JP7503326B2 - Gaming Machines - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a gaming machine that determines whether or not to execute a special game and executes a presentation based on the result of that determination.

In conventional gaming machines, when a gaming ball enters a starting hole and it is determined whether or not a special game will be executed, the special symbol is displayed variably on the special symbol display device, and then a special symbol is displayed stationary in a manner that indicates the result of the determination. In the gaming machine described in Patent Document 1, a decorative symbol is displayed variably on a specified image display device as the display of the special symbol begins to variably, and as the special symbol is displayed stationary, the decorative symbol is displayed stationary in a manner that indicates the result of the determination.

JP 2014-183903 A

However, in conventional gaming machines, players can continue playing without replay regardless of the gaming value given to them. For this reason, there is room for improvement in preventing excessive playing in conventional gaming machines.

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that can prevent excessive playing.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention employs the following configuration.
The gaming machine according to the present invention comprises first pattern control means for variably displaying a first pattern on a display means based on the entry of a gaming ball into a starting area, special game control means for executing an advantageous special game when the display result of the first pattern becomes a specific result, second pattern control means for variably displaying a second pattern based on the passing of the gaming ball through a passing area, winning device control means for controlling between an easy winning state in which it is easy for the gaming ball to enter the starting area and a difficult winning state in which it is difficult for the gaming ball to enter the starting area, and a winning function control means for controlling a winning function in response to the establishment of a predetermined condition. A gaming machine including a game stop state control means capable of controlling a game stop state where a game is stopped , and a prior information control means for controlling prior information to a notification state where the game is displayed on the display means, or a non-notification state where the game is not displayed on the display means, wherein the predetermined condition is that a calculated information value calculated using a game value acquired by playing reaches a threshold value, and the calculated information value has possible values including the threshold value, a prior notification value which the calculated information value reaches before reaching the threshold value, and a non-notification value which the calculated information value reaches before reaching the prior notification value, wherein the prior information control means, when the calculated information value reaches the prior notification value, sets the prior information to a notification state in preference to the first symbol on the display means, and after the prior information has entered the notification state, is capable of controlling the prior information to continue to be in the notification state until the calculated information value reaches the threshold value, and sets the prior information to a non-notification state when the calculated information value becomes the non-notification value after the prior information has entered the notification state, and operates a variable winning device when the display result of the second symbol becomes a predetermined result. The starting area can be controlled to an easy-to-win state in which a game ball is likely to enter the starting area, and when the specified condition is met during the varying display of the first pattern, the first pattern is controlled to a non-display state, and when the specified condition is met during the varying display of the second pattern, the second pattern is controlled to a non-display state, and when the specified condition is met during the execution of a special game that is advantageous to a player, the game is controlled to a stopped state after the special game ends, and when the specified condition is met while the easy-to-win state is controlled, the state is controlled to a difficult-to-win state from the easy-to-win state.

This invention makes it possible to prevent excessive play.

Schematic front view of the gaming machine 1 FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a performance button 26. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the display 4 in FIG. A block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control device provided in the gaming machine 1. A block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a main RAM 100c and various information stored in the main RAM 100c. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a result of a special pattern determination. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining information displayed on a performance display device 113. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a setting change mode, a setting confirmation mode, and a RAM clear mode. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an overview of the stop control in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a state in which the limit control is performed during the operation of the electric tulip 17. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the relationship between the stop control and the presence or absence of a payout operation in response to a game ball entering a predetermined winning hole. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining calculation and display of a base value when the value of the difference counter reaches 95,000; FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation advance notice display SY1. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a modified example of the display mode of the operation advance notice display; FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a reach indication TH. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a stop display. An explanatory diagram for explaining how to handle various reserves when stop control is performed during the variable display of special patterns. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining how to handle various reserves when a stop control is performed during a big win game. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining various errors in the present embodiment. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a case where the operation notice display or arrival display and the radio wave error display overlap. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a case where the operation notice display or the arrival display overlaps with the illegal winning error A display. An explanatory diagram for explaining a case where the operation notice display, the arrival display, or the end display overlaps with the illegal winning error C display. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a case where the operation notice display or the arrival display and the magnet error display overlap. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a case where the operation notice display, the arrival display, or the end display overlaps with the payout error A display. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a case where an operation notice display, an arrival display, or a shot limit display overlaps with a ball jam error display. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a case where an operation advance notice display, an arrival display, or a limit display overlaps with an abnormal operation error display of a movable body. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a case where an operation notice display, an arrival display, or a limit display overlaps with a connection error display. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a case where an operation notice display, an arrival display, or a stop display overlaps with a door opening error display. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a case where the operation notice display, the arrival display, or the limit display overlaps with the lower tray full error display. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the timing of displaying the operation notice display, the arrival display, and the end display, and the timing of occurrence of various errors. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the state when the gaming machine 1 is turned from the power OFF state to the power ON state while the operation notice display and various error displays are being displayed. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the state when the gaming machine 1 is turned from the power OFF state to the power ON state while the reach display and various error displays are being displayed. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the state when the gaming machine 1 is turned from the power OFF state to the power ON state while the stop display and various error displays are displayed. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the timing of displaying the operation notice display, the arrival display, and the end display, and the timing of occurrence of two types of errors. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the state when the gaming machine 1 is turned from the power OFF state to the power ON state while the operation notice display and various error displays are being displayed. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the state when the gaming machine 1 is turned from the power OFF state to the power ON state while the reach display and various error displays are being displayed. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the state when the gaming machine 1 is turned from the power OFF state to the power ON state while the stop display and various error displays are being displayed. A flowchart showing an example of a main process executed in the game control board 100. A flowchart showing an example of a timer interrupt process executed in the game control board 100. Detailed flow chart of the switch process in step S2A of FIG. 39. Detailed flow chart of the first start port switch processing in step S21 of FIG. Detailed flow chart of the second start port switch processing in step S22 of FIG. Detailed flow chart of the gate switch process in step S23 of FIG. Detailed flow chart of special symbol processing in step S3A of FIG. Detailed flow chart of normal symbol processing in step S4A of FIG. Detailed flowchart of the big win determination process in step S309 of FIG. Detailed flowchart of the fluctuation pattern determination process in step S310 of FIG. Detailed flow chart of the small prize opening control process in step S5A of FIG. Detailed flow chart of the big prize opening control process in step S6A of FIG. A flowchart showing an example of a timer interrupt process executed in the performance control board 130. Detailed flow chart of the command receiving process in step S10 of FIG. 50 An explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a presentation when any one of the jackpot patterns A to C is stopped and displayed as the first jackpot during the display of the operation notice display. FIG. 52 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of the performance following FIG. 52 when the big win A is displayed as the first win during the display of the operation notice display. An explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a presentation when any one of the jackpot patterns A to C is displayed as a first jackpot while the operation notice display is being displayed, and an arrival display is displayed during the jackpot game. An explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a performance when a small win without time reduction is stopped and displayed as the fifth consecutive win during the display of the operation notice display. An explanatory diagram for explaining a modified example of the presentation when a small win without time reduction is stopped and displayed as the fifth consecutive win during the display of the operation notice display.

Below, we will explain the gaming machine 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, with appropriate reference to the drawings.

[Example of schematic configuration of gaming machine 1]
First, the outline of the gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 5. Fig. 1 is a schematic front view of the gaming machine 1. As illustrated in Fig. 1, the gaming machine 1 includes a gaming board 2 on which a role-playing device related to winning (i.e., ball entry) and judgment is provided, and a frame member 3 for supporting and fixing the gaming board 2. The frame member 3 supports a transparent glass plate arranged in parallel with the gaming board 2 at a predetermined interval, and the glass plate and the gaming board 2 form a gaming area 10 in which the gaming balls can flow down. In the gaming machine 1, an inner frame (not shown) is attached so as to be openable and closable to an outer frame (not shown) attached to an island structure of an amusement store, and the frame member 3 is attached so as to be openable and closable to the inner frame. The frame member 3 is connected to the outer frame at one end side in the left-right direction (for example, the left side) via a hinge mechanism (not shown), and can be rotated in a direction in which the other end side in the left-right direction (for example, the right side) is released from the outer frame with the hinge mechanism as a fulcrum. The inner part of the outer frame including the game board 2 can be opened by rotating the frame member 3 like a door around a hinge mechanism (not shown) as a fulcrum. A locking mechanism (not shown) is provided on the other end of the frame member 3 for fixing the other end of the frame member 3 to the outer frame. Fixation by the locking mechanism can be released with a dedicated key. The frame member 3 is provided with a door open detection sensor 59a for detecting whether the frame member 3 is released from the outer frame (FIG. 4). When the door open detection sensor 59a is turned ON, the game machine 1 determines that the frame member 3 is released from the outer frame and outputs a door open error.

When the player grips the handle 20 and rotates the lever 21 clockwise, the game balls stored in the upper tray 28 are guided to the launching device 96 and launched into the game area 10 with a force that corresponds to the rotation angle of the handle 20. An inner rail and an outer rail facing the inner rail are arranged at the left end of the game area 10, and a passage for the game balls is formed between the inner rail and the outer rail. The passage guides the game balls launched by the launching device to the top of the game area 10, allowing the game balls to flow down from the top of the game area 10. The game area 10 is provided with game nails, windmills, etc. (not shown), and the launched game balls fall along the game board 2 while changing their direction of movement by coming into contact with the game nails, windmills, etc. Note that the launch of the game balls can be temporarily stopped by the player operating the stop button 22.

The upper tray 28 stores the game balls and prize balls to be supplied to the launching device. Below this upper tray 28, a lower tray 29 is provided for storing prize balls. When a player operates the ejection button 23 located adjacent to the lower tray 29, a part of the underside of the lower tray 29 is opened, and the game balls stored in the lower tray 29 fall below the lower tray 29. A lower tray full detection sensor 60a that is capable of detecting game balls is provided near the outlet through which the game balls are discharged to the lower tray 29 (Figure 4). The lower tray full detection sensor 60a is a sensor that can detect when the lower tray 29 is full of game balls. When the lower tray full detection sensor 60a is turned ON, the gaming machine 1 determines that the lower tray 29 is full, and outputs a lower tray full error.

When a player performs a so-called "left hit" by rotating the handle 20 at a small rotation angle, the game ball is hit with a relatively weaker force. In this case, the game ball flows down the left side of the game area 10 as shown by arrow 31. On the other hand, when a player performs a so-called "right hit" by rotating the handle 20 at a large rotation angle, the game ball is hit with a relatively stronger force. In this case, the game ball flows down the right side of the game area 10 as shown by arrow 32.

In the path of a game ball hit from the left, a first start hole 11 and three general winning holes 14 are provided as devices related to winning and judgment. In addition, in the path of a game ball hit from the right, a second start hole 12, a large winning hole 13, a general winning hole 14, a gate 16, an electric tulip 17, and a small winning hole 19 are provided as devices related to winning and judgment. When a player hits from the left, the game ball will not basically win in the second start hole 12, and when a player hits from the right, the game ball will not basically win in the first start hole 11. In the following explanation, the first start hole 11 and the second start hole 12 are collectively referred to as "start holes".

When a game ball enters (wins) any of the first start hole 11, the second start hole 12, the big prize hole 13, the general prize hole 14, and the small prize hole 19 while flowing down the game board 2, the player is awarded a game value according to the place where the ball entered. In the game machine 1 of this embodiment, the game ball (hereinafter referred to as "prize ball") is paid out to the upper tray 28 or the lower tray 29 to award the game value, but the award of the game value is not limited to the form of paying out game balls as long as it adds a game value that can be used in the game. For example, the game value may be awarded by adding a game value to a prepaid card inserted into a card unit (not shown) installed in one-to-one correspondence with the game machine 1. Game balls that do not enter any of the above winning holes are discharged from the game area 10 through the discharge port 18.

In the gaming machine 1, when a gaming ball passes through the first start port 11 and wins, or when a gaming ball passes through the second start port 12 and wins, it is determined whether or not to execute a jackpot game (special game) that is advantageous to the player. In a jackpot game, a gaming ball can easily win a prize in the big prize port 13, so the player can obtain a large number of gaming balls according to the prize of the gaming ball in the big prize port 13.

In the following description, the judgment executed on the condition that the game ball enters the first starting hole 11 is called the "first special symbol judgment", and the judgment executed on the condition that the game ball enters the second starting hole 12 is called the "second special symbol judgment". In addition, these judgments are collectively called "special symbol judgment". When the first special symbol judgment is performed, the first special symbol is displayed variably on the first special symbol display 41 (see FIG. 3), and then the first special symbol indicating the judgment result is displayed stationary. When the second special symbol judgment is performed, the second special symbol is displayed variably on the second special symbol display 42 (see FIG. 3), and then the second special symbol indicating the judgment result is displayed stationary. The jackpot game executed on the condition of the second special symbol judgment has more prize balls than the jackpot game executed on the condition of the first special symbol judgment. In addition, the second special symbol judgment is more likely to result in a jackpot game than the first special symbol judgment. This makes it possible to increase the player's desire to have the game ball land in the second starting hole 12 rather than the first starting hole 11.

The first starting hole 11 is a starting hole that is always open. The second starting hole 12 is a starting hole that is only open when an electric tulip 17, which is a normal electric device, is operating. The electric tulip 17 is disposed close to the second starting hole 12 and has a pair of blade members. This electric tulip 17 is configured to be able to change its position between a closed position (see the solid line in FIG. 1) in which the pair of blade members closes the second starting hole 12, and an open position (see the dashed line in FIG. 1) in which the second starting hole 12 is opened. When the electric tulip 17 is in the open position, it gathers game balls hit to the right toward the second starting hole 12.

The second starting hole 12 is usually blocked by the electric tulip 17 in a closed position. When the game ball passes through the gate 16, a prize ball is not paid out, but it is determined whether or not to open the second starting hole 12. In the following description, the determination of whether or not to open the second starting hole 12 is called "normal pattern determination". When the normal pattern determination is performed, the normal pattern is displayed variably on the normal pattern display 45 (see FIG. 3), and then the normal pattern indicating the determination result of the normal pattern determination is displayed stationary. The normal patterns indicating the determination result of the normal pattern determination include a winning pattern indicating that the second starting hole 12 is to be opened, and a losing pattern indicating that the second starting hole 12 is not to be opened. The winning patterns include a short opening pattern and a long opening pattern. The short opening pattern is a pattern in which the total opening time of the electric tulip 17 is short and basically the game ball cannot enter the second starting hole 12 (for example, the total opening time is 0.2 seconds). The long-open symbol is a symbol that allows the total open time of the electric tulip to be long, and as long as the player hits to the right, it is easy for the game ball to enter the second starting hole 12 (for example, a total open time of 5 seconds). When any winning symbol is displayed, the pair of wing members of the electric tulip 17 maintains the open position for a specified time and then returns to the closed position a specified number of times in a manner that is predetermined according to the type of normal symbol. When a losing symbol is displayed, the electric tulip 17 does not open, but remains in the closed position, so the game ball cannot enter the second starting hole 12.

The probability of determining that the second start hole 12 is opened in the normal pattern determination is either in a time-saving state (e.g., 1/1) or in a non-time-saving state (e.g., 1/65536) with a lower probability than in the time-saving state. The opening time of the second start hole 12 (i.e., the time during which the electric tulip 17 is controlled to the open position) is relatively longer in the time-saving state than in the non-time-saving state. Specifically, in the time-saving state, the long opening pattern is displayed as a stop while the short opening pattern is not displayed as a stop. Also, in the non-time-saving state, the short opening pattern is displayed as a stop while the long opening pattern is not displayed as a stop. In the non-time-saving state, in order to provide a game that encourages the player to aim at the first start hole 11 with the aim of transitioning to a time-saving state in which the game ball is more likely to enter the second start hole 12, the second start hole 12 is basically configured in advance to be unable to enter the game ball. However, if there are fewer opportunities for the game ball to win when controlled to the non-time-saving state than when controlled to the time-saving state, the game ball may win in the second start hole 12 when controlled to the non-time-saving state. In other words, the non-time-saving state may include a state in which the game ball cannot win or has difficulty winning in the second start hole 12.

The change time of the normal pattern is relatively longer in the non-time-saving state than in the time-saving state. For example, the change time of the normal pattern in the time-saving state is 0.5 seconds, and in the non-time-saving state is 60 seconds. Note that the change time of the normal pattern may be the same regardless of whether the state is the time-saving state or not (for example, 1 second).

[Example of configuration of presentation means of gaming machine 1]
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the gaming machine 1 is provided with a liquid crystal display device 5, a performance device 7, a speaker 24, a board lighting device 74, a performance button 26, and a frame lighting device 10 to provide various performances.

The display screen (hereinafter referred to as "LCD screen 5") of the LCD device 5 (which may be an EL display device, etc.) is an image display device that displays various performance images. The LCD device 5 is provided on the rear side (i.e., the rear side) of the gaming machine 1 relative to the gaming board 2, and can be viewed through an opening formed in the gaming board 2. As shown in FIG. 1, the LCD screen 5 is provided in a position that is easily visible to the player. The LCD screen 5 displays decorative patterns 55, small patterns 56, fourth patterns 57 and 59, CG or animated characters, etc.

The decorative pattern 55, small pattern 56, and fourth patterns 57 and 59 are images that are displayed in a variable manner in synchronization with the variable display of the special pattern. The decorative pattern 55 is a pattern that represents any of the numbers 1 to 9. As the variable display of the special pattern begins, the three decorative patterns 55 (and the three small patterns 56) begin to be displayed in a horizontal line, and as the stopped display of the special pattern begins, the three decorative patterns 55 (and the three small patterns 56) are displayed in a horizontal line (called the "main stop"). The result of the special pattern determination is announced by the combination of the three numbers. The combination of the decorative patterns 55 that are displayed in a stopped state is the same as the combination of the small patterns 56.

The fourth patterns 57 and 59 are expressed by colors, and are displayed in a variable manner in synchronization with the decorative pattern 55 (and the special pattern), and then are displayed stationary at the same time as the decorative pattern 55 (and the special pattern). The fourth pattern 57 is synchronized with the first special pattern, and the fourth pattern 59 is synchronized with the second special pattern. The fourth patterns 57 and 59 are displayed in a variable manner by repeatedly displaying the fourth patterns "red", "blue", "green", "yellow", and "white" in that order at the same position for a certain period of time (for example, 0.2 seconds). The variable display of the fourth patterns 57 and 59 may be realized by flashing the fourth pattern of a predetermined color (for example, blue) between display and non-display at regular intervals (for example, every 0.2 seconds).

The combination of the decorative pattern 55 (and small pattern 56) and the color of the stopped fourth pattern 57 is predetermined to be different for each special pattern (see FIG. 13). The combination of the decorative pattern 55 (and small pattern 56) and the fourth pattern 57 can notify the same content as that indicated by the stopped special pattern.

The fourth symbols 57 and 59 are small images displayed at the edge of the LCD screen 5, and are less noticeable than the decorative symbol 55 (and the small symbol 56). For this reason, even if the type of special symbol is indicated by the combination of the decorative symbol 55 and the fourth symbols 57 and 59, it is difficult for the player to notice. The fourth symbols 57 and 59 may be realized by a light-emitting element (e.g. a full-color LED) provided near the right side of the LCD screen 5. This light-emitting element may be used as the fourth symbols 57 and 59 by lighting up in a predetermined color simultaneously with the display of the stopped decorative symbol 55, to unambiguously indicate the result of the special symbol determination.

The small symbols 56 and the fourth symbols 57 and 59 are always displayed in front of the other images in a position that is not hidden by the special symbols 7 during the playable period, except during a jackpot game. Therefore, the small symbols 56 and the fourth symbols 57 and 59 do not become invisible or lose visibility when the special symbols are displayed in a variable manner. In contrast, the decorative symbols 55 are often superimposed behind other images and become invisible, or are hidden by the special symbols 7. Also, the decorative symbols 55 may be partially or completely hidden regardless of whether the special symbols are displayed in a variable manner.

The performance part 7 is provided between the front of the game board 2 and the glass plate, and is located in the upper center of the LCD screen 5. When the performance part 7 is not in operation, it is placed in an initial position above the LCD screen 5. When it is time to operate the performance part 7, the performance part 7 moves downward while rotating from the initial position toward the center of the LCD screen 5 by the driving force of the performance part motor 71, and is placed in front of the LCD screen 5. The performance part 7 is used for various performances by operating it between the initial position and the advanced position. In addition, the performance part 7 is provided with a performance part initial position sensor 7a for detecting that the performance part 7 is located in the initial position, and a performance part advanced position sensor 7b for detecting that the performance part 7 is located in the advanced position. The gaming machine 1 outputs an abnormal operation error of the movable body when it is determined that the performance part 7 is not located in the appropriate position based on the information from the performance part initial position sensor 7a and the performance part advanced position sensor 7b.

The performance element 7 is made of a translucent synthetic resin material. The performance element 7 is used for various effects by illuminating multiple built-in light-emitting elements (a type of board lighting device 74) in multiple colors or a single color. For example, the light-emitting elements built into the performance element 7 can be illuminated simultaneously in seven colors (specifically, red, orange, yellow, green, light blue, blue, and purple) to produce a rainbow of colors as a whole. The performance element 7 is visible to the player regardless of its position. Therefore, the decorations applied to the performance element 7 and the illumination of the performance element 7 can enhance the performance effect regardless of whether or not the element is moving.

The performance device 7 may be provided, for example, between the game board 2 and the LCD screen 5, and may be difficult for the player to see in its initial position. The performance device 7 may also be movable up and down and left and right, and may also be capable of vibrating.

The speaker 24 outputs music, voice, sound effects, etc., either synchronously or asynchronously with the image display on the LCD screen 5, to create a sound-based presentation.

The board lighting device 74 is a collective term for multiple light-emitting elements (e.g., full-color LEDs) provided on the game board 2. The frame lighting device 10 is a collective term for multiple light-emitting elements (e.g., full-color LEDs) provided on the frame member 3. The frame lighting device 10 is composed of, for example, a left side lamp provided on the left side of the frame member 3, a right side lamp provided on the right side of the frame member 3, a center lamp provided between the two speakers 24, and a button lamp built into the performance button 26 (see Figure 2) that can be operated by the player.

Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of the effect button 26. The effect button 26 is provided on the frame member 3, and the player can input operation information by operating (e.g., pressing) it. In the gaming machine 1, an effect may be performed in response to the operation of the effect button 26. The effect button 26 is configured so that its height can be controlled to change between a normal state in which its top surface is at approximately the same height as the top surface of the frame member 3, and a protruding state in which its top surface protrudes a predetermined height (e.g., 10 cm) above the top surface of the frame member 3. Note that the effect button 26 can be operated regardless of the height it is controlled to between the normal state and the protruding state.

The frame member 3 is also provided with effect keys 27 that allow the player to perform selection operations or move the cursor (see FIG. 2). The effect keys 27 are what is known as a cross key, and are composed of an up key, a down key, a left key, and a right key. The effect keys 27 are used to adjust the light intensity of the LCD screen 5, the board lighting device 74, and the frame lighting device 10, and to adjust the volume of the speaker 24.

The frame member 3 is also provided with a ball loan button 33 and a return button 34 (Figure 2). The ball loan button 33 is a button for exchanging the player's deposit, which is deposited in a card unit (not shown) installed in a one-to-one correspondence with the gaming machine 1, for gaming balls. By depositing a deposit in the card unit, the player can receive gaming balls for loan (payment) simply by operating the ball loan button 33 (i.e., gaming value is granted from the gaming machine 1). The return button 34 is a button for returning the prepaid card to the player. The gaming control board 100 (described later) of the gaming machine 1 outputs a return signal to return the prepaid card from the card unit based on the player's operation of the return button 34. The prepaid card is a storage medium for storing the player's deposit and the gaming value granted to the player (for example, the number of gaming balls held by the player). When the prepaid card is inserted into the card slot of the card unit, it becomes possible to borrow game balls worth the game value stored in the prepaid card. Note that in the gaming machine 1, instead of exchanging the player's deposit for game balls when the ball loan button 33 is operated, the player's deposit may be exchanged for game value when the ball loan button 33 is operated, and the game value may be added to the game value stored in the prepaid card.

[Configuration example of display 4]
3 is an enlarged view of the display 4 in FIG. 1. The display 4 mainly displays information about special symbol judgment and normal symbol judgment, and as illustrated in FIG. 3, has a first special symbol display 41, a second special symbol display 42, a first special symbol reserved display 43, a second special symbol reserved display 44, a normal symbol display 45, a normal symbol reserved display 46, a game status display 47, a round display 48, and a right hit lamp 49 that prompts the player to hit the right by lighting it. The right hit lamp 49 is continuously turned off in a low probability non-time shortening state (i.e., a non-notification mode), and is continuously turned on during a big win game, during a small win game that opens the small winning hole 19, and during a low probability time shortening state (i.e., a notification mode). In place of the right hit lamp 49 (or in addition to the right hit lamp 49), an image that is a white circle (i.e., a non-notification mode) in the low-probability non-time-saving state and the low-probability micro-time-saving state, and that is a continuous black circle (i.e., a notification mode) during a big win game, during a small win game that opens the small winning hole 19, and during the low-probability time-saving state, may be continuously displayed at the edge of the liquid crystal screen 5. Also, in place of the right hit lamp 49 (or in addition to the right hit lamp 49), a movable role (for example, a movable role imitating a flag) that falls down so that it is difficult for the player to see during the low-probability non-time-saving state (i.e., a non-notification mode) and that continues to stand so that the player can see it during a big win game, during a small win game that opens the small winning hole 19, and during the low-probability time-saving state (i.e., a notification mode) may be provided.

When a first special pattern determination is made, the first special pattern display 41 notifies the result of the first special pattern determination by displaying a variable special pattern and then a static special pattern indicating the result of the first special pattern determination. When a second special pattern determination is made, the second special pattern display 42 notifies the result of the second special pattern determination by displaying a variable special pattern and then a static special pattern indicating the result of the second special pattern determination.

The first special pattern reserved display 43 displays the number of reserved balls for the first special pattern judgment (hereinafter referred to as the "special 1 reserved number"). The second special pattern reserved display 44 displays the number of reserved balls for the second special pattern judgment (hereinafter referred to as the "special 2 reserved number"). The LCD screen 5 displays reserved icons 51 and reserved numbers 52 that notify the player of the same contents as those displayed by the first special pattern reserved display 43 and the second special pattern reserved display 44, making it easy for the player to understand the number of reserved balls. The reserved icons 51 are displayed in the order in which they are reserved, up to the number of reserved balls (for example, a maximum of four).

Here, blue, green, red, and rainbow colors are used as colors that indicate the likelihood of a big win or a small win (hereinafter referred to as "reliability"). Each color is more likely to be used in the case of a big win and less likely to be used in the case of a miss, in the order mentioned above. Rainbow colors have a reliability of 100%, and are only used in the case of a big win, and are not used in the case of a miss. In the case of a big win or a miss in which the change time of the special pattern is relatively long, the reserve icon 51 is likely to be displayed in one of the colors that indicate the high or low reliability. In the following explanation, a white reserve icon 51 is referred to as a normal mode reserve icon 51, and a reserve icon 51 of the above colors other than white is referred to as a special mode reserve icon 51.

The reserved numbers 52 are numbers from 0 to 4 that are displayed small on the left edge of the liquid crystal screen 5 in the same manner regardless of whether or not a jackpot has been won, in synchronization with the reserved number of the first special pattern judgment and the reserved number of the second special pattern judgment. The reserved numbers 52 include a first reserved number that indicates the reserved number with numbers from 0 to 4 in synchronization with the display of the first special pattern reserved indicator 43, and a second reserved number that indicates the reserved number with numbers from 0 to 4 in synchronization with the display of the second special pattern reserved indicator 44. For example, when the reserved number of the first special pattern judgment is increased by one, the first reserved number is displayed with a number incremented by one, and when the reserved number of the second special pattern judgment is increased by one, the second reserved number is displayed with a number incremented by one. Here, the reserved icon 51 is hidden, or hidden by other images, or not displayed, like the decorative pattern 55. In contrast, during the playable period, the reserved numbers 52 are displayed in front of other images, like the small pattern 56, so they are not hidden by other images or their visibility is not reduced.

When a normal pattern determination is made, the normal pattern display 45 notifies the result of the normal pattern determination by displaying a normal pattern in a variable manner and then displaying a normal pattern that indicates the result of the normal pattern determination in a stationary manner. The normal pattern reserve display 46 displays the number of reserved normal pattern determinations. The game status display 47 displays the game status at the time the gaming machine 1 is turned on. The round display 48 is basically turned off and displays the number of rounds of the jackpot game from the start of the jackpot game to the end of the jackpot game.

