JP7482102B2 - Gaming Machines - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a gaming machine that executes games.

Patent Document 1 describes a configuration in which information is stored in a simulation area that is divided according to the number of simulations.

JP 2021-20019 A

In recent years, most gaming machines proposed all have similar gameplay, and there is a demand for innovative gaming machines. This is true for both pachinko and slot machines.

Therefore, the objective of the present invention is to provide an innovative gaming machine.

The present invention employs the following solutions to solve the above problems. Note that the solutions and the wording in parentheses below are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited thereto. The present invention can be an invention that includes at least one of the invention-specific matters shown in the solutions below. Furthermore, each invention-specific matter shown in the solutions below can be made into a lower-level concept by adding an element that limits the invention-specific matter, and can also be made into a higher-level concept by removing an element that limits the invention-specific matter.

Solution 1: The gaming machine of this solution is a gaming machine equipped with a presentation control means capable of executing a presentation during a change in the pattern, the presentation control means being capable of executing a pseudo-sequential preview presentation in which a presentation pattern corresponding to the pattern is changed once or multiple times during one change in the pattern, and when a first condition is met, first information can be stored in an area corresponding to the number of times the pseudo-sequential preview presentation has been performed, and when a second condition different from the first condition is met, second information different from the first information can be stored in a predetermined area regardless of the number of times the pseudo-sequential preview presentation has been performed, and the gaming machine is characterized in that a presentation can be performed using at least one of the first information and the second information.

The gaming machine of this solution has the following configuration.
(1) Equipped with a performance control means (performance control device) capable of executing a performance while the symbols are varying. When a lottery trigger occurs during a game, a predetermined lottery is executed, and when the predetermined lottery is executed, the symbols are displayed in a variable manner for a predetermined variation time, and then the symbols are displayed in a stopped manner in accordance with the result of the predetermined lottery.
(2) The performance control means is capable of executing a pseudo-continuous preview performance in which, during one pattern change, a performance pattern corresponding to the pattern is changed in a pseudo manner once or multiple times.

(3) When a first condition is satisfied (when a first message is generated), the performance control means is capable of storing first information (first message) in an area corresponding to the number of pseudo-consecutive preview performances, and when a second condition different from the first condition is satisfied (when a second message is generated), the performance control means is capable of storing second information (second message) different from the first information in a predetermined area regardless of the number of pseudo-consecutive preview performances.
(4) The performance control means is capable of executing a performance using at least one of the first information and the second information. The first information and the second information are information for executing a performance.

According to this solution, even if one of the first and second information is missing, the other information can be used to compensate for the loss, thereby improving the quality of the gaming machine and, as a result, providing an innovative gaming machine.

Solution 2: The gaming machine of this solution is any of the solutions described above, characterized in that the presentation control means, when determining the content of the pseudo-continuous preview presentation, is capable of storing information in different areas for each pseudo-variation, each of the different areas includes a special area, and the presentation control means is capable of storing the second information in the special areas of all of the different areas when the second condition is satisfied.

This solution has the following features:
(1) When determining the content of the pseudo-continuous preview performance, the performance control means is capable of storing information in different areas (pseudo 1 buffer, pseudo 2 buffer, pseudo 3 buffer) for each pseudo variation.
(2) Each of the different areas includes a special area (an area for storing messages such as pattern confirmation).
(3) When the second condition is satisfied (when the second message is generated), the performance control means is capable of storing second information (second message) in the special areas of all the different areas.

According to this solution, if the second condition is satisfied, the second information can be stored in the special area of all different areas, eliminating the need to determine in which area the information should be stored, simplifying the process and, as a result, providing an innovative gaming machine.

The present invention makes it possible to provide an innovative gaming machine.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko machine. FIG. 2 is a rear view of the pachinko machine. FIG. 2 is a front view showing the game board unit alone. 2 is an enlarged front view showing a portion of the game board unit. FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing various electronic devices equipped in a pachinko machine. A block diagram showing the functional configuration within the performance control device. 13 is a flowchart (1/2) illustrating an example of a procedure for CPU initialization processing; 13 is a flowchart (2/2) illustrating an example of a procedure for CPU initialization processing; 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure for a timer interrupt process. 13A to 13C are sequential diagrams showing examples of presentation images corresponding to the varying and stopping display of special symbols. A continuous diagram showing the flow of the super reach presentation executed during the changing display of special patterns. A series of diagrams (1/9) showing examples of variable display presentations. A series of diagrams showing examples of variable display presentations (2/9). A series of diagrams showing examples of variable display presentations (3/9). A series of diagrams showing examples of variable display presentations (4/9). A series of diagrams showing examples of variable display presentations (5/9). A series of diagrams showing examples of variable display presentations (6/9). A sequential diagram showing an example of a variable display presentation (7/9). A series of diagrams showing an example of a variable display presentation (8/9). A sequential diagram showing an example of a variable display presentation (9/9). 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure for performance control processing. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure for operating memory performance management processing. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure for processing performance pattern management. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure for pre-processing of the performance pattern change. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure for advance selection processing. A flowchart showing an example of the configuration of processing when the variable winning device is activated. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure for a pseudo buffer message set process. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure for a time management unit control process. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the flow of commands stored in an operation buffer. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an image of an operation buffer. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an image of setting a message in a specific pseudo buffer. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an image of setting a message in all pseudo buffers.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
Fig. 1 is a front view of a pachinko gaming machine (hereinafter, abbreviated as "pachinko machine") 1. Fig. 2 is a rear view of the pachinko machine 1.

Pachinko machine 1 uses game balls as a gaming medium, and players borrow game balls from an amusement facility operator to play with pachinko machine 1. In playing with pachinko machine 1, each game ball is a medium that has a gaming value, and the benefits (profits) that players enjoy as a result of playing can be converted into a gaming value based on, for example, the number of game balls that the player has acquired. Below, the overall configuration of pachinko machine 1 will be explained with reference to Figures 1 and 2.

In this specification, the left side as seen by a player seated facing the pachinko machine 1 is referred to as the left, the right side as seen by the player as the right, the upper side as seen by the player as the top, the lower side as seen by the player as the bottom, the near side as seen by the player as the front, and the far side as seen by the player as the back.

〔overall structure〕
The main body of the pachinko machine 1 mainly comprises an outer frame unit 2, an integrated door unit 4, and an inner frame assembly 7 (plastic frame, gaming machine frame). When viewed from the front facing the player, the integrated door unit 4 is located at the frontmost side. The inner frame assembly 7 is located on the rear side (rear side) of the integrated door unit 4, and the outer frame unit 2 is arranged so as to surround the outside of the inner frame assembly 7.

The outer frame unit 2 is a structure made by combining wood and metal materials into a vertically long rectangle, and this outer frame unit 2 is fixed to an island facility (not shown) in the playground using fasteners such as screws. Note that in the vertically long rectangular outer frame unit 2, wood is used in the sections corresponding to the top and bottom short sides, and metal is used in the sections corresponding to the left and right long sides.

The integrated door unit 4 has a structure in which the tray unit 6 is integrated at its lower position. The integrated door unit 4 and the inner frame assembly 7 are attached to the island equipment via the outer frame unit 2, and each of them operates to open and close via a hinge mechanism (not shown). The opening and closing axis of the hinge mechanism (not shown) extends vertically along the left end when viewed from the front of the pachinko machine 1.

When viewed from the front in Figure 1, a unified lock unit 9 is provided on the inside of the right edge of the inner frame assembly 7 (left edge in Figure 2). Correspondingly, locking devices (not shown) are also provided on the right edges (back sides) of the integrated door unit 4 and the outer frame unit 2. As shown in Figure 1, when the integrated door unit 4 and inner frame assembly 7 are closed relative to the outer frame unit 2, the unified lock unit 9 on the back side, together with the locking device, disables the opening of the integrated door unit 4 and inner frame assembly 7.

A cylinder lock 6a with a keyhole is provided on the right edge of the tray unit 6. For example, when an arcade manager inserts a special key into the keyhole and turns the cylinder lock 6a clockwise, the unified lock unit 9 is activated, enabling the integrated door unit 4 to be opened together with the inner frame assembly 7. When the entire assembly is opened from the outer frame unit 2 to the front side (moved like a door), the back side of the pachinko machine 1 is exposed at the front side.

On the other hand, when the cylinder lock 6a is twisted counterclockwise, the inner frame assembly 7 remains locked and only the integrated door unit 4 is unlocked, allowing the integrated door unit 4 to be opened. When the integrated door unit 4 is opened to the front, the game board unit 8 is directly exposed, allowing the amusement center manager to remove any obstacles such as balls getting stuck on the board. Furthermore, when the integrated door unit 4 is opened, the receiving tray unit 6 is also opened to the front.

The pachinko machine 1 also includes a game board unit 8 as a game unit. The game board unit 8 is supported by the inner frame assembly 7 behind (inside) the integrated door unit 4. The game board unit 8 can be attached to and detached from the inner frame assembly 7, for example, with the integrated door unit 4 open to the front side. The integrated door unit 4 has a vertically oval window 4a formed in its center, and a glass unit (no reference number) is attached inside this window 4a. The glass unit is, for example, a combination of two transparent plates (glass plates) cut to match the shape of the window 4a. The glass unit is attached to the back side of the integrated door unit 4 via a mounting tool (not shown). A game area 8a (a game area where game balls flow down, a board surface) is formed on the front side of the game board unit 8, and this game area 8a can be seen by a player from the front side through the window 4a. When the integrated door unit 4 is closed, a space is formed between the inner surface of the glass unit and the board surface through which game balls can flow down.

[Configuration of the ball plate]
The receiving tray unit 6 is generally shaped to protrude from the integral door unit 4 toward the front side, and an upper tray 6b is formed on its upper surface. This upper tray 6b can store game balls (loan balls) lent to the player and game balls (prize balls) acquired by winning. In addition, a lower tray 6c is formed in the receiving tray unit 6 at a lower position of the upper tray 6b. This lower tray 6c stores game balls that are further paid out when the upper tray 6b is full. Note that the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment is a model that is connected to a card unit, and game balls borrowed by the player are paid out to the receiving tray unit 6 (upper tray 6b or lower tray 6c) from the payout device unit 172 on the back side separately from prize balls.

A loan operation unit 14 is provided on the top surface of the tray unit 6, and a ball loan button 10 and a return button 12 are arranged on the loan operation unit 14. When a player operates the ball loan button 10 with a valuable medium (e.g., a magnetic recording medium, a medium with a built-in memory IC, etc.) inserted into a card unit (not shown), a number of game balls (e.g., 125 balls) corresponding to a predetermined degree unit (e.g., 5 degrees) are loaned. For this reason, a degree display unit (not shown) is arranged on the top surface of the loan operation unit 14, and this degree display unit displays the remaining degree of the valuable medium inserted into the card unit. The player can receive the return of the valuable medium with remaining degree by operating the return button 12. In this embodiment, an example of a model connected to a card unit is described, but the pachinko machine 1 may be a cash machine (a model not connected to a card unit).

In addition, an upper tray ball removal button 6d is installed on the top surface of the receiving tray unit 6 in front of the upper tray 6b, which is in the upper position, and a lower tray ball removal lever 6e is installed in the center in front of the lower tray 6c. By, for example, pressing the upper tray ball removal button 6d, the player can cause the game balls stored in the upper tray 6b to flow down to the lower tray 6c. In addition, by pressing the lower tray ball removal lever 6e backwards, the player can cause the game balls stored in the lower tray 6c to fall downward and be discharged. The discharged game balls are received, for example, in a ball receiving box (not shown).

A handle unit 16 is installed at the lower right of the tray unit 6. By operating this handle unit 16, the player can activate the launch control board set 174 and launch (throw) a game ball into the play area 8a (ball launching device). The launched game ball rises from the lower edge of the game board unit 8 along the left edge, and is guided by an outer band (not shown) and thrown into the play area 8a. Numerous obstacle pegs and windmills (no reference numbers in the figure) are arranged in the play area 8a, and the thrown game ball flows down the play area 8a while being guided and guided by the obstacle pegs and windmills. The configuration of the play area 8a will be described further below with reference to another drawing.

[Frame front configuration]
The integrated door unit 4 is provided with a left top lens unit 47 and an upper right lighting unit 49 as components for the performance. The left top lens unit 47 incorporates a glass frame top lamp 46 and a left glass frame decorative lamp 48, and the upper right lighting unit 49 incorporates a right glass frame decorative lamp 50. In addition, the integrated door unit 4 is provided with left and right glass frame decorative lamps 52 that are connected to the lower parts of the left top lens unit 47 and the upper right lighting unit 49, respectively, and these glass frame decorative lamps 52 extend from the left and right edges of the integrated door unit 4 to the upper position of the receiving tray unit 6. In the integrated door unit 4, the glass frame top lamp 46 and the left and right glass frame decorative lamps 48, 50, 52 are arranged to surround the glass unit.

The various lamps 46, 48, 50, 52 described above perform effects, for example, by emitting light from the built-in LEDs (lighting, blinking, changing brightness gradations, changing color tones, etc.). In addition, at the top of the integrated door unit 4, the left top lens unit 47 and the upper right illumination unit 49 each have a glass frame speaker 54 built in, and the left and right glass frame decorative lamps 52 each have a glass frame inner speaker 55 built in. Meanwhile, an inner frame speaker 56 is built in the lower right position of the inner frame assembly 7 (the upper left position of the handle unit 16 when viewed from the front of the pachinko machine 1), and an outer frame speaker 58 is built in the lower left position of the outer frame unit 2. These speakers 54, 55, 56, 58 perform effects by outputting sound effects, background music, voices, etc. (general sound).

In addition, an operation unit 60 is installed in the center of the receiving tray unit 6 so as to protrude upward from the upper tray 6b on the front side. The operation unit 60 has a large push button 64 in its center, and a handle lever 62 on the left side of the push button 64. The operation unit 60 can accept operations in various scenes shown in the performance. In one scene in the performance, the handle lever 62 is pulled toward the player by the player, and in another scene, the push button 64 is pushed in. By operating the operation unit 60 in various ways, the player can switch the performance content (for example, the background screen displayed on the liquid crystal display 42), or generate some kind of performance (preview performance, probability change promotion performance, promotion performance during a big role, etc.) while the pattern is changing, while a jackpot is confirmed, or during jackpot play.

A ring-shaped portion 65 is also installed around the push button 64 so as to surround it. Unlike the handle lever 62 and the push button 64, the ring-shaped portion 65 is a decorative component, and rotates counterclockwise in conjunction with the pulling operation of the handle lever 62. The ring-shaped portion 65 also has multiple cells separated at regular intervals around the circumference. These cells cannot be operated by the player, but are effectively used to inform the player of the operation method.

When the player is requested to perform some operation, a reduced-size image showing the operation method of the operation unit 60 is displayed on the screen of the liquid crystal display 42. At this time, in order to inform the player of the time during which the specified operation can be performed (effective operation time), each cell of the ring-shaped portion 65 in the reduced-size image is expressed as if it were a lamp. More specifically, the ring-shaped portion 65 in the reduced-size image is expressed as if all cells are lit when the operation is possible, and as the remaining time decreases, the cells are expressed as going out one by one, and when the remaining time runs out, all cells are expressed as being out. The actual ring-shaped portion 65 does not have a light source and does not light up/go out like the ring-shaped portion 65 shown in the reduced-size image displayed on the screen, but by switching the ring-shaped portion 65 in the reduced-size image on/off in this manner, the player can intuitively grasp the remaining time for the operation.

Furthermore, the push button 64 is constructed so that it protrudes significantly upward when a specific trigger occurs during the course of the game. When the push button 64 protrudes, it pops out to a height that is approximately three times its normal height. The push button 64 has a light source inside it. Normally, the push button 64 emits light in one color (e.g. blue) or multiple colors, but when it protrudes, it emits light in even more colors, exerting an extraordinary presence. This operation of the push button 64 makes the player aware that the button press required in this situation is particularly important.

In this embodiment, the handle lever 62 and the push button 64 are mounted on the same operation unit 60, but the handle lever 62 and the push button 64 may be provided as independent components.

In addition, a directional key 66 is installed on the top surface of the tray unit 6 adjacent to the lending operation unit 14. The directional key 66 is a cross-shaped arrangement of four key switches indicating the up, down, left and right directions, and each key switch for each direction can be pressed independently. By pressing the directional key 66 in various scenes during the performance, the player can freely move the cursor displayed on the LCD screen. Although not specifically shown, a volume adjustment switch with an up button to increase the volume and a down button to decrease the volume, and a brightness adjustment switch with an up button to increase the brightness and a down button to decrease the brightness are located near the lending operation unit 14.

[Decorative unit]
A decorative unit 400 is attached to the upper front part of the pachinko machine 1. The decorative unit 400 is detachable from the pachinko machine 1 by a predetermined attachment member (mechanical mechanism such as a screw or a hook). The decorative unit 400 may be inseparable from the pachinko machine 1.
The decorative unit 400 (decoration) is a box-shaped component, and is made of a transparent or translucent material that transmits light.

The decorative unit 400 includes a main body unit 410 located at the top and a front lamp unit 420 located at the bottom of the main body unit 410.

The main body unit 410 is a cubic-shaped component on which predetermined text information is displayed, and emits light when an LED (glass frame top lamp 46) located in the integrated door unit 4 at the rear emits light.

The front lamp unit 420 is a member in which a cylindrical member is joined to a hemispherical member, and emits light when an LED (board lamp 53) arranged on the rear game board unit 8 emits light.

The cylindrical member is preferably colorless and transparent to improve visibility of the upper spherical passage 500, and the hemispherical member is preferably colored and transparent to improve the presentation effect.

[Back side configuration]
As shown in Fig. 2, the back side of the pachinko machine 1 is provided with a power supply control unit 162, a main control board unit 170, a payout device unit 172, a flow path unit 173, a launch control board set 174, a payout control board unit 176, a back cover unit 178, etc. In addition, the back side of the pachinko machine 1 is provided with various electronic devices (including a control computer, not shown) that constitute the power supply system and control system of the pachinko machine 1, an external terminal board 160, a power cord (power plug) 164, a ground wire (ground terminal) 166, connection wiring, etc., not shown. The electronic devices will be described further below with reference to separate block diagrams (Figs. 5 and 6).

The main control board unit 170 has a built-in main control device, to which a performance display monitor 200 is connected. The performance display monitor 200 is arranged on the main control device in a manner that is visible in the upper left area of the main control board unit 170 when viewing the pachinko machine 1 from the back, and is equipped with four 7-segment LEDs. The four 7-segment LEDs are arranged in a row in the left-right direction, and each 7-segment LED is composed of seven segments that can display Arabic numerals in decimal notation and a dot segment located to the lower right of them. The performance display monitor 200 can be seen through a transparent case that covers the main control board unit 170.

The main control device is also provided with a RAM clear switch 304 and a setting key keyhole 306. The RAM clear switch 304 is a switch used to clear the RAM, i.e., to initialize the RAM (RWM) equipped in the main control device, and in this embodiment, it also serves as a switch for changing settings. The setting key keyhole 306 is a keyhole for inserting a setting key required to change or refer to settings related to play on the pachinko machine 1.

The RAM clear switch 304 is provided so that it can be pressed through a through hole formed in the transparent case covering the main control board unit 170. The RAM clear switch 304 may be disposed outside the transparent case. The keyhole 306 for the setting key is provided with the key cylinder passing through the transparent case (with the transparent case surrounding the key cylinder). Therefore, it is possible to insert and rotate the setting key with the transparent case sealed.

The positions of the performance display monitor 200, RAM clear switch 304, and keyhole for the setting key 306 are merely examples, and they can be placed in any position. In addition, the performance display monitor 200, RAM clear switch 304, and keyhole for the setting key 306 may be configured to be provided on the outside of the main control device and connected to the main control device.

The payout device unit 172 has, for example, a prize ball tank 172a and a prize ball case (no reference number), of which the prize ball tank 172a is installed on the upper edge (back side) of the inner frame assembly 7 and can store game balls supplied from a supply path (not shown). The game balls stored in the prize ball tank 172a are guided to the prize ball case through an upper prize ball gutter (not shown). The flow path unit 173 guides the game balls sent out from the payout device unit 172 toward the receiving tray unit 6 on the front side.

The external terminal board 160 is for connecting the pachinko machine 1 to external electronic devices (such as a data display device, hall computer, etc.), and various external information signals (such as winning ball information, door opening information, number of pattern determination information, jackpot information, starting hole information, etc.) that indicate the game progress status and maintenance status of the pachinko machine 1 are output from this external terminal board 160 to the external electronic devices.

The power cord 164 is connected to a power supply (e.g., AC 24V) installed in the island equipment of the amusement arcade, for example, to ensure the power source (electricity) necessary for the operation of the pachinko machine 1. The earth wire 166 is connected to an earth terminal also installed in the island equipment, to ensure the earth (ground) of the pachinko machine 1.

Figure 3 is a front view showing the game board unit 8 alone. The game board unit 8 has a base game board 8b, and a game area 8a is formed on the front side of this game board 8b. The game board 8b is made of, for example, a transparent resin plate, and when the game board unit 8 is fixed to the inner frame assembly 7, the front side of the game board 8b is parallel to the glass unit. On the front side of the game board 8b, the game area 8a is formed inside a launch rail (no reference number) that is installed in a substantially circular shape. The launch rail extends in a clockwise direction from the lower left corner of the game board 8b to the upper right corner of the game board 8b.

A relatively large presentation unit 40 is placed in the center of the play area 8a, and the play area 8a is largely divided into a left part, a right part, and a lower part with this presentation unit 40 as the center. The left part of the play area 8a is a first play area (left-hand hitting area) used in the normal play state (low probability non-time shortening state), and the right part of the play area 8a is a second play area (right-hand hitting area, specific area) used in the special play state (big hit play state, small hit play state, low probability time shortening state, high probability time shortening state, etc.). The left part of the play area 8a is also used in the high probability non-time shortening state (advantageous play state). In addition, in the play area 8a, a medium start winning hole 26, a start gate 20, normal winning holes 22, 24, a variable start winning device 28, a first variable winning device 30, a second variable winning device 31, etc. are distributed and installed around the presentation unit 40.

Of these, the middle start winning opening 26 is located in the center of the lower part of the play area 8a. The start gate 20, the variable start winning device 28, the second variable winning device 31 and the first variable winning device 30 are arranged in this order from top to bottom on the right side of the play area 8a. Here, the first variable winning device 30 is arranged to the right of the middle start winning opening 26, and the second variable winning device 31 is arranged to the upper right of the first variable winning device 30. Furthermore, the three normal winning openings 22 on the left side are arranged in the left part of the play area 8a, and the one normal winning opening 24 (predetermined winning opening) on the right side is arranged to the lower left of the first variable winning device 30.

