first special symbol display section 70 of the main control display device 53 (see FIG. 6).

  Similarly, the above-described second lottery means 112 executes the second lottery based on the ball entering the second start winning opening 63. The second lottery means 112 has functions of a second lottery value acquisition means 125, a second winning / failure determining means 126, a second symbol determining means 127, and a second pattern determining means 128. The result of the second lottery is represented by the second special symbol stopped and displayed in the second special symbol display unit 71 of the main control display device 53 described above.

  The first lottery value acquisition means 121 provided in the first lottery means 111 described above, when the ball enters the first start winning opening 62, the value of the big hit random number related to the first lottery is used as the first winning / failing lottery value. Get as. Also, the second lottery value acquisition means 125 provided in the second lottery means 112 described above receives the value of the big hit random number related to the second lottery as the second winning or failing chance when the player enters the second starting prize opening 63. Obtained as a lottery value.

  In this embodiment, the jackpot random number acquired as the first winning / failing lottery value and the jackpot random number acquired as the second winning / failing lottery value are represented by a hardware random number (hard random number) and a software random number (soft random number). It is generated by the calculation (addition) used. As the hardware random number, for example, a built-in random number generated by a 16-bit random number circuit is used, and as the software random number, a value updated for each interrupt by a random number generation program in software is used. Note that one of hardware random numbers and software random numbers may be used.

  The first winning / failing judging means 122 in the first lottery means 111 makes a judgment of winning / notifying based on the first winning / notifying lottery value, and whether or not the first winning / losing lottery value corresponds to a predetermined value (winning value) to be won. Judging. Similarly, the second winner determination unit 126 in the second lottery unit 112 performs a hit determination based on the above-described second winner / lottery value, and the second winner / lottery value becomes a predetermined value (winning value) that is a hit. Judge whether it is applicable. In the success / failure determination by the first success / failure determination unit 122 and the second success / failure determination unit 126, the determination result determination table (FIG. 8A) that defines the correspondence between the first winning / notifying lottery value and the second winning / notifying lottery value and the lottery result of the big hit lottery. )) Is used. Here, the normal time big change big hit shown in FIG. 8A is a random value range that is always big hit, and the big change big hit is a random value range that is big hit only at the probability change. It is shown that.

  The first symbol determination means 123 in the first lottery means 111 and the second symbol determination means 127 in the second lottery means 112 are those in the case where either of the big wins is won in the big win lottery related to the first special symbol or the second special symbol The type of special symbol is determined based on the jackpot symbol determination table (see FIG. 9). The jackpot symbol determination table for the first lottery defines the relationship between the symbol lottery value, which is a random value (symbol random number) related to symbol determination, and the type of special symbol.

  Here, the symbol lottery value may also be referred to as “design random number per symbol” or “symbol random number” related to the special symbol. Further, in this embodiment, the winning type includes a small hit, and the first symbol determining means 123 and the second symbol determining means 127 are special in the case of winning a small hit in the big hit lottery relating to the special symbol. The symbol type is determined based on the small hit symbol determination table (see FIG. 9C).

  The symbol lottery value is acquired in response to a ball entering the start winning opening, as in the case of the above-mentioned winning / closure lottery value. In addition, the special symbol type is associated with the winning type, and is associated with the acquired symbol lottery value, so that the type of the big hit or the presence / absence of the small hit is determined.

  The first pattern determining means 124 in the first lottery means 111 and the second pattern determining means 128 in the second lottery means 112, based on the special pattern variation pattern table, the variation pattern of the special symbol in the corresponding special symbol display unit. decide. The special figure variation pattern table defines the relationship between a large number of special figure variation patterns and a pattern lottery value that is a random value (variation pattern random number) for determining a variation pattern of a special symbol.

  The pattern lottery value is acquired in response to a ball entering the start winning opening, similarly to the above-described winning / closure lottery value. Furthermore, the variation patterns related to the first special symbol and the second special symbol are, for example, according to various game situations such as a big hit, a loss, a reach, a short time, a hold number, a number of changes after a big hit, etc. A plurality of different special figure variation pattern tables are provided.

  The variation pattern related to the special symbol (special symbol variation pattern) defines the time (variation time) from the start of the variation to the stop in the variation display of the special symbol. The special figure fluctuation pattern defines various fluctuation times, for example, from 1 second or less to several tens of seconds depending on the type. That is, each special symbol variation pattern has a variation time as an end condition of variation display. In the first special symbol display unit 70 or the second special symbol display unit 71 (see FIG. 6), a special time is displayed. When the symbol variation display is started and the specified variation time has elapsed, the special symbol is stopped and displayed.

  For many of the special figure fluctuation patterns to be selected when the time is short, the fluctuation time is set shorter than that of the special figure fluctuation patterns to be selected when the time is not. However, special figure fluctuation patterns that can be selected when the number of suspensions is four at non-short hours include those with short fluctuation times compared to specific special figure fluctuation patterns at the time reduction. Yes.

Further, in the present embodiment, the variation pattern selected in a predetermined situation such as when the probability changes is mostly composed of an extremely short variation time (for example, about 0.6 seconds). In such a situation, a special symbol variation display and an accompanying effect are executed based on a variation pattern of a very short time. An effect based on such a very short variation time variation pattern will be described later.
<< Various lottery functions related to normal symbols >>

  Next, the above-described ordinary drawing lottery means 113 will be described. The ordinary drawing lottery means 113 includes an ordinary figure lottery value acquiring means 129, an ordinary figure determination / notification determining means 130, an ordinary symbol determining means 131, and an ordinary figure pattern determining means 132. When the entrance determination unit 110 detects the passing of the game ball at the operation port 68, the general drawing lottery means 113 executes a lottery (normal drawing lottery) related to the normal symbol based on the detection result. To do.

  In this general drawing lottery, a general drawing lottery value, which is a random number (normal symbol random number) related to a normal symbol, is acquired by the general symbol lottery value acquisition unit 129, and the general symbol determination table 131 stores the general symbol determination table. Referenced. In the common figure determination table, the correspondence between the common figure lottery values and the types of normal symbols is defined. Then, it is determined whether or not the normal symbol linked to the standard drawing lottery value is a hit, and if the hit is true, the hit type is determined. Is done.

  In addition, a common pattern pattern lottery value is acquired upon entering the operation port 68, and a variation pattern (normal diagram variation pattern) related to a normal symbol is obtained by the general pattern pattern determination unit 132 using the acquired common diagram pattern lottery value. ) Is determined. Each normal map variation pattern is associated with a general map pattern lottery value, which is a random number related to the normal map variation pattern (general pattern variation pattern random number), and is associated with the acquired general map pattern lottery value, and the state of the game The customary pattern variation pattern according to is determined.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the common figure lottery value and the common figure pattern lottery value, which are random numbers related to normal symbols, are created using only software random numbers.
<< Functions related to holding special symbols >>

  Next, the above-described hold control unit 114 will be described. The holding control unit 114 includes a first holding unit 133, a second holding unit 134, and a general drawing holding unit 135. Of these, the first holding means 133 is acquired by entering a ball when the predetermined start condition for the first special symbol is not satisfied when a new ball enters the first start winning opening 62. In addition, information (first special figure holding storage information) related to various random numbers (first winning / losing lottery value, first symbol lottery value, etc.) is temporarily stored. In the present embodiment, the upper limit value of the hold related to the first special symbol is set to four, and the hold related to the first special symbol is possible within a range not exceeding this upper limit value.

  The first special symbol or the second special symbol generated before the above-mentioned entrance is completed after the change display of the first special symbol or the second special symbol that was executed when the above-mentioned entrance was made ends. In the case where there is no hold related to, the change start condition related to the first special symbol is satisfied, and a new symbol change related to the first special symbol is permitted.

  The above-described second holding means 134 is also acquired by entering a ball when the predetermined start condition for variation according to the second special symbol is not satisfied when a new ball enters the second start winning opening 63. In addition, information related to various random numbers (second winning / failing lottery value, second symbol lottery value, etc.) is temporarily stored.

  When the change display of the second special symbol that has been executed when the above-mentioned entry is completed, the change start condition related to the second special symbol is satisfied, and a new symbol change related to the second special symbol is established. Will be allowed. In the present embodiment, the upper limit value of the hold related to the second special symbol is set to four similarly to the first special symbol.

In the case of the first special symbol and the second special symbol described above, when the symbol for starting the special game is stopped and controlled to the special game, the variation start condition is determined after the special game is ended.
<< Functions related to holding regular symbols >>

  Next, the above-described ordinary map holding means 135 will be described. The general figure holding means 135, when there is a ball entering the operating port 68 (see FIG. 1), if a predetermined variation start condition related to the normal symbol is not satisfied, Information related to the value etc. (usual hold storage information) is temporarily stored. Then, until the variation start condition is satisfied, the variation display of the normal symbol related to the above-mentioned entry is not permitted. In the present embodiment, the upper limit value of the normal symbol is set to four, and the normal symbol can be reserved within a range not exceeding the upper limit value.

When the normal symbol change display that was executed when the above-mentioned entry was made ends, and the normal electric accessory is not activated, the change start condition for the normal symbol is satisfied, and the new normal symbol Will be permitted.
<< Functions related to main control display >>

  Next, the main display control means 115 will be described. The main display control means 115 includes a first special figure control means 136, a second special figure control means 137, a general figure control means 138, a hold display control means 139, and other display control means 140. Among these, the first special symbol control means 136 changes the first special symbol on the first special symbol display unit 70 (see FIG. 6) according to the variation pattern of the first special symbol determined by the first lottery means 111. Display is performed (for example, a blinking display in which a predetermined part of the LED indicators are blinked every 100 msec). Then, when the variation time determined by the variation pattern has elapsed, the first special symbol is stopped and displayed at the first special symbol display unit 70 with the determined symbol.

  Furthermore, the second special symbol control means 137 follows the variation pattern determined by the second lottery means 112 according to the variation pattern determined by the second lottery means 112 if the above-described variation start condition relating to the second special symbol is satisfied. 6), the second special symbol is displayed in a variable manner. Then, when the variation time determined by the variation pattern has elapsed, the second special symbol is stopped and displayed with the determined symbol in the second special symbol display unit 71.

  Further, the normal symbol control means 138 follows the normal symbol change unit 59 (see FIG. 6) according to the normal symbol variation pattern determined by the general symbol lottery means 113 if the above-described variation start condition relating to the normal symbol is satisfied. ) To display the variation of normal symbols. Further, when the fluctuation time determined by the fluctuation pattern has elapsed, the normal symbol is stopped and displayed at the normal symbol display unit 59 with the determined symbol.

Furthermore, the hold display control means 139 displays the number of holds related to the first special symbol, the second special symbol, and the normal symbol described above. The number of reserved numbers is displayed on the first special symbol storage display unit 83, the second special symbol storage display unit 84, and the normal symbol storage display unit 85 of the main control display device 53 shown in FIG. Is called. The other display control means 140 controls the display on the main control display device 53 other than the first special symbol, the second special symbol, the normal symbol, and the various hold displays described above.
<< Functions related to special games >>

Next, the special game control means 116 will be described. The special game control means 116 determines that the special game operation condition is satisfied when the special symbol is stopped in the predetermined big hit mode when the big hit is made, and the predetermined game operation condition is determined according to the type of the big hit as described above. A special game to be opened is executed in a mode (a predetermined number of unit games or an opening pattern of a special winning opening during a unit game).
<< Functions related to specific games >>

  Next, the specific game control means 117 will be described. The specific game control means 117 performs control related to the above-described probability change, time reduction, and the like. The specific game control means 117 shifts the game state after the end of the special game to a probable change state or a short time state according to the type of jackpot. Probabilistic states are associated with some types of jackpots, not all types of jackpots. Further, for some big wins, the probability change state continues until the next big hit, and for other big wins with probability change, the total number of change displays after the special game is continued until a predetermined number (for example, 100 times) is reached. . During the probability changing state, the winning probability of the big hit by the first lottery means 111 and the second lottery means 112 is maintained at a higher value than in the normal time when the probability is not changed.

  The time-saving state is continued until the total number of variable display times of the first special symbol and the second special symbol reaches a predetermined number of end conditions (for example, 100 times) from the end of the special game. Furthermore, during the time reduction, the first pattern determination means 124 and the second pattern determination means 128 may change the time variation pattern so that the variation display time of the first special symbol and the second special symbol is substantially shorter than the normal state. Select.

In addition, as described above, the easy-to-enter game is executed in conjunction with the execution of a short time as a specific game, and the operation of the ordinary electric accessory is facilitated, and is arranged at the entrance of the second starting prize opening. The opening and closing blades are easy to open. The opening / closing control of the opening / closing blades is controlled by an opening / closing control means 118 described later.
<< Functions related to open / close control >>

Next, the aforementioned opening / closing control means 118 will be described. The opening / closing control means 118 controls the opening / closing operation of the ordinary electric accessory (opening / closing blade) of the second start winning opening 63 and the large winning opening apparatus 90. When the normal symbol is stopped in a specific manner, the opening / closing control means 118 sends an opening instruction to the ordinary electric accessory solenoid 76 to open the ordinary electric accessory at the second start winning prize port 63. Furthermore, the opening / closing control means 118 performs control for sending an opening instruction to the special prize opening solenoid 80 in the special game, and opens the special prize opening device 90.
<< Functions related to prior information notification >>

  Next, the above-described advance information notification unit 119 will be described. The prior information notifying means 119 is acquired regardless of whether or not the symbol variation display corresponding to the pitch is put on hold when the first start winning slot 62 or the second start winning slot 63 is pitched. Further, a process for transmitting information related to various random number values to the sub board (here, the sub main board 301) as prior notification information is performed.

  As the above-mentioned prior notice information, each of the above-mentioned winning / losing lottery values (first winning / notifying lottery value or second winning / notifying lottery value), each symbol lottery value (first symbol lottery value or second symbol lottery value), each pattern Examples of information include what kind of success / failure range, symbol range, and pattern range the lottery value (first pattern lottery value or second pattern lottery value) belongs to.

Note that transmission of such advance notification information enables various pre-reading effects on the sub-board 104 side. And as a pre-reading effect, a hold notice, a continuous notice, etc. can be illustrated, but these details are mentioned below.
<< Functions related to command transmission >>

Next, the main command transmission unit 120 will be described. The main command transmission unit 120 transmits a command (main command) from the main board 102 to the sub main board 301. The command transmission from the main board 102 to the sub-main board 301 is performed including various information at various timings such as at the time of starting winning a prize, at the time of starting the change of the special symbol, at the time of stopping the change of the special symbol, or when the big hit occurs. .
<Basic function of sub-board>

  Next, basic functions of the sub-board 104 will be described. In the present embodiment, the sub board 104 includes a sub main board 301 and a sub sub board 302, and performs various functions such as command reception from the main board 102, effect pattern determination, effect display control, and effect execution.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the sub main board 301 includes a main command receiving unit 141, an effect pattern determining unit 142, a sub main command transmitting unit 143, and the like. Further, the sub-main board 301 is provided with functional means such as sound control means 144 for controlling speaker output and the like, and light control means 145 for controlling game effect lamp output and the like.

  The effect pattern determined by the effect pattern determining unit 142 includes a display effect displayed on the effect display device 60, and information specifying a sound effect and a light effect performed together with the display effect as necessary. During the fluctuation display of the symbol 190, an effect that suggests the high expectation level of the big hit is executed. Here, the “expectation” in this embodiment can be rephrased as “reliability”. In the following, “expectation” refers to the stage of production (normal pattern, chance-up pattern, final pattern) that enhances the expectation that will be a big hit by the fluctuation when it appears among patterns of the same kind of notice effect, or one effect The probability that a hit variation pattern is included in the variation pattern corresponding to one effect when the hit variation pattern (variation pattern in the hit variation) information and the deviation variation pattern information (variation pattern in the outlier variation) are generated. Each description of what is described may be used. In general, an “effect with a high degree of expectation” refers to an effect that is often a big hit when the effect occurs.

  When the effect pattern is determined by the effect pattern determining unit 142, effect pattern information indicating the determined effect pattern is transmitted to the sub-sub board 302 as a sub-main command via the sub-main command transmitting unit 143. Further, the command transmitted from the sub main board 301 to the sub sub board 302 includes sound information and the like in order to read out sound data, lamp data, and the like from the ROM of the sub sub board.

As shown in FIG. 5, the sub-sub board 302 includes sub-main command receiving means 146, effect execution control means 147, and the like. In the sub-sub board 302, the production execution control means 147 sequentially outputs necessary image data to the liquid crystal unit 42 (see FIG. 4) based on the sub-main command from the sub-main board 301, thereby forming an animation image. Then, the effect display device 60 displays the effect animation.
<Specific example of specific game>

Next, a specific aspect of the specific game described above will be described. As described above, as a specific game, the probability variation function of special symbols (probability variation), the special symbol variation time shortening function (short time), and the easy entry game (ordinary symbol probability variation function, ordinary symbol variation time reduction) Function, a combination of the function of opening and extending a normal electric accessory). And at least any one of these various specific games is executed according to the result of the big hit lottery (a special symbol stop display symbol) or the result of the big hit game. In this embodiment, instead of the so-called ST machine described above, a specification in which a certain variation period continues until the next big hit is adopted for some big hits, but a specific aspect thereof will be described later.
<< Probability game >>

  The probability change described above is to change the probability state of the game related to the special symbol after the big hit so that the probability of occurrence of the big hit is higher than the normal probability state. In a pachinko gaming machine that employs ST, the duration (probability variation period) of the probability variation state is determined based on the number of changes in the special symbol.

The number of changes in the special symbol is determined as one time from the change display of the special symbol to the stop display. In the probability variation period in ST, the total number of changes of the first special symbol and the second special symbol after the special game ends is set to a predetermined number (for example, 100 times). In this way, the function that allows the probability variation period to end before the next big hit occurs can be referred to as ST or number cut probability variation.
<< Variation time reduction game >>

  The above-mentioned time reduction is to shorten the variation time of the special symbol (first special symbol and second special symbol) in the main control display device 53 as compared with the case of the normal game. Here, “substantially shortening” is not always shorter than normal games in all cases, and in some cases, when the variation time of special symbols is equivalent to normal games or longer than normal games It can mean that According to this short time, since the variation time of the special symbol is shortened, even if a winning to the start winning port (the first starting winning port 62 and the second starting winning port 63) continuously occurs, a special symbol is generated. The change display and stop display of symbols can be smoothly advanced at short intervals, and it is possible to secure many opportunities for lottery lotteries.

  Furthermore, the duration of the short time state (short time period) is determined on the basis of the number of fluctuations of the special symbol, similarly to the probability variation state. In this embodiment, the time-saving state is continued until the total number of changes of the first special symbol and the second special symbol after the special game ends reaches a predetermined number (for example, 100 times).

  In the example described above, the probability variation period and the short time period are set to the same period, but the probability variation period and the short time period may be different from each other. For example, it is possible to set the probability variation period to 104 times and the short time period to 100 times. Further, the probability variation period and the short time period are not limited to being constant. For example, the probability variation period can be any of 4, 25, 100, etc., depending on the type of jackpot that has occurred. Also, the short time period can be set to any one of 25 times, 50 times, 75 times, 100 times, etc., depending on the type of jackpot that has occurred.

  It is also possible to provide a so-called falling lottery function. Examples of the falling lottery include the following. For example, after the probability variation and time reduction reach a predetermined number of times (for example, 50 times) less than the above-mentioned maximum number of variations (here, 100 times), for each variation of the special symbol until the maximum number of variations is reached, A lottery (specific game end lottery) is executed as to whether or not to end the probability change and time saving. When the specific game end lottery is won, the probability change and the time reduction are ended, and the game state from the next change returns to the normal state without the probability change and the time reduction.

Furthermore, it is not limited to executing both probability change and time saving, and it is also possible to execute only one of them in a specific game. For example, depending on the type of jackpot that has been won, it is possible to give only a short time and not to give a probability change, or to give only a probability change without giving a time reduction.
<< Easy entry game >>

  Next, the above described easy entry game will be described. This easy-to-enter game is a game state in which the function related to the ordinary electric accessory is advantageously set for the player, and the opening mode of the second start winning opening 63 can accept the game ball more easily than usual. is there. When the easy-to-enter game is executed, the control mode such as the short time related to the normal symbol, the probability variation related to the normal symbol, the open extension related to the normal electric accessory, or the combination of these control modes is used. The ease of entering the start winning opening 63 is enhanced, and an easy entry state is formed.

  Among the various control modes described above for normal symbols, the short time for normal symbols is a control mode in which the fluctuation time of normal symbols is shorter than the normal state, and the probability variation for normal symbols is the probability of winning for normal symbols. Is a control mode (probability change related to normal symbols) that improves the level of the normal state. Furthermore, the opening extension related to the ordinary electric accessory is a control mode in which the opening time of the second start winning opening 63 is opened (long opening) longer than the opening (short opening) in normal time (non-specific game). is there.

  As described above, the easy-to-enter game during a specific game can be entered into the second start winning opening 63 by using three functions: normal symbol time reduction, open lottery probability change, and normal electric accessory opening extension. Increase ball ease. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration may be adopted in which one or two of these three functions are used to improve the ease of entering the second start winning a prize opening 63. Moreover, it is good also as a structure which switches between the period which implements at least one of three functions, and the period which is not implemented according to a gaming state.

The duration of such easy-to-enter game can be determined based on the short period of time related to the special symbol. For example, it is possible to adopt a control mode in which the easy-to-enter game is continued during the short time related to the special symbol, and the easy-to-enter game is ended when the short time related to the special symbol ends. In such a case, a normal symbol variation pattern (ordinary symbol variation pattern) in which the symbol variation starts after the special symbol time has ended is provided for normal times (non-specific games). It is possible to be determined from among the variation patterns.
<Main effects on pachinko machines>
<< Basic display mode of production design >>

  Next, main effects of various effects executed by the sub main board 301 and the sub sub board 302 based on commands from the main board 102 to the sub main board 301 will be described. Here, first, a basic display mode of the above-described effect design 190 (see FIGS. 7A and 7B) will be described.

  The effect symbol 190 is variably displayed on the effect display device 60 as the special symbol is variably displayed on the main control display device 53 (see FIG. 7A). Furthermore, the effect symbol 190 is stopped and displayed on the effect display device 60 (see FIG. 7B) as the special symbol is stopped and displayed on the main control display device 53.

  The stop symbol displayed when the effect symbol 190 is stopped includes a combination of three symbols: a left effect symbol 190a, a middle effect symbol 190b, and a right effect symbol 190c. If the result of the big hit lottery on the main board 102 is a big win, for example, a combination of the three-colored gazes such as “777” and “555” is used as a stop symbol representing the big hit. Is displayed. Also, if the result of the big hit lottery is out of place, for example, “767”, “928”, “331”, etc. The symbol 190 is stopped and displayed.