[Configuration of the control device of the gaming machine 1 and overview of various determinations performed by the gaming machine 1]
An example of the configuration of the control device included in the gaming machine 1 and an overview of various determinations performed by the gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the control device included in the gaming machine 1.

The power supply board 160 generates the main power supply (operating power supply) required for the operation of the gaming machine from a power supply supplied from outside the gaming machine, and supplies the main power supply to the gaming machine 1 (the gaming control board 100, the payout control board 120, the performance control device 130A, and various electronic components).

The power supply board 160 also has a power switch that can be operated by an amusement store employee to switch between an ON state that supplies main power to the gaming machine 1 (the gaming control board 100, the payout control board 120, the presentation control device 130A, and various electronic components) and an OFF state that stops the supply. When the power switch is turned ON, the supply of main power begins and the gaming machine 1 starts operating. In addition, in the event of a power outage (blackout), the supply of backup power to the gaming control board 100 is maintained. This means that the memory contents of the main RAM 100c are retained even in the event of a power outage (blackout), and the game control state can be restored to the state before the power outage (blackout) after recovery from the power outage (blackout).

On the back side of the game board 2, in addition to a ball tank that stores game balls to be sent to the upper tray 28 or the lower tray 29, a control device that controls the operation of the game machine 1 is provided. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the control device of the game machine 1 is composed of a game control board 100 that controls the progress of the game, such as various judgments and command transmissions, a performance control board 130 that controls the overall performance based on commands received from the game control board 100, an image and sound control board 140 that controls the performance using images and sounds, a lamp control board 150 that controls the performance using various lamps and performance props 7, and the like. Note that the configuration of the control device is not limited to this, and for example, the performance control board 130, the image and sound control board 140, and the lamp control board 150 may be composed of a single board.

The communication between the gaming control board 100 and the payout control board 120 is configured to enable bidirectional transmission and reception of commands, while the communication between the gaming control board 100 and the presentation control device 130A (presentation control board 130) is configured to enable unidirectional transmission of commands from the gaming control board 100 to the presentation control device 130A (presentation control board 130).

The game control board 100 is equipped with a main CPU 100a that performs calculation processing, a main ROM 100b that stores the game control program and the like, a main RAM 100c that serves as a work area during calculation processing, and input/output ports.

The input/output ports of the game control board 100 are connected to the general winning hole detection switch 43a, the gate detection switch 44a, the first winning hole detection switch 45a, the second winning hole detection switch 47a, the second winning hole opening/closing solenoid 48b, the large winning hole detection switch 50a, the large winning hole opening/closing solenoid 51b, the small winning hole detection switch 50c, the small winning hole opening/closing solenoid 51c, the specific area detection switch 52a, the magnetic detection sensor 57a that detects magnetic anomalies, the radio wave detection sensor 58a that detects electromagnetic waves, the door open detection sensor 59a, the out ball detection switch 39a, the display 4, the performance display 113, the RWM clear button 111a, and the setting key switch 112a. The specific area detection switch 52a inputs a signal when the game ball passes through a specific area provided inside the small winning hole 19 (hereinafter referred to as "V winning"). The RWM clear button 111a inputs a signal to initialize the game control state other than the setting values stored in the main RAM 100c (i.e., initialize the gaming machine 1 to a low-probability non-time-saving state). Initialization caused by operating the RWM clear button 111a is called "RWM clear."

The setting key switch 112a inputs a signal to change the setting value or transition to a state where it can be confirmed by operating the setting key. The performance display 113 displays performance information and setting values that indicate the performance of the gaming machine 1. In addition, the gaming information output terminal board 90, the payout control board 120, and the performance control board 130 are connected to the input/output ports of the gaming control board 100.

The main CPU 100a reads the game control program stored in the main ROM 100b, and performs calculations related to the game while using the main RAM 100c as a work area. This allows it to perform control processes according to detection signals from various input devices (detection switches, detection sensors, etc.), control processes for controlling various output devices (solenoids, displays, etc.), control processes for sending and receiving various control commands, and control processes for sending game information to the outside of the gaming machine (hall computer, etc.) via the game information output terminal board 90.

The "game information" includes a start port winning signal output each time a game ball wins the first start port 11 or the second start port 12, a pattern determination signal output each time the variable display of the first special pattern or the second special pattern ends, a big win signal output throughout big win play, a small win signal output throughout small win play, an open signal output throughout round play (opening of the big win port), a signal output throughout the time-saving state, and a security signal output when a situation occurs that poses a problem (threat) to the security of the gaming machine 1 (RWM clear, error, etc.).

The memory area of the main ROM 100b is arranged in order of a game ROM area in which programs and data related to the progress of the game are stored, and an information ROM area in which programs and data related to the performance display of the gaming machine are stored.

The game ROM area contains a game program area in which programs related to the progress of the game are stored, and a game data area in which data related to the progress of the game are stored. The information ROM area contains an information program area in which programs related to the performance display of the gaming machine are stored, and an information data area in which data related to the performance display of the gaming machine are stored.

The memory area of the main RAM 100c contains a game RWM area used as a work area when executing a game program, and an information RWM area used as a work area when executing an information program. The game RWM area contains a game work area used by the game program as work, and a game stack area for temporarily saving data being processed by the game program.

The game work area includes a setting value area for storing setting values, a judgment information area for storing judgment information (checksum) for judging abnormalities in the RWM area, and a game data area for storing game data that changes as the game progresses. Of the memory areas in main RAM 100c, at least the game RWM area is an area that is initialized by clearing the RWM, and at least the setting value area is an area that is not initialized by clearing the RWM.

The information RWM area contains an information work area that information programs use as work, and an information stack area for temporarily saving data being processed by information programs.

The information work area includes a performance information area for storing information related to the performance of the gaming machine 1, and an error information area for storing information related to various error judgments.

Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of the configuration of the main RAM 100c in the game control board 100 and various information stored in the main RAM 100c. As illustrated in Figure 5, the main RAM 100c is provided with a judgment memory area 1030, a first reserved memory area 1031, a second reserved memory area 1032, a third reserved memory area 1033, a fourth reserved memory area 1034, a first reserved memory area 1035, a second reserved memory area 1036, a third reserved memory area 1037, and a fourth reserved memory area 1038.

The determination memory area 1030 is a memory area in which various information used for special pattern determination when the special pattern determination is actually performed is stored. The various information used for special pattern determination includes a jackpot random number, a pattern random number, a variation pattern random number, and a reach random number. The jackpot random number is a random number used to determine whether it is a jackpot, a miss, or a small win. The pattern random number is a random number used to determine the type of jackpot pattern when it is determined to be a jackpot, to determine the type of small win pattern when it is determined to be a small win, and to determine the type of miss pattern when it is determined to be a miss.

The gaming machine 1 has a "low probability state" as the probability of winning a jackpot determined by a special symbol, and has a "non-time-saving state" and a "time-saving state" as the probability of winning a jackpot determined by a normal symbol. As the game progresses, the gaming machine 1 is controlled in a "low-probability non-time-saving state" which is a "low-probability state" and a "non-time-saving state", or in a "low-probability time-saving state" which is a "low-probability state" and a "time-saving state". The gaming machine 1 is initially controlled to the low-probability non-time-saving state.

The gaming machine 1 is initially controlled to a low probability non-time-saving state. There are six setting values, from "1" to "6", and the probability of winning a jackpot when the special symbol is determined is approximately 1/319 when the setting value is "1", approximately 1/280 when the setting value is "2", approximately 1/260 when the setting value is "3", approximately 1/240 when the setting value is "4", approximately 1/220 when the setting value is "5", and approximately 1/200 when the setting value is "6". The probability of winning a jackpot is the same when in the non-time-saving state as when in the time-saving state. The probability of winning a small jackpot is the same regardless of the setting value.

In the gaming machine 1, the higher the set value, the higher the probability of winning a jackpot determined by a special symbol (i.e., the more advantageous it is for the player). Note that in the gaming machine 1, the lower the set value, the higher the probability of winning a jackpot determined by a special symbol (i.e., the lower the set value, the more advantageous it is for the player).

In this embodiment, jackpot patterns A to C indicating a jackpot and a miss pattern indicating a miss are prepared in advance as first special patterns indicating the result of the first special pattern determination (FIGS. 6(A) and (B)). In addition, jackpot pattern D, a small win pattern with time reduction, a small win pattern without time reduction, and a miss pattern are prepared in advance as second special patterns indicating the result of the second special pattern determination. Unlike the second special patterns, the first special patterns do not have small win patterns (i.e., the probability of a small win is 0%). In the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment, the player hits the first win by the first special pattern determination. The first win refers to the first jackpot game that occurs after the start of the game.

When any of the jackpot symbols A through D, which indicate a jackpot, is displayed, a jackpot game is played following this display. In the jackpot game, a plate that blocks the jackpot opening 13 is activated. This opens the jackpot opening 13, which is normally closed. By allowing a game ball to enter the jackpot opening 13 during the jackpot game, the player can obtain more prize balls than when the jackpot game is not being played.

A plurality of opening patterns of the large prize opening 13 are prepared in advance, and which opening pattern the large prize opening 13 will be opened in is determined uniquely by the type of the jackpot symbol that is stopped and displayed. In this embodiment, when the jackpot symbols A to D are stopped and displayed, a round game in which the large prize opening 13 is opened is played multiple times until a predetermined condition (in this embodiment, the number of game balls entering the large prize opening 13 reaches 10, or 29.5 seconds have passed since the large prize opening 13 was opened) is met. When the jackpot symbols A to D are stopped and displayed, the opening time of the large prize opening 13 during one round game (hereinafter referred to as "1R") is sufficient for the player to enter 10 game balls into the large prize opening 13. Note that the opening time of the large prize opening 13 during 1R when the jackpot symbols A to D are stopped and displayed is not limited to the above-mentioned time, and may be any predetermined time (specifically, a time of 29.5 seconds or less and more than 1.8 seconds).

Jackpot patterns A and D are 10R jackpots, and after the jackpot play ends, they are controlled with low-probability time-saving until the variable display related to the 10,000 second special pattern judgments ends. Jackpot pattern B is a 3R jackpot, and after the jackpot play ends, they are controlled with low-probability time-saving until the variable display related to the 10,000 second special pattern judgments ends. Jackpot pattern C is a 3R jackpot, and after the jackpot play ends, they are controlled with low-probability non-time-saving.

When a losing symbol is displayed, the next special symbol is judged after this display. When a small win symbol with time reduction or a small win symbol without time reduction is displayed on the display 4, a small win game is executed following this display. In the small win game, a plate that blocks the small win opening 19 is activated. This opens the small win opening 19, which is normally closed.

The time during which the small winning opening 19 is opened in a small winning game is shorter than the opening period of the large winning opening 13 in a big winning game (hereinafter referred to as "1R"), and is a predetermined arbitrary time of 1.8 seconds or less (for example, 1.8 seconds). Note that, as long as the total opening time of the small winning opening 19 during a small winning game is 1.8 seconds or less, the small winning opening 19 may be opened multiple times during a small winning game. The number of game balls that can enter the small winning opening 19 during a small winning game is smaller than the number of game balls that can enter the large winning opening 13 during a big winning game (for example, an average of 10 balls). During a small winning game, a player can enter an average of three game balls into the small winning opening 19, and can obtain, for example, about 45 prize balls. This prize ball is smaller than the prize balls obtained in a 1R big winning game. In other words, the prize balls obtained in a small winning game are less than the prize balls obtained in a 1R big winning game.

The plate blocking the small winning hole 19 has the letter "V" written on it (see FIG. 1). This letter indicates the position of the specific area detection switch 52a provided inside the small winning hole 19. Here, the periphery of the small winning hole 19 is made of a transparent synthetic resin material. Therefore, the player can see inside the small winning hole 19 regardless of whether the small winning hole 19 is open or closed. Specifically, the small winning hole detection switch 50c, the specific area detection switch 52a, the losing winning hole detection switch (not shown), and a plate (not shown) that opens and closes these switches are provided inside the small winning hole 19, and all of them are visible. In this embodiment, when a small winning game is not being played, the specific area detection switch 52a is blocked by the above plate so that the game ball cannot pass through, and the losing winning hole detection switch is opened so that the game ball can pass through. A game ball that enters the small winning hole 19 during a small winning game first passes through the small winning hole detection switch 50c. This game ball passes through either the specific area detection switch 52a or the losing prize hole detection switch and is discharged from the game area 10.

During a small win game related to a small win pattern with time reduction, the specific area detection switch 52a is opened by the above plate to allow the game ball to pass, and the miss winning hole switch is closed so that the game ball cannot pass. Therefore, if the player hits the right side during a small win game related to a small win pattern with time reduction, the game ball will easily pass the specific area detection switch 52a (hereinafter referred to as "V winning"). If a V win is made, a 10R big win game that opens the big win hole 13 will start following the end of the small win game. After the end of this big win game, the game is controlled with low-probability time reduction until the variable display related to the 10,000th second special pattern judgment ends. On the other hand, if a V win is not made (specifically, if the game ball only passes the miss winning hole detection switch), the big win game will not start following the end of the small win game, and the next special pattern judgment will be made with low-probability non-time reduction after the end of the small win game.

During a small win game involving a small win pattern with no time reduction, the specific area detection switch 52a is blocked by the above plate so that the game ball cannot pass through, and the miss winning hole switch is opened so that the game ball can pass through. If a V is not won even though a small win game is played, the big win game will not start following the end of the small win game, and the next special pattern will be determined with low probability and no time reduction after the end of the small win game.

In addition, in a small win game, the large prize opening 13 may be opened instead of the small prize opening 19. In this case, inside the large prize opening 13, a specific area detection switch, a loss prize opening detection switch, and a plate for opening and closing these switches are provided.

Jackpot A is a jackpot that sets the upper limit of small wins without time reduction to 255 times, jackpots B and D are jackpots that set the upper limit of small wins without time reduction to 1 time, and jackpot C is a jackpot that does not set the upper limit of small wins without time reduction. In addition, a small win with time reduction is a small win that sets the upper limit of small wins without time reduction to 1 time, and a small win without time reduction is a small win that does not set the upper limit of small wins without time reduction. When the upper limit of small wins without time reduction is set, if a small win without time reduction is drawn until the upper limit is reached in the low probability time reduction, it will transition to low probability non-time reduction. In addition, the upper limit of small wins without time reduction can be any value as long as it is a predetermined number, and it can be 2 or 5 times, for example.

The fluctuation pattern random number is a random number used to determine the fluctuation time (fluctuation pattern) from when the special symbol starts to fluctuate and when it stops and displays in a manner that indicates the result of the special symbol determination. The reach random number is a random number used to select from among a group of fluctuation patterns for misses that exceed a specific number of seconds (e.g., 13.5 seconds) and other groups of fluctuation patterns (i.e., a group of fluctuation patterns for misses that are less than a specific number of seconds) when determining the fluctuation pattern in the event of a miss.

In this embodiment, in the low probability non-time shortening mode, the ratio of selecting a variation pattern from the group of variation patterns for failures exceeding a specific number of seconds (hereinafter referred to as the "reach ratio") is preset so that the greater the number of reserved symbols when the special pattern determination is executed, the smaller the ratio (see FIG. 6 (C)). For example, when "0 to 99" is preset as the judgment value to be compared with the reach random number, if the number of reserved symbols for special pattern determinations when the special pattern determination is executed is 0 to 1 (hereinafter also referred to as "reservations 0 to 1"), "0 to 14" is assigned to the judgment result that the pattern is determined from the group of variation patterns for failures exceeding a specific number of seconds. In addition, "15 to 99" is assigned to the judgment result that the pattern is determined from a group other than the above-mentioned group of variation patterns (i.e., a reach ratio of 15%, see FIG. 6 (D)). In addition, the reach ratio is 5% when the number of reserved symbols for special pattern determinations when the special pattern determination is executed is 2 or more.

In this embodiment, in the low probability time-saving mode, a variation pattern is selected from a group of variation patterns for misses that do not exceed a specific number of seconds, regardless of the number of reserved symbols when the special symbol is executed (i.e., reach rate 0%, see FIG. 6 (E)). Note that in the low probability time-saving mode, the reach rate may be preset to be large when the number of reserved symbols when the special symbol determination is executed is small (for example, the reach rate is 2% when there are 0 to 1 reserved symbols, and 0% when there are 2 or more reserved symbols). Also, the reach rate may be the same regardless of the game state.

In this embodiment, when the second special symbol determination is made, there is a relatively high probability (for example, about 1/41) that a small win game with time reduction will be played. Therefore, in this embodiment, when there is low-probability time reduction, a big win game is relatively easily played via a small win game with time reduction. In the low-probability time reduction, the time for which the special symbol changes when there is a miss is relatively short (for example, 1 second), so the next big win game may be played when the prize balls from the previous big win game are actually paid out to the player.

If the low-probability time-saving mode is set at the end of the jackpot game, and even if the above-mentioned number of special pattern determinations are made, no small win game or jackpot game is executed, the low-probability non-time-saving mode is set when the special pattern is stopped and displayed the above-mentioned number of times. However, in this embodiment, the number of special pattern determinations that can be executed in the low-probability time-saving mode is relatively very large, and in the low-probability time-saving mode, the game ball is likely to enter the second starting hole 12, and when the second special pattern determination is made, there is a relatively high probability that a small win game with time-saving mode will be executed. For this reason, even if the above-mentioned number of special pattern determinations are made after the low-probability time-saving mode is set at the end of the jackpot game, the possibility that no jackpot game will be executed is very low.

The first reserve memory area 1031 to the fourth reserve memory area 1034 are memory areas in which various information related to the first special pattern determination is stored in sequence from the first reserve memory area 1031 each time a gaming ball enters the first starting hole 11. The first reserve memory area 1035 to the fourth reserve memory area 1038 are memory areas in which various information related to the second special pattern determination is stored in sequence from the first reserve memory area 1035 each time a gaming ball enters the second starting hole 12.

For example, even if a game ball enters the first start hole 11 or the second start hole 12 when a special symbol is being displayed in a variable manner or during a big win game (or during a small win game), it is not possible to immediately perform a special symbol determination or a variable display of the special symbol. Under such circumstances, the main CPU 100a stores various information related to the special symbol determination in the reserved memory areas 1031 to 1038 as information indicating the reservation of the special symbol determination. On the other hand, when a special symbol is not being displayed in a variable manner, a special symbol determination is not being reserved, and a big win game (or a small win game) is not being played, the main CPU 100a shifts the various acquired random numbers, etc. to the determination memory area 1030 immediately after storing them in the first reserved memory area (1031 or 1035) corresponding to the start hole where the game ball entered.

For example, if a game ball enters the first starting hole 11 when no information is stored in any of the first holding memory area 1031 to the fourth holding memory area 1034, various information related to the first special pattern determination obtained by this winning is stored in the first holding memory area 1031, which is the top of the empty entries. Also, for example, if a game ball enters the first starting hole 11 when information is stored in the first holding memory area 1031 and the second holding memory area 1032, various information related to the first special pattern determination obtained by this winning is stored in the third holding memory area 1033, which is the top of the empty entries.

For example, the reserved memory areas 1031 to 1038 also store "pre-judgment information." When a game ball enters a start hole, a pre-judgment is performed based on the jackpot random number, the pattern random number, the reach random number, and the change pattern random number to judge whether or not a special symbol is a jackpot, prior to the special symbol judgment. The pre-judgment information is information obtained by the pre-judgment, and includes "winning start hole information," information indicating whether or not a jackpot is a jackpot, information indicating the type of jackpot symbol if a jackpot is a jackpot, information indicating the type of small win symbol if a small win is a jackpot, information indicating the type of miss symbol if a miss, information indicating the change pattern of the special symbol, information indicating the game state, and the like. The "winning start hole information" is information indicating which of the first start hole 11 and the second start hole 12 the random numbers stored in the same reserved memory area were acquired as a result of winning the prize in the first start hole 11 or the second start hole 12. The pre-judgment information including these pieces of information is stored in the same reserved memory area as the jackpot random number used in the pre-judgment.

When the information stored in the first reserved memory area 1031 is shifted to the judgment memory area 1030 when the first special pattern judgment is performed, the information stored in the entries lower than the second reserved memory area 1031 is shifted up by one entry. For example, when information is stored in each of the first reserved memory area 1031 to the third reserved memory area 1033, when the information stored in the first reserved memory area 1031 is shifted to the judgment memory area 1030, the information stored in the second reserved memory area 1032 is shifted to the first reserved memory area 1031, and the information stored in the third reserved memory area 1033 is shifted to the second reserved memory area 1032.

Such information shift processing is also performed in the first reserved memory area 1035 to the fourth reserved memory area 1038 in which information related to the second special symbol determination is stored. In the gaming machine 1, when both the first special symbol determination and the second special symbol determination are reserved, that is, when information is stored in both the first reserved memory area 1031 and the first reserved memory area 1035, the shift processing in the first reserved memory area 1035 to the fourth reserved memory area 1038 is performed preferentially before the shift processing in the first reserved memory area 1031 to the fourth reserved memory area 1034. Therefore, when the second special symbol determination is reserved, various information stored in the first reserved memory area 1035 is shifted to the determination memory area 1030. Also, when the second special symbol determination is not reserved, that is, when only the first special symbol determination is reserved, various information stored in the first reserved memory area 1031 is shifted. Note that a configuration capable of simultaneously displaying the first special symbol and the second special symbol in a variable manner may be adopted. In such a configuration, two determination memory areas 1030 may be provided, one for determining the first special symbol and one for determining the second special symbol. In this case, the shift processing in the first reserved memory area 1031 to the fourth reserved memory area 1034 may be performed independently of the shift processing in the first reserved memory area 1035 to the fourth reserved memory area 1038.

The payout control board 120 drives the payout device 95 to control the provision of game value (in this embodiment, the payout of game balls). The payout control board 120 also drives the launch device 96 to control the launch of game balls.

The payout control board 120 is equipped with a payout CPU 121a that performs calculation processing, a payout ROM 121b in which payout programs and the like are stored, a payout RAM 121c that serves as a work area during calculation processing, and input/output ports, etc.

The input/output port of the payout control board 120 is connected to an opening detection switch, a payout ball detection switch for detecting game balls paid out from the payout device 95, and a payout motor for paying out game balls from the payout device 95.

The payout CPU 121a reads out the payout control program stored in the payout ROM 121b, and performs calculation processing related to the payout of game balls while utilizing the payout RAM 121c as a work area. This allows it to perform control processing for paying out game balls from the payout device 95 in response to a payout control command from the game control board 100, control processing for sending a command based on the result of the calculation processing to the game control board 100, etc.

In this embodiment, the payout control board 120 is described as performing the processes related to the granting of game value based on commands received from the game control board 100, but some or all of these processes may be performed in the game control board 100, and the gaming machine 1 may not need to be equipped with a payout control board 120.

The presentation control device 130A includes a presentation control board 130 that performs overall control of the progress of the presentation based on the presentation control commands received from the game control board 100, an image and sound control board 140 that performs control processing of image display and audio output based on the presentation control commands received from the presentation control board 130, and a lamp control board 150 that performs control processing of various light-emitting elements (LEDs, etc.) and various driving sources (motors, etc.) based on the presentation control commands received from the presentation control board 130.

The performance control board 130 is equipped with a sub-CPU 130a that performs calculation processing, a sub-ROM 130b that stores the performance control program, a sub-RAM 130c that serves as a work area during calculation processing, an RTC 130d that keeps track of the date and time, and an input/output port. The input/output port of the performance control board 130 is connected to a performance button detection switch 17a and a cross key detection switch 19a.

The sub-CPU 130a reads out the performance control program stored in the sub-ROM 130b, and performs calculation processing related to the performance while utilizing the sub-RAM 130c as a work area. This allows it to perform control processing for determining the mode of performance associated with the variable display of special symbols, control processing for sending performance control commands based on the determination results to the image and sound control board 140, control processing in response to detection signals from various input devices (detection switches, etc.), control processing for controlling various output devices (lighting devices, motors, etc.), etc.

The image and sound control board 140 receives commands from the performance control board 130 and controls the display of a specified image on the LCD screen 5 and the output of sounds from the speaker 24.

The image and sound control board 140 includes a general CPU 141a that performs general control of image display and sound output based on reception of a performance control command from the performance control board 130, a general ROM 141b that stores a general control program, a general RAM 141c that serves as a work area during calculation processing, a VDP 145 that generates an image to be output to the liquid crystal screen 5 based on reception of a display control command (display list) from the general CPU 141a, a CGROM 146 that stores image data, etc., an audio control unit 148 (audio LSI) that controls the speaker 24 based on reception of an audio control command from the general CPU 141a, and an audio ROM that stores audio data, etc. Note that a configuration in which the VDP 145 is responsible for both drawing management and sound management may be adopted. In this case, there is no need to provide a separate audio control unit 148.

The general CPU 141a reads the general control program stored in the general ROM 141b, and performs calculation processing related to the performance while using the general RAM 141c as a work area. This allows it to perform control processing for generating display control commands (display list) that specify the performance images to be displayed on the liquid crystal screen 5 and sending them to the VDP 145, and control processing for generating audio control commands that specify the performance sounds to be output from the speaker 24 and sending them to the audio control unit 148 (audio LSI).

The image and sound control board 140 is also connected to the liquid crystal screen 5 and the speaker 24. The image and sound control board 140 (VDP 145) generates images at a predetermined frame time interval (e.g., 1/30 seconds) and outputs the generated images to the liquid crystal screen 5. As a result, an image including, for example, a decorative pattern 55 is displayed on the liquid crystal screen 5. Furthermore, sound signals generated by the image and sound control board 140 (audio control unit 148) are output to the speaker 24, thereby outputting sound.

The performance control device 130A is also connected to a performance button detection switch 17a and a cross key detection switch 19a. The performance button detection switch 17a detects that the performance button 26 has been operated. The performance key detection switch 19a detects that a performance key has been operated.

The lamp control board 150 includes a lamp CPU 150a that performs calculation processing, a lamp ROM 150b that stores the lamp control program, a lamp RAM 150c that serves as a work area during calculation processing, and input/output ports.

The input/output ports of the lamp control board 150 are connected to the frame lighting device 10 (performance button light-emitting LEDs, etc.), the performance props 7, the board lighting device 74, and the performance button drive device 17b (performance button drive motor, performance button vibration motor).

The lamp CPU 150a reads the lamp control program stored in the lamp ROM 150b and performs calculations related to the performance while using the lamp RAM 150c as a work area. This allows it to perform control processing for the frame lighting device 10, the performance button drive device 17b, the performance props 7, and the board lighting device 74.

In this embodiment, the payout control board 120 and the presentation control board 130 are not supplied with backup power, but a backup power may be supplied to the payout control board 120 and the presentation control board 130 so that the memory contents of the payout RAM 121c and the sub-RAM 130c are retained even in the event of a power outage. Also, a backup power may be supplied to only one of the payout control board 120 and the presentation control board 130. Note that while the gaming machine 1 notifies the player of the number of prize balls calculated internally, it is not necessary for the gaming machine 1 to have a payout control board 120 and not pay out game balls.

In addition to the "low probability state," there may be a "high probability state" as the probability of winning a jackpot determined by a special symbol. The "high probability state" is a predetermined arbitrary probability in which the probability of winning a jackpot determined by a special symbol is 10 times or less than the low probability state. The transition from the low probability state to the high probability state occurs after the jackpot game ends.

Next, the information displayed on the performance display 113 will be described with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for describing the information displayed on the performance display 113. The performance display 113 is composed of four segment displays 113a to 113d (see FIG. 7(A)). The performance display 113 displays the "base value" in the low probability non-time-saving state. The "base value" is the total number of payouts in a specific section in the low probability non-time-saving state divided by the total number of game balls shot by the player (specifically, (value of the prize ball counter for base calculation / value of the out counter for base calculation) x 100).

The performance display 113 is controlled using a base calculation prize ball counter, a base calculation out counter, and a total out counter. Each counter is provided, for example, in the main RAM 113. The base calculation prize ball counter counts (for example, adds or subtracts) the total number of payouts paid out in response to winning game balls in a specific section in a low probability non-time-saving state. For example, when a game ball wins the first start hole 11, "4" is added to the base calculation prize ball counter. Also, when a game ball wins the second start hole 12, "1" is added to the base calculation prize ball counter. Also, when a game ball wins the large winning hole 13, "15" is added to the base calculation prize ball counter.

