JP7470444B2 - Gaming Machines - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a pachinko machine.

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 winning/losing judgment is executed with the start of a pattern change, and when a specific result is derived by the winning/losing judgment, a jackpot game can be generated after the end of the pattern change for which the winning/losing judgment was executed. When a game ball enters a winning slot, a number of game balls corresponding to the winning slot are awarded, and a game is stopped when the difference in the number of balls derived using safe balls, which are the number of game balls awarded related to the winning, and out balls, which are the number of game balls used, reaches or exceeds a specific threshold value. The gaming machine includes an informing means and an informing control means for controlling the informing means, When the difference in the number of balls during the jackpot game becomes equal to or greater than the specific threshold value, the game is stopped based on the end of the jackpot game, and the notification control means is capable of starting a specific notification based on the entry of a game ball into the winning port in which the difference in the number of balls becomes equal to or greater than the specific threshold value during the jackpot game, and the winning ports include a first winning port and a second winning port different from the first winning port, and the notification mode of the specific notification is set to be started by the entry of a game ball into the first winning port during the jackpot game, and the notification mode of the specific notification is set to be started by the entry of a game ball into the second winning port during the jackpot game. The notification mode of the specific notification that is started upon winning may be different from the notification control means, and the notification control means is further capable of starting a predetermined notification based on the game being stopped. The notification mode of the specific notification that is started after the end of the jackpot game in which the specific notification is started upon the entry of a game ball into the first winning port may be the same as the notification mode of the specific notification that is started after the end of the jackpot game in which the specific notification is started upon the entry of a game ball into the second winning port, and the predetermined time of the specific notification that is started upon the entry of a game ball into the first winning port during the jackpot game may be the same. A gaming machine is provided, characterized in that the notification mode after the specified time has elapsed is the same as the notification mode after the specified time has elapsed of the specific notification started by a game ball entering the second winning port during the jackpot game, and either the notification mode after the specified time has elapsed of the specific notification started by a game ball entering the first winning port during the jackpot game and the notification mode after the specified time has elapsed of the specific notification started by a game ball entering the second winning port during the jackpot game is the same as the notification mode until the specified time has elapsed .
Further, according to the present invention, a winning/losing judgment is executed with the start of a pattern change, and when a specific result is derived by the winning/losing judgment, a jackpot game can be generated after the end of the pattern change in which the winning/losing judgment was executed. When a game ball enters a winning slot, a number of game balls corresponding to the winning slot are awarded, and the game is stopped when the difference in the number of balls derived using safe balls, which are the number of game balls awarded related to the winning, and out balls, which are the number of game balls used, reaches or exceeds a specific threshold value. The gaming machine is equipped with an informing means and an informing control means for controlling the informing means, and when the difference in the number of balls reaches or exceeds the specific threshold value during the jackpot game, In the case of the jackpot game, the game is stopped based on the end of the jackpot game, and the notification control means is capable of starting a specific notification based on the entry of a game ball into the winning port in which the difference in number of balls becomes equal to or greater than the specific threshold value during the jackpot game, and the winning ports include a first winning port and a second winning port different from the first winning port, and the notification mode of the specific notification that is started upon the entry of a game ball into the first winning port during the jackpot game and the notification mode of the specific notification that is started upon the entry of a game ball into the second winning port during the jackpot game may be different, and the notification control means further It is possible to start a predetermined notification, and the notification mode of the predetermined notification that starts after the end of the jackpot game in which the specific notification is started by the entry of a game ball into the first winning port can be the same as the notification mode of the predetermined notification that starts after the end of the jackpot game in which the specific notification is started by the entry of a game ball into the second winning port, the game stop is released based on the power being turned on accompanied by the execution of a RAM clear process, and if a power interruption occurs during the execution of the specific notification and then the power is turned on without the execution of the RAM clear process, the specific notification can be resumed, and if a power interruption occurs during the execution of the specific notification and then the power is turned on without the execution of the RAM clear process, the specific notification can be resumed. A gaming machine is provided in which, when power is turned on accompanied by the execution of the RAM clearing process, the specific notification is not resumed, and the notification mode of the specific notification that is resumed when a power interruption occurs during the execution of the specific notification that was started when a game ball entered the first winning port during the jackpot game and then the power is turned on without the execution of the RAM clearing process is the same as the notification mode of the specific notification that is resumed when a power interruption occurs during the execution of the specific notification that was started when a game ball entered the second winning port during the jackpot game and then the power is turned on without the execution of the RAM clearing process.

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 table summarizing the combination of the type of winning slot that triggered the advance notification and the game state at the start of the notification, as well as the notification mode of the notification. 23(a) and 23(b) are diagrams showing specific examples of the notification mode of advance notification. FIG. 24 is a table summarizing the combination of the type of winning slot that triggered the start of the stop advance notification and the jackpot game at the time the notification started, as well as the notification mode of the notification. 25(a) and 25(b) are diagrams showing specific examples of notification modes of the stop advance notification. FIG. 26 is a table summarizing the combination of the type of winning slot that triggered the start of a game stop notification and the game status at the start of the notification, as well as the notification mode of the notification. 27(a) and 27(b) are diagrams showing specific examples of notification modes for a game stop notification. FIG. 28 is a timing chart showing the behavior of each notification when a power outage and restoration of power occurs without the execution of a RAM clear process during a period in which advance notification and shutdown advance notification are executed in parallel. FIG. 29 is a timing chart showing the behavior of each notification when a power outage and restoration occurs without execution of a RAM clear process during the early period after the game stop flag is turned ON. FIG. 30 is a timing chart showing the behavior of each notification when the game stop flag is turned ON just before the final period and a power outage and restoration occurs during the final period without the execution of a RAM clear process. FIG. 31 is a timing chart showing the behavior of each notification when a power outage and restoration occurs during execution of a game stop notification. FIG. 32(a) is a diagram showing the notification mode when a stop advance notification is restored, and FIG. 32(b) is a diagram showing the notification mode when a game stop notification is restored.

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

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

The present invention relates to
A gaming machine in which a win/loss determination is made with the start of a pattern change, and if a specific result (a big win or a small win) is derived by the win/loss determination, a big win game can be generated after the end of the pattern change in which the win/loss determination was made, and when a game ball enters a winning slot, a number of game balls corresponding to the winning slot are awarded, and the game is stopped when the difference in the number of balls derived using safe balls, which are the number of game balls awarded related to the winning, and out balls, which are the number of game balls used, reaches or exceeds a specific threshold value (100,000 balls),
A notification means (main display unit 81);
A notification control means (first sub-control board 200, second sub-control board 300) that controls the notification means;
Equipped with
If the difference in the number of balls during the jackpot game becomes equal to or greater than the specific threshold value, the game is stopped based on the end of the jackpot game,
The notification control means is capable of starting a specific notification (stop advance notification) based on the winning of a game ball into the winning hole in which the difference in the number of balls becomes equal to or greater than the specific threshold during the jackpot game,
The winning holes include a first winning hole (the right general winning hole 67b) and a second winning hole (the large winning hole 55) different from the first winning hole.
The notification mode of the specific notification that is started by the entry of a game ball into the first winning port during the jackpot game may be different from the notification mode of the specific notification that is started by the entry of a game ball into the second winning port during the jackpot game,
The notification control means is further capable of starting a predetermined notification (a game stop notification) based on the fact that the game has been stopped,
The notification mode of the predetermined notification that starts after the end of the jackpot game in which the specific notification is started by the entry of a game ball into the first winning port may be the same as the notification mode of the predetermined notification that starts after the end of the jackpot game in which the specific notification is started by the entry of a game ball into the second winning port.
This is a gaming machine characterized by the above.

According to the present invention, by making it easier for the player to recognize the winning slot that triggers the start of the specific notification by varying the notification mode of the specific notification, it is possible to make it less likely for the player to feel distrustful when the specific notification begins.
Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is possible to make it easy for the player to recognize that gameplay has been stopped in either case (when the specific notification is initiated by the entry of a game ball into the first winning port during the jackpot game, or when the specific notification is initiated by the entry of a game ball into the second winning port during the jackpot game).

In addition, in the above-mentioned "the notification mode of the specific notification that is initiated when a game ball enters the first winning slot during the jackpot game and the notification mode of the specific notification that is initiated when a game ball enters the second winning slot during the jackpot game may be different," "may be different" does not necessarily mean different, but allows the other notification mode to be the same as either of the notification modes, provided that the other notification mode is not the same as the other notification mode.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The normal symbol is a symbol that is stopped and displayed as a result of a symbol 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 predetermined 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 being 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 as a static combination only when the power is turned on, and is not displayed as a static combination 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 (when the voltage supplied by the normal power supply drops to a specified voltage).
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.

