JP7477892B2 - Gaming Machines - Google Patents

Description

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

Some gaming machines, such as pachinko machines, have a function that allows the player to customize the effects that are displayed during play when the game is not being played (when the standby demo screen is being displayed) (hereinafter referred to as the effect customization function). For example, see Patent Document 1.

JP 2015-134096 A

Patent document 1 discloses a gaming machine that displays information about presentation customization on a display device, for example, when power supply to the gaming machine is started, when a player starts playing, or when it is determined that the player is not playing.

Incidentally, there are gaming machines in which the game progresses while transitioning between multiple states, and the customizable effects change according to the state transition. In the case of such gaming machines, if operations related to effect customization are made acceptable without considering the effects of state transitions (changes in customizable effects), there is a risk that the effect control will become unstable (leading to customization that is unexpected by the player).
The gaming machine of Patent Document 1 does not take into consideration the presentation customization function from the above-mentioned perspective, and there is still room for improvement.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above problems, and aims to provide a gaming machine that realizes an appropriate presentation customization function and can increase the interest in gaming or prevent a decrease in interest in gaming.

According to the present invention, there is provided a gaming machine capable of executing a pattern variation based on the entry of a gaming ball into a starting hole, the gaming machine comprising an operation means and a performance control means for controlling a performance, the performance control means being customizable for a plurality of items related to the performance based on an operation received by the operation means, and having a first state and a second state in which at least a portion of the plurality of items are customizable, and when at least a portion of the items customizable in the first state are not included in the items customizable in the second state, or when at least a portion of the items customizable in the second state are not included in the items customizable in the first state, and when the first state is entered after the second state is ended, the items are customizable in the first state. a third state is provided after the end of the second state during a customization restriction period during which customization is disabled for at least a portion of the items customizable in the first state, and at least a portion of the items customizable in the third state are not included in the items customizable in the third state, or at least a portion of the items customizable in the third state are not included in the items customizable in the first state, the third state is more advantageous than the second state, and the first state is advantageous in that order, there is a first case in which the first state occurs after the end of the second state, and a second case in which the first state occurs after the end of the third state, and the length of the customization restriction period differs between the first and second cases .
According to the present invention, there is provided a gaming machine capable of executing a pattern change based on the entry of a game ball into a starting hole, the gaming machine comprising an operation means and an effect control means for controlling an effect, the effect control means being capable of customizing a plurality of items related to the effect based on an operation received by the operation means, and having a first state and a second state in which at least a portion of the plurality of items are customizable, and when at least a portion of the items customizable in the first state are not included in the items customizable in the second state, or when at least a portion of the items customizable in the second state are not included in the items customizable in the first state, and when the first state is entered after the second state ends, during a customization restriction period in which customization is not possible for at least a portion of the items customizable in the first state, the customization restriction period is after the end of the second state, and when the first state is entered after the end of the second state, a performance that was started before the start of the customization restriction period continues until the start of the first state, and when the performance is controlled by customization based on an operation received in the second state, the performance can be controlled by the same customization even after the start of the first state.
According to the present invention, there is provided a gaming machine capable of executing a pattern change based on the entry of a game ball into a starting hole, the gaming machine comprising an operation means and an effect control means for controlling an effect, the effect control means being customizable based on an operation received by the operation means for a plurality of items related to the effect, a first state and a second state in which at least a portion of the plurality of items are customizable, and in a case where at least a portion of the items customizable in the first state are not included in the items customizable in the second state, or at least a portion of the items customizable in the second state are not included in the items customizable in the first state, and in a case where the first state is entered after the end of the second state, during a customization restriction period in which customization is not possible for at least a portion of the items customizable in the first state, the customization is restricted after the end of the second state, and in a case where the first state is entered after the end of the second state, a performance that was started before the start of the customization restriction period continues until the start of the first state, and if a customization operation is received between the start of the first state and the end of the performance, the customization may be restricted.
According to the present invention, there is provided a gaming machine capable of executing a pattern change based on the entry of a gaming ball into a starting hole, the gaming machine comprising an operation means and a performance control means for controlling a performance, the performance control means being customizable for a plurality of items related to the performance based on an operation received by the operation means, and having a first state and a second state in which at least a portion of the plurality of items are customizable, at least a portion of the items customizable in the first state are not included in the items customizable in the second state, or at least a portion of the items customizable in the second state are not included in the items customizable in the first state, and a specific state in which at least a portion of the plurality of items are customizable and the pattern change can be stopped. a customization restriction period that occurs after the end of the second state during which at least a portion of items that are customizable in the first state cannot be customized when the first state is entered after the second state ends, the number of items that are customizable during the customization restriction period being smaller than the number of items that are customizable in the first state or the number of items that are customizable in the second state, and there is no customization restriction period when the specific state is entered from the second state, or the customization restriction period when the specific state is entered from the second state is shorter than the customization restriction period when the first state is entered after the end of the second state.

According to the present invention, when switching from the second state to the first state, a period during which customization of the presentation is restricted (customization restriction period) is provided, thereby stabilizing presentation control, and as a result, a gaming machine is provided that can increase interest in the game or prevent a decrease in interest in the game.

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 schematic diagram showing a lottery table for determining whether a special pattern is a winning combination, Figure 8(b) is a schematic diagram showing a lottery table for drawing the special pattern 1 stopping pattern, and Figure 8(c) is a schematic diagram showing a lottery table for drawing the special pattern 2 stopping pattern. Figure 9(a) is a schematic diagram showing a special chart variation pattern lottery table used in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, and 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 special chart variation pattern derivation state PA. Figure 10(a) is a schematic diagram showing a special chart variation pattern lottery table used in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PB, and Figure 10(b) is a schematic diagram showing a special chart variation pattern lottery table used when the special chart variation pattern HNP is determined in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PB. Figure 11(a) is a schematic diagram showing a special chart variation pattern lottery table used in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC, and Figure 11(b) is a schematic diagram showing a special chart variation pattern lottery table used when the special chart variation pattern HNP is determined in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC. Figure 12(a) is a schematic diagram showing a special chart variation pattern lottery table used in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PD, and Figure 12(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 special chart variation pattern derivation state PD. FIG. 13(a) is a state transition diagram showing the transition of the special chart variation pattern derivation state, and FIG. 13(b) is a diagram showing the relationship of the average variation time for each special chart variation pattern derivation state. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the display mode of the display relating to the effect customization process from the start to the stop of the pattern variation in the normal mode. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the display mode of the display relating to the effect customization process while the pattern variation is stopped in the normal mode. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the display mode of the display relating to the effect customization process while the pattern variation is stopped in the normal mode. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a display mode of a display relating to the effect customization process in the chance time. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a display state of the main display section when transitioning from the chance time to the normal mode. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing the display state of the main display unit 81 when transitioning from the special probability mode to the normal mode. FIG. 20 is a specific example of a time chart relating to the change in the display mode shown in FIG. 18 and FIG.

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

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

The gaming machine 10 according to the present invention is a so-called pachinko gaming machine that can execute symbol variations based on the entry of a gaming ball into a starting hole.
The gaming machine 10 is equipped with an operation means (effect button 37 and cursor button 38) and a performance control means (first sub-control board 200) that controls the performance, and the performance control means is customizable for multiple items related to the performance based on operations received by the operation means.
Here, items related to the effects may include, for example, at least one of the following: adjusting the volume of the speaker 33, adjusting the brightness of the frame lamp 35, selecting the music to be used as background music, the occurrence rate or reliability of a particular effect (for example, a premium effect or a pre-reading effect), and a particular function related to the effects (for example, a so-called auto button or 3D display).

The gaming machine 10 has a first state and a second state in which at least some of a plurality of items are customizable. At least some of the items customizable in the first state are not included in the items customizable in the second state. Or, at least some of the items customizable in the second state are not included in the items customizable in the first state.
In other words, when comparing "items customizable in the first state" and "items customizable in the second state", either (i) the former and the latter are completely mismatched (there are no overlapping items in either), (ii) the former and the latter are partially matched (there are items included in both, but not all of them match), (iii) the former is contained within the latter (all of the items included in the former are included in the latter, but some of the items included in the latter are not included in the former), or (iv) the latter is contained within the former (all of the items included in the latter are included in the former, but some of the items included in the former are not included in the latter).

The gaming machine 10 is characterized in that, when the game machine 10 enters the first state after the second state ends, a customization restriction period during which customization is disabled for at least some of the items that were customizable in the first state occurs after the end of the second state .
In other words, the gaming machine 10 is characterized by having the above-mentioned customization restriction period set, since allowing all customizations to be accepted without placing restrictions on the timing at which customizable items change (when switching from the second state to the first state), would cause control over customization to become unstable (and there is a risk of customization that is unexpected by the player).

The present invention makes it possible to stabilize the control of presentation, thereby improving the interest in the game or preventing a decrease in the interest in the game.

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 has 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 spaced apart from each other vertically and are formed integrally with the front frame 20.
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.
In addition, 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 effects 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 mainly related to the performance, but is also configured to be movable.
The initial positions of the upper sub-display unit 82a are on the upper side relative to the main display unit 81, the left sub-display unit 82b are on the left side relative to the main display unit 81, and the right sub-display unit 82c are on the right side relative to the main display unit 81, and each of the sub-display units 82 is configured to be movable from these initial positions to a position where the entire display area of the sub-display unit 82 overlaps with the display area of the main display unit 81.

In addition, in this embodiment, the performance display device 80 (main display unit 81, upper sub-display unit 82a, left sub-display unit 82b, right sub-display unit 82c) all use liquid crystal display devices, but the implementation of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, various types of display devices, such as drum type and dot matrix type, can be used as the performance display device 80.

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

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

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

In addition to the above-mentioned display devices, the symbol display device 90 is provided with a first special symbol reservation lamp 94, a second special symbol reservation lamp 95, and a normal symbol reservation lamp 96.
The first special pattern reserve lamp 94 makes it possible to identify the number of pattern variations of reserved special pattern 1, the second special pattern reserve lamp 95 makes it possible to identify the number of pattern variations of reserved special pattern 2, and the normal pattern reserve lamp 96 makes it possible to identify the number of pattern variations of 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 side always lit only = 1, left and right sides always lit = 2, right side flashing + left side always 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 the jackpot game that is started when a jackpot is derived by the special winning/losing determination described later, and thus allows winning into the large winning hole 55. In this way, when the special electric device 65 is in an open state, winning into the large winning hole 55 becomes easier, so the jackpot game in which the chances of winning prize balls are greatly increased can be said to be an advantageous game state.
In the 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 that occur 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 jackpot opening 55, and the special electric device 65 enters a closed state.
In addition, one open state also ends when a sufficient amount of time (30 s (seconds) in this embodiment) has elapsed for a predetermined number of game balls to enter the large prize opening 55.
Here, when the special electric device 65 is set from the open state to the closed state based on the winning of 10 game balls in one round of play, it cannot immediately return to the closed state. Therefore, there may be a case where more than 10 game balls win the big winning hole 55 in one round of play.

The first starting hole 57 is located at the center of the 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) associated with the first starting hole 57 is awarded. In at least some cases where the winning of the first starting hole 57 is determined, the pattern of the special chart 1 is changed.
In addition, in the game area 50a of this embodiment, obstacles such as game nails are arranged so that more game balls roll toward the first starting hole 57 when they roll from the first flow path X compared to when they roll from the second flow path Y.

The second starting hole 59 is located in the lower right of the play area 50a. A second starting hole sensor 71 is attached to the second starting hole 59, and the winning of the second starting hole 59 is determined based on the detection result of the second starting hole sensor 71, and the number of prize balls associated with the second starting hole 59 (1 in this embodiment) is awarded.
In at least some cases where a winning jackpot has been awarded at the second starting hole 59, the pattern on special chart 2 will change.
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 in an open state at least in part of the normal winning game that is played by winning the pattern variation of the normal picture, and thus allows winning into the second starting hole 59. In this way, when the normal electric device 61 is in an open state, winning into the second starting hole 59 is easy, so that the chances of the pattern variation of the special picture 2 being executed can be greatly increased while suppressing the decrease in game balls by the prize balls.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

<Regarding the control configuration of the gaming machine 10>
Next, a control configuration of the gaming machine 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the gaming machine 10. Note that the control configuration shown in Fig. 6 is necessary for explaining the gaming machine 10 according to 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 supply generated in a backup power supply circuit described later. Specifically, among the information stored in the RAM 103, various information is backed up so that the gaming machine 10 can be restored to the state immediately before the power failure using the data when the power is restored (when the power is turned on) after the power failure. For example, in addition to the data of the stack pointer and each register held at the time of the power failure, information related to the game such as the state of the gaming machine 10 at that time (play stopped state or playable state), the current special drawing state, and the current normal drawing state are backed up. Note that this information is cleared (initialized) by the RAM clear process. Therefore, after the RAM is cleared, the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PA (special drawing low certainty and normal drawing low certainty described later) 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 where the initial pattern combination (in this embodiment, "1 pattern-3 pattern-5 pattern") is displayed frozen, and even if the RAM clear process is not executed when the power is turned on and the pattern change is not in progress at the time of the previous power outage, the initial pattern combination is displayed frozen. Also, this initial pattern combination is displayed frozen only when the power is turned on, and is not stopped by the execution of the pattern change.