The out counter for calculating the base counts (e.g., adds or subtracts) the total number of game balls shot by the player in a specific section in a low-probability non-time-saving state. In the gaming machine 1, when a game ball is detected by the out ball detection switch 39a, "1" is added to the out counter for calculating the base.

The base calculation out counter and the base calculation prize ball counter are counted in the low probability non-time-saving state, but are not counted in any other state. During a jackpot game, the game state is the low probability non-time-saving state and counting by the total out counter continues, but counting by the base calculation out counter and the base calculation prize ball counter is stopped (although counting may continue). The calculation of the base value continues to be calculated periodically (for example, every time the processing of step S9A in FIG. 39 is performed (for example, every 4 milliseconds)) when play is possible on the gaming machine 1, regardless of whether or not counting by the base calculation out counter and the base calculation prize ball counter has stopped (for example, even during a jackpot game).

The total out counter counts (e.g., adds or subtracts) the total number of game balls (called "total outs") shot by the player regardless of the game state. In the gaming machine 1, when a game ball is detected by the out ball detection switch 39a, "1" is added to the total out counter. The total out counter counts regardless of whether or not the game is in a low-probability non-time-saving state. For this reason, for example, counting by the total out counter continues even when counting by the base calculation out counter and base calculation prize ball counter has stopped due to a transition from low-probability non-time-saving to low-probability time-saving.

The out counter for base calculation and the total out counter are not incremented by the detection result of the out ball detection switch 39a, but may be incremented by "1" when a game ball is detected, for example, by a ball detection sensor (not shown) for detecting game balls provided at the exit of the game ball passage formed between the inner rail and the outer rail at the left end of the game area 10. Since the ball detection sensor is provided at the exit of the passage, it detects game balls that pass in front of the ball detection sensor, but does not detect game balls that do not have enough momentum and return to the passage. This allows the out counter for base calculation and the total out counter to count only game balls that have been shot into the game area 10.

The main CPU 100a calculates the real-time base value bL before the total number of outs reaches 60,000. Then, each time the total number of outs reaches 60,000, the main CPU 100a calculates and saves a base value from the current values of the prize ball counter for base calculation and the out counter for base calculation, and initializes the total out counter, the prize ball counter for base calculation, and the out counter for base calculation.

When one interval ends with the total number of outs reaching 60,000, the final base value of this interval is saved as the final base value of the previous interval. The performance display 113 can switch between and display up to four base values at regular intervals (e.g., every 5 seconds) (see FIG. 7(B)). Specifically, the performance display 113 displays the real-time base value bL (current interval D) before the total number of outs reaches 60,000, the final base value b1 in interval A three intervals ago, the final base value b2 in interval B two intervals ago, and the final base value b3 in interval C one interval ago, in that order.

Until the total number of outs reaches a predetermined total number (e.g., 300), "--" is displayed as the real-time base value bL and the base values b1 to 3. This prevents the real-time base value immediately after the gaming machine 1 is turned on from differing significantly from the actual base value.

If the total number of outs is more than the predetermined total number but less than 60,000, only the real-time base value bL is displayed, and "--" is displayed as the base values b1 to 3. Also, if the number of saved final base values is less than three, "--" is displayed as the base values b1 to 3 for the section in which the final base value is not stored. The cyclic display of the real-time base value bL and the base values b1 to 3 on the performance display 113 continues even when the counting by the base calculation out counter and the base calculation prize ball counter has stopped due to a transition from low-probability non-time-saving to low-probability time-saving. In other words, the cyclic display of the real-time base value bL and the base values b1 to 3 on the performance display 113 continues regardless of the game state.

Next, the RAM clear mode, setting change mode, and setting confirmation mode will be described with reference to FIG. 8. The gaming machine 1 transitions to the RAM clear mode, setting change mode, or setting confirmation mode depending on the state of the setting key switch 112a and the RWM clear button 111a when the power is turned on. The RAM clear mode is a mode to which the gaming machine transitions when the game control state other than the setting values stored in the main RAM 100c is initialized (i.e., the gaming machine 1 is initialized to a low probability non-time-saving state). The setting change mode is a mode in which the setting values can be changed. The setting confirmation mode is a mode in which the current setting values are displayed by lighting the performance indicator 113.

Note that the power "ON" in FIG. 8 means that the power switch is turned on. The setting key SW "ON" in FIG. 8 means that the rotating member of the setting key switch 112a is in the ON position due to operation of the setting key by an amusement arcade staff member. The setting key SW "OFF" in FIG. 8 means that the rotating member of the setting key switch 112a is in the OFF position. The RWM clear button "ON" in FIG. 8 means that the RWM clear button 111a is being operated. The RWM clear button "OFF" in FIG. 8 means that the RWM clear button 111a is not being operated.

When the gaming machine 1 is in the power "OFF" state, if the power is turned "ON" with the setting key SW in the "OFF" state and the RWM clear button in the "ON" state, the gaming machine 1 transitions to the RAM clear mode immediately after starting up (see FIG. 8 (B)). When transitioning to the RAM clear mode, the gaming control state of the gaming machine 1 is initialized other than the setting values stored in the main RAM 100c, and the gaming machine 1 is initialized to the low probability non-time-saving state.

When the mode is changed to RAM clear mode, the main CPU 100a turns off the performance indicator 113 and outputs a voice message "RAM cleared" from the speaker 24. After that, after a predetermined time (e.g., 3 seconds) has elapsed, the gaming machine 1 transitions to a state where the gaming shop staff can check the operation of the various drive sources (motors, etc.) (see FIG. 8 (C)). In this state, the various drive sources (motors, etc.) operate, a voice message "Please check the operation of the solenoid" is output from the speaker 24, and the performance indicator 113 is turned off. Next, the display of an image (e.g., decorative pattern 55) on the LCD screen 5 begins, and the performance indicator 113 begins to flash before displaying the base value (see FIG. 8 (D) and (E)).

When the gaming machine 1 is in the power "OFF" state, if the power is turned "ON" with the setting key SW in the "ON" state and the RWM clear button in the "ON" state, the gaming machine 1 will transition to the setting change mode immediately after startup (see FIG. 8 (F)). Therefore, the above series of operations are operations related to setting changes. Note that a setting change switch for changing settings may be provided, and if the gaming machine 1 is in the power "OFF" state and the power is turned "ON" with the setting change switch in the "ON" state, the gaming machine 1 may transition to the setting change mode immediately after startup. In a gaming machine 1 that is provided with a setting change switch, the RWM clear button may be eliminated by providing the setting change switch with the function of the RWM clear button.

When the mode is changed to the setting change mode, the main CPU 100a lights up the currently stored setting value on the performance display 113 and outputs a voice message saying "Settings are being changed" from the speaker 24. When the RWM clear button 111a is operated during the setting change mode, the setting value is changed with each operation (flow from (F) to (G) in FIG. 8). Accordingly, the changed setting value is displayed on the performance display 113 and a voice message announcing the setting value (e.g., "It is 3") is output from the speaker 24. Note that the voice message announcing the setting value does not have to be output from the speaker 24 to prevent information leakage.

The changed setting value is temporarily stored in the main RAM 100a. When the setting key SW is turned to the "OFF" state during the setting change mode, the changed setting value is stored again in the main RAM 100a as the current setting value (flow from (G) to (B) in FIG. 8). Note that the current setting value itself may be updated each time the RWM clear button 111a is operated during the setting change mode.

When the setting key SW is turned to the "OFF" state during the setting change mode, the mode transitions to RAM clear mode. This initializes the game control state of the gaming machine 1 other than the setting values stored in the main RAM 100c, and also initializes the gaming machine 1 to a low probability non-time-saving state (i.e., the RWM is cleared). The subsequent flow is the same as that when the gaming machine 1 transitions to RAM clear mode immediately after starting up.

When the gaming machine 1 is in the power "OFF" state, if the gaming machine 1 is turned "ON" with the setting key SW in the "ON" state and the RWM clear button in the "OFF" state, the gaming machine 1 will transition to the setting confirmation mode immediately after startup (see FIG. 8 (H)). When transitioning to the setting confirmation mode, the gaming control state of the gaming machine 1 has not been initialized, and the gaming machine 1 will be controlled in the previous gaming state.

When the mode is changed to the setting confirmation mode, the main CPU 100a lights the currently stored setting value on the performance indicator 113 and outputs the voice message "Setting confirmation in progress" from the speaker 24. When the setting key SW is turned "OFF" during the setting confirmation mode, the gaming machine 1 transitions to a state where the gaming establishment staff can check the operation of the various drive sources (motors, etc.) (see FIG. 8 (C)). In this state, the various drive sources (motors, etc.) operate, the voice message "Please check the operation of the solenoid" is output from the speaker 24, and the performance indicator 113 is turned off. Next, the display of an image (e.g., decorative pattern 55) on the LCD screen 5 begins, and the performance indicator 113 begins to flash before displaying the base value (see FIG. 8 (D) and (E)).

In FIG. 8, the case where the game returns from the setting confirmation mode to a playable state (the state illustrated in FIG. 8(E)) is described. Here, the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment employs a stop control to prevent excessive play. When the stop control is performed, the gaming machine 1 is placed in a state where it is impossible to continue playing, and for example, detection of the game ball by various switches is stopped. When the gaming machine 1 is turned off after the stop control is performed and transitions to the setting confirmation mode after the power is restored, transitions from the state illustrated in FIG. 8(C) to a state where the stop display (see FIG. 1) continues to be displayed on the liquid crystal screen 5 and the performance display 113 does not display the real-time base value bL and the base values b1 to b3 in a cyclical manner (a state where the display remains off in this embodiment).

[Stop control]
The stop control in the gaming machine 1 will be described. The stop is released by a power interruption recovery accompanied by a predetermined release operation to turn on the RWM clear button 111a, and the release enables the game. The predetermined release operation to turn on the RWM clear button 111a includes an operation to turn on the RWM clear button 111a with a setting change (specifically, an operation to switch to a setting change mode) and an operation to turn on the RWM clear button 111a without a setting change (specifically, an operation to switch to a RAM clear mode). Therefore, when the stop is released, the control state of the game other than the setting value stored in the main RAM 100c is cleared to the initial state. For example, when the stop control is performed during the low probability time reduction and the stop is released, the low probability time reduction cannot be continued and it becomes possible to play with the low probability non-time reduction. In this way, in this embodiment, when the stop is released, not only the current game state but all information related to the game is cleared to the initial state. Therefore, in this embodiment, there is no need to clear all information related to the game to the initial state when the stop control is performed. Therefore, in this embodiment, the stop control is performed while maintaining the current game state. Note that when the stop control is performed, all information related to the game may be cleared to the initial state.

In order to enable the stop control, the main CPU 100a of the gaming machine 1 has a difference counter that counts the difference number from when the power is turned on. The difference counter is a counter dedicated to the stop control and continues counting regardless of the game state. The difference counter of this embodiment starts counting after the power is turned on, and clears it to 0 if the value is negative. In other words, the difference counter of this embodiment counts the increase in the number of gaming media from the reference point at which the player has lost the most. The value of the difference counter of this embodiment is a difference number MY that does not count negative values, and can be counted from the number of gaming media played by the player after the power is turned on to the gaming machine 1 and the number of gaming media paid out to the player after the power is turned on to the gaming machine 1. The difference counter is cleared to 0 when the stop control is released and when the value is negative, and also when the power is turned on from the power OFF regardless of whether the stop control is released or not.

In addition, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, the gaming machine 1 may be turned off and the value of the difference number counter may be maintained before and after the power is restored when the gaming machine 1 is turned on. In this way, when a predetermined condition is satisfied while an operation notice display suggesting the value of the difference number counter is being displayed, the gaming machine 1 may be turned off and the value of the difference number counter may be maintained before and after the power is restored when the gaming machine 1 is turned on, so that the same operation notice display can be displayed before and after the power is restored. Examples of the predetermined condition include the following first to fifth conditions. A gaming machine 1 that maintains the value of the difference number counter before and after the power is restored has at least one or more of the following first to fifth conditions as a predetermined condition for maintaining the value of the difference number counter.
The first condition is that the power of the gaming machine 1 is turned off during a small win game.
The second condition is that the power of the gaming machine 1 is turned off during a jackpot game.
The third condition is that the power of the gaming machine 1 is turned OFF during the low-probability time-saving period.
A fourth condition is that the gaming machine 1 is provided with a maintenance switch for maintaining the value of the difference counter, and the gaming machine 1 is turned to the power "OFF" state when the maintenance switch is in the "ON" state.
A fifth condition is that the gaming machine 1 is turned to the "ON" state when the maintenance switch is in the "ON" state.
In a gaming machine 1 that maintains the value of the difference counter before and after the power is restored, the value of the difference counter may be stored in the gaming RWM area as backup data in the main processing (specifically, step MS13) by the gaming control board 100 described below regardless of whether the above-mentioned specified conditions are met, or the value of the difference counter may be stored in the gaming RWM area as backup data only if the above-mentioned specified conditions are met.

The value of the difference counter may be cleared to 0 when the gaming machine 1 is turned on while a specific clear switch (e.g., the RWM clear button 111a, or a dedicated switch for clearing the difference counter to 0) is in the "ON" state. This allows the same operation notice display to be displayed before and after the power is restored if the gaming machine 1 is turned off while the operation notice display is being displayed, and the gaming machine 1 is turned on without clearing the RWM and with the specific clear switch in the "OFF" state.

In the stop control, when the value of the difference counter reaches a threshold value (95,000 in this embodiment), the main CPU 100a performs the stop control, assuming that the stop condition is met. Note that the threshold value is not limited to 95,000, and may be 90,000 or 100,000.

Figure 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an overview of the stop control in the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment. As illustrated in Figure 9, the main CPU 100a clears the difference number counter to 0 at the start of a game (step G1). Thereafter, when a game is played and a payout process of gaming media in that game is performed, the main CPU 100a updates the value of the difference number counter by adding the number of gaming media paid out (step G2).

Next, the main CPU 100a determines whether the value of the difference counter has reached 95,000 (i.e., whether the difference counter is greater than or equal to 95,000), and if so, performs stop control (step G3: YES). As illustrated in steps G4 to G7, the timing at which the stop control is actually performed depends on when the value of the difference counter reached 95,000. Specifically, if the value of the difference counter has reached 95,000 during a small win game (step G4: YES), the stop control is performed when the big win game immediately after the small win game ends (step G5). If the value of the difference counter has reached 95,000 during a big win game (step G6: YES) rather than during a small win game (step G4: NO), the stop control is performed when the big win game ends (step G5). In this way, when the small prize opening 19 or the large prize opening 13 is in operation, the main CPU 100a does not immediately perform stop control even if the value of the difference counter exceeds 95,000, but instead performs stop control when neither the small prize opening 19 nor the large prize opening 13 is in operation.

On the other hand, if neither the small win game nor the big win game is in progress (step G6: NO), the main CPU 100a immediately performs the stop control at that point (step G7). For example, if the stop control is not performed while the electric tulip 17 is in operation, the electric tulip 17 is opened in a predetermined opening pattern (see FIG. 10(A)). On the other hand, if neither the small win game nor the big win game is in progress and the value of the difference counter reaches 95,000 while the electric tulip 17 is in operation, the main CPU 100a immediately ends the operation of the electric tulip 17 when the value of the difference counter reaches 95,000 and performs the stop control (see FIG. 10(B)). Therefore, the opening time of the second starting hole 12 is relatively longer when the stop control is performed while the electric tulip 17 is in operation than when the stop control is not performed while the electric tulip 17 is in operation.

In FIG. 9, if the value of the difference counter has not reached 95,000 (step G3: NO), the main CPU 100a judges whether the value of the difference counter is less than 0 (step G8). If the main CPU 100a judges that the value of the difference counter is less than 0 (step G8: YES), it clears the value of the difference counter to 0 and ends the process (step G9). With this control, the main CPU 100a can perform a stop control when the value of the difference counter reaches 95,000, based on the point at which the player has suffered the greatest loss since the power was turned on. If the judgement is NO in step G8, the main CPU 100a ends the process.

In FIG. 9, if the value of the difference counter has not reached 95,000 (step G3: NO), the main CPU 100a judges whether the value of the difference counter is less than 0 (step G8). If the main CPU 100a judges that the value of the difference counter is less than 0 (step G8: YES), it clears the value of the difference counter to 0 and ends the process (step G9). With this control, the main CPU 100a can perform a stop control when the value of the difference counter reaches 95,000, based on the point at which the player has suffered the greatest loss since the power was turned on. If the judgement is NO in step G8, the main CPU 100a ends the process.

Note that the main CPU 100a clears the difference counter to 0 when the value is a negative value, but this is not limited thereto, and the difference counter may also count negative values, and the main CPU 100a may perform a stop control when the difference counter value reaches 95,000. In other words, the difference counter used for the stop control may be a simple difference number that also counts negative values.

[Relationship between limit control and various operation means]
In this embodiment, the return button 34 is enabled after the limit control is performed. Therefore, when the return button 34 is operated after the limit control is performed, the prepaid card on which the player's deposit and other information are stored is returned to the player.

As will be described later with reference to FIG. 11, in the gaming machine 1, if a gaming ball enters a predetermined winning slot before the stop control is performed and the gaming value for the winning has not been awarded (the payout of prize balls in this embodiment) when the stop control is performed, the control to award the gaming value for the winning is performed after the stop control is performed. In contrast, in this embodiment, the ball lending button 33 is disabled after the stop control is performed. Therefore, while it is possible to award the gaming balls for the winning after the stop control is performed, it is not possible to award the gaming value by operating the ball lending button 33. This ensures that the gaming value for the winning can be awarded, while preventing the player from operating the ball lending button 33 to start playing on the gaming machine 1 after the stop control is performed.

The ball loan button 33 may be enabled after the stop control has been performed. If the ball loan button 33 is enabled after the stop control has been performed, the granting of game balls related to the above-mentioned winning can be performed after the stop control has been performed, and the granting of game value can be performed by operating the ball loan button 33. This allows the player to exchange their deposit for game balls whenever they wish.

In this embodiment, the effect key 27 is valid after the stop control is performed. Therefore, when the up or down key of the effect key 27 is operated after the stop control is performed, the light intensity of the LCD screen 5, the board lighting device 74, and the frame lighting device 10 can be adjusted. In addition, when the left or right key of the effect key 27 is operated after the stop control is performed, the volume of the speaker 24 can be adjusted. In the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment, when the effect key 27 is operated to adjust the light intensity or volume when the stop control is not performed, a setting image for setting the volume value and light intensity value is displayed on the LCD screen 5 for a predetermined time (for example, the setting image is displayed from the start of the operation until one second after the operation is completed). After the stop control is performed, when the effect key 27 is operated to adjust the light intensity or volume, the adjustment itself is valid, but the setting image is not displayed.

After the cutoff control has been performed, the setting image may be displayed for a predetermined period of time when the effect key 27 is operated to adjust the light intensity or the volume (the setting image may be displayed from the start of the operation until one second after the operation ends).

The performance key 27 may be disabled after the stop control is performed. In other words, the light intensity adjustments of the LCD screen 5, the board lighting device 74, and the frame lighting device 10, as well as the volume adjustment of the speaker 24 may be disabled after the stop control is performed.

In this embodiment, the effect button 26 is enabled after the limit control is performed. For example, in response to the operation of the effect button 26 after the limit control is performed, a voice saying "Congratulations" may be output from the speaker 24, or the appearance rate of the effect may be adjusted. Note that the effect button 26 may be disabled after the limit control is performed.

The gaming machine 1 may be equipped with a gaming information service. The gaming information service is a service that provides the player with the game contents (game history) from when the player starts playing to a certain point in time. The sub-CPU 130a stores the game contents from when the player starts playing in the sub-RAM 130b, etc., and provides the game information via a specified server when the player tries to obtain game information indicating the game contents during or at the end of the game. When providing the game information, the sub-CPU 130a displays a two-dimensional code on the liquid crystal screen 5 so that the player can access the server. The player reads the two-dimensional code with the camera of the mobile terminal with a camera, and accesses the server according to the domain, etc. included in the two-dimensional code to obtain the game information. In the gaming machine 1 equipped with the gaming information service, the two-dimensional code may be displayed in response to the operation of the performance button 26 after the stop control is performed.

[Regarding the relationship between winning timing and whether or not a payout operation occurs]
11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the relationship between the stop control and the presence or absence of a payout operation in response to a game ball entering a predetermined winning hole. In the gaming machine 1, the prize balls for the winnings before the stop control are performed may be paid out after the stop control is performed. However, since the gaming machine 1 does not detect the winning of the game balls after the stop control is performed, the prize balls for the winnings after the stop control is performed are not paid out.

Referring to FIG. 11(A), a case where the stop control is performed outside the small win game period and outside the big win game period will be described. Outside the small win game period and outside the big win game period, before the stop control is performed, the game ball may enter the start hole or the general winning hole 14, but there is no possibility of it entering the small winning hole 19 or the big winning hole 13. In FIG. 11(A), if the game ball enters at the timing of (a), the payout device 95 is immediately driven in accordance with the above (a) to actually pay out the game ball. In the following description, the payout device 95 is driven to actually pay out the game ball to the player, which is referred to as the "payout operation."

In FIG. 11(A), if a game ball wins at timing (b), a payout operation is immediately performed according to (b) above. If a game ball wins at timing (c) during a payout operation according to (b) above, a payout operation according to (c) above starts when the payout operation according to (b) above is completed. For example, if the value of the difference counter reaches 95,000 during a payout operation according to (b) above and stop control is immediately performed, the payout operations according to (b) and (c) above continue after the stop control is performed.

Here, in this embodiment, a configuration in which the launching device 96 is enabled after the stop control is performed will be described. After the stop control is performed, when the player grips the handle 20 and rotates the lever 21 clockwise, the game balls stored in the upper tray 28 are guided to the launching device 96 and launched into the game area 10. As a result, the game balls enter the start hole (only the first start hole 11) or the general winning hole at the timing of (d) in FIG. 11(A).

However, after the stop control is performed, the devices related to winning and judgment no longer detect the game ball (i.e., detection is disabled), so even if the game ball enters the start hole, the prize ball based on the winning is also invalidated. Therefore, a payout operation is not performed in response to the game ball entering at timing (d) in FIG. 11 (A). In this case, from the player's perspective, even though the ball has entered the start hole, the prize ball is not paid out, which may cause the player to suspect a malfunction of the gaming machine 1 or to distrust the gaming store. Therefore, a configuration may be adopted in which the launching device 96 is disabled from the time the stop control is performed, so that the game ball cannot be launched from the time the stop control is performed. By configuring in this way, it is possible to prevent winning from occurring during the stop period when the prize balls are invalidated, and to prevent the player from distrusting the game.

Next, referring to FIG. 11(B), a case where the value of the difference counter reaches 95,000 during a small win game will be described. In this case, the main CPU 100a performs a stop control when the big win game ends immediately after the small win game ends. During a small win game, the game ball has a chance of winning the start hole, the general winning hole 14, or the small winning hole 19, but has no chance of winning the big winning hole 13. And during a big win game, the game ball has a chance of winning the start hole, the general winning hole 14, or the big winning hole 13, but has no chance of winning the small winning hole 19.

In FIG. 11(B), if a game ball wins at the timing (a), a payout operation is immediately performed according to the above (a). In FIG. 11(B), if a game ball wins at the timing (b), a payout operation is immediately performed according to the above (b). If a game ball wins at the timing (c) during the payout operation according to the above (b), a payout operation according to the above (c) is started at the completion of the payout operation according to the above (b). For example, if the value of the difference counter reaches 95,000 during the payout operation according to the above (b), the payout operations according to the above (b) and (c) are continued thereafter. During a small win game, if a game ball wins at the timing (d) after the value of the difference counter reaches 95,000, a payout operation according to the above (d) is started at the completion of the payout operation according to the above (c). In the example of FIG. 11(B), the small win game ends during the payout operation according to (c), so the payout operation according to (d) is performed during the big win game that is executed following the small win game. In FIG. 11(B), if a game ball wins at the timing of (e), the payout operation is performed immediately according to (e). For example, if the big win game ends during the payout operation according to (e) and the stop control is performed, the payout operation according to (e) continues after the stop control is performed. For example, if a game ball wins in the start port (only the first start port 11) or the general winning port at the timing of (f) during the payout operation according to (e) and after the stop control is performed, the payout operation according to (f) is not performed.

Next, referring to FIG. 11(C), a case where the value of the difference counter reaches 95,000 during a jackpot game will be described. In this case, the main CPU 100a performs a stop control when the jackpot game ends. During a jackpot game, the game ball may enter the start hole, the general prize hole 14, or the large prize hole 13, but there is no possibility of the game ball entering the small prize hole 19. Then, after the jackpot ends (i.e., after the stop control is performed), the game ball may enter the start hole (only the first start hole 11) or the general prize hole 14, but there is no possibility of the game ball entering the small prize hole 19 or the large prize hole 13.

In FIG. 11(C), if a game ball wins at the timing (a), a payout operation is immediately performed according to the above (a). In FIG. 11(C), if a game ball wins at the timing (b), a payout operation is immediately performed according to the above (b). If a game ball wins at the timing (c) during the payout operation according to the above (b), a payout operation according to the above (c) is started from the completion of the payout operation according to the above (b). For example, if the value of the difference counter reaches 95,000 during the payout operation according to the above (b), the payout operation according to the above (b) and (c) continues thereafter. During a jackpot game, if a game ball wins at the timing (d) after the value of the difference counter reaches 95,000, a payout operation according to the above (d) is started from the completion of the payout operation according to the above (c). In the example of FIG. 11(C), the jackpot game ends during the payout operation according to the above (d). Since the stop control is performed at the end of the jackpot game, the payout operation according to (d) above continues after the stop control is performed. In FIG. 11(C), if the game ball enters the start port (only the first start port 11) or the general winning port at the timing (e) during the payout operation according to (d) above, the payout operation according to (e) above is not performed. Also, in FIG. 11(C), if the game ball enters the start port (only the first start port 11) or the general winning port at the timing (f) after the payout operation according to (d) above is completed, the payout operation according to (f) above is not performed.

[Relationship between stop control and various indicators]
In this embodiment, the stop control is performed and the display 4 and the performance display 113 are simultaneously turned off (i.e., the non-notification state is reached). For this reason, if the stop control is performed when the first special symbol display 41 or the second special symbol display 42 is displaying a variable display, the display 4 stops (i.e., ends) the variable display in the first special symbol display 41 and the second special symbol display 42 and turns off. Also, if the stop control is performed when the first special symbol display 41 or the second special symbol display 42 is displaying a stopped display (i.e., notifying the type of symbol), the display 4 ends the stopped display in the first special symbol display 41 and the second special symbol display 42 and turns off. Hereinafter, the turning off of the display 4 will be described as a concept that includes the stopping of the variable display.

Even if at least one of the first special pattern reserved indicator 43 and the second special pattern reserved indicator 44 is on (i.e., reporting the number of reserved symbols) due to the reserved special pattern judgment, all of them will be turned off when the stop control is performed (all reserved symbols will be invalidated). Also, if the stop control is performed when the normal pattern indicator 45 is displaying a variable number, the display 4 will stop (i.e., end) the variable number display on the normal pattern indicator 45 and turn off. Also, if the stop control is performed when the normal pattern indicator 45 is displaying a stationary number (i.e., reporting the type of symbol), the display 4 will end the stationary number display on the normal pattern indicator 45 and turn off. Also, even if the normal pattern reserved indicator 46 is on (i.e., reporting the number of reserved symbols) due to the reserved normal pattern judgment, all of them will be turned off when the stop control is performed (all reserved symbols will be invalidated). Also, even if the game status indicator 47 is lit (i.e., indicating that the game is in a time-saving state), the round indicator 48 is lit (i.e., indicating the number of rounds), and the right hit lamp 49 is lit (i.e., indicating that right hits are currently recommended for the game), due to the low-probability time-saving control, all of these lights will go out when the game-stop control is performed.

In this embodiment, the stop control is performed and the cyclic display of the real-time base value bL and base values b1 to 3 on the performance display 113 stops (i.e. ends) and goes out. Note that the stop control may be performed and the cyclic display of the real-time base value bL and base values b1 to 3 on the performance display 113 may stop (i.e. ends) and the performance display 113 may start to display "---". In such a case, the stop control is performed and the display 4 is turned off, while the performance display 113 starts to light up other than the cyclic display.

