JP7465597B2 - Gaming Machines - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a pachinko machine.

Some gaming machines, such as pachinko machines, have a small win game that makes it easier for a gaming ball to enter a large winning hole, and when the gaming ball passes through a specific area set up inside the large winning hole, a large winning game occurs after the small win game ends.

JP 2021-19661 A

In this type of gaming machine, if the game ball does not pass through a specific area during a small win (if a so-called V-puncture occurs), the big win will not occur after the small win ends, and if such V-punctures occur continuously, this will result in a significant decrease in the player's desire to play.

Therefore, the present invention was made in consideration of the above problems, and aims to provide a gaming machine that can prevent the continuous occurrence of V-punctures.

According to the present invention, a gaming machine is capable of launching a gaming ball, executing a pattern change accompanied by a win/loss judgment based on the entry of the gaming ball into a first start port or a second start port, and when a small win is derived by the win/loss judgment, a small win game is generated after the end of the pattern change in which the win/loss judgment was executed, and when the gaming ball passes through a predetermined area in the small win game, a big win game is generated after the end of the small win game, and the start of the pattern change can be suspended until a change start condition is satisfied, and a second game state in which the pattern change related to the second start port is easier to execute compared to the first game state is set, the gaming machine is equipped with an informing means and an informing control means for controlling the informing means, and is configured to be able to derive the small win in the pattern change related to the second start port, and the small win game can be ended by the passage of time. In the second game state, the small win is derived by a pattern change related to the second start port, and at a predetermined time when the game ball does not pass through the predetermined area in the small win game related to the small win and the big win game does not occur, the first game state is entered after the small win game ends, and the notification control means is capable of executing a specific notification that prompts the game ball to be launched into the predetermined area, and the specific notification includes a first specific notification and a second specific notification different from the first specific notification, and at a first time when a pattern change related to the second start port is executed in the second game state and the small win is derived by the pattern change, the first specific notification can be executed, and when a pattern change related to the second start port that was reserved at the predetermined time is executed and the small win is derived by the pattern change, At the second time when the small win is derived, the first specific notification is not executed and the second specific notification can be executed, at the third time when the game ball does not pass through the predetermined area in the small win game related to the second time and the big win game does not occur, and thereafter, a pattern change related to the remaining second start port is executed and the small win is derived by the pattern change, the first specific notification is not executed and the second specific notification can be executed, the execution rate of the second specific notification at the third time is the same as the execution rate of the second specific notification at the second time, and the notification control means further controls the pattern change related to the second start port to be executed and the small win is derived, and when the pattern change from which the small win is derived is reserved, the pattern change from which the reserved small win is derived is started. a bonus notification different from the specific notification can be executed before the start of a game, and a rate at which the bonus notification is executed when the small win related to the first time is derived and a pattern change from which the small win is derived is reserved is higher than a rate at which the bonus notification is executed when the small win related to the second time is derived and a pattern change from which the small win is derived is reserved; or, the bonus notification can be executed when the small win related to the first time is derived and a pattern change from which the small win is derived is reserved, and the bonus notification is not executed when the small win related to the second time is derived and a pattern change from which the small win is derived is reserved .

The present invention provides a gaming machine that can prevent consecutive V-punctures.

FIG. 1 is a front view of the gaming machine. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a pattern display device disposed in the area II shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a bird's-eye view showing the operation buttons arranged in the area III shown in FIG. 1 and their surroundings. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a game board installed in the gaming machine. FIG. 5 is a rear view of the gaming machine. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the gaming machine. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the gaming machine. Figure 8(a) is a diagram that shows a schematic drawing of a lottery table for determining whether a special symbol is a hit or not, Figure 8(b) is a diagram that shows a schematic drawing of a lottery table for selecting stopping symbols used when a big hit is derived in the special symbol hit or not determination related to special symbol 1, Figure 8(c) is a diagram that shows a schematic drawing of a lottery table for selecting stopping symbols used when a small hit is derived in the special symbol hit or not determination related to special symbol 2, and Figure 8(d) is a diagram that shows a schematic drawing of a lottery table for selecting stopping symbols used when a big hit is derived in the special symbol hit or not determination related to special symbol 2. Figure 9(a) is a schematic diagram showing a special chart change pattern lottery table used in the pattern change related to special chart 1 when in the special chart change pattern derivation state PA, and Figure 9(b) is a schematic diagram showing a special chart change pattern lottery table used when a special chart change pattern HNP is determined in the pattern change related to special chart 1 when in the special chart change pattern derivation state PA. FIG. 10(a) is a state transition diagram showing the transition of the special chart variation pattern derivation state, and FIG. 10(b) is a diagram showing the relationship of the average variation time for each special chart variation pattern derivation state. FIG. 11 is a flow chart of the V aim notification control process. Figure 12(a) is a schematic diagram showing lottery table TbA used to determine the notification mode for the Aim for V notification, and Figure 12(b) is a schematic diagram showing lottery table TbB used to determine the notification mode. FIG. 13(a) is a diagram showing a specific example of a V aim notification in notification mode HA, and FIG. 13(b) is a diagram showing a specific example of a V aim notification in notification mode HB. FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing the V puncture flag management process. FIG. 15 is a flow chart of the first warning notification control process. Figure 16(a) shows the flow when a first warning notification is executed in response to a V aim notification related to notification mode HA and then a V winning occurs, and Figure 16(b) shows the flow when a first warning notification is executed in response to a V aim notification related to notification mode HB and then a V winning occurs. Figure 17(a) shows the flow when a first warning notification is executed in response to a V aim notification related to notification mode HA and then a V puncture occurs, and Figure 17(b) shows the flow when a first warning notification is executed in response to a V aim notification related to notification mode HB and then a V puncture occurs. FIG. 18 is a flow chart of the second warning notification control process. Figure 19 (a) shows the flow when a second warning notification is executed when a hit is not derived from the remaining reserve related to special chart 2, and Figure 19 (b) shows the flow when a second warning notification is executed when a hit is derived from the remaining reserve related to special chart 2.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In all drawings, the same components are given the same reference numerals, and the description will be omitted as appropriate. In the following description, "front", "rear", "left", "right", "upper", and "lower" refer to the gaming machine 10 as viewed from the front side (player side) as shown in FIG. 1, unless otherwise specified.
In the following explanation, "advantageous (degree of advantage)" refers to an advantage for the player, and further, unless otherwise specified, refers to an advantage in terms of the amount of prize balls (gaming media) obtained (including not only the payout of gaming balls but also the payout of medals), excluding aspects of presentation such as so-called premium images.

<Features of the present invention>
Before describing the details of the gaming machine 10 in this embodiment, the features of the invention described in this embodiment will be described.
In addition, when explaining the features, the configuration in parentheses is an example of the configuration of this embodiment that corresponds to the immediately preceding configuration, and the configuration may be described in parentheses for a similar purpose in the explanations of the gaming machine 10 that follow.

The present invention relates to
a gaming machine capable of launching a gaming ball, capable of executing a pattern change accompanied by a win/loss determination based on the entry of the gaming ball into a first start port (first start port 57) or a second start port (second start port 59), in which if a small win is derived by the win/loss determination, a small win game is generated after the end of the pattern change in which the win/loss determination was executed, and in which if the gaming ball passes through a predetermined area (V winning area) in the small win game, a big win game is generated after the end of the small win game, and the start of the pattern change can be suspended until a change start condition is satisfied, and which is capable of setting a second gaming state (special graphic change pattern derivation state PB, special graphic change pattern derivation state PC) in which it is easier to execute a pattern change relating to the second start port as compared with a first gaming state (special graphic change pattern derivation state PA);
Notification means (main display unit 81, speaker 33);
A notification control means (first sub-control board 200, second sub-control board 300) that controls the notification means;
Equipped with
The small win can be derived in the pattern variation related to the second starting port,
The small win game is configured to be terminated by the passage of time.
When the small win is derived by the pattern change related to the second starting hole in the second game state, and the game ball does not pass through the predetermined area in the small win game related to the small win, and the big win game does not occur, the first game state is entered after the end of the small win game,
The notification control means is capable of executing a specific notification (a V-aim notification) that prompts the launch of the game ball to the predetermined area,
The specific notification includes a first specific notification (a V-aim notification related to notification mode HA) and a second specific notification (a V-aim notification related to notification mode HB) different from the first specific notification,
In the second game state, a pattern change related to the second starting hole is executed, and at the first time when the small win is derived by the pattern change, the first specific notification can be executed,
At the second time when the pattern change related to the second starting hole that was reserved at the predetermined time is executed and the small win is derived by the pattern change, the first specific notification is not executed and the second specific notification is executed,
In the second case, the game ball does not pass through the predetermined area in the small win game, and the big win game does not occur. Then, in the third case, the remaining pattern change in the second starting hole is executed and the small win is derived by the pattern change. In this case, the first specific notification is not executed, and the second specific notification is executed.
An execution rate of the second specific notification at the third time is the same as an execution rate of the second specific notification at the second time,
The notification control means is further capable of executing a special notification (V stock notification) different from the specific notification when the pattern change related to the second starting port is executed to derive the small win and the pattern change from which the small win is derived is reserved, before the pattern change from which the reserved small win is derived is started.
This is a gaming machine characterized by the above.

According to the present invention, the occurrence of successive V-punctures can be prevented.
Furthermore, according to the present invention, when a small win is further derived from the remaining reserve related to special chart 2 after consecutive V-punctures, it is possible to prevent the player from becoming confused and to prevent further V-punctures from occurring.
Furthermore, according to the present invention, in a small win game relating to a small win derived by a pattern change that leads to the reserved small win, the occurrence of a V-puncture can be prevented.

The "second game state" in the above "game machine capable of setting a second game state in which it is easier to execute the pattern change related to the second start port compared to the first game state" is not limited to a winning-easy state in which the electric device (in this embodiment, the normal electric device 61) located directly above the second start port is likely to be in an open state, such as the normal high probability state described below. For example, assuming that there is no electric device in the second start port and the ease of winning the game ball into the second start port does not change depending on the game state, the game state in which it is easier to execute the pattern change related to the second start port by shortening the average change time of the pattern change related to the second start port may be the "second game state".

The difference between the first and second specific notifications is not limited to the content of this embodiment described below, but may be any difference that is recognizable by the player.

The gaming machine 10 having the above characteristics will be specifically described based on the following embodiment.

<Structure of the gaming machine 10>
First, the structure of the gaming machine 10 will be described with reference to FIGS.
Figure 1 is a front view of the gaming machine 10, Figure 2 is a diagram showing a pattern display device 90 arranged in area II shown in Figure 1, Figure 3 is a bird's-eye view showing a group of operation buttons arranged in area III shown in Figure 1 and their surroundings, Figure 4 is a diagram showing a game board 50 installed in the gaming machine 10, and Figure 5 is a rear view of the gaming machine 10.
1 to 5 are merely components necessary for explaining the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, and components and functions not shown here may be added to the gaming machine 10. In addition, the gaming machine 10 does not necessarily have to include all of the components shown here, and some components or functions may be omitted as long as the effects of the present invention are not impaired.

The gaming machine 10 of this embodiment is a so-called pachinko machine, in which gaming balls are shot into the front area (hereinafter referred to as "gaming area 50a") of a gaming board 50 on which numerous gaming nails (not shown) are erected, and a prize ball is obtained when the gaming ball enters a prize opening (such as the big prize opening 55). Note that in the following explanation, the entry of a gaming ball into a prize opening may be simply expressed as "entering (a prize opening)."

The gaming machine 10 comprises a rectangular outer frame 15 that opens at the front and rear, a middle frame 17 that detachably holds a gaming board 50 on the front side of the opening of the outer frame 15, and a front frame 20 that is configured to cover the front side of the gaming board 50.

The middle frame 17 is supported so as to be freely rotatable about its left end by a hinge mechanism (not shown) on the same side as the hinge mechanism 21, and can be opened and closed in front of the outer frame 15. The middle frame 17 can be locked and unlocked by a cylinder lock 23 (inserting a door key into the cylinder lock 23 and turning the door key in the opposite direction to the unlocking direction of the front frame 20 (right in this embodiment)).

The front frame 20 is supported by a hinge mechanism 21 so as to be rotatable about the left end side, and can be opened and closed relative to the middle frame 17. The front frame 20 can be locked and unlocked by a cylinder lock 23 (by inserting a door key into the cylinder lock 23 and turning the door key in the opposite direction to the unlocking direction of the middle frame 17 (left in this embodiment)).
In addition, the front frame 20 is provided with a transparent member 25 arranged to cover the playing area 50a, and the transparent member 25 protects the playing area 50a and the playing board 50 from view.
The front frame 20 also includes an upper ball tray 27 and a lower ball tray 29 for storing game balls, and the upper ball tray 27 and the lower ball tray 29 are vertically spaced apart and integral with the front frame 20. In this embodiment, a full tank detection sensor (not shown) for detecting when the lower ball tray 29 is full of discharged game balls is provided upstream of the lower discharge port 30 that discharges game balls into the lower ball tray 29.
In addition, the front frame 20 is provided with an operating handle 31 on the right side of the lower ball tray 29, and by rotating the operating handle 31, the game balls stored in the upper ball tray 27 are launched toward the game area 50a.

1 to 5, the middle frame 17 has a middle frame door open sensor 76 that detects whether the middle frame 17 is in an open state or a closed state relative to the outer frame 15, and a front frame door open sensor 77 that detects whether the front frame 20 is in an open state or a closed state relative to the middle frame 17. In this embodiment, both of these door open sensors are ON in the open state and OFF in the closed state. However, these door open sensors may be configured to be OFF in the open state and ON in the closed state.
This allows the gaming machine 10 to detect both the open/closed state of the middle frame 17 relative to the outer frame 15 , and the open/closed state of the front frame 20 relative to the middle frame 17 .

3, a group of operation buttons operated by the player is arranged on the upper surface of the upper ball tray 27. The group of operation buttons includes a ball loan button 39a and a return button 39b for accepting a return operation of a prepaid card as a main operation unit 39 electrically connected to the main control board 100 described later, and includes an effect button 37 for switching effects occurring during a game or accepting an operation by a player to obtain various information related to the gaming machine 10 as an operation unit electrically connected to the first sub-control board 200 described later, and cursor buttons 38 (up cursor button 38a, down cursor button 38b, left cursor button 38c, right cursor button 38d, center cursor button 38e) for instructing operations to the up, down, left, and right directions, respectively. Each operation unit is provided with a sensor for detecting the operation, and the control board to which it is connected detects the operation of each operation unit by a change in the detection state of the sensor.
Furthermore, a movable decorative body 22 that is operated by an actuator such as a motor (not shown) is provided on the side of the upper ball tray 27.

A ball ejection mechanism 36 is provided below the lower ball tray 29 to eject the game balls stored in the lower ball tray 29 downward. By operating this ball ejection mechanism 36, a bottom opening (not shown) formed on the bottom surface of the lower ball tray 29 opens, and the game balls fall naturally from the bottom opening and are ejected.
Although not shown in the figure, the upper ball tray 27 is provided with a mechanism which, similar to the ball removal mechanism 36, can be operated to move the stored balls to the lower ball tray 29, and by operating both this mechanism and the ball removal mechanism 36, it is possible to remove the stored balls.

