JP7470440B2 - Gaming Machines - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to gaming machines, such as pachinko machines.

Gaming machines, such as pachinko machines, are configured to be able to shoot gaming balls, and when a shot gaming ball enters a winning hole, a number of gaming balls (prize balls) corresponding to the winning hole are awarded. For example, see Patent Document 1.

JP 2014-128601 A

In recent years, in order to curb gambling, such gaming machines have been required to be equipped with a function (a so-called complete function) that stops play when the difference in the number of balls reaches or exceeds a predetermined threshold.
However, such a complete function is a new function that has not existed in the past, and combining the complete function with existing functions gives rise to new problems that have not existed in the past.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and aims to provide a gaming machine that has the above-mentioned completion function while also improving compatibility with existing functions.

According to the present invention, a gaming machine in which, when a gaming ball enters a winning port, a number of gaming balls corresponding to the winning port are awarded, and game play is stopped when the difference in the number of balls derived using safe balls, which are the number of awarded gaming balls related to the winning, and out balls, which are the number of used gaming balls, reaches or exceeds a first threshold value, comprises a detection means for detecting an error state, a notification means including at least a display means, and a notification control means for controlling the notification means, wherein the notification control means:
A gaming machine is provided which executes a specific error notification based on the detection of a specific error state, executes a stop warning notification based on the difference in the number of balls becoming equal to or greater than the first threshold value during a jackpot game, executes a game stop notification after the jackpot game ends based on the game being stopped, there are specific cases in which the specific error notification is executed spanning the notification period of the stop warning notification and the notification period of the game stop notification, in the specific cases, a display related to the specific error notification is displayed in front of both a first display related to the stop warning notification and a second display related to the game stop notification, both the first display and the second display include text information, and in the specific cases, the first display and the second display are distinguishable from each other by the text information in an area where the display related to the specific error notification is not displayed .

The present invention provides a gaming machine that has a complete function while also improving compatibility with existing functions.

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. Figure 10(a) is a schematic diagram showing a special chart change pattern lottery table used in the pattern change related to special chart 2 when in the special chart change pattern derivation state PB, and Figure 10(b) is a schematic diagram showing a special chart change pattern lottery table used when special chart change pattern HNP is determined in the pattern change related to special chart 2 when in the special chart change pattern derivation state PB. Figure 11 (a) is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of a special chart change pattern lottery table used in the pattern change related to special chart 2 when the special chart change pattern derivation state PC is in effect, and Figure 11 (b) is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of 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 2 when the special chart change pattern derivation state PC is in effect. FIG. 12(a) is a state transition diagram showing the transition of the special chart variation pattern derivation state, and FIG. 12(b) is a diagram showing the relationship of the average variation time for each special chart variation pattern derivation state. FIG. 13 shows a flow of a game stop flag setting process related to the complete function. FIG. 14 shows a flow of the game stop processing related to the complete function. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an outline of a process for executing a notification related to the complete function. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the flow of executing notifications related to the complete function when the game stop flag is turned ON during a jackpot game. FIG. 17 is a flow chart of the advance notification execution process. 18(a) to 18(f) are diagrams showing notification modes of advance notification. FIG. 19 is a flow chart showing the advance notification ending process. FIG. 20 is a flow chart showing the process of starting a stop advance notification. FIG. 21 shows a flow of the game stop notification start process. FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a general flow in an irregular case in which a notification related to the complete function and a specific error notification overlap. FIG. 23 is a time chart in the flow shown in FIG.

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 gaming machine 10 is a pachinko gaming machine equipped with the above-mentioned completion function, in which when a gaming ball enters a winning port, a number of gaming balls corresponding to the winning port are awarded, and the game is stopped when the difference in the number of balls derived using safe balls, which are the number of gaming balls awarded related to the winning, and out balls, which are the number of gaming balls used, reaches or exceeds a first threshold value (100,000 balls).
Here, the specific result, in the case of the gaming machine 10 in this embodiment, is both a big win and a small win because 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 chart hit/miss judgment is adopted. When the present invention is implemented by a gaming machine in which the only hit that can generate a big win game is a big win, the above-mentioned specific result is a big win.
In this embodiment, the difference in the number of balls does not have a negative value, but since the initial value of safe balls is 5000, it can be said that the difference in the number of balls can actually have a value of up to minus 5000. The initial value may be set to any one value (a value determined for each gaming machine) depending on the performance of the gaming machine. However, the initial value of safe balls may be set to zero, similar to the initial value of out balls. In this way, the game stop state may be set according to the increase in the number of gaming balls from the point when the number of gaming balls has decreased the most during the game (so-called MY).

The gaming machine 10 is equipped with a detection means for detecting an error state, an alarm means including at least a display means (main display unit 81, speaker 33, frame lamp 35), and an alarm control means (first sub-control board 200, second sub-control board 300) for controlling the alarm means.
The notification control means executes a specific error notification based on the detection of a specific error state (remaining prize ball error), executes a stop notice notification after the end of a jackpot game based on the difference in the number of balls becoming equal to or greater than a first threshold value during the jackpot game, and executes a game stop notification based on the game being stopped.
In this embodiment, a remaining ball error will be described below as a specific example of an error state that corresponds to the "specific error state" according to the present invention. The implementation of the present invention is not limited to this, and other error states that are described or not described in this specification may be considered to correspond to the "specific error state".

The gaming machine 10 is characterized in that there are certain cases in which a specific error notification is executed across the notification period of the stop warning notification and the notification period of the game stop notification, and in the certain cases, the display related to the specific error notification is displayed in front of and overlapping both the display related to the stop warning notification and the display related to the game stop notification.
In other words, the gaming machine 10 is characterized in that, regardless of whether a game is in progress or when the game is stopped, a specific error notification is prioritized over notifications related to the complete function (stop warning notification and game stop notification).
The above-mentioned features make it possible to reliably make the player aware of specific error states even when notifications related to the complete function are being received.

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 direction opposite 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 to the left of the main display section 81, and a right sub-display section 82c disposed to the right 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 is visible to the player.

A number of light emitting diodes (hereinafter referred to 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 special patterns and normal patterns are displayed on the pattern display device 90.
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 only 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 change 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 the small win game, the game ends when the special electric device 65 is in an open state for 1.8 seconds or when 10 game balls enter the large winning hole 55. Therefore, in the small win game, it is more difficult for game balls to enter the large winning hole 55 than in the large win game.

The first starting hole 57 is located at the center lower part 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) corresponding to the first starting hole 57 is awarded. In at least some of the 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 bid has been made at the second starting hole 59, a pattern change related to special chart 2 is made.
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 prize has been won at gate 63. In at least some cases where a prize has been won at gate 63, the pattern on the regular symbol changes.

The general winning opening 67 is composed of a left general winning opening 67a and a right general winning opening 67b, with the left general winning opening 67a located at the bottom left of the play area 50a and the right general winning opening 67b located at the bottom right of the play area 50a. A general winning opening sensor 73 is attached to each general winning opening 67, and the result of detection by the general winning opening sensor 73 determines whether a ball has been won at the general winning opening 67, and the number of prize balls associated with the general winning opening 67 (4 in this embodiment) is awarded. In addition, due to the arrangement, winning at the left general winning opening 67a is likely to occur during normal low probability (except during a jackpot game) described below, and winning at the right general winning opening 67b is likely to occur during a jackpot game and normal high probability, and these winnings can also turn on the game stop flag described below.

