JP7386419B2 - pinball game machine - Google Patents

Description

Regarding pinball game machines.

Conventionally, among the various pinball game machines, the so-called first-class pachinko game machine displays multiple symbols on a display area, such as a liquid crystal display, located approximately in the center of the game board. display (hereinafter, such display is referred to as "design variation" or "variation display", etc.). This gaming machine shifts to a special game called jackpot, where you can get more prize balls than the normal game if the combination of symbols when the symbol fluctuations in multiple rows are stopped becomes a specific pattern. known as a thing. The fluctuating display of symbols in the display area is not only about multiple symbols being displayed in a fluctuating manner, but also by changing the time of the fluctuating display in a state where if one more symbol is aligned, it will be a jackpot, as in the so-called reach screen. Performances are designed to heighten players' expectations, such as making the game longer than before. In addition, players' expectations are heightened by the use of characters in symbols and other images to give a story to the fluctuating displays, and by previewing effects that hint at high expectations for the transition to special games. (For example, see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2003-230714

In such gaming machines, there is a need for technology to execute effective presentations in order to further heighten the expectations of players.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a pinball game machine that can perform more effective performances.

In order to solve the above problems, a pinball game machine according to an aspect of the present invention includes a game board in which a game area is formed, a starting winning opening provided at a predetermined position in the gaming area, and a starting winning opening provided in the starting winning opening. a win/fail lottery for executing a win/fail lottery triggered by the entry of a ball; and a special game control means for executing a special game that is more advantageous to the player than a normal game when the result of the win/fail lottery is a win. , a symbol display device in which symbols are displayed in a variable manner to indicate the results of the winning lottery, and a plurality of types of variation patterns in which a variable display process from the start to the stop of variation of the symbols to indicate the results of the winning lottery is determined. a variation pattern determining means for selecting one of them according to the result of the winning/failure lottery; and a symbol display control means for causing the symbol display device to display the symbols in a variable manner according to the variation pattern determined by the variation pattern determining means. , an effect display device for dynamically displaying a plurality of symbols indicating the result of the winning/failure lottery in a dynamic manner; an effect determining means for determining the effect content including the variable display of the plurality of symbols according to the variation pattern; performance control means for displaying a performance image of the performance pattern selected by the performance determining means on the performance display device, and the plurality of types of fluctuation patterns include a temporary stop of the plurality of symbols in one symbol fluctuation. A pseudo continuous variation pattern is included in which a pseudo continuous variation effect is displayed to make it appear as if a plurality of symbol variations have been executed in a pseudo manner, and the effect content displayed on the effect display device is It is possible to switch from a certain performance content to a specific performance content different from the certain performance content, there are multiple types of performance content as the specific performance content to switch to, and there are multiple timings for switching to the specific performance content. The degree of expectation that the result of the win/fail lottery will be a hit and the tendency of the specific performance content to be displayed thereafter vary depending on the timing of switching to the specific performance content. A switching performance is executed when switching to a specific performance content, and there are multiple types of switching performances with different lengths of performance time, and different switching performances can be executed depending on the type of the specific performance content to which the switching destination is performed. In the switching performance, it is possible to display information suggesting the timing of switching to the specific performance content, and the result of the winning lottery is better when the result of the winning lottery is a win and a specific special game is executed. The switching effect is executed with a higher probability than when the result is a miss, and the plurality of types of variation patterns include at least a first variation pattern and a second variation pattern that is longer than the first variation pattern, The switching effect is executed with a higher probability when the second variation pattern is executed than when the first variation pattern is executed.
<Additional notes>
Note that other aspects of the present invention that are different from certain aspects of the present invention are listed below, but the present invention can be implemented without being limited to these in any way.
The pinball game machine of this different aspect includes a game board in which a game area is formed, a starting prize opening provided at a predetermined position in the gaming area, and a winning/losing lottery for executing a winning/losing drawing triggered by a ball entering the starting winning opening. a lottery means, a special game control means for executing a special game that is more advantageous to the player than a normal game when the result of the lottery is a win, and a variable display of a pattern to indicate the result of the lottery. A symbol display device that displays a winning lottery, and a fluctuation pattern that selects one from a plurality of types of fluctuation patterns in which a fluctuating display process from the start to the stop of symbol fluctuation for indicating the winning lottery result is determined, according to the winning lottery result. a determining means, a symbol display control means for variably displaying the symbols on a symbol display device according to the variation pattern determined by the variation pattern determining means, and an effect in which a plurality of symbols are variably displayed to express the results of the winning/losing lottery. a display device, a performance determining means for determining performance contents including a variable display of a plurality of symbols according to the variation pattern, and a performance control means for displaying a performance image of a performance pattern selected by the performance determining means on the performance display device. , is provided. For multiple types of fluctuation patterns, a pseudo continuous fluctuation effect is displayed that makes it appear as if multiple symbol fluctuations have been executed by displaying multiple symbols as if they have paused in one symbol fluctuation. A pseudo continuous variation pattern is included, and the production pattern includes a plurality of pseudo continuous variations for executing a pseudo continuous variation production, which is composed of a plurality of production elements each having a production time determined based on a predetermined unit variation time. Contains variable performance patterns. The performance determining means is capable of selecting a plurality of pseudo continuous variation performance patterns in which the number of times the plurality of symbols are displayed as if they are paused is different, corresponding to the same pseudo continuous variation pattern.

Furthermore, any combination of the above components, or mutual substitution of the components and expressions of the present invention among methods, devices, systems, computer programs, recording media storing computer programs, data structures, etc. , is effective as an aspect of the present invention.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a pinball game machine that can perform more effective performances.

It is a diagram showing the basic structure on the front side of the Pachinko gaming machine. It is a diagram showing the basic structure on the back side of the Pachinko gaming machine. It is a diagram showing functional blocks of a pachinko gaming machine. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a main board. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing a validity determination table. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing a prior validity determination table that is referred to in prior validity determination. It is a diagram schematically showing a symbol determination table. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing a variation pattern table. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a sub-board. FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the hardware configuration of a main board and a subboard. It is a block diagram schematically showing the hardware configuration of the effect display control device. It is a flowchart showing control start processing of the main board in the Pachinko gaming machine. 13 is a flowchart showing in detail the main processing of S120 in FIG. 12. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing details of interrupt processing. It is a flowchart showing control start processing of a sub-board in a pachinko game machine. 16 is a flowchart showing in detail the main processing of S518 in FIG. 15. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing interrupt processing when a command is received from the main board. It is a flowchart showing interrupt processing when a timer interrupt for effect display control occurs. 7 is a flowchart showing interrupt processing when the sub CPU receives a command from the display CPU. 5 is a flowchart showing interrupt processing when a timer interrupt for controlling various devices occurs. It is a flowchart showing the process of special symbol variation display. It is a flowchart which shows the process of decorative pattern fluctuation display. It is a flowchart showing the process of a special game. It is a flowchart showing the process of a small winning game. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a 1st switching effect. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a 2nd switching effect. It is a figure which shows the example of the 1st switching type table referred to in order to determine the start timing of the 1st switching effect. It is a figure which shows the time chart when performing a 1st switching effect and a 2nd switching effect. It is a time chart showing the start timing of the first switching performance corresponding to each of a plurality of types of development destination performance patterns. It is a flowchart showing the process of special performance. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing a variation pattern table. It is a figure which shows the example of the performance pattern corresponding to a single fluctuation pattern and a pseudo continuous fluctuation pattern.

(First example)
In the pachinko game machine of this embodiment, a plurality of games corresponding to the conventional type 1 pachinko game machine coexist. The second game is executed preferentially so that the first game and the second game as the plurality of games are not executed at the same time. In order to achieve both of these gaming features, it is equipped with a plurality of starting winning holes, a plurality of special symbol display devices, and a plurality of holding lamps. It is designed so that the number of jackpot balls in the second game is generally larger than the number of jackpot balls in the first game. For example, the second game has a higher probability of winning a jackpot with variable probability, and the second game has a larger number of unit games that make up the special game (long opening unit with a longer opening time of the big winning opening). Games and short opening unit games with short opening times are mixed in one special game, and even if the number of unit games is the same, the number of long opening unit games is greater in the second game than in the first game. The second game is designed to have a relatively higher profit than the first game. On top of that, we created a gameplay in which you aim for the first hit in the first game, and after you are given time savings by hitting the jackpot in the first game, you repeat the aim in the second game to get more balls. Realize.

FIG. 1 shows the basic structure of the front side of a pachinko gaming machine. The pachinko gaming machine 100 is mainly composed of a gaming machine frame and a gaming board. The gaming machine frame of the pachinko gaming machine 100 includes an outer frame 101, a front frame 102, a transparent plate 103, a door 104, an upper ball tray 105, a lower ball tray 106, a firing handle 107, a speaker 108, a production button 109, a cross key 110, Includes a decorative lamp 111. The outer frame 101 is a frame body that has an opening and is used to fix the Pachinko gaming machine 100 at a position where it is to be installed. The front frame 102 is a frame body that matches the opening of the outer frame 101, and is attached to the outer frame 101 so as to be openable and closable by a hinge mechanism (not shown). The front frame 102 includes a mechanism for firing game balls, a mechanism for removably housing a game board, a mechanism for guiding or collecting game balls, and the like.

The transparent plate 103 is made of glass or the like, and is supported by the door 104. The door 104 is attached to the front frame 102 so as to be openable and closable by a hinge mechanism (not shown). The upper ball tray 105 has a mechanism for storing game balls, delivering the game balls to the firing rail, and extracting the game balls to the lower ball tray 106. The lower ball tray 106 has a mechanism for storing and extracting game balls. Speakers 108 are provided on the left and right sides of the upper part of the door 104, and output sound effects and music according to the game state and the performance by a means for controlling the performance. Most of the resin member making up the exterior of the door 104 is semi-transparent, and a decorative lamp 111 is provided inside the transparent part. The decorative lamp 111 is an LED that emits light in various colors depending on the game state, performance, etc. by a means for controlling the performance, and plays the role of performance by blinking or the like.

The game board 80 has a first starting port 11, a second starting port 12, a big winning port 20, a first operating port 31, a second operating port 32, and a general winning port 33 on a gaming area 81 divided by a rail 82. , an outlet 34, a performance display device 60, and a center decoration 64. The center decoration 64 is a decorative resin member provided so as to form a screen frame of the effect display device 60 over approximately the central part of the game area 81, its upper part, and the right side, and is a decorative resin member provided to form a screen frame of the effect display device 60, and serves as a flow path for the game ball, and the effect display device. It has 60 protection, decoration, etc. functions. A stage 65 is formed at the bottom of the center decoration 64 on which the game balls that have flown in roll, and depending on the way the balls roll, the falling direction from the stage 65 is the direction in which the ball enters the first starting port 11 and the direction in which the ball enters the first starting port 11. The ball is distributed to the side where the ball does not enter the ball. A movable accessory 66 is provided on the upper part of the center decoration 64, which is driven and performs a performance action according to the content of the performance. In the game area 81, mechanisms such as a plurality of game nails and windmills (not shown) are installed to form a flow path for game balls.

The first starting hole 11 is provided as a starting winning hole corresponding to the first game, and the second starting opening 12 is provided as a starting winning hole corresponding to the second game. The first starting port 11 and the second starting port 12 are configured so that it is possible for the player to aim the ball into one of them by changing the firing strength or weakness of the game ball according to the player's intention. The first starting port 11 is provided approximately at the lower center of the gaming area 81, and the second starting port 12 is provided directly below the first starting port 11. If you hit the ball to the left, that is, if you hit the ball relatively weakly with the aim of making it flow toward the left-hand passage of the center decoration 64, the ball can or will easily enter the first starting port 11 and the second starting port 12, but if you hit the ball right-handed, In other words, if the ball is hit relatively strongly with the aim of flowing toward the right-hand passage of the center ornament 64, the ball can or will easily enter the second starting port 12, but the ball cannot enter the first starting port 11. A channel is formed by arranging the game nails so that it is difficult for the ball to enter. However, under normal conditions, the upper part of the opening of the second starting port 12 is covered by the first starting port 11, which prevents the inflow of game balls, so unless the expansion mechanism of the second starting port 12 is opened, the second starting port 12, it is impossible or difficult to enter the ball. The win/fail lottery is a lottery to determine whether or not to move to a special game that is more advantageous to the player than the normal game, and is performed every time a ball enters the first starting port 11 or the second starting port 12. Ru.

In addition, the first starting port 11 and the second starting port 12 may be provided at positions separated from each other to the extent that it is possible to target either one depending on the firing strength of the game ball. The first starting port 11 and the second starting port 12 may be installed separately on the left and right sides of the gaming area 81, respectively, so that a game ball aimed at one is difficult to enter the other. For example, the first starting port 11 is provided at a position where the ball can enter the ball or enter the ball easily when the ball is shot to the left, that is, when the ball is shot relatively weakly so as to flow toward the left passage of the center decoration 64. The second starting port 12 is provided at a position where the ball can enter or easily enter the ball when the ball is shot to the right, that is, when the ball is shot relatively strongly and aimed to flow to the right side passage of the center decoration 64.

The first starting port 11 includes a first starting winning detection device 16. The first starting winning detection device 16 is a sensor that detects the entry of a game ball into the first starting opening 11, and generates first starting winning information indicating the ball entering when the ball enters. The second starting port 12 includes a second starting winning prize detection device 17, an ordinary electric accessory 90 (so-called electric tulip) that is an expansion mechanism, and an ordinary electric solenoid 91 for opening and closing the ordinary electric accessory 90. . The second starting winning detection device 17 is a sensor that detects the entry of a game ball into the second starting opening 12, and generates second starting winning information indicating the ball entering when the ball enters.

When the normal electric accessory 90 is expanded by the driving force of the ordinary electric solenoid 91, it becomes easier for the ball to enter the second starting port 12. The opening time of the normal electric accessory 90 is a short time of about 0.1 seconds when it is opened for a short time, whereas the opening time of the ordinary electric accessory 90 is about 6 seconds when it is opened for a long time. This is set longer than the short opening time, so that the game ball can easily enter the second starting port 12. The long opening of the normal electric accessory 90 is also called "opening extension." In addition, as a modified example, when the normal electric accessory 90 expands, it may be notified in advance, or the suspension of the normal symbol variation may be predicted and the notice may be notified before the normal symbol variation starts. , it may be notified while the normal symbol is changing.

As a modification of the opening mode when the normal electric accessory 90 of the second starting port 12 is opened for a long time, the total opening time is increased to about 6 seconds by repeating the opening for 2 seconds, which is longer than the short opening, three times. It may also be a mode. Alternatively, a configuration may be adopted in which a plurality of combinations of opening time and number of openings are prepared and one is selected. For example, when opening for 2 seconds three times, the total opening time is the same as when opening for 6 seconds once, but if the interval period is included, the former is longer than the latter. Therefore, especially in the configuration of the modified example in which the second starting port 12 is arranged in the right-handed direction, if the player notices the opening and changes the direction of ball hitting from that point on to the second starting port 12, the ball will be hit by the former. It can be said that there is a long chance. Further, it may be configured such that there are a plurality of winning types of normal symbols, and the opening mode of the expanding mechanism may be different depending on the winning type. For example, when the normal symbol becomes the first hit, in the normal state it is opened for 0.1 seconds once, in the easy entry state it is opened for 1 second three times, and when it becomes the second hit, the normal state is In this case, the ball may be opened for 6 seconds once, and the ball may be opened for 2 seconds twice in the easy-to-enter state.

The three general winning holes 33 are each equipped with a general winning detection device 38 for detecting the entry of game balls. The general winning detection device 38 is a sensor that detects the entry of a game ball into the general winning opening 33, and generates general winning information indicating the ball entering when the ball enters.

The grand prize opening 20 includes a grand prize detection device 25 for detecting the entry of a game ball, and a grand prize opening solenoid 92 for opening and closing the grand prize opening 20. The big winning detection device 25 is a sensor that detects when a game ball enters the big winning opening 20, and generates big winning opening prize information indicating the ball entering when the ball enters the big winning opening. The big winning hole 20 is a horizontally rectangular winning hole that opens as a "jackpot" when the first special symbol 51 or the second special symbol 52 stops in a predetermined manner. The big prize opening 20 is provided at the upper right position of the out opening 34. In addition, as a modification, another grand prize opening may be provided at the lower center of the gaming area 81 or above or below the grand prize opening 20, and a plurality of grand prize openings may be provided.

A first special symbol display device 41 corresponding to the first game and a second special symbol display device 42 corresponding to the second game are arranged side by side on the left and right at the outer lower left position of the game area 81 on the game board 80. Changes in the first special symbol 51 and the second special symbol 52 are displayed. A performance display device 60 is provided approximately in the center of the game area 81 so that the screen is exposed from a screen frame formed by a center decoration 64, and displays a decorative pattern 61 that is linked to the first special pattern 51 or the second special pattern 52. Displays changes in the included effect images. Hereinafter, such a display will be referred to as a "symbol variation" or "variable display".

The first special symbol 51 is a symbol that corresponds to the determination result of the first winning lottery that is triggered by the entry of a game ball into the first starting port 11, and its variable display is stopped in a predetermined winning manner. A jackpot as a special game occurs when the game is played. The second special symbol 52 is a symbol that corresponds to the determination result of the second winning lottery that is triggered by the entry of a game ball into the second starting port 12, and its variable display is stopped in a predetermined winning manner. A jackpot as a special game occurs when the game is played. The first special symbol display device 41 and the second special symbol display device 42 are, for example, 8-segment LEDs made of 8 segments, 7 segments forming a “figure 8” and 1 segment representing a “dot”. This is a display device. An 8-segment LED can express a numerical value of 8 bits by combining 8 segments. The first special symbol 51 and the second special symbol 52, which are represented by a combination of segments, are not necessarily in the form of letters or numbers, and may be symbols formed by a combination of segments that generally have no meaning. . By changing these symbols one after another at high speed and displaying them on the first special symbol display device 41 and the second special symbol display device 42, the symbol fluctuation display of the first special symbol 51 and the second special symbol 52 is realized. Ru. Furthermore, the first special symbol display device 41 and the second special symbol display device 42 are not 8-segment LEDs but LED dot arrays, and a plurality of types of first special symbols 51 and second special symbols are created by combining the lighting patterns and lighting colors. A special pattern 52 may also be expressed.

The performance display device 60 is a display device configured with a liquid crystal display that displays a decorative pattern 61 in a variable manner in conjunction with the variable display of the first special pattern 51 or the second special pattern 52. The decorative pattern 61 is a pattern for visually presenting the determination result display of the lottery shown by the first special pattern 51 and the second special pattern 52. The effect display device 60 displays, as a decorative pattern 61, a moving image in which a plurality of rows of symbols, simulating a slot machine game, fluctuate, for example, in the central area of the screen. In this embodiment, symbols consisting of numbers "0" to "9" are displayed in three rows and are varied, and a win or a miss is indicated by a combination of three symbols that are finally stopped and displayed. Each of the plurality of designs constituting the decorative design 61 is composed of numbers, letters, or symbols decorated with colors or patterns, but there is a picture or design common to all the designs for these numbers, letters, and symbols. It may be configured by adding different designs to each and integrating them. This pattern is a pattern depicting a motif related to the decoration or performance theme set for the relevant model of Pachinko gaming machine 100, and may be a design depicting a human or animal character, for example. The decorative pattern 61 can be switched in accordance with the development of the production, between a case where a pattern including the pattern is displayed in a variable manner, and a case where the pattern is separated and only numbers, letters, and symbols are displayed in a variable manner. The configuration may be such that the In the background of the fluctuating display of the decorative patterns 61, a moving image having a presentation effect related to the decoration or presentation theme set for the relevant model of the Pachinko game machine 100 is displayed in conjunction with the pattern fluctuations.