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 during a small win game, the number of rounds in that big win game is the number calculated by counting that small win game as one round.
Furthermore, in the following description, a jackpot resulting in a jackpot game with four rounds will be referred to as a "4R jackpot", and a jackpot resulting in a jackpot game with ten rounds will be referred to as a "10R jackpot".

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 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, the 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 the magnetic detection sensor, a radio wave error based on radio wave detection by the radio wave detection sensor, a right-hit error based on detection of a game ball by the gate sensor 74 or the second start gate sensor 71, a door open error based on detection of the opening of the middle frame 17 by the middle frame open door sensor 76 or detection of the opening of the front frame 20 by the front frame open door sensor 77, a full tank error based on detection of game balls by the full tank detection sensor, and a remaining prize ball error that occurs when there are remaining prize balls. The occurrence or non-occurrence of an error state according to this embodiment is monitored during a playable state described later.
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 that an error state of high importance has occurred are executed with priority over notifications that can identify that an error state of low importance has occurred, and notifications that can identify that an error state of low importance has priority over other effects (including advance notifications described below) that are executed during the pattern change, including effects described below. However, the stop advance notifications and game stop notifications described below are executed with priority over notifications that can identify that an error state of low importance has occurred, but are executed with lower priority than notifications that can identify that an error state of high importance has occurred.

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.

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

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

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

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 specific 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 a selection using the determined performance pattern selection table. In particular, by doing so, it is possible to change the content of the performance related to (executed according to) the determined performance route, and to provide a connection between the performances in one pattern change.

When the decorative pattern control means 226 receives a variation start command, it determines the final (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 contained in the command. Note that the effects during the jackpot game include a jackpot start effect that can be specified as a jackpot start demo period, a round effect that can be specified as a round period, and a jackpot end effect that can be specified as a jackpot end demo period.

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

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

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

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

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

The sub-command management means 270 receives performance control commands transmitted from the main control board 100 and stores the received performance commands in a received command storage area of the sub-information storage means 260. If an image control command is stored in the transmission command storage area of the sub-information storage means 260, the sub-command management means 270 transmits the image control command to the second sub-control board 300. Furthermore, if a voice control command 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 specific threshold. This contributes to reducing the gambling nature of the game, but since this function was not previously available, various problems arise in conjunction 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 an initial value (0 in this embodiment) when power is restored after a power outage accompanied by the execution of a RAM clear process.
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, which involves the execution of a RAM clear process.

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 power-on accompanied by execution of RAM clear processing, and is not cleared by power-on without execution of RAM clear processing. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the game stop flag from being illegally cleared.

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 the 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 identify the out balls, safe balls, difference in number of balls, and the state of the game stop flag. Furthermore, if the safe balls are updated in the game stop flag setting process related to this complete function, the complete function-related command also includes information that can identify the type of winning slot that triggered the update.

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 small win game 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 the safe balls becomes equal to or exceeds a specific threshold value (100,000 balls), the game is immediately stopped except during a big win game or a small win game. On the other hand, if the game is during a big win game or a small win game, the game is stopped when the game ends.
In particular, in this embodiment, the difference in the number of balls does not have a negative value, but since the initial value of the safe balls is 5000, it can be said that the difference in the number of balls has a value of up to minus 5000. The initial value may be set to any one value (a value determined for each gaming machine) according to the performance of the gaming machine.
However, the initial value of the safe balls may be set to zero, similar to the initial value of the out balls. In this way, the game stop state can be set according to the increase in the number of game balls from the point when the number of game balls has decreased the most during the game (so-called MY).

<Types of notifications related to the complete function and their overview>
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 23.
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.
Figures 18(a) to 18(f) are diagrams showing changes in the notification mode of advance notification depending on the difference in the number of balls.
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.

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, for example, by displaying a normal advance notification image jg1 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, for example, by displaying a normal game stop image tg1 including 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 this embodiment, the notification mode of notifications related to the complete function, including the stop advance notification described below, changes depending on the type of winning slot that triggered the notification and the game status at the start, and details of these will be described later.

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 normal stop advance notice image yg1 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 notice is not initiated at that timing, but rather at the timing when the big hit game that occurs during the small hit game starts, i.e., at the timing when the small hit game ends.

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 S310, 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, the advance notification is started, and then the advance notification execution process is terminated. As described above, the notification mode of the advance notification to be started varies depending on the type of winning slot that triggered the advance notification and the game state at the time of the start.

In step S310, 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 related to the advance warning, the display mode of the normal advance warning image jg1 corresponding to the advance warning 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 a specific threshold (100,000) is 4,001 to 5,000, the normal advance notification image jg1 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 normal advance warning image jg1 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 specific threshold is 2,001 to 3,000, the normal advance warning image jg1 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 specific threshold is 1,001 to 2,000, the normal advance notification image jg1 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 a specific threshold is 1 to 1,000, the normal advance warning image jg1 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 normal advance notification image jg1 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 normal advance notification image jg1 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 embodiment, the advance notification is configured to specify 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 a specific number (1,000 in this embodiment). This is independent of the start conditions of the advance notification described later, i.e., the type of winning slot that triggered the advance notification and the game status at the start.
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 normal advance notification image jg1 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 a specific threshold value 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.

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).
According to this, by maintaining the advance warning in a relatively favorable gaming state even if the difference in the number of balls falls below 90,000, the player is made aware that the difference in the number of balls is approaching a specific threshold in that gaming state, while by terminating the advance warning in a relatively unfavorable gaming state, it is possible to increase the player's desire to play in that gaming state.
In order to achieve this effect, game states other than the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA correspond to the special chart variation pattern derivation state PB, the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC, a big hit game, and a small hit game, but some of these game states may be treated similarly to the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA to control the end of the advance notification, and the remaining game states may be treated similarly to game states other than the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA to control the end of the advance notification.

In this embodiment, in order to prevent an event that the difference in the number of balls decreases and the advance notification ends immediately after the difference in the number of balls becomes equal to or exceeds the threshold value that is the start condition and the advance notification starts, the threshold value (90,000 balls) that is the end condition of the advance notification is set to a value smaller than the threshold value (95,000 balls) that is the start condition of the advance notification. In addition, in this embodiment, the difference (5,000 balls) between the threshold value (95,000 balls) of the difference in the number of balls related to the start of the advance notification and the threshold value (90,000 balls) of the difference in the number of balls related to the end of the advance notification is configured to be larger than the total number of game balls granted by the entry of game balls into the large prize winning hole 55 in the maximum number of rounds (10 in this embodiment) of big win games (1500 balls, which is the number of balls that can be entered into the large prize winning hole 55 in each round before the special electric role 65 is closed, multiplied by 15, which is the number of prize balls corresponding to the large prize winning hole 55).
According to this, when the advance notification ends and then a jackpot game (so-called first hit) occurs, it is made difficult for the difference in the number of balls to exceed the threshold value for the difference in the number of balls related to the start of the advance notification, thereby preventing the effect of increasing motivation to play in the jackpot game from being impaired.
Here, the total number of game balls (1500) is the total number of prize balls and does not correspond to the increase in the number of game balls, but there is no large discrepancy between the total number of prize balls and the increase in the number of game balls (particularly, the total number of prize balls is always greater than the increase in the number of game balls). Therefore, in order to achieve the above-mentioned effect, it is sufficient to satisfy the above-mentioned numerical relationship using the total number of prize balls. This is also true when comparing the difference between the mode TY and the threshold value of the difference in the number of balls, which will be described later.

In addition, in this embodiment, in the game state in which a more advantageous pattern change can be executed than the special pattern change pattern derivation state PA, in addition to the special pattern change pattern derivation state PB, there is a special pattern change pattern derivation state PC which is more advantageous than the special pattern change pattern derivation state PB. And, the mode TY in the more advantageous special pattern change pattern derivation state PC is configured to be larger than the difference between the threshold value of the difference in the number of balls related to the start of the above-mentioned advance notification and the threshold value of the difference in the number of balls related to the end of the advance notification.
According to this, when the advance notification ends once in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PA and then a first hit occurs in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PA, it is difficult for the difference in the number of balls to become 95,000 or more thereafter (making it difficult for the advance notification to start), which makes it difficult for the player's desire to play to decrease after the first hit.
Here, mode TY refers to the expected number of prize balls that will be acquired when transitioning to the target advantageous game state (in this example, special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PC) until transitioning to the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PA, including the number of prize balls that can be acquired in the jackpot game related to the transition.