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 fall into the outlet 69.
In addition, in this embodiment, an out ball sensor 75 (not shown) is provided for detecting out balls, which are game balls that have entered the winning hole and the out hole 69.
In the following explanation, the total number of game balls detected by the out ball sensor 75 is referred to as "out balls," and the total number of prize balls awarded by the game balls entering the winning slots described above is referred to as "safe balls," and these numbers of balls are used to derive the difference in the number of balls described later. In particular, the safe balls do not need to have been actually paid out, and are updated when game balls enter the winning slots.

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.

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.

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 described later. Specifically, among the information stored in the RAM 103, various information is backed up so that when power is restored (when 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 held at the time of the power outage, information related to the game, such as the state of the gaming machine 10 at that time (a game stop state or a playable state), the current normal drawing state, etc., are backed up. Note that this information is cleared (initialized) by the RAM clear process. Therefore, after the RAM is cleared, a special pattern variation pattern derivation state PA (low probability of normal drawing described later) is newly set. Furthermore, when the RAM clear 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 clear 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 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 that 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 that generates backup power, and a power interruption detection circuit (all not shown) that detects power interruption (a specified voltage drop in the supply voltage from 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 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 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 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 may be provided on the dispensing control board 400, and the power interruption detection circuit 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 to 12 will be referred to as necessary.

As shown in FIG. 7, the main control board 100 includes 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 device 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, a power interruption process execution means 180, and a complete function control means 190. 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, FIGS. 8 to 12 are diagrams that typically show lottery tables 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 selection means 132 determines the special chart stopping pattern by lottery using a random number for special chart stopping pattern selection (in this embodiment, in the range of 0 to 999) and a selection table for special chart stopping pattern selection.
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 end of the big win game, and the specified number of times related to the normal high probability is 80. On the other hand, 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 end of the big win game, 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.

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-mentioned embodiment, the jackpot game generated by the pattern change related to special chart 2 tends to be more advantageous than the jackpot game generated by the pattern change related to special chart 1. Therefore, the transition from the special chart change pattern derivation state PA to another special chart change pattern derivation state described later can further increase the interest in the game.

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 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 of the pattern change is miss, a change pattern with a change time of 1000 ms is determined, and if the result of the special pattern hit/miss judgment of the pattern change is other than miss, a change pattern with a change time of 2000 ms is determined.

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 differs. 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 long pattern change 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.

FIG. 10(a) is a schematic diagram showing a special chart change pattern lottery table used for the pattern change related to special chart 2 in the special chart change pattern derivation state PB, and the range of random numbers used in the lottery is 0 to 999.
As shown in FIG. 10(a), in the pattern change related to special chart 2 in the special chart change pattern derivation state PB, special chart change patterns HNP to ASP-F can be determined.
Specifically, when the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in the pattern change related to the special chart 2 in the special chart change pattern derivation state PB is a miss, the special chart change pattern HNP is determined with a probability of 960/1000 (about 1/1.04), the special chart change pattern HSP-D is determined with a probability of 20/1000 (1/50), the special chart change pattern HSP-E is determined with a probability of 15/1000 (about 1/66.7), and the special chart change pattern HSP-F is determined with a probability of 5/1000 (1/200). In this case, the special chart change pattern ASP-D to the special chart change pattern ASP-F are not determined. Note that, although details will be described later using FIG. 10(b), when the special chart change pattern HNP is determined, the special chart change pattern is further specified using the value of the special chart 2 reserved counter at the start of the current pattern change. The method of determining the special chart variation pattern using this special chart 2 pending counter is also the same in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PB described later.
On the other hand, if the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in the pattern change related to special chart 2 during the special chart change pattern derivation state PB is a big hit or a small hit, special chart change pattern ASP-D is determined with a probability of 500/1000 (1/2), special chart change pattern ASP-E with a probability of 350/1000 (approximately 1/2.86), and special chart change pattern ASP-F with a probability of 150/1000 (approximately 1/6.67), and in such case, special chart change pattern HNP to special chart change pattern HSP-F are not determined.
In this way, in this embodiment, when the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in the pattern fluctuation related to the special chart 2 in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PB is a miss, any one of the special chart fluctuation patterns HSP-D to HSP-F is determined at a rate of 40/1000 (1/25), and the special chart fluctuation pattern HNP is determined at a rate of 960/1000 (approximately 1/1.04). Furthermore, when the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PB is a big hit or a small hit, any one of the special chart fluctuation patterns ASP-D to ASP-F is determined at a rate of 1000/1000 (1/1).

Figure 10 (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 2 during the special chart variation pattern derivation state PB, 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 10 (a)) is 0 to 999.
As shown in Figure 10 (b), the special chart variation patterns HNP that can be determined in the pattern variation related to special chart 2 in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PB include special chart variation pattern HNP-E with a variation time of 3000 ms and special chart variation pattern HNP-F with a variation time of 15000 ms.
Specifically, when the special pattern 2 reserved counter is 3 at the start of the current pattern change, when the special pattern 2 reserved counter is 2 at the start of the current pattern change, and when the special pattern 2 reserved counter is 1 at the start of the current pattern change, the special pattern change pattern HNP-E is determined with a probability of 1000/1000 (1/1), and in these cases, the special pattern change pattern HNP-F is not determined. On the other hand, when the special pattern 2 reserved counter is 0 at the start of the current pattern change, the special pattern change pattern HNP-F is determined with a probability of 1000/1000 (1/1), and in these cases, the special pattern change pattern HNP-E is not determined.
In addition, special chart variation pattern HNP-E and special chart variation pattern HNP-F are different from either the special chart variation pattern that can be determined when special chart variation pattern HNP is determined in the pattern variation related to special chart 1 in the above-mentioned special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, or the special chart variation pattern that can be determined when special chart variation pattern HNP is determined in the pattern variation related to the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC described below.

FIG. 11(a) is a schematic diagram showing a special chart change pattern lottery table used for the pattern change related to special chart 2 when the special chart change pattern derivation state PC is in, and the range of random numbers used in the lottery is 0 to 999.
As shown in FIG. 11(a), in the pattern change related to special chart 2 in the special chart change pattern derivation state PC, special chart change pattern HNP to special chart change pattern ASP-I can be determined.
Specifically, if the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in the pattern change related to special chart 2 during the special chart change pattern derivation state PC is a miss, special chart change pattern HNP is determined with a probability of 950/1000 (approximately 1/1.05), special chart change pattern HSP-G with a probability of 25/1000 (1/40), special chart change pattern HSP-H with a probability of 15/1000 (approximately 1/66.7), and special chart change pattern HSP-I with a probability of 10/1000 (1/100), and in this case, special chart change pattern ASP-G to special chart change pattern ASP-I are not determined.
On the other hand, if the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in the pattern change related to special chart 2 during the special chart change pattern derivation state PC is a big hit or a small hit, regardless of the number of rotations in the special chart change pattern derivation state PC, special chart change pattern ASP-G is determined with a probability of 500/1000 (1/2), special chart change pattern ASP-H is determined with a probability of 350/1000 (approximately 1/2.86), and special chart change pattern ASP-I is determined with a probability of 150/1000 (approximately 1/6.67), and in such case, special chart change pattern HNP to special chart change pattern HSP-I are not determined.