In addition, since the first special symbol 51 and the second special symbol 52 do not necessarily have a production role, in this embodiment, the first special symbol display device 41 and the second special symbol at the lower left of the game area 81 It is displayed in an inconspicuous size on a display device 42. However, if a method is adopted in which the special design itself has a dramatic role and is expressed without using a decorative design, the special design may be displayed on a liquid crystal display instead of an 8-segment LED.

The first operating port 31 is provided at a position on the left side of the game area 81 and includes a first passage detection device 36. The first passage detection device 36 is a sensor that detects the passage of the game ball to the first operating port 31, and generates passage information indicating the passage at the time of passage. The second operating port 32 is provided on the right side of the game area 81 and includes a second passage detection device 37. The second passage detection device 37 is a sensor that detects the passage of the game ball to the second operating port 32, and generates passage information indicating the passage at the time of passage. Passage of the game ball to the first operating port 31 or the second operating port 32 usually triggers an opening lottery to determine whether or not to expand the electric accessory 90. When a game ball passes through the first operating port 31 or the second operating port 32, a normal symbol, which is a symbol indicating the determination result of the open lottery, is displayed in a variable manner on the normal symbol display device 45. Therefore, the open lottery is also called the "normal symbol lottery." The normal symbol display device 45 is provided at the lower right outside of the game area 81, and for convenience, is composed of two lamps, and the display state of the normal symbols is expressed depending on which of the lamps is lit. For example, when the first lamp lights up indicating a miss and the second lamp indicates a win, a fluctuating display of the normal symbol is expressed by repeating lighting and extinguishing alternately, and eventually one of the lights lights up. By being stopped in this state, a stopped symbol of a normal symbol is expressed. After a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the fluctuation, the fluctuation display of the normal symbol stops. When the normal symbol stops at the winning symbol, the normal electric accessory 90 is expanded.

There are two opening times for the normal electric accessory 90: a short opening of 0.1 seconds and a long opening of 6 seconds. In the opening lottery in the normal state, a normal symbol wins with a probability of 1/50 and a long opening is executed, and a normal symbol wins with a probability of 1/100 and a short opening is executed. In this way, in the normal state, the probability of a long open is higher than the probability of a short open, but in a modified example, the probability of a short open may be higher than the probability of a long open, or the probability of both It is also possible to specify that they are the same. In the open lottery in the easy-to-enter state, the probability of winning a normal symbol is increased to 99/100, and the open time is limited to a long open. In this way, in the easy-to-enter state, the ease of entering the ball into the second starting port 12 is increased by the function of varying the winning probability of the normal symbol and the function of extending the opening time. In the easy-to-enter state in the modified example, three functions including a shortening function of the normal symbol fluctuation time may be used to enhance the ease of entering the ball into the second starting port 12. In this case, the normal symbol fluctuation time is, for example, 10 seconds in the normal state and 2 seconds in the easy ball entry state.

At the lower left outside position of the game area 81, a first special symbol holding lamp 71 corresponding to the first game is provided above the first special symbol display device 41, and a first special symbol holding lamp 71 corresponding to the first game is provided above the second special symbol display device 42. A second special figure holding lamp 72 corresponding to the game No. 2 is provided. The first special figure holding lamp 71 is composed of two lamps, and the number of lights or blinking lamps indicates the number of holding lottery values in the first game. The number of holding lottery values in the first special symbol holding lamp 71 is the number of lottery values entered into the first start opening 11 while the first special symbol 51 is changing or during the execution of the special game, and the symbol change is still Indicates the number of winning balls that have not been executed. The second special figure holding lamp 72 is also made up of two lamps, and the number of lights or blinking lamps indicates the number of holding lottery values in the second game. The number of reserved lottery values in the second special symbol retention lamp 72 is the number of lottery values entered into the second starting port 12 while the second special symbol 52 is changing or the special game is being executed, and the symbol change is still Indicates the number of winning balls that have not been executed. The number of pending lottery values is also displayed at the bottom of the screen of the effect display device 60 in the form of the number of lit pending lamp images.

When the number of pending winning/failure drawings reaches three, the symbol variation time in the case of a win is shortened compared to normal in order to increase gaming efficiency (hereinafter also referred to as "shortened variation"). Similarly, when the number of pending winning/failure drawings becomes 4, the symbol fluctuation time in the case of a miss is further shortened compared to the above case of 3 symbols (hereinafter also referred to as "super shortened fluctuation") in order to further improve gaming efficiency. ).

At the outer lower right position of the gaming area 81, a regular symbol holding lamp 75 is provided on the right side of the regular symbol display device 45. The normal pattern holding lamp 75 also consists of two lamps, and displays the number of normal pattern fluctuations held by the number of lights or blinking lamps. The pending number of normal symbol fluctuations is the number of game balls that passed through the first operating port 31 or the second operating port 32 during the normal symbol fluctuation, and the number of normal symbol drawings in which the normal symbol fluctuation has not yet been executed. shows.

The performance button 109 is an operation input means that is pressed by the player to input a predetermined instruction to the gaming machine according to the content of the performance, and changes are made to the content of the performance etc. in accordance with the manner in which the button is pressed. The effect button 109 is provided on the outer wall surface near the upper ball plate 105. The cross key 110 is an operation input means by which a player inputs a direction instruction to the gaming machine, and is provided on the left outer wall surface of the upper ball tray 105.

The gaming method and control flow performed in the above configuration will be outlined. When the player manually rotates the firing handle 107, the game balls stored in the upper ball tray 105 are guided one by one by the rail 82 and fired into the game area 81 with a strength corresponding to the rotation angle. . When the player manually fixes the rotational position of the firing handle 107, the firing of game balls is repeated at regular time intervals. The game ball launched to the upper part of the game area 81 hits a plurality of game nails and windmills and falls in a direction depending on how it hits. When a game ball falls into each winning hole of the general winning hole 33, the first starting hole 11, the second starting hole 12, and the big winning hole 20, the prize ball depending on the type of winning hole is placed in the upper ball tray 105 or the lower ball tray. The ball is dispensed into the ball tray 106. A game ball that has fallen into each winning hole such as the general winning hole 33 is treated as a safe ball, and a game ball that has fallen into the out hole 34 is treated as an out ball.

When the ball enters the first starting port 11 or the second starting port 12, the first special symbol 51, second special symbol 52, and A decorative pattern 61 is displayed in a variable manner. The variable display of the first special symbol 51, the second special symbol 52, and the decorative symbol 61 is stopped after the variable display time determined prior to display has elapsed. The first special symbol 51 and the second special symbol 52 are displayed in a variable manner according to a predetermined variation pattern from the start to the stop of the variation. The decorative pattern 61 is displayed in a variable manner according to a variable presentation pattern in which the manner of variation from the start to the stop of the variation is determined. Multiple types of variation patterns and variation performance patterns are prepared, and each has varying lengths of time. While the first special symbol 51 and the second special symbol 52 are variably displayed in accordance with the variation pattern, the decorative symbol 61 is variably displayed in accordance with the variation performance pattern having the same variation time. For each variation pattern, a variation display time is determined for each pattern as an end condition for the symbol variation, and the first special symbol 51, second special symbol 52, and decorative symbol 61 change when the variation display time elapses. will be stopped.

As for the fluctuating display of the decorative symbols 61, first, when the fluctuation starts, the symbols in all three rows are fluctuated like the rotation of the reels of a slot machine, and when the fluctuation end timing approaches, the symbols are stopped one by one, so that the final stop mode is displayed. Display symbol combinations. When the first special symbol 51, the second special symbol 52, and the decorative symbol 61 at the time of stopping are in a stopping mode indicating a jackpot, the game shifts to a special game that is more advantageous to the player than the normal game. The opening/closing operation of the prize opening 20 is started. The stopping mode of the decorative pattern 61 indicating a jackpot is, for example, a mode in which three types of symbols match.

The variable performance patterns include a normal out-of-reach performance pattern, a reach-out performance pattern, and a reach-out jackpot performance pattern. The normal winning performance pattern is a performance pattern when displaying a normal winning symbol combination. The out-of-reach performance pattern is a performance pattern when displaying an out-of-reach symbol combination after going through a reach-in state in which a jackpot is achieved if one more symbol is aligned. The reach jackpot performance pattern is a performance pattern when displaying a jackpot symbol combination after reaching the reach state. In particular, the patterns that go through the reach state include patterns with varying lengths of time, and reach patterns with relatively short fluctuation times are called "normal reach," and reach patterns with long fluctuation times are called "super reach." ”. The normal out-of-reach performance pattern, out-of-reach performance pattern, and reach-to-reach jackpot performance pattern each include a normal pattern that is displayed in a normal state and a time-saving pattern that is displayed in a time-saving state. However, even in the normal state, if the second symbol fluctuation corresponds to the ball entering the second starting port 12, the probability that the jackpot will change in probability or the probability that the number of unit games in the special game will increase will increase. Since this can be said to be a higher chance state than the first fluctuation corresponding to the ball entering the first starting hole 11, a pattern for chance performance may be used that indicates that there is a chance of a relatively advantageous jackpot. In the embodiment, a time saving pattern is used in the time saving state, but since time saving is involved in the variable probability state, the time saving pattern is also used in the variable probability state. However, in a modified example, a pattern for variable probability, which is different from that for time saving, may be used in the variable probability state. Alternatively, a specification may be adopted in which a common pattern is used for time saving and variable probability, or a specification in which a pattern for variable probability is used in a variable probability state without using a pattern for time saving.

There are two types of special games: a normal special game and a shortened special game, and there is a large difference in the profits depending on the winning prize balls. A normal special game is started by displaying an effect screen called a start demonstration time. After the start demonstration time is displayed on the screen, the big prize opening 20 is opened, and after the opening continues for about 30 seconds, or after nine or more game balls have fallen, it is temporarily closed. The process from opening to closing of the big prize opening 20 is basically called a unit game, but it may be opened for a short time multiple times during one unit game. After the opening/closing of the big prize opening 20 or the unit game is repeated a predetermined number of times, for example, 4 or 16 times, the normal special game is ended by displaying an effect screen called an end demonstration time. Normally, in special games, you can fully expect 9 or more balls to enter per unit game, and you can win enough prize balls (also called "balls out") through 16 unit games, making a big profit. is obtained. A special game in which 16 unit games are repeated is also appropriately referred to as a "16R jackpot", and a special game in which 4 unit games are repeated is also appropriately referred to as a "4R jackpot".

On the other hand, in the shortened special game, there is no start demonstration time and no end demonstration time, and the big prize opening 20 is opened for only 0.2 seconds in one unit game. The shortened special game is completed by repeating this unit game twice. In the shortened special game, the opening of the big winning hole 20 for a very short time is only repeated twice, so almost no balls can enter the big winning hole 20, and in the special game the number of balls actually coming out is almost zero. be. A special game in which two unit games are repeated is also appropriately referred to as a "2R jackpot".

If the first special symbol 51 or the second special symbol 52 and the decorative symbol 61 at the time of stopping are in a predetermined small winning mode, the game shifts to a small winning game consisting of one unit game, and the large winning opening 20 is An opening/closing operation is performed. In one unit game constituting a small winning game, the big prize opening 20 repeats opening for about 0.2 seconds twice, so the operation mode is similar to the 2R jackpot in appearance.

When a special game occurs and the winning stop symbols at that time are in a specific form, a probability change, which is one of the specific games, is further started after the special game ends. During probability change, a lottery with a higher probability of winning than in a normal probability state is performed, and a new special game can occur relatively early. It should be noted that the fact that the judgment result of the winning lottery is a specific jackpot, that is, a jackpot with variable probability, may not be clearly shown in the appearance, and may be in a latent probability variable state in which it is not explicitly reported as a decorative pattern or performance content. In that case, even if the game is changing with certainty, the effect display device 60 does not clearly indicate whether it is changing with certainty or not.

In the normal game after the special game ends, an easy-to-enter state that is one of the specific game states is started. In the easy-to-enter state, the winning probability of the open lottery is made higher than usual, and the opening extension is executed to extend the opening time of the normal electric accessory 90. Not only can the number of hits of normal symbols per certain period of time increase, but also the ease of entering the second starting port 12 increases, so there is a high possibility that the number of balls entering the second starting port 12 will increase. Therefore, the chances of winning a prize ball by entering the second starting port 12 are increased, and as a result, it becomes possible to continue playing the game while hardly reducing the number of balls you have or gradually increasing the number of balls you have.

In the ball entry easy state, as one of the specific game states, so-called time saving is further executed in which the variation time of the first special symbol 51, second special symbol 52, and decorative symbol 61 is shortened compared to the normal state. The fluctuation time of the first special symbol 51, the second special symbol 52, and the decorative symbol 61 is returned to the original fluctuation time after a predetermined number of fluctuations, for example, 100 fluctuations, is reached. If a jackpot occurs beforehand, the time saving will end once. In time saving, the variation time of the first special symbol 51, second special symbol 52, and decorative symbol 61 is shortened, so compared to the normal state where the symbol variations are made with the normal variation time, it will take until the jackpot occurs. It is possible to shorten the time required to obtain a jackpot, and to relatively increase the ease of winning a jackpot. In a modified example, a specification may be adopted in which the time saving of the special symbol is not performed in the easy-to-enter state.

FIG. 2 shows the basic structure of the Pachinko gaming machine on the back side. The power switch 150 is a switch that turns on and off the power of the pachinko gaming machine 100. The main board 200 controls the overall operation of the Pachinko gaming machine 100, and processes overall gaming operations, particularly the lottery when a prize is won in the first starting port 11 and the second starting port 12. The sub-board 300 includes a liquid crystal unit 151, controls the display content on the effect display device 60, and in particular changes the effect-like display content according to the determination result by the main board 200. The back setting mechanism 152 includes a prize ball tank 153, a flow path for prize balls, a payout unit 154 for paying out prize balls, and the like. The payout unit 154 pays out game balls supplied from the prize ball tank 153 to the upper ball tray 105 in response to winnings to each winning hole. The payout control board 155 controls the payout operation by the payout unit 154. The firing device 156 fires the balls stored in the upper ball tray 105 into the game area 81 one ball at a time. The firing control board 157 controls the firing operation of the firing device 156. The power supply unit 158 supplies power to each part of the pachinko gaming machine 100.

FIG. 3 shows functional blocks of the pachinko gaming machine 100. The pachinko game machine 100 has functions divided into a main board 200 as a main control device that controls the basic operations of the game and the progress of the game, and a sub-board 300 as a sub-control device that controls presentation operations and processing. It is composed of several forms. The main board 200 includes a first starting port 11, a second starting port 12, a large winning port 20, a general winning port 33, a first operating port 31, a second operating port 32, a first special symbol display device 41, and a second special It is electrically connected to the symbol display device 42 and the normal symbol display device 45, and transmits and receives various control signals therebetween. The sub-board 300 is electrically connected to the effect display device 60, the effect button 109, the speaker 108, and the decorative lamp 111, and transmits and receives various control signals to and from each of them. Since data transmission and reception between the main board 200 and the sub-board 300 is unidirectional from the main board 200 to the sub-board 300, each configuration is designed so that the entire operation can be realized by transmitting and receiving data in one direction. It is arranged on the main board 200 and the sub board 300. Since the unidirectionality of data transmission from the main board 200 to the sub board 300 is maintained, data cannot be sent from the configuration included in the sub board 300 to the configuration included in the main board 200, and data transmission is I can't even make a request. Therefore, the information generated on the main board 200 cannot be referenced from the sub-board 300 unless the main board 200 unilaterally transmits it to the sub-board 300.

Note that any of the functional blocks included in the main board 200 may be mounted on the sub-board 300 instead of the main board 200, and any of the functional blocks included in the sub-board 300 may be mounted on the sub-board 300. It may be mounted on the main board 200 instead.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the main board 200. The main board 200 includes a ball entry determination means 201, a first lottery means 211, a second lottery means 212, a regular lottery means 213, a reservation control means 240, a main display control means 250, a special game control means 260, and a small winning game control. It includes a means 265, a specific game control means 270, an opening/closing control means 275, and a special figure adjustment means 276.

Ball entry determining means 201 determines whether a game ball enters each winning hole. Ball entry determination means 201 determines that the game ball has entered the first starting hole 11 when receiving the first starting winning information, and determines that the gaming ball has entered the second starting opening 12 when receiving the second starting winning information. to decide. A ball entry determining means 201 judges that the game ball has entered the large winning hole 20 when receiving the large winning hole winning information, and judges that the game ball has entered the general winning hole 33 when receiving the general winning information. The ball entry determining means 201 determines that the game ball has passed through the first operating port 31 or the second operating port 32 upon receiving the passage information.

The first lottery means 211 has the functions of executing the first lottery related to the first game, including a first lottery value acquisition means 216, a first winning lottery means 221, a first symbol determining means 226, and a first fluctuation pattern determining means. The device includes means 231 and executes a first win/fail lottery as a win/fail lottery corresponding to the entry of a ball into the first starting port 11. The determination result of the first winning lottery is shown in the form of a variable display of the first special symbol 51 on the first special symbol display device 41, and is shown in the form of a variable display of the decorative symbol 61 in the display area of the effect display device 60. . The second lottery means 212 includes a second lottery value acquisition means 217, a second winning/failure lottery means 222, a second symbol determining means 227, and a second fluctuation pattern determining means 232, and corresponds to the ball entering the second starting port 12. A second win/fail lottery is executed as a win/fail lottery. The determination result of the second lottery is shown in the form of a variable display of the second special symbol 52 on the second special symbol display device 42, and is shown in the form of a variable display of the decorative symbol 61 in the display area of the effect display device 60. . When starting a symbol variation, the first lottery means 211 and the second lottery means 212 transmit the determination result of the lottery corresponding to the symbol variation to the effect determining means 303 together with the symbol variation control command.

The first lottery means 211 and the second lottery means 212 carry out preliminary determination processing to determine which lottery value range the lottery value falls into in the validity determination when the ball enters the first starting port 11 or the second starting port 12. A preliminary propriety judgment is executed and the judgment result is transmitted to the effect determining means 303. The results of the preliminary determination process are temporarily stored in the transmission buffer, and then transmitted to the performance determining means 303 regardless of whether the symbol variation display corresponding to the lottery starts immediately or not, and are erased from the transmission buffer or overwritten later. Ru. Therefore, on the side of the sub-board 300, a process called "pre-reading" is realized in which the result of validity can be inferentially recognized in advance before the turn to start symbol variation comes around.

The first lottery value acquisition means 216 acquires the value of the random number as the first lottery value for the first lottery when the ball enters the first starting port 11. The second lottery value acquisition means 217 acquires the value of the random number as the second lottery value for the second lottery with the entry of the ball into the second starting port 12 as an opportunity. For example, the values acquired as the first win/fail lottery value and the second win/fail lottery value for the win/fail lottery are acquired from a value range from "0" to "65535". The values acquired as the first win/fail lottery value and the second win/fail lottery value are temporarily held by the hold control means 240. However, the winning/failure lottery values are held in a range that does not exceed a predetermined upper limit number of holds.

The first win/fail lottery means 221 performs a win/fail judgment to determine whether to proceed to a special game or a small winning game based on the first win/fail lottery value, and a first win/fail lottery value falls within any lottery value range in the win/fail determination. Execute a prior validity judgment to see if the item is applicable. The second win/fail lottery means 222 performs a win/fail judgment to determine whether to move to a special game or a small winning game based on the second win/fail lottery value, and a second win/fail lottery value falls within any lottery value range in the win/fail determination. Execute a prior validity judgment to see if the item is applicable. The first success/failure lottery means 221 and the second success/failure lottery means 222 hold a success/failure determination table and a prior success/failure determination table to be referred to in the success/failure determination. In addition, in order to particularly distinguish the validity determination performed at the start of symbol variation from the preliminary validity determination, it is also appropriately referred to as "validity determination as main determination."