The game ball thrown into the game area 8a may enter the middle start winning opening 26, the normal winning openings 22 and 24, pass through the start gate 20, or enter the variable start winning device 28 when activated, the first variable winning device 30 when opening, or the second variable winning device 31 when opening. Here, the game ball flowing down the left side area of the game area 8a may mainly enter the middle start winning opening 26 or the normal winning opening 22. On the other hand, the game ball flowing down the right side area of the game area 8a may mainly pass through the start gate 20, enter the variable start winning device 28 when activated, enter the first variable winning device 30 when opening, enter the second variable winning device 31 when opening, or enter the normal winning opening 24. Game balls that pass through the start gate 20 continue to flow down within the game area 8a, but game balls that enter the intermediate start winning port 26, the normal winning ports 22, 24, the variable start winning device 28, the first variable winning device 30, and the second variable winning device 31 are collected on the back side of the game board unit 8 through through holes formed in the game board (the plywood material, transparent board, etc. that constitutes the game board unit 8).

In this embodiment, due to the configuration of the game area 8a (board), when a game ball is to enter the middle start winning hole 26 or the normal winning hole 22, it is necessary to hit the game ball into the area on the left side of the game area 8a (left hit area) (performing a so-called "left hit").

On the other hand, when making a game ball enter the variable start winning device 28, the first variable winning device 30, the second variable winning device 31, or the normal winning port 24, it is necessary to hit the game ball into the area on the right side of the game area 8a (the right-hand hit area) (performing a so-called "right hit").

In this embodiment, the variable start winning device 28 operates when a predetermined operating condition is met (when a normal symbol is displayed in a stopped state for a predetermined stop display time), thereby enabling a ball to enter the right start winning hole 28a (a predetermined ball entry hole) (normal electric device). The variable start winning device 28 is provided with a tongue-type opening and closing member 28b. In the illustrated state, the opening and closing member 28b is in a position (retracted position) that is retracted from the board surface, making it impossible or difficult for the game ball to enter the right start winning hole 28a. On the other hand, when the opening and closing member 28b moves to a position (driving position) that protrudes forward from the board surface, the opening and closing member 28b receives the game ball flowing down from above and guides the game ball to the right start winning hole 28a (making it possible or easy to enter the right start winning hole 28a). The variable start winning device 28 may be a device in which the opening and closing member is displaced so that its lower edge acts as a hinge and falls forward to open the right start winning port.

The first variable winning device 30 operates when a prescribed condition is met (when the special symbol is displayed as a big win or small win) and when a predetermined condition is met (for example, when it is the first to fifth rounds or the seventh to tenth rounds of a big win game, or when a small win game is open), and allows a ball to enter the first big win hole 30b (special electric device, first special ball entry event generating means).

The first variable winning device 30 is a device arranged to the right of the middle start winning hole 26 (so-called lower attacker), and has, for example, one opening and closing member 30a. The first variable winning device 30 is a type of device in which the opening and closing member 30a slides inside the board (slide-type attacker). This opening and closing member 30a reciprocates back and forth relative to the board, for example, by the action of a link mechanism using a solenoid (not shown). The opening and closing member 30a is in a closed position (closed state) protruding from the board toward the player, and at this time, the game ball rolls on the upper surface of the opening and closing member 30a, making it impossible or difficult for the ball to enter the first large winning hole 30b (the first large winning hole 30b is blocked). When the first variable winning device 30 is activated, the opening and closing member 30a is drawn inside the board, opening the first large winning hole 30b (open state). During this time, the first variable winning device 30 is in a state where the game ball can enter (possible or easy), and an event of a ball entering the first large winning hole 30b can occur.

The second variable winning device 31, like the first variable winning device 30, operates when a specified condition is met (when the special symbol is displayed in a stopped manner in the form of a jackpot) and when a specific condition is met (for example, the condition that it is the sixth round of a jackpot game), and allows a ball to enter the second large winning hole 31b (a specific winning hole) (special electric device, second special ball entry event generating means).

The second variable winning device 31 is a device located at the upper right of the first variable winning device 30 (so-called upper attacker), and has, for example, one opening and closing member 31a. The second variable winning device 31 is a type of device in which the opening and closing member 31a slides inside the board (sliding type attacker). This opening and closing member 31a reciprocates back and forth relative to the board, for example, by the action of a link mechanism using a solenoid (not shown). The opening and closing member 31a is in a closed position (closed state) protruding from the board toward the player, and at this time, the game ball rolls on the upper surface of the opening and closing member 31a, making it impossible or difficult for the ball to enter the second large winning hole 31b (the second large winning hole 31b is blocked). When the second variable winning device 31 is activated, the opening and closing member 31a is drawn inside the board, opening the second large winning hole 31b (open state). During this time, the second variable winning device 31 is in a state where it is possible (possible or easy) for game balls to enter, and an event can occur in which the ball enters the second large winning opening 31b.

In addition, inside the second variable winning device 31, there is a guide passage 31c for guiding the game ball that has entered the second variable winning device 31. The guide passage 31c extends downward from the second large winning opening 31b, turns left from there, extends downward and to the left, and then extends downward again.

A second count switch 85 is disposed upstream of the induction passage 31c, a blade member 31d for the special rate area and a hole 31e for the special rate area are disposed midstream of the induction passage 31c, and an outlet 31f (discharge area) is disposed downstream of the induction passage 31c.

When a game ball enters the second variable winning device 31, its entry is first detected by the second count switch 85. Here, if the special-variable-area solenoid that activates the special-variable-area blade member 31d is ON, the special-variable-area blade member 31d rises up and guides the game ball to the special-variable-area hole 31e. On the other hand, if the special-variable-area solenoid that activates the special-variable-area blade member 31d is OFF, the special-variable-area blade member 31d does not rise up, so the game ball passes through the top of the special-variable-area blade member 31d and is guided to the outlet 31f.

[Probable change area (specific area)]
In addition, a special-variable area (without a reference symbol) is provided inside the special-variable area hole 31e. The special-variable area is an area through which the game ball cannot pass when the second variable winning device 31 is in a closed state, and is an area through which the game ball can pass when the second variable winning device 31 is in an open state and the special-variable area vane member 31d is in operation.

The wing member 31d for the variable probability area may be activated during a jackpot game. The operation pattern of the wing member 31d for the variable probability area is either a long opening pattern in which the variable probability area is opened for a short period (e.g., 0.1 seconds) at the start of a round, then closed for a few seconds (about 2 to 3 seconds), and then the variable probability area is opened for a long period (e.g., about 20 seconds), or a short opening pattern in which the variable probability area is opened for a short period (e.g., 0.1 seconds) at the start of a round. The operation pattern by which the wing member 31d for the variable probability area is operated can be selected according to the winning symbol. Specifically, when a winning symbol is used, a long opening pattern that opens the variable probability area for a long period is selected, and when a winning symbol is used, a short opening pattern that opens the variable probability area for a short period is selected.

The operation pattern of the wing member 31d for the special probability area may be such that only the pattern in which the wing member 31d for the special probability area is long opened is applied, and when the first variable winning device 30 is short opened and the round ends, the opportunity for the wing member 31d for the special probability area to be long opened is eliminated. Also, in the short-term opening that is executed simultaneously with the start of the round, the game ball does not reach the wing member 31d for the special probability area, so it is difficult for this operation to lead the game ball to the special probability area.

If the game ball passes through the high probability region during a jackpot game, the state will transition from the low probability state to the high probability state after the jackpot game ends. At this time, the state may transition from a non-time shortening state to a time shortening state (high probability time shortening state). On the other hand, if the game ball does not pass through the high probability region during a jackpot game, the state will transition to a low probability state after the jackpot game ends. At this time, the state may transition from a non-time shortening state to a time shortening state (low probability time shortening state).

The game board unit 8 is provided with a presentation unit 40 from its center position to the right side. The presentation unit 40 has an upper edge 40a that functions as a guide member that changes the flow direction of the game ball, and is equipped with various decorative parts 40b, 40c on the inside. The decorative parts 40b, 40c enhance the decorativeness of the game board unit 8 with their three-dimensional shape, and can perform a dramatic action by emitting transmitted light from a built-in light-emitting device (such as an LED). In addition, a liquid crystal display 42 (image display device) is installed on the inside of the presentation unit 40, and various presentation images, including a presentation pattern corresponding to a special pattern, are displayed on this liquid crystal display 42. In this way, the game board unit 8 impresses the player with the characteristics of the pachinko machine 1 based on the configuration of the board surface and the decorativeness of the presentation unit 40. In addition, when the game board 8b is a transparent resin plate (for example, an acrylic plate) as in this embodiment, decorativeness can be added by various decorative bodies (including movable bodies and light-emitting bodies) arranged not only on the front side but also behind the game board 8b.

In addition, inside the performance unit 40, a driving source (e.g., a motor, solenoid, etc.) is attached along with movable bodies 40f for performance (e.g., a decoration modeled after a butterfly). The movable bodies 40f for performance can execute performances that involve the movement of tangible objects, in addition to performances that use images on the LCD display 42 and performances that use light emitters. Performances using these movable bodies 40f can exert a different appeal than performances that use two-dimensional images.

In addition, a ball guide passage 40d is formed on the left edge of the performance unit 40, and a rolling stage 40e is formed on its lower edge. The ball guide passage 40d opens diagonally upward to the left in the play area 8a, and when game balls flowing down in the play area 8a randomly flow into the ball guide passage 40d, they pass through the inside and are released onto the rolling stage 40e. The upper surface of the rolling stage 40e has a smoothly curved surface, and here the game balls can roll freely in the left and right directions. The game balls that roll on the rolling stage 40e eventually flow down into the play area 8a below. A ball discharge path 40k is formed in the center position of the rolling stage 40e, and the game balls guided from the rolling stage 40e to the ball discharge path 40k tend to flow into the middle start winning hole 26 located directly below it.

In addition, an outlet 32 is formed in the play area 8a, and game balls that do not enter (win) in the various winning ports are ultimately collected through the outlet 32 to the back side of the game board unit 8. In addition, all game balls shot into the play area 8a, including game balls that enter the normal winning ports 22, 24, the middle start winning port 26, the right start winning port 28a, the first variable winning device 30, and the second variable winning device 31, are collected to the back side of the game board unit 8. The collected game balls are discharged outside the frame from the back side of the pachinko machine 1 through an out passage assembly (not shown), and further merge with the supply path of the island equipment (not shown).

A rear lamp unit 430 is disposed on the upper portion of the game board unit 8. The rear lamp unit 430 is disposed at a position where it overlaps with the front lamp unit 420.
The rear lamp unit 430 is provided with an LED (not shown) as a panel lamp, and when this LED is turned on, the front lamp unit 420 emits light.

Figure 4 is a front view showing an enlarged portion (lower right position within window 4a) of game board unit 8. In addition to a normal symbol display device 33 and a normal symbol operation memory lamp 33a at the lower right position within window 4a, game board unit 8 is also provided with a first special symbol display device 34, a second special symbol display device 35, and a game status display device 38.

The normal pattern display device 33, for example, alternately lights up two lamps (LEDs) to display the normal pattern in a variable manner, and displays the normal pattern in a stationary manner by turning the lamps on or off. The normal pattern operation memory lamp 33a displays the number of memories, from 0 to 4, for example, by turning off, lighting, or blinking the two lamps (LEDs). For example, a display mode in which both lamps are turned off displays the number of memories as 0, a display mode in which one lamp is turned on displays the number of memories as 1, a display mode in which the same lamp is blinked displays the number of memories as 2, a display mode in which one lamp is blinked and another lamp is turned on displays the number of memories as 3, and a display mode in which both lamps are blinked displays the number of memories as 4. Note that although two lamps (LEDs) are used here, the normal pattern operation memory lamp 33a may be configured using four lamps (LEDs). In this case, the number of operation memories can be displayed by the number of lamps that are lit.

Whenever the game ball passes through the start gate 20, the normal symbol operation memory lamp 33a increases by one (up to a maximum of four) to remember that a pass has occurred that triggers an operation lottery, and decreases by one each time the normal symbol starts to change due to that pass. Note that in this embodiment, if the normal symbol operation memory lamp 33a is not lit (the number of memories is 0), the display mode does not change even if the game ball passes through the start gate 20 when the normal symbol is already in a state where it can start to change (when the stop display is displayed). In other words, the number of memories (maximum of four) represented by the display mode of the normal symbol operation memory lamp 33a represents the number of passes that have not yet started changing the normal symbol at that point in time.

The first special symbol display device 34 and the second special symbol display device 35 can display the changing state and the stopped state of the corresponding first special symbol or second special symbol, for example, by using a 7-segment LED (with dots) (symbol display means). Note that the first special symbol display device 34 and the second special symbol display device 35 may be in the form of a geometric (for example, circular) arrangement of multiple dot LEDs.

The first special symbol activation memory lamp 34a and the second special symbol activation memory lamp 35a each display a memory number of 0 to 4, for example, by a display mode consisting of a combination of two lamps (LEDs) being turned off, turned on, or blinking (memory number display means). For example, a display mode in which both lamps are turned off displays a memory number of 0, a display mode in which one lamp is turned on displays a memory number of 1, a display mode in which the same lamp is blinking displays a memory number of 2, a display mode in which one lamp is blinking and the other lamp is turned on displays a memory number of 3, and a display mode in which both lamps are blinking displays a memory number of 4, and so on.

The first special symbol operation memory lamp 34a increases by one (up to a maximum of four) each time a game ball enters the middle start winning hole 26, in order to remember that the game ball has entered the middle start winning hole 26, and decreases by one each time the special symbol starts to change in response to the ball entering the hole. The second special symbol operation memory lamp 35a increases by one (up to a maximum of four) each time a game ball enters the variable start winning device 28, in order to remember that the game ball has entered the right start winning hole 28a, and decreases by one each time the special symbol starts to change in response to the ball entering the hole. In this embodiment, if the first special symbol operation memory lamp 34a is not lit (the number of memories is 0), the display mode does not change even if a game ball enters the middle start winning hole 26 when the first special symbol is already in a state where it can start to change (when the stop display is displayed). In addition, when the second special symbol activation memory lamp 35a is not lit (the number of memories is 0), the display state does not change even if a game ball enters the variable start winning device 28 when the second special symbol is already in a state where it can start to change (when the display is stopped). In other words, the number of memories (maximum 4) represented by the display state of each special symbol activation memory lamp 34a, 35a represents the number of times a ball has entered the game before the first special symbol or the second special symbol has started to change at that point in time.

The game status display device 38 also includes LEDs corresponding to, for example, the jackpot type display lamps 38a, 38b, and 38c, the probability fluctuation state display lamp 38d, the time-saving state display lamp 38e, and the launch position designation lamp 38f. In this embodiment, the above-mentioned normal symbol display device 33, normal symbol operation memory lamp 33a, first special symbol display device 34, second special symbol display device 35, first special symbol operation memory lamp 34a, second special symbol operation memory lamp 35a, and game status display device 38 are mounted on a single integrated display board 89 and attached to the game board unit 8.

These LED lamps mounted on the integrated display board 89 are divided into four different control areas (hereafter referred to as "commons") for the purpose of controlling their on/off switching. Looking at it from another perspective, there are four commons on the integrated display board 89, and each lamp belongs to one of the commons. In this embodiment, a dynamic lighting method is used, and the lamps are driven in sequence on a common-by-common basis at intervals of an interrupt period (e.g., 4 ms). Therefore, all of the lamps mounted on the integrated display board 89 are not driven at the same time.

[Control configuration]
Next, the configuration related to the control of the pachinko machine 1 will be described. Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing various electronic devices equipped in the pachinko machine 1. The pachinko machine 1 is equipped with a main control device 70 (main control computer) which is the center of control operations, and this main control device 70 mainly has the function of controlling the progress of the game in the pachinko machine 1. The main control device 70 is built into the main control board unit 170.

The main control device 70 is also equipped with a circuit board (main control board) on which the main control CPU 72, which is a central processing unit, is mounted. The main control CPU 72 is configured as an LSI that integrates semiconductor memories such as a ROM 74 and a RAM (RWM) 76 together with a CPU core and registers (not shown). The main control device 70 is also equipped with a random number circuit 75, an interrupt controller (interrupt CTR) 192, a parallel I/O port 79, a timer circuit (PTC) 194, and a serial communication circuit (SCU) 196. Of these, the random number circuit 75 generates hardware random numbers (for example, 0 to 65535 in decimal notation) for determining whether or not a special symbol lottery has been won and for determining whether or not a normal symbol lottery has been won. The random numbers generated here are input to the main control CPU 72. The interrupt controller 192 also receives interrupt requests (XINT interrupt, PTC interrupt, SCU interrupt) from the parallel I/O port 79, timer circuit 194, and serial communication circuit 196, and controls these interrupt requests based on priority. The main control unit 70 is also equipped with peripheral ICs such as a clock generation circuit (not shown) and a reset controller that monitors various states and generates resets as necessary, which are mounted on the circuit board together with the main control CPU 72. Signal transmission paths, power supply paths, control buses, etc. are formed as wiring patterns on the circuit board (or on the inner layers). The I/O ports of the main control unit 70 may be of serial type.

Furthermore, the main control device 70 is provided with a setting change device 300, a setting key switch 302, and a RAM clear switch 304. The main control device 70 (main control CPU 72) changes the setting by operating the setting change device 300. The setting change device 300 is a device (setting change means) that switches settings (at least multiple setting values related to the winning probability of the special symbol lottery), and is operated by operating the RAM clear switch 304, etc. In addition, the setting refers to a combination of activation probabilities. In addition, the activation probability refers to the probability that a combination of special symbols that will activate the condition device (result in the execution of a jackpot game) will be displayed. The setting key switch 302 is an input device that inputs a signal (ON/OFF) indicating the rotation state of the setting key, which is essential for switching the setting, in accordance with the rotation of the setting key. The procedure for changing the setting can be various methods, but for example, it can be performed in the following procedure.

(1) First, turn off the power to the pachinko machine 1.
(2) Next, the door of the pachinko machine 1 is opened with a dedicated key (door key). Specifically, the dedicated key is inserted into the keyhole of the cylinder lock 6a and turned clockwise to open the integrated door unit 4 together with the inner frame assembly 7.
(3) A setting key keyhole 306 for inserting the setting key and a RAM clear switch 304 are provided on the back side of the pachinko machine 1, so insert the setting key into the setting key keyhole 306 and rotate the setting key to the right.
(4) Then, turn on the power of the pachinko machine 1.

(5) As a result, a signal (ON) indicating that the setting key has been rotated to the change position is input by the setting key switch 302, and the setting can be changed based on this input signal. At this time, a safety lock is applied by a locking mechanism (not shown). Therefore, the setting key cannot be removed unless it is returned to its original position.

At this point, if the setting key is rotated to the right and the power is turned ON while the RAM clear switch 304 is ON, the settings can be changed. On the other hand, if the setting key is rotated to the right and the power is turned ON without turning the RAM clear switch 304 ON, the settings can be viewed.

(6) When the setting is changeable, the setting can be changed to any one of a plurality of preset stages by pressing the RAM clear switch 304 any number of times.
The set value can be displayed, for example, on a dedicated 7-segment LED, the game status display device 38 (such as a special symbol display device), or the performance display monitor 200.

(7) In the case of a slot machine, when the desired setting is reached, a lever ON process is required, but since the pachinko machine 1 does not have a lever, an alternative process to the lever ON process (for example, a process of rotating the setting key left, a process of turning on a setting change confirmation button (not shown), etc.) may be executed in place of the lever ON process, or the lever ON process may be omitted. In this embodiment, when the desired setting is reached, the setting key is rotated counterclockwise to return it to its original position. This operation causes the setting key switch 302 to input a signal (OFF) indicating that the setting key has been returned to its original position, and the setting change is confirmed based on this input signal.

(8) Then, when the change in the setting is confirmed, the setting key can be removed from the setting key keyhole 306. In addition, as the change in the setting is confirmed, if the setting value is displayed on the dedicated 7-segment LED, the game status display device 38, or the performance display monitor 200, the display disappears.
(9) Finally, close the door of the pachinko machine 1. This completes the setting change. Once the setting change is complete, normal play begins.

When a setting is changed, the main control CPU 72 stores the changed setting value in the setting value buffer of the RAM 76. The setting value buffer can be a memory area to be backed up.

[Settings change status]
When the power is turned on with the "setting key ON,""inner frame open," and "RAM clear switch pressed," the RAM is cleared and the device transitions to a state in which settings are being changed (setting change state, setting change mode).

When the setting is being changed, no display is given on the main display (the various lamps included in the game status display device 38), and no game balls can be released or any prize balls can be awarded. In addition, on the performance display monitor 200, the two 7-segment LEDs (identification segments) on the left side display "rn.", and the two 7-segment LEDs (ratio segments) on the right side display the setting value as "-1". When the RAM clear switch 304 is pressed, the setting value changes within the range of 1 to 6. When the "setting key OFF" is set, the setting is confirmed, and the "-" segment of the ratio segment is turned off (not displayed), as in "blank (not displayed) 1".

In this state, if the "inner frame closed state" occurs (if the closed state continues for 100 ms in practice), the state in which the settings are being changed will end, and the machine will transition to the state before the power was turned off, and then transition to a playable state.

In this embodiment, the RAM clear switch 304 also functions as a setting change switch, but the RAM clear switch 304 may not serve as a setting change switch and may be provided separately.

[Settings confirmation status]
On the other hand, when the power is turned on with the "setting key ON,""inner frame open," and "RAM clear switch not pressed," the device transitions to a state in which settings are being confirmed (setting confirmation state, setting confirmation mode).

As with the state in which settings are being changed, when settings are being confirmed, no display is made on the main display, and it is not possible to launch game balls or win any game balls. Also, on the performance display monitor, the two 7-segment LEDs (identification segments) on the left side display "rn.", and the two 7-segment LEDs (ratio segments) on the right side display the setting value as "blank (not displayed) 1". Note that when settings are being confirmed, the setting value will not change even if the RAM clear switch 304 is pressed.

In this state, if the "setting key is OFF" and the "inner frame is closed" (actually, if the closed state continues for 100 ms), the setting confirmation state will end, and the state before the power was turned off will be restored, and then the game will transition to a playable state.