Figure 11 (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 2 during the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC, 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 11 (a)) is 0 to 999.
As shown in Figure 11 (b), the special chart variation patterns HNP that can be determined in the pattern variation related to special chart 2 when the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC is in include special chart variation pattern HNP-G with a variation time of 2000 ms and special chart variation pattern HNP-H with a variation time of 10000 ms.
Specifically, when the special pattern 2 reserved counter is 3 at the start of the current pattern change, when the special pattern 2 reserved counter is 2 at the start of the current pattern change, and when the special pattern 2 reserved counter is 1 at the start of the current pattern change, the special pattern change pattern HNP-G is determined with a probability of 1000/1000 (1/1), and in these cases, the special pattern change pattern HNP-H is not determined. On the other hand, when the special pattern 2 reserved counter is 0 at the start of the current pattern change, the special pattern change pattern HNP-H is determined with a probability of 1000/1000 (1/1), and in these cases, the special pattern change pattern HNP-G is not determined.
In addition, special chart variation pattern HNP-G and special chart variation pattern HNP-H are different from both the special chart variation pattern that can be determined when special chart variation pattern HNP is determined in the pattern variation related to special chart 1 in the above-mentioned special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, and the special chart variation pattern that can be determined when special chart variation pattern HNP is determined in the pattern variation related to special chart 2 in the above-mentioned special chart variation pattern derivation state PB.

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).

The jackpot game control means 140 controls the progress of the jackpot game. Specifically, it manages the jackpot start demo period that is set at the start of the jackpot game and ends after a certain time has elapsed, and the jackpot end demo period that is set just before the end of the jackpot game and ends after a certain time has elapsed, and manages the progress of the round period during which the above-mentioned round game is executed during these periods. In particular, the jackpot game control means 140 generates a performance control command including the number of rounds of the jackpot game and the subsequent special chart variation pattern derivation state at the start of the jackpot game (start of the jackpot start demo period), and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160. Furthermore, the jackpot game control means 140 also generates a performance control command including the corresponding performance control command at the start of the round period, the end of the round period (start of the jackpot end demo period), and the end of the jackpot game (end of the jackpot end demo period), and stores the corresponding performance control command in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160. As a result, in this embodiment, the first sub-control board 200 is able to grasp the progress of the jackpot game.

In addition, the jackpot game control means 140 starts a small jackpot game when the result of the special win/loss determination is a small jackpot, and if the game ball passes through the V winning area (not shown) provided in the large winning port 55 during the small jackpot game, it makes it possible to start a jackpot game corresponding to the small jackpot after the small jackpot game ends. Therefore, in this embodiment, the small jackpot game functions as a trigger for 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.

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 determined 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 12(a) and 12(b). Note that Figure 12(a) is a state transition diagram showing the transition of the special drawing variation pattern derivation state, and Figure 12(b) is a diagram showing the relationship of the average variation time for each special drawing variation pattern derivation state.
As shown in Fig. 12(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 big win game occurs in the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PC, the state transitions to the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PC again after the big win game ends, and the number of pattern variations related to the special pattern 2 that can be executed up to the specified number of times related to the high probability of the normal pattern in the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PC is reset. Also, although not shown, if a big win game does not occur in a small win game that occurs in the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PC, and if a big win game does not occur in a small win game related to the transition condition (iii), the current special pattern variation pattern derivation state ends and transitions to the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PA at the opportunity of the end of the small win game.

As shown in FIG. 12(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 between the regular chart lottery state and 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 judges whether or not the gaming machine 10 is in an error state. If it is judged that the gaming machine 10 is in an error state, a performance control command (error command) including information capable of identifying the error state is stored in a transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.
In this embodiment, error states determined by the main error control means 165 include, for example, a main board error based on the occurrence of the update abnormality described above, a magnetic error based on magnetic detection by a magnetic detection sensor, a radio wave error based on radio wave detection by a radio wave detection sensor, a right-hit error based on detection of a game ball by the gate sensor 74 or the second starting port sensor 71, a door open error based on detection of the opening of the middle frame 17 by the middle frame opening sensor 76 or detection of the opening of the front frame 20 by the front frame opening sensor 77, a full tank error based on detection of game balls by a full tank detection sensor, and a remaining prize ball error that occurs when there are remaining prize balls.
To summarize some of the occurrence conditions of these errors, the main board error is an error state indicating an update abnormality of the random number circuit 105 as described above, and occurs when the update abnormality occurs. Next, the magnetic error is an error state that occurs when the magnetic detection sensor detects magnetic fields continuously for 500 ms, and the radio wave error is an error state that occurs when the number of radio wave detections by the radio wave detection sensor (the cumulative number of detections since the last power-on) occurs a total of five times. In addition, the right-hit error is an error state that occurs when the gate sensor 74 detects a game ball three times (the number of detections is reset 1000 ms after the last detection) during normal times (in the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PA, the special pattern is low certainty and the normal pattern is low certainty) or when the second start port sensor 71 detects a game ball once during normal times, and the full tank error is an error state that occurs when the full tank detection sensor is ON, that is, when a game ball is detected by the full tank detection sensor.

In this embodiment, among these error states, the main board error, magnetic error, and radio wave error are treated as error states of relatively high importance (hereinafter, simply referred to as "error states of high importance"). Therefore, when such an error state of high importance occurs, the main error control means 165 executes a game progress restriction process to prevent the game from progressing, such as restricting the release of game balls by the payout control board 400, in addition to the process of turning on the security signal.
Here, the security signal is a type of signal output from an external terminal board (not shown) provided on the gaming machine 10 to a device outside the gaming machine (a data display device or a hall computer). Including the following explanation, turning the security signal ON refers to starting the output of the security signal, and turning the security signal OFF refers to ending the output of the security signal. In addition, in the process of turning the security signal OFF in this embodiment, the elapsed time since the security signal was turned ON is not taken into consideration, but the elapsed time may be taken into consideration, that is, the security signal may not be turned OFF before a certain time has elapsed since the security signal was turned ON. In this embodiment, when a magnetic error and a radio wave error occur, the process of turning the security signal ON is executed, but the payout control board 400 may not execute the above-mentioned game progress regulation process.
In addition, when an error state of high importance occurs, the first sub-control board 200 or the second sub-control board 300 executes a notification display that can identify which error state has occurred.
Furthermore, these error states of high importance can only be released (the error state can be terminated) by cutting off and restoring power, and the security signal related to the error state is turned OFF when the power is cut off (it remains ON until the power is cut off).
The error state with a high degree of importance described above is merely an example, and other error states may be provided as the error state.

On the other hand, for error states of relatively low importance (hereinafter simply referred to as "error states of low importance") such as a right-hit error, a door-open error, a full tank error, and a remaining prize ball error, the release of game balls is not restricted, and the game is allowed to proceed. When these error states occur, the first sub-control board 200 and the second sub-control board 300 execute a notification effect that can identify which error state has occurred.
Also, a right-hit error ends when the execution of the notification effect related to the error state ends, a door open error ends when the middle frame open door sensor 76 detects the middle frame 17 in a closed state or the front frame open door sensor 77 detects the front frame 20 in a closed state, a remaining prize ball error ends when there are no more prize balls, and a full tank error ends when the full tank detection sensor no longer detects game balls. When the termination conditions for these error states are met, a performance control command (return command) indicating that the termination conditions have been met is stored in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.
In addition, the above-mentioned error state of low importance is one example, and other error states may be provided as the error state, such as an abnormal winning error that occurs when a game ball is detected by the large winning opening sensor 72 after a predetermined time has elapsed since the large winning opening 55 is closed during a big win game, and when such an error state is provided, a notification effect related to the error state is executed. Note that the abnormal winning error may be terminated when the execution of the notification effect related to the error state is completed, similar to the above-mentioned right hit error.

In this embodiment, notifications that can identify the occurrence of an error state of high importance are executed in priority over notifications that can identify the occurrence of an error state of low importance as described above, and notifications that can identify an error state of low importance are executed in priority over other effects (including advance notifications described below) executed during the pattern change, including effects described below. However, stop advance notifications and game stop notifications described below are executed in priority over error states of low importance.