As shown in FIG. 1, a pair of speakers 33 (33a, 33b) are disposed on the left and right sides of the upper frame portion 32 of the front frame 20. In addition, the upper frame portion 32 and the left and right side frame portions 34a, 34b of the front frame 20 are formed from a light-transmitting cover, within which a frame lamp 35 (35a, 35b, 35c) is disposed. The speaker 33 and the frame lamp 35 can emit sound or turn on or off in conjunction with effects and error notifications that occur during play.

The performance display device 80 is composed of a main display section 81 disposed approximately in the center of the game board 50, and a sub-display section 82 disposed around the main display section 81. The sub-display section 82 further includes an upper sub-display section 82a disposed above the main display section 81, a left sub-display section 82b disposed on the left side of the main display section 81, and a right sub-display section 82c disposed on the right side of the main display section 81.
Here, the main display unit 81 is a fixed liquid crystal display device, and the upper sub-display unit 82a, the left sub-display unit 82b, and the right sub-display unit 82c are movable liquid crystal display devices operated by actuators such as motors (not shown).

The main display unit 81 can display the changing display of a pattern row that is performed in conjunction with the changing display in the first special pattern display device 91 or the second special pattern display device 92 described below, and can also display various other effects.
In the variable display of the pattern rows (decorative patterns) displayed on the main display unit 81, the displayed decorative patterns form three pattern rows. In this embodiment, the direction of the variable display of each pattern row is downward, but the direction is not particularly limited. For example, it may be upward, left and right, depth, or a combination of these (diagonal direction).
Here, the depth direction refers to a virtual direction recognized by the player in a display mode that uses a technique (e.g., perspective) that makes the player perceive the pattern row as if it is changing from the back of the main display unit 81 to the front or vice versa, even though in reality it is a planar changing display on the display screen of the main display unit 81.
In addition, the decorative symbols in this embodiment include a "1 symbol" that imitates the number "1", a "2 symbol" that imitates the number "2", a "3 symbol" that imitates the number "3", a "4 symbol" that imitates the number "4", a "5 symbol" that imitates the number "5", a "6 symbol" that imitates the number "6", a "7 symbol" that imitates the number "7", an "8 symbol" that imitates the number "8", and a "9 symbol" that imitates the number "9", and these symbols are provided in each symbol row. In the following description, the "1 symbol", "3 symbol", "5 symbol", "7 symbol", and "9 symbol" may be collectively referred to as "odd number symbols", and the "2 symbol", "4 symbol", "6 symbol", and "8 symbol" may be collectively referred to as "even number symbols".

Each of the sub-display sections 82 is not only provided for the purpose of displaying a performance image related to a performance, but is also configured to be movable.
The initial positions of the upper sub-display section 82a are on the upper side with respect to the main display section 81, the left sub-display section 82b are on the left side with respect to the main display section 81, and the right sub-display section 82c are on the right side with respect to the main display section 81, and each of the sub-display sections 82 is configured to be movable from these initial positions to a position where the entire display area of the sub-display section 82 overlaps with the display area of the main display section 81. However, even when the sub-display sections 82 (particularly the left sub-display section 82b and right sub-display section 82c) are in the initial positions shown in Fig. 4, approximately the upper half of the display area (the left display area 821 and the right display area 822 described later) is visible to the player.

A plurality of light emitting diodes (hereinafter abbreviated as "LEDs") are arranged on the lower right side of the main display unit 81, and these LEDs form the display area of the pattern display device 90, and the pattern display device 90 displays special patterns and normal patterns.
In addition, the symbol display device 90 is disposed at a position that is more difficult for the player to see than the main display section 81, and the display area of the symbol display device 90 is smaller than the display area of the main display section 81.
In addition, the arrangement and number of LEDs in the pattern display device 90 in this embodiment are as shown in Figure 2, but this is just one example, and the arrangement and number of LEDs in the pattern display device 90 are not limited to this example.

The special symbols are symbols that are stopped and displayed as a result of a symbol change that determines whether or not to activate a special electric device (e.g., the special electric device 65). The special symbols in this embodiment include a first special symbol displayed on the first special symbol display device 91 and a second special symbol displayed on the second special symbol display device 92.
In addition, the special pattern may be abbreviated as "Special pattern", the first special pattern as "Special pattern 1", and the second special pattern as "Special pattern 2".

The normal symbol is a symbol that is stopped and displayed as a result of a symbol variation that determines whether or not to operate a normal electric role (for example, the normal electric role 61). The normal symbol in this embodiment is displayed on the normal symbol display device 93.
In addition, normal patterns are sometimes abbreviated as "Fuzu", and normal electric devices are sometimes called "denchu".

In addition to the above-mentioned display devices, the symbol display device 90 is provided with a first special symbol reservation lamp 94, a second special symbol reservation lamp 95, and a normal symbol reservation lamp 96.
The first special pattern reserve lamp 94 makes it possible to identify the number of pattern variations relating to reserved special pattern 1, the second special pattern reserve lamp 95 makes it possible to identify the number of pattern variations relating to reserved special pattern 2, and the normal pattern reserve lamp 96 makes it possible to identify the number of pattern variations for reserved normal patterns, and all of them make it possible to identify the number of corresponding pattern variations by the lighting state of the two LEDs (in this embodiment, right constantly lit only = 1, left and right constantly lit = 2, right flashing + left constantly lit = 3, left and right flashing = 4).

In the following explanation, the pattern change in which the first special pattern display device 91 or the second special pattern display device 92 displays a special pattern in a variable manner and then stops displaying the special pattern will be referred to as the ``pattern change of the special pattern,'' and in the following explanation, the pattern change in which the normal pattern display device 93 displays a variable manner and then stops displaying the normal pattern will be referred to as the ``pattern change of the normal pattern.''
In addition, in the following description, the change display of the pattern row (decorative pattern) displayed on the above-mentioned main display unit 81 may be referred to as "pattern change of decorative pattern" to distinguish it from "pattern change of special pattern" and "pattern change of normal pattern".
In the following explanation, when the term "pattern change" is used, it means a pattern change of a special design unless otherwise specified.

As shown in FIG. 4, a number of obstacles such as game pegs (not shown), windmills 52, and decorative parts are arranged on the front of the game board 50, thereby defining a game area 50a in which the shot game ball can roll.
Additionally, on the left and upper sides of the play area 50a, there are arranged a curved outer rail 51 and an inner rail 53 for guiding the game balls launched by rotating the operating handle 31 to the upper part of the play area 50a. The outer rail 51 is located outside the inner rail 53 with the center of the play area 50a as the reference point. Here, the windmill 52 is a nail-shaped mechanism for changing the direction in which the game balls fall.

The gaming machine 10 allows the strength of the ball to be varied by the amount of rotation (e.g., the angle of rotation) of the operating handle 31, and various obstacles are arranged in the gaming area 50a to make the ball roll along either the first flow path X (so-called left hit), along which a weaker ball will roll, or the second flow path Y (so-called right hit), along which a stronger ball will roll.

In Figure 4, the main prize openings are shown as the large prize opening 55, the first start opening 57, the second start opening 59, the gate 63, and the general prize opening 67, but the prize openings shown are only examples, and the number and arrangement of the openings may be changed as appropriate.

The large prize opening 55 is located in the lower right of the play area 50a. A large prize opening sensor 72 is attached to the large prize opening 55, and a prize ball is determined to have been won in the large prize opening 55 based on the detection result of the large prize opening sensor 72, and the number of prize balls associated with the large prize opening 55 (15 in this embodiment) is awarded.
In this embodiment, the obstacles are positioned so that more game balls roll toward the large prize opening 55 when rolling from the second flow path Y compared to when rolling from the first flow path X.

A special electric device 65 is disposed above the large prize opening 55. The special electric device 65 is a member that can be switched between an open state, in which it is easy to win a prize in the large prize opening 55, and a closed state, in which it is difficult to win a prize, and is switched to either the open state or the closed state by a special electric device solenoid 66.
More specifically, the special electric device 65 is in an open state during a part of a big win game that starts when a big win is derived by the special chart hit/miss judgment described later, or during a part of a small win game that starts when a small win is derived by the special chart hit/miss judgment, and thus entry into the big winning hole 55 is permitted. In this way, when the special electric device 65 is in an open state, it is easy to enter the big winning hole 55, so the big win game and small win game in which the chance of winning a prize ball is greatly increased can be said to be advantageous game states. In addition, although details will be described later, the small win game in this embodiment can cause a big win game.
In a jackpot game, the special electric device 65 is alternately set to an open state and a closed state, and one open state (sometimes referred to as a "round game", and the total number of round games occurring in one jackpot may be referred to as the "number of rounds") ends when a predetermined number (10 in this embodiment) of game balls have entered the large prize opening 55, and the special electric device 65 enters a closed state. Furthermore, one open state in a jackpot game also ends when a sufficient time (30 s (seconds) in this embodiment) has elapsed for a predetermined number of game balls to enter the large prize opening 55.
On the other hand, in a small win game, the open state and the closed state of the special electric device 65 are alternately set, and the game ends when the cumulative time related to the open state of the special electric device 65 in one small win game reaches 1.8 seconds or when 10 game balls enter the large prize opening 55. Therefore, in a small win game, it is more difficult for game balls to enter the large prize opening 55 than in a large win game.
In this embodiment, when a big win game or a small win game starts, a start demo that ends with the passage of time is set, and when the start demo ends, a round game (when a small win occurs, a small win game) starts, and when all round games end, an end demo that ends with the passage of time is set. That is, in this embodiment, a big win game (including those that occur in a small win game) is composed of a start demo, a round game, and an end demo, and the big win game proceeds in this order.

The first starting hole 57 is located at the center of the play area 50a. A first starting hole sensor 70 is attached to the first starting hole 57, and the winning of the first starting hole 57 is determined based on the detection result of the first starting hole sensor 70, and the number of prize balls (4 in this embodiment) associated with the first starting hole 57 is awarded. In at least some cases where the winning of the first starting hole 57 is determined, the pattern change related to the special chart 1 is performed.
In addition, in the game area 50a of this embodiment, obstacles such as game nails are arranged so that more game balls roll toward the first starting hole 57 when they roll from the first flow path X compared to when they roll from the second flow path Y.

The second starting hole 59 is located in the lower right of the play area 50a. A second starting hole sensor 71 is attached to the second starting hole 59, and the winning of the second starting hole 59 is determined based on the detection result of the second starting hole sensor 71, and the number of prize balls associated with the second starting hole 59 (1 in this embodiment) is awarded.
In at least some cases where a winning jackpot has been determined for the second starting hole 59, a pattern change related to special chart 2 will occur.
In addition, in the game area 50a of this embodiment, obstacles such as game nails are arranged so that more game balls roll toward the second starting hole 59 when they roll from the second flow path Y compared to when they roll from the first flow path X.

A normal electric device 61 is disposed in the flow path connected to the second starting port 59. The normal electric device 61 is a member that can be switched between an open state in which it is easy to insert a game ball into the second starting port 59 and a closed state in which it is difficult to insert the ball, and is switched to either the open state or the closed state by a normal electric device solenoid 62.
More specifically, the normal electric device 61 is opened when the result of the normal winning/losing judgment described later is a normal winning (hereinafter, sometimes simply referred to as a "normal winning"), and thus entry into the second starting hole 59 is permitted. In this way, when the normal electric device 61 is in the open state, entry into the second starting hole 59 is possible, so that the opportunity for the pattern variation related to the special drawing 2 to be executed can be greatly increased while suppressing the decrease in game balls by the prize balls.

Gate 63 is located in the center right of play area 50a. A gate sensor 74 is attached to gate 63, and the detection result of gate sensor 74 determines whether or not a winning jackpot has been won at gate 63. In at least some cases where a winning jackpot has been won at gate 63, the pattern on the regular jackpot will change.

The general winning opening 67 is located at the lower left of the game area 50a. A general winning opening sensor 73 is attached to the general winning opening 67, and a winning ball is determined based on the detection result of the general winning opening sensor 73, and the number of prize balls associated with the general winning opening 67 (4 in this embodiment) is awarded.
In this embodiment, the obstacles are arranged so that more game balls roll toward the general winning opening 67 when rolling from the first flow path X compared to when rolling from the second flow path Y, but the obstacles may be arranged so that more game balls roll toward the general winning opening 67 when rolling from the second flow path Y. Also, a plurality of general winning openings 67 may be provided.

The outlet 69 is disposed at the bottom of the game area 50a. Game balls that are shot into the game area 50a and do not enter any of the winning holes described above fall into the outlet 69 and are treated as out balls.
In this embodiment, an out ball sensor 75 (not shown) is provided for detecting out balls, which are game balls that enter the winning hole and the out hole 69.

In addition to the above-mentioned sensors, the game board 50 is also provided with a magnetic detection sensor for detecting magnetism and a radio wave detection sensor for detecting radio waves (both not shown) to prevent fraudulent acts such as receiving prize balls illegally.

As shown in Figure 5, the rear of the game board 50 is fitted with a main control board case 109 in which the main control board 100 is stored, a first sub-control board case 209 in which the first sub-control board 200 is stored, a second sub-control board case 309 in which the second sub-control board 300 is stored, a power supply control board case 509 in which the power supply control board 500 is stored, and a payout control board case 409 in which the payout control board 400 is stored.In addition to the rear of the first sub-control board case 209 and the second sub-control board case 309, an opening/closing cover 45 which covers part of the rear of the main control board case 109 is attached in a removable manner.
In addition, a RAM clear switch 43 is provided on the main control board 100.
Furthermore, the substrate cases and covers that cover the respective substrates are made of transparent materials, and the corresponding substrates can be seen through each case and cover.

A game ball tank 46 is disposed on the back of the game board 50, above the opening and closing cover 45, in which game balls supplied from the game island's ball supply equipment are stored. The game ball tank 46 is further connected to a payout passage 49 that leads to the upper ball tray 27 via a tank rail 47 and a payout unit 48, and the balls paid out by the payout unit 48 are paid out through the payout passage 49 to the upper ball tray 27.

So far, we have explained the structure of the gaming machine 10 in this embodiment, but this is just one specific example, and the present invention can also be implemented with a different configuration.

<Regarding the control configuration of the gaming machine 10>
Next, a control configuration of the gaming machine 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the gaming machine 10. Note that the control configuration shown in Fig. 6 is necessary for explaining the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, and the gaming machine 10 may have a control configuration not shown in Fig. 6.

The main control board 100 is equipped with a CPU 101 that performs various calculation processes related to the game, a ROM 102 that stores data such as control programs and various lottery tables, a RAM 103 that functions as a work area and buffer memory that serves as a temporary storage area, an I/O port 104 that inputs and outputs signals between peripheral boards and each device, and a random number circuit 105 that operates separately from the program processing by the CPU 101 and generates random numbers (hard random numbers), and these are connected to each other via an internal bus.