The first win/fail lottery means 221 and the second win/fail lottery means 222 hold a plurality of win/fail determination tables to be referred to in the win/fail determination. In the plurality of success/failure determination tables, the determination results of jackpots and misses are associated with the win/fail lottery values, and the probability of success/failure is determined according to the range setting of the associated jackpot. In the normal probability state, the first win/fail lottery means 221 and the second win/fail lottery means 222 refer to a win/fail table for determining the win/fail based on the normal probability of winning, and in the variable probability state, the win/fail probability is higher than the normal probability. Browse the table. The first win/fail lottery means 221 and the second win/fail lottery means 222 refer to any one of the plurality of win/fail tables and determine whether the win/fail lottery value is a hit.

FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing the validity determination table. In the win/fail judgment table in this figure, the judgment results of jackpot, small hit, and miss are associated with the win/fail lottery values, and the jackpot win/fail probability and the small win win/fail probability are determined according to the associated range settings. is determined. The first success/failure lottery means 221 and the second success/failure lottery means 222 refer to the success/failure determination table shown in this figure in the success/failure determination as the main determination. In both the first lottery by the first lottery means 221 and the second lottery by the second lottery means 222, a jackpot is usually won only when the lottery value falls within the range of 0 to 299. At the time of probability change, the range of jackpot is expanded, and a jackpot occurs not only when the lottery value falls within the range of 0 to 299, but also when it falls within the range of 300 to 2999. In this way, the range that corresponds to a jackpot changes depending on the gaming state. In addition, in this figure, the jackpot range for both normal and variable probability is shown using a single success/failure judgment table, but the success/failure judgment table may be prepared separately for normal and variable probability. It may be prepared separately for the first win/fail lottery and the second win/fail lottery.

In this embodiment, even if the lottery value does not fall within the jackpot range, if it falls within a predetermined range, it will be a small win. In the example of this figure, if the winning/losing lottery value acquired by the first winning/failing lottery means 221 falls within the range of 56,500 to 65,535, a small win occurs, and the winning/failing lottery value acquired by the second winning/failing lottery means 222 falls within the range of 64,000 to 65,535. If it falls within the range, it will be a small hit. That is, the range that corresponds to a small win is wider in the first win/fail lottery than in the second win/fail lottery, and the small win is more likely to occur. In this way, if it does not correspond to a jackpot, it is originally a "lose", but in the example in this figure, the range of winning/fail lottery values when it does not correspond to a jackpot and does not correspond to a small hit. In particular, he describes it as ``outlier.'' Note that although this figure shows an example in which the judgment table for jackpot and the judgment table for small hit are realized in the form of a single judgment table, it is also possible to realize each as separate tables. good.

FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing an a priori appropriateness determination table that is referred to in the prior appropriateness determination. The first success/failure lottery means 221 refers to the table in FIG. 6(a), and when the success/failure lottery value is "0 to 299", sets a value of "1" indicating that to the success/failure range as the determination result, If the winning lottery value is "300 to 2999", a value of "2" indicating this is set in the winning/failure range as the determination result. If the winning lottery value is "3000 to 56499", set the value "3" indicating that to the winning/failure range as the judgment result, and if the winning lottery value is "56500 to 65535", set the value "4" to that effect. ” is set as the validity range of the judgment result. Each time the first win/fail lottery is set as described above, the first win/fail lottery means 221 transmits the value to the effect determining means 303 together with a value indicating that it is a first win/fail lottery and the number of pending items.

The second lottery means 222 refers to the table in FIG. 6(b), and when the lottery value is "0 to 299", sets a value of "1" indicating that in the validity range as the determination result, If the winning lottery value is "300 to 2999", a value of "2" indicating this is set in the winning/failure range as the determination result. If the winning lottery value is "3000 to 63999", set the value "3" indicating that in the winning/failure range as a judgment result, and if the winning lottery value is "64000 to 65535", set the value "4" to that effect. ” is set as the validity range of the judgment result. Every time the second win/fail lottery is set as described above, the second win/fail lottery means 222 transmits the value to the effect determining means 303 together with a value indicating that it is a second win/fail lottery and the number of pending items.

Returning to FIG. 4, the first symbol determining means 226 and the second symbol determining means 227 determine the stopping symbol at the start of symbol variation based on the separately obtained symbol lottery value and the result of the validity determination. Execute preliminary pattern determination to determine which pattern range the value corresponds to. The first symbol determining means 226 and the second symbol determining means 227 hold a plurality of symbol determination tables and a preliminary symbol determination table that are referred to in order to determine the stop symbol of the special symbol. The first symbol determining means 226 and the second symbol determining means 227 refer to different symbol determination tables depending on the result of the validity determination. In addition, in order to particularly distinguish the symbol determination performed at the start of symbol variation from the preliminary symbol determination, it is also appropriately referred to as "symbol determination as main determination."

FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing a symbol determination table. FIG. 7(a) is a table to be referred to when the result of the judgment is a jackpot, FIG. 7(b) is a table to be referred to when the result of the judgment is a loss, and FIG. 7(c) is a table to be referred to when the result of the judgment is a loss. This table is referred to when the result of the judgment is a small hit. The first symbol determining means 226 and the second symbol determining means 227 refer to the symbol determination table of the main symbol in symbol determination as the main determination. In each symbol determination table, a correspondence relationship between numbers "0" to "10" indicating the type of special symbol and the first symbol lottery value or the second symbol lottery value is defined. The types of special symbols are associated with the judgment results of jackpot, small hit, and miss, respectively, with "0" to "4" corresponding to the jackpot, "5" to "9" corresponding to the small win, "10" corresponds to a miss. Each type is assigned a plurality of special symbols, that is, a plurality of generally meaningless symbols formed by combinations of segments.

As shown in FIG. 7(a), special symbol types "0" to "4" are associated with jackpots. Among them, the type "0" indicates a 4R jackpot or a 16R jackpot with a probability change as a specific jackpot, and in the case of the first symbol lottery value, it is associated with "0 to 99", and in the case of the second symbol lottery value, it is associated with "0 to 99". 144”. Type "1" indicates a 2R jackpot with variable probability as a specific jackpot, and in the case of the first symbol lottery value, it is associated with "100-149", and in the case of the second symbol lottery value, it is associated with "145-149". It will be done. Types “2” to “4” usually indicate a 4R jackpot or a 16R jackpot with no change in probability as a jackpot, and type “2” corresponds to both the first symbol lottery value and the second symbol lottery value “150 to 189”. and type “190-229”.
3” is associated with the type “4” and “230 to 255” are associated with the type “4”. In this way, the selection probability for each type of jackpot is determined by the size of the range of symbol lottery values.

As shown in FIG. 7(b), the type "10" is associated with the entire range of symbol lottery values when the result of the judgment is negative.

As shown in FIG. 7(c), special symbol types "5" to "9" are associated with small wins. The type "5" is associated with the symbol lottery value range "0-49", and the type "6" is associated with the symbol lottery value range "50-99". Type "7" is associated with the range of symbol lottery values "100-149", type "8" is associated with the range of symbol lottery values "150-199", and type "9" is associated with the range of symbol lottery values. It is associated with "200-255".

In addition, the table of FIG. 7 is also referred to as a preliminary symbol determination table in advance symbol determination. The first symbol determining means 226 and the second symbol determining means 227 determine the value of "0" to "10" indicating the type of special symbol as a result of preliminary symbol determination to determine whether it is a first winning lottery or a second winning lottery. It is transmitted to the effect determining means 303 together with the indicated value and the number of pending items.

Returning to FIG. 4, the first variation pattern determining means 231 separately obtains a first pattern lottery value, in which a display process of symbol variations to be displayed on the first special symbol display device 41 and the performance display device 60 is determined. Decide from among multiple fluctuation patterns based on. The second fluctuation pattern determining means 232 selects a plurality of fluctuation patterns in which a display process of symbol fluctuations to be displayed on the second special symbol display device 42 and the production display device 60 is determined based on a second pattern lottery value obtained separately. Decide from among the fluctuation patterns. The first fluctuation pattern determining means 231 and the second fluctuation pattern determining means 232 each refer to the fluctuation pattern table and determine the fluctuation pattern of the symbol fluctuation when starting the symbol fluctuation. Further, the first fluctuation pattern determining means 231 and the second fluctuation pattern determining means 232 perform a preliminary pattern determination to determine which fluctuation pattern range the pattern lottery value corresponds to. The first fluctuation pattern determining means 231 and the second fluctuation pattern determining means 232 each hold or share a fluctuation pattern table and a preliminary pattern determination table that are referred to in order to determine a fluctuation pattern. The variation pattern has a fixed variation time from the start of the variation to the stop when the special symbol is displayed in a variable manner, and the variation time varies depending on the type. That is, for each variation pattern, a variation display time is determined for each pattern as a condition for ending the symbol variation, and the variation of the special symbol is stopped when the variation display time has elapsed. It should be noted that the variation pattern determination executed at the start of symbol variation is also appropriately referred to as "variation pattern determination as main determination" in order to distinguish it from the preliminary pattern determination.

FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically showing a variation pattern table. The first fluctuation pattern determining means 231 and the second fluctuation pattern determining means 232 refer to the table shown in FIG. 3(a) in the normal state, and refer to the table shown in FIG. 3(b) in the time saving state.

As shown in FIG. 8(a), in the normal state, if the judgment result is incorrect, if the pattern lottery value is 0 to 4, select "Super 1" which is the super reach of pattern range number "0", If the pattern lottery value is 5 to 9, "Super 2", which is the super reach of pattern range number "1", is selected. If the pattern lottery value is 10 to 19, select "Normal 1" which is the normal reach of pattern range number "2", and if the pattern lottery value is 20 to 29, select "Normal 1" which is the normal reach of pattern range number "3". 2". If the pattern lottery value is 30 to 255, select pattern range number "4", "Out of reach". For "no reach", different fluctuation patterns are selected depending on the number of reservations, such as a 10 second fluctuation pattern when the number of reservations is 0 to 2, a 7 second fluctuation pattern when the number of reservations is 3, and a fluctuation pattern of 7 seconds when the number of reservations is 3. When is 4, a 4-second variation pattern is selected.

In this figure, an example will be explained in which the variation is mainly classified into five types according to the variation time, but a plurality of variation effect patterns are prepared for each of these variation patterns on the sub-board 300, and there are several dozen types of variation effect patterns in total. is associated with the lottery value range of each classification.

The range of pattern lottery values assigned to "Normal 1", "Normal 2", and "Out of reach" also differs depending on the number of reservations. When the number of reservations is 0 or 1, it is as shown in this figure (a), but as the number of reservations increases, the lottery value range of "Normal 1" and "Normal 2" becomes narrower, and the lottery value of "Out of reach" The range becomes wider. The smaller the number of reservations, the wider the lottery value range of a variation pattern with a relatively long variation time, and the higher the probability that a variation pattern with a longer variation time will be selected. Therefore, the smaller the number of reservations, the longer the average fluctuation time, and the larger the number of reservations, the shorter the average fluctuation time. By using a variation pattern table in which the correspondence between the pattern lottery value range and the variation pattern differs for each number of reservations, it is possible to realize control in which a variation pattern with a long variation time is more likely to be selected when the number of reservations decreases.

In the normal state, if the result of the judgment is 4R jackpot or 16R jackpot, if the pattern lottery value is 0 to 123, select "Super 1" which is the super reach of pattern range number "5", and the pattern lottery value is 0 to 123. If the number is 124 to 248, "Super 2", which is the super reach of pattern range number "6", is selected. If the pattern lottery value is 249 to 252, select "Normal 1" which is the normal reach of pattern range number "7", and if the pattern lottery value is 253 to 255, select "Normal 1" which is the normal reach of pattern range number "8". 2".

In the normal state, if the result of the judgment is 2R jackpot or small hit, if the pattern lottery value is 0 to 122, select "Super 3" which is the super reach of pattern range number "9", and the pattern lottery value is 0 to 122. If it is 123 to 255, select "Normal 3" which is the normal reach of pattern range number "10".

When the first variation pattern determination means 231 and the second variation pattern determination means 232 transmit the preliminary determination result to the effect determination means 303 as a so-called pre-read result, the value of the pattern range number (0 to 10) It is transmitted together with a value indicating whether it is a lottery or a second win/fail lottery and the number of pending items.

In the variation pattern table of FIG. 8B that is referred to in the time saving state, pattern lottery values are assigned to all the variation patterns for time saving. However, the correspondence between the range of pattern lottery values and the variation time is the same as in FIG. 8(a) except for "No reach shortfall", which is selected for a miss. “No-reach shortening” is a fluctuation pattern with a relatively short fluctuation time that is associated with the same lottery value range and pattern range number as “No-reach, no-reach” in FIG. 8(a). For "No Reach and Missing Shortening", different fluctuation patterns are selected depending on the number of reservations. When the number of reservations is 0 or 1, a 10 second fluctuation pattern is used, and when the number of reservations is 2 to 4, a 1 second fluctuation pattern is selected. are selected respectively.

Returning to FIG. 4, the common figure lottery means 213 executes a lottery by acquiring a lottery value when a game ball passes through the first operating port 31 or the second operating port 32. The determination result of the lottery by the regular symbol lottery means 213 is variably displayed in the form of a regular symbol on the regular symbol display device 45. The ordinary symbol lottery means 213 holds a symbol determination table to be referred to in order to determine the stop symbols of the ordinary symbols to be displayed on the ordinary symbol display device 45. The correspondence relationship between the lottery value and the normal symbol is defined in the symbol determination table, and the regular symbol lottery means 213 determines the stop symbol of the regular symbol by referring to the symbol determination table. When the determined stop symbol becomes a predetermined symbol, it is determined that the normal symbol is a hit, and after the variable display of the normal symbol is stopped at that stop symbol, the opening/closing control means 275 opens the second starting port 12. The normal electric accessories 90 are expanded. The expansion time is 0.1 seconds when the opening is short and 6 seconds when the opening is long. The lottery value of the normal symbol is temporarily suspended by the suspension control means 240. However, the lottery value is held on hold only if the predetermined hold limit number held by the hold control means 240 is not exceeded.

The reservation control means 240 includes a special symbol reservation means 241 and a regular symbol reservation means 242. The special drawing holding means 241 is configured to hold a new first winning lottery or a second winning lottery when a symbol change corresponding to the previous lottery is displayed when the first winning lottery or the second winning lottery is newly executed. The start of symbol variation for a lottery is suspended, and the winning/disapproving lottery value is stored until the start of variable display of the corresponding symbol. For the first win/fail lottery, the settings of the win/fail lottery value up to 4 pieces and the win/fail range, symbol range, and pattern range as preliminary judgment results are memorized, and for the second win/fail draw, the win/fail lottery value and the preliminary judgment result of up to 4 pieces are memorized. The settings of the validity range, symbol range, and pattern range are stored. Alternatively, the results of the preliminary determination may be stored in a separate area from the winning lottery value. The standard figure holding means 242 stores the standard figure lottery value acquired by the standard figure lottery means 213 as a reserved ball. These numbers of reservations are represented by the number of lighting or blinking of the first special symbol reservation lamp 71, the second special symbol reservation lamp 72, and the regular symbol reservation lamp 75, respectively. The number of reservations made by the special figure reservation means 241 is also displayed on the effect display device 60.

The lottery value of the second winning lottery held in the special symbol holding means 241 is consumed preferentially over the lottery value of the first winning lottery, and symbol fluctuations are displayed. Therefore, even if the lottery value of the jackpot is held as the first lottery, as long as the lottery value is held as the second lottery, the symbol variation corresponding to the jackpot lottery value of the first lottery is not displayed. Therefore, even if a jackpot is suspended in the first lottery, it is possible to win a plurality of consecutive jackpots by continuing to hit until a jackpot is suspended in the second lottery.

The main display control means 250 includes a first special symbol control means 251, a second special symbol control means 252, and a regular symbol control means 254. The first special symbol control means 251 displays the fluctuation of the first special symbol 51 on the first special symbol display device 41 according to the fluctuation pattern determined in accordance with the determination result of the first lottery by the first lottery means 211. let The first special symbol control means 251 makes it a condition for starting a new symbol variation that the variation display of the symbol corresponding to the first win/fail lottery or the second win/fail lottery that was performed previously has been completed. The second special symbol control means 252 displays the fluctuation of the second special symbol 52 on the second special symbol display device 42 according to the fluctuation pattern determined in response to the determination result of the second lottery by the second lottery means 212. let The second special symbol control means 252 also makes it a condition for starting a new symbol variation that the variation display of the symbol corresponding to the first win/fail lottery or the second win/fail lottery that was performed previously has been completed.

The first special symbol control means 251 reserves the start of the symbol variation display corresponding to the first prize lottery when the special symbol holding means 241 stores the winning lottery value of the second winning lottery. On the other hand, the second special symbol control means 252 starts displaying a symbol variation corresponding to the second lottery, regardless of whether the special symbol holding means 241 stores the lottery value of the first lottery. As a result, when lottery values are reserved for both the first lottery and the second lottery, the lottery values reserved for the second lottery are read out preferentially and symbol variations are displayed. In such a case, the lottery value held in the first win/fail lottery is not read out and its symbol variation does not start until the number of holds in the second win/fail lottery becomes 0.

The first special symbol control means 251 and the second special symbol control means 252 issue a variation start command and a variation stop command at the timing to start and stop the variation display of the first special symbol 51 and the second special symbol 52. It is transmitted to the production control means 304. When transmitting the variation start command, the main judgment is the judgment result determined or determined, the stop symbol, the value indicating each of the variation patterns, and the value indicating whether it is the first lottery or the second lottery. It is transmitted to the production control means 304 together with the fluctuation start command. When transmitting the fluctuation stop command, a value indicating the stop symbol is again transmitted to the performance control means 304 together with the fluctuation stop command. Thereby, the variable displays by the main display control means 250 and the effect control means 304 are synchronized, and the interlocking is maintained. The ordinary symbol control means 254 causes the ordinary symbol display device 45 to display the determination result of the lottery by the ordinary symbol lottery means 213 as a fluctuating display of ordinary symbols.

The special symbol adjusting means 276 waits for the start of the variable display of the other while displaying one of the first special symbol 51 and the second special symbol 52 in a variable manner. The special symbol adjusting means 276 adjusts the second special symbol based on the ball entering the second starting port 12, regardless of the order in which the game ball enters the first starting port 11 or the second starting port 12. 52 is given priority over the variable display of the first special symbol 51 based on the ball entering the first starting port 11. For example, when both the first win/fail lottery value and the second win/fail lottery value are reserved, the second win/fail lottery value is always used preferentially, and the second special symbol 52 is continuously displayed in a variable manner.

The special symbol adjustment means 276 in the modified example adjusts the variable display of the first special symbol 51 and the variable display of the second special symbol 52 in accordance with the order in which the balls enter the first starting port 11 and the second starting port 12. It may be selectively displayed in a variable manner. For example, when the ball enters the first starting hole 11, the first starting hole 11, and the second starting hole 12 in the order, the first special symbol 51, the first special symbol 51, and the second special symbol 52 are displayed in the order of fluctuations. be done. In this case, the special figure adjustment means 276 monitors the reservation control means 240 and stores the reservation order of the winning/failure lottery values. Since which special symbol should be changed is determined according to the order in which the game balls enter, that is, the order in which the winning lottery values are held in the holding control means 240, it is easy for the player to visually grasp the order of the changes.