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 opening sensor 70, the second start opening sensor 71, the large prize opening sensor 72, the general prize opening sensor 73, the gate sensor 74, the out ball sensor 75, the middle frame open door sensor 76, the front frame open door 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.

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, brightness adjustment commands that instruct brightness adjustment, audio control commands that instruct the audio to be output to the audio control board 310, volume adjustment commands that instruct volume adjustment, 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 audio control board 310 to enable two-way communication, and each control command (image control command, brightness adjustment command, audio control command, volume adjustment command) is transmitted from the first sub-control board 200 to the second sub-control board 300 or the audio 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, audio 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 is equipped with a CPU 301 that performs various arithmetic processing related to image presentation based on image control commands from the first sub-control board 200, a ROM 302 that stores image control programs and various data, a RAM 303 that functions as a work area or buffer memory that serves as a temporary storage area, and an I/O port 304 that inputs and outputs signals between peripheral boards and each device, and is configured so that the CPU 301 executes main control related to image presentation in accordance with the control program stored in ROM 302.
In addition, the second sub-control board 300 is equipped with a VDP (not shown) that generates image data according to the content of the performance determined by the performance content determination means 225 (described later) based on a control signal received from the CPU 301, 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 301. 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 301, processes the image data, and transmits the generated image data to the main display unit 81 and the sub-display unit 82. A high-speed VRAM that is used to expand and process the image data read from the image ROM is also connected to this VDP.

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

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

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

<Functional configuration of the gaming machine 10>
Next, the functional configuration of the gaming machine 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the gaming machine 10. Note that the functional configuration shown in Fig. 7 is necessary for explaining the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, and the gaming machine 10 may have a functional configuration not shown in Fig. 7. Also, when explaining the functional configuration, Figs. 8 to 13 will be referred to as necessary.

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

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

The ball entry determination means 110 determines whether a ball has been entered into each entry port based on the detection results of the sensors installed in each entry port.

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 stop pattern of the special chart, and the random number for drawing the pattern of the special chart, which are obtained as a result of winning the first starting port 57, are reserved (stored) as operation reservation information of 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 reservation control means 120 performs the same control as described above for special drawing 2 and ordinary drawing separately from special drawing 1, and the reservation counter for special drawing 2 is referred to as the special drawing 2 reservation counter.
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 activation pending information corresponding to special chart 1 and the activation pending information corresponding to special chart 2 are reserved, a priority change is performed in which the activation pending information corresponding to special chart 2 is used preferentially.

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 reserved command. Here, the predetermined pre-determination timing refers to a timing that is not during a jackpot game, for example, a timing when the operation reservation information of the special chart is reserved. In this embodiment, if the operation reservation 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 operation reservation 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 restricted.

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

Here, FIGS. 8 to 12 are diagrams that typically show lottery tables used in the main control board 100, and will be referred to as necessary in the following description.
In addition, in a lottery using a lottery table, including other than these lottery tables, the lottery values stored in the lottery table are added to the read random number in a predetermined order (if there is only one 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, the result in which "-" or "0" is described as the lottery value will not win. 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 the winning is a jackpot or a miss by 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 or not a special drawing is a hit, and the lottery table is used in common for special drawings 1 and 2. Since the range of random numbers used in the determination is 0 to 65535, when the special drawing lottery state is low probability (hereinafter, sometimes abbreviated as "low probability of special drawing"), a big hit is derived with a probability of 205/65536 (approximately 1/320).
Similarly, when the special drawing state is in a high probability state (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as "special drawing high probability"), a jackpot is derived with a probability of 600/65536 (approximately 1/109).

When the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment is a big hit, the special chart stop pattern drawing means 132 reads out a random number for the special chart stop pattern drawing, and determines the special chart stop pattern by drawing lots using the read out random number and a lottery table for the special chart stop pattern drawing.
8(b) is a diagram showing a schematic drawing of a drawing table for drawing the stop symbol of special symbol 1, and the range of random numbers used in the drawing is 0 to 99. Therefore, when a jackpot is derived from special symbol 1, symbol A is determined as the stop symbol with a probability of 50/100 (1/2), and symbol B is determined as the stop symbol with a probability of 50/100 (1/2).
Here, the number of rounds of the pattern A is 4, and the pattern is highly likely to be a special pattern and highly likely to be a normal pattern after the end of the jackpot game (hereinafter, it may be referred to as a "probability variable pattern", and the jackpot related to the pattern may be referred to as a "probability variable jackpot"). On the other hand, the number of rounds of the pattern B is 4, and the pattern is highly likely to be a special pattern and highly likely to be a normal pattern after the end of the jackpot game (hereinafter, it may be referred to as a "normal pattern", and the jackpot related to the pattern may be referred to as a "normal jackpot"). Therefore, it can be said that the pattern A is a more advantageous pattern than the pattern B in the special pattern lottery state after the jackpot game.
8(c) is a diagram showing a schematic drawing of a drawing table for drawing the stop symbol of the special symbol 2, and the range of the random numbers used in the drawing is 0 to 99, similar to the drawing of the stop symbol of the special symbol 1. Therefore, when a jackpot is derived in the special symbol 2, the symbol a is determined as the stop symbol with a probability of 75/100 (about 1/1.33), and the symbol b is determined as the stop symbol with a probability of 25/100 (1/4).
Here, the symbol a is a probability variable symbol with 10 rounds and high probability of special symbol and high probability of normal symbol after the end of the jackpot game, and the symbol b is a normal symbol with 4 rounds and high probability of special symbol and high probability of normal symbol after the end of the jackpot game. Therefore, it can be said that the symbol a is a more advantageous symbol than the symbol b in terms of the number of rounds. In the following explanation, the jackpot related to the symbol a may be referred to as a 10R probability variable jackpot, and the jackpot related to the symbol b may be referred to as a 4R probability variable jackpot.
In addition, if the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment is not a jackpot, the special chart stop pattern lottery means 132 uniformly determines pattern C as the stop pattern when special chart 1 is a miss, and pattern c when special chart 2 is a miss.
In addition, in this embodiment, the rate of special chart high probability after the end of the jackpot game with special chart 1 (50/100) is different from the rate of special chart high probability after the end of the jackpot game with special chart 2 (100/100) (the pattern change of special chart 2 is more favorable than the pattern change of special chart 1). Although details are omitted, this difference is realized by changing whether or not to provide a round game in which it is easy to pass through the V winning area (in this embodiment, it is provided in the fourth round game of the easy winning period related to the probability variable jackpot) by changing the stopping pattern of the special chart.

In this way, in the above-mentioned embodiment, a jackpot won in the pattern change related to special chart 2 is more advantageous than a jackpot won in the pattern change related to special chart 1. This makes it possible to further increase interest in the game by transitioning from the special chart change pattern derivation state PA to the special chart change pattern derivation state PD, which will be described later.

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

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, if the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in the pattern change related to special chart 1 during the special chart change pattern derivation state PA is a miss, there is a 900/1000 (approximately 1/1.11) probability of special chart change pattern HNP, a 52/1000 (approximately 1/19.2) probability of special chart change pattern HRP, a 13/1000 (approximately 1/76.9) probability of HSP1-A, and a 11/1000 (approximately 1/90. 9) probability of HSP1-B, 9/1000 (about 1/111) probability of HSP2-A, 7/1000 (about 1/143) probability of HSP2-B, 5/1000 (1/200) probability of HSP3-A, 3/1000 (about 1/333) probability of HSP3-B are determined, and in this case, the special pattern variation pattern ASP1-A to the special pattern variation pattern ASP-C are not determined. Note that, although details will be described later using FIG. 9 (b), when the special pattern variation pattern HNP is determined, the special pattern variation pattern is further specified using the value of the special pattern 1 reserved counter at the start of the current pattern variation.
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 chart variation pattern of this embodiment, when two special chart variation patterns are described with "~" between them, the description of the special chart variation pattern existing between the special chart variation pattern described earlier and the special chart variation pattern described later is omitted according to the order described in the drawing related to the special chart variation pattern lottery table for each special chart variation pattern derivation state. Also, in the description of the special chart variation pattern of this embodiment, regardless of whether the corresponding variation time is described or not, if the names of the special chart variation patterns are different, it indicates that they are different special chart variation patterns, but if the corresponding variation time is the same, they may be treated as the same special chart variation pattern.

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 special chart variation pattern derivation state PB, special chart variation pattern derivation state PC, and special chart variation pattern derivation state PD, and in these special chart variation pattern derivation states, the reserved counter referenced is different from that in special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, and in all cases the value of the special chart 2 reserved counter is referenced.

In addition, the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA in the above description of Figures 9(a) and 9(b) includes not only the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA (before Yu-time through) before transitioning to the special chart variation pattern derivation state PD, but also the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA (after Yu-time through) after transitioning from the special chart variation pattern derivation state PD to the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA. In other words, in this embodiment, when determining the special chart variation pattern related to the pattern variation of the special chart 1, the same special chart variation pattern lottery table is used in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA before transitioning to the special chart variation pattern derivation state PD, and in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA after transitioning from the special chart variation pattern derivation state PD to the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA.

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 fluctuation related to the special chart 2 in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PB is a miss, the special chart fluctuation pattern HNP is determined with a probability of 960/1000 (about 1/1.04), the special chart fluctuation pattern HSP-D with a probability of 20/1000 (1/50), the HSP-E with a probability of 15/1000 (about 1/66.7), and the HSP-F with a probability of 5/1000 (1/200), and in this case, the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP-D to the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP-F are not determined. Note that, although details will be described later using FIG. 10(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 2 reserved counter at the start of the current pattern fluctuation. 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 PC and the special chart variation pattern derivation state PD described below.
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 jackpot, special chart change pattern ASP-D is determined with a probability of 500/1000 (1/2), ASP-E with a probability of 350/1000 (approximately 1/2.86), and 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, 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 1500 ms and special chart variation pattern HNP-F with a variation time of 10,000 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 any of the special chart variation patterns that can be determined when special chart variation pattern HNP is determined in the pattern variation related to special chart 1 in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA described above, 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 special chart variation pattern derivation state PC described below, 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 special chart variation pattern derivation state PD 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 patterns HNP to 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), HSP-H with a probability of 15/1000 (approximately 1/66.7), and HSP-I with a probability of 10/1000 (1/100), and in such 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 jackpot, special chart change pattern ASP-G is determined with a probability of 500/1000 (1/2), ASP-H with a probability of 350/1000 (approximately 1/2.86), and ASP-I 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.
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 PC is a miss, any one of the special chart fluctuation patterns HSP-G to HSP-I is determined at a rate of 50/1000 (1/20), and the special chart fluctuation pattern HNP is determined at a rate of 950/1000 (approximately 1/1.05). Furthermore, 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 PC is a big hit, any one of the special chart fluctuation patterns ASP-G to ASP-I is determined at a rate of 1000/1000 (1/1).

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 in 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 in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC 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 12000 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 any of the special chart variation patterns that can be determined when special chart variation pattern HNP is determined in the pattern variation related to special chart 1 in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA described above, 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 special chart variation pattern derivation state PB described below, 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 special chart variation pattern derivation state PD described below.

FIG. 12(a) is a schematic diagram showing a special chart change pattern lottery table used for pattern changes relating to special chart 2 in the special chart change pattern derivation state PD, and the range of random numbers used in the lottery is 0 to 999.
As shown in Figure 12 (a), in the pattern variation related to the special pattern 2 in the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PD, the special pattern variation pattern HNP to the special pattern variation pattern ASP-I can be determined. In particular, the special pattern variation pattern HSP-G to the special pattern variation pattern ASP-I are common to the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PC.
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 PD is a miss, special chart change pattern HNP is determined with a probability of 965/1000 (approximately 1/1.04), special chart change pattern HSP-G with a probability of 30/1000 (approximately 1/33.3), HSP-H with a probability of 3/1000 (approximately 1/333), and HSP-I with a probability of 2/1000 (1/500), 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 PD is a jackpot, special chart change pattern ASP-G is determined with a probability of 800/1000 (1/1.25), ASP-H with a probability of 150/1000 (approximately 1/6.67), and ASP-I with a probability of 50/1000 (1/20), and in such case, special chart change pattern HNP to special chart change pattern HSP-I are not determined.
Although details will be described later, in this embodiment, in the pattern change during the first rotation of the special pattern change pattern derivation state PD, in both cases where the pattern change is a pattern change related to special pattern 1 and where the pattern change is a pattern change related to special pattern 2, the special pattern change pattern is determined by a determination method different from the determination method described using Figure 12 (a) regardless of the result of the special pattern hit/miss judgment for the pattern change.