Note that in this embodiment, it is not possible to check the settings when the game is playable, but it may be possible to check the settings when the game is playable.

The above-mentioned start gate 20 is integrally provided with a gate switch 78 for detecting the passage of game balls. In addition, the game board unit 8 is equipped with a middle start winning port switch 80, a right start winning port switch 82, a first count switch 84, and a second count switch 85 corresponding to the middle start winning port 26, the variable start winning device 28, the first variable winning device 30, and the second variable winning device 31, respectively. Each start winning port switch 80, 82 is for detecting the entry of game balls into the middle start winning port 26 and the variable start winning device 28 (right start winning port 28a). In addition, the first count switch 84 is for detecting the entry of game balls into the first variable winning device 30 (first large winning port) and counting the number of game balls. Furthermore, the second count switch 85 is for detecting the entry of game balls into the second variable winning device 31 (second large winning port 31b) and counting the number of game balls. Furthermore, the variable probability area switch 95 is a switch (detection means) for detecting that the game ball has passed through the variable probability area located inside the second variable winning device 31.

Similarly, the game board unit 8 is equipped with a first winning port switch 86 that detects the entry of a game ball into the normal winning port 22, and a second winning port switch 81 that detects the entry of a game ball into the normal winning port 24. Note that, for the three normal winning ports 22 on the left side, a configuration using a common winning port switch 86 is given as an example, but it is also possible to install three winning port switches, for example, and detect the entry of a game ball into each normal winning port 22 individually.

In any case, the winning detection signals of these switches are input to the main control CPU 72 via an input/output driver (not shown). In addition, due to the configuration of the game board unit 8, in this embodiment, the winning detection signals from the gate switch 78, the first count switch 84, the second count switch 85, the first winning port switch 86, the second winning port switch 81, and the probability change area switch 95 are transmitted via the panel relay terminal board 87, which is provided with wiring patterns and connection terminals for relaying each winning detection signal.

The display operations of the above-mentioned normal symbol display device 33, normal symbol operation memory lamp 33a, first special symbol display device 34, second special symbol display device 35, first special symbol operation memory lamp 34a, second special symbol operation memory lamp 35a, and game status display device 38 are controlled based on control signals from the main control CPU 72. The main control CPU 72 outputs control signals to these display devices 33, 34, 35, 38 and lamps 33a, 34a, 35a according to the progress of the game, and controls the lighting state of each LED. In addition, these display devices 33, 34, 35, 38 and lamps 33a, 34a, 35a are installed in the game board unit 8 in a state where they are mounted on a single integrated display board 89 as described above, and control signals are transmitted from the main control CPU 72 to this integrated display board 89 via the panel relay terminal board 87.

The performance display monitor 200 is also connected to the main control device 70 via the panel relay terminal board 87. The performance display monitor 200 is a monitor for displaying a base calculated by dividing the number of prize balls paid out when game balls enter each winning port (start winning port, normal winning port) by the number of outs (the number of game balls detected by the out switch), which indicates the number of game balls shot into the game area. The base is calculated for each pre-set section using an area (non-use area) separate from the use area used to control the progress of the game, and the base of the current section and the base of the previous section are displayed alternately at pre-set intervals. The display operation of the performance display monitor 200 is controlled based on a control signal from the main control CPU 72. The main control CPU 72 outputs a control signal to the performance display monitor 200 according to the calculation status of the base, and controls the lighting state of each 7-segment display.

The game board unit 8 is formed with a junction passage that joins all game balls that have passed through all winning and out ports, and an out switch can be provided in this junction passage. The out switch detects game balls passing through the junction passage, and a detection signal is input to the main control unit 70 each time a game ball is detected. The main control unit 70 can count the number of out balls based on the detection signal input from the out switch. Game balls shot into the game area 8a always pass through the junction passage and are discharged outside the pachinko machine 1, so the out switch can count the number of shot balls shot into the game area 8a, that is, the number of discharged balls (number of out balls) discharged from the game area 8a.

In the above description, the performance display monitor 200 is connected to the main control device 70 via the panel relay terminal board 87, but it may be connected to the main control device 70 without using the panel relay terminal board 87, or the performance display monitor 200 may be disposed as an internal component of the main control device 70.

The game board unit 8 is also provided with a normal electric device solenoid 88, a first large prize opening solenoid 90, a second large prize opening solenoid 97, and a solenoid for the high probability region, which correspond to the variable start winning device 28, the first variable winning device 30, the second variable winning device 31, and the upstream of the high probability region, respectively. These solenoids 88, 90, 97, and 99 operate (excite) based on control signals from the main control CPU 72, and respectively open and close (operate) the variable start winning device 28, the first variable winning device 30, and the second variable winning device 31, and move the blade member for the high probability region 31d. Note that control signals are also transmitted from the main control CPU 72 to these solenoids 88, 90, 97, and 99 via the panel relay terminal board 87.

In addition, a glass frame opening switch 91 is installed on the integrated door unit 4, and a plastic frame opening switch 93 is installed on the inner frame assembly 7. When the integrated door unit 4 is opened alone, a contact signal from the glass frame opening switch 91 is input to the main control device 70 (main control CPU 72), and when the inner frame assembly 7 is opened from the outer frame unit 2, a contact signal from the plastic frame opening switch 93 is input to the main control device 70 (main control CPU 72). The main control CPU 72 can detect the open state of the integrated door unit 4 and the inner frame assembly 7 from these contact signals. When the main control CPU 72 detects the open state of the integrated door unit 4 and the inner frame assembly 7, it generates a door open information signal as an external information signal.

The payout control device 92 is installed on the back side of the pachinko machine 1. This payout control device 92 (payout control computer) controls the operation of the payout device unit 172 described above. The payout control device 92 is equipped with a circuit board (payout control board) on which a payout control CPU 94 is mounted, and this payout control CPU 94 is also configured as an LSI that integrates semiconductor memories such as ROM 96 and RAM 98 together with a CPU core (not shown). The payout control device 92 (payout control CPU 94) controls the operation of the payout device unit 172 based on a prize ball instruction command from the main control CPU 72, and executes the payout operation of the requested number of game balls. The main control CPU 72 generates a prize ball information signal as an external information signal along with the prize ball instruction command.

In a prize ball case (not shown) of the payout device unit 172, a payout motor 102 (e.g., a stepping motor) and a payout device board 100 are installed, and a drive circuit for the payout motor 102 is provided on this payout device board 100. The payout device board 100 specifically controls the rotation angle of the payout motor 102 based on a payout number instruction signal from the payout control device 92 (payout control CPU 94), and causes the specified number of game balls to be paid out from the prize ball case. The paid-out game balls are sent to the receiving tray unit 6 through a payout flow path in the flow path unit 173.

In addition, for example, a payout path ball out switch 104 is installed upstream of the prize ball case, and a payout counting switch 106 is installed downstream of the payout motor 102. Each time a prize ball is actually paid out by driving the payout motor 102, a counting signal from the payout counting switch 106 is input to the payout device board 100. In addition, when a ball runs out upstream of the prize ball case, a contact signal from the payout path ball out switch 104 is input to the payout device board 100. The payout device board 100 transmits the input counting signal and contact signal to the payout control device 92 (payout control CPU 94). The payout control CPU 94 can detect the actual number of payouts and the ball out state based on the signal received from the payout device board 100. A payout detection switch can be placed near the payout counting switch 106.

In addition, the pachinko machine 1 is provided with a full tank switch 161, for example, inside the lower tray 6c (at the rear position when viewed from the front of the pachinko machine 1). The prize balls (game balls) that are actually dispensed are released to the upper tray 6b through the flow path unit 173, but when the upper tray 6b is filled with game balls, the game balls dispensed beyond that flow into the lower tray 6c as described above. Furthermore, when the lower tray 6c is filled with game balls, the full tank switch 161 is turned ON, and a full tank detection signal is input to the payout control device 92 (payout control CPU 94). In response to this, even if the payout control CPU 94 receives a prize ball instruction command from the main control CPU 72, it temporarily suspends any further prize ball operations and stores the number of remaining prize balls that have not been paid out in the RAM 98. The memory in the RAM 98 can be backed up even when the power is turned off, and the information on the number of remaining prize balls that have not been paid out will not be lost even if a power outage (including a momentary power outage) occurs during play. When the full tank switch 161 is turned ON, the main control CPU 72 generates a full tank error command. The generated full tank error command is sent to the performance control device 124. The full tank error command can continue to be sent until the full tank switch 161 is turned OFF.

The launch control board 108 and the launch solenoid 110 are installed on the back side of the pachinko machine 1 (ball launching means). A ball feed solenoid 111 is provided in the tray unit 6. The launch control board 108, the launch solenoid 110, and the ball feed solenoid 111 constitute the launch control board set 174 described above, and the launch control board 108 is provided with drive circuits for the launch solenoid 110 and the ball feed solenoid 111. The ball feed solenoid 111 sends out the game balls stored in the tray unit 6 one by one to a predetermined launch position in the launcher case. The launch solenoid 110 strikes the game balls sent out to the launch position, and as described above, continuously (intermittently) shoots out the game balls one by one toward the game area 8a. The launch interval of the game balls is, for example, about 0.6 seconds (within 100 balls per minute).

On the other hand, the handle unit 16 located on the front side of the pachinko machine 1 is provided with a firing lever volume 112, a touch sensor 114, and a firing stop switch 116. Of these, the firing lever volume 112 generates an analog signal proportional to the amount of operation of the firing handle by the player (so-called stroke). The touch sensor 114 detects that the player's body is touching the handle unit 16 (firing handle) from a change in capacitance, and outputs a detection signal. And the firing stop switch 116 generates a firing stop signal (contact signal) in response to the player's operation.

A launch relay terminal board 118 is installed in the tray unit 6, and each signal from the launch lever volume 112, the touch sensor 114, and the launch stop switch 116 is sent to the launch control board 108 via the launch relay terminal board 118. In addition, the drive signal from the launch control board 108 is applied to the ball feed solenoid 111 via the launch relay terminal board 118. When the player operates the launch handle, an analog signal (which may be an encoded digital signal) is generated in the launch lever volume 112 according to the amount of operation, and the launch solenoid 110 is driven based on this signal. This adjusts the strength of the game ball launch according to the amount of operation by the player. The drive circuit of the launch control board 108 stops driving the launch solenoid 110 when the detection signal from the touch sensor 114 is off (low level) or when a launch stop signal is input from the launch stop switch 116. In addition, the launch relay terminal board 118 is connected to the game ball etc. lending device connection terminal board 120, and if a card unit is not connected to this game ball etc. lending device connection terminal board 120, the drive circuit of the launch control board 108 also stops driving the launch solenoid 110.

The tray unit 6 also has a built-in degree display board 122 and a loan and return switch board 123. The degree display board 122 is provided with a display (7-segment LED for 3 digits) for the degree display section. The loan and return switch board 123 is also equipped with a switch module that is connected to the ball loan button 10 and the return button 12, respectively. When the ball loan button 10 or the return button 12 is operated, the operation signal is sent from the loan and return switch board 123 to the card unit via the game ball etc. loan device connection terminal board 120. The card unit also sends a degree signal indicating the remaining degree of the valuable medium to the degree display board 122 via the game ball etc. loan device connection terminal board 120. A display circuit (not shown) on the degree display board 122 drives the display based on the degree signal and displays the remaining degree of the valuable medium as a numerical value. In addition, if no valuable medium is inserted into the card unit, or if the remaining points of the inserted valuable medium reach zero, the display circuit of the point display board 122 can drive the display to display a demo (a display encouraging the insertion of valuable media).

The pachinko machine 1 also includes a performance control device 124 (performance control computer) as a control configuration. This performance control device 124 controls the performance that accompanies the progress of play in the pachinko machine 1. The performance control device 124 also includes a performance control CPU 126, which is a central processing unit, mounted on a circuit board (composite sub-control board, performance control board, sub-control board). The performance control CPU 126 is configured as an LSI that incorporates semiconductor memories such as RAM (RWM) 130 and eDRAM 131 along with a CPU core (not shown). The performance control device 124 is located on the back side of the pachinko machine 1, in a position covered by a back cover unit 178.

The performance control device 124 also includes various functional components required to realize the performance, such as a VDP 152, a driver IC 132, and an audio IC 134. Of these, the VDP 152 is a processor for drawing the performance screen to be played on the screen of the LCD display 42. The driver IC 132 includes ICs for controlling devices such as lamps 46-52, panel lamp 53, button lamp 71, and movable body motor 57. The audio IC 134 controls the driving of speakers 54, 55, 56, and 58. The internal functional configuration of the performance control device 124 will be described in detail later with reference to the following diagram.

The performance control device 124 and the main control device 70 are connected to each other, for example, via a communication harness (not shown). However, communication between them is only one-way, from the main control device 70 to the performance control device 124, and communication in the opposite direction is not performed. Note that the communication harness may adopt a parallel format according to the bus width of the various performance commands (hereinafter referred to as "performance commands") sent from the main control device 70 to the performance control device 124, or a serial format may be adopted according to the hardware configuration of each driver (I/O).

In this embodiment, a sub-connection board 136 is installed on the inner surface of the integrated door unit 4, and drive signals from the driver IC 132 and the audio IC 134 are applied to the various lamps 46-52 and speakers 54, 55, 56, and 58 via the sub-connection board 136. In addition to the handle lever 62, button motor 63, push button 64, directional key 66, and button lamp 71, a volume adjustment switch 67 and a brightness adjustment switch 68 are also connected to the sub-connection board 136, and when the player operates the volume adjustment switch 67 and the brightness adjustment switch 68, this operation information is notified to the performance control device 124 via the sub-connection board 136.

The button motor 63 is a stepping motor that corresponds to the push button 64, and is driven (switching means) by an operation unit control device (not shown) that controls the operation unit 60. The operation unit control device drives the button motor 63 based on a drive signal sent from the performance control device 124, thereby switching (displacing) the push button 64 to either the normal state (initial position) or the protruding state (maximum movable position).

In addition, a driver board 138 is installed in the game board unit 8, and in addition to the board lamp 53, the movable body motor 57 is connected to this driver board 138. The movable body motor 57 drives the movable body 40f, for example, via a link mechanism not shown. The drive signal from the driver IC 132 is applied to the board lamp 53 and the movable body motor 57 via the driver board 138.

The liquid crystal display 42 is installed on the back side of the game board unit 8, and its display screen can be seen through a roughly rectangular opening formed in the game board unit 8. In addition, an inverter board 158 is installed on the back side of the game board unit 8, and this inverter board 158 generates AC power that is applied to the backlight (e.g., a cold cathode fluorescent lamp) of the liquid crystal display 42.

In addition, a power supply control unit 162 (power supply control means) is equipped on the back side of the inner frame assembly 7. This power supply control unit 162 has a built-in switching power supply circuit, and when external power (e.g., AC 24V, etc.) is taken in from the island equipment through the power cord 164, it can generate the necessary power (e.g., DC +34V, +12V, etc.) from it. The power generated by the power supply control unit 162 is distributed to the main control device 70, the payout control device 92, the performance control device 124, and the inverter board 158. Furthermore, power is supplied to the launch control board 108 via the payout control device 92, and power is supplied to the card unit via the game ball etc. lending device connection terminal board 120. In addition, low-voltage power (e.g., DC +5V) for logic is generated by a power supply IC (e.g., a three-terminal regulator, etc.) built into each device. In addition, as described above, the power supply control unit 162 is earthed (grounded) to the island equipment through the earth wire 166.

The external terminal board 160 is connected to the payout control device 92, and various external information signals generated by the main control device 70 (main control CPU 72) are output from the external terminal board 160 to the outside via the payout control device 92. The main control device 70 (main control CPU 72) and the payout control device 92 (payout control CPU 94) can output external information signals to the outside of the pachinko machine 1 through the external terminal board 160. The signals output from the external terminal board 160 are collected, for example, by a hall computer (not shown) in the game center. Note that, although a configuration via the payout control device 92 is given here as an example, a configuration in which external information signals are output directly from the main control device 70 to the external terminal board 160 may also be used.

[Internal configuration of the performance control device]
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the internal functional configuration of the performance control device 124.
As described above, the performance control device 124 has a role as a performance control processor that controls the performance as the game progresses. Therefore, in addition to the performance control CPU 126, the performance control device 124 is equipped with a control ROM 180 and a watchdog timer IC (WDT IC) 188, which are necessary for the performance control device 124 to function as a performance control processor. The control ROM 180 stores basic programs related to the control of performance. The performance control CPU 126 accesses the control ROM 180 via a CPU bus (not shown) and controls the performance by executing the program stored in the control ROM 180. The watchdog timer IC 188 is a timer that monitors whether the control executed by the performance control device 124 is performed normally (whether the processing is completed within the expected time), and is connected to the reset terminal of the performance control CPU 126. If a signal (clear pulse) for clearing the monitoring timer of the watchdog timer IC 188 is not input within a predetermined time, the watchdog timer IC 188 outputs a signal (reset pulse) for resetting the performance control CPU 126. This forces the performance control device 124 to be reset and started.

In addition to these, the performance control device 124 is equipped with functions related to performance, such as SRAM 182, which is a storage area for backup data, a crystal oscillator 181 that generates a clock signal of a predetermined frequency, a real-time clock (RTC) 184 that manages time, a lithium battery 186 that supplies backup power to the SRAM 182 and real-time clock 184, and peripheral ICs such as input/output drivers and counter/timer circuits (not shown). While driving power is being supplied from the power supply control unit 162 to the performance control device 124, the lithium battery 186 stores this power and charges itself. The SRAM 182 and real-time clock 184 are connected to the lithium battery 186, and can be driven by the lithium battery 186 if the supply of driving power from the power supply control unit 162 to the performance control device 124 is cut off. Therefore, even if the power supply from the power supply control unit 162 is cut off, the SRAM 182 and real-time clock 184 continue to operate until the lithium battery 186 runs out of charge (for example, about one and a half months), so the SRAM 182 can retain the stored information for a while even in a power-off situation.

The performance control program is configured to store in SRAM 182 information related to security, monitoring, malfunctions, etc., which should not be easily erased. This makes it possible, for example, if some malfunction occurs in the performance control device 124, to collect the pachinko machine 1 (or inspect it while it is installed) and analyze the information stored in SRAM 182 to investigate the cause of the malfunction.

Normally, the control of the performance executed by the performance control CPU 126 according to the program stored in the control ROM 180 includes the control of the performance using devices such as the LCD display 42, various lamps 46-52, the panel lamp 53, the button lamp 71, and the speakers 54, 55, 56, and 58, as described above. This flow of performance control can be broadly divided into two stages: "overall control (playback instruction)" and "individual control (playback control)." The performance control CPU 126 first receives a performance command sent from the main control device 70, and indirectly instructs each device to play a performance according to the content of the performance command (overall control). Next, the performance control CPU 126 generates instruction data that converts the instruction content into a more specific expression suitable for each device, and transmits it to each control device 134, 152, 198, and 199 that relays between the performance control CPU 126 and each device (individual control). As a result, each control device 134, 152, 198, and 199 controls each device based on the instruction data, and performance playback (screen display, audio output, lamp illumination, movable body displacement, etc.) is realized using each device in the pachinko machine 1.

In this way, the performance control CPU 126 has different functions depending on the stage of performance control, and these functions are realized by using the resources of the performance control CPU 126 appropriately. In FIG. 5, the internal resources of the performance control CPU 126 are divided into several functional blocks, which are shown as the performance control unit 210, display control unit 220, audio control unit 222, lamp control unit 224, motor control unit 226, input control unit 228, time management unit (ACT) 230, etc. In the following explanation, each functional block will be treated as the operating entity of the control processing.

First, in the overall control stage, the performance control unit 210 in the performance control CPU 126 is the main operating unit, and controls the overall flow of the performance using the time management unit (ACT) 230, which manages the time progression of the performance. In addition, in the individual control stage, the display control unit 220, audio control unit 222, lamp control unit 224, motor control unit 226, or input control unit 228 in the performance control CPU 126 is the main operating unit depending on the device to be controlled. Note that the performance control unit 210 may also be configured to directly control each of the control devices 134, 152, 198, 199, etc.

The performance control device 124 functions as a performance control processor at the overall control stage, and as a performance playback processor at the individual control stage. Therefore, the performance control device 124 is further equipped with a circuit board (performance display control board) on which the VDP 152 is mounted, a CGROM (image and audio ROM) 190, an audio IC 134 for controlling various devices used in the playback of the performance, an LED driver 198, an SMC (serial control controller) 199, and a driver IC 132.

CGROM 190 stores the drawing materials (moving image data) that make up the performance screen and the audio materials (audio data) that are output as the performance progresses, in a compressed state using a specified compression algorithm. CGROM 190 is connected to VDP 152 and audio IC 134 via a CG bus (not shown).

The VDP 152 is a processor dedicated to drawing the performance image, and is integrated with the performance control CPU 126 on one chip. The VDP 152 also has a built-in VRAM 156 and a drawing material decoder 157. Of these, the VRAM 156 is mainly used when expanding the drawing material, and the drawing material decoder 157 is used when decompressing (decoding) the compressed drawing material. The VDP 152 first analyzes the instructions sent from the display control unit 220, reads out the necessary drawing material from the CG ROM 190 via the CG bus, and transfers it to the VRAM 156. The drawing material that was read out is then decoded by the drawing material decoder 157 to draw the performance image on the VRAM 156, and the performance image is expanded in the frame buffer for each frame (still image per unit time). The performance screen is reproduced by individually driving each pixel (full-color pixel) of the liquid crystal display 42 based on the image data buffered here.

The sound IC 134 is a sound generator that generates sounds such as sound effects and background music that are played during the performance, and is integrated with the performance control CPU 126 on a single chip, similar to the VDP 152. The sound IC 134 is connected to an amplifier, an external DRAM, and a CG bus (not shown). The sound IC 134 also has a built-in sound material decoder 135 that decompresses (decodes) compressed sound materials. The sound IC 134 first analyzes the instructions sent from the sound control unit 222 and reads out the necessary sound materials from the CGROM 190 via the CG bus. The sound material that has been read out is then decoded on the external DRAM using the sound material decoder 135. The decoded sound is output to the glass frame speaker 54, the glass frame inner speaker 55, the inner frame speaker 56, and the outer frame speaker 58 via the amplifier, thereby realizing stereo 2ch or mono 2ch sound playback (the number of channels may be greater). In addition, the audio IC 134 adjusts the output volume of each speaker 54, 55, 56, and 58 based on the contact signal input when the volume adjustment switch 67 is operated.