In this embodiment, during the period when the game is stopped by the complete function (period when the game is stopped), some of the above-mentioned error states cannot be detected. Specifically, the main board error, magnetic error, radio wave error, and right-hit error cannot be detected during the game stop state.
On the other hand, the door open error, full tank error, and remaining prize ball error are detectable by various sensors that are in operation even when the game is stopped, and can be detected even during the period when the game is stopped by the complete function (period when the game is stopped). The "specific error state" according to the present invention is preferably any of these error states that are detectable in the game stopped state, and the error state that corresponds to the "specific error state" may be one or more.

Therefore, there are error states that can be detected while a game stop is being executed (game stop state) and error states that cannot be detected while a game stop is being executed, and it can be said that a specific error state is an error state that can be detected while a game stop is being executed.

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 state in which the game cannot progress because processing is not performed in response to the detection results of the sensors installed at each winning port (the detection results of the sensors themselves do not need to be looked at), and in this state, the release of game balls itself is also prohibited.
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.
In addition, when the game becomes playable after power is restored, the recovery state setting means 176 generates a presentation control command (power restoration command) indicating that power has been restored normally, and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.

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 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).

The complete function control means 190 derives the difference in the number of balls using the above-mentioned out balls and safe balls, and sets a game stop state based on the derived difference in the number of balls being equal to or greater than a first threshold value (100,000 in this embodiment) (hereinafter, this function is referred to as the "complete function"). The process executed by the complete function control means 190 will be described in detail later.

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 broadly divided into normal mode, challenge mode, and RUSH mode, with the normal mode corresponding to the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, the challenge mode corresponding to the special chart variation pattern derivation state PB, and the RUSH mode corresponding to the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC.

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 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 (confirmed 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, one of the pattern alignments related to the decorative patterns other than the 7 pattern is determined for the pattern A and the pattern B, and the pattern alignment related to the 7 pattern is determined for the pattern C. Therefore, in this embodiment, even if the pattern alignment related to the decorative patterns other than the 7 pattern is stopped and displayed, the subsequent performance mode, that is, the performance mode set at the opportunity of the end of the big win game related to the pattern alignment, cannot be accurately determined from the pattern alignment that is stopped and displayed. On the other hand, when the pattern alignment related to the 7 pattern is stopped and displayed, the player can determine that the RUSH mode will be set afterwards.
In addition, in the pattern variation related to the special chart 2, any of the pattern combinations related to the decorative patterns except for the 7 pattern is determined for the patterns a and c, and any of the pattern combinations related to the decorative patterns including the 7 pattern is determined for the patterns b and d. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the pattern combinations related to the decorative patterns except for the 7 pattern are stopped and displayed, it is not possible to accurately determine the number of rounds of the jackpot game related to the pattern combination. On the other hand, when the pattern combinations related to the 7 pattern are stopped and displayed, the player can determine that the number of rounds of the jackpot game related to the pattern combination is 10.

When the jackpot start command is received, the jackpot effect control means 227 determines the content of the effects during the jackpot game based on the information included in the command, etc. The effects during the jackpot game include a jackpot start effect that can specify that the jackpot start demo period is in progress, a round effect that can specify that the round period is in progress, and a jackpot end effect that can specify that the jackpot end demo period is in progress.
In addition to these effects, the jackpot effect control means 227 also executes advance notifications, game stop notifications, and stop advance notifications as notifications related to the above-mentioned complete function, and details of these notifications will be described later.

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 playable state has been achieved with the execution of the RAM clear process when the return state at the time of power recovery is a playable state accompanied by the execution of the RAM clear process, and reads presentation data for informing the player that the playable state has been achieved 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 where the return state at the time of power recovery is a play-stop state, the normal presentation control means 220 reads presentation data for informing the player that the play-stop state has been achieved 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 according to the error state identified by the error command, and reads out performance data for executing the error notification.
The error notification pattern determined at this time has a different notification manner defined for each error state, and it is possible to recognize which error state exists based on the notification manner of the error.

In addition, the sub-error control means 230 also determines an error notification pattern when a power restoration command is sent, and reads out performance data for executing the error notification.
The power restoration command is data that can identify whether power restoration has been performed with or without the execution of RAM clear processing, and the sub-error control means 230 determines an error notification pattern according to the received power restoration command. Therefore, it is possible to recognize whether or not RAM clear processing has been performed at the time of power restoration based on the notification mode of the error notification executed after power restoration.

The error notifications executed by the sub-error control means 230 are prioritized, and when multiple error notifications are issued at the same time, it is determined in advance which error notification is to be given priority.
In this embodiment, when error notifications are classified into (a) error notifications executed after power is restored, (b) error notifications related to main board errors, magnetic errors, and radio wave errors, (c) error notifications related to door open errors, full tank errors, and remaining ball errors, and (d) error notifications related to right-hand hit errors, the error notifications are prioritized in the following order: (a) > (b) > (c) > (d).
Here, priority given to error notifications means that when error notifications are executed by the same device, only the error notification with a high priority is executed (an error notification with a low priority is not executed), as well as the execution of both in a redundant manner using a notification mode that makes the error notification with a high priority easier to recognize (and the error notification with a low priority more difficult to recognize).

Therefore, it can be said that the notification control means (first sub-control board 200, second sub-control board 300) executes a specific error notification based on the detection of a specific error state (remaining prize ball error).

The sub-error control means 230 may independently (independently of the main error control means 165) determine whether the gaming machine 10 is in an error state, and may read out presentation data that executes an error notification if it is determined that the gaming machine 10 is in an error state.

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 described above, the gaming machine 10 according to this embodiment has a completion function that uses out balls and safe balls to derive the difference in the number of balls, and stops the game when the derived difference in the number of balls becomes equal to or greater than a first threshold. This contributes to reducing the gambling nature of the game, but since this function has not existed in the past, various problems arise in connection with the functions of existing gaming machines.
In contrast to this, the present invention has a function for solving some of the problems that arise when a complete function is installed in an existing gaming machine, and the details of this function will be described below.

<Processing related to the complete function>
First, using Figures 13 and 14, we will explain in detail the game stop flag setting process related to the complete function and the game stop process related to the complete function, which are processes executed by the complete function control means 190 to realize the complete function.
Figure 13 shows a flow of the game stop flag setting process related to the complete function. This process is executed in the timer interrupt processing of the main control unit, and is executed when the game stop flag described later is OFF, but is not executed when the game stop flag is ON.
Figure 14 shows a flow of the game stop processing related to the complete function. This processing is executed regardless of the state of the game stop flag. When the game stop flag setting processing related to the complete function is executed, this processing is executed continuously in the timer interrupt processing of the main control unit.

As shown in FIG. 13, in step S102, which is the first step of the game stop flag setting process related to the complete function, out balls and safe balls are obtained.
As mentioned above, the out balls refer to the total number of game balls detected by the out ball sensor 75, and the out balls are set to their initial value (0 in this embodiment) when power is restored after a power outage, regardless of whether the RAM clear process is performed or not.
On the other hand, the safe balls refer to the total number of prize balls awarded by the entry of game balls into the above-mentioned winning slots, and the safe balls are set to an initial value (5,000 in this embodiment) when power is restored after a power outage, regardless of whether the RAM clear process is performed or not.

In step S104, the difference in number of balls is calculated using the acquired out balls and safe balls.
Specifically, in this process, the difference in the number of balls is derived by subtracting the number of out balls from the number of safe balls, and if this derived result is negative, the difference in the number of balls becomes zero.
In addition, the method of deriving the difference in the number of balls is not limited to the derivation method described in this embodiment, and any derivation method may be adopted as long as the derivation result is consistent.

In step S106, it is determined whether the difference in the number of balls is 100,000 or more (whether the difference in the number of balls has reached 100,000), and if this condition is met, the process proceeds to step S108, and if this condition is not met, the process proceeds to step S110.

