JP6744595B2 - Amusement machine - Google Patents

Description

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

As a kind of gaming machine, for example, a pachinko machine equipped with a variable display device for displaying a variable display of symbols is known.

In the pachinko machine, for example, in response to the game ball entering the starting opening, the winning lottery is carried out, and the symbols are variably displayed on the variable display device, and after a predetermined time has elapsed, the symbols are stopped in a manner based on the lottery result. Is stopped. Here, if the lottery result is a win, the symbols that have been variably displayed are stopped in a specific combination, and a win condition advantageous for the player occurs.

Further, in recent years, various display effects have come to be performed on variable display devices in addition to variable display of symbols. For example, in the previous stage where the vehicle is stopped in the specific combination, a so-called reach state is established, and various display effects are performed during this period (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP, 2003-111930, A

However, the game effect becomes monotonous only with the conventional display effect, which may cause a decrease in the interest of the player.

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

In order to achieve the above object, the gaming machine according to the present invention,
A gaming machine that performs a lottery based on a predetermined trigger and gives a special game state advantageous to a player when a winning result is obtained by the lottery,
Display means capable of displaying the identification information in a variable manner,
A holding means capable of holding the variable display a predetermined number of times,
Hold display means capable of displaying the hold a predetermined number of times,
Operation means that can be operated by the player,
When a predetermined condition is satisfied, based on the fact to operate the operating means to the player, and a viable demonstration execution means predetermined effect,
Depending on the content of the hold, the display mode of the hold display means is changed in a manner that allows the player to recognize that the operation means is operated in a predetermined manner, and the ratio at which the predetermined effect is executed is changed the Rukoto to have as its gist.

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

It is a front view showing a pachinko machine in one embodiment. It is a perspective view showing a pachinko machine. It is a perspective view showing the state where the inner frame and the front frame set were opened. It is a front view showing a configuration of an inner frame, a game board and the like. It is a rear view which shows the structure of a pachinko machine. It is a perspective view showing a state where an inner frame, a back pack unit, and the like are opened. It is a block diagram which shows the main electric constitutions of a pachinko machine. It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline of various counters used for game control. It is a flow chart which shows the main processing by the main control unit. It is a flow chart which shows the normal processing by the main control unit. It is a flowchart which shows a timer interruption process. It is a flow chart which shows NMI interruption processing. It is a flowchart showing a start winning process. It is a flow chart which shows jackpot determination processing. It is a flowchart showing a jackpot type determination process. It is a flowchart which shows a variable display setting process. (A) is a figure for demonstrating the correspondence of a fluctuation pattern and its command, (b) is a figure for demonstrating the effect pattern determination table for jackpot winning, (c) is, It is the figure in order to explain the production pattern decision table for the time of defeat. It is a flow chart which shows display control processing. It is a flowchart which shows a discrimination information setting process. It is a flowchart showing a variable winning device control process. It is a flow chart which shows reception interruption processing. It is a flow chart which shows the main processing of a payment control device. It is a flowchart which shows a timer interruption process. It is a flow chart which shows command judgment processing. It is a flowchart which shows the normal process of a sub-control apparatus. It is a flow chart which shows command judgment processing. It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline of various counters used for the determination of the content which concerns on the variable display of a decorative design. It is a flow chart which shows update processing of a deviation symbol counter. It is a flowchart which shows a variable display setting process. It is a flowchart which shows a mode switching setting process. It is a flow chart which shows reservation display setting processing. It is the flowchart which shows production processing. (A) is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the variable display mode etc. of the symbol on the display part of a decorative symbol display device, (b) is a schematic diagram which shows one mode example of a normal hold display, (c) [Fig. 6] is a schematic view showing an example of a mode at the time of changing the hold display. It is a front view of the production device. It is a figure for demonstrating the correspondence of the pending images T1-T8 changed and each reach.

As described above, as a type of gaming machine, for example, a pachinko machine equipped with a variable display device that variably displays symbols is known.

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

Further, in recent years, various display effects have come to be performed on variable display devices in addition to variable display of symbols. For example, in the previous stage where the vehicle is stopped in the specific combination, a so-called reach state is established, and various display effects are performed during this period (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

However, the game effect becomes monotonous only with the conventional display effect, which may cause a decrease in the interest of the player.

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

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a pachinko gaming machine (hereinafter, simply referred to as "pachinko machine") will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Here, FIG. 1 is a front view of the pachinko machine 10, FIG. 2 is a perspective view, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which the inner frame 12 and the front frame set 14 are opened. FIG. 4 is a front view showing the configuration of the inner frame 12, the game board 30, and the like. FIG. 5 is a rear view of the pachinko machine 10, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state where the inner frame 12, the back pack unit 203 and the like are opened. However, in FIG. 3, for the sake of convenience, nails and accessories provided on the surface of the game board 30 and the glass unit 137 attached to the front frame set 14 and the like are omitted.

As shown in FIG. 3 and the like, the pachinko machine 10 includes an outer frame 11 that forms the outer shell of the pachinko machine 10, and an inner frame 12 is openably and closably supported on one side of the outer frame 11. ..

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

An upper hinge 81 and a lower hinge 82 are attached to the upper and lower ends of the left side frame component 11c (see FIG. 1). The upper hinge 81 and the lower hinge 82 rotatably support the upper and lower parts of the inner frame 12, and thereby the inner frame 12 can be opened and closed. Then, the inner frame 12 and the like are housed in the space formed inside the outer frame 11.

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

Further, a resin curtain plate decoration 87 is attached to the lower frame forming portion 11b. A rib 88 protruding upward is integrally formed on the inner surface of the top of the curtain plate ornament 87. This makes it difficult to form a gap with the inner frame 12.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Further, a light emitting means such as various lamps is provided around the front surface of the front frame set 14. These light emitting means play a role of enhancing the effect during the game by controlling the light emitting mode such as lighting and blinking according to the change of the game state at the time of a big hit or a predetermined reach. For example, a frame lamp 102 including a light emitting means such as an LED is provided on the periphery of the window portion 101. Further, on both sides of the frame lamp 102, an error display lamp 104 which is turned on when a predetermined error occurs is provided. It should be noted that, in the frame lamp 102, above the error display lamps 104, a large number of fine through holes are formed corresponding to the speaker SP (see FIG. 3) as the sound output means provided on the back surface of the front frame set 14. Has been done.

A glass unit 137 is attached to the back side of the front frame set 14. The glass unit 137 is not a conventional pair of front and rear rectangular plate glasses that are separately attached in front and back, but has a round shape as a whole and is assembled and then attached.

Next, the inner frame 12 (resin base 38) will be described with reference to FIG. As described above, the game board 30 is attached to the inner frame 12 (resin base 38) at the rear side of the window hole 39. The game board 30 is attached such that its peripheral edge is in contact with the back side of the inner frame 12 (resin base 38). Therefore, the substantially central portion of the front surface portion of the game board 30 is exposed to the front surface side of the inner frame 12 through the window hole 39 of the resin base 38.

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

Next, the configuration of the game board 30 will be described with reference to FIG. On the game board 30, a general winning opening 31, a variable winning device 32, a central starting opening 33, a right starting opening 34, a variable display device unit 35, a first special display device 43L, a second special display device 43R, etc. are processed by a router. It is arranged in the formed through hole and is attached from the front side of the game board 30 with wood screws or the like. As is well known, when a game ball enters (wins) various prize holes such as a general prize hole 31, a variable prize device 32, a central starting hole 33, and a right starting hole 34, it is detected by various detection switches and the upper plate 19 (or A predetermined number of prize balls are paid out to the lower plate 15). For example, if there is a ball entering the central starting opening 33 or the right starting opening 34, 3 balls are entered, if there is a ball entering the general winning opening 31, 10 balls are entered, and the variable winning device 32 is entered. If there is, 15 game balls are paid out to the upper plate 19 (lower plate 15). In addition, the game board 30 is provided with an outlet 36, and the game balls that have not won various winning openings such as the general winning opening 31 are discharged to the outside of the game area through the outlet 36. .. Further, on the game board 30, a large number of nails are implanted in order to appropriately disperse and adjust the falling direction of the game balls, and various members (features) such as a wind turbine are provided.

As will be described later in detail, the central starting opening 33 and the right starting opening 34 are provided with a first starting winning switch 224 and a second starting winning switch 225 as entering detecting means for detecting the entered game balls, respectively. Therefore, when a game ball is detected by the starting winning award switches 224 and 225, a win/win lottery for whether or not to generate a jackpot state is performed, and special display devices 43L and 43R (and decorative symbol display described later). The device 42) is configured to perform variable display. Then, in the case of winning in the win/no win lottery, the jackpot state (special game state) is given.

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

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

The first and second special display devices 43L and 43R are composed of 7-segment display devices and are installed on the right side of the variable winning device 32. Then, the switching display (variable display) is performed on the first special display device 43L triggered by the entry of the game ball into the central starting port 33, and the second display is triggered by the entry of the game ball into the right starting port 34. Switching display (variable display) is performed on the special display device 43R. The display contents of the special display devices 43L and 43R are directly controlled by the main control device 261 described later.

In addition, after the variable display is performed on the first and second special display devices 43L and 43R, whether or not a big hit is definitely displayed is displayed by the display mode (for example, characters) when the variable display is stopped. It For example, when a game ball is won in the central starting port 33, the corresponding first special display device 43L is at a high speed such as “−”→“7”→“3”→“−”→. Switching display (variable display) is performed (every 4 msec), and when a predetermined time elapses, either display mode is stopped and displayed (for example, stopped for several seconds). When the big hit lottery is won, either "7" or "3" is displayed when the fluctuation is stopped, and the big hit state occurs.

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

In addition, in either one of the first special display device 43L or the second special display device 43R, when the variable display or the determination display is performed, the other is in the off state ("-" is displayed. However, when the variable display and the determination display are not performed in either case, “−” is displayed in each case. Not limited to this, other configurations may be adopted. For example, when the variable display or the determination display is being performed on either the first special display device 43L or the second special display device 43R, the content that was previously stopped and displayed (for example, "3" last time was stopped) is displayed on the other. When it is displayed, the relevant “3”) is displayed as it is, and when the variable display and the determination display are not performed in either of them, the contents that were previously stopped and displayed in both are displayed as they are. It may be configured.

In addition, when a game ball newly wins the central starting opening 33 or the right starting opening 34 during the variable display of the first or second special display device 43L, 43R, the variable display for that time is displayed at that time. It is configured to be performed after the end of the displayed variable display. That is, the variable display is on standby (held). The maximum number of variable displays to be held is determined for each model of the pachinko machine, but in the present embodiment, it corresponds to the game ball winning in the central starting port 33 and the game ball winning in the right starting port 34. Then, the variable display up to four times (total eight times of variable display) is suspended. Further, the number of times of holding is lit and displayed by the first holding lamp 46L and the second holding lamp 46R. In addition, when a game ball newly wins the central starting opening 33 or the right starting opening 34 during the big hit state, the variable display for that amount is also suspended.

The variable display triggered by winning in the central starting opening 33 is stored in the order in which the corresponding game balls enter the central starting opening 33, and is also digested in the order in which they enter, and the winning in the right starting opening 34 is made. The variable display triggered by the memorization is stored in the order in which the corresponding game balls have entered the right starting opening 34, and is also digested in the order in which they entered. However, when both the variable display triggered by winning in the central starting opening 33 and the variable display triggered by entering the right starting opening 34 are held (first holding lamp 46L and second holding) In the case where one or more lamps 46R are respectively lit), the variable display is digested according to the order in which the game balls enter the central starting opening 33 or the right starting opening 34. For example, in the state where one first holding lamp 46L is lit, a game ball enters the right starting port 34 and one second holding lamp 46R is lit, when entering the central starting port 33. The variable display triggered by the ball is executed first, and then the variable display triggered by the ball entering the right starting opening 34 is performed.

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

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

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

Further, when the symbols are stopped and displayed in a combination corresponding to the jackpot, the same symbol is stopped and displayed in the upper symbol display area and the lower symbol display area as a previous step. In this way, the same symbol is stopped and displayed in the upper symbol display area and the lower symbol display area, and the state in which the variable display is still being performed in the middle symbol display area is the reach state.

Even if the reach state occurs, if the big hit state does not occur, a symbol different from the symbols stopped and displayed in the upper symbol display region and the lower symbol display region is stopped and displayed in the middle symbol display region. Further, in the case of "probable variation big hit" or "normal big hit", although the numbers of double stitches are stopped and displayed on the decorative symbol display device 42 as described above, the symbols stopped and displayed in the present embodiment Depending on the type of, the gaming state (“high probability state” or “low probability state”) given after the jackpot is over cannot be determined.

In addition, the decorative symbol display device 42 is configured to display the number of variable display holdings in the special display devices 43L and 43R corresponding to the holding lamps 46L and 46R. However, in the present embodiment, it is not displayed separately corresponding to each of the holding lamps 46L and 46R, but the total value of the number of holdings displayed by both holding lamps 46L and 46R is displayed. The details of the hold display will be described later.

In this embodiment, when the front frame set 14 is closed, the special display devices 43L and 43R and the holding lamps 46L and 46R are covered by the front frame set 14 and are invisible to the player. .. Therefore, the player will understand the game state, the lottery result, etc., exclusively by the display contents (symbol display, hold display, etc.) of the decorative symbol display device 42.

A center frame 47 is arranged in the variable display device unit 35 so as to surround the decorative symbol display device 42. A ball entrance 151 is provided in the upper part of the center frame 47, and the game ball entered in the ball entrance 151 is formed inside the center frame 47 and along the side of the decorative symbol display device 42. It is guided on a stage 153 formed below the decorative pattern display device 42 via a warp flow path 152 extending vertically. The game ball guided on the stage 153 falls from the stage 153 to the front game area, or rolls on the stage 153 and then enters a pocket 154 formed in the center rear side of the stage 153. .. Incidentally, the pocket 154 communicates with a guide passage 155 leading to the game area immediately above the central starting port 33, and the game ball entering the pocket 154 enters the central starting port 33 with a relatively high probability. It is supposed to be a ball.

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

Further, the game board 30 is provided with a rail 50 which is composed of an inner rail constituent portion 51 and an outer rail constituent portion 52 and which guides a game ball shot from the launch device 60 to the upper portion of the game board 30. As a result, the game ball that has been launched in accordance with the turning operation of the handle 18 is guided through the launch rail 61 and the rail 50 into the game area formed between the game board 30 and the glass unit 137.

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

Further, in the present embodiment, the outer rail forming portion 52 is cut off at the upper right portion of the game board 30, and the inner rail forming portion 51 is cut off at the lower right portion of the game board 30. Therefore, the game area is defined by the rail 50 and the inner peripheral surface of the window hole 39 of the resin base 38. However, until the game ball hit by the launching device 60 passes through the return ball prevention member 53, the rail 50 may flow backward, so the parallel parts of the inner and outer rail constituent parts 51 and 52 are removed from the game area. Get burned.