In another modification, the special symbol adjustment means 276 may display the variable display of the first special symbol 51 and the variable display of the second special symbol 52 in a predetermined extinguishing order regardless of the order of ball entry. good. For example, priority may be given to alternately displaying the variable display of the first special symbol 51 and the variable display of the second special symbol 52. For example, when both the first win/fail lottery value and the second win/fail lottery value are on hold, the first special symbol 51 and the second special symbol 52 are alternately and variably displayed. Since which special symbol should be changed is simply alternated regardless of the order in which the game balls enter, the player can easily grasp the order of change intuitively.

Also, when one of the first special symbol 51 and the second special symbol 52 is stopped in a winning manner, the special symbol adjusting means 276 waits for the start of the variable display of the other. In this case, since the variable display of the special symbols does not start while the special game is being executed, the player can concentrate on the special game.

The special game control means 260 activates the special game when the first special symbol 51 is stopped in a predetermined jackpot mode when the first winning/failure lottery by the first lottery means 211 results in a transition to a special game. It is determined that the conditions have been met, and the special game is executed by opening the big prize opening 20. Similarly, when the second lottery by the second lottery means 212 indicates a transition to a special game, the special game control means 260 controls when the second special symbol 52 is stopped in a predetermined jackpot mode. It is determined that the special game operating conditions are satisfied, and the special game is executed by opening the big prize opening 20.

The special game is a game in which the operation of opening and closing the big prize opening 20 is continued a plurality of times in succession, and is composed of a plurality of unit games with one opening and closing as a unit. The special games include a 16R jackpot in which a unit game is repeated 16 times, a 4R jackpot in which a unit game is repeated 4 times, and a 2R jackpot in which a unit game whose open time is shorter than the 16R jackpot and 4R jackpot is repeated only twice. The 16R jackpot is a jackpot in the second lottery, and the 4R jackpot is a jackpot in the first lottery. In the 16R jackpot and 4R jackpot, the jackpot 20 is opened for about 30 seconds in principle in one unit game. In the 2R jackpot, the jackpot 20 is opened for only about 0.2 seconds in one unit game. The special game control means 260 ends the special game when the set number of rounds of the unit game is exhausted. In addition, even in the case of a 2R jackpot, if a predetermined condition is met, the jackpot 20 may be opened in the same manner as the 16R jackpot and the 4R jackpot.

The small winning game control means 265 operates the small winning game when the first special symbol 51 is stopped in a predetermined small winning mode when the first lottery by the first lottery means 211 results in a small winning. It is determined that the condition is satisfied, and the opening/closing control means 275 opens the big prize opening 20, thereby executing a small winning game. Similarly, when the second lottery by the second lottery means 212 results in a small win, the small winning game control means 265 controls the small winning game control means 265 to control the small winning game when the second special symbol 52 is stopped in a predetermined small winning mode. It is determined that the win game operating conditions are satisfied, and the opening/closing control means 275 opens the big prize opening 20 to execute the small win game.

In the small winning game, the unit game is executed once, and the big prize opening 20 is opened and closed twice in one unit game. The small winning game control means 265 opens the big winning opening 20 for only about 0.2 seconds per opening and closing, and opens the small winning opening 20 for about 0.4 seconds as a whole for the small winning game, and then closes the big winning opening 20. to end the small winning game.

The specific game control means 270 controls the normal game in the variable probability state, time saving state, and easy ball entry state. A specific game control means 270 shifts the game state to a variable probability state, a time saving state, and an easy ball entry state after the special game ends when the special symbol is a specific jackpot symbol accompanied by a shift to a variable probability state. The variable probability state, time saving state, and easy entry state continue until the next jackpot occurs. In the time saving state, the first variation pattern determining means 231 and the second variation pattern determining means 232 select a variation pattern with a short variation time so that the variation display time of the first special symbol 51 and the second special symbol 52 is approximately shortened. do. However, in the normal state, by referring to the fluctuation pattern table according to the number of reservations of the winning lottery value by the reservation control means 240, the smaller the number of reservations by the reservation control means 240, the more likely a fluctuation pattern with a longer fluctuation time will appear. In the easy entry state, both the probability change of the normal symbol and the extension of opening of the second starting port 12, or only the extension of opening of the second starting port 12 is carried out. That is, the specific game control means 270 causes the second starting port 12 to be extended to open when a specific jackpot is reached, and further increases the winning probability of the open lottery only if the winning lottery is the second winning lottery. Transition to a variable state with a higher probability than the normal state. During the probability change state, the probability that the result of the success/failure determination by the first success/failure lottery means 221 and the second success/failure lottery means 222 will be a jackpot is maintained at a high value.

The opening/closing control means 275 controls opening/closing of the normal electric accessory 90 of the second starting opening 12 and the big winning opening 20. When the normal symbol is stopped in a specific manner, the opening/closing control means 275 sends an opening instruction to the normal electric solenoid 91 to open the normal electric accessory 90 of the second starting port 12. The opening/closing control means 275 opens the second starting port 12 in the short opening or long opening time depending on the result of the opening lottery in the normal state, and opens the second starting port 12 in the long opening time in the ball entry easy state. 2 Open the starting port 12. This improves the ease of entering balls into the second starting port 12 and allows the player to continue playing the game without reducing the number of balls he has. The opening/closing control means 275 sends an opening instruction to the big winning hole solenoid 92 to open the big winning hole 20 in the special game.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the sub-board. The sub-board 300 includes a symbol mode determining means 301, a pattern storing means 302, an effect determining means 303, and an effect controlling means 304.

The pattern storage means 302 holds a plurality of effect patterns in which the effect image content and the display process to be displayed on the effect display device 60 when the decorative pattern 61 changes. The performance patterns include a plurality of variable performance patterns in which the fluctuating process from the start to the stop of the fluctuating display of the decorative symbols 61 and the performance process are defined, and the expectations for a jackpot are displayed separately from the fluctuating display of the decorative symbols. The display includes a plurality of preview performance patterns that preliminarily suggest the height of the variable display before the display stops.

The performance determining means 303 displays the result on the performance display device 60 by the performance control means 304 according to the determination result of the first lottery received from the first lottery means 211 or the determination result of the second lottery received from the second lottery means 212. Then, the content of the performance to be output to the speaker 108 is determined. The effect determining means 303 selects one of the plurality of variable effect patterns corresponding to the variable pattern of the special symbol determined by the first variable pattern determining means 231 or the second variable pattern determining means 232 and stores it in the pattern storage means. Read from 302. The effect determining means 303 sends information on the read variable effect pattern to the effect controlling means 304. The effect determining means 303 holds a pattern table to be referred to in order to select a variable effect pattern.

For each variation performance pattern, a variation time is determined for each pattern as a condition for ending the symbol variation, and the symbol variation is stopped when the variation time has elapsed. The effect determining means 303 selects a variable effect pattern of effect images having the same variation time according to a variable pattern of the special symbol.

The symbol mode determining means 301 determines the combination of the stop symbols of the decorative symbols 61 and their arrangement based on the determination result of the lottery by the first lottery means 211 or the second lottery means 212, the stop symbols of the special symbols, the variation patterns of the special symbols, the decorations, etc. Determined according to the fluctuation performance pattern of the symbol. The symbol mode determining means 301 transmits information indicating the determined combination of stopped symbols to the performance control means 304. The symbol mode determining means 301 holds a symbol range table that should be referred to in order to determine the stop symbols of decorative symbols.

The stop symbol of the decorative pattern 61 is formed as a combination of three symbols, and for example, when the result of the success/failure determination by the first win/fail lottery means 221 and the second win/fail lottery means 222 indicates a transition to a special game of 4R jackpot or 16R jackpot. A specific combination, for example, a combination of three symbols such as "777" and "111" is selected. If the result of the judgment is a 2R jackpot or a small hit, a specific combination, such as "357", is selected, but these specific combinations are not necessarily combinations in which all three symbols are aligned. You don't have to. If the result of the judgment is neither a jackpot nor a small hit, it is a combination such as "312" or "946" where the three symbols are not aligned, and it is a specific combination selected at the time of a 2R jackpot or small hit. Combinations that are not applicable are selected. If the winning/failure judgment result is not a 4R jackpot or a 16R jackpot, and a fluctuation pattern indicating a miss with reach is selected, a combination in which only one symbol is not aligned, such as "191" or "727" Select.

The variation presentation pattern of the decorative pattern defines the variation display mode of the decorative pattern, that is, the presentation process from the start of variation to the stop of variation of the decorative pattern. The variable production patterns include a pattern when displaying a normal winning symbol, a pattern when displaying a winning symbol after going through a reach state where if one more symbol is aligned, it will be a jackpot, and a pattern when displaying a winning symbol after reaching a reach state. Contains patterns when doing so. In particular, the patterns when passing through the reach state include patterns with varying lengths of time. For each variation performance pattern, a variation time is determined for each pattern as a condition for ending the symbol variation, and the symbol variation is stopped when the variation time has elapsed. The performance determining means 303 selects a variation performance pattern of a decorative symbol whose variation time is equal to that of the special symbol, depending on the variation pattern of the special symbol.

In the time-saving state, if the variation pattern selected by the first variation pattern determination means 231 or the second variation pattern determination means 232 is a time-saving pattern, the performance determination means 303 selects a variation whose performance content for time-saving is determined. Select a production pattern. The time-saving production content is a production in which background video and audio are output to give the impression that the player is in an advantageous state due to time savings or probability changes.

The preview performance pattern is a performance pattern that temporarily displays an image, animation, or video of a specific character or motif on the screen, a performance pattern that causes a role model to move, or a performance pattern that outputs a specific sound. The performance based on the preview performance pattern is executed in parallel with the symbol variation, and it is suggested in advance that there is a high expectation that the symbol variation will stop in a jackpot manner. For example, there is a normal preview effect in which only one character image is displayed on the screen, and a group preview effect in which a group of characters is displayed as if they are passing from one end of the screen to the other. Further, a step-up preview performance is included in which the display process of the preview performance is divided into a plurality of stages, and the number of stages to be displayed is made variable so that the greater the number of stages, the higher the expectation of a jackpot.

The preview effect pattern includes a pattern in which the effect is executed at a timing after the display mode of the decorative pattern 61 becomes a ready-to-reach state and foretells the final stop mode of the pattern, and a pattern in which none of the decorative patterns 61 is stopped. There is a pattern that simultaneously announces that the performance will be executed at the right time and the reach state will be reached.

The performance determining means 303 determines whether or not to display a preview performance on the performance display device 60 by a predetermined preview lottery according to the determination result of the win/fail lottery, and sets the preview performance, and also determines the preview performance pattern to be displayed. decide. Performance determining means 303 holds a preview determination table to be referred to in order to decide whether to display a preview performance, and a preview type table to be referred to when selecting the type of preview performance pattern. The preview decision table is set so that different columns are referenced depending on the judgment result of the lottery, and the preview effect is displayed with a higher probability when the lottery is a win than when it is a loss. The correspondence between the determination result and whether or not to display the preview effect is determined. Thereby, the display of the preview performance itself can indicate a high degree of expectation for a jackpot.

The performance control means 304 causes the performance display device 60 to variably display the performance image including the decorative pattern 61 according to the selected variable performance pattern data as a result of the judgment of the winning lottery by the first lottery means 211 or the second lottery means 212. . The performance control means 304 receives a command to start changing the decorative pattern 61 and displays a new pattern indicating that the variable display of the decorative pattern 61 corresponding to the previous first winning/failure lottery and second winning/failure lottery has ended. Use this as the starting condition for fluctuation. When the performance determining means 303 determines that a preview performance is to be displayed, the performance control means 304 displays a preview performance according to the selected preview performance pattern on the performance display device 60 in a form that is superimposed on the symbol variation performance. let

The production control means 304 reserves the start of the symbol variation display corresponding to the first lottery when the winning lottery value of the second winning lottery is stored, and determines whether the winning lottery value of the first winning lottery is stored. Irrespective of whether the lottery is successful or not, the symbol variation display corresponding to the second lottery is started. As a result, if the lottery values are reserved for both the first lottery and the second lottery, the lottery values reserved for the second lottery are read out preferentially, and changes in the decorative symbols are displayed. . In such a case, the lottery values held in the first win/fail lottery are not read out and the decorative symbols do not start changing until the number of holds in the second win/fail lottery becomes 0. In this manner, the effect control means 304 causes the effect display device 60 to display a pattern variation effect including a variable display of the decorative patterns 61.

The effect control means 304 further controls lighting and extinguishing of the decorative lamp 111. The performance control means 304 includes a performance display control means 305 and an audio control means 306. The effect display control means 305 controls the display on the effect display device 60, and the audio control means 306 controls the audio output from the speaker 108.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram schematically showing the hardware configuration of the main board 200 and the sub board 300. The main board 200 includes electronic components such as a main CPU 290, a main RAM 291, and a main ROM 292. The main ROM 292 stores in advance a main control program and data for controlling overall gaming operations. A main control program or data is read from the main ROM 292 into the main RAM 291, and the main control program is executed by the main CPU 290. Each electronic component is connected by a bus such as a system bus or a data bus (not shown). Entry signals from each ball entrance, payout signals from the payout control board 155, and the like are acquired by the main CPU 290 via various interfaces (not shown). The main CPU 290 drives and controls external devices such as each winning hole solenoid, the first special symbol display device 41, and the second special symbol display device 42 by various drive circuits (not shown). In addition, commands necessary for performance control are transmitted from the main CPU 290 to the sub-board 300 together with information such as the results of the lottery, the results of determining symbols, and the results of determining fluctuation patterns. Signals are transmitted from the main board 200 to the sub board 300 by one-way communication.

The command data transmitted from the main board 200 to the sub-board 300 has a 2-byte configuration consisting of a combination of 1-byte command type data, so-called MODE data, and 1-byte command content data, so-called EVENT data. The main board 200 can send one command by associating command type data and command content data and transmitting them to the sub board 300. The instruction type data is a bit string indicating the type of instruction, and a unique type code is assigned in advance to each instruction type at the development stage. The instruction content data is a bit string indicating the content of the instruction. The most significant bit of the instruction type data and instruction content data is an identification bit that indicates whether it is instruction type data or instruction content data.When the most significant bit is 1, it indicates that it is instruction type data; When the bit is 0, it indicates instruction content data.

Communication from the main board 200 to the sub board 300 is designed to send 1 byte of data per data transmission, so two transmissions of 1 byte each are required to send 2 bytes of command data. . MODE data, which is the upper byte, is transmitted in the first communication, and EXT data, which is the lower byte, is transmitted in the second communication. Considering the possibility of communication failure due to the influence of noise, etc., the main board 200 continuously transmits the same data, and when the same data is read twice in a row by the sub board 300, completion of the transmission and reception of that data is determined. . The main board 200 repeatedly transmits the same data until it is read twice in a row, up to a maximum of five times.

The sub board 300 includes electronic components such as a sub CPU 310, a sub RAM 311, a sub ROM 312, an effect display control device 313, and an audio control device 314. The sub ROM 312 is one of data storage means that holds a sub control program including performance pattern data in which a performance process is defined, display pattern data in which a performance display process is defined, and the like. A sub-control program including performance pattern data, display pattern data, and audio pattern data is read from the sub-ROM 312 into the sub-RAM 311, and performance control based on the sub-control program is executed by the sub-CPU 310. Each electronic component is connected by a bus such as a system bus or a data bus (not shown). Signals from external devices such as the production button 109 are acquired by the sub CPU 310 via various interfaces (not shown). The sub CPU 310 controls external devices such as the effect display device 60, the speaker 108, the decorative lamp 111, the movable accessory 66, etc. using the effect display control device 313, the audio control device 314, and various drive circuits and control circuits (not shown) according to the effect pattern data. The controller drives the display output, audio output, lamp lighting, and controls the effects of the action of the role parts. The sub CPU 310 transfers the display pattern data to the effect display control device 31.
3, and transmits the voice pattern data to the voice control device 314. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the sub-board 300 includes the effect display control device 313 and the audio control device 314, but the sub-board 300, the effect display control device 313, and the audio control device 314 are integrated as a board. They may be formed as separate substrates that are separated and connected to each other.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram schematically showing the hardware configuration of the effect display control device 313. The effect display control device 313 includes a display CPU 320, a display RAM 322, a data ROM 324, and a display control circuit 326. The data ROM 324 is one of data storage means that holds material data such as effect image data and motion data used for effect display in a compressed state. The performance image data is an image used for fluctuating display or performance display as a performance object indicating the judgment result of a winning/failure lottery, etc. For example, a sprite image of a decorative pattern used for decorative pattern variation, a sprite image used for a preview performance, a sprite image used for various performances, etc. This is a material image such as a video to be used. The motion data is data that defines an action when adding an action-like action to an image used for various effects at a predetermined timing.

Based on the display pattern data sent from the sub CPU 310, the effect image data and motion data specified by the display pattern data are read from the data ROM 324 to the display RAM 322, and effect display using the effect image data and motion data is performed. is executed by the display CPU 320. As a result, commands, effect image data, and motion data related to effect display are transmitted from the display CPU 320 to the display control circuit 326, and the display control circuit 326 performs display control.

The display control circuit 326 includes a decoder 332, a drawing memory 334, a drawing circuit 336, a frame buffer 338, and a display circuit 340, each of which is connected via a bus 330. For convenience, the bus 330 in this figure comprehensively represents buses such as a system bus, a data bus, and an address bus.

The effect image data and motion data sent from the display CPU 320 are stored in the drawing memory 334, and the compressed data among these data is decoded by the decoder 332. The drawing memory 334 is a VRAM (Video RAM) that is used as a work area when the decoder 332 decodes effect image data and motion data, or as a work area when the drawing circuit 336 executes drawing processing or image processing. ).

The drawing circuit 336 uses the data stored in the drawing memory 334 to sequentially execute commands sent from the display CPU 320 to generate a display image, and stores the generated display image in a frame buffer as a frame of a moving image. 338. The frame buffer 338 is a VRAM that serves as a buffer memory that temporarily stores frames of moving images to be output to the effect display device 60.

The display circuit 340 outputs the display images stored in the frame buffer 338 to the effect display device 60 in the form of a video signal in the order in which they were stored. The frame buffer 338 has a memory area for two frames, for example, and while the display circuit 340 outputs a display image from the memory area for one frame, the drawing circuit 336 generates the next display image. Store in the memory area for one more frame.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a control start process for the main board 200 in the Pachinko gaming machine. When the power switch 150 is turned on, the main CPU 290 sets a stack pointer (S100), permits access to the main RAM 291 (S102), and executes initial settings regarding the hardware such as setting the built-in registers of the main CPU 290. (S104).

Subsequently, depending on the operation state of the RAM clear switch, the value of the power-off information flag, and the state of the data stored in the main RAM 291, power-off recovery processing or initialization processing of the main RAM 291 is executed. Specifically, if the RAM clear switch is not turned on and both the value of the power-off information flag and the data stored in the main RAM 291 are normal, the process at the time of power-off recovery is executed. do. In other cases, that is, when the RAM clear switch is turned on, or even when the RAM clear switch is not turned on, either the power-off information flag or the data stored in the main RAM 291 is normal. If not, initialization processing of the main RAM 291 is executed.

The main CPU 290 checks the operating state of the RAM clear switch, and if the RAM clear switch is turned on (Y in S106), initializes the main RAM 291 (S116). If the RAM clear switch is not turned on (N in S106), the main CPU 290 checks the value of the power-off information flag (S108). If the value of the power-off information flag does not match the power-off normal data (N at S108), the main RAM 291 is initialized (S116). If the value of the power-off information flag matches the normal power-off data (Y in S108), the data stored in the main RAM 291 is inspected (S110). As will be described later, if the processing had completed normally when the power was last turned off, the checksum of the data stored in the main RAM 291 will have been stored in the main RAM 291, so the main CPU 290 will use the checksum to Inspect the data in main RAM 291. If the data stored in the main RAM 291 is not normal (N in S112), the data in the main RAM 291 is initialized (S116). If the data stored in the main RAM is normal (Y in S112), processing is executed to return to the state before the power was turned off (S114).