In addition, when the stop control is performed, one of the display 4 and the performance display 113, which is a predetermined one, may be turned off and the other may continue to be turned on. For example, the following configuration may be used to continue the display of the display 4 regardless of whether the stop control is performed. For example, if the stop control is performed when the first special pattern display 41 or the second special pattern display 42 is displaying a variation, the first special pattern display 41 or the second special pattern display 42 may continue displaying the variation and the stop display even after the stop control is performed until the predetermined time related to the pattern variation has elapsed. Also, for example, if the stop control is performed when the normal pattern display 45 is displaying a variation, the normal pattern display 45 may continue displaying the variation and the stop display even after the stop control is performed until the predetermined time related to the pattern variation has elapsed. Also, for example, if the stop control is performed when the real-time base value bL and the base values b1 to b3 are displayed in a cyclical manner on the performance display 113, the cyclical display may be continued regardless of whether the stop control is performed.

Figure 12 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the calculation and display of the base value when the difference counter value reaches 95,000. In this embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 12 (A), if the difference counter value has not reached 95,000 (step B11: NO), the base value is calculated in the low probability non-time shortening mode, and the real-time base value bL and the base values b1 to 3 are displayed in a cyclical manner on the performance display 113 (step B12). If the difference counter value reaches 95,000 during a small win game or a big win game (step B13: YES), the total out counter continues to count until the stop control is performed, and the real-time base value bL and the base values b1 to 3 are displayed in a cyclical manner on the performance display 113 (step B14). Note that the counting by the base calculation prize ball counter and the counting by the base calculation out counter are stopped during a small win game and a big win game. As a result, the cyclic display of the real-time base value bL and base values b1 to 3 continues from when the difference counter value reaches 95,000 until the stop control is performed. Then, when the small win game and the big win game end (step B13: NO), the counting by the base calculation prize ball counter, the base calculation out counter, and the total out counter stops, and the performance display 113 goes out, so that the cyclic display of the real-time base value bL and base values b1 to 3 stops (step B15).

In addition, another configuration 2 illustrated in FIG. 12(B) may be adopted. In this case, when the value of the difference counter reaches 95,000 (step B21: YES), regardless of whether or not the stop control is performed at the timing when the difference counter reaches 95,000, the counting of the prize ball counter for base calculation, the out counter for base calculation, and the total out counter stops, and the performance display 113 goes out, so that the cyclic display of the real-time base value bL and the base values b1 to 3 is no longer performed (step B23). Even if the player is playing a small win or a big win when the difference counter reaches 95,000, the counting of the prize ball counter for base calculation, the out counter for base calculation, and the total out counter stops and the performance display 113 goes out when the difference counter reaches 95,000.

In addition, calculation of the base value may continue after the cutoff control is performed.

[About the operation warning display]
In the gaming machine 1, after the stop control is performed, the accessories related to winning and judgment will no longer detect the gaming ball. From the player's point of view, for example, even if a winning ball is won at the starting hole, no variable display will be performed and no prize balls will be paid out, which may cause the player to suspect a malfunction of the gaming machine 1 or to distrust the gaming establishment.

Therefore, in this embodiment, a configuration is adopted in which an operation warning display is displayed in advance when there is a risk of stoppage control being performed, thereby preventing the player from being placed in an unfavorable situation. By seeing the operation warning display, the player can know in advance that there is a risk of stoppage control being performed, and can decide whether or not to play on the gaming machine 1. This makes it possible to prevent excessive play on the gaming machine 1.

Figure 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation notice display SY1. The operation notice display SY1 is a display that indicates to the player the quantitative changes that will occur until a predetermined condition for the stop control is reached, before that condition is reached. The operation notice display SY1 indicates, in numerical or quantitative terms, the value of the difference counter until the predetermined condition for the stop control is reached. In this embodiment, the display of the operation notice display SY1 begins when the value of the difference counter reaches 90,000. The operation notice display is displayed relatively small so as not to interfere as much as possible with the presentation that is being performed during the variable display of the special pattern.

13(A), the operation notice display SY1 displays the text "5000 more shots until the complete function is activated" in the upper left corner of the liquid crystal screen 5. When the operation notice display SY1 starts to be displayed, the voice "5000 more shots until the complete function is activated" is output only once from the speaker 24 (note that it may be output multiple times (e.g., three times), or may not be output at all). The value of the difference counter at which the operation notice display SY1 starts to be displayed is not limited to 90000, but may be 75000, 89000, or 91000. Note that the frame lighting device 10 may be illuminated in a lighting mode (e.g., yellow flashing) that indicates that the operation notice display SY1 has been displayed for a predetermined time (e.g., 3 seconds) from the start of the display of the operation notice display SY1. Moreover, regardless of whether the operation notice display SY1 has been displayed, the frame lighting device 10 may not be illuminated in a lighting mode that indicates that the operation notice display SY1 has been displayed.

Figure 13 (A) illustrates an example of how the operation notice display SY1 is displayed when the second special symbol is displayed in a variable manner in the low probability time-saving mode. In this embodiment, the performance is controlled in the RUSH mode when the low probability time-saving mode is active. In the RUSH mode, a right-hit promotion display (small) that encourages the player to hit the right and the BGM name are always displayed in the upper right corner of the liquid crystal screen 5. The right-hit promotion display (small) is, for example, a relatively small "right hit" character. In the RUSH mode, the background image for the RUSH mode and the character "RUSH mode" representing the performance mode name are basically always displayed in the lower left corner of the liquid crystal screen 5. In the RUSH mode, the reserved icon 51 and the icon 53 are displayed in a display form (for example, shape and display position) for the RUSH mode. In contrast, the reserved icon 51 indicating the reserved number of the first special symbol judgment and the icon 53 indicating that the first special symbol is displayed in a variable manner are not displayed in the RUSH mode. In addition, in RUSH mode, the "remaining number of time-saving times" indicating the remaining number of time-saving times may be displayed on the LCD screen 5.

In this embodiment, the operation notice display SY1 subtracts a value indicating the value of the difference counter in the operation notice display SY1 in synchronization with the change in the value of the difference counter. In this embodiment, the display content of the operation notice display SY1 is updated every time the value of the difference counter changes by 500 (specifically, the value indicating the value of the difference counter is subtracted). For example, when the value of the difference counter reaches 90,500, the operation notice display SY1 is updated to "4,500 more shots until the complete function is activated," and when the value of the difference counter reaches 91,000, the operation notice display SY1 is updated to "4,000 more shots until the complete function is activated" (see FIG. 13 (B)). In this embodiment, a configuration is adopted in which a sound notifying the display content of the operation notice display SY1 is output from the speaker 24 when the display of the operation notice display SY1 starts, while a sound notifying the display content of the updated operation notice display SY1 is not output from the speaker 24 when the display of the operation notice display SY1 is updated. In addition, together with updating the display of the operation notice display SY1, a sound announcing the display content of the updated operation notice display SY1 may be output only once from the speaker 24. In addition, the display content of the operation notice display SY1 only needs to be synchronized with the change in the value of the difference counter, and the value indicating the value of the difference counter in the operation notice display SY1 may increase or decrease due to the update.

The unit of change in the value of the difference counter that triggers updating the display contents of the operation notice display SY1 is not limited to 500, but may be 1 or 1000. However, if the unit of change is too large, it will not be possible to suggest to the player the quantitative change until the condition for the stop control is reached, so a configuration in which the unit of change is, for example, 2500 or no change at all is not preferable.

The operation notice display SY1 is displayed in front of the other images. In this embodiment, the operation notice display SY1 is not hidden by the performance prop 7 when the performance prop 7 is not operating, but is partially (or completely) hidden when the performance prop 7 is operating. However, since the operation notice display SY1 is hidden by the performance prop 7 for a short period of time (e.g., 2 to 3 seconds), the player is not put at a disadvantage by the operation notice display SY1 being hidden by the performance prop 7. Note that the operation notice display SY1 may be displayed in a position where it is not hidden by the performance prop 7 regardless of whether the performance prop 7 is operating or not. This prevents the operation notice display SY1 from becoming invisible or losing visibility while displayed.

The operation warning display basically continues to be displayed until the stop control is performed. This allows a player to be notified in advance that there is a risk of stop control being performed when a player playing on gaming machine 1 changes, and allows the player to decide whether or not to play on gaming machine 1.

Here, depending on the progress of the game, the value of the difference counter may become smaller, and there may be no risk of the stop control being performed. Therefore, in this embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 13(C), when the value of the difference counter falls below a threshold value (89,000 in this embodiment), it is considered that there is no risk of the stop control being performed, and the operation notice display SY1 is hidden. When the value of the difference counter reaches 90,000 again, the operation notice display SY1 is displayed again. FIG. 13(C) illustrates a state when the operation notice display SY1 is hidden because the value of the difference counter falls below 89,000 when the first special pattern is displayed in a variable manner in a low probability non-time shortening mode. Note that the threshold value for hiding the operation notice display SY1 is not limited to 89,000, but may be 80,000, or may be the same value (i.e., 90,000) as the threshold value for displaying the operation notice display SY1 (90,000 in this embodiment).

In this embodiment, when the game is in low probability and non-time-saving mode and the special symbol can be displayed in a variable manner, the presentation is controlled in normal mode. In normal mode, the background image for normal mode and the words "normal mode", which indicate the presentation mode name, are basically always displayed in the lower left corner of the LCD screen 5. In normal mode, the reserved icon 51 and the icon 53 are displayed in the display form (e.g., shape and display position) for normal mode. In contrast, in normal mode, the right-hit prompting display encouraging the player to hit right and the BGM name are not displayed. Also, the reserved icon 51, which indicates the reserved number of second special symbol judgments, and the icon 53, which indicates that the second special symbol is being displayed in a variable manner, are not displayed in normal mode.

The operation notice display SY1 is displayed in front of other images (for example, the above-mentioned decorative pattern 55, small pattern 56, fourth pattern 57 and 59, background image, performance mode name, reserved icon 51 and icon 53, right hit prompt display, BGM name) and is basically displayed in a position that is not hidden by the performance device 7. The operation notice display SY1 of this embodiment is not hidden by the performance device 7 when the performance device 7 is not operating, but is partially (or completely) hidden when the performance device 7 is operating. However, since the time that the operation notice display SY1 is hidden by the performance device 7 is short (for example, 2 to 3 seconds), the player is not put in a disadvantageous situation by the operation notice display SY1 being hidden by the performance device 7. Note that the operation notice display SY1 may be displayed in a position that is not hidden by the performance device 7 regardless of whether the performance device 7 is operating or not. This prevents the operation notice display SY1 from becoming invisible or reducing its visibility during display.

As shown in FIG. 13(D), after the value of the difference counter becomes smaller than when the activation notice display SY1 was first displayed, the display may be continued by updating the display content of the activation notice display SY1 every time the value of the difference counter changes by 500. For example, when the value of the difference counter reaches 89,000, the activation notice display SY1 is updated to "6,000 shots remaining before the complete function is activated."

The method of indicating the value of the difference counter by the operation notice display is not limited to a numerical value or a quantity, and may be a meter display. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a modified display mode of the operation notice display. FIG. 14(A) illustrates an example in which the display of the operation notice display SY2 is started on the condition that the value of the difference counter reaches 90,000 when the second special pattern is displayed in a variable manner in a low probability time reduction mode. As illustrated in FIG. 14(A), the operation notice display SY2 includes the text "The complete function will be activated soon" and scales (meter displays SYM1 to SYM5) indicating the value of the difference counter are displayed in the upper left corner of the liquid crystal screen 5. In the illustrated example, one scale corresponds to the value of the difference counter of 1,000, and five white scales are displayed to indicate that there are 5,000 remaining until the stop control is performed. The text "5,000" is arranged near the leftmost scale (SYM1), and the text "0" is arranged near the rightmost scale (SYM5). When the display of the operation notice display SY2 starts, a voice message stating "5000 more shots until the complete function is activated" is output from the speaker 24 only once (note that this may be output multiple times (e.g., three times) or not at all). Note that the frame lighting device 10 may be illuminated in a lighting pattern (e.g., blinking yellow) that indicates that the operation notice display SY2 has been displayed for a predetermined time (e.g., three seconds) from the start of the display of the operation notice display SY2. Furthermore, regardless of whether the operation notice display SY2 has been displayed, the frame lighting device 10 does not have to be illuminated in a lighting pattern that indicates that the operation notice display SY2 has been displayed.

In the operation notice display SY2, as shown in FIG. 14(B), each time the value of the difference counter changes (increases) by 1000, the meter displays SYM1 to SYM5 change color from white to black, one by one, starting from the left. In this modified example, when the operation notice display SY2 starts to be displayed, a sound notifying the display contents of the operation notice display SY2 is output from the speaker 24, but when the display of the operation notice display SY2 is updated, a sound notifying the display contents of the updated operation notice display SY2 is not output from the speaker 24. Note that when the display of the operation notice display SY2 is updated, a sound notifying the display contents of the updated operation notice display SY1 may be output from the speaker 24 only once. Instead of the meter displays SYM1 to SYM5 of the operation notice display SY2, the meter display may be displayed using a plurality of light-emitting elements (e.g., full-color LEDs) provided near the liquid crystal screen 5.

The operation notice display SY2 may further include the text "Please note that when the meter reaches 0, play will end for the day."

In this embodiment, the operation notice display continues to be displayed even when the gaming machine 1 is in a customer waiting state. The customer waiting state is a state in which the first special pattern judgment hold and the second special pattern judgment hold are both 0, and the stop display time of the special pattern (for example, 1 second) has elapsed. By displaying the operation notice display in the customer waiting state, it is possible to notify the player in advance that there is a risk of a stop control being performed when a player playing with the gaming machine 1 is replaced, and to allow the player to decide whether or not to play with the gaming machine 1. In addition, in the customer waiting state, a setting image for setting the volume value and the light value is displayed in response to a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds) having elapsed since the customer waiting state without a variable display of the special pattern. In addition, in the customer waiting state, a customer waiting performance is started in response to a further predetermined time (for example, 20 seconds) having elapsed since the customer waiting state without a variable display of the special pattern. As the customer waiting performance, a demo video for advertising the gaming machine 1, a display of the name of the company that manufactures the gaming machine 1, etc. are displayed repeatedly while switching between them. In this embodiment, after the stop control is performed, the gaming machine 1 will not enter a waiting state for customers.

The display area of the operation notice display may change while it is being displayed. As one example, the operation notice display may be displayed in a first display area (e.g., the center of the screen) from the start of its display until a predetermined time (e.g., 30 seconds) has elapsed, and then continue to be displayed in a second display area (e.g., the upper left corner of the screen) after the predetermined time has elapsed. The second display area is a display area that is smaller than the first display area and is less likely to interfere with the presentation. In this way, the operation notice display can be displayed in the first display area to clearly indicate to the player that there is a risk that a limit control will be implemented soon, and then the operation notice display can be moved to the second display area so that it is less likely to interfere with the presentation.

As another example of changing the display area while the operation notice display is being displayed, the operation notice display may be displayed by switching between the first display area and the second display area (e.g., the upper left corner of the screen) according to the presentation situation. For example, while waiting for customers, the operation notice display may be displayed in the first display area to clearly inform the player that there is a risk that a stop control will be implemented soon, and while a special pattern is being displayed in a changing state, the operation notice display may be displayed in the second display area so as not to interfere with the presentation.

The operation warning display may be made invisible when a predetermined time (e.g., 10 minutes) has elapsed since the start of display. This hidden operation warning display may be displayed again when the gaming machine 1 enters a customer waiting state.

As an operation preview display, the text "90000/95000 The complete function will be activated when it reaches 95000" may be displayed in the upper left corner of the LCD screen 5. The "90000" part of the above text in the operation preview display indicates the current value of the difference counter, and increases or decreases in sync with the change in the value of the difference counter, with 95000 being the upper limit.

[About arrival display]
In this embodiment, a configuration is adopted in which the reach display TH starts to be displayed when the value of the difference counter reaches a threshold value (95,000 in this embodiment) during a small win game or a big win game. Since the player can know in advance that the stop control will be performed by looking at the reach display TH, the surprise of the player when the stop control is actually performed can be reduced.

15 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the achievement display TH. The achievement display TH is displayed when the small win game or the big win game is in progress when the difference counter value reaches 95,000. The achievement display TH in this embodiment is displayed continuously from when the difference counter value reaches 95,000 until the small win game and the big win game end. As exemplified in FIG. 15, the achievement display TH displays the text "The complete function will be activated after the big win ends. The upper limit that can be paid out in one day has been reached. Today's game ends" in the center of the liquid crystal screen 5. In this embodiment, the text "Congratulations" is displayed to congratulate the player at the same time as the achievement display TH starts to be displayed. In this embodiment, the voice "The complete function will be activated after the big win ends" is output only once from the speaker 24 at the same time as the achievement display TH starts to be displayed (it may be output multiple times (e.g., three times), or may not be output at all). The frame lighting device 10 may be illuminated in a lighting mode (e.g., flashing red) that indicates that the reach display TH has been displayed for a predetermined time (e.g., 3 seconds) from the start of the display of the reach display TH. Also, regardless of whether the reach display TH has been displayed or not, the frame lighting device 10 does not have to be illuminated in a lighting mode that indicates that the reach display TH has been displayed.

Figure 15 illustrates an example of the state in which the arrival display TH is displayed during a big win game immediately after the end of a small win with time reduction. During a big win game in this embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 15, the characters "round ○○" indicating which round of the round game is being played are displayed from the start of the round game to just before the start of the next round game (or the end of the big win game). In this embodiment, regardless of whether it is a small win game or a big win game, during the small win game and the big win game, a right-hit prompt display (small) and the characters "TOTAL ○○○○○" indicating the total number of winning balls obtained so far during the consecutive wins are displayed. The total number of winning balls continues to be displayed from the start of the first round game to the end of the big win game (note that in the case of a small win without time reduction, until the end of the small win game). In Figure 15, it is suggested that the round game is the 5th round and the total number of winning balls is 5220. In this embodiment, the reach display is displayed in a position that does not reduce the visibility of the right-hit prompt display (small) and the characters "Round ○○" and "TOTAL ○○○○." When the total number of winning balls exceeds a predetermined upper limit (e.g., the threshold at which the stop control is performed), a number exceeding the upper limit may be displayed as the total number of winning balls, or a number not exceeding the upper limit may be displayed as the total number of winning balls (e.g., the characters "TOTAL 95000," which indicate the threshold at which the stop control is performed, may continue to be displayed as the total number of winning balls).

In this embodiment, the display content of the arrival display TH is not updated regardless of whether the value of the difference counter has changed, but the arrival display TH may include a value suggesting the value of the difference counter. The value suggesting the value of the difference counter in the arrival display TH may be increased in synchronization with the change in the value of the difference counter. For example, in the arrival display TH, an initial value of 95,000 may be displayed as a value suggesting the value of the difference counter, and each time the value of the difference counter increases (for example, by 1), the above value may be increased and displayed. Note that the value suggesting the value of the difference counter in the arrival display TH may remain a fixed value (for example, remaining at 95,000) without being synchronized with the change in the value of the difference counter.

The reach display TH is displayed in a position that is closer to the other images and is not generally hidden by the prop 7. In this embodiment, the reach display TH is not hidden by the prop 7 when the prop 7 is not in operation, but is partially (or completely) hidden when the prop 7 is in operation. However, since the reach display TH is hidden by the prop 7 for a short period of time (e.g., 2 to 3 seconds), the player is not put at a disadvantage by the reach display TH being hidden by the prop 7. Note that the reach display TH may be displayed in a position that is not hidden by the prop 7 regardless of whether the prop 7 is in operation. This prevents the reach display TH from becoming invisible or losing visibility during display.

The reach display TH basically continues to be displayed until the stop control is performed. Note that the reach display TH may end its display immediately before the stop control is performed (e.g., 2 seconds before). For example, from the time when the reach display TH starts to be displayed, a character image congratulating the player may be displayed on the LCD screen 5 behind the reach display TH, and when the reach display TH is no longer displayed, the character image may become visible to the player.

It is also possible to have a configuration in which, while having an activation notice display, there is no reach display TH, and when the value of the difference counter reaches a threshold value (95,000 in this embodiment) during a small win or big win game, the activation notice display continues to be displayed until the small win or big win game ends (i.e., until the game is stopped). In this case, the activation notice display may continue to display text information such as "500 more shots until the complete function is activated" from when the value of the difference counter reaches the threshold value (95,000 in this embodiment) until the game is stopped.

As the arrival indication TH, the words "Complete function about to be activated" may be displayed in the center of the LCD screen 5.

[About the cutoff display]
In this embodiment, a configuration is adopted in which a limit display is started when limit control is performed. By seeing the limit display, a player can know that limit control has been performed, and can be discouraged from playing on the gaming machine 1.

16 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the limit display. The limit display continues to be displayed until the limit is released. As illustrated in FIG. 16(A), the limit display is a black image covering the entire surface of the LCD screen 5 and the text "The complete function has been activated. The upper limit that can be paid out in one day has been reached. Today's game is over." The display area is larger in the order of operation notice display < arrival display < limit display. When the limit display is displayed, the reserved number 52, the decorative pattern 55, the small pattern 56, and the fourth patterns 57 and 59 are not visible at all because the limit display is displayed in front. Note that the reserved number 52, the decorative pattern 55, the small pattern 56, and the fourth patterns 57 and 59 may be made invisible by being erased from the time the limit control is performed. In this embodiment, when the limit display starts to be displayed, a voice saying "The complete function will be activated after the big win ends" is output only once from the speaker 24 (note that it may be output multiple times (e.g., three times) or not even once). Note that the frame lighting device 10 may continue to emit light in a light emission mode (e.g., white flashing) that indicates that the limit display has been displayed from the time the limit display begins. Also, regardless of whether the limit display has been displayed or not, the frame lighting device 10 does not have to emit light in a light emission mode that indicates that the limit display has been displayed.

As shown in the examples of Figures 13 to 16, the activation notice display, the reach display, and the limit display use text information that is partially common (specifically, the text information "Complete function is activated"). This allows the activation notice display, the reach display, and the limit display to have a sense of unity, making it possible to leave a strong impression on the player.

In this embodiment, the display content of the play limit display is not updated even if the payout operation continues after the play limit control is performed. The play limit display is displayed in a position that is closer to the other images and is not hidden by the prop 7. This ensures that the play limit display does not become invisible or lose visibility while being displayed. Note that although the play limit display is not hidden by the prop 7 when the prop 7 is not operating, it may be displayed in a position where it is partially hidden by the prop 7 operating. In this case, it is preferable that the visibility of the characters included in the play limit display is not reduced.

In this embodiment, while the activation notice display is on, the player is allowed to see other images related to the variable display (for example, decorative pattern 55), and the reach display allows the player to see other images during small win play and big win play (for example, the total number of winning balls). In contrast, while the limit display is on, the player is not allowed to see other images. For this reason, in this embodiment, the size of the images is in the following order: activation notice display < reach display < limit display.

In this embodiment, the operation warning display is hidden depending on the value of the difference counter. In contrast, the limit display remains displayed until the limit control is released. For this reason, the limit display is displayed for a longer period of time than the operation warning display.

In this embodiment, the reach display is hidden when the small win game ends (or when the big win game ends immediately after the small win game ends). Therefore, the limit display, which continues to be displayed until the limit control is released, is displayed for a longer period of time than the reach display.

Figure 16 (B) is an explanatory diagram for explaining modified examples of the display contents of the limit display. As illustrated in Figure 16 (B), in a gaming machine 1 equipped with a gaming information provision service, the limit display includes a two-dimensional code used to acquire gaming information. This prevents a player from being unable to acquire gaming information due to the limit display being displayed. A configuration may be adopted that prevents other players from acquiring the gaming information. For example, the limit display illustrated in Figure 16 (B) may be displayed in place of the limit display illustrated in Figure 16 (A) when a predetermined time (e.g., 30 minutes) has elapsed since the limit display illustrated in Figure 16 (B) was displayed.

Figure 16 (C) is an explanatory diagram for explaining a modified display mode in the limit display. As exemplified in Figure 16 (C), the characters "Complete function has been activated. The maximum payout limit for one day has been reached. Today's game is over" are displayed on the liquid crystal screen 5 as the limit display, while a black image covering the entire surface of the liquid crystal screen 5 as exemplified in Figure 16 (A) does not have to be displayed. This allows other images to be seen when the limit display is displayed. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which the decorative pattern 55, the small pattern 56, and the fourth patterns 57 and 59 are immediately stopped and displayed (or slightly moved) in a predetermined mode when the limit control is performed, so that various images in the above-mentioned predetermined mode can be seen when the limit display is displayed. At this time, the characters displayed as the limit display are displayed in priority (for example, toward the front) over various images in the above-mentioned predetermined mode. Specifically, for example, when the stop control is performed during the variable display of the special symbol, the decorative symbol 55, the small symbol 56, and the fourth symbols 57 and 59 may be immediately stopped (or slightly moved) in a loss notification mode when the stop control is performed, and each symbol in the loss notification mode may be visible when the stop control is performed. Also, for example, when the value of the difference counter reaches 95000 during a small win game and the stop control is performed after the small win game ends (or after the big win following the small win game ends), the decorative symbol 55, the small symbol 56, and the fourth symbols 57 and 59 may be immediately stopped (or slightly moved) in a small win notification mode that is the same as the stop mode immediately before the start of the small win game, and each symbol in the small win notification mode may be visible when the stop control is performed. Also, for example, when the value of the difference counter reaches 95,000 during a jackpot game related to a small jackpot with time reduction (see FIG. 6), and a stop control is performed after the jackpot ends, the decorative pattern 55, the small pattern 56, and the fourth patterns 57 and 59 may be immediately stopped (or slightly moved) in a small jackpot with time reduction notification mode when the stop control is performed, and each pattern of the small jackpot with time reduction mode may be visible when the stop control is displayed. Also, for example, when the value of the difference counter reaches 95,000 during a jackpot game related to jackpots A to D (see FIG. 6), and a stop control is performed after the jackpot game ends, the decorative pattern 55, the small pattern 56, and the fourth patterns 57 and 59 may be immediately stopped (or slightly moved) in a jackpot notification mode (i.e., any of the jackpots A to D) that is the same as the stop mode immediately before the start of the jackpot game when the stop control is performed, and each pattern of the jackpot notification mode may be visible when the stop control is displayed.

The reserved numbers 52, decorative patterns 55, small patterns 56, and fourth patterns 57 and 59 may be hidden by being erased when the stop control is performed.

Note that the background image for normal mode (or RUSH mode) may continue to be displayed even after the limit control is performed. In this case, the text displayed as the limit display is displayed with priority over the background image (e.g., in the foreground).

The limit indication may further include text information such as "Please call an attendant." The operation warning indication and the arrival indication do not include text information such as "Please call an attendant."

[Relationship between stop control and various reservations]
FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the handling of various reserves when the limit control is performed during the variable display of the special pattern. FIGS. 17(A-1) and (A-2) illustrate the state when the limit control is performed in the normal mode. In FIG. 17(A-1), the text "500 more shots until the complete function is activated" is displayed as the operation notice display SY1. This suggests that the limit control may be performed soon. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 17(A-1), when the limit control is performed when the reserve of the normal pattern judgment is 0, the reserve of the first special pattern judgment is 3, and the reserve of the second special pattern judgment is 0, all of the above reserves are invalidated (see FIG. 17(A-2)).

Figures 17 (B-1) and (B-2) show examples of when limit control is performed in RUSH mode. In Figure 17 (B-1), the activation notice SY1 displays the text "500 more shots until the complete function is activated." This suggests that limit control may be performed soon. For example, as shown in Figure 17 (B-1), if limit control is performed when the reserved number of normal symbol determinations is 2, the reserved number of first special symbol determinations is 0, and the reserved number of second special symbol determinations is 3, all of the reserved numbers will be invalidated (see Figure 17 (B-2)).

As shown in the examples of Figures 17 (B-1) and (B-2), during low probability time reduction, a right-hit prompting indicator (small) is displayed in the upper right corner of the LCD screen 5, but when the stop control is performed, the right-hit prompting indicator (small) is hidden and the stop indicator is displayed. In addition, the right-hit lamp is turned off along with the display of the stop indicator.

Figure 18 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the handling of various reserved symbols when stop control is performed during jackpot play. Figure 18 (A) illustrates the flow when stop control is not performed at the end of jackpot play. For example, as illustrated in Figure 18 (A), when the jackpot play ends when the reserved number for normal pattern determination is 4, the reserved number for first special pattern determination is 0, and the reserved number for second special pattern determination is 4, the display of the second special pattern and normal pattern will start to change in response to the end of the jackpot play (see Figure 18 (A)).

As shown in FIG. 18(A), if the gaming machine 1 is turned off during a jackpot game, and then turned on with the setting key SW in the OFF or ON state and the RWM clear button in the OFF state, the value of the difference counter after the power is restored will be 0. The reserved information is maintained before and after the power is restored, so when the jackpot game ends, the second special symbol and normal symbol will start to change in display in response to the end of the jackpot game (see FIG. 18(A)).