As shown in FIG. 3, a ball passage unit 70 is provided below the window 101 on the back side of the front frame set 14. The ball passage unit 70 is provided with a lower plate communication passage 71 connected to a discharge mechanism portion 352, which will be described later, to the discharge port 16 of the lower plate 15, and an upper plate communication passage 73 connected to the discharge mechanism portion 352 to the upper plate 19. Further, there is a gap between the launch rail 61 provided on the inner frame 12 and the rail unit 50 (outer rail forming portion 52) at a predetermined interval, and the ball passage unit 70 stores the game balls dropped from the gap. A foul ball passage 72 is formed to guide to the lower plate 15. As a result, if the game ball fired from the launching device 60 does not reach the return ball prevention member 53 and returns backward on the rail 50 as a foul ball, the foul ball is passed to the lower plate 15 via the foul ball passage 72. Emitted.

Reference numeral 67 in FIGS. 3 and 4 is a payout passage for guiding a game ball paid out by a payout mechanism portion 352, which will be described later, to the front of the inner frame 12, and the upper plate communication passage 73 (upper plate 19). Is divided into a passage leading to the lower plate communicating passage 71 (lower plate 15). A shutter 68 is provided below the dispensing passage 67, and when the front frame set 14 is opened, the shutter 68 projects forward due to the urging force of a spring or the like to substantially close the outlet of the dispensing passage 67. ing. Further, when the front frame set 14 is closed, the shutter 68 is pushed open by the inlet-side rear end of the lower plate communication passage 71. In addition, the inlets (ball inflow portions) of the lower plate communication passage 71 and the upper plate communication passage 73 are adjacent to each other, and in the closed state of the front frame set 14, the respective inlets and the payout passage 67 are separated from each other by a predetermined distance, A game ball can pass through the gap between the two. Therefore, when the upper plate 19 and the upper plate communication passage 73 are filled with game balls, the game balls to be dispensed flow to the lower plate communication passage 71 side (overflow to the inlet side of the lower plate communication passage 71), and the lower plate connection It will be discharged to the lower plate 15 through the passage 71.

In addition, the ball passage unit 70 is provided with a full detection switch (not shown) for detecting the game balls located in the lower plate communication passage 71. By the existence of the full detection switch, it is understood that the lower plate 15 is full of game balls (the lower plate 15 is full of game balls and the game balls are staying in the lower plate communication passage 71). be able to. In the present embodiment, control is performed such that the launch of the launching device 60 is prohibited based on the game ball being continuously detected for a predetermined time by the full detection switch. It should be noted that the retention of the game balls in the lower plate communication passage 71 is eliminated, and when the game balls are no longer detected by the full detection switch (when the game balls are not detected for a predetermined period of time), launching of the launching device 60 is permitted.

Next, the rear structure of the pachinko machine 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. On the back surface of the pachinko machine 10, various control boards are arranged vertically and horizontally so that they are partially overlapped with each other, and further, a game ball supply device (payout mechanism) for supplying game balls. A protective cover made of resin or the like is attached. Since the payout mechanism and the protective cover are integrated as one unit, and the resin part is generally called a back pack, the unit is called a "back pack unit 203" here.

First, the rear structure of the game board 30 will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, on the back side of the variable display device unit 35 (see FIG. 4) arranged corresponding to the through hole in the center of the game board 30, a resin frame cover for covering the center frame 47 from behind is provided. 213 is provided so as to project rearward. Further, on the back side of the frame cover 213, the decorative pattern display device 42, which is a liquid crystal display device facing the front from the opening of the frame cover 213, the display control device 45, and the sub control device 262 can be attached and detached in a state of being stacked in front and back. Is attached to.

The decorative pattern display device 42 is housed in a housing box 42a in which an opening for exposing the display portion (liquid crystal screen) of the decorative pattern display device 42 to the front side of the pachinko machine 10 is formed, and the rear surface of the frame cover 213. It is fixed to the side. The display control device 45 is housed in the board box 45a and is fixed to the back side of the decorative pattern display device 42 (housing box 42a). The sub control device 262 is housed in the substrate box 262a and fixed to the back side of the display control device 45 (substrate box 45a). In the frame cover 213, an LED control board for driving the LEDs and the like built in the center frame 47 is provided. Further, the accommodation box 42a and the substrate boxes 45a and 262a are made of a transparent resin material or the like, and the inside thereof is visible.

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

Further, in the present embodiment, the back frame set 215 functions as a mounting base for the main control device 261. More specifically, the board box 263 having the main controller 261 mounted thereon is rotatably supported by the back frame set 215 and can be opened rearward.

Main controller 261 is housed in substrate box 263 made of a transparent resin material or the like. The board box 263 includes a box base and a box cover that covers an opening of the box base, and the box base and the box cover are connected by a sealing member. The substrate box 263 connected by the sealing member is configured to be unsealed without leaving a predetermined trace. As a result, it can be easily found that the board box 263 has been illegally opened.

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

Although illustration is omitted, the back frame set 215 is provided with a first board surface relay board electrically connected to the winning opening switch 221 and the count switch 223 via a cable connector. The first board-side relay board relays the winning opening switch 221 and the like and the main controller 261 and is electrically connected to the main controller 261 via a cable connector.

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

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

In addition, on the back surface of the game board 30, although not shown, a special winning opening solenoid for opening the special winning opening in the variable winning device 32 is provided. Further, the back frame set 215 is also provided with a second board surface relay board (not shown) that relays these solenoids and the main control device 261.

Next, the configuration of the back pack unit 203 will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, the back pack unit 203 is one in which a resin-molded back pack 351 and a game ball payout mechanism 352 are integrated. The back pack unit 203 is openably and closably supported with respect to the left side portion (the right side in FIG. 5) of the inner frame 12, and can be opened rearward with an opening/closing axis extending along the vertical direction as an axis. ing. In addition, an external relay terminal plate 240 is provided on the upper left portion (upper right portion in FIG. 5) of the back pack unit 203.

The external relay terminal plate 240 is for relaying various information transmissions to a hall computer in a game hall, and is provided with a plurality of external connection terminals. For the sake of convenience, no reference numeral is attached, but for example, a terminal for outputting information about the current game state (a big hit state, a high probability state, etc.), the front frame set 14 detected by the opening detection switches 91 and 92 described later, and the like. A terminal for outputting information regarding opening of the frame 12, a terminal for outputting information regarding various error states such as a ball entry error, a lower tray full tank error, a tank ball no error, a dispensing error, and the dispensing controller 311. A terminal for outputting information on the number of prize balls is provided.

The back pack 351 is integrally formed of ABS resin, for example, and is provided with a protective cover portion 354 that projects rearward of the pachinko machine 10 and has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The protective cover portion 354 has a shape in which the left and right side surfaces and the upper surface are closed and only the lower surface is open, and has a size sufficient to cover at least the frame cover 213. However, in the present embodiment, the protective cover portion 354 is configured to cover the upper portion and the right portion (the left portion in FIG. 5) of the substrate box 263 as well. As a result, when the back pack unit 203 is closed, the sealing member provided on the right side of the board box 263 and the terminal portion (board side connector) provided along the upper edge of the main controller 261 are covered. It will be.

The payout mechanism 352 is arranged so as to bypass the protective cover 354. That is, above the protective cover portion 354, a tank 355 having an opening on the upper side is provided, and the tank 355 is successively replenished with game balls supplied from the island facility of the game hall. Below the tank 355, for example, a tank rail 356 having two rows of ball passages in the horizontal direction and gently sloping toward the downstream side is connected, and further, a case rail 357 is vertically provided on the downstream side of the tank rail 356. It is connected. The payout device 358 is provided at the most downstream part of the case rail 357, and a required number of game balls are appropriately paid out by a predetermined electric configuration such as a payout motor. Then, the game balls paid out from the payout device 358 are supplied to the upper plate 19 and the like.

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

Below the back pack unit 203 (substrate box 263), a lower frame set 251 which is axially supported by the left side portion (right side in FIG. 5) of the inner frame 12 and which can be opened rearward is provided. As shown in FIG. 6, the lower frame set 251 is formed with a discharge passage portion 217 into which the game balls collected by the above-mentioned ball collecting mechanism flow, and the game balls are provided at the most downstream portion of the discharge passage portion 217. A discharge chute (not shown) for discharging the pachinko machine 10 to the outside is formed. That is, the game balls that have won the respective winning openings such as the general winning opening 31 are collected through the ball collecting mechanism of the back frame set 215 and further discharged to the outside of the pachinko machine 10 through the discharging chute of the discharging passage portion 217. The outlet 36 also leads to the discharge passage 217, and the game balls that have not won any of the winning openings are discharged to the outside of the pachinko machine 10 via the discharge chute. In the present embodiment, the back pack unit 203 and the lower frame set 251 are configured as separate bodies and can be opened and closed independently, but the back pack unit 203 and the lower frame set 251 are integrally formed. It may be done.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, the payout control device 311, the firing control device 312, the power supply device 313, and the card unit connection board 314 are removably attached to the back side of the lower frame set 251 in a state of being stacked front and back. Has been.

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

Further, the payout control device 311 is housed in the board box 311a and fixed to the back side of the board box 313a (the firing control device 312 and the power supply device 313). The board box 311a in which the payout control device 311 is housed is provided with a sealing member in the same manner as the board box 263 in which the main controller 261 is housed, so that the trace of the unsealed board box 311a remains. Has become.

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

The substrate boxes 311a, 313a, 314a are made of a transparent resin material or the like so that the inside can be visually confirmed.

In addition, the payout control device 311 is provided with a state return switch 321 protruding outward from the board box 311a. For example, when the state return switch 321 is pressed when a dispensing error such as a ball clogging of the dispensing motor unit occurs, the dispensing motor is rotated in the normal and reverse directions to eliminate the ball clogging (return to a normal state).

Further, the power supply device 313 is provided with a RAM erasing switch 323 protruding outward from the substrate box 313a. The pachinko machine 10 has a backup function and can retain the state at the time of power failure even if a power failure occurs, and can restore the state at the time of power failure at the time of recovery from the power failure (power recovery). it can. Therefore, when the power is shut off in the normal procedure (for example, when the game hall is closed), the state before the power shutdown is stored and retained. Therefore, when the user wants to return to the initial state when the power is turned on, the power is turned on while pressing the RAM erase switch 323. Throw in.

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

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

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

Next, the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 10 will be described. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 10. The main controller 261 (main board) is equipped with a CPU 501 as a one-chip microcomputer that is an arithmetic unit. The CPU 501 has a ROM 502 that stores various control programs executed by the CPU 501 and fixed value data, and a RAM 503 that is a memory that temporarily stores various data when the control program stored in the ROM 502 is executed. Also, various circuits such as an interrupt circuit, a timer circuit, and a data transmission/reception circuit are built in. However, the CPU, the ROM, and the RAM may not be integrated into a single chip, but may be configured into a chip for each function. Further, the ROM 502 stores various commands such as a variation pattern command to be transmitted to the sub control device 262 and the like in a table configuration.

The RAM 503 includes a stack area in which the contents of internal registers of the CPU 501 and the return address of a control program executed by the CPU 501 are stored, and a work area (work area in which various flags, counters, I/O values, etc. are stored. ) And a backup area 503a.

Further, the RAM 503 has a configuration in which a backup voltage is supplied from the power supply device 313 and data can be retained (backed up) even after the power of the pachinko machine 10 is turned off, and the RAM 503 is stored in the stack area, the work area, and the backup area 503a. All data is backed up.

In the case where the power is cut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like, the backup area 503a is in a power-off state (including a power failure in order to restore the state of the pachinko machine 10 to the state before the power-off when the power is turned on again. This is an area for storing the values of stack pointers, registers, I/O, etc. The writing to the backup area 503a is executed when the power is turned off by the main processing, and conversely, the restoration of each value written to the backup area 503a is the main processing when the power is turned on (including power on due to power failure elimination. The same applies hereinafter). Executed in. The NMI terminal (non-maskable interrupt terminal) of the CPU 501 is configured to receive a power failure signal SK1 output from a power failure monitoring circuit 542, which will be described later, when the power is cut off due to a power failure or the like. Upon occurrence, the power failure process (NMI interrupt process) is immediately executed.

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

An input/output port 505 is connected to the CPU 501 having the ROM 502 and the RAM 503 built therein through a bus line 504 including an address bus and a data bus. A RAM erase switch circuit 543, a payout control device 311, a sub control device 262, first and second special display devices 43L, 43R, and the like, which will be described later, are connected to the input/output port 505. With this configuration, the special display devices 43L and 43R described above are directly controlled by the main control device 261. On the other hand, the decorative symbol display device 42 is controlled via the sub control device 262.

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

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

The input/output port 554 is connected to the CPU 551, the ROM 552 RAM 553, and the display control device 45 via the bus line 555. Further, the input/output port 554 is connected to the speaker SP, the rendering device 125, various illumination parts, and the lamps 102 to 104.

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

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

The RAM 513 of the payout control device 311 is, like the RAM 503 of the main control device 261, a stack area for storing the contents of the internal register of the CPU 511, the return address of the control program executed by the CPU 511, various flags and counters, A work area (work area) in which values such as I/O are stored, and a backup area 513a are provided.

The RAM 513 has a configuration in which a backup voltage is supplied from the power supply device 313 and data can be retained (backed up) even after the power of the pachinko machine 10 is turned off, and all the data stored in the stack area, the work area, and the backup area 513a is stored. Is backed up. Note that if at least the data stored in the stack area and the backup area 513a is backed up, it is not necessary to back up the data stored in all areas. For example, the data stored in the stack area and the backup area 513a may be backed up, and the data stored in the work area may not be backed up.

The backup area 513a has a stack pointer at the time of power-off, each register, in order to restore the state of the pachinko machine 10 to the state before the power-off when the power is turned off and the power is turned off again. This is an area for storing values such as I/O. The writing in the backup area 513a is executed when the power is turned off by the main processing, and the restoration of each value written in the backup area 513a is executed in the main processing when the power is turned on. Like the CPU 501 of the main controller 261, the NMI terminal of the CPU 511 is also configured to receive the power failure signal SK1 from the power failure monitoring circuit 542 when the power is shut off due to a power failure or the like. When input to the CPU 511, NMI interrupt processing as power failure processing is immediately executed.

In the work area, a payout permission flag in which payout control of the payout control device 311 is set, a command reception flag set when a command transmitted from the main control device 261 is received, and a main control device 261. And a command buffer in which the commands transmitted from are stored.