  Here, “stop symbol” and “symbol stop” in the present embodiment mean that the three effect symbols 190 are “fixed stop”. That is, even if the three effect symbols 190a to 190c are displayed in the display area 194 of the effect display device 60 in a state where, for example, a combination such as “767” or “928” is maintained, the “determination stop” alone It does not correspond to what you did. A state in which the production symbol 190 does not reach the “definite stop” while maintaining the combination in this way can be referred to as a “temporary stop” state.

  As a display mode of such “temporary stop”, for example, a state in which the production symbol 190 is oscillating (shaking) in small increments can be exemplified. A temporary stop mode in which the production symbol 190 is oscillating in small increments while maintaining the combination can be referred to as a “sway fluctuation” mode. As an aspect of the production pattern 190 in the “temporary stop”, vertical or horizontal linear movement, horizontal rotational movement, and the like can be exemplified, and the movement range can be exemplified by several millimeters.

  Moreover, as a display mode of the above-mentioned “determined stop”, a state where all effect symbols 190a to 190c are stopped while maintaining a combination through a temporary stop state can be exemplified. Furthermore, during this “determination stop”, it is possible to perform an effect indicating that the determination has been stopped. And as an effect indicating that it has been confirmed and displayed, the state of confirmed stop is maintained for a predetermined time (for example, about 1 second), or the effect symbols 190a to 190c that have been confirmed and stopped are added with special effects. The display (design effect) can be exemplified.

  Here, as the symbol effect, each effect symbol 190a to 190c is illuminated only momentarily (for example, about 0.5 seconds), and a bright spot is circulated once or a plurality of times around each effect symbol 190a to 190c. It is possible to employ various modes such as enlarging or reducing the symbols 190a to 190c and moving the effect symbols 190a to 190c by several millimeters to return them to their original positions.

  In addition, in the above-described “reach” display mode, there may be a case where an effect design maintaining the reach combination is displayed in the above-mentioned “temporary stop” mode. Then, after the reach display by this “temporary stop”, the symbols that have been displayed in a variable manner (in this case, the medium effect design 190b) constitute a combination of outliers (a combination of outlier reach), and “temporarily stop”. An effect can be illustrated in which “determination stop” is performed while keeping the change and the variable display ends. In addition, from the state in which the three effect symbols 190a to 190c perform “temporary stop” by the combination of the outlier reach, the medium effect symbol 190b resumes the fluctuation and the reach effect is highly reliable (reliability related to the big hit A production (second-half reach) such as a relatively high degree) can be exemplified.

  Note that the scroll display mode of the effect symbol 190 is not limited to the above-described vertical scroll, and various display modes can be employed. As other display modes, for example, a horizontal scroll mode in the horizontal direction (such as from right to left) or the left performance symbol 190a to the right performance symbol 190c are individually rotated (rotated) around the vertical axis. A rotation mode for performing variable display can be exemplified. In addition, for example, the left effect design 190a to the right effect design 190c are enlarged along the straight or curved (turning) trajectory in the display area 194 from the rear to the front, that is, from the back to the front of the screen. A display mode of sequentially feeding out can also be exemplified. Furthermore, it is also possible to adopt a scroll display mode in which the effect design directed from the rear to the front descends from the upper side to the lower side.

  In addition, the scroll mode is not limited to adopting any one of the various modes as described above. For example, when a predetermined effect is executed, the scroll mode is switched from the predetermined scroll mode to another scroll mode. It is also possible. Moreover, it is also possible to change a scroll aspect for every production mode about several production modes.

  7A and 7B illustrate a display mode in which the combination of effect symbols 190 is stopped and displayed only in the middle in the vertical direction of the display area 194, and the effective line is in the horizontal direction. There is only one line. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the number of effective lines may be 2 lines or 5 lines.

Further, in FIG. 7 (b), the left effect design 190a to the right effect design 190c are simplified by only numbers in a predetermined font, but the effect design 190 means a predetermined symbol such as a number. It can be configured by a combination of a portion (an element symbol that is a symbol element effect design described above) and a portion (an element symbol that is a non-symbol element effect symbol) composed of a picture that represents something other than a predetermined symbol. And as a part which consists of a picture which expresses other than a predetermined symbol, various design pictures, a person picture, and these combinations etc. can be illustrated, Furthermore, various design pictures and a person picture combined with a symbol are animated. It is also possible.
<< Example of production pattern >>

  Next, the effect pattern described above will be described. A large number of effect patterns are provided in a state associated with a variation pattern determined by the main board 102. Further, the effect pattern includes an effect pattern including the effect symbol 190. More specifically, the production pattern defines a production process such as a change process from the start of change to a change stop for the selected production symbol 190, a background displayed in combination with the production symbol 190, and story development. Yes. The production patterns include those corresponding to “with reach” and “without reach” described above.

  Among these, when the effect pattern “with reach” is executed, a reach effect that is a big hit if another effect symbol (in this case, the medium effect symbol 190 b) is arranged is performed on the effect display device 60. When the result of the winning / losing lottery concerning the special symbol is a big hit, the display of the rough lines such as “777” and “333” corresponding to the type of the big win is performed by the effect symbol 190 which has been confirmed and stopped. Further, when the result of the lottery determination relating to the special symbol is a loss, for example, a combination indicating a loss such as “767” or “515” is performed by the effect symbol 190 that has been confirmed and stopped.

  Furthermore, when the production pattern of “no reach” is executed, for example, “928”, “331”, and the like, a combination without reach in which the left production design 190a and the right production design 190c are not a combination of reach, This is performed by the production symbol 190 that has been confirmed and stopped.

Some of these performance patterns have various long and short variation times. Particularly, the variation pattern of “with reach” includes one having a variation time of several minutes. In the present embodiment, “no reach (approximately 3 seconds to 10 seconds)” and “normal reach (10 seconds to 20 seconds) in the variation pattern (see FIGS. 10A to 10C) related to the special symbol described above. Degree) ”and“ super reach (high reach reliability reach) (about 30 seconds to 2 minutes) ”, there are provided an effect pattern without reach, an effect pattern with normal reach, and an effect pattern with super reach. For example, a plurality of effect patterns are associated with one effect pattern, and the number of effect patterns is more diverse than the above-described change patterns. Furthermore, “super reach” can be rephrased as “SP (special) reach”.
<< Holding effect display related to special design >>

  Next, the hold display (hold effect display) related to the special symbol performed in the effect display device 60 will be described. In the lower part of the display area 194 of the effect display device 60, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, a first hold number display unit 196 indicating the number of hold of the winning lottery value in the first game, A second number-of-holds display section 197 that indicates the number of hold of the winning / failing lottery value in two games is displayed. Here, in order to simplify the explanation and illustration, each hold display is represented by a perfect circle, but the hold display may be performed by a combination of other shapes and colors, a character image, an animation, or the like.

  In this embodiment, when a hold related to the first game occurs, a predetermined hold display is performed on the first hold number display section 196 described above. Further, when the number of holds increases, a hold display is added. When the number of holds reaches the upper limit, as shown in FIG. 7A, four hold displays are performed in the first hold number display section 196.

  Further, the hold display in the first hold number display section 196 can be performed from the first display position to the fourth display position. That is, the first hold number display unit 196 includes the first display position to the fourth display position, and the rightmost part of the first hold number display unit 196 when viewed from the player is the first display position. It has become. A second display position, a third display position, and a fourth display position are provided in order toward the left end. Further, hereinafter, the hold display performed from the first display position to the fourth display position will be referred to as “hold 1”, “hold 2”, “hold 3”, and “hold 4”, respectively.

  For example, in the effect display device 60, in the situation where the effect symbol 190 related to the first game is being performed and one hold display is not performed on the first hold number display unit 196, the hold is generated. Then, the hold display is performed at the first display position on the right end (the position of the above-described “hold 1”). At this time, it is assumed that no other hold display has been performed yet, and “Hold 2” to “Hold 4” have not occurred. In this situation, when “hold 1” is generated, if the hold is further generated, the display related to the generated hold is performed at the position of “hold 2” to the left of “hold 1”. Then, when “hold 1” and “hold 2” are displayed, and “hold 3” and “hold 4” are not displayed, if a further hold occurs, “hold 3” is displayed according to the number of holds that have occurred. Or “Hold 4” is displayed.

  Then, if the change display that was executed when “Hold 1” occurs and other change start conditions related to the first game are also satisfied, the above-described hold memory information related to “Hold 1” is stored. At the stage of digestion, the “hold 1” hold display moves to the right side of the first hold number display section 196. The variation information display unit 195 is provided on the right side of the first hold number display unit 196. The variation information display unit 195 is an area for displaying information (variation information) related to the variation display being executed at that time. That is, the hold display of “hold 1” moves to the change information display unit 195 and changes to the change information display 198 when the change display related to the corresponding hold storage information is executed.

  Here, when the hold display of “hold 1” is moved to the change information display unit 195, display elements such as a size, a color, and a form related to the item may be changed. In the example of FIGS. 7A and 7B, the size is increased when the hold display of “HOLD 1” is changed to the change information display 198.

  As described above, when the hold display in “hold 1” moves to the fluctuation information display unit 195, the standby order of the subsequent hold display is advanced, and “hold 2” is shifted to the position of “hold 1”. Further, when “Take 3” or “Take 4” exists, “Take 3” is shifted to the “Take 2” position, and “Take 4” is shifted to the “Take 3” position. If a further hold occurs in such a situation, a new “hold 4” occurs and the number of holds reaches the upper limit. If no new hold is generated, the hold display is shifted with the start of the next variable display, and the standby order of each hold is advanced.

  In addition, it can be understood as a hold effect in a broad sense, including the state of change from the hold display in “hold 1” to “hold 4” to the change information display 198 in the change information display unit 195. Not only this, but also the hold display in “hold 1” to “hold 4” is set as the hold display, and the state changed to the change information display 198 in the change information display unit 195 is not included in the hold display. It is also possible.

  In addition, when the variation display related to the production symbol 190 is not performed, and the number of holds is 0, and there is a ball in the first start winning opening 62, the display of “hold 1” is not performed, and the variation information The change information display 198 is directly performed on the display unit 195. And only in such a case, it is possible to handle such that the fluctuation information display 198 in the fluctuation information display section 195 is not included in the hold display.

  Then, although the above-mentioned 2nd reservation number display part 197 is demonstrated, description is abbreviate | omitted about the point similar to the 1st reservation number display part 196. FIG. In the present embodiment, as shown in the figure, the second number-of-holds display unit 197 is located on the opposite side of the first number-of-holds display unit 196 (on the right side as viewed from the player) with the variation information display unit 195 described above interposed therebetween. ) In a color different from the first reserved image, so that the relations of “Take 1” to “Take 4” are symmetric.

  Further, the hold display can be performed in a manner corresponding to various game states. For example, when the probability of a big hit lottery is a normal probability and a high probability, and when the display mode is controlled to be different, the display mode of each other can be changed.

Further, the positional relationship between the first hold number display unit 196, the second hold number display unit 197, and the variation information display unit 195 is not limited to the above-described one, and the second game is played as in this embodiment. In the pachinko gaming machine of the type that does not execute in priority to one game but displays the variation of the special symbol and the production symbol 190 in the order of occurrence of the start winnings relating to the first game and the second game, the variation information display section Eight on-hold displays may be arranged on the left side of 195.
<< Reservation pre-reading effect related to special design >>

  Next, a reservation prefetch effect that is one of the notice effects (prefetch effects) related to the special symbol will be described. This reserved pre-reading effect is an effect that is executed based on the above-described reserved memory information (first special figure reserved memory information or second reserved memory information). Furthermore, the hold prefetching effect uses the above-mentioned prior information notification function, and a reach or a big hit occurs for a hold that is digested later than the effect currently performed using the effect symbol 190 or the like. It is performed as an effect that suggests the expectation of doing.

  For example, regarding the hold display generated at the position of “hold 3” in the first hold number display unit 196 described above, the green hold display is performed unlike the display (for example, blue) which is the basic display mode described above. This shows that the degree of expectation such as the occurrence of reach is higher than in the case of a normal blue mode. In addition to the colors of blue and green, display modes such as yellow, red, gold, rainbow, and predetermined patterns are provided. Expectations of big hits in the order of yellow, red, gold, rainbow, and predetermined patterns rather than green There is an effect that shows that the degree is high.

  Here, as a display mode of the above-mentioned “predetermined pattern”, an animal pattern such as a giraffe, a display mode including a predetermined character image, and the like can be exemplified. It is also possible to employ not only the color and pattern of the hold display but also items other than the perfect circle shape, person images, and the like. Furthermore, it is also possible to perform a pre-reading effect by combining the various display modes described above with a mode in which blinking or light emission is performed. In addition, a hold that has hit a prefetch effect including a hold prefetch effect can be referred to as “trigger hold”, for example.

  The pre-reading effect related to the hold as described above may be performed in the second game. Regarding the second game, in addition to the basic color (orange), display modes such as red, gold, rainbow, and a predetermined pattern can be provided. In addition, as the hold display related to the second game, it is also possible to adopt items other than the perfect circle shape, person images, and the like.

  Further, the pre-reading effect using the hold display in the first game and the second game as described above can be referred to as “hold change” or the like. Such “holding change” includes a display mode different from the basic display mode as described above from the beginning of the occurrence of the hold, and a change in display mode at the timing after the occurrence of the hold. is there.

  Among these, as an indication of the change in the display mode at the timing after the occurrence of the hold, for example, the hold is generated and the hold display is started, the hold is digested, and the hold display is, for example, “hold 2”, An example in which the hold display changes while proceeding with “hold 1” can be exemplified. Then, for example, when a hold occurs, the hold display is performed in blue (orange in the case of the second game) at the position “Hot 3”, and when moving to the position “Hold 1”, other colors such as green are displayed. Is changed.

  In addition, in both the first game and the second game, when the change information display 198 is displayed, the hold display is changed from a basic color to a display mode such as red, gold, rainbow, a predetermined pattern, or the like. There are cases where the degree of expectation of jackpot is expressed by changing to a display form such as a non-circular item or a person image.

  Furthermore, the following can be illustrated as a control aspect which concerns on the above hold changes. For example, when a hold occurs, a lottery (hold change pattern lottery) for determining an effect pattern (hold change pattern) of the hold change is performed. The hold change pattern lottery uses a hold change pattern table. In this hold change pattern table, the presence or absence of a hold change and when to execute a hold change (when there is a hold change), what timing Items relating to the determination of the production pattern, such as what display mode to execute, are defined. In addition, as the hold change pattern, one for the first game and one for the second game are defined.

  In addition, when there are a plurality of holdings in “holding 1” to “holding 4” that correspond to the holding change, it is possible to cancel one of the holding pre-reading effects. More specifically, for example, when “hold 4” occurs, the hold related to “hold 4” hits the hold change pattern that changes to green, and any of the holds that have occurred first If the holding change pattern that changes to a rainbow color is hit, the holding relating to the above-mentioned “hold 4” can be exemplified by canceling the holding change and not executing it.

Furthermore, for example, when “Hold 4” occurs as in the above example, the hold related to “Hold 4” hits the hold change pattern that changes to the rainbow color, and all the hold that has occurred previously However, if the change does not change up to the rainbow color and changes only on hold until green or the like, the hold that has occurred can be exemplified by canceling the change on hold and not executing it.
<< Continuous notice concerning special design >>

  Next, as another pre-reading effect pattern, a continuous notice (continuous effect) related to a special symbol will be described. There are genuine and pseudo-continuous notices. Of these, genuine continuous notices mean that the notices have a continuous notice effect over multiple variable displays related to special symbols. ing. In addition, the pseudo continuous notice means that an intermittent notice effect (pseudo continuous notice) is performed such that there is a plurality of special symbol fluctuations for one change display related to the special symbol.

  As the above-mentioned “continuous notice”, for example, the character who is the main character in the story on the stage moves to different rooms sequentially for the room that is the final destination for each change of the special symbol. Such a thing can be illustrated. In addition, the “continuous notice” in other aspects is that the main character is to win against the different enemies and aim at the enemy as the final goal for each change of the special symbol. Can also be illustrated.

  Further, the genuine continuous notice described above (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as “continuous notice”) can be performed based on the prior notice information transmitted from the main board 102 to the sub-main board 301. More specifically, for example, based on the prior notification information received when the “hold 3” suspension occurs, the sub-main board 301 has an effect pattern corresponding to the variable display related to the special symbol after that. For example, it is possible to select a content including a continuous notice over three fluctuation displays.

  Then, when the hold for one time is exhausted and the hold for the above-mentioned “hold 3” is shifted to the position of “hold 2”, the first one of the effect patterns related to the selected continuous notice is displayed. An effect pattern related to the notice is executed. Further, when the hold is sequentially digested and the hold display is moved from “Hot 2” to “Hold 1”, the second notice of the three times is executed, and the fluctuation information display from “Hold 1”. When moving to section 195, the final third notice is executed.

  In the sub-main board 301, the change pattern related to the change display executed when the above-described “hold 3” hold occurs, and “hold 2” or “hold 1” generated before that. It is also possible to check the hold storage information. In other words, when the above-mentioned “hold 3” hold occurs, information indicating that a predetermined reach effect with a high jackpot reliability is executed or a big hit is generated among various stored information. If there is information indicating that the event is to be performed, it is possible to cancel the effect pattern related to the continuous notice selected when the “hold 3” hold occurs. In addition, according to the degree of hold expectation for “Take 3”, continuous notification is not immediately made from the next change. There may be cases where continuous notices are made over fluctuations.

  In addition, as the above-described pseudo continuous notice (hereinafter may be referred to as “pseudo continuous notice”), reach display is intermittently performed a plurality of times in the effect pattern related to the single variable display of the special symbol. Such a case, a case where a character repeats an action a plurality of times, a case where a temporary stop and re-variation of the effect design 190 are repeated, and the like can be exemplified.

Note that the contents of the continuous notice as described above are merely examples, and various contents other than those described can be adopted as the contents of the continuous notice.
<< Directing design related to normal design >>

  Next, an effect related to the above-described normal symbol will be described. In the present embodiment, the effect display related to the normal symbol is not performed. However, the effect related to the normal symbol can be performed as a part of the effect in the effect display device 60. And when performing the effect display of a normal symbol in this way, as the effect symbol, for example, it is conceivable to perform a display that can discriminate between a loss and a winning type.

  Further, as described above, when the effect display device 60 is configured by a combination of a plurality of display bodies, a relatively large display body and a smaller display body (or a plurality of display bodies) may be provided. It is possible. The large display body can be referred to as, for example, “main display body” or “main liquid crystal”, and the small display body can be referred to as, for example, “sub display body” or “sub liquid crystal”. Furthermore, when the relatively small display body as described above is provided, the effect design (199) related to the normal design may be displayed on the small display body, for example. In addition, for example, an LED display lamp may be provided in a predetermined portion of the center decoration 64 described above, and this may be used as an effect display device related to a normal design.

In addition, when performing an effect using the effect symbol related to the normal symbol, the hold effect display related to the normal symbol can be performed as a part of the effect on the effect display device 60. In addition, as described above, when the effect display device 60 is configured by a plurality of display bodies such as a large display body and a small display body, the effect hold display related to the normal symbol is, for example, a small display. You may make it display on a body. In addition, for example, an LED indicator lamp which is a set of two LED lamps is provided at a predetermined portion of the center decoration 64 described above, and thereby, an effect display of the number of holdings related to the normal symbols “1” to “4” is performed. Also good.
<< Direction related to limited frequency pattern >>

  Next, an effect related to the limited frequency pattern (hereinafter referred to as “limited frequency pattern effect”) will be described. The limited frequency pattern effect is provided as a part of the aforementioned effect pattern. Further, the limited frequency effect pattern effect is an effect set so as to easily appear in a predetermined gaming state corresponding to the variation pattern determined in a specific period by the pattern determining means of the main board. The content of this limited frequency pattern effect is an effect content indicating a specific tendency. As the content of the limited frequency pattern effect, for example, a predetermined variation pattern in a specific variation during a short-time game is used on the main board. An example of such a decision that always generates a highly reliable reach as an effect can be given.

In addition, as a gaming situation in which a limited frequency pattern effect is likely to appear, at the start of the game, immediately after a predetermined effect pattern is executed (for example, immediately after a small hit or a big hit without a ball), during a predetermined effect mode (probability change, For example, during the short-time game mode) or immediately after the end of the special game. In addition to these, as a gaming situation in which the limited frequency pattern effect is likely to appear, when the number of holds related to the first game (or the second game) reaches a predetermined number (for example, four), The case where it does not exist can also be illustrated. Further, in a situation where a limited frequency pattern effect is executed, a limited frequency table provided in advance according to the situation at that time is used, and an effect pattern to be executed is determined from the limited frequency pattern defined in the limited frequency table. It is to be selected.
<< Direction using operation buttons >>

  Next, an effect using the operation button 22 (see FIG. 1) described above (hereinafter referred to as “button effect”) will be described. When the button effect is executed, the operation button 22 is pressed by the player and exhibits a function of giving the player a feeling that he / she participates in the game effect or the lottery. is there. As the button effect, for example, in the process of changing the effect symbol 190 (see FIGS. 7A and 7B), “Push”, “sequential hitting” are displayed on the display area 194 of the effect display device 60 together with the symbol of the operation button 22. For example, it is possible to exemplify performing a guide display for prompting an operation such as a character such as “Please press” or “Long press” or a moving image of an indicator indicating the remaining time.

  Furthermore, examples of the button effect include an effect in which a character makes a comment when a player operates the operation button 22 in accordance with the above-described guide display, and an effect in which an ally character attacks an enemy character. In addition, when the operation button 22 is operated, the above-described movable effect member (601 to 603, etc.) is activated to notify that reach is reached. Further, a button effect may be performed during the reach effect. In this case, when the operation button 22 is operated, the above-mentioned movable effect members (601 to 603, etc.) are activated to expect the big hit. Can also be illustrated.

  Further, regarding the above-described operation button 22, the operation of the operation button 22 is normally disabled, but the button operation effective period in which the operation of the operation button 22 is enabled during the button production. The button operation effective period is a predetermined time set in advance.

  In addition, various types of operation input devices such as the operation button 22 can be employed. For example, an operation handle of an automobile, an operation lever of an aircraft, a model of a character related to the production contents. (Figure) with touch sensor added can be used. In addition, it is possible to provide an operation button and an operation lever or the like in combination, and use them according to the situation such as the contents of the production.

Further, as described above, the cross key 96 (FIG. 19A) is provided in the vicinity of the operation button 22, and the operation button 22 may be used as a determination key or the like in a situation where environment setting or the like is performed. In the present embodiment, the rendering operation using the operation button 22 and the cross key is performed in the situation where the effect display device 60 is performing the variable display of the effect symbol 190 or the like, or in the situation where the variable display is not performed. May be. A specific example of environment setting using the cross key 96 will be described later.
<< Direction when jackpot occurs >>

  Next, an effect when a big hit occurs will be described. When a big hit occurs, the effects at the start of a special game (a jackpot start demonstration), the effects during a special game (round effect), the effects at the end of the last round (hit end demo), at the end of the special game There is a production (a jackpot end demo).