Figure 18 (B) illustrates the flow when the stop control is performed at the end of the jackpot game. In the example of Figure 18 (B), the jackpot game is executed when the reserve of the normal pattern judgment is 4, the reserve of the first special pattern judgment is 0, and the reserve of the second special pattern judgment is 4. The above reserves are maintained until the end of the jackpot game even after the value of the difference number counter reaches 95,000 during the jackpot game. Therefore, the number of the above reserves is notified (lit) by the display 4 until the end of the jackpot game even after the value of the difference number counter reaches 95,000. In this embodiment, when the stop control is performed, the display 4 is turned off, so that the above reserve numbers are in a non-notification state. When the stop control is performed at the end of the jackpot game, all the above reserves are invalidated, so that the change display of the pattern is not performed after the stop control is performed.

As shown in FIG. 18(B), when the difference counter value reaches 95,000 during a jackpot game, it is determined that a limit control will be performed, and then when the gaming machine 1 is turned off and the power is turned on with the setting key SW in the OFF or ON state and the RWM clear button in the OFF state, the value of the difference counter after the power is restored will be 0. However, it has already been determined that a limit control will be performed. The reserved information is maintained before and after the power is restored, so the second special symbol reserved indicator 44 and the normal symbol reserved indicator 46 are lit on the display 4 during a jackpot game, but when the limit control is performed at the end of the jackpot game, all of the reserved information is invalidated. For this reason, no change in the symbol display is performed after the limit control is performed.

In addition, if the value of the difference counter reaches 95,000 during a jackpot game and it is determined that a stop control will be performed, and then the gaming machine 1 is turned to the power "OFF" state and the power is turned to the power "ON" state with the setting key SW in the "OFF" or "ON" state and the RWM clear button in the "OFF" state, the value of the difference counter at the time the power is turned to the "OFF" state may be maintained as the value of the difference counter after the power is restored.

[About various errors]
A plurality of errors (abnormalities) are set in the gaming machine 1. Priorities are set in advance for the various errors, and in principle, errors with higher priorities are given priority. Error displays that notify various errors may be displayed during the same period as the operation notice display, the reach display, and the limit display. Notifications related to the operation notice display, the reach display, and the limit display are given priority over notifications related to errors. Specifically, for example, the operation notice display, the reach display, and the limit display are displayed with priority over the various error displays. More specifically, the operation notice display, the reach display, and the limit display are displayed larger than the various error displays. In addition, the various error displays are displayed behind the operation notice display, the reach display, and the limit display. This makes it possible to easily suggest information related to limit control to the player even when an error display is being performed. The various error displays are basically displayed at a predetermined display position that does not overlap with the operation notice display, the reach display, and the limit display.

In addition, when various error displays start, an error sound corresponding to each type of error may be output from the speaker 24. In such a case, when multiple errors occur at the same time, an error sound corresponding to the error with the higher priority is output, while an error sound corresponding to the error with the lower priority is not output. During the output period of the sound output in conjunction with the operation preview display, the arrival display, or the limit display, the above sound is output from the speaker 24, while no error sound is output, so that notifications related to the operation preview display, the arrival display, and the limit display are given priority over notifications related to errors. An error sound can be output outside the output period of the sound output in conjunction with the operation preview display, the arrival display, or the limit display.

Examples of errors include errors that are highly likely to be fraudulent, such as detection of radio waves by the radio wave detection sensor 50c or detection of a magnet by the magnetic detection sensor 57a, errors that may be due to equipment malfunctions or fraud, such as abnormal switch detection, and errors that are not likely to be fraudulent but may cause disruption to the progress of the game, such as a bottom tray full error.

Each type of error has a condition set for clearing the error when it occurs. For errors with a relatively high priority, the condition for clearing the error is mainly the power being turned "OFF," whereas for errors with a relatively low priority, the condition for clearing the error state is cleared.

The various errors include errors that cause game play to stop, as when game-stopping control is performed, and errors that do not cause game play to stop. Errors with a relatively high priority cause game play to stop, and errors with a relatively low priority cause game play to not stop. When the gaming machine 1 enters a game-stop state, the detection of game balls by the various switches is stopped, and the display 4 and performance display 113 are turned off simultaneously. When an error that causes game play to stop occurs, a predetermined one of the display 4 and the performance display 113 may be turned off and the other may remain lit.

Below, various types of errors are illustrated with reference to FIG. 19. The errors and conditions illustrated below are merely examples and can be changed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

A "radio wave error" occurs when the main CPU 100a of the game control board 100 determines that the radio wave detection sensor 50c has detected abnormal radio waves for a predetermined period of time or more (for example, for 0.1 seconds or more). In this case, the main CPU 100a stops the game and displays a radio wave error message on the LCD screen 5. The error can be cleared when the gaming machine 1 is in the power "OFF" state and the power is set to the "ON" state with the RWM clear button in the "ON" state (note that the setting key SW at this time can be in either the "OFF" or "ON" state). Note that if another error occurs at the same time, the notification of the radio wave error takes priority.

Here, in this embodiment, when the gaming machine 1 is in the power "OFF" state, a series of operations in which the power is turned to the "ON" state with the setting key SW in the "ON" state and the RWM clear button in the "ON" state is an operation related to the setting change. In other words, for various errors in which the error release condition is "when the gaming machine 1 is in the power "OFF" state and the RWM clear button is in the "ON" state", an operation related to the setting change is the error release condition. Note that, in a gaming machine 1 that is equipped with a setting change switch for changing settings, for various errors in which the error release condition is "when the gaming machine 1 is in the power "OFF" state and the RWM clear button is in the "ON" state, the error release condition is "when the gaming machine 1 is in the power "OFF" state and the setting change switch is in the "ON" state", an operation related to the setting change (specifically, "when the gaming machine 1 is in the power "OFF" state and the power is turned to the "ON" state)".

As shown in FIG. 20, when the operation notice display or the arrival display overlaps with the radio error display, the operation notice display and the arrival display take priority. Specifically, the operation notice display and the arrival display are displayed larger than the radio error display. When a radio error occurs, the game stops, and after the game limit control is performed, the radio detection sensor 50c is disabled and no radio error is detected, so the radio error display is not displayed while the game limit display is being displayed. Note that the radio error may be detectable after the game limit control is performed.

In this embodiment, the "unauthorized winning error" includes three types of errors, for example, "unauthorized winning error A," "unauthorized winning error B," and "unauthorized winning error C."

The "Unauthorized Winning Error A" occurs when the main CPU 100a determines that the first start hole detection switch 45a or the second start hole detection switch 47a has been in the "ON" state for a certain period of time. In this case, the main CPU 100a stops the game and displays the Unauthorized Winning Error A display on the LCD screen 5. The error release condition is that when the gaming machine 1 is in the "OFF" state, the RWM clear button is in the "ON" state and the power is set to the "ON" state (note that the setting key SW at this time may be in either the "OFF" or "ON" state). Note that if the Unauthorized Winning Error A overlaps with a radio wave error, the notification of the radio wave error takes priority, and if it overlaps with another error, the notification of the Unauthorized Winning Error A takes priority.

As shown in FIG. 21, when the operation notice display or the arrival display overlaps with the illegal winning error A display, the operation notice display and the arrival display take priority. When the illegal winning error A occurs, the game stops, and after the stop control is performed, the first start hole detection switch 45a and the second start hole detection switch 47a are disabled and the illegal winning error A is not detected. Therefore, the illegal winning error A display is not displayed while the stop display is being displayed. Note that the illegal winning error A may be detectable after the stop control is performed.

An "illegal winning error B" occurs when the main CPU 100a determines that the large winning port detection switch 50a has detected an excessive number of winning balls during the large winning port valid period. In this case, the main CPU 100a stops the game and displays the illegal winning error B display on the LCD screen 5. The error release condition is that when the gaming machine 1 is in the power "OFF" state, the RWM clear button is in the "ON" state and the power is turned to the "ON" state (note that the setting key SW at this time can be in either the "OFF" or "ON" state). Note that if the illegal winning error B overlaps with a radio wave error or an illegal winning error A, the notification of the radio wave error and illegal winning error A takes priority, and if it overlaps with another error, the notification of the illegal winning error B takes priority.

When the operation notice display or the arrival display overlaps with the illegal entry error B display, the operation notice display and the arrival display take priority. When the illegal entry error B occurs, the game stops, and after the stop control is performed, the large entry port detection switch 50a is disabled and the illegal entry error B is not detected, so the illegal entry error B display is not displayed while the stop display is being displayed. Note that the illegal entry error B may be detectable after the stop control is performed.

The "Unauthorized Winning Error C" occurs when the main CPU 100a determines that the large winning hole detection switch 50a has detected a game ball outside the valid period of the large winning hole. In this case, the main CPU 100a stops the payout operation and displays the Unauthorized Winning Error C display on the LCD screen 5. The error release condition is that when the gaming machine 1 is in the power "OFF" state, the RWM clear button is in the "OFF" state and the power is turned to the "ON" state (note that the setting key SW at this time can be in either the "OFF" or "ON" state). Note that if the Unauthorized Winning Error C overlaps with the error exemplified in FIG. 19(A), the notification of the error exemplified in FIG. 19(A) takes priority, and if it overlaps with another error, the notification of the Unauthorized Winning Error C takes priority.

In the following, we will not explain the error whose error release condition is "turning the gaming machine 1 to the power "ON" state with the RWM clear button in the "OFF" state when the gaming machine 1 is in the power "OFF" state" as it can also be released by "turning the gaming machine 1 to the power "ON" state with the RWM clear button in the "ON" state when the gaming machine 1 is in the power "OFF" state".

As illustrated in FIG. 22, if the operation notice display, the reach display, or the limit display overlaps with the improper winning error C display, the operation notice display, the reach display, or the limit display takes priority. After the limit control is performed, the large prize opening detection switch 50a is disabled and the improper winning error C is not detected. Therefore, if an improper winning error C occurs before the limit control is performed, the limit display and the improper winning error C display are displayed overlapping each other. It is also possible that the improper winning error C can be detected after the limit control is performed.

A "magnet error" occurs when the main CPU 100a determines that the magnetic sensor 57a has detected a magnet. In this case, the main CPU 100a stops the game and displays a magnet error message on the LCD screen 5. The error release condition is that when the gaming machine 1 is in the power "OFF" state, the RWM clear button is in the "ON" state and the power is turned to the "ON" state (note that the setting key SW at this time can be in either the "OFF" or "ON" state). Note that if the magnet error overlaps with the radio wave error and the illegal winning error A or B, the notification of the radio wave error and the illegal winning error A or B takes priority, and if it overlaps with other errors, the notification of the magnet error takes priority.

As shown in FIG. 23, when the operation notice display or the arrival display overlaps with the magnet error display, the operation notice display and the arrival display take priority. When a magnet error occurs, the game stops, and after the stop control is performed, the magnetic detection sensor 57a is disabled and the magnet error is not detected. Therefore, the magnet error display is not displayed while the stop display is being displayed. Note that the magnet error may be detectable after the stop control is performed.

"Payout error A" occurs when the main CPU 100a counts the number of excessive prize balls paid out and reaches a predetermined number. In this case, the main CPU 100a stops the payout operation and displays a payout error message on the LCD screen 5. The error release condition is that when the gaming machine 1 is in the power "OFF" state, the RWM clear button is in the "ON" state and the power is turned to the "ON" state (note that the setting key SW at this time can be in either the "OFF" or "ON" state). Note that if payout error A overlaps with another error exemplified in FIG. 19(A), the notification of the error exemplified in FIG. 19(A) takes priority, and if it overlaps with the errors exemplified in FIG. 19(B) and (C), the notification of payout error A takes priority.

As shown in FIG. 24, if the operation preview display, arrival display, or limit display overlaps with the payout error A display, the operation preview display, arrival display, or limit display takes priority. Payout error A is detected even after limit control is performed. For this reason, if payout error A occurs before or after limit control is performed, the limit display and payout error A display will be displayed overlapping each other.

A "ball jam error" occurs when the main CPU 100a determines that a ball jam sensor (not shown) has detected a ball jam (an error related to ball jamming). Ball jamming can occur when game balls jam inside the gaming machine 1, or when there is a shortage of game balls supplied to the gaming machine 1. In this case, the main CPU 100a stops the payout operation and displays a ball jam error message on the LCD screen 5. The condition for clearing the error is that after the ball jam is resolved, when the gaming machine 1 is in the power "OFF" state, the RWM clear button is in the "OFF" state and the power is turned to the "ON" state (note that the setting key SW at this time can be in either the "OFF" or "ON" state). When the ball run-out has not been resolved, if the game machine 1 is turned on with the RWM clear button in the "OFF" state (the setting key SW may be in either the "OFF" or "ON" state) while the power is in the "OFF" state, the ball jam error will not be resolved, and the ball jam error notification will continue after the power is restored. In this way, in this embodiment, the ball jam error is not released just because the ball run-out has been resolved, but the ball jam error is released by performing the above operation on the premise that the ball run-out has been resolved. The conditions for releasing the ball jam error are not limited to the above, and the ball jam error may be released just because the ball run-out has been resolved (i.e., immediately after the ball run-out has been resolved without the need for the above operation). If the ball jam error overlaps with the error exemplified in FIG. 19(A) or the illegal winning error C, the notification of the error exemplified in FIG. 19(A) and the illegal winning error C takes priority, and if it overlaps with another error, the notification of the ball jam error takes priority.

As illustrated in FIG. 25, when an operation preview display, a reach display, or a stop display overlaps with a ball jam error display, the operation preview display, the reach display, or the stop display takes priority. A ball jam error is detected even after the stop control is performed. For this reason, when a ball jam error occurs before or after the stop control is performed, the stop display and the payout error display are displayed overlapping each other. For example, when the reach display and the ball jam error display are notified, and the ball jam error is cleared and the ball jam error display is hidden, the reach display continues to be displayed. Also, for example, when the stop display and the ball jam error display are notified, and the ball jam error is cleared and the ball jam error display is hidden, the stop display continues to be displayed.

"Payout error B" occurs when the payout control board 120 in the main CPU 100a detects that a payout exceeding the predetermined number of prize balls has been made before the payout operation for the predetermined number of prize balls is completed. In this case, the main CPU 100a stops the payout operation and displays the payout error B display on the liquid crystal screen 5. The error release condition is that when the gaming machine 1 is in the power "OFF" state, the RWM clear button is in the "OFF" state and the power is in the "ON" state (note that the setting key SW at this time can be in the "OFF" state or the "ON" state). Note that if the payout error B overlaps with the error exemplified in FIG. 19(A), the illegal winning error C, or the ball jam error, the notification of the error exemplified in FIG. 19(A), the illegal winning error C, and the ball jam error takes priority, and if it overlaps with other errors, the notification of the payout error B takes priority.

When the operation notice display, the arrival display, or the limit display overlaps with the payout error B display, the operation notice display, the arrival display, or the limit display takes priority. Payout error B is detected even after the limit control is performed. For this reason, when a payout error B occurs before or after the limit control is performed, the limit display and the payout error B display are displayed overlapping each other. For example, when the arrival display and the payout error B display are notified, and the payout error B display is cleared and the payout error B display is hidden, the arrival display continues to be displayed. Also, for example, when the limit display and the payout error B display are notified, and the payout error B display is cleared and the payout error B display is hidden, the limit display continues to be displayed.

"Payout error C" occurs when the main CPU 100a determines that the payout motor drive for one game ball has not been performed when one game ball is paid out by the payout control board 120. In this case, the main CPU 100a retries the payout operation and displays the payout error C display on the LCD screen 5. The error release condition is that when the gaming machine 1 is in the power "OFF" state, the RWM clear button is in the "OFF" state and the power is in the "ON" state (note that the setting key SW at this time may be in the "OFF" state or the "ON" state). Note that if the payout error C overlaps with the error with the "high" priority illustrated in FIG. 19 or the payout error B, the notification of the error with the "high" priority illustrated in FIG. 19 or the payout error B takes priority, and if it overlaps with another error, the notification of the payout error C takes priority. The conditions for canceling the dispensing error C are not limited to the above, and the dispensing error C may be canceled simply by the dispensing motor being driven normally (i.e., immediately without the need for the above operation).

When the operation notice display, the arrival display, or the limit display overlaps with the payout error C display, the operation notice display, the arrival display, or the limit display takes priority. Payout error C is detected even after limit control is performed. For this reason, when a payout error C occurs before or after limit control is performed, the limit display and the payout error C display are displayed overlapping each other. For example, when the arrival display and the payout error C display are notified, and the payout error C is cleared and the payout error C display is hidden, the arrival display continues to be displayed. Also, for example, when the limit display and the payout error C display are notified, and the payout error C is cleared and the payout error C display is hidden, the limit display continues to be displayed.

"Payout error D" occurs when the payout control board 120 in the main CPU 100a determines that the payout of less than the predetermined number of prize balls has been detected even after the payout operation of the payout control board 120 has completed the payout operation of the predetermined number of prize balls. In this case, the main CPU 100a performs the payout operation at a low speed and displays the payout error D display on the LCD screen 5. The error release condition is that when the gaming machine 1 is in the power "OFF" state, the RWM clear button is in the "OFF" state and the power is in the "ON" state (note that the setting key SW at this time may be in the "OFF" state or the "ON" state). Note that if the payout error D overlaps with other errors with the priority "high" or "medium" illustrated in FIG. 19, the notification of the errors with the priority "high" and "medium" illustrated in FIG. 19 is prioritized, and if it overlaps with other errors, the notification of the payout error D is prioritized. The conditions for canceling the payout error D are not limited to the above, and the payout error D may be cancelled simply by detecting the payout of the specified number of winning balls (i.e., immediately without the need for the above operation).

When the operation notice display, the arrival display, or the limit display overlaps with the payout error D display, the operation notice display, the arrival display, or the limit display takes priority. The payout error D is detected even after the limit control is performed. For this reason, when a payout error D occurs before or after the limit control is performed, the limit display and the payout error D display are displayed overlapping each other. For example, when the arrival display and the payout error D display are notified, and the payout error D display is cleared and the payout error D display is hidden, the arrival display continues to be displayed. Also, for example, when the limit display and the payout error D display are notified, and the payout error D display is cleared and the payout error D display is hidden, the limit display continues to be displayed.

The "abnormal operation error of the movable body" occurs when the sub-CPU 130a of the performance control board 130 determines that the performance role 7 is not in the correct position based on information from the performance role initial position sensor 7a and the performance role advance position sensor 7b. In this case, the sub-CPU 130a displays an abnormal operation error display of the movable body on the liquid crystal screen 5. The error release condition is that when the power of the gaming machine 1 is in the "OFF" state, the RWM clear button is in the "OFF" state and the power is in the "ON" state (note that the setting key SW at this time may be in the "OFF" state or the "ON" state). Note that if the abnormal operation error of the movable body overlaps with the error of the priority "high" or "medium" illustrated in FIG. 19, the notification of the error of the priority "high" and "medium" illustrated in FIG. 19 is prioritized, and if it overlaps with another error, the notification of the abnormal operation error of the movable body is prioritized.

As illustrated in FIG. 26, if an operation preview display, arrival display, or limit display overlaps with an abnormal operation error display of the movable body, the operation preview display, arrival display, or limit display takes priority. An abnormal operation error of the movable body is detected even after limit control is performed. For this reason, when an abnormal operation error of the movable body occurs before or after limit control is performed, the limit display and the abnormal operation error display of the movable body are displayed overlappingly. Note that it is also possible that an abnormal operation error of the movable body cannot be detected after limit control is performed.

A "sound source error" occurs when the sub-CPU 130a determines that data could not be read normally from the sound source data. In this case, the sub-CPU 130a displays a sound source error display on the liquid crystal screen 5. The error release condition is that when the gaming machine 1 is in the power "OFF" state, the RWM clear button is in the "OFF" state and the power is in the "ON" state (note that the setting key SW at this time may be in the "OFF" state or the "ON" state). Note that the sound source error release condition may be that a predetermined time (e.g., 30 seconds) has passed since the error occurred. If the sound source error overlaps with the errors with the priority levels "high" or "medium" illustrated in FIG. 19 and the abnormal operation error of the movable body, priority is given to the notification of the errors with the priority levels "high" and "medium" illustrated in FIG. 19 and the abnormal operation error of the movable body, and if the sound source error overlaps with another error, priority is given to the notification of the abnormal operation error of the movable body.

If the operation preview display, arrival display, or limit display overlaps with the sound source error display, the operation preview display, arrival display, or limit display takes priority. Sound source errors are detected even after limit control is performed. For this reason, if a sound source error occurs before or after limit control is performed, the limit display and the sound source error display are displayed overlapping each other. Note that it is also possible that the sound source error cannot be detected after limit control is performed.

A "connection error" occurs when the main CPU 100a determines that a short circuit has been detected in the connection lines in the game control board 100. The main CPU 100a determines whether a short circuit has occurred based on a signal from a detection means capable of detecting the occurrence of a short circuit in at least one of the multiple output connection lines and multiple input connection lines in the game control board 100. When a connection error occurs, the main CPU 100a displays a connection error display on the liquid crystal screen 5. Note that the open circuit error may also be an error that occurs when it is determined that a short circuit in a connection line in a control board other than the game control board 100 (specifically, the performance control board 130, the image and sound control board 140, the lamp control board 150, and the payout control board 120) has been detected. In such a case, the main CPU 100a may display a connection error display by receiving a connection error signal from the control board that detected the short circuit, or the connection error display may be displayed by the CPU of the control board itself that detected the short circuit. The connection error release condition is that the disconnection/short circuit of the gaming machine 1 is resolved. If the connection error overlaps with the error illustrated in FIG. 19(A) or (B), the notification of the error illustrated in FIG. 19(A) or (B) takes priority, and if it overlaps with another error, the notification of the connection error takes priority.

As shown in FIG. 27, if the operation preview display, arrival display, or limit display overlaps with the connection error display, the operation preview display, arrival display, or limit display takes priority. Connection errors are detected even after limit control is performed. For this reason, the limit display and connection error display will overlap when a connection error occurs before or after limit control is performed.

The "door open error" occurs when the main CPU 100a determines that the frame member 3 is open from the outer frame by the door open detection sensor 59a. In this case, the main CPU 100a displays a door open error display on the liquid crystal screen 5. The error release condition is that the door open detection sensor 59a is in the OFF state. The error release condition may be that the power is turned to the "ON" state with the RWM clear button in the "OFF" state when the gaming machine 1 is in the "OFF" state (note that the setting key SW at this time may be in the "OFF" state or the "ON" state), and then the frame member 3 is released from the outer frame and fixed by the lock mechanism, or a predetermined time has passed since the fixing by the lock mechanism. If the door open error overlaps with the error exemplified in FIG. 19(A) or (B) and the connection error, the notification of the error exemplified in FIG. 19(A) or (B) and the connection error takes priority, and if it overlaps with the lower tray full error, the notification of the door open error takes priority.

As shown in FIG. 28, if the operation preview display, arrival display, or limit display overlaps with the door opening error display, the operation preview display, arrival display, or limit display takes priority. Door opening errors are detected even after limit control is performed. For this reason, if a door opening error occurs before or after limit control is performed, the limit display and the door opening error display will be displayed overlapping each other.

A "lower tray full error" occurs when the main CPU 100a determines that the lower tray full detection sensor 60a has detected that the lower tray 29 is full of game balls. In this case, the main CPU 100a displays a lower tray full error message on the LCD screen 5. The condition for clearing the error is that the lower tray 29 is no longer full of game balls. Note that if the lower tray full error overlaps with another error, the notification of the other error takes priority.

As shown in FIG. 29, if the operation preview display, arrival display, or limit display overlaps with the lower tray full error display, the operation preview display, arrival display, or limit display takes priority. The lower tray full error is detected even after limit control is performed. For this reason, if a lower tray full error occurs before or after limit control is performed, the limit display and the lower tray full error display will be displayed overlapping each other.

In this embodiment, after the stop control is performed, some errors detected by the game control board 100 can be detected, but other errors become undetectable. In contrast, after the stop control is performed, all errors detected by the performance control board 130 can be detected.

Figure 30 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the display timing of the operation notice display, the reach display, and the limit display, and the occurrence timing of various errors. As illustrated in Figure 30 (A), all of the errors illustrated in Figure 19 can occur while the operation notice display is displayed. As illustrated in Figure 30 (A), the errors that can continue to occur from when the operation notice display is displayed until the limit display is displayed are the errors illustrated in Figure 19 that do not cause the game to stop (specifically, payout errors A to D, illegal winning error C, ball jam error, abnormal operation error of movable body, sound source error, connection error, door open error, and bottom tray full error).

As shown in FIG. 30(B), all of the errors shown in FIG. 19 can occur while the reach indicator is being displayed. As shown in FIG. 30(B), the errors that can continue to occur from when the reach indicator is displayed until the limit indicator is being displayed are the errors shown in FIG. 19 that do not cause the game to stop (specifically, payout errors A to D, illegal winning error C, ball jam error, abnormal operation error of movable body, sound source error, connection error, door open error, and bottom tray full error).

As shown in FIG. 30(C), while the play limit display is on, among the errors shown in FIG. 19, payout errors A to D, ball jam error, movable body abnormal operation error, sound source error, connection error, door open error, and lower tray full error can occur.

Figure 31 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the state when the gaming machine 1 is turned "OFF" and then "ON" while the operation notice display and various error displays are displayed. As illustrated in Figure 31 (A-1), in a situation where the operation notice display and error displays (specifically, illegal winning error C, payout errors B to D, ball jam error, movable body abnormal operation error, or sound source error) are displayed, if the gaming machine 1 is turned "ON" with the RWM clear button in the "OFF" state while the power is in the "OFF" state, the operation notice display and the above error displays are hidden after the power is restored.

As shown in FIG. 31 (A-2), in a situation where an operation warning display and an error display (specifically, a ball jam error when the ball shortage has not been resolved, a radio wave error, an illegal winning error A or B, a magnet error, a payout error A, a connection error, a door open error, or a bottom tray full error) are displayed, if the gaming machine 1 is turned "ON" with the RWM clear button in the "OFF" state while the power is in the "OFF" state, after the power is restored, the operation warning display will not be displayed, but the above error display will be displayed.

In the following explanation, a ball jam error that occurs when the ball break has been resolved but the ball jamming error has not been resolved will simply be referred to as a "ball jamming error," and a ball jamming error that occurs when the ball break has not been resolved will be referred to as a "ball jamming error when the ball break has not been resolved."

As shown in FIG. 31 (B-1), in a situation where an operation notice display and an error display (specifically, a radio wave error, an illegal winning error A-C, a magnet error, a payout error A-D, a ball jam error, an abnormal operation error of a movable body, or a sound source error) are displayed, if the gaming machine 1 is turned "ON" with the RWM clear button in the "ON" state while the power is in the "OFF" state, the operation notice display and the above error displays will be hidden after the power is restored.

As shown in FIG. 31 (B-2), in a situation where an operation notice display and an error display (specifically, a ball jam error when the ball out problem has not been resolved, a connection error, a door open error, or a bottom tray full error) are displayed, if the gaming machine 1 is turned "ON" with the RWM clear button in the "ON" state while the power is in the "OFF" state, after the power is restored, the operation notice display will not be displayed, but the above error display will be displayed.

When the gaming machine 1 is turned off while a certain condition is satisfied, and then turned on without clearing the RWM, the value of the difference counter may be maintained before and after the power is restored, and an operation notice may be displayed after the power is restored. The certain conditions include at least one of the following: a small win is being played; a big win is being played; a low probability time reduction is being played; and the gaming machine 1 is turned on when the maintenance switch for maintaining the value of the difference counter is in the ON state.

Figure 32 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the state when the gaming machine 1 is turned from the power OFF state to the power ON state while the reach display and various error displays are displayed. As illustrated in Figure 32 (A-1), in a situation where the reach display and error display (specifically, illegal winning error C, payout errors B to D, ball jam error, movable body abnormal operation error, or sound source error) are displayed, if the gaming machine 1 is turned to the power ON state with the RWM clear button in the OFF state while the power is in the OFF state, the above error is released by the power being restored. Therefore, while the reach display is displayed after the power is restored, the above error display is not displayed. In this way, when the error display, the release condition of which is the power restoration, and the reach display are notified at the same time, and then the error is released, only the reach display is notified after the power is restored.