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

The command reception flag is a flag for confirming whether or not the payout control device 311 has received a command. The command reception flag is turned on when any of the commands is received, and similarly to the payout permission flag, the initial setting process or the power shutdown. It is turned off when it is returned to the previous state, and is turned off when the command received by the command judgment processing is judged.

The command buffer is composed of a ring buffer that temporarily stores commands transmitted from main controller 261.

An input/output port 515 is connected to the CPU 511 including the ROM 512 and the RAM 513 via a bus line 514 including an address bus and a data bus. The RAM erasing switch circuit 543, the main control device 261, the firing control device 312, the payout device 358, etc. are connected to the input/output port 515, respectively.

The card unit connection board 314 is a ball rental operation unit (ball lending button 121 and return button 122) on the front of the pachinko machine 10 and a card unit (ball lending unit) arranged on the side of the pachinko machine 10 in a game hall or the like. Are electrically connected to and, respectively, and take in a ball lending operation command from the player and output it to the card unit. Note that the card unit connection board 314 can be omitted in a cash machine in which game balls are lent out directly from the ball lending device or the like to the upper plate 19 without going through the card unit.

The launch control device 312 permits or prohibits the launch of a game ball by the launch device 60, and the launch device 60 is allowed to be driven when a predetermined condition is satisfied. Specifically, a discharge permission signal is output from the payout control device 311, a sensor signal indicates that the player is touching the handle 18, and a discharge stop switch for stopping the discharge is operated. The launching device 60 is driven on the condition that it has not been launched, and the game ball is launched at a strength corresponding to the operation amount of the handle 18.

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

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

The program ROM 522 is a memory that stores various control programs executed by the CPU 521 and fixed value data, and the work RAM 523 is a memory that temporarily stores work data and flags used when the CPU 521 executes various programs. Is.

The video RAM 524 is a memory for storing display data displayed on the decorative symbol display device 42, and by rewriting the contents of the video RAM 524, the display content of the decorative symbol display device 42 is changed. The character ROM 525 is a memory that stores character data such as a design displayed on the decorative design display device 42.

The VDP 526 is a kind of drawing circuit that directly operates an LCD driver (liquid crystal drive circuit) incorporated in the decorative pattern display device 42. Since the VDP 526 is formed as an IC chip, it is also called a "drawing chip", and the substance thereof should be called a microcomputer chip containing firmware dedicated to drawing processing. The VDP 526 adjusts the respective timings of the CPU 521, the video RAM 524 and the like to intervene in the reading and writing of data, and at the same time, reads the display data stored in the video RAM 524 and displays it on the decorative symbol display device 42.

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

The power supply unit 541 supplies necessary operating power to each of the main control device 261 and the payout control device 311 through a power supply path (not shown). As an outline, the power supply unit 541 takes in an AC 24 volt power supply supplied from the outside and generates +12V power supply for driving various switches and motors, +5V power supply for logic, backup power supply for RAM backup, and the like. The +12V power source, the +5V power source, and the backup power source are supplied to the main control device 261, the payout control device 311 and the like. The firing control device 312 is supplied with operating power (+12V power supply, +5V power supply, etc.) via the payout control device 311. Similarly, operating power is supplied to various switches, motors, and the like via a control device to which they are connected.

The power failure monitoring circuit 542 is a circuit that outputs a power failure signal SK1 to each NMI terminal of the CPU 501 of the main control device 261 and the CPU 511 of the payout control device 311 when the power is cut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like. The power outage monitoring circuit 542 monitors the voltage of DC stable 24 V which is the maximum voltage output from the power supply unit 541, and when this voltage is less than 22 V, determines that a power outage (power outage) has occurred, The power failure signal SK1 is output to the main controller 261 and the payout controller 311. By the output of the power failure signal SK1, the main controller 261 and the payout controller 311 recognize the occurrence of the power failure and execute the power failure time processing (NMI interrupt processing).

Note that the power supply unit 541 normally outputs the output voltage of 5 V, which is the drive voltage of the control system, for a sufficient time to execute the power failure process even after the DC stable voltage of 24 V becomes less than 22 V. It is configured to maintain a value. Therefore, the main controller 261 and the payout controller 311 can normally execute and complete the power failure process.

The RAM erasing switch circuit 543 is a circuit that takes in the switch signal of the RAM erasing switch 323 and clears the backup data of the RAM 503 of the main controller 261 and the RAM 513 of the payout controller 311 according to the state of the switch 323. When the RAM erase switch 323 is pressed, the RAM erase switch circuit 543 outputs the RAM erase signal SK2 to the main controller 261 and the payout controller 311. When the power of the pachinko machine 10 is turned on with the RAM erasing switch 323 being pressed down (including turning on the power by eliminating the power failure), the data in the RAMs 503 and 513 in the main controller 261 and the payout controller 311 are cleared. It

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

In the present embodiment, the CPU 501 provided in the main control device 261 is supposed to perform a lottery by using various counter information during a game. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, a jackpot random number counter C1 used for jackpot lottery (whether lottery) to generate a jackpot state, a jackpot type determination counter C2 used for jackpot type determination, By using the fluctuation selection counter C3 used for determining the fluctuation display time of the special display devices 43L, 43R (decorative pattern display device 42) and the initial value random number counter CINI used for setting the initial value of the jackpot random number counter C1. There is.

Each of the counters C1, C2, C3, and CINI is a loop counter in which 1 is added to the previous value each time it is updated, and after reaching the upper limit value, it returns to 0 which is the lower limit value. Each counter is updated periodically, and the updated value is appropriately stored in a counter buffer set in a predetermined area of the RAM 503 (excluding the random number initial value counter CINI).

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

The special variation reservation area includes a first special variation reservation area and a second special variation storage area, each of which includes four reservation areas (reservation first to reservation fourth areas), and one execution area. In each holding area of the first special variation holding area, the values of the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type determination counter C2, and the variation selection counter C3 are time-series in accordance with the winning history of the game balls to the central starting opening 33. Is stored in the memory. In each holding area of the second special variation holding area, the values of the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type determination counter C2, and the variation selection counter C3 are time-series according to the winning history of the game ball to the right starting opening 34. Is stored in the memory. By adopting the configuration, the variable display on the special display devices 43L and 43R can be held up to four times as described above.

Explaining each counter in detail, the jackpot random number counter C1 is incremented by 1 in order within a range of 0 to 599, for example, and after reaching an upper limit value (that is, 599) as a final value, a lower limit value of 0 as a starting value. It is configured to return to. Usually, when the jackpot random number counter C1 makes one round, the value of the initial value random number counter CINI at that time is read as the next initial value of the jackpot random number counter C1. The initial value random number counter CINI is a loop counter similar to the big hit random number counter C1 (value=0 to 599), and is updated once for each timer interrupt and repeatedly within the remaining time of the normal process. On the other hand, the jackpot random number counter C1 is updated regularly (once in each timer interrupt in this embodiment), and the value of the jackpot random number counter C1 is stored in the jackpot random number counter buffer. Then, at the timing when the game ball wins the central starting opening 33 or the right starting opening 34, the value of the jackpot random number counter C1 stored in the jackpot random number counter buffer is the first special fluctuation holding area or the second special fluctuation holding area. Stored in. There are two types of random number values that are jackpots: a “low probability state” and a “high probability state”. In the present embodiment, the number of random number values that are a jackpot in the “low probability state”. Is 3, and the value is “7, 207, 407”, and the number of random number values that are a big hit in the “high probability state” is 6, and the value is “7, 107, 207, 307”. , 407, 507”. That is, in the "low probability state", the winning/winning lottery is won with a probability of 1/200 (a big hit state occurs), and in the "high probability state", the winning/winning lottery is won with a probability of 1/100. In the present embodiment, the ROM 502 is provided with a win/loss determination table that is referred to when determining whether or not the value of the jackpot random number counter C1 corresponds to the jackpot. In the present embodiment, there are two win/loss judgment tables, the first win/loss judgment table storing “7, 207, 407” and the second win/loss judgment table storing “7, 107, 207, 307, 407, 507”. There is a judgment table.

The jackpot type determination counter C2 is configured to be sequentially incremented by 1 in the range of 0 to 19, for example, and then return to the lower limit value of 0 after reaching the upper limit value (that is, 19). In the present embodiment, the jackpot type determination counter C2 determines whether to give a jackpot type, that is, a "probable variation jackpot" or a "normal jackpot".

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

Specifically, when the game ball wins the central starting port 33 or the right starting port 34, if the value of the jackpot type determination counter C2 is "0 to 9", the "probable variation jackpot" is determined and "10" is determined. ~19", the "normal jackpot" is decided. That is, when the winning/winning lottery is triggered by winning a prize in each of the starting openings 33 and 34, there is a 50% probability of being a “probable variation jackpot” and a 50% probability of being a “normal jackpot”.

The jackpot type determination counter C2 is updated regularly (in this embodiment, once for each timer interrupt), and the value of the jackpot type determination counter C2 is stored in the jackpot type determination counter buffer. Then, at the timing when the game ball wins each of the starting openings 33, 34, the value of the jackpot type determination counter C2 stored in the jackpot type determination counter buffer is the special fluctuation holding area (first special fluctuation holding area or the first special fluctuation holding area or the first special fluctuation holding area) of the RAM 503. 2 Special variation hold area).

Further, the variation selection counter C3 is configured to be sequentially incremented by 1 in the range of 0 to 99, for example, and after reaching the upper limit value (that is, 99), returns to the lower limit value of 0. In the present embodiment, the fluctuation selection counter C3 executes any of the "10s fluctuation pattern" in which the fluctuation time is 10 seconds, the "20s fluctuation pattern" in which the fluctuation time is 20 seconds, and the "30s fluctuation pattern" in which the fluctuation time is 30 seconds. It is decided whether to do it.

The fluctuation selection counter C3 is updated regularly (once in each timer interrupt in this embodiment), and the value of the fluctuation selection counter C3 is stored in the fluctuation selection counter buffer. Then, at the timing when the game ball wins the central starting opening 33 or the right starting opening 34, the value of the fluctuation selection counter C3 stored in the fluctuation selection counter buffer is the special fluctuation holding area (first special fluctuation holding area or It is stored in the second special variation holding area).

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

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

On the other hand, in the variation pattern determination table for losing, if the value of the variation selection counter C3 is "0 to 90" when the game ball wins the central starting port 33 or the right starting port 34, "10s variation pattern" Is selected, if “91 to 97”, the “20s fluctuation pattern” is selected, and if “98,99”, the “30s fluctuation pattern” is selected.

The size and range of each counter are merely examples and can be changed arbitrarily. However, it is desirable that the jackpot random number counter C1 and the variation selection counter C3 have different prime numbers, and that they are not synchronized in any case.

Further, the RAM 503 stores a central holding counter Na that counts the number of variable display holdings triggered by a ball entering the central starting port 33, and a number of variable display holdings that triggers a ball entering the right starting port 34. A right holding counter Nb for counting, a total holding counter Nx for storing the total value of both holding counters Na and Nb, and a holding order for storing the order of entering game balls into the central starting opening 33 or the right starting opening 34. A buffer Bj is provided.

The reservation order buffer Bj is composed of a ring buffer. In the present embodiment, for example, "1" is stored when it corresponds to the central starting port 33, and "0" is stored when it corresponds to the right starting port 34.

Conceptually, a ring buffer is such that when the start address and the end address in a buffer area are connected in a ring shape, writing is sequentially performed from the start address using two address pointers, a write pointer and a read pointer, and the end address is reached. It is a buffer that is controlled so that it can write back to the start address again. Then, after the data is written at the predetermined address position indicated by the write pointer, the value of the write pointer is updated to the value indicating the next address. Similarly, after the data is read from the predetermined address position indicated by the read pointer, the value of the read pointer is updated to the value indicating the next address.

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

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the timer interrupt processing, and this processing is executed by the CPU 501 of the main control device 261 every 2 msec, for example.

In FIG. 11, first, in step S301, various winning switch reading processing is executed. That is, the states of various switches (excluding the RAM erasing switch 323) connected to the main controller 261 are read, the state of the switches is determined, and the detection information (winning detection information) is stored.

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

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

In step S304, a start winning process associated with winning in the starting openings 33, 34 is executed. After that, the timer interrupt processing is once ended.

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

First, in step S501, it is determined whether or not the game ball has won the right start opening 34 based on the detection information of the second start prize switch 225. When an affirmative determination is made in step S501, in step S502, the value of the right suspension counter Nb that counts the number of suspensions of variable display triggered by winning in the right starting opening 34 is an upper limit value (“4” in the present embodiment). ) Is less than or equal to. When a negative determination is made in step S502, the process proceeds to step S509. On the other hand, if an affirmative decision is made in step S502, the operation proceeds to step S503, and the right holding counter Nb is incremented by 1.

In the following step S504, the values of the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type determination counter C2, and the variation selection counter C3 updated in the random number updating process of the above step S303 are set in the vacant holding area of the second special variation holding area. Store in the first area. After step S504, the process moves to step S505.

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

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

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

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

First, in step S5101, the value of the jackpot random number counter C1 newly stored in the second special variation suspension area is a value corresponding to the jackpot (the value stored in the first hit determination table) "7, 207, 407". It is determined whether or not any of the above matches.

If an affirmative determination is made in step S5101, that is, if it is determined that a jackpot state will occur, the winning flag is turned on in step S5102, and then this processing ends.

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

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

If an affirmative decision is made in step S5104, that is, if it is decided that a jackpot state will occur in the "high probability state", the winning flag is turned on in step S5102, and then this processing is terminated.

When a negative determination is made in step S5103 or step S5104, that is, in the case of "disengagement", this processing is ended as it is.

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

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

On the other hand, when an affirmative determination is made in step S5201, in step S5202, the jackpot type determination table is taken into consideration, and the value of the jackpot type determination counter C2 newly stored in the second special variation suspension area is “normal jackpot”. It is determined whether or not it matches any of the values "10 to 19" corresponding to. When a negative determination is made in step S5202, that is, when the value of the jackpot type determination counter C2 is one of the values “0 to 9” corresponding to the “probability variation jackpot”, the probability variation jackpot flag is turned on in step S5203. Then, this process is terminated.

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

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

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

In step S5302, a variation pattern is selected based on the value of the variation selection counter C3 stored in the second special variation holding area, with reference to the variation pattern determination table for jackpot winning.

In a succeeding step S5303, it is determined whether or not the variation display corresponds to the "probability variation jackpot" by determining whether or not the probability variation jackpot flag is turned on.

If an affirmative determination is made here, in step S5304, the variation pattern command table stored in advance in the ROM 502 (see FIG. 17A) is referred to, and it corresponds to the "probable variation jackpot" and is selected as described above. Set the fluctuation pattern command corresponding to the fluctuation pattern. After that, this processing ends.