  When the above-mentioned production symbol 190 is confirmed and stopped, a display indicating that the big hit is started is performed with a sound such as a fanfare. Further, it is possible to exemplify a content in which a right-handed guidance effect is executed as an instruction for how to hit during a special game, and the player is guided to increase the amount of rotation of the firing handle 20 to make a right-handed strike.

  As an effect during the above-mentioned special game, a moving image whose contents cannot be viewed unless the player has won a big hit can be exemplified. At this time, predetermined music is output from the aforementioned speaker 21 (see FIG. 1). Furthermore, as a video during the special game, for example, a scene in which a predetermined character in a play picture adopted for the production of the pachinko gaming machine 10 fights a rival enemy or a state of enjoying a trap Can be exemplified.

  In addition, the change of the round during the special game is, for example, “1R”, “2R”,... At the corner (for example, the upper right corner) of the display area 194 (see FIGS. 7A and 7B). , “15R” can be used for notification. Further, as a part of the effect during the special game, for example, it is possible to display the number of occurrence of the big hit when the big hit occurs during the specific game and the big hits are continuous.

  Subsequently, examples of the effects after the special game include those related to the result of the effects during the special game. More specifically, the content etc. which a winner expresses an emotion according to the result of the battle between characters can be illustrated. Such an effect after the special game can also be called an ending effect.

Furthermore, examples of the effects after the special game include a display that additionally displays the number of consecutive big hits, and a display that displays the number of prize balls acquired by the player through the special game at that time. It is also possible to additionally display the number of occurrences of jackpots when jackpots occur during a specific game and the jackpots continue. In addition, regarding the success of the big hit, when the number of occurrence of the big hit reaches a predetermined number (for example, 20 times), it is possible to execute an effect pattern that is not selected before that.
<Various specific production examples>
<< Production by superimposing multiple production members >>

  Next, various specific effects that can be implemented in the pachinko gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment will be described with examples. First, it is possible to perform an effect by superimposing the display of the effect display device 60, the display of the light guide plate 88 described above, and the movable effect members (601 to 603, etc.). This type of effect is a complex effect obtained by positioning the movable effect member in front of the effect display device 60 and combining the display content of the effect display device 60 with the light decoration or movement of the movable effect member.

  As an example, in a state where any movable effect member protrudes in front of the display area 194 of the effect display device 60, at least a part of the display area 194 of the effect display device 60 can be seen outside the movable effect member. For example, in the case where an image of a flame burning up is displayed on the effect display device 60, an effect of a combination in which the movable effect member performs light decoration and operation is executed in front of the flame. Furthermore, in the light guide plate 88, for example, by performing an effect in which a flame pattern blinks or an effect in which a ripple pattern is blinked, the difference in distance between the light guide plate 88 and the effect display device 60 is caused. Visual effects can be demonstrated.

  Furthermore, in this state, by executing the effect by the movable effect member between the light guide plate 88 and the effect display device 60, the state of the movable effect member and the image of the effect display device 60 are displayed on the light guide plate 88. The player can be visually recognized while partially obstructing. Furthermore, by combining the changes in the pattern display before and after the movable effect member, a complicated situation display can be superimposed on the movable effect member, and the environment where the movable effect member is placed can be expressed in a complex manner. .

  And by these things, a more complicated production | presentation can be performed with the limited structure of the light guide plate 88, movable production | generation members (601-603 etc.), and the production | presentation display apparatus 60, and production can be diversified. It becomes. Even when the light guide plate 88 is changed to, for example, a transmissive liquid crystal display body, a part of the transmissive liquid crystal display body is visually recognized as a part of the display contents of the movable display member and the display display device 60 behind. By setting the transmission state as much as possible, it is possible to produce an effect by superposition as in the case of the light guide plate 88.

  Further, as a mode of use of the light guide plate 88 and the transmissive liquid crystal display body (referred to as the light guide plate 88 or the like here), a mode in which the light guide plate 88 or the like is emphasized and a mode in which the effect display device 60 is combined are adopted. It is possible. In the above-described “mode for emphasizing the light guide plate 88 and the like”, a color display that makes a predetermined image emerge using most of the display surface of the light guide plate 88 and the like is displayed on the display content of the effect display device 60 behind. This is a display mode in which the player's consciousness is not as much as possible.

On the other hand, the above-described “mode by combination with the effect display device 60” suppresses the ratio of the area of the light guide plate 88 or the like where the color display is performed to a predetermined level, and displays the effect display device 60 behind. This is a display mode in which the player's consciousness is directed to the contents, and an effect that combines the display of the light guide plate 88 and the display of the effect display device 60 is shown to the player. Then, in a predetermined case, an effect in the “mode that emphasizes the light guide plate 88 and the like” is executed, and in other predetermined cases, an effect in the “mode in combination with the effect display device 60” is executed. Is possible.
<< Direction using hold display >>

  Then, various things can be illustrated as an effect using the above-mentioned hold display. For example, the variation information display 198 of the variation information display unit 195 shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B is temporarily deleted, and the variation information display unit 195 is expected to have, for example, “color change?”. Character information (character state transition suggestion information) that suggests that the degree is increased is displayed. After such display of the state transition suggestion information, the change information display 198 in the change information display unit 195 may change to something that represents a high degree of expectation, such as red or rainbow color, for example. To do.

  It is also possible to display a display such as “color change?” As one symbol of a roulette eye or one symbol of a rotating drum (reel). For example, information display such as “no change”, “color change?”, “Red”, “rainbow” is adopted as the roulette eye or the design of the rotating drum, and the fluctuation information display unit 195 uses the roulette or rotation. Displays the drum object. Then, in the variation information display section 195, the display of “no change”, “color change?”, “Red”, “rainbow” sequentially changes, and the subsequent variation information display in a manner corresponding to the stopped information. It is conceivable that 198 is performed. It is also possible to display roulette or rotating drum objects without deleting the variation information display 198.

Further, as another aspect of the effect using the hold display, when the hold change is performed in the first hold number display unit 196 and the second hold number display unit 197 in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the hold is performed. For example, it is possible to actively notify that a change has occurred or that a hold change will occur immediately by displaying hold change information such as “hold change”, “red hold”, “rainbow hold”, etc. It is done. Here, such hold change information may be displayed in the center of the display area 194 in the effect display device 60, or in the first hold number display unit 196 and the second hold number display unit 197, the hold change information is displayed. It may be performed in the vicinity of the hold display.
<Various commands transmitted from the main board to the sub main board>

  Next, main commands for various commands transmitted from the main board 102 to the sub main board 301 will be described. First, as command transmission timing, during initial screen display, during customer waiting demo (standby demo), at the time of special symbol change start, at the time of special symbol determination, at the time of special symbol determination, at the time of jackpot start demonstration, There are times when the jackpot is open, the jackpot is closed, the winning demonstration is over, and the jackpot is ended. Among these, the initial screen display is a period from when the pachinko gaming machine 10 is powered on until the customer waiting demonstration starts and enters a steady state. In addition, command transmission is performed in any case at the time of start winning, at the time of power failure recovery, and at the time of error detection. Furthermore, command transmission is executed even when the RWM is cleared.

  Among these, commands for RWM clear include commands for effect display initialization, effect LED initialization, and various errors. The effect indicator initialization command is for displaying a predetermined effect symbol on the effect display device 60. The effect LED initialization command is to turn on a part of the game effect lamp when communication is normal. The various error commands are used for effect display according to the error state.

  As a customer waiting demo command, there is a customer waiting demo command. The customer waiting demo command is used to set the effect display device 60 and the game effect lamp for the customer waiting demo and erase the sound.

  As a command at the time of starting the symbol change of the special symbol, the number of symbols 1 stored, the number of symbols 2 stored, the communication inspection 1, the communication inspection 2, the number of times of production A to Z, the production selection state 0 to 2, the variation additional information, the design 1 production There are commands for pattern, symbol 2 effect pattern, symbol 1 character effect, symbol 2 character effect. The symbol 1 memory number command indicates the reserved memory number of the first special symbol, and the symbol 2 memory number command indicates the reserved memory number of the second special symbol. The communication check 1 command and the communication check 2 command are for confirming whether or not normal communication is being performed. The various commands of the production times A to Z indicate the number of productions according to the above-described limited frequency table, and the various commands of the production selection states 0 to 2 indicate the types of production according to the limited frequency table. Is. The fluctuation additional information command indicates information for adding an element (effect component) for suggesting, for example, a big hit expectation degree in the effect pattern. The symbol 1 effect pattern command is for transmitting a command corresponding to the variation pattern of the first special symbol, and the symbol 2 effect pattern command is for transmitting a command corresponding to the variation pattern of the second special symbol. Is. The symbol 1 character effect command is for transmitting a command corresponding to the symbol of the first special symbol, and the symbol 2 character effect command is for transmitting a command corresponding to the symbol of the second special symbol. is there.

  As a command for determining a special symbol, there are a symbol 1 effect pattern stop command and a symbol 2 effect pattern stop command. The symbol 1 effect pattern stop command and the symbol 2 effect pattern stop command are for stopping the effect symbol 190 based on the first special symbol and the second special symbol, respectively.

  The commands for determining a special symbol include: 0 fluctuation time reduction (low probability), fluctuation time reduction times A to Z (low probability), 0 fluctuation time reduction (high probability), and probability fluctuation ( Command). These are for transmitting a command relating to the gaming state at that time, and are used for the production mode display, the short-time display, and the like.

  As the command for the big hit start demonstration, there are a symbol one big hit start demonstration, a symbol two big hit start demonstration, and a command for specifying a launch position. The symbol 1 jackpot start demo command and the symbol 2 jackpot start demo command are for displaying a start demo based on the jackpot symbols of the first special symbol and the second special symbol. The launch position designation command is used to notify the launch position when the player is required to strike a game ball by so-called left-handed or right-handed.

  The commands for opening the jackpot medium / large prize winning opening include the commands of symbol 1 big hit middle demo 1-16 and symbol 2 big hit middle demo 1-16. These are for displaying effects based on the jackpot symbol and the number of rounds of the first special symbol and the second special symbol.

  As a command at the time of closing the jackpot, the winning prize closing command is available. This is for displaying the special prize closing effect.

  As the command for the big hit end demo, there are an end demo per symbol 1 command and an end demo per symbol 2 command. These are for displaying a winning end demonstration effect based on the winning symbols of the first special symbol and the second special symbol.

  As a command at the time of starting winning a prize, there are a command of winning notice (per notice notice effect), symbol notice (per symbol notice effect), change notice (pattern notice effect), symbol 1 memory number, symbol 2 memory number. Each command of the advance notice, the symbol notice, and the change notice is a command (prefetch command) related to the prefetch effect described above by the prior information notifying unit 157. The winning advance notice command is used to transmit a random number range of pass / fail random numbers, and includes information on pass / fail according to the lottery probability. The symbol advance command is for transmitting a random number range of symbol random numbers, and includes information related to the hit type. Furthermore, the change notice command is for transmitting a random number range of the change pattern, and can be used to specify the type of change pattern group (no reach, normal reach, super reach, etc.). The command for the number of stored symbols 1 and the number of stored symbols 2 is for transmitting the number of reserved memories of the first special symbol and the second special symbol. In this embodiment, as a result of the lottery determination, information such as the presence / absence of a pre-reading effect and a period is transmitted to the sub-main board 301 by each command of hitting notice, symbol notice, and change notice.

  As the command at the time of power interruption return, communication inspection 1, communication inspection 2, game state A to E for power interruption recovery, production times A to Z, production selection states 0 to 2, design 1 character production, design 2 character production, There are commands for the power failure return state, special symbol 1 state upon power interruption return, special symbol 2 state upon power interruption return, launch position designation, errors a to d, symbol 1 memory count, symbol 2 memory count.

  The commands of the communication inspection 1 and the communication inspection 2 are for confirming whether or not normal communication is being performed. The commands for the game states A to E for power interruption return are for transmitting different commands depending on the game state at the time of power interruption. The commands for the number of performances A to Z indicate the number of times related to the performance according to the above-described limited frequency table, and the commands for the effect selection states 0 to 2 indicate the types of effects according to the limited frequency table. is there. The symbol 1 character effect and the symbol 2 character effect command are for transmitting commands corresponding to the symbols of the first special symbol and the second special symbol.

The power interruption return state command is used to transmit a different command depending on whether or not a hit is being made. Commands for special symbol 1 state at power interruption return and special symbol 2 state at power interruption return are sent according to the status of the first special symbol and the second special symbol, such as waiting, changing, and hitting. Is for. The launch position designation command is for designating an appropriate launch position according to the situation as described above. Errors a to d are for transmitting the presence and type of error. The command for the number of stored symbols 1 and the number of stored symbols 2 is for transmitting the number of reserved memories of the first special symbol and the second special symbol.
<Main control processing of main board>

  Next, main control processing in the main board 102 of the pachinko gaming machine 10 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. Prior to the description, the terms “special electric accessory”, “condition device”, and “substantial action continuous operation device” used below will be described. Each of these represents a conceptual device in the control processing of the pachinko gaming machine 10, and among these, the “special electric accessory” operates (opens) the big prize opening of the big prize opening device 90. Is. The “condition device” is activated when a specific symbol combination is stopped and displayed as a special symbol, and the “actual accessory continuous actuating device” is to operate a special electric accessory continuously several times. Is something that can be done.

The main control processes of the pachinko gaming machine 10 described here are the control start process shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the game progress interrupt process shown in FIG. 13, and the power-off process shown in FIG. Is executed in the main board 102.
<Control start processing>

The control start process shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 is a control process that is started after a security check using the manufacturing code of the CPU 501 is performed by turning on the pachinko gaming machine 10, and this control start process will be described later. After executing the necessary settings (S1 to S4) when the power is turned on, the operation state of the initialization switch 544 (S5), the power-off information flag (power-off confirmation information) in the power interruption status confirmation processing (S6 to S8) Corresponding to the value and the addition result (checksum data) of the RWM area, processing at the time of power-off recovery (S9 to S17), processing at initialization of the RWM (S24 to S26), time setting for game progress interruption The process (S27), the circulation process (S32 (S28 to S31)) and the like are executed.
<< Settings required at power-on >>

  As necessary settings at power-on, stack pointer setting (S1), interrupt mode setting (S2), and access permission to RWM 503 are set (S3), and then the internal registers are initialized ( S4).

Among these, in the process of setting the stack pointer (S1), in order to secure the stack area, the stack pointer is set as the initial value of the stack pointer, and the stack pointer is set at a specific address. Next, in the interrupt mode setting (S2), a mode of a predetermined number is set, and in the access permission setting (S3) of the RWM, access permission data is set in a predetermined register to permit access to the RWM. To do. As a result, the maskable interrupt is set to a specific interrupt mode and the CPU built-in RWM is permitted to access. Further, in the setting of the internal register (S4), various corresponding setting values such as a game progress interrupt use setting value and a clock source selection value are set using the internal register initial setting table. The interrupt in the main board 102 will be described later.
<< Confirmation of RWM clear switch operation status >>

  In the confirmation process (S5) of the operation state of the initialization switch 544, the state of the output signal of the initialization switch 544 input via the input port is confirmed. It is determined whether or not the RWM clear switch has been pressed (turned on). If it has not been pressed (S5: NO), the value of the power-off information flag during the power interruption status determination process (S6 to S8) to be described later The process proceeds to the determination process (S6). On the other hand, if the initialization switch 544 has been pressed (S5: YES), the RWM initialization process (S24 to S26) is performed.

Here, it is determined that the initialization switch 544 has been operated when the RWM clear switch bit of the corresponding input port is determined to be on for five consecutive times. In addition, the determination of whether or not the initialization switch 544 has been pressed is performed only once at this time, and is not performed thereafter.
<< Situation confirmation process at power interruption >>

  In the power interruption status confirmation processing (S6 to S8) when the initialization switch 544 is not operated, the value of the power interruption information flag is read, and whether the read value matches predetermined power interruption normal data. It is determined whether or not (S6). The power-off normal data is stored when the power-off process is normally performed when a power-off (power-off) that turns off the power occurs.

  If the value of the power-off information flag matches the power-off normal data (S6: YES), checksum data is calculated (S7). In the checksum data calculation process, although not shown, an initial value is set as the checksum data, a predetermined calculation is performed on the checksum data, and the checksum data after the calculation is 0. A determination is made as to whether or not.

If the checksum data is not 0 (S8: NO), that is, if the resumption preparation process execution condition is not satisfied, the RWM head high is set above the reference value of the relative address. The process proceeds to the initialization process (after S24). On the other hand, when the checksum data is 0 (S8: YES), the process proceeds to power-off recovery processing (S9 to S17) described later.
<< Processing at power-off recovery >>

  In the process at the time of power-off recovery, the value of the stack pointer buffer is set in the stack pointer, and the stack pointer is restored to the value stored at the time of power-off (S9). Furthermore, in order to inspect the communication line between the main board 102 and the sub board 104, a request to send an effect control command to the sub board 104 is made (S10, S11), a decoration lamp (game effect lamp) and a sound effect (sound) In order to return the effect of (effect) to the state before the occurrence of the power interruption, a request to transmit the effect control command to the sub-board 104 is made (S10, S11). In addition, in order to make a request for a command corresponding to the number of suspended balls in the special symbol display device, a symbol memory count command request process is executed (S12).

  Further, the solenoid is returned to the output state before the occurrence of power interruption (S13). Specifically, the open / closed state of the second winning prize opening 63 and the big winning opening of the special winning opening apparatus 90 is returned to the state before the power is turned off.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to the subsequent special symbol setting process (S14), and information on the operating state of the probability variation function of the special symbol display device (70, 71) is set. Next, the power recovery setting (S15), the data storage process (S16), and the detection setting (S17) for abnormality of the communication line with the payout control board are executed.

  Subsequently, in the process of starting the game progress interrupt process, in order to start the game progress interrupt, the address of the PTC0 counter setting register is set, and the count value of a predetermined size (corresponding to about 4 ms here) is set to the PTC0 counter. It is set in the register (S18). As a result, a game progress interrupt is generated every 4 ms.

  Then, processing for restoring various registers other than the flag register is executed (S19), and processing for determining whether or not the state when the power interruption has occurred is interrupt enabled (S20) is executed. If the interrupt is prohibited when the power is turned off (S20: NO), the flag register is restored (S21), and the control process is turned off based on the restart index information set in the stack pointer. Return to processing of the address to be returned before occurrence. On the other hand, if the interrupt is permitted when the power is turned off (S20: YES), the flag register is restored (S22), the interrupt permission is set (S23), and then set to the stack pointer. Based on the restart index information, the control process is returned to the process to be returned before the occurrence of the power interruption.

Here, the flag register is restored separately from the other registers. The flag register stores game state information such as probability change, and the control processing is turned off as much as possible to restore the information. This is because it is performed immediately before returning before the occurrence of.
<< Process when RWM is initialized >>

  In the RWM initialization process (S24 to S28), after clearing the RWM area (S24), initial setting of the RWM (S25), initialization of the effect display (effect display device 60) (S26), and Time setting for game progress interruption (S27) is performed. Among these, in the process of clearing the RWM area (S24) to initial setting of the RWM (S25), clear data (00H) is set in all areas of the RWM, and the clear data is stored as the reference value of the relative address. Is incremented by one. Further, bit 7 of the reference value is inspected, and the inspection result is determined. If the inspection result is 0 in the inspection result determination process, the process returns to the process of storing the clear data in the reference value, and the address of the initialization data setting table is set. Thereby, the initial value of RWM is set. Note that the clearing of the RWM area is not limited to that performed for all areas. For example, only a part of the area where specific information is stored or only an area excluding an unused area is cleared. Also good.

  Note that “H” described at the end of the numerical value, such as “00H” that is the value of the clear data described above, indicates that the numerical value is expressed in hexadecimal. Further, in this embodiment, a numerical value representing a hexadecimal number is attached with a symbol “H”, a numerical value representing a binary number is attached with a symbol “B”, and a symbol indicating such a notation is added. It is assumed that the numerical values not shown are expressed in decimal numbers.

In the initialization of the effect display (S26), command request data setting is performed using the address of the effect initial command setting table as an argument to initialize the effect display device 60, and to make a command transmission request for error status and illegal prize ball monitoring information. Execute the process.
<< Timing setting process for game progress interruption >>

In the time setting process for game progress interrupt (S27), in order to start the game progress interrupt, a count value of a predetermined size is set in the corresponding counter setting register, and a game progress interrupt is generated every 4 ms, for example. .
<< Circulation process >>

  After the time setting for game progress interruption (S27), preparation for recursion (restart) of a predetermined timer which is an interrupt processing time monitoring means and update of random number related values used for generating initial values of various random numbers are performed. Circulation processing (S32 (S28 to S31)) is executed. In this circulation process (S32 (S28 to S31)), in order to manage gaming machines, interrupts are first prohibited (S28). Further, in preparation for recurring the interrupt processing time monitoring means, a predetermined value as the first recursion information is set in the interrupt processing time monitoring means clear register (S29). The first recursive information is a predetermined value such as 55H.

  Then, an initial value random number update process is executed (S30), and the initial value random number per normal symbol, the symbol initial value random number per special symbol, and the soft initial value random number per special symbol are updated. Thereafter, after permitting the interrupt (S31), the process returns to the interrupt prohibition (S28) again, and the subsequent processes (S28 to S31) are sequentially repeated to circulate the control process.

Each time the interrupt permission (S28) is executed, the above-described game progress interrupt becomes possible, and the game progress interrupt process is repeated every predetermined period (here, 4ms period) based on the period information set in S27. .
<< Initial value random number update process >>

In the initial value random number update process (S30), since the initial value random number per normal symbol, the symbol initial value random number per special symbol, and the soft initial value random number per special symbol are updated, the random number is updated from the initial value random number update table. The number of times is acquired, and the initial random number is updated for the number of times of update.
<Game progress interrupt processing>

  Next, the game progress interrupt process repeated at a cycle of 4 ms based on the period information set in the process of time setting for game progress interrupt (S27) will be described. As shown in FIG. 13, in the game progress interrupt processing, setting of interrupt operation conditions (S41, S42), recursion of interrupt processing time monitoring means (S43), management of gaming machines (S45 to S70), interrupt permission ( S71) is performed in order to return to the process before the game progress interruption occurs.

  Specifically, in the interrupt operation condition setting process (S41, S42), in order to clear the interrupt flag, the interrupt operation condition setting value is stored in the game progress interrupt control register (S41), and the interrupt operation condition setting is performed. The value is set in the control register corresponding to the predetermined input terminal (S42). Thereafter, the second recursion information is set (S43), and the second recursion information is further set in the interrupt processing time monitoring means register (S44).

  In the management of gaming machines (S45 to S70), the following processing is executed in order to manage gaming machines.

First, an input process (S45) is executed to monitor the input of a specific signal. What is monitored here is the various switches attached to the game board surface, the pan full switch, the open signal, the magnetic detection signal, the radio wave detection signal, the glass non-detection signal, and the disconnection short circuit power supply abnormality detection signal It is.