The LED driver 198 controls the lighting patterns and brightness patterns of the various lamps 46-52, the panel lamp 53, and the button lamp 71 provided on the front side of the pachinko machine 1. The LED driver 198 employs an address-specified synchronous serial method. The LED driver 198 first controls the lighting pattern and brightness pattern based on instructions sent from the lamp control unit 224, and transfers the corresponding drive data to the driver IC 132. The LED driver 198 also adjusts the brightness of the various lamps (LEDs) based on the operation information input when the brightness adjustment switch 68 is operated.

The SMC 199 controls the drive pattern of the movable body motor 57, which is the drive source for the movable body 40f for performance provided inside the performance unit 40. The SMC 199 is also integrated with the performance control CPU 126 on a single chip. The SMC 199 employs a clock-synchronized serial method. The SMC 199 first generates a drive pattern based on the instructions sent from the motor control unit 226, and transfers this to the driver IC 132. Note that although the SMC 199 is used here only to generate the drive pattern of the motor, the SMC 199 can also generate the lighting pattern and brightness pattern of the lamp as well as the motor, so it is also possible to use the SMC 199 instead of the LED driver 198 described above, and configure the SMC 199 to generate data patterns for both the lamp and the motor.

The driver IC 132 controls the drive voltage applied to the lamps and motors based on the drive data transferred from the LED driver 198 and the SMC 199. The driver IC 132 is equipped with switching elements such as a PWM (pulse width modulation) IC and a MOSFET (not shown), and realizes the performance reproduction using the lamps and the movable body by switching (or duty switching) the drive voltage applied to the various lamps and the movable body motor 57 and managing their operation. In addition to the glass frame top lamp 46 and the glass frame decorative lamps 48, 50, and 52, the various lamps include light sources built into each part of the operation unit 60, the board lamp 53 for decoration and performance installed on the game board unit 8, the button lamp 71, etc. The board lamp 53 is an LED built into the performance unit 40, or an LED built into the variable start winning device 28, the first variable winning device 30, the second variable winning device 31, etc. The button lamp 71 is an LED built into the push button 64. Also, while an example is given here in which the glass frame decorative lamp 52 is connected to the sub-connection board 136, a configuration in which a saucer illumination board is installed in the saucer unit 6 and the glass frame decorative lamp 52 is connected to the driver IC 132 via the saucer illumination board may also be used.

In addition, the driver IC 132 notifies the performance control unit 210 of operation information input when the player operates operation members (operation means) such as the handle lever 62, the push button 64, the directional keys 66, the volume control switch 67, the brightness control switch 68, etc., via the input control unit 228. The performance control unit 210 creates a performance based on the contents of the notified operation information.
The above is an example of the configuration for controlling the pachinko machine 1.

Next, we will explain the control processing executed by the main control CPU 72 of the main control device 70.

[CPU Initialization (Main) Processing in the Main Control Unit]
When the power is turned on to the pachinko machine 1, the main control CPU 72 starts CPU initialization processing. The CPU initialization processing is processing for preparing the initial state of the pachinko machine 1 by restoring the game state based on the backup information saved at the time of the previous power cut (so-called power recovery) or, conversely, clearing the backup information. The CPU initialization processing is also positioned as the main processing (main control program) for ensuring stable game operation of the pachinko machine 1 after adjusting the initial state.

Figures 7 and 8 are flowcharts showing an example of the procedure for CPU initialization processing. Below, each step of the processing performed by the main control CPU 72 is explained in order.

Step S100: The main control CPU 72 first sets the top address of the stack area to the stack pointer.

Step S102: Next, the main control CPU 72 sets the interrupt vector table. In this process, the main control CPU 72 sets the address of the interrupt vector table in the I register (interrupt vector register) used for interrupt control. The interrupt vector table defines the priority order required for controlling interrupt requests that occur during execution of the CPU initialization process, and the main control CPU 72 executes multiple interrupt requests in sequence based on the priority order defined in the interrupt vector table. The control of interrupt processing will be described in detail later.

Step S104: The main control CPU 72 saves the RAM clear signal (the input signal from the RAM clear switch 304). More specifically, the value of the input port to which the RAM clear signal is input is acquired twice in succession, and the logical sum of these values is saved as the input port value.

Step S106: The main control CPU 72 executes standby processing here. This processing secures a certain amount of standby time (for example, several thousand ms) after power-on, and during that time checks for a power-off warning signal (a signal indicating that a power cut is occurring). Specifically, the main control CPU 72 sets a loop counter for the standby time, and performs a bit check of the input port for the power-off warning signal while decrementing the loop counter value. The power-off warning signal is input by an IC that monitors the voltage level of the drive voltage. Then, if the main control CPU 72 confirms the input of the power-off warning signal before the loop counter reaches 0, it resumes processing from the beginning. This makes it possible to protect the system when, for example, the main power switch (not shown) is repeatedly turned on and off within a short period of time (about 1 to 2 seconds).

Step S108: Next, the main control CPU 72 permits access to the work area of the RAM 76. Specifically, it resets the RAM protection setting value for the work area (to 00H). This allows access to the work area of the RAM 76 from then on.

Step S110: The main control CPU 72 refers to the RAM clear signal by checking a specific bit of the input port value saved in the previous step S104, and confirms whether the RAM clear switch 304 has been operated (switched ON). If the RAM clear switch 304 has not been operated (No), it then executes step S112.

Step S112: Next, the main control CPU 72 checks whether backup information is stored in the RAM 76, i.e., whether the backup validity determination flag is set. If the backup was completed normally in the process executed at the previous power outage and the backup validity determination flag (e.g., "A5H") is set (Yes), the main control CPU 72 then executes step S114. The process executed at the time of power outage will be described later using a separate flowchart.

Step S114: The main control CPU 72 performs a sum check on the backup information in RAM 76. Specifically, the main control CPU 72 performs a sum check on all areas of the work area of RAM 76 (user work area including the prohibited area and stack area) except for the backup validity determination flag and the sum check buffer. If the result of the sum check is normal (Yes), the main control CPU 72 then executes step S116.

Step S116: The main control CPU 72 clears the memory contents of a partial area of the RAM 76. The partial area of the RAM 76 refers to a continuous work area within a predetermined range based on the address of the backup validity determination flag to be cleared when the power is restored. By clearing the memory contents of this area address by address (byte by byte) while retaining the valid backup information that is saved, the main control CPU 72 is able to restore the state it was in when the power was cut off (memory restoration means).

Step S118: The main control CPU 72 sets a power recovery performance command (a command to be sent to the performance control device 124) and a payout command (a command to be sent to the payout control device 92) indicating that the power has returned from a power outage and started up.

On the other hand, if the RAM clear switch 304 was operated when the power was turned on (step S110: Yes), if the backup validity determination flag was not set (step S112: No), or if the backup information was not normal (step S114: No), the main control CPU 72 proceeds to step S120.

Step S120: The main control CPU 72 clears the contents stored in the RAM 76 other than the prohibited areas. This initializes all the work areas and stack areas of the RAM 76, and even if valid backup information is stored therein, the contents are erased.
Step S122: The main control CPU 72 also performs initial settings for the RAM 76.

Step S124: The main control CPU sets a performance command (a command for the performance control device 124) and a payout command (a command for the payout control device 92) specifying RAM clearing, indicating that RAM clearing has been initiated.

Step S126: Next, the main control CPU 72 executes a payout control output process. In this process, the main control CPU 72 outputs the payout command set in step S118 (power recovery specification) or the payout command set in step S124 (RAM clear specification) to the payout command buffer.

Step S128: The main control CPU 72 executes a performance control output process. In this process, the main control CPU 72 first outputs the performance command set in step S118 (power recovery designation) or the performance command set in step S124 (RAM clear designation) to the performance command buffer. The main control CPU 72 further sets various other performance commands required for performance control and outputs these to the performance command buffer. At this time, the main control CPU 72 sets different values for these performance commands when power is restored and when RAM is cleared.

For example, when power is restored, the values of each performance command are set based on the backup information. These performance commands are then sent to the performance control device 124 in the subsequent performance command sending process (step S142), allowing the performance control device 124 to restore the performance state (for example, the internal probability state, the display mode of the performance pattern, the performance display mode of the number of operation memories, the sound output contents, the light emission state of various lamps, etc.) that was being executed at the time of the previous power outage.

Step S130: The main control CPU 72 executes input port processing. In this process, the main control CPU 72 acquires the contents of each input port, performs a predetermined calculation on the values, and stores the results in the status flags of each input port. Upon completing this process, the main control CPU 72 proceeds to step S131 (connection symbol A→A).

Step S131: The main control CPU 72 sets a main command permission signal to a specific bit of the output port. The main command permission signal is a signal that indicates to the dispensing control device 92 that the main control device 70 is permitted to send a command to itself. When the main command permission signal is input to the dispensing control device 92, the dispensing control device 92 responds by inputting a dispensing command permission signal to the main control device 70 indicating that it is permitted to send a dispensing command.

Step S132: The main control CPU 72 resets (OFF) a specific bit of the output port to clear the launch permission signal (specific output information clearing means). The launch permission signal is included in the backup target when power is cut off. Therefore, when power is restored to the main control device 70 (pachinko machine 1), the main control CPU 72 executes the flow when power is restored in the CPU initialization process and restores the main control device 70 to the state when power was cut off based on the backup information (step S116), and as part of this, the launch permission signal is also restored to the state when power was cut off.

The launch permission signal is set in a specific bit (e.g., bit 0) of a specific output port buffer (e.g., a buffer for output port 3) stored in RAM 76. However, the address of the output port buffer targeted here is located in a location in the address space of RAM 76 that is outside the continuous area targeted for clearing in step S116. For this reason, if, as part of the processing of step S116, it is attempted to clear the value of a specific bit of a specific address where the launch permission signal is set in addition to the area targeted for clearing, it is necessary to perform exceptional processing in which the specific address is identified and only the specific bit of the 8 bits of data stored at that address is cleared while the remaining 7 bits of data are maintained, which makes the efficiency of the processing for clearing a portion of RAM 76 very poor. For these reasons, in the previous step S116, the main control CPU 72 does not clear the launch permission signal, but handles it in the same way without distinguishing it from other data targeted for backup, and temporarily returns it to the state it was in when the power was cut off.

However, at the stage where the backup information is returned in the main control device 70 (step S116), communication with the payout control device 92 has not yet been established, and it is not possible to confirm whether the payout control device 92 is operating normally (whether it can accept instructions by commands from the main control device 70). If the power is cut off while the launch permission signal is ON, the launch permission signal is returned to ON, resulting in a state in which game balls can be released even though the normality of the payout control device 92 is unknown. If the payout control device 92 is replaced with a modified product that does not meet the original inspection standards (for example, one in which the number of winning balls has been altered) while the power is cut off, and the main control device 70 is then started up when the power is restored, the launch permission signal will be returned to ON, making it possible to release game balls. This state is undesirable from a security perspective.

Therefore, in this embodiment, regardless of whether the start is due to power recovery or RAM clear, the launch permission signal is explicitly cleared (reset to OFF) once before the main control CPU 72 transitions to the main loop. After that, the main control CPU 72 confirms that a payout command permission signal has been input from the payout control device 92 to the main control device 70, and then uses the opportunity to send a payout command to the payout control device 92 to set the launch permission signal to ON. By performing such control, even if the game is started (restarted) by the processing of the main loop, the launch of game balls is not permitted unless communication is established between the main control device 70 and the payout control device 92, so that the illegal launch of game balls can be avoided when the above-mentioned illegal launch is performed.

Step S133: The main control CPU 72 sets a timer interrupt period. More specifically, the main control CPU 72 sets a value corresponding to the timer interrupt period (e.g., 4 ms) in the counter setting register of the timer circuit 194.
Step S134: The main control CPU 72 resets the interrupt daisy chain. More specifically, the main control CPU 72 executes the RETI command after backing up the top address of the main loop, which will be described later, as a preparation for the interrupt process. By performing this process, it becomes possible to normally start the interrupt process that occurs thereafter, and further to continue the process from the main loop after the interrupt process is executed.

When the above steps are executed in the CPU initialization process, the main control CPU 72 transitions to the main loop (steps S136 to S146 described below). As long as the power supply from the power supply control unit 162 is maintained, the main control CPU 72 repeatedly executes the main loop from start to finish.

Step S136, Step S138: The main control CPU 72 prohibits interrupts and executes the initial value update random number update process. In this process, the main control CPU 72 increments the random numbers for updating (changing) the initial values of various software random numbers. In this embodiment, various random numbers (e.g., jackpot pattern random numbers, reach judgment random numbers, fluctuation pattern determination random numbers, etc.) other than the jackpot determination random numbers (hardware random numbers) and the win determination random numbers (hardware random numbers) corresponding to normal patterns are generated in the program. These software random numbers are updated by a loop counter within a predetermined range in another timer interrupt process (step S212 in FIG. 9), but in this process, the initial value of the loop counter (not all random numbers are the target) is changed every time the random number value goes around. The initial value update random numbers are used to randomly change these initial values, and in step S138, the initial value update random numbers are updated. The reason why step S138 is executed after the interrupt is prohibited in step S136 is to prevent overlap (conflict) with another timer interrupt process (step S210 in FIG. 9) which also executes the same process. In this embodiment, the jackpot determination random number and the hit determination random number are hardware random numbers generated by the random number circuit 75, and since their update period is even faster (e.g., several μs) than the timer interrupt period (e.g., several ms), there is no need to update the initial values of the jackpot determination random number and the hit determination random number. The timer interrupt process will be described later using another drawing.

Step S140: The main control CPU 72 executes a received command management process. In this process, the data received from the payout control device 92 is analyzed, and processing is performed according to the results. If the received command is a payout start designation command, the main control CPU 72 outputs a payout start confirmation designation command to the payout command buffer. If not, the main control CPU 72 checks whether the received data is within a specified range (whether it is an appropriate value for a received command), and if it is outside the range, outputs a payout error designation command to the performance command buffer, and further sets a payout radio wave error flag depending on the situation.

Step S142: The main control CPU 72 executes a performance command transmission process. In this process, the main control CPU 72 transmits each performance command output to the performance command buffer to the performance control device 124.

Step S144, Step S146: The main control CPU 72 permits the interrupt and executes other random number update processing. The random numbers updated in this processing are software random numbers that are not related to the determination of the type of win (type of hit) (reach determination random numbers, fluctuation pattern determination random numbers, etc.). This processing is performed in the remaining time when an interrupt request occurs during execution of the main loop and the main control CPU 72 executes various interrupt processing.

[Timer interrupt processing]
Next, the timer interrupt process will be described. Fig. 9 is a flow chart showing an example of the procedure of the timer interrupt process. The main control CPU 72 executes the timer interrupt process (PTC interrupt process) at predetermined intervals (e.g., several ms) based on an interrupt request (PTC interrupt) output by the timer circuit 194. Each procedure of the timer interrupt process will be described below.

Step S200: First, the main control CPU 72 saves the values of the AF register (a pair of accumulator and flag register) and the BC, DE, and HL registers (a pair of general-purpose registers) that were used during execution of the main loop to a save area in the RAM 76. After the values have been saved, a different value can be written to each register during the timer interrupt process.

Step S202: Next, the main control CPU 72 permits an interrupt. By permitting an interrupt here, it becomes possible for another interrupt to occur while the next step or subsequent steps of the timer interrupt process are being executed. In this way, multiple interrupts are permitted in the timer interrupt process. Note that the acceptance of interrupt request signals and priority control of multiple interrupts are executed by the interrupt controller 192. Interrupt management by the interrupt controller 192 will be described later.

Step S204: The main control CPU 72 executes dynamic port output processing. In this processing, port output is performed on a common basis in order to control the lighting of each lamp mounted on the integrated display board 89 using a dynamic lighting method. More specifically, the main control CPU 72 clears the output port, and then stores the contents output to the common output request buffer corresponding to the selected common in the output port.

Step S206: The main control CPU 72 executes port input processing. In this processing, in order to accurately obtain the latest switch state based on the input port information, the main control CPU 72 stores the logical product of the input value of various switch signals from the parallel I/O port 79 and the inverted result value of the previous input value in the input port on detection flag. As a result, the value (ON/OFF) of the input port on detection flag makes it possible to grasp the accurate input state based on the changes in various switch signals from the previous time. The various switch signals specifically include the passing detection signal from the gate switch 78 and the probability change area switch 95, and the winning detection signal from the middle start winning port switch 80, the right start winning port switch 82, the first count switch 84, the second count switch 85, the first winning port switch 86, and the second winning port switch 81.

Step S208: The main control CPU 72 executes a timer update process. In this process, the main control CPU 72 updates the counters of timers that manage the game time and the closing time of normal electric features, as well as various timers for external information and timers for security signals, by subtracting 1 from them.

Step S210: The main control CPU 72 also executes the initial value update random number update process. The content of the process is the same as that described in the CPU initialization process (step S138 in FIG. 8).

Step S212: The main control CPU 72 executes a winning symbol random number update process. In this process, the main control CPU 72 updates the values of the counters that generate various random numbers for the lottery of special symbols and normal symbols. The values of each counter are incremented in the counter area of the RAM 76, and each loops within a specified range. The various random numbers include, for example, a winning symbol random number.

Step S214: Next, the main control CPU 72 executes switch input event processing. In this processing, among the switch signals input in the previous port input processing (step S206), the gate switch 78, the center start winning port switch 80, the right start winning port switch 82, the first count switch 84, the second count switch 85, the first winning port switch 86, the second winning port switch 81, and the probability change area switch 95 are used to determine the event that occurred during the game, and according to each event that occurred, the normal symbol memory update processing, the first special symbol memory update processing, the second special symbol memory update processing, the first large winning port count processing, the second large winning port count processing, the first winning port count processing, the second winning port count processing, the probability change area passing processing, etc. are executed.

The normal symbol memory update process is a process in which, when the number of normal symbol activation memories is less than the upper limit (e.g., four), a random number for each normal symbol is obtained and stored in the random number memory area of RAM 76, thereby increasing the number of normal symbol activation memories by one.

The first special symbol memory update process is a process in which, when the number of first special symbol activation memories is less than the upper limit (for example, 4), a jackpot determination random number corresponding to the first special symbol, a jackpot pattern random number corresponding to the first special symbol, a reach determination random number corresponding to the first special symbol, and a change pattern determination random number corresponding to the first special symbol are acquired and stored in the random number storage area of the RAM 76, and the number of first special symbol activation memories is increased by one. In addition, in the first special symbol memory update process, the result of the internal lottery is determined in advance (before the start of the change) based on the jackpot determination random number and jackpot pattern random number of the first special symbol, and an acquisition time performance determination process can be executed to determine the performance content based on the result (a change pattern advance determination command is generated by so-called "pre-reading"). When the number of first special symbol activation memories is increased by one, a performance command at the time of increase in the number of activation memories corresponding to the first special symbol is generated and transmitted to the performance control device 124.

The second special symbol memory update process is a process in which, when the number of second special symbol activation memories is less than the upper limit (for example, 4), a jackpot determination random number corresponding to the second special symbol, a jackpot pattern random number corresponding to the second special symbol, a reach determination random number corresponding to the second special symbol, and a change pattern determination random number corresponding to the second special symbol are acquired and stored in the random number storage area of the RAM 76, and the number of second special symbol activation memories is increased by one. In addition, in the second special symbol memory update process, the result of the internal lottery is determined in advance (before the start of the change) based on the jackpot determination random number and jackpot pattern random number of the second special symbol, and an acquisition time performance determination process can be executed to determine the performance content based on the result (a change pattern advance determination command is generated by so-called "pre-reading"). When the number of second special symbol activation memories is increased by one, a performance command at the time of increase in the number of activation memories corresponding to the second special symbol is generated and transmitted to the performance control device 124.

The first large prize slot counting process, the second large prize slot counting process, the first prize slot counting process, and the second prize slot counting process are counting processes for each prize slot.

The process for passing through the probability change area is a process for setting the value of the probability change function activation flag (01H) as a game status flag in the flag area of RAM 76. This probability change function activation flag is reset when the special pattern changes a predetermined number of times without a winning result being obtained after the end of a jackpot game. In addition, the process for passing through the probability change area can generate a command for passing through the probability change area.

In this embodiment, when a winning detection signal (ON) is input from the middle start winning port switch 80 or the right start winning port switch 82, the main control CPU 72 determines that an event has occurred that will trigger an internal lottery (lottery trigger) corresponding to the first special pattern or the second special pattern, respectively. Also, when a passage detection signal (ON) is input from the gate switch 78, the main control CPU 72 determines that an event has occurred that will trigger a lottery corresponding to a normal pattern. When it is determined that either of these events has occurred, the main control CPU 72 executes processing according to the respective event that has occurred.

Step S215: The main control CPU 72 executes a setting change process (setting-related process). In this process, the process associated with changing and checking the setting value is executed. Note that if the setting change state or setting check state is not in effect, i.e., if the game is playable, the main control CPU 72 can skip this step (without executing the setting change process) and instead execute a process to calculate the base and display it on the performance display monitor 200. The main control CPU 72 can calculate the base by dividing the number of prize balls paid out when game balls enter each winning port (start winning port, normal winning port, large winning port) by the number of outs (the number of game balls detected by the out switch), which indicates the number of game balls launched into the game area.

In addition, when a setting change process (setting-related process) is executed in this step, the main control CPU 72 generates a setting-related end command. Here, the "setting-related end command" is a presentation command that notifies the user that processing related to changing or confirming settings has ended, and the setting-related end command can also include information on the setting value. The generated setting-related end command is sent to the presentation control device 124 in the presentation command sending process (step S142 in FIG. 8) executed in the main loop.

Step S216, Step S218: The main control CPU 72 executes special symbol game processing and normal symbol game processing. These processes are intended to specifically progress the game on the pachinko machine 1. Among these, in the special symbol game processing (step S216), the main control CPU 72 controls the execution of an internal lottery corresponding to the first special symbol or the second special symbol, determines the variable display and stationary display by the first special symbol display device 34 and the second special symbol display device 35, and controls the operation of the first variable winning device 30 and the second variable winning device 31 according to the display results.

The special symbol game processing includes a group of subroutines (program modules) for execution selection processing, processing before the special symbol changes, processing during the special symbol changes, processing during the special symbol stop display, processing to manage the variable winning device during a big win, and processing to manage the variable winning device during a small win.

In the execution selection process, the main control CPU 72 selects the jump destination of the process to be executed next from the "jump table." For example, the main control CPU 72 sets the program address of the process to be executed next as the jump destination address, and also sets the end of the special symbol game process in the stack pointer as the return address.