On the other hand, if a negative decision is made in step S5303, then the flow shifts to step S5305, and it is decided whether or not the normal jackpot flag is ON, whereby whether or not the variable display corresponds to the "normal jackpot". Determine whether.

If an affirmative determination is made here, in step S5306, the fluctuation pattern command table is referred to, and a fluctuation pattern command that corresponds to the "normal jackpot" and that corresponds to the selected fluctuation pattern is set. After that, this processing ends. On the other hand, if a negative decision is made in step S5305, the present process is terminated.

If the determination in step S5301 is negative, that is, if the result is “out”, the process proceeds to step S5307, and based on the value of the fluctuation selection counter C3 stored in the second special fluctuation holding area The variation pattern is selected with reference to the variation pattern determination table of.

In a succeeding step S5308, the fluctuation pattern command table is referred to, and a fluctuation pattern command corresponding to “out” and corresponding to the selected fluctuation pattern is set. After that, this processing ends.

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

For convenience, the variation pattern command will be described here. The variation pattern command according to the present embodiment has a 2-byte configuration, the first byte (upper byte) of which is configured by information for identifying the jackpot type and the like, and the second byte (lower byte) identifies the variation time. It is composed of information [see FIG. 17(a)]. More specifically, regarding the first byte, “FF” corresponds to information indicating “out”, “FD” corresponds to information indicating “normal jackpot”, and “FE” corresponds to information indicating “probable variation jackpot”. Equivalent to. As for the second byte, the value of the fluctuation selection counter C3 is set as it is. That is, if the value of the second byte when the first byte is "FF (off)" is "0 to 90", it corresponds to the "10s variation pattern", and if it is "91 to 97", the "20s variation pattern". “98,99” corresponds to “30s variation pattern”. On the other hand, if the value of the second byte is “0 to 9” when the first byte is “FD (normal big hit)” or “FE (probability variation big hit)”, it corresponds to “20s fluctuation pattern”, If it is "99", it corresponds to "30s variation pattern".

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

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

Similarly, when the variation display corresponds to the "probable variation jackpot", any of "FE00" to "FE99" is set as the variation pattern command. More specifically, "FE00" to "FE09" are set when the fluctuation pattern is "20s fluctuation pattern", and "FE10" to "FE99" are set when the fluctuation pattern is "30s fluctuation pattern". ..

Returning to the explanation of FIG. 13, after the processing of step S506 or when a negative determination is made in step S501, it is determined in step S509 whether or not the game ball has won the central starting opening 33 as a first starting winning unit. It is determined by the detection information of the switch 224. When a negative determination is made in step S509, this processing ends as it is. On the other hand, when a positive determination is made, in step S510, the value of the central suspension counter Na that counts the number of suspensions of variable display triggered by winning in the central starting opening 33 is an upper limit value (“4” in the present embodiment). ) Is less than or equal to. When a negative determination is made in step S510, this processing ends as it is. On the other hand, if an affirmative decision is made in step S510, the operation proceeds to step S511, where the central holding counter Na is incremented by 1.

In the following step S512, the respective values of the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type determination counter C2, and the variation selection counter C3 are stored in the first reserved area of the first special variation reserved areas. After step S512, the process proceeds to step S513.

In step S513, a jackpot determination process is performed to determine whether or not the value of the jackpot random number counter C1 newly stored in the first special variation holding area is a value corresponding to the jackpot. The jackpot determination process of step S513 is the same as the jackpot determination process of step S505 described above, except that the information regarding the variable display to be processed is based on the entry into the central starting opening 33. different. Therefore, for convenience, detailed description is omitted.

In the following step S514, when it is determined in step S513 that the value of the jackpot random number counter C1 is a value corresponding to the jackpot, based on the value of the jackpot type determination counter C2 newly stored in the first special variation suspension area. Then, the jackpot type determination process for determining the type of jackpot is performed. The jackpot type determination processing in step S514 is similar to the jackpot type determination processing in step S506, and the information regarding the variable display to be processed is based on the ball entering the central starting opening 33. Only different. Therefore, for convenience, detailed description is omitted.

In further subsequent step S515, a variable display setting process for performing various settings relating to variable display, such as selection of a variation pattern and setting of a variation pattern command to be transmitted to the sub control device 262, is executed. Since the variable display setting process of step S515 is similar to the variable display setting process of step S507, detailed description thereof will be omitted. After step S515, this processing ends.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the NMI interrupt processing, and this processing is executed by the CPU 501 of the main control device 261 when the pachinko machine 10 is powered off due to a power failure or the like. By this NMI interrupt, the state of main controller 261 at the time of power-off is stored in backup area 503a of RAM 503.

That is, when the power of the pachinko machine 10 is cut off due to the occurrence of a power failure, the power failure signal SK1 is output from the power failure monitoring circuit 542 to the NMI terminal of the CPU 501 in the main control device 261. Then, the CPU 501 interrupts the control being executed and starts the NMI interrupt processing. In step S401, the power-off occurrence information is stored in the backup area 503a of the RAM 503 as the setting of the power-off occurrence information, and the NMI interrupt processing is performed. finish.

Note that the NMI interrupt processing described above is also executed in the payout control device 311 as well, and the information on occurrence of power interruption is stored in the backup area 513a of the RAM 513 by the NMI interrupt. That is, when the power of the pachinko machine 10 is cut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like, the power failure signal SK1 is output from the power failure monitoring circuit 542 to the NMI terminal of the CPU 511 in the payout control device 311, and the CPU 511 interrupts the control being executed. Then, the NMI interrupt processing shown in FIG. 12 is started. The contents are as described above.

Next, the flow of main processing executed by the CPU 501 in the main control device 261 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. This main process is activated upon a reset when the power is turned on.

First, in step S101, an initialization process associated with power-on is executed. Specifically, for example, in order to set the stack pointer to a predetermined value and wait for the sub-side control devices (sub-control device 262, payout control device 311 and the like) to become operable, for example, 1 Wait processing is executed for about a second. In a succeeding step S102, RAM access is permitted.

After that, the data backup processing is executed for the RAM 503 in the CPU 501. That is, in step S103, it is determined whether or not the RAM erase switch 323 provided in the power supply device 313 is pressed (ON), and if it is pressed, the process proceeds to step S112 in order to clear (delete) the backup data. To do. On the other hand, if the RAM erase switch 323 is not pressed, it is determined in the following step S104 whether or not the power-off occurrence information is set in the backup area 503a of the RAM 503. Here, if it is not set, the backup data is not stored, and in this case also, the process proceeds to step S112. If the power-off occurrence information is set in the backup area 503a, the RAM determination value is calculated in step S105, and in the subsequent step S106, it is determined whether or not the RAM determination value matches the RAM determination value saved when the power was turned off. That is, the effectiveness of backup is determined. If the RAM determination value calculated here does not match the RAM determination value saved when the power is turned off, the backed up data has been destroyed. In this case as well, the process proceeds to step S112.

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

After that, the process proceeds to the RAM initialization process (step S113 and the like). The RAM judgment value is, for example, a checksum value at the work area address of the RAM 503. Instead of this RAM judgment value, it is also possible to judge the validity of the backup by whether or not the keyword written in a predetermined area of the RAM 503 is correctly stored.

As described above, in the pachinko machine 10, the power is turned on while pressing the RAM erase switch 323 when it is desired to return to the initial state when the power is turned on, for example, when opening a hall. Therefore, if the RAM erase switch 323 is turned on, the process proceeds to the RAM initialization process (step S113, etc.). Also, when the power-off occurrence information is not set or when a backup abnormality is confirmed by the RAM determination value (checksum value or the like), the process similarly proceeds to the initialization processing (step S113 or the like) of the RAM 503. That is, the used area of the RAM 503 is cleared to 0 in step S113, and the initial value of the RAM 503 is set in subsequent step S114. After that, the interrupt permission is set in step S111, and the process shifts to a normal process described later.

On the other hand, when the RAM deletion switch 323 is not pressed (step S103: NO), it is necessary that the information on occurrence of power failure is set and that the RAM judgment value (checksum value or the like) is normal. Then, the process at power recovery (the process at power recovery) is executed. That is, in step S107, the stack pointer before power-off is restored, and in step S108, power-off occurrence information is cleared.

In step S109, a return command for returning the sub control device 262, which is the control device on the sub side, the payout control device 311 and the like to the game state when the power is cut off is transmitted.

In step S110, the used register is restored from the backup area 503a of the RAM 503. After that, the interrupt permission is set in step S111, and the process shifts to a normal process described later.

Next, the flow of normal processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In this normal processing, the main processing of the game is executed. As its outline, the processing up to step S210 is executed as a regular processing of a 4 msec cycle, and the counter updating processing of step S211 is executed in the remaining time.

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

In a succeeding step S203, the prize ball counting signal received from the payout control device 311 is read. Next, in step S204, the payout abnormality signal received from the payout control device 311 is read.

Then, in step S205, a display control process is executed. In this process, what kind of control is to be performed on the first and second special display devices 43L and 43R is set and the control contents of the special display devices 43L and 43R are set. Details of this display control process will be described later.

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

After that, in step S209, it is determined whether or not the power-off occurrence information is set in the backup area 503a of the RAM 503. If the power-off occurrence information is not set in the backup area 503a, it is determined in step S210 whether or not the next normal processing execution timing has been reached, that is, a predetermined time from the start of the previous normal processing (this embodiment). Then, it is determined whether 4 msec) has elapsed. Then, if the predetermined time has already elapsed, the process proceeds to step S201, and the processes in and after step S201 are repeatedly executed.

On the other hand, if the predetermined time has not yet elapsed from the start of the previous normal processing, the random number initial value counter CINI is repeatedly updated within the remaining time until the execution timing of the next normal processing (step S211). .. Specifically, the random number initial value counter CINI is incremented by 1, and is cleared to 0 when the counter value reaches the maximum value (599 in this example).

Here, since the execution time of each process of steps S201 to S209 changes according to the state of the game, the remaining time until the execution timing of the next normal process is not constant but fluctuates. Therefore, the random number initial value counter CINI (that is, the initial value of the jackpot random number counter C1) can be randomly updated by repeatedly updating the random number initial value counter CINI using the remaining time.

Now, if the power-off occurrence information is set in the backup area 503a of the RAM 503 (step S209: YES), it means that the power supply has been cut off. Therefore, the processing after step S213 is performed as the power failure processing at the time of power-off. Be seen. In the power failure process, first, the occurrence of each interrupt process is prohibited in step S213, the contents of each register used by the CPU 501 are saved in the stack area in step S214, and the stack pointer value is saved in the backup area 503a in step S215. Remember. Then, in step S216, a power-off notification command indicating that the power has been cut off is transmitted to another control device (payout control device 311 or the like). Then, in step S217, the RAM judgment value is calculated and stored in the backup area 503a. The RAM judgment value is, for example, a checksum value at the work area address of the RAM 503. After that, the RAM access is prohibited in step S218, and the infinite loop is continued until the power is completely cut off and the processing cannot be executed.

The timing of the processing of step S209 is the timing when the series of processing corresponding to the game state change performed in steps S201 to S208 ends or the end of one cycle of the processing of step S211 performed within the remaining time. Running in. Therefore, in the normal processing of the main control device 261, since the power-off occurrence information is confirmed at the end of each processing, the amount of data stored in the backup area 503a of the RAM 503 is smaller than in the case where each processing is in the middle. And can be stored easily. Further, when returning to the state before power-off, since the amount of data stored in the backup area 503a is small, it can be easily restored and the processing load of the main control device 261 can be reduced. .. Furthermore, since the occurrence of interrupt processing is prohibited before the data is stored (step S213), it is possible to prevent the data from being changed when the power is cut off, and it is possible to reliably store the state before the power is cut off. ..

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

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

If the affirmative determination is made in step S801, that is, if the jackpot is in the midst of the jackpot, the present process is terminated. On the other hand, if the negative determination is made in step S801, the in-display flag setting status described later is set in step S802. Seeing, the first or second special display device 43L, 43R (decorative pattern display device 42) is discriminated whether or not it is being variably displayed. Here, when the display flag is set (when it is in the on state), it is considered that the display is in a variable state, and when the display flag is released (when it is in the off state), the display is stopped. It is considered that the stop display corresponding to the state is being displayed. As will be described later in detail, the display flag is turned on when starting the variable display of the first and second special display devices 43L and 43R (see step S808), and the first and second special display devices 43L are displayed. , 43R is turned off when the variable display of 43R is stopped and displayed (see step S814).

Then, if a negative determination is made in step S802, that is, if the jackpot is not being performed and the variable display is not being performed, the process proceeds to step S803, and the value of the total suspension counter Nx (the value of the central suspension counter Na and the right suspension counter Nb). It is determined whether or not the sum of the values of 1) is greater than 0.

If an affirmative decision is made in step S803, that is, if at least one variable display is held and stored in the central holding counter Na or the right holding counter Nb, the operation proceeds to step S804. On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S803, that is, if no variable display is stored in suspension, this processing ends.

In step S804, the value of the pending order buffer Bj is taken into consideration, and it is determined whether the present variation display is triggered by the entrance to the central starting opening 33 or the right starting opening 34. More specifically, it is determined whether or not the value stored in the hold order buffer Bj is “0”, that is, whether or not the current variable display is triggered by the entry into the right starting opening 34. .. Here, if a positive determination is made, the process proceeds to step S805.

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

Further, when a negative determination is made in step S804, that is, when the current variation display is triggered by the entrance into the central starting opening 33, 1 is subtracted from the central suspension counter Na in step S809. In a succeeding step S810, a process of shifting the data stored in the first special variation holding area is executed. This data shift process is a process for sequentially shifting the data stored in the holding first to fourth areas of the first special variation holding area to the execution area side, and the holding first area→the execution area, the holding second The data in each area is shifted in the order of area→holding first area, holding third area→holding second area, holding fourth area→holding third area. After step S810, in step S811, the process of turning on/off the first holding lamp 46L is performed, and then the process proceeds to step S808. In this embodiment, the number of execution areas of the special variation suspension area is one, and the data stored in the first special variation suspension area and the second special variation suspension area are displayed when the variation display based on the data is performed. Then, it will be shifted to a common execution area.

In step S808, a start setting process indicating that the condition for performing the switching display (variable display) on the special display devices 43L and 43R is satisfied is performed. In the start setting process, the display flag indicating whether or not the variable display is performed on the special display devices 43L and 43R is turned on, and the display timer setting process is performed. The display timer is a means for measuring the fluctuation time (remaining time of fluctuation display) in the special display devices 43L and 43R, and is taken into consideration when determining whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of fluctuation display. The fluctuation display time of the special display devices 43L and 43R in this embodiment is set to a value corresponding to the fluctuation pattern selected by the fluctuation selection counter C3. At the same time, in the start setting process, the start command for instructing the sub-control device 262 to start the variable display on the decorative symbol display device 42 is also set. Then, after step S808 ends, the display control process ends.