As described above, in this embodiment, when the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in the pattern change related to special chart 2 in the special chart change pattern derivation state PD is a miss, one of special chart change patterns HSP-G to HSP-I is determined at a rate of 35/1000 (approximately 1/28.6), which is lower than the rate (1/20) at which one of special chart change patterns HSP-G to HSP-I is determined when the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in the pattern change related to special chart 2 in the special chart change pattern derivation state PC is a miss. On the other hand, when the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in the pattern change related to special chart 2 in the special chart change pattern derivation state PD is a miss, the special chart change pattern HNP is determined at a rate of 965/1000 (approximately 1/1.04), which is higher than the rate (approximately 1/1.05) at which the special chart change pattern HNP is determined when the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in the pattern change related to special chart 2 in the special chart change pattern derivation state PC is a miss.
In addition, 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 PD is a jackpot, one of the special chart change patterns ASP-G to ASP-I will be determined at a rate of 1000/1000 (1/1).

In addition, the probability (approximately 1/33.3) that special chart variation pattern HSP-G is determined when the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in the pattern change related to special chart 2 in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PD is higher than the probability (1/40) that special chart variation pattern HSP-G is determined when the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in the pattern change related to special chart 2 in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC is higher. On the other hand, the probability (approximately 1/333) that special chart variation pattern HSP-H is determined when the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment is a miss in the pattern change related to special chart 2 in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PD is lower than the probability (approximately 1/66.7) that special chart variation pattern HSP-H is determined when the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment is a miss in the pattern change related to special chart 2 in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC, and the probability (1/500) that special chart variation pattern HSP-I is determined when the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment is a miss in the pattern change related to special chart 2 in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PD is lower than the probability (1/100) that special chart variation pattern HSP-I is determined when the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment is a miss in the pattern change related to special chart 2 in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC.
Furthermore, the probability (1/1.25) that the special chart change pattern ASP-G is determined when the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in the pattern change related to special chart 2 in the special chart change pattern derivation state PD is a jackpot is higher than the probability (1/2) that the special chart change pattern ASP-G is determined when the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in the pattern change related to special chart 2 in the special chart change pattern derivation state PC is a jackpot. On the other hand, the probability (approximately 1/6.67) that special chart variation pattern ASP-H is determined when the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in the pattern change related to special chart 2 in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PD is a jackpot is lower than the probability (approximately 1/2.86) that special chart variation pattern ASP-H is determined when the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in the pattern change related to special chart 2 in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC is a jackpot, and the probability (1/20) that special chart variation pattern ASP-I is determined when the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in the pattern change related to special chart 2 in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PD is a jackpot is lower than the probability (approximately 1/6.67) that special chart variation pattern ASP-I is determined when the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in the pattern change related to special chart 2 in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC is a jackpot.

Figure 12 (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 in 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 12 (a)) is 0 to 999.
As shown in Figure 12 (b), the special pattern change patterns HNP that can be determined in the pattern change related to special pattern 2 in the special pattern change pattern derivation state PD include special pattern change pattern HNP-I with a change time of 1000 ms and special pattern change with a change time of 5000 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-I is determined with a probability of 1000/1000 (1/1), and in these cases, the special pattern change pattern HNP-J 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-J is determined with a probability of 1000/1000 (1/1), and in these cases, the special pattern change pattern HNP-I is not determined.
In addition, special chart variation pattern HNP-I and special chart variation pattern HNP-J are different from any of the special chart variation patterns that can be determined when special chart variation pattern HNP is determined in the pattern variation related to special chart 1 in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA described above, 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 special chart variation pattern derivation state PB described below, 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 special chart variation pattern derivation state PC described below.
Furthermore, in this embodiment, as explained using Figure 12 (b), in the pattern change related to special chart 2 in the special chart change pattern derivation state PB, the change pattern is determined based on the value of the special chart 2 pending counter at the start of the pattern change, but in the pattern change, a predetermined special chart change pattern (for example, special chart change pattern HNP-I) may be determined regardless of the value of the special chart 2 pending counter at the start of the pattern change.

Thus, in this embodiment, for the purpose of reducing the development cost (data capacity) burden related to the special chart variation pattern derivation state PD, the special chart variation pattern that can be determined by lottery using the special chart variation pattern lottery table used in the pattern variation related to the special chart 2 in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PD is configured to include a part of the special chart variation pattern that can be determined by lottery using the special chart variation pattern lottery table used in the pattern variation related to the special chart 2 in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC (special chart variation pattern HSP-G to special chart variation pattern ASP-I). In addition, the special chart variation pattern that can be determined by lottery using the special chart variation pattern lottery table used in the pattern variation related to the special chart 2 in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PD may be composed only of the special chart variation pattern that can be determined by lottery using the special chart variation pattern lottery table used in the pattern variation related to the special chart 2 in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC, or the same special chart variation pattern lottery table may be used in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PD and the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC.
In addition, the relationship between the special pattern variation pattern that can be determined by the pattern variation related to the special pattern 2 in the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PC in this embodiment and the special pattern variation pattern that can be determined by the pattern variation related to the special pattern 2 in the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PD may be applied to the relationship between the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PB and the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PC. Furthermore, in this case, at least a part of the special pattern variation pattern that can be determined in the pattern variation related to the special pattern 2 in the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PB may be made to match at least a part of the special pattern variation pattern that can be determined in the pattern variation related to the special pattern 2 in the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PC.

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 execute a regular map hit/miss judgment to determine whether the regular map is a hit or not, and if a regular map hit is won in which the regular electric role device 61 is controlled to an open state as a result of the regular map hit/miss judgment, executes a regular map stop pattern lottery to determine the stopping pattern of the regular map by lottery, and a regular map change pattern lottery to determine the change pattern (change time) of the regular map by lottery.
More specifically, 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).

In the normal stop pattern lottery, as in the special stop pattern lottery, one stop pattern is selected from multiple types of stop patterns that have different patterns for the opening state of the normal electric role device 61 by lottery using a lottery table (not shown) for normal stop pattern lottery. Note that if the normal pattern is a miss, the stop pattern is determined uniformly, as in special pattern 1 and special pattern 2.

In addition, in the selection of the regular map variation pattern, as in the selection of the special map variation pattern, one regular map variation pattern is determined from multiple types of regular map variation patterns by a selection table (not shown) for selecting regular map variation patterns.

In this way, a high probability of winning is higher than a low probability of winning, and it can be said to be a more advantageous state than a low probability of winning.

When the result of the special symbol winning/losing lottery is a winning symbol, the winning game control means 140 determines the demo time for the winning symbol start demo and the demo time for the winning symbol end demo according to the winning symbol determined.
In addition, at the start of a jackpot, the jackpot game control means 140 generates a presentation control command (jackpot start command) including a demo time related to the jackpot start demo and stores it in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160, and at the end of the jackpot, generates a presentation control command (jackpot end command) including a demo time related to the jackpot end demo and stores it in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.

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 based on the 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 based on the special pattern variable pattern of the second special pattern, and displays the special pattern 2 in a stopped pattern determined by the special pattern stop pattern lottery after the variable time has elapsed.
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.

In addition, the pattern display control means 145 causes the normal map to be displayed on the normal pattern display device 93 in a variable manner in accordance with the normal map fluctuation pattern (fluctuation time) of the normal map, and after the fluctuation time has elapsed, causes the normal map to be displayed in a stopped pattern determined by a normal map stop pattern lottery.
In addition, the pattern display control means 145 has a regular pattern game timer for managing the time related to the display of the regular pattern (variable time, stop display time).

During the jackpot game described above, the electric device control means 150 outputs a control signal to the special electric device solenoid 66, causing the special electric device 65 to open according to an opening pattern corresponding to the stopping pattern of the special chart.

In addition, if the regular winning/losing lottery is won, the electric role control means 150 outputs a control signal to the regular electric role solenoid 62 to open the regular electric role 61 according to an opening pattern corresponding to the stopping pattern of the regular role.

The game state control means 155 controls the special symbol lottery state. Specifically, as described above, the game state control means 155 sets the special symbol low probability regardless of the symbol related to the jackpot at the start of the jackpot game, maintains the special symbol low probability at the end of the jackpot game related to the normal jackpot, and sets the special symbol high probability at the end of the jackpot game related to the probability variable jackpot.
In addition, the game state control means 155 controls the normal symbol lottery state. Specifically, the game state control means 155 sets the normal symbol low probability regardless of the symbol related to the jackpot at the start of the jackpot, sets the normal symbol high probability until the symbol changes a specified number of times when the specified number of times is satisfied, and sets the normal symbol low probability after the symbol changes a specified number of times.

Such special drawing state and normal drawing state change 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 13(a) and 13(b). Note that Figure 13(a) is a state transition diagram showing the transition of the special drawing variation pattern derivation state, and Figure 13(b) is a diagram showing the relationship of the average variation time for each special drawing variation pattern derivation state.
As shown in Fig. 13(a), the special chart variation pattern derivation state is composed of a special chart variation pattern derivation state PA corresponding to a special chart low probability and a normal chart low probability, a special chart variation pattern derivation state PB corresponding to a special chart high probability and a normal chart high probability, a special chart variation pattern derivation state PC corresponding to a special chart low probability and a normal chart high probability, and a special chart variation pattern derivation state PD corresponding to a special chart low probability and a normal chart high probability, and one of these special chart variation pattern derivation states is set except during a jackpot game. And, the transition conditions between the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA and the special chart variation pattern derivation state PD include transition conditions (i) to (vi).
Specifically, the transition condition (i) is the end of the jackpot game related to the probability jackpot, the transition condition (ii) is the end of the jackpot game related to the normal jackpot, the transition condition (iii) is the end of the 100th pattern change, and the transition condition (iv) is the end of the 160th pattern change. Furthermore, the transition condition (v) is the end of the pattern change in which the number of pattern changes executed consecutively without a jackpot game in the special pattern low probability becomes 1000, and the transition condition (vi) is the end of the pattern change in which the number of pattern changes executed consecutively without a jackpot game in the special pattern change pattern derivation state PD becomes 1200.

In this embodiment, the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC and the special chart variation pattern derivation state are both low probability of special chart and high probability of normal chart. Therefore, from the viewpoint of advantage, these special chart variation pattern derivation states can be said to be the same special chart variation pattern derivation state.
Also, when a jackpot game related to a normal jackpot is played in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC, the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC is set again after the jackpot game ends (the pattern variation count in transition condition (iii) starts from 0). Similarly, when a jackpot game related to a guaranteed jackpot is played in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PB, the special chart variation pattern derivation state PB is set again after the jackpot game ends (the pattern variation count in transition condition (iv) starts from 0).
When the special chart variation pattern derivation state PB goes through transition condition (ii) to the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC (not shown), this is an irregular case in which the game ball does not pass through the V entry area provided in the large prize opening 55 during the fourth round of play during a jackpot game, and if the game ball is launched toward the second flow path Y during the jackpot game related to the jackpot won on special chart 2, the state will not be set to the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC based on transition condition (ii) after the end of the jackpot game.
Furthermore, in this embodiment, a normal jackpot is not derived in the pattern change related to the special chart 2, but a normal jackpot can be derived in the pattern change related to the special chart 2, and a transition from the special chart change pattern derivation state PD to the special chart change pattern derivation state PC via a jackpot game related to the normal jackpot may be made. However, in this case, it is preferable to make the rate of normal jackpots when a jackpot is determined by the special chart hit/miss judgment in the pattern change related to the special chart 2 lower than the rate of normal jackpots when a jackpot is determined by the special chart hit/miss judgment in the pattern change related to the special chart 1.