Which process is selected as the next jump destination depends on the progress of the processes performed so far (special pattern game management status). For example, if the special pattern has not yet started to change (special pattern game management status: 00H), the main control CPU 72 selects special pattern pre-change process as the next jump destination. On the other hand, if the special pattern pre-change process has already been completed, the main control CPU 72 selects special pattern in-change process as the next jump destination, and if the special pattern in-change process has been completed (special pattern game management status: 02H), it selects special pattern stop display process as the next jump destination.

In the special symbol variation pre-processing, the main control CPU 72 performs the work of preparing the conditions for starting the variation display of the special symbol. Specifically, the main control CPU 72 reduces the number of operation memories of the first special symbol or the second special symbol to be varied by 1, reads out the lottery random numbers (jackpot determination random numbers, jackpot pattern random numbers) of the first special symbol or the second special symbol stored in the random number storage area of the RAM 76, executes the jackpot determination process (internal lottery) and the small hit determination process based on the internal state, determines the stop pattern at the time of the jackpot, the stop pattern at the time of the small hit, the stop pattern at the time of the miss, etc., and executes the process of determining the variation pattern at the time of the jackpot (variation time at the time of the jackpot), the variation pattern at the time of the small hit (variation time at the time of the small hit), the variation pattern at the time of the miss (variation time at the time of the miss), etc. based on the reach determination random number and the variation pattern determination random number. Based on the determined contents, the main control CPU 72 generates a lottery result command, a change pattern command, a change start command, a stop pattern command, a confirmation command, a state designation command, a performance command when the number of operation memories is reduced, etc., and transmits them to the performance control device 124. As a performance command when the number of operation memories is reduced, a performance command when the number of operation memories is reduced corresponding to the first special pattern is generated when the number of operation memories of the first special pattern is reduced by one, and a performance command when the number of operation memories of the second special pattern is reduced by one is generated when the number of operation memories of the second special pattern is reduced by one. The change pattern may be a change pattern for executing a pseudo continuous preview performance (for example, pseudo 1 change to pseudo 4 change).

Here, pseudo 1 change (pseudo 1: 1st pseudo change) corresponds to a change in which the pseudo change of the performance pattern is executed once, and pseudo 2 change (pseudo 2: 2nd pseudo change) corresponds to a change in which the pseudo change of the performance pattern is executed twice. Also, pseudo 3 change (pseudo 3: 3rd pseudo change) corresponds to a change in which the pseudo change of the performance pattern is executed three times, and pseudo 4 change (pseudo 4: 4th pseudo change) corresponds to a change in which the pseudo change of the performance pattern is executed four times. Note that, although pseudo 4 change is not set in this embodiment, pseudo 4 change may be set.

During the special pattern variation process, the main control CPU 72 controls the drive of the first special pattern display device 34 or the second special pattern display device 35 while counting the variation timer. Specifically, it outputs an ON or OFF drive signal (1 byte data) to each segment and dot (numbers 0 to 7) of the 7-segment LED. The pattern of the drive signal changes over time, thereby displaying the variation of the special pattern.

During the special symbol stop display process, the main control CPU 72 controls the drive of the first special symbol display device 34 or the second special symbol display device 35. Here too, an ON or OFF drive signal is output to each segment and dot of the 7-segment LED, but the pattern of the drive signal is constant, which causes the special symbol to stop being displayed.

The jackpot variable winning device management process is selected when the special symbol is stopped and displayed in the jackpot mode during the previous special symbol stop display process. When the special symbol is stopped and displayed in the jackpot mode, an opportunity occurs to transition from the normal state to the jackpot game state (a special game state advantageous to the player). In the jackpot variable winning device management process, the first large winning port solenoid 90 or the second large winning port solenoid 97 is excited for a certain period of time (for example, 29 seconds or 0.1 seconds, or until 10 game balls are counted) for a predetermined number of consecutive operations (for example, 10 times, etc.), and the first variable winning device 30 and the second variable winning device 31 open and close in a predetermined pattern. During this time, game balls are concentrated into the first variable winning device 30 and the second variable winning device 31, giving the player an opportunity to win a large number of prize balls at once (special game execution means). In addition, this opening and closing operation of the first variable winning device 30 and the second variable winning device 31 during a jackpot is called a "round," and if there are a total of 10 consecutive operations, these are sometimes collectively referred to as "10 rounds."

When the big win game ends, the main control CPU 72 changes the state (high probability state, time-shortened state) after the big win game ends based on the game state flags (probability fluctuation function activation flag, time-shortened function activation flag) (high probability time-shortened state transition means, advantageous game state transition means, special state transition means). In the "high probability state", the probability fluctuation function is activated, and the probability of winning in the internal lottery is, for example, about 10 times higher than normal (specific game state transition means, high probability state transition means, high probability state setting means). In the "time-shortened state", the time-shortened function is activated, the activation lottery for the normal symbol becomes highly probable, and the fluctuation time of the normal symbol is shortened, and the opening time of the variable start winning device 28 is extended and the number of times it opens increases (so-called electric chute support is performed). Note that the "high probability state" and the "time-shortened state" may be transitioned to only one of them in terms of control, or may be transitioned to both of them.

The small win variable winning device management process is selected when a special symbol is displayed as a small win during the previous special symbol display process. For example, when a special symbol is displayed as a small win, an opportunity arises to transition from the normal state to a small win game state. In a small win game, the first variable winning device 30 opens and closes a predetermined number of times (e.g., twice) in a predetermined opening time (e.g., 0.1 seconds), but there is almost no winning in the first large winning port.

In the normal symbol game process (step S218), the main control CPU 72 determines the variable display or stop display by the normal symbol display device 33, and controls the operation of the variable start winning device 28 according to the display result. For example, the main control CPU 72 stores the random number (normal symbol winning determination random number) obtained in the previous switch input event process (step S204) as a trigger of passing through the start gate 20, reads the random number value from the memory in this normal symbol game process, and judges whether it falls within a predetermined winning range (operation lottery execution means). If the random number value falls within the winning range, the normal symbol is displayed variably by the normal symbol display device 33, and the normal symbol is displayed stopped in a predetermined winning mode, and then the main control CPU 72 excites the normal electric role solenoid 88 to operate the variable start winning device 28 (movable piece operating means). On the other hand, if the random number value is outside the winning range, the main control CPU 72 displays the normal symbol stopped in a losing mode after the variable display.

Step S220: Next, the main control CPU 72 executes a status management process. In this process, the main control CPU 72 checks for high-risk conditions such as an abnormality in the winning frequency (an abnormally large number of winning balls into the intermediate start winning hole 26 and the normal winning holes 22 and 24) or a base abnormality (a state in which the total number of winning balls into each winning hole 22, 24, 26, 28a, 30b, and 31b is greater than the number of game balls collected on the back side of the game board unit 8, i.e., the number of game balls shot into the game area 8a). If an abnormal condition is detected, the main control CPU 72 notifies the occurrence of an abnormality by outputting a security signal to the hall computer of the game center and by sending a predetermined performance control command to the performance control device 124.

Step S222: The main control CPU 72 executes the winning port switch process. In this process, if the input port on detection flags stored based on the winning detection signals input from the various switches 80, 81, 82, 84, 85, and 86 in the previous port input process (step S206) are ON, the prize ball control counters for each are updated by incrementing them by 1.

Step S224: The main control CPU 72 executes the prize ball payout process. Although the detailed flow is not shown, in this process, the main control CPU 72 first checks whether the payout command buffer is empty (whether the payout command to be sent is set), and if it is not empty (the payout command is set), it sends the various payout commands output to the payout command buffer to the payout control device 92. For example, the payout command indicating the start-up mode at the time of power-on is set during the CPU initialization process (steps S118 and S124 in FIG. 7) and output to the payout command buffer (step S126 in FIG. 7), but the payout command indicating this start-up mode is sent here. On the other hand, if the payout command buffer is empty, it proceeds to a process for instructing the payout of prize balls. The main control CPU 72 checks whether the prize ball control counter is not 0, and if the prize ball control counter is not 0, it sends a prize ball designation payout command indicating the number of prize balls corresponding to this counter to the payout control device 92. More specifically, a payout command specifying the prize balls corresponding to each prize ball control counter updated in the previous step S222 is sent here. Note that the payout command is sent only when a payout command permission signal is input from the payout control device 92 to the main control device 70 and the number of payout commands set in the transmission data register (transmission FIFO) is less than a predetermined number (more specifically, the payout command set in the transmission FIFO in the previous or previous step S224 has already been sent, or is currently being sent and there is space in the transmission FIFO).

In particular, in step S224 when the power is turned on, if the payout command set during the CPU initialization process is sent normally, the main control CPU 72 uses this as an opportunity to turn on the launch permission signal. Specifically, the main control CPU 72 clears the payout command buffer output when the power is turned on, and turns on the launch permission signal by setting a specific bit of the output port (specific output information setting means). This allows the launch of game balls after confirming normal operation after power is turned on, and this launch permission signal is sent to the launch control board 108 via the payout control device 92, making it possible to launch game balls.

The main control CPU 72 also outputs a prize ball content command that communicates the details of the number of prize balls to the presentation control device 124 during the prize ball payout process. When a winning detection signal is input from the first count switch 84 or the second count switch 85 corresponding to the first variable winning device 30 or the second variable winning device 31, a prize ball content command corresponding to the first profit (15 game balls) is generated. When a winning detection signal is input from the second winning port switch 81 corresponding to the normal winning port 24, a prize ball content command corresponding to the second profit (10 game balls) is generated. The prize ball content command is transmitted to the presentation control device 124 during the presentation command transmission process.

[Number of winning balls and number of winning balls]
The number of prize balls in the starting hole of the first special symbol and the number of prize balls in the starting hole of the second special symbol are set to a prescribed number of 1 or more. The number of prize balls in the starting hole of the first special symbol and the starting hole of the second special symbol may be different. Furthermore, the minimum number of prize balls may be set based on the probability of winning the special symbol and the expected value of the total number of game balls acquired (the average number of balls acquired during a series of periods from the first win to the end of the time-shortening state). Furthermore, when the probability of winning the special symbol, the expected value of the total number of game balls acquired, the number of times the big prize hole is opened, the opening time of the big prize hole, the maximum number of winnings in the big prize hole, and the number of prize balls in the big prize hole satisfy predetermined conditions, a big prize may be set in which the number of game balls acquired by one big prize is less than 1/4 of the maximum number of game balls acquired.

Step S226: The main control CPU 72 executes a launch position designation process. In this process, the main control CPU 72 first sets the launch position designation flag to the previous launch position designation flag, and then clears the launch position designation flag. The main control CPU 72 then turns the launch position designation flag ON if the variable winning device is in operation or the time-saving function is in operation, and generates a launch position designation command if the launch position designation flag and the previous launch position designation flag do not match. The generated launch position designation command is sent to the performance control device 124 in the performance command sending process (step S142 in FIG. 8) executed in the main loop.

Step S227: The main control CPU 72 executes security management processing. In this processing, the main control CPU 72 judges whether or not an illegal win has occurred and whether or not an excessive win has occurred based on the input state (ON/OFF) of various winning detection signals. The main control CPU 72 also monitors for illegal acts based on input signals from a magnetic detection sensor, a vibration detection sensor, a radio wave detection sensor, etc. (not shown). If the main control CPU 72 judges that such an error has occurred, it generates an error command. The main control CPU 72 can execute a response process corresponding to the error. The response process is, for example, a process of changing the bit of the winning detection signal due to an illegal win from ON to OFF, a process of generating a warning sound, a process of stopping the game, etc. If the main control CPU 72 detects an error, it transmits an error command corresponding to the various errors to the performance control device. The error may include not only an error such as illegality but also the state of the gaming machine (state of setting change, etc.).

Step S228: Next, the main control CPU 72 executes external information processing. In this processing, the main control CPU 72 stores external information signals (e.g., winning ball information, door opening information, number of pattern determination information, jackpot information, starting hole information, etc.) in the port output request buffer for the arcade's hall computer via the external terminal board 160.

In this embodiment, various kinds of jackpot information can be provided to external electronic devices (data display device and hall computer) connected to the pachinko machine 1 by outputting, for example, "jackpot 1" to "jackpot 5" from among various external information signals (external information signal output means). In other words, by outputting the jackpot information divided into a plurality of "jackpot 1" to "jackpot 5", it is possible to count and manage the type of jackpot (winning type) from these combinations in a hall computer (not shown), recognize changes in the internal probability state (low probability state or high probability state) and the shortened state of the pattern change time, and count and manage the occurrence of small jackpots (hits in which the condition device does not operate) that are not classified as "jackpots" even if they are not non-wins. In addition, based on the jackpot information, for example, a data display device (not shown) can count and display the number of jackpots that have occurred within the past few business days for each machine of the pachinko machine 1, recognize whether or not each machine is currently in a jackpot, or recognize whether or not each machine is currently in a shortened state of the pattern change time. In this external information processing, the main control CPU 72 controls the detailed output state (set of ON or OFF) of each of "Jackpot 1" through "Jackpot 5."

Step S230: The main control CPU 72 also executes test signal processing. In this processing, the main control CPU 72 generates various test signals that indicate its own internal state (e.g., normal symbol game management state, special symbol game management state, launch position designation, jackpot in progress, probability fluctuation function in operation, time reduction function in operation) and stores these in the port output request buffer. These test signals make it possible to test the internal state of the main control CPU 72, for example, outside the main control device 70.

Step S232: Next, the main control CPU 72 executes a display output management process. In this process, the main control CPU 72 performs processes required to manage the lighting status of the normal symbol display device 33, normal symbol operation memory lamp 33a, first special symbol display device 34, second special symbol display device 35, first special symbol operation memory lamp 34a, second special symbol operation memory lamp 35a, game status display device 38, etc. Specifically, the drive signal for lighting each lamp in a manner corresponding to the symbol change display, stop display, operation memory number display, game status display, etc. determined in the previous special symbol game process (step S216) or normal symbol game process (step S218) is stored as byte data in the port output request buffer for each common.

The byte data stored in the port output request buffer for each common is stored in the output port in turn for each common in the dynamic port output process (step S204) each time a timer interrupt process occurs, and is output to the port. For example, the byte data stored for common 1 is output to the port in the timer interrupt process executed next time, and the byte data stored for common 2 is output to the port in the timer interrupt process executed after that, and so on, with the byte data stored in the port output request buffer for each common being processed one by one in turn. As a result, each lamp constituting a predetermined display mode (a mode that displays changing or stopped patterns, the number of operation memories, the game status, etc.) is driven in turn on a common basis, and lighting is controlled by the dynamic lighting method.

Step S234: The main control CPU 72 also executes a solenoid output management process. In this process, the main control CPU 72 stores in the port output request buffer the drive signals, test signals, etc., of the normal electric role solenoid 88, the first large prize opening solenoid 90, the second large prize opening solenoid 97, and the high probability area solenoid 99, all of which are stored in the port output request buffer.

Step S236: The main control CPU 72 executes port output processing. In this processing, the main control CPU 72 checks whether a value is stored in each output buffer (port output request buffer), and if a value is stored, outputs the port. For example, the drive signals of the solenoids 88, 90, 97, and 99 stored in the port output request buffer in the previous step S234 are output to the port. In this case, each drive signal is sent to the corresponding solenoid 88, 90, 97, and 99, making it possible to cause each solenoid to operate according to the drive signal.

Step S238: The control CPU 72 restores the values of the HL, DE, BC, and AF registers that were saved in step S200 to each register, ends the timer interrupt processing, and returns to the main loop of the CPU initialization processing (Figure 8).

[Example of a production image]
Next, some examples of the effect images actually displayed on the liquid crystal display 42 in the pachinko machine 1 will be described. As described above, when an internal lottery for a jackpot is performed in the pachinko machine 1, a variation pattern (variation time) is determined under the control of the main control CPU 72, and a variation display using the first special symbol and the second special symbol is performed (symbol display means). However, the first special symbol and the second special symbol themselves are displayed by lighting and blinking using a 7-segment LED, so they lack visual appeal. Therefore, in the pachinko machine 1, a variation display performance using the performance symbol is performed.

The performance symbols include, for example, three symbols: a left performance symbol, a center performance symbol, and a right performance symbol, which are displayed in a line on the left, center, and right on the screen of the liquid crystal display 42 (see Figure 1). Each performance symbol is designed, for example, as a picture card with a character attached along with the numbers "1" to "9." Here, the left performance symbol, center performance symbol, and right performance symbol all form a pattern string in which the numbers are arranged in descending order from "9" to "1." Such pattern strings are displayed in a changing manner, flowing (scrolling) vertically in the left, center, and right areas of the screen, respectively.

Figure 10 is a series of diagrams showing examples of effect images corresponding to the variable display and stop display of special symbols. Note that this shows an example of the variable display effect and stop display effect (result display effect) performed using the effect pattern for the variation of the special symbol when it is not a winning (miss). This variable display effect corresponds to a series of effects performed from the start of the variable display of the special symbol (here, the first special symbol, but it can also be the second special symbol) until it is stopped and displayed. Also, the stop display effect is an effect that shows the special symbol being stopped and the result of the internal lottery at that time as a combination of effect patterns. Here, before explaining the specific contents of the control process, the basic flow of the variable display effect and stop display effect for each variation adopted in this embodiment will be explained.

[Before change display]
10 (A): For example, before the first special symbol starts to vary (when the demo effect is not in progress), three rows of effect symbols are displayed large on the screen of the liquid crystal display 42. At this time, the effect symbols are also displayed in a stopped state in accordance with the stopped display of the first special symbol or the second special symbol.

[Memory display effect]
Also, markers (with reference symbols M1 and M2 in the figure) representing the number of activation memories of the first special symbol and the second special symbol are displayed in the pre-change display area X1 at the bottom of the screen of the liquid crystal display 42. The displayed number of these markers M1 and M2 respectively represents the number of activation memories of the first special symbol and the second special symbol (the number of displays of the first special symbol activation memory lamp 34a and the second special symbol activation memory lamp 35a), and the displayed number increases or decreases in conjunction with the change in the number of activation memories during play.

In addition, to facilitate visual distinction between the markers M1 and M2, the marker M1 corresponding to the first special symbol is displayed, for example, as a circle (○), and the marker M2 corresponding to the second special symbol is displayed, for example, as a heart. In the illustrated example, all four markers M1 are lit to indicate that the number of activation memories for the first special symbol is four, and all markers M2 are hidden (shown by dashed lines) to indicate that the number of activation memories for the second special symbol is zero (memory display effect).

Also, while the changing display of the performance symbols is in progress, for example, a fourth symbol (with reference symbols Z1 and Z2 in the figure) is displayed in the upper right corner of the screen of the liquid crystal display 42. These fourth symbols Z1 and Z2 are the "fourth performance symbols" following the left, center, and right performance symbols, and are displayed in synchronization with these while the changing display of the performance symbols is in progress. Note that the fourth symbols Z1 and Z2 are simply marks (for example, a "□" shape) with colors added, and the changing display can be expressed, for example, by changing the display color. The fourth symbol Z1 corresponds to the first special symbol, and the fourth symbol Z2 corresponds to the second special symbol.

Furthermore, the fourth symbols Z1 and Z2 are displayed stopped in a manner corresponding to a miss (for example, a white display color). This is to objectively make it clear that the stop display performance is being performed correctly and that the pachinko machine 1 is operating normally. Therefore, if the result of the internal lottery is actually a "6-round jackpot", "8-round jackpot", or "10-round jackpot" rather than a "miss", the fourth symbols Z1 and Z2 are displayed stopped in a manner corresponding to that (for example, a blue display color or a red display color, etc.).

[Change display performance begins]
In FIG. 10 (B): For example, in synchronization with the start of the first special pattern, three pattern rows scroll and change on the display screen of the liquid crystal display 42, starting the change display performance (pattern performance execution means). That is, in synchronization with the start of the first special pattern, the left performance pattern, the center performance pattern, and the right performance pattern rows scroll (flow) vertically within the display screen of the liquid crystal display 42, starting the change display performance. Also, before the start of the change, the markers M1 and M2 are displayed in the pre-change display area X1 in the band-shaped portion at the bottom of the liquid crystal display 42, but after the change starts, they move to the change display area X2 by the pedestal image displayed at the bottom left of the liquid crystal display 42, and continue to be displayed until the change of the special pattern (performance pattern) is stopped (memory image display maintenance performance). In the figure, the change display of the performance pattern is simply indicated by a downward arrow. In addition, during the changing display, each performance pattern is displayed in a transparent state (transparent display), so that the image (background image) that forms the background of the performance pattern is displayed on the display screen in an easily visible manner.

In this case, the background image represents, for example, a scene of a female character wearing a yukata sitting on a bench, relaxing as if enjoying the cool evening air. Such a background image represents that the stay mode in the presentation is, for example, "normal mode". In this embodiment, "normal mode" corresponds to the normal state in which the time-saving function is not activated and the probability fluctuation function is also not activated. In addition to this, various modes are provided in the presentation, and background images with different scenery or scenes are prepared for each mode (state display presentation execution means). The difference between these modes may correspond to an internal "time-saving state" or a "high probability state". Although not specifically shown here, a preview presentation may be performed after this, for example, by displaying images of characters, items, etc. on the display screen.

In addition, while the changing display of the performance symbols is in progress, the fourth symbol Z1 is displayed in a changing manner in the upper right corner of the screen of the liquid crystal display 42, and the fourth symbol Z1 expresses the changing display by changing its display color.

[Left pattern stop]
In FIG. 10 (C): For example, after a certain amount of time (about half the time of change) has passed, the left side effect pattern stops changing first. In this example, the effect pattern representing the number "8" has stopped at the left side of the screen. Note that the background image is omitted here (the same applies hereafter).

[Example of a performance when the number of working memories is decreasing]
Here, as shown in FIG. 10B, the number of working memories of the first special symbol is decreased by one as the variation starts, and the number of displayed markers M1 is decreased by one accordingly. For example, if there were four working memories up until that point, the oldest (oldest) memory display in the marker M1 is moved by one to the variation display area X2, and a performance in which the memory is consumed by the internal lottery is also performed. This makes it possible to inform the player through the performance that the number of working memories for the first special symbol has been consumed.

In the example of (C) in Figure 10, the marker M1, which was first in the memory order, moves to the changing display area X2, leaving only three markers remaining in the pre-change display area X1, and the three markers M1 remaining on the screen are each shifted one marker at a time in one direction (to the left in this case). This allows the context of the change in the number of active memories to be accurately expressed in the presentation, and also teaches the player in an intuitive and easy-to-understand way that "the active memory has been consumed and one has been reduced" or "the active memory has been consumed and the special pattern is changing."