In step S108, the game stop flag is set to ON.
In this embodiment, once the game stop flag is set to ON, it is cleared (set to OFF) only by powering on the device along with the execution of a RAM clearing process, and is not cleared by powering on the device without the execution of a RAM clearing process.

In step S110, preparations are made for sending a command related to the complete function, and then the game stop flag setting process related to the complete function is terminated.
Specifically, in this process, a complete function-related command is stored in a transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160, and the execution of this process causes the complete function-related command to be transmitted to the first sub-control board 200. In this embodiment, the complete function-related command includes information that can specify the number of out balls, safe balls, difference in number of balls, and the state of the game stop flag.

Next, as shown in FIG. 14, in step S202, which is the first step in the game stop processing related to the complete function, it is determined whether or not the game stop flag is ON. If the condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S204, and if the condition is not satisfied, the game stop processing related to the complete function is terminated.
In step S204, it is determined whether or not a big win or a small win is being played. If the condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S206. If the condition is satisfied, the game stop process related to the complete function is terminated.
In step S206, a game stop state is set.
In step S208, the security signal is set to ON, and then the game stop process related to the complete function is terminated. This allows the device outside the gaming machine to determine that the game stop flag has been set to ON, that is, that the complete function has been activated.

In this way, in this embodiment, when the difference in the number of balls derived using the out balls and safe balls becomes equal to or exceeds the first threshold value (100,000 balls), a game stop state is set immediately except during a big win game or a small win game. On the other hand, if the case is during a big win game or a small win game, the game stop state is set at the time when the winning game ends.

<Notifications related to the complete function>
As described above, in this embodiment, the notification related to the complete function is configured to be capable of executing advance notification, game stop notification, and stop advance notification, and the details of these notifications will be explained using Figures 15 to 21.
FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an outline of a process for executing a notification related to the complete function.
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the flow of executing notifications related to the complete function when the game stop flag is turned ON during a jackpot game.
FIG. 17 shows a flow of the advance notification execution process, which is executed when a complete function related command is received.
18(a) to 18(f) are diagrams showing the notification manner of advance notification.
FIG. 19 shows a flow of an advance notification end process, which is executed when a complete function related command is received during the execution of an advance notification.
FIG. 20 shows a flow of the stop advance notification start process, which is executed when a complete function related command is received during a jackpot game.
FIG. 21 shows a flow of a game stop notification start process, and this process is executed when a complete function-related command in a playable state is received.

As shown in FIG. 15, advance notification and game stop notification are executed using the main display unit 81.
More specifically, the advance notification is realized by displaying an advance notification image jg in the display area related to the main display unit 81, and although the details of the initiation conditions and notification manner will be described later, it is initiated prior to the execution of the game stop notification (flow from the scene at the left end of the top row of Figure 15 to the scene in the middle of the top row).
The game stop notification is realized by displaying a game stop image tg containing the text "Thank you for your hard work. Today's game is over" in the display area related to the main display unit 81, and the notification is initiated when the game stop flag is turned ON (flow from the scene at the right end of the upper row of Figure 15 to the scene at the left end of the lower row).

In addition, in this embodiment, as shown in the flow from the scene in the middle of the top row to the scene at the right end of the top row in Fig. 15, in some cases when the advance notification image jg is displayed, the advance notification image jg starts after the display of an introductory notification image (introductory notification) containing the text "Play will end soon". Details of the execution conditions of the introductory notification will be described later with reference to Fig. 17.

Next, as shown in Figure 16, if the game stop flag is turned ON during a jackpot game, a stop advance notification can be executed using the main display unit 81 prior to setting the game stop state after the jackpot game ends by turning ON the game stop flag.
More specifically, the stop advance notice is realized by displaying a stop advance notice image yg including the text "Today's game will end after this big win game ends" (flow from the leftmost scene to the center scene in FIG. 16). At this time, the advance notice is being executed continuously.
Although not shown in the figures, in this embodiment, if the game stop flag is turned ON during a small hit game, the stop warning notification will not be initiated at that timing, but will be initiated when the big hit game that occurs during the small hit game starts, i.e., when the small hit game ends.
Furthermore, when a stop warning notification is executed, unlike when an advance notification is executed, a notification equivalent to an introductory notification for the advance notification is not executed before the start of the stop warning notification.

When the big win game ends, the stop notification that was being executed ends and switches to a game stop notification (flow from the center scene to the rightmost scene in Figure 16). At this time, the advance notification also ends in conjunction with the end of the stop notification.

Next, details of the advance warning execution process for controlling the execution of the advance warning will be described.
As shown in FIG. 17, in step S302, which is the first step of the advance notification execution process, it is determined whether or not the game stop flag is ON. If the condition is satisfied, the advance notification execution process is terminated, and if the condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S304.
In step S304, it is determined whether or not advance notification is being executed. If the condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S314, and if the condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S306.
In step S306, it is determined whether the difference in the number of balls is 95,000 or more. If this condition is met, the process proceeds to step S308. If this condition is not met, the advance notification execution process is terminated.
In step S308, it is determined whether or not a big win game is currently being played, and if the condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S310, and if the condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S312. Here, the case where the condition is not satisfied refers to the case where the current game state is a game state in which the pattern change can be executed (special pattern change pattern derivation state PA, special pattern change pattern derivation state PB, or special pattern change pattern derivation state PC), as well as the case where the current game is a small win game.
In step S310, advance notification is started together with the introductory notification, and then the advance notification execution process ends.

In step S312, the start of advance notification is put on hold, and then the advance notification execution process is terminated.
As a result, in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, even if the difference in the number of balls becomes 95,000 or more, advance notification is not started at that point and the state remains on standby.
In this embodiment, the start of the advance notification is awaited, which means that if the difference in the number of balls becomes 95,000 or more during the execution of the pattern change, the advance notification will not start until the end of the pattern change, but will start at the end of the pattern change, and if the difference in the number of balls becomes 95,000 or more during a small win game, the advance notification will not start until the end of the small win game, but will start at the end of the small win game. However, if the time is neither during the execution of the pattern change nor during a small win game, the advance notification will start at that time without waiting for the start of the advance notification.
Furthermore, when advance notification is started based on the execution of step S312, the introduction notification is not executed.

In step S314, the notification mode for the advance notification being executed is updated to one corresponding to the difference in the number of balls, and then the advance notification execution process is terminated.
As a result, when it is necessary to update the notification mode relating to the advance notification, the display mode of the advance notification image jg corresponding to the advance notification is changed to one of the display modes shown in Figures 18(a) to 18(f).