In addition, in this embodiment, the transition condition (v) is the number of pattern changes that are executed continuously without a jackpot game in the special pattern low probability. Therefore, after transition from the special pattern change pattern derivation state PC to the special pattern change pattern derivation state PA, 100 pattern changes have already been counted, and the transition condition (v) is satisfied when 900 pattern changes are executed in the special pattern change pattern derivation state PA without a jackpot game. However, in this case, it is not necessarily necessary to set the timing of the count start related to the number of pattern changes to the timing when the special pattern change pattern derivation state PC is set, and the count start timing related to the number of pattern changes may be set to the timing of transition to the special pattern change pattern derivation state PA, and the threshold value may be 900.
On the other hand, after transitioning from the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PB to the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PA, the count of the pattern variation starts from the transition point, so that the transition condition (v) is satisfied when 1000 pattern variations are executed in the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PA without a jackpot game. However, even in this case, the count start timing for the number of pattern variations does not necessarily have to be the timing of transition to the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PA, and the count start timing for the number of pattern variations may be the timing when the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PB is set, and the threshold value may be 1160.
In addition, if a power outage and restoration occurs accompanied by the execution of a RAM clearing process, the number of times the pattern change related to transition condition (v) has been performed is cleared (initialized), whereas if a power outage and restoration occurs without the execution of a RAM clearing process, the number of times that it has been performed is maintained.

In addition, among the transition conditions (i) to (vi) described above, the transition conditions that are satisfied by the number of times the pattern change is performed include the end of the pattern change that corresponds to the transition condition, i.e., the transition condition is satisfied at the end of the pattern change that corresponds to the transition condition, causing a transition to the special pattern change pattern derivation state, but this is not limited to this. In some or all of these transition conditions, the transition condition may include the start of the pattern change that corresponds to the transition condition, i.e., the transition condition is satisfied at the start of the pattern change that corresponds to the transition condition, causing a transition to the special pattern change pattern derivation state.

Furthermore, when a transition is made from the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PD to the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PA due to transition condition (vi), there will be no transition to the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PD based on the number of times the pattern fluctuation has been performed, except when a new jackpot game is played or when the RAM clear process is performed. Therefore, when a power outage and restoration occurs without the execution of the RAM clear process, there will be no transition to the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PD based on the number of times the pattern fluctuation has been performed. However, once a jackpot game has been played, there may be a transition from the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PA to the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PD due to transition condition (v).

As shown in FIG. 13(b), the average fluctuation time of each of the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PA, special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PB, special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PC, and special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PD is shorter in the order of special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PA, special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PC, special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PB, and special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PD. This is due to the length of the fluctuation time for the basic special chart fluctuation pattern that is most likely to be determined in each special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state.

In addition, when an update occurs to the special chart lottery state, 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 each state after the update, 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. Note that the information included in the performance control command may be included in the above-mentioned change start command.

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

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

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

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

The return state setting means 176 executes a return state setting process to set a return state based on whether or not there is an abnormality in the RAM 103 when power is restored, the state at the time of power interruption immediately before the power is restored, the state of the RAM clear switch 43 when power is restored, and the state of the inner frame door open sensor 76 when power is restored. The return states set by this process include a game stop state and a game ready state (which may or may not involve the execution of a RAM clear process).
Specifically, if there is an abnormality in the RAM 103 when power is restored, a game-stopped state is set regardless of the state of the RAM clear switch 43 and the state of the middle frame door open sensor 76 when power is restored. Also, if there is no abnormality in the RAM 103 when power is restored and the RAM clear switch 43 is ON (pressed state) when power is restored, the RAM clear process is executed and a playable state is set on the condition that the middle frame door open sensor 76 is ON when power is restored (if the middle frame door open sensor 76 is OFF when power is restored, the RAM clear process is not executed and a playable state is set), and if there is no abnormality in the RAM 103 when power is restored and the RAM clear switch 43 is OFF (not pressed state) when power is restored, the RAM clear process is not executed and a playable state is set.
Here, the game stop state is a return state in which game progress is impossible by not executing processing according to the detection results of the sensors installed at each winning port (it is not necessary to look at the detection results of the sensors themselves).
On the other hand, the playable state is a restored 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 jackpot game, the game returns to the jackpot game that was being executed, and if the last power outage was during a pattern change, the game returns to the pattern change that was being executed.

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

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

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

As shown in Figure 7, the first sub-control board 200 is equipped with a sub-random number generation means 210, a normal performance control means 220, a sub-error control means 230, a lamp control means 240, a movable prop control means 245, a performance customization means 250, 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, special chance mode, chance time, and play time, with normal mode corresponding to the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PA, special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PB corresponding to the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PB, chance time corresponding to the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PC, and play time corresponding to the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PD.
In addition, the first state according to the present invention corresponds to normal mode and diagram change pattern derivation state PA, the second state corresponds to chance time and diagram change pattern derivation state PC, the third state corresponds to probability change mode and diagram change pattern derivation state PB, and the fourth state corresponds to play time and diagram change pattern derivation state PD.

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 not a hit), and a big win presentation route that notifies that the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in the current pattern change is a big win. 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 win presentation route is determined, the development presentation is executed unless otherwise explained.
Here, the development performance refers to a performance that is executed after the decorative symbols are in a reach state (a state in which all decorative symbols except one symbol row are displayed stationary and the remaining symbol rows are displayed in a variable manner), and at the end of which, it is announced whether the result of the special symbol hit/miss judgment in the current symbol change is a jackpot or not. Therefore, in the development performance corresponding to the development miss performance route, a series of performances corresponding to the development performance are executed, and at the end of which, it is announced that the result of the special symbol hit/miss judgment in the current symbol change is not a jackpot. On the other hand, in the development performance corresponding to the jackpot performance route, a series of performances corresponding to the development performance are executed, and at the end of which, it is announced that the result of the special symbol hit/miss judgment in the current symbol change is a jackpot.
In addition, as described later, in this embodiment, in one presentation mode, each of the determined special chart variation patterns corresponds to one 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.
Below, the contents of the presentation route corresponding to each special chart change pattern determined in each presentation mode will be explained.

First, the presentation routes corresponding to special chart variation patterns HNP-A to HNP-D and special chart variation pattern HRP, which are determined in the normal mode (special chart variation pattern derivation state PA), correspond to the non-development miss presentation route described above.
Specifically, the special pattern variation patterns HNP-A to HNP-D correspond to a presentation route that notifies the user that the result of the special pattern hit/miss judgment in the current pattern change is a miss when the decorative pattern is not in a reach state and the decorative pattern is displayed as a barrage (a state in which all pattern rows are stopped and the same decorative pattern is not stopped in each pattern row). Here, the same decorative pattern refers to a decorative pattern that imitates the same number, and the parts other than the numbers that make up the decorative pattern may be different. Similarly, different decorative patterns refer to decorative patterns that imitate different numbers.
The special pattern change pattern HRP corresponds to a performance route in which the decorative pattern reaches a reach state without pseudo-change, and then the decorative pattern stops and displays in a scattered manner without executing the development performance described later, thereby notifying the user that the result of the special pattern hit/miss judgment in this pattern change is a miss. Here, the pseudo-change refers to a period before the development performance starts, which is divided by the stop of the decorative pattern based on a certain rule (for example, the stop of the decorative pattern in which the 7 pattern stops in the middle pattern row, such as "5 pattern-7 pattern-6 pattern"). Therefore, it can be said that the pseudo-change occurs only when the number of pseudo-changes is two. In other words, if the number of changes of the decorative pattern until the reach state is constituted is one, it can be said that the pseudo-change does not occur, and in that case, it can be said that one pseudo-change is executed. Note that the maximum number of pseudo-changes in this embodiment is three, but the maximum number of pseudo-changes is not limited to this, and any number of times equal to or greater than two may be adopted.

The special chart fluctuation patterns HSP1-A to HSP3-B correspond to the above-mentioned development miss performance route.
Specifically, in the special chart change pattern HSP1-A and the special chart change pattern HSP1-B, the decorative pattern reaches a reach state without pseudo-change, and then a development effect is executed to notify that the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in this pattern change is a miss, and after the development effect ends, the decorative pattern is displayed stopped with a scattered mark, which corresponds to the presentation route.
The special chart change pattern HSP2-A and the special chart change pattern HSP2-B correspond to a presentation route in which the decorative pattern reaches a reach state through two pseudo changes, and then a development presentation is executed to notify that the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in this pattern change is a miss, and the decorative pattern is stopped and displayed with a scattered mark after the end of the development presentation.
The special chart change pattern HSP3-A and the special chart change pattern HSP3-B correspond to a presentation route in which the decorative pattern reaches a reach state through three pseudo changes, and then a development presentation is executed to notify the player that the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in this pattern change is a miss, and the decorative pattern is stopped and displayed with a scattered mark after the end of the development presentation.

The special chart fluctuation pattern ASP1-A and the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP1-B correspond to the jackpot performance route described above.
Specifically, the special chart change pattern ASP1-A and the special chart change pattern ASP1-B correspond to a presentation route in which the decorative pattern reaches a reach state without pseudo-change, and then a development presentation is executed to notify that the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in this pattern change is a jackpot, and after the development presentation ends, the decorative patterns are displayed stopped in a pattern alignment (a state in which all pattern rows have been stopped and the same decorative pattern has been stopped in each pattern row).
The special chart change pattern ASP2-A and the special chart change pattern ASP2-B correspond to a presentation route in which the decorative pattern reaches a reach state through two pseudo changes, and then a development presentation is executed to notify that the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in this pattern change is a jackpot, and the decorative pattern stops and is displayed in a matching pattern after the end of the development presentation.
The special chart change pattern ASP3-A and the special chart change pattern ASP3-B correspond to a presentation route in which the decorative pattern reaches a reach state through three pseudo changes, and then a development presentation is executed to notify that the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in this pattern change is a jackpot, and the decorative pattern stops and is displayed in a pattern alignment after the end of the development presentation.
The special pattern change pattern ASP-C corresponds to a presentation route in which the decorative pattern reaches a reach state without pseudo-change, and then a development presentation is executed to notify that the result of the special pattern hit/miss judgment in this pattern change is a jackpot, and the decorative pattern stops and is displayed in a pattern alignment after the development presentation ends.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 9(a), when the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment is a miss, in the range of the same type of development performance, the special chart change pattern corresponding to the performance route where no pseudo-change occurs (for example, special chart change pattern HSP1-A), the special chart change pattern corresponding to the performance route where the number of pseudo-changes is two (for example, special chart change pattern HSP2-A), and the special chart change pattern corresponding to the performance route where the number of pseudo-changes is three (for example, special chart change pattern HSP3-A) are more likely to be determined in that order. And, when the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment is a big hit, in the range of the same type of development performance, the special chart change pattern corresponding to the performance route where no pseudo-change occurs (for example, special chart change pattern ASP1-A), the special chart change pattern corresponding to the performance route where the number of pseudo-changes is two (for example, special chart change pattern ASP2-A), and the special chart change pattern corresponding to the performance route where the number of pseudo-changes is three (for example, special chart change pattern ASP3-A) are more likely to be determined in that order.
Therefore, the more times the pseudo fluctuation is executed, the higher the expectation of winning the jackpot.

As described above, in special chart fluctuation pattern HSP1-A, special chart fluctuation pattern HSP1-B, special chart fluctuation pattern HSP-C, special chart fluctuation pattern ASP1-A, special chart fluctuation pattern ASP1-B, and special chart fluctuation pattern ASP-C, the reach state is reached without any pseudo-fluctuation, in special chart fluctuation pattern HSP2-A, special chart fluctuation pattern HSP2-B, special chart fluctuation pattern ASP2-A, and special chart fluctuation pattern ASP2-B, the reach state is reached after two pseudo-fluctuations, and in special chart fluctuation pattern HSP3-A, special chart fluctuation pattern HSP3-B, special chart fluctuation pattern ASP3-A, and special chart fluctuation pattern ASP3-B, the reach state is reached after three pseudo-fluctuations.
Therefore, the time to reach the reach state is longer in the order of the special pattern change pattern that reaches the reach state without pseudo-change, the special pattern change pattern that reaches the reach state with two pseudo-changes, and the special pattern change pattern that reaches the reach state with three pseudo-changes. However, in the pattern change that determines the special pattern change pattern ASP-C, the time to reach the reach state is longer than the special pattern change patterns that reach the reach state without other pseudo-changes (special pattern change pattern HSP1-A, special pattern change pattern HSP1-B, special pattern change pattern ASP1-A, and special pattern change pattern ASP1-B).

Next, the above-mentioned non-development miss performance route corresponds to the performance route corresponding to the basic special chart fluctuation patterns (special chart fluctuation patterns HNP-E and HNP-F) that can be determined in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PB. Specifically, the special chart fluctuation pattern HNP-E and HNP-F correspond to a performance route that notifies the user that the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in this pattern fluctuation is a miss by the decorative pattern not reaching a reach state and the decorative pattern being displayed as a scattered pattern. This is also the case for the basic special chart fluctuation patterns in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PC and the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PD described later, so a description will be omitted for these special chart fluctuation pattern derivation states.