[Right performance pattern stop]
In FIG. 10 (D): Following the left performance pattern, the right performance pattern stops changing. In this example, it is shown that the performance pattern representing the number "3" has stopped in the center of the screen. At this point, it is already confirmed that the reach state will not occur, so it is almost clear from the outside that this change is a non-reach (normal) change. Note that this does not include reach changes due to slip patterns, etc. A "slip pattern" is, for example, a performance pattern representing the number "7" stops once, then the pattern row slides one pattern and the performance pattern representing the number "8" stops, which develops into a reach. Alternatively, there is also a pattern in which a performance pattern representing the number "9" stops once, then the pattern row slides one pattern in the opposite direction and the performance pattern representing the number "8" stops, which develops into a reach. In addition, there are also other patterns, such as when a performance symbol representing a completely different number, such as "5," stops for a moment, and then a character appears on the screen and changes the right-hand performance symbol row again, causing a performance symbol representing the number "8" to stop and develop into a reach.

[Stop display effect]
In FIG. 10 (E): The last middle performance pattern stops in synchronization with the display of the first special pattern. If the result of this internal lottery is a non-winning one and the first special pattern is displayed in a non-winning (missing) manner, the performance pattern is also displayed in a non-winning (missing) manner. That is, in the illustrated example, the performance pattern representing the number "1" is displayed at the middle position of the screen, and in this case, since the combination of the performance patterns is "8"-"1"-"3", which is a miss, the performance shows that the current fluctuation corresponds to a normal "miss". At this time, the fourth pattern Z1 is displayed in a manner corresponding to a miss (for example, a white display color).

In addition, when the stop display effect is performed, the marker M1, which had moved to the changing display area X2 and continued to be displayed, also becomes invisible. This makes it possible to intuitively and easily inform the player that "the change in the special pattern has ended."

The above is an example of the variable display effect and the stop display effect (when no winning is made) that are performed using the performance symbols for each variation. Through such effects, players can feel hope for a win, and ultimately the results of the internal lottery can be clearly indicated through the effects.

The above example is for when there is no winning, but when there is a big win (winning), after the reach effect is executed during the variable display effect, the effect pattern is displayed in a stopped display mode in the form of a big win. At this time, the stopped display mode of the effect pattern is basically selected to correspond to the winning pattern (the stopped display mode of the first special pattern display device 34 or the second special pattern display device 35) selected internally by the main control CPU 72.

[Example of a big win]
Next, an example of the presentation when a big win (winning) occurs will be described.
11 is a continuous diagram showing the flow of the super reach effect executed during the variable display of the special symbol. The super reach effect is a reach effect executed in association with the variable display selected for a medium variable time (for example, 50 to 100 seconds).

Here, we will explain the flow of the super reach effect that is executed when a jackpot is hit, but the super reach effect is executed not only when a jackpot is hit, but also when a miss occurs, although the percentage is low. In addition to the reach effect, this includes variable display effects, stop display effects, and preview effects. In addition, we will explain an example of a preview effect that is executed during a variable display effect (pre-reach preview effect, post-reach preview effect).

The following reach effects are executed, for example, after the first special symbol display device 34 displays a change according to the change pattern at the time of a jackpot, until the first special symbol is displayed stationary in a jackpot state (for example, 7-segment LEDs of "己", "ヨ", "口", "ﾐ", "F", "E", "L", "Γ", etc.) (reach effect execution means). Note that in FIG. 11, each effect symbol is simplified to show only numbers. Also, markers M1, M2, fourth symbols Z1, Z2, pre-change display area X1, and change-in-progress display area X2 are not shown (this also applies to the following drawings). Below, the flow of the effects will be explained.

[Variable display effects]
In Figure 11 (A): For example, approximately in synchronization with the start of the change in the first special pattern, the changing display performance begins by scrolling the columns of the left performance pattern, middle performance pattern, and right performance pattern vertically (for example, from top to bottom) on the screen of the LCD display 42.

[Pre-reach notice (first stage)]
FIG. 11 (B): Next, in a relatively early stage of the variable display performance, a first-stage pre-reach notice performance using a character pattern image (picture card) is performed. This pre-reach notice performance is a notice performance in which the change in state progresses stepwise from the first stage to multiple stages (for example, 2nd to 5th stages) according to a predetermined order. The picture image used in this pre-reach notice performance is located in front of the performance pattern displayed on the screen, and is displayed, for example, as if it suddenly appears from the left edge of the screen (other appearance modes are also possible). Note that the "pre-reach notice" here means that the possibility of a reach or a big win is notified before any of the performance patterns are stopped and displayed. By executing such a "pre-reach notice performance", it is possible to obtain an effect of making the player feel a sense of expectation that "it may develop into a reach = the possibility of a big win increases".

[Pre-reach notice (2nd stage)]
In FIG. 11 (C): After the first stage of the reach occurrence advance notice performance is executed, the change in the state of the reach occurrence advance notice performance progresses to the second stage. Here, as the second stage of the reach occurrence advance notice performance, a performance using a picture image of a character different from the previous one is performed. Specifically, another picture image appears from the right edge of the screen and is displayed overlapping in front of the previously displayed picture image. The picture image displayed at this time is also larger in size than the previously displayed picture image. A sound output performance is also performed in which the character represented by the picture image speaks a line (for example, "It's going to be a reach").

The pre-reach notice performance (second stage) using such a second image is an advanced version of the pre-reach notice performance (first stage) shown in FIG. 11 (B). The form of the "pre-reach notice performance" that develops in this way is generally referred to as a "step-up notice" or the like. Here, an example is given in which a second-stage image image appears in the pre-reach notice performance, but it may be a performance form in which third-stage, fourth-stage, and fifth-stage image images appear and are displayed one after another. Also, for example, each time the third-stage, fourth-stage, and fifth-stage image images appear and are displayed one after another, their size may be enlarged. Note that even at this stage, the display of the change in the performance pattern continues. In any case, by progressing the change in the form of the pre-reach notice performance to more stages, it is possible to suggest to the player that there is a high possibility (expectation) of a jackpot with this change (for example, progressing to the fifth stage suggests the highest expectation).

[Stop of the left performance pattern]
In FIG. 11 (D): As the display reaches the middle stage, the left display of the figure stops. At this point, the figure representing the number "5" is stopped on the left side of the screen.

[Reach state occurs]
FIG. 11 (E): Following the left effect pattern, the display of the right effect pattern, for example, stops. At this point, the effect pattern representing the number "5" is stopped on the right side of the screen, so a "5"-"changing"-"5" reach state occurs. An image emphasizing one line that is in the reach state is also displayed on the screen. Also, a sound such as "Reach!" is output.

After the reach state occurs, the reach effect is executed when a win occurs (however, at this point the winning result has not yet been displayed). In the reach effect, only the effect symbols corresponding to the completed number (here, "5") are displayed on the screen, and all others are hidden. Note that at this time the effect symbols may be displayed in a reduced form in each of the four corners of the screen.

[Preview after reach occurs (first time)]
11 (F): A short time after the reach state occurs, a reach occurrence post-notice performance (first time) is performed, in which, for example, a group of images representing heart shapes pass diagonally across the screen. In this case, the image of a group of hearts is suddenly displayed on the screen as if it is flowing, which can increase the visual appeal to the player. By executing such a visually lively reach occurrence post-notice performance, it is possible to obtain an effect of creating even greater expectations in the player.

[Progression of reach performance]
In FIG. 11 (G): Following the first reach occurrence notice performance, for example, images representing numbers "2" to "6" are displayed in a three-dimensional row on the screen, and the images of numbers are erased from the screen in the order of "2", "3", "4", etc., starting from the top (front) of the row. This type of performance is also performed for the purpose of suggesting (implying) or reminding the player that if the number "5" remains until the end without being erased, it is a "jackpot". Also, if the number "4" is erased and the "5" remains at the front of the screen, it means a "jackpot", and if the number "5" is also erased, it means a "loss". In the case of a loss, for example, the number "6" is displayed on the screen after the number "5" is erased. Therefore, during this time, as the images of the numbers "2", "3", and "4" are erased in order, the player's sense of tension and expectation also increases. Then, when the numbers up to "4" are actually erased from the screen and only the number "5" remains on the screen as the presentation progresses, the possibility of a "jackpot" increases, and the player's sense of tension also rises all at once.

[Preview after reach occurs (2nd time)]
In FIG. 11 (H): When the reach effect is nearing the end, a character image is suddenly displayed on the screen in a close-up, and the character speaks some lines (or may simply smile silently), as part of the second reach-occurrence notice effect. At this point, for example, the reach effect is that if the number "5" remains without being erased, the possibility of a "5"-"5"-"5" jackpot increases. Therefore, by making the character image appear large at this timing, it is possible to create an expectation in the player that "it may be a jackpot."

Another example of a reach effect different from the above is when the numbers "2" through "4" are erased, and if the number "5" remains at the end, it will be a big win. If an image of a character appears at such a time, it can have the effect of making the player feel hopeful that "the big win may be finally near."

[Stop display effect]
In FIG. 11 (I): Then, the final middle effect symbol stops. In this example, the effect symbol representing "5" is displayed in the center of the screen, so that the player can be informed that he or she has won the jackpot.

(J) in Figure 11: Then, for example, approximately synchronized with the stopped display of the first special symbol, a stop display performance is performed as a performance pattern. The stop display performance of the performance patterns is performed, for example, with the left, center, and right performance patterns each restored to their initial size. By performing this type of stop display performance, it is possible to inform the player that the final winning type has been determined in the performance. Conversely, by performing an unclear stop display performance in the performance, it is possible to keep secret from the player which winning pattern has won.

If the internal lottery results in a non-winning combination, the first special symbol that is the subject of this variation will stop and be displayed as a losing symbol, and the display will also stop and be displayed in a losing mode. In this case, a number other than "5," such as "4" or "6," will be displayed in the center of the screen to inform the player that unfortunately this variation did not result in a jackpot. This type of effect is executed as a "losing reach effect."

[Example of a variable display effect]
12 to 20 are sequential diagrams showing examples of the variable display performance. In the variable display performance, a pseudo continuous preview performance, a conversation preview performance, and the like are executed.
Here, the pseudo-continuous preview effect is a preview effect that suggests that there is a possibility that the special pattern will stop and be displayed in a winning manner during one change of the special pattern (first special pattern or second special pattern), and is an effect that pseudo-changes a specified performance pattern once or multiple times.
In addition, the conversation preview effect is a preview effect that suggests that there is a possibility that the special pattern (first special pattern or second special pattern) will stop and be displayed in a winning manner while the special pattern is fluctuating, and is an effect that suggests the likelihood of winning by the content of the conversation (lines) and the color of the text.

[Change display performance begins (pseudo 1)]
12 (A): Approximately in synchronization with the start of the variation of the first special symbol, the variable display performance starts by vertically scrolling the columns of the left, center, and right performance symbols on the screen of the liquid crystal display 42. Note that here, it is assumed that the performance pattern corresponding to the pseudo 3 variation is selected.

When the pseudo consecutive preview performance is executed, a pseudo change count display performance is executed in a pseudo change count display area GH that is separate from the pre-change display area X1 and the change-in-progress display area X2, displaying the pseudo change count of the performance pattern. Specifically, the pseudo change count display area GH in the upper left corner of the screen displays text information of "x1" indicating the pseudo change count. Note that the pseudo change count display performance may start displaying from the second pseudo change.

[Left performance image stops, conversation preview performance]
In FIG. 12 (B): A left performance symbol representing the number "5" stops at the left side of the screen. At this stage, a conversation preview performance is executed. In the illustrated example, a performance is executed in which a character displayed on the right side of the screen utters the line "Chance". The word "Chance" is white. The colors of the characters include white, red, gold, etc., with white having the lowest probability of winning and gold having the highest probability of winning.

[Right performance pattern stop]
In Figure 12 (C): The right-hand effect symbol representing the number "2" stops on the right side of the screen.

[Right side performance pattern sliding performance]
In Figure 13 (D): The right performance pattern that had stopped temporarily slides, and the right performance pattern begins to move again.

[Right performance pattern stop]
In Figure 13 (E): After a sliding effect, a right effect symbol representing the number "6" stops on the right side of the screen.

[Pseudo consecutive patterns (patterns exclusive to pseudo consecutive preview performance)]
In Figure 13 (F): While the left and right performance symbols are stopped, an effect is executed in which pseudo consecutive symbols slowly fall from the top of the screen.

[Pseudo consecutive pattern stop]
In Fig. 14 (G): A pseudo consecutive symbol slowly falls from the top of the screen and stops between the left and right symbols. The pseudo consecutive symbol stops at the center position, and the pseudo consecutive notice performance continues.
The pseudo consecutive pattern is an image of an oval sphere with a snake character wrapped around it, and the word "Replay" is displayed in the center.

[Temporary suspension (first time)]
In FIG. 14 (H): The pseudo consecutive symbols stopped at the center disappear, and the word "continue" is displayed in the center of the screen. The performance symbols are temporarily stopped in a non-winning state. The temporary stop state of the performance symbols is a state in which the center performance symbol and the right performance symbol, which include a number obtained by adding 1 to the number of the left performance symbol, are stopped ("5"-"6"-"6"). However, each performance symbol is displayed fluctuatingly, and the fluctuation of the performance symbol has not completely stopped.

[Pseudo consecutive preview performance (pseudo 2)]
In FIG. 14 (I): After that, the effect of changing the temporarily stopped effect pattern again is executed. The pseudo-continuous notice effect is an effect in which the expectation of a big win increases according to the number of times the effect pattern changes again. The pseudo change count display area GH in the upper left of the screen displays the text information "x2" indicating the number of pseudo changes. Note that while the effect pattern is temporarily stopped and changed again, the first special pattern is in a changing state.

[Left performance image stops, conversation preview performance]
In Fig. 15 (J): A left effect symbol representing the number "5" stops at the left side of the screen. At this stage, a conversation preview effect is executed. In the example shown, a conversation preview effect is executed in which a character displayed on the right side of the screen utters the line "Chance." The word "Chance" is in red.

[Right performance pattern stop]
In Figure 15 (K): The right-hand pattern representing the number "4" stops on the right side of the screen.

[Right side performance pattern sliding performance]
In Figure 15 (L): The right performance pattern that had stopped temporarily slides, and then the right performance pattern begins to move again.

[Right performance pattern stop]
In Figure 16 (M): After a sliding effect, a right effect pattern representing the number "6" stops on the right side of the screen.

[Pseudo consecutive patterns]
In Figure 16 (N): While the left and right performance symbols are stopped, an effect is executed in which pseudo consecutive symbols slowly fall from the top of the screen.

[Pseudo consecutive pattern stop]
In Fig. 16 (O): A pseudo consecutive symbol slowly falls from the top of the screen and stops between the left and right symbols. The pseudo consecutive symbol stops at the center position, and the pseudo consecutive notice performance continues.

[Provisional suspension (second time)]
In FIG. 17 (P): The pseudo consecutive symbols stopped at the center disappear, and the word "continue" is displayed in the center of the screen. The performance symbols are temporarily stopped in a non-winning state. The temporary stop state of the performance symbols is a state in which the center performance symbol and the right performance symbol, which include a number obtained by adding 1 to the number of the left performance symbol, are stopped ("5"-"6"-"6"). However, each performance symbol is displayed fluctuatingly, and the fluctuation of the performance symbol has not completely stopped.

[Pseudo consecutive preview performance (pseudo 3)]
17 (Q): After that, the effect of changing the temporarily stopped effect symbol again is executed. In the pseudo change count display area GH in the upper left of the screen, the character information "x3" indicating the pseudo change count is displayed.

[Left performance image stops, conversation preview performance]
In FIG. 17 (R): A left effect symbol representing the number "5" stops on the left side of the screen. At this stage, a conversation preview effect is executed. In the example shown, a conversation preview effect is executed in which a character displayed on the right side of the screen utters the line "Chance." The word "Chance" is in gold.

[Reach state occurs]
In FIG. 18 (S): Following the left performance symbol, the right performance symbol is displayed. At this point, the right performance symbol representing the number "5" is displayed on the right side of the screen. As the right performance symbol is displayed, a reach state of the numbers "5" - "changing" - "5" is generated in a horizontal line (on one line) on the screen. Then, an image emphasizing the line that is in the reach state is displayed on the screen, and a performance in which the sound "Reach!" is output is executed.

[Preview after reach occurs]
In Fig. 18 (T): A short time after the reach state occurs, a notice performance after the reach occurs (a notice performance of a group) is performed in which images of animal characters (e.g., polar bears) pass from right to left on the screen in a group. This notice performance has a higher expectation of a big win than the notice performance of a group using a heart image described above.

[Super Reach Performance]
In Figure 18 (U): The reach state continues even after the reach-after notice performance is executed, and the super reach performance progresses from this point onwards. In the example shown, a performance in which a male character appears on a train is executed. At the top of the screen, a variable display performance is executed with the performance pattern reduced ("5" - "Variable" - "5").

Then, when the Super Reach performance starts, the interface is hidden. The interface is an information display area that conveys various information about the game status to the player, and is made up of a pre-change display area X1, a change display area X2, and a pseudo-change count display area GH. The reason for hiding the interface is to execute the Super Reach performance in a larger display area. However, at least a part of the interface may continue to be displayed after this.

In Figure 19 (V): Then, the train stops, and a male character appears from inside the train, saying the line, "I'm your opponent!!"

Figure 19 (W): Following this, a "pumpkin ghost" appears on the left side of the screen as an enemy character, a "male character" appears on the right side of the screen as an ally character, and the letters "VS" appear in the center of the screen. This informs the player that a battle during the super reach performance is about to begin.

Figure 19 (X): As the Super Reach animation reaches its final stage, the "pumpkin ghost" launches countless punches, and the "male character" fights back with chops. If the "male character" wins in this state, it will be a winning combination.

(Y) in Figure 20: When the Super Reach performance reaches its final stage, a cut-in preview performance is executed. In the example shown, a female character or the like is displayed in an area cut left and right on the screen, and the background color of the cut-in is green (weak cut-in). Note that a different type of cut-in preview performance with a red background image may also be executed (strong cut-in).

[Winning Performance]
In Fig. 20 (Z): When the "male character" is displayed large along with the word "Victory!!" and the "pumpkin ghost" is displayed small, it means that the player has won (won). In the upper right corner of the screen, the stop display effect is being performed with the effect symbols reduced in size ("5"-"5"-"5"). However, all three of the effect symbols are displayed shaking, and the change in the effect symbols has not completely stopped. At this time, the first special symbol is in a changing state, and the fourth symbol Z1 is also displayed changing.

When you don't win (miss), the "pumpkin ghost" is displayed large along with the word "Defeat..." and the "male character" is displayed small, and the stop display effect is executed in the upper right corner of the screen with the effect symbols reduced in size (for example, "5"-"6"-"5").

Figure 20 (a): Approximately synchronized with the stop display of the first special symbol, the stop display performance of the performance symbols is also performed. The stop display performance of the performance symbols is performed in a state where the performance symbols are completely stopped without shaking. The fourth symbol is also displayed as if it has won. After this, the big win performance is executed.

Next, we will explain an example of a control method for specifically realizing the above effects. Each of the above effects is controlled through the following control process.

[Performance control processing]
As described above, the performance control device 124 has a function as a performance control processor and a function as a performance playback processor, and these two functions are realized by allocating different resources of the performance control CPU 126 to each of them. The performance control CPU 126 as a performance control processor receives performance commands transmitted from the main control device 70 and generates various messages that instruct the playback of performances according to the contents of the commands. In addition, the performance control CPU 126 as a performance playback processor analyzes the messages generated by the performance control processor and issues more specific instructions to each device based on the contents, thereby controlling the operation of each device (screen display by the liquid crystal display 42, audio output by the speakers 54, 55, 56, 58, light emission by various lamps 46 to 52, board lamp 53, button lamp 71, etc., displacement of various movable bodies by the movable body motor 57, etc.), thereby realizing performance playback in the pachinko machine 1.

Therefore, for ease of explanation, in the following explanation, the operating entity when the performance control CPU 126 functions as a performance control processor (sub-main) will be referred to as the "performance control unit 210", and the operating entity when it functions as a performance playback processor (sub-sub) will be referred to as the "display control unit 220", "audio control unit 222", "lamp control unit 224", "movable body control unit 226" or "input control unit 228" as appropriate depending on the device to be controlled. Note that these control units that function as performance playback processors may be collectively referred to as "individual control units". Also, the operating entity that manages the time related to performance playback may be referred to as the "time management unit 230 (ACT)".

The general flow of performance control is as follows: first, when the performance control unit 210 receives a performance command sent from the main control unit 70, it stores a message instructing the playback of a performance according to the content of the command in a specified area (operation buffer, pseudo buffer) in RAM 130 (storage means). The message stored in the specified area by the performance control unit 210 is sent to each individual control unit at a specified timing by the time management unit 230. In response, each individual control unit refers to the message and issues specific instructions to each device based on the content of the message, controlling the operation of each device. As a result of this control, the performance operation by each device is executed.

Figure 21 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure for the performance control process executed by the performance control CPU 126. This performance control process is executed within a timer interrupt process (interrupt management process) separate from a reset start (main) process (not shown), for example. The performance control CPU 126 generates a timer interrupt at a predetermined interrupt period (for example, a period of several tens of μs to several ms) while the reset start process is being executed, and executes the timer interrupt process.

The performance control process includes subroutines for command reception processing (step S400), error performance management processing (step S400a), operating memory performance management processing (step S401), performance pattern management processing (step S402), pseudo buffer message set processing (step S403a), time management unit control processing (step S403b), display output processing (step S404), input control processing (step S405), lamp drive processing (step S406), sound drive processing (step S408), performance random number update processing (step S410), and other processing (step S412). Below, the basic flow of the performance control process is explained along with each process.

Step S400: In the command reception process, the performance control unit 210 receives performance commands sent from the main control CPU 72. The performance control unit 210 also analyzes the received performance commands and stores them in the command buffer area of the RAM 130 by type. The performance commands sent from the main control CPU 72 include, for example, lottery result commands, fluctuation pattern commands, fluctuation start commands, stop pattern commands, confirmation commands, state designation commands, various error commands, fluctuation pattern destination determination commands, probability change area passing commands, prize ball content commands, setting related end designation commands, performance commands when the number of operating memories increases, performance commands when the number of operating memories decreases, and full tank error commands.