As shown in FIG. 32 (A-2), in a situation where an achievement message and an error message (specifically, a ball jam error when the ball shortage has not been resolved, a radio wave error, an illegal winning error A or B, a magnet error, a payout error A, a connection error, a door open error, or a bottom tray full error) are displayed, if the gaming machine 1 is turned on with the RWM clear button in the "OFF" state while the power is in the "OFF" state, the achievement message and the above error message will be displayed after the power is restored.

As shown in FIG. 32 (B-1), in a situation where an achievement display and an error display (specifically, a radio wave error, an illegal winning error A-C, a magnet error, a payout error A-D, a ball jam error, an abnormal operation error of a movable body, or a sound source error) are displayed, if the gaming machine 1 is turned "ON" with the RWM clear button in the "ON" state while the power is in the "OFF" state, the achievement display and the above error displays will be hidden after the power is restored.

As shown in FIG. 32 (B-2), in a situation where the reach display and the error display (specifically, a ball jam error, a connection error, a door open error, or a bottom tray full error when the ball runout has not been resolved) are displayed, if the game machine 1 is turned on with the RWM clear button in the "ON" state while the power is in the "OFF" state, the stop control is released when the power is restored, but the above error is not released. Therefore, after the power is restored, the reach display is not displayed, while the above error display is displayed. For example, in a situation where the reach display and the ball jam error display are displayed when the ball runout has not been resolved and the reach display and the reach display are displayed, the ball jam error display is resumed, while the reach display is not displayed. In this way, when the stop control is released after the various error displays that are not released only when the power is restored and the reach display are simultaneously notified, only the error display is notified after the power is restored.

Figure 33 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the state when the gaming machine 1 is turned from the power OFF state to the power ON state while the play limit display and various error displays are displayed. As illustrated in Figure 33 (A-1), in a situation where the play limit display and error display (specifically, payout errors B to D, ball jam error, movable body abnormal operation error, or sound source error) are displayed, if the gaming machine 1 is turned to the power ON state with the RWM clear button in the OFF state while the power is in the OFF state, the above error is released by the power being restored. Therefore, while the play limit display is displayed after the power is restored, the above error display is not displayed. In this way, when the various error displays and the play limit display, which are released when the power is restored, are notified at the same time, and the error is released, only the play limit display is notified after the power is restored.

As shown in FIG. 33 (A-2), in a situation where a play limit indication and an error indication (specifically, a ball jam error when the ball shortage has not been resolved, a payout error A, a connection error, a door open error, or a bottom tray full error) are displayed, if the gaming machine 1 is turned on with the RWM clear button in the "OFF" state while the power is in the "OFF" state, the play limit indication and the above error indication will be displayed after the power is restored.

As shown in FIG. 33 (B-1), in a situation where a play limit indication and an error indication (specifically, a payout error A-D, a ball jam error, an abnormal operation error of a movable body, or a sound source error) are displayed, if the gaming machine 1 is turned "ON" with the RWM clear button in the "ON" state while the power is in the "OFF" state, the play limit indication and the above error indications will not be displayed after the power is restored.

As illustrated in FIG. 33 (B-2), in a situation where a limit display and an error display (specifically, a ball jam error, a connection error, a door open error, or a bottom tray full error when the ball runout has not been resolved) are displayed, if the power is turned on with the RWM clear button in the "ON" state while the gaming machine 1 is in the "OFF" state, the limit control is released by the power recovery, but the above error is not released. Therefore, after the power is restored, the limit display is not displayed, while the above error display is displayed. For example, in a situation where a limit display and a ball jam error display are displayed when the ball runout has not been resolved and the gaming machine 1 is in the "OFF" state, if the power is turned on with the RWM clear button in the "ON" state, the display of the ball jam error resumes, while the limit display is not displayed. In this way, when the limit control is released after various error displays that do not require the power recovery alone and the limit display are simultaneously notified, only the error display is notified after the power is restored.

Figure 34 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the display timing of the operation notice display, the reach display, and the limit display, and the occurrence timing of two types of errors. As illustrated in Figure 34 (A), while the operation notice display is displayed, all errors illustrated in Figure 19 as error display 1 can occur, and errors other than error display 1 can occur among all errors illustrated in Figure 19 as error display 2. As illustrated in Figure 34 (A), errors that can continue to occur until the limit display is displayed are errors illustrated in Figure 19 that do not cause the game to stop (specifically, payout errors A to D, illegal winning error C, ball jam error, abnormal operation error of movable body, sound source error, connection error, door open error, and bottom tray full error).

As shown in FIG. 34(B), while the operation notice display is being displayed, all of the errors shown as error display 1 in FIG. 19 can occur. Then, while the reach display is being displayed, all of the errors shown as error display 2 in FIG. 19 other than error display 1 can occur. As shown in FIG. 34(B), the errors that can continue to occur until the play limit display is being displayed are the errors shown in FIG. 19 that do not cause the game to stop (specifically, payout errors A to D, illegal winning error C, ball jam error, abnormal operation error of movable body, sound source error, connection error, door open error, and bottom tray full error).

As shown in FIG. 34(C), while the operation notice display is on, all of the errors shown in FIG. 19 can occur as error display 1. And while the play limit display is on, errors other than error display 1 can occur as error display 2, including payout errors A to D, ball jam error, movable body abnormal operation error, sound source error, connection error, door open error, and lower tray full error.

As shown in FIG. 34(D), while the reach indicator is displayed, all of the errors shown in FIG. 19 can occur as error indicator 1, and all of the errors shown in FIG. 19 other than error indicator 1 can occur as error indicator 2. As shown in FIG. 34(B), errors that can continue to occur until the end of play indicator is displayed are errors shown in FIG. 19 that do not cause the game to stop (specifically, payout errors A to D, illegal winning error C, ball jam error, abnormal operation error of movable body, sound source error, connection error, door open error, and bottom tray full error).

As shown in FIG. 34(E), while the reach indication is displayed, all of the errors shown in FIG. 19 as error indication 1 can occur. Furthermore, while the limit indication is displayed, errors other than error indication 1 can occur, including payout errors A to D, ball jam error, movable body abnormal operation error, sound source error, connection error, door open error, and lower tray full error.

As shown in FIG. 34 (F), while the play limit indicator is displayed, any two of the following errors can occur as error indicator 1 and error indicator 2: payout errors A to D, ball jam error, movable body abnormal operation error, sound source error, connection error, door open error, and bottom tray full error.

Figure 35 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the state when the gaming machine 1 is turned from the power OFF state to the power ON state while the operation notice display and various error displays are displayed. As illustrated in Figure 35 (A-1), in a situation where the operation notice display, error display a1, and error display a2 are displayed, if the gaming machine 1 is turned to the power ON state with the RWM clear button in the OFF state when the power is OFF, the operation notice display and the error displays error display a1 and a2 are not displayed after the power is restored. As the error display a1, an illegal winning error C, a payout error B to D, a ball jam error, an abnormal operation error of a movable body, or a sound source error can be displayed. As the error display a2, an error other than the error display a1 can be displayed among the illegal winning error C, payout error B to D, a ball jam error, an abnormal operation error of a movable body, and a sound source error.

As shown in FIG. 35 (A-2), in a situation where the operation notice display, error display a1, and error display b1 are displayed, if the gaming machine 1 is turned on with the RWM clear button in the "OFF" state while the power is in the "OFF" state, the operation notice display and error display a1 are not displayed after the power is restored, but the error display b1 is displayed. As the error display a1, it is possible to display an illegal winning error C, a payout error B to D, a ball jam error, an abnormal operation error of a movable body, or a sound source error. As the error display b1, it is possible to display a ball jam error when the ball run out has not been resolved, a radio wave error, an illegal winning error A and B, a magnet error, a payout error A, a connection error, a door open error, or a bottom tray full error.

As illustrated in FIG. 35 (A-3), in a situation where the operation notice display, error display b1, and error display b2 are displayed, if the gaming machine 1 is turned on with the RWM clear button in the "OFF" state while the power is in the "OFF" state, after the power is restored, the operation notice display is hidden, but the error displays b1 and b2 are displayed. As the error display b1, it is possible to display a ball jam error when the ball outage has not been resolved, a radio wave error, illegal winning errors A and B, a magnet error, a payout error A, a connection error, an open door error, or a full bottom tray error. As the error display b2, it is possible to display an error other than the error display b1 among the ball jam error when the ball outage has not been resolved, a radio wave error, illegal winning errors A and B, a magnet error, a payout error A, a connection error, an open door error, and a full bottom tray error.

As shown in FIG. 35 (B-1), in a situation where the operation notice display, error display c1, and error display c2 are displayed, if the gaming machine 1 is turned to the power "ON" state with the RWM clear button "ON" while the power is "OFF", the operation notice display, error display c1, and error display c2 are hidden after the power is restored. As the error display c1, radio wave error, illegal winning error A-C, magnet error, payout error A-D, ball jam error, movable body abnormal operation error, or sound source error can be displayed. As the error display c2, radio wave error, illegal winning error A-C, magnet error, payout error A-D, ball jam error, movable body abnormal operation error, and sound source error can be displayed, except for the error display c1.

As shown in FIG. 35 (B-2), in a situation where the operation notice display, error display c1, and error display d1 are displayed, if the gaming machine 1 is turned to the power "ON" state with the RWM clear button "ON" while the power is "OFF", the operation notice display and error display c1 are not displayed after the power is restored, but the error display d1 is displayed. As the error display c1, a radio wave error, an illegal winning error A-C, a magnet error, a payout error A-D, a ball jam error, an abnormal operation error of a movable body, or a sound source error can be displayed. As the error display d1, a ball jam error when the ball shortage has not been resolved, a connection error, a door open error, or a lower tray full error can be displayed.

As illustrated in FIG. 35 (B-3), in a situation where the operation notice display, error display d1, and error display d2 are displayed, if the gaming machine 1 is turned to the power "ON" state with the RWM clear button "ON" while the power is "OFF", the operation notice display is not displayed after the power is restored, but the error display d1 and error display d2 are displayed. As the error display d1, a ball jam error, a connection error, a door open error, or a lower tray full error can be displayed when the ball outage has not been resolved. As the error display d2, an error other than the error display d1 can be displayed among the ball jam error, a connection error, a door open error, and a lower tray full error when the ball outage has not been resolved.

Figure 36 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the state when the gaming machine 1 is turned from the power OFF state to the power ON state while the achievement display and various error displays are displayed. As illustrated in Figure 36 (A-1), in a situation where the achievement display, error display a1, and error display a2 are displayed, if the gaming machine 1 is turned to the power ON state with the RWM clear button in the OFF state while the power is OFF, the achievement display is displayed after the power is restored, while the error display a1 and the error display a2 are not displayed. As the error display a1, an illegal winning error C, a payout error B to D, a ball jam error, an abnormal operation error of a movable body, or a sound source error can be displayed. As the error display a2, an error other than the error display a1 can be displayed among the illegal winning error C, the payout error B to D, a ball jam error, an abnormal operation error of a movable body, and a sound source error.

As shown in FIG. 36 (A-2), when the game machine 1 is in the power "OFF" state and the RWM clear button is set to the "ON" state while the reach display, error display a1, and error display b1 are displayed, the power recovery will clear the error related to error display a1, but will not clear the error related to error display a2. Therefore, after the power is restored, the reach display and error display b1 are displayed, but the error display a1 is not displayed. As the error display a1, it is possible to display an illegal winning error C, a payout error B to D, a ball jam error, an abnormal operation error of the movable body, or a sound source error. As the error display b1, it is possible to display a ball jam error when the ball run out is not resolved, a radio wave error, an illegal winning error A and B, a magnet error, a payout error A, a connection error, a door open error, or a bottom tray full error. In this way, when an error for which the power recovery is a release condition is released after simultaneously reporting various error displays for which the power recovery is a release condition, various error displays for which the power recovery is not a release condition, and an arrival display, the arrival display and various error displays for which the power recovery is not a release condition are reported after the power is restored. For example, in a situation in which the ball out problem has not been resolved and the arrival display, payout error B to D displays, and ball jam error display are displayed, if the gaming machine 1 is turned to the power "ON" state with the RWM clear button "OFF" when the power is in the "OFF" state, the arrival display and ball jam error display will continue to be displayed, while the payout error B to D displays will not be displayed.

Note that in gaming machines 1 where the ball jam error is cleared simply by the ball run-out being cleared (i.e., immediately by the ball run-out being cleared without the need for the above-mentioned operation as a condition for clearing the ball jam error), the following applies. For example, when the ball run-out has not been cleared and the reach display, payout error B-D display, and ball jam error display are displayed, if the gaming machine 1 is turned on with the RWM clear button in the "OFF" state while the power is in the "OFF" state, the reach display and ball jam error display will continue to be displayed, while the payout error B-D display will not be displayed. Also, for example, if the ball run-out is cleared in a situation where the reach display, payout error B-D display, and ball jam error display are displayed, the reach display and payout error B-D display will continue to be displayed, while the ball jam error display will not be displayed.

As shown in FIG. 36 (A-3), when the game machine 1 is in the power "OFF" state and the power is turned to the "ON" state with the RWM clear button in the "OFF" state in a situation where the arrival display, error display b1, and error display b2 are displayed, the arrival display, error display b1, and error display b2 are displayed after the power is restored. As the error display b1, it is possible to display a ball jam error when the ball run-out has not been resolved, a radio wave error, illegal winning errors A and B, a magnet error, a payout error A, a connection error, an open door error, or a full bottom tray error. As the error display b2, it is possible to display an error other than the error display b1 among the ball jam error when the ball run-out has not been resolved, a radio wave error, illegal winning errors A and B, a magnet error, a payout error A, a connection error, an open door error, and a full bottom tray error.

As shown in FIG. 36 (B-1), when the game machine 1 is in the power "OFF" state and the power is turned "ON" with the RWM clear button "ON", the reach display, error display c1, and error display c2 are hidden after the power is restored. As the error display c1, radio wave error, illegal winning error A-C, magnet error, payout error A-D, ball jam error, movable body abnormal operation error, or sound source error can be displayed. As the error display c2, radio wave error, illegal winning error A-C, magnet error, payout error A-D, ball jam error, movable body abnormal operation error, and sound source error can be displayed, except for the error display c1.

As shown in FIG. 36 (B-2), in a situation where the reach display, error display c1, and error display d1 are displayed, if the gaming machine 1 is turned on with the RWM clear button in the "ON" state while the power is in the "OFF" state, the error related to error display c1 is cleared by the power being restored, but the error related to error display d1 is not cleared. Therefore, after the power is restored, the error display d1 is displayed, while the reach display and error display c1 are not displayed. As the error display c1, a radio wave error, an illegal winning error A-C, a magnet error, a payout error A-D, a ball jam error, an abnormal operation error of a movable body, or a sound source error can be displayed. As the error display d1, a ball jam error when the ball run out has not been resolved, a connection error, a door open error, or a lower tray full error can be displayed. In this way, when the error for which the power recovery is a release condition is released after simultaneously reporting various error displays for which the power recovery is not a release condition, and various error displays for which the power recovery is not a release condition, and an arrival display, only the various error displays for which the power recovery is not a release condition are reported after the power is restored. For example, in a situation where the ball out problem has been resolved and the arrival display, payout error displays A to D, and ball jam error display are displayed, if the gaming machine 1 is turned to the power "ON" state with the RWM clear button "ON" while the power is in the "OFF" state, the payout error displays A to D will resume, while the arrival display and ball jam error display will remain hidden.

As shown in FIG. 36 (B-3), in a situation where the reach display, error display d1, and error display d2 are displayed, if the gaming machine 1 is turned on with the RWM clear button in the "ON" state while the power is in the "OFF" state, after the power is restored the reach display is hidden but the error display d1 and error display d2 are displayed. As the error display d1, a ball jam error, a connection error, a door open error, or a lower tray full error can be displayed when the ball run out has not been resolved. As the error display d2, a ball jam error, a connection error, a door open error, and a lower tray full error can be displayed when the ball run out has not been resolved, other than the error display d1.

Figure 37 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the state when the gaming machine 1 is turned "OFF" and then turned "ON" while the play limit display and various error displays are displayed. As illustrated in Figure 37 (A-1), in a situation where the play limit display, error display a1, and error display a2 are displayed, if the gaming machine 1 is turned "ON" with the RWM clear button in the "OFF" state while the power is in the "OFF" state, the play limit display is displayed after the power is restored, while the error display a1 and error display a2 are not displayed. As the error display a1, it is possible to display payout errors B to D, ball jam error, abnormal operation error of the movable body, or sound source error. As the error display a2, it is possible to display errors other than the error display a1 among the payout errors B to D, ball jam error, abnormal operation error of the movable body, and sound source error.

As illustrated in FIG. 37 (A-2), in a situation where the play limit indicator, error indicator a1, and error indicator b1 are displayed, if the gaming machine 1 is turned on with the RWM clear button in the "OFF" state while the power is in the "OFF" state, the error related to error indicator a1 is cleared when the power is restored, but the error related to error indicator b1 is not cleared. For this reason, after the power is restored, the play limit indicator and error indicator b1 are displayed, but the error indicator a1 is not displayed. As the error indicator a1, payout errors B to D, ball jam errors, movable body abnormal operation errors, or sound source errors can be displayed. As the error indicator b1, a ball jam error when the ball shortage has not been resolved, a payout error A, a connection error, a door open error, or a lower tray full error can be displayed. In this way, when various error displays that require the power recovery as a release condition, various error displays that do not require the power recovery as a release condition, and a stoppage display are simultaneously notified and then an error that requires the power recovery as a release condition is released, the stoppage display and various error displays that do not require the power recovery as a release condition are notified after the power is restored. For example, in a situation where the ball out problem has not been resolved and the stoppage display, payout error B to D displays, and ball jam error display are displayed, if the gaming machine 1 is turned to the power "ON" state with the RWM clear button "OFF" when the power is in the "OFF" state, the stoppage display and ball jam error display will continue to be displayed, while the payout error B to D displays will not be displayed.

In addition, in a gaming machine 1 where the ball jam error is cleared simply by the ball run-out being cleared (i.e., immediately by the ball run-out being cleared without requiring the above-mentioned operation as a condition for clearing the ball jam error), the following applies. For example, in a situation where the ball run-out has not been cleared and the play limit display, payout errors B to D, and ball jam error display are displayed, if the gaming machine 1 is turned on with the RWM clear button in the "OFF" state while the power is in the "OFF" state, the play limit display and ball jam error display will continue to be displayed, while the payout errors B to D are not displayed. Also, for example, if the ball run-out is cleared in a situation where the play limit display, payout errors B to D, and ball jam error display are displayed, the play limit display and payout errors B to D will continue to be displayed, while the ball jam error display is not displayed.

As illustrated in FIG. 37 (A-3), in a situation where the play limit display, error display b1, and error display b2 are displayed, if the gaming machine 1 is turned on with the RWM clear button in the "OFF" state while the power is in the "OFF" state, the play limit display, error display b1, and error display b2 are displayed after the power is restored. As the error display b1, a ball jam error when the ball run-out has not been resolved, a payout error A, a connection error, a door open error, or a lower tray full error can be displayed. As the error display b2, a ball jam error when the ball run-out has not been resolved, a payout error A, a connection error, a door open error, and a lower tray full error other than error display b1 can be displayed.

As illustrated in FIG. 37 (B-1), in a situation where the play limit display, error display c1, and error display c2 are displayed, if the gaming machine 1 is turned "ON" with the RWM clear button "ON" while the power is "OFF", the play limit display, error display c1, and error display c2 are hidden after the power is restored. As error display c1, payout errors A to D, ball jam errors, movable body abnormal operation errors, or sound source errors can be displayed. As error display c2, payout errors A to D, ball jam errors, movable body abnormal operation errors, and sound source errors other than error display c1 can be displayed.

As illustrated in FIG. 37 (B-2), in a situation where the play limit display, the error display c1, and the error display d1 are displayed, if the gaming machine 1 is turned to the power "ON" state with the RWM clear button "ON" while the power is "OFF", the error related to the error display c1 is cleared by this power recovery, but the error related to the error display d1 is not cleared. Therefore, after the power is restored, the error display d1 is displayed, while the play limit display and the error display c1 are not displayed. As the error display c1, a payout error A to D, a ball jam error, an abnormal operation error of the movable body, or a sound source error can be displayed. As the error display d1, a ball jam error when the ball run-out has not been resolved, a connection error, a door open error, or a lower tray full error can be displayed. In this way, when the various error displays for which the power recovery is the release condition, the various error displays for which the power recovery is not the release condition, and the play limit display are simultaneously notified, and then the error for which the power recovery is the release condition is released, only the various error displays for which the power recovery is not the release condition are notified after the power is restored. For example, in a situation where the ball shortage has been resolved and the play limit display, payout error A-D display, and ball jam error display are displayed, if the gaming machine 1 is turned "ON" with the RWM clear button in the "ON" state while the power is "OFF," the payout error A-D displays will resume, but the play limit display and ball jam error display will remain hidden.

As shown in FIG. 37 (B-3), in a situation where the play limit display, error display d1, and error display d2 are displayed, if the gaming machine 1 is turned on with the RWM clear button in the "ON" state while the power is in the "OFF" state, the play limit display is hidden after the power is restored, but error display d1 and error display d2 are displayed. As error display d1, a ball jam error, a connection error, a door open error, or a lower tray full error can be displayed when the ball run out has not been resolved. As error display d2, a ball jam error, a connection error, a door open error, and a lower tray full error can be displayed when the ball run out has not been resolved, other than error display d1.

The display mode (e.g., display content, size, and display position) of the various error displays may be any mode that does not overlap with the text information of the operation preview display, the arrival display, and the limit display. The various error displays may be displayed in a position where they partially overlap each other when multiple errors occur at the same time, or in a position where they do not overlap each other.

[Main processing by the game control board 100]
FIG. 38 is a flow chart showing an example of the main processing executed in the game control board 100. As illustrated in FIG. 38, in the main processing, the initial setting is performed first (step MS1). In the initial setting, for example, the interrupt time is set, the main CPU 100a is set, and various flags and counters are reset. The initial values of various flags are "OFF", and the initial values of various counters are "0". For example, the value of the difference counter is cleared to 0 in the initial setting. In addition, in the initial setting, processing according to a setting change, processing according to a setting confirmation, and processing according to an RWM clear are executed. The initial setting is executed only once after the power is turned on, and is not executed thereafter. Note that the initial values of various counters are not limited to "0" and may be any value. For example, the initial value of the difference counter may be "-95000", and in such a case, a stop control may be performed in response to the value of the difference counter becoming "0".

Following the initial settings (step MS1), interrupts are permitted (step MS2). While interrupts are permitted, timer interrupt processing can be executed in the game control board 100. The timer interrupt processing will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 39. A random number update process (step MS3) is executed to update the various random numbers used in determining normal and special symbols. In this random number update process, the various random numbers are updated by incrementing them by 1. When the various random numbers reach their upper limit, they return to "1" and are incremented again. Note that the period initial value of the various random numbers may be other than "1", and may be changed randomly.

Following the random number update process (step MS3), interrupts are prohibited (step MS4), and a difference counter monitoring process (step MS5) is executed to monitor the value of the difference counter and determine whether or not to perform a stop control. In the difference counter monitoring process, the process described with reference to FIG. 9 is executed.

Following the difference counter monitoring process (step MS5), a command related to stop control or a command related to error control is set (step MS6). Commands related to stop control include a command indicating that it is time to start displaying the operation preview display, a command indicating that it is time to start not displaying the operation preview display, a command indicating that it is time to start displaying the arrival display, and a command indicating that it is time to start displaying the stop display. Commands related to error control include a command indicating that various errors have occurred, and a command indicating that various errors have been cleared.

Following step MS6, it is determined whether a voltage drop has been detected continuously for a predetermined period of time (step MS7). If a voltage drop has not been detected continuously for a predetermined period of time (step MS7: NO), the process proceeds to step MS2. If a voltage drop has been detected continuously for a predetermined period of time (step MS7: YES), a power cutoff command is sent to the dispensing control board 120 to notify it that a power cutoff process has begun (step MS8).

Following step MS8, it is determined whether a remaining payout number command indicating the remaining number of game balls to be paid out has been received from the payout control board 120 (step MS9). If the remaining payout number command has not been received (step MS9: NO), it is determined whether the waiting time for waiting for receipt of the remaining payout number command has elapsed (step MS10). If the waiting time has not elapsed (step MS10: NO), processing proceeds to step MS9. On the other hand, if the waiting time has elapsed (step MS10: YES), it is determined that normal communication with the payout control board 120 is not possible, and processing proceeds to step MS11.

If a remaining payout number command is received (step MS9: YES), or if step MS10 is determined to be NO, the remaining payout number is saved in the payout counter set in the main RAM 100c (step MS11). Specifically, if a remaining payout number command is received, the remaining payout number specified by the remaining payout number command is saved, and if a remaining payout number command is not received, 0 is saved. After power is restored, a command instructing a payout according to the remaining payout number is sent from the game control board 100 to the payout control board 120.

Following step MS11, the operation of the display 4 and the solenoids related to the various winning ports is stopped (step MS12). Then, the checksum (abnormality determination data) of the main RAM 100c is calculated and stored in the game RWM area (step MS13), and a backup flag indicating that backup data is stored in the game RWM area of the main RAM 100c is stored (step MS14). After that, in step MS15, RWM access is prohibited, and thereafter, the system waits until the power supply is completely cut off. In this embodiment, the value of the difference counter is not stored as backup data in the game RWM area in step MS13. Therefore, after the power is restored, the value of the difference counter is cleared to the initial value (0 in this embodiment). Note that in step MS13, the value of the difference counter may be stored as backup data in the game RWM area, and the value of the difference counter may be maintained before and after the power is restored.

[Timer interrupt processing by the game control board 100]
Next, referring to FIG. 39, the timer interrupt process executed in the gaming control board 100 will be described. Here, FIG. 39 is a flow chart showing an example of the timer interrupt process executed in the gaming control board 100. The gaming control board 100 is set so that a timer interrupt is generated periodically at a fixed time (for example, 4 milliseconds) during normal operation except for special cases such as when the power is turned on or off. When a timer interrupt occurs, the gaming control board 100 executes a series of processes exemplified in FIG. 39. The processes shown in FIG. 39 to FIG. 49 are performed according to commands issued by the main CPU 100a based on the program stored in the main ROM 100b.

First, the main CPU 100a of the game control board 100 executes a random number update process to update the symbol random number, reach random number, variable pattern random number, and normal symbol random number by software (step S1A).

For example, each random number is incremented by "1" each time the processing of step S1A is performed. Note that a loop counter is used as the counter performing the processing of step S1A, and each random number is returned to "1" and updated after reaching a preset maximum value. Note that it may be preset so that the jackpot random number is updated by software, or each random number is generated by calculating a value generated by the random number circuit 104 and a value generated by software.

Following the processing of step S1A, the main CPU 100a executes a switch process to determine the state of the detection signal input from each switch, such as the first start hole detection switch 45a for detecting that a game ball has entered the first start hole 11, and the second start hole detection switch 47a for detecting that a game ball has entered the second start hole 12 (step S2A). This switch process will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 40.

Following the processing of step S2A, the main CPU 100a executes special pattern determination, executes special pattern processing including processing for variably displaying the special pattern on the first special pattern display 41 or the second special pattern display 42, and then statically displaying the special pattern indicating the result of the special pattern determination (step S3A). In the special pattern processing, it is determined whether or not there is a jackpot, the type of jackpot, the type of small jackpot, the type of miss, the variation pattern of the special pattern, etc. This special pattern processing will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 44.

Following the processing of step S3A, the main CPU 100a executes normal pattern determination, executes normal pattern processing including processing for variably displaying normal patterns on the normal pattern display 45 and then statically displaying normal patterns indicating the results of the normal pattern determination (step S4A). This normal pattern processing will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 45.

Following the processing of step S4A, if the main CPU 100a determines in the processing of step S3A that a small win has occurred, it executes a small prize opening opening control process that controls the small prize opening opening solenoid 51c to open the small prize opening 19 (step S5A). The small prize opening opening control process is a process that controls the small prize game, and is executed when a special pattern (small prize pattern) indicating that a small prize game has been determined to be executed is stopped and displayed. This small prize opening opening control process will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 48.

Following the processing of step S5A, if the main CPU 100a determines in the processing of step S3A that a jackpot has been reached, it executes a large prize opening opening control process that controls the large prize opening opening solenoid 51b to open the large prize opening 13 (step S6A). This large prize opening opening control process will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 49.