The special chart fluctuation patterns HSP-D to HSP-F correspond to the above-mentioned development miss performance route.
Specifically, for special chart change patterns HSP-D to HSP-F, the decorative pattern reaches a reach state without pseudo-change, and then a development effect is executed to notify that the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in this pattern change is a miss, and after the development effect ends, the decorative pattern is displayed stopped in a scattered pattern, which corresponds to the presentation route.
In addition, the special chart fluctuation patterns ASP-D to ASP-F correspond to the jackpot performance route described above.
Specifically, for special chart change patterns ASP-D to ASP-F, the decorative pattern reaches a reach state without pseudo-change, and then a development effect is executed to notify that the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in this pattern change is a jackpot, and after the development effect ends, the decorative pattern is displayed stopped in a matching pattern, which corresponds to a presentation route.

The special chart variation patterns HSP-G to HSP-I, which can be determined in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC and the special chart variation pattern derivation state PD, correspond to the above-mentioned development miss performance route.
Specifically, for special chart change patterns HSP-G to HSP-I, the decorative pattern reaches a reach state without pseudo-change, and then a development effect is executed to notify that the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in this pattern change is a miss, and after the development effect ends, the decorative pattern is displayed stopped with a scattered pattern, which corresponds to the presentation route.
In addition, the special chart fluctuation patterns ASP-G to ASP-I correspond to the jackpot performance route described above.
Specifically, for special chart change patterns ASP-G to ASP-I, the decorative pattern reaches a reach state without pseudo-change, and then a development effect is executed to notify that the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in this pattern change is a jackpot, and after the development effect ends, the decorative pattern is displayed stopped in a matching pattern, which corresponds to a presentation route.

As described above, in this embodiment, when the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment during the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PD is a miss, the rate at which any of the special chart fluctuation patterns HSP-G to HSP-I (all of which correspond to the performance route in which the development performance is executed) is determined (about 1/28.6) is lower than the rate at which any of the special chart fluctuation patterns HSP-G to HSP-I is determined (1/20) when the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment during the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PC is a miss. On the other hand, the rate at which the special chart fluctuation pattern HNP (a special chart fluctuation pattern corresponding to the performance route in which the development performance is not executed) is determined when the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment during the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PD is a miss (about 1/1.04) is higher than the rate at which the special chart fluctuation pattern HNP is determined when the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment during the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PC is a miss (about 1/1.05).
Furthermore, when the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment during the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PC is a jackpot, and when the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment during the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PD is a jackpot, either of the special chart fluctuation patterns ASP-G to ASP-I is determined at a ratio of 1000/1000 (1/1).

Therefore, in this embodiment, the rate at which a special chart variation pattern corresponding to a performance route in which a development performance is executed is determined by a lottery using a special chart variation pattern lottery table related to the special chart variation pattern derivation state PD is lower than the rate at which the special chart variation pattern is determined by a lottery using a special chart variation pattern lottery table related to the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC. On the other hand, the rate at which a special chart variation pattern corresponding to a performance route in which a development performance is not executed is determined by a lottery using a special chart variation pattern lottery table related to the special chart variation pattern derivation state PD is higher than the rate at which the special chart variation pattern is determined by a lottery using a special chart variation pattern lottery table related to the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC.
This makes it difficult to lose the novelty of the development presentation in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC after passing through the special chart variation pattern derivation state PD, and contributes to suppressing a decline in interest in the game in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC.

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 that changes into various forms that suggest the degree of advantage, such as the expectation of a jackpot game.

When the look-ahead performance control means 224 receives a pre-determination command, it determines the content of the look-ahead performance based on the result of the pre-determination included in the command.
The pre-reading effect is an effect that suggests the expectation for the result of the special symbol hit/miss judgment in the pre-reading target symbol change and the content of the effect to be executed in the pre-reading target symbol change before the pre-reading target symbol change starts, for the purpose of increasing the interest in the game. The pre-reading target symbol change refers to the symbol change related to the main special symbol (special symbol 1 in the special symbol change pattern derivation state PA, and special symbol 2 in the special symbol change pattern derivation state PB, special symbol change pattern derivation state PC, or special symbol change pattern derivation state PD), which is reserved in the hold 1 to hold 3 states, or reserved in the hold 0 state and during the execution of the symbol change related to the special symbol.

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 determination means 225 determines the performance content (performance pattern) for each performance execution timing in the pattern change by a lottery using a performance pattern lottery table corresponding to the performance route determined by the performance route determination means 222. In this way, 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. Even if the same performance route is determined, it is also possible to diversify the performances to be executed. Note that the timing for determining the performance content can be, for example, the start of the 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, the pattern A corresponds to a pattern consisting of odd-numbered symbols, the pattern B corresponds to a pattern consisting of even-numbered symbols, and the pattern C or the pattern c corresponds to a random number. Furthermore, the pattern a corresponds to a pattern consisting of 7 symbols, and the pattern b corresponds to a pattern consisting of odd-numbered symbols excluding 7 symbols.
In addition, when the determined combination of decorative patterns is made to correspond to the stopping patterns of the special patterns, it is not necessary to have the above-mentioned correspondence.

When the jackpot start command is received, the jackpot effect control means 227 determines the content of the jackpot effect that notifies the player that a jackpot game is in progress based on the information contained in the command. The jackpot effects include a start demo effect that notifies the player that a jackpot game has started, a round effect that notifies the player that a round game is in progress, and an end demo effect that notifies the player that a jackpot game has ended.

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 particular, when the return state upon power restoration is a playable state accompanied by the execution of a RAM clear process, the normal presentation control means 220 reads presentation data for notifying that a playable state has been achieved accompanied by the execution of a RAM clear process, and when the return state upon power restoration is a playable state without the execution of a RAM clear process, the normal presentation control means 220 reads presentation data for notifying that a playable state has been achieved without the execution of a RAM clear process.
Furthermore, when the recovery state upon power restoration is a game stop state, the normal presentation control means 220 reads out presentation data for notifying not only that the game has been stopped, but also that it is necessary to execute a RAM clear process.
Details of these notifications are omitted, but it is preferable that they continue to be executed for a certain period of time (e.g., 30 seconds) after execution has begun, and the presentation device that executes the notification does not matter.

When an error command is transmitted, the sub-error control means 230 determines an error presentation pattern, and reads out presentation data for executing an error presentation in accordance with the error presentation pattern.
In addition, the error performance is executed with priority over the variable performance related to the pattern variation (the execution of the variable performance is regulated by the execution of the error performance). Here, the execution of the error performance with priority is not limited to the case where the device related to the execution of the error performance and the device related to the execution of the variable performance are the same device, and only the error performance is executed in the device, but also includes the case where the error performance 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 is determined that the gaming machine 10 is in an error state, read out presentation data for executing an error presentation.

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.

The effect customization means 250 executes a volume adjustment process for adjusting the volume, and a volume adjustment command generation process for generating the volume adjustment command described above.
The volume adjustment process is a process that is executed when power is restored or when a volume adjustment operation (in this embodiment, an operation on the left cursor button 38c or the right cursor button 38d) is performed.
In the volume adjustment process executed when power is restored, the initial volume at the time of power restoration is set according to the stage of the volume adjustment unit 83 at the time of power restoration. More specifically, in this process, if the stage of the volume adjustment unit 83 at the time of power restoration is high, the volume of the audio reproduction channels excluding the specific audio reproduction channel (in this embodiment, the audio reproduction channel CH1 and the audio reproduction channel CH2) is set to volume 10, if the stage of the volume adjustment unit 83 at the time of power restoration is medium, the volume of the audio reproduction channels excluding the specific audio reproduction channel is set to volume 5, and if the stage of the volume adjustment unit 83 at the time of power restoration is low, the volume of the audio reproduction channels excluding the specific audio reproduction channel is set to volume 1. Note that the volume adjustment process may be executed not only when power is restored, but also based on the lapse of a predetermined time from the end of the most recent pattern variation, and in this case, it may be executed only when the volume (current volume) of the audio reproduction channel excluding the specific audio reproduction channel is smaller than the volume corresponding to the current stage of the volume adjustment unit 83.
In addition, in the volume adjustment process executed when a volume adjustment operation is performed, the current volume is updated based on the volume adjustment operation. More specifically, in this process, when the process is executed by operating the right cursor button 38d, the volume of the audio reproduction channel except for the specific audio reproduction channel is set to a volume that is one step higher than the volume set before the process, with the volume 10 as the upper limit, and when the process is executed by operating the left cursor button 38c, the volume of the audio reproduction channel except for the specific audio reproduction channel is set to a volume that is one step lower than the volume set before the process, with the volume 1 as the lower limit. Note that the volume adjustment process executed when a volume adjustment operation is performed is different from the brightness adjustment process described later and is executed regardless of whether or not a pattern change is being performed.
Here, setting the volume for an audio playback channel in the volume adjustment process refers to setting the volume in a memory area in RAM 203 corresponding to the audio playback channel, and when the volume is set in that memory area, a volume adjustment command corresponding to the volume adjustment of that audio playback channel is generated by the volume adjustment command generation process, and then the command is transmitted to the audio control board 310.

Furthermore, the effect customization means 250 executes a brightness adjustment process for adjusting brightness, and a brightness adjustment command generation process for generating the above-mentioned brightness adjustment command.
The brightness adjustment process is a process that is executed when power is restored or when a brightness adjustment operation (in this embodiment, an operation on the up cursor button 38a or the down cursor button 38b) is performed while pattern variation is not being performed.
In the brightness adjustment process executed when power is restored, the initial brightness at the time of power restoration is set according to the stage of the brightness adjustment unit 84 at the time of power restoration. More specifically, in this process, if the stage of the brightness adjustment unit 84 at the time of power restoration is high brightness, the brightness is set to 10, if the stage of the brightness adjustment unit 84 at the time of power restoration is medium brightness, the brightness is set to 5, and if the stage of the brightness adjustment unit 84 at the time of power restoration is low brightness, the brightness is set to 1. Note that the brightness adjustment process may be executed not only when power is restored, but also based on the lapse of a predetermined time from the end of the latest pattern variation, and in this case, it may be executed only when the current brightness is lower than the brightness corresponding to the current stage of the brightness adjustment unit 84.
In addition, in the brightness adjustment process executed when a brightness adjustment operation is performed, the current brightness is updated based on the brightness adjustment operation. More specifically, in the brightness adjustment process, when the process is executed by operating the up cursor button 38a, the brightness is set to one step higher than the brightness set before the process, with the upper limit being brightness 10, and when the process is executed by operating the down cursor button 38b, the brightness is set to one step lower than the brightness set before the process, with the lower limit being brightness 1.
Here, setting the brightness in the brightness adjustment process means that the brightness is set in a memory area corresponding to the brightness of RAM 203, and when the brightness is set in that memory area, a brightness adjustment command capable of specifying the brightness after adjustment is generated by a brightness adjustment command generation process, and then the command is transmitted to the second sub-control board 300.

In addition, in this embodiment, when a volume adjustment process is executed by performing a volume adjustment operation while a pattern change is not being performed, a volume adjustment sound is output (performance data related to the volume adjustment sound is set) and a volume adjustment display is executed on the main display unit 81 (performance data related to the volume adjustment display is set). On the other hand, when a volume adjustment process is executed by performing a volume adjustment operation while a pattern change is being performed, a volume adjustment sound is not output, and the main display unit 81 executes a volume adjustment display.
The volume adjustment sound is output at a volume adjusted by the volume adjustment process, so that the adjusted volume can be actually heard and recognized. Furthermore, the volume adjustment display is a display that identifies the volume level (any one of volume 1 to volume 10) after the volume adjustment process, thereby allowing the user to visually recognize the adjusted volume level.
Furthermore, in this embodiment, when a brightness adjustment operation is performed when no pattern change is being performed and thus a brightness adjustment process is executed, a brightness adjustment sound is emitted (performance data related to the brightness adjustment sound is set) and a brightness adjustment display is executed on the main display unit 81 (performance data related to the brightness adjustment display is set).
The brightness adjustment sound is for making the user recognize through hearing that the brightness has been adjusted by the brightness adjustment process, and the volume of the sound output does not change depending on the brightness adjusted by the brightness adjustment process. Furthermore, the brightness adjustment display is a display that identifies the brightness level (any one of brightness 1 to brightness 10) after adjustment by the brightness adjustment process, thereby making the user visually recognize the brightness level after adjustment.

In addition, the effect customization means 250 executes effect customization processing to customize various effects. Details of the effect customization processing will be described later.

