JP7504436B2 - Gaming Machines - Google Patents

Description

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

Conventionally, this type of gaming machine has been proposed to generate a specific gaming state when a variable display game played on a variable display device based on the entry of a gaming ball into a starting hole reaches a jackpot state, and the next jackpot state does not occur even if the variable display game is played a specified number of times (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the specific gaming state, the time required for one game of the normal variable display game is shortened (normal time-saving state), and the opening time of the normal variable winning device is extended when a specific result is derived in the normal variable display game.

JP 2005-52345 A

The above-mentioned special game state (easy-to-score state) occurs when a jackpot is not reached even after a specified number of hit/miss judgments, and rescues the player when the so-called ceiling of the trap is reached. However, there is a possibility that a jackpot is not reached even if a further specified number of hit/miss judgments are made in that special game state, and the special game state ends. In this way, since the number of hit/miss judgments has already exceeded the specified number, the special game state will not occur no matter how many hit/miss judgments are made, which is disadvantageous to the player. In addition, if the gaming machine is configured to be able to resume play from the state before the power was shut off when the power is restored after a power outage, the state after the special game state ends may be carried over, causing an unexpected disadvantage to the player.

The main purpose of the gaming machine of the present invention is to prevent players from suffering unforeseen disadvantages.

The gaming machine of the present invention employs the following means to achieve the above-mentioned main objective.

The first gaming machine of the present invention comprises:
A starting port including a variable starting port in which the possibility of the game ball entering the game changes;
A winning/losing determination means for executing a winning/losing determination based on the entry of a game ball into the starting hole;
a special game execution means for executing a special game when the result of the win/loss determination is a win;
a counting means for counting the number of times the winning/losing determination is performed and resetting the counted value to an initial value when the special game is performed;
an easy-to-enter state transition means for transitioning to an easy-to-enter state in which it is easier for the game ball to enter the variable start hole based on the count value reaching a specified value, and terminating the easy-to-enter state when a predetermined number of hit/miss determinations have been performed or the special game has been played;
An information storage means for storing game information including the state of the gaming machine;
a state recovery means for erasing the game information stored in the information storage means and restoring the game to an initial state when a predetermined erasing operation is performed when the power is turned on, and for recovering the game to a state before the power was cut off based on the game information stored in the information storage means when the erasing operation is not performed when the power is turned on;
A notification means for notifying a state of the gaming machine;
Equipped with
The gist of the notification means is that when the state restored by the state restoration means is the end state after the easy-to-score state has ended after the predetermined number of success/fail judgments have been performed in the easy-to-score state, the notification means notifies the user that the state is the end state.

In the first gaming machine of the present invention, the game machine is shifted to an easy-to-enter state in which it is easy for the game ball to enter the variable start port based on the count value of the number of times the winning/losing judgment has been performed reaching a specified value, and the easy-to-enter state is terminated when a specified number of winning/losing judgments have been performed or a special game has been played. In addition, when the state restored by the state restoration means is a state after the easy-to-enter state has ended after a specified number of winning/losing judgments have been performed in the easy-to-enter state, the state is notified that it is the end state. The end state is not the end of the easy-to-enter state due to the special game being played, and since the count value has exceeded the specified value without being reset, even if the winning/losing judgment is repeatedly performed, the count value will not reach the specified value and the game machine will not enter the easy-to-enter state. For this reason, returning to the end state is disadvantageous to the player, and there is a risk of causing an unexpected disadvantage to a player who is not aware of the state. Therefore, by notifying the game machine of the end state, it is possible to encourage the manager of the game hall to return to the initial state and to make the player aware of the state of the game machine. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the player from being disadvantaged by the returned state.

The second gaming machine of the present invention is
A starting port including a variable starting port in which the possibility of the game ball entering the game changes;
A winning/losing determination means for executing a winning/losing determination based on the entry of a game ball into the starting hole;
a special game execution means for executing a special game when the result of the win/loss determination is a win;
a counting means for counting the number of times the winning/losing determination is performed and resetting the counted value to an initial value when the special game is performed;
an easy-to-enter state transition means for transitioning to an easy-to-enter state in which it is easier for the game ball to enter the variable start hole based on the count value reaching a specified value, and terminating the easy-to-enter state when a predetermined number of hit/miss determinations have been performed or the special game has been played;
A high probability state transition means for transitioning a probability of a win determined as a win in the win/loss determination to a high probability state higher than a low probability state after the special game ends;
An information storage means for storing game information including the state of the gaming machine;
a state recovery means for erasing the game information stored in the information storage means and restoring the game to an initial state when a predetermined erasing operation is performed when the power is turned on, and for recovering the game to a state before the power was cut off based on the game information stored in the information storage means when the erasing operation is not performed when the power is turned on;
A notification means for notifying a state of the gaming machine;
Equipped with
The counting means counts the number of times the win/loss determination is performed in the low probability state,
The gist of the notification means is that when the state restored by the state restoration means is the end state after the easy-to-score state has ended after the predetermined number of success/fail judgments have been performed in the easy-to-score state, the notification means notifies the user that the state is the end state.

In the second gaming machine of the present invention, the game machine is shifted to an easy-to-score state in which it becomes easier for the game ball to score in the variable starting hole based on the count value of the number of times the winning/losing judgment is performed reaching a specified value, and the easy-to-score state is terminated when a specified number of winning/losing judgments are performed or a special game is performed. In addition, after the special game is completed, the probability of a winning judgment in the winning/losing judgment can be shifted to a high probability state that is higher than the low probability state, and the number of times the winning/losing judgment is performed in the low probability state is counted. In addition, when the state restored by the state restoration means is a state after a specified number of winning/losing judgments are performed in the easy-to-score state and the easy-to-score state has ended, it is notified that it is a state after the end. The state after the end is not a state in which the easy-to-score state has ended by the execution of a special game, and the count value has exceeded the specified value without being reset, so that even if the winning/losing judgment is repeatedly performed in the low probability state, the count value will not reach the specified value and the easy-to-score state will not be entered. For this reason, if the state is restored in the end state, it will be disadvantageous to the player, and there is a risk of causing an unexpected disadvantage to a player who is not aware of the state. By notifying the user that the game is in a "finished" state, the manager of the game parlor can urge the game to return to the initial state, and the player can be made aware of the state of the game machine. This makes it possible to prevent the player from suffering an unexpected disadvantage due to the return state.

The third gaming machine of the present invention is
A starting port including a variable starting port in which the possibility of the game ball entering the game changes;
A winning/losing determination means for executing a winning/losing determination based on the entry of a game ball into the starting hole;
a special game execution means for executing a special game when the result of the win/loss determination is a win;
a counting means for counting the number of times the winning/losing determination is performed and resetting the counted value to an initial value when the special game is performed;
an easy-to-enter state transition means for transitioning to an easy-to-enter state in which it is easier for the game ball to enter the variable start hole based on the count value reaching a specified value, and terminating the easy-to-enter state when a predetermined number of hit/miss determinations have been performed or the special game has been played;
An information storage means for storing game information including the state of the gaming machine;
a state recovery means for erasing the game information stored in the information storage means and restoring the game to an initial state when a predetermined erasing operation is performed when the power is turned on, and for recovering the game to a state before the power was cut off based on the game information stored in the information storage means when the erasing operation is not performed when the power is turned on;
A notification means for notifying a state of the gaming machine;
Equipped with
The notification means notifies that the state restored by the state restoration means is the end state after the predetermined number of correct/incorrect judgments have been made in the easy-to-score state and the easy-to-score state has ended, when the state restored by the state restoration means is the end state after the predetermined number of correct/incorrect judgments have been made in the easy-to-score state and the end state has ended, and does not notify that the state is the end state even if the predetermined number of correct/incorrect judgments have been made in the easy-to-score state during play and the end state has been reached.