Furthermore, as described above, in this embodiment, the notification mode of the advance notification changes according to the value of the difference in the number of balls (in increments of 1000 balls) when the difference in the number of balls is in the range of 95,000 or more, whereas the notification mode does not change when the difference in the number of balls is in the range of 90,000 or more but less than 95,000 (the display mode shown in Figure 18 (a) is maintained).
According to this, when the difference in the number of balls is in the range of 95,000 or more, it is easy to recognize the difference in the number of balls until the difference in the number of balls reaches 100,000, but when the difference in the number of balls is less than 95,000, it is difficult to recognize the reduction in the number of game balls.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the above-mentioned specific number (1,000 balls) that serves as the dividing line for switching the advance notification mode is smaller than the difference between the threshold number of balls for the start of the advance notification (95,000 balls) and the threshold number of balls for the end of the advance notification (90,000 balls).
This enhances the effect of making it difficult to notice a decrease in game balls when the difference in the number of balls is less than 95,000.

<Regarding control over the start of stop advance notification and game stop notification>
Next, the stop notice notification start process that controls the start of the stop notice notification and the game stop notice start process that controls the start of the game stop notification will be described in detail with reference to Figures 20 and 21 .
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. 20, in step S702, which is the first step of the stop notification start process, it is determined whether the game stop flag is ON. If the condition is met, the process proceeds to step S704, and if the condition is not met, the stop notification start process is terminated.

In step S704, it is determined whether or not it is the middle period of a jackpot game, and if the condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S706, and if the condition is not satisfied, the stop advance notification start process is terminated.
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 S706, 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 order to achieve this effect, it is preferable that a stop warning notification is not executed in this case, but it is also possible to start a stop warning notification in a special notification mode described below when the game stop flag is turned ON during the final period.In this way, it is possible to draw attention to the stop warning notification and make it easier for the player to recognize the subsequent game stop notification.

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, although not shown in the figure, the stop advance notice ends in accordance with the end of the big win game. Therefore, in this embodiment, the execution period of the stop advance notice and the execution period of the game stop notice are configured not to overlap.

Next, as shown in FIG. 21, in step S802, 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 S804, and if the condition is not satisfied, the game stop notification start process is terminated.
In step S804, it is determined whether or not a jackpot game is being played, and 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 S806.
In step S806, 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.

<Notification mode when advance notification starts>
As described above, in this embodiment, the notification type of notifications related to the complete function (advance notification, stop warning notification, game stop notification) changes depending on the type of winning slot that triggered the notification and the game status at the start.
First, the notification mode at the start of advance notification will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 22 and FIG. 23. FIG.
Figure 22 is a table summarizing the combination of the type of winning slot that triggered the advance notification and the game status at the start of the notification, as well as the notification mode of the notification, and Figures 23(a) and 23(b) are figures showing specific examples of the notification mode of the advance notification.

22, in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, when the winning slot related to the start trigger of the advance notification is the first start slot 57, the notification mode of the advance notification to be started is notification mode JA, and when the winning slot related to the start trigger of the advance notification is the second start slot 59, the notification mode of the advance notification to be started is notification mode JB. Note that the winning slot related to the start trigger of the advance notification refers to the type of winning slot specified by the complete function related command at the time of the start trigger, and this also applies to the stop advance notification and game stop notification described later.
On the other hand, in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PB or the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC, if the winning port related to the start trigger of the advance notification is the first starting port 57, the notification mode of the advance notification that is started becomes notification mode JB, and if the winning port related to the start trigger of the advance notification is the second starting port 59, the notification mode of the advance notification that is started becomes notification mode JA.

Here, the advance notification of notification mode JA is a notification mode in which a normal advance notification image jg1 is displayed in the display area related to the main display unit 81, as shown in Figure 23 (a). On the other hand, the advance notification of notification mode JB is a notification mode in which a normal advance notification image jg1 is displayed in the display area related to the main display unit 81, as shown in the scene on the left side of Figure 23 (b), and a special advance notification image jg2 containing the text "Game will end soon" is displayed in front of and superimposed on the image. This is an example of "different notification modes" in this invention.

As described above, in this embodiment, in a game state in which pattern change can be executed (special chart change pattern derivation state PA, special chart change pattern derivation state PB, or special chart change pattern derivation state PC), the notification mode of the pre-notification when the winning port related to the start trigger of the pre-notification is the first starting port 57 is different from the notification mode of the pre-notification when the winning port related to the start trigger of the pre-notification is the second starting port 59.
According to this, by making it easier for the player to recognize the winning slot that triggers the start of the advance notification by changing the notification mode of the advance notification, it is possible to make the player less likely to feel distrustful when the advance notification begins.
In order to achieve this effect, the notification mode of the advance notification when the winning port related to the start trigger of the advance notification is the first starting port 57 and the notification mode of the advance notification when the winning port related to the start trigger of the advance notification is the second starting port 59 do not necessarily have to be different, but it is permitted that the notification mode of the other one is the same as the notification mode of either one, provided that the notification mode of the other one is not the same as the notification mode of the other one. In other words, it is sufficient that these notification modes can be different.
In this embodiment, the first start opening 57 and the second start opening 59 are given as two winning openings with different notification modes, but the type of the winning openings to be targeted is not important. However, it is preferable that the combination of the winning openings to be targeted is a combination of a winning opening into which a game ball shot toward the first flow path X is likely to win and a winning opening into which a game ball shot toward the second flow path Y is likely to win, as in this embodiment.

In addition, in this embodiment, for one winning port (first start port 57 or second start port 59) related to the start trigger of the advance notification, the notification mode of the advance notification when the game state (one in which pattern change can be executed) in which the start trigger occurred is the special chart change pattern derivation state PA is different from the notification mode of the advance notification when the game state in which the start trigger occurred is the special chart change pattern derivation state PB or the special chart change pattern derivation state PC.
According to this, by making it easier for the player to recognize the game state in which the trigger for the advance notification has occurred by varying the notification mode of the advance notification, it is possible to make the player less likely to feel distrustful when the advance notification begins.
In order to achieve this effect, the notification mode of the pre-notification when the game state in which the start trigger of the pre-notification occurs is the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA and the notification mode of the pre-notification when the game state in which the start trigger of the pre-notification occurs is the special chart variation pattern derivation state PB or the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC are not necessarily different, but on the premise that one notification mode is not the same as the other notification mode, the other notification mode is allowed to be the same as either one notification mode. In other words, it is sufficient that these notification modes can be different.
In addition, in this embodiment, the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PA and the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PB (or the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PC) are listed as two game states (where pattern variation can be executed) with different notification modes, but the type of the target game state does not matter. However, it is preferable that the combination of the winning holes of the target game states is a combination of game states with different recommended game ball launch directions, as in this embodiment.

As shown in Figure 23 (b), in this embodiment, the advance notification related to notification mode JB is such that the special advance notification image jg2 is hidden over time (the scene on the right side of Figure 23 (b)), and the notification mode of the advance notification becomes notification mode JA. This means that the advance notification of notification mode JA and the advance notification of notification mode JB become the same notification mode over time. Here, the passage of time refers to the time based on the start timing of the advance notification, and the same applies to the stop warning notification and game stop notification described below.
According to this, by standardizing the notification manner of the final advance notification, it is possible to make the advance notification itself easier to recognize while achieving the effect of differentiating the above-mentioned two notification manners.
In order to achieve the effect, the notification mode that becomes the same over time does not matter. However, from the viewpoint of enhancing the effect, it is preferable that the notification mode coincides with one of the notification modes as in the present embodiment.

In this embodiment, in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, the time until the pre-notification notification mode (notification mode JA) started by the entry of a game ball into the first starting hole 57 and the pre-notification notification mode (notification mode JB) started by the entry of a game ball into the second starting hole 59 become the same notification mode are different from the time until the pre-notification notification mode (notification mode JB) started by the entry of a game ball into the first starting hole 57 and the pre-notification notification mode (notification mode JA) started by the entry of a game ball into the second starting hole 59 become the same notification mode in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PB or the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC.
This makes it easier for the player to recognize that advance notification has started in any game state due to the difference in the time it takes for the notification mode to become the same.
In order to achieve this effect, it is preferable to make the former time longer than the latter time, so that in a relatively unfavorable game state (special chart variation pattern derivation state PA) where the player is likely to feel distrustful, it is possible to make the player more easily recognize the notification mode of the advance notification until the notification mode becomes the same. This contributes to making it easier to recognize the change in the notification mode of the advance notification.