Specifically, when the difference in the number of balls is 95,000 to 95,999, that is, when the increment in the difference in the number of balls required for the difference in the number of balls to reach the first threshold (100,000) is 4,001 to 5,000, the advance notification image jg will be displayed in a manner in which the areas corresponding to 0 to 1,000, the area corresponding to 1,000 to 2,000, the area corresponding to 2,000 to 3,000, the area corresponding to 3,000 to 4,000, and the area corresponding to 4,000 to 5,000 are all hatched, as shown in Figure 18 (a).
When the difference in the number of balls is 96,000 to 96,999, that is, when the increment in the difference in the number of balls required for the difference in the number of balls to reach the threshold is 3,001 to 4,000, the advance warning image jg will be displayed in a manner such that the areas corresponding to 0 to 1,000, the area corresponding to 1,000 to 2,000, the area corresponding to 2,000 to 3,000, and the area corresponding to 3,000 to 4,000 are hatched (colored), as shown in Figure 18 (b), and the area corresponding to 4,000 to 5,000 is not hatched.
When the difference in the number of balls is 97,000 to 97,999, that is, when the increment in the difference in the number of balls required for the difference in the number of balls to reach the first threshold is 2,001 to 3,000, the advance warning image jg will be displayed in a manner such that the areas corresponding to 0 to 1,000, the areas corresponding to 1,000 to 2,000, and the areas corresponding to 2,000 to 3,000 are hatched (colored), and the areas corresponding to 3,000 to 4,000 and the areas corresponding to 4,000 to 5,000 are not hatched, as shown in Figure 18 (c).
When the difference in the number of balls is 98,000 to 98,999, that is, when the increment in the difference in the number of balls required for the difference in the number of balls to reach the first threshold is 1,001 to 2,000, the advance warning image jg will be displayed in a manner such that the areas corresponding to 0 to 1,000 and the areas corresponding to 1,000 to 2,000 are hatched (colored), and the areas corresponding to 2,000 to 3,000, 3,000 to 4,000, and 4,000 to 5,000 are not hatched, as shown in Figure 18 (d).
When the difference in the number of balls is 99,000 to 99,999, that is, when the increment in the difference in the number of balls required for the difference in the number of balls to reach the first threshold is 1 to 2,000, the advance warning image jg will be displayed in a manner such that the area corresponding to 0 to 1,000 is hatched (colored), and the areas corresponding to 1,000 to 2,000, 2,000 to 3,000, 3,000 to 4,000, and 4,000 to 5,000 are not hatched, as shown in Figure 18 (e).
When the game stop flag is ON, that is, when the difference in the number of balls is 100,000 or more, the advance notification image jg is displayed in a manner such that no hatching is performed in any of the areas corresponding to 0 to 1000, the areas corresponding to 1000 to 2000, the areas corresponding to 2000 to 3000, the areas corresponding to 3000 to 4000, and the areas corresponding to 4000 to 5000, as shown in Fig. 18(f). However, in this embodiment, the advance notification image jg in this display manner can be displayed during the execution of the stop advance notification (the period from when the game stop flag is turned ON during a jackpot game until the jackpot game ends).

In this way, in this embodiment, the advance notification is configured to make it possible to identify the remaining difference in the number of balls until the game stop flag is turned ON (until the difference in the number of balls becomes 100,000 or more) in increments of a specific number (1,000 in this embodiment).
Furthermore, as described below, in this embodiment, even if the difference in the number of balls falls below 95,000, the advance notification will continue until the difference in the number of balls falls below 90,000, and in this case the advance notification image jg will be displayed in the manner shown in Figure 18 (a).

In this embodiment, the change in the notification mode of the above-mentioned advance notification (particularly, the change to a notification mode in which the increment in the difference in the number of balls required to reach the first threshold is smaller) is triggered by the entry of a game ball into the winning slot (at the time when the game ball enters the winning slot).
This allows the player to recognize changes in the pre-notification mode in real time, except for the start of the pre-notification, even if the player is not currently playing a jackpot game.

Therefore, it can be said that the notification control means (first sub-control board 200, second sub-control board 300) executes an advance notification when the difference in the number of balls becomes equal to or greater than a second threshold value (95,000 balls) that is smaller than the first threshold value.

Next, the advance notification end process for controlling the end of the advance notification will be described in detail.
As shown in FIG. 19, in step S402, which is the first step of the advance notification end processing, it is determined whether the game stop flag is ON or not, and if the condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S404, and if the condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S408.
In step S404, it is determined whether or not a jackpot game has been played. If the condition is met, the advance notification end process is terminated, and if the condition is not met, the process proceeds to step S406.
In step S406, the advance notification is ended, and then the advance notification ending process is ended.

In step S408, it is determined whether the difference in the number of balls is below 90,000. If the condition is met, the process proceeds to step S410. If the condition is not met, the advance notification end process is terminated.
In step S410, it is determined whether or not the current state is the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA. If the condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S412. If the condition is not satisfied, the advance notification end process is terminated.
In step S412, the advance notification is ended, and then the advance notification ending process is ended.

In this way, in this embodiment, if the game stop flag is ON during a jackpot game, the advance notification ends when the jackpot game ends, and if the game stop flag is ON during any other time than during a jackpot game, the advance notification ends at that time (flow from step S402 to step S406).

Also, as shown in the flow from step S408 to step S412, the advance notification may end if the difference in the number of balls falls below 90,000.
Specifically, in this embodiment, when the difference in the number of balls falls below 90,000 and the current state is the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, the advance notification ends. On the other hand, when the current state is a game state other than the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA (special chart variation pattern derivation state PB, special chart variation pattern derivation state PC, big win game, or small win game), the advance notification does not end even if the difference in the number of balls falls below 90,000 (in this case, the advance notification ends when the difference in the number of balls falls below 90,000 and the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA is entered).

Next, details of the stop advance notification start process for controlling the start of the stop advance notification will be described.
As shown in FIG. 20, in step S502, which is the first step of the stop notification start process, it is determined whether the game stop flag is ON, and if the condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S504, and if the condition is not satisfied, the stop notification start process is terminated.

In step S504, it is determined whether or not a jackpot game is being played. If the condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S506. If the condition is not satisfied, the process ends the stop advance notification start process.
Here, the middle period refers to the middle period when the jackpot game is divided into an early period, a middle period, and an end period.
In particular, in this embodiment, in a jackpot game with ten rounds, the early stage period is from the start of the jackpot game to the end of the second round game, the middle stage period is from the end of the second round game to the end of the eighth round game, and the end stage period is from the end of the eighth round game to the end of the jackpot game. Furthermore, in a jackpot game with four rounds, the early stage period is from the start of the jackpot game to the end of the first round game, the middle stage period is from the end of the first round game to the end of the third round game, and the end stage period is from the end of the third round game to the end of the jackpot game.
In addition, as long as the early stage period, middle stage period, and late stage period are divided in a predetermined manner, the manner of division does not matter, and at least one of these periods does not have to include a round of play.

In step S506, the stop warning notification is started, and then the stop warning notification start process is terminated.

In this way, in this embodiment, the stop advance notification is initiated when the game stop flag is turned ON in the middle period of the jackpot game, or when the game stop flag is turned ON in the early period of the jackpot game and the early period ends and the middle period begins. Therefore, in this embodiment, the execution period of the stop advance notification and the execution period of the advance notification may overlap.

In addition, if the game stop flag is turned ON during the final period of a jackpot game, the stop advance notification will not be executed, and the game stop notification will start afterwards, as described below.
This makes it easier for the player to recognize the game stop notification that will be initiated thereafter.

In addition, in this embodiment, if the start condition for the stop advance notification is satisfied, the stop advance notification is started regardless of whether or not the advance notification has been executed.
In addition, the stop advance notification ends in accordance with the end of the big win game. Therefore, in this embodiment, the execution period of the stop advance notification and the execution period of the game stop notification are configured not to overlap.

Next, the game stop notification start process for controlling the start of the game stop notification will be described in detail.
As shown in FIG. 21, in step S602, which is the first step of the game stop notification start process, it is determined whether the game stop flag is ON or not, and if the condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S604, and if the condition is not satisfied, the game stop notification start process is terminated.
In step S604, it is determined whether or not a jackpot game is being played. If the condition is satisfied, the game stop notification start process is terminated, and if the condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S606.
In step S606, a game stop notification is started, and then the game stop notification start process is terminated.

In this way, in this embodiment, the game stop notification is initiated when the game stop flag is ON, except during a jackpot game. In particular, if the game stop flag is ON during a jackpot game, the game stop notification is initiated based on the end of the jackpot game.

Therefore, the notification control means (first sub-control board 200, second sub-control board 300) executes a stop advance notification after the end of a jackpot game based on the difference in the number of balls during the jackpot game becoming equal to or greater than the first threshold value (100,000 balls), and executes a game stop notification based on the game being stopped.