In the third gaming machine of the present invention, the game machine is shifted to an easy-to-score state in which it becomes easier for the game ball to score in the variable start hole based on the count value of the number of times the winning/losing judgment has been performed reaching a specified value, and the easy-to-score state is terminated when a specified number of winning/losing judgments have been performed or a special game is played. In addition, if the state restored by the state restoration means is a state after the easy-to-score state has ended after a specified number of winning/losing judgments have been performed in the easy-to-score state, the state is notified that it is the end state. On the other hand, even if a specified number of winning/losing judgments are performed in the easy-to-score state during a game and the end state is reached, the state is not notified that it is the end state. The end state is not the end state in which the easy-to-score state has ended due to the execution of a special game, and since the count value has exceeded the specified value without being reset, even if the winning/losing judgment is repeatedly performed, the count value will not reach the specified value and the game will not become the easy-to-score state. For this reason, returning to the end state is disadvantageous to the player, and there is a risk of causing an unexpected disadvantage to a player who is not aware of the state. Therefore, by notifying the player that the game is in the end state, it is possible to encourage the manager of the game hall to return the game to the initial state and to make the player aware of the state of the game machine. This makes it possible to prevent the player from being disadvantaged unexpectedly by the return state. However, if the easy-to-score state ends during play and the game enters the end state, this is not an unexpected state for the player, and the player may get the impression that they did not win in the win/loss judgment, which may actually reduce their motivation to play. Therefore, the end state that is entered during play is not notified.

In each gaming machine of the present invention, multiple notification means (devices) may be provided as notification means, and the end time of notification may differ depending on the notification means. For example, the notification means may include at least one that notifies until a predetermined time after power-on or until the game starts (until a predetermined operation is performed) and one that notifies until a special game is executed. By using multiple notification means, it is possible to more strongly notify that the game is in a state after the game has ended. In addition, even if one notification means ends the notification, other notification means may continue the notification, making it easier for the player to recognize the state of the gaming machine. In addition, a performance device that performs a performance during play may be used as the notification means, and the notification by the performance device may be performed until a predetermined time after power-on or until the game starts. In addition, the notification by the performance device may be performed after power-on (after the game starts) and after the game is interrupted or ended without the occurrence of a jackpot. In other words, the performance device may start the notification again during the standby state when the game is interrupted or ended and the gaming machine enters a standby state. In this way, the end state can be more strongly notified. When the game is resumed from the standby state, the notification can be interrupted again, and the notification can be continued intermittently until a jackpot occurs.

The gaming machine of the present invention can prevent players from suffering unforeseen disadvantages.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko machine 1 of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a game board 20 of a pachinko machine 1. FIG. A block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 1. An explanatory diagram showing an example of a performance display of the performance display device 38. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the specifications of a pachinko machine 1. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a main control process executed by a CPU 60a of the main control device 60. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a power-on process. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a lighting mode of a status notification device 37. FIG. A flowchart showing an example of a start winning process. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a normal symbol game process. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of normal pattern change display related processing. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a normal symbol winning game process. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a special symbol game process. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a special symbol game process. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a special pattern change display related process. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a time-saving flag setting process. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a time-saving flag setting process. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a jackpot game process. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a jackpot game process. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a transition of a game state. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a status notification performance process. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen display in a status notification performance.

Next, we will explain how to implement the present invention using examples.

Figure 1 is a front view of the pachinko machine 1 of the present invention, Figure 2 is a rear view of the pachinko machine 1, Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the game board 20 of the pachinko machine 1, and Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 1. In this embodiment, an example of applying the present invention to a so-called seven-type (first type) game machine will be described, in which the variable display of special symbols begins when a game ball enters the starting hole, and when the special symbols stop and are displayed as a predetermined jackpot symbol, a jackpot game (special game) begins.

[External configuration of pachinko machine 1]
1, the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment includes a game board 20 arranged so that the board surface can be seen through a glass plate (transparent plate) 4 fitted into a front frame (glass frame) 3, an upper tray 11 and a lower tray 12 for storing game balls, and a launch handle 13 for launching the game balls stored in the upper tray 11 onto the game board 20. The pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment is a CR machine compatible with prepaid cards, and a CR unit 50 for reading and writing prepaid cards is provided on the left side of the pachinko machine 1.

The front frame 3 is fitted into the inner frame 5 and can be opened and closed relative to the inner frame 5 using hinges provided at the top and bottom of the left side as fulcrums. The inner frame 5 is also fitted into the outer frame 2 and can be opened and closed relative to the outer frame 2 using hinges provided at the top and bottom of the left side as fulcrums. The front frame 3 and the inner frame 5 are configured as roughly rectangular plastic frames. Meanwhile, the outer frame 2 is configured as a roughly rectangular wooden frame and is fixed to the island frame of the island equipment in the game hall.

Speakers 14 are provided on the upper left and right sides of the front frame 3 to play various sound effects as the game progresses and to sound warning sounds to alert the player. The front frame 3 is also provided with multiple frame-side decorative lamps (lamps) 15 that emit light according to the game status.

Prize balls and loan balls are dispensed into the upper tray 11. A settlement display device 52 that displays the balance of the prepaid card inserted into the CR unit 50 is provided on the right side of the top surface of the upper tray 11, and the settlement display device 52 is provided with a ball loan button 53 that instructs the loan of game balls, and a settlement button 54 that instructs the settlement (return) of the prepaid card inserted into the CR unit 50. In addition, a performance button 16 is provided in the center of the top surface of the upper tray 11 to perform various performances in response to the player's operation. The lower tray 12 is capable of receiving balls that have spilled over from the upper tray 11.

As shown in FIG. 2, the inner frame 5 on the back side of the pachinko machine 1 is provided with a ball tank 77, a tank rail 78, and a payout device 72. When game balls enter each winning hole provided in the game board 20, the payout device 72 pays out a predetermined number of game balls as prize balls from the ball tank 77 via the tank rail 78 to the upper tray 11. In addition, when the ball loan button 53 is operated, the payout device 72 pays out loan balls to the upper tray 11.

The launch handle 13 is located to the right of the lower tray 12. When the player rotates it clockwise, the launch motor 83 (see FIG. 4) of the launch device (not shown) is activated, and game balls are shot one by one toward the game board 20 with a launch force that corresponds to the amount of rotation of the launch handle 13.

[Configuration of the game board 20]
As shown in Fig. 3, the game board 20 has a game area 21 surrounded by an outer rail 21a and an inner rail 21b. The game board 20 includes a performance display device 38 provided in the approximate center of the game area 21, a center role 39 including a warp entrance, a warp gutter, a stage, etc., arranged around the performance display device 38, a normal symbol operation gate 22 arranged to the right of the center role 39, a first start opening 23 arranged at the bottom of the game area 21, a second start opening 24 that opens and closes arranged below the normal symbol operation gate 22, a big prize opening 25 arranged at the bottom right of the game area 21, a normal prize opening 26 that is always open and arranged at the bottom left of the game area 21, and an outlet 29 for collecting game balls that do not enter any of the prize openings. In addition, a large number of nails 21c that guide and bounce game balls flowing down the game area 21 are planted on the game board 20.

The second starting hole 24 is a variable ball entry hole configured as a normal electric device, and is equipped with a pair of left and right opening and closing blades (opening and closing members) 24b and a second starting hole solenoid 24c (see FIG. 4) that operates the opening and closing blades 24b. This second starting hole 24 is usually in a normal state in which the opening and closing blades 24b are upright and it is difficult for game balls to enter, and when the normal pattern is stopped and displayed as a winning pattern and a winning game (normal pattern winning game) is played, the opening and closing blades 24b are opened to the left and right by the second starting hole solenoid 24c, making it an open state in which game balls can easily enter. A second starting hole switch 24a (see FIG. 4) is attached to the second starting hole 24 to detect the entry of game balls and count the number of balls that have entered. The second start port 24 is closed when the second start port switch 24a counts a specified number of game balls entering the hole, or when a predetermined maximum opening time has elapsed before the specified number of counts.

The big prize opening 25 is a variable ball entrance configured as a special electric device, and includes an opening/closing plate (opening/closing member) 25b and a big prize opening solenoid 25c (see FIG. 4) that operates the opening/closing plate 25b. This big prize opening 25 is usually closed by the opening/closing plate 25b to prevent game balls from entering, and when the special pattern is displayed as a big win pattern and a big win game is played, the opening/closing plate 25b is opened forward by the big prize opening solenoid 25c to open the opening/closing plate 25b to allow game balls to enter. The big prize opening 25 is equipped with a big prize opening switch 25a (see FIG. 4) for detecting the entry of game balls and counting the number of balls that have entered. The big prize opening 25 is closed when the big prize opening switch 25a counts the specified number of game balls or when a predetermined maximum opening time has elapsed before the specified number of counts (round game). The big win game is played by repeating the above round game a predetermined number of times.