In the power-off recovery process (S114), power-on normal data indicating that the power was turned on normally is stored in the power-off information flag, and initial settings for various errors and communication initial settings with the payout control board 155 are executed. do. Subsequently, the command requests that have not been sent before the power is turned off are cleared, and commands for various information indicating the gaming status are requested to be sent. Subsequently, a production command corresponding to the number of activated balls of the first special symbol and the second special symbol is requested. Subsequently, the open/closed states of the second starting port 12 and the big winning port 20 are returned to the state before the power was cut off. Subsequently, a process for notifying the operating state of the special symbol probability variation function is executed.

In the RAM initialization process (S116), the power-on normal data is stored in the power-off information flag, the entire area of the main RAM 291 is cleared with 0, and the initial settings of the main RAM 291 and the initialization of the effect display are executed.

When the power-off recovery process (S114) or the RAM initialization process (S116) is completed, a count value is set to start an interrupt process to be described later, and the operation of the interrupt timer is started (S118). As a result, a timer interrupt is generated every predetermined time (for example, 4 milliseconds) from then on, and the interrupt processing described later is executed. Next, the main CPU 290 executes main processing for managing the gaming machine (S120).

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing in detail the main processing of S120 in FIG. The main CPU 290 once prohibits timer interrupts (S200), starts operation of the watchdog timer (S202), and monitors power-off (S204). When a drop in the power supply voltage supplied from the power supply unit 158 is detected in a power supply voltage monitoring circuit (not shown), a power-off memory is executed by inputting an unconditional interrupt request signal from the power supply voltage monitoring circuit to the main CPU 290. In the process, power-off confirmation data is stored in the power-off confirmation flag.
Therefore, the main CPU 290 monitors the value of the power-off confirmation flag (S204), and if the value of the power-off confirmation flag matches the power-off confirmation data (Y in S206), executes the process for power-off. Therefore, the process advances to S212. If the value of the power-off confirmation flag does not match the power-off confirmation data (N of S206), in order to update the initial value random number per normal symbol, the initial value random number per special symbol, and the soft initial value random number per special symbol, Initial value random number update processing is executed (S208), timer interrupt is enabled (S210), and the process returns to S200. Thereafter, S200 to S210 are repeated. If a timer interrupt occurs while timer interrupts are disabled (S202 to S208), the timer interrupt is enabled in S210, and then interrupt processing, which will be described later, is executed.

When a power outage is detected in S206 (Y in S206), the main CPU 290 restarts the watchdog timer (S212) and checks the contents of the power outage information flag (S214). If the contents of the power-off information flag do not match the power-on normal data (N in S214), it is determined that the data at power-on is not saved normally, and the power-off abnormal data is stored in the power-off information flag. (S216) and proceeds to S222. If the contents of the power-off information flag match the power-on normal data (Y in S214), it is determined that the data at power-on has been saved normally, and the power-off normal data is stored in the power-off information flag. (S218). Subsequently, in order to check the backed up data in the main RAM 291 when the power is turned on next time, a checksum of the data stored in the main RAM 291 is calculated and stored in the main RAM 291 (S220). Next, access to the main RAM 291 is prohibited (S222), and the process loops until the power is turned off.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing details of interrupt processing. When a timer interrupt occurs in the main process (S120), the main CPU 290 executes the interrupt process. First, interrupt operating conditions are set (S300), and the watchdog timer is restarted (S302). Next, in order to manage the gaming machine, input processing (S304), various random number update processing (S306), initial value update type random number update processing (S308), initial value random number update processing (S310), timer subtraction processing (S312) , 2nd start opening valid period setting process (S314), winning monitoring process (S316), prize ball control process (S318), normal symbol activation gate monitoring process (S320), normal symbol control process (S322), normal symbol fluctuation start Monitoring process (S324), starting opening monitoring control process (S326), special symbol control process (S328), special electric accessory control process (S330), big prize opening valid period setting process (S332), special symbol fluctuation start monitoring control Processing (S334), abnormality detection processing (S336), ball entry passage time abnormality detection processing (S338), game state display processing (S340), handle state signal inspection processing (S342), LED output processing (S344), firing control signal Output processing (S346), test signal output processing (S348), solenoid output processing (S350), production control command transmission processing (S352), external information output processing (S354) are executed in order, and the next timer interrupt is permitted. (S356) and returns.

In the input processing (S304), the input of switches attached to the game board surface, disconnection/short circuit power supply abnormality detection signal, door/frame open signal, magnetic detection signal, radio wave detection signal, and touch state signal is monitored, and the input state is determined. Create data indicating this and store it in the main RAM 291.

In various random number updating processes (S306), the normal symbol fluctuation pattern random numbers and the fluctuation pattern random numbers are updated. A normal symbol variation pattern random number is read from the main RAM 291, and if the value is less than a predetermined maximum value, the value is incremented and stored, and if the value is greater than or equal to the predetermined maximum value, 0 is stored. Further, a fluctuation pattern random number is read from the main RAM 291, and if the result of subtracting a predetermined value from the value is 0 or more, the subtraction result is stored, and if it is less than 0, a predetermined maximum value is stored. As a result, the normal symbol variation pattern random number and the variation pattern random number are updated every time a timer interrupt occurs.

In the initial value update type random number update process (S308), the random number per normal symbol, the random number per special symbol, and the soft random number per special symbol are updated. The respective random number values, maximum values, and initial values are read from the main RAM 291, and the random number values are incremented. If the incremented result exceeds the maximum value, the random number value is set to 0. Further, if the incremented result matches the initial value, the initial value random number is read from the main RAM 291 and the initial value is updated. As a result, the random number per normal symbol, the random number per special symbol, and the soft random number per special symbol are updated every time a timer interrupt occurs, and when the random number value returns to the initial value, that is, the random number range is completed once. Then, new initial values are set and random numbers are generated.

In the initial value random number update process (S310), the initial value random number per normal symbol, the initial symbol random value per special symbol, and the soft initial value random number per special symbol are updated. The initial value random number is read from the initial value random number update table in the main RAM 291, and the value of the initial value random number is incremented. If the incremented result exceeds the upper limit, the initial value random number is set to 0. Similar processing is performed in the initial value random number update processing (S208) in the main processing (S120).

In the timer subtraction process (S312), the 2-byte timer is updated. The timer value is read from the main RAM 291, and if the timer value is other than 0, the value is decremented and stored. If the timer value is 0, no timer update is performed.

In the second starting port effective period setting process (S314), the effective period of the second starting port 12 is set. The second starting port 12 contains a validity period during which a prize ball will be paid out and a lottery related to the second special symbol will be executed when a game ball enters, and a valid period during which a prize ball will be paid out and a second special symbol will be drawn even if a game ball enters. An invalid period is set in which a lottery related to a symbol is not executed. As will be described later, in the starting port monitoring control process (S326), the second starting port winning monitoring process is not executed during the invalid period of the second starting port 12, so no game ball enters the second starting port 12. Even if the prize ball is paid out and the lottery related to the second special symbol is not executed. The same applies to the case where a valid period and an invalid period are set for the first starting hole 11, the big winning hole 20, the operating hole 30, the general winning hole 33, etc. When the state of the normal symbol is "normal electric accessory in operation", data indicating that the second starting port 12 is in the valid period is stored in the second starting port valid period flag. If the state of the normal symbol is not "normal electric accessory in operation" and the value of the second starting port valid extension timer is not 0, the second starting port valid period flag indicates that the second starting port 12 is in the valid period. If the value of the second starting port validity extension timer is 0, data indicating that the second starting port is in an invalid period is stored in the second starting port valid period flag.

In the winning monitoring process (S316), the passage of the game ball through the switch is inspected, and when the game ball passes through the switch, the switch does not have an invalid period or is currently in its valid period, and the prize ball is paid out. If so, update the winning counter. It also requests the creation of a security output request to be output to an external terminal and the transmission of a command.

In the prize ball control process (S318), monitoring data reception from the payout control board 155, requesting command transmission to the payout control board 155, sending command to the payout control board 155, and inspecting data received from the payout control board 155. Execute in order.

In the normal symbol activation gate monitoring process (S320), the passage of the game ball through the activation port 30 is monitored, and when it is determined that the game ball has passed through the activation port 30, the number of pending normal symbol changes is less than the upper limit of 4. If so, the number of pending normal symbols is updated, and the random number related to the normal symbol is stored in the main RAM 291.

In the normal symbol control process (S322), the state of the normal symbols is monitored, and if it is determined that the normal symbol is being controlled, processing related to the normal symbol display device 45 or the normal electric accessory 90 is executed. If the state of the normal symbol is "normal symbol fluctuating", the normal symbol fluctuating process is executed, and if the state is "normal symbol stopping symbol displaying", the normal symbol stopping symbol displaying process is executed, and the "normal symbol changing state" is executed. If "accessory object is in operation", normal electric accessory object operation process is executed, and if "normal electric accessory object operation end demonstration is in progress", normal electric accessory object operation end demonstration process is executed. In the normal symbol fluctuation process, after the normal symbol fluctuates, the fluctuation time is monitored, and if it is determined that the normal symbol fluctuation time has ended, the normal symbol fluctuation stop setting is set and the state of the normal symbol is changed to "normal". Set to ``Symbols are stopped and symbols are being displayed.'' In normal pattern stop pattern display processing, the stop pattern display time of the normal pattern is monitored, and when it is determined that the stop pattern display time of the normal pattern has ended, the normal pattern operation end setting corresponding to the result of hit determination is executed. In case of a hit, set the state of the normal symbol to "Normal electric accessory in operation", save the operating state of the normal electric accessory release extension function when the normal electric accessory starts operating, and start the normal electric accessory. The operation setting of the normal electric utility solenoid 91 corresponding to the operating state of the normal electric accessory opening extension function at the time is executed. In the case of a miss, the state of the normal symbol is set to "waiting for normal symbol change." In the normal electric accessory operation process, if the winnings of the winning openings related to the ordinary electric accessory 90 of the game ball are monitored and it is determined that the number of winnings of the winning openings related to the ordinary electric accessory 90 has reached the maximum number of winnings. executes the operation termination setting of the normal electric accessory 90 and the setting of the second starting port effective extension time. If it is determined that the number of prizes in the winning opening related to the ordinary electric accessory 90 has not reached the maximum number of winnings, the opening/closing time of the entrance to the winning opening related to the ordinary electric accessory 90 is monitored, and the ordinary electric accessory 90 When the opening/closing of the entrance of the prize opening is set and it is determined that the opening of the entrance of the series of ordinary electric accessories 90 is completed, the operation termination setting of the ordinary electric accessory 90 and the activation of the second starting opening are performed. Execute extension time settings. In addition, if it is determined that the opening/closing time of the entrance of the winning opening related to the normal electric accessory 90 has not ended, the opening/closing setting of the entrance of the winning opening related to the ordinary electric accessory 90 is not executed. In the normal electric accessory operation end demonstration processing, the operation end demonstration time of the ordinary electric accessory 90 is monitored, and if it is determined that the operation end demonstration time of the ordinary electric accessory 90 has ended, the state of the normal symbol is changed to "normal symbol". "Waiting for change".

In the normal symbol variation start monitoring process (S324), the state of the normal symbol is monitored, and if it is "waiting for normal symbol variation" and the value of the number of normal symbol activation pending balls is other than 0, the normal symbol fluctuation is started. It is decided to start. When it is determined to start the fluctuation of the normal symbol, the number of normal symbol activation pending balls is decremented, and the hit judgment, determination of the stop symbol, setting of the fluctuation pattern number of the normal symbol, and setting of the fluctuation time of the normal symbol are executed. . Thereafter, the state of the normal symbol is set to "normal symbol fluctuating", and the area of the main RAM 291 used for the normal symbol state setting, hit determination, and fluctuation pattern determination is cleared.

In the starting hole monitoring control process (S326), winnings of the first starting hole 11 and second starting hole 12 of the game balls are monitored. If you confirm that a game ball has won when the number of pending balls for the first special symbol is less than 4, obtain a built-in random number, and add the value of the soft random number per special symbol to the obtained built-in random number. It is stored in a buffer as a special symbol per random number used in jackpot determination. Further, as random numbers related to special symbols, symbol random numbers and fluctuation pattern random numbers are acquired and stored. If the reservation of the second special symbol is to be extinguished in priority to the reservation of the first special symbol, only the renewal of the reservation related to the winning is executed, but if the reservation of the special symbol is to be consumed in the order of winning, In addition to updating the reservations related to the winnings, the total number of reservations is updated and the order of winnings is stored. Next, in order to request a preview production command corresponding to the random number stored at the time of winning the starting slot, the state of the gaming machine is checked, and if it is determined that it is the command transmission period, a winning preview production request, a winning symbol preview production request, a pattern notice Executes performance requests in order. Here, (1) if you want to store the random number related to the first special symbol while you are waiting for a hit and the normal symbol probability fluctuation function is not activated, (2) you are waiting for a hit and the normal symbol probability fluctuation function is not activated. When the random number related to the second special symbol is stored while the probability fluctuation function is not activated, (3) When the random number related to the second special symbol is stored during the jackpot or small win. , it is determined that it is the command transmission period. Next, a production command corresponding to the number of balls pending activation of the special symbol is requested. As a result, the sub-board 300 is notified that the number of reserved balls for special symbols has been updated. As described above, in the pre-reading, the four items of winning, winning symbol, variation pattern, and number of reserved balls are transmitted as a set to sub-board 300. Next, the value of the second starting port valid period flag is checked, and if the value of the second starting port valid period flag is data indicating that the second starting port 12 is in the valid period, the first starting port winning prize is As in the case, the second starting opening winnings monitoring process is executed. When the value of the second starting port valid period flag is data indicating that the second starting port 12 is in the invalid period, the second starting port winning monitoring process is not executed. In addition, if it is confirmed that a game ball has won a prize when the number of pending balls is 0, the number of pending balls is once changed from 0 to 1, and then the control process related to the start of fluctuation, which will be described later, is executed. .

In the special symbol control process (S328), a hit waiting state is checked, and if the special electric accessory is in operation, that is, a big hit or a small hit, the special symbol control process is ended. If the special electric accessory is not activated, the state of the special symbol is inspected, and if it is "waiting for special symbol change", the special symbol control general processing is ended, and if it is "starting to change", the special symbol is changed. A start process is executed, and if "special symbol is changing", special symbol varying processing is executed, and if "special symbol stopping symbol is being displayed", special symbol stopping symbol displaying processing is executed. In the special symbol variation start process, the selection number of the special symbol variation pattern is acquired based on the variation pattern random number, the variation time corresponding to the special symbol variation pattern number is determined, and the variation is started in order to start the effect display on the sub board 300. Request commands for additional symbol information, variation patterns, and character information, set the state of the special symbol to "Special symbol variation in progress," and clear the variation pattern judgment area used to determine the special symbol variation pattern to 0. . In the process during special symbol fluctuation, after performing special symbol fluctuation, the fluctuation time is monitored, and if it is determined that the special symbol fluctuation time has ended, the special symbol fluctuation stop setting is set and the state of the special symbol is changed to "special". Set to ``Symbols are stopped and symbols are being displayed.'' In special symbol stop symbol display processing, the stop symbol display time of the special symbol is monitored, and when it is determined that the stop symbol display time of the special symbol has ended, special symbol operation end setting is executed corresponding to the result of hit determination. In case of a hit, in order to end the operation of the special symbol, set the state of the special symbol to "waiting for special symbol change", set the number of times the special electric accessory will operate continuously, and set the probability of the special symbol. Disable the variation function, special symbol variation time reduction function, normal symbol probability variation function, normal symbol variation time reduction function, and normal electric accessory opening extension function to prepare the state of the gaming machine for opening the big winning hole. The winning start demonstration display time is set, the command request for the winning start demonstration performance, and the command request for the firing position designation performance are executed. If the result of the hit determination is a small hit, it is determined that the special symbol's variation time shortening function and the normal symbol's probability variation function have finished operating, the variation pattern selection state is updated, a command request is made for the gaming state, and the special symbol In order to end the operation, set the state of the special symbol to "waiting for special symbol change", set the state of the gaming machine to the small hit start demonstration, set the win start demo display time, and set the win start demonstration performance. Execute command requests and command requests for firing position designation effects. If the result of the hit judgment is a failure, it is determined that the special symbol's variation time shortening function and the normal symbol's probability variation function have finished operating, the variation pattern selection state is updated, a command request is made for the gaming state, and the special symbol is changed. To end the operation, the state of the special symbol is set to "waiting for special symbol variation" and a command request for firing position designation performance is executed.

In the special electric accessory control process (S330), in order to execute the process related to the special electric accessory, the operating state of the condition device and the special electric accessory is inspected, and whether the condition device is in operation or the special electric accessory is in operation. If it is determined that this is the case, processing related to the special electric accessory is executed. Depending on the operating status of the special electric accessory, processing in preparation for opening the big winning opening, processing while the special electric accessory is in operation, processing while closing the big winning opening, processing during the jackpot end demonstration, processing during the small winning start demonstration, and small winning special call. Execute processing during operation, processing during closing of small winning large winning opening, and processing during small winning end demonstration.

In the grand prize opening validity period setting process (S332), in order to save the result of determining the validity period of the major prize opening 20, if the value of the major prize opening validity period is 0, the great prize opening validity period flag is set to If it is other than 0, the big winning opening valid period data is stored in the big winning opening valid period flag.

In the special symbol variation start monitoring control process (S334), the operating state of the special symbol is monitored and it is determined whether the special symbol is in a state where it can start varying. If the order of consumption of the reserved balls of the special symbol is priority consumption of the second special symbol, (1) the jackpot or small hit is not in progress, (2) the first special symbol is on standby for fluctuation, (3) ) The second special symbol is on standby to fluctuate, and (4) the number of balls pending activation of the special symbol is other than 0. When all of the following conditions are satisfied, the special symbol is ready to start fluctuating. It is determined that If the reserved balls of the special symbol are consumed in the order of winning, in addition to (1) to (3) above, (5) the total number of reserved balls of the special symbol is other than 0, and (6) the relevant When all of the following conditions are satisfied: the determination matches the order of consumption, that is, the order of winning, it is determined that the special symbols are ready to start changing.

When it is determined that the special symbol is ready to start changing, the number of pending balls of the special symbol is subtracted, and a performance command corresponding to the number of pending balls of the first special symbol and the second special symbol is requested. As a result, the sub board 300 is notified that the number of reserved balls of the special symbol has been updated.

Next, a hit determination for the special symbol is executed. In the hit determination, it is determined whether it is a jackpot, small hit, or miss based on the special symbol per random number, and the determination result is stored in the special symbol determination flag. Next, decide on the design. In determining the symbols, if the hit determination is a jackpot, the jackpot symbol is determined based on the special symbol per symbol random number, if it is a small hit, the small win symbol is determined, and if it is a miss, the miss symbol is determined. is determined.

If the result of the hit determination is a jackpot, the operation content of the probability fluctuation function of the special symbol is determined based on the value of the group determination number indicating the type of the winning symbol determined in the symbol determination process, and the operation content of the special symbol probability fluctuation function is determined. The game state after the jackpot is set, such as the operating details of the variable time reduction function and the easy winning state of normal symbols. Next, settings are made during the jackpot, such as the number of times the special electric accessory is activated in succession and the opening time of the jackpot. Next, the contents of the variation pattern selection state are set by selecting a variation pattern table to be referred to after the jackpot is completed based on the result of the hit determination and the operating state of the probability variation function of the normal symbol. Next, a start demonstration time and an end demonstration time are set by referring to a table selected based on the value of the group determination number indicating the game state and the type of winning symbol. Subsequently, the area of the main RAM 291 used for hit determination and symbol determination is cleared, and the state of the special symbol is set to "variation start".