Step S400a: In the error performance management process, the performance control unit 210 executes a process to select a performance pattern for executing an error performance based on various error commands (error performance execution means). For example, when a full error command is received, the performance control unit 210 executes a process to display a ball removal suggestion image C. Note that it is preferable to display the ball removal suggestion image C in a layer higher than the layer that displays the performance pattern and preview performance.

Step S401: In the operating memory performance management process, the performance control unit 210 controls the memory display performance and the display of markers M1 and M2. In this process, the execution of a pre-reading preview performance using markers M1, M2, etc. may also be controlled. The contents of the operating memory performance management process will be described further below with reference to another drawing.

Step S402: In the performance symbol management process, the performance control unit 210 controls the content of the variable display performance and the stop display performance using the performance symbols, and controls the performance content during the opening and closing operation of the first variable winning device 30 or the second variable winning device 31 (performance execution means). Also, in this process, the performance control unit 210 selects performance patterns for various advance notice performances (advance notice performance before the reach occurs, advance notice performance after the reach occurs, etc.). The content of the performance symbol management process will be described further below with reference to another drawing.

Step S403a: In the pseudo buffer message set process, the performance control unit 210 executes a process to store the message in the operation buffer or pseudo buffer.

Step S403b: In the time management unit control process, the time management unit 230 executes a process of sending the message generated by the performance control unit 210 to each device.

Step S404: In the display output process, first, the performance control unit 210 generates a message to instruct the display control unit 220 on the performance content (for example, the number of activation memories for each of the first and second special patterns, activation memory performance pattern number, pre-reading preview performance pattern number, variable performance pattern number, preview performance number at the time of change, background pattern number, pending deletion, etc.). The message is sent to each device by the time management control unit. The display control unit 220 that receives the message instructs the VDP 152 to perform specific drawing based on the content of the message, and controls the display operation by the LCD display 42.

Step S405: In the input control process, first, the performance control unit 210 instructs the input control unit 228 to detect whether any of the operating members are operated in the manner specified by the player, in synchronization with a scene that requests an operation by the player as the performance progresses. More specifically, the performance control unit 210 sets one of the input control tables that are predefined in the control ROM 180. In response to this, the input control unit 228 analyzes the contents of the set input control table, and based on this, sets a period during which operations for any of the operating members can be accepted. In addition, the input control unit 228 detects whether an operation that matches the manner specified by the performance control unit 210 (an operation requested of the player) is performed, and outputs the detection result and returns it to the performance control unit 210.

Step S406: In the lamp drive process, first the performance control unit 210 generates a message instructing the lamp control unit 224 on the content of the performance. The lamp control unit 224 receives the message and relays it to the LED driver 198, outputting a specific drive signal to the driver IC 132 based on the content of the message, and drives (turns on or off, blinks, changes brightness gradation, etc.) the various lamps 46-52, the panel lamp 53, the button lamp 71, and the light sources built into each part of the operation unit 60.

Step S408: In the sound drive process, first, the performance control unit 210 generates a message to instruct the audio control unit 222 on the performance content. The audio control unit 222 receives the message and instructs the audio IC 134 on the specific output content based on the content of the message, causing the speakers 54, 55, 56, and 58 to output sounds (sound effects, background music, etc.) according to the performance content.

Step S410: In the performance random number update process, the performance control unit 210 updates various performance random numbers in the counter area of the RAM 130. Performance random numbers include, for example, random numbers used for advance selection and random numbers used for normal background change lottery (performance lottery).

Step S412: In other processing, for example, the performance control unit 210 first generates a message to the motor control unit 226 to instruct the motor control unit 226 on the performance content. The motor control unit 226 receives the message and instructs the SMC 199 on specific control content based on the content of the message. The SMC 199 then creates an operation pattern for the movable body 40f based on the instructions from the motor control unit 226, and outputs a corresponding control signal to the driver IC to drive the movable body 40f. The movable body 40f operates using the movable body motor 57 as a drive source, and performs a performance either in synchronization with the display of an image by the liquid crystal display 42 or independently.

Through the above-mentioned performance control process, the performance control unit 210 can comprehensively control the performance content in the pachinko machine 1.

[Working memory performance management processing]
FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure for the working memory performance management process.
The operation memory performance management process is a process for updating the display of the markers M1, M2 corresponding to the first special symbol and the second special symbol on the screen of the liquid crystal display 42 in conjunction with an increase or decrease in the number of lottery elements (operation memory number) stored in the main control device 70. An explanation will be given below along with an example procedure.

Step S700: First, the performance control unit 210 checks whether or not it has received a performance command for when the number of operating memories is increased from the main control CPU 72. Specifically, the performance control unit 210 accesses the command buffer area of RAM 130 and checks whether or not a performance command for when the number of operating memories is increased has been saved. If it is confirmed that a performance command for when the number of operating memories is increased has been saved (step S700: Yes), the performance control unit 210 executes step S702. Note that if it is not confirmed that a performance command for when the number of operating memories is increased has been saved (step S700: No), the performance control unit 210 does not execute step S702.

Step S702: The performance control unit 210 executes a performance selection process when the number of activation memories increases. In this process, the performance control unit 210 selects a performance that displays markers M1 and M2 corresponding to the first and second special patterns.

Step S704: The performance control unit 210 checks whether or not it has received a performance command for when the number of operating memories is reduced from the main control CPU 72. Specifically, the performance control unit 210 accesses the command buffer area of RAM 130 and checks whether or not a performance command for when the number of operating memories is reduced is saved. If it is confirmed that a performance command for when the number of operating memories is reduced is saved (step S704: Yes), the performance control unit 210 executes step S706. Note that if it is not confirmed that a performance command for when the number of operating memories is reduced is saved (step S704: No), the performance control unit 210 does not execute step S706.

Step S706: The performance control unit 210 executes a performance selection process when the number of active memories is decreased. In this process, the performance control unit 210 selects a performance in which the markers M1 and M2 corresponding to the first and second special symbols are slid, and a performance in which the markers corresponding to the lottery elements consumed by the internal lottery are moved from the pre-change display area X1 to the change display area X2. Note that the performance in which the memory markers moved to the change display area X2 are erased when the change ends is selected.
When the above steps are completed, the performance control unit 210 returns to the performance control process (FIG. 21).

[Performance design management processing]
23 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the performance symbol management process. The performance symbol management process includes a subroutine group of execution selection process (step S500), performance symbol change pre-processing (step S502), performance symbol change process (step S504), performance symbol stop display process (step S506), and variable winning device operation time process (step S508). Below, the basic flow of the performance symbol management process will be explained along with each process.

Step S500: In the execution selection process, the performance control unit 210 selects the jump destination of the process to be executed next (one of steps S502 to S508). For example, the performance control unit 210 sets the program address of the process to be executed next as the jump destination address, and also sets the end of the performance pattern management process as the return address in the "jump table". Which process is selected as the next jump destination depends on the progress of the processes performed so far. For example, if the variable display performance has not yet started, the performance control unit 210 selects the performance pattern change pre-processing (step S502) as the next jump destination. On the other hand, if the performance pattern change pre-processing has already been completed, the performance control unit 210 selects the performance pattern change processing (step S504) as the next jump destination, and if the performance pattern change processing has been completed, the performance pattern stop display processing (step S506) as the next jump destination. In addition, the variable winning device operation time processing (step S508) is selected as the jump destination when a big win game or a small win game is being executed. In this case, steps S502 to S506 are not executed.

Step S502: In the pre-processing of the performance symbols, the performance control unit 210 prepares the conditions for starting the variable display performance using the performance symbols (including the fourth symbol). In this process, the performance control unit 210 selects the content of the reach performance according to various conditions (lottery results, type of winning, variation pattern, etc.), and selects a performance pattern for the advance notice performance (a pre-reach advance notice pattern other than a pre-reading advance notice performance pattern, a post-reach advance notice pattern, etc.). In addition, the performance control unit 210 also controls the demo performance when the pachinko machine 1 is in a so-called customer waiting state. The specific processing content will be described later using another flowchart.

Step S504: In the processing during the change of the performance symbols, the performance control unit 210 generates control information to instruct the display control unit 220 as necessary. For example, when performing a performance using the operation unit 60 while a changing display performance using the performance symbols is being executed, the input control unit 228 monitors whether or not the player operates the operation unit 60, and instructs the display control unit 220 on control information for the performance content (such as a rapid-fire performance) according to the result.

Step S506: In the processing during the display of the effect symbols, the effect control unit 210 controls the content of the stop display effect using the effect symbols (including the fourth symbol) and moving images in a manner according to the result of the internal lottery. That is, the effect control unit 210 instructs the display control unit 220 to end the variable display effect and execute the stop display effect. In response to this, the display control unit 220 actually ends the variable display effect that has been executed up until that point on the display screen of the liquid crystal display 42 via the VDP 152, and executes the stop display effect. As a result, the stop display effect is executed in approximately synchronization with the stop display of the special symbol, and the result of the internal lottery can be instructed to the player in a performance manner (disclosure, announcement, notification, etc.) (pattern performance execution means). In addition, in the case of a small win, the stop display effect can be executed in the same manner as or similar to a loss.

Step S508: In the processing when the variable winning device is activated, the performance control unit 210 controls the content of the performance during a small win or a big win (special game performance execution means). In this processing, the performance control unit 210 selects the content of the performance during the big win according to various conditions (e.g., the type of win).

[Pre-processing for changing the performance pattern]
24 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure for pre-processing of a performance symbol variation. The following describes the procedure.

Step S600: The performance control unit 210 checks whether or not a demo performance command has been received from the main control CPU 72. Specifically, the performance control unit 210 accesses the command buffer area of the RAM 130 and checks whether or not a demo performance command has been saved. As a result, if it is confirmed that a demo performance command has been saved (Yes), the performance control unit 210 executes step S602.

Step S602: The performance control unit 210 executes a demo selection process. In this process, the performance control unit 210 selects a demo performance pattern. The demo performance pattern specifies the content of a performance that indicates that the pachinko machine 1 is in a so-called customer waiting state.

When the above steps are completed, the performance control unit 210 returns to the address at the end of the performance pattern management process. The performance control unit 210 then returns to the performance control process, and controls the content of the demo performance based on the demo performance pattern in the subsequent display output process (step S404 in FIG. 21) and lamp drive process (step S406 in FIG. 21).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S600 that no demo performance commands have been saved (No), the performance control unit 210 then executes step S604.

Step S604: The performance control unit 210 checks whether the current change is a miss (non-winning) or not. Specifically, the performance control unit 210 accesses the command buffer area of the RAM 130 and checks whether the lottery result command for non-winning is saved or not. As a result, if it is confirmed that the lottery result command for non-winning is saved (Yes), the performance control unit 210 executes step S612. Conversely, if it is confirmed that the lottery result command for non-winning is not saved (No), the performance control unit 210 executes step S606. Note that it is also possible to check whether the current change is a miss or not based on the change pattern command or the stop symbol command in addition to the lottery result command. In other words, if the current change pattern command corresponds to a miss normal change or a miss reach change, it can be determined that the current change is a miss. Alternatively, if the current stop symbol command specifies a non-winning symbol, it can be determined that the current change is a miss.

Step S606: If the lottery result command is not a non-win (miss) (Step S604: No), the performance control unit 210 then checks whether the current change is a jackpot. Specifically, the performance control unit 210 accesses the command buffer area of the RAM 130 and checks whether the lottery result command for the jackpot is saved. As a result, if it is confirmed that the lottery result command for the jackpot is saved (Yes), the performance control unit 210 executes step S610. Conversely, if it is confirmed that the lottery result command for the jackpot is not saved (No), only the lottery result command for the minor win remains, so in this case, the performance control unit 210 executes step S608. It is also possible to check whether the current change is a jackpot based on the change pattern command or the stop pattern command. In other words, if the current change pattern command corresponds to a jackpot change, it can be determined that the current change is a jackpot. Also, if the current stop pattern command corresponds to a jackpot pattern, it can be determined that the current change is a jackpot.

Step S608: The performance control unit 210 executes a variable performance pattern selection process for a small win. In this process, the performance control unit 210 determines the performance pattern number at that time based on the variable pattern command (for example, "C0H00H" to "D0H7FH") received from the main control CPU 72. The performance pattern numbers are prepared in advance in correspondence with the variable pattern command, and the performance control unit 210 can select the performance pattern number that corresponds to the variable pattern command at that time by referring to a performance pattern selection table (not shown). Note that the performance pattern number may be prepared in pairs with the variable pattern command, or multiple numbers may be prepared for one variable pattern command.

When a performance pattern number is selected, the performance control unit 210 refers to a performance table (not shown) and determines the schedule for changing the performance pattern corresponding to the changing performance pattern number at that time (changing time, type of reach, and timing of reach occurrence), the mode of the stop display, etc. Note that the types of performance patterns determined here all correspond to "combinations of patterns at the time of a small win."

The above procedure applies when a "small hit" occurs, but if a "big hit" occurs, the performance control unit 210 confirms in step S606 that it is a "big hit" (Yes). In this case, the performance control unit 210 executes step S610.

Step S610: The performance control unit 210 executes a process for selecting a variable performance pattern at the time of a big win. In this process, the performance control unit 210 determines the performance pattern number at that time based on the variable pattern command (for example, "E0H00H" to "F0H7FH") received from the main control CPU 72. In the process for selecting a performance pattern at the time of a big win, the process may be branched according to the stop pattern at the time of a big win. For example, if the variable pattern command corresponds to a pseudo 1 variable, the performance control unit 210 executes a process for selecting a performance pattern of a pseudo continuous notice performance corresponding to the pseudo 1 variable. Also, if the variable pattern command corresponds to a pseudo 2 variable, the performance control unit 210 executes a process for selecting a performance pattern of a pseudo continuous notice performance corresponding to the pseudo 2 variable. Furthermore, if the variable pattern command corresponds to a pseudo 3 variable, the performance control unit 210 executes a process for selecting a performance pattern of a pseudo continuous notice performance corresponding to the pseudo 3 variable. Note that these points are the same for misses and small wins.

If the lottery does not win, the following procedure is executed. That is, when the performance control unit 210 confirms in step S604 that the lottery has lost (Yes), it executes step S612.

Step S612: The performance control unit 210 executes a miss-time variable performance pattern selection process. In this process, the performance control unit 210 determines the miss-time performance pattern number based on the variable pattern command (for example, "A0H00H" to "A6H7FH") received from the main control CPU 72. The miss-time performance pattern numbers are classified into "miss normal variable", "time-saving miss variable", "miss reach variable", etc., and furthermore, "miss reach variable" has detailed reach variable patterns defined. Note that which performance pattern number the performance control unit 210 selects is determined by the variable pattern command sent from the main control CPU 72.

When the presentation pattern number for a miss is selected, the presentation control unit 210 refers to a presentation table (not shown) and determines the presentation pattern change schedule (change time, whether or not a reach occurs, and if a reach occurs, the type of reach and the timing of the reach occurrence) and the mode of the stop display (for example, "7"-"2"-"4", etc.) corresponding to the presentation pattern change at that time.

After executing any of the above steps S608, S610, and S612, the performance control unit 210 next executes step S614. In steps S608, S610, and S612, the performance control unit 210 also determines the variation pattern of the fourth symbol corresponding to a miss, a big win, or a small win.

Step S614: The performance control unit 210 executes a notice selection process (notice performance execution means). In this process, the performance control unit 210 selects by lottery the contents of the notice performance to be executed during the current variable display performance. The contents of the notice performance are determined, for example, based on the result of an internal lottery (win or no win) or the current internal state (normal state, high probability state, time-shortened state). Notice performances notify the player of the possibility of a reach state occurring during the variable display performance, or of the possibility of an eventual jackpot. Therefore, the selection ratio of notice performances is set low when no win occurs, but the selection ratio of notice performances is set relatively high when a win occurs in order to heighten the player's sense of expectation.

Step S616: The performance control unit 210 executes a mode performance management process. In this process, the performance control unit 210 executes a process of selecting a background image according to the stay mode. For example, when the stay mode is "normal mode (low probability non-time shortening state)", the performance control unit 210 executes a process of selecting a background image of a female character sitting on a bench. Also, when the stay mode is "fireworks rush (high probability time shortening state)", the performance control unit 210 executes a process of selecting a background image with a fireworks motif. Note that the background image of the fireworks rush can include the character selected in the character selection performance. Furthermore, when the stay mode is "beach mode (low probability time shortening state)", the performance control unit 210 executes a process of selecting a background image with a beach motif. Note that when the stay mode is "high probability non-time shortening state", the performance control unit 210 may select a background image corresponding to the normal mode, or may select a background image different from the normal mode.

After completing the above steps, the performance control unit 210 returns to the performance pattern management process (last address). As a result, in the subsequent performance pattern changing process (step S504 in FIG. 23), the changing display performance and the stop display performance are executed based on the actually selected changing performance pattern (performance execution means), and the preview performance is executed based on various preview performance patterns.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the advance notice selection process.
Step S910: The performance control unit 210 executes a process to check whether or not the conditions for executing the conversation preview performance are met.
The condition for executing the conversation preview performance can be a condition that is met when at least one of the following conditions (preferably all of the conditions) is met.
(1) A fluctuation pattern having a fluctuation time longer than a predetermined time is selected.
(2) Having won the lottery to execute the specified performance.

As a result, if it is confirmed that the conditions for executing the conversation preview performance are met (Yes), the performance control unit 210 executes step S911. On the other hand, if it is not confirmed that the conditions for executing the conversation preview performance are met (No), the performance control unit 210 executes step S912.

Step S911: The performance control unit 210 executes a conversation preview performance selection process. Specifically, the performance control unit 210 executes a process to determine the content of the lines and the color of the text in the conversation preview performance by lottery, and select a performance pattern for the determined content. For example, if it is determined that a conversation preview performance is to be executed in each pseudo-fluctuation of pseudo-3 fluctuations, it is determined that "chance in white letters" will be displayed in pseudo-fluctuation 1, "chance in red letters" will be displayed in pseudo-fluctuation 2, and "chance in gold letters" will be displayed in pseudo-fluctuation 3, etc.

Step S912: The performance control unit 210 executes a process for selecting other preview performances. Specifically, the performance control unit 210 executes a process for selecting a preview performance other than the conversation preview performance. Preview performances other than the conversation preview performance include, for example, a step-up performance, a power-off performance, a button performance, a group preview performance, a cut-in performance, and the like.
Upon completing the above processing, the performance control unit 210 returns to the performance pattern management processing (Figure 26).

[Processing when variable winning device is activated]
26 is a flow chart showing an example of the configuration of the variable prize device operation process. The variable prize device operation process includes a subroutine (program module) group of execution selection process (step S902), variable prize device operation pre-processing (step S904), variable prize device operation process (step S906), and variable prize device operation post-processing (step S908). Here, first, the basic flow of the variable prize device operation process will be described along with each process.

Step S902: In the execution selection process, the performance control unit 210 selects the jump destination of the next process to be executed (any of steps S904 to S908) from the "jump table." For example, the performance control unit 210 sets the program address of the next process to be executed as the jump destination address, and also sets the end of the variable prize-winning device operation process as the return address in the stack pointer.

Which process is selected as the next jump destination depends on the progress of the processes that have been performed so far. For example, if the variable winning device pre-operation processing has not yet started, the performance control unit 210 selects the variable winning device pre-operation processing (step S904) as the next jump destination. Also, if the variable winning device pre-operation processing has already been completed, the performance control unit 210 selects the variable winning device in-operation processing (step S906) as the next jump destination. Furthermore, if the variable winning device in-operation processing has been completed, the performance control unit 210 selects the variable winning device post-operation processing (step S908) as the next jump destination.

Step S904: In the variable winning device pre-operation process, the performance control unit 210 executes a process to select the content of the performance to be executed during a big win game or a small win game. The performance control unit 210 executes a process to select the performance during a big win, the content of which is shown in FIG. 12, for example.

Step S906: In the variable winning device operation process, the performance control unit 210 generates control information to instruct the display control unit 220 as necessary. For example, when performing a performance using the operation unit 60 during the execution of a big role performance (jackpot performance), the input control unit 228 detects whether or not the player has operated the operation unit 60, and instructs the display control unit 220 on control information regarding the performance content according to the result. In addition, in this variable winning device operation process, if a guaranteed variable area pass command is received during jackpot play, a process is executed to select a performance indicating that a V win has occurred, whereas if a guaranteed variable area pass command is not received during jackpot play, a process is executed to select a performance indicating that a V win has not occurred.

Step S908: In the variable winning device operation post-processing, the performance control unit 210 executes a performance to communicate the transition mode to the player during the end time of the variable winning device. For example, the performance control unit 210 executes a beach mode entry performance or a fireworks rush entry performance depending on the winning pattern and whether or not the probability variable area has been passed. Specifically, when the probability variable area passage command is received during a jackpot game, a process is executed to select a performance indicating that the game will enter the fireworks rush, and when the probability variable area passage command is not received during a jackpot game, a process is executed to select a performance indicating that the game will enter the beach mode.
When the above processing is completed, the performance control unit 210 returns to the performance pattern management processing (Figure 23).

FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure for a pseudo buffer message set process.
Step S915: The performance control unit 210 executes a process to obtain the operation buffer number from the message. When the performance control unit 210 determines (selects) the content of the performance (variable display performance, preview performance) by lottery, it generates a message corresponding to the content of the performance. In addition, the performance control unit 210 generates a message that must be sent, such as a pattern confirmation, for each variation, regardless of the result of the performance lottery. The message contains the operation buffer number, and by checking the number, it is possible to check the operation buffer in which the message should be stored.

Step S916: The performance control unit 210 executes a process to check whether the pseudo buffer is specified for all sets. Whether the pseudo buffer is specified for all sets can be checked based on the contents of the message (for example, whether the message includes specific information (300)).
As a result, if it is confirmed that the pseudo buffer is specified for all sets (Yes), the performance control unit 210 executes the process of step S917. On the other hand, if it is not confirmed that the pseudo buffer is specified for all sets (No), the performance control unit 210 executes the process of step S918.

Step S917: The performance control unit 210 checks the operation buffer number (by referencing the address) and executes the process of setting a message in all pseudo buffers (pseudo 1 buffer to pseudo 3 buffer). Note that all pseudo buffers include an operation buffer, but it is also possible not to include an operation buffer.