The first starting hole 23 allows the player to insert the game ball by rotating the launch handle 13 (so-called left hit) so that the game ball flows down to the left area (first game area) of the game area 21. On the other hand, the second starting hole 24 and the big prize hole 25 cannot insert the game ball by hitting from the left, and the game ball can be inserted by rotating the launch handle 13 (so-called right hit) so that the game ball flows down to the right area (second game area) of the game area 21. However, the second starting hole 24 and the big prize hole 25 are variable prize holes, and the game ball can only be inserted when the normal symbol is selected or when the special symbol is selected as a big hit.

At the bottom right of the game board 20, there are arranged a first special symbol display device (first special symbol display device) 31, a second special symbol display device (second special symbol display device) 32, a first special symbol reserved number display device (first special symbol reserved number display device) 33, a second special symbol reserved number display device (second special symbol reserved number display device) 34, a normal symbol display device (normal symbol display device) 35, a normal symbol reserved number display device (normal symbol reserved number display device) 36, and a status notification device 37.

In this embodiment, the first special symbol display device 31 and the second special symbol display device 32 are configured as seven-segment display devices, and multiple types of display modes are expressed by combining the lighting and extinguishing of each segment. The first special symbol display device 31 and the second special symbol display device 32 start the variable display of the special symbol by sequentially switching the display mode based on the entrance of a game ball into the starting hole, and when a predetermined variable time has elapsed, the special symbol is displayed stationary by displaying it in one of multiple predetermined stationary display modes. Then, when the special symbol is displayed stationary as a jackpot symbol, a jackpot game is executed. The first special symbol display device 31 is a display device for the first starting hole ball entry that displays a variable special symbol based on the entrance of a game ball into the first starting hole 23, and the second special symbol display device 32 is a display device for the second starting hole ball entry that displays a variable special symbol based on the entrance of a game ball into the second starting hole 24. The special pattern displayed by the first special pattern display device 31 is also called the first special pattern (first special pattern), and the special pattern displayed by the second special pattern display device 32 is also called the second special pattern (second special pattern).

If a game ball enters the first start hole 23 while the special pattern is being displayed or during a jackpot game, the display of the first special pattern is reserved up to a predetermined number (e.g., four), and after the current display of the patterns is completed, the display of the reserved first special patterns is started sequentially. The number of reserved first special patterns is displayed on the first special pattern reserved number display device 33. Also, if a game ball enters the second start hole 24 while the special pattern is being displayed or during a jackpot game, the display of the second special pattern is reserved up to a predetermined number (e.g., four), and after the current display of the patterns is completed, the display of the reserved second special patterns is started sequentially. The number of reserved second special patterns is displayed on the second special pattern reserved number display device 34.

In this embodiment, the normal symbol display device 35 is configured as an LED display device having multiple display units (LEDs). The normal symbol display device 35 displays normal symbols by repeatedly turning on and off each of the multiple display units based on the detection of a game ball by the gate switch 22a provided on the normal symbol operation gate 22, and when a predetermined variation time has passed, the normal symbol is displayed stationary by turning on or off each of the multiple display units. When a specific display unit among the multiple display units is lit, it is a winning symbol, and when it is not, it is a losing symbol. When the normal symbol is displayed stationary as a winning symbol, the second starting hole 24 is opened.

When the game ball passes through the normal symbol activation gate 22 while the normal symbol is being displayed, the normal symbol display is reserved up to a specified number (for example, four), and after the current display is finished, the display of the reserved normal symbols is started sequentially. The number of reserved normal symbols is displayed on the normal symbol display device 36.

In this embodiment, the status notification device 37 is configured as an LED display device having multiple (e.g., two, one above and one below) display units (LEDs). The status notification device 37 turns on or off each display unit depending on the game status, and notifies the game status by a combination of on and off. Details of the combinations of on and off and the game status to be notified will be described later.

The performance display device 38 is an image display device composed of a liquid crystal display or the like, and displays various performances such as reach performance, advance notice performance, character performance (display of character 383) and the like in addition to displaying performance patterns 381L, 381C, 381R as pseudo patterns corresponding to special patterns on the display screen. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the performance display of the performance display device 38. As shown in the figure, three performance patterns 381L, 381C, 381R of left, center, and right, consisting of numbers, English letters, characters, symbols, characters, etc., are displayed in the center of the display screen of the performance display device 38. When a game ball enters the start hole (first start hole 23 or second start hole 24), the three performance patterns 381L, 381C, 381R are displayed in a changing manner so as to scroll from top to bottom, and when a predetermined changing time has passed, they are displayed in the order of left, right, and center. When the right performance symbol 381R is stopped and displayed, if the right performance symbol 381R does not match the left performance symbol 381L, it is a miss (normal miss). On the other hand, when the right performance symbol 381R matches the left performance symbol 381L, it becomes a reach and transitions to a reach performance. Then, when the middle performance symbol 381C is stopped and displayed after the reach performance, if the middle performance symbol 381C does not match the left and right performance symbols 381L, 381R (for example, "767"), it is a miss (reach miss), and when the middle performance symbol 381C matches the left and right performance symbols 381L, 381R (for example, "777"), it is a jackpot. The reach performance includes normal reaches and SP reaches that have developed from normal reaches and have a high chance of winning.

In addition, the reserved pattern 382 is also displayed on the display screen of the performance display device 38, as shown in FIG. 5. When the current game state is normal, the reserved pattern 382 becomes a pattern corresponding to the reserved memory of the first special pattern. That is, when the current game state is normal, each time a game ball enters the first starting hole 23 during the variable display of the first special pattern, one is additionally displayed in sequence from the right side, and each time the variable display of the first special pattern begins, one is erased from the opposite side from the time of the starting ball entering. In addition, when the current game state is a time-saving state or a probability-changing state (including a time-saving state), the reserved pattern 382 becomes a pattern corresponding to the reserved memory of the second special pattern. In other words, when the game state is in the time-saving state or the probability change state, each time a game ball enters the second starting hole 24 while the second special symbol is being displayed in a varying manner, one is added to the display in order from the right side, and each time the display of the second special symbol in a varying manner begins, one is erased from the opposite side to when the starting ball entered.

[Control circuit configuration]
As shown in Fig. 4, the pachinko machine 1 includes a main control device 60, a payout control device 70, a launch control device 80, a sub-integrated control device 90, a performance display control device 91, and a power supply board 95 (see Fig. 2) as its control circuit. The main control device 60 is configured as a microprocessor centered on a CPU 60a, and includes, in addition to the CPU 60a, a ROM 60b that stores processing programs and tables, a RAM 60c that temporarily stores data when the processing program is executed, an input/output port, a communication port, and the like. Although not shown, the payout control device 70 and the launch control device 80 are also configured as microprocessors centered on a CPU, and include, in addition to the CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an input/output port, a communication port, and the like. The pachinko machine 1 is also provided with an external connection terminal board 65, and signals indicating the game state and game results are transmitted to the hall computer 100 via the external connection terminal board 65.

The main control device 60 controls the basic progress of the game. As shown in FIG. 4, the main control device 60 receives detection signals from the front frame opening switch 3a, which detects the opening of the front frame 3, the inner frame opening switch 5a, which detects the opening of the inner frame 5, and the like, via the rear wiring relay terminal board 64. In addition, the main control device 60 receives detection signals from the gate switch 22a, which detects the passage of a game ball through the normal symbol operation gate 22, the first start port switch 23a, which detects the entry of a game ball into the first start port 23, the second start port switch 24a, which detects the entry of a game ball into the second start port 24, the large prize port switch 25a, which detects the entry of a game ball into the large prize port 25, the normal prize port switch 26a, which detects the entry of a game ball into the normal prize port 26, and the like, via the game board relay terminal board 61. Furthermore, operation signals are input to the main control device 60 from a setting key switch 67 and a RAM clear switch 68 located on the back of the pachinko machine 1, and the settings made using the setting key switch 67 and the RAM clear switch 68 can be displayed on a setting display device (performance display device) 69 located on the back of the pachinko machine 1.