The CPU 101 executes various processes related to the main control of the game by reading out various control programs stored in the ROM 102 and performing arithmetic processing.
The RAM 103 is backed up by a backup power source generated in a backup power circuit, which will be described later. Specifically, among the information stored in the RAM 103, various information is backed up so that when power is restored (when the power is turned on) after a power outage, the data can be used to restore the gaming machine 10 to the state it was in immediately before the power outage. For example, in addition to the data of the stack pointer and each register, etc., held when the power outage occurred, information related to the game, such as the state of the gaming machine 10 at that time (a game stop state or a game possible state), the current normal drawing state, etc., are backed up. Note that this information is cleared (initialized) by a RAM clearing process, which will be described later. Therefore, after the RAM is cleared, a special pattern variation pattern derivation state PA (low probability of normal drawing, which will be described later) is newly set. Furthermore, when the RAM clearing process is executed, the pattern string related to the decorative pattern is in a state in which the initial pattern combination is stopped and displayed, and even if the RAM clearing process is not executed when the power is turned on and the pattern variation is not being executed at the time of the previous power outage, the initial pattern combination is also in a state in which it is stopped and displayed. In addition, this initial symbol combination is displayed statically only when the power is turned on, and is not displayed statically due to the execution of symbol variation.

In this embodiment, at least an area in which such information related to the game is stored (sometimes referred to as the game-related area of RAM 103) is backed up, as well as an area in which the complement of a checksum and a backup flag related to the game-related area of RAM 103 are stored (sometimes referred to as the game-related backup information area of RAM 103). Then, when power is restored, the gaming machine 10 returns to normal using the various pieces of information stored in the backed-up game-related area of RAM 103 and the game-related backup information area of RAM 103.
In addition, the specific method of backup in this embodiment is not limited. For example, the area to be backed up in the RAM 103 may be realized with a configuration capable of non-volatilely retaining data even in a power-off state. As another example, in the RAM 103, different hardware may be provided for a first memory configured to be capable of non-volatilely retaining data even in a power-off state and a second memory referenced during operation of the gaming machine 10. In that case, the gaming machine 10 may save the information to be backed up from the second memory to the first memory when power is cut off, and recover the saved information from the first memory to the second memory when power is restored.

The main control board 100 is also electrically connected to the first start gate sensor 70, the second start gate sensor 71, the big prize gate sensor 72, the general prize gate sensor 73, the gate sensor 74, the out ball sensor 75, the middle frame door open sensor 76, the front frame door open sensor 77, etc., and is configured to be able to input detection signals from these sensors to the CPU 101 via the I/O port 104. Although not shown in the figure, in addition to these sensors, the main control board 100 is also electrically connected to a full tank detection sensor, a magnetic detection sensor, and a radio wave detection sensor, and is configured to be able to input detection signals from these sensors to the CPU 101 via the I/O port 104.

In addition, the main control board 100 is electrically connected to the first special pattern display device 91, the second special pattern display device 92, the normal pattern display device 93, the first special pattern reserve lamp 94, the second special pattern reserve lamp 95, the normal pattern reserve lamp 96, the normal electric role solenoid 62 and the special electric role solenoid 66, and is configured to be able to control these via the I/O port 104.
Similarly, the main control board 100 is electrically connected to the main operation unit 39 and the RAM clear switch 43 , and is configured to be able to detect the operation of the main operation unit 39 .

The main control board 100 and the first sub-control board 200 are connected by eight parallel signal lines and one strobe line, and are connected so that communication is possible in only one direction, from the main control board 100 to the first sub-control board 200, and various performance control commands are transmitted from the main control board 100 to the first sub-control board 200.
Furthermore, data cannot be transmitted from the first sub-control board 200 to the main control board 100, and the first sub-control board 200 is configured so as not to be able to request the main control board 100 to transmit data.
In addition, in this embodiment, a parallel transmission method is used for transmitting data from the main control board 100 to the first sub-control board 200, but a serial transmission method may also be used.

The first sub-control board 200 comprises a CPU 201 which performs various arithmetic processing related to game presentation based on presentation control commands from the main control board 100, a ROM 202 which stores data such as presentation control programs and various lottery tables, a RAM 203 which functions as a work area or buffer memory that serves as a temporary storage area, and an I/O port 204 which inputs and outputs signals between peripheral boards and each device, and these are connected to each other via an internal bus, and the CPU 201 is configured to execute main control related to game presentation in accordance with the control program stored in ROM 202.
In addition, the first sub-control board 200 is electrically connected to the performance button 37 and the cursor button 38, and is configured to be able to detect the operation of these operating sections.

In addition, the first sub-control board 200, through performance control processing based on performance control commands from the main control board 100, generates image control commands that instruct the image to be displayed on the second sub-control board 300, audio control commands that instruct the audio to be output to the audio control board 310, lamp control data for controlling the lighting of various lamps such as the frame lamp 35, and movement control data for controlling the movement of the movable decorative body 22 and the sub-display unit 82, etc.
Here, the first sub-control board 200 is connected to the second sub-control board 300 and the voice control board 310 to enable two-way communication, and each control command (image control command, voice control command) is transmitted from the first sub-control board 200 to the second sub-control board 300 or the voice control board 310, while in response, a response command (ACK command) indicating that the control command was received successfully is transmitted from each control board (second sub-control board 300, voice control board 310) to the first sub-control board 200.

The first sub-control board 200 is also electrically connected to the frame lamp 35, and transmits lamp control data via the I/O port 204. The frame lamp 35 is configured such that its illumination is controlled by the lamp control data transmitted from the first sub-control board 200.
Furthermore, the first sub-control board 200 is electrically connected to the movable decorative body 22 and the sub-display unit 82, and transmits movement control data via the I/O port 204. The movable decorative body 22 and the sub-display unit 82 are configured so that their movement is controlled by the movement control data transmitted from the first sub-control board 200.

The second sub-control board 300, although not shown in the figure, is equipped with a CPU that performs various calculations related to image presentation based on image control commands from the first sub-control board 200, a ROM that stores image control programs and various data, etc., a RAM that functions as a work area and buffer memory that serves as a temporary storage area, and an I/O port that inputs and outputs signals between peripheral boards and each device, and the CPU is configured to execute main control related to image presentation in accordance with the control program stored in the ROM 302.
Furthermore, the second sub-control board 300 is equipped with a VDP that generates image data according to the content of the performance determined by a performance content determination means 225 (described later) based on a control signal received from the CPU, and a sound source IC that generates sound data according to the content of the performance based on a control signal received from the CPU. The VDP is a so-called image processor that reads image data stored in an image ROM in response to an instruction from the CPU, processes the image data, and transmits the generated image data to the main display unit 81 and the sub-display unit 82. A high-speed VRAM that is used to expand and process the image data read from the image ROM is also connected to this VDP.

The audio control board 310 is equipped with a CPU 311 that performs various calculation processes related to audio performance based on audio control commands from the first sub-control board 200, a ROM 312 that stores audio control programs and audio data, etc., a RAM 313 that functions as a work area or buffer memory that serves as a temporary storage area, and an I/O port 314 that inputs and outputs signals between peripheral boards and each device, and is configured so that the CPU 311 executes main control related to audio performance according to the control program stored in the ROM 312. Therefore, the audio control board 310 can read audio data stored in the ROM 312 in response to audio control commands received from the first sub-control board 200, synthesize the read audio data, and transmit the final synthesized audio data to the speaker 33 via an amplifier, causing the speaker 33 to output audio.

The dispensing control board 400 is mainly composed of a CPU, ROM and RAM (all not shown).
In addition, the payout control board 400 is connected to the main control board 100 for two-way communication, and performs control to drive the payout unit 48 to pay out game balls based on a payout control command from the main control board 100, and also controls the launch of the game balls by synchronously driving the ball feeding mechanism and the launching mechanism based on the amount of operation of the operating handle 31.

The power supply control board 500 is composed of a normal power supply circuit 501 which generates normal power to be supplied to electronic and electrical components such as the control board mentioned above based on the primary power supply supplied from the game island's power supply equipment, a backup power supply circuit 502 which generates backup power, and a power interruption detection circuit 503 which detects power interruption (a specified voltage drop in the voltage supplied by the normal power supply).
In addition, a power switch 40 is connected to the power supply control board 500, and assuming that primary power is supplied from the game island's power supply equipment, when the power switch 40 is turned ON, normal power is generated in the normal power supply circuit 501 of the power supply control board 500, and power is supplied to electronic and electrical components including the above-mentioned control boards (main control board 100, first sub-control board 200, second sub-control board 300, and payout control board 400).
In addition, when a power interruption detection circuit 503 detects a power interruption, the power supply control board 500 transmits a power interruption signal (NMI signal) to each of the main control board 100, the first sub-control board 200, and the dispensing control board 400.
In addition, the backup power circuit 502 is configured to be charged when power is being supplied to the gaming machine 10 from the power supply equipment of the gaming island.
In addition, the backup power supply circuit 502 may be provided on the dispensing control board 400, and the power interruption detection circuit 503 may not be provided on the power supply control board 500, but may be provided on each of the main control board 100, the first sub-control board 200, and the dispensing control board 400.

<Functional configuration of the gaming machine 10>
Next, the functional configuration of the gaming machine 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the gaming machine 10. Note that the functional configuration shown in Fig. 7 is necessary for explaining the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, and the gaming machine 10 may have a functional configuration not shown in Fig. 7. Also, when explaining the functional configuration, Figs. 8 and 9 will be referred to as necessary.

As shown in FIG. 7, the main control board 100 is equipped with a ball entry determination means 110, a main random number generation means 115, a main hold control means 120, a pre-determination means 125, a special drawing means 130, a normal drawing means 135, a jackpot game control means 140, a pattern display control means 145, an electric role control means 150, a game state control means 155, a main information storage means 160, a main error control means 165, a main command management means 170, a power restoration process execution means 175, and a power cut process execution means 180. These means are functional representations of what is realized by each control configuration on the main control board 100 described using FIG. 6.

First, the main information storage means 160 is a means for temporarily storing data read by the means provided in the main control board 100, data derived by calculations in the means, etc., in the corresponding storage areas. In particular, the data (performance control commands) stored in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160 is transmitted by the command transmission means to the sub-command management means 270 of the first sub-control board 200, which will be described later, after being stored.

The ball winning determination means 110 determines whether a ball has won at each winning hole based on the detection results of a sensor installed at each winning hole.
In addition, when the ball entry determination means 110 determines that a game ball has entered a prize hole by a sensor installed in a prize hole such as the large prize hole sensor 72, it generates a presentation control command (prize entry command) including information that can identify the type of sensor related to the prize, and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.

The main random number generating means 115 is capable of generating multiple types of random numbers with different update ranges depending on the random number circuit 105, and when a win at a winning port is determined, it obtains (latches) one or more random numbers corresponding to that winning port from the random number circuit 105.
More specifically, when it is determined that the first start gate 57 or the second start gate 59 has been won, the main random number generating means 115 obtains a random number for determining whether or not the special symbol has been won, a random number for drawing a special symbol stop symbol, and a random number for drawing a special symbol change pattern, which will be described later. When it is determined that the gate 63 has been won, the main random number generating means 115 stores a random number for determining whether or not the normal symbol has been won, a random number for drawing a normal symbol stop symbol, and a random number for drawing a normal symbol change pattern, which will be described later, in a corresponding storage area of the main information storage means 160.
The random number circuit 105 monitors whether the multiple types of random numbers it updates are being updated normally, and if an update abnormality occurs in which the random numbers are not updated normally, information indicating the occurrence of the abnormality is written to a specific storage area of the random number circuit 105. Therefore, the CPU 101 can grasp that an update abnormality has occurred in the random number circuit 105.

The main reservation control means 120 controls the reservation of the pattern change of the special chart and the reservation of the pattern change of the normal chart. Regarding the special chart 1, the random number for determining whether the special chart is a hit or not, the random number for drawing the special chart stop pattern, and the random number for drawing the special chart change pattern, which are obtained as a result of winning the first starting port 57, are reserved (stored) as operation reservation information for the special chart 1.
More specifically, the main hold control means 120 is provided with a hold counter (hereinafter referred to as the "special chart 1 hold counter") which is incremented by 1 each time the activation hold information of special chart 1 is held and decremented by 1 each time the activation hold information of special chart 1 is used (used in the draw by the special chart draw means 130), and controls the operation hold information to be stored in a storage area corresponding to the current special chart 1 hold counter of the main information storage means 160 until the value of the special chart 1 hold counter reaches an upper limit value (4 in this embodiment), and clears the used activation hold information each time the activation hold information is used, and moves (shifts) the remaining activation hold information from the current storage area to a storage area corresponding to a special chart 1 hold counter which is 1 less than the current special chart 1 hold counter, in order from the smallest special chart 1 hold counter.
In addition, the main reserve control means 120 performs the same control as described above for special drawing 2 and regular drawing separately from special drawing 1, and the reserve counter for special drawing 2 is referred to as the special drawing 2 reserve counter, and the upper limit value of the special drawing 2 reserve counter in this embodiment is 4.
In addition, in the following explanation, "suspended operation information" may be expressed as "suspended pattern change" or simply as "suspended."
In addition, when the main hold control means 120 updates (adds or subtracts) the operation hold information (hold counter) of special chart 1 or special chart 2, it generates a performance control command (hold command) including the special chart 1 hold counter and the special chart 2 hold counter, and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.
In this embodiment, when both the operation pending information corresponding to the special chart 1 and the operation pending information corresponding to the special chart 2 are reserved, a priority variation is performed in which the operation pending information corresponding to the special chart 2 is used preferentially. However, instead of this priority variation, a winning order variation in which the operation pending information is used in the order in which it is reserved, regardless of whether it corresponds to the special chart 1 or the special chart 2, or a simultaneous variation in which the operation pending information corresponding to the special chart 1 and the operation pending information corresponding to the special chart 2 are simultaneously used when both the operation pending information corresponding to the special chart 1 and the operation pending information corresponding to the special chart 2 are reserved may be adopted.

The advance judgment means 125 executes an advance judgment for a pre-reading performance targeting the pending activation information in at least some cases where the pending activation information of a special chart is pending at a specified advance judgment timing.
More specifically, the pre-judgment means 125 reads out each random number of the operation reservation information reserved this time, and executes pre-judgment for each of the special chart hit/miss judgment, special chart stop pattern lottery, and special chart change pattern lottery, which will be described later. In each pre-judgment, a lottery table (not shown) that is the same as or equivalent to the lottery table used in the lottery corresponding to each pre-judgment is used. Therefore, the results of these pre-judgments will be the same as the results of the lottery that will be executed later.
In addition, the pre-determination means 125 generates a performance control command (pre-determination command) including the derived result of the pre-determination, and stores the command in a transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.
Since the pre-determination command is transmitted (generated and stored in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160) at least part of the timing of the predetermined pre-determination, it will be transmitted following the above-mentioned pending command. Here, the predetermined timing of the pre-determination is, for example, the timing when the activation pending information of the special chart is reserved. In this embodiment, if the activation pending information of the special chart 1 is reserved during the normal chart high probability described below, the pre-determination is restricted, and therefore the transmission of the pre-determination command corresponding to the pre-determination is also restricted. On the other hand, if the activation pending information of the special chart 2 is reserved during the normal chart low probability described below, the pre-determination may be restricted, or it may not be necessary to restrict the pre-determination.