Based on the above setting, when the control signal to start the switching display (variable display) is output to the special display devices 43L and 43R in the external output process of the next normal process, the special display device 43L is output. , 43R, switching display (variable display) is started. The special display devices 43L and 43R are 7-segment display devices as described above, and if the displayed characters are "-", "7", "7", "3", and "3". The display is switched to "-".

If the affirmative determination is made in step S802, that is, if the variable display is being performed, the process proceeds to step S812, and the display timer subtraction process is performed. The value of the display timer is decremented by 4 msec each time this process is performed once. For example, when the fluctuation time is 10 seconds (10000 msec), "2500" is set for the display timer, and 1 is subtracted every 4 msec.

Subsequently, the process proceeds to step S813, and it is determined whether or not a predetermined variation time has elapsed, taking into consideration the value of the display timer after the subtraction. At this time, when the predetermined variation time has elapsed, that is, when the value of the display timer becomes "0", the affirmative determination is made in step S813.

When a negative determination is made in step S813, in step S817, switching display settings for continuously performing switching display (variable display) of the special display devices 43L and 43R are set, and this processing is ended. Incidentally, based on the setting contents of the switch display setting, similarly to the above, in the external output processing in the next normal processing, a control signal for switching display is output to the special display devices 43L and 43R. Thereby, the switching display (variable display) of the special display devices 43L and 43R is realized at the timing of the display control process, that is, every 4 ms.

On the other hand, if an affirmative decision is made in step S813, the in-display flag is cleared (turned off) in step S814, and in step S815 the stop display setting for performing stop display is made on the special display devices 43L, 43R.

In addition, based on the setting contents of the stop display setting, in the external output process in the next normal process, a control signal for outputting the stop display is output to the special display devices 43L and 42R. In other words, in the case of a "probable variation jackpot" that involves a transition to a "high probability state", "7" is stopped and displayed (for example, lights for only a few seconds), and a "normal jackpot" that involves a transition to a "low probability state". In some cases, "3" is stopped and displayed, and in the case of "out", "-" is stopped and displayed.

Then, after performing the discrimination information setting process in step S816, the present process is ended. Here, the discrimination information setting process will be described with reference to FIG.

First, in step S1001, the winning flag is taken into consideration, and it is determined whether or not the stop display corresponds to a big hit. Here, when dealing with the big hit, the process moves to step S1002, and the big hit is set. Specifically, setting processing of a jackpot occurrence flag, a variable flag, a variable timer, a round number counter, a winning counter, and the like is performed. Then, after step S1002 ends, the discrimination information setting process ends.

On the other hand, in step S1001, when it is determined that the jackpot is not dealt with, that is, the winning flag is off, the present process is ended.

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

The variable flag is discrimination information for determining whether or not the variable winning a prize device 32 (large winning hole) is in an open state.

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

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

The winning counter is a means for counting the number of game balls that have entered the variable winning device 32, and in this processing, "8" indicating the maximum number of winning balls per round is set as a value. During the switch reading process (see FIG. 11) of the timer interrupt process, it is determined whether or not there is a ball to the variable winning device 32 based on the detection information of the count switch 223, and it is determined that there is a ball to the variable winning device 32. If determined, the value of the winning counter is decremented by 1.

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

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

If an affirmative decision is made in step S1201, the count value of the variable timer is decremented by 1 in step S1202. In a succeeding step S1203, it is determined whether or not the variable flag is on.

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

When a negative determination is made in step S1204, the flow proceeds to step S1205, and whether or not the value of the winning counter is "0", that is, the number of game balls won in the variable winning device 32 is per round. It is determined whether or not the specified number (8 in this example) has been reached. When a negative determination is made in step S1204, that is, when the timing for closing the variable winning a prize device 32 (timing for ending the round) has not arrived yet, this processing is ended as it is.

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

If an affirmative decision is made in step S1206, an end setting process is carried out in step S1207, and this process ends.

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

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

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

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

If a negative determination is made in step S1206, that is, if the number of rounds has not reached the specified number, then in step S1208, round feed processing is performed, and this processing ends. In the round feed processing, the value of the round number counter is decremented by 1. That is, the opening/closing process is repeatedly performed until the number of executed rounds reaches a preset number of times. In the round sending process, the variable flag is turned off and the variable timer is set to the time (wait time) until the next round is started.

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

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

Based on the on/off state of the variable flag, various control signals are output to the variable winning device 32 in the next external output process of the normal process. When the variable flag is on, a control signal for opening the special winning opening is output to the variable winning device 32, and the variable winning device 32 is opened. On the other hand, when the variable flag is off, a control signal for closing the special winning opening is output to the variable winning device 32, and the variable winning device 32 is closed.

Next, the payout control executed by the CPU 511 in the payout control device 311 will be described. For convenience of explanation, first, the reception interrupt process will be described with reference to FIG. 21, and then the main process will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the reception interrupt processing executed by the payout control device 311. The reception interrupt process is a process executed by interrupting when the payout control device 311 receives a command transmitted from the main control device 261. When the payout control device 311 confirms that the command transmitted from the main control device 261 has been received, another process executed by the CPU 511 in the payout control device 311 is once put on standby, and the reception interrupt process is executed. When the reception interrupt processing is executed, first, the command transmitted from the main control device 261 is stored in the command buffer of the RAM 513 in step S3001 and the command transmission from the main control device 261 is stored in step S3002. The command reception flag is turned on, and this reception interrupt processing ends. As described above, when the command is stored in the command buffer, the storage pointer is referred to and stored in the predetermined storage area, and the storage pointer is stored in order to store the next received command in the next storage area. Will be updated.

In this embodiment, the reception process of the command transmitted from the main control device 261 is assumed to be the interrupt process executed when the command is received. In the timer interrupt process, before the command determination process (step S3201) is performed, it is confirmed whether or not the command is received, and if the command is received, the command is stored in the command buffer of the RAM 513. The command reception flag may be turned on, and if no command is received, the command determination process may be performed. In such a case, it is confirmed whether or not the command is received by confirming the port corresponding to the command input of the input/output port at every predetermined interval.

Next, the main processing of the payout control device 311 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 22 is a flow chart showing the main processing of the payout control device 311. This main processing is activated by a reset when the power is turned on.

First, in step S3101, an initial setting process accompanying power-on is executed. Specifically, the stack pointer is set to a predetermined value and the interrupt mode is set. Then, the RAM access is permitted in step S3103, and the external interrupt vector is set in step S3104.

After that, in step S3106, it is determined whether or not the power-off occurrence information is set in the backup area 513a of the RAM 513. If the power-off occurrence information is set in the backup area 513a, the RAM determination value is calculated in step S3107, and in the subsequent step S3108, whether the RAM determination value matches the RAM determination value saved when the power was turned off. Whether or not, that is, the effectiveness of the backup is determined. The RAM judgment value is, for example, a checksum value at the work area address of the RAM 513. Note that it is also possible to judge the effectiveness of the backup depending on whether or not the keyword written in the predetermined area of the RAM 513 is correctly stored.

If the power failure information is not set in step S3106, or if the backup abnormality is confirmed by the RAM determination value (checksum value or the like) in step S3108, the initialization process of the RAM 513 is performed from step S3115. Transition.

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

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

After the interrupt is permitted in step S3114, it is determined in step S3122 whether or not the power-off occurrence information is set in the backup area 513a. Here, if the power-off occurrence information is set, it means that the power is cut off, and therefore, the processing after step S3123 is performed as the power failure processing at the time of power-off. In the power failure process, first, the occurrence of each interrupt process is prohibited in step S3123, and the command determination process described later is executed in step S3124. After that, the contents of each register used by the CPU 511 are saved in the stack area in step S3125, the stack pointer value is stored in the backup area 513a in step S3126, and the RAM determination value is calculated in step S3127 to calculate the backup area 513a. In step S3128, the RAM access is prohibited, and the infinite loop is continued until the power is completely cut off and the processing cannot be executed. Here, the RAM determination value is, for example, a checksum value in the stack area and work area of the RAM 513 that are backed up.

In the process of step S3122, since the power-off occurrence information is confirmed after the process performed when the power is turned on, the amount of data stored in the backup area 513a of the RAM 513 is smaller than that in the case where each process is in progress. It is low and can be stored easily. Further, when returning to the state before power-off, since the amount of data stored in the backup area 513a is small, it can be easily restored and the processing load of the payout control device 311 can be reduced. ..

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

In the timer interrupt process, first, a command from the main control device 261 is acquired, and the command determination process is performed (step S3201). This command determination processing will be described below with reference to FIG.

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

If it is determined in step S3301 that the command reception flag is off, a new command has not been received from the main control device 261, and this process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S3301 that the command reception flag is on, the received command is read from the RAM 513 in step S3302, and the command reception flag is turned off in step S3303. By turning off the command reception flag in step S3303, the processing of steps S3302 to S3311 can be skipped until a new command is received, and thus the control of the payout control device 311 can be reduced.

In the processing of steps S3304 to S3306, the type of command read from the RAM 513 is determined. In step S3304, it is determined whether or not the command transmitted from the main control device 261 is a payout initialization command, in step S3305 it is determined whether or not it is a payout return command, and in step S3306, is it a prize ball command. It is determined whether or not.

If the command transmitted from the main control device 261 is the payout initialization command, it is determined in step S3307 whether or not the payout permission flag is already turned on. Since the controller 261 has instructed the initialization of the RAM 513, the work area (area) other than the stack area of the RAM 513 is cleared to 0 in step S3308, and the initial value of the RAM 513 is set in step S3309. Then, in step S3311, the payout permission flag is turned on, and the payout permission of the prize ball is set.

As described above, the main control device 261 performs the initialization process of the RAM 503 after transmitting the payout initialization command, and the payout control device 311 receives the payout initialization command and then performs the initialization process of the RAM 513. Therefore, the timing at which the RAM 503 is initialized and the timing at which the RAM 513 are initialized are substantially the same. Therefore, even if the payout control device 311 receives the command transmitted from the main control device 261 due to the deviation of the initialization timing, the RAM 513 is initialized and the control corresponding to the received command cannot be performed. It is possible to prevent the adverse effects of Further, since the payout permission flag is turned on after the RAM 513 is initialized, it is possible to reliably set the payout permission of the prize balls.

On the other hand, if the payout permission flag has already been turned on in step S3307, this command determination processing is ended without performing the work area of the RAM 513 and the initialization processing of the RAM 513. That is, in the process of step S3307, the RAM 513 is prohibited from being initialized with the payout permission flag set. Since the payout initialization command is a command that is transmitted only when the RAM erase switch 323 is turned on when the power is turned on, it is not received while the payout permission flag is turned on. It is conceivable that the payout control device 311 recognized the payout initialization command due to the influence of noise or the like. Therefore, when the payout permission flag is turned on and the work area of the RAM 513 is cleared (step S3308) and the initial value of the RAM 513 is set (step S3309), the prize balls are not paid out, etc. Although a bad effect is caused to cause a loss to the player, since the RAM 513 is prevented from being initialized while the payout permission flag is turned on, it is possible to prevent the player from being lost.

Further, if the command transmitted from the main control device 261 is a payout return command (step S3304: NO, step S3305: YES), the main control device 261 and the payout control device 311 return to the state before power-off, In step S3311, the payout permission flag is turned on in order to permit the payout of prize balls. That is, when there is power-off occurrence information and the main control device 261 and the payout control device 311 return to the state before the power-off, the payout of prize balls is permitted. When the payout permission flag is turned on in the process of step S3311, it means that the process based on the command stored in the predetermined storage area of the command buffer has ended, so that the read pointer becomes the read pointer corresponding to the next storage area. Will be updated.

Further, if the command transmitted from the main control device 261 is the prize ball command (step S3305: NO, step S3306: YES), the received prize ball number is added to the total prize ball number and stored in step S3310. In step S3311, the payout permission flag is turned on to permit the payout of prize balls. At this time, the payout control device 311 sequentially reads the award ball commands stored in the command buffer (ring buffer), and adds the number of award balls corresponding to the command to the total number of award balls stored in a predetermined buffer area. And remember. Since the prize balls corresponding to the number of prize balls are paid out based on the prize ball command transmitted from the main control device 261, the prize ball command is a payout instruction command for instructing the payout of prize balls. .. Further, when the prize ball command is received, the payout permission is immediately set, so that the prize balls can be paid out early for the winning. When the payout permission flag is turned on in the process of step S3311, it means that the process based on the command stored in the predetermined storage area of the command buffer has ended, so that the read pointer becomes the read pointer corresponding to the next storage area. Will be updated.

If the command transmitted from the main controller 261 is neither a payout initialization command (step S3304: NO) nor a payout return command (step S3305: NO), and is not a prize ball command (step S3306: NO), The command determination process ends without turning on the payout permission flag.

Here, the flow chart of FIG. 23 will be described again. When the command determination process ends, in step S3202, it is determined whether or not the payout permission flag is turned on in the command determination process. Here, if the payout permission flag is not turned on, this processing is ended as it is. That is, it is possible to prevent the prize balls from being paid out before the command is transmitted from the main control device 261.

On the other hand, if an affirmative decision is made in step S3202, then in step S3203 a firing permission is set for the firing control device 312, and in step S3204 the state return switch 321 is checked, and if it is determined that the state return operation has started, the state is set. Execute the return operation. By this processing, when the state return switch 321 is pressed when a dispensing error such as a ball clogging of the dispensing motor occurs, the dispensing motor is rotated in the forward and reverse directions to eliminate the ball clogging (return to a normal state). ..

Then, in step S3205, setting of the lower plate full tank state or the lower plate full tank release state is executed according to the change of the state of the lower plate 15. That is, when the lower plate 15 is full, the lower plate 15 is judged to be full, and when the lower plate is full, the lower plate full state is set and when the lower plate is no longer full. , Set the lower plate full tank release status. Further, in step S3206, the setting of the tank-ball-free state (ball-out state) or the tank-ball-free state (ball-containing state) is set according to the change in the state of the tank ball. That is, the tank sphere no-state is determined by the detection signal of the tank sphere no switch, the tank sphere-less state is set, the tank sphere no-state setting is executed, and the tank sphere no-state is removed. Execute the setting.

After that, in step S3207, it is determined whether or not there is a state to be notified, such as an error state, and if there is a state to be notified, the state is notified.