The setting key switch 67 is a switch that is operated when making various settings such as the probability of a big win for a special symbol. The RAM clear switch 68 is a switch for executing RAM clearing, and in this embodiment, the RAM clear switch 68 is also used to select the setting value when making various settings. The setting display device 69 is configured as a 7-segment display device, and displays the setting values for various settings, the performance of the pachinko machine 1, and error codes when an error occurs. Here, in this embodiment, it has a probability setting function that allows one of three settings 1 to 3, each of which has a different probability set as the probability of a big win for a special symbol, to be selected and set. The manager of the game hall inserts a predetermined key into the setting key switch 67, turns it, and turns on the power while pressing the RAM clear switch 68. Then, the RAM of the pachinko machine 1 is cleared, and the setting value of the big win probability can be changed. The setting display device 69 displays the numbers "1" to "3" corresponding to the settings 1 to 3 of the big win probability in order each time the RAM clear switch 68 is pressed. Therefore, the administrator can select the desired setting value by pressing the RAM clear switch 68 so that the number displayed on the setting display device 69 corresponds to the desired setting value, and then rotate the key inserted in the setting key switch 67 to return it to its initial position, thereby confirming the selected setting value and setting it as the jackpot probability of the special symbol. By performing these operations, the administrator can set one of settings 1 to 3 for each pachinko machine 1. In this embodiment, the setting key switch 67 and the RAM clear switch 68 are used to select and set the setting value, but any other operating means such as a rotary knob that can be operated from the outside may be used to select and set the setting value, and a dedicated switch for selecting the setting value may be provided. In addition, in the pachinko machine 1, the setting value is displayed on the setting display device 69, but it may be displayed on another display device or notified by voice. In addition, the setting value is not limited to the three settings 1 to 3, and any number of settings may be selected from a plurality of setting values.

The main control device 60 also outputs drive signals to the second start port solenoid 24c, the large prize port solenoid 25c, etc., via the game board relay terminal board 61. The main control device 60 also outputs display signals to the first special symbol display device 31, the second special symbol display device 32, the first special symbol reserved number display device 33, the second special symbol reserved number display device 34, the regular symbol display device 35, the regular symbol reserved number display device 36, the status notification device 37, etc., via the symbol display device relay terminal board 62. Furthermore, the main control device 60 outputs signals to the hall computer 100 via the rear wiring relay terminal board 64 and the external connection terminal board 65.

The payout control device 70 is responsible for controlling the payout of prize balls and loan balls. A detection signal from a ball-out switch 76 that detects the ball-out of a ball tank (not shown) for storing game balls to be paid out to the upper tray 11 is input to the payout control device 70 via the back wiring relay terminal board 64, a detection signal from a payout switch 74 that detects game balls to be paid out to the upper tray 11 is input via the payout relay terminal board 71 and the back wiring relay terminal board 64, and a detection signal from a full switch 75 that detects the fullness of the lower tray 12 is directly input to the payout control device 70. On the other hand, a drive signal to the payout motor 73 is output from the payout control device 70 via the back wiring relay terminal board 64 and the payout relay terminal board 71. The payout control device 70 is configured to be able to communicate bidirectionally with the main control device 60, and drives the payout motor 73 according to commands sent from the main control device 60 to pay out prize balls. When the payout control device 70 receives a detection signal from either the out-of-ball switch 76 or the full-ball switch 75, it stops driving the payout motor 73 and suspends the payout operation of prize balls until the detection condition is resolved and the detection signal is no longer input.

The payout control device 70 is also configured to be able to communicate with the CR unit 50 via the CR unit terminal board 51. The CR unit terminal board 51 is configured to be able to communicate two-way with the settlement display device 52, and detection signals from the ball lending switch 53a and the settlement switch 54a provided on the settlement display device 52 are input to the payout control device 70 via the CR unit terminal board 51. The ball lending switch 53a detects the operation of the ball lending button 53 and outputs a detection signal, and the settlement switch 54a detects the operation of the settlement button 54 and outputs a detection signal. When the payout control device 70 inputs a ball lending command, it drives the payout motor 73 to pay out the loaned balls. The payout control device 70 is also configured to be able to communicate two-way with the launch control device 80, and when a predetermined launch stop condition is met, such as inputting a detection signal from the full switch 75, it sends a launch stop command to the launch control device 80.

The launch control device 80 is responsible for controlling the launch of game balls into the play area 21. The launch control device 80 receives inputs such as a rotation amount signal output in response to the rotation operation of the launch handle 13, a launch stop signal from a launch stop switch 81 that detects the operation of the launch stop button, and a touch signal from a touch switch 82 that detects that the player is touching the launch handle 13. On the other hand, a drive signal to the launch motor 83 is output from the launch control device 80. The launch control device 80 controls the launch motor 83 so that the game balls are launched into the play area 21 with a launch strength based on the rotation amount signal. When the launch control device 80 has not input a touch signal or has input a launch stop signal, it stops driving the launch motor 83 regardless of the operation of the launch handle 13, and does not launch the game balls.

The sub-integrated control device 90 is responsible for controlling the effects of the game. The sub-integrated control device 90 is configured as a microprocessor centered on the CPU 90a, and in addition to the CPU 90a, it is equipped with a ROM 90b, a RAM 90c, an input/output port, a communication port, etc. This sub-integrated control device 90 can receive various commands from the main control device 60 by one-way communication via the effect relay terminal board 63, and performs effect control according to the received command. A detection signal from the effect button switch 16a that detects the operation of the effect button 16 is input to the sub-integrated control device 90. On the other hand, the sub-integrated control device 90 outputs an audio signal to the speaker 14 and a lighting signal to the lamps 15 such as various LEDs. In addition, the sub-integrated control device 90 outputs a command for effect display control to the effect display control device 91 by one-way communication. The effect display control device 91 receives a command for effect display control from the sub-integrated control device 90, and controls the display of the effect display device 38 so that an effect image corresponding to the command is displayed on the effect display device 38.

The power supply board 95 is a DC power supply that converts AC voltage from an external AC power supply into DC voltage, and supplies power to each part of the pachinko machine 1 by operating a power switch (not shown). Even when the power switch is turned off and the power to the pachinko machine 1 is turned off, the power supply board 95 supplies power from the AC power supply to the RAM 60c of the main control device 60, etc., and the data in the RAM 60c is maintained by the power from the AC power supply. The power supply board 95 also has a backup power supply consisting of a capacitor, etc., and stores the power supplied from the AC power supply in the backup power supply. As a result, in the event of a power outage when the power supply from the AC power supply is cut off, power from the backup power supply is supplied to the RAM 60c of the main control device 60, etc., and the data in the RAM 60c of the main control device 60 is maintained for a certain period of time.

[Overview of Pachinko Machine 1 Game]
Next, an outline of the game of the pachinko machine 1 thus constructed will be described. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the specifications of the pachinko machine 1. In the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment, the probability of a jackpot of a special symbol (special symbol jackpot probability, special symbol winning probability) is the same for the first special symbol and the second special symbol, and is 1/320 in the normal state (low probability state) of setting 1, 1/64 in the probability variable state (high probability state) which is higher than the normal state, 1/300 in the normal state of setting 2 and 1/60 in the probability variable state, and 1/280 in the normal state of setting 3 and 1/56 in the probability variable state. That is, the jackpot probability is set in the order of 3, 2, and 1 from the highest. The low probability state of the jackpot probability includes a time-saving state that is not in the probability variable state. When a jackpot occurs with a special symbol, a 5-round jackpot game (a jackpot game in which the specified number of balls is 10 and the maximum opening time is 30 seconds, and the round game is repeated 5 times) or a 10-round jackpot game (a jackpot game in which the above round game is repeated 10 times) is executed. When a jackpot game is executed, the game state after the jackpot game ends has a 60% probability of becoming a probability variable state (probability variable jackpot). In addition, when a jackpot game is executed, a time-saving state (first time-saving state, a time-saving state, first easy-to-score state) also occurs as the game state after the jackpot game ends.