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

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

As described above, the gaming machine 10 according to this embodiment has a Yu-Time function that transitions from the special chart change pattern derivation state PA to the special chart change pattern derivation state PD (Yu-Time) depending on the number of times the pattern change is performed, and this function is a bonus that can be obtained if a jackpot is not won until the above-mentioned special chart change pattern derivation state PD transition pattern change occurs, and the granting of this bonus contributes to increasing interest in gaming that had been declining until then.
However, in the gaming machine according to this embodiment, in order to prevent the hall from being disadvantaged too much by having the Yu-Time function, once a transition from the special chart variation pattern derivation state PD to the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA is made, the state will not transition again from the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA to the special chart variation pattern derivation state PD depending on the number of times the pattern variation is performed (transition condition (v)), unless a jackpot game is played or a RAM clear process is executed.

<Display related to the effect customization process in normal mode>
Next, the display related to the performance customization process in the normal mode will be described with reference to Figures 14 to 16. As described above, the normal mode in this embodiment is a performance mode corresponding to the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, and the states shown in Figures 14 to 16 all correspond to the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA and the performance mode.
Fig. 14 is a diagram showing the display mode of the display related to the effect customization process from the start of the pattern change to the stop in the normal mode. In Fig. 14(a) and Fig. 14(b), the decorative pattern being changed is shown instead of an arrow, and in Fig. 14(c), the decorative pattern being stopped is shown, but all the symbols are unified and explained as the decorative pattern 81a.
15 and 16 are diagrams showing the display mode of the display relating to the effect customization process while the pattern variation is stopped in the normal mode.
Note that Figures 14 to 16 illustrate elements necessary for explaining the present invention, and in the situations represented in these drawings, elements other than the illustrated elements (e.g., background display, pending image, etc.) may be displayed on the main display unit 81.

Displays relating to the performance customization process displayed on the main display section 81 in normal mode include a mini song selection display 81b, a mini premier mode display 81c, and a mini color-changing super-hot mode display 81d.
The mini music selection display 81b is a display related to music selection, which is one item of performance customization. The display state of the mini music selection display 81b shown in Fig. 14(a) indicates that the currently selected music is music A. Music selection is a performance customization function that selects the BGM to be output in that state.
The mini premier mode display 81c is a display related to the selection of the premier mode, which is one of the items of the performance customization. The display state of the mini premier mode display 81c illustrated in Fig. 14(a) indicates that the premier mode is ON. The premier mode is a performance customization function that increases the frequency of execution of so-called premier performances (performances that usually occur infrequently).
The mini color change super hot mode display 81d is a display related to the selection of the color change super hot mode, which is one of the items of the performance customization. The display state of the mini color change super hot mode display 81d illustrated in FIG. 14(a) indicates that the color change super hot mode is OFF. The color change super hot mode is a performance customization function that increases the expectation of a big win when the reserved image becomes a specific color state (for example, red) in the reserved change performance. Here, the reserved change performance is a performance that indicates the expectation of a big win being derived in the pattern change corresponding to the reserved image depending on which of the multiple stages of color state the reserved image becomes.
In addition, although it differs from the specifications of this embodiment, in the case of a pachinko game machine (a so-called type 1/type 2 mixed machine) in which a small win can be won and then a big win game can be generated via the small win game, the expectation level indicated by the reserve change presentation may take into account both the big win and the small win.

The multiple customizable items therefore include a specific item (color-changing, super hot mode) that affects the control of a specific presentation (hold change presentation) that indicates the expectation that a specific result (jackpot) will result from one of multiple presentation modes, and it can be said that the expectation level when the specific presentation becomes a specific presentation mode (red hold image) can be changed to a first expectation level (default expectation level) or a second expectation level higher than the first expectation level by customizing the specific item.

When the mini song selection display 81b, the mini premier mode display 81c, and the mini color-changing super hot mode display 81d are displayed on the main display section 81, the respective modes can be switched ON/OFF by receiving a specified operation (for example, operating the left cursor button 38c and the right cursor button 38d switches the selected song, operating the up cursor button 38a switches the premier mode ON/OFF, and operating the down cursor button 38b switches the color-changing super hot mode ON/OFF).
As described above, the cursor button 38 in this embodiment is an operating means used for adjusting the volume and brightness, but while the mini song selection display 81b, the mini premier mode display 81c, and the mini color change super hot mode display 81d are displayed on the main display section 81, operations on the cursor button 38 are treated as operations related to song selection, mini premier mode, and color change super hot mode, and volume adjustment and brightness adjustment are disabled.

In this embodiment, when an operation for selecting music is received while the pattern is changing, the operation is triggered and the change in BGM is reflected immediately (during the pattern change).
On the other hand, if an operation is received to switch the premier mode ON/OFF during the execution of a pattern change, the switch to the premier mode is reflected at the start of the next pattern change after that pattern change (when the command to start the next pattern change is received). This is because if the switch to the premier mode is reflected during the execution of a pattern change for which the operation was received, the performance content to be executed in that pattern change has already been decided, and there is a risk of processing being performed that contradicts or goes against that performance content.
Furthermore, when an operation is received for switching the color-changing super hot mode ON/OFF during the execution of the pattern change, all the pattern changes pending at the time of receiving the operation are consumed, and the switching of the color-changing super hot mode is reflected at the start of the pattern change executed after the consumption. For the pattern changes pending at the time of receiving the operation, the processing by the advance judgment means 125 and the processing by the look-ahead performance control means 24 have already been completed at the time of each pending winning, and if the switching of the color-changing super hot mode is reflected before the reception of the above-mentioned change start command, there is a risk that the performance control will be inconsistent with or contrary to the processing.

As mentioned above, there is a difference in the timing between when the song selection, mini premier mode, and color change super hot mode are operated and when their effect is reflected, so even if each is operated during the same pattern change, there will be a difference in the timing of the change in the display state for each.

Figure 14 (b) shows the display state of the main display unit 81 immediately after an operation (while the pattern change that accepted the operation is changing) when an operation is performed for each of the song selection, premier mode, and color change hot mode in the state shown in Figure 14 (a).
As shown in Fig. 14(b), the song name displayed on the mini song selection display 81b becomes song B, which indicates that the song selection operation has been accepted and the background music has changed. Also, the change in the display state of the mini premier mode display 81c and the mini color-changing super-hot mode display 81d (the change is shown by shading in the figure) indicates that the operation to switch ON/OFF for each function has been accepted. And, the mini premier mode display 81c and the mini color-changing super-hot mode display 81d display "Preparing to switch" to indicate that the switching operation has not yet been reflected.

Figure 14 (c) shows the display state of the main display unit 81 during the change of the pattern following the pattern change that accepted the operation when operations are performed for each of the song selection, premier mode, and color change hot mode in the state shown in Figure 14 (a).
14(c), the mini premier mode display 81c displays "OFF" to inform the user that the premier mode has been turned off, and the mini color-changing super-hot mode display 81d continues to display "Preparing to switch", to inform the user that the color-changing super-hot mode has not yet been switched on.

As described above, the items that can be customized in the first state (normal mode) include a first item (e.g., premier mode) and a second item (e.g., color-changing super hot mode), and it can be said that the timing at which the customization is reflected after an operation is accepted for the first item in the first state may differ from the timing at which the customization is reflected after an operation is accepted for the second item in the first state.
It should be noted that the implementation of the present invention is not limited to the above combination of performance customization items corresponding to the first and second items, and they can be modified as appropriate within the scope of achieving the object of the present invention.

Next, in the normal mode, the symbol variation stops and the symbol idles. At this time, the mini music selection display 81b, the mini premier mode display 81c, and the mini color change super hot mode display 81d that were displayed during the symbol variation continue to be displayed on the main display section 81 (see FIG. 15(a)).
In addition, when a predetermined condition is satisfied after the pattern change has stopped in normal mode, the display mode relating to performance customization displayed on the main display unit 81 changes, and the mini song selection display 81b, the mini premier mode display 81c, and the mini color change super hot mode display 81d are hidden, and a guide display 81e is displayed on the main display unit 81 (see Figure 15 (b)).

Here, guidance display 81e is a collective term for a display related to volume adjustment (the icon on the left side of the area surrounded by dashed lines), a display related to brightness adjustment (the icon in the center of the area), and a display related to menu call-up (the icon on the right side of the area).
The display relating to volume adjustment consists of an icon modeled after the speaker 33 and an icon indicating that the volume adjustment operation is performed using the left cursor button 38c and the right cursor button 38d. The numerical value displayed superimposed on the icon modeled after the speaker 33 indicates the volume set at that time.
The display relating to the brightness adjustment consists of an icon modeled after the frame lamp 35 and an icon indicating that the brightness adjustment operation is performed using the up cursor button 38a and the down cursor button 38b. The numerical value displayed superimposed on the icon modeled after the frame lamp 35 indicates the brightness set at that time.
The display relating to calling up the menu consists of a text display containing the word “menu” and an icon indicating that the operation relating to calling up the menu is pressing the effect button 37 .
The above-mentioned specified conditions (the conditions under which the guidance display 81e is displayed on the main display unit 81) include, for example, a specified time having elapsed since the pattern change stopped, or the performance button 37 or cursor button 38 being operated while the pattern change is not being performed.

Here, when the effect button 37 is operated while the guidance display 81e is displayed, a menu display 81f is displayed on the main display section 81 (see FIG. 16(a)).
The performance customization items displayed on the menu display 81f include premier mode, color change super hot mode, volume/brightness adjustment, and reset.
The premier mode, color-changing super hot mode, and volume/brightness adjustment have already been explained, so we will not explain them here.
Reset is a performance customization that initializes the settings changed by each performance customization.
The arrow icon displayed to the left of the menu display 81f indicates the menu currently selected, and operating the up cursor button 38a and the down cursor button 38b changes the selected menu, and operating the performance button 37 switches to a screen related to the menu selected at the time of operation.

When the effect button 37 is operated while the premier mode is selected in the menu display 81f, as shown in Fig. 16(b), a premier mode display 81g is displayed on the main display section 81. The premier mode display 81g indicates that the premier mode can be switched between ON and OFF by operating the left cursor button 38c and the right cursor button 38d, and that the mode selected at the time of operation of the effect button 37 is set.
When the production button 37 is operated while the premier mode is selected as ON in the premier mode display 81g, a text display 81h stating "Premier mode has been turned ON" is displayed on the main display section 81, as shown in Figure 16 (b).

As described above, there is a difference between the display mode for customization operations displayed on the main display unit 81 while the pattern is changing in the normal mode shown in FIG. 14 (e.g., the display mode in FIG. 14(a)) and the display mode for customization operations displayed on the main display unit 81 while the pattern change is stopped in the normal mode shown in FIG. 15 or FIG. 16 (e.g., the display mode in FIG. 15(b) or FIG. 16(a)).
By providing the above-mentioned differences between the display modes of both, customization that is not possible in one can be performed in the other.

Therefore, there is a first state (normal mode) in which at least some of the multiple items related to customization are customizable and pattern changes can be executed, and a specific state in which at least some of the multiple items are customizable and pattern changes in the first state can be stopped (a state in which the above-mentioned menu can be called up or a state in which the called menu can be operated), and it can be said that the display related to customization operations in the specific state has a different display mode compared to the display related to customization operations that is displayed while pattern changes are being executed in the first state.

<Display regarding production customization processing during chance time>
Next, the display related to the performance customization process in the chance time will be described with reference to Fig. 17. As described above, the chance in this embodiment is a performance mode corresponding to the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC, and the state shown in Fig. 17 corresponds to the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC and chance time.
17A and 17B are diagrams showing the display mode of the display related to the performance customization process in the chance time. Note that Fig. 17A is the same as the above explanation in that the decorative pattern being changed is shown instead of an arrow, and that elements other than the illustrated elements (e.g., background display, reserved image, etc.) can be displayed on the main display unit 81.

FIG. 17(a) shows a display mode of a display relating to the effect customization process displayed on the main display unit 81 during the pattern variation in the chance time.
As is clear from a comparison of FIG. 17(a) and FIG. 14(a), a presentation mode display 81i that is not displayed in normal mode can be displayed on the main display unit 81 during chance time.
In addition, the mini music selection display 81b that can be displayed in normal mode is not displayed on the main display unit 81 during chance time. This is because the gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment has a dedicated BGM set during chance time, and does not require customization of the music selection effect (music selection is disabled).

The presentation mode display 81i can be displayed on the main display unit 81 not only in the chance time but also in the probability mode and play time. At this time, the presentation mode display 81i is displayed in a display manner that allows a player to visually recognize that the player is in the probability mode (or play time).
The mini music selection display 81b is not displayed on the main display unit 81 in the probability change mode and play time, as in the chance time. This is because music selection is not possible in the probability change mode and play time.

FIG. 17(b) shows the display mode of the display relating to the performance customization process displayed on the main display unit 81 when a menu is called up while the pattern variation is stopped during the chance time.
As is clear from a comparison between Fig. 17(b) and Fig. 16(a), the display mode of the display related to song selection included in the menu display 81f has changed (the change is indicated by the presence or absence of shading). This display mode of the menu display 81f indicates that song selection is disabled.
When a menu is called in the probability change mode or play time, the menu display 81f is displayed on the main display unit 81 in the display mode shown in Figure 17 (b).