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

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

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

If the command is received, the command is stored in the command buffer of the RAM 553 in step S3902. The command buffer of the RAM 553 is composed of a ring buffer that temporarily stores the command transmitted from the main control device 261. As described above, the ring buffer has a predetermined storage area, commands are stored with regularity from the beginning to the end of the storage area, and when the commands are stored in all storage areas, The return command is updated at the beginning of the area. Therefore, when the command is stored and when the command is read, the storage pointer and the read pointer in the command buffer are updated, and the command is stored and read based on each pointer.

In a succeeding step S3903, command determination processing is performed. Here, the command determination process will be described with reference to FIG. In step S4101, the received command is read from the command buffer of the RAM 553. In the following step S4102, it is determined whether or not the command is an initialization command, in step S4103 it is determined whether or not it is a return command, in step S4104 it is determined whether or not it is a variation pattern command, and step S4110. Then, it is determined whether or not it is a game state notification command, and at step S4111 it is determined whether or not it is a start command.

If the command transmitted from the main controller 261 is an initialization command, it means that the main controller 261 has instructed the initialization of the RAM 553 when the power is turned on. Therefore, the RAM 553 is cleared in step S4105, and in step S4106. The initial value of the RAM 553 is set. As a result, the game state information storage area of the RAM 553 stores the game state information corresponding to the initial setting "low probability state". After that, this processing ends.

If the command transmitted from the main control device 261 is a return command (step S4102: NO, step S4103: YES), the main control device 261 returns to the state before the power is cut off, and therefore the sub-function that does not have the backup function is provided. In step S4107, the control device 262 reads the game state information included in the return command and stores it in the game state information storage area of the RAM 553. After that, this processing ends.

Further, if the command transmitted from the main control device 261 is a variation pattern command (step S4103: NO, step S4104: YES), a storage process of storing the content of the variation pattern in the sub holding buffer Bf in step S4108. Then, this processing is finished.

The sub holding buffer Bf includes eight holding areas (holding first area to holding eighth area) and one execution area. In each holding area, according to the reception history (reception order) of the variation pattern command, information (big hit type, variation time, effect pattern described later, etc.) related to the variation display executed by the decorative symbol display device 42 is time-series. Is stored in the memory. As a result, the sub control device 262 can grasp the number of pending display of the variable display and the content thereof.

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

In addition, in the present embodiment, along with the process of storing the content of the variation pattern in the sub holding buffer Bf, based on the variation time information stored in the holding area of the sub holding buffer Bf, the effect pattern relating to the variable display of the decorative symbol. Based on the jackpot type information (including “out”), a stop symbol (combination of stop symbols) to be stopped and displayed after a lapse of the variable time is determined. Information regarding the effect pattern and the stop pattern determined here is additionally written in the holding area of the sub holding buffer Bf corresponding to these. Incidentally, the correspondence relationship between the variation time information and the effect pattern, and the correspondence relationship between the jackpot type information and the stop symbol are stored in a table in the ROM 552 of the sub control device 262.

Here, the correspondence relationship between the variation time information and the effect pattern will be described. First, the types of effect patterns will be described. As the effect pattern, for example, "normal reach" in which no special effect display is displayed other than the variation of the decorative pattern is displayed, "super reach" in which a character or the like is displayed after the reach state is established, which makes the player have a higher expectation, and the reach state "Complete disengagement" that does not happen is prepared.

Particularly in the present embodiment, after the reach state is established, the "A reach" and the "B reach" corresponding to the "reach other than the front and rear deviation" in which the final stop symbol stops other than before and after the reach symbol are prepared as the "normal reach". Also, after the reach state is established, "C reach" and "D reach", which correspond to the "out-of-front reach", in which the final stop symbol shifts by one before and after the reach symbol, stop the above "super reach". It is prepared as.

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

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

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

Therefore, the “C reach” and the “D reach” have higher expectation that they are a big hit than the “A reach” and the “B reach”.

If the command transmitted from the main control device 261 is the game state notification command (step S4104: NO, step S4110: YES), it is the timing when the game state is switched in the main control device 261. Therefore, in step S4107. , Game state information (for example, information corresponding to the “high probability state”) included in the game state notification command is read out and stored in the game state information storage area of the RAM 553. After that, this processing ends.

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

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

In this start setting process, first, a process of shifting the data stored in the sub holding buffer Bf is executed. This data shift process is a process of sequentially shifting the data stored in the hold first to eighth areas to the execution area side, and includes a hold first area→execution area, a hold second area→a hold first area, The data in each area is shifted such that the reserved third area→the reserved second area,... The reserved eighth area→the reserved seventh area.

Then, a value corresponding to the fluctuation time stored in the execution area of the sub holding buffer Bf is set in the fluctuation display timer. The variable display timer is a means for measuring the variable time (remaining time of variable display) in the decorative symbol display device 42, and is taken into consideration when determining whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of variable display.

Further, the variable display flag which is taken into consideration when determining whether or not the variable display is being displayed on the decorative pattern display device 42 is turned on.

The commands transmitted from the main control device 261 to the sub-control device 262 are not limited to the above-exemplified commands, but other commands such as a jackpot production start command output when a jackpot state occurs (or at the end). (Or jackpot production end command).

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

In step S3905, update processing of various counters is executed. The CPU 551 of the sub control device 262 uses various counter information when displaying a decorative design. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 27, the jackpot decoration symbol counter C5 and the upper, middle, and lower used for setting each out-of-range design in the upper design display area, the middle design display area, and the lower design display area. It is supposed that each of the deviation symbol counters CL, CM and CR is used. The deviation symbol counters CL, CM, and CR are configured such that the register values are added using the R register (refresh register) in the CPU 551, and as a result, the numerical values change randomly. The values of these counters are appropriately stored in the counter buffer of the RAM 553.

The jackpot time decorative symbol counter C5 is for determining a symbol (bonus symbol) that is stopped and displayed on the ornamental symbol display device 42 when the jackpot (“probable variation jackpot” or “normal jackpot”). The jackpot pattern in the present embodiment is set in 10 ways regardless of "probability variation jackpot" or "normal jackpot". Therefore, 10 (0 to 9) counter values are prepared as the jackpot decorative pattern counter C5. That is, the jackpot decorative pattern counter C5 is configured to be incremented by 1 in the range of 0 to 9 in sequence, and returns to 0 after reaching the upper limit value (that is, 9).

The jackpot decorative symbol counter C5 is periodically updated by the counter updating process of step S3905, and is stored in the jackpot decorative symbol counter buffer of the RAM 553. When the jackpot type information stored in the holding area of the sub holding buffer Bf is “FD” or “FE” indicating a big jackpot in the holding buffer storage processing of step S4108, based on a table (not shown), For example, when the value of the decorative pattern counter C5 at the time of big hit is "0", it is "0" (the doublet), when it is "1", it is "1" (the doublet), ..., and so on. ~ The combination of any one of the doublet patterns of "9" is determined as the combination of the stopped symbols (big hit symbols).

Further, the upper/middle/lower deviation symbol counters CL, CM, and CR each stop symbols (combination of deviation symbols) in the upper/middle/lower symbol display areas when the jackpot lottery is “missing”. Since any of the 10 decorative symbols is displayed in each column, 10 (0 to 9) counter values are prepared for each. The stop symbol of the upper symbol display area is determined by the upper/off symbol counter CL, the stop symbol of the middle symbol display area is determined by the medium/off symbol counter CM, and the stop symbol of the lower symbol display area is determined by the lower/off symbol counter CR. Is determined.

In this embodiment, the values of the counters CL, CM, and CR are randomly updated by using the numerical value of the R register built in the CPU 551. That is, when updating each deviation symbol counter CL, CM, CR, the value of the lower 3 bits of the R register is added to the previous value, and when the addition result exceeds the upper limit value, 10 is subtracted to determine the current value. It Each of the deviation symbol counters CL, CM, and CR are updated so that the update times do not overlap, and the combination of these deviation symbol counters CL, CM, and CR is the front/rear outreach symbol buffer of RAM 553, the reach symbol buffer other than the front/rear outreach, and It is stored in any of the completely out-of-place symbol buffers.

Here, the update processing of each of the deviation symbol counters CL, CM, and CR will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 28, in step S4001, it is determined whether it is the update time of the upper/off symbol counter CL, and in step S4002 it is determined whether it is the update time of the medium/off symbol counter CM. The upper, middle, and lower deviation symbol counters CL, CM, and CR are configured to be updated one by one in one update process. Therefore, if the lower/off symbol counter CR has been updated in the previous update process, an affirmative decision is made in step S4001. If the up/off symbol counter CL has been updated in the previous update process, an affirmative decision is made in step S4002. If the upper/off symbol counter CL is updated (YES in step S4001), the process advances to step S4003 to update the up/off symbol counter CL. If the middle/outside symbol counter CM is updated (YES in step S4002), the process advances to step S4004 to update the inside/outside symbol counter CM. Furthermore, if the lower/off symbol counter CR is updated (NO in steps S4001 and S4002), the process advances to step S4005 to update the lower/off symbol counter CR. In updating the deviation symbol counters CL, CM, and CR in steps S4003 to S4005, the value of the lower 3 bits of the R register is added to the previous counter value, and 10 is subtracted if the addition result exceeds the upper limit value. , The calculation result is set as the current value of the deviation symbol counters CL, CM, CR.

According to the updating process of CL, CM, and CR, the upper, middle, and lower deviation symbol counters CL, CM, and CR are updated one by one in one updating process, and the update timing of each counter value overlaps. There is no such thing. As a result, every time the update process is performed three times, one set of the deviation symbol counters CL, CM, and CR is updated.

After that, in step S4006, the combination of the updated deviating symbol counters CL, CM, CR is a combination of reach symbols (the symbols in the upper symbol display area and the symbols in the lower symbol display area are the same, and the upper and lower symbol display areas are the same). Is different from the symbol in the middle symbol display area), and if it is a combination of reach symbols (YES in S4006), in step S4007, it is a front/rear reach. It is determined whether or not there is. When the deviation symbol counters CL, CM, and CR are combinations of front and rear deviation (front and rear deviation symbols) (YES in S4007), the process proceeds to step S4008, and the combination of the deviation symbol counters CL, CM, and CR at that time is stored in the RAM 553. Stored in the reach pattern buffer. If the removal symbol counters CL, CM, and CR are combinations of reach other than the front/rear detachment (symbols other than the front/rear detachment) (NO in S4007), the process proceeds to step S4009, and the removal symbol counters CL, CM, and CR at that time are The combination is stored in the reach symbol buffer except for the front and rear of the RAM 553.

If the combination is a combination other than the reach symbol (NO in S4006), the process proceeds to step S4010, and it is determined whether or not the combination of the deviation symbol counters CL, CM, and CR is the combination of the deviating symbols, and the deviation is determined. If it is a combination of symbols (complete removal symbol) (YES in S4010), the process proceeds to step S4011, and the combination of the removal symbol counters CL, CM, and CR at that time is stored in the complete removal symbol buffer of the RAM 553. In addition, when both steps S4006 and S4010 are NO, the symbols are aligned on the upper, middle and lower sides, that is, it corresponds to a combination of the jackpot symbols, but in such a case, the deviation symbol counters CL, CM and CR are stored in the buffer. This processing is terminated without storing it.

When the jackpot type information stored in the holding area of the sub holding buffer Bf is “FF” indicating “out” in the holding buffer storage processing of step S4108, the corresponding processing is performed based on a table (not shown). The combination of symbols stored in the counter buffer (see FIG. 27) of the RAM 553 is determined as the combination of the stopped symbols (off symbols). More specifically, if the jackpot type information stored in the predetermined holding area is “out” and the value of the variable time information is “0 to 90” (if the effect pattern is “completely off”), it is completely out. The combination of the symbols stored in the symbol buffer is determined as the stopped symbol. Similarly, if the value of the variable time information is "91 to 97" (the effect pattern is "A reach" or "B reach"), the combination of symbols stored in the reach symbol buffer other than the front and rear deviations Is determined as a stop symbol. If the value of the variable time information is "98, 99" (the effect pattern is "C reach" or "D reach"), the combination of symbols stored in the front/rear reach symbol buffer of the RAM 553 Is determined as a stop symbol.

Now, returning to the description of FIG. 25, in step S3907, display setting processing for performing various displays on the decorative symbol display device 42 is performed. In the display setting process, a variable display setting process for performing a variable display of a decorative symbol on the decorative symbol display device 42 and a display mode of the decorative symbol display device 42 are performed in a mode according to a type of a game mode described later. A mode switching setting process for performing a hold display setting process and a hold display setting process for performing a hold display are performed. Here, the decorative pattern constitutes the identification information, and the function of performing the variable display setting process constitutes the variable display control means in the present embodiment.

First, the variable display setting process will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 29, in step S4301, the setting state of the variable display flag is checked to determine whether or not the variable display is on the decorative pattern display device 42. Specifically, when the variable display flag is set (when it is in the ON state), it is considered that the variable display is being performed, and when the variable display flag is cleared (when it is in the OFF state), the variable display is displayed. It is considered that the stop display, which is the stopped state, is being displayed. The variable display flag is turned on when the variable display of the decorative symbol display device 42 is started (start setting process of step S4112) as described above, and when the variable display of the decorative symbol display device 42 is stopped and displayed. (See step S4305).

If an affirmative determination is made here, that is, if the variation starts or is being varied, the process advances to step S4302, and if a negative determination is made, the present process ends.

In step S4302, variable display timer subtraction processing is performed. The value of the display timer is decremented by 4 msec each time this process is performed once. For example, when the variation time is 10 seconds (10000 msec), "2500" is set for the variation display timer, and 1 is subtracted every 4 msec.

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

When a negative determination is made in step S4303, in step S4304, a variation execution process for performing variation display of the decorative symbol display device 42 is performed, and this process is ended.

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

Thereby, the display control device 45 performs the drawing process in accordance with the instruction from the sub control device 262, and starts the variable display of the symbols on the decorative symbol display device 42. Then, once the start command is received from the main control device 261, until the change time of the change display corresponding to the start command elapses (the value of the change display timer set in the start setting process of step S4112 is "0"). Until)), the variable display of symbols is continued under the cooperation of the sub control device 262 and the display control device 45.

The display command described above is, for example, a command for designating a series of display effects from the start to the end of the variable display, and a necessary display command is generated each time based on the information stored in the sub holding buffer Bf. To be done. Normally, the display commands relating to the fluctuation display generated by the sub-control device 262 are roughly classified into a normal fluctuation data group, a reach effect data group, etc. Basically, each data constituting these data groups is the fluctuation time timer. Are sequentially output based on a predetermined time sequence based on the above, display effects according to various fluctuation patterns are performed. For example, the normal fluctuation data group includes normal fluctuation data 1, normal fluctuation data 2,..., Normal fluctuation data m, and the reach effect data group includes reach effect data 1, reach effect data 2,..., Reach effect data. In the case of n, the data is sequentially output in the order of normal fluctuation data 1→2→...→m with the start of the normal fluctuation, and subsequently, reach effect data 1→2→ with the start of the reach effect. The data output is sequentially performed in the order of →→n.