In addition, in the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment, if the variable display of the special symbol is executed a specified number of times (e.g., 800 times) without the occurrence of a jackpot, a time-saving state (second time-saving state, b time-saving state, second easy-to-score state) is generated to rescue the player. The second time-saving state continues until the variable display of the special symbol is executed a specified number of times (e.g., 1200 times). Here, the specified number of times is the so-called ceiling of a trap, and is set to a value exceeding the reciprocal of the jackpot probability. For example, if the jackpot probability is 1/300, it can be set to 301 times or more, particularly 700 times or more, or any number between 750 and 900 times.

As shown in FIG. 6, the probability of winning with a normal symbol varies depending on the game state, being 1/100 in the normal state and 1/1.1 in the time-saving state (first time-saving state, second time-saving state). When a win occurs with a normal symbol, a normal symbol win game (normal symbol win game) is played in which the second starting hole 24 (normal electric device) opens. When a win occurs with a normal symbol in the normal state, a normal symbol win game with a specified number of 10 and a maximum opening time of 0.1 seconds is played, and when a win occurs with a normal symbol in the time-saving state (first time-saving state, second time-saving state), a normal symbol win game with a specified number of 10 and a maximum opening time of 5.8 seconds is played. In this embodiment, the first time-saving state and the second time-saving state are both game states that activate a time-saving function that shortens the time of fluctuation of the normal pattern compared to the normal state, a normal pattern probability change function that increases the probability of winning the normal pattern compared to the normal state, and an opening extension function that extends the opening time of the second start hole 24 when the normal pattern is won compared to the normal state. Note that the first time-saving state and the second time-saving state only need to make it easier for the game ball to enter the second start hole 24, and some of these three functions may be omitted. In particular, since the second time-saving state occurs in a time-saving state without going through a jackpot, it is considered that the normal pattern probability change function is not activated. In this case, the first time-saving state and the second time-saving state are different game states, and the first time-saving state in which the normal pattern probability change function is activated is more advantageous to the player than the second time-saving state. Of course, it is also possible that the first time-saving state is also in the same state as the time-saving state without activating the normal pattern probability change function in accordance with the second time-saving state. In this case, even if a situation occurs in which the first time-saving state and the second time-saving state overlap, there is no need to change the time-saving state.

In a pachinko machine 1 with such specifications, when a game ball enters the first starting hole 23 by hitting from the left (firing the game ball into the first game area), the variable display of the first special pattern begins. Then, when the first special pattern stops and displays as a jackpot pattern, a jackpot occurs, and the jackpot game is played in which the jackpot entry hole 25 is opened. The jackpot entry hole 25 cannot be entered by hitting from the left, but can be entered by hitting from the right (firing the game ball into the second game area). Therefore, when a jackpot game is played, the player can play the jackpot game by hitting from the right.

The jackpot pattern includes a normal jackpot pattern and a special jackpot pattern. When a special pattern is stopped and displayed as a normal jackpot pattern, the game state after the jackpot game ends becomes the first time-saving state. When a jackpot game is played with a normal jackpot pattern, the first time-saving state continues until the variable display of the special pattern is executed a predetermined number of times (e.g., 100 times). On the other hand, when a special pattern is stopped and displayed as a special jackpot pattern, the game state after the jackpot game ends becomes a special jackpot state and the first time-saving state also occurs. When a jackpot game is played with a special jackpot pattern, the special jackpot state (including the first time-saving state) continues until the variable display of the special pattern is executed a predetermined number of times (e.g., 10,000 times), that is, essentially, until the next jackpot occurs. Therefore, in the probability bonus state (including the first time-saving state), by hitting to the right, the player can prevent the loss of balls and advantageously generate a jackpot, giving the player a chance to win a lot of balls in a short amount of time.

In addition, if the variable display of the special symbol is executed a prescribed number of times (e.g. 800 times) without a jackpot occurring, the game state will enter the second time-saving state. The probability of a jackpot is 1/320 to 1/280, and the second time-saving state will continue until the variable display of the special symbol is executed a prescribed number of times (e.g. 1200 times), so when the ceiling is reached and the second time-saving state occurs, a jackpot can be generated in most cases. However, there is also a possibility that the variable display (win/lose judgment) will be performed 1200 times without a jackpot occurring during the second time-saving state and the second time-saving state will end. In this way, when the variable display is executed a prescribed number of times without a jackpot occurring during the second time-saving state and the second time-saving state ends, it is called a "ceiling-through", and the game state in which the ceiling-through has occurred is also called a "ceiling-through state" (post-end state).

[Main control processing]
Next, the operation of the pachinko machine 1, particularly the operation of the main control device 60, will be described in more detail. FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing an example of the main control process executed by the CPU 60a of the main control device 60. This process is executed when the power switch of the pachinko machine 1 is operated. The main control process is performed by repeatedly executing the following processes after executing the power-on process required for turning on the power of the pachinko machine 1 (S10): random number update process (S20), winning confirmation process (S30), start winning process (S40), normal symbol game process (S50), normal symbol winning game process (S60), special symbol game process (S70), and big win game process (S80). In this embodiment, the time required for the processes of S20 to S80 is about 2 msec, and these processes are repeatedly executed at intervals of about 2 msec. The main control device 60 executes a main control process, transmits various commands to the control devices in charge and executes processing according to the commands, thereby progressing the overall game play of the pachinko machine 1.

[Power-on process]
8 is a flow chart showing an example of the power-on process. In the power-on process of S10, the CPU 60a of the main control device 60 first completes the security check and allows access to the RAM 60c (S100), and then judges whether the backup flag is OFF (S102) and whether the RAM clear signal is OFF (S104). The backup flag is a flag indicating whether the data in the RAM 60c is normally held or not, and is ON if the data is normally held and OFF if the data is not normally held. The RAM clear signal is ON when the power is turned on with the RAM clear switch 68 operated, and is OFF when the power is turned on with the RAM clear switch 68 not operated.

When it is determined that the backup flag is OFF, or that the backup flag is ON but the RAM clear signal is ON (a predetermined erasing operation has been performed), it starts from the initial state (normal state). That is, first, a stack setting process is performed (S106). Next, various setting values such as the setting value of the jackpot probability set using the setting key switch 67 and the RAM clear switch 68 are read (S108), and an initialization process is performed to clear and initialize the working area of the RAM 60c (S110). As described above, if the inserted setting key switch 67 is rotated and the RAM clear switch 68 is operated while the power is turned on, the RAM is cleared and one setting value set from settings 1 to 3 as the jackpot probability is enabled. In addition, game information indicating the game state is stored in the working area of the RAM 60c. The game information includes the setting values of various flags and various counters, and the initialization process includes a process of clearing the values of these flags and counters and setting them to their initial values. The various flags include a normal symbol hit flag (normal symbol hit flag) indicating whether or not a normal symbol hit game is in progress, a jackpot flag indicating whether or not a jackpot game is in progress, a probability hit flag indicating whether or not a probability hit state is in progress, a first time-saving flag (a time-saving flag) indicating whether or not a first time-saving state (a time-saving) is in progress, a second time-saving flag (b time-saving flag) indicating whether or not a second time-saving state (b time-saving) is in progress, a ceiling-through flag indicating whether or not a ceiling-through state is in progress, etc. Also, the various counters include a probability hit counter indicating the remaining number of times that the special symbol will change until the probability hit state ends, a first time-saving (a time-saving) counter indicating the remaining number of times that the special symbol will change until the first time-saving state ends, a second time-saving (b time-saving) counter indicating the remaining number of times that the special symbol will change until the second time-saving state ends, and a ceiling counter indicating the number of consecutive misses (the number of times that the special symbol changes and is displayed as a miss), which is the number of times that the result of the jackpot judgment is consecutively a miss. For this reason, in the initialization process of S110, the values of each flag, such as the ceiling through flag, are cleared to their initial values (e.g., value 0), and the values of each counter, such as the ceiling counter, are cleared to their initial values (e.g., value 0). Then, corresponding initial commands are sent to the payout control device 70 and the sub-integrated control device 90 (S112), and the power-on process is terminated. Note that the initial command sent to the sub-integrated control device 90 includes the values of various flags and counters. When the power-on process is terminated, the process returns to the main control process and proceeds to the next random number update process (S20).