As described above, in this embodiment, advance notifications, introduction notifications, stop advance notifications, and game stop notifications are used to allow the player to recognize the status of the complete function (such as the status of the game stop flag or the approach of a game stop status related to the complete function) that was not previously available.

<Regarding irregular cases where notifications related to the complete function and specific error notifications overlap>
An irregular case in which notifications related to the complete function (advance notification, game stop notification, and stop advance notification) overlap with a specific error notification (notification related to a remaining prize ball error) will be explained using Figures 22 and 23.
FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a general flow in an irregular case in which a notification related to the complete function and a specific error notification overlap.
FIG. 23 is a time chart in the flow shown in FIG.
In the following description, the main display unit 81 and the speaker 33 are mentioned as notification means used to notify of errors related to remaining prize ball errors, but the frame lamp 35 may also be used as notification means in addition to or instead of the speaker 33.
Furthermore, regardless of whether it is the normal case shown in Figure 16 or the irregular case shown in Figure 22, it is desirable that the display positions of the advance notification image jg, stop warning image yg, game stop image tg, and error image eg shown in these images remain unchanged on the main display unit 81.

The scene on the top left of Figure 22 shows the notification mode at the start of a jackpot game (timing t1 shown in Figure 23).
At this point, the game stop flag is not ON and no remaining prize ball error has occurred, so an advance notification is executed (an advance notification image jg is displayed in the display area related to the main display unit 81), but an error notification is not executed.

The scene at the top right of Figure 22 shows the notification mode when a remaining prize ball error occurs in the middle period of a jackpot game (timing t2 shown in Figure 23).
At this point in time, as an error notification related to the remaining prize ball error, an error image eg containing the text "Not enough balls, please call an attendant" is displayed near the center of the display area of the main display unit 81, and an error sound corresponding to the remaining prize ball error is output from the speaker 33.
As shown in FIG. 22, the error image eg and advance warning image jg are displayed on the main display unit 81 in a non-overlapping arrangement, so that both can be seen.

Therefore, it can be said that the display related to the advance warning (advance warning image jg) is displayed in a position that does not overlap with the display related to the specific error warning (error image eg).

The scene on the bottom left of Figure 22 shows the notification mode when the game stop flag is turned ON after a remaining prize ball error occurs in the middle period of a jackpot game (timing t3 shown in Figure 23).
At this time, as the above-mentioned stop advance notice, a stop advance notice image yg is displayed near the center of the display area of the main display unit 81. Also, as an error notice related to the remaining prize ball error, the display of the error image eg and the audio output of the error sound continue. Therefore, the stop advance notice and the error notice related to the remaining prize ball error overlap.
At this time, as shown in Figure 22, the error image eg is displayed overlapping and in front of the stop warning image yg, making the stop warning image yg more difficult to see than when no error state occurs (the state shown in the center of Figure 16).
On the other hand, in this state, the advance notification image jg is displayed on the main display unit 81 in a position that does not overlap with both the error image eg and the stop warning image yg, and is not difficult to see.

Therefore, it can be said that in certain cases, during the period when the display related to a specific error notification overlaps with the display related to a stop warning notification (the period from timing t3 to timing t4 in Figure 23), the gaming machine 10 can display the display related to the advance notification (advance notification image jg) in a position that does not overlap with both the display related to the specific error notification (error image eg) and the display related to the stop warning notification (stop warning image yg).
Since the display related to the advance notification is displayed regardless of whether the game stop flag is ON or OFF, it has more chances of overlapping with a specific error state than the display related to the stop advance notification. Therefore, in order not to interfere with the visibility of the display related to the advance notification and the display related to the specific error notification, the display related to the advance notification and the display related to the specific error notification are displayed in the above-mentioned arrangement.

The scene at the bottom right of Figure 22 shows the notification mode when the game stops after the big win game has ended (timing t4 shown in Figure 23).
At this time, as the above-mentioned game stop notification, a game stop image tg is displayed near the center of the display area of the main display unit 81. Also, as described above, since the remaining prize ball error is an error state that can be detected even in the game stop state, the error image eg continues to be displayed and the error sound continues to be output as the error notification.
However, as shown in Fig. 22, the error image eg is displayed in front of and overlaps the game stop image tg, making the game stop image tg more difficult to see than when no error state occurs (as shown in the center of Fig. 16). However, the error image eg is displayed so as not to overlap the main part of the text of the game stop image tg, which is "Today's game is over".
On the other hand, since there is no audio output corresponding to a game stop notification, the audio output of the error sound related to the remaining prize ball error can be heard without any obstruction.
As described above, the advance notification and the stop advance notification in this embodiment are configured to end at the end of the jackpot game in which the notification is being made, so the advance notification and the stop advance notification are not executed at timing t4. Therefore, the period in which the advance notification and the stop advance notification are executed do not overlap with the period in which the game stop notification is executed.

Therefore, the game stop notification begins after the stop warning notification ends (timing t4 shown in Figure 23), and it can be said that the notification period of the stop warning notification (the period from timing t3 to timing t4 shown in Figure 23) and the notification period of the game stop notification (after timing t4 shown in Figure 23) do not overlap.
Since the notification contents are different between the advance notification period and the game stop notification period, it is possible to prevent the notification contents from becoming confused by not overlapping the respective periods.

In addition, from the standpoint of ensuring the effectiveness of preventing confusion regarding the content of the above notifications, it is desirable that the length of time from the end of the stop advance notification to the start of the game stop notification does not change, regardless of whether or not a remaining prize ball error occurs.
In other words, it is desirable that the length of time from the end of the stop warning notification in a specific case to the start of the game stop notification (the length of time from the end of the scene at the left end of the lower row of Figure 22 to the switch to the scene at the right end of the lower row) be the same as the length of time from the end of the stop warning notification in a non-specific case to the start of the game stop notification (the length of time from the end of the scene at the left end of the lower row of Figure 16 to the switch to the scene at the right end of the lower row).

In the scene at the bottom left of Figure 22, the error image eg partially covers the stop warning image yg (is displayed overlapping in front of a part of the stop warning image yg), but the error image eg may also cover the entire surface of the stop warning image yg.
In the scene at the bottom right of Figure 22, the error image eg is shown partially covering the game stop image tg (overlapping and displayed in front of a part of the game stop image tg), but the error image eg may also cover the entire surface of the game stop image tg.

As described above, the gaming machine 10 can be said to have a specific case (the above-mentioned irregular case) in which a specific error notification is executed across the notification period of the stop notice notification and the notification period of the game stop notification. In addition, the gaming machine 10 can be said to have a specific case in which a display related to the specific error notification (error image eg) is displayed in front of and overlapping both the display related to the stop notice notification (stop notice image yg) and the display related to the game stop notification (game stop image tg).
This makes it possible to ensure that the player is aware of specific error conditions even when a notification related to the complete function is being received.

In this embodiment, it has been explained that the error image eg is displayed so as not to overlap the main part of the text information of the game stop image tg, but the error image eg does not have to overlap all of the text information of the game stop image tg.
In other words, the display related to the game stop notification (game stop image tg) includes text information, and in certain cases, at least a part of the display area of the text information does not overlap the display related to a specific error notification (error image eg).
This allows the player to recognize that play has stopped while giving priority to the occurrence of a remaining prize ball error.

As explained above, even in irregular cases where notifications related to the complete function and specific error notifications overlap, measures have been taken to ensure that the content of each notification is properly conveyed to the player. This allows the gaming machine 10 to improve consistency between notifications related to the complete function and error notifications.