Also, as shown in Figure 22, in this embodiment, the notification mode of the advance notification when the winning port related to the start trigger of the advance notification in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PA is the large prize port 55, and the notification mode of the advance notification when the winning port related to the start trigger of the advance notification is the large prize port 55 in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PB or the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PC are the same (notification mode JB).
According to this, by standardizing the notification mode of the advance notification that is initiated by the entry of a game ball into a winning port other than the first starting port 57 or the second starting port 59 between these game states, it is possible to make it easier for the player to recognize the existence of the advance notification itself.
Although different from this embodiment, in order to achieve this effect, it is preferable that the notification mode of the advance notification when the winning port related to the trigger for starting the advance notification in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PA is the large prize port 55, and the notification mode of the advance notification when the winning port related to the trigger for starting the advance notification in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PB or the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PC is the large prize port 55, be a notification mode different from both the notification mode JA and the notification mode JB.
In addition, in this embodiment, the large prize opening 55 is described as a prize opening different from the first starting opening 57 and the second starting opening 59 and which triggers the initiation of the advance notification of the notification mode JB, but as long as it is a prize opening different from the first starting opening 57 and the second starting opening 59, the general prize opening 67 may also be the target, regardless of its type.

In addition, when the winning port related to the start trigger of the advance notification in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PA is the large prize winning port 55, and when the winning port related to the start trigger of the advance notification in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PB or the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PC is the large prize winning port 55, the notification mode (notification mode JB) of the advance notification will become notification mode JA over time, as shown in Figure 23 (b).
According to this, by standardizing the final notification mode, it is possible to make it easier for the driver to recognize that advance notification has started.

In addition, in order to achieve the effect of standardizing the final notification mode described above, in this embodiment, it is preferable that the time until the notification mode (notification mode JB) of the advance notification becomes notification mode JA when the winning port related to the start trigger of the advance notification in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PA is the large prize port 55, and the time until the notification mode (notification mode JB) of the advance notification becomes notification mode JA when the winning port related to the start trigger of the advance notification is the large prize port 55 in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PB or the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PC, are the same.
Furthermore, it is preferable that these times are longer than any of the times until the notification mode JB becomes the notification mode JA in other situations (when the advance notification is initiated upon the entry of a game ball into the first starting hole 57 or the second starting hole 59).

Also, as shown in Figure 22, when an advance notification is initiated in response to a game ball entering a general winning port 67 (left general winning port 67a, right general winning port 67b), an advance notification of notification mode JA is initiated regardless of the game status.
Furthermore, in this embodiment, in a big hit game or a small hit game, if an advance notification is initiated in response to a game ball entering the first starting port 57 or the second starting port 59, an advance notification of notification mode JB is initiated, and in a big hit game or a small hit game, if an advance notification is initiated in response to a game ball entering the large winning port 55, an advance notification of notification mode JA is initiated.

<Notification mode when the stop warning notification starts>
Next, the notification mode of the stop advance notification at the start of the notification will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 24 and FIG. 25.
Figure 24 is a table summarizing the combination of the type of winning slot that triggered the stop warning notification and the jackpot game at the time the notification started, and the notification mode of the notification, and Figures 25(a) and 25(b) are figures showing specific examples of the notification mode of the stop warning notification.

As shown in FIG. 24, in a jackpot game involving a 10R jackpot, if the winning slot related to the start trigger of the stop notice notification is the right general winning slot 67b, the notification mode of the stopped notice notification that is started will be notification mode YA, and if the winning slot related to the start trigger of the stop notice notification is the large winning slot 55, the notification mode of the stopped notice notification that is started will be notification mode YB.

Here, the stop notice notification of notification mode YA is a notification mode in which a normal stop notice image yg1 containing the text "Today's game will end after this jackpot game ends" is displayed in the display area related to the main display unit 81, as shown in FIG. 25(a). On the other hand, the stop notice notification of notification mode YB is a notification mode in which a special stop notice image yg2 containing the text "Thank you for your hard work. Today's game will end after this jackpot game ends" is displayed in the display area related to the main display unit 81, as shown in the scene on the left side of FIG. 25(b). This is an example of "different notification modes" in this invention.

As described above, in this embodiment, in a jackpot game involving a 10R jackpot, the notification mode of the stop notice notification when the winning port related to the start trigger of the stop notice notification is the right general winning port 67b is different from the notification mode of the stop notice notification when the winning port related to the start trigger of the stop notice notification is the large winning port 55.
According to this, by making it easier for the player to recognize the winning slot that triggers the start of the stop warning notification by changing the notification mode of the stop warning notification, it is possible to make the player less likely to feel distrustful when the stop warning notification begins.
In order to achieve this effect, the notification mode of the stop notice notification when the winning slot related to the start trigger of the stop notice notification is the general winning slot 67b and the notification mode of the stop notice notification when the winning slot related to the start trigger of the stop notice notification is the large winning slot 55 are not necessarily different from each other, but it is permitted that the notification mode of the other is the same as the notification mode of either one of them, provided that the notification mode of either one is not the same as the notification mode of the other. In other words, it is sufficient that these notification modes can be different.
In this embodiment, the right general winning hole 67b and the big winning hole 55 are listed as the two winning holes with different notification modes, but the type of the winning hole to be targeted is not important. However, it is preferable that the combination of the winning holes to be targeted is a combination of winning holes that is likely to win a game ball shot toward the recommended flow path (second flow path Y) in a big win game, as in this embodiment.

Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, when the difference in the number of balls during a jackpot game becomes equal to or greater than a specific threshold (100,000 balls), the game is stopped based on the end of the jackpot game, and the notification control means (first sub-control board 200, second sub-control board 300) can initiate a specific notification (stop advance notification) based on the entry of a game ball into a winning port where the difference in the number of balls becomes equal to or greater than a specific threshold during a jackpot game. The winning ports include a first winning port (right general winning port 67b) and a second winning port (large winning port 55) that is different from the first winning port, and the notification mode of the specific notification that is initiated by the entry of a game ball into the first winning port during a jackpot game can be different from the notification mode of the specific notification that is initiated by the entry of a game ball into the second winning port during a jackpot game.

In particular, in this embodiment, the number of prize balls (4 balls) corresponding to a game ball winning the right general winning port 67b is different from the number of prize balls (15 balls) corresponding to a game ball winning the large winning port 55.
With such a relationship, it is more effective to prevent the player from feeling distrustful when the stop advance notification begins.

Therefore, in other words, in the gaming machine 10, the number of gaming balls awarded when a gaming ball wins in the first winning port (right general winning port 67b) is different from the number of gaming balls awarded when a gaming ball wins in the second winning port (large winning port 55).

In addition, in this embodiment, for one winning slot (large winning slot 55) related to the start trigger of the stop notice notification, the notification mode of the stop notice is different when the jackpot game (a type of game state in which pattern variation cannot be performed) in which the start trigger has occurred is a jackpot game related to a 4R jackpot and when the jackpot game in which the start trigger has occurred is a jackpot game related to a 10R jackpot.
According to this, by making it easier for the player to recognize the type of jackpot game that triggered the start of the stop warning notification by different notification modes of the stop warning notification, it is possible to make the player less likely to feel distrustful when the stop warning notification starts.
In order to achieve this effect, the notification mode of the stop notice notification when the jackpot game in which the start trigger of the stop notice notification occurs is a jackpot game related to a 4R jackpot and the notification mode of the stop notice notification when the jackpot game in which the start trigger of the stop notice notification occurs is a jackpot game related to a 10R jackpot are not necessarily different, but on the premise that one notification mode is not the same as the other notification mode, the other notification mode is allowed to be the same as either one notification mode. In other words, it is sufficient that these notification modes can be different.
In addition, in this embodiment, the two jackpot games with different notification modes are the jackpot game for the 4R jackpot and the jackpot game for the 10R jackpot (the jackpot games with different numbers of rounds), but the type of jackpot game to be targeted does not matter. Furthermore, as for the factors that make the advantage of these jackpot games different, in addition to the number of rounds as in this embodiment, any factors such as the difference in the advantage of the game state after the jackpot game ends (the one that can execute the pattern change) may be adopted.

As shown in Fig. 25B, in this embodiment, the stop advance notification according to the notification mode YB is the notification mode YA (the scene on the right side of Fig. 25B). This means that the stop advance notification of the notification mode YA and the stop advance notification of the notification mode YB become the same notification mode over time.
According to this, by standardizing the notification manner of the final stop warning notification, it is possible to make the stop warning notification itself easier to recognize while achieving the effect of differentiating the two notification manners described above.
In order to achieve the effect, the notification mode that becomes the same over time does not matter. However, from the viewpoint of enhancing the effect, it is preferable that the notification mode is the same as either one of the notification modes, as in the present embodiment.