On the other hand, if it is determined in S102 and S104 that the backup flag is ON and the RAM clear signal is OFF, the machine starts up (returns) from the state it was in immediately before the power was cut off. That is, first, the game information stored in the working area of the RAM 60c immediately before the power was cut off is read, and a power recovery process is performed to resume play according to the read game information (S114). The game information immediately before the power was cut off is information that indicates the state of the game that was in progress immediately before the power was cut off. Next, corresponding recovery commands are sent to the payout control device 70 and the sub-integrated control device 90 (S116). The recovery command sent to the sub-integrated control device 90 includes the values of various flags and various counters, just like the initial command.

Next, it is determined whether the first time-saving flag in the read game information is value 1 (in the first time-saving state) (S118). If it is determined that the first time-saving flag is value 1, the first time-saving notification process is performed by lighting the LED of the status notification device 37 in the lighting mode for the first time-saving state (S120), and if it is determined that the first time-saving flag is value 0 rather than value 1, the process of S120 is skipped. Here, FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the lighting mode of the status notification device 37. As described above, the status notification device 37 notifies the game state by, for example, a combination of lighting and extinguishing of two display units (LEDs) at the top and bottom, and in this embodiment, notifies the first time-saving state, the second time-saving state, and the ceiling-through state. In the first time-saving notification process, as shown in the figure, the first LED on the top of the status notification device 37 is turned on (shown by a black circle) and the second LED on the bottom is turned off (shown by a white circle) to notify that the first time-saving state is in effect.

Next, it is determined whether the second time-saving flag in the read game information is value 1 (in the second time-saving state) (S122). If it is determined that the second time-saving flag is value 1, the LED of the status notification device 37 is turned on in the lighting mode for the second time-saving state and a second time-saving notification command is sent to the sub-integrated control device 90 to perform a second time-saving notification process (S124), and if it is determined that the second time-saving flag is value 0 rather than value 1, the process of S124 is skipped. As shown in FIG. 9, in the second time-saving notification process, the first LED on the upper side of the status notification device 37 is turned off and the second LED on the lower side is turned on to notify that the second time-saving state is in effect. That is, the second time-saving state is notified in a manner that can be distinguished from the first time-saving state. In addition, when the sub-integrated control device 90 receives the second time-saving notification command, it displays a notification screen on the performance display device 38 indicating that the device is in the second time-saving state, and lights up the lamp 15 in a lighting mode for the second time-saving state, as described below.

In addition, it is determined whether the ceiling through flag in the read game information is value 1 (in ceiling through state) (S126). If it is determined that the ceiling through flag is value 1, the LED of the status notification device 37 is lit in the lighting mode for the ceiling through state, and a ceiling through notification command is sent to the sub-integrated control device 90 to perform ceiling through notification processing (S128), and the power-on processing is terminated. If it is determined that the ceiling through flag is value 0 rather than value 1, the processing of S128 is skipped and the power-on processing is terminated. As shown in FIG. 9, in the ceiling through notification processing, the first LED and the second LED on the top and bottom of the status notification device 37 are both lit to notify that the ceiling through state is in the state. That is, the first time-saving state and the second time-saving state can be distinguished, and the ceiling through state is notified in the most conspicuous mode of the first time-saving state, the second time-saving state, and the ceiling through state. In addition, when the sub-integrated control device 90 receives the ceiling-through notification command, it displays a notification screen on the performance display device 38 indicating that the ceiling-through state is active, and lights up the lamp 15 in a lighting mode for the ceiling-through state, as described below.

[Random number update process]
The random number update process of S20 is a process for updating various random numbers for judgment. Examples of the random numbers for judgment include a random number for jackpot judgment (random number for special symbol hit/miss judgment) used for a jackpot judgment (hit/miss judgment) performed based on the entry of a game ball into the start port (first start port 23 or second start port 24), a random number for determining a jackpot symbol used to determine a jackpot symbol to be stopped and displayed on the special symbol display device (first special symbol display device 31 or second special symbol display device 32) when the result of the jackpot judgment is a jackpot, a random number for determining a losing symbol used to determine a losing symbol to be stopped and displayed on the special symbol display device (first special symbol display device 31 or second special symbol display device 32) when the result of the jackpot judgment is a miss, a random number for determining a change pattern used to determine a change pattern (change time) of a special symbol, and a random number for determining a normal symbol hit/miss judgment used for a hit/miss judgment performed based on the passage of a game ball through the normal symbol operation gate 22. When the random number update process is completed, the process returns to the main control process and proceeds to the next winning confirmation process (S30).

[Winning confirmation process]
The winning confirmation process of S30 detects the state of various sensors (gate switch 22a, first start port switch 23a, second start port switch 24a, large prize port switch 25a, normal prize port switch 26a, etc.) and stores them in a predetermined state storage area of RAM 60c. Also, it determines whether or not a game ball is detected by the switch related to the prize ball (first start port switch 23a, second start port switch 24a, large prize port switch 25a, normal prize port switch 26a), and if it is determined that the game ball is detected, it calculates the number of prize balls to be paid out and stores it as prize ball information in a predetermined prize ball information storage area of RAM 60c. Then, when the prize ball information is not a value of 0, it transmits a prize ball number designation command (prize ball information) to the payout control device 70 and ends the winning confirmation process. When the payout control device 70 receives the prize ball number designation command, it drives the payout motor 73 to pay out game balls one by one, and executes a prize ball payout process in which the prize ball information (number of unpaid game balls) is decremented by one each time a paid-out game ball is detected by the payout switch 74. This prize ball payout process is repeatedly executed until the prize ball information becomes 0, but when a game ball is detected entering the game ball and a new prize ball number designation command is received from the main control device 60, the process is repeated until the prize ball information also becomes 0. When the winning confirmation process is completed, the process returns to the main control process and proceeds to the next start winning process (S40).

[Start-up winning process]
10 is a flow chart showing an example of the start winning process. In the start winning process of S40, the CPU 60a of the main control device 60 first inputs a detection signal from the first start port switch 23a to determine whether or not a game ball has entered the first start port 23 (S200). When it is determined that a game ball has entered the first start port 23, it determines whether or not the current reserved number of the first special symbol (first special symbol reserved number) is less than its upper limit number (value 4 in this embodiment) (S202). When it is determined that the reserved number of the first special symbol is less than the upper limit number, it increments the reserved number of the first special symbol by a value of 1 and updates the display of the first special symbol reserved number display device 33 (S204), and obtains a random number for determining the first special symbol and stores it in a predetermined random number for determining storage area of the RAM 60c (S206). The random numbers for judgment acquired in S206 include information on the progress of the variable game of the first special symbol, such as the random numbers for judging a big win, the random numbers for determining a big win symbol, the random numbers for determining a losing symbol, and the random numbers for determining a variable pattern. Then, a command to indicate the number of reserved first special symbols is sent to the sub-integrated control device 90 (S208), and the process proceeds to S210. The command to indicate the number of reserved first special symbols includes information on the number of reserved first special symbols for displaying the reserved symbols 382 on the performance display device 38. If it is determined in S200 that no game ball has entered the first starting hole 23, or if it is determined in S202 that the number of reserved first special symbols has reached the upper limit, the process skips S204 to S208 and proceeds to the process of the next S210.