Step S918: The performance control unit 210 executes a process of setting the message only in a specific pseudo buffer by looking up the operation buffer number (referring to the address). As for which pseudo buffer the message is to be stored in, the message may have information for identifying the pseudo buffer, or the pseudo buffer may be identified by information other than the message.
If there are multiple messages, the processes in steps S940 to S943 are executed for each message.
When the above processing is completed, the performance control unit 210 returns to the caller.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure for a time management unit control process.
Step S920: The time management unit 230 executes a process to check whether or not it is the start of the pseudo 1 fluctuation. Whether or not it is the start of the pseudo 1 fluctuation can be checked based on the fluctuation pattern of the special symbol and the elapsed time from the start of the fluctuation of the special symbol.
As a result, if it is confirmed that it is the start time of the pseudo 1 fluctuation (Yes), the time management unit 230 executes the process of step S921. On the other hand, if it is not confirmed that it is the start time of the pseudo 1 fluctuation (No), the time management unit 230 executes the process of step S922.

Step S921: The time management unit 230 executes a process to copy the information of the pseudo 1 buffer to the operation buffer. In this case, the information of the pseudo 1 buffer is basically overwritten with the information of the operation buffer, but there are also buffers that do not overwrite, corresponding to effects related to the hold display, etc. This also applies to the pseudo 2 change and pseudo 3 change.

Step S922: The time management unit 230 executes a process to check whether or not the pseudo 1 fluctuation is occurring. Whether or not the pseudo 1 fluctuation is occurring can be checked based on the fluctuation pattern of the special symbol and the elapsed time from the start of the fluctuation of the special symbol.
As a result, if it is confirmed that the pseudo 1 fluctuation is occurring (Yes), the time management unit 230 executes the process of step S923. On the other hand, if it is not confirmed that the pseudo 1 fluctuation is occurring (No), the time management unit 230 executes the process of step S924.

Step S923: The time management unit 230 executes a process of sending messages stored in the operation buffer to each device according to the elapsed time from the start of the pseudo 1 variation.

For example, if the elapsed time is the first time, a process is executed to send a message stored in the buffer corresponding to the first time to each device; if the elapsed time is the second time, a process is executed to send a message stored in the buffer corresponding to the second time to each device; if the elapsed time is the third time, a process is executed to send a message stored in the buffer corresponding to the third time to each device; and if the elapsed time is the nth time, a process is executed to send a message stored in the buffer corresponding to the nth time to each device. Note that even if the elapsed time is the first time, if no message is stored in the buffer corresponding to the first time, no message is sent to each device. This is also true for the second time, the third time, and the nth time. The same control content is also true for the pseudo 2 fluctuation and the pseudo 3 fluctuation.

Step S924: The time management unit 230 executes a process to check whether or not it is the start time of the pseudo 2 fluctuation. Whether or not it is the start time of the pseudo 2 fluctuation can be checked by the fluctuation pattern of the special symbol and the elapsed time from the start time of the special symbol fluctuation.
As a result, if it is confirmed that it is the start time of the pseudo 2 fluctuation (Yes), the time management unit 230 executes the process of step S925. On the other hand, if it is not confirmed that it is the start time of the pseudo 2 fluctuation (No), the time management unit 230 executes the process of step S926.

Step S925: The time management unit 230 executes a process to copy the information of the pseudo 2 buffer to the operation buffer.

Step S926: The time management unit 230 executes a process to check whether or not the pseudo 2-phase change is occurring. Whether or not the pseudo 2-phase change is occurring can be checked based on the change pattern of the special symbol and the elapsed time from the start of the change of the special symbol.
As a result, if it is confirmed that the pseudo 2-phase change is occurring (Yes), the time management unit 230 executes the process of step S927. On the other hand, if it is not confirmed that the pseudo 2-phase change is occurring (No), the time management unit 230 executes the process of step S928.

Step S927: The time management unit 230 executes a process of sending messages stored in the operation buffer to each device according to the elapsed time from the start of the pseudo-2 fluctuation.

Step S928: The time management unit 230 executes a process to check whether or not it is the start time of the pseudo 3-way fluctuation. Whether or not it is the start time of the pseudo 3-way fluctuation can be checked by the fluctuation pattern of the special symbol and the elapsed time from the start time of the special symbol fluctuation.
As a result, if it is confirmed that it is the start time of the pseudo 3-phase change (Yes), the time management unit 230 executes the process of step S929. On the other hand, if it is not confirmed that it is the start time of the pseudo 3-phase change (No), the time management unit 230 executes the process of step S930.

Step S929: The time management unit 230 executes a process to copy the information of the pseudo 3 buffer to the operation buffer.

Step S930: The time management unit 230 executes a process to check whether or not the pseudo 3-step change is occurring. Whether or not the pseudo 3-step change is occurring can be checked based on the change pattern of the special symbol and the elapsed time from the start of the change of the special symbol.
As a result, if it is confirmed that the pseudo 3-phase change is occurring (Yes), the time management unit 230 executes the process of step S931. On the other hand, if it is not confirmed that the pseudo 3-phase change is occurring (No), the time management unit 230 returns to the caller.

Step S931: The time management unit 230 executes a process of transmitting messages stored in the operation buffer to each device according to the elapsed time from the start of the pseudo 3-phase change.
After completing the above processing, the time management unit 230 returns to the source of the call.

Figure 29 is a diagram explaining the flow of commands stored in the operation buffer. In this diagram, only the blocks involved in the transfer of commands within the performance control device 124 are illustrated. Below, the flow of commands is explained in chronological order.

First, the performance control unit 210 (1) executes a performance lottery before the special symbol starts to change, and depending on the result, etc., (2) stores a message corresponding to the performance to be executed in a specified area of the pseudo buffer 250. Here, the message is composed of 8 bytes. Note that the size of the message is not limited to 8 bytes. Also, the message corresponding to the "conversation advance notice performance (chance of white letters)" is "0x00000000200A0001". For example, if the current change pattern corresponds to pseudo 1 change and the performance control unit 210 selects the performance to execute the "conversation advance notice performance (chance of white letters)" with pseudo 1 change, "0x00000000200A0001" is stored in a specified area (e.g., "area 11") of the pseudo buffer 250 (e.g., pseudo 1 buffer).

A simple miss fluctuation without a pseudo consecutive preview performance will be a pseudo 1 fluctuation. Also, if a reach performance is executed with a pseudo 3 fluctuation, the message corresponding to the reach performance will be stored in the area corresponding to the pseudo 3 fluctuation, and no message corresponding to the reach performance will be stored in the areas corresponding to the pseudo 1 fluctuation and pseudo 2 fluctuation.

In addition, at the start of each pseudo fluctuation (pseudo 1 fluctuation, pseudo 2 fluctuation, pseudo 3 fluctuation) (just before the start of the fluctuation), the contents of the pseudo buffer 250 are copied to the operation buffer 240. Specifically, at the start of the pseudo 1 fluctuation, the contents of the pseudo 1 buffer are copied to the operation buffer 240, at the start of the pseudo 2 fluctuation, the contents of the pseudo 2 buffer are copied to the operation buffer 240, and at the start of the pseudo 3 fluctuation, the contents of the pseudo 3 buffer are copied to the operation buffer 240. As a result, "0x00000000200A0001" is stored in a predetermined area (for example, "area 11") of the operation buffer 240. Then, the time management unit 230 (ACT) transmits the message stored in the operation buffer 240 (4) to each individual control unit (display control unit 220, audio control unit 222, lamp control unit 224, movable body control unit 226) at a predetermined timing (timing of executing the conversation preview performance). This causes the message "0x00000000200A0001" corresponding to the "Conversation Preview (Chance in White Text)" to be sent to each individual control unit.

Each individual control unit is provided with a message receiving unit, and messages sent from the time management unit 230 are received by the respective message receiving units. In this embodiment, each individual control unit is configured to check the message receiving unit each time a timer interrupt occurs. Each individual control unit checks the message receiving unit, and if a message has been received, (5) each individual control unit refers to the message it received. Then, (6) based on the contents of the message, it issues specific instructions to the directing device and controls the operation of the directing device.

More specifically, the display control unit 220 issues specific instructions to the VDP 152 to control the screen display of the liquid crystal display 42, the audio control unit 222 issues specific instructions to the audio IC 134 to control the audio output from the speakers 54, 55, and 56, the lamp control unit 224 issues specific instructions to the LED driver 198 to control the illumination of the various lamps 46-52 and the panel lamp 53, and the movable body control unit 226 issues specific instructions to the SMC 199 to control the operation of the movable body 40f. In this way, the message "0x00000000200A0001" flows from upstream to downstream inside the performance control device 124, and a "conversational advance notice performance (chance of white letters)" performance is constructed in the pseudo-1 variation, and the performance operation of the "conversational advance notice performance (chance of white letters)" is executed by the performance device (liquid crystal display, speaker, lamp, movable body).

The confirmation of the message receiving unit by each individual control unit may be performed in a different manner, rather than each time a timer interrupt occurs. For example, a signal indicating that a message is received by the message receiving unit may be input, and this signal input may be used as a trigger for each individual control unit to confirm the message receiving unit. Furthermore, in the above step (4), the time management unit 230 may read a control table corresponding to the contents of the message from the performance ROM 180 and activate it. When the control table is activated by the time management unit 230, each individual control unit will analyze the performance operation defined in the activated control table in the above step (5), and then provide specific instructions to the performance device in the above step (6).

Also, depending on the content of the message, not all of the performance devices may necessarily execute the performance action corresponding to that message. For example, when each individual control unit receives a message related to a lamp, at least the LCD display 42 is not involved in the lamp, and therefore at least the LCD display 42 does not have a performance action for this message. Therefore, the display control unit 220 does not control the screen display of the LCD display 42 based on this command.

FIG. 30 is a diagram showing an image of the operation buffer.
The operation buffer is a buffer formed in the RAM 130, and its index (address) is an area ranging from "0" to "OPEBUF_MAX."
In the "OPEBUF_200A_00" with "index", a message regarding the "200A00" performance is stored. The "200A00" performance is, for example, a conversation preview performance in which chance text information is displayed. In the performance lottery, when a conversation preview performance in which white chance text information is displayed is selected, "0x00000000200A0001" is stored in "OPEBUF_200A_00", when a conversation preview performance in which red chance text information is displayed is selected, "0x00000000200A0002" is stored in "OPEBUF_200A_00", and when a conversation preview performance in which gold chance text information is displayed is selected, "0x00000000200A0003" is stored in "OPEBUF_200A_00". The difference in color is expressed by the last two digits.

In the "OPEBUF_200B_00" "index", a message regarding the "200B00" effect is stored. The "200B00" effect is, for example, a cut-in preview effect. In the performance lottery, if the first cut-in preview performance is selected, "OPEBUF_200B_00" stores "0x00000000200B0001", if the second cut-in preview performance is selected, "OPEBUF_200B_00" stores "0x00000000200B0002", if the third cut-in preview performance is selected, "OPEBUF_200B_00" stores "0x00000000200B0003", and if the fourth cut-in preview performance is selected, "OPEBUF_200B_00" stores "0x00000000200B0004". The type of cut-in preview performance is expressed by the last two digits.

In the "OPEBUF_200C_00" field, a message about the "200C00" effect is stored. The "200C00" effect is, for example, a step-up preview effect. In the performance lottery, if a step-up preview performance of step 1 is selected, "OPEBUF_200C_00" stores "0x00000000200C0001", if a step-up preview performance of step 2 is selected, "0x00000000200C0002" is stored in "OPEBUF_200C_00", if a step-up preview performance of step 3 is selected, "0x00000000200C0003" is stored in "OPEBUF_200C_00", if a step-up preview performance of step 4 is selected, "0x00000000200C0004" is stored in "OPEBUF_200C_00", and if a step-up preview performance of step 5 is selected, "0x00000000200C0005" is stored in "OPEBUF_200C_00". The step-up level is expressed by the last two digits.

In this way, the operation buffer has buffers for storing messages equal to the number of bold characters in the diagram. When setting a message in an operation buffer, there is a mechanism for setting the message in an operation buffer appropriate for that message. For example, the message "0x00000000200A0001" is set to "OPEBUF_200A_00" based on the information "200A00".

FIG. 31 shows an image of setting a message in a specific pseudo buffer.
The pseudo buffer includes a pseudo 1 buffer for pseudo 1, a pseudo 2 buffer for pseudo 2, and a pseudo 3 buffer for pseudo 3. The operation buffer, the pseudo 1 buffer, the pseudo 2 buffer, and the pseudo 3 buffer are storage areas of the same size (capacity). Therefore, the contents of the pseudo 1 buffer can be copied directly to the operation buffer (the same applies to pseudo 2 and 3).

Here, in the performance lottery, it is assumed that a conversation preview performance in which white text information of chance is displayed is selected with a change of pseudo 2.
In this case, a message "0x00000000200A0001" corresponding to the conversation preview performance in which white chance text information is displayed is generated, and "0x00000000200A0001" is stored in OPEBUF_200A_00 of the pseudo 2 buffer.

FIG. 32 shows an image of setting a message in all pseudo buffers.
Here, in the performance lottery, it is assumed that a message corresponding to the pattern confirmation (performance that stops the performance pattern) is selected in the pseudo 1 change, pseudo 2 change, or pseudo 3 change.
In this case, a message "0x00000000300A0001" corresponding to the pattern determination is generated, and "0x00000000300A0001" is stored in the OPEBUF_300A00 of the operation buffer, pseudo 1 buffer, pseudo 2 buffer, and pseudo 3 buffer. The message may be stored in a buffer other than the operation buffer. The message may also be stored in at least two of the operation buffer, pseudo 1 buffer, pseudo 2 buffer, and pseudo 3 buffer. The area corresponding to the address of OPEBUF_300A00 is a special area. Specifically, the area corresponding to the address of OPEBUF_300A00 in the operation buffer is a special area, the area corresponding to the address of OPEBUF_300A00 in the pseudo 1 buffer is a special area, the area corresponding to the address of OPEBUF_300A00 in the pseudo 2 buffer is a special area, and the area corresponding to the address of OPEBUF_300A00 in the pseudo 3 buffer is a special area. The size and number of special areas are arbitrary.

The gaming machine of this embodiment has the following configuration.
(1) It is equipped with a performance control means (performance control device) capable of executing performances (changing display performances, preview performances, etc.) while the patterns (special patterns) are changing.
(2) The performance control means is capable of executing a pseudo-continuous preview performance in which, during one pattern change, a performance pattern corresponding to the pattern is changed in a pseudo manner once or multiple times.

(3) When a first condition is satisfied (when a message for a performance is generated), the performance control means is capable of storing first information (a message for a performance) in an area (e.g., pseudo 2 buffer) corresponding to the number of pseudo-number of pseudo-continuous preview performances (see FIG. 31), and when a second condition different from the first condition is satisfied (when a message that must be sent, such as pattern confirmation, is generated), the performance control means is capable of storing second information different from the first information (a message that must be sent, such as pattern confirmation, etc.) in a predetermined area (e.g., operation buffer, pseudo 1 buffer, pseudo 2 buffer, pseudo 3 buffer) regardless of the number of pseudo-number of pseudo-continuous preview performances (see FIG. 32).
(4) The performance control means is capable of executing a performance using at least one of the first information and the second information. The performance control means may execute a performance using only the first information, may execute a performance using only the second information, or may execute a performance using both the first information and the second information.

With this configuration, even if one of the first and second information is lost due to some kind of trouble, the other information can be used to make up for the loss, thereby improving the quality of the gaming machine and, as a result, providing an innovative gaming machine.

This embodiment has the following features.
(1) When determining the content of the pseudo-continuous preview performance, the performance control means is capable of storing information (messages) in different areas (pseudo 1 buffer, pseudo 2 buffer, pseudo 3 buffer) for each pseudo variation.
(2) Each of the different areas includes a special area (for example, an area corresponding to the address of OPEBUF_300A00).
(3) When the second condition is satisfied (when a message that must be sent, such as confirmation of the pattern, is generated), the performance control means is capable of storing second information (a message that must be sent, such as confirmation of the pattern, etc.) in the special areas of all different areas (pseudo 1 buffer, pseudo 2 buffer, pseudo 3 buffer).

With this configuration, if the second condition is met, the second information can be stored in the special areas of all different areas (pseudo buffer 1, pseudo buffer 2, pseudo buffer 3), eliminating the need to determine in which area the information should be stored, simplifying the process and, as a result, providing an innovative gaming machine.

[Example Problem]
The aim is to simplify processing of gaming machines and improve their quality.

[Example Specific Configuration]
The gaming machine of this embodiment is equipped with buffers (pseudo 1 buffer, pseudo 2 buffer, pseudo 3 buffer) for storing messages for each pseudo series.
When the time arrives for the pseudo consecutive hits (pseudo consecutive preview performance) to start, the time management unit (ACT, schedule management unit) transfers messages from the pseudo buffer corresponding to the number of pseudo consecutive hits at that time to an operation buffer, and transmits the messages set in the operation buffer at the specified timing (the timing for executing each performance).

Normally, it is necessary to specify each pseudo buffer and set a message, but for messages that you definitely want to send, such as confirming the pattern (a performance that stops the performance pattern) or resetting the screen (a performance that clears at least a part of the displayed image), you can add a process to set the message in all pseudo buffers, and set the message without considering the number of times each change is simulated.

When setting a pattern confirmation message for all of the pseudo 1 buffer, pseudo 2 buffer, and pseudo 3 buffer, the pattern confirmation message is set at the end of the pseudo 1 buffer (the area corresponding to the last effect to be executed), the end of the pseudo 2 buffer, and the end of the pseudo 3 buffer. Therefore, if the gaming machine is operating normally, it will transition to pseudo 2 variation before reaching the end of the pseudo 1 buffer, and transition to pseudo 3 variation before reaching the end of the pseudo 2 buffer, so a pattern confirmation message for the pseudo 1 buffer and a pattern confirmation message for the pseudo 2 buffer will not be sent. However, if for some reason it does not transition to pseudo 2 variation or pseudo 3 variation, a pattern confirmation message for the pseudo 1 buffer or a pattern confirmation message for the pseudo 2 buffer can be used to execute an effect that confirms the effect pattern, and the problem of the effect pattern not stopping indefinitely can be avoided.

When setting a screen reset message in all of the pseudo 1 buffer, pseudo 2 buffer, and pseudo 3 buffer, the screen reset message is set at the beginning of the pseudo 1 buffer (the area corresponding to the first effect to be executed), the beginning of the pseudo 2 buffer, and the beginning of the pseudo 3 buffer. Therefore, if the gaming machine is operating normally, a screen reset is executed at the beginning of the pseudo 1 variation, a screen reset is executed at the beginning of the pseudo 2 variation, and a screen reset is executed at the beginning of the pseudo 3 variation. However, if for some reason the screen reset is not executed at the beginning of the pseudo 2 variation, it is possible to execute an effect that resets the screen at the beginning of the pseudo 3 variation, and it is possible to avoid the problem of the screen reset never being executed.

[Exemplary Effects]
Even if the pseudo consecutive count cannot be obtained normally, a situation can be created in which a message is always set in the pseudo buffer, so that a minimum level of operation can be guaranteed. Also, since a message can be set without depending on the pseudo count, processing can be simplified.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and can be implemented in various modified forms. The presentation aspects and various numerical values described in the embodiment are merely examples, and are not limited to the above.

In the above embodiment, the present invention has been described as being applied to a gaming machine with a probability variable area, but the present invention may also be applied to gaming machines that do not have a probability variable area. The present invention may also be applied to so-called simultaneous spinning machines.

The images given as examples of other effects are merely examples and can be modified as appropriate. In addition, the structure of the pachinko machine 1, the board configuration, specific numerical values, etc., including those shown in the drawings, are preferred examples and can be modified as appropriate.

[Slot machines (slot machines, slot machines, pachislot machines)]
In the above-described embodiment, an example of applying the present invention to a pachinko machine that uses gaming balls has been described, but the present invention may also be applied to a slot machine in which the amount of bet is set using medals and credits as gaming value, the reels are spun by operating a start lever, the spinning reels are stopped by operating a stop button, and a prize can be won depending on the type of pattern or combination of patterns when the reels stop.

A slot machine is a gaming machine (e.g., a slot machine) that has a variable display section (e.g., a reel) that can variably display multiple types of identifiable identification information (e.g., patterns), and after the variable display section is variably displayed, the display result is derived by stopping the variable display section, and a prize can be awarded according to the display result.

A slot machine is a gaming machine that has a lever-shaped start switch, a button-shaped stop switch, and multiple reels that start spinning when the start switch is operated and stop spinning when the player operates the stop switch. When a sufficient number of medals or game balls as gaming media have been inserted to start playing, a lottery is held to determine whether a specific winning combination will be won based on the operation of the start switch, and the multiple reels are rotated. Based on the operation of the stop switch, the rotating reel that corresponds to the operated stop switch is stopped. Based on the combination of patterns displayed on the pay line connecting the predetermined pattern positions of each of the stopped reels, a winning combination lottery is held to determine whether the winning combination has been won, and based on the result of the winning combination decision, the machine awards the player with a bonus such as gaming media, replay, bonuses, or a bonus continuous operation device.

1 Pachinko machine 8 Game board unit 8a Game area 16 Handle unit 20 Start gate 28 Variable start winning device 33 Normal symbol display device 33a Normal symbol operation memory lamp 34 First special symbol display device 35 Second special symbol display device 34a First special symbol operation memory lamp 35a Second special symbol operation memory lamp 38 Game status display device 42 Liquid crystal display 70 Main control device 72 Main control CPU
76 RAM
124 Production control device 126 Production control CPU
130 RAM
210 Production control unit

Claims (2)

In a gaming machine having a performance control means capable of executing a performance during the variation of a pattern,
The performance control means includes:
During one variation of the pattern, a pseudo-continuous notice performance can be executed in which a performance pattern corresponding to the pattern is pseudo-varied once or multiple times;
When first information for executing a performance during each pseudo variation of the pseudo-sequential preview performance is generated , the first information can be stored in an area corresponding to the number of pseudo variations of the pseudo-sequential preview performance, and when second information for executing a performance at the end of each pseudo variation of the pseudo-sequential preview performance is generated , the second information can be stored in a predetermined area regardless of the number of pseudo variations of the pseudo-sequential preview performance,
A gaming machine capable of executing a presentation using at least one of the first information and the second information. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1,
The performance control means includes:
When determining the content of the pseudo-continuous notice performance, information can be stored in different areas for each pseudo-variation,
Each of the different regions is
Each contains a special area,
The performance control means includes:
A gaming machine characterized in that, when the second information is generated , the second information can be stored in the special areas of all of the different areas.

Images