In addition, the display mode of the main display unit 81 shown in Figure 22 (in particular, the error image eg, advance notification image jg, stop warning image yg, and game stop image tg, and their respective arrangements and anteroposterior relationships) can be changed as appropriate within the scope of achieving the object of the present invention.
In the content shown in Fig. 22, the visibility (visual priority) of the error image eg, the stop notice image yg, and the game stop image tg can be said to be error image eg>game stop image tg=stop notice image yg. As described above, the remaining prize ball error is the third highest priority error notification (error notification classified as (C)).
Therefore, the game stop image tg related to the game stop notification and the stop warning image yg related to the stop warning notification can be treated as having a lower priority than the first and second highest error notifications (error notifications classified as (a) and (b)).

In this embodiment, the error notification that is executed after power is restored (the first error notification from the top) is designed to be executed when play becomes possible after power is restored, so it will not be executed in conjunction with a game stop notification, and there is no need to set a priority order in this relationship.
However, if the error notification executed after power restoration is designed to be executed even in a game stopped state, it may overlap with the game stop notification (for example, if power is interrupted during a game stop notification and power is restored without RAM clear processing, the game stop notification will be resumed after the power interruption and may overlap with the error notification executed after power restoration). Therefore, it is necessary to determine a priority order between the error notification executed after power restoration and the game stop notification.
In the above modified example, it is preferable that the error notification executed after power restoration has a higher priority than the game stop notification. The error notification notifies the user that power restoration has been performed without RAM clear processing, and by issuing the error notification first, the game stop notification, the user can be made aware that RAM clear processing is required to reset the game stop.

In addition, in this embodiment, the game stop notification is a notification that is executed only when the game is stopped, and there is no need to set a priority in relation to the error notification related to a right-hit error that cannot be detected in the game stop state.
However, if the game stop notification is designed to detect a right-hit error even when the game is stopped, it is necessary to determine a priority between the game stop notification and the error notification related to the right-hit error.
In the above modification, it is preferable that the error notification related to the right hit error has a lower priority than the game stop notification. As described above, the error notification related to the right hit error and the game stop notification in this modification can overlap only when the game is stopped, and even if a right hit error occurs at this time, there is no inconvenience in game management, and it is not necessary to give the error notification a higher priority than the stop advance notification.

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

The threshold values related to the above-mentioned completion function may be any value as long as they maintain the magnitude relationship described in this embodiment.

In the above embodiment, the complete function control means 190 that controls the complete function was a functional configuration possessed by the main control board 100, but some or all of the functional configuration that controls the complete function may be realized by a separate board (including a board that is not built into the gaming machine 10) provided separately from the main control board 100. In this case, information can be transmitted from the separate board to the first sub-control board 200 by connecting the separate board to the main control board 100 so that information can be transmitted from the main control board to the first sub-control board 200, or by directly connecting the separate board to the first sub-control board 200.

In the above embodiment, even if the game stop flag is ON, the stop warning notification is not initiated in the early stage period, but is initiated in the middle stage period that follows the early stage period. However, this is not limiting, and the stop warning notification may be initiated in the early stage period as long as it does not impede the above-mentioned inventions.

The above embodiment is configured so that if the game stop flag is turned ON during the final period, the stop advance notification is not initiated during the final period. However, this is not limited to this, and as long as it does not impair each of the above-mentioned inventions, the stop advance notification may be initiated during the final period when the game stop flag is turned ON during the final period.

In the above embodiment, the probability, ratio, and frequency, and the number of times may be 0 or the maximum value as long as the respective relationships are ensured. In particular, as for the above-mentioned ratios, the control for realizing the ratios is not important as long as the phenomenal aspects are ensured.
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.

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 in which, when a gaming ball enters a winning port, a number of gaming balls corresponding to the winning port are awarded, and game play is stopped when the difference in the number of balls derived using safe balls, which are the number of awarded gaming balls related to the winning, and out balls, which are the number of used gaming balls, becomes equal to or exceeds a first threshold value, the gaming machine comprising: a detection means for detecting an error state; a notification means including at least a display means; and a notification control means for controlling the notification means, the notification control means executing a specific error notification based on the detection of a specific error state, and A gaming machine characterized in that, based on the difference in the number of balls becoming equal to or greater than the first threshold value during a winning game, a stop warning notification is executed after the end of the winning game, a game stop notification is executed based on the game being stopped, and there are specific cases in which the specific error notification is executed spanning the notification period of the stop warning notification and the notification period of the game stop notification, and in the specific cases, a display related to the specific error notification is displayed in front of and overlapping both the display related to the stop warning notification and the display related to the game stop notification.
(2) A gaming machine as described in (1), in which the game stop notification starts after the stop advance notification ends, and the notification period of the stop advance notification and the notification period of the game stop notification do not overlap.
(3) A gaming machine as described in (2), in which the length of time from the end of the stop warning notification in the specific case to the start of the game stop notification is the same as the length of time from the end of the stop warning notification in a case other than the specific case to the start of the game stop notification.
(4) A gaming machine as described in (1), in which the display related to the game stop notification includes text information, and in the specific case, at least a portion of the display area of the text information does not overlap the display related to the specific error notification.
(5) A gaming machine described in any one of (1) to (4), wherein the notification control means executes an advance notification when the difference in number of balls becomes equal to or greater than a second threshold value which is smaller than the first threshold value, and the display relating to the advance notification is displayed in a position that does not overlap with the display relating to the specific error notification.
(6) A gaming machine as described in (5), in which, during the period in which the display relating to the specific error notification overlaps with the display relating to the stop advance notification in the specific case, the display relating to the advance notification may be displayed in a position that does not overlap with both the display relating to the specific error notification and the display relating to the stop advance notification.
(b) A gaming machine as described in (4), in which the display positions of the display relating to the stop advance notification, the display relating to the game stop notification, and the display relating to the specific error notification remain unchanged regardless of whether or not the specific case exists.
(c) A gaming machine described in any one of (1) to (6), wherein the error notifications notified by the notification means include other error notifications having a lower priority than the game stop notification.

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 67a, left general prize opening 67b, right general prize opening 69, out 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, out 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 reserve lamp 95, second special pattern reserve lamp 96, normal pattern reserve 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 190 Complete function control 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 Decoration 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 301 CPU
302 ROM
303 RAM
304 I/O port 309 Second sub-control board case 310 Audio control board 311 CPU
312 ROM
313 RAM
314 I/O port 400 Payout control board 409 Payout 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 X First flow path Y Second flow path dg Introduction notification image jg Advance notification image tg Game stop image yg Stop notice image

Claims (1)

A gaming machine in which, when a gaming ball enters a winning slot, a number of gaming balls corresponding to the winning slot are awarded, and a game is stopped when a difference in the number of balls derived using safe balls, which are the number of awarded gaming balls related to the winning, and out balls, which are the number of used gaming balls, becomes equal to or exceeds a first threshold value,
A detection means for detecting an error state;
A notification means including at least a display means;
A notification control means for controlling the notification means;
Equipped with
The notification control means
performing a specific error notification based on the detection of the specific error condition;
Execute a stop advance notice based on the difference in the number of balls being equal to or greater than the first threshold during a jackpot game;
Based on the fact that the game has been stopped, a game stop notification is executed after the end of the big win game .
There is a specific case where the specific error notification is executed across the notification period of the stop advance notification and the notification period of the game stop notification, and in the specific case, a display related to the specific error notification is displayed in front of both a first display related to the stop advance notification and a second display related to the game stop notification ,
The first representation and the second representation each include text information;
In the specific case, the first display and the second display are distinguishable from each other by character information in an area where the display related to the specific error notification is not displayed.
A gaming machine characterized by:

Images