  Subsequently, various random number update processing (S46) is executed to update the normal symbol variation pattern random number and the variation pattern random number. Further, an initial value update type random number update process (S47) is executed to update the random numbers per ordinary symbol, the symbol random numbers per special symbol, and the soft random numbers per special symbol. Next, an initial value random number update process (S48) is executed to update the initial value random number per normal symbol, the symbol initial value random number per special symbol, and the soft initial value random number per special symbol. Further, in order to update the 2-byte timer, a timer subtraction process (S49) is executed, and in order to set an effective period of the second start winning opening 63, an effective period setting process (S50) of the second start opening is executed. .

  Further, a winning monitoring process (S 51) is executed to store the number of times a prize ball is paid out, create an output request for board external information, and send a command to be sent to the sub-board 104. Subsequently, in order to control the payout control board 103, a prize ball control process (S52) is executed.

  Next, when the game ball passes through the normal symbol operating gate (operating port 68), a normal symbol operating gate monitoring process (S53) is executed to store a random number related to the normal symbol, and the normal symbol display device or the normal symbol is displayed. A normal symbol control process (S54) is executed in order to perform a process related to the electric accessory. Further, the normal symbol variation start monitoring process (S55) is executed in order to monitor the normal symbol variation start. In addition, in order to monitor the winnings of the first starting winning port 62 and the second starting winning port 63 of the game ball, the starting port monitoring control process (S56) is executed, and the first special symbol display unit 70 or the second special symbol is executed. In order to perform the process which concerns on the display part 71, a special symbol control process (S57) is performed. Subsequently, in order to perform a process related to the special electric accessory, a special electric accessory control process (S58) is executed, and a process related to the effective period of the special prize opening device 90 is performed. S59) is executed, and a special symbol variation start monitoring control process (S60) is performed to monitor the variation start of the first special symbol and the second special symbol.

  Next, anomaly detection processing (S61) is performed to monitor magnetism, disconnection / short circuit / power supply monitoring, radio wave monitoring, glass frame set / game board frame open / closed status monitoring, and paired glass monitoring Then, in order to detect an abnormality in the incoming ball passage time, an incoming ball passage time abnormality detection process (S62) is executed. In addition, in order to make a display request for the number of times that the special electric accessory is continuously operated, the error state, the number of the operation reserved balls of the normal symbol display device, and the number of the operation reserved balls of the special symbol display device, a game state display process (S63). ) And a handle state signal inspection process (S64) is executed in order to monitor the touch state (including the operation amount state) of the firing handle 20. In addition, special symbol display, normal symbol display, special symbol display device (70, 71) display of the number of active reserve balls, normal symbol display device display of the number of active reserve balls, game state display, special electric accessory LED output processing (S65) is executed in order to display the number of times of continuous operation and error display.

  Subsequently, a firing control signal output process (S66) is executed in order to output a signal for prohibiting / permitting the launch of the game ball, and a test signal output process (S67) in order to create and output a signal to be output to the test apparatus. Execute. Further, in order to output the output data of the ordinary electric accessory solenoid and the big prize opening opening solenoid, the solenoid output process (S68) is executed, and the effect control command transmission process (S69) is executed to transmit the effect control command. Then, in order to output signals to external terminals (various external output terminals of the external relay terminal board 46 (see FIG. 2)), external information output processing (S70) is executed.

Thereafter, the interrupt permission (S71) is executed, and the control process returns to the return (RET). Then, using the remaining time until the next game interrupt is executed, the above-described circulation process (S32 (S28 to S31)) of the control start process is executed.
<< Direction control command transmission process >>

  In the effect control command transmission process (S69), the transmission request of the command to be transmitted to the effect control board is inspected, and when it is determined that there is a transmission request, the requested command data is acquired and the used command buffer is cleared. Then, MODE data corresponding to the acquired command data is acquired, MODE data is output, MODE data is held, EVENT data corresponding to the acquired command data is acquired, and EVENT data is output sequentially. The transmission timing of the command data is defined by the effect data strobe, and a predetermined time (here, 46 μs or more) after the on time (here, 2 μs or more) of the effect data strobe signal is the effect data holding time.

  In the inspection of the command transmission request, the value of the command request writing position (area) is compared with the value of the command request reading position (area), and if the values do not match, it is determined that there is a command transmission request. To obtain the requested command data, add the calculated value of the address stored in the command request reading position and the logical product of the position correction bit data and the address of the command buffer. Is command data. After obtaining the calculated address value stored at the command request reading position, the command request reading position is incremented by 1 in order to update the contents of the command data reading position. In clearing the command buffer, the command buffer in which the acquired command data is stored is cleared to 0 in order to clear the command buffer.

In acquiring MODE data corresponding to the acquired command data, the upper order of the acquired command data is set as MODE data. In outputting the MODE data, after the acquired MODE data is output to the effect command output port, a strobe output process is executed to output the effect data strobe. In holding the MODE data, a wait is performed for a predetermined time (here, 46 μs or more) in order to hold the MODE data. In the acquisition of EVENT data corresponding to the acquired command data, the acquired command data lower order is defined as EVENT data. In outputting EVENT data, after the acquired EVENT data is output to the same effect command output port as described above, strobe output processing is executed in order to output the effect data strobe.
<< Control Mode Related to Command Transmission Timing >>

In the present embodiment, the effect control command output from the main board 102 to the sub main board 301 is temporarily stored in the command buffer in response to a command request before transmission. The command buffer is obtained by causing a plurality of buffers to function as a ring buffer. In the control processing for command transmission (in this case, the production control command transmission processing (S69)), the command buffer is executed once in the order stored in the command buffer. In the game progress interruption process, one command is taken out from the command buffer and transmitted. It is also possible to adopt a method in which a command set with a high priority is transmitted first. In various control processes, when a command that needs to be transmitted is generated, it is possible to transmit the command as needed. When such a method is adopted, during one game progress interruption process, for example, an effect command is transmitted collectively in one control processing module such as an effect control command transmission process (S69). Instead, each time a command needs to be transmitted, command transmission is performed sequentially within each control processing module. For this reason, it is difficult for a situation in which command transmission is carried over to the next game progress interrupt process. For example, there is no delay in the command at the time of starting winning and the command transmission at the time of starting the variation of the special symbol, and quick command processing is possible.
<< Power-off process >>

Next, a power-off process that is executed when a power-off occurs will be described. As shown in FIG. 14, in the power-off process, the data of all the used registers is saved in the RWM (S81), and the interrupt enable / disable state before the power-off is saved (S82). Further, it is determined whether or not the power-on normal information is stored in the RWM (S83). If not stored (S83: NO), the power-off abnormality information is stored in the RWM (S84). The process proceeds to the RWM access prohibition process (S88). On the other hand, if it is stored (S83: YES), the value of the stack pointer is stored in the stack pointer buffer (S85), the information about normal power interruption is stored in the RWM (S86), and the RWM checksum is calculated. The checksum data is saved (S87). Then, access to the RWM is prohibited (S88), and the CPU 501 is waited for resetting while looping the control process.
<< Control mode related to variation pattern lottery >>

  Next, various aspects related to the variation pattern lottery will be described. Any one of the variation pattern determination modes described here may be selected and applied in one pachinko gaming machine 10 or may be used in combination as appropriate. And when using a some aspect together, it is possible to use an aspect properly, for example based on elements, such as a success / failure result.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the determination of the variation pattern includes the result of success / failure, the number of reserved balls, a special symbol (which may be a symbol group), and a variation pattern selection state (special symbol status information). Although used as an element, a variation pattern corresponding to a combination of these determining elements is selected. Then, with the determination of the variation pattern, the variation time associated with the variation pattern is determined. Further, in the present embodiment, regarding the determination of the variation pattern, the determination elements are different depending on whether the result of the success / failure lottery is a big hit or not. In other words, in the case of a big hit, a variation pattern is selected from among the performance patterns (such as special symbol status information), the special symbol group, and the random number of success / failure, which are linked to them. On the other hand, in the case of a loss, a variation pattern is selected from among those linked to these based on the production state, the number of reserved balls, and the random number of success / failure. Of these, in the case of a big win, for the variation pattern that gives the re-lottery time in the production, the re-lottery time is given based on the production state (whether there is a specific production, etc.) and the special symbol group. The presence / absence is determined, and the determined result is transmitted from the main board 102 to the sub main board 301.

  Further, when determining the variation pattern and the variation time, it is possible to determine the subsequent variation time according to the determined effect pattern number (in other words, the contents of the effect pattern). For example, when the selected variation pattern corresponds to the limited frequency pattern effect, it is conceivable that the extension of the variation time corresponding to the selected variation pattern is determined afterwards.

  In addition, as described above, by setting the command of variation additional information as the command at the time of starting the symbol variation of the special symbol, during the variation time previously determined in relation to factors such as gaming state and winning symbol, An effect such as a notice can be added. When determining the total variation time in this manner, it is possible to create various variation patterns while reducing the number of variation patterns provided in advance as follows. In other words, considering the case of performing the above-described pseudo-continuous notice (so-called “pseudo-run”), if the pseudo-run variation pattern is simply set individually, the same number of variation patterns as the number of types of effects are provided in advance. It is necessary to keep. When all the production patterns are prepared individually as described above, the total number of variation patterns becomes large, for example, reaching a number exceeding 256. For this reason, in order to provide an identifiable code for a large number of variation patterns, it is necessary to increase the number of bits and the number of bytes for representing the code as compared with the conventional case.

  However, by using fluctuation additional information (fluctuation addition pattern), it is possible to connect the fluctuation additional information drawn by random numbers, for example, to a relatively small number of basic fluctuation patterns and form a fluctuation pattern afterwards. It is. As a result, a new variation pattern can be formed by combining the variation patterns, so that a variety of variation patterns can be created without excessively increasing the number of variation patterns provided in advance. Note that the random value related to the variation additional information can also be transmitted as a pre-reading effect command from the main board 102 to the sub-main board 301 when the start winning is generated. In addition, when the limited frequency pattern effect is executed, it is also possible to set the appearance probability of the variation addition pattern so that the variation addition information is easily added. In addition, to further give an example of using variation additional information, when “777”, which is a probable variation symbol, is displayed from the beginning as the combination of the production symbol 190, the variation additional information is not set and the combination of the production symbol 190 is used. Once “666”, which is a non-probable variable symbol, is displayed, an effect until the result of whether or not to promote it to “777” is displayed (for example, an effect of fluctuation fluctuation or development of a fluctuation mode). For example, an effect to express) is performed by setting variable additional information.

  In the present embodiment, the variation pattern is determined using the number of reserved balls as an element, and the variation pattern table to be referenced differs depending on the number of reserved balls. The variation pattern table is provided corresponding to the number of reserved balls 0-4. The reason why the variation pattern table corresponding to the hold 4 is provided in addition to the four holds 0 to 3 is as follows. For example, consider a case where a new variation display is started from a situation where the number of held balls is four and the number of held balls is three. A state in which the number of reserved balls is 3 at the stage where the control process during the game progress interrupt process being executed at that time does not yet lead to the determination of the variation pattern which is the process during the subsequent game progress interrupt process When a new start win occurs, the number of reserved balls is added to 4 when the variation pattern is determined. Therefore, a fluctuation pattern table is provided corresponding to the number of reserved balls 0 to 4 so that such a situation can also be used as an element for determining the fluctuation pattern.

Further, the variation pattern random number acquisition timing can be the variation pattern lottery time. In other words, the fluctuation pattern random number is not a random number related to the operation of an accessory such as a special electric accessory. Therefore, as an element for performing an appropriate game, for example, when aiming for a fair game compared to a random number or the like The need to provide constraints is reduced. Therefore, it is conceivable that the fluctuation pattern random number is not acquired at the time of starting winning a prize, and for example, the fluctuation pattern random number is acquired and stored at the time of fluctuation pattern lottery as a separately provided timing. By doing so, the number of information to be stored at the time of starting winning a prize can be reduced, and the capacity of the program and memory can be reduced.
<< Control mode related to design designation >>

In the lottery of symbols, the symbol determination table to be used is determined based on the value of the upper byte of the code indicating the symbol random number, and then the symbol is determined from the determined symbol determination table based on the value of the lower byte of the symbol random number. Is also possible. In this embodiment, since the numerical range of the design random number is set to “0 to 999”, the binary code code of these numerical values can be used. By doing so, the capacity of the memory and program can be reduced. In addition, the game state such as the number of rounds and the number of times reduced is assigned to the winning symbol (which may be a symbol group), and the number of subsequent rounds and the number of reduced times are determined according to the winning symbol. May be. By doing so, it is not necessary to store and control data unique to the gaming state, and the capacity of the memory and program can be reduced. Furthermore, information (game state designation information) that conveys the game state to a command that conveys a symbol or the like from the main board 102 to the sub-main board 301 (for example, each command of the symbol 1 effect pattern and the symbol 2 effect pattern in this embodiment). ) Can also be added. This command is not sent to the sub-main board 301 immediately after being created, but is created and temporarily stored, and is sent to the sub-main board 301 after waiting for a predetermined timing.
<Main control processing of sub-board>

Next, main control processing of the sub-board 104 will be described. Here, as main control processing, various interrupt processing, which is exception processing, and processing related thereto will be described with reference to FIGS.
<< Interrupt factor and priority level >>

  First, in this embodiment, in the sub main board 301 constituting the sub board 104, a predetermined signal (reset signal) to a reset terminal provided in the CPU 521 is given as an interrupt factor (factor generation source) with the highest priority by the CPU 521. There are inputs and various abnormalities. Of these, the reset signal is input when the power is turned on, when an external reset is performed, or when the watchdog timer has timed out, etc. (See FIG. 15) is executed.

  On the other hand, an interrupt when various abnormalities occur is executed depending on whether or not the watchdog timer function (watchdog function) is set to be valid. In other words, if the watchdog function is enabled, the CPU 521 shifts to, for example, a predetermined infinite loop so that the processing time exceeds the set time of the watchdog timer when a target abnormality occurs. To do. When a runaway is detected due to a timeout in the watchdog function, a sub-main initial setting process (see FIG. 15) described later is executed. When the above-described various abnormalities and reset signal input occur simultaneously, priority is given to reset by reset signal input (sub-main initial setting processing).

  Another interrupt generation factor in the sub main board 301 is reception of a command (main command) from the main board 102. Whether a command is being received from the main board 102 is determined by detecting the rising edge of the strobe signal (effect data strobe signal) from the main board 102. When this main command reception interrupt occurs, a main command reception process (see FIG. 17) described later is executed. In the case of normal reception in which the command can be received without any problem in the main command reception process, the contents of the received command are stored in the command buffer (command ring buffer), and the command analysis process is performed in the main process (FIG. 16) described later. In the main loop processing (circulation processing in S124 to S132). The priority level of the main command reception interrupt is set to the next highest level 7, which is the highest priority mentioned above.

  Further, when the watchdog function described above is set to be effective, an interrupt is detected when the CPU 521 detects a runaway without intentionally processing time-out as in the case of various abnormalities described above. (Runaway detection interrupt) occurs, and a sub-main initial setting process (see FIG. 15) described later is executed. The priority level of such a normal watchdog timer interrupt is level 3 which is four steps lower than level 7 described above. In this embodiment, interrupts at levels 4 to 6 between level 3 and level 7 are not executed.

  Another interrupt generation factor is transmission / reception with the sub-sub board 302. The interrupt related to transmission / reception with the sub-sub board 302 (sub-sub-command reception interrupt) occurs when a reception command (sub-sub-command) from the sub-sub board 302 is input. The received command from the sub-sub board 302 is to notify the sub-main board 301 that the command has been normally received when the sub-sub board 302 receives a command (sub-main command) from the sub-main board 301. When an interrupt related to transmission / reception with the sub-sub board 302 occurs, command transmission / reception management processing is executed. The command transmission from the sub main board 301 to the sub sub board 302 is performed when the monitoring toggle signal from the sub sub board 302 is normally sent, as will be described later. The priority of interrupts related to transmission / reception with the sub-sub board 302 is level 2.

  Another interrupt generation factor is communication with the sub-sub board 302. An interrupt related to communication with the sub-sub board 302 (sub-sub communication interrupt) is generated every predetermined period (500 μs in this embodiment) as will be described later. Then, when an interrupt related to communication with the sub-sub board 302 occurs, communication processing with the sub-sub board 302 is executed. The priority order of the interrupt related to communication with the sub sub board 302 is the same level 2 as that of the interrupt related to transmission / reception with the sub sub board 302 described above.

Furthermore, other interrupt generation factors include communication with the RTC clock (real-time clock), generation of timer interrupts (sub-main timer interrupts), interrupt requests for various lamps, etc., and these have the lowest priority. 1 is set. Among these, at the time of interruption related to communication with the RTC clock, communication processing with the RTC clock is executed. The timer interrupt described above is for use in general game effects such as solenoid output processing, motor output processing, game timer management processing, and the like. The timer interrupt is started immediately by the setting at initialization (initial setting), and the timer interrupt is repeated every predetermined period (about 1 ms in this embodiment). When a timer interrupt occurs, a timer interrupt process (see FIG. 18) described later is executed.
<< Sub-main initial setting process >>

  When the power of the sub-main board 301 is turned on as in the case where the pachinko gaming machine 10 is turned on, the sub-main initial setting process shown in FIG. 15 is executed. In this sub-main initial setting process, first, a predetermined address is set as a stack pointer (S101), and then all interrupts are prohibited until various initial settings are completed (S102). Further, in the hardware initial setting process (S103), basic settings related to hardware (register setting, port initialization, etc.) are performed, and in the RWM initialization process (S104), RWM initialization is performed according to predetermined conditions. Is done. In this RWM initialization, initial values are prepared for variables with initial values, and zeros are cleared for variables without initial values. In the RWM initialization process (S104), ROM data (control program or the like) is expanded to the RWM.

  Further, in S105, interrupts other than reception of the main command are prohibited, and then a power failure recovery error detection process (S106) for setting various error information is executed. In this power failure recovery error detection process (S106), a process according to circumstances such as game characteristics is performed. That is, the sub main board 301 has a function for dealing with various errors including vibration errors and radio wave errors. However, functions for dealing with these various errors are selected in advance, and the error detection function is exhibited only for errors that are validated. For example, whether or not a predetermined hit occurs when a game ball passes through a specific area, such as a so-called one-and-two-type type combining so-called one-type and two-type game characteristics, or a so-called ball accuracy spec. In models where the value is determined, the vibration error detection function is effective. However, as in the pachinko gaming machine according to the present embodiment, in the type in which the winning lottery is performed only by random lottery, even if it has a vibration error detection function, the function is selectively disabled in advance. Therefore, no special measures are taken for vibration errors.

  Subsequently, in the all lamp turn-off process (S107), a turn-off request is made to turn off all the lamps, and in the watch dog timer operation start process (S108), based on the setting to use the watch dog timer as a watch dog timer, The watchdog timer is started. In FIG. 15, the main processing (S109) is described as being connected to the processing from S101 to S108, but the processing from S101 to S108 is the sub-main initial setting processing, and the main processing (S109). Is performed after the sub-main initial setting process (S101 to S108). Furthermore, in the main process (S109), management of the main process of the game is performed, and details of the main process (S109) will be described later.

After the main process (S109), a sleep process (S110) is arranged. Normally, since the main process (S109) does not return to the reset operation for performing the sub-main initial setting process, the sleep process (S110) is not executed. However, as shown by the broken arrow in the figure, When this sleep process (S110) is to be executed for some reason, a transition to the low power consumption mode is performed.
<< Main processing on sub-main board >>

  In the above-described main process (S109), as shown in FIG. 16, the RWM allocation address acquisition process (S121) is executed. In this RWM allocation address acquisition process (S121), the program area expanded in the RWM is checked. The leading address of the expanded program area is acquired so that it can be performed.

  Next, all interrupts are permitted to enable interrupts in the subsequent processing (S122). Further, in the device initialization process (S123), various devices such as motors, solenoids, and lamps are initialized. In the subsequent watchdog clear process (S124), if the setting to use the watchdog timer has been made, the watchdog timer is cleared. Further, in the symbol update process (S125), the off symbol associated with the effect symbols 190a to 190c is determined by the counter.

  As the counter used here, a three-digit counter from “111” to “999” can be exemplified. For example, when the acquired counter value is “757”, the effect symbols 190a to 190a displayed to be stopped are displayed. It is possible to set 190 to “757”. When the acquired counter value is a combination of squares such as “111”, a numerical value of a predetermined digit can be offset, for example, “121”, to obtain a combination of deviations.

  This symbol update process (S125) may not be executed depending on the employed symbol determination method. For example, when a lost symbol is determined by lottery, it is not executed. As a specific example, there is data of a lottery sheet (lottery table) that incorporates all symbol combinations, and the lottery sheet is used to generate The control mode to be determined can be exemplified.

  In the subsequent error presentation management process (S126), the error state is monitored, and various error notifications are executed according to the monitoring result.

  Next, in the notice lottery management process (S128), a lottery for determining the notice effect is executed. The lottery of the notice effect is determined by the efficiency of the loop process (main loop process) described later in the main process (S109). In order to increase efficiency), it is divided into several times. That is, when multiple announcement effects are executed during one change, the lottery process for multiple announcement effects is not performed all in one main loop, but multiple main loops. It is executed after multiple lotteries divided into two. Also, the lottery timing is related to the notice effect appearance timing during the change. For example, for a notice effect that appears at a relatively early timing such as immediately after the start of fluctuation, the priority of the lottery time is set high, and image control is performed as soon as possible by performing lottery at the timing according to the priority. A command can be transmitted to the sub-sub board 302 on the side. Various processes performed in the notice lottery management process (S128) will be described later.

  Next, in the device management process (S129), when there is a device operation request such as a real-time clock (RTC), a lamp, or a speaker, a process for operating the corresponding device is executed.

  Further, in the command analysis process (S130), it is necessary to start a process for responding to the command (main command) received from the main board 102, or when the command data exists in the command buffer, the command analysis is performed. Do. When the command is analyzed (S131: YES), the process returns to the watchdog clear process (S124), and the main loop is executed. Immediately after receiving the command from the main board 102, command data is in the command buffer. Therefore, the main loop is executed, and the process returns to the process after the watchdog clear process (S124). However, if the command buffer becomes empty before the main loop is repeated until the next timer interrupt to be described later is executed, there is no need for command analysis, and command analysis is not performed. In such a case, the process does not proceed to the main loop (S131: NO), and using the generated time, the random number update process (S132) having a lower priority than the command analysis is executed. This random number update process (S132) is a soft random number update process. In the command analysis process (S130), the variation pattern (sub variation pattern) in the sub main substrate 301 is determined. In addition, when a lottery sheet (lottery table) data incorporating all symbol combinations is used and a control mode is adopted in which a lottery sheet is used to determine the off symbol, an effect is produced by command analysis processing (S130). Determine the design.