The special drawing means 130 includes a special drawing hit/miss judgment means 131, a special drawing stop pattern drawing means 132, and a special drawing change pattern derivation means 133, and executes processing by each means in the order of the special drawing hit/miss judgment means 131, the special drawing stop pattern drawing means 132, and the special drawing change pattern derivation means 133. When the special drawing change start condition is satisfied, the special drawing lottery means 130 reads out the earliest operation pending information among the operation pending information reserved in the main information storage means 160.
In addition, "the conditions for starting the change of the special chart are satisfied" means, for example, that all of the following conditions are satisfied: a jackpot game is not being played, neither Special Chart 1 nor Special Chart 2 is currently changing the pattern (including when the pattern change related to Special Chart 1 or Special Chart 2 is displayed as stopped), and at least one of Special Chart 1 and Special Chart 2 has pending operation information.

Here, FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 are diagrams that typically show a lottery table used in the main control board 100, and will be referred to as necessary in the following description.
In addition, in a lottery using a lottery table, including other than these lottery tables, the lottery values stored in the lottery table are added to the read random number in a predetermined order (if there is only one target lottery value, the number of additions is one), and a result corresponding to the lottery value where a carry (overflow) occurs is derived as the result of the lottery. Similarly, in the explanation of the lottery table, the lottery table is given a name for convenience of explanation, but it is sufficient that the data such as the lottery value included in the lottery table corresponding to the name is identifiable and stored in each ROM, and these names do not specify the area in which the data is stored. In the illustrated lottery table, there are items described for convenience of explanation, and if "-" or "0" is described as the lottery value, these do not necessarily indicate the data stored in each ROM. And, there is no winning result with "-" or "0" described as the lottery value. Furthermore, if the same lottery value as the random number range used for the lottery (the number of random numbers that can be obtained in the range) is described in the lottery table, the result is derived 100%, so it is not necessary to perform a lottery. Furthermore, if the total value of the lottery values used in one lottery matches the random number range used in the lottery, a carry will always occur when adding the final lottery value, so that addition does not need to be performed, and in that case, the lottery values used in that addition themselves become unnecessary.

The special pattern hit/miss judgment means 131 reads out a random number for the special pattern hit/miss judgment for each pattern change, and executes a special pattern hit/miss judgment to judge by lottery whether a big hit, a small hit, or a miss will be won, using the read out random number and a lottery table for the special pattern hit/miss judgment.
8(a) is a diagram showing a schematic drawing of a lottery table for determining whether a special drawing is a hit or a miss, and the drawing table is different between special drawing 1 and special drawing 2, and the range of random numbers used in these determinations is 0 to 65535. Therefore, in the special drawing hit or miss determination in special drawing 1, a big hit is derived with a probability of 205/65536 (about 1/320), and a miss is otherwise obtained, and a small hit is not derived. On the other hand, in the special drawing hit or miss determination in special drawing 2, a big hit is derived with a probability of 205/65536 (about 1/320), a small hit is derived with a probability of 1820/65536 (about 1/36.0), and a miss is otherwise obtained.
In this embodiment, as described later, a jackpot game can occur via a small jackpot, so the probability of a jackpot being derived in the special chart hit/miss determination is set to the one probability mentioned above.

When the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment is a big hit or a small hit, the special chart stopping pattern lottery means 132 determines the special chart stopping pattern by lottery using a random number for special chart stopping pattern lottery (in this embodiment, in the range of 0 to 999) and a lottery table for special chart stopping pattern lottery.
Specifically, as shown in Figure 8 (b), which is a schematic diagram of a lottery table for selecting the stopping patterns used when a jackpot is derived in the special pattern hit/miss judgment related to special pattern 1, when a jackpot is derived in the special pattern hit/miss judgment related to special pattern 1, pattern A is determined as the stopping pattern with a probability of 100/1000 (1/10), and pattern B is determined as the stopping pattern with a probability of 900/1000 (approximately 1/1.11).
Here, whether pattern A or pattern B is determined, the game will become a normal high probability game after the end of the jackpot game corresponding to these stopped patterns, but the number of pattern changes during which the normal high probability game continues (hereinafter referred to as the "prescribed number of times related to the normal high probability game") is 80 times after the end of the jackpot game when pattern A is determined, and 40 times after the end of the jackpot game when pattern B is determined. In addition, the number of rounds of the jackpot game corresponding to pattern A is 10, while the number of rounds of the jackpot game corresponding to pattern B is 4. Therefore, it can be said that pattern A is more advantageous than pattern B in terms of both the number of rounds and the prescribed number of times related to the normal high probability game.

As shown in Figure 8 (c), which is a schematic diagram of a lottery table for selecting the stopping patterns used when a small win is derived in the special pattern hit/miss determination related to special pattern 2, when a small win is derived in the special pattern hit/miss determination related to special pattern 2, pattern a is determined as the stopping pattern with a probability of 700/1000 (approximately 1/1.43), and pattern b is determined with a probability of 300/1000 (approximately 1/3.33).
Here, the symbol a is a stopping symbol that has 10 rounds of the big win game that occurs in the small win game related to the symbol, and becomes a normal high probability after the big win game ends, and the specified number of times related to the normal high probability is 80. The symbol b is a stopping symbol that has 4 rounds of the big win game that occurs in the small win game related to the stopping symbol, and becomes a normal high probability after the big win game ends, and the specified number of times related to the normal high probability is 80. Therefore, it can be said that the symbol a is more advantageous than the symbol b in terms of the number of rounds.
In addition, when a big win game occurs in a small win game, the number of rounds in the big win game is the number calculated by counting the small win game as one round. Furthermore, in the following explanation, a big win game caused by a small win game related to the pattern a may be expressed as a "big win game related to the pattern a", and a big win game caused by a small win game related to the pattern b may be expressed as a "big win game related to the pattern b".

As shown in FIG. 8(d), which is a schematic diagram of a lottery table for drawing the stopping symbols used when a jackpot is derived in the special symbol hit/miss judgment related to special symbol 2, when a jackpot is derived in the special symbol hit/miss judgment related to special symbol 2, symbol c is determined as the stopping symbol with a probability of 1000/1000 (1/1). In particular, symbol c is a stopping symbol for which the number of rounds of the jackpot game corresponding to the stopping symbol is 10, and which becomes a normal symbol with high probability after the jackpot game ends, and the specified number of times for the normal symbol with high probability is 80 times, which is the same as the jackpot game related to symbol a.

In addition, the special chart stop pattern selection means 132 determines pattern C as the stop pattern when the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment for special chart 1 is a miss, and determines pattern d as the stop pattern when the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment for special chart 2 is a miss.

In this way, in the above-described embodiment, the jackpot game caused by the pattern change related to special chart 2 tends to be more advantageous than the jackpot game caused by the pattern change related to special chart 1. Therefore, the interest in the game can be further increased by transitioning from the special chart change pattern derivation state PA described later to another special chart change pattern derivation state (special chart change pattern derivation state PB or special chart change pattern derivation state PC described later).

The special pattern variation pattern derivation means 133 has a plurality of types of special pattern variation pattern selection tables to be referred to when determining the special pattern variation pattern, and selects one special pattern variation pattern selection table for determining the current special pattern variation pattern based on the current special pattern variation pattern derivation state and the result of the current special pattern hit/miss judgment, determines one special pattern variation pattern using the selected special pattern variation pattern selection table and the random number for special pattern variation pattern selection, and determines the variation time based on the determined special pattern variation pattern. Here, the variation time refers to the time from the start of the pattern variation related to the special pattern (special pattern 1 or special pattern 2) to the end of the pattern variation.
Although details of the transition conditions will be described later, the special pattern variation pattern derivation state in this embodiment includes a special pattern variation pattern derivation state PA, a special pattern variation pattern derivation state PB, and a special pattern variation pattern derivation state PC. The above-mentioned method of determining the special pattern variation pattern is adopted in the pattern variation related to the special pattern 1 in the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PA, and is adopted in the pattern variation related to the special pattern 2 in the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PB and the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PC.
On the other hand, in the pattern change related to the other special pattern (the special pattern for which the above-mentioned method of determining the special pattern change pattern is adopted) in each special pattern change pattern derivation state, a predetermined special pattern change pattern is determined according to the result of the special pattern hit/miss judgment. In particular, in this embodiment, in the pattern change related to the special pattern 2 in the special pattern change pattern derivation state PA, if the result of the special pattern hit/miss judgment related to the pattern change is a miss, and if the result of the special pattern hit/miss judgment related to the pattern change is a big hit, a pattern with a change time of 1000 ms is determined, and in the pattern change related to the special pattern 1 in the special pattern change pattern derivation state PB or the special pattern change pattern derivation state PC, if the result of the special pattern hit/miss judgment related to the pattern change is a miss, and if the result of the special pattern hit/miss judgment related to the pattern change is a big hit, a pattern with a change time of 2000 ms is determined, and if the result of the special pattern hit/miss judgment of the pattern change is a miss, a pattern with a change time of 2000 ms is determined (the same applies to the case of a small hit).

Figure 9 (a) is a schematic diagram showing a special chart change pattern lottery table used for the pattern change related to special chart 1 during the special chart change pattern derivation state PA, and the range of random numbers used in the lottery is 0 to 999.
As shown in Figure 9 (a), in the pattern change related to special chart 1 during the special chart change pattern derivation state PA, special chart change patterns HNP to ASP-C can be determined.
Specifically, when the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in the pattern change related to the special chart 1 during the special chart change pattern derivation state PA is a miss, the special chart change pattern HNP occurs with a probability of 900/1000 (approximately 1/1.11), the special chart change pattern HRP occurs with a probability of 52/1000 (approximately 1/19.2), the special chart change pattern HSP1-A occurs with a probability of 13/1000 (approximately 1/76.9), and the special chart change pattern HS occurs with a probability of 11/1000 (approximately 1/90.9). P1-B, special chart fluctuation pattern HSP2-A with a probability of 9/1000 (about 1/111), special chart fluctuation pattern HSP2-B with a probability of 7/1000 (about 1/143), special chart fluctuation pattern HSP3-A with a probability of 5/1000 (1/200), and special chart fluctuation pattern HSP3-B with a probability of 3/1000 (about 1/333) are determined, and in this case, special chart fluctuation pattern ASP1-A to special chart fluctuation pattern ASP-C are not determined. Note that, although details will be described later using FIG. 9(b), when the special chart fluctuation pattern HNP is determined, the special chart fluctuation pattern is further specified using the value of the special chart 1 reserved counter at the start of this pattern fluctuation.
On the other hand, when the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in the pattern change related to the special chart 1 during the special chart change pattern derivation state PA is a jackpot, the special chart change pattern ASP1-A has a probability of 90/1000 (about 1/11.1), the special chart change pattern ASP1-B has a probability of 110/1000 (about 1/9.09), the special chart change pattern ASP2-A has a probability of 135/1000 (about 1/7.41), and the special chart change pattern ASP3-B has a probability of 165/1000 (about 1/6.01). Special chart fluctuation pattern ASP2-B is determined with a probability of 1.06), special chart fluctuation pattern ASP3-A with a probability of 180/1000 (approximately 1/5.56), special chart fluctuation pattern ASP3-B with a probability of 220/1000 (approximately 1/4.56), and special chart fluctuation pattern ASP-C with a probability of 100/1000 (1/10), and in this case, special chart fluctuation pattern HNP to special chart fluctuation pattern HSP3-B will not be determined.
In this embodiment, when the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in the pattern fluctuation related to the special chart 1 in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PA is a miss, any one of the special chart fluctuation patterns HRP to HSP3-B is determined at a rate of 100/1000 (1/10), and the special chart fluctuation pattern HNP is determined at a rate of 900/1000 (approximately 1/1.11). Furthermore, when the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in the pattern fluctuation related to the special chart 1 in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PA is a big hit, any one of the special chart fluctuation patterns ASP1-A to ASP-C is determined at a rate of 1000/1000 (1/1).
Here, in the description of the special pattern variation pattern of this embodiment, when two special pattern variation patterns are described with "~" between them, the description of the special pattern variation pattern existing between the special pattern variation pattern described earlier and the special pattern variation pattern described later is omitted according to the order described in the drawing related to the special pattern variation pattern lottery table for each special pattern variation pattern derivation state. Also, in the description of the special pattern variation pattern of this embodiment, regardless of whether the corresponding variation time is described or not, if the names of the special pattern variation patterns are different, it indicates that the different special pattern variation patterns are different.

Figure 9 (b) is a schematic diagram showing a special chart variation pattern lottery table used when a special chart variation pattern HNP is determined in the pattern variation related to special chart 1 during the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, and the range of the random numbers used in the lottery (different from the random numbers used in the lottery related to the special chart variation pattern lottery table shown in Figure 9 (a)) is 0 to 999.
As shown in Figure 9 (b), the special chart variation patterns HNP that can be determined in the pattern variation related to special chart 1 during special chart variation pattern derivation state PA include special chart variation pattern HNP-A with a variation time of 3200 ms (milliseconds), special chart variation pattern HNP-B with a variation time of 5600 ms, special chart variation pattern HNP-C with a variation time of 8000 ms, and special chart variation pattern HNP-D with a variation time of 11200 ms, in that order of increasing variation time.
Specifically, if the special pattern 1 reserved counter is 3 at the start of the current pattern change, the special pattern change pattern HNP-A is determined with a probability of 1000/1000 (1/1). Similarly, if the special pattern 1 reserved counter is 2 at the start of the current pattern change, the special pattern change pattern HNP-A is determined with a probability of 150/1000 (about 1/6.67), and the special pattern change pattern HNP-B is determined with a probability of 850/1000 (about 1/1.18). If the special pattern 1 reserved counter is 1 at the start of the current pattern change, the special pattern change pattern HNP-A is determined with a probability of 50/1000 (1/20), and the special pattern change pattern HNP-B is determined with a probability of 150/1000 (about 1/6.67). The special pattern variation pattern HNP-B is determined with a probability of 800/1000 (1/1.25), and the special pattern variation pattern HNP-C is determined with a probability of 800/1000 (1/1.25). If the special pattern 1 reserved counter at the start of the pattern variation is 0, the special pattern variation pattern HNP-B is determined with a probability of 50/1000 (1/20), the special pattern variation pattern HNP-C is determined with a probability of 100/1000 (1/10), and the special pattern variation pattern HNP-D is determined with a probability of 850/1000 (about 1/1.18). In the following explanation, when the value of the special pattern reserved counter to be referred to is 3, it may be called "retention 3", when the value of the special pattern reserved counter is 2, it may be called "retention 2", when the value of the special pattern reserved counter is 1, it may be called "retention 1", and when the value of the special pattern reserved counter is 0, it may be called "retention 0".
In this way, when the special pattern change pattern HNP is determined in the special pattern change pattern derivation state PA, the special pattern change pattern (change time) that is likely to be determined by the value of the special pattern 1 reserved counter at the start of the current pattern change is different. More specifically, the smaller the value of the special pattern 1 reserved counter at the start of the current pattern change, the more likely it is that a special pattern change pattern with a long change time will be determined (the larger the value of the special pattern 1 reserved counter at the start of the current pattern change, the more likely it is that a short change time will be determined).
In addition, such special chart variation pattern HNP (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as the "basic special chart variation pattern") also exists in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PB and the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC, and in these special chart variation pattern derivation states, the reserved counter referenced is different from that in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, and in both cases the value of the special chart 2 reserved counter is referenced.