Therefore, in other words, in the gaming machine 10, the notification mode after a predetermined time has elapsed of the specific notification (stop warning notification) that is initiated by the entry of a gaming ball into the first winning port (right general winning port 67b) during a jackpot game is the same as the notification mode after a predetermined time has elapsed of the specific notification that is initiated by the entry of a gaming ball into the second winning port (large winning port 55) during a jackpot game.

Furthermore, in the gaming machine 10, either the notification mode after a predetermined time has elapsed of a specific notification that is initiated by a gaming ball entering the first winning port (right general winning port 67b) during a jackpot game, or the notification mode after a predetermined time has elapsed of a specific notification that is initiated by a gaming ball entering the second winning port (large winning port 55) during a jackpot game, can be said to be the same as the notification mode until the predetermined time has elapsed.

Also, as shown in Figure 24, in this embodiment, for example, when the winning port related to the trigger for the stop advance notification is the first start port 57 or the left general winning port 67a, the notification mode of the notification is the same regardless of the type of jackpot game.
According to this, by standardizing the notification mode of the stop notice regardless of the type of jackpot game, it is possible to make it easier for the player to recognize that the conditions for the game to be stopped in a jackpot game have been met.
Although different from the present embodiment, in order to achieve this effect, it is preferable that the notification mode of the stop notice when the winning port related to the trigger for the stop notice is the first starting port 57 or the left general winning port 67a be a notification mode different from both notification mode YA and notification mode YB.

Furthermore, as mentioned above, when the winning port related to the trigger for the stop notice notification is the first starting port 57 or the left general winning port 67a, if the notification mode of the stop notice notification is a notification mode different from both notification mode YA and notification mode YB, it is preferable to change the notification mode of the stop notice notification to notification mode YA over time, as in the example shown in Figure 25 (b).
According to this, by standardizing the notification mode of the final stop advance notification, it is possible to make it easier for the player to recognize that play will be stopped.
In particular, in order to achieve this effect, it is preferable that the time until the notification mode of the stop advance notification in this case becomes notification mode YA is longer than the time until the above-mentioned notification mode YB becomes notification mode YA.

<Notification mode when the stop warning notification starts>
First, the notification mode at the start of a game stop notification will be described in detail with reference to Figures 26 and 27.
Figure 26 is a table summarizing the combination of the type of winning slot that triggered the game stop notification and the game status at the start of the notification, as well as the notification mode of the notification, and Figures 27(a) and 27(b) are figures showing specific examples of the notification mode of a game stop notification.

As shown in Figure 26, in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, if the winning port related to the start trigger of the game stop notification is the first start port 57, the notification mode of the game stop notification that is initiated becomes notification mode TA, and if the winning port related to the start trigger of the game stop notification is the second start port 59, the notification mode of the game stop notification that is initiated becomes notification mode TB.
On the other hand, in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PB or the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC, if the winning port related to the start trigger of the game stop notification is the first start port 57, the notification mode of the game stop notification that is initiated becomes notification mode TB, and if the winning port related to the start trigger of the game stop notification is the second start port 59, the notification mode of the game stop notification that is initiated becomes notification mode TA.

Here, the game stop notification of notification mode TA is a notification mode in which a normal game stop image tg1 including the text "Thank you for your hard work. Today's game is over" is displayed in the display area related to the main display unit 81, as shown in Figure 27 (a).
On the other hand, the game stop notification of notification mode TB is a notification mode in which a special game stop notification image tg2 including the text "The difference in the number of balls has reached the upper limit. Today's game has ended" is displayed in the display area related to the main display unit 81, as shown in the scene on the left side of Figure 27 (b).

As described above, in this embodiment, in a game state in which 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), the notification mode of the game stop notification when the winning port related to the start trigger of the game stop notification is the first start port 57 is different from the notification mode of the game stop notification when the winning port related to the start trigger of the game stop notification is the second start port 59.
According to this, by making it easier for the player to recognize the winning slot that triggers the game stop notification by changing the notification mode of the game stop notification, it is possible to make the player less likely to feel distrustful when the game stop notification begins.
In order to achieve this effect, the notification mode of the game stop notification when the winning slot related to the start trigger of the game stop notification is the first start slot 57 and the notification mode of the game stop notification when the winning slot related to the start trigger of the game stop notification is the second start slot 59 are not necessarily different, but it is permitted that the notification mode of the other is the same as either one of the notification modes, provided that one of the notification modes is not the same as the other. In other words, it is sufficient that these notification modes can be different.
In this embodiment, the first start port 57 and the second start port 59 are listed as two winning ports with different notification modes, but the type of the winning port to be targeted is not important. However, it is preferable that the combination of the winning ports to be targeted is a combination of a winning port in which a game ball shot toward the first flow path X is likely to win and a winning port in which a game ball shot toward the second flow path Y is likely to win, as in the above-mentioned advance notification.

In addition, in this embodiment, for one winning port (first start port 57 or second start port 59) related to the start trigger for the game stop notification, the notification mode of the game stop notification when the game state (one in which pattern change can be executed) in which the start trigger occurred is the special chart change pattern derivation state PA is different from the notification mode of the game stop notification when the game state in which the start trigger occurred is the special chart change pattern derivation state PB or the special chart change pattern derivation state PC.
According to this, by making it easier for the player to recognize the game state in which the trigger for initiating a game stop notification has occurred by varying the notification mode of the game stop notification, it is possible to make the player less likely to feel distrustful when the game stop notification is initiated.
In addition, when the effect is exerted, the notification mode of the game stop notification when the game state in which the start trigger of the game stop notification occurs is the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA and the notification mode of the game stop notification when the game state in which the start trigger of the game stop notification occurs is the special chart variation pattern derivation state PB or the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC are not necessarily different, but on the premise that one notification mode is not the same as the other notification mode, the other notification mode is allowed to be the same as either one notification mode. In other words, it is sufficient that these notification modes can be different.
In addition, in this embodiment, the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PA and the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PB (or the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PC) are listed as two game states (where pattern variation can be executed) with different notification modes, but the type of the target game state does not matter. However, it is preferable that the combination of winning holes of the target game state is a combination of game states with different recommended launch directions of the game ball, as in the above-mentioned advance notification.

As shown in Fig. 27(b), in this embodiment, the game stop notification related to the notification mode TB switches from the special game stop notification image tg2 to the normal game stop notification image tg1 over time (the scene on the right side of Fig. 27(b)), and the notification mode of the game stop notification becomes the notification mode TA. This means that the game stop notification of the notification mode TA and the game stop notification of the notification mode TB become the same notification mode over time.
According to this, by standardizing the notification mode of the final game stop notification, it is possible to make the game stop notification itself easier to recognize while achieving the effect of differentiating the two notification modes described above.
In order to achieve the effect, the notification mode that becomes the same over time does not matter. However, from the viewpoint of enhancing the effect, it is preferable that the notification mode coincides with one of the notification modes, as in the present embodiment.

In this embodiment, in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, the time until the notification mode (notification mode TA) of the game stop notification started by the entry of a game ball into the first start hole 57 and the notification mode (notification mode TB) of the game stop notification started by the entry of a game ball into the second start hole 59 become the same notification mode is different from the time until the notification mode (notification mode TB) of the game stop notification started by the entry of a game ball into the first start hole 57 and the notification mode (notification mode TA) of the game stop notification started by the entry of a game ball into the second start hole 59 become the same notification mode in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PB or the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC.
This makes it easier for the player to recognize that a game stop notification has started in any game state due to the difference in the time it takes for the notification mode to become the same.
In order to achieve this effect, it is preferable to make the former time longer than the latter time, so that in a relatively unfavorable game state (special chart variation pattern derivation state PA) where the player is likely to feel distrustful, it is possible to make it easier for the player to recognize the notification mode of the game stop notification until the notification mode becomes the same. This contributes to making it easier for the player to recognize the change in the notification mode of the game stop notification.

Also, as shown in Figure 26, in this embodiment, the notification mode of the game stop notification when the winning port related to the start trigger of the game stop notification in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PA is the large winning port 55, and the notification mode of the game stop notification when the winning port related to the start trigger of the game stop notification is the large winning port 55 in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PB or the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PC are the same (notification mode TB).
According to this, by standardizing the notification mode of the game stop notification that is initiated by the entry of a game ball into a winning port other than the first starting port 57 and the second starting port 59 between these game states, it is possible to make it easier for the player to recognize the existence of the game stop notification itself.
Although different from this embodiment, in order to achieve this effect, it is preferable that the notification mode of the game stop notification when the winning port related to the start trigger of the game stop notification in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PA is the large winning port 55, and the notification mode of the game stop notification when the winning port related to the start trigger of the game stop notification in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PB or the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PC is the large winning port 55, be a notification mode different from both the notification mode TA and the notification mode TB.
In addition, in this embodiment, the large prize opening 55 is described as a prize opening different from the first start opening 57 and the second start opening 59 and which triggers the game stop notification of the notification mode TB, but as long as it is a prize opening different from the first start opening 57 and the second start opening 59, the general prize opening 67 may also be the target, regardless of its type.