<Display related to performance customization processing during state transition>
Next, displays relating to the effect customization process during state transition will be described with reference to FIGS.
Fig. 18 is a diagram showing the display state of the main display unit 81 when transitioning from chance time to normal mode. Fig. 19 is a diagram showing the display state of the main display unit 81 when transitioning from the probability mode to normal mode. Note that Fig. 18 and Fig. 19 are the same as the above explanation in that the decorative patterns displayed in a variable manner are illustrated instead of arrows, and that elements other than the illustrated elements (for example, background display, reserved image, etc.) can be displayed on the main display unit 81.
Fig. 20 is a specific example of a time chart relating to the change in the display mode shown in Fig. 18 and Fig. 19. The time chart shown in Fig. 20 will be described below on the assumption that an operation related to switching the color change super hot mode is performed during the final change in the transition source state (chance time or probability change mode) and customization based on the operation is not reflected (i.e., the pattern change that is pending at the time of receiving the operation has not yet been executed).

First, a case where the chance time transitions to the normal mode (that is, the transition condition (iii) shown in FIG. 13 is satisfied) will be described. FIG. 20(a) is a time chart in this case.
If an operation related to switching to the color-changing super hot mode is performed during the final change in the chance time, and the pattern change that is on hold at the time of receiving the operation has not yet been executed, the mini color-changing super hot mode display 81d displays "Preparing to switch", and the operation related to switching to the color-changing super hot mode is not accepted during the period when "Preparing to switch" is displayed (see FIG. 18(a)). In addition, during the chance time, the operation to select a song cannot be accepted. And during the pattern change, volume adjustment and brightness adjustment cannot be customized. Therefore, in the state shown in FIG. 18(a), the only item that can be customized for the performance is the premier mode.
Then, when the final variation stops and the next pattern variation starts, the presentation mode transitions from chance time to normal mode. At this time, at the start of the next pattern variation, a left-hand hit display 81j is displayed on the main display unit 81 to encourage the player to hit left (see FIG. 18(b)). During the display period of the left-hand hit display 81j (period T1 in FIG. 20(a)), the mini premier mode display 81c and the mini color change super hot mode display 81d that were displayed on the main display unit 81 immediately before that are hidden, and all of the items that can be customized in the gaming machine 10 are no longer operable. Therefore, in the state shown in FIG. 18(b), the items that can be customized for the presentation are 0 (zero).
Furthermore, when the left-hand hit display 81j is hidden, the main display unit 81 redisplays the mini premier mode display 81c and the mini color-changing super-hot mode display 81d, and further displays the mini song selection display 81b. However, at this point, the pattern change that was on hold when the color-changing super-hot mode operation was accepted has not yet been executed, so the mini color-changing super-hot mode display 81d displays "Preparing to switch". Therefore, in the state shown in FIG. 18(c), there are two items for which the effects can be customized: song selection and premier mode.

As shown in Figure 20(a), the period T1 shown as "not displayed" in the figure is a period included in the period T2 shown as "preparing to switch" in the figure (a period that overlaps with the period T2), is shorter than the period T2, and starts at the end of the chance time.
During this period T2, the number of items for which the effects can be customized changes from 1 to 0 to 2.

Therefore, the gaming machine 10 has a first state (normal mode) and a second state (chance time) in which at least some of the items are customizable, and when the first state is entered after the second state ends (as shown in Figure 20 (a)), it can be said that after the end of the second state, a customization restriction period (period T1) occurs during which at least some of the items (music selection and premium mode) that are customizable in the first state cannot be customized.
By setting a customization restriction period as described above, it is possible to prevent the player from making unexpected customizations and to stabilize the control over the customization of presentations.

In this embodiment, an example is given of the present invention being implemented in a form in which some of the customizable items (song selection) in the first state (normal mode) are not included in the customizable items in the second state (chance time). However, the same effect can be achieved if the present invention is applied in a situation in which there is a change in the customizable items when transitioning from the second state to the first state.
Thus, it may be the case that all of the items customizable in the first state are not included in the items customizable in the second state, or that some or all (i.e., at least some) of the items customizable in the second state are not included in the items customizable in the first state.

Furthermore, it can be said that the number of items (0) that can be customized during the customization restriction period (period T1) of the gaming machine 10 is smaller than both the number of items (2) that can be customized in the first state (normal mode) and the number of items (1) that can be customized in the second state (chance time).
This further enhances the effect of the present invention, which is to stabilize control regarding customization of presentation.

In this embodiment, an example is given of implementing the present invention in a mode in which the number of items that can be customized during the customization restriction period is zero (there are no customizable items), but the number of items can be changed as appropriate within the range that satisfies the above requirements, and may be an integer (natural number) greater than or equal to 1.
For example, in this embodiment, since the cursor button 38 is used to switch between the premium mode and the color-changing super hot mode while the pattern is changing, it has been explained that volume adjustment and light intensity adjustment using the cursor button 38 are also not possible. However, by associating a separate operation means with each customization item, it may be possible to perform volume adjustment and light intensity adjustment while the pattern is changing, and at least one of the volume adjustment and light intensity adjustment may be possible during the above-mentioned customization restriction period.

In the case shown in Figure 20 (a), if the reserve change presentation starts before period T2 (for example, if the reserve image corresponding to the pattern change that will be executed after the final change changes from the default color to red before the start of the final change of the chance time), if the color change hot mode is ON when the reserve change is won, the expectation level of the reserve change presentation will be high, and if the color change hot mode is OFF when the reserve change is won, the expectation level of the reserve change presentation will be low (default expectation).
Therefore, for a hold change presentation that is started in the above-described situation, even if the customization restriction period (period T1) ends, normal mode begins, and the color-changing hot mode can be switched ON/OFF, the expectation level of that hold change presentation does not change (the operation of the color-changing hot mode is accepted, but the presentation control based on that operation is not applied to that hold change presentation).

Therefore, when the gaming machine 10 enters the first state after the second state ends (as shown in Figure 20 (a)), if the presentation (the above-mentioned pending change presentation) that began before the start of the customization restriction period continues until after the start of the first state, and if the presentation is controlled by customization based on the operation accepted in the second state, it can be said that the presentation can be controlled by the same customization even after the start of the first state.
Furthermore, in the case where the gaming machine 10 enters the first state after the second state ends (as shown in FIG. 20(a)), if a presentation that began before the start of the customization restriction period continues until after the first state begins, and a customization operation is accepted between the start of the first state and the end of the presentation, it can be said that the customization may be restricted.
By controlling the performance in this manner, the performance can be appropriately controlled.

In the case shown in FIG. 20(a), if the color change super hot mode is switched ON/OFF for a pattern change that has been reserved and won before period T2, and the reserved change performance is started during period T2 (for example, during the final change of the chance time, the reserved image corresponding to the pattern change that will be executed after the final change changes from the default color to red), if the color change super hot mode is ON when the pattern change is reserved and won, the expected degree of the reserved change performance will be high, and if the color change super hot mode is OFF when the pattern change is reserved and won, the expected degree of the reserved change performance will be low (default expected degree).

Therefore, when the gaming machine 10 receives a customization operation to change the expectation level when a specific performance (hold change performance) becomes a specific performance mode (red hold image) from the first expectation level to the second expectation level (when the color change hot mode is turned ON), there are times when an expectation level change limited period (period T2 in Figure 20(a)) is set after receiving the operation, and during the expectation level change limited period, the expectation level when the specific performance becomes a specific performance mode is the first expectation level (low expectation level), and the expectation level when the specific performance becomes a specific performance mode after the expectation level change limited period ends is the second expectation level (high expectation level).
This allows for appropriate performance control according to the situation.

It has been explained that when an operation to switch to the color-changing hot mode is performed during the final fluctuation of the chance time (as shown in FIG. 20(a)), a period T2 is set across the chance time and normal mode. However, when the color-changing hot mode is switched during the period when the pattern fluctuation is stopped even during the same chance time or normal mode (specifically, when the color-changing hot mode is switched by an operation on the menu display 81f), since the performance associated with the progress of the game is not being executed (because the standby demo is in progress), it is not necessary to set a limit period equivalent to the period T1 or the period T2, and even if one is set, it is preferable that the limit period be very short compared to the period T2 shown in FIG. 20(a).
In other words, it is preferable that there is no customization restriction period when changing from the first state (normal mode) or the second state (chance time) to a specific state (a state in which the menu display 81f is displayed), or that the customization restriction period when changing from the second state to a specific state is shorter than the customization restriction period when changing to the first state after the second state ends.
Alternatively, it is preferable that an expectation level change restriction period may be set in the first state (normal mode) or the second state (chance time), while an expectation level change restriction period may not be set in a specific state (a state in which the menu display 81f is displayed), or that the expectation level change restriction period that may be set in a specific state is shorter than the expectation level change restriction period that may be set in the first state or the second state.

Next, a case where the probability mode is changed to the normal mode (i.e., the transition condition (iv) shown in FIG. 13 is satisfied) will be described. FIG. 20(b) is a time chart in this case.
If an operation related to switching to the color-changing super-hot mode is performed during the final change of the probability mode, and the pattern change pending at the time of receiving the operation has not been executed, the mini color-changing super-hot mode display 81d displays "Preparing to switch", and the operation related to switching to the color-changing super-hot mode is not accepted during the period when "Preparing to switch" is displayed (see FIG. 19(a)). In addition, during the probability mode, the operation of selecting a song cannot be accepted. And during the pattern change, volume adjustment and brightness adjustment cannot be customized. Therefore, in the state shown in FIG. 19(a), the only item that can be customized is the premium mode.
Then, before the final variation ends, a result screen 81k showing the number of jackpot games executed during the probability variation mode and the number of prize balls acquired is displayed on the main display unit 81 (see FIG. 19(b)). During the display period of the result screen 81k (period T3 in FIG. 20(b)), the mini premier mode display 81c and the mini color change super hot mode display 81d that were displayed on the main display unit 81 immediately before that are hidden, and all of the items that can be customized in the gaming machine 10 are no longer operable. Therefore, in the state shown in FIG. 19(b), the items that can be customized for the performance are 0 (zero).
Furthermore, when the final variation stops and the next pattern variation starts, the presentation mode transitions from the probability variation mode to the normal mode. At this time, when the next pattern variation starts, a left-hand hit display 81j is displayed on the main display unit 81 to encourage the player to hit left (see FIG. 19(c)). The state shown in FIG. 19(c) is almost the same as the state shown in FIG. 18 (the elements related to presentation customization are the same), and the items that can be customized for presentation are 0 (zero), as in period T3.
Furthermore, when the left-hand hit display 81j is hidden, the main display unit 81 redisplays the mini premier mode display 81c and the mini color-changing super-hot mode display 81d, and further displays the mini song selection display 81b. However, at this point, the pattern change that was on hold when the color-changing super-hot mode operation was accepted has not yet been executed, so the mini color-changing super-hot mode display 81d displays "Preparing to switch". Therefore, in the state shown in FIG. 19(d), there are two items for which the effects can be customized: song selection and premier mode.

As shown in Fig. 20(b), the period T3 during which the result screen 81k is displayed and the period T1 illustrated as "non-display" in the figure are both periods included in the period T4 designated as "preparing to switch" (periods that overlap with the period T4). The total length of the periods T3 and T1 is shorter than the period T4, and they start at the end of the chance time.
During this period T4, the number of items for which the effects can be customized changes from 1 to 0 to 2.

Therefore, there are a first case (the case shown in FIG. 20(a)) in which the gaming machine 10 enters the first state after the second state ends, and a second case (the case shown in FIG. 20(b)) in which the gaming machine 10 enters the first state after the third state ends, and when comparing the first case with the second case, it can be said that the length of the customization restriction period in the first case (period T1) is different from the length of the customization restriction period in the second case (period T3 and period T1).
As described above, in this embodiment, the third state (high probability mode), the second state (chance time), and the first state (normal mode) are the most advantageous in this order, and the magnitude of change in the degree of advantage is different when changing from the second state to the first state compared to when changing from the third state to the first state. Therefore, the motivation of the player to customize the performance during the state transition changes depending on the state transition route, so the length of the customization restriction period is adjusted. This can further enhance the effect of the present invention, which is to stabilize the control regarding the customization of the performance.