In addition, at the start of the pattern change, the special pattern change pattern derivation means 133 generates a performance control command (change start command) that includes the result of the special pattern hit/miss judgment, the determined special pattern to stop, and the determined special pattern change pattern, and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.

The regular map lottery means 135, like the special map lottery means 130, reads out the most recent pending activation information from the pending activation information stored in the main information storage means 160 when the regular map pattern is not changing, and uses the read random number to perform a regular map hit/miss judgment to determine whether the regular map is correct or not, and determines various parameters related to the regular map (regular map change time, regular map stop display time, etc.) based on the result of the regular map hit/miss judgment and information such as the current special map change pattern derivation state.
In the normal drawing hit/miss judgment, there are a normal drawing lottery state with a high probability (sometimes abbreviated as "normal drawing high probability") and a normal drawing lottery state with a low probability (sometimes abbreviated as "normal drawing low probability"). Although the drawing of the lottery table is omitted, in this embodiment, in the normal drawing high probability, the probability of a normal drawing hit is 65535/65536, and the remaining probability of a 1/65536 miss, while in the normal drawing low probability, the probability of a normal drawing hit is 1/65536, and the remaining probability of a 65535/65536 miss. In addition, in the normal drawing low probability, it may be set so that the normal drawing does not hit (65536/65536 miss).

At the start of a jackpot game, the jackpot game control means 140 generates a presentation control command (start demo command) including information related to the jackpot game (time required for the start demo, number of rounds, and subsequent special chart variation pattern derivation state) and stores it in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160, and at the end of the start demo, generates a presentation control command (round start command) and stores it in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160. Furthermore, at the end of a round game, a presentation control command (end demo command) including the time required for the end demo of the jackpot game is generated and stored in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.
Furthermore, these commands are the same in the big win game caused by the small win game. Specifically, the big win game control means 140 generates a start demo command at the start of the small win game and stores it in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160, generates a round start command at the end of the start demo and stores it in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160, and generates an end demo command at the end of the small win game and stores it in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.

In addition, the jackpot game control means 140 starts a small jackpot game when the result of the special win/loss judgment is a small jackpot, and when the game ball passes through the V winning area (which can also be said to be an area where a game ball that has won the large winning port 55 can win, and is not shown) provided in the large winning port 55 during the small jackpot game, the jackpot game corresponding to the small jackpot can be started after the small jackpot game ends. Therefore, in this embodiment, the small jackpot game functions as a game that generates a jackpot game. Note that if the game ball does not pass through the V winning area during the small jackpot game, the jackpot game does not start after the small jackpot game ends. In addition, in the following explanation, the game ball passing through the V winning area during the small jackpot game may be referred to as "V winning".

The pattern display control means 145 displays the special pattern 1 on the first special pattern display device 91 in a variable manner according to the variable time corresponding to the determined special pattern variable pattern of the special pattern 1, and displays the special pattern 1 in a stopped pattern determined by the special pattern stop pattern lottery after the variable time has elapsed. Similarly, the special pattern 2 is displayed on the second special pattern display device 92 in a variable manner according to the variable time corresponding to the determined special pattern variable pattern of the special pattern 2, and displays the special pattern 2 in a stopped pattern determined by the special pattern stop pattern lottery after the variable time has elapsed. Here, the stop display time (interval) of the pattern change related to the special chart refers to the time from when the special chart is stopped and displayed until the pattern change of the next special chart can start (when the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment is a miss), or the time from when the pattern change of the special chart ends and until the big win game or small win game starts (when the result of the normal chart hit/miss judgment is a normal hit), and the stop display time of the pattern change related to the special chart in this embodiment is a uniform 300 ms, regardless of the type of special chart or the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment.
In addition, the pattern display control means 145 has a special chart game timer for managing the time (variation time, stop display time) related to the display of special chart 1 and special chart 2, and when the special chart is stopped from being displayed (at the timing when the value of the special chart game timer becomes "0"), it generates a presentation control command (variation stop command) for requesting a confirmed stop display of the decorative pattern, and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.
Here, the definite stop display of the decorative pattern refers to the final stop display of the decorative pattern in the pattern change, and is different from the provisional stop display of the decorative pattern that may occur during the execution of the pattern change. In the provisional stop display of the decorative pattern, for example, the decorative pattern displayed as stopped is accompanied by a small movement (so-called swinging movement) up and down, while in the definite stop display of the decorative pattern, the decorative pattern displayed as stopped is not accompanied by swinging movement, and so on. Even if the same decorative pattern is displayed as stopped, the display mode of the decorative pattern displayed as definite stop is different from the display mode of the decorative pattern displayed as provisional stop. Therefore, the player can recognize whether the display of the decorative pattern is a definite stop display or a provisional stop display.

Furthermore, the pattern display control means 145 causes the normal pattern display device 93 to display the normal pattern in a variable manner in accordance with a variable time corresponding to the determined normal pattern variable pattern of the normal pattern, and after the variable time has elapsed, causes the normal pattern to be displayed in a stopped state with the determined stopping pattern.
In addition, the pattern display control means 145 has a regular pattern play timer for managing the time related to the regular pattern (regular pattern change time, regular pattern stop display time, etc.).

The electric device control means 150 outputs a control signal to the special electric device solenoid 66 during the big win game or small win game described above, and opens the special electric device 65 according to an opening pattern corresponding to the stopping pattern of the special chart.

The game state control means 155 controls the normal drawing state. Specifically, the game state control means 155 sets the normal drawing to low probability regardless of the stop pattern of the special drawing related to the jackpot game at the start of the jackpot game, and when a specified condition such as the end of the jackpot game is satisfied, sets the normal drawing to high probability until the pattern change of the specified number of times related to the normal drawing to high probability is performed, and sets the normal drawing to low probability when the pattern change of the specified number of times related to the normal drawing to high probability is completed. Here, as described later, in this embodiment, the number of times of pattern change used to determine whether the specified number of times related to the normal drawing to high probability has been reached is the number of times of pattern change related to special drawing 2, but the number of times of pattern change used for the determination may be the number of times of pattern change related to special drawing 1 added to the number of times of pattern change related to special drawing 2.
In addition, in this embodiment, during a small win game, the normal symbol lottery state is maintained in the pattern change that caused the small win game.

Such a general drawing state changes in link with the above-mentioned special drawing variation pattern derivation state, and the transition of the special drawing variation pattern derivation state is managed by the game state control means 155. The transition of the special drawing variation pattern derivation state will be described below with reference to Figures 10(a) and 10(b). Note that Figure 10(a) is a state transition diagram showing the transition of the special drawing variation pattern derivation state, and Figure 10(b) is a diagram showing the relationship of the average variation time for each special drawing variation pattern derivation state.
As shown in Fig. 10(a), in the special pattern derivation state, there is a special pattern derivation state PA as a special pattern derivation state corresponding to a normal pattern low probability, and there are a special pattern derivation state PB and a special pattern derivation state PC as special pattern derivation states corresponding to a normal pattern high probability, and any of these special pattern derivation states is set except during a jackpot game. And, there are transition conditions (i) to (v) for the transition conditions between the special pattern derivation state PA and the special pattern derivation state PC.

Specifically, transition condition (i) is the end of a jackpot game related to pattern B, transition condition (ii) is the end of a jackpot game related to pattern A, transition condition (iii) is the end of a jackpot game related to pattern a, pattern b, or pattern c, transition condition (iv) is the end of pattern change in which the number of pattern changes related to special pattern 2 executed without a jackpot game in normal pattern high probability becomes 40 times (the specified number of times related to normal pattern high probability in special pattern change pattern derivation state PB), and transition condition (v) is the end of pattern change in which the number of pattern changes related to special pattern 2 executed without a jackpot game in normal pattern high probability becomes 80 times (the specified number of times related to normal pattern high probability in special pattern change pattern derivation state PC).
In addition, when a jackpot game involving pattern a, pattern b, or pattern c occurs in the special pattern change pattern derivation state PC, the state transitions again to the special pattern change pattern derivation state PC after the jackpot game ends, and the number of pattern changes involving special pattern 2 that can be performed up to the specified number of times relating to the high probability of normal patterns in the special pattern change pattern derivation state PC is reset.
Also, although not shown in the figures, in a small win game that occurs in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PB and the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC, if the game ball does not pass through the V winning area and a big win game does not occur, the end of the small win game triggers the end of the current special chart variation pattern derivation state and transition to the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA.

As shown in FIG. 10(b), the average fluctuation time of each of the special pattern fluctuation pattern derivation state PA, the special pattern fluctuation pattern derivation state PB, and the special pattern fluctuation pattern derivation state PC is shorter in the order of special pattern fluctuation pattern derivation state PA, special pattern fluctuation pattern derivation state PB, and special pattern fluctuation pattern derivation state PC. This is due to the length of the fluctuation time related to the basic special pattern fluctuation pattern that is most likely to be determined in each special pattern fluctuation pattern derivation state. Here, the average fluctuation time refers to the sum of the fluctuation times derived by multiplying the occurrence rate (the probability that may occur in any pattern fluctuation, derived by multiplying the probability of the result of the special pattern hit/miss judgment by the probability of the special pattern fluctuation pattern) for each of the fluctuation times related to the special pattern fluctuation pattern that can be selected in a certain special pattern fluctuation pattern derivation state. However, in this embodiment, when there is only one special pattern fluctuation pattern that can be selected in the certain special pattern fluctuation pattern derivation state, the fluctuation time related to the special pattern fluctuation pattern is treated as the average fluctuation time.

In addition, when a transition occurs to the regular chart lottery state or the special chart variation pattern derivation state, the game state control means 155 generates a presentation control command (game state designation command) including the state after the transition, and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.
Furthermore, the game state control means 155 counts the number of times that the pattern change related to the transition to another special pattern change pattern derivation state is executed in each special pattern change pattern derivation state, and generates a performance control command including the number of times of the counted pattern change each time the pattern change is started, and stores the command in the transmission command area of the main information storage means 160. The information included in the performance control command may be included in the above-mentioned change start command.

As described above, the main information storage means 160 is a means for temporarily storing data read by each means and data derived by calculations or the like by each means in the corresponding storage areas.

The main error control means 165 monitors the input information of the I/O port 104 and determines whether the gaming machine 10 is in an error state. If it is determined that the gaming machine 10 is in an error state, it stores a presentation control command (error command) including information that can identify the error state in a transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.

When a performance control command is stored in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160, the main command management means 170 transmits the performance control command to the first sub-control board 200.
In principle, each performance control command is transmitted in the order in which it is stored in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.

The power recovery process execution means 175 includes a recovery state setting means 176 and a playable state transition means 179.

The return state setting means 176 executes a return state setting process to set a return state based on whether or not there is an abnormality in the RAM 103 when power is restored, the state at the time of power interruption immediately before the power is restored, the state of the RAM clear switch 43 when power is restored, and the state of the inner frame door open sensor 76 when power is restored. The return states set by this process include a game stop state and a game ready state (which may or may not involve the execution of a RAM clear process).
Specifically, if there is an abnormality in the RAM 103 when power is restored, a game-stopped state is set regardless of the state of the RAM clear switch 43 and the state of the middle frame door open sensor 76 when power is restored. Also, if there is no abnormality in the RAM 103 when power is restored and the RAM clear switch 43 is ON (pressed state) when power is restored, the RAM clear process is executed and a playable state is set on the condition that the middle frame door open sensor 76 is ON when power is restored (if the middle frame door open sensor 76 is OFF when power is restored, the RAM clear process is not executed and a playable state is set), and if there is no abnormality in the RAM 103 when power is restored and the RAM clear switch 43 is OFF (not pressed state) when power is restored, the RAM clear process is not executed and a playable state is set.
Here, the game stop state is a return state in which the game cannot proceed by not executing the process according to the detection result of the sensor provided at each winning port (the detection result of the sensor itself does not need to be seen). In this embodiment, in order to change from these game stop states (game stop states set as return states) to a playable state, it is necessary to execute the RAM clear process, and as described above, when the RAM clear process is executed, the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA is set.
On the other hand, the playable state is a return state in which the game can be continued by executing a process according to the detection result of the sensor installed in each winning port. In particular, if the RAM clear process is not executed when the power is restored, the game returns to the playable state at the time of the last power outage. For example, if the last power outage was during a big win game or a small win game, the game returns to the big win game or small win game that was being executed, and if the last power outage was during a pattern change, the game returns to the pattern change that was being executed.

Whether or not there is an abnormality in RAM 103 is determined by executing a RAM abnormality check at the beginning of the recovery state setting process (specifically, a process which determines whether or not a backup flag is stored (whether or not the backup flag is ON) in the backup information area related to the target area, derives a checksum of the target area and the complement stored in the backup information area related to the area if the backup flag is stored (if the backup flag is ON), and determines that the target area is normal if the calculation result is 0, otherwise determines that the target area is abnormal) on the area related to the game in RAM 103.

The playable state transition means 179 executes a playable state transition process for transitioning to a playable state when a playable state is set.
More specifically, in the game play state transition process, if the security signal output is ON, a process of turning the security signal output OFF and initial settings of the device are performed.
In addition, during the initial setting of the device, processes such as sending a launch permission command to the payout control board 400 to permit the launch of game balls, setting the state in which balls will be valid when they enter each winning port, and setting data to activate the random number circuit 105 are performed.

The power cut-off process execution means 180 executes a power cut-off process based on receiving a power cut-off signal from the power supply control board 500 .
Specifically, for an area of RAM 103 related to gaming, a process is performed in which a checksum for that area is derived and the complement of that checksum is stored in a backup information area of RAM 103 related to gaming, and a process is performed in which a backup flag indicating that a power cut process has been performed for that area is turned ON (a backup flag is stored in the backup information area of RAM 103 related to gaming).

As shown in Figure 7, the first sub-control board 200 is equipped with a sub-random number generation means 210, a normal performance control means 220, a sub-error control means 230, a lamp control means 240, a movable prop control means 245, a sub-information storage means 260, and a sub-command management means 270, and these means are functional representations of what is realized by each control configuration on the first sub-control board 200 described using Figure 6.
Here, the sub-information storage means 260 is a means for temporarily storing data read by the means provided in the first sub-control board 200, data derived by calculations in the means, etc., in the corresponding storage areas. Also, the performance control command transmitted from the main command management means 170 is stored in a received command storage area of the sub-information storage means 260 by the sub-command management means 270. In the following explanation, the storage of the performance control command transmitted from the main command management means 170 in a received command storage area of the sub-information storage means 260 by the sub-command management means 270 may be simply expressed as "receiving a performance control command."