In addition, when the winning port related to the start trigger of the game stop notification in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PA is the large winning port 55, and when the winning port related to the start trigger of the game stop notification in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PB or the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PC is the large winning port 55, the notification mode (notification mode TB) of the game stop notification will become notification mode TA over time, as shown in Figure 27 (b).
According to this, by standardizing the final notification mode, it is possible to make it easier for the player to recognize that a game stop notification has begun.

In addition, in order to achieve the effect of standardizing the final notification mode described above, in this embodiment, it is preferable that the time until the notification mode (notification mode TB) of the game stop notification when the winning port related to the start trigger of the game stop notification in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PA becomes notification mode TA when the winning port related to the start trigger of the game stop notification is the large winning port 55 in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PB or the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PC becomes notification mode TA is the same.
Furthermore, it is preferable that these times are longer than any of the times until the notification mode TB becomes the notification mode JA in other situations (when a game stop notification is initiated upon the entry of a game ball into the first start hole 57 or the second start hole 59).

Also, as shown in Figure 26, when the game stop flag is turned ON during a jackpot game, that is, when a stop advance notification is initiated during a jackpot game, the notification mode of the game stop notification initiated upon the end of the jackpot game will be the same (notification mode TA), regardless of the type of winning slot related to these triggers or the type of jackpot game in which these triggers occurred.
This makes it easier for the player to recognize that play has been stopped in either case.
In order to achieve this effect, the notification mode of the game stop notification does not need to be the same in all cases, but it is sufficient that the notification mode of the game stop notification is the same in some cases.

Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, the notification control means (first sub-control board 200, second sub-control board 300) can further initiate a predetermined notification (game stop notification) based on the fact that the game has been stopped, and in other words, the notification mode of the predetermined notification that is initiated after the end of a jackpot game in which a specific notification (stop advance notification) is initiated by the entry of a game ball into the first winning port (right general winning port 67b) can be the same as the notification mode of the predetermined notification that is initiated after the end of a jackpot game in which a specific notification is initiated by the entry of a game ball into the second winning port (large winning port 55).

<About the behavior when power is restored during execution of each notification related to the complete function>
Next, using Figures 28 to 32, we will explain in detail the behavior when power is restored (without RAM clear processing) during the execution of each notification related to the complete function (advance notification, stop warning notification, game stop notification).
FIG. 28 is a timing chart showing the behavior of each notification when a power outage and restoration of power occurs without the execution of a RAM clear process during a period in which advance notification and shutdown advance notification are executed in parallel.
FIG. 29 is a timing chart showing the behavior of each notification when a power outage and restoration occurs without execution of a RAM clear process during the early period after the game stop flag is turned ON.
FIG. 30 is a timing chart showing the behavior of each notification when the game stop flag is turned ON just before the final period and a power outage and restoration occurs during the final period without the execution of a RAM clear process.
FIG. 31 is a timing chart showing the behavior of each notification when a power outage and restoration occurs during execution of a game stop notification.
FIG. 32(a) is a diagram showing the notification mode when a stop advance notification is restored, and FIG. 32(b) is a diagram showing the notification mode when a game stop notification is restored.
In the timing charts shown in Figures 28 to 31, for the sake of ease of explanation, the period required for power interruption and restoration (power interruption followed by power on) is shown only by a vertical line (power interruption and power on occur simultaneously); however, except for so-called momentary power interruptions, this period takes a certain amount of time.

As shown in Fig. 28, in this embodiment, if a power outage occurs without execution of a RAM clear process during execution of a stop notice notification, the stop notice notification is resumed after the power is restored in a notification mode at the time of restoration that is different from the notification mode of the stop notice notification before the power outage (for example, display of the normal stop notice image yg1). However, if a power outage occurs with execution of a RAM clear process during execution of a stop notice notification, as described above, the game stop flag is turned OFF, so naturally, in this case, the stop notice notification is not resumed.
Here, the notification mode at the time of return related to the stop advance notification is the notification mode shown in Figure 32 (a), and in this notification mode, a return stop advance notification image yg3 stating "Please continue hitting to the right. Today's game will end after this jackpot game ends" is displayed in the display area related to the main display unit 81.
This makes it easier to recognize that a power outage and restoration without the execution of a RAM clear process has occurred during execution of a stop notice notification (when the game stop flag is ON). This contributes to making it easier to recognize the occurrence of a mistake, for example, when a power outage and restoration (which involves the execution of a RAM clear process) for turning off the game stop flag during execution of a stop notice notification is missed (when a power outage and restoration without the execution of a RAM clear process has been performed).
In order to achieve this effect, it is not necessarily necessary for the shutdown warning notification to be resumed in the notification mode at the time of restoration in all cases where a power outage and restoration occurs without the execution of a RAM clear process while the shutdown warning notification is being executed, and it may be possible for the shutdown warning notification to be resumed in the notification mode at the time of restoration in some of such cases.

Furthermore, this can also be said that when a power outage is restored without the execution of a RAM clear process while a stop warning notification is being executed, the notification mode upon return of the stop warning notification will be the same (in either case, the return stop warning image yg3 will be displayed) regardless of the type of winning slot that triggered the stop warning notification before the power outage.
Similarly, when a power outage is performed and power is restored without executing a RAM clear process while a stop warning notification is being executed, the notification mode upon restoration of the stop warning notification will be the same regardless of the type of jackpot game that resulted in the winning that triggered the stop warning notification before the power outage.

Therefore, in other words, in the gaming machine 10, the notification mode of the specific notification that is resumed when a power interruption occurs during the execution of a specific notification (stop warning notification) that is initiated by a gaming ball entering the first winning port (right general winning port 67b) during a jackpot game and the power is then turned on without executing a RAM clear process is the same as the notification mode of the specific notification that is resumed when a power interruption occurs during the execution of a specific notification that is initiated by a gaming ball entering the second winning port (large winning port 55) during a jackpot game and the power is then turned on without executing a RAM clear process.

In particular, in this embodiment, the stop advance notification realized by displaying the return stop advance notification image yg3 is different from both the notification mode YA and the notification mode YB described above.
This can enhance the effect of making it easier to recognize that a power outage and restoration has occurred without the execution of a RAM clear process while a shutdown warning notification is being executed.

Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, the notification mode of the specific notification that is resumed when a power interruption occurs during the execution of a specific notification (stop warning notification) that is initiated by a game ball entering the first winning port (left general winning port 67a) during a jackpot game and the power is then turned on without executing a RAM clear process, and the notification mode of the specific notification that is resumed when a power interruption occurs during the execution of a specific notification that is initiated by a game ball entering the second winning port (large winning port 55) during a jackpot game and the power is then turned on without executing a RAM clear process, can be said to be different from both the notification mode of the specific notification that is initiated by a game ball entering the first winning port during a jackpot game and the notification mode of the specific notification that is initiated by a game ball entering the second winning port during a jackpot game.

Also, as shown in Figure 28, in this embodiment, if a power outage and restoration occurs without the execution of a RAM clear process during a period in which advance warning and shutdown notice warning are being executed in parallel, the shutdown notice warning is resumed but the advance warning is not resumed.
By executing these notifications in parallel, it is possible to make it easier for the user to recognize the connection from the advance notification to the shutdown warning notification, while also making it easier for the user to recognize that a power outage and restoration has occurred without the execution of a RAM clear process while the shutdown warning notification is being executed.

Next, as shown in Figure 29, in this embodiment, if a power outage and restoration occurs without the execution of a RAM clear process during the early period after the game stop flag is turned ON (advance notification is executed but stop advance notification is not initiated), the advance notification is not resumed and the stop advance notification is initiated at the end of the early period.
This makes it easier for the driver to recognize the shutdown notification that is executed after the power outage is restored.
In order to achieve this effect, it is preferable that the timing for initiating the outage warning notification be at the end of the early period after the power outage is restored (at the start of the middle period), but the timing may be any timing after the end of the early period, and this also applies when the power outage is not restored.

In particular, in this embodiment, the stop warning notification that is initiated when a power outage and restoration occurs without the execution of a RAM clear process in the early period after the game stop flag is turned ON is in the notification mode at the time of restoration described above.
This makes it easier to recognize that a power outage and restoration has occurred without the execution of a RAM clear process.