If the result of the hit determination is a small hit, select the fluctuation pattern table to be referred to after the small hit ends, set the contents of the fluctuation pattern selection state, set the start demo time and end demo time, and confirm the winning. The area of the main RAM 291 used for judgment and symbol determination is cleared, and the state of the special symbol is set to "variation start". If the result of the hit determination is a loss, the area of the main RAM 291 used for the hit determination and symbol determination is cleared, and the state of the special symbol is set to "variation start".

In the abnormality detection process (S336), the magnetic detection signal, disconnection/short circuit power supply abnormality detection signal, radio wave detection signal, and door/frame open signal are inspected, and if there is a change in the error state, the error state is stored and A request is made to the sub-board 300 to display an error state representation of the gaming machine. If there is no change in the error state, the request to store the error state and display the error state performance is not executed.

In the ball entrance passage time abnormality detection process (S338), in order to detect an abnormality in the ball entrance passage time, the continuous on time of each switch level is monitored, and if it is determined that there has been a change from the previous time, the ball entrance passage time is detected. Execute the time abnormality setting, command transmission request, and creation of a security output request to be output to an external terminal in this order. If it is determined that the continuous on time is not abnormal, no security output request is created.

In the game state display process (S340), in order to request the display of the number of times the special electric accessory is activated in succession, the error state, the number of pending activation balls for normal symbols, and the number of pending activation balls for special symbols, each display is required. Create data.

In the handle state signal inspection process (S342), the handle state is inspected to monitor the touch state of the handle, and if it is determined that there is a change in the handle state as a result of the inspection, the handle state monitoring timer is subtracted and the handle state is Updates, sets the handle state monitoring timer, and requests command transmission for handle state presentation. As a result of the inspection, if it is determined that there is no change in the handle state, a handle state monitoring timer is set. If the value of the handle state monitoring timer is decremented and the result is other than 0, it is determined that the timer is being decremented, and subsequent processing is not executed.

In the LED output process (S344), the display of special symbols, the display of normal symbols, the display of the number of balls on hold for special symbols, the display of the number of balls on hold for normal symbols, the display of the game status, and the special electric accessory are displayed in succession. In order to display the number of times the special electric accessory is activated, display the operating status of the special electric accessory when the accessory continuous operation device is not activated, display the separation and display the error, initialize the display, acquire display data, and Run the output in sequence.

In the firing control signal output process (S346), in order to output a signal for prohibiting/permitting firing of game balls, setting of prohibiting/permitting firing corresponding to the communication state with the payout control board 155 and disconnection/short circuit power supply abnormality, and After acquiring the firing prohibition/permission data, a firing prohibition/permission signal is output.

In test signal output processing (S348), a signal to be output to the test device is created and output to the corresponding output port.

In the solenoid output process (S350), in order to output the output data of the normal electric solenoid 91 and the big winning hole solenoid 92, the output data of the normal electric solenoid 91 is acquired, the output data of the big winning hole solenoid 92 is acquired, and Execute output data output. The operation flag and operation timer of each solenoid are acquired, and output data corresponding to the acquired solenoid operation flag and solenoid operation timer is acquired. Next, the solenoid operation timer is updated and the output data is output to the solenoid output port.

In the production control command transmission process (S352), the presence or absence of a request to send a command to be sent to the sub-board 300 is checked, and if it is determined that there is a request to send a command, the requested command data is acquired and the used command buffer is set to 0. Clear, acquire MODE data corresponding to the acquired command data, output MODE data, hold MODE data, acquire EVENT data corresponding to the acquired command data, and output EVENT data in this order.

In the external information output process (S354), a signal to be output to the external terminal is created, and the created signal is output to the external information output port.

The random numbers used in the operation process of the main board 200 described above will be explained in more detail. The random numbers used on the main board 200 mainly include a random number per normal symbol and a normal symbol variation pattern random number as random numbers related to the normal symbol, and a random number per special symbol and a random number per special symbol as the random numbers related to the special symbol. There are soft random numbers, special symbol random numbers, and variable pattern random numbers. In addition, as random numbers for giving the initial values of the initial update value type random numbers, random numbers per normal symbol, random numbers per special symbol, and soft random numbers per special symbol, initial value random number per normal symbol, initial value random number per special symbol, and initial value random number per special symbol. There are random numbers and soft initial value random numbers for each special symbol.

The random number per normal symbol is updated in the initial value update type random number update process (S308) of the interrupt process and stored in a predetermined location of the main RAM 291. The random number per normal symbol is determined when it is determined that the game ball has passed through the operating port 30 in the normal symbol activation gate monitoring process (S320) of the interrupt process, when the number of pending changes in the normal symbol is less than the upper limit of 4. In some cases, the information is acquired from a predetermined location in the main RAM 291 and stored in another area of the main RAM 291. The normal symbol random number is used for hit determination and stop symbol determination when it is determined in the normal symbol variation start monitoring process (S324) to start the variation of the normal symbol.

The normal symbol variation pattern random number takes, for example, a value of 0 to 232, is updated in various random number update processes (S306) of the interrupt process, and is stored in a predetermined location of the main RAM 291. The normal symbol fluctuation pattern random number is such that when it is determined that the game ball has passed through the operating port 30 in the normal symbol activation gate monitoring process (S320) of the interrupt process, the number of pending normal symbol fluctuations is less than the upper limit of 4. If so, it is acquired from a predetermined location in the main RAM 291 and stored in another area of the main RAM 291. The normal symbol variation pattern random number is used to determine the normal symbol variation pattern when it is determined to start the variation of the normal symbol in the normal symbol variation start monitoring process (S324).

The random number per special symbol is determined in the start opening monitoring control process (S326) of the interrupt process, when it is confirmed that the game ball has won when the number of balls pending activation of the first special symbol or the second special symbol is less than 4. , the value of the built-in random number and the soft random number per special symbol is obtained, and the generated value is generated by adding the two values, and is stored in a predetermined position of the main RAM 291. The special symbol per random number is used to execute the jackpot determination and the small hit determination in the special symbol variation start monitoring control process (S334) of the interrupt process.

The soft random number per special symbol is updated in the initial value update type random number update process (S308) of the interrupt process and stored in a predetermined location of the main RAM 291. The soft random number per special symbol is stored in the main RAM 291 when it is confirmed in the starting opening monitoring control process (S326) that a game ball has won when the number of pending balls of the first special symbol or the second special symbol is less than 4. , and is used to generate a random number per special symbol, as described above.

The symbol random number per special symbol takes a value of, for example, 0 to 999, is updated in the initial value update type random number update process (S308) of the interrupt process, and is stored in a predetermined location of the main RAM 291. The symbol random number per special symbol is stored in the main RAM 291 when it is confirmed that a game ball has won when the number of pending balls for the first special symbol or the second special symbol is less than 4 in the starting opening monitoring control process (S326). is acquired from a predetermined location and stored in another area of the main RAM 291. The special symbol per symbol random number is used to determine the jackpot symbol when the hit determination is a jackpot in the special symbol variation start monitoring control process (S334) of the interrupt process.

The fluctuation pattern random number takes a value of, for example, 0 to 49999, is updated in various random number update processes (S306) of the interrupt process, and is stored in a predetermined location of the main RAM 291. The fluctuation pattern random number is stored in a predetermined value in the main RAM 291 when it is confirmed that a winning game ball has won when the number of balls on hold for activation of the first special symbol or the second special symbol is less than 4 in the starting opening monitoring control process (S326). The information is acquired from the location and stored in another area of the main RAM 291. The fluctuation pattern random number is used to determine the special symbol fluctuation pattern in the special symbol control process (S328) of the interrupt process.

The initial value random number per normal symbol, the initial symbol random number per special symbol, and the soft initial value random number per special symbol have values in the same range as the random number per normal symbol, the random symbol per special symbol, and the soft random number per special symbol, respectively. and the initial value random number update process (S208) of the main process (S120).
) and is updated in the initial value random number update process (S310) of the interrupt process and stored in a predetermined location of the main RAM 291. The initial value random number per normal symbol, the initial symbol random number per special symbol, and the soft initial value random number per special symbol are set as the random number per normal symbol, the random symbol per special symbol, and the special random number in the initial value update type random number update process (S308). When updating the soft random numbers per symbol, it is used as the initial value of each random number.

Since the interrupt processing is executed at fixed time intervals by a timer interrupt, various random number update processing (S306) and initial value update type random number update processing (S308) included in the interrupt processing are also executed at fixed time intervals. Ru. That is, the random number per normal symbol, the random number in the normal symbol variation pattern, the random number in each special symbol, the soft random number in each special symbol, the random number in the symbol per special symbol, and the random number in the variation pattern are updated at regular intervals. On the other hand, the main process (S120) takes the time from the end of the interrupt process until the next timer interrupt occurs, that is, from the fixed time measured by the timer to the time required for the interrupt process. It will be repeated for the reduced time. The time required for interrupt processing differs depending on the gaming state, etc., so the initial value random number update process (S208) in the main process (S120) is different from various random number update processes (S306) and initial value update type random number update process (S308). ), it is not executed at regular intervals. Thereby, the initial value random number obtained when setting the initial value in the initial value update type random number update process (S308) can be made random every time.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a control start process for the sub-board 300 in the Pachinko gaming machine. When control of the sub-board 300 is started, the sub-CPU 310 sets a stack pointer (S500), prohibits all interrupts until various initial settings are completed (S502), and performs functions such as register settings and port initialization of the sub-CPU 310. Initial settings regarding hardware are executed (S504). The control program is read from the sub-ROM 312 and placed in the sub-RAM 311, and among the various variables in the control program, variables with initial values are set to initial values, and variables without initial values are set to zero-clear data. By doing so, the sub RAM 311 is initialized (S506). Note that the interrupt processing in the sub-board 300 is executed with the highest priority, and includes processing at power-on and reset processing when various abnormalities occur when the watchdog function is enabled. The next highest priority level 7 interrupt process is command processing received from the main board 200, and the second highest priority level 3 interrupt process is CPU runaway detection using a watchdog timer. There is a time reset process. The next priority level 2 interrupt process is processing related to commands sent and received with the display CPU 320, and the lowest priority level 1 interrupt process is communication processing with the real-time clock. There are various device control processes such as lamps, solenoids, motors, etc. If interrupts related to the various processes described above occur at the same time, the interrupts with the highest priority, which is preset for each type of interrupt, are executed first. Note that the processing shown in this figure includes the processing at power startup, which is an interrupt with the highest priority level, the reset processing when various abnormalities occur, and the reset processing when a CPU runaway is detected, which is an interrupt with priority level 3. include.

Interrupts other than commands received from the main board 200 (priority level 7) are prohibited (S510), and various error information to be used for the model is set from all error information for all models stored in advance (S512). . All the lamps including the decorative lamp 111 are turned off (S514), the watchdog timer starts operating (S516), and main processing is executed (S518). Normally, the process does not return to this flow from the main process of S518, but when it returns, it shifts to sleep (low power consumption mode) (S520).

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing in detail the main processing of S518 in FIG. In order to check whether the control program placed in the sub-RAM 311 in S506 in FIG. All interrupts are permitted (S532), and devices such as motors and solenoids are initialized (S534).

If the watchdog timer is set to be used, the watchdog timer is cleared (S536), the decorative pattern counter is updated so that the combination of missing decorative patterns becomes a random combination (S540), and the input port of the sub CPU 310 is updated. (S542). In addition, since S540 is a process in a method that uses a counter to determine the missing decorative symbols, in the case of a method that uses a lottery sheet that incorporates all symbol combinations that result in missing symbols to determine the missing decorative symbols. The process of S5480 is not executed. The process of determining the missing decorative symbol using the lottery sheet is executed in S552 when a command indicating a stop symbol of the special symbol is received from the main board 200 as described later. When the error state is monitored and various errors are detected, the error is notified (S544), processing according to the input state of the performance button 109 is executed (S546), and a preview lottery is executed (S548). In addition, in the preview lottery in S548, in order to send the command for the preview effect to appear immediately after the start of symbol variation to the effect display control device 313 as early as possible, the lottery process is not processed in one loop but multiple times. The system is divided into two loops, and a preview effect that appears immediately after the start of symbol variation is selected by lottery in the previous loop. If there is an operation request for a device such as a real-time clock, lamp, motor, or solenoid, the operation is executed (S550), the command stored in the command buffer is analyzed (S552), and if the command has just been analyzed, the process proceeds to S536. Returning (Y in S554), if it is not immediately after command analysis (N in S554), the software random number for lottery is updated as a low priority process that can be performed in free time (S556), and the process returns to S536. In addition, in S552, if the command to be analyzed indicates a variation pattern of the special symbol, the variation production pattern of the decorative symbol is determined in this process of S552, and if the command to be analyzed indicates a stop symbol of the special symbol, the lottery sheet is If the method is to use the method of determining the missing decorative symbol, the stop symbol of the decorative symbol is determined in the process of S552.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing interrupt processing when a command is received from the main board 200. The main command received from the main board 200 is an interrupt command of priority level 7, which has the second highest priority after reset interrupts and error interrupts. The data received from the main board 200 is read to the input port, and when the same data is read twice in a row, the data is confirmed as a new command (Y in S600), and the confirmed command becomes the first command. (MODE data) (Y in S602), the first command is saved in the temporary storage area (S604). A hard random number is obtained for subsequent processing (S606), and the process returns to the original routine. By acquiring a hard random number every time there is an interruption of a main command from the main board 200 in this way, periodicity does not occur in the timing of acquiring random numbers, and the randomness of the values is increased. If the data read in S600 do not match twice in a row (can be read up to 5 times), S602 is skipped and the process returns to the original routine (N in S600).

In S602, if the confirmed command is not the first command but the second command (N in S602), if it is confirmed that the first command has already been properly received (Y in S608), the command buffer (command data The command write pointer, which is the read position in the ring buffer (for ring buffer), is acquired (S610), and the first command and second command are stored in the command buffer (S612). The command data stored in the command buffer is analyzed in S552 of FIG. The command write pointer is updated (S614), the first command stored in the temporary storage area is cleared (S616), and the process returns to the original routine. If the first command has not been received in S608, steps S610 and subsequent steps are skipped (N in S608) and the process returns to the original routine.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an interrupt process when a timer interrupt for effect display control occurs. This timer interrupt is a priority level 2 interrupt for transmitting commands related to effect display from the sub CPU 310 to the display CPU 320, and occurs at a cycle of 500 μs. In this interrupt, the buffer is checked (S620), and if there is command data for transmission in the buffer (Y in S622), the command data is read (S624) and transmitted to the display CPU 320 (S626). Note that transmission of the command data to the display CPU 320 is attempted up to three times at predetermined time intervals until the sub CPU 310 receives from the display CPU 320 a command indicating that it has been successfully received on the display CPU 320 side. After transmission, the buffer read address setting is updated (S628) and the process returns to the original routine. If there is no data for transmission in the buffer (N at S622), the process skips S624 and subsequent steps and returns to the original routine.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing interrupt processing when sub CPU 310 receives a command from display CPU 320. This interrupt is also a priority level 2 interrupt. The command that the sub CPU 310 receives from the display CPU 320 is mainly a command indicating that the command sent from the sub CPU 310 to the display CPU 320 has been successfully received. When a command is received from the display CPU 320, the received command data is read (S630), the command is analyzed (S632), the command is stored in the command buffer (S634), and the process returns to the original routine.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing interrupt processing when a timer interrupt for controlling various devices occurs. This timer interrupt is an interrupt for controlling lamps such as the decorative lamp 111, controlling the solenoids and motors that drive the movable accessory 66, and managing and controlling various timers, and occurs at a cycle of 1 ms. Since this is an interrupt with priority level 1, which has the lowest priority, interrupts with priority level 2 or higher are permitted (S640), and a signal indicating input from the production button 109, a signal indicating error detection, and a signal indicating power outage are generated. , processes the input/output of a port that inputs/outputs a drive signal, etc. to a controlled device such as a motor or a solenoid (S642). At this time, if a signal indicating a power outage is input, the process immediately moves to backup processing. Data related to device control, such as count processing based on the control pattern of devices such as motors and solenoids, and on/off control of buffers for writing data to ports in S642, is updated (S644), and a timer is set to measure the timing of the performance. (S646), updates the timer for managing the valid input time of the production button 109 (S648), and updates the task control counter for controlling the lighting switching of the decorative lamp 111, controlling the runaway monitoring of the display CPU 320, etc. A 16 ms cycle is created (S650).

Note that the minimum unit for lighting switching control of the decorative lamp 111 is 16 ms. One frame of image display control is 16 ms or 32 ms, and by setting an integer multiple of that as the minimum unit of lighting switching control of the decorative lamp 111, lamp control and image display control can be easily synchronized. Also, when counting a relatively long period of time, such as a 30 second error notification, if one interrupt (1 ms) cycle count is used, the count value will become longer than necessary; The count value can also be shortened by setting it as a cycle count value.

The task control includes 16 types of tasks from processing 0 to 15, one of which is lighting switching control of the decorative lamp 111, and two tasks are runaway monitoring control of the display CPU 320. The lighting switching control of the decorative lamp 111 is executed once every 16 interrupts according to the count value of the task control counter, thereby achieving switching at a cycle of 16 ms. The runaway monitoring control of the display CPU 320 is assigned to, for example, processing 0 and processing 8, and monitors the toggle signal from the display CPU 320 when the count value of the task control counter is 0 and 8, that is, once every 8 interrupts (S652). By doing so, monitoring at an 8ms cycle is realized.

Note that the display CPU 320 outputs a toggle signal that is inverted on and off every frame, and if this toggle signal remains the same for 1600 ms and does not change, it is determined that the display CPU 320 is out of control, and the sub CPU 310 The display CPU 320 sends a reset signal to the display CPU 320, and the display CPU 320 that receives the reset signal executes the reset. Since a toggle signal is received from the display CPU 320 at a cycle of one frame (16 ms or 32 ms), monitoring is performed at a cycle of 8 ms, which is shorter than that cycle. Finally, a timer for managing a relatively long error notification period, such as the above-mentioned error notification for 30 seconds, is subtracted (S654), and the error notification ends when the timeout expires.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the process of special symbol variation display. If the second winning lottery value is on hold (Y in S700), the second winning lottery means 222 reads out the second winning lottery value and determines whether the second special symbol 52 is right or wrong (S702), and The lottery means 222 determines the stop symbol of the second special symbol 52 (S704), the second fluctuation pattern determining means 232 determines the fluctuation pattern of the second special symbol 52 (S706), and issues a fluctuation start command together with the determined result. It is transmitted to the sub-board 300 to start symbol variation of the second special symbol 52 (S716).

If the second winning/failure lottery value is not held (N in S700) and the first winning/failure drawing value is held (Y in S708), the first winning/failure drawing means 221 performs the first winning/failure drawing. The value is read out and the validity of the first special symbol 51 is determined again (S710), the first lottery means 221 determines the stopping symbol of the first special symbol 51 (S712), and the first fluctuation pattern determination means 231 determines the validity of the first special symbol 51 (S710). A variation pattern of the first special symbol 51 is determined (S714), and a variation start command is sent to the sub board 300 together with the determined result to start symbol variation of the first special symbol 51 (S716). If the first win/fail lottery value is not held, the processes from S710 to S722 are skipped (N in S708).