The sub-random number generating means 210 can generate random numbers (software random numbers) that are updated by program processing by the CPU 201, and obtains random numbers at the timing when each lottery (details will be described later) is executed by the normal performance control means 220.

The normal presentation control means 220 includes a presentation mode control means 221, a presentation route determination means 222, a sub-hold control means 223, a look-ahead presentation control means 224, a presentation content determination means 225, a decorative pattern control means 226, and a jackpot presentation control means 227.

When the presentation mode control means 221 receives a game state designation command, it controls the transition of the presentation mode in a manner consistent with the special chart variation pattern derivation state managed on the main control board 100 side.
The presentation modes in this embodiment are roughly divided into normal mode, challenge mode, and RUSH mode, and the normal mode corresponds to the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, the challenge mode corresponds to the special chart variation pattern derivation state PB, and the RUSH mode corresponds to the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC. In this embodiment, a background image corresponding to the presentation mode is displayed in the display area related to the main display unit 81. Therefore, the player can grasp the current presentation mode (special chart variation pattern derivation state) by the type of this background image. In particular, the background image is drawn on the display layer with the lowest priority, and is therefore displayed behind other images.

When the presentation route determination means 222 receives a pre-determination command, it determines (sets) a presentation route corresponding to the reserved pattern change based on the result of the pre-determination included in the command (in this embodiment, the special pattern change pattern). Note that, when the special pattern change pattern corresponding to the pattern change is the above-mentioned special pattern change pattern HNP, the presentation route determination means 222 does not determine a presentation route when the pre-determination command is transmitted, and at the start of the pattern change, it determines a presentation route based on the special pattern change pattern included in the change start command (for example, in the special pattern change pattern derivation state PA, the special pattern change pattern HNP-A to the special pattern change pattern HNP-D).
Here, the presentation route refers to the presentation from the start to the end of the pattern change, and specifies the process of the presentation that notifies the result of the special pattern determination in the pattern change, and the content of the presentation executed in the pattern change is determined by the presentation content determination means 225 described later in accordance with the presentation route corresponding to the pattern change.

The presentation route in this embodiment is roughly divided into a miss presentation route that notifies that the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in the current pattern change is a miss (the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in the current pattern change is neither a big hit nor a small hit), and a big hit presentation route that notifies that the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in the current pattern change is a big hit or a small hit. Furthermore, the miss presentation route includes a non-development miss presentation route in which the development presentation is not executed, and a development miss presentation route in which the development presentation is executed. Note that, as described later, when the big hit presentation route is determined, the development presentation is executed unless otherwise explained.
Here, the development performance is a performance that is executed after the decorative pattern reaches a reach state (a state in which the decorative pattern is displayed stationary except for one pattern row, and the remaining pattern rows are displayed in a variable manner), and at the end of the performance, it is notified whether the result of the special pattern hit/miss judgment in the current pattern change is a big hit or a small hit. Therefore, in the development performance corresponding to the development miss performance route, a series of performances corresponding to the development performance is executed, and at the end of the performance, it is notified that the result of the special pattern hit/miss judgment in the current pattern change is neither a big hit nor a small hit. On the other hand, in the development performance corresponding to the big hit performance route, a series of performances corresponding to the development performance is executed, and at the end of the performance, it is notified that the result of the special pattern hit/miss judgment in the current pattern change is a big hit or a small hit.
In addition, as described later, in this embodiment, in one presentation mode, each of the determined special chart variation patterns corresponds to a different presentation route. Therefore, in the following description, the presentation route for the special chart variation pattern may be simply expressed as a special chart variation pattern. However, multiple presentation routes may be made to correspond to one special chart variation pattern, and in this case, one presentation route may be determined from multiple presentation routes corresponding to the determined special chart variation pattern.

When the sub-hold control means 223 receives a hold command (hereinafter, sometimes simply referred to as the occurrence of a hold winning), it sets performance data for displaying the number of hold images corresponding to the special hold counter 1 and the number of hold images corresponding to the special hold counter 2 in the hold display area (not shown) of the main display unit 81 based on the information on the special hold counter 1 and the special hold counter 2 included in the command. Note that the hold images are images that are the subject of a hold pre-reading performance (an example of a pre-reading performance described later) that changes into various forms that suggest the degree of advantage, such as the expectation of a jackpot game occurring.

When the pre-reading performance control means 224 receives a pre-determination command, it determines the content of the so-called pre-reading performance based on the result of the pre-determination included in the command.

When the effect content determining means 225 receives a variation start command, it determines the content of the effect to be executed in the current pattern variation according to the presentation route already determined by the presentation route determining means 222.
More specifically, the performance content determining means 225 determines a performance pattern selection table to be referenced for the content of the performance (performance pattern) for each performance execution timing in the pattern change based on the performance route determined by the performance route determining means 222, and determines the content of the performance by a selection using the determined performance pattern selection table. In particular, by doing so, it is possible to change the content of the performance related to (executed according to) the determined performance route, and to provide a connection between the performances in one pattern change.

When the decorative pattern control means 226 receives a variation start command, it determines the final (determined stopped) combination of decorative patterns (left pattern, middle pattern, right pattern) based on the stopped pattern of the determined special pattern.
Specifically, in the pattern variation related to the special pattern 1, a pattern arrangement related to the decorative pattern including a pattern arrangement related to the 7 pattern is determined for the pattern A, and any pattern arrangement related to the decorative pattern other than the 7 pattern is determined for the pattern B. Therefore, in this embodiment, the number of rounds of the jackpot game to be generated and the subsequent presentation mode (special pattern variation pattern derivation state) (after the jackpot game ends) can be estimated depending on the type of pattern arrangement related to the decorative pattern corresponding to the jackpot game.
In the pattern variation related to the special chart 2, any of the pattern arrangements related to the decorative patterns including the 7 pattern is determined for the pattern a, the pattern c, and the pattern d, and any of the pattern arrangements related to the decorative patterns excluding the 7 pattern is determined for the pattern b. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the pattern arrangement related to the 7 pattern is stopped and displayed, it is determined that the jackpot game is related to the stopped pattern (pattern a, pattern c, or pattern d) excluding the pattern b. This makes it easier to guess the number of rounds related to the jackpot game that occurs depending on the type of pattern arrangement related to the decorative pattern corresponding to the jackpot game, just like the pattern variation related to the special chart 1. On the other hand, unlike the pattern variation related to the special chart 1, in the pattern variation related to the special chart 2, it is difficult to guess the subsequent performance mode depending on the type of pattern arrangement related to the decorative pattern corresponding to the jackpot game.

When the jackpot presentation control means 227 receives a presentation control command (start demo command, round start command, end demo command) related to a jackpot game or a small jackpot game, it determines the content of the presentation during the jackpot game or the small jackpot game based on the type of the presentation control command and the information contained in the presentation control command.

The normal performance control means 220 reads out performance data for each device corresponding to each performance at the execution timing of that performance, in accordance with the content of the performance determined by the above-mentioned means provided in the first sub-control board 200. If the read performance data includes performance data related to images, an image control command is generated based on that performance data, and the command is stored in a transmission command storage area of the sub-information storage means 260. Furthermore, if the read performance data includes performance data related to sound, an audio control command related to sound is generated based on that performance data, and the command is stored in a transmission command storage area of the sub-information storage means 260.
In addition, the normal presentation control means 220 reads presentation data for informing the player that the game has become playable with the execution of the RAM clear process when the return state at the time of power recovery is a playable state with the execution of the RAM clear process, and reads presentation data for informing the player that the game has become playable without the execution of the RAM clear process when the return state at the time of power recovery is a playable state without the execution of the RAM clear process. Furthermore, in the case of a game stop state, the normal presentation control means 220 reads presentation data for informing the player that the game has become a stop state and that the execution of the RAM clear process is required. Details of these notifications are omitted, but it is preferable that they are executed continuously for a certain period of time (for example, 30 seconds) after the execution is started, and the presentation device for executing the notification does not matter.

When an error command is transmitted, the sub-error control means 230 determines an error notification pattern, and reads out performance data for executing an error notification in accordance with the error notification pattern.
In addition, the error notification is executed in priority over the variable performance related to the pattern variation. Here, the error notification is executed in priority, not only when the device related to the execution of the error notification and the device related to the execution of the variable performance are the same device, but also includes the case where the error notification is executed in a manner that is easier to recognize than the variable performance in the device, not only when the device related to the execution of the error notification and the device related to the execution of the variable performance are the same device, but also when the error notification is executed in a manner that is easier to recognize than the variable performance in the device.
In addition, the sub-error control means 230 may independently (independently of the main error control means 165) determine whether or not the gaming machine 10 is in an error state, and if it determines that the gaming machine 10 is in an error state, read out presentation data that executes an error notification.

The lamp control means 240 holds lamp control data for controlling the lighting of various lamps such as the frame lamp 35. For example, if the performance data read by the normal performance control means 220 contains performance data corresponding to a lamp, the lamp control means 240 reads out the lamp control data based on the performance data, and transmits the read lamp control data to the lamp to be executed.

When the performance data read by the normal performance control means 220 contains performance data corresponding to a movable role, the movable role control means 245 reads movement control data for controlling the movement of the movable ornament 22 and the sub-display unit 82 from the ROM 202 based on the performance data, transmits the read movement control data to the movable ornament 22 and the sub-display unit 82, and controls the movement of the movable ornament 22 and the sub-display unit 82.

As described above, the sub-information storage means 260 is a means for temporarily storing data read by the means provided in the first sub-control board 200, data derived by calculations in said means, etc., in the corresponding storage areas.

The sub-command management means 270 receives performance control commands transmitted from the main control board 100 and stores the received performance commands in a received command storage area of the sub-information storage means 260. If an image control command is stored in the transmission command storage area of the sub-information storage means 260, the sub-command management means 270 transmits the image control command to the second sub-control board 300. Furthermore, if a voice control command or a volume adjustment command is stored in the storage area, the sub-command management means 270 transmits these commands to the voice control board 310. In principle, these commands are transmitted in the order in which they are stored in the transmission command storage area of the sub-information storage means 260.

As explained above, the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment is configured so that a small win can be derived from the pattern change related to the special chart 2 having a hold function, and if the gaming ball passes through the V winning area during the small win game caused by the small win being derived, a big win game will occur after the small win game ends, while if the gaming ball does not pass through the V winning area during the small win game and the small win game ends due to the passage of time, the big win game will not occur after the small win game ends (hereinafter, this event may be referred to as a "V puncture").
Furthermore, the gaming machine 10 is configured to set the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA (normal chart high probability) after the end of the small win game where the V-puncture occurs, in the event that a V-puncture occurs. This not only gives the player a sense of tension and encourages the player to launch the game ball for a V prize, but also leads to the intentional occurrence of a V-puncture, which leads to the player playing a game aiming for the occurrence of a big win game related to the pattern a, which has a higher advantage than a big win game related to the pattern b, or to the player prolonging the game state related to the normal chart high probability (special chart variation pattern derivation state PB or special chart variation pattern derivation state PC) to increase the number of game balls in the game state.
However, providing these functions significantly reduces the player's motivation to play because the disadvantage caused by unintended V-punctures becomes significantly greater. This also leads to a significant decrease in concentration, and there is a risk that a V-puncture will be triggered again when a small win is derived from the pattern fluctuation related to the special chart 2 remaining after the V-puncture (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "remaining reserve related to the special chart 2"). In addition, for players who do not understand the first V-puncture itself, there is a high possibility that a V-puncture will occur again.
In response to this, the gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment has a function for preventing the occurrence of such consecutive V-punctures. The details of this function will be described below.

<About the V Aim Notification>
First, the V aim notification according to this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to Figures 11 to 13. Here, the V aim notification is a notification that prompts the launch of the gaming ball into the V winning area.
FIG. 11 shows a flow of the V aim notification control process, which is executed by the big win presentation control means 227 when a start demo command related to a small win game is received.
Figure 12(a) is a schematic diagram showing lottery table TbA used to determine the notification mode for the Aim for V notification, and Figure 12(b) is a schematic diagram showing lottery table TbB used to determine the notification mode, and the range of random numbers used in these lotteries is 0 to 999.
FIG. 13(a) is a diagram showing a specific example of a V aim notification in notification mode HA, and FIG. 13(b) is a diagram showing a specific example of a V aim notification in notification mode HB.

11, in step S102, which is the first step of the V aim notification control process, it is determined whether or not the V puncture flag is ON, and if the condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S104, and if the condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S106. Here, the V puncture flag is a flag that is set to ON when a V puncture occurs, and details of the management of the flag will be described later.
In step S104, the notification mode HB is determined as the notification mode of the V aim notification.
In step S106, it is determined whether or not the current small win will result in a big win game with 10 rounds (a small win related to pattern a), and if the condition is met, the process proceeds to step S108, and if the condition is not met, the process proceeds to step S110.

In step S108, the notification mode of the Aim for V notification is determined using the lottery table TbA.
Specifically, as shown in Figure 12 (a), in a lottery using lottery table TbA, notification mode HA is determined with a probability of 900/1000 (approximately 1/1.11), and notification mode HB is determined with a probability of 100/1000 (1/10).

In step S110, the notification mode of the Aim for V notification is determined using the lottery table TbB.
12B, in the lottery using the lottery table TbB, the notification mode HA is determined with a probability of 700/1000 (approximately 1/1.43), and the notification mode HB is determined with a probability of 300/1000 (approximately 1/3.33). In particular, the probability (1/3.33) that the notification mode HB is determined in the lottery using the lottery table TbB is higher than the rate (1/10) that the notification mode HB is determined in the lottery using the lottery table TbA.

In step S112, the performance data related to the V aim notification of the determined notification mode is set, and the V aim notification control process is terminated. This results in the V aim notification being executed.

Next, as shown in Figure 13 (a), in the V aim notification of notification mode HA, a V aim image ng1 including the text "Aim at V" is displayed in the display area related to the main display unit 81, and in this notification, no sound corresponding to the V aim notification is output from the speaker 33.
When a V win occurs thereafter, the V aim notification ends and the V acquisition notification is executed. Specifically, a V acquisition image vg1 including the characters "V acquisition" is displayed, and no sound corresponding to the V acquisition image is output when the V acquisition image is displayed.

Also, as shown in Figure 13 (b), in the V aim notification of notification mode HB, a V aim image ng2 including the words "Aim at V!" is displayed in the display area related to the main display unit 81, and a voice saying "Aim at V" is output from the speaker 33 as a voice corresponding to the V aim notification.
When a V win occurs thereafter, the V aim notification ends and the V acquisition notification is executed. Specifically, a V acquisition image vg2 including the text "V acquisition!" is displayed, and the sound "V acquisition" is output as the sound corresponding to the V acquisition image.
In particular, in this embodiment, the V target image ng2 is an image larger (having a larger display area) than the V target image ng1. Similarly, the V acquisition image vg2 is an image larger than the V acquisition image vg1.
In addition, the V acquisition notification ends over time, and the time required to end is longer for a V acquisition notification executed after notification pattern HB than for a V acquisition notification executed after notification pattern HA.