  With regard to these command analysis processing (S130, S131), in other words, for a certain command, immediately after receiving the command, the main processing does not proceed to the processing arranged here (random number update processing (S132) in this case). The other processes (S124 to S131) in the loop process (S124 to S132) are repeated, and if there are no more commands in the command buffer, the process proceeds to the processes arranged thereafter. As a result, the command analysis process for a certain main command is performed. Immediately after the start of (S130), command analysis is executed. Therefore, the program module does not proceed to the program module arranged later, and if command analysis is not performed in the command analysis process (S130), the program module arranged later is moved to. It can be said that it is advancing. Note that, for example, when a process such as checksum calculation is performed after the process of determining whether or not the command has been analyzed (S131), this process is also executed immediately after receiving the command, similar to the random number update process (S132). It can be said that the process is not performed.

In the random number update process (S132), the lottery random number (software random number) related to the effect is updated, and each time the random number update process (S132) is executed, the software random number related to the sub main board 301 becomes a new value. Updated to The values that are sequentially updated in the random number update process (S132) are used as random numbers for lottery of various effects in the aforementioned notice lottery management process (S128). Further, the value generated in the random number update process (S132) is calculated for the lottery through calculation with hardware random numbers for lottery of various effects as in the generation of the predetermined random number in the main board 102 described above. Sometimes used as a random number.
<< Main command reception processing >>

  Next, processing for receiving a main command from the main board 102 will be described with reference to FIG. First, it is determined whether or not the command input value is confirmed (S141). As for command input, there is a risk of reading failure due to noise or the like, so the input value is not fixed until the same value is read twice. Specifically, the command data is read up to five times, and the process of determining the input value is executed when the same value is read twice. If the command input value is not fixed (S141: NO), the main command reception process is exited and the process returns to the original process before the occurrence of the interrupt.

  When the command input value is confirmed (S141: YES), it is determined whether or not the received command is the first command (S142), depending on the determination result of whether it is the first command or the second command. The process branches. The main board 102 transmits a 1-byte command in one command transmission, but the command from the main board 102 has a 2-byte configuration of MODE data and EVENT data. is necessary. Therefore, from the main board 102, the upper byte command (MODE command) is transmitted the first time, and the lower byte command (EVENT command) is transmitted the second time. In the sub-main board 301 that has received the command, if the most significant bit of the command data is “1”, it is determined as the first command (MODE command), and if the most significant bit is “0”, the second command (EVENT command).

  If the received command is the first command (S142: YES), the first command is temporarily saved (S148) and stored. Here, the temporary is a storage area for temporarily saving a value.

  Further, the current value of the hard random number 1, which is a predetermined hardware random number, is latched and held in a buffer on the software (S149), and then the process exits the main command reception process and returns to before the occurrence of the interrupt. . Here, the hard random number 1 is latched every time the command (first command) of the main board 102 is received as in S149 so that the cycle of the random number is not formed. In other words, a random number that eliminates periodicity by creating a numerical value using the reception of the first command generated at random timing, and using the numerical value at that time at a predetermined lottery timing for production, etc. Can be acquired.

  Although hardware random numbers are generated using a high-speed counter, some periodicity may occur if the acquisition timing is not random. However, since the first command from the main board 102 is received by the sub-main board 301 at irregular timing due to winning of a game ball or the like, there is little possibility that a cycle will occur. Therefore, the sub-main board 301 generates a hardware random number using command reception as described above, and eliminates the periodicity that is performed in the main board 102.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in S142 that the received command is not the first command (S142: NO), the second command is received. When the second command is received, it is confirmed whether or not the first command has been received (S143). If the first command has not been received (S143: NO), the main command reception process is exited and the process returns to the original process.

  If the first command has been received (S143: YES), a command write pointer is acquired (S144). Here, the command write pointer indicates the reading position in the command ring buffer, and the acquisition of the command write pointer acquires data from the reading position indicated by the command write pointer.

  Further, the first command and the second command normally received at this time are stored in the command ring buffer for analysis processing (S145). The stored data is analyzed in the command analysis process (S130) of the main process (see FIG. 16). Then, the command write pointer is updated (S146), and the above-described temporary first command is cleared (S147). Here, the update of the command write pointer is a process of updating one read position of the command ring buffer. The process of clearing the temporary first command is to clear the first command stored in S148.

In this embodiment, the set of two element commands (first command and second command) is set to one set (one set), and the hard random number 1 is latched in response to the reception of the first command. Latch processing can be performed in a processing system (S148, S149) different from the processing after receiving the second command (S143 to S147), and the processing after receiving the second command can be completed quickly.
<< Sub-main timer interrupt processing >>

  Next, timer interrupt processing will be described with reference to FIG. The timer interrupt process occurs every 1 ms, which is a predetermined period. Since this timer interrupt process is a level 1 interrupt process with the lowest priority, as shown in the figure, first, an interrupt with a priority level of 2 or higher is permitted (S161). Further, port input processing (S162) is executed, and port data input processing and output processing are performed. In this port input process (S162), a process (input process) for confirming a port connected to various sensors (magnetic sensor, vibration sensor, movable effect member position sensor, push button input detection sensor, etc.), and Information output (output processing) is performed from ports connected to various devices (motors, solenoids, lamps, etc.).

  In the port input process (S162), in addition to these ports, a process related to a power supply voltage monitoring port to which a signal indicating a power outage (power outage signal) is input is also performed. . When this power interruption signal is input, the processing of the CPU 521 prohibits all interrupt processing and shifts to transfer processing for backing up stored information. The backup function of the sub main board 301 will be described later.

  Subsequently, device control data output processing (S163) is executed, and device control data output for driving various motors, solenoids, lamps, and the like is performed. For example, in the device management process (S129) of the main process shown in FIG. 16, if a drive control pattern for demagnetizing for 100 ms is determined after excitation for a predetermined motor for 100 ms, this device is determined. In the control data output process (S163), a time counting process of 100 ms is performed.

  Further, the effect timer update process (S164) is executed, and the timer value update process (S165) for measuring a predetermined timing in each effect is performed. Then, the button control timer is updated, and the effective time management timer for managing the period during which the operation of the push button (operation button 22) is effective is updated.

  Further, a push button monitoring control process (S166) is executed. This push button monitoring control process (S166) is for control related to the above-described operation button 22 which is an effect sub-button (push button), and is a process corresponding to the input state (operation state) of the operation button 22. Execute.

  Next, the task control counter is updated (S167), and the control counter (multitask counter) used for a predetermined plurality of tasks is updated. This control counter updates the count value once every 1 ms, which is the timer interruption period, with 16 times as one unit. In the present embodiment, the task control counter sequentially counts values from 0 to 15 every 1 ms, and loops counting the values from 0 to 15.

  Further, as one of the predetermined tasks, a game related lamp can be exemplified. Many game effect lamps are driven in synchronism with images on the effect display device 60, and the display switching of one frame (one unit image frame) of the moving image is about 16 ms or about 32 ms (about 33 ms). (In some cases, the period is 16 ms in this embodiment). For this reason, the control counter is designed so that the generation period of the control counter related to the game effect lamp forms a relationship such as an integral multiple or a fraction of an integer with the control unit time (16 ms or 32 ms) in the moving image display. ing. As a result, it is easy to design a lamp effect that matches the timing with the image.

  As for the control counter, for example, if a certain process related to the game effect lamp is performed at an interval of 16 ms, the process is performed at a timing when the value of the control counter becomes one predetermined value such as 3 . In addition, processing performed at intervals of 8 ms, such as image CPU runaway monitoring processing described later, is processed at two timings where the difference is 8, as in the case where the control counter is 1 and 9. Done.

  In addition, when the period generated by the control counter is set to a relatively short period such as one period (1 ms) of a timer interrupt (sub-main timer interrupt), for example, about 30 seconds as in error notification control. If the control for counting a relatively long time is performed, the data length to be secured for counting 30 seconds is increased, and the number of necessary memories is also increased. For this reason, while setting the cycle of the control counter to be longer than one cycle (1 ms) of the timer interrupt, the relationship between the control cycle related to the other effect (image effect) to be superimposed and the integer multiple or 1 / integer In order to achieve this, the cycle in which the control counter makes a round is set to a predetermined cycle (16 ms in this case). As another use of the control counter updated in the task control counter update process (S167), there is runaway monitoring (described later) with respect to the sub-sub board 302.

  Next, the image CPU runaway monitoring process (S168) is executed, and the runaway monitoring process for the image CPU of the sub-sub board 302 is performed. Here, in this embodiment, the CPU of the sub-sub board 302 is integrated with the image controller 526 in FIG. As described above, the sub-sub-board 302 outputs a predetermined signal (monitoring toggle signal) that repeats on and off for each frame display of moving image control. When the toggle signal from the sub-sub board 302 does not change continuously for a predetermined period (for example, 1600 ms corresponding to about 50 to 100 frames), it is determined that an abnormality such as a runaway of the image CPU has occurred, A reset signal (external reset signal) is transmitted from the main board 301 to the sub-sub board 302. In the sub sub board 302, after receiving this reset signal, a reset process (sub main initial setting process) for initializing the state of the sub sub board 302 is executed.

  As described later, the monitoring of the toggle signal as described above is performed once for every eight timer interrupts (8 ms). In addition, the above-described control counter is used to determine that the monitoring cycle has come. Here, the monitoring period is set to 8 ms because monitoring is performed at a period shorter than the display period (16 ms or 32 ms) related to one frame of the image, so that monitoring is always performed once during the display period of one frame. This is to make it happen. Furthermore, another reason for setting the monitoring period to 8 ms is that the update timing of the control counter can be used by setting it to 1 / integer of the period generated by the control counter. is there.

Following this image CPU runaway monitoring process (S168), an error management timer process (S169) is executed. In this error management timer process (S169), the error management timer is subtracted, and a predetermined process is executed when a timeout occurs. Examples of the process at the time-out include a process for terminating the error notification described above. This error management timer counts once for every 16 timer interruptions, and the process related to error management using the error management timer is also included in the predetermined tasks using the control counter described above. One. When this error management timer process ends, the process returns to the original process before the timer interruption in the sub-main main process (see FIG. 16). Here, since the target of interrupt permission is limited in S161 described above, illustration is omitted, but after all interrupts are permitted, the process returns to the sub-main main process.
<< Communication processing with sub-sub board >>

Next, communication processing with the sub-sub board 302 will be described. Command transmission from the sub-main board 301 to the sub-sub board 302 (sub-main command transmission) generates an interrupt (sub-communication interrupt) related to communication with the sub-sub board 302 at regular intervals (in this case, 500 μs). This is performed by executing communication processing with the sub-sub board 302 each time. In the communication processing with the sub-sub board 302, the buffer check is sequentially performed to confirm the existence of data to be transmitted, and if there is data, this data is read. Then, the read data is set in the transmission buffer, the setting related to command transmission is updated, and the communication process with the sub-sub is completed.
<< Command transmission / reception management process >>

Further, when the sub main board 301 transmits a command to the sub sub board 302, the received command (sub sub command) indicating that the command (sub main command) has been normally received from the sub sub board 302 side is the sub main board 301. It is transmitted to the substrate 301 side. In this command transmission / reception management process, a command is read, a command analysis is executed, and then the command is saved. When receiving a sub-subcommand, command reception interrupt processing is executed in the sub-sub-board 302. This command reception interrupt processing sets a flag for executing command reception interrupt processing in the above-mentioned sub-communication interrupt. It is executed by. That is, since the input of the sub-subcommand from the sub-sub board 302 is generated after the transmission of the sub-main command from the sub-main board 301, the command reception interrupt process is incidental to the process related to the sub-communication interrupt. It is supposed to be.
<< Control processing on sub-sub board >>

In the sub-sub board 302, similarly to the sub-main board 301, a sub-sub initial setting process that is started after the power is turned on, a main process that is executed after the sub-sub initial setting process, and a sub-sub timer interrupt that is generated at a predetermined cycle with respect to the main process A timer interrupt process that is executed along with the sub main command, a sub main command reception process that is an interrupt process that occurs when the sub main command is received, and the like are executed. Among these, in the sub-main command reception process, when the sub-main command is received from the sub-main board 301, there is a process of transmitting the above-described reception command (sub-sub command) indicating that the sub-main command has been normally received. Executed.
<Each movable production member in a present Example>

  Next, the above-described movable effect members (lower left sign 601, upper sign 602, lower right sign 603 shown in FIG. 21) and other movable effect members (FIG. 33) employed in the pachinko gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment. The left movable effect member 604 and the right movable effect member 605) will be described. First, among these movable effect members, the lower left sign 601, the upper sign 602, and the lower right sign 603 can perform a plurality of types of light guide plate effects using the light guide plate. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, the lower left marker 601 has a perfect circular shape, and the upper marker 602 has an isosceles triangular shape. Further, the lower right sign 603 has a square shape.

Each of the signs 601 to 603 is accommodated in the upper part of the center decoration 64 during normal operation (FIG. 1), and as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22 during operation (non-normal operation). It appears in front of the effect display device 60. Here, in FIG. 21 and FIG. 22, all three signs (601 to 603) are shown to be activated at the same time, but the type and number of the activated signs, or the combination when a plurality of activated signs are used, It depends on the production pattern.
<Configuration of upper sign unit>

  23 and 24 show an upper sign unit 611 provided with the above-described upper sign 602. FIG. 23 shows a state when the upper sign unit 611 is not operated (normal time), and FIG. 24 shows a state when the upper sign unit 611 is operated. As shown in FIG. 23, in the upper marker unit 611, a movable body motor 613 that is a driving source and a power transmission mechanism that transmits the driving force of the movable body motor 613 to the upper marker 602 to the base portion 612 made of synthetic resin. Part 614 is mounted. As the above-mentioned movable body motor 613, for example, a stepping motor can be employed.

  A first gear 615 serving as an output gear is attached to an output shaft (not shown) of the movable body motor 613, and a second gear 616 attached to the base portion 612 is meshed with the first gear 615. ing. Further, a third gear 617 mounted on the base portion 612 is engaged with the second gear 616. The diameters (reference circle diameters) of the first gear 615 to the third gear 617 are increased in the order of the first gear 615, the second gear 616, and the third gear 617, and the third gear 617 corresponds to the movable body motor 613. Along with the rotation, the rotation is decelerated at a predetermined ratio.

  A protrusion 618 serving as a crank pin is formed eccentrically on the surface of the third gear 617 facing away from the base 612. The protrusion 618 is inserted into the elongated hole 620 of the crank member 619. The crank member 619 is attached to a support shaft portion 621 provided to protrude from the base portion 612. The crank member 619 can rotate around the support shaft 621 while the protrusion 618 of the third gear 608 is inserted into the elongated hole 620.

  The crank member 619 is connected to the parallel crank portion 622. The parallel crank portion 622 includes a first parallel member 623 and a second parallel member 624, and one end side (base end side) of the first parallel member 623 and the second parallel member 624 in the longitudinal direction. The part is rotatably connected to the base portion 612. Among these, the base end portion of the first parallel member 623 enters the inside of the above-described crank member 619 and is connected to the support shaft portion 621 similarly to the crank member 619.

  The other end side (front end side) of the first parallel member 623 and the second parallel member 624 is rotatably connected to the plate surface on the back side of the upper marker 602 described above. The first parallel member 623 and the second parallel member 624 can rotate while maintaining a substantially parallel relationship with respect to the base end side connected to the base portion 612.

  When the upper sign unit 611 shown in FIG. 23 is not in operation (normal time), the first parallel member 623 and the second parallel member 624 extend in the horizontal direction (left and right direction of the pachinko gaming machine 10). Is retained. At this time, the posture of the upper sign 602 is a posture in which the apex angle of the isosceles triangle is directed right below.

  In such a situation, when the movable body motor 613 is driven, the third gear 617 rotates via the first gear 615 and the second gear 616. The rotation direction of the third gear 617 at this time is counterclockwise (counterclockwise) when viewed from the side of the base portion 612 where the upper sign 602 and the third gear 617 are disposed. As the third gear 617 rotates, the protrusion 618 is integrally displaced. When the rotation angle of the third gear 617 reaches about 180 °, the upper sign unit 611 changes from the state shown in FIG. 23 to the state shown in FIG.

  That is, with the rotation of the third gear 617, the crank member 619 is lifted upward about the support shaft 621 via the protrusion 618. At this time, the rotation of the crank member 619 is elastically transmitted to the first parallel member 623 via the torsion coil spring 625 externally mounted on the support shaft portion 621. Then, the first parallel member 623 rotates so that the tip side faces downward.

  As shown in FIG. 24, the first parallel member 623 and the second parallel member 624 maintain the parallel relationship with each other, and the front end side is directed downward, so that the front end side of the first parallel member 623 and the second parallel member 624 The upper sign 602 connected to the position is displaced downward. Since the upper sign 602 is connected to the first parallel member 623 and the second parallel member 624 so as to be rotatable, the upper sign 602 is displaced with the apex angle directed downward.

Then, the form of the upper sign 602 changes from a state hidden in the center decoration 64 (FIG. 1) to a state appearing in front of the display area 194 of the effect display device 60 (FIG. 21). In FIGS. 23 and 24, the imaginary lines used in the drawing are partially left out.
<Composition of upper sign>

Subsequently, the configuration of the above-described upper sign 602 will be described with reference to FIGS. 25 and 26. As shown in FIG. 25, the upper sign 602 includes a base portion 631, an inner lens 632, a diffusion sheet 633, a peripheral lens 634, a middle lens 635, a light guide cover 636, and an exterior cover 637.
<< Base part >>

  Of these, the base portion 631 is formed by incorporating a light emitting substrate 642 having a generally isosceles triangular shape into a synthetic resin base body 641 having an isosceles triangular shape.

  A predetermined number of first full color LEDs 643A, second full color LEDs 643B, and red LEDs 644 are mounted on one plate surface of the light emitter substrate 642. Among these, three first full-color LEDs 643A are arranged at predetermined intervals on each side of the isosceles triangle so as to follow the shape of the outer edge portion of the light emitter substrate 642. The total number of first full color LEDs 643A in this embodiment is nine.

  Further, the second full color LEDs 643B are arranged in an isosceles triangle shape at a portion inside the first full color LED 643A. The arrangement of the second full-color LEDs 643B is performed in parallel with the arrangement of the first full-color LEDs 643A, and the intervals between the columns of the second full-color LEDs 643B and the corresponding columns of the first full-color LEDs 643A are all three sides. It is almost equal. The number of the second full-color LEDs 643B in the present embodiment is 12 in total, 4 on each side.

The aforementioned red LEDs 644 are arranged in an isosceles triangle shape between each row of the first full-color LED 643A and the second full-color LED 643B. And each red LED 644 is arrange | positioned so that the space | interval with two 2nd full color LED 643B adjacent to the diagonal direction may become comparable. The number of the second full-color LEDs 643B in the present embodiment is 11 in total, four for two equal sides and three for the remaining one side. In addition, the center part 645 located inside the second full-color LED 643B of the light emitter substrate 642 is a flat plate part.
<< Inner lens >>

  The inner lens 632 described above is superimposed on the central portion 645 of the light emitter substrate 642 and has a function of guiding the light of the second full color LED 643B described above to the front of the pachinko gaming machine 10. The inner lens 632 is formed by molding a transparent synthetic resin material into an isosceles triangle shape, and has an outer shape of a size that matches the arrangement of the second full-color LED 643B.

  Further, the plate-like main body portion 646 of the inner lens 632 has a concave-convex surface 647 (FIG. 26) that faces the light emitter substrate 642, and the other surface faces the front side of the pachinko gaming machine 10. The flat surface 648 (FIG. 25). Among these, the uneven surface 647 is formed in substantially the entire area of the main body 646. And as shown in FIG.27 (b) and FIG.29 (a), the uneven surface 647 is regularly provided with many fine unevenness | corrugations (knurls) whose cross section is saw-tooth shape. Further, as shown in FIG. 26, the uneven surface 647 is divided into three triangular regions 650a to 650c by straight lines 649a to 649c extending from the three apexes of the inner lens 632 toward the center.

  A peripheral wall 651 extending from the main body 646 toward the light emitter substrate 642 is formed on the outer edge of the inner lens 632. Twelve concave portions 652 (FIG. 26) formed in a rectangular shape are provided on the distal end surface of the peripheral wall portion 651, and each concave portion 652 has a first portion as shown in FIG. 29 (d). 2 serves as an escape portion to prevent interference with the full-color LED 643B. Each recess 652 faces the second full-color LED 643B, and light emitted from the second full-color LED 643B enters the peripheral wall 651 of the inner lens 632.

  As shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 29A, an inclined portion 653 is formed between the peripheral wall portion 651 of the inner lens 632 and the main body portion 646, and the inclined portion 653 is guided by the peripheral wall portion 651. The path of the light is changed, and the light is reflected toward the inside of the main body 646 as indicated by an arrow J. Here, FIG. 29A shows a cross-section at a position where the second full-color LED 643 is not disposed, and the second full-color LED 643B emitting the light indicated by the arrow B and the recess 652 around the second full-color LED 643 are shown. Illustration is omitted.

The light in the main body 646 is reflected, diffused, diffracted, and the like by the uneven surface 647, and the flat surface 648 of the inner lens 632 (FIGS. 25 and 29D) by the light of the second full-color LED 643B. ) Is illuminated. The inner lens 632 faces only the second full-color LED 643B arranged on the innermost side among the first full-color LED 643A, the second full-color LED 643B, and the red LED 644 that are light sources. The light guide related to the LED 644 is not performed.
<< Diffusion sheet >>

  The light that illuminates the flat surface 648 of the inner lens 632 reaches the diffusion sheet 633 (FIGS. 25 and 26) described above. The diffusion sheet 633 is formed by molding a dark gray (or light black) synthetic resin material into a thin plate having an isosceles triangle shape. The diffusion sheet 633 has the same outer dimensions as the main body 646 of the inner lens 632. Further, the diffusion sheet 633 is sandwiched between the flat surface 648 of the inner lens 632 and the above-described middle lens 635 (FIG. 29A).

The diffusion sheet 633 diffuses the light emitted from the inner lens 632 to form diffused light, and prevents the light from traveling straight toward the middle lens 635. Further, the diffusion sheet 633 has a function of preventing fine irregularities on the irregular surface 647 of the inner lens 632 from being visually recognized as a pattern by the player. The middle lens 635 will be described later.
<< Configuration of peripheral lens >>

  The peripheral lens 634 (FIGS. 25 and 26) is formed by molding a transparent synthetic resin material into an isosceles triangular frame, and includes a middle lens 635, which will be described later, and a light guide cover that covers the outside thereof. The external dimensions of the 636 can be accommodated in the frame. The peripheral lens 634 has a function of performing a light emitting effect using the light of the first full-color LED 643A in the peripheral region of the inner lens 632, the middle lens 635, and the light guide cover 636.