Next, a detection signal from the second start hole switch 24a is input to determine whether or not a game ball has entered the second start hole 24 (S210). When it is determined that a game ball has entered the second start hole 24, it is determined whether or not the current number of reserved second special symbols (second special symbol reserved number) is less than the upper limit number (in this embodiment, the value is 4) (S212). When it is determined that the number of reserved second special symbols is less than the upper limit number, the reserved number of second special symbols is incremented by a value of 1 and the display of the second special symbol reserved number display device 34 is updated (S214), and a random number for determining the second special symbol is obtained and stored in a predetermined random number for determination storage area of the RAM 60c (S216). The random number for determination obtained in S216 can be information regarding the progress of the variable game of the second special symbol, such as the above-mentioned random number for determining a jackpot, the random number for determining a jackpot symbol, the random number for determining a losing symbol, and the random number for determining a variable pattern. Then, a second special symbol reserved number instruction command is sent to the sub-integrated control device 90 (S218), and the process proceeds to S220. The second special symbol reserved number instruction command includes information regarding the reserved number of second special symbols for displaying reserved symbols 382 on the performance display device 38. Note that if it is determined in S210 that no game ball has entered the second starting hole 24, or if it is determined in S212 that the reserved number of second special symbols has reached the upper limit, the process skips S210 to S218 and proceeds to the next process of S220.

Next, a detection signal from the gate switch 22a is input to determine whether the game ball has passed through the normal symbol activation gate 22 (S220). When it is determined that the game ball has passed through the normal symbol activation gate 22, it is determined whether the current number of reserved normal symbols is less than the upper limit (in this embodiment, the value is 4) (S222). When it is determined that the number of reserved normal symbols is less than the upper limit, the number of reserved normal symbols is incremented by a value of 1 and the display of the normal symbol reserved number display device 36 is updated (S224). Next, a random number for judging the normal symbol is obtained and stored in a predetermined random number for judgment storage area of the RAM 60c (S226). Examples of the random number for judging the normal symbol include information on the progress of the variable game of the normal symbol, such as the above-mentioned random number for judging the normal symbol. Then, a command to indicate the number of reserved normal symbols is sent to the sub-integrated control device 90 (S228), and the start winning process is terminated. If it is determined in S220 that the game ball has not passed through the normal symbol activation gate 22, or if it is determined in S222 that the number of reserved normal symbols has reached the upper limit, the process of S224 to S226 is skipped and the start winning process is terminated. When the start winning process is terminated, the process returns to the main control process and proceeds to the next normal symbol game process (S50).

[Normal symbol game processing]
FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing an example of a normal symbol game process. In the normal symbol game process of S50, the CPU 60a of the main control device 60 first judges whether the normal symbol winning flag (normal symbol winning flag) is a value of 1, that is, whether a normal symbol winning game is in progress (S300). If it is judged that the normal symbol winning flag is a value of 1 (normal symbol winning game is in progress), the normal symbol game process is terminated. When the normal symbol game process is terminated, the process proceeds to the next normal symbol winning game process of S60. On the other hand, if it is judged that the normal symbol winning flag is a value of 0 instead of 1, it judges whether the normal symbol is being displayed in a variable manner (S302), and whether the fixed symbol of the normal symbol is being displayed (S304). If it is judged that the normal symbol is not being displayed in a variable manner and is not being displayed in a fixed symbol, it judges whether the number of reserved normal symbols is greater than the value 0 (S306). If it is determined that the number of reserved normal symbols is not greater than 0, that is, the value is 0, the normal symbol game process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the number of reserved normal symbols is greater than 0, the oldest random number for determining whether or not the normal symbol is a win/loss determination stored in the determination random number storage area is read (S308), and a normal symbol variable display related process for displaying the normal symbol variable display is executed (S310), and the normal symbol game process is terminated. Details of the normal symbol variable display related process of S310 will be described below using the flowchart of FIG. 12.

In the normal symbol variation display related process, it is determined whether the first time-saving flag is 0 (S330) and whether the second time-saving flag is 0 (S332). As described above, the first time-saving flag is a flag indicating whether the first time-saving state is in progress, and the first time-saving state occurs when a jackpot is hit. On the other hand, the second time-saving flag is a flag indicating whether the second time-saving state is in progress, and the second time-saving state occurs when the player reaches the ceiling of the trap. If it is determined that both the first time-saving flag and the second time-saving flag are 0, it is determined that the current game state is not in the time-saving state (neither the first time-saving state nor the second time-saving state), and a hit/miss determination is made using the low probability normal symbol hit determination table based on the normal symbol hit/miss determination random number read in S308 (S334). On the other hand, if it is determined that either the first time-saving flag or the second time-saving flag is not 0 but 1, it is determined that the current game state is a time-saving state (either the first time-saving state or the second time-saving state), and a win/loss determination is performed using the high probability normal pattern hit determination table based on the normal pattern hit/loss determination random number read in S308 (S336). The normal pattern hit/loss determination is performed by comparing the normal pattern hit/loss determination random number with the hit value included in the normal pattern hit determination table, and if the normal pattern hit/loss determination random number matches the hit value, it is determined to be a hit, and if they do not match, it is determined to be a miss. The high probability normal pattern hit determination table has more hit values set than the low probability normal pattern hit determination table. If the result of the win/loss judgment is that the player has won ("YES" in S338), the winning symbol is determined as the fixed symbol of the normal symbol (S340), and the normal symbol fluctuation time (winning fluctuation pattern) from the start of the normal symbol fluctuation display until the winning symbol is confirmed is determined (S342). Also, if the result of the win/loss judgment is that the player has lost ("NO" in S338), the losing symbol is determined as the fixed symbol of the normal symbol (S344), and the normal symbol fluctuation time (losing fluctuation pattern) from the start of the normal symbol fluctuation display until the losing symbol is confirmed is determined (S346). The normal symbol fluctuation time is set to be shorter in the time-saving state than in the normal state. Once the confirmed normal symbol pattern and change time (change pattern) have been determined in this way, the display of the normal symbol changes begins (S348), the number of reserved normal symbols is decremented by a value of 1 and the display on the reserved normal symbol number display device 36 is updated (S350), a command to start changing the normal symbols is sent to the sub-integrated control device 90 (S352), and the normal symbol game process ends.

Returning to the normal symbol game process in FIG. 11, when the normal symbol variable display is started, the CPU 60a of the main control device 60 determines in S302 that the normal symbol is being variable displayed, and then determines whether the normal symbol variable time determined in S342 or S346 has elapsed (variable display by variable pattern has ended) (S312). If it is determined that the normal symbol variable time has not elapsed, the normal symbol game process is temporarily terminated, and if it is determined that the normal symbol variable time has elapsed, a fixed symbol display process is performed to display the fixed symbol of the normal symbol being variable displayed (S314). Then, it is determined whether the fixed symbol display time (for example, 0.5 seconds) has elapsed (S316). If it is determined that the fixed symbol display time has not elapsed, the normal symbol game process is temporarily terminated. When the normal pattern game process is executed after the fixed normal pattern is displayed, it is determined in S304 that the fixed pattern is being displayed, so it is again determined in S316 whether the fixed pattern display time has elapsed, and if it is determined that the fixed pattern display time has elapsed, the display of the fixed pattern is terminated (S318), and it is determined whether the fixed normal pattern is a winning pattern (S320).

If it is determined that the confirmed normal symbol is not a winning symbol but a losing symbol, the normal symbol game process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the confirmed normal symbol is a winning symbol, the normal symbol winning flag is set to a value of 1 (S322), and the normal symbol game process is terminated. When the normal symbol game process is terminated, the process proceeds to the next normal symbol winning game process in S60.

[Normal symbol winning game processing]
13 is a flow chart showing an example of a normal symbol winning game process. In the normal symbol winning game process of S60, the CPU 60a of the main control device 60 first judges whether the normal symbol winning flag is a value of 1 or not (S360). If it is judged that the normal symbol winning flag is a value of 0 instead of a value of 1, it is judged that the normal symbol winning game is not being played, and the normal symbol winning game process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is judged that the normal symbol winning flag is a value of 1, it is judged that the normal symbol winning game is being played, and it is judged whether the second start hole 24 is being opened or not (S362). If it is judged that the second start hole 24 is not being opened, it is judged whether the opening waiting time has elapsed or not (S364). If it is judged that the opening waiting time has not elapsed, the normal symbol winning game process is terminated. On the other hand, when it is determined that the opening waiting time has elapsed, the opening pattern (maximum opening time) of the second start hole 24 is determined (S366), and the second start hole solenoid 24c is controlled so that the second start hole 24 opens in the determined opening pattern (S368), and the normal symbol winning game processing is temporarily terminated. The opening pattern of the second start hole 24 differs depending on the game state. In this embodiment, when the game state is the normal state, an opening pattern is set in which the hole is opened once for a maximum of 0.1 seconds, and when the game state is the time-saving state, an opening pattern is set in which the hole is opened once for a maximum of 5.8 seconds.