Thus, in this embodiment, when the V-puncture flag is ON, i.e., during small hit play after a V-puncture has occurred once, the V aim notification related to notification mode HA is not executed, and the V aim notification related to notification mode HB is executed, whereas when the V-puncture flag is OFF, i.e., during small hit play when a V-puncture has not occurred, the V aim notification related to notification mode HA can be executed.
Therefore, if a V-puncture occurs in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state (special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PB or special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PC) related to the normal chart high probability, and a small hit game occurs in the remaining reserve related to the special chart 2 after that, in the small hit game, the V aim notification related to the notification mode HA is not executed, and the V aim notification related to the notification mode HB is executed. On the other hand, if a small hit game occurs in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state related to the normal chart high probability, the V aim notification related to the notification mode HA can be executed in the small hit game.
According to this, when a small hit game occurs on the remaining reserve related to special chart 2 after a V-puncture occurs and a special chart variation pattern derivation state related to a low probability of a normal chart is set, it is possible to prevent consecutive V-punctures from occurring by making it difficult for a V-puncture to occur in the small hit game.
In order to achieve this effect, when the V puncture flag is OFF, the V aim notification related to the notification mode HB may not be executed, and the V aim notification related to the notification mode HA may be executed. Furthermore, regardless of the state of the V puncture flag, a configuration may be made in which a V aim notification related to another notification mode (a notification mode different from both the notification mode HA and the notification mode HB) can be executed in some cases.
Furthermore, the difference between the notification mode HA and the notification mode HB is not limited to the content of this embodiment, but may be any difference that can be recognized by the player.

Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, when a small win is derived by the pattern change related to the second starting hole (second starting hole 59) in the second gaming state (special chart change pattern derivation state PB, special chart change pattern derivation state PC), and the gaming ball does not pass through a predetermined area (V winning area) in the small win game related to the small win, and a big win game does not occur, the first gaming state (special chart change pattern derivation state PA) is entered after the end of the small win game, and the notification control means (first sub-control board 200, second sub-control board 300) issues a specific notification (V aim notification) to encourage the launch of the gaming ball to the predetermined area. It is possible to execute the specific notification, which includes a first specific notification (aim for V notification related to notification mode HA) and a second specific notification (aim for V notification related to notification mode HB) that is different from the first specific notification, and in other words, at the first time when a pattern change related to the second starting port is executed in the second game state and a small win is derived from that pattern change, the first specific notification can be executed, and at the second time when a pattern change related to the second starting port that was reserved at the above-mentioned specified time is executed and a small win is derived from that pattern change, the first specific notification can be executed without the second specific notification.

In particular, in this embodiment, the V aim image ng2 relating to notification mode HB is made larger than the V aim image ng1 relating to notification mode HA, and sound corresponding to the V aim image ng2 is emitted while sound corresponding to the V aim image ng1 is not emitted, making the V aim notification relating to notification mode HB easier for players to recognize than the V aim notification relating to notification mode HA.
This can enhance the effect of preventing the occurrence of successive V-punctures as described above.
Furthermore, in this embodiment, the relationship between the V acquired image vg1 and the V acquired image vg2 is similar to the relationship between the V target image ng1 and the V target image ng2 described above.

In addition, in this embodiment, the V aim notification related to the notification pattern HB is executed in some cases even when the V puncture flag is in the OFF state, and the rate at which the notification pattern HB is determined when the V puncture flag is in the OFF state is set lower than the rate at which the notification pattern HB is determined when the V puncture flag is in the ON state.
According to this, by making the player aware in advance of the content recommended by the notification mode HB (launching the game ball into the V winning area), the effect of preventing the occurrence of consecutive V-punctures can be enhanced.

Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, the second specific notification (the V target notification related to notification mode HB) can be executed at the first time, and in other words, the rate at which the second specific notification is executed at the first time is lower than the rate at which the second specific notification is executed at the second time.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, if the V aim notification relating to notification mode HB is made easier for the player to recognize than the V aim notification relating to notification mode HA, it is possible to enhance the effect of preventing the occurrence of consecutive V punctures as described above, while making it less likely to disrupt the normal flow of the game.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the rate at which the notification mode HB is determined by a lottery using lottery table TbB when a jackpot game with four rounds may occur is higher than the rate at which the notification mode HB is determined by a lottery using lottery table TbA when a jackpot game with ten rounds may occur, and the rate at which the notification mode HA is determined by a lottery using lottery table TbA is higher than the rate at which the notification mode HA is determined by a lottery using lottery table TbB.
In other words, in this embodiment, when the V puncture flag is OFF and the V aim notification for notification mode HB is executed, the degree of advantage is lower than when the V puncture flag is OFF and the V aim notification for notification mode HA is executed.
According to this, when the V-puncture flag is OFF, i.e., when the game is progressing in the normal flow, by drawing attention to the V-aim notification related to notification mode HA rather than the V-aim notification related to notification mode HB, it is possible to make it less likely for a V-puncture to occur in the normal flow in which the V-aim notification related to notification mode HA is executed.

Therefore, in other words, when the second specific notification (the V aim notification related to notification mode HB) is executed at the first time in the gaming machine 10, the degree of advantage is lower than when the first specific notification (the V aim notification related to notification mode HA) is executed at the first time.

The effect of making it more difficult for a V-puncture to occur in the normal flow described above is more pronounced when, as in this embodiment, the V aim notification related to notification mode HB is made easier for players to recognize than the V aim notification related to notification mode HA.

In addition, in this embodiment, in the lottery using the lottery table TbA, the probability of determining the notification mode HA and the probability of determining the notification mode HB do not change depending on the type of the special pattern variation pattern derivation state related to the normal high probability, but in the lottery, the rate at which the notification mode HA is determined in the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PC may be higher than the rate at which the notification mode HA is determined in the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PB (the rate at which the notification mode HB is determined in the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PC may be lower than the rate at which the notification mode HB is determined in the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PB). This is also the case in the lottery using the lottery table TbB.
According to these, in the relatively advantageous special chart variation pattern derivation state PB, in the normal flow in which the V aim notification related to the notification mode HA is executed, it is possible to make it difficult for a V puncture to occur.

<Regarding V-Punk Flag Management Processing>
Next, the V puncture flag management process for managing the state of the V puncture flag will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
Figure 14 shows a flow of the V-puncture flag management process, and this process is executed by the jackpot presentation control means 227 when an end demo command for small jackpot play or a start demo command for jackpot play is received.

As shown in FIG. 14, in step S202, which is the first step of the V-puncture flag management process, it is determined whether the V-puncture flag is OFF or not, and if the condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S204, and if the condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S208.
In step S204, it is determined whether or not a V-puncture has occurred. If the condition is met, the process proceeds to step S206, and if the condition is not met, the V-puncture flag management process is terminated.
In step S206, the V puncture flag is set to ON, and then the V puncture flag management process ends.

In step S208, it is determined whether or not a big win game has started. If the condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S214, and if the condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S210.
In step S210, it is determined whether the current special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state is the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PA (whether the current state is low probability of normal chart), and if the condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S212, and if the condition is not satisfied, the V-puncture flag management process is terminated.
In step S212, it is determined whether there are any remaining reservations related to special chart 2, and if the condition is satisfied, the V-puncture flag management process is terminated, and if the condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S214.
In step S214, the V puncture flag is set to OFF, and then the V puncture flag management process ends.

In this way, in this embodiment, the V-puncture flag is set to ON when a V-puncture occurs. After that, when a big win game is started or when the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PA is reached and there are no more reserved symbols related to the special pattern 2, the V-puncture flag is set to OFF.
As described above, when the V-puncture flag is ON, the rate at which the V aim notification related to notification mode HB is executed is constant, regardless of the timing at which a small hit is derived (whether after one V-puncture or after consecutive V-punctures).
According to this, when a small win is further derived from the remaining reserve related to special chart 2 after consecutive V-punctures, it is possible to prevent the player from becoming confused and to prevent further V-punctures from occurring.

Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, in the small win game related to the second time, the game ball does not pass through the specified area (V winning area) and the big win game does not occur, and then in the third time when the pattern change related to the remaining second start hole (second start hole 59) is executed and the small win is derived from the pattern change, the first specific notification (V aim notification related to notification mode HA) is not executed, but the second specific notification (V aim notification related to notification mode HB) can be executed, and in other words, the execution rate of the second specific notification at the third time is the same as the execution rate of the second specific notification at the second time.

<Regarding the first warning notification>
In addition to the functions described above, in this embodiment, a first warning can be issued to prevent the occurrence of a V-puncture.
The first warning notification will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 15 shows a flow of the first warning notification control process, which is executed by the big win presentation control means 227 during a small win game or while the first warning notification is being executed.
Figure 16(a) shows the flow when a first warning notification is executed in response to a V aim notification related to notification mode HA and then a V winning occurs, and Figure 16(b) shows the flow when a first warning notification is executed in response to a V aim notification related to notification mode HB and then a V winning occurs.
Figure 17(a) shows the flow when a first warning notification is executed in response to a V aim notification related to notification mode HA and then a V puncture occurs, and Figure 17(b) shows the flow when a first warning notification is executed in response to a V aim notification related to notification mode HB and then a V puncture occurs.

As shown in FIG. 15, in step S302, which is the first step of the first warning notification control process, it is determined whether or not the first warning notification is being executed. If the condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S310, and if the condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S304.
In step S304, it is determined whether or not a V win has occurred in this small win game, and if the condition is satisfied, the first warning notification control process is terminated, and if the condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S306.
In step S306, it is determined whether or not the specified time has elapsed, and if the condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S308, and if the condition is not satisfied, the first warning notification control process is terminated. Here, the elapse of the specified time refers to the cumulative time related to the opening state of the special electric device 65 in the current small win game being 0.9 seconds or more.
In step S308, the performance data for the first warning is set, and then the first warning control process is terminated, whereby the first warning is issued.

In step S310, it is determined whether or not a V win has occurred in this small win game, and if the condition is met, the process proceeds to step S314, and if the condition is not met, the process proceeds to step S312.
In step S312, it is determined whether or not the small win game has ended, and if the condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S314, and if the condition is not satisfied, the first warning notification control process is terminated.
In step S314, the first warning notification is terminated, and then the first warning notification control process is terminated.

Next, as shown in FIG. 16(a) and FIG. 16(b), in the first warning notification, a warning image kg1 including the text "Caution: Risk of flat tire. Aim for V" is displayed in the display area of the main display unit 81, and a voice corresponding to the warning notification, "Aim for V," is output from the speaker 33. In particular, the notification mode of the first warning notification is the same regardless of the notification mode of the Aim for V notification that is executed immediately before it.

In this way, in this embodiment, in small win games, regardless of the notification mode of the V aim notification, i.e., when the V aim notification related to notification mode HA is executed, and when the V aim notification related to notification mode HB is executed, a first warning notification is executed to encourage the launch of the game ball into the V winning area based on the passage of time when no V winning has occurred.
According to this, while providing notification pattern HA and notification pattern HB as notification patterns for the V aim notification, the occurrence of V punctures (especially consecutive V punctures) can be further suppressed.

Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, the specific notification includes a third specific notification (first warning notification) that is different from both the first specific notification (the V aim notification associated with notification mode HA) and the second specific notification (the V aim notification associated with notification mode HB), and in other words, the third specific notification is executed based on the passage of time in the small win game when the first specific notification is executed in the small win game and when the game ball has not passed through the specified area (V winning area) and when the game ball has not passed through the specified area in the small win game and when the second specific notification is executed.

16(a) and 16(b), in this embodiment, the first warning notification is executed in parallel with the V aim notification. At that time, the relationship between the warning image kg1 and the V aim image ng1 is configured so that these images do not overlap (these images are displayed in different display areas). On the other hand, the relationship between the warning image kg1 and the V aim image ng2 is configured so that the warning image kg1 is displayed in front of and overlapping the V aim image ng2.
According to this, when the V aim notification relating to the notification mode HB is executed, the warning image kg1 can be more emphasized to make it easier to recognize.
In order to achieve this effect, in terms of the relationship between the warning image kg1 and the V target image ng1, the warning image kg1 may be displayed superimposed in front of the V target image ng1; in this case, however, it is necessary that the proportion of the area where the V target image ng2 and the warning image kg1 overlap in the display area of the V target image ng2 be greater than the proportion of the area where the V target image ng1 and the warning image kg1 overlap in the display area of the V target image ng1.

Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, the third specific notification (first warning notification) is executed in parallel with the first specific notification (aim for V notification associated with notification mode HA) or the second specific notification (aim for V notification associated with notification mode HB), the first specific notification, the second specific notification, and the third specific notification all include image displays, the image related to the third specific notification (warning image kg1) is displayed in front of both the image related to the first specific notification (aim for V image ng1) and the image related to the second specific notification (aim for V image ng2), and when the third specific notification is executed in a small win game in which the second specific notification is executed, the image related to the second specific notification and the image related to the third specific notification overlap, and the first specific notification is executed. In other words, when the third specific notification is executed in a small hit game in which the first specific notification is executed, the image relating to the first specific notification and the image relating to the third specific notification do not overlap, or, when the third specific notification is executed in a small hit game in which the second specific notification is executed, the proportion of the display area of the image relating to the second specific notification where the image relating to the second specific notification and the image relating to the third specific notification overlap is greater than the proportion of the display area of the image relating to the first specific notification where the image relating to the first specific notification and the image relating to the third specific notification overlap when the third specific notification is executed in a small hit game in which the first specific notification is executed.
Here, the above phrase "the first specific alert, the second specific alert, and the third specific alert all include image displays, and the image relating to the third specific alert is displayed in front of both the image relating to the first specific alert and the image relating to the second specific alert" specifies the priority (display layer priority) when image data relating to each image is expanded (drawn) in the display area of the VRAM, and does not necessarily specify that the display areas of these images overlap.

In addition, Figures 16(a) and 16(b) show the flow in the event that a V win occurs thereafter, and when a V win occurs, the execution of the first warning notification also ends, similar to the Aim for V notification.
17(a) and 17(b), the flow when a V-puncture occurs after the first warning notification is executed is shown, and when a V-puncture occurs, the execution of the V-aim notification and the first warning notification is terminated and the second warning notification is executed. Details of the second warning notification will be described later, but in the second warning notification, a warning image kg2 simulating a crack in the display area of the main display unit 81 is displayed, and a sound simulating a cracked screen is output from the speaker 33 as a sound corresponding to the warning notification, and the notification mode of the second warning notification is the same as the first warning notification, regardless of the notification mode of the V-aim notification executed immediately before it.

<Regarding the second warning notification>
Next, the second warning notification will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 18 and FIG.
FIG. 18 shows a flow of the second warning notification control process, which is executed by the big win presentation control means 227 at the end of a small win game or during execution of the second warning notification.
Figure 19 (a) shows the flow when the second warning notification is executed when a hit (small hit or big hit) is not derived from the remaining reserve related to special chart 2, and Figure 19 (b) shows the flow when the second warning notification is executed when a hit is derived from the remaining reserve related to special chart 2.