  The peripheral lens 634 has a peripheral wall portion 656 extending toward the light emitter substrate 642. Nine concave portions 657 (FIG. 26) formed in a rectangular shape are provided on the front end surface of the peripheral wall portion 656, and each concave portion 657 has a first portion as shown in FIG. 29 (b). This is an escape portion that prevents interference with the 1 full-color LED 643A. Each concave portion 657 faces the first full color LED 643A, and light emitted from the first full color LED 643A is incident on the peripheral wall portion 656 of the peripheral lens 634.

On the surface of the peripheral lens 634 opposite to the side on which the peripheral wall portion 656 is provided, an uneven portion 658 is formed so as to face the front side of the pachinko note 10. Then, the peripheral lens 634 can perform a light emission effect by reflecting, diffusing, and diffracting the light of the first full-color LED 643A by the uneven portion 658.
<< Middle Lens >>

  Subsequently, the above-described middle lens 635 is formed by molding a transparent synthetic resin material into an isosceles triangle shape, and is covered with the inner lens 632 and the diffusion sheet 633 to cover the inner lens 632 and the diffusion sheet 633. It has an external shape large enough to hide. Further, the main body portion 661 of the middle lens 635 is molded flat on both the front and back surfaces, and a peripheral wall portion 662 extending toward the light emitter substrate 642 is formed on the outer edge portion of the main body portion 661.

  Eleven concave portions 663 (FIG. 26) formed in a rectangular shape are provided on the distal end surface of the peripheral wall portion 662, and each concave portion 663 has a red color as shown in FIG. 29 (c). It is an escape portion that prevents interference with the LED 644. Each recess 663 faces the red LED 644 so that light emitted from the red LED 644 enters the peripheral wall 662 of the middle lens 635.

  As shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 29A, an R portion 664 is formed between the peripheral wall portion 662 of the middle lens 635 and the main body portion 661, and the R portion 664 is guided by the peripheral wall portion 662. The light path is changed, and as indicated by an arrow K, the light of the red LED 644 is guided into the main body 661.

A diffuser 665 having a predetermined shape is formed in the main body 661 of the middle lens 635. In the present embodiment, the form of the diffusing portion 665 is “Curious”, and the red “Curious” character is directed to the player side by reflection or diffusion of light of the red LED 644. It comes to emerge. In addition, the character “like” is formed so that the letters “like” and “odd” line up from top to bottom in the center of the main body 661. The surroundings of the “good” character and the “odd” character are transparent so that the rear (the diffusion sheet 633 side) can be seen through. The presence of the diffusion sheet 633 allows the “good” character and the “odd” character to be “transparent”. "Is not conspicuous (" good "characters and" odd "characters are conspicuous only when the red LED 644 emits light).
<< Light guide cover >>

  Subsequently, the light guide cover 636 (FIGS. 25 and 26) includes a transparent main body 671 formed by molding a transparent synthetic resin into an isosceles triangle shape, and the same isosceles combined with the main body 671. A triangular red portion 672. Of these, the main body 671 has an outer shape that covers the middle lens 635 and covers the middle lens 635 as shown in FIG. Further, the main body 671 of the light guide cover 636 is formed flat on both the front and back surfaces, and a peripheral wall 674 extending toward the light emitter substrate 642 is formed on the outer edge of the main body 671.

  The red portion 672 is joined to the main body portion 671 of the light guide cover 636 and integrated with the light guide cover 636. Further, the red portion 672 is formed in a red transparent manner and has light transmittance. In addition, a transparent portion 675 having a predetermined shape is formed on the upper side portion of the red portion 672.

  The form of the transparent portion 675 is a character that can be read as “stop male” from right to left. The portion that becomes the character of “stop male” is removed from the red portion 672 to expose the main body portion 671. It is formed by. Since the main body 671 is transparent, the periphery of “stop male” is not conspicuous, and only the characters “stop male” appear to be raised.

Here, in order to form the red portion 672, a red transparent film is attached to the transparent portion 675, or a red transparent sheet or plate material is bonded to the transparent portion 675 by various general bonding methods. Is possible. In addition, when the light guide cover 636 is molded with resin, it is also conceivable that two types of materials having different colors are used and integral molding is performed so that a transparent “stop” character appears.
<< Exterior cover >>

  Subsequently, the above-described exterior cover 637 (FIGS. 25 and 26) is formed by molding, for example, a red and opaque synthetic resin material into an isosceles triangular frame, and the above-described light guide cover 636 is framed. It has an external dimension that can be accommodated inside. Further, the exterior cover 637 borders the outside of the light guide cover 636 with a width of about 10 mm and accommodates the above-described peripheral lens 634 therein.

  As shown in FIG. 27A, the exterior cover 637 has an opening 676 formed over the entire circumference, and the uneven portion 658 on each side of the peripheral lens 634 extends from the opening 676. Etc. For this reason, when the first full-color LED 643A is driven and the peripheral lens 634 shines, the shining peripheral lens 634 can be recognized by the player from the opening 676 of the exterior cover 637.

Further, the outer cover 637 is formed with a peripheral wall portion 677 extending toward the light emitter substrate 642. With the tip of the peripheral wall portion 677 abutting the light emitter substrate 642, a fixing tool such as a screw (not shown) is attached. The base body 641 is fixed together with the light emitter substrate 642. The exterior cover 637 fixes the light guide cover 636 by pressing the light guide cover 636 against the light emitter substrate 642. The light guide cover 636 has the middle lens 635, the diffusion sheet 633, and the inner lens 632 displaced from each other inside. It is restricted and regulated so that it does not occur.
<Light guide aspect of upper sign>

  Then, the light guide aspect in the upper label | marker 602 comprised in this way is demonstrated. First, the above-described light guide cover 636 is used in combination with the inner lens 632, the diffusion sheet 633, and the middle lens 635. For example, when the second full color LED 643B is driven, the light of the second full color LED 643B is reflected by the uneven surface 647 of the inner lens 632 and transmitted through the diffusion sheet 633. Further, the light transmitted through the diffusion sheet 633 passes through the middle lens 635 and illuminates the light guide cover 636 from behind.

  As described above, in the light guide cover 636, since the red portion 672 is provided so that the transparent “stop” character appears, the light of the second full-color LED 643B that has passed through the diffusion sheet 633 The light guide cover 636 is backlit with a color corresponding to the emission color. If the light emission color of the second full-color LED 643B is, for example, white, the light guide cover 636 shines in red via the red portion 672 so that the player can recognize the characters “stop male”. In addition, even if the light diffused by the inner lens 632 is reflected by the “curious” diffusion part 665 of the middle lens 635, the characters “curious” are not noticeable because the surroundings emit light of the same color. The state that cannot be maintained.

  On the other hand, when the red LED 644 is driven and the middle lens 635 is illuminated in red, the middle lens 635 disposed in front of the uneven surface 647 of the inner lens 632 and the diffusion sheet 633 (on the player side). The light is reflected by the diffusing unit 665, and the character of “curious”, which is the form of the diffusing unit 665, appears in red. At this time, the second full color LED 643B is not driven, and the light guide cover 636 is not backlit. For this reason, the character of “curious” shining in red can be recognized by the player without impeding visibility by the action of diffusion or the like in the red portion 672 and the transparent portion 675 of the light guide cover 636.

  As described above, the inner lens 632, the middle lens 635, and the light guide cover 636 are provided in a nested structure, and the second full color LED 643B and the red LED 644 are selectively driven to form the light guide cover 636 and the middle lens 635. The pattern (character here) will come out. And the several light guide plate effect of a different aspect is performed using the one upper label | marker 602. FIG. Since the above-described peripheral lens 634 is provided in the exterior cover 637, the periphery of the middle lens 635 and the light guide cover 636 is optically decorated using the peripheral lens 634.

Here, the upper sign 602 is described as including the inner lens 632, the middle lens 635, the light guide cover 636, and the like, but these names can be changed as appropriate. For example, the inner lens 632 may be referred to as a “first lens”, the middle lens 635 may be referred to as a “second lens”, and the light guide cover 636 may be referred to as an “outer plate”. Further, for example, the inner lens 632 and the diffusion sheet 633, the middle lens 635, and the light guide cover 636 can be referred to as a set of light guide plate units, respectively. Furthermore, when the LED for the middle lens 635 is changed from red to green or blue, for example, in the light guide cover 636, the color of the LED can be visually recognized in the transparent portion 675, but in the red portion 672 (additional color region) Therefore, it is preferable to change the color of the additional color area around the transparent portion 675 in the light guide cover 636 according to the color of the LED with respect to the middle lens 635.
<Configuration of lower left sign unit>

  Next, the lower left marker unit 701 including the aforementioned lower left marker 601 will be described. 30 and 31 show the lower left marker unit 701. FIG. 30 shows a state when the lower left marker unit 701 is not operated (normal time), and FIGS. 31A and 31B show a state when the lower left marker unit 701 is operated. As shown in FIG. 30, in the lower left marker unit 701, a movable body motor 703 that is a driving source and a power transmission mechanism that transmits a driving force of the movable body motor 703 to the lower left marker 601 to a base portion 702 made of synthetic resin. Part 704 is attached. As the above-described movable body motor 703, for example, a stepping motor can be employed.

  A first gear 705 serving as an output gear is attached to an output shaft (not shown) of the movable body motor 703, and a second gear 706 attached to the base portion 702 is engaged with the first gear 705. ing. The diameter (reference circle diameter) of the second gear 706 is larger than that of the first gear 705, and the second gear 706 is decelerated at a predetermined ratio and rotates with the rotation of the movable body motor 703. It has become.

  On the surface of the second gear 706 facing the base portion 702 side, a protrusion 707 serving as a crank pin is formed eccentrically. This protrusion 707 is inserted into a recess 709 of an extendable member 708 provided with a slide guide mechanism. When the second gear 706 rotates from the inoperative state shown in FIG. 30 to the angle shown in FIG. 31 (b), the movable side of the elastic member 708 is lifted through the protrusion 707, and the elastic member 708 extends.

  The expansion / contraction member 708 forms a cross link together with the link member denoted by reference numeral 710, and the base end side (the base end side of the fixed side) of the expansion / contraction member 708 can be rotated directly or indirectly to the base portion 702. It is connected. Further, a perfect circle-shaped lower left marker 601 is rotatably connected to the distal end side (movable distal end side) of the telescopic member 708, and the lower left marker 601 rises as the second gear 706 rotates. It is like that.

  The lower left marker 601 is locked so that the distal end side of the link member 710 can be displaced within a predetermined range. The base end side of the link member 710 is rotatably connected to the base portion 702, and the link member 710 functions as a detent for the lower left marker 601 when the lower left marker 601 rises. Then, the lower left sign 601 rises while maintaining the posture, and the form of the lower left sign 601 is changed from the state hidden in the center decoration 64 as shown in FIG. 1 to the display area of the effect display device 60 as shown in FIG. It changes to the state that appeared in front of 194.

Here, FIG. 30 (a) shows a state after the operation of the lower left sign unit 701 as seen from the front, and FIG. 30 (b) shows the state of the lower left sign unit 701 after the operation obliquely backward. It shows how it was seen from. In the example shown in FIG. 30B, a movable body motor 711 is also provided on the back surface of the lower left sign 601, and a part of the lower left sign 601 (for example, the frontmost member) is raised by the lower left sign 601. A predetermined operation (for example, a rotation operation) can be performed later. Further, as the lower left sign 601, it is possible to use a sign that can produce a plurality of display effects by using a light guide plate as with the upper sign 602. In FIGS. 30 and 31, the imaginary lines used in the drawing are partially left out.
<Configuration of lower right sign unit>

  Next, the lower right marker unit 801 including the aforementioned lower right marker 603 will be described. 32 and 33 show the lower right marker unit 801. FIG. 32 shows a state in which the lower right marker unit 801 is viewed from the front, and FIG. 33 (a) shows a state in which the lower right marker unit 801 is viewed from the diagonally upper side on the front side. Further, FIG. 33 (b) shows a state in which the lower right marker unit 801 is viewed obliquely from the rear side.

  The lower right marker unit 801 is configured to displace and rotate a square lower right marker 603. The lower right sign 603 indicated by a solid line in FIG. 32 is in a non-operating state (normal time), and at the time of operation, the lower right sign 603 indicates a lower left position when viewed from the front as indicated by a two-dot chain line. Displace. Although not shown, the lower right marker 603 can rotate the foremost light guide plate counterclockwise or clockwise within a predetermined range as viewed from the front.

  More specifically, as shown in FIG. 33 (b), the driving force of the swinging movable body motor 803, which is a driving source, and the driving force of the swinging movable body motor 803 on the synthetic resin base portion 802 is displayed on the lower right side 603. A power transmission mechanism portion 804 for transmitting to is attached. As the above-mentioned swinging movable body motor 803, for example, a stepping motor can be employed.

  The rotational force of the swinging movable body motor 803 is transmitted to the third gear 806 via a first gear (not shown) or a second gear 805 serving as an output gear. On the surface of the third gear 806 facing the base portion 802, a protrusion 807 serving as a crank pin is formed eccentrically. The protrusion 807 is inserted into the long hole 809 of the crank member 808. An upper end portion 810 of the crank member 808 is connected to the lower right marker 603 so that force can be transmitted.

  The base portion 802 is provided with a swing shaft 811, and a lower right marker 603 is connected to the swing shaft 811. The swing shaft 811 is a center related to the swing displacement of the lower right marker 603. When the swingable movable body motor 803 is driven, the third gear 806 rotates by a predetermined amount, and the lower right indicator 603 is attached to the base portion 802 via the crank member 808 as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. On the other hand, it is displaced (oscillating displacement). As a result, as shown in FIG. 21, the lower right sign 603 appears in front of the display area 194 of the effect display device 60.

  Here, in FIG. 33B, reference numeral 812 indicates the first arm, and reference numeral 813 indicates the second arm. The first arm 812 and the second arm 813 constitute a parallel crank so that the posture can be kept constant when the lower right marker 603 swings.

  Further, reference numeral 816 in FIG. 33B denotes a rotating movable body motor. The rotating movable body motor 816 is attached to the base portion 802, and the rotational force of the rotating movable body motor 816 is transmitted through the various gears 817 to 819 of the power transmission mechanism portion 804 and the lower right sign 603. A light guide plate as a front design portion provided inside can be rotated counterclockwise or clockwise as viewed from the front where the player is located. A design back gear 820 is mounted on the back side of the lower right sign 603, and the design back gear 820 is used to rotate the frontmost light guide plate in the lower right sign 603.

Note that the lower right sign 603 can perform display effects in a plurality of forms by a plurality of light guide plates in the same manner as the upper sign 602. In FIGS. 32 and 33, the imaginary lines used in the drawing are partially left out.
<Configuration for stable operation of the lower right sign>

  Next, the configuration and control mode for stably operating the lower right sign 603 will be described. As described above, the lower right marker unit 801 including the lower right marker 603 includes the lower right marker 603 at the tip of the movable portion, and drives the swinging movable body motor 803 to drive the parallel arm A (first arm). ) 813 and the parallel arm B (second arm) 812 are swung, and the lower right indicator 603 is swung in a state of being kept in a horizontal state so as to appear in front of the display area 194 of the effect display device 60. It has become.

  For this reason, if the rotating movable body motor 816 serving as the power source of the lower right sign 603 (rotation effect body) is provided on the front end side of the swing, the weight on the front end of the swing increases, and the lower right sign 603 is increased. The vibration generated in the swinging operation of the motor tends to increase. For this reason, the rotating movable body motor 816 is arranged close to the base end side portion of the lower right marker unit 801, and the space up to the lower right marker 603 is connected by a gear train (gears 817 to 819). By transmitting the power from the source, the weight on the swinging tip side is reduced, and the lower right marker 603 operates smoothly.

  However, since the gear train (gears 817 to 819, etc.) is used, when the lower right indicator 603 operates (swings), the gears 817-819 etc. rotate somewhat, so the lower right indicator When the 603 is returned to the position before the swing operation (retracted position) or moved to the position after the operation (actuated position), the position of the symbol display stop angle of the lower right marker 603 during the swing operation The effect of the shift appears, and the light guide plate (and the design (designs, characters, etc.) on the light guide plate) of the lower right sign 603 does not return to an appropriate angle (sensor monitoring position that matches the vertical position of the design). That happens.

Therefore, in this embodiment, after returning to the retracted position after the swinging operation, the rotating movable body motor is driven again so that the light guide plate of the lower right sign 603 is set to the base angle before the swinging operation. I try to return it. Accordingly, when the design applied to the light guide plate returns to the center decoration 64 and returns to the initial position, the light guide plate can also be returned to the initial position (initial angle).
<Specific mode of environment setting>

  Next, light quantity adjustment, volume adjustment, and the like will be described as specific modes of environment setting in the pachinko gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment. First, the environment setting can be performed using the cross key 96 described above in a situation where the environment setting is possible. The situation where the environment can be set is that there is no start winning in the game, and there is no display of variation of special symbols or production symbols (if enabled immediately after the end of variation, the visibility of game results will be affected. And the like is preferably after the elapse of a predetermined time after the end of the change without holding.

  Furthermore, the environment can be set even when a game description or other demonstration display (display during standby demonstration) is being performed. Further, a predetermined type of environment setting, such as volume adjustment, can be performed even during a game such as during a special symbol or a variation display of a design symbol. However, during the fluctuation, the visibility of the design for the presentation is obstructed immediately after the start of the fluctuation (before the transition to the high-speed fluctuation (transparent state) of the production), immediately before the temporary stop or the fluctuation stop related to the pseudo-continuous notice or final result notification. It is desirable to perform control so as to exclude possible situations, or to perform environment setting by performing simple display in an area that does not overlap with the effect design. In addition, when the environment setting is enabled during the change of the effect design, the environment setting is performed during the operating period of the effect operation means using the operation means such as the button effect (especially the operation means used for the environment setting) as the change effect. It is preferable to control so that it is not possible. A situation where environment setting (especially light amount adjustment) can be performed is referred to as “when adjustment is possible”, for example, and a situation where environment setting (particularly light amount adjustment) cannot be performed is referred to as “when non-adjustment is possible”, for example. is there. Furthermore, when the environment can be set (when adjustment is possible), especially when the game is not playing (not changing), such as during a standby demonstration, for example, various service information provided by a gaming machine manufacturer (linked to a mobile terminal) Service, music reproduction, production demonstration play, etc.) can be viewed on the production display device 60.

  When the environment setting is performed, the operation button 22 shown in FIG. 19A or the cross key 96 is pressed in a situation where the environment setting described above is possible. In this embodiment, when any one of the direction keys 96a to 96d among the cross keys 96 is operated, an environment setting main menu as shown in FIG. 19B is displayed on the effect display device 60. Yes. The environment setting main menu may be automatically displayed to inform the player that the environment setting is possible. Conditions for automatically displaying the environment setting main menu include, for example, that a special symbol or the like is not being displayed and a game ball flowing down the game board 50 is not detected for a predetermined time (for example, 20 seconds). Can be illustrated.

  The display of the environment setting main menu is superimposed on, for example, only the central portion of the display area 194 of the effect display device 60, and is similar to the case where the environment setting main menu is not displayed around the environment setting main menu. Display is in progress. Here, the transparency of the background color of the environment setting main menu can be set to a value such that the display content behind can be seen through.

  Further, when the operation button 22 is continuously pressed for a predetermined time in a situation where environment setting is possible (so-called “long press” is executed), an automatic operation setting screen of the operation button 22 is displayed although illustration is omitted. It is displayed. The automatic operation setting screen for the operation buttons 22 is used to select an effect mode (automatic operation mode) in which an effect is advanced even if the player does not operate the operation buttons 22 as in the case of the operation. . In the automatic operation mode, the automatic operation mode may be terminated when a button effect is selected in the variable effect and an operation by the player is performed before the effect accompanying the automatic operation is executed. In addition, when the button is pressed for a long period of time during which the environment can be set, the automatic operation mode may be switched on / off. Note that when the operation button 22 is pressed for a shorter time than the predetermined time, the menu screen of various service information described above is displayed.

  In this environment setting main menu, a volume adjustment selection area 861a and a light amount adjustment selection area 871a are displayed side by side. In the example shown in FIG. 19B, an automatic operation setting selection area 881 related to the operation button 22 is also displayed at the left end. Among these, in the volume adjustment selection area 861a, in addition to the characters “volume setting”, a mark 862a representing a cross key, a mark 863a representing a speaker, and a mark 864a representing a volume level are displayed.

  In the mark 862a representing the cross key in the volume adjustment selection area 861, portions corresponding to the left and right direction keys 96c and 96d are drawn in a bright color. In FIG. 19B, the outline of the brightly drawn part is represented by a thick line, and the darkly drawn part is represented by a thin line. A mark 862a representing a cross key in the volume adjustment selection area 861 indicates that an operation of the left direction key 96c or the right direction key 96d is necessary to adjust the volume.

  The mark 864a representing the volume level has a plurality of arc marks representing sound propagation. In the example of FIG. 19B, the number of arc marks is five. Furthermore, the length of each arc in the mark 864a representing the volume level increases as the distance from the mark 863a representing the speaker increases. In the example of FIG. 19B, only the arc closest to the mark 863a representing the speaker is drawn with a bright color. This indicates that the current volume level is set to the lowest level (level 1).

  Subsequently, in addition to the characters “light quantity setting”, a mark 872a representing the cross key and a mark 873a representing the light quantity level are displayed in the light quantity adjustment selection area 871a. In the mark 872a representing the cross key in the light amount adjustment selection area 871a, portions corresponding to the upper and lower direction keys 96a and 96b are drawn in a bright color. In FIG. 19B, the outline of the brightly drawn part is represented by a thick line, and the darkly drawn part is represented by a thin line. A mark 872a representing the cross key in the light amount adjustment selection area 871a indicates that the operation of the up direction key 96a or the down direction key 96b is necessary to adjust the volume.

  The mark 864a representing the light amount level has a design expressing the emission of light from the light source. Further, in the example of FIG. 19B, a character “weak” is attached to the lower right of the mark 864a. In the example of FIG. 19B, it is indicated that the light amount is set to the weakest level (level 1).

Subsequently, in the above-described automatic operation setting selection area 881, in addition to the characters “automatic operation setting”, a mark 881a representing an operation button is displayed. Furthermore, in the automatic operation setting selection area 881, characters indicating the current status of automatic operation settings (here, “OFF” characters) are displayed.
<Volume adjustment menu configuration and volume adjustment operation>

  FIG. 20A shows a state in which the environment setting main menu shown in FIG. 19B is shifted to the volume adjustment menu. The volume adjustment menu shown in FIG. 20A is displayed when the left arrow key 96c or the right arrow key 96d is operated in the situation where the environment setting main menu shown in FIG. 19B is displayed. It is like that.

  In the volume adjustment menu shown in FIG. 20A, in addition to the characters “volume setting”, a mark 863b representing a speaker and a mark 864b representing a volume level are displayed. In addition, a character “MIN” representing the minimum is displayed on the left side of the mark 863b representing the speaker, and a character “MAX” representing the maximum is displayed on the right side of the mark 864b representing the volume level. .