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

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

In such a case, in the upper symbol row, the various symbols Z are displayed in descending order (the order in which the numbers attached are decreased), and in the middle symbol column and the lower symbol column, similarly, the various symbols Z are in ascending order (the number attached is increased). Order). Then, after a lapse of a predetermined time, the variable display is stopped in the order of the upper symbol display area → the lower symbol display area → the middle symbol display area, and at that time, the symbol Z is, for example, a combination of the jackpot symbols on a predetermined jackpot line (book. In the embodiment, the jackpot state is started if the same kind of symbols are combined). Immediately before the combination of the above-mentioned big hit symbols is displayed, the so-called reach state (reach mode is established) is set. However, the jackpot state may not be reached even when the reach state is reached.

In the present embodiment, the jackpot line is composed of left, middle, and right vertical lines and two diagonal lines (referred to as five lines). Therefore, in the upper/middle/lower symbol display area, when three identical symbols of various symbols Z are lined up on any one of the five lines and fixedly displayed, a jackpot state occurs.

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

In the present embodiment, the game mode is set to be switched between the "notification mode" as the second specific mode, the "indication mode" as the first specific mode, and the "normal mode (non-notification mode)".

The "notification mode" is a mode for explicitly notifying the player of the current game state ("high probability state" or "low probability state").

The "indication mode" is a mode for suggesting the current game state to the player.

The “normal mode” refers to a normal state other than the above “notification mode” and “indication mode” as the specific mode. In the "normal mode", it is difficult for the player to grasp the current game state. Therefore, if the gaming state is the "high probability state" in the normal mode, the player cannot grasp this, which is a so-called "hidden state".

In this embodiment, the mode information about the game mode is stored in the mode information storage area of the RAM 553. Then, the sub control device 262 is configured to be able to determine the game mode based on the value of the mode flag Mf stored as the mode information in the mode information storage area. More specifically, when the game mode is "normal mode", the value of the mode flag Mf is set to "0", and when the game mode is "indication mode", the value of the mode flag Mf is " When "1" is set and the game mode is the "notification mode", the value of the mode flag Mf is set to "2".

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

First, in step S4401, it is determined whether or not the big hit state has occurred (or has ended) based on input of a command from main controller 261. Here, if the affirmative determination is made, the process proceeds to step S4402, and if the negative determination is made, the present process is ended.

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

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

On the other hand, if a negative decision is made in step S4402, it is decided in step S4404 whether or not the value of the mode flag Mf is "1", that is, whether or not the game mode is the "indication mode".

If an affirmative determination is made here, a suggestion mode setting process is performed in step S4405, and this process ends. In the suggestion mode setting process, the game state is determined based on the game state information stored in the game state information storage area of the RAM 553. If the game state is a “high probability state”, in addition to the display in the normal mode, for example, With a probability of 70%, the display setting such as "Is it a high probability state?" That is, when the "indication mode" is entered, an indication indicating that the current game state is suggested to the player with a predetermined probability is displayed.

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

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

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

First, in step S4501, the reach pattern (“A reach”, “B reach”, “C reach” or “D reach”) is included in the effect patterns stored in the hold first to eighth areas of the sub hold buffer Bf. Is determined.

If a negative determination is made here, that is, if any reach pattern is not included, normal hold display update processing is performed in step S4505. As shown in FIG. 33A, in the normal hold display, the number of holdings can be determined from the holding images T1 to T8 that are “holding lamp images” that imitate a circular holding lamp.

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

That is, when the number of reservations in the sub-reservation buffer Bf is “0”, all of the first to eighth reservation images T1 to T8 are covered with the covering image W and are invisible.

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

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

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

When the number of reservations in the sub reservation buffer Bf is "4", the fifth to eighth reservation images T5 to T8 are covered with the covering image W, and the first to fourth reservation images T1 to T4 are visible.

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

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

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

When the number of reservations in the sub-reservation buffer Bf is “8”, all the reservation images T1 to T8 are visible without being covered with the covering image W.

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

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

Therefore, if "D reach" is stored in the holding first area and "A reach" is stored in the holding second area, the reach pattern stored in the holding first to eighth areas is " Will be specified as "D-reach". Further, for example, at first, only “A reach” is stored in the reserved third area, but if “C reach” is stored in the reserved fifth area thereafter, the reserved first to first areas are stored. The reach pattern stored in the eight areas was originally "A reach", but will be switched to "C reach". As a result, the contents of the change pending display (arrangement of "note image" and "rest image") described later are switched from those initially corresponding to "A reach" to those corresponding to "C reach". Become.

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

In the present embodiment, a unique melody is set for each of “A reach”, “B reach”, “C reach”, and “D reach”. Specifically, in “A reach”, a melody consisting of eight tones of “Doremifaso mired” (hereinafter referred to as “melody A”) is repeatedly played from the speaker SP. In "B reach", a melody composed of "Doremi de do" (hereinafter referred to as "melody B") is repeatedly played. Here, "." represents "one beat off" (hereinafter the same). In "C reach", a melody composed of "Doremi-Doremi" (hereinafter referred to as "Melody C") is repeatedly played. In "D-reach", a melody composed of "Doremi-Doremire" (hereinafter referred to as "melody C") is repeatedly played.

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

In a succeeding step S4504, a hold display changing process is performed in accordance with the melody information specified in the melody setting process of the above step S4503, and then this process is ended.

By the hold display change processing in step S4504, the eight hold images T1 to T8 are imitated as a “note image” or “star” that imitates an “eighth note” from the “hold lamp image” during normal hold display. It is replaced with the rest image. For example, as shown in FIG. 33B, in the state where the first to fifth hold images T1 to T5 are displayed, any of the hold first to eighth areas of the sub hold buffer Bf is related to “A reach”. When the information is stored, as shown in FIG. 33(c), the first to fifth reserved images T1 to T5 are replaced with the “reserved lamp image” and the “note image”, respectively. In particular, the display information control means in this embodiment is configured by the function of the pending display change processing.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 35, in the case of "A reach", all the reserved images T1 to T8 are replaced with "note images".

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

In the case of "C reach", two of the fourth and eighth reserved images T4 and T8 are replaced with "rest images", and the remaining first to third reserved images T1 to T3 and the fifth to seventh reserved Images T5 to T7 are replaced with "note images".

In the case of "D reach", the fourth reserved image T4 is replaced with the "rest image", and the remaining first to third reserved images T1 to T3 and the fifth to eighth reserved images T5 to T8 are "notes". "Image".

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

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

For example, as shown in FIG. 35, when the variable display pending number is “3”, the first to third pending images T1 to T3 are only visible, so the player displays the change pending display. It is not possible to discriminate whether the arrangement of the “note image” and the “rest image” corresponds to the rhythm corresponding to “melody A” to “melody D”, just by looking at. Here, when the number of variable displays is “4” and the fourth hold image T4 is visible, if the fourth hold image T4 is a “note image”, the change hold display is “melody”. It can be determined that it corresponds to “A”.

Further, when the variable display pending number is "5", only the first to fifth pending images T1 to T5 are visible, so that the player can see "change pending display" and " It is not possible to determine which of "melody B" to "melody D" the rhythm corresponds to in the arrangement of "note image" and "rest image". Here, when the number of variable displays held is "6" and the sixth held image T6 becomes visible, if the sixth held image T6 is a "rest image", the change held display is " It can be determined that it corresponds to "Melody B".

Further, when the variable display pending number is "7", only the first to seventh pending images T1 to T7 can be visually recognized, so that the player only sees the change pending display. It is impossible to determine whether the arrangement of the “note image” and the “rest image” corresponds to “melody C” or “melody D”. Here, at the stage where the number of variable displays held is "8" and the eighth held image T8 becomes visible, whether the eighth held image T8 is a "rest image" or a "note image". Thus, it is possible to determine whether the change pending display corresponds to "Melody C" or "Melody D".

Now, returning to the description of FIG. 25, in step S3908, effect processing for executing the game effect using the effect device 125 is performed. As a result, the "melody hitting effect" that causes the player to hit the melody corresponding to the reach pattern (the reach pattern to be executed later) stored in the sub holding buffer Bf is performed. First, the configuration of the rendering device 125 will be described in detail.

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

Each of the key members 126a to 126f is configured to be capable of being pressed by the player, and a sensor (not shown) is provided behind it, so that when the player operates, the operation can be detected.

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

In the present embodiment, the first key member 126a corresponds to a so-called "do" sound, the second key member 126b corresponds to a so-called "re" sound, and the third key member 126c corresponds to a so-called "mi" sound. Correspondingly, the fourth key member 126d corresponds to a so-called "fa" sound, and the fifth key member 126e corresponds to a so-called "so" sound. The sixth key member 126f corresponds to "one beat rest" in which no sound is produced when pressed.

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

First, in step S4601, it is determined whether or not the current period is the operation permission period. In the present embodiment, the operation permission period is set during the change pending display (step S4504) and during the high speed variation period of the variation display. The high-speed variable period is a period from the start of variable display until the first symbol row (upper symbol row) is stopped, that is, a period in which all symbol rows are variably displayed without being stopped. The high speed fluctuation period in this embodiment is commonly set to "8 seconds" regardless of the fluctuation pattern. Then, the determination in step S4601 is made based on the variable display timer.

The change suspension display is continuously performed as long as any one of the suspension first to eighth areas of the sub suspension buffer Bf includes the information related to the reach pattern. As long as the buffer Bf contains the information related to the reach pattern, the buffer Bf is set any number of times. For example, if the normal hold display (“hold lamp image”) was switched to the change hold display (“note image”, etc.) when the variable display hold count reached “5”, The operation permission period is set five times before the variable display corresponding to the fifth hold is executed.

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

When a positive determination is made in step S4601, the process proceeds to step S4603, and the decorative symbol display device 42 is set to display a message prompting the player to operate the rendering device 125. As a result, a message that the player operates the rendering device 125 to actively participate in the "melody hitting production", such as "Please guess what melody!" It is continuously displayed during the operation permission period.

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

Here, if the determination is negative, it means that the player has not participated in the "melody hitting effect", so in step S4605, the value of the mode flag Mf is set to "0", and this processing is performed. To finish.

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

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

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

In subsequent step S4608, 8 sounds stored in each storage area of the operation history buffer and 8 sounds stored in each storage area of the melody storage area by the melody setting processing in step S4503 (8 sounds of predetermined melody information). It is determined whether and match. The function of performing such processing constitutes the determination means in this embodiment. Here, if all eight storage areas of the operation history buffer are not filled, negative determination is always made.

If an affirmative decision is made in step S4608, that is, if all eight tones stored in the operation history buffer match the predetermined melody information, then the flow shifts to step S4609, and the value of the mode flag Mf is set to " "2" is set, and this processing ends. The function of performing such processing mainly constitutes the adding means in the present embodiment.

On the other hand, if a negative decision is made in step S4608, then the flow shifts to step S4610, and it is determined whether or not the rhythm stored in the operation history buffer matches the rhythm of the predetermined melody information stored in the melody storage area. To judge. Here, "rhythm" means an arrangement of "sounds (notes)" and "one beat rest (rests)" regardless of the pitch such as "do", "re", "mi"... To do. Therefore, for example, when the melody information stored in the melody storage area corresponds to "melody A", all eight sounds stored in each of the eight storage areas of the operation history buffer are "do". If the answer is yes, it means that the rhythms match, but the melody is different, and a positive determination is made in step S4610.

If an affirmative decision is made in step S4610, the value of the mode flag Mf is set to "1" in step S4611, and this processing ends. On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S4610, it means an incorrect answer, so the flow shifts to step S4605, the value of the mode flag Mf is set to "0", and this processing is ended.

With the above configuration, when a correct melody answer is obtained in the "melody hitting effect", a "notification mode" is given as a privilege after the next big hit, and the player is in a gaming state ("high probability state" or "low probability state"). Probability state”) can be understood. This allows the player to make a judgment such as continuing the game in the “high probability state” and ending the game in the “low probability state”.

In addition, when the correct rhythm is obtained, the "indication mode" is given after the next big hit, and in the case of incorrect answer or when the player does not participate in the "melody hit production", the "normal mode" is given. It

Now, returning to the description of FIG. 25, in the lamp setting process of step S3909, the lighting pattern of the lamps/illuminations is set so as to be synchronized with the display effect performed by the decorative symbol display device 42.

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

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

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

If the power-off occurrence information is not stored, the flow advances to step S3913 to determine whether the RAM 553 has been destroyed. If the RAM 553 is not destroyed here, the process returns to step S3901, and the normal process is repeatedly executed. On the other hand, if the RAM 553 is destroyed, the process is infinitely looped to stop the execution of the subsequent processes.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S3912 that the power-off occurrence information is stored, power-off processing is executed in step S3914. In the power-off processing, the generation of interrupt processing is prohibited and each output port is turned off. In addition, the storage of the information on occurrence of power failure is also erased. After the power-off process is executed, the process loops endlessly.

As described above in detail, according to the present embodiment, when the sub hold buffer Bf contains information on the reach pattern, the hold images T1 to T8 are changed from the “hold lamp image” at the time of the normal hold display. A change pending display for replacing the “note image” or the “rest image” is displayed, and the player is caused to play the production device 125 to perform “melody hit production”.

When the melody correct answer is obtained in the “melody hit production”, the “notification mode” is given as a privilege after the next big hit, and the player is in the gaming state (“high probability state” or “low probability state”). )) can be grasped. This allows the player to make a judgment such as continuing the game in the “high probability state” and ending the game in the “low probability state”.

On the other hand, if the rhythm correct answer is obtained, the "implication mode" is given after the next big hit, and if the incorrect answer is given or if the player does not participate in the "melody hit production", the "normal mode" is given. It

Further, since the number of the hold images T1 to T8 that can be visually recognized in the hold display changes according to the hold number in the variable display, the larger the hold number is, the larger the melody is when the "melody hitting effect" is performed. It becomes easier to recognize the whole picture of. That is, it becomes easier to obtain the correct melody answer. For this reason, the player will enthusiastically play the game irrespective of the number of holdings. For example, if the normal hold display (“hold lamp image”) was switched to the change hold display (“note image”, etc.) when the variable display hold count reached “5”, Since it is possible to determine that the effect pattern of the variable display corresponding to the fifth hold is the reach pattern, the player may repeat several times during the remaining five variable displays (five operation permission periods). Just challenge and get the correct melody.