Next, as shown in Figure 30, in this embodiment, if the game stop flag is turned ON just before the final period (which can be either the early or middle period of the jackpot game, but in this example it is the middle period), and then a power outage is restored during the final period without the execution of a RAM clear process, in addition to the advance notification, the stop warning notification is not resumed, and the game stop notification is started after the jackpot game ends.
This makes it easier to recognize the game stop notification when a power outage and restoration occurs during the final period without the execution of a RAM clear process.

31, in this embodiment, if a power outage occurs without execution of a RAM clear process during execution of a game stop notification, the game stop notification is resumed after the power is restored in a notification mode at the time of restoration that is different from the notification mode of the game stop notification before the power outage (display of the normal game stop image tg1). However, if a power outage occurs with execution of a RAM clear process during execution of a game stop notification, as described above, the game stop flag is turned OFF, so naturally, the game stop notification is not resumed in that case.
Here, the notification mode of return related to the game stop notification is the notification mode shown in Figure 32 (b), and in this notification mode, a return game stop image tg3 stating "Game has been stopped due to the complete function. Please clear RAM" is displayed in the display area related to the main display unit 81.
This makes it easier to recognize that a power outage and restoration without the execution of a RAM clear process has occurred during the execution of a game stop notification (game stop state). This contributes to making it easier to recognize the occurrence of an error, for example, when a power outage and restoration (which involves the execution of a RAM clear process) for turning off a game stop flag during the execution of a game stop notification is missed (when a power outage and restoration without the execution of a RAM clear process has been performed).
In order to achieve this effect, it is not necessarily necessary for the game stop notification to be resumed in the notification mode at the time of restoration in all cases where a power outage and restoration occurs without the execution of a RAM clear process while a game stop notification is being executed, and it may be possible for the game stop notification to be resumed in the notification mode at the time of restoration in some of such cases.

In this embodiment, when a power outage occurs without execution of a RAM clear process during execution of a stop notice notification, the stop notice notification is resumed at a timing later than the timing of the power restoration (specifically, the timing when a time t1 has elapsed since the power restoration) as shown in Fig. 28. On the other hand, when a power outage occurs without execution of a RAM clear process during execution of a game stop notice as shown in Fig. 31, the game stop notice is resumed at the timing of the power restoration (a timing allowing for a delay due to an unintended processing delay).
According to this, by making the timing for resuming these notifications different based on the timing of power restoration, it is possible to make it easier for the user to recognize the difference between these notifications.
In order to achieve this effect, the timing for resuming the stop advance notification may be the timing for the power restoration, and the timing for resuming the game stop notification may be a timing later than the timing for the power restoration.
In addition, the difference in the restart timing described above does not necessarily have to occur, and it is sufficient that the configuration is such that the difference occurs in part. Furthermore, the timing after the timing of power restoration described above is not limited to a timing determined by the passage of time from the timing of power restoration, but may be a timing when any condition related to the progress of the game is satisfied after the timing of power restoration, such as the start of a new round of play (corresponding to the case where the stop advance notice is resumed at the timing after that), or the timing when all the scheduled winning balls are paid out (corresponding to the case where the game stop notice is resumed at the timing after that).

In particular, in this embodiment, the timing for resuming the above-mentioned stop advance notification is later than the timing for power restoration, and the timing for resuming the game stop notification is the timing for power restoration.
This makes it possible to suppress unnecessary game operations (operations on the operating handle 31).

As described above, the stop notice ends when the big win game ends. Therefore, in this embodiment, the execution period of the stop notice and the execution period of the game stop notice are configured not to overlap. That is, in this embodiment, the game stop notice starts after the execution of the stop notice ends.
This makes it easier to recognize both the stop advance notification and the game stop notification.

In particular, in this embodiment, as shown in Figures 28 to 31, the game stop notification is started after a time t2 has elapsed since the stop advance notification ended (since the jackpot game ended).
This can further enhance the effect of making the above-mentioned stop advance notification and game stop notification easier to recognize.
In addition, in order to achieve this effect, the period from the end of the stop warning notification to the start of the game stop notification does not have to be defined by the passage of time, and the content of the period is not important as long as it is defined by predetermined conditions, such as being defined by the timing at which the stop warning notification ends and the timing at which all scheduled winning balls have been paid out.

<Other Modifications>
Modifications not mentioned in the above description are listed below.
First, in the present invention, "different notification modes" does not only mean that the notification modes of the notification itself or the combination of notifications are different, as in the above-described embodiment, but also means that the ease of recognition of the target notification changes when the target notification is combined with another notification that is started at the same time as the target notification is started. Furthermore, it is preferable that the other notification and the target notification are executed on the same device, but it is also acceptable for these notifications to be executed on different devices.

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 addition, in this embodiment, the initial values of both the out balls and the safe balls are set when power is restored after a power outage that involves the execution of a RAM clear process, and the current values are maintained without an initial value being set when power is restored without the execution of a RAM clear process, but the initial values of both the out balls and the safe balls may also be set when power is restored after a power outage that does not involve the execution of a RAM clear process. In this case, a stop advance notification can be applied to the above-mentioned specified notification.

In addition, in this embodiment, the complete function control means 190 that controls the complete function is 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 addition, the above-mentioned advance notification, stop advance notification, and game stop notification have all been described as being realized by an image display device (in this embodiment, the main display unit 81), but some or all of these notifications may be realized by a device other than the image display device, such as a lamp or speaker, or may be executed by multiple different devices.

In addition, in the present embodiment described above, even if the game stop flag is ON, the stop advance 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 advance notification may be initiated in the early stage period as long as it does not impede the above-mentioned inventions.

In addition, the present embodiment described above is configured so that if the game stop flag is turned ON during the final period, a 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, a stop advance notification may be initiated during the final period when the game stop flag is turned ON during the final period.

In addition, when the above-mentioned warning notification for stopping the notification mode at the time of return has been initiated, the notification mode may be further changed after a predetermined period (such as a period defined by the passage of time, regardless of the end condition of the period), and the notification mode after the change may be the normal notification mode (notification mode YA).
According to this, it is possible to make the player easily recognize the stop advance notification. In particular, by making the notification mode after the change the normal notification mode, it is possible to make the player, who is aware of the normal notification mode as the stop advance notification, easily understand that the stop advance notification is being executed.

Similarly, when the game stop notification of the above-mentioned notification mode at the time of return is initiated, the notification mode may be further changed after a predetermined period of time has elapsed, and the notification mode after the change may be the normal notification mode (notification mode TA).
According to this, it is possible to make the player easily recognize the game stop notification. In particular, by making the notification mode after the change the normal notification mode, it is possible to make the player, who is aware of the normal notification mode as a game stop notification, easily understand that the game stop notification is being executed.

In addition, when the game stop state is set by the above-mentioned complete function, all or some of the LEDs constituting the pattern display device 90 (for example, only the first special pattern display device 91 and the second special pattern display device 92) may be turned off or fully lit (neither state occurs during normal play except when the power is turned on), so that even if the game stop notification, the execution of which is managed by the first sub-control board 200, is not executed due to an abnormality in communication between the main control board 100 and the first sub-control board 200 or for other reasons, the player can recognize that the game stop state has been set.

In addition, in this embodiment, the advance notification continues to be executed once the difference in the number of balls reaches 95,000 or more until the difference in the number of balls reaches at least 100,000, but it does not necessarily need to be executed all the time.
Specifically, it may be configured not to be executed during at least a portion of a so-called standby demo in which neither the pattern change nor the big win game is being executed.
According to this, in a state where the difference in the number of balls has not reached 95,000 and an advance notification is being executed, which is more likely that no game will be played than in a state where the advance notification is not being executed (a state where there is a high possibility of transitioning to a waiting demo), it is possible to suppress burn-in caused by the display of the normal advance notification image jg1.
Furthermore, assuming that the standby demo is composed of a state in which the combination of decorative patterns that was displayed in a stopped state before transitioning to the standby demo is displayed (so-called pattern demo), and a state in which the combination of decorative patterns is not displayed and a movie introducing the machine or the like is played (so-called movie demo), from the viewpoint of making it easier for the player to recognize the advance notification, it is preferable that in the former state the normal advance notification image jg1 is displayed, while in the latter state the normal advance notification image jg1 is not displayed.

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

In addition, in each special chart variation pattern derivation state, the special chart variation pattern may be determined using the special chart variation pattern lottery table shown in Figures 9 to 11, or the special chart variation pattern may be determined using another special chart variation pattern lottery table, or the special chart variation pattern may be determined without using the special chart variation pattern lottery table (without performing a lottery). However, in each special chart variation pattern derivation state, it is preferable that the special chart variation pattern is determined using the special chart variation pattern lottery table shown in Figures 9 to 11 for more than half of the period during which the special chart variation pattern derivation state continues.