  Further, a mark 862b representing the cross key is displayed below the mark 863b representing the speaker, and a character “volume setting” is displayed below the mark 862b representing the cross key. Further, a mark 865 representing an operation button is displayed below the mark 864b representing the volume level, and a character “END” indicating the end of the volume setting is displayed below the mark 865 representing the operation button. Has been.

  In the display example of the volume adjustment in FIG. 20A, the volume level is the minimum (MIN) level 1, and only the leftmost arc among the plurality of arcs of the mark 864b representing the volume level is a bright color. Is highlighted. In this state, when the right direction key 96d is pressed once, the volume level becomes level 2, the mark on the right is also highlighted (not shown), and the number of the highlighted marks is two. At this time, music is output from the speaker 21 of the pachinko gaming machine 10, and the volume of the music output from the speaker 21 increases as the volume level changes. Further, when the right direction key 96d is pressed once, the volume level becomes level 3, and the number of marks to be highlighted is three.

  On the contrary, even if the left arrow key 96c is pressed once from the volume level (level 1) shown in FIG. 20A, the volume level remains unchanged and remains at level 1. Also, for example, when the left direction key 96c is pressed in a situation where the volume level is level 2 or higher, the volume level decreases to level 1 at the maximum according to the number of times the button is pressed. In this embodiment, the maximum value (MAX) of the sound volume level is 5, and the sound volume can be adjusted in five steps.

  Further, even if the right direction key 96d is pressed in a situation where the volume level is 5, the volume level does not change. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the right key 96d is pressed in a situation where the light quantity level is level 5, the light quantity level may be lowered to the minimum level 1 at a stroke.

  In this embodiment, in the initial stage such as the situation where the environment setting main menu shown in FIG. 19B is displayed or the situation where the volume adjustment menu shown in FIG. Are always set to the same value (here, level 1 which is the lowest level). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the previously set volume level may be stored, and the adjustment may be started from the previously set volume level in the initial stage.

Further, the function of volume adjustment by the left direction key 96c and the right direction key 96d is effective in the present embodiment while the volume adjustment menu shown in FIG. 20A is displayed. Then, when the operation button 22 is pressed while the volume adjustment menu shown in FIG. 20A is displayed, the volume adjustment ends and the screen returns to the environment setting main menu (FIG. 19B). In addition, when the volume adjustment menu is displayed and no operation for volume adjustment is input, and the predetermined time has elapsed, the environment setting main menu (FIG. 19B) is also returned. Furthermore, the environment setting main menu (FIG. 19B) is deleted from the screen of the effect display device 60 when a game is started and a game ball flowing down the game board 50 is detected.
<Structure of light intensity adjustment menu and operation of light intensity adjustment>

  Next, FIG. 20B shows a state in which the environment setting main menu shown in FIG. 19B is shifted to the light amount adjustment menu. The light amount adjustment menu shown in FIG. 20B is displayed when the up direction key 96a or the down direction key 96b is operated in the situation where the environment setting main menu shown in FIG. 19B is displayed. It is like that.

  In the light amount adjustment menu shown in FIG. 20B, in addition to the characters “light amount setting”, marks 873b to 873d representing the light amount levels of three sizes of large, medium, and small are displayed vertically. Among the marks 873b to 873d representing these light quantity levels, the outer dimension of the mark 873b at the lowermost light quantity level is the smallest, and the outer dimensions of the marks increase in order toward the top. Further, among the marks 873b to 873d representing the light amount level, a character “MIN” indicating the minimum is displayed below the minimum mark 873b, and the maximum is indicated above the maximum mark 873db. The characters “MAX” are displayed.

  Further, in the light amount adjustment menu shown in FIG. 20B, a mark 872b representing the cross key is displayed at the lower left of the character “MIN”, and “mark 872b representing the cross key is displayed below the mark 872b. The text “Volume setting” is displayed. Further, a mark 875 representing an operation button is displayed on the right side of the mark 872b representing the volume level, and a character “END” indicating the end of the light amount setting is displayed below the mark 875 representing the operation button. Has been.

  In the display example of the light amount adjustment in FIG. 20B, the light amount level is the minimum (MIN) level 1, and among the marks 873b to 873d representing the light amount level, only the lowest lower mark is inverted with a bright color. It is displayed. In this state, when the up key 96a is pressed once, the light amount level becomes level 2 and only the middle mark is highlighted, although illustration is omitted.

  At this time, various LEDs provided in the game board 50 and the gaming machine frame 11 are driven with a predetermined light emission pattern (also referred to as “LED drive pattern”, “lamp pattern”, etc.), In accordance with the change, the amount of light from various LEDs also increases. Further, when the up key 96a is pressed again, the light quantity level becomes the maximum level 3, and only the upper mark among the marks 873b to 873d representing the light quantity level is brightly highlighted.

  On the contrary, even if the down key 96d is pressed from the light level (level 1) shown in FIG. 20B, the light level does not change and remains at level 1. Also, for example, when the volume level is level 2 or level 3 and the down key 96b is pressed, the volume level is reduced to level 1 at the maximum according to the number of times the key is pressed. In this embodiment, the maximum value (MAX) of the light amount level is 3, and the light amount can be adjusted in three steps. Further, the light amount adjustment function by the up direction key 96a and the down direction key 96b is effective in this embodiment while the light amount adjustment menu shown in FIG. 20B is displayed.

  Further, in the situation where the light quantity level is 3, even if the up key 96a is pressed, the light quantity level does not change. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the up direction key 96a is pressed in a situation where the light quantity level is 3, the light quantity level may be lowered to the minimum level 1 at once.

  In this embodiment, in the initial stage such as the situation where the environment setting main menu shown in FIG. 19B is displayed and the situation where the light quantity adjustment menu shown in FIG. Are always set to the same value (here, level 1 which is the lowest level). However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the light amount level set last time may be stored, and the adjustment may be started from the light amount level set last time in the initial stage.

Further, the light amount adjustment function by the up direction key 96a and the down direction key 96b is effective in this embodiment while the light amount adjustment menu shown in FIG. 20B is displayed. Then, when the operation button 22 is pressed while the light amount adjustment menu shown in FIG. 20B is displayed, the light amount adjustment is completed and the screen returns to the environment setting main menu (FIG. 19B). In addition, when the light amount adjustment menu is displayed and no operation for light amount adjustment is input, and the predetermined time has elapsed, the environment setting main menu (FIG. 19B) is also returned.
<Relationship between light intensity adjustment and LED drive pattern>

  Next, the relationship between the light amount adjustment as described above and the LED light emission pattern (LED drive pattern) at the time of light amount adjustment will be described. First, in the pachinko gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment, as described above, there is no start winning in the game, the special symbol or the variation of the design symbol is not displayed, or the display during the standby demonstration It is possible to set the environment when the situation is performed. Even in a situation in which such an environment setting is possible, a light output (sound production) of a predetermined music or a light decoration (light) with a predetermined light emission pattern (drive pattern) on the game board 50 or the gaming machine frame 11 is possible. Production).

  Further, in the pachinko gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment, various LEDs emit light patterns (drive patterns) for adjusting the light amount in a situation where the light amount adjustment menu as shown in FIG. It comes to be driven by. Various types of light emission patterns can be employed at this time, and FIG. 35A shows an example of a light emission pattern for adjusting the light amount.

  In FIG. 35A, the horizontal axis represents time (T), and the vertical axis represents the luminance (L) of the LED driven during light amount adjustment. Further, a solid line M in the drawing represents a change in luminance in the light emission pattern for light amount adjustment. Here, the term “luminance” is used to mean the direct brightness of light emitted from an LED, which is a light-emitting component mounted on a substrate. For example, when the LED is driven with a certain light emission pattern, This indicates the ratio (duty ratio) of the LED lighting time in a unit time. On the other hand, the term “light quantity” is used as a general term for the light emitted directly from the LED or the brightness of light visually recognized by a player or the like through an optical element such as a lens or a reflecting mirror.

  In this embodiment, what is changed by the player in the environment setting and indicates the brightness of the visually recognized light is referred to as “light quantity”, and data as the brightness of the light emission pattern is referred to as “luminance”. In other words, “light quantity” can be said to be obtained by multiplying “luminance” by a coefficient corresponding to the set value of the light quantity level set by the player. The relationship of such terms is not limited to this, for example, the relationship between terms is reversed, and what is changed by the player in the environment setting is referred to as “brightness” and is used as the brightness of the light emission pattern. The data can also be referred to as “light quantity”.

  The light emission pattern illustrated in FIG. 35A starts from light emission with high luminance (brightness 5 = duty ratio 100% at the maximum light amount level) as shown on the left side of the figure, and gradually decreases the luminance and turns off. After becoming a state (or low luminance that cannot be visually recognized) (luminance 1 = duty ratio 30% at the maximum light amount level), the luminance is gradually increased to a predetermined luminance (in this case, luminance is about 2). ing. Further, the brightness is lowered again to bring it to a light-off state (or low brightness that cannot be visually recognized) (luminance 1). Here, as a coefficient corresponding to the set value of the light quantity level described above, assuming that the minimum light quantity level is 0.25 (= 25%), the duty ratio at high luminance (brightness 5) shown in FIG. = 100 × 0.25), and the duty ratio at low luminance (luminance 1) is 8% (= 30 × 0.25 * rounded up after the decimal point).

  Then, with such a light emission pattern as one set, while the light amount adjustment is performed (here, while the light amount adjustment menu shown in FIG. 20B is being displayed), the LED driving is looped. Examples can be repeated. In addition, the time required to execute one set of light emission patterns can be set to, for example, about 3 seconds to about 5 seconds.

  In addition, not only such a light emission pattern but a various light emission pattern is employable. For example, as described above, the light emission pattern is not limited to the change in the order from the luminance 5 to the luminance 1, but may be a light emission pattern in which the change in the order from the luminance 1 to the luminance 5 is set as one set. Furthermore, instead of immediately returning to the luminance 5 following the light emission pattern in which the change from the luminance 5 to the luminance 1 is set as one set, it is possible to continue the change in the order of the luminance 1 to the luminance 5 as one set. is there.

  Here, as the light emission pattern for adjusting the amount of light in this embodiment, all the LEDs provided in the game board 50 are controlled to emit light at the same time, and the full color LED is driven to emit light with the brightest white light. The thing is adopted.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, each of the above-described signs (601 to 603) and other movable effect members are also caused to emit light in a predetermined pattern as illustrated in FIG. It is like that.

  That is, the various signs (601 to 603) emit only full-color LEDs (for example, the first full-color LED 643A and the second full-color LED 643B in the upper sign) except for the case where a specific effect is executed. For example, the red LED 644) in the upper sign does not emit light. If it is in the “normal” state where the specific effect is not being executed, the monochromatic LEDs provided in the various signs (601 to 603) are not driven, and when the specific effect is executed. Only a decoration that can be visually recognized (for example, a character string display of “curious” on the upper sign 602 indicating that the degree of expectation of jackpot is high) is concealed.

  However, as described above, when the light amount adjustment menu (FIG. 20B) is displayed and light amount adjustment is possible, all the LEDs such as various indicators (601 to 603) are used for light amount adjustment. It is driven by the pattern. At this time, various signs (601 to 603) are accommodated in the center ornament 64 and do not appear in front of the player, but most of the center ornament 64 is made of a transparent synthetic resin. Various signs (601 to 603) and the like can be partially visually recognized through the transparent portions of the 64 constituent members.

  For this reason, even if various signs (601-603) etc. are made to shine while accommodated in the center decoration 64, at least a part of the light emission can be presented to the player. Similarly, even if there is a colored portion on the center decoration 64, it can be seen from the uncolored portion except for various signs (601 to 603) and the like behind it.

  The light amount level at the time of this light amount adjustment is the light amount level set at that time. For example, in the present embodiment, since the light quantity level is the lowest level 1 in the initial stage, each of the signs (601 to 603) and other parts are at the light quantity level 1 and the above-described light emission pattern (FIG. )) Is repeated.

  Here, taking the above-described upper sign 602 as an example, a red LED 644 (FIG. 25, etc.) that does not emit light during “normal” to conceal the effect when adjusting the amount of light, together with the first full-color LED 643A and the second full-color LED 643B. It is driven by a pattern for adjusting the light amount. The red LED 644 is not driven during the above-described normal state, but when the light amount is adjusted, the middle lens 635 is illuminated with a pattern for adjusting the light amount. It is possible to make adjustments while visually recognizing the actual light amount even for light emitting units that are only used. Further, when the upward key 96a is pressed in this light amount adjustable state, the light amount of the red LED 644 increases from level 1 to level 2, and in a state where the light amount is increased from before the pressing operation, a predetermined pattern is obtained. The light emission in FIG. 35 (a) is performed.

  Note that the modification is not limited to the light amount adjustment in a mode in which all the LEDs including the red LED 644 emit light. For example, in the upper sign 602, all LEDs of the upper sign 602 are turned on simultaneously as an actual game effect. Since there is almost no situation to do, one of the first full-color LED 643A, the second full-color LED 643B, and the red LED 644 may be driven with a light emission pattern for light amount adjustment. Further, the light emission pattern at the time of adjusting the light amount of the first full color LED 643A and the second full color LED 643B is not synchronized with the light emission pattern at the time of adjusting the light amount of the red LED 644. The timing may be varied such as turning off the light and causing the red LED 644 to emit light. Furthermore, not only the upper sign 602 but also other signs (601, 603), it is possible to perform the same control as the upper sign 602 for LEDs related to a plurality of types of light guide plates.

  As described above, when the light quantity is adjusted, the respective indicators (601 to 603) are caused to emit light as in the above-described modification example, thereby making it possible to perform the light quantity adjustment in a state close to an effect that can actually occur. When the illumination control of the single color LED (red LED 644) for a specific effect of each sign (601 to 603) is not performed during the light amount adjustment during the normal time as described above, the player who performs the light amount adjustment The light amount adjustment is performed with reference to the state of a limited specific portion without the opportunity to confirm the light amount of each marker (601 to 603).

  And, for example, if the light quantity is set to the low level (level 1) or medium level (level 2) in the initial stage without confirming the light quantity related to each of the signs (601 to 603), the player finishes the environment setting, After the state of the gaming machine shifts to the state of gaming, when at least one of the signs (601 to 603) appears and the LED drive for a specific performance is performed, the amount of light is not sufficient. It is assumed that the player feels the production unsatisfactory. And, by this, the game preference is not demonstrated as the developer had planned, and the player does not have a positive impression (good impression) for the pachinko gaming machine 10 Is also possible.

  Further, it is possible to consider a case where the light quantity is set to a high level (level 3) with reference to the light quantity of other parts without confirming the actual light quantity relating to each of the labels (601 to 603). For example, after the player has finished setting the environment and the state of the gaming machine has transitioned to the state of gaming, at least one of the signs (601 to 603) appears and LED driving for a specific effect is performed. In the case where it is interrupted, it is assumed that the amount of light is excessive, contrary to the case described above, and that the player feels the performance excessively. And it is also conceivable that the player does not have a positive impression (good impression) for the pachinko gaming machine 10 due to this.

  In particular, for example, each of the signs (601 to 603) is used as a thing with a relatively high expectation of a big hit (so-called determinant) that operates only in the case of a big hit or development to a high expectation reach production. In many cases, the amount of light emitted from the LED at the time of production is greater than that of other movable production members or LEDs provided at other parts of the game board 50. For this reason, the light amount of each marker (601 to 603) cannot be directly referred to when adjusting the light amount, and the light amount adjustment must be performed according to the expectation from the light amounts of other parts. It is not easy to perform, and it is difficult to effectively use the light amount adjustment function.

However, as in this embodiment, the light emission at the time of adjusting the light amount is also performed on each indicator (601 to 603) accommodated in the transparent center decoration 64, so that the light amount is adjusted and the game is being played. The discrepancy with the displacement operation can be suppressed as much as possible, and it is possible to execute an effect that suits the player's preference. Then, it becomes possible to effectively utilize the light amount adjustment function.
<< Cue of the light emission pattern >>

  The LED drive control at the time of light amount adjustment can be performed in various ways. For example, each time an operation of the cross key 96 (in this case, the upward key 96a and the downward key 96b) for adjusting the light intensity is executed, the LED is driven back to the beginning of the light emission pattern (light emission pattern cueing). Is also possible.

  In FIG. 35A, an example of the cueing of such a light emission pattern is shown by a two-dot chain line N. At timing T1 indicated as “start” on the horizontal axis in FIG. 35A, as indicated by the solid line M, light emission of the LED during light amount adjustment is started. In the middle of this light emission pattern, the up key 96a or the down key 96b is operated at a timing (first operation timing) T2 indicated as "first time" in the drawing.

  Then, the light emission pattern is cued at the “first” timing T 2, and as indicated by a two-dot chain line N, light emission of the LED is newly started. Although illustration is omitted, every time there is an input operation thereafter, the light emission pattern is similarly cued, and the light emission drive of the LED is performed from the beginning of the light emission pattern.

  In this way, by performing LED drive control so as to return to the beginning of the light emission pattern each time the level is changed in the light amount adjustment, the operation of the cross key 96 is performed once (one set) in the light emission pattern (for example, 3 Even if it is repeated at a short interval such as several times in about a second), the maximum light quantity at each light quantity level is shown first, which makes it easier for the player to compare the light quantity.

  In other words, in a situation where the brightness changes according to the light emission pattern during light intensity adjustment, if the player does not return the light emission pattern first when adjusting the light intensity, the brightness change in the light emission pattern and the light intensity change due to the player's operation And combine (polymerize). The following problems may occur. For example, when the player increases the amount of light in a situation where the light emission pattern during light amount adjustment increases the luminance (in the middle of a change from luminance 1 to luminance 5), it is more than the player actually adjusted. There is a risk of illusion of increased brightness. For this reason, it is conceivable that the player does not increase the amount of light as originally desired, and suppresses the amount of light more than his / her preference.

  Further, for example, when the player reduces the light amount in a situation where the light emission pattern during the light amount adjustment is reducing the brightness, the brightness becomes lower than that adjusted by the player. For this reason, it is conceivable that the player does not reduce the amount of light as much as he or she originally desires, and increases the amount of light more than his own preference.

  Furthermore, for example, when the player reduces the light amount in a situation where the light emission pattern during light amount adjustment is increasing in brightness, the brightness does not decrease as much as the player assumes. In addition, when the player increases the light amount in the situation where the light emission pattern during light amount adjustment is decreasing, the brightness does not increase as expected by the player. In these cases, the player makes excessive adjustments, and the effect is too bright or too dark during the game.

  In addition, for example, when a player tries to adjust the light amount when the light emission pattern for light amount adjustment reaches the minimum luminance or when the light emission pattern reaches the maximum luminance, it takes time to reach the desired luminance. It is necessary to wait for the passage of time, and the time required for adjusting the amount of light becomes longer accordingly.

  In this way, when the cueing of the light emission pattern accompanying the change in the light intensity level of the light intensity adjustment is not performed, the change in the luminance in the light emission pattern and the change in the light intensity due to the player's operation are combined (superposed), Only the adjustment operation does not determine the absolute brightness, and the light amount adjustment may not be easy. However, as described above, the driving pattern is returned to the beginning every time the light amount change operation is performed (ie, cueing), so that even if the light amount adjustment operation is performed a plurality of times at short intervals, the player The light amount can be adjusted under the condition that the mode of change is constant. Then, each time the light amount adjustment operation is performed, the brightness can be confirmed while adjusting the luminance change mode to the same condition. As a result, even when the luminance in the light emission pattern changes, the player can easily adjust the light amount to his / her preference. .

  It should be noted that each time the light level change operation is performed, the light emission pattern is not limited to cueing every time. For example, the amount of light can be adjusted by combining the case where cueing is performed and the case where cueing is not performed. May be. Specifically, in the first light amount changing operation (first operation) or the operation in the period from the start of the light emission pattern to T2, the head is returned to the beginning of the light emission pattern (FIG. 35A). The middle two-dot chain line N) can be exemplified such that the cueing is not performed at the second or later light quantity change operation or at the timing after T2.

  When the cue of the light emission pattern is not performed, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 35 (a), the head uses the light amount set by the player through the first light amount adjustment operation (timing T2). The brightness of the effect is confirmed from the beginning of the emitted light emission pattern (two-dot chain line N), and then, for example, at a stage where the brightness falls to between 4 and 3 (about 3.5 brightness) (timing T3). An operation (second operation) for further adjustment is performed. At this time, the light emission pattern is not cued and the light emission in the pattern cued during the first operation is continued.

  In this way, for example, when the player wants to check the brightness of the effect at the luminance (for example, luminance 2) that reaches the middle of the light emission pattern, the first light emission pattern that has been cued is found. It is not necessary to wait for the passage of time until the brightness 2 is reached. And it can be made to reach | attain a desired brightness | luminance rapidly, and it becomes possible to perform light quantity adjustment in the aspect which a player desires in a short time.

In addition, regarding the light emission pattern at the time of adjusting the amount of light, it is conceivable that the light emission of a certain luminance is continued without changing the luminance sequentially (not shown). By doing in this way, it can prevent that light quantity adjustment will become difficult depending on the strength of a light emission pattern and the timing of light quantity switching.
<Moving effect members other than each sign>

  In addition to LED driving for each indicator (601 to 603), LEDs (not shown) provided in other movable effect members have a predetermined light emission pattern (such as FIG. 35 (a)) at the time of light amount adjustment. It is possible to emit light or to apply the light amount adjustment control mode described so far. FIG. 34 shows a state in which the left movable effect member 604 and the right movable effect member 605 described above are operated as an example of the movable effect members other than the signs (601 to 603). The left movable effect member 604 and the right movable effect member 605 are housed in the left and right parts of the center ornament 64 in a normal state when not in operation, and the light emitting part is not visible from the front. Yes.

  Examples of such effects using the left movable effect member 604 and the right movable effect member 605 include the following. For example, when the operation button 22 is pressed down by the player in a situation where the above-described button effect is being executed, any one of the left movable effect member 604 and the right movable effect member 605 is replaced with the center decoration 64. May appear at a predetermined position on the front surface of the effect display device 60. These left movable effect member 604 and right movable effect member 605 have larger outer dimensions than the aforementioned signs (601 to 603).

  For this reason, if the left movable effect member 604 and the right movable effect member 605 appear at the same timing, the left movable effect member 604 and the right movable effect member 605 may interfere with each other on the front surface of the effect display device 60. is there. Further, even when the left movable effect member 604 and the right movable effect member 605 are made to appear in order with a time difference, depending on the order and timing, the size and positional relationship may cause interference. It has become. Here, FIG. 34 shows a state in which the left movable effect member 604 and the right movable effect member 605 appear in the order and timing so that interference does not occur.

  Although not shown, the movable effect members 604 and 605 are not activated in the left movable effect member unit that supports the left movable effect member 604 and the left movable effect member unit that supports the right movable effect member 605. A position sensor for detecting whether or not it is present at the standby position (initial position) at the time, a position sensor for detecting whether or not it is present at a predetermined appearance position (operation position) at the time of production, etc. It has been.