In this embodiment, an example is given of implementing the present invention in a form in which the length of the customization restriction period in the second case is longer than the length of the customization restriction period in the first case, i.e., the customization restriction period is longer during state transitions in which there are many changes in the degree of advantage, but the implementation of the present invention is not limited to this.
For example, it is also permissible to implement the present invention in an aspect in which the relationship is the opposite to that described above (in which the length of the customization restriction period in the first case is longer than the length of the customization restriction period in the second case).
Alternatively, it is permissible to vary the length of the customization restriction period when comparing state transitions in which the change in the degree of advantage is small (for example, comparing a transition from Chance Time to Normal Mode with a transition from Yu Time to Normal Mode).

Furthermore, comparing the first and second cases above, it can be said that the number of items that can be customized during the customization restriction period in the first case (zero) is the same as the number of items that can be customized during the customization restriction period in the second case (zero).
By setting the number of customizable items as described above, it is possible to impose the same restriction regardless of the difference in the state transition route, thereby further enhancing the effect of the present invention of stabilizing the control regarding the customization of the presentation.

In this embodiment, an example is given of the present invention being implemented in a form in which some of the items (song selection) that are customizable in the first state (normal mode) are not included in the items that are customizable in the third state (high probability mode). However, if the present invention is applied in a situation in which there is a change in the customizable items when transitioning from the third state to the first state, a similar effect will be achieved.
Thus, it may be the case that all of the items customizable in the first state are not included in the items customizable in the third state, or that some or all (i.e., at least some) of the items customizable in the third state are not included in the items customizable in the first state.

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

In the above embodiment, the present invention has been explained using the following correspondence: first state: normal mode: diagram fluctuation pattern derivation state PA, second state: chance time: diagram fluctuation pattern derivation state PC, third state: special mode: diagram fluctuation pattern derivation state PB, fourth state: play time: diagram fluctuation pattern derivation state PD, but the implementation of the present invention is not limited to this.
Different combinations of correspondences may be used within the scope of the present invention.

In the above embodiment, a configuration has been described in which a presentation mode and a special chart change pattern derivation state correspond to each of the first state, second state, third state, and fourth state of the present invention, but the implementation of the present invention is not limited to this.
For example, a plurality of presentation modes or special chart variation pattern derivation states may be associated with one state. For example, when a specific period of a chance time (for example, a period of a predetermined number of times including the final variation of the chance time among 100 spins of the chance time) and a period of the same chance time excluding the specific period are in different special chart variation pattern derivation states, both of these special chart variation pattern derivation states may be associated with one state.
Alternatively, one presentation mode or special chart variation pattern derivation state may be associated with multiple states. For example, in the case where the number of customizable items changes in the same presentation mode or special chart variation pattern derivation state, the states before and after the change may be regarded as separate states.

In the above embodiment, a configuration was described in which a presentation mode and a special chart change pattern derivation state correspond to each of the first state, second state, third state, and fourth state of the present invention, but in implementing the present invention, it is sufficient if each of the above states can be distinguished, and at least some of the above states may be associated with targets other than the presentation mode and the special chart change pattern derivation state.
For example, any of the above states may be associated with a big win game, a standby demo state, or a state in which a specific error is detected (a state in which a specific error notification is being made). Also, one of the above states may be associated with the first half of the pattern change, and the other state may be associated with the second half of the pattern change. Also, one of the above states may be associated with the first half of the big win game, and the other state may be associated with the second half of the big win game.
In addition, the first and second halves of the pattern change described in this paragraph, or the first and second halves of the jackpot play, may be distinguished by events that are recognizable by humans (for example, the timing when a predetermined amount of time has passed since the start, the timing when a predetermined number of rounds of play have been played since the start, the timing when power is cut off and restored, etc.).

In the above embodiment, the presentation customization that triggers the setting of the customization restriction period and expectation level change restriction period according to the present invention has been described as switching between color-changing super hot modes, but the implementation of the present invention is not limited to this.
Other performance customizations described in this specification may be used as an opportunity to set a customization restriction period and an expectation level change restriction period, or performance customizations not mentioned in this specification may be used as an opportunity to set a customization restriction period and an expectation level change restriction period.

In the above embodiment, no detailed explanation was given about the transition from Yu-time to normal mode, but in this embodiment, the items that can be customized during chance time and the items that can be customized during Yu-time are exactly the same, so assuming this specification, it is preferable that the flow be the same as when transitioning from chance time to normal mode (as shown in Figure 20 (a)).
However, if there is a difference in the customizable items between Chance Time and Yu Time (in other words, at least some of the items customizable in normal mode are not included in the items customizable in the fourth state, or at least some of the items customizable in the fourth state are not included in the items customizable in the first state), the length of the customization restriction period may be different when comparing the case where normal mode is entered after the chance time ends and the case where normal mode is entered after the Yu Time ends.
Naturally, in this modified example, the chance time and the play time are both in a state of low probability of a special drawing and low probability of a normal drawing, as in the above embodiment.

Although not described in detail in the above embodiment, irregular cases are anticipated in which a specific error state is detected during the period in which the results of customization regarding the color-changing super hot mode are reflected.
At this time, depending on the mode of error control corresponding to the error state (notification mode of error notification), it is assumed that customization of the color-changing super hot mode may be restricted. Specifically, if the error notification is notified by audio output (error sound from the speaker 33) and the customization of the color-changing super hot mode affects the display output from the main display unit 81 and the audio output from the speaker 33, the error notification and the customization of the color-changing super hot mode overlap, so that the display output from the main display unit 81 (e.g., the color mode of the reserved image) properly reflects the customization without being affected by the error notification, while the audio output from the speaker 33 (e.g., the sound effect accompanying the change in color mode) is muted in conjunction with the output of the error sound, thereby restricting the customized result.
Even in the irregular cases as described above, the effect of the present invention of stabilizing the performance control is not lost by providing the customization limit period and the expectation degree change limit period according to the present invention. Also, it is possible to realize appropriate error control according to the situation.

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

<Additional Notes>
The present embodiment encompasses the following technical idea.
(1) A gaming machine capable of executing a pattern change based on the entry of a gaming ball into a starting hole, comprising an operation means and a presentation control means for controlling a presentation, wherein the presentation control means is customizable for a plurality of items related to the presentation based on an operation received by the operation means, and wherein there are a first state and a second state in which at least a portion of the plurality of items are customizable, and wherein at least a portion of the items customizable in the first state are not included in the items customizable in the second state, or at least a portion of the items customizable in the second state are not included in the items customizable in the first state, and when the first state is entered after the second state ends, a customization restriction period in which at least a portion of the items customizable in the first state cannot be customized occurs after the end of the second state.
(2) The gaming machine described in (1), wherein the number of items that can be customized during the customization restriction period is smaller than both the number of items that can be customized in the first state and the number of items that can be customized in the second state.
(3) A gaming machine as described in (1) or (2) further comprising a third state, in which at least a portion of the items customizable in the first state are not included in the items customizable in the third state, or at least a portion of the items customizable in the third state are not included in the items customizable in the first state, the third state is more advantageous than the second state, and the first state is more advantageous in that order, and there is a first case in which the first state is reached after the second state ends, and a second case in which the first state is reached after the third state ends, and the length of the customization restriction period is different between the first case and the second case.
(4) A gaming machine as described in (1) or (2), in which, when the first state is entered after the second state ends, a presentation that began before the start of the customization restriction period continues until after the start of the first state, and if the presentation is controlled by customization based on an operation accepted in the second state, the presentation can be controlled by the same customization even after the start of the first state.
(5) A gaming machine as described in (1) or (2), in which, when the first state is entered after the second state ends, a presentation that began before the start of the customization restriction period continues until after the first state begins, and if a customization operation is accepted between the start of the first state and the end of the presentation, the customization may be restricted.
(a) A gaming machine as described in (1) or (2), further comprising a third state, in which at least a portion of the items customizable in the first state are not included in the items customizable in the third state, or at least a portion of the items customizable in the third state are not included in the items customizable in the first state, and there are a first case in which the first state is reached after the second state ends and a second case in which the first state is reached after the third state ends, and the number of items customizable in the customization restriction period in the first case is the same as the number of items customizable in the customization restriction period in the second case.
(b) A gaming machine as described in (3), further comprising a fourth state, and a third case in which at least some of the items customizable in the second state are not included in the items customizable in the fourth state, or at least some of the items customizable in the fourth state are not included in the items customizable in the second state, and the first state is entered after the fourth state ends, and the length of the customization restriction period is different between the first case and the third case.

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 46 Gaming ball tank 47 Tank rail 48 Payout unit 49 Payout passage 50 Gaming board 50a Gaming 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 Ordinary electric role 62 Ordinary electric role solenoid 63 Gate 65 Special electric role 66 Special electric role solenoid 67 Ordinary prize opening 69 Out opening 70 First start opening sensor 71 Second start opening sensor 72 Large prize opening sensor 73 Ordinary 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 Ordinary pattern display device 94 First special pattern reserve lamp 95 Second special pattern reserve lamp 96 Ordinary 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 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 Dispensing control board 409 Dispensing control board case 500 Power supply control board 501 Normal power supply circuit 502 Backup power supply circuit 503 Power interruption detection circuit 509 Power supply control board case X First flow path Y Second flow path

Claims (4)

A gaming machine capable of executing a pattern change based on the entry of a gaming ball into a starting hole,
An operating means;
A performance control means for controlling the performance;
Equipped with
the performance control means is capable of customizing a plurality of items related to performance based on an operation received by the operation means;
At least a portion of the plurality of items may have a first state and a second state that are customizable;
At least some of the items customizable in the first state are not included in the items customizable in the second state, or at least some of the items customizable in the second state are not included in the items customizable in the first state;
When the second state is ended and the first state is entered, a customization restriction period occurs after the end of the second state during which customization is disabled for at least a portion of the items that are customizable in the first state ,
Furthermore, there is a third state,
At least some of the items customizable in the first state are not included in the items customizable in the third state, or at least some of the items customizable in the third state are not included in the items customizable in the first state;
The third state is more favorable than the second state, and the first state is more favorable in this order.
There is a first case in which the first state is entered after the second state is terminated, and a second case in which the first state is entered after the third state is terminated,
The length of the customization restriction period is different between the first case and the second case.
A gaming machine characterized by: A gaming machine capable of executing a pattern change based on the entry of a gaming ball into a starting hole,
An operating means;
A performance control means for controlling the performance;
Equipped with
the performance control means is capable of customizing a plurality of items related to performance based on an operation received by the operation means;
At least a portion of the plurality of items may have a first state and a second state that are customizable;
At least some of the items customizable in the first state are not included in the items customizable in the second state, or at least some of the items customizable in the second state are not included in the items customizable in the first state;
When the second state is ended and the first state is entered, a customization restriction period occurs after the end of the second state during which customization is disabled for at least a portion of the items that are customizable in the first state , and
When the first state is entered after the second state ends, if a presentation that started before the start of the customization restriction period is continued until after the start of the first state, and the presentation is controlled by customization based on an operation accepted in the second state, the presentation may be controlled by the same customization even after the start of the first state.
A gaming machine characterized by: A gaming machine capable of executing a pattern change based on the entry of a gaming ball into a starting hole,
An operating means;
A performance control means for controlling the performance;
Equipped with
the performance control means is capable of customizing a plurality of items related to performance based on an operation received by the operation means;
At least a portion of the plurality of items may have a first state and a second state that are customizable;
At least some of the items customizable in the first state are not included in the items customizable in the second state, or at least some of the items customizable in the second state are not included in the items customizable in the first state;
When the second state is ended and the first state is entered, a customization restriction period occurs after the end of the second state during which customization is disabled for at least a portion of the items that are customizable in the first state ,
In a case where the first state is entered after the second state ends, a performance that started before the start of the customization restriction period is continued until the start of the first state, and if a customization operation is accepted during the period from the start of the first state to the end of the performance, the customization may be restricted.
A gaming machine characterized by: A gaming machine capable of executing a pattern change based on the entry of a gaming ball into a starting hole,
An operating means;
A performance control means for controlling the performance;
Equipped with
the performance control means is capable of customizing a plurality of items related to performance based on an operation received by the operation means;
At least a portion of the plurality of items may have a first state and a second state that are customizable;
At least some of the items customizable in the first state are not included in the items customizable in the second state, or at least some of the items customizable in the second state are not included in the items customizable in the first state;
At least a part of the plurality of items is customizable, and there is a specific state in which the pattern variation can be stopped,
When the second state is ended and the first state is entered, a customization restriction period occurs after the end of the second state during which customization is disabled for at least a portion of the items that are customizable in the first state ,
the number of items that are customizable during the customization restriction period is smaller than the number of items that are customizable in the first state or the number of items that are customizable in the second state;
There is no customization restriction period when the specific state is changed from the second state, or the customization restriction period when the specific state is changed from the second state is shorter than the customization restriction period when the first state is changed after the second state ends.
A gaming machine characterized by:

Images