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

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

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

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

<Additional Notes>
The present embodiment encompasses the following technical idea.
(1)
A gaming machine which executes a win/lose judgment when a pattern change starts, and when a specific result is derived by said win/lose judgment, is capable of generating a jackpot game after the end of the pattern change for which said win/lose judgment was executed, and when a gaming ball enters a winning slot, a number of gaming balls corresponding to said winning slot are awarded, and when the difference in the number of balls derived using safe balls, which are the number of awarded gaming balls relating to said winning, and out balls, which are the number of used gaming balls, reaches or exceeds a specific threshold value,
A notification means;
A notification control means for controlling the notification means;
Equipped with
When the difference in the number of balls becomes equal to or greater than the specific threshold during the jackpot game, the game is stopped based on the end of the jackpot game,
The notification control means is capable of starting a specific notification based on the entry of a game ball into the winning hole in which the difference in the number of balls becomes equal to or greater than the specific threshold during the jackpot game,
The winning port includes a first winning port and a second winning port different from the first winning port,
The notification mode of the specific notification that is started by the entry of a game ball into the first winning port during the jackpot game may be different from the notification mode of the specific notification that is started by the entry of a game ball into the second winning port during the jackpot game,
The notification control means is further capable of starting a predetermined notification based on the fact that the game has been stopped,
The notification mode of the predetermined notification that starts after the end of the jackpot game in which the specific notification is started by the entry of a game ball into the first winning port may be the same as the notification mode of the predetermined notification that starts after the end of the jackpot game in which the specific notification is started by the entry of a game ball into the second winning port.
A gaming machine characterized by:
(2)
The gaming machine according to (1) above,
The notification mode after a predetermined time has elapsed of the specific notification started by the entry of a game ball into the first winning port during the jackpot game is the same as the notification mode after the predetermined time has elapsed of the specific notification started by the entry of a game ball into the second winning port during the jackpot game.
A gaming machine characterized by:
(3)
The gaming machine according to (2) above,
The game stop is released based on the power-on with the execution of the RAM clear process,
If a power outage occurs during the execution of the specific notification and then the power is turned on without executing the RAM clear process, the specific notification may be resumed.
If a power outage occurs during the execution of the specific notification and then the power is turned on with the execution of the RAM clear process, the specific notification is not resumed,
The notification mode of the specific notification that is resumed when a power interruption occurs during the execution of the specific notification that was started upon the entry of a game ball into the first winning port during the jackpot game and the power is then turned on without the execution of the RAM clearing process is the same as the notification mode of the specific notification that is resumed when a power interruption occurs during the execution of the specific notification that was started upon the entry of a game ball into the second winning port during the jackpot game and the power is then turned on without the execution of the RAM clearing process.
A gaming machine characterized by:

10 Gaming machine 15 Outer frame 17 Middle frame 20 Front frame 21 Hinge mechanism 22 Movable decorative body 23 Cylinder lock 25 Transparent member 27 Upper ball tray 29 Lower ball tray 31 Operation handle 32 Upper frame portion 33 (33a, 33b) Speaker 34a, 34b Left and right side frame portions 35 (35a, 35b, 35c) Frame lamp 36 Ball removal mechanism 37 Performance button 38 Cursor button 38a Up cursor button 38b Down cursor button 38c Left cursor button 38d Right cursor button 38e Center cursor button 39 Main operation portion 39a Ball loan button 39b Return button 40 Power switch 43 RAM clear switch 45 Opening and closing cover 46 Game ball tank 47 Tank rail 48 Payout unit 49 Payout passage 50 Game board 50a Game area 51 Outer rail 52 Windmill 53 Inner rail 54, protective member 55, large prize opening 57, first start opening 59, second start opening 61, normal electric role 62, normal electric role solenoid 63, gate 65, special electric role 66, special electric role solenoid 67, general prize opening 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 opening sensor 77, front frame door opening 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 811 Display area 812 Display area 813 Display area X First flow path Y Second flow path jg1 Normal advance notification image jg2 Special advance notification image yg1 Normal stop notice image yg2 Special stop notice image yg3 Return stop notice image tg1 Normal game stop image tg2 Special game stop image tg3 Return game stop image

Claims (2)

A gaming machine which executes a win/lose judgment when a pattern change starts, and when a specific result is derived by said win/lose judgment, is capable of generating a jackpot game after the end of the pattern change for which said win/lose judgment was executed, and when a gaming ball enters a winning slot, a number of gaming balls corresponding to said winning slot are awarded, and when the difference in the number of balls derived using safe balls, which are the number of awarded gaming balls relating to said winning, and out balls, which are the number of used gaming balls, reaches or exceeds a specific threshold value,
A notification means;
A notification control means for controlling the notification means;
Equipped with
When the difference in the number of balls becomes equal to or greater than the specific threshold during the jackpot game, the game is stopped based on the end of the jackpot game,
The notification control means is capable of starting a specific notification based on the entry of a game ball into the winning hole in which the difference in the number of balls becomes equal to or greater than the specific threshold during the jackpot game,
The winning port includes a first winning port and a second winning port different from the first winning port,
The notification mode of the specific notification that is started by the entry of a game ball into the first winning port during the jackpot game may be different from the notification mode of the specific notification that is started by the entry of a game ball into the second winning port during the jackpot game,
The notification control means is further capable of starting a predetermined notification based on the fact that the game has been stopped,
The notification mode of the predetermined notification that starts after the end of the jackpot game in which the specific notification is started by the entry of a game ball into the first winning port may be the same as the notification mode of the predetermined notification that starts after the end of the jackpot game in which the specific notification is started by the entry of a game ball into the second winning port ,
The notification mode after a predetermined time of the specific notification started by the entry of a game ball into the first winning port during the jackpot game is the same as the notification mode after the predetermined time of the specific notification started by the entry of a game ball into the second winning port during the jackpot game,
Either one of the notification mode after the predetermined time has elapsed of the specific notification started by the entry of a game ball into the first winning port during the jackpot game and the notification mode after the predetermined time has elapsed of the specific notification started by the entry of a game ball into the second winning port during the jackpot game is the same as the notification mode until the predetermined time has elapsed.
A gaming machine characterized by: A gaming machine which executes a win/lose judgment when a pattern change starts, and when a specific result is derived by the win/lose judgment, is capable of generating a jackpot game after the end of the pattern change for which the win/lose judgment was executed, and when a gaming ball enters a winning slot, a number of gaming balls corresponding to the winning slot are awarded, and when the difference in the number of balls derived using safe balls, which are the number of awarded gaming balls relating to the winning, and out balls, which are the number of used gaming balls, reaches or exceeds a specific threshold value,
A notification means;
A notification control means for controlling the notification means;
Equipped with
When the difference in the number of balls becomes equal to or greater than the specific threshold during the jackpot game, the game is stopped based on the end of the jackpot game,
The notification control means is capable of starting a specific notification based on the entry of a game ball into the winning hole in which the difference in the number of balls becomes equal to or greater than the specific threshold during the jackpot game,
The winning port includes a first winning port and a second winning port different from the first winning port,
The notification mode of the specific notification that is started by the entry of a game ball into the first winning port during the jackpot game may be different from the notification mode of the specific notification that is started by the entry of a game ball into the second winning port during the jackpot game,
The notification control means is further capable of starting a predetermined notification based on the fact that the game has been stopped,
The notification mode of the predetermined notification that starts after the end of the jackpot game in which the specific notification is started by the entry of a game ball into the first winning port may be the same as the notification mode of the predetermined notification that starts after the end of the jackpot game in which the specific notification is started by the entry of a game ball into the second winning port ,
The game stop is released based on the power-on with the execution of the RAM clear process,
When a power outage occurs during the execution of the specific notification and then the power is turned on without executing the RAM clear process, the specific notification may be resumed,
If a power outage occurs during the execution of the specific notification and then the power is turned on with the execution of the RAM clear process, the specific notification is not resumed,
The notification mode of the specific notification that is resumed when a power interruption occurs during the execution of the specific notification that was started upon the entry of a game ball into the first winning port during the jackpot game and the power is then turned on without the execution of the RAM clearing process is the same as the notification mode of the specific notification that is resumed when a power interruption occurs during the execution of the specific notification that was started upon the entry of a game ball into the second winning port during the jackpot game and the power is then turned on without the execution of the RAM clearing process.
A gaming machine characterized by:

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