Process the symbol fluctuation display of the special symbol (S718), repeat S718 until a predetermined fluctuation time has elapsed and the symbol display stop timing is reached (S720 N), and after the predetermined fluctuation time has elapsed, the symbol display will stop. When the timing is reached (Y in S720), a fluctuation stop command is sent to the sub-board 300 to stop the symbol fluctuation being displayed at a predetermined stop symbol (S722), and the special symbol fluctuation display is ended. do.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the process of decorative pattern variation display. The effect determining means 303 of the sub-board 300 receives a command indicating the start of variation and the content of effect display from the main board 200 (S750), and stops the decorative pattern according to the received special symbol stop symbol, variation pattern, and validity determination result. A mode is determined (S752), and a variable effect pattern corresponding to the variable pattern is determined (S754). Here, if the precursor setting is turned on based on the advance determination (Y in S756), the already determined variable performance pattern is a pattern that includes specific performance content that should be avoided from being displayed overlapping with the preview performance. If not (S758, N), and if the symbol change is not the trigger for turning on the omen setting (S760, N), the setting to display a predetermined preview effect is executed (S764), and the omen setting is turned on. If it is the symbol change that was turned on (Y in S760), the omen setting is turned off (S762). If the precursor setting is not on (N at S756) or if the variable performance pattern includes specific performance content (Y at S758), the processing from S760 to S764 is skipped.

Thereafter, the display of the decorative pattern variation effect is started (S766), the process of displaying the variation effect of the decorative pattern (S768), and the display process of the preview effect (S770), until a variation stop command is received from the main board 200. S768 and S770 are repeated (N in S772), and when a fluctuation stop command is received (Y in S772), the decorative pattern is stopped and displayed in the stop mode determined in S752, thereby stopping the symbol fluctuation display (S774). ), the variation effect of the decorative pattern is ended (S776).

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing the process of the special game. First, the effect display control means 305 starts the effect processing of the special game (S800), and the opening/closing control means 275 opens the grand prize opening 20 (S802). If the predetermined opening time has not elapsed (N in S804) and the number of balls entering the grand prize opening 20 has not reached 9 or more, the process returns to S804 (N in S806), and whether the predetermined opening time has elapsed ( (Y in S804), although the opening time has not elapsed (N in S804), if the number of balls entering the grand prize opening 20 reaches 9 or more (Y in S806), the opening/closing control means 275 closes the grand prize opening. 20 is closed (S810).

If the unit game has not reached the final round (N in S810), add 1 to the number of rounds and return to S802 (S812), and if the unit game has reached the final round (Y in S810), the effect is displayed. The control means 305 ends the production process of the special game (S814), the special game control means 260 ends the special game (S816), and starts the execution of the specific game, that is, the probability change, time saving, easy entry state (S818) ).

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the process of the small winning game. First, the grand prize opening 20 is opened (S820), and the opening is continued until a predetermined opening time has elapsed (N of S822), and when the opening time has elapsed (Y of S822), the grand prize opening 20 is closed. (S824), if the set number of openings and closings have not been completed (N in S826), add 1 to the number of openings and closings and return to S820 (S828), and if the set number of openings and closings have been completed (S826) Y), the small winning game ends.

Next, the characteristic configuration of this embodiment will be explained. In this embodiment, it is possible to select a special performance pattern in which the performance executed by the performance control means 304 is changed in the middle as the symbols change. When executing the special performance pattern, the performance pattern after switching, that is, the performance pattern to be developed, is selected from a plurality of performance patterns with different expectations that the result of the success/failure lottery will be a jackpot, depending on the result of the success/failure lottery.

Since the player can know the degree of expectation of a jackpot depending on the type of performance pattern to be developed, the player's expectation can be increased by switching the performance midway. However, if the timing at which the performance of the developed destination is switched is constant regardless of the type of performance pattern of the developed destination, the player's expectations can only be aroused at the determined timing. If the performance is not switched even after the timing has elapsed, there is a possibility that the player will lose interest in the subsequent performance.

In order to solve this problem, in this embodiment, the timing of switching to the performance of the developed destination is different for each performance pattern of the developed destination, and the type of performance pattern of the developed destination can be determined by the player depending on the timing of switching the performance. Make it possible to guess. This makes it possible to arouse players' expectations not only by the type of performance pattern to be developed, but also by the timing at which the performance changes. Moreover, such a technique can expand the range of performances and perform more effective performances. For example, by setting the switching timing so that the performance may change even after a relatively long period of time has passed since the performance started, the player's sense of anticipation can be maintained over a long period of time, and the player's It can attract interest in the performance. In addition, since the exciting part in the second half of the highly anticipated performance can be shown to the player midway through, it is possible to more effectively increase the player's expectations.

In this embodiment, the performance that triggers the switching of the performance is a first switching performance that is started at a plurality of different timings during the execution of the performance pattern before development, and that becomes the trigger for switching to the performance pattern after the development. , and a second switching performance that is started at the start of the performance or at a predetermined time from the start of the performance, and is ended at a plurality of different timings to trigger switching to the performance pattern of the developed destination.

FIG. 25 shows a display example of the first switching effect. The first switching performance is suddenly cut in when the performance pattern before development determined by the performance determining means 303 is being executed by the performance control means 304, regardless of the content of the performance pattern being executed. To indicate to a player that the performance is to be switched. After execution of the first switching performance, the performance pattern of the development destination determined by the performance determining means 303 is executed.

The effect display device 60 of this embodiment has a plurality of display screens for displaying effect contents, and in addition to the first display screen 561 provided approximately in the center of the gaming area 81, the first display screen It has second display screens 562R and 562L that can be placed so as to overlap with screen 561. The first display screen 561 and the second display screens 562R and 562L are each configured with a liquid crystal display or the like. The first display screen 561 has a relatively large display area compared to the second display screen 562, and can also be called a "main liquid crystal" on which the main content of the performance related to the game is displayed. On the other hand, the second display screen 562 has a relatively small display area compared to the first display screen 561, and displays auxiliary performance content to enhance the performance displayed on the first display screen 561. It can also be called a "sub-liquid crystal." In this embodiment, such a plurality of display screens are combined to display an integrated effect.

FIG. 25(a) shows a state in which the effect pattern before development is being executed. Normally, the right display screen 562R is located on the right side of the first display screen 561, the left display screen 562L is located on the left side of the first display screen 561, and the second display screen 562 is located on the left side of the first display screen 561. It doesn't overlap on top. The second display screen 562 is arranged at an angle with respect to the first display screen 561, and arranged so that the right end of the right display screen 562R and the left end of the left display screen 562L each protrude toward the front. Thereby, the first display screen 561 and the two second display screens 562R and 562L form a three-dimensional display screen having a configuration like a three-sided mirror. Images of the performance pattern before development are displayed on the first display screen 561 and the second display screen 562.

FIG. 25(b) shows a state in which the first switching effect is being executed. When executing the first switching performance, the performance display control device 313 displays the image of the first switching performance pattern on the second display screen 562, and then displays the second display screen 562 on the first display screen 561. Close to. The effect display control device 313 controls a drive device that changes the position of the second display screen 562 based on the display pattern data, and changes the arrangement of the second display screen 562. In the example of FIG. 25(b), an image indicating that a battle performance is to be started is displayed on the second display screen 562, which is unrelated to the pre-development performance pattern displayed in FIG. 25(a). . Thereby, it is possible to clearly indicate to the player that the performance will be switched. In the example of FIG. 25(b), the second display screen 562 is closed to cover almost the entire surface of the first display screen 561, but in another example, the second display screen 562 is a part of the first display screen 561. It may be possible to cover only the

FIG. 25(c) shows a state in which the development destination production pattern is being executed. After the first switching effect shown in FIG. 25(b) is completed, the second display screen 562 is returned to the normal state, and the first display screen 561 and second display screen 562 display the development pattern. image is displayed. The performance pattern to be developed may be provided separately from the normal performance pattern on the premise that it will be executed after the switching performance, or it may be a performance pattern that can be selected as the performance pattern before development. In the latter case, the performance pattern to be developed will be executed from the middle after the first switching performance ends.

FIG. 26 shows a display example of the second switching effect. The second switching performance is executed from the start of the performance, and after the second switching performance ends, the performance pattern is switched to the developed performance pattern. FIG. 26(a) shows a state in which the second switching effect is being executed. In the second switching performance, images of numerical values indicating the remaining time until switching of the performance are displayed on the first display screen 561 and the second display screen 562. At the start of the second switching effect, the numerical image indicating the remaining time is displayed so as to cover the entire first display screen 561 and second display screen 562, and each image is moved on the screen. However, as shown in FIG. 26(b), as the remaining time gradually decreases, the numerical image indicating the remaining time also gradually decreases, so that the performance pattern displayed behind it can be seen. Become. Behind the scene, the performance pattern to be developed may be displayed prior to switching, or another performance pattern may be displayed. As the countdown progresses and the remaining time reaches 0, the second switching performance is ended, and as shown in FIG. 26(c), the performance pattern is switched to the developed performance pattern. In the example of FIG. 26(b), the performance pattern of the development destination is displayed on the entire screen, but in another example, the image of the performance pattern of the development destination is displayed, as well as the image of the numerical value indicating the remaining time. You can. In this case, a moving image of the performance pattern to be developed may be displayed, or a still image may be displayed. The remaining time displayed during the countdown may be the actual time until the performance pattern is actually switched to the destination of development, or may be an apparent time that is different from the real time. When displaying the apparent remaining time, instead of simply decrementing it, it may be possible to subtract multiple times at once during the process, to stop it without changing for more than a predetermined time, or to increase it. Furthermore, when the remaining time has not reached 0, the second switching effect may be abruptly ended and the pattern may be switched to the developed effect pattern. If the real time is always displayed, the player will definitely know the timing of the end of the second switching performance from the start of the second switching performance, and the performance pattern that will develop However, by displaying the apparent time in some cases, it is possible to suggest the timing at which the second switching effect will end without determining it, so the player can arouse a sense of expectation.

Before starting the performance, the performance determining means 303 refers to the switching determination table to determine whether or not to execute the switching performance, and if so, to determine whether to perform the first switching performance or the second switching performance. Determine. The switching decision table is set up so that different columns are referenced depending on the result of the winning lottery, and when the winning lottery result is a jackpot, the switching effect has a higher probability than when it is a small hit or a miss. The correspondence between the result of the winning lottery and whether or not to perform the switching effect is determined so that the result of the lottery is executed. For example, when the result of a winning lottery is a 4R jackpot and a 16R jackpot, the range of lottery values is determined so that the switching effect is executed with a higher probability than when the result is a loss, a 2R jackpot, or a small win. Good too. Depending on the variation pattern determined by the first variation pattern determination means 231 or the second variation pattern determination means 232, it may be determined whether or not to perform the switching effect with different probabilities. For example, when a variation pattern corresponding to a long variation time is selected, the range of lottery values is set so that the switching effect is executed with a higher probability than when a variation pattern corresponding to a short variation time is selected. may be done.

FIG. 27 shows an example of a first switching type table that is referred to to determine the start timing of the first switching effect. When the effect determining means 303 refers to the changeover determination table and determines to execute the first changeover effect, the effect determination means 303 refers to the first changeover type table and determines the timing to start the first changeover effect and the effect pattern to be developed. Determine. In the first switching type table, the timing of starting the first switching performance is associated with the performance pattern to be developed after the first switching performance. The performance determining means 303 refers to different columns and determines the start timing of the first switching performance and the performance pattern to be developed, depending on the result of the winning lottery. At the start timing of each of the first switching performances, different ranges of lottery values are set depending on the results of the winning/failure lottery, and the degree of expectation of a jackpot differs depending on the start timing of the first switching performance. There is. For example, if the first switching performance is started 6 seconds after the start of the performance, the player will know that the first switching performance will be switched to performance pattern A, which has a relatively low expectation of a jackpot, and the player will be able to switch to the performance pattern A with relatively low expectations for a jackpot, and the player will be able to switch to the performance pattern A, which has a relatively low expectation of a jackpot, and the first switching performance will start 6 seconds after the start of the performance. It can be seen that when the first switching effect is started, the pattern is switched to the effect pattern E in which the expectation of a jackpot is relatively high. Thereby, depending on the timing at which the first switching performance is started, the performance pattern to be developed can be suggested to the player, thereby increasing the player's sense of expectation.

All of the performance patterns of multiple development destinations may be associated with different start timings of the first switching performance, but the start timing of the same first switching performance may be associated with the performance patterns of several types of development destinations. Timings may be associated. For example, as shown in FIG. 27, when the first switching effect is started after 12 seconds, there may be a case where the effect is switched to effect pattern B and a case where the effect is switched to effect pattern D. As a result, it is possible to narrow down the number of possible development patterns depending on the timing at which the first switching effect starts, but it is not possible to determine which of them will be switched to until the first switching effect ends. It is possible to make it so that it is not obvious until you actually switch to the direction of the development pattern. Therefore, it is possible to attract players' interest in the performance for a longer period of time.

In the example of FIG. 27, the effect determining means 303 refers to the first switching type table and determines both the timing to start the first switching effect and the effect pattern to be developed. Then, the timing to start the first switching performance does not need to be included in the first switching type table, and the correspondence between the type of performance pattern to be developed and the timing to start the first switching performance is as follows. It may be determined separately from the first switching type table. In this case, the effect determining means 303 refers to the first switching type table and determines only the effect pattern to be developed, and the effect controlling means 304 refers to the separately determined correspondence relationship, and the effect determining means 303 The timing to start the first switching performance may be obtained based on the type of the performance pattern of the development destination determined by, or the performance determining means 303 may refer to the first switching type table to determine the performance pattern of the development destination. At the same time, the start timing of the first switching effect may be further determined by referring to a separately determined correspondence relationship.

The second switching type table that is referred to in order to determine the end timing of the second switching effect is similar to the first switching type table shown in FIG. 27. When the effect determining means 303 refers to the changeover determination table and determines to execute the second changeover effect, the effect determination means 303 refers to the second changeover type table and determines the timing to end the second changeover effect and the effect pattern to be developed. Determine. In the second switching type table, the timing at which the second switching performance ends is associated with the performance pattern to be developed after the second switching performance. The performance determining means 303 determines the end timing of the second switching performance and the performance pattern to be developed by referring to different columns according to the result of the winning lottery. At the end timing of each of the second switching performances, different ranges of lottery values are set depending on the results of the winning/failure lottery, and the expectation level of the jackpot differs depending on the end timing of the second switching performance. There is. For example, if the second switching performance ends 6 seconds after the start of the performance, the player will know that the player will be switched to performance pattern A, which has a relatively low expectation of a jackpot, and the second switching performance will be switched to the performance pattern A, which has a relatively low expectation of a jackpot, and the second switching performance will be changed 21 seconds after the start of the performance. It can be seen that when the second switching effect is completed, the pattern is switched to the effect pattern E in which the expectation of a jackpot is relatively high. Thereby, depending on the timing at which the second switching performance ends, the performance pattern to be developed can be suggested to the player, thereby increasing the player's sense of anticipation.

In the second switching performance, similarly to the first switching performance, different end timings of the second switching performance may be associated with all of the multiple types of development destination performance patterns, and how many The end timing of the same second switching performance may be associated with the same type of development destination performance pattern.

The slower the start timing of the first switching performance or the end timing of the second switching performance, the more expected the performance pattern may be. Thereby, it is possible to attract the player's interest in the performance for a longer period of time. The start timing of the first switching performance or the end timing of the second switching performance corresponds to the performance pattern of a developed destination where the expectation level of a jackpot is relatively high, and the performance pattern of a developed destination where the expectation level of a jackpot is relatively low. The start timing of the first switching effect and the end timing of the second switching effect may alternate. As a result, it is possible to create waves of high and low expectations during the performance, so it is possible to better attract the player's interest in the start timing of the first switching performance or the end timing of the second switching performance. . The period during which the start timing of the first switching performance or the end timing of the second switching performance can be set may be set so that there is sufficient time to execute the performance pattern to be developed.

FIG. 28 shows a time chart when executing the first switching effect and the second switching effect. FIG. 28(a) shows a time chart when the performance pattern is switched to the developed performance pattern after the first switching performance ends. The effect control means 304 executes the effect pattern before development determined by the effect determination means 303 and displays the effect image on the effect display device 60, and also executes the effect pattern to be developed and stores it in the sub RAM 311 or the display RAM 322. Draw it. The effect image of the effect pattern to be developed is not displayed on the effect display device 60 at this point. That is, the performance pattern to be developed is executed in parallel with the performance pattern before development in the background without being displayed. When the timing to start the first switching performance arrives, the performance control means 304 executes the first switching performance. After this, the performance pattern before development is not executed, but when performing a performance that returns to the performance pattern before development from the performance pattern after development, the performance pattern before development may also be executed in the background. The performance pattern before development may continue to be executed until the second display screen 562 is closed or until the second display screen 562 is returned to its original position. When the first switching effect is completed, the effect control means 304 displays on the effect display device 60 the effect image of the effect pattern to be developed that has been executed in the background. Thereby, it is possible to switch to the performance pattern of the developed destination from an arbitrary point of time without separately providing data for executing the performance pattern of the developed destination from the middle. The performance image of the first switching performance may be displayed only on the second display screen 562, and the performance image of the performance pattern to be developed from the start of the first switching performance may be displayed on the first display screen 561. When the second display screen 562 is closed and begins to return to the original position again, a performance image of the performance pattern to be developed may be displayed.

Only one type of first switching effect may be provided and the same first switching effect may be executed regardless of the type of effect pattern of the development destination, or multiple types may be provided and the effect of the development destination Different first switching effects may be performed depending on the type of pattern. In the latter case, a plurality of types of first switching performances having different lengths of performance time may be provided.

FIG. 28(b) shows a time chart when switching to the developed performance pattern after the second switching performance ends. The effect control means 304 executes the second switching effect pattern determined by the effect determining means 303 to display the effect image on the effect display device 60, and also executes the effect pattern to be developed. As described above, the effect image of the second switching effect pattern is displayed on the effect display device 60 so as to be superimposed on the effect image of the effect pattern to be developed. When the timing to end the second switching performance arrives, the performance control means 304 ends the execution of the second switching performance pattern, and thereafter displays only the performance image of the performance pattern to be developed on the performance display device 60. do. That is, the performance is switched from a performance in which the second switching performance pattern and the performance pattern of the developed destination are executed in a superimposed manner to a performance in which only the performance pattern of the developed destination is executed. Thereby, it is possible to switch to the performance pattern of the developed destination from an arbitrary point of time without separately providing data for executing the performance pattern of the developed destination from the middle.

Before executing the second switching effect, another effect pattern before development may be executed. In this case, the performance pattern before development is switched to the performance pattern to be developed through the second switching performance. While executing the second switching effect, a different effect pattern from the developed effect pattern may be executed. In this case, when the second switching performance ends, or at a predetermined time point until the second switching performance ends, the performance pattern before development is switched to the performance pattern after development. In the above example, as the remaining time until switching to the destination production pattern is counted down, the number image showing the remaining time is reduced, and eventually the number image showing the remaining time is It disappears and switches to the developed production pattern, but in other examples, it uses image expressions such as iris in, iris out, dissolve (crossfade), zoom in, zoom out, checkerboard, etc. , the second switching effect or the effect pattern before development may be switched to the effect pattern to be developed.

FIG. 29 is a time chart showing the start timing of the first switching performance corresponding to each of a plurality of types of development destination performance patterns. FIG. 29 is a time chart showing the correspondence between the start timing of the first switching effect shown in FIG. 27 and the type of effect pattern to be developed. When the first switching performance is executed 6 seconds after the start of the performance pattern before development, the performance pattern A, which is a jackpot and has a low expectation level, develops, and when the first switching performance is executed 12 seconds later, When the first switching performance is executed 18 seconds later when the performance pattern B has a medium expectation of a jackpot or the performance pattern D has a relatively low expectation of a jackpot, the expectation of a jackpot is compared. When the pattern D develops to a low hit and the first switching effect is executed 21 seconds later, it develops to the effect pattern E, which has a high expectation of a jackpot, and the first switching effect is executed 33 seconds later. , it develops into performance pattern F, which has the highest expectation of a jackpot. In this way, by setting the timing to develop a performance pattern with a relatively high expectation level of a jackpot and the timing to develop a performance pattern with a low expectation level to occur alternately, it is possible to create a wave of anticipation. Therefore, more effective performances can be performed. Further, by leaving open the possibility of a performance pattern developing into a highly anticipated jackpot until later, the player's sense of expectation can be maintained for a long period of time. The performances that develop into the production patterns A to D are structured in units of a standard single fluctuation variation time, for example, 6 seconds, which is half of 12 seconds, in connection with the technology of the second embodiment described later. However, as in presentation patterns E and F, presentations may be configured based on other times. The same applies to the second switching effect.