As a result, the player will actively participate in the game, and the monotony of the game will be suppressed and the interest will be dramatically improved by comprehensive production utilizing visual, auditory and tactile sensations. You can

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the contents described in the above embodiment, and may be implemented as follows, for example.

(A) In the above-described embodiment, there are “probable variation jackpots” and “normal jackpots” as jackpot types, and in the jackpot state, the variable winning device 32 is open for 30 seconds, or eight in the variable winning device 32. It is configured that 16 times (16 rounds) are repeated, with one game ball winning as one round, but the types and contents of jackpots are not limited to the above-described embodiment, and other configurations are possible. May be adopted.

(B) In the above-described embodiment, the two starting ports (the central starting port 33 and the right starting port 34) are provided separately from each other in the left and right, but the configuration of the starting port is not limited to this. is not. For example, one starting port may be provided, or three or more starting ports may be provided. Further, the two starting ports may be vertically arranged side by side, or may be provided with an opening/closing member capable of opening and closing the starting ports.

(C) In the above embodiment, when both the variable display triggered by winning in the central starting opening 33 and the variable display triggered by entering the right starting opening 34 are suspended, The variable display is configured to be digested according to the order in which the game balls enter the starting opening 33 or the right starting opening 34. The present invention is not limited to this, and the variable display triggered by a ball entering either the central starting port 33 or the right starting port 34 is given priority, and the hold may be exhausted. Under such a configuration, the change suspension display may be applied only to the suspension display related to the one starting opening.

(D) In the above embodiment, a "high probability state" and a "low probability state" can be set as game states. The present invention is not limited to this, and other game states may be set. For example, instead of or in addition to the “high-probability state” or the “low-probability state”, at least the “time-reduction state” in which the variable display time in the special display devices 43L and 43R is shortened may be set. Of course, when the "time shortening state" is set, the conventional configurations such as increasing the opening time of the starting ports 33 and 34 (opening/closing member) and increasing the number of times of opening may be combined. Further, the "high probability state" and the "time reduction state" may be changed to the "low probability state" after the variable display is performed 100 times in total on the special display devices 43L and 43R.

(E) In the above-described embodiment, when the front frame set 14 is closed, the special display devices 43L and 43R and the holding lamps 46L and 46R are covered by the front frame set 14, which is invisible to the player. Become. The configuration is not limited to this, and the special display devices 43L and 43R may be configured to be visible. However, the special display devices 43L and 43R are provided in an unobtrusive place such as the lower corner of the game area that is difficult for the player to see as described above, and the size of the display portion is small, so that the characters for discrimination are stopped and displayed. The time is relatively short. Therefore, it is practically impossible to grasp the game state to be given unless the eyes are carefully observed from the special display devices 43L and 43R and they are carefully observed.

(F) The configuration of the operation unit is not limited to the effect device 125 in the above embodiment. For example, if the effect is to apply a rhythm regardless of the pitch, it may be configured to have only one button. In addition, the handle 18 may be provided with an operating unit serving as a rendering device that can be operated with the right hand, or a touch panel or the like provided corresponding to the decorative pattern display device 42 may be used as the operating unit.

(G) In the above-described embodiment, the change suspension display is performed when the sub suspension buffer Bf contains information related to the reach pattern. The present invention is not limited to this, and the change hold display may be performed when another effect condition is satisfied, for example, when the sub-hold buffer Bf contains information about a big hit.

Further, regardless of the jackpot lottery or the like, the production lottery may be separately performed, and the change suspension display may be performed based on the lottery result. By combining this configuration with the above configuration, it is possible to perform an effect of disguising the reach suggestion, the jackpot suggestion, and the like, and further increase the interest. On the other hand, as a big hit confirmation effect or the like, the change hold display may not be performed even if the sub holding buffer Bf contains the information about the reach pattern or the big hit. By doing so, the predetermined regularity is lost. As a result, when it is determined that a specific display mode or a specific game state is derived, a player who recognizes that the regularity collapses can visually recognize the regularity collapsed mode. By doing so, there is an expectation that a specific display mode or a specific game state may be derived, and interest is improved.

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

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

(J) In the above embodiment, the high-speed fluctuation period of the fluctuation display is set as the operation permission period of the rendering device 125. The configuration is not limited to this, and may be configured such that another period is set as the operation permission period, for example, during reach or big hit. However, compared to during the reach or jackpot, during the high-speed fluctuation period immediately after the start of the fluctuation of the symbol Z, there is often no special effect, so that the player is more likely to actively participate in the game. ..

Further, for example, during the "notification mode" or the "high probability state", the effect of using the effect device 125 is not performed, and it is determined whether or not the effect is performed according to the game state, the game mode, and the like. It may be configured.

(K) The effect produced by using the operation device such as the effect device 125 or the music information is not limited to the “melody hit effect” in the above embodiment. For example, BGM in reach may be configured to perform an effect of selecting from a plurality of music.

(L) The privilege when the correct answer is given to the “melody hitting effect” or the like is not limited to the addition of the specific mode. For example, prize balls may be paid out.

(M) You may implement as a pachinko machine of a type different from the said embodiment. In addition to a pachinko machine, it can also be implemented as various game machines such as a slot machine, an arrangement ball machine, and a sparrow ball.

(N) The method of determining the “melody correct answer” or the “rhythm correct answer” related to the “melody hitting effect” is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the operation history buffer of the above-described embodiment is provided with eight storage areas set in correspondence with the eight storage areas of the melody storage area, and the sounds corresponding to the key members 126a to 126f are operated in the order of operation. 8 sounds stored in each storage area of the operation history buffer and 8 sounds stored in each storage area of the melody storage area (8 sounds of predetermined melody information). It is configured to determine whether or not they match. Instead, an operation history buffer having, for example, 20 storage areas is provided, and 8 sounds stored in 8 continuous storage areas of the operation history buffer match 8 sounds stored in each storage area of the melody storage area. If so, the configuration may be such that the “melody is correct”.

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

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

(R) In the above-described embodiment, in the “melody hit effect (step S3908)”, when a plurality of operation permission periods are set (for example, the normal hold display until then, the variable display hold number is “ When the display is switched to the change hold display at the stage of "5", the operation permission period is set five times until the variable display corresponding to the fifth hold is executed. ), the player can try the “melody hit production” several times to obtain the “melody correct answer”, but once the “melody correct answer” or “rhythm correct answer” is obtained, , If you try "melody hit production" and give a lower answer (for example, "melody correct answer" then "rhythm correct answer" or "incorrect answer"), it will be given after the jackpot is over. The game mode may be downgraded to a mode that is disadvantageous to the player. Therefore, instead of the above embodiment, when a plurality of operation permission periods are set, once a "melody correct answer" or "rhythm correct answer" is obtained, a lower answer than that is given. Even if it happens, the game mode provided after the jackpot is finished may not be downgraded to a disadvantageous mode. Also, a clear button or the like for erasing the contents of the operation history buffer may be provided so that an answer input error (operation error of the key members 126a to 126f) can be corrected.

(S) In the above embodiment, the "melody hitting effect" is performed in which the player is caused to hit the melody corresponding to the reach pattern (the reach pattern to be executed later) stored in the sub holding buffer Bf. Not limited to this, for example, one character such as “frog” is displayed as the predetermined information, and this is covered with a predetermined cover image, and the visible degree of the character is changed according to the number of held variable displays. May be

(T) In the above-described embodiment, the visibility (number) of the reserved images T1 to T8 as the predetermined information changes depending on the covering image W, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a predetermined character image. The transmittance of the character image may be changed so that the density of the character image gradually increases as the number of variable displays increases. On the contrary, as the number of variable displays increases, the density of the predetermined image gradually decreases, and some information displayed behind the predetermined image may be visually recognized.

Hereinafter, technical ideas that are not described in the claims and can be understood from the above-described embodiment will be described together with their effects.

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

According to the above means 1, the degree of visibility of the predetermined information displayed on the second display means changes according to the number of pending variable displays. For example, if the configuration is such that the larger the number of holdings is, the easier it is to recognize the whole image of the predetermined information, the player will be enthusiastic about playing the game, even if the number of holdings is large, so that the interest can be further improved. You can

In recent years, a game machine or the like has been found in which a notice production is performed by a hold number display means (hold lamp, liquid crystal display device, etc.) for displaying the number of variable displays held in the hold storage means.

For example, the holding storage means is composed of four holding areas and one execution area, and in each holding area, information related to variable display of symbols (identification information) executed on the liquid crystal display device (big hit lottery). Results, fluctuation patterns, etc.) are stored in time series. Then, the data stored in each of the holding areas is changed every time the variable display is executed, the holding first area→execution area, the holding second area→holding first area,... the holding fourth area→holding third. Areas are sequentially shifted to the execution area side.

On the other hand, the number-of-holds display means has a configuration of lighting and displaying a predetermined display target (LED, image, etc.) corresponding to the holding area according to the presence or absence of data stored in each holding area of the holding storage means. ing. When there is a data shift (increase/decrease in the number of reservations) in the reservation storage means, a shift display corresponding to this is also displayed in the reservation number display means.

In the case of performing the above-mentioned notice production under such a configuration, for example, among the display objects (LEDs, images, etc.) corresponding to the respective holding areas that are lighted/displayed on the holding number display means, data that is not a big hit is stored. In order to distinguish it from the display object corresponding to the holding area (for example, the LED lit in green, a circular image, etc.), the display object corresponding to the holding area storing the data for the big hit (for example, the LED lit in red, A heart-shaped image or the like) is displayed to notify the player that a big hit will occur.

In the conventional configuration in which the hold display is shift-displayed as described above, the specific display target is moved and displayed every time the variable display is executed, so the information once displayed is continuously displayed in the same manner for a long period of time. Becomes difficult to do. On the other hand, the present means changes the visible degree of the displayed predetermined information according to the number of pending variable displays, and does not directly change the content of the predetermined information. Therefore, if the hold is always in a full state, it is possible to always keep the predetermined information visible. Therefore, if the predetermined information is useful information to the player, the player will enthusiastically play the game in order to keep the number of holdings large, which can further enhance the interest.

Further, in the conventional configuration, it becomes clear which display target corresponds to the variable display in which the notice effect or the like is executed, but to the contrary, in contrast to the variable display related to the other display objects not subject to the notice effect or the like. As a result, the player may lose interest. On the other hand, according to the present means, it is possible to perform a notice effect or the like on the entire hold display (a plurality of display targets), and it is possible to reduce the occurrence of the above-mentioned problems.

The same applies to the following means, but as the "predetermined trigger", for example, "a trigger when a predetermined detection means detects the entry of a game ball into a predetermined entry means provided in the game area. Examples of the aspect include “,” “a trigger for detecting, by the predetermined detection means, that the starting operation means for starting the variable display on the predetermined display means is operated”, and the like.

Further, as a more specific configuration of the holding means using a pachinko machine as an example, for example, "at least during the first variation display, when a game ball enters the ball entering means, it is caused by the ball entering. A plurality of storage areas are provided so that the second variable display can be performed after the end of the first variable display instead of the second variable display, and at least each time the lottery is performed, at least the lottery result information. And a holding means capable of storing an information group including information on the variation mode (variation time) in each of the storage areas and storing the information group for a plurality of times in time series.

Means 2. A storage means for storing a plurality of types of the predetermined information,
The gaming machine according to means 1, wherein the contents of the predetermined information displayed on the second display means are switchable based on the establishment of a predetermined condition.

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

Means 3. While configuring the predetermined information by a plurality of information,
3. The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the number of pieces of information displayed among the predetermined information is changed according to the number of held variable displays.

According to the above means 3, the number of pieces of information displayed among the predetermined information changes in accordance with the number of pending variable displays. This allows the player to clearly indicate the number of variable display holdings depending on the number of pieces of information.

Means 4. Equipped with operation means that can be operated by the player,
4. The gaming machine according to any one of means 1 to 3, wherein the predetermined information displayed on the second display means is applied to the player by using the operation means.

According to the above-mentioned means 4, it is possible to further enhance the interest by performing a quiz-style effect in which the player applies information.

Means 5. The gaming machine according to means 4, characterized in that a predetermined privilege is given when the player applies the predetermined information.

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

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

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

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

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

A. The game machine in each of the above means is a ball game machine. As a more detailed example, "operation means operated by a player (game ball launching handle), launching means for launching and launching a game ball based on the operation of the operating means (launching motor, etc.), and the launching There is a "ball game machine" provided with a game area in which the game balls are guided and each of the ball entering means (general winning hole, variable winning device, operating hole, etc.) arranged in the game area.

B. The game machine or the ball game machine in each of the above means is a pachinko machine or a game machine similar to a pachinko machine.

C. The gaming machine in each of the above means is a spinning-roller type gaming machine such as a slot machine. As a more detailed example of an aspect, “an identification information string (a symbol string; specifically, a reel with a symbol, a rotating body such as a belt) composed of a plurality of pieces of identification information (variable display) (specifically, a reel) The variable display means (specifically, the rotating body unit such as the reel unit) for stopping and displaying the identification information sequence after the rotation) is provided, and is caused by the operation of the starting operation means (specifically, the start lever). The variation of the identification information (design) is started, the variation of the identification information (design) is stopped due to the operation of the stop operation means (specifically, the stop button), and the identification aligned on the effective line at the time of the stop A spinning-roller type gaming machine configured to give a game value on condition that the information is specific identification information”.

10... Pachinko machine, 33... Central starting port, 34... Right starting port, 42... Decorative pattern display device, 43L... First special display device, 43R... Second special display device, 45... Display control device, 46L... First Hold lamp, 46R... Second hold lamp, 125... Rendering device, 126a to 126f... Key member, 261... Main control device, 262... Sub control device, Na... Central hold counter, Nb... Right hold counter, Nx... Total hold Counter, Bj... Reserved buffer, Bf... Sub reserved buffer, Mf... Mode flag, SP... Speaker, T1 to T8... Reserved image, W... Covered image.

Claims (3)

A gaming machine that performs a lottery based on a predetermined trigger and gives a special game state advantageous to a player when a winning result is obtained by the lottery,
Display means capable of displaying the identification information in a variable manner,
A holding means capable of holding the variable display a predetermined number of times,
Hold display means capable of displaying the hold a predetermined number of times,
Operation means that can be operated by the player,
When a predetermined condition is satisfied, based on the fact to operate the operating means to the player, and a viable demonstration execution means predetermined effect,
Depending on the content of the hold, the display mode of the hold display means is changed in a manner that allows the player to recognize that the operation means is operated in a predetermined manner, and the ratio at which the predetermined effect is executed is changed game machine and wherein the Rukoto to. The game machine according to claim 1, further comprising a sound output unit capable of outputting at least a sound related to a predetermined effect based on an operation of the operation unit. The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the gaming machine is a pachinko machine.

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