Following the processing of step S6A, the main CPU 100a executes a prize ball process that controls the payout of prize balls according to the winning of game balls (step S7A). Following step S7A, the main CPU 100a executes a game ball counting process (step S8A). Specifically, the following are performed: a base calculation prize ball counter that measures the number of prize balls paid out based on the winning of game balls into various winning ports (specifically, the general winning port, the large winning port, the small winning port, and the starting port) during the low probability non-time-saving state; a base calculation out counter that measures the number of game balls detected by the out ball detection switch 39a during the low probability non-time-saving state; and a total out counter that measures the number of game balls detected by the out ball detection switch 39a regardless of the game state.

The value of the total out counter, the value of the out counter for base calculation, and the value of the prize ball counter for base calculation are game information that are unrelated to the setting value, and are not affected by changing the setting value. This makes it possible to display performance (base value display) without being affected by the setting value.

Following the processing of step S8A, the main CPU 100a executes a performance information calculation/setting process (step S9A). Specifically, the main CPU 110a calculates and stores the base value bL for the current section separated by the total out. The main CPU 110a also causes the performance display 113 to display the base value bL and base values b1 to b3.

Following the processing of step S9A, the main CPU 100a executes a transmission process to transmit to the performance control board 130 various commands that were set (stored) in the main RAM 100c in the processing steps prior to step S7A, and information necessary to determine the content of the performance associated with the variable display of special patterns (step S10A).

[Switch processing by the game control board 100]
Fig. 40 is a detailed flow chart of the switch processing in step S2A in Fig. 39. Following the processing of step S1A, the main CPU 100a monitors whether or not a detection signal is input from the first start hole detection switch 45a, and executes a first start hole switch processing including a process of acquiring random numbers (jackpot random numbers, pattern random numbers, reach random numbers, and variable pattern random numbers) for determining special patterns at the time when the detection signal is input from the first start hole detection switch 45a (step S21). This first start hole switch processing will be described in detail later based on Fig. 41.

Next, the main CPU 100a monitors whether or not a detection signal is input from the second start hole detection switch 47a, and executes a second start hole switch process including a process of acquiring a random number for determining a special symbol at the time when the detection signal is input from the second start hole detection switch 47a (step S22). This second start hole switch process will be described in detail later with reference to FIG.
Next, the main CPU 100a monitors whether or not a detection signal is input from the gate detection switch 44a, and executes gate switch processing including processing for acquiring a random number for determining a normal symbol at the time when the detection signal is input from the gate detection switch 44a (step S23). This gate switch processing will be described in detail later with reference to FIG.

[First start port switch processing by the game control board 100]
Fig. 41 is a detailed flow chart of the first start hole switch processing in step S2A6 of Fig. 40. As illustrated in Fig. 41, the main CPU 100a judges whether the first start hole detection switch 45a has become "ON" based on whether a detection signal from the first start hole detection switch 45a has been input (step S2101). For example, when an ON signal indicating that the first start hole detection switch 45a has become "ON" is input, it is judged that the first start hole detection switch 45a has become "ON" (i.e., the condition for acquiring the game value has been established).

When the main CPU 100a determines that the first start hole detection switch 45a has been turned "ON" (step S2101: YES), it acquires the jackpot random number, pattern random number, reach random number, and fluctuation pattern random number as acquired information to be used in determining the first special pattern (steps S2102 to S2105).

Next, the main CPU 100a determines whether the number of reserved first special pattern determinations U1 stored in the main RAM 100c is less than the maximum number of reserved first special pattern determinations Umax1 (e.g., "4") stored in the main ROM 100b (step S2106).

If the main CPU 100a determines that the reserved number U1 is less than the maximum reserved number Umax1 (step S2106: YES), it updates the value of the reserved number U1 by adding "1" (step S2107).

Following the processing of step S2107, the main CPU 100a judges whether or not the time-saving game flag is ON (step S2108). If the main CPU 100a judges that the time-saving game flag is not ON (step S2108: NO), it executes a pre-determination process (step S2109). Specifically, prior to the jackpot determination process (see FIG. 46) and the fluctuation pattern determination process (see FIG. 47) described below, the main CPU 100a pre-determines whether or not a jackpot will be determined and what type of fluctuation pattern will be determined, based on the acquired information acquired by the processing of steps S2102 to S2105.

Following the processing of step S2109, the main CPU 100a stores the pre-determination information obtained by the pre-determination processing of step S2109 and the various random numbers obtained by the processing of steps S2102 to 2105 in a reserved memory area in the main RAM 100c (step S2110).

When the main CPU 100a determines that the time-saving game flag is ON (step S2108: YES), it stores the various random numbers obtained in the processing of steps S2102 to 2105 in a reserved memory area in the main RAM 100c (step S2111).

When the main CPU 100a executes the processing of step S2110 or step S2111, it sets a hold command related to the first special symbol determination in the main RAM 100c (step S2112). This hold command is a command to notify that the first special symbol determination has been put on hold, and includes the advance determination information obtained in the processing of step S2109. The hold command is transmitted to the performance control board 130 by the transmission processing of step S10A.

When the processing of step S2112 is executed, if it is determined that the first start hole detection switch 45a is not "ON" (i.e., the condition for acquiring game value is not met) (step S2101: NO), or if it is determined that the reserved number U1 is not less than the maximum reserved number Umax1 (step S2106: NO), the main CPU 100a ends the processing shown in FIG. 41.

[Second start port switch processing by the game control board 100]
Fig. 42 is a detailed flow chart of the second start hole switch processing in step S2A7 of Fig. 40. As illustrated in Fig. 42, the main CPU 100a judges whether the second start hole detection switch 47a has become "ON" based on whether a detection signal from the second start hole detection switch 47a has been input following the first start hole switch processing in step S21 (step S2201). For example, when an ON signal indicating that the second start hole detection switch 47a has become "ON" is input, it is judged that the second start hole detection switch 47a has become "ON" (i.e., the condition for acquiring the game value has been established).

When the main CPU 100a determines that the second start hole detection switch 47a has been turned "ON" (step S2201: YES), it acquires the jackpot random number, pattern random number, reach random number, and fluctuation pattern random number as acquired information to be used in determining the second special pattern (steps S2202 to S2205).

Next, the main CPU 100a determines whether the number of reserved second special pattern determinations U2 stored in the main RAM 100c is less than the maximum number of reserved second special pattern determinations Umax2 (e.g., "4") stored in the main ROM 100b (step S2206).

If the main CPU 100a determines that the reserved number U2 is less than the maximum reserved number Umax2 (step S2206: YES), it updates the value of the reserved number U2 by adding "1" (step S2207).

Following the processing of step S2207, the main CPU 100a determines whether or not the time-saving game flag is ON (step S2208). If the main CPU 100a determines that the time-saving game flag is ON (step S2208: YES), it executes a pre-determination process (step S2209). Specifically, prior to the jackpot determination process (see FIG. 46) and the fluctuation pattern determination process (see FIG. 47), the main CPU 100a pre-determines whether or not a jackpot will be determined and what type of fluctuation pattern will be determined, based on the information acquired by the processing of steps S2202 to S2205.

Following the processing of step S2209, the main CPU 100a stores the pre-determination information obtained by the pre-determination processing of step S2209 and the various random numbers obtained by the processing of steps S2202 to S2205 in a reserved memory area in the main RAM 100c (step S2210).

If the main CPU 100a determines that the time-saving play flag is not ON (step S2208: NO), it stores the various random numbers obtained in the processing of steps S2202 to S2205 in a reserved memory area in the main RAM 100c (step S2211).

When the main CPU 100a executes the processing of step S2210 or step S2211, it sets a hold command for the second special symbol determination in the main RAM 100c (step S2212). This hold command is a command to notify that the second special symbol determination has been put on hold, and includes the advance determination information obtained in the processing of step S2209. The hold command is transmitted to the performance control board 130 by the transmission processing of step S10A.

When the processing of step S2212 is executed, if it is determined that the second start hole detection switch 45a is not "ON" (i.e., the condition for acquiring game value is not met) (step S2201: NO), or if it is determined that the reserved number U2 is not less than the maximum reserved number Umax2 (step S2206: NO), the main CPU 100a ends the processing shown in FIG. 42.

[Gate switch processing by the game control board 100]
Fig. 43 is a detailed flow chart of the gate switch processing in step S23 of Fig. 40. As illustrated in Fig. 43, following the second start port switch processing in step S22, the main CPU 100a judges whether the gate detection switch 44a has been turned "ON" based on whether a detection signal has been input from the gate detection switch 44a (step S2301).

When the main CPU 100a determines that the gate detection switch 44a has been turned "ON" (step S2301: YES), it obtains a random number to be used for determining the normal pattern (step S2302).

Next, the main CPU 100a determines whether the number of reserved normal symbol determinations G stored in the main RAM 100c is less than the maximum number of reserved normal symbol determinations Gmax (e.g., "4") stored in the main ROM 100b (step S2303).

If the main CPU 100a determines that the reserved number G is less than the maximum reserved number Gmax (step S2303: YES), it updates the value of the reserved number G by adding "1" (step S2304).

Following the processing of step S2304, the main CPU 100a stores the random number obtained in the processing of step S2302 in a reserved memory area for normal pattern determination in the main RAM 100c (step S2305).

When the processing of step S2305 is executed, when it is determined that the gate detection switch 44a is not "ON" (step S2301: NO), or when it is determined that the reserved number G is not less than the maximum reserved number Gmax (step S2303: NO), the main CPU 100a ends the processing shown in FIG. 43.

[Special symbol processing by the game control board 100]
Next, the special symbol processing executed by the game control board 100 will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 44. Here, Fig. 44 is a detailed flowchart of the special symbol processing in step S3A of Fig. 39.

As illustrated in FIG. 44, the main CPU 100a determines whether or not a big win game or a small win game is being played (step S301). The main CPU 100a determines whether or not a big win game is being played based on, for example, whether or not a big win game flag stored in the main RAM 100c is set to "ON". This big win game flag is a flag indicating whether or not a big win game is being played, and is set to "ON" at the start of a big win game and is set to "OFF" at the end of the big win game. The main CPU 100a also determines whether or not a small win game is being played based on, for example, whether or not a small win game flag is set to "ON". This small win game flag is a flag indicating whether or not a small win game is being played that is stored in the main RAM 100c, and is set to "ON" at the start of a small win game and is set to "OFF" at the end of the small win game. If it is determined that a big win or small win is occurring (step S301: YES), processing proceeds to normal symbol processing in step S4A.

When the main CPU 100a determines that a jackpot is not being played (step S301: NO), it determines whether or not a special symbol is being displayed in a changing state (step S302). If it determines that a special symbol is not being displayed in a changing state (step S302: NO), it determines whether or not the reserved number U2 for the second special symbol determination stored in the main RAM 100c is "1" or more (step S303). If it determines that the reserved number U2 is "1" or more (step S303: YES), it updates the reserved number U2 to a value obtained by subtracting "1" (step S304).

When the main CPU 100a determines that the reserved number U2 is not "1" or more (step S303: NO), it determines whether the reserved number U1 for the first special symbol determination stored in the main RAM 100c is "1" or more (step S305). Here, when it is determined that the reserved number U1 is not "1" or more (step S305: NO), the process proceeds to the normal symbol processing in step S4.

If the main CPU 100a determines that the reserved number U1 is equal to or greater than "1" (step S305: YES), it updates the reserved number U1 to a value that is subtracted by "1" (step S306).

Following the processing of step S304 or the processing of step S306, the main CPU 100a executes a shift process on the reserved memory area of the main RAM 100c (step S308). Specifically, when the main CPU 100a executes a shift process following the processing of step S304, it shifts the most recently acquired information stored in the reserved memory area for the second special symbol determination to the judgment memory area, and shifts the remaining acquired information up one entry at a time. The judgment memory area is a memory area in which various information used for the special symbol determination when the special symbol determination is actually performed is stored. Also, when the main CPU 100a executes a shift process following the processing of step S306, it shifts the most recently acquired information stored in the reserved memory area for the first special symbol determination to the judgment memory area, and shifts the remaining acquired information up one entry at a time.

Following the processing of step S308, the main CPU 100a executes a jackpot determination process based on the random number stored in the determination memory area (step S309). This jackpot determination process will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 46.

Following the processing of step S309, the main CPU 100a executes a variation pattern determination process to select a variation pattern for the special symbol (step S310). This variation pattern determination process will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 47.

Following the processing of step S310, the main CPU 100a sets in the main RAM 100c a fluctuation start command including the setting information of the special pattern determined in the processing of step S309, information indicating whether the setting information of the special pattern relates to the first special pattern determination or the second special pattern determination, the setting information of the fluctuation pattern determined in the processing of step S310, information regarding the gaming state of the gaming machine 1, etc. (step S311).

This change start command is a command to instruct the start of a performance accompanied by the changing display of the special pattern, and is sent to the performance control board 130 by the transmission process of step S10A. This starts the changing display of the decorative pattern 55 on the LCD screen 5, etc.

Following the processing of step S311, the main CPU 100a starts displaying the special symbol variations based on the setting information for the variation pattern included in the variation start command set in the processing of step S311 (step S312). At that time, if the processing of steps S309 to S311 is performed with the acquired information (random number) related to the first special symbol judgment stored in the judgment memory area, the first special symbol display 41 starts displaying the special symbol variations. On the other hand, if the processing of steps S309 to S311 is performed with the acquired information (random number) related to the second special symbol judgment stored, the second special symbol display 42 starts displaying the special symbol variations.

Next, the main CPU 100a starts measuring the change time, which is the time that has elapsed since the change display started in step S312 (step S313). The main CPU 100a then clears the customer waiting state flag (step S314).

When the main CPU 100a executes the process of step S314, or when it determines that the special symbol is being displayed (step S302: YES), it determines whether or not the change time corresponding to the change pattern selected by the process of step S310 has elapsed since the start of measurement of the change time in step S313 (step S315). If it is determined that the change time has not elapsed (step S315: NO), the process proceeds to the normal symbol process of step S4.

When the main CPU 100a determines that the variation time has elapsed (step S315: YES), it sets in the main RAM 100c a pattern determination command that notifies the first special pattern display 41 or the second special pattern display 42 that a special pattern indicating the result of the special pattern determination will be displayed stationary (step S316). This pattern determination command is sent to the performance control board 130 by the transmission process in step S9. As a result, a process is performed to cause the decorative pattern 55 that was being displayed variably on the liquid crystal screen 5 to be displayed stationary in a manner indicating the result of the special pattern determination.

Following the processing of step S316, the main CPU 100a ends the variable display of the special symbol that was started in the processing of step S312 (step S317). Specifically, the special symbol (jackpot symbol or losing symbol) determined in the processing of step S309 is displayed in a static manner on the special symbol display device that had been displaying the variable special symbol. Note that the static display of the special symbol continues at least until a predetermined symbol determination time (e.g., one second) has elapsed.

In this way, the main CPU 100a causes the first special pattern display device 41 or the second special pattern display device 42 to display a variably changing special pattern, and then causes the first special pattern display device 41 or the second special pattern display device 42 to display a stopped special pattern indicating the result of the jackpot determination process.

Following the processing of step S317, the main CPU 100a resets the variable time that was started to be measured in the processing of step S313 (step S318), and executes processing during the stoppage including processing to set an opening command to start a big win game if a big win has been detected, or to start a small win game if a small win has been detected (step S319). When this opening command is transmitted to the performance control board 130 by the transmission processing of step S9A (see FIG. 39), the sub-CPU 130a of the performance control board 130 starts an opening performance corresponding to the type of big win (or small win), for example.

If the answer is NO in step S305, it is determined whether or not there is a customer waiting state flag indicating that the machine is in a customer waiting state (step S320). If there is no customer waiting state flag, the customer waiting state flag is set (step S321). When the customer waiting state flag is set, a customer waiting state designation command is sent from the game control board 100 to the presentation control board 130 by the transmission process of step S10A. In response to receiving the customer waiting state designation command, the presentation control board 130 starts a presentation indicating that the machine is in a customer waiting state (for example, displaying an image indicating that the volume can be adjusted).

[Normal symbol determination process by the game control board 100]
FIG. 45 is a detailed flowchart of the normal symbol processing in step S4A of FIG. 39. The main CPU 100a judges whether the electric tulip 17 is in operation (step S4A1). If the electric tulip 17 is not in operation (step S4A1: NO), it judges whether the normal symbol is being displayed in a stopped state (from the start to the end of the stop time of the normal symbol) (step S4A2). If the normal symbol is not being displayed in a stopped state (step S4A2: NO), it judges whether the normal symbol is being displayed in a variable state (step S4A3). If the normal symbol is not being displayed in a variable state (step S4A3: NO), it judges whether the normal symbol random number is stored (step S4A4). If the normal symbol random number is not stored (step S4A4: NO), the normal symbol judgment process is terminated.

If step S4A4 is YES, the system determines the result of the draw, the normal symbol, and the change time according to the game status (step S4A5), and starts displaying the normal symbol changes (step S4A6). In addition, a normal symbol change start command is set to notify the performance control board 130 that the normal symbol changes have started.

If the normal pattern is being displayed (step S4A3: YES), it is determined whether the normal pattern change time has elapsed (step S4A7), and if not, the process ends. On the other hand, if the answer is NO in step S4A7, the normal pattern is stopped with a display result according to the result of the normal pattern determination (step S4A8). In addition, in conjunction with this, a normal pattern change stop command is set to notify the performance control board 130 that the normal pattern change has stopped. The main CPU 100a then sets the normal pattern stop time (for example, 0.5 seconds) (step S4A9).

If the normal symbol is being displayed (step S4A2: YES), it is determined whether the stop time for the normal symbol has elapsed (step S4A11), and if not, the process ends. On the other hand, if the time has elapsed (step S4A11: YES), it is determined whether or not there is a win (step S4A12), and if there is no win, the process ends (step S4A12: NO).

If it is a win (step S4A12: YES), the opening pattern of the electric tulip 17 is set (step S4A13), and the electric tulip 17 is operated according to the set opening pattern (step S4A14).

If the electric tulip 17 is in operation (step S4A1: YES), it is determined whether the operation time of the electric tulip 17 has elapsed (step S4A15), and if it has not elapsed, the process ends (step S4A15: NO). On the other hand, if it has elapsed (step S4A15: YES), the operation of the electric tulip 17 is terminated (step S4A16).

[Big win determination process by the game control board 100]
Fig. 46 is a detailed flow chart of the jackpot determination process in step S309 in Fig. 44. The main CPU 100a executes a jackpot determination based on the jackpot random number stored in the determination storage area (step S3091). For example, in the jackpot determination table, a determination value to be compared with the jackpot random number is assigned in advance to a jackpot, a small win, or a miss. The main CPU 100a determines whether or not a jackpot has been determined based on whether the value of the jackpot random number obtained in the process of step S2102 in Fig. 41 (or the process of step S2202 in Fig. 42) matches any of the determination values set in the jackpot determination table set in the main RAM 100c.

Following the processing of step S3091, the main CPU 100a judges whether the judgment result of the jackpot judgment is a jackpot or not (step S3092). If it is judged to be a jackpot (step S3092: YES), the main CPU 100a refers to the pattern determination table pre-stored in the main ROM 100b, determines the type of jackpot pattern based on the pattern random number stored in the judgment memory area together with the jackpot random number used in the jackpot judgment of step S3091, and sets the setting information in the main RAM 100c (step S3093). The type of jackpot pattern is determined by determining the type of jackpot pattern. Specifically, for example, when the pattern random number is related to the first special pattern judgment, the main CPU 100a determines the jackpot pattern based on which judgment value specified in the pattern determination table for the first starting hole (not shown) the pattern random number matches. Furthermore, if the random number of symbols is related to the second special symbol determination, the main CPU 100a determines the big winning symbol based on which determination value specified in the symbol determination table for the second starting hole (not shown) the random number of symbols matches.

On the other hand, if the main CPU 100a determines that the reel is not a big win (step S3092: NO), the main CPU 100a determines whether or not the reel is a small win (step S3094). If the reel is a small win (step S3094: YES), the main CPU 100a refers to a symbol determination table stored in advance in the main ROM 100b, determines the type of small win symbol based on the symbol random number, and sets the setting information in the main RAM 100c (step S3095).

On the other hand, if the main CPU 100a determines that the winning combination is not a small win (step S3094: NO), it determines the type of losing symbol and sets the setting information in the main RAM 100c (step S3097).

[Variation pattern determination process by the game control board 100]
Fig. 47 is a detailed flow chart of the variation pattern determination process in step S310 in Fig. 44. The main CPU 100a determines whether or not the time-saving game flag is "ON" (step S3101).

When the time-saving play flag is ON (step S3101: YES), the main CPU 100a reads out the fluctuation pattern table when the time-saving play flag is ON from the main ROM 100b and sets it in the main RAM 100c (step S3102). The main CPU 100a then determines the fluctuation pattern by referring to the table set in the processing of step S3102 (step S3103). The fluctuation pattern table is a table in which the type of special symbol, the fluctuation pattern of the special symbol, a judgment value for comparison with the fluctuation pattern random number, and (in the case of a miss, the number of reserved special symbol judgments) are associated with each other, and is a table that is pre-stored in the main ROM 100b for each game state.

When the main CPU 100a determines that the time-saving play flag is not ON (step S3101: NO), it reads out from the main ROM 100b the fluctuation pattern table for when the time-saving play flag is OFF and sets it in the main RAM 100c (step S3104). The main CPU 100a then determines the fluctuation pattern by referring to the table set in the processing of step S3104 (step S3103). The setting information for the fluctuation pattern is included in the fluctuation start command together with the setting information for the special symbol set in the main RAM 100c by the jackpot determination processing of step S3091 described above, and is transmitted to the performance control board 130 by the transmission processing of step S10A. With this, the main CPU 100a ends the processing shown in FIG. 47.

[Small winning hole opening control process by the game control board 100]
Hereinafter, the small prize opening control process executed by the game control board 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 48. This small prize opening control process is a process for executing a small prize game selected based on a small prize pattern determination table stored in the main ROM 100b. Here, FIG. 48 is a detailed flowchart of the small prize opening control process in step S5A of FIG. 39. The main CPU 100a judges whether the small prize game flag is set to "ON" (step S641). Here, if it is judged that the small prize game flag is not set to "ON" (step S641: NO), the process proceeds to the large prize opening control process in step S7.

When the main CPU 100a determines that the big win game flag is set to "ON" (step S641: YES), it determines whether or not it is in the opening period of the small win game based on whether or not the elapsed time since the opening command for the small win game was set by the stopped processing has reached a predetermined opening time (step S642). Here, when it is determined that it is in the opening period (step S642: YES), it also determines whether or not the opening time has elapsed based on whether or not the elapsed time has reached the predetermined opening time (step S643). Here, when it is determined that the opening time has not elapsed (step S643: NO), the process proceeds to the big win port control process of step S7.

When the main CPU 100a determines that the opening time has elapsed (step S643: YES), it sets the operation pattern of the small prize opening opening solenoid 51c and stores the setting information in the main RAM 100c (step S644). By executing the process of this step S644, various times related to the small prize game, such as the ending time after the end of the round, are also set.

Following the processing of step S644, the main CPU 100a resets the number X of winning balls that have entered the small winning opening 19, which is stored in the main RAM 100c (step S645).

Following the processing of step S645, the main CPU 100a starts the opening control of the small prize opening (step S646). Next, the main CPU 100a starts measuring the opening time, which is the elapsed time since the opening control started (step S647).

When the main CPU 100a determines that the game is not in the opening period of the small win game (step S642: NO), it determines whether or not the game is in the ending period (step S648) based on information indicating the point in time of the small win game in which the current state is stored in the main RAM 100c. If it is determined that the game is in the ending period (step S648: YES), the process proceeds to step S659 described below.

When the main CPU 100a determines that the small win game is not ending (step S648: NO), it determines whether the small win port switch has been turned "ON" (step S649). Specifically, it determines whether the small win port switch 116a has been turned "ON" based on the presence or absence of a detection signal from the small win port switch 116a.

Here, if the main CPU 100a determines that the small winning hole switch 116a has been turned "ON" (step S649: YES), it determines that one game ball has won the small winning hole 19, and updates the number of winning game balls X to a value incremented by "1" (step S650).

Following the processing of step S650, the main CPU 100a determines whether or not the V winning port switch 116b has been turned "ON". If it is determined that the V winning port switch 116b has been turned "ON" (step S651: YES), it sets a V winning command (step S652) and sets the jackpot game flag to "ON" (step S653).

When the main CPU 100a executes the process of step S653, executes the process of step S647, or determines that the small prize opening switch 116a is not "ON" (step S649: NO), it determines whether or not the specified opening time has elapsed since the small prize opening 19 started to be opened (step S654). Specifically, it determines whether or not the opening time that was started to be measured by the process of step S647 has reached the specified opening time stored in the main ROM 100b.

When the main CPU 100a determines that the specified opening time has not elapsed (step S654: NO), it determines whether the number of winning balls X in the current round of play stored in the main RAM 100c matches the number of winning balls Xmax (e.g., "9") that specifies the timing of closing the large prize opening 13 stored in the main ROM 100b (step S655). Here, when it is determined that the number of winning balls X does not match the number of winning balls Xmax (step S655: NO), the process proceeds to the large prize opening control process of step S7.

On the other hand, if the main CPU 100a determines that the number of winnings X matches the number of game balls Xmax (step S655: YES), it causes the small winning opening opening solenoid 51c to end the opening control of the small winning opening 19 that was started in the processing of step S646 (step S656).

Following the processing of step S656, the main CPU 100a starts measuring the ending time (step S657) and sets an ending command in the main RAM 100c (step S658). This ending command is a command to notify that the round of small win play has ended, and is transmitted to the performance control board 130 by the transmission processing of step S9.

When the main CPU 100a executes the process of step S658, it determines whether the ending time has elapsed (step S659). If it is determined that the ending time has not elapsed (step S659: NO), the process proceeds to the large prize opening control process of step S7.

When the main CPU 100a determines that the ending time has elapsed (step S659: YES), it sets the small win game flag to "OFF" to end the small win game (step S660).

[Big prize opening control process by the game control board 100]
Hereinafter, the big prize opening control process executed by the game control board 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 49. This big prize opening control process is a process for executing a big prize game selected based on a big prize pattern determination table stored in the main ROM 100b. Here, FIG. 49 is a detailed flowchart of the big prize opening control process in step S6A of FIG. 39. Following the small prize opening control process in step S5A, the main CPU 100a judges whether the big prize game flag is set to "ON" (step S601). Here, if it is judged that the big prize game flag is not set to "ON" (step S601: NO), the process proceeds to the prize ball process in step S8.

When the main CPU 100a determines that the jackpot game flag is set to "ON" (step S601: YES), it determines whether the jackpot game is in the opening stage based on whether the elapsed time since the opening command for the jackpot game was set by the stopped game process has reached a predetermined opening time (step S602). If it determines that the jackpot game is in the opening stage (step S602: YES), it also determines whether the opening time has elapsed based on whether the elapsed time has reached the predetermined opening time (step S603). If it determines that the opening time has not elapsed (step S603: NO), the process proceeds to the prize ball processing in step S8.

When the main CPU 100a determines that the opening time has elapsed (step S603: YES), it sets the number of rounds Rmax for the jackpot game, the operation pattern of the jackpot opening/closing solenoid 51b, etc., and stores the setting information in the main RAM 100c (step S604). By executing the process of this step S604, various times related to the jackpot game, such as the interval time between rounds and the next round, the ending time after the final round, etc., are also set.

Following the processing of step S604, the main CPU 100a resets the number Y of winning balls into the big prize opening 13 stored in the main RAM 100c (step S605), and updates the number of rounds R during the big prize, also stored in the main RAM 100c, to a value incremented by "1" (step S606). This number of rounds R is set to "0" before the start of the big prize, and is incremented by "1" each time the processing of step S606 is performed.

Following the processing of step S606, the main CPU 100a starts the opening control of the special prize opening (step S607). Next, the main CPU 100a starts measuring the opening time, which is the elapsed time since the opening control started (step S608). Then, the main CPU 100a sets a round start command in the main RAM 100c to notify that a round of play to open the special prize opening 13 has started (step S609).

When the main CPU 100a determines that the jackpot game is not in the opening stage (step S602: NO), it determines whether the game is in the ending stage immediately after the end of the final round (step S611) based on information indicating the point in time of the jackpot game in which the current state is stored in the main RAM 100c. If it is determined that the game is in the ending stage (step S611: YES), the process proceeds to step S625 described below.