As shown in FIG. 18, in step S402, which is the first step of the second warning notification control process, it is determined whether or not the second warning notification is being executed. If the condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S408, and if the condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S404.
In step S404, it is determined whether or not a V-puncture has occurred. If the condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S406, and if the condition is not satisfied, the second warning notification control process is terminated.
In step S406, the performance data for the second warning issuance is set, and then the second warning issuance control process is terminated, whereby the second warning is issued.

In step S408, it is determined whether a small win or a big win has been derived, and if the condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S412, and if the condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S410.
In step S410, it is determined whether there are any remaining reservations related to special chart 2, and if the condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S412, and if the condition is not satisfied, the second warning notification control process is terminated.
In step S412, the second warning notification is terminated, and then the second warning notification control process is terminated.

19(a) and 19(b), in the second warning notification, as described above, a warning image kg2 simulating a crack in the display area of the main display unit 81 is displayed, and a sound simulating a cracked screen is output from the speaker 33 as a sound corresponding to the warning notification, and then, as time passes, the warning image kg2 is switched to a warning image kg3 including the text "Please make sure to win a V next time." At this time, no sound corresponding to the warning image kg3 is output from the speaker 33.
In addition, during the display of the warning image kg3, if the remaining reserved symbols related to the special chart 2 are consumed and no winning symbols (small winning symbols or big winning symbols) are derived from any of the remaining reserved symbols, the display of the warning image kg3 transitions to a normal screen (a screen on which a background image corresponding to the normal mode is displayed, although not shown). At this time, in the display area related to the main display unit 81, a symbol combination (a combination of symbols) related to the decorative symbols corresponding to the last change of the remaining reserved symbols related to the special chart 2 is displayed in front of the background image (see FIG. 19(a)).
On the other hand, when a winning combination is derived from the reserved remaining number related to the special symbol 2 during the display of the warning image kg3, the display of the warning image kg3 ends with the start of the symbol variation leading to the winning combination, and the symbol combination (symbol matching) related to the decorative symbol corresponding to the winning combination is displayed in the display area related to the main display unit 81 (see FIG. 19(b)). In particular, in this embodiment, the background image when the symbol combination is displayed is a background image (not shown) corresponding to the RUSH mode.

Thus, in this embodiment, when a V-puncture occurs, that is, when the game ball does not pass through the V winning area during a small win game and a big win game does not occur, a second warning announcement is executed based on the end of the small win game.
Furthermore, in this embodiment, the second warning notification is executed regardless of whether a hit (particularly a small hit) is derived from the remaining reserve related to special chart 2 after the V-puncture.
According to this, while preventing the occurrence of a V-puncture, it is possible to maintain anticipation for the remaining reserve related to special chart 2 after a V-puncture occurs, thereby preventing the occurrence of subsequent V-punctures (consecutive V-punctures).

Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, the notification control means (first sub-control board 200, second sub-control board 300) is capable of executing a predetermined notification (second warning notification) based on the end of a small win game when the game ball does not pass through a predetermined area (V winning area) during the small win game and a big win game does not occur, and in other words, at the above-mentioned predetermined time, the predetermined notification is executed regardless of whether or not a small win is derived in the pattern change related to the second start hole (second start hole 59) that was reserved at the predetermined time.

In particular, in this embodiment, when the second warning notification is executed, the image related to the warning notification is transitioned from warning image kg2 to warning image kg3, and the remaining reservation related to special chart 2 is consumed while the warning image kg3 is displayed.
This makes it easier to recognize the warning image kg2 (part of the image relating to the second warning notification) that is displayed first, and improves the effect of preventing the occurrence of consecutive V-punctures.

<Other Modifications>
Modifications not mentioned in the above description are listed below.

First, in this embodiment, the Aim for V notification is executed when the small win game starts, regardless of the notification mode, but this is not limited to this, and if there is a period during which the Aim for V notification is executed during the small win game, the Aim for V notification may start before the small win game starts.

In addition, when a pattern change leading to a small win is executed and a pattern change leading to a small win is reserved, a V stock notification may be executed before the reserved pattern change leading to the small win is executed.
According to this, in a small win game in which the small win is derived by the pattern change that leads to the reserved small win, the occurrence of a V-puncture can be prevented.
In addition, when the effect is exerted, at least one of the target derived by the executed pattern change and the target derived by the reserved pattern change may include a jackpot. This is also the case in each invention (related to the modified example) described later.
In addition, the V stock notification may be executed on the same device (main display unit 81) as the V aim notification described above, or may be executed on a device different from the V aim notification.

In addition, the timing for starting the V stock notification may be any time after the executed pattern change has started and before the pattern change that leads to the small win whose existence is notified by the V stock notification has started.
However, it is preferable that the timing of the start of the V stock notification is after the occurrence of a V winning in the small winning game caused by the executed symbol change, and before the symbol change that leads to the small winning whose existence is notified by the V stock notification starts. This is because if the V stock notification starts before the occurrence of a V winning in the small winning game caused by the executed symbol change, and a V puncture occurs in the small winning game, it will lead to a significant decrease in the desire to play.
Furthermore, the timing of the end of the V stock notification may be any time before the end of the pattern change that leads to the small win whose existence is announced by the V stock notification.

Therefore, in other words, in the gaming machine 10, when a pattern change related to the second starting hole (second starting hole 59) is executed to derive a small win and the pattern change that derives the small win is on hold, the notification control means (first sub-control board 200, second sub-control board 300) can execute a bonus notification (V stock notification) that is different from a specific notification (V aim notification) before the pattern change that derives the on-hold small win is started.

In particular, with regard to the execution rate of the V stock notification, it is preferable that the rate at which the V stock notification is executed when a small win relating to the above-mentioned first time is derived and the pattern change that leads to the small win is pending is higher than the rate at which the V stock notification is executed when a small win relating to the above-mentioned second time is derived and the pattern change that leads to the small win is pending.
According to this, while the V stock notification can add excitement to the game, it is possible to make it easier for the player to focus on the V aim notification at the second time. This leads to the prevention of the occurrence of a V puncture.

In addition, the gaming machine 10 according to this embodiment is a so-called one-type two-type mixed machine that can derive both a big win and a small win that can generate a big win game in the special pattern hit/miss judgment, but it is not limited to this, and it is also possible to use one that can only derive a so-called two-type hit.

In addition, in the present embodiment, as long as the relationship between the probability, ratio, frequency, and number of times is ensured, the smaller value may be 0, and the larger value may be the maximum value. In particular, as long as the phenomenon aspect is ensured, the control for realizing the high and low of each ratio described above does not matter.
Furthermore, each lottery value in the lottery table illustrated in this embodiment is just an example, and as long as the magnitude relationship between the lottery tables is maintained, each lottery value may adopt any value within the range.

In addition, in the above explanation, the recovery state when power is restored is determined by referring to the state of the RAM clear switch 43 when power is restored, but it is also possible to refer to whether the time that the RAM clear switch 43 has been ON since power was restored exceeds a specified time (e.g., 3 seconds). In this way, the occurrence of erroneous RAM clear processing can be further reduced.

In addition, in the above explanation, the state of the middle frame open door sensor 76 (open/closed state of the middle frame 17) was referenced when determining the return state when power was restored, but the return state may be set without reference to that state. In this case, the return state when power is restored may be set uniformly according to the case when the middle frame open door sensor 76 is ON (the middle frame 17 is open).

The present invention described above is not limited to the above description, but includes various modifications, improvements, and other aspects as long as the object of the present invention is achieved.

<Additional Notes>
The present embodiment encompasses the following technical idea.
(1)
a gaming machine capable of launching gaming balls, capable of executing a pattern change accompanied by a win/loss determination based on the entry of the gaming ball into a first start port or a second start port, generating a small win game after the pattern change in which the win/loss determination was executed ends if a small win is derived by the win/loss determination, generating a big win game after the small win game ends if the gaming ball passes through a specified area during the small win game, capable of suspending the start of the pattern change until a change start condition is satisfied, and capable of setting a second game state in which it is easier to execute the pattern change relating to the second start port as compared to the first game state;
A notification means;
A notification control means for controlling the notification means;
Equipped with
The small win can be derived in the pattern variation related to the second starting port,
The small win game is configured to be terminated by the passage of time,
When the small win is derived by the pattern change related to the second starting hole in the second game state, and the game ball does not pass through the predetermined area in the small win game related to the small win, and the big win game does not occur, the first game state is entered after the end of the small win game,
The notification control means is capable of executing a specific notification that prompts the launch of the game ball into the predetermined area,
The specific notification includes a first specific notification and a second specific notification different from the first specific notification,
In the second game state, a pattern change related to the second starting port is executed, and at the first time when the small win is derived by the pattern change, the first specific notification may be executed;
At the second time when the pattern change related to the second starting hole that was reserved at the predetermined time is executed and the small win is derived by the pattern change, the first specific notification is not executed and the second specific notification is executed,
In the second case, the game ball does not pass through the predetermined area in the small win game, and the big win game does not occur. Then, in the third case, the pattern variation related to the remaining second starting hole is executed and the small win is derived by the pattern variation. In this case, the first specific notification is not executed, and the second specific notification is executed.
an execution rate of the second specific notification at the third time is the same as an execution rate of the second specific notification at the second time,
The notification control means is further capable of executing a special notification different from the specific notification when the pattern change related to the second starting port is executed to derive the small win and the pattern change from which the small win is derived is reserved, before the pattern change from which the reserved small win is derived is started.
A gaming machine characterized by:

10 Gaming machine 15 Outer frame 17 Middle frame 20 Front frame 21 Hinge mechanism 22 Movable decorative body 23 Cylinder lock 25 Transparent member 27 Upper ball tray 29 Lower ball tray 31 Operation handle 32 Upper frame portion 33 (33a, 33b) Speaker 34a, 34b Left and right side frame portions 35 (35a, 35b, 35c) Frame lamp 36 Ball removal mechanism 37 Performance button 38 Cursor button 38a Up cursor button 38b Down cursor button 38c Left cursor button 38d Right cursor button 38e Center cursor button 39 Main operation portion 39a Ball loan button 39b Return button 40 Power switch 43 RAM clear switch 45 Opening and closing cover 46 Game ball tank 47 Tank rail 48 Payout unit 49 Payout passage 50 Game board 50a Game area 51 Outer rail 52 Windmill 53 Inner rail 54, protective member 55, large prize opening 57, first start opening 59, second start opening 61, normal electric role 62, normal electric role solenoid 63, gate 65, special electric role 66, special electric role solenoid 67, general prize opening 69, outlet opening 70, first start opening sensor 71, second start opening sensor 72, large prize opening sensor 73, general prize opening sensor 74, gate sensor 75, outlet ball sensor 76, middle frame door open sensor 77, front frame door open sensor 80, performance display device 81, main display section 82, sub-display section 82a, upper sub-display section 82b, left sub-display section 82c, right sub-display section 90, pattern display device 91, first special pattern display device 92, second special pattern display device 93, normal pattern display device 94, first special pattern hold lamp 95, second special pattern hold lamp 96, normal pattern hold lamp 100, main control board 101, CPU
102 ROM
103 RAM
104 I/O port 105 Random number circuit 109 Main control board case 110 Ball entry determination means 115 Main random number generation means 120 Main hold control means 125 Advance determination means 130 Special chart lottery means 131 Special chart win/loss determination means 132 Special chart stop pattern lottery means 133 Special chart change pattern derivation means 135 Regular chart lottery means 140 Big win game control means 145 Pattern display control means 150 Electric role control means 155 Game state control means 160 Main information storage means 165 Main error control means 170 Main command management means 175 Power restoration process execution means 176 Recovery state setting means 179 Playable state transition means 180 Power cut process execution means 200 First sub-control board 201 CPU
202 ROM
203 RAM
204 I/O port 209 First sub-control board case 210 Sub-random number generation means 220 Normal presentation control means 221 Presentation mode control means 222 Presentation route determination means 223 Sub-hold control means 224 Pre-reading presentation control means 225 Presentation content determination means 226 Decorative pattern control means 227 Big win presentation control means 230 Sub-error control means 240 Lamp control means 245 Movable role control means 260 Sub-information storage means 270 Sub-command management means 300 Second sub-control board 309 Second sub-control board case 310 Sound control board 311 CPU
312 ROM
313 RAM
314 I/O port 400 Dispensing control board 409 Dispensing control board case 500 Power supply control board 501 Normal power supply circuit 502 Backup power supply circuit 503 Power interruption detection circuit 509 Power supply control board case 811 Display area 812 Display area 813 Display area X First flow path Y Second flow path ng1, ng2 V target image vg1, vg2 V acquisition image kg1 to kg3 Warning image

Claims (1)

a gaming machine capable of launching gaming balls, capable of executing a pattern change accompanied by a win/loss determination based on the entry of the gaming ball into a first start port or a second start port, generating a small win game after the pattern change in which the win/loss determination was executed ends if a small win is derived by the win/loss determination, generating a big win game after the small win game ends if the gaming ball passes through a specified area during the small win game, capable of suspending the start of the pattern change until a change start condition is satisfied, and capable of setting a second game state in which it is easier to execute the pattern change relating to the second start port as compared to the first game state;
A notification means;
A notification control means for controlling the notification means;
Equipped with
The small win can be derived in the pattern variation related to the second starting port,
The small win game is configured to be terminated by the passage of time,
When the small win is derived by the pattern change related to the second starting hole in the second game state, and the game ball does not pass through the predetermined area in the small win game related to the small win, and the big win game does not occur, the first game state is entered after the end of the small win game,
The notification control means is capable of executing a specific notification that prompts the launch of the game ball into the predetermined area,
The specific notification includes a first specific notification and a second specific notification different from the first specific notification,
In the second game state, a pattern change related to the second starting port is executed, and at the first time when the small win is derived by the pattern change, the first specific notification may be executed;
At the second time when the pattern change related to the second starting hole that was reserved at the predetermined time is executed and the small win is derived by the pattern change, the first specific notification is not executed and the second specific notification is executed,
In the second case, the game ball does not pass through the predetermined area in the small win game, and the big win game does not occur. Then, in the third case, the pattern variation related to the remaining second starting hole is executed and the small win is derived by the pattern variation. In this case, the first specific notification is not executed, and the second specific notification is executed.
an execution rate of the second specific notification at the third time is the same as an execution rate of the second specific notification at the second time,
The notification control means is further capable of executing a special notification different from the specific notification when the pattern change related to the second starting port is executed to derive the small win and the pattern change from which the small win is derived is reserved, before the pattern change from which the reserved small win is derived is started ,
Regarding the execution rate of the benefit notification,
When the small win related to the first time is derived and the pattern variation from which the small win is derived is reserved, the rate at which the special benefit notification is executed is higher than the rate at which the small win related to the second time is derived and the pattern variation from which the small win is derived is reserved,
Or, when the small win related to the first time is derived and the pattern change from which the small win is derived is reserved, the bonus notification may be executed, and when the small win related to the second time is derived and the pattern change from which the small win is derived is reserved, the bonus notification is not executed.
A gaming machine characterized by:

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