  Further, a large number of LEDs are also mounted on the left movable effect member 604 and the right movable effect member 605, and the LEDs are driven in a predetermined pattern during the effect. Further, not only at the time of production, but also at the time of light amount adjustment during a game standby demonstration, the LED is driven with a predetermined light emission pattern for light amount adjustment. At the time of adjusting the light amount, the left movable effect member 604 and the right movable effect member 605 operate to appear in front of the effect display device 60 as shown in FIG. By doing in this way, the player can perform light quantity adjustment assuming light emission at the time of production of the left movable production member 604 and the right movable production member 605.

  Here, the appearance position (stop position) of the left movable effect member 604 and the right movable effect member 605 at the time of light amount adjustment may be a position where the player can visually observe the LED drive pattern. If there is no movable production member that has an interference relationship during operation, the same position control as at the production can be performed by making the appearance position at the time of adjusting the light amount the same as the appearance position at the production time. There is no need to separately provide a position sensor for adjusting the amount of light, an operation pattern, or the like. When the position control of the left movable effect member 604 and the right movable effect member 605 for adjusting the amount of light is performed only with the drive pattern that operates to the visible position, it is not necessary to separately provide an intermediate position sensor or the like. This can be done at low cost.

  In addition to the left movable effect member 604, the right movable effect member 605, and the signs (601 to 603), a movable effect member may be provided. Also, when adjusting the amount of light, the player can only see what is provided with the LED or related to the light effect. Of these, examples of “things related to the light effect” include those that do not emit light, but have a function of reflecting light emitted by other movable effect members including LEDs. . In addition, as described above, even when in the standby position accommodated in the center ornament 64, for example, if it can be visually observed that light is emitted through a transparent portion of the center ornament 64, it is not necessarily displayed when adjusting the light amount. There is no need to let them.

  Further, in the case where a plurality of movable effect members interfere, such as the left movable effect member 604 and the right movable effect member 605 described above, for example, only one (part) may appear. . In this case, for example, a high-priority movable directing member (so-called decisive character or the like) that is used in a relatively high expectation for a big hit or a special reach (development reach, etc.) is introduced, It is conceivable that a movable performance member with low expectation and low priority will not appear. Note that the “movable effect member with low priority” is, for example, the one that appears only in the above-described pseudo-continuous notice, or when the expectation of the big hit is relatively high, and operates only with other movable effect members. Examples that do not.

Further, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a plurality of movable effect members can be switched at predetermined intervals to appear. In this case, for example, first, one predetermined movable effect member is moved to the effect position, and the LED of the movable effect member that has appeared is caused to emit light, and light emission is continued for a predetermined time (for example, about 6 seconds). Then, it is conceivable that the movable effect member is returned to the original standby position and another movable effect member is introduced to perform similar light emission control.
<Selecting the light adjustment target>

  Furthermore, as another example, the player may be able to select a movable effect member that can adjust the amount of light. In this case, for example, the light amount adjustment menu is displayed as shown in FIG. 20B, and the right and left direction keys 96c and 96d are operated in a state where the light amount adjustment is confirmed, and the movable effect member is moved. Enable selection sequentially. Then, it is conceivable to operate the up and down direction keys 96a and 96b to adjust the light amount for the selected movable effect member.

  The light amount adjustment may be performed for each effect device. Here, the “production device” is capable of producing an effect using LEDs, such as the game board 50, the center decoration 64, the special prize opening device 90, in addition to the movable production members (601 to 605). It means gaming equipment. In addition, these production devices are used for production with relatively high frequency, such as simply expecting the development of production, operating during pseudo-continuous notice, or in case of big hit There are things that have a relatively high expectation of big hits (so-called determinants) that only work.

  And for an effect device that performs light effects with a relatively high frequency, the player wants to reduce the amount of light, but for an effect device that performs light effects with a relatively low frequency, the player wants to emit light with a sufficient amount of light. In order to meet the needs, it is conceivable that the amount of light can be changed for each effect device as described above. Further, in this case, it is conceivable that the player can select an effect device capable of adjusting the amount of light using the cross key 96 or the like. In addition, when changing light quantity adjustment for every production | presentation apparatus in this way, it is necessary to provide the memory area which memorize | stores the light quantity level with respect to each production | presentation apparatus. In addition, when the light level is adjusted for each effect device, the coefficient value according to the light amount level described above is not common to all effect devices, and coefficient value data is held for each effect device. By setting, it is possible to correct the difference in the attenuation rate of the light amount due to the configuration of the diffusing member or the like provided in the effect member.

  Further, for example, as shown by drawing two dash-dot lines orthogonal to FIG. 35 (b), the game area 52 is divided into a plurality of divided areas P1 to P4 so that the light amount can be adjusted for each divided area. It can also be considered. In this case, it is conceivable to shine with a predetermined light emission pattern (for example, a common light emission pattern) for each divided area. Further, in order to do this, a signal (light emission signal) for driving light emission from the sub-main CPU 521 (FIG. 4) is switched to the output port (528) corresponding to each divided area to each divided area. It is possible to output the output.

  In this way, when the light amount can be adjusted for each of the divided areas P1 to P4, or when the light amount can be adjusted for each effect device as described above, a plurality of types of light emission patterns at the time of adjusting the light amount are provided and divided. The light emission pattern may be varied depending on the area, the type of the production device, or the type of the movable production member. In FIG. 35B, the upper sign 602 is arranged across all of the divided areas P1 to P4. For example, the upper sign 602 is assumed to belong to one specific divided area (for example, P1). It is possible to perform light emission control.

  In addition, the divisions other than the divided area and the effect device that are adjusting the light amount are caused to emit light in parallel during the transition period such as during the standby demonstration, and the light amount adjustment is performed while referring to the light emission of the other divided areas and the effect device. The light amount may be adjusted. And if it does in this way, a player will be able to perform the light quantity adjustment of a target location, observing what kind of aspect the other division area and direction production device are shining.

  Furthermore, when the light amount can be adjusted for each of the divided areas P1 to P4, or when the light amount can be adjusted for each effect device as described above, the light amounts for all the effect devices can be changed at once. It is also possible. In that case, for example, the following light quantity adjustment modes can be considered. First, as a first light quantity adjustment mode, when the light quantity level of each divided area or effect device is relatively increased or decreased from the current setting and reaches the maximum level (MAX) or the minimum level (MIN), the same direction is reached. Even if an operation (increase operation or decrease operation) is performed, the light amount level does not change and is fixed.

  Subsequently, as a second light quantity adjustment mode, the light quantity levels of all the divided areas and the effect devices are changed to predetermined values in the first operation. In the second and subsequent operations, the light quantity level corresponding to the operation is set for all the divided areas and the effect devices. The “predetermined value” for the first operation may always be set to a constant light amount. As the “always constant light amount” at the time of the first operation, the maximum (MAX) set value, the minimum (MIN) set value, MAX among the current settings (settings at that time) among all the divided areas or effect devices. Examples of the setting value (or MIN or intermediate), the current setting value of the effect device serving as a reference, and the setting value (standard value) determined in advance on the game hall side can be exemplified.

In addition, when the amount of light can be changed for each divided area or each production device, the required operation mode can be easily changed depending on the number of operations. For example, in the first operation (first operation), the light amount is changed by continuous pressing (long pressing) for a predetermined time or longer, and in the second and subsequent times, the light amount is changed without long pressing. By doing in this way, for example, the divisional area that the player does not aim at or the setting value of the production device is changed at the first operation, or the individually set one is changed to a uniform light amount It is possible to prevent problems caused by erroneous operations. Note that the light amount can be changed by, for example, two short-time operations instead of the long press at the first operation.
<Light emission color when adjusting light intensity>

  Moreover, it is also possible to unify the luminescent color at the time of light quantity adjustment into a predetermined color (single color or single color). Examples of the predetermined color include white and red. And when it is set to white, it is thought that adjustment is possible with the light which a player feels brightest. In addition, the red light emission color used in automobile brake lights (brake lamps) is generally said to have a long visible distance, and if it is red, the surrounding environment in the amusement hall, etc. It is considered that the player has little influence and is easy to visually recognize.

  Furthermore, in examining the light emission mode such as the light emission color and the light emission pattern at the time of adjusting the light amount, it is desirable to consider the relationship with the LED light emission mode in error notification. That is, if the light emission mode at the time of light amount adjustment and the light emission mode of error notification are the same or similar, if an error notification is made during light amount adjustment, a player or a game shop clerk There is a risk that it may be difficult to recognize that the light is being generated, or that the light emission for adjusting the light amount may be mistaken for an error.

For this reason, it is conceivable that the light emission color or light emission pattern at the time of light intensity adjustment by light emission in the red system is different from the light emission color or light emission pattern related to error notification. For example, it is conceivable to use a light amount adjustment light emission pattern that does not include luminance 0 in order to prevent the light emission color at the time of light amount adjustment from being close to orange or to be mistaken for blinking as used for error notification. Further, regarding the error notification, for example, the light emission mode on the game board 50 and the light emission mode on the gaming machine frame 11 are considered separately, and the light emission mode related to the light amount adjustment is made different from the light emission mode of the game board 50. It is conceivable that the light emission mode in the machine casing 11 does not have to be different. In this way, by making the light emission mode related to the light amount adjustment different from the light emission mode related to the error notification of other parts, it is possible to prevent a situation where the error notification light emission mode is confused with the light amount adjustment light emission mode. it can.
<Change of return order of movable effect members>

  Next, an interference prevention measure for smoothly operating a plurality of movable effect members when operating the movable effect member will be described. When the movable effect member is initialized when the pachinko gaming machine 10 is turned on, the order of the operations is determined for the plurality of movable effect members. For example, when the power is turned on, first, after an operation of returning each movable effect member to the initial position in a predetermined order is performed, the sub main CPU 521 performs the target in the maximum movable range determined for each movable effect member. The outputs of all the position sensors are confirmed, and it is determined whether or not the movable effect member has normally initialized. If an error is detected during the game or during the initialization operation, the initialization operation is executed from the beginning, but a predetermined process is sequentially performed according to the content of the error, and the error is detected. Control to return from the state to the normal state is performed.

  For example, it is assumed that a procedure for initializing in order of the lower left sign 601, the upper sign 602, the left movable effect member 604, the right movable effect member 605, and the lower right movable effect member is defined. It is assumed that the upper sign 602 and the left movable effect member 604, or the left movable effect member 604 and the right movable effect member 605 may interfere with each other when operated at the same time.

  In such a situation, operation control is performed to return to the initial position in the order of the lower left sign 601, the upper sign 602, the left movable effect member 604, and the other movable effect members. If an error is detected for the upper sign 602, there is a possibility of interference between the upper sign 602 and the left movable effect member 604. Therefore, the left movable effect member 604 interferes as a factor that the upper sign cannot return to the initial position. Therefore, the motion control for returning the left movable effect member 604 to the initial position is performed first without performing the motion control for returning the upper sign 602 to the initial position. That is, basically, the operation control is to be performed in the order of the upper sign 602 and the left movable effect member 604, but depending on the situation, the order is changed, and the operation control of the left movable effect member 604 is performed first. It has become. In addition, here, there is a possibility that the left movable effect member 604 and the right movable effect member 605 may interfere with each other, so that the operation control of the right movable effect member 605 may be performed before the left movable effect member 604.

When a plurality of movable effect members are provided as in the present embodiment, an error relating to the movable effect member does not always occur in a constant manner, and a mode of operation for returning from the error state to the normal state is one way. Then, it may take a lot of time to resolve the error, or it may not be able to resolve the error automatically, and it may be necessary for the store clerk of the amusement hall to manually house the movable production member in the center decoration. It is done. Therefore, as described above, the initialization operation can be performed quickly by changing the order of the operation control according to the situation.
<Various aspects related to the time when the amount of light can be adjusted>

  As described above, in the pachinko gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment, the start winning prize is not generated in the game, the special symbols and the production symbols are not displayed in a variable manner, and the display during the standby demonstration is performed. The environment can be set in situations where it is difficult. When the environment can be set, the volume can be adjusted and the light intensity can be adjusted. However, for certain types of environment settings such as volume adjustment, special symbols and effects can be changed. It can be done even while playing.

  However, not only the volume adjustment but also the light amount adjustment can be made during a game such as during a special symbol or effect symbol variation display. In such a case, it is useful to consider the relationship between the light amount adjustment menu (FIG. 20B) and the production symbol 190 (FIGS. 7A and 7B). In other words, it is necessary to prevent the effect design 190 from becoming difficult to visually recognize by superimposing and displaying the light amount adjustment menu, and several measures can be considered as countermeasures therefor.

  First, it is conceivable to adjust the light amount only for a predetermined period from the start of the fluctuation of the effect pattern 190. The “predetermined period” here refers to the period from the start of fluctuation of the production symbol 190 to the middle speed fluctuation of the production symbol that first stops (including provisional stop) after high-speed fluctuation and the start of low-speed fluctuation. Can be included. Furthermore, during such a “predetermined period”, the light amount adjustment menu can be superimposed on the entire display area of the effect symbol 190 so that the effect symbol 190 is hidden behind the light amount adjustment menu. Further, it is conceivable that the transparency (transmittance) and the arrangement related to at least a part of the image in the light amount adjustment menu are determined so that the effect design 190 can be visually recognized.

It is also possible to set the time when the amount of light can be adjusted at other times. For example, at the time of a big hit start demo related to the occurrence of a big hit, at the time of opening a big prize opening, at the time of closing the big prize opening, at the time of winning end demonstration, at the end of the big hit end demo, etc. Various commands transmitted at various timings as described above from the main substrate 102 can be used in order for the sub-main substrate 301 to recognize that these periods are satisfied. In addition, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is conceivable that the light amount can be adjusted while a minor error occurs (such as when the glass door is opened).
<< Direction using other types of movable effect members >>

  It is also possible to use a movable effect member other than the aforementioned movable effect members (601 to 605). For example, a movable effect member (drum unit) in which a plurality of rotating drums (reels) are arranged in a predetermined arrangement (such as 2 rows and 2 columns) is used as one of the movable effect members. Can be used. Then, the rotation of each rotating drum is individually controlled, and when the stop (including the temporary stop), characters, symbols, etc. arranged on the drum constitute a predetermined combination, the effect develops. Can be illustrated. An example of the arrangement location of such a drum unit is the upper part of the effect display device 60. Furthermore, it is possible to produce an effect such that the drum unit descends from the upper part of the effect display device 60 to the central part in a predetermined case.

  Also, different types of movable effect members are arranged at the front and rear, a movable effect member formed of a light-transmitting material is arranged in the front (side closer to the player), and the back through the front movable effect member It is possible to visually recognize the operation of the movable effect member.

  Further, as another aspect of the effect using the movable effect member, a plurality of (for example, two) small display bodies as described above are provided, and the plurality of display bodies are at least one of the vertical direction, the horizontal direction, and the diagonal direction. It is possible to combine them so that they are adjacent in one direction. More specifically, for example, two rectangular display bodies are supported so as to be able to swing left and right around an axis extending in the front-rear direction. Then, the respective display bodies are arranged above and below the display area 194 of the effect display device 60 (may be left and right).

  Further, when a predetermined effect is executed, the upper display body is lowered and the lower display body is raised so that each display body approaches the front of the display area 194. Then, the lower side of the upper display body and the upper side of the lower display body are horizontally and parallelly opposed to each other so that both display bodies are adjacent to each other in the vertical direction. Then, a predetermined effect display is performed on each display body, and an effect by a combination of two display bodies is executed.

When other predetermined effects are executed, the angle of the upper and lower display bodies is changed, and the posture of each display body is changed from a horizontal state with the screen facing the front, for example, a slant that rises to the left Change to the state. In other words, the upper side and the lower side of each rectangular display body are in an upwardly inclined state, and accordingly, the left side and the right side of each display body are in an upwardly inclined state. Then, both display bodies are moved so as to approach each other in front of the display area 194, and the lower side of the upper display body and the upper side of the lower display body are opposed diagonally and in parallel, so that both display bodies are moved up and down. Adjacent.
<Basic effects of the invention according to the present embodiment>

  As described above, according to the pachinko gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment, each sign is displayed during a transition period (such as a period during which the environment setting main menu is displayed) during which transition to a state in which the light amount can be adjusted is possible. When the LED does not emit light in (601 to 603) or the like and shifts from the transitionable period to a changeable period in which the light amount can be adjusted (such as a period during which the light amount adjustment menu is displayed), the LED is caused to emit light. And about the production | presentation apparatus provided with the light emission production | presentation part which can be visually recognized only when a specific production is performed, the light emission aspect of the light emission production | generation part used for a specific production is displayed so that visual recognition is possible. Therefore, it is possible to perform light amount adjustment while confirming the light emission mode even for the light emitting portion of the movable effect member that is normally hidden.

When the light amount adjustment is performed without presenting the light amount of the movable effect member that is not normally viewed to the player, when the effect during the game is performed, the player's preference and the light amount in the effect are Although a mismatch may occur, according to the pachinko gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent such a mismatch from occurring, and it is possible to appropriately set the environment setting related to the light emission effect.
<Non-emission control during light intensity adjustment>

  In the above-described embodiments, the normally hidden signs (601 to 603) are lit at the time of light amount adjustment. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, at the time of light amount adjustment by a player during a game hall business, It is possible not to shine these movable effect members. In such a case, the light amount adjustment is performed while the predetermined movable effect member is in the extinguished state. And it can prevent that the light effect which is shown to a player only when it is limited like the light guide plate effect is known to the player at the time of light amount adjustment.

  In the case where the movable effect member (various light guide plates for the light guide plate effect of each of the signs 601 to 603) is not caused to emit light in the light amount adjustment based on the player's operation, the game table manager such as a game shop clerk. However, it may be difficult to confirm whether or not each effect device can normally operate (light emission effect). In other words, unless the game table manager continues to fluctuate the gaming machine until a specific effect is actually produced, the issue operation of each effect device cannot be confirmed. For this reason, for example, a gaming table on the game store side that can be shifted only by a predetermined special operation such as an operation of pressing the operation button 22 with the glass door 15 (FIG. 1) opened. It is conceivable to separately provide a management state (production member operation confirmation mode) or the like. It is preferable that the light quantity can be adjusted in this gaming store side game machine management state, and the movable effect member that does not emit light when adjusting the light quantity of the above-mentioned player is preferably designed to emit light.

<Control of color reduction by adjusting the amount of light>

  Further, it is conceivable to reduce not only the amount of light but also the number of types of emitted colors by adjusting the amount of light. For example, LEDs arranged in a predetermined range (the entire game board, a predetermined rendering device, a predetermined region, etc.) are driven with the same light emission pattern used in a predetermined performance, but adjusted by the player It can be considered that when the light amount level is equal to or less than a predetermined value (level 2 or the like), the number of patterns of the light emission color is reduced as compared with the production time.

  During normal performance (when the light intensity level is greater than a predetermined value), light emission control using various colors such as red, blue, and green is performed. When the light intensity is adjusted to a predetermined value or less, blue is controlled. The (and green) light emission is omitted without being performed, and only red and green (or red) light emission is performed in the same manner as the red light emission at the time of production. By doing in this way, it becomes possible for a player who is not good at producing a large number of colors to perform a light emitting effect in a light emitting mode that suits his taste. And while suppressing the visual irritation | stimulation to the player at the time of light quantity adjustment, when it does not perform blue light emission, it becomes possible to cut blue light with a big influence on fatigue | exhaustion of eyes.

  Also, not limited to this, for example, among the light emission patterns that are different for each production device and each part used at the time of production, some light emission patterns are used when adjusting the light quantity (when the light quantity level is set to a predetermined value or less). It is also possible to reduce the number of light emission patterns without performing LED driving (for example, not using a pattern that blinks quickly in a short time). Further, both the color type and the light emission pattern type may be reduced during the light amount adjustment. In addition to turning off one of the three primary colors of the full-color LED, when the light level becomes a predetermined value or less, the luminance levels in the light emission patterns of the red, blue, and green light sources are made uniform so that only white There is also a method of reducing the number of emission colors by emitting light.

  Further, in the above example, the number of types of colors and the number of types of light emission patterns can be changed in accordance with setting the light amount level to a predetermined value or less. It may be possible to set the number of types of light emission patterns. By doing so, it is possible to meet the player's needs that the color flicker is not good, but the brightness is good.

Further, in the above-described embodiments, the mode of emitting light in a single color such as white light or light emission of red color is exemplified at the time of adjusting the light amount, but when the number of colors is changed in accordance with the adjustment of the light amount level. Configures a light emission pattern for adjusting the amount of light so that it can emit light in multiple colors even during light amount adjustment, and changes to light emission in a single color based on the light amount level becoming a predetermined value or less, reducing the number of colors It may be designed to be visible as described above.
<Other embodiments>

  The present invention is not limited to the various embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made. For example, the present invention relates to a pachinko gaming machine in which a game ball as a game medium acquired by a player is directly paid out to the player as described above so that the player can touch the prize ball. For example, the present invention can also be applied to a sealed circulation pachinko game machine (management game machine) that circulates and uses game balls inside a game machine. Further, as the enclosed circulation type pachinko gaming machine, one capable of electromagnetically recording the entering and exiting of the game medium can be exemplified.

  The present invention also includes a plurality of reels on which a predetermined number of symbols are arranged, controls the start and stop of rotation of the reels based on the player's operation, and plays games such as game medals according to the winning combination The present invention can also be applied to a slot machine (rotating-type game machine) that performs medium discharge (including storage in a storage device). Furthermore, the present invention can be applied to, for example, a casino machine installed in a casino facility.

10 Pachinko machines, 50 game boards, 52 game areas, 53 main control display devices,
62 first start winning opening, 63 second starting winning opening, 70 first special symbol display section,
71 Second special symbol display section, 90 grand prize opening device, 102 main board,
104 Sub board, 301 Sub main board, 302 Sub sub board, 601 Lower left sign,
602 upper sign, 603 lower right sign, 632 inner lens, 635 middle lens,
636 Light guide cover.

Claims (1)

Main control means for controlling the progress of the game;
Effect control means for receiving effect control information from the main control means and performing control processing according to the effect control information;
A light emission effect means having a light emission effect part for enabling the visual recognition of the light emission effect only when executing a specific effect;
A game effect lamp capable of executing a light emission effect even in a situation other than the specific effect execution, and capable of executing the light emission effect in a plurality of light emission colors;
An operation means that can be operated by a player to change the light amount of the light emission effect,
The light-emitting effect unit uses a light guide plate,
The production control means includes
In the transition possible period in which the transition to a state in which the amount of light emission effect can be changed is possible, the light emission effect part is not caused to emit light,
Control is performed so that the game effect lamp emits light in the light-emission mode of the changeable period while the light-emission effect part does not emit light when the light-emission effect light quantity is changed from the changeable period to the changeable period. And
The gaming machine is characterized in that the light emission mode of the changeable period of the game effect lamp is a light emission mode unified to a predetermined light emission color.

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