When the main CPU 100a determines that the jackpot game is not ending (step S611: NO), it determines whether or not it is during an interval (between a round and the next round) based on information indicating at what point in the jackpot game the current state is stored in the main RAM 100c (step S612). If it determines that it is during an interval (step S612: YES), it determines whether or not the interval time set by the processing of step S604 has elapsed since the jackpot winning hole 13 was closed at the end of the previous round game (step S613). If it determines that the interval time has elapsed (step S613: YES), it is time to start the next round game, so the processing proceeds to the above step S605. Conversely, if it determines that the interval time has not elapsed (step S613: NO), the processing proceeds to the prize ball processing of step S8.

On the other hand, if the main CPU 100a determines that the game is not in an interval (step S612: NO), it determines that a round is being played and determines whether the special prize opening switch has been turned "ON" (step S614). Specifically, it determines whether the special prize opening detection switch 50a has been turned "ON" based on the presence or absence of a detection signal from the special prize opening detection switch 50a.

Here, if the main CPU 100a determines that the special prize opening detection switch 50a has been turned "ON" (step S614: YES), it determines that one game ball has entered the special prize opening 13, and updates the number of winning game balls Y to a value incremented by "1" (step S615).

When the main CPU 100a executes the process of step S615, executes the process of step S609, or determines that the special prize opening detection switch 50a is not "ON" (step S614: NO), it determines whether or not the specified opening time has elapsed since the special prize opening 13 started to be opened (step S616). Specifically, it determines whether or not the opening time that was started to be measured by the process of step S608 above has reached the specified opening time stored in the main ROM 100b.

If the main CPU 100a determines that the specified opening time has not elapsed (step S616: NO), it determines whether the number of winning game balls Y in the current round of play stored in the main RAM 100c matches the number of game balls Ymax (e.g., "9") that specifies the closing timing of the large prize opening 13 stored in the main ROM 100b (step S617). If it is determined that the number of winning game balls Y does not match the number of game balls Ymax (step S617: NO), the process proceeds to the prize ball processing in step S8.

On the other hand, if the main CPU 100a determines that the number of winnings Y matches the number of game balls Ymax (step S617: YES), or determines that the specified opening time has elapsed (step S616: YES), it causes the large prize opening opening solenoid 51b to end the opening control of the large prize opening 13 that was started in the processing of step S607 (step S618).

Following the processing of step S618, the main CPU 100a judges whether or not the current number of rounds R of the jackpot game stored in the main RAM 100c matches the number of rounds Rmax set by the processing of step S604 above (step S619). Here, if it is judged that the number of rounds R does not match the number of rounds Rmax (step S619: NO), in order to control the start timing of the next round of game, it starts measuring the interval time, which is the elapsed time since the jackpot opening 13 was closed (step S620). The interval time measured by the processing of step S620 is used in the processing of step S613 above.

On the other hand, if the main CPU 100a determines that the number of rounds R matches the number of rounds Rmax (step S619: YES), it starts measuring the ending time (step S622), resets the number of rounds R stored in the main RAM 100c (step S623), and sets an ending command in the main RAM 100c (step S624). This ending command is a command that notifies the player that the last round of play has ended, and is transmitted to the performance control board 130 by the transmission process of step S8. This ending command includes information (game information) regarding the game state after the big win game ends.

When the main CPU 100a executes the processing of step S624 or determines that the ending is in progress (step S611: YES), it determines whether or not the set ending time has elapsed (step S625). Specifically, it determines whether or not the ending time that began to be measured by the processing of step S622 above has reached the set ending time that was set by the processing of step S604 above. Here, if it is determined that the ending time has not elapsed (step S625: NO), processing proceeds to the prize ball processing of step S8.

When the main CPU 100a determines that the set ending time has elapsed (step S625: YES), it sets the number of time-saving times and a game state designation command according to the type of special symbol (step S626).

After processing step S626, the main CPU 100a sets the jackpot game flag to "OFF" to end the jackpot game (step S627).

[Timer interrupt processing by the performance control board 130]
Below, the timer interrupt processing executed in the performance control board 130 will be described with reference to Fig. 50. Here, Fig. 50 is a flow chart showing an example of the timer interrupt processing executed in the performance control board 130. Below, the processing shown in Figs. 50 to 41 will be described as being executed by the performance control board 130, but some or all of these processes may be executed in any of the performance control board 130, the image and sound control board 140, and the lamp control board 150.

The sub-CPU 130a in the performance control board 130 repeatedly executes the series of processes illustrated in FIG. 50 at regular intervals (e.g., 4 milliseconds), similar to the timer interrupt process performed in the game control board 100. Note that the processes shown in FIG. 50 to FIG. 41 are performed according to commands issued by the sub-CPU 130a based on the program stored in the sub-ROM 130b.

The sub-CPU 130a first executes a command reception process in which processing is performed according to a command from the game control board 100 (step S10), and then executes a transmission process (step S30). In the command reception process, processing is performed in response to the reception of various commands from the game control board 100 and the lamp control board 150. Specifically, the sub-CPU 130a receives a command as game information from the game control board 100, for example, and sets the performance content according to the received command. For example, the sub-CPU 130a determines a variable performance pattern corresponding to the variable pattern of the special symbol, and determines whether or not to execute a preview performance that can be executed in the determined variable performance pattern, and the content of the performance. Then, the sub-CPU 130a generates a command to instruct the execution of the determined performance, for example, and transmits it to the image sound control board 140 and the lamp control board 150. As a result, the performance of the content determined in the performance control board 130 is executed in the image sound control board 140 and the lamp control board 150. The command reception process will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 51.

Following the processing of step S30, the sub-CPU 130a performs a data transfer process (step S50). For example, the sub-CPU 130a transfers data sent from the image and sound control board 140 to the lamp control board 150 in order to control the frame lighting device 10 and the like to emit light and to control (for example, operate) the performance props 7 and the like in association with the start of each performance. By performing this data transfer process, for example, light emission control is performed to cause the board lighting device 74 and the frame lighting device 10 to emit light in conjunction with the performance image displayed on the liquid crystal screen 5 and the performance sound output by the speaker 24, and the performance props 7 are operated. With this, the sub-CPU 130a ends the processing shown in FIG. 50.

[Command reception processing by the performance control board 130]
Fig. 51 is a detailed flow chart of the command receiving process in step S10 in Fig. 50. As illustrated in Fig. 51, the sub-CPU 130a first judges whether or not a command transmitted from the game control board 100 or the lamp control board has been received (step S11). If it is judged that a command has not been received (step S11: NO), the process proceeds to step S30.

When the sub-CPU 130a determines that it has received a command (step S11: YES), it determines whether the command is a command related to stop control or a command related to error control transmitted from the game control board 100 in response to the processing of step MS6 (FIG. 38) (step S12). Here, if it is determined that the received command is not a command related to stop control or a command related to error control (step S12: NO), the processing proceeds to step S14 described below.

When the sub-CPU 130a determines that the received command is a command related to the stop control or a command related to the error control (step S12: YES), it executes a predetermined notification (step S13). Specifically, if the command indicates that it is the timing to start displaying the operation notice display, the operation notice display is displayed on the liquid crystal screen 5 and a sound related to the operation notice display is output from the speaker 24. If the command indicates that it is the timing to start displaying the arrival display, the arrival display is displayed on the liquid crystal screen 5 and a sound related to the arrival display is output from the speaker 24. If the command indicates that it is the timing to start displaying the stop display, the stop display is displayed on the liquid crystal screen 5 and a sound related to the stop display is output from the speaker 24. If the command indicates that various errors have occurred, various error displays are displayed on the liquid crystal screen 5. If the command indicates that it is the timing to start hiding the operation notice display, the operation notice display is hidden. If the command indicates that various errors have been released, the various error displays are hidden.

If the sub-CPU 130a determines that the received command is not a command related to stop control or error control (step S12: NO), it determines whether the command is a fluctuation start command sent from the game control board 100 in response to the processing of step S311 (see FIG. 44) (step S14). If it is determined that the received command is not a fluctuation start command (step S14: NO), the process proceeds to step S16, which will be described later.

If the sub-CPU 130a determines that the received command is a change start command (step S14: YES), it starts a presentation associated with the change display (step S15). For example, the sub-CPU 130a executes a presentation corresponding to the change pattern of the special symbol included in the change start command.

If the sub-CPU 130a determines that the received command is not a change start command (step S14: NO), it determines whether or not the command is a pattern determination command sent from the game control board 100 in response to the processing of step S316 (see FIG. 44) (step S16). If the sub-CPU 130a determines that the command is a pattern determination command (step S16: YES), it ends the presentation associated with the change display (step S17). As a result, the decorative pattern 55, small pattern 56, and fourth patterns 57 and 59 are displayed in a stopped state on the LCD screen 5 in conjunction with the stopped display of the special pattern.

If the sub-CPU 130a determines that the received command is not a symbol determination command (step S16: NO), it determines whether or not the command is an ending command sent from the game control board 100 in response to the processing of step S658 (see FIG. 48) (step S18). If the sub-CPU 130a determines that the command is an ending command (step S18: YES), it executes an ending presentation according to the value of the difference counter (step S19). In this embodiment, the ending presentation of the jackpot game is executed in a different presentation mode depending on whether or not the reach display is displayed during the jackpot game. Note that the ending presentation of the jackpot game may be executed in the same presentation mode regardless of whether or not the reach display is displayed during the jackpot game.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the received command is not an ending command (step S18: NO), the sub-CPU 130a executes processing according to the command (step S20). As an example, when the sub-CPU 130a determines that it has received an opening command transmitted from the game control board 100, it sets an opening command that instructs the start of the presentation of a big win game (or a small win game) corresponding to the type of big win (or small win). In addition, when the lamp CPU 151 of the lamp control board 150 detects the operation of the presentation button 26 or the presentation key 27, if it determines that it has received an operation command transmitted from the lamp control board 150 to notify the information, it executes a presentation according to the operation. This allows, for example, the liquid crystal screen 5 or the speaker 24 to execute a presentation using images or sounds according to the operation during the valid period of the presentation button 26. The operation command includes information indicating which of the presentation button 26 and the presentation key 27 has been operated, and information indicating which key has been operated if the presentation key 27 has been operated.

Figure 52 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a presentation when any one of the jackpot patterns A to C is displayed as the first jackpot while the activation notice display is being displayed. In the example of Figure 52, the difference counter does not reach 95,000 during jackpot play, so the activation notice display is displayed throughout the jackpot play.

In this embodiment, in normal mode, one of the jackpots A to C is displayed as a stopped symbol, and a matching decorative symbol 55 is displayed as a stopped symbol. As illustrated in FIG. 52(A), when the jackpots A to C are displayed as a stopped symbol, an opening performance that does not indicate the type of jackpot is started with the start of the jackpot game. As a result, the word "jackpot" is displayed in the center of the LCD screen 5 for a predetermined time (e.g., 5 seconds) from the start of the jackpot game until before the start of the first round of play. In addition, a right-hit prompting display (small) is displayed in the upper right corner of the LCD screen 5 from the start of the jackpot game.

As shown in FIG. 52(B), following the display of the word "Jackpot", a right-hit prompting display (large) is displayed in front of the word "Jackpot" to encourage the player to hit to the right. In this embodiment, a large right-facing arrow with the word "right hit" written inside is displayed as the right-hit prompting display (large). As shown in FIG. 52(C), with the start of the first round of play, the right-hit prompting display (large) shown in FIG. 52(B) is hidden. At the same time, the words "Round 1", indicating that it is the first round, and "TOTAL 00000", indicating that the total number of winning balls is 0, are displayed at the bottom of the LCD screen 5.

In this embodiment, a promotion prompting effect is performed from the start of the third round of play, encouraging the player to expect a jackpot A. The promotion prompting effect encourages the player to repeatedly press the effect button 26. In the example of FIG. 52(D), the characters "Round 3" indicating that it is the third round, the characters "TOTAL 00450" indicating the total number of winning balls, an effect button image 90 imitating the effect button 26, a gauge image 91 indicating the validity period of the effect button 26, and the characters "Press the button repeatedly to succeed!" are displayed, and the sound "Press repeatedly!" is output from the speaker 24. The result of the promotion prompting effect is announced during the third round of play. If the result of the promotion prompting effect is successful, the current jackpot is jackpot A or B, and if the result of the promotion prompting effect is unsuccessful, the current jackpot is C.

As shown in FIG. 52(E), in the case of a jackpot C (i.e., when there is no transition to low-probability time-saving (and RUSH mode)), the word "End" is displayed in the center of the LCD screen 5 as a result (failure) of the promotional effect during the third round of play. This word continues to be displayed until the ending effect of the jackpot C ends. As shown in FIG. 52(F), the right-hit prompt display (small) becomes invisible as the jackpot play ends. Accordingly, the reserved number 52, decorative pattern 55, small pattern 56, fourth patterns 57 and 59, the icon 53, and reserved icon 51 start to be displayed according to the display mode of the normal mode. Immediately after this, as shown in FIG. 52(G), a caution against addiction that warns the player not to become addicted to the game and a caution against forgetting to remove the prepaid card are displayed simultaneously for a predetermined time (for example, 4 seconds). Following the start of the warning display, a left-hit promotion display encouraging the player to hit with the left is displayed in the center of the LCD screen 5 for a predetermined period of time (for example, one second). The left-hit promotion display displays the words "Please hit with the left" and a large left-pointing arrow. While the left-hit promotion display is displayed, a voice message saying "Please hit with the left" is output from the speaker 24.

As shown in FIG. 52(H), in the case of jackpot A (or B) (i.e., when transitioning to low-probability time-saving (and RUSH mode)), the word "Success" is displayed in the center of the LCD screen 5 during the third round of play as a result (success) of the promotion boost effect. This word continues to be displayed until just before the ending effect of jackpot A or B begins.

Figure 53 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of the presentation following Figure 52 when jackpot A is displayed as the first jackpot while the activation notice display is on. Figure 53 differs from Figure 52 in that the activation notice display suggests that the value of the difference counter is 93,000, whereas the activation notice display suggests that the value of the difference counter is 94,500. In Figure 53, the difference counter does not reach 95,000 during jackpot play, so the activation notice display is displayed throughout the jackpot play.

As shown in Fig. 53(A) and (B), the word "Success" continues to be displayed as the result (success) of the promotion stimulation performance until just before the ending performance of the big win A starts. As shown in Fig. 53(C), the word "Enter RUSH mode" is displayed, indicating that the game will transition to RUSH mode (low probability time-saving game state) with the start of the ending performance, a right-hit promotion display (medium) that encourages the player to hit the right, a warning about getting addicted, and a warning about forgetting to pick up are displayed. After that, as shown in Fig. 53(D), the right-hit promotion display (small) and the right-hit promotion display (medium) are hidden with the end of the big win game. Accordingly, depending on the display mode of the RUSH mode, the reserved number 52, the decorative pattern 55, the small pattern 56, the fourth patterns 57 and 59, the icon 53, and the reserved icon 51 start to be displayed.

If it is a jackpot B, the third round is the final round, so the presentation proceeds in the order of (A) → (C) → (D) in Figure 53. If it is a jackpot B, the difference from Figure 53, which illustrates a jackpot A, is the number of rounds and the total number of winning balls.

Figure 54 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a presentation when one of the jackpot patterns A to C is displayed as a first jackpot while the activation notice display is being displayed, and an arrival display is displayed during jackpot play (specifically, before the beginning of the ending presentation). In the example of Figure 54, the difference counter reaches 95,000 during jackpot play.

In Figures 54 (A) and (B), the same effects as in Figures 52 (A) and (B) are performed. As shown in Figure 54 (C), when the difference counter reaches 95,000 during the first round of play, an achievement display and the words "Congratulations" begin to be displayed.

As shown in FIG. 54(D), the achievement display is displayed in front of the promotion boost effect. Therefore, when the achievement display is displayed, the effect button image 90, the gauge image 91, and the text "Succeed by repeatedly hitting the button!" are not visible (or are difficult to see). Therefore, although the player can recognize that the sound "Succeed by repeatedly hitting the button!" is being output from the speaker 24, it is possible that the player does not understand what kind of effect is being executed during the achievement display. Note that the achievement display in this embodiment is displayed so as not to overlap with the text "ROUND 3" indicating that it is the 3rd round, and the text "TOTAL 00450" indicating the total number of winning balls. Note that the achievement display may be in a form that includes an opaque text information portion that does not show the image behind it at all, and a translucent (or transparent) portion other than the text information that allows the image behind it to be seen. In such a case, it is relatively easy to understand what kind of effect is being executed during the big win game even while the achievement display is displayed.

As shown in FIG. 54(E), in the case of a jackpot C (i.e., a jackpot that does not transition to low-probability time-saving (and RUSH mode)), the word "END" is displayed in the center of the LCD screen 5 as a result (failure) of the promotion flare during the third round of play. This word continues to be displayed behind the arrival display until the jackpot game ends. After that, as shown in FIG. 54(F), a stop display is displayed as the jackpot game ends. When the stop display is displayed, the reserved number 52, the decorative pattern 55, the small pattern 56, and the fourth patterns 57 and 59 are not visible at all because the stop display is displayed in front. If stop control is performed after the end of a jackpot game related to a jackpot C, and the decorative pattern 55, the small pattern 56, and the fourth patterns 57 and 59 are immediately stopped (or slightly moved) in a manner to notify a jackpot C when the stop control is performed, each pattern is not visible at all because the stop display is displayed in front. In addition, the reserved numbers 52, decorative patterns 55, small patterns 56, and fourth patterns 57 and 59 may be hidden by being erased when the limit control is performed.

As illustrated in FIG. 54(G), in the case of a jackpot A or B (i.e., a jackpot that transitions to low-probability time-saving (and RUSH mode)), the word "Success" is displayed in the center of the LCD screen 5 as a result (success) of the promotion boost effect during the third round of play. This word is displayed behind the reach display, superimposed on it. FIG. 54(H) illustrates an ending effect in the case of a jackpot A. The ending effect executed while the reach display is displayed (see FIG. 54(H): specifically, an ending effect executed when the difference counter reaches 95,000 by the time the ending effect starts) is executed in a different presentation mode from the ending effect executed while the reach display is not displayed (see FIG. 53(C): specifically, an ending effect executed when the difference counter does not reach 95,000 by the time the ending effect starts). Specifically, in the ending performance executed while the reach display is not displayed, a forget-to-take warning and a forget-to-take warning are displayed, whereas in the ending performance executed while the reach display is displayed, a forget-to-take warning is displayed but an addiction warning is not displayed. This prevents the player from feeling uncomfortable by being careful not to get addicted to the game even though the stop control is being performed. Also, in the ending performance executed while the reach display is not displayed, the text "Enter RUSH mode", a right-hit prompting display (medium) and a right-hit prompting display (small) are displayed, whereas in the ending performance executed while the reach display is displayed, the right-hit prompting display (small) continues to be displayed but the text "Enter RUSH mode" and the right-hit prompting display (medium) are not displayed. This prevents the player from being confused by being prompted to hit the right despite the stop control being performed. In this way, in this embodiment, the ending performance is configured to be replaced depending on whether the difference counter reaches 95,000 by the time the ending performance starts. For this reason, in this embodiment, the operation notice display is displayed until halfway through the ending performance, and if the arrival display is displayed halfway through this ending performance, the ending performance is executed in the same presentation mode as the ending performance executed while the arrival display is not displayed. Note that the ending performance may be changed depending on whether the difference counter reaches 95,000 during a specified round of play (for example, during a round of play before the final round of play).

The same "Enter RUSH mode" text may be displayed in the ending performance regardless of whether the difference counter reaches 95,000 by the time the ending performance starts. Even with this configuration, when the difference counter reaches 95,000, the text "Enter RUSH mode" is displayed in a manner in which the reach display is displayed in front, whereas when the difference counter has not reached 95,000, the text "Enter RUSH mode" is displayed in a manner in which the reach display is not displayed. In other words, even with a configuration in which the same "Enter RUSH mode" text is executed regardless of whether the difference counter reaches 95,000 by the time the ending performance starts, the text "Enter RUSH mode" is displayed in a different manner depending on whether the difference counter reaches 95,000 by the time the ending performance starts.

Note that the ending performance may display a warning about forgotten balls, a warning about forgotten balls, "Enter RUSH mode", and a right-hit prompt (medium) regardless of whether the difference counter reaches 95,000 by the time the ending performance starts. Even with this configuration, when the difference counter reaches 95,000, the ending performance is executed with the reach display displayed on the front side, whereas when the difference counter has not reached 95,000, the ending performance is executed with the reach display not displayed. In other words, even with a configuration in which the same ending performance content is executed regardless of whether the difference counter reaches 95,000 by the time the ending performance starts, the ending performance is executed in a different manner depending on whether the difference counter reaches 95,000 by the time the ending performance starts.

When it is jackpot B, the third round is the final round, so when it is jackpot B, the difference from Figure 54 (H), which illustrates jackpot A, is the total number of winning balls.

Figure 55 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of the presentation when a small win without time reduction is displayed as the fifth consecutive win while the activation notice display is being displayed. In this embodiment, a small win without time reduction is displayed in RUSH mode, and a decorative pattern 55 with a special pattern is displayed. As shown in Figure 55 (A), when a small win without time reduction is displayed, the characters "Ultra x 04" indicating the number of consecutive wins and "TOTAL 06000" indicating the total number of winning balls in the consecutive wins are displayed as the small win game begins. These characters continue to be displayed until the small win game ends.

As shown in FIG. 55(B), the right-hit prompt (small) disappears as the jackpot game ends. In response to this, the reserved number 52, decorative pattern 55, small pattern 56, fourth pattern 57 and 59, icon 53, and reserved icon 51 begin to be displayed, depending on the display mode in normal mode. Next, the reserved second special pattern (all misses in the example of FIG. 55) is consumed, and as shown in FIG. 55(C)-(E), the last variable display of the second special pattern ends and the missing pattern stops, and the left-hit prompt is displayed in the center of the LCD screen 5 for a predetermined time (for example, one second).

As shown in FIG. 55(F), if the difference counter reaches 95,000 before all reserved second special symbols are consumed, the stop control is immediately performed. In this case, the stop display is immediately displayed without the left hit promotion display shown in FIG. 55(D).

As shown in FIG. 55(G), when the difference counter reaches 95,000 during a small win game related to a small win without time reduction, a stop control is performed at the end of the small win game. In this case, too, the stop display is displayed without the left hit promotion display shown in FIG. 55(D).

Figure 56 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a modified presentation when a small win without time reduction is displayed as the fifth consecutive win while the activation notice display is being displayed. The difference between the two is that in Figure 55, the left-hit prompt display is displayed in response to the end of the final variable display of the second special pattern, whereas in Figure 56, the left-hit prompt display is displayed in response to a transition to a low probability non-time reduction.

Figure 56 (A) illustrates the state during small win play when a small win without time reduction is displayed as stopped, similar to Figure 55. As illustrated in Figure 56 (B), as the big win play ends, the right-hit prompt display (small) becomes invisible, and the left-hit prompt display is displayed in the center of the LCD screen 5 for a predetermined time (for example, one second). In response to this, the reserved number 52, decorative pattern 55, small pattern 56, fourth patterns 57 and 59, icon 53, and reserved icon 51 start to be displayed depending on the display mode in normal mode. In the example of Figure 56, all reserved second special patterns are misses, so in Figure 56 (C), the missing patterns are displayed as a result of the first second special pattern determination.

As shown in FIG. 56(D), when the difference counter reaches 95,000 during the first reserved consumption of the second special symbol, the stop control is immediately performed. In this case, if the left hit prompting display is being displayed when the difference counter reaches 95,000, the left hit prompting display is made invisible and the stop playing display is displayed. Also, if the left hit prompting display has already ended when the difference counter reaches 95,000, the stop playing display will be displayed a predetermined time after the left hit prompting display is made invisible.

As shown in FIG. 56(E), when the difference counter reaches 95,000 during a small win game related to a small win without time reduction, a stop control is performed at the end of the small win game. In this case, the stop display is displayed without the left hit promotion display shown in FIG. 56(B).

[Effects of this embodiment]
In this embodiment, when there is a possibility that the limit control will be performed, an operation notice display is displayed in advance. By seeing the operation notice display, the player can know in advance that there is a possibility that the limit control will be performed, and can determine whether or not to play on the gaming machine 1.

In this embodiment, an arrival display is displayed immediately before the limit control is performed. By seeing the arrival display, the player can know in advance that the limit control will be performed, reducing the player's surprise when the limit control is actually performed.

In this embodiment, when the stop control is performed, a stop display is displayed. By seeing the stop display, the player can know that the stop control has been performed and can end play on the gaming machine 1. This makes it possible to prevent excessive play on the gaming machine 1.

[Modification]
The present invention is also applicable to other gaming machines, such as, for example, a type 1 gaming machine, a reel gaming machine, a slot machine, and the like.

The value of the difference counter may be managed on the game control board 100, and an operation notice display, an arrival display, and a stop display may be displayed on the game control board 100. Also, the value of the difference counter may be managed on the game control board 100, and a value equivalent to the difference counter may be managed on the performance control board 130 based on the value of the difference counter managed by the game control board 100.

The present invention can also be applied to managed gaming machines in which the player does not pick up gaming balls and gaming balls are not paid out to the player. In such cases, instead of paying out prize balls based on winning gaming balls as in this embodiment, the gaming value based on winning gaming balls is added to the gaming value stored in the prepaid card.

Any type of operation means may be used for inputting operation information by operation by the player. For example, the operation means may be a touch panel, which is a display screen on which the player can input operation information by performing a touch operation with his/her finger. Alternatively, the operation means may be an optical sensor or the like provided on the frame member 3 so that the player can input operation information by performing a touch operation on a glass plate.

A portion of the processing performed on the image/sound control board 140 and the lamp control board 150 may be performed on the performance control board 130, or a portion of the processing performed on the performance control board 130 may be performed on the image/sound control board 140 or the lamp control board 150.

The configuration of the gaming machine 1 and the light emission and operation modes of each component described in the above embodiment are merely examples, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be realized with other configurations, light emission modes, and operation modes. In addition, the processing order, number of time-saving times, ratios, set values, threshold values used for judgment, etc. in the above-mentioned flowchart are merely examples, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be realized with other orders and values as long as they do not deviate from the scope of the present invention. The explanatory diagrams, etc. illustrated in the above embodiment are also merely examples, and other modes may be used.

The above-mentioned effects and numerical values are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, but various modifications and applications are possible. Furthermore, the above-mentioned embodiment and modifications can be applied to each other, and the present invention may be realized in various combinations.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Gaming machine 5 Display screen of liquid crystal display device 7 Performance device 11 First start hole 12 Second start hole 100 Gaming control board 100a CPU
100b ROM
100c RAM
130: Performance control board 130a: CPU
130b ROM
130c RAM
140 Image and sound control board 150 Lamp control board

Claims (1)

A first symbol control means for variably displaying a first symbol on a display means based on the entry of a gaming ball into a starting area;
a special game control means for executing an advantageous special game when the display result of the first symbol becomes a specific result;
A second symbol control means for variably displaying a second symbol based on the passing of the gaming ball through the passing area;
A winning device control means for controlling the starting area into an easy-to-win state in which the game ball is likely to win and a difficult-to-win state in which the game ball is difficult to win in the starting area;
A game stop state control means capable of controlling the game to a game stop state in which a game function is stopped in response to the establishment of a predetermined condition;
A gaming machine including: a prior information control means for controlling the prior information to a notification state in which the prior information is displayed on the display means, or a non-notification state in which the prior information is not displayed on the display means;
The predetermined condition is that a calculated information value calculated using a game value acquired through a game reaches a threshold value,
possible values of the calculated information value include the threshold, an advance notification value that the calculated information value reaches before it reaches the threshold, and a non-alarm value that the calculated information value reaches before it reaches the advance notification value,
The advance information control means
When the calculated information value becomes the advance notification value, the advance information is displayed in the display means in priority to the first symbol,
After the prior information becomes a notification state, the prior information can be controlled to continue to be in the notification state until the calculated information value becomes the threshold value,
When the calculated information value becomes the non-alarm value after the prior information becomes the alarm state, the prior information is set to the non-alarm state.
When the display result of the second symbol becomes a predetermined result, the variable winning device is operated to control the game ball to a winning easy state in which the game ball is likely to win in the starting area,
When the predetermined condition is satisfied during the variable display of the first symbol, the first symbol is controlled to be in a non-display state;
When the predetermined condition is satisfied during the variable display of the second symbol, the second symbol is controlled to a non-display state;
When the predetermined condition is satisfied during the execution of a special game advantageous to a player, the game is stopped after the special game ends.
When the predetermined condition is satisfied while the game machine is in the easy-to-win state, the game machine controls the game machine from the easy-to-win state to the difficult-to-win state.

Images