The technique described above is particularly effective when performing a moving image that progresses in chronological order as a developed performance pattern. In relation to the second embodiment described later, the timing of switching to the performance pattern of the developed destination is set to a timing that is a multiple of the unit time with half of the fluctuation time of the standard single fluctuation as the unit time, and the first switching performance and By setting the performance time of the second switching performance to be a multiple of the unit time, even if the type, start timing, end timing, combination, etc. of the first switching performance and the second switching performance are changed arbitrarily, the fixed Since it is possible to switch to the target performance pattern at the same timing, it is possible to reduce the burden of development of the performance and to reduce errors during execution.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing the process of special effects. Prior to the start of the performance, the performance determining means 303 refers to the switching determination table to determine whether or not to execute the special performance pattern, and if so, to execute either the first switching performance or the second switching performance. (S900). If the special effect pattern is not to be executed (N in S901), the process in this figure is ended. When executing the special effect pattern (Y in S901) or when executing the first switching effect (Y in S902), the effect control means 304 executes the determined effect pattern before development and displays the effect on the effect display device. 60 (S904), and the performance pattern to be developed is also executed in the background without being displayed (S906). S904 and S906 are repeated until the start timing of the first switching effect arrives (N at S908). When the start timing of the first switching performance arrives (Y in S908), the performance control means 304 executes the first switching performance (S910) and switches the performance pattern to be developed from the non-display state to the display state ( S912).

In S902, when executing the second switching effect (N in S902), the effect control means 304 executes the developed effect pattern and displays it on the effect display device 60 (S914), and executes the second switching effect. is executed (S916), and the effect image of the second switching effect is displayed superimposed on the effect image of the effect pattern to be developed. S914 and S916 are repeated until the end timing of the second switching effect arrives (N at S918). When the end timing of the second switching performance arrives (Y in S918), the display is switched so that only the performance pattern to be developed is displayed (S922).

(Second example)
In the second embodiment, in the pachinko gaming machine 100 similar to the first embodiment, as a performance executed by the performance control means 304, a simple system that displays the result of one win/fail lottery with one symbol variation is used. Performance is performed using a fluctuating performance pattern and a pseudo-continuously fluctuating performance pattern for displaying the result of one win/fail lottery with a plurality of pseudo symbol fluctuations.

In the fluctuating display of decorative symbols using a pseudo-continuous variation production pattern, each pseudo-symbol variation does not completely stop, but in a temporary stop mode as if it had stopped, except for the pseudo-final symbol variation. Is displayed. Hereinafter, in the pseudo continuous variation effect pattern, the effect of displaying decorative symbols in a temporary stop mode will be referred to as a "pseudo inciting effect." For example, in the case of a pseudo-continuous variation effect pattern that executes four pseudo-symbol variations, after three pseudo-inciting effects are executed, a pseudo-final symbol variation in which the symbols completely stop is executed. be done.

In order to carry out effective presentations that will keep players from getting bored during the game, it is necessary to increase the variety of presentations. However, in order to increase the variations of pseudo-continuous variation production patterns, increasing the number of variation patterns that can be selected by the first variation pattern determination means 231 and the second variation pattern determination means 232 of the main board 200 reduces the capacity of the main ROM 292. It puts pressure on me. Furthermore, in order to increase the variations of the pseudo continuous variation effect pattern, the amount of data for executing the pseudo continuous variation effect pattern increases, which also puts pressure on the capacity of the sub ROM 312 or data ROM 324 of the sub board 300.

In order to solve such a problem, in this embodiment, the fluctuation time of a plurality of pseudo continuous fluctuation patterns that can be selected by the first fluctuation pattern determination means 231 and the second fluctuation pattern determination means 232 is set to a predetermined unit fluctuation time. A plurality of performances whose performance time is a time determined based on the unit variation time are set as a variation time determined as a reference, and a pseudo continuous variation performance pattern that can be selected by the performance determination means 303 corresponding to the pseudo continuous variation pattern. It is composed of a combination of elements. The predetermined unit variation time may be, for example, a standard single variation variation time, and the time determined based on the predetermined unit variation time may be, for example, a value obtained by multiplying or dividing the unit variation time by a constant. It may be a value obtained by adding or subtracting a constant from the unit variation time, or it may be a value calculated by a predetermined formula using the unit variation time as a variable. As a result, it is possible to execute various pseudo-continuously-variable performance patterns in which the combinations of multiple production elements are variously changed in response to the same pseudo-continuously-variable pattern, so while suppressing the increase in the amount of data, It is possible to increase the variety of performances and execute more effective performances.

FIG. 31 is a diagram schematically showing a variation pattern table. The first fluctuation pattern determining means 231 and the second fluctuation pattern determining means 232 refer to the fluctuation pattern table of FIG. 31 and change the pattern according to the result of the lottery, as in the case of the fluctuation pattern table shown in FIG. 8. Decide on a pattern. Pseudo continuous fluctuation patterns 1A, 1B, and 1C are fluctuation patterns that have a fluctuation time assuming that the pseudo inciting effect is performed once, and pseudo continuous fluctuation patterns 2A, 2B, and 2C are fluctuation patterns that are assumed to perform the pseudo inciting effect twice. This is a variation pattern that has a variation time that is assumed to be executed. A variation pattern may be provided assuming that the pseudo-inciting effect is executed three or more times. "Pseudo series 1A + Super 1" and "Pseudo series 1A + Super 2" execute performances that develop into Super Reach 1 and Super Reach 2 after the execution of the pseudo continuous variation performance pattern corresponding to the pseudo continuous variation pattern 1A, respectively. It has a fluctuation time assuming that. Although specific examples are omitted due to space limitations, the same applies to the case where the result of the winning lottery is a 4R jackpot and a 16R jackpot, and the case where the result is a 2R jackpot and a small jackpot. The result of the lottery is 4R.
The range of pattern lottery values is set so that the pseudo continuous variation pattern is more likely to be selected in the case of a jackpot or a 16R jackpot. Further, the range of pattern lottery values is set so that the higher the number of pseudo-inciting performances, the higher the expectation of a 4R jackpot or 16R jackpot.

According to such technology, it is possible to increase a player's expectations by executing a pseudo continuous variation effect pattern corresponding to a pseudo continuous variation effect pattern, but a pseudo inciting effect is executed in the pseudo continuous variation effect pattern. If the timing is constant, if the pseudo-inciting effect is not executed even after that timing, the player will know that it is not a pseudo continuous variation effect pattern, and the player will lose interest in the subsequent effect. There is a possibility that you may lose.

In order to solve such a problem, in this embodiment, performance patterns in which pseudo-inciting performances are performed at different times are provided as pseudo-continuous variation production patterns corresponding to the same pseudo-continuous variation pattern. This makes it possible to widen the range of performances and to execute effective performances that attract players' interest.

FIG. 32 shows an example of a performance pattern corresponding to a single variation pattern and a pseudo continuous variation pattern. The effect pattern corresponding to the pseudo continuous variation pattern shown in this figure corresponds to the part of the pseudo continuous variation effect among the effects executed corresponding to the pseudo continuous variation pattern shown in FIG. As mentioned above, when a variation pattern such as "pseudo continuous 1A" is selected, after the pseudo continuous variation effect shown in this figure, the symbol variation ends without developing into another effect. If a variation pattern such as "Pseudo Continuous 1A + Super 1" is selected, after the pseudo continuous variation effect shown in this figure, it will develop into another effect such as Super Reach, and a unique effect of the development destination such as Super Reach will occur. is executed.

As shown in FIG. 32, a plurality of performance patterns containing different performance elements are prepared as the single variation performance pattern and the pseudo continuous variation performance pattern. Each performance element has a performance time that is an integral multiple of the unit fluctuation time, with half of the fluctuation time of a standard single fluctuation pattern as the unit fluctuation time. When the fluctuation pattern determined by the first fluctuation pattern determination means 231 and the second fluctuation pattern determination means 232 of the main board 200 is a single fluctuation pattern, the performance determination means 303 of the sub board 300 selects one of the plurality of single fluctuation performance patterns. If the effect pattern is a pseudo continuous variation pattern, the effect pattern is selected from a plurality of pseudo continuous variation effect patterns including a performance pattern in which a pseudo inciting effect is executed.

A single fluctuation pattern has a fluctuation time twice the unit fluctuation time. The single variation performance pattern (a) includes two performance elements that have the same performance time as the unit variation time, and the single variation performance pattern (b) includes one performance element that has a performance time that is twice the unit variation time. include. When a single fluctuation pattern is selected, a performance pattern including a pseudo-inciting performance is not selected.

The pseudo-continuous variation pattern 1A has a variation time that is 1.5 times the variation time of a single variation, assuming that a performance pattern including one pseudo-inciting performance is executed. When the pseudo continuous fluctuation pattern 1A is selected, the pseudo continuous fluctuation performance pattern 1A (0a) which does not perform the pseudo inciting performance even once is a pseudo continuous fluctuation performance pattern that can be selected by the performance determining means 303, and the pseudo inciting performance A pseudo continuous variation performance pattern 1A (1a) is provided in which the following is executed once. Pseudo-continuous variation performance pattern 1A (0a) does not include a single pseudo-inciting performance, so as a result, it is a single-variation performance whose fluctuation time is 1.5 times that of single-variation performance patterns (a) and (b). It can be said that it is a pattern.

The pseudo-continuous variation pattern 1B has a variation time twice as long as the variation time of a single variation, assuming that a performance pattern including one pseudo-inciting performance is executed. When the pseudo continuous variation pattern 1B is selected, the pseudo continuous variation production patterns selectable by the production determining means 303 include a pseudo continuous variation production pattern 1B (0a) that does not perform a pseudo promotion performance even once, and a pseudo promotion performance pattern 1B (0a) that does not perform a pseudo promotion performance even once. Pseudo continuous variation performance patterns 1B (1a) (1b) are provided in which the following is executed once. Pseudo continuous variation performance patterns 1B (1a) (1b) in which the pseudo excitement performance is executed once are different in the timing at which the pseudo excitement performance is executed.

The pseudo-continuous variation pattern 2A has a variation time that is 2.5 times the variation time of a single variation, assuming that a performance pattern including two pseudo-inciting performances is executed. When the pseudo continuous variation pattern 2A is selected, the pseudo continuous variation production pattern 2A (0a) which does not perform the pseudo incitement performance even once is a pseudo continuous variation performance pattern that can be selected by the production determination means 303, and the pseudo incitement performance Pseudo continuous variation performance patterns 2A (1a) (1b) in which a pseudo inciting performance is executed once, and pseudo continuous variation performance patterns 2A (2a) (2b) in which a pseudo incitement performance is executed twice are provided. Pseudo continuous variation performance patterns 2A (1a) (1b) in which the pseudo excitement performance is executed once are different in the timing at which the pseudo excitement performance is executed. In the pseudo continuous variation performance patterns 2A (2a) (2b) in which the pseudo excitement performance is executed twice, the timing at which the pseudo excitement performance is executed is the same, but the types and order of other performance elements are different.

In this way, it is possible to select a plurality of pseudo-continuous-variation presentation patterns that perform pseudo-inciting presentations different times as pseudo-continuous-variation presentation patterns corresponding to the same pseudo-continuous-variation pattern. Furthermore, a plurality of pseudo continuous variation performance patterns having different timings for executing the pseudo excitement performance can be selected as the pseudo continuous variation performance pattern for performing the same number of times of pseudo stimulation performance. Furthermore, a plurality of pseudo continuous variation performance patterns having different types of other constituent elements, number of appearances, order of appearance, etc. can be selected as the pseudo continuous variation performance pattern for performing the same number of pseudo excitement performances at the same timing. As a result, it is possible to increase the variety of performances and to execute effective performances that do not leave players bored.

The data of the variable effect pattern shown in FIG. 34 may be stored in the pattern storage means 302. In this case, for example, if the fluctuation pattern transmitted from the main board 200 is a single fluctuation pattern, the performance determining means 303 selects a performance pattern by lottery from among a plurality of single fluctuation performance patterns, and If it is a fluctuating pattern, first, the number of times to perform the pseudo-inciting performance is determined by lottery, and multiple pseudo-continuous fluctuation performance patterns corresponding to the pseudo-continuous fluctuation pattern, including the determined number of pseudo-inciting performances, are selected. A performance pattern may be determined from among them by another lottery. Thereby, when the pseudo continuous variation pattern is selected, it is possible to adjust the number of pseudo inciting effects to be actually executed on the sub-board 300 side. The effect determining means 303 may record the history of executed effect patterns in the sub-RAM 311 or the like, and determine the number of times to perform the pseudo-inciting effect by referring to the execution history of the effect patterns. Further, the range of the lottery value for determining the number of times the pseudo-inciting performance is executed may be dynamically changed by referring to the execution history of the performance pattern. For example, if a pseudo-continuous fluctuation pattern with a high expectation of a jackpot is frequently selected despite the result of a winning/failure lottery being a loss, the performance determining means 303 may select a pseudo-inciting performance with a low expectation of a jackpot. You may preferentially select a performance pattern that is performed less often. In addition, the number of executions of the pseudo-incitement effect may be adjusted according to the execution history of the effect pattern and the result of the winning/failure lottery, so that the higher the number of times the pseudo-incitement effect is executed, the higher the expectation of a jackpot. good.

The performance determining means 303 may generate a performance pattern by dynamically combining a plurality of performance elements in accordance with the variation pattern transmitted from the main board 200. In this case, the effect determining means 303 determines the number of executions of the pseudo-incitement effect according to the variation pattern transmitted from the main board 200, and uses the determined number of executions of the pseudo-incitement effect and the variation time of the variation pattern. Accordingly, the execution timing of the pseudo-inciting performance may be determined, and furthermore, the type and timing of performance elements other than the pseudo-inciting performance to be incorporated into the remaining variable time may be determined. The conditions for incorporating the performance element into the remaining variable time may be maintained, and the performance element may be incorporated in accordance with the conditions. For example, if a pseudo-continuous variation effect is not followed by a super reach effect, a performance element that displays the process of stopping the fluctuation of the decorative pattern is incorporated at the end of the performance pattern. A condition such as "execution later" may be set. In this case as well, the history of executed effect patterns may be recorded, and the number of executions, execution timing, etc. of the pseudo-inciting effect may be determined by referring to the history.

In this embodiment, since the performance time of the performance element is an integral multiple of the unit variation time, even when creating a performance pattern by dynamically combining the performance elements, it is easy to change the performance time corresponding to the variation pattern. It is possible to generate a performance pattern that suits the time. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the processing load and to reduce the occurrence of errors. Furthermore, instead of dynamically generating a variable effect pattern, data indicating the type and order of the effect elements constituting the variable effect pattern is prepared in advance and stored in the sub ROM 312 or data ROM 324. Since it is easy to combine presentation elements, the burden of development can be significantly reduced.

The performance control means 304 sequentially reads data of each performance element from the data ROM 324 or the sub-ROM 312 and executes the data according to the performance pattern determined by the performance determination means 303. As a result, it is only necessary to prepare data for each performance element, and there is no need to prepare the entire data for each performance pattern, so it is possible to dramatically increase the variation of performance patterns while suppressing the increase in data. Can be done.

In the above example, the unit variation time is half the variation time of a standard single variation, but in another example, the unit variation time may be the same as the variation time of a standard single variation, or 3 It may be one-quarter, one-fourth, or any other time. In addition, in the above example, the performance time of all the performance elements was an integral multiple of the unit variation time, but in another example, the performance time of some performance elements was not an integral multiple of the unit variation time. Good too. For example, the total performance time of a group of multiple performance elements may be an integral multiple of the unit variation time. In this case, if a plurality of performance elements constituting a group are incorporated as a set, the appearance order and appearance position of these performance elements within the performance pattern can be arbitrarily selected. It is also possible to easily create another performance pattern by replacing each group with another group having the same total performance time.

The technology described in the first embodiment and the technology described in the second embodiment can be arbitrarily combined. For example, the performance time of the first switching performance or the second switching performance described in the first embodiment may be set to an integral multiple of the unit variation time, and may be incorporated at any position in the pseudo continuous variation performance pattern. Thereby, it is possible to combine the pseudo continuous variation performance and the switching performance while suppressing an increase in the amount of data, and it is possible to further enrich the variation of the performance. In addition, in the second embodiment, when the pseudo-continuous variation effect develops into a performance such as super reach, as explained in the first embodiment, before switching to the development destination effect, the development destination effect is You can also run it hidden in the background.

The present invention has been described above based on examples. Those skilled in the art will understand that this embodiment is merely an illustration, and that various modifications can be made to the combinations of these components and processing processes, and that such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention. be. Modified examples are listed below.

60 effect display device, 80 game board, 200 main board, 231 first fluctuation pattern determining means, 232 second fluctuation pattern determining means, 300 sub-board, 302
pattern storage means, 303 effect determining means, 304 effect control means.

Claims (1)

A game board on which a game area is formed;
a starting prize opening provided at a predetermined position in the gaming area;
Win/fail lottery means for executing a win/fail lottery triggered by the entry of a ball into the starting prize opening;
special game control means for executing a special game that is more advantageous to the player than the normal game when the result of the winning lottery is a win;
a symbol display device in which symbols are displayed in a fluctuating manner to indicate the results of the lottery;
Variation pattern determining means for selecting one from a plurality of types of variation patterns in which a variation display process from the start to the stop of variation of symbols for indicating the result of the win/fail lottery is determined according to the result of the win/fail lottery;
symbol display control means for variably displaying the symbol on the symbol display device according to the variation pattern determined by the variation pattern determining means;
an effect display device in which a plurality of symbols are variably displayed to express the results of the winning lottery;
performance determining means for determining performance content including variable display of the plurality of symbols according to the variation pattern;
Effect control means for displaying an effect image of the effect pattern selected by the effect determining means on the effect display device;
Equipped with
The plurality of types of variation patterns display a pseudo-continuous variation effect that makes it appear as if the plurality of symbol variations have been executed multiple times by displaying the plurality of symbols as if they have paused in one symbol variation. Contains a pseudo-continuous fluctuation pattern that is
It is possible to switch the performance content displayed on the performance display device from a certain performance content to a specific performance content different from the certain performance content,
There are multiple types of performance content as the specific performance content to switch to,
Multiple timings for switching to the specific production content are set,
Depending on the timing of switching to the specific production content, the degree of expectation that the result of the winning lottery will be a hit and the tendency of the specific production content to be displayed thereafter vary,
A switching performance is executed when switching from the certain performance content to the specific performance content,
There are multiple types of switching performances with different lengths of performance time, and different switching performances can be executed depending on the type of the specific production content to which the switching destination is to be performed, and in the switching production, switching to the specific production content is possible. It is possible to display information that suggests timing,
The switching effect is executed with a higher probability when the result of the winning lottery is a win and a specific special game is executed than when the result of the winning lottery is a loss,
The plurality of types of fluctuation patterns include at least a first fluctuation pattern and a second fluctuation pattern that is longer than the first fluctuation pattern,
A pinball game machine in which the switching effect is executed with a higher probability when the second variation pattern is executed than when the first variation pattern is executed.

Images