When the second start hole 24 is opened, the next time the normal symbol winning game processing is executed, in order to determine in S362 that the second start hole 24 is open, it is determined whether or not a specified number of game balls (for example, 10 balls) have entered the second start hole 24 based on the detection signal from the second start hole switch 24a (S370), and whether or not the elapsed time since the opening of the second start hole 24 has started has reached the maximum opening time determined in S366 (S372). If it is determined that the specified number of game balls have not entered the second start hole 24, and that the elapsed time since the opening of the second start hole 24 has not reached the maximum opening time determined, the normal symbol winning game processing is temporarily terminated while the second start hole 24 is kept open. On the other hand, if it is determined that the specified number of game balls have entered the second start hole 24, or that the elapsed time since the opening of the second start hole 24 has started has reached the maximum opening time, the second start hole 24 is closed (S374). Then, to end the normal symbol hit game, the normal symbol hit flag is set to a value of 0 (S376), and the normal symbol hit game process ends. When the normal symbol hit game process ends, the process proceeds to the special symbol game process of S70.

[Special symbol game processing]
14 and 15 are flow charts showing an example of a special symbol game process. In the special symbol game process of S70, the CPU 60a of the main control device 60 first judges whether the jackpot flag is a value of 1 or not (S400). If it is judged that the jackpot flag is a value of 1, it is judged that a jackpot game is being played, and the special symbol game process is terminated. In this embodiment, when the special symbol game process is terminated, it returns to the main control process and proceeds to the next jackpot game process (S80). On the other hand, if it is judged that the jackpot flag is not a value of 1, it is judged that a jackpot game is not being played, and it is judged whether either the first special symbol or the second special symbol is being displayed in a variable manner (S402), and whether or not a fixed symbol is being displayed (S404). If it is judged that either the first special symbol or the second special symbol is not being displayed in a variable manner or a fixed symbol, it is judged whether or not the reserved number of the second special symbol is greater than the value 0 (S406). If it is determined that the number of reserved second special symbols is greater than the value 0, the oldest of the random numbers for determining the second special symbol stored in the random number memory area for determining is read (S408), a variable display related process is executed to display the variable display of the second special symbol (S410), and the special symbol game process is terminated.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the reserved number of the second special symbol is 0, it is determined whether or not the reserved number of the first special symbol is greater than 0 (S412). If it is determined that the reserved number of the first special symbol is greater than 0, the oldest of the random numbers for determining the first special symbol stored in the random number for determining memory area is read (S414), a variable display related process is executed to display the variable display of the first special symbol (S416), and the special symbol game process is terminated. If it is determined in S412 that the reserved number of the first special symbol is 0, the special symbol game process is terminated. In S406 to S416, when the reserved number of the first special symbol and the reserved number of the second special symbol are both greater than 0, the variable display of the second special symbol (consumption of reserved symbols) is executed with priority (special symbol 2 priority variable). Of course, this is not limited to this, and the first special symbol change display (use of reserved balls) may be given priority (special symbol 1 priority change), the special symbol change display may be performed in the order in which the game balls enter the start holes (first start hole 23, second start hole 24) (ball entry order change), or the first special symbol change display and the second special symbol change display may be performed in parallel (simultaneous change). Details of the first special symbol change display related process in S416 and the second special symbol change display related process in S410 will be described below. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of the special symbol change display related process. In the following, in order to avoid duplication, the first special symbol change display related process and the second special symbol change display related process will be described using a common flowchart.

In the special symbol variation display related process of FIG. 16, first, it is determined whether the probability of a special symbol is 0 (low probability state) (S500). If it is determined that the probability of a special symbol is 0, a low probability jackpot determination process (special symbol hit/miss determination) in which the probability of a special symbol is low is performed based on the random number for determining a special symbol read in S408 or S414 (S502), and if it is determined that the probability of a special symbol is 1 (high probability state, probability of a special symbol), a high probability jackpot determination process in which the probability of a special symbol is high is performed based on the random number for determining a special symbol read in S408 or S414 (S504). The jackpot determination process is performed by comparing the random number for determining a special symbol with the jackpot value included in the jackpot determination table, and if the random number for determining a special symbol matches any of the jackpot values, it is determined to be a jackpot, and if they do not match, it is determined to be a miss. The jackpot determination table is either a low probability or high probability jackpot determination table according to the current jackpot probability setting (one of settings 1 to 3). When the probability flag is set to value 0 (low probability state), a low probability jackpot determination table with a low jackpot value is used, and when the probability flag is set to value 1 (high probability state), a high probability jackpot determination table with a high jackpot value is used. When the jackpot determination process is performed, it is determined whether or not the result of the jackpot determination process is a jackpot (S506).

If it is determined in S506 that the result of the jackpot determination process is a jackpot, the jackpot pattern is determined based on the random number for determining the jackpot pattern read in S408 or S414 (S508). This process is performed by using the random number for determining the jackpot pattern and a jackpot pattern determination table for special patterns to select one pattern from among multiple jackpot patterns (e.g., 5R normal jackpot pattern, 10R normal jackpot pattern, 10R special jackpot pattern, etc.) that differ in the content of the jackpot game (number of rounds) and the game state after the jackpot game ends (probability state, time-saving state). The determined jackpot pattern is saved until the jackpot game ends. Once the jackpot pattern is determined, the special pattern change pattern (jackpot change pattern) from when the special pattern change display starts until the determined jackpot pattern is finally displayed is determined using the read random number for change pattern determination and the jackpot change pattern table (S510).

On the other hand, if it is determined in S406 that the result of the jackpot determination process is not a jackpot but a miss, a miss symbol is determined based on the random number for determining the miss symbol read in S408 or S414 (S512). Next, the change pattern (miss change pattern) of the special symbol from when the change display of the special symbol starts until the determined miss symbol is displayed is determined based on the change pattern determination random number read in S410 or S414 and the miss change pattern table (S514).

When the confirmed special pattern and the change time (change pattern) are determined in this way, the change display of the special pattern is started (S516), the reserved number of special patterns is decremented by a value of 1, and the display of the reserved number display device of the special pattern is updated (S518). In addition, with the update of the reserved number of special patterns, the judgment random number for the reserved number to be consumed this time is cleared, and a shift process is performed to shift the judgment random number for the remaining reserved numbers. Then, a special pattern change start command (special pattern change start command) is sent to the sub-integrated control device 90 (S520), and the special pattern change display related process is terminated. When starting the change display of the first special pattern, these processes are a process of decrementing the reserved number of the first special pattern by a value of 1, updating the display of the first special pattern reserved number display device 33, and then sending the first special pattern change start command (first special pattern change start command) to the sub-integrated control device 90. In addition, when starting the display of the second special symbol variation, the reserved number of the second special symbol is decremented by a value of 1 and the display of the second special symbol reserved number display device 34 is updated, and then a second special symbol variation start command (second special symbol variation start command) is sent to the sub-integrated control device 90. The sub-integrated control device 90 that receives the special symbol variation start command sends a control command to the performance display control device 91 so that the pattern variation performance is started on the performance display device 38. The special symbol variation start command includes the result of the jackpot determination, the variation pattern of the special symbol (variation time), the confirmed symbol (jackpot symbol or miss symbol), etc.

Returning to the special symbol game process of FIG. 14 and FIG. 15, when the special symbol game process is executed after the variable display of the special symbol (first special symbol or second special symbol) has started, since it is determined in S402 that either the first special symbol or the second special symbol is being displayed, the CPU 60a of the main control device 60 determines whether the variable time has elapsed (S418). Since the variable time is set according to the variable pattern of the special symbol determined in either S510 or S514, it can be determined whether the variable time has elapsed by comparing the elapsed time since the variable display of the special symbol started with the variable time corresponding to the variable pattern. If it is determined that the variable time has not elapsed, the special symbol game process is temporarily terminated. If it is determined that the variable time has elapsed, a symbol stop command is sent to the sub integrated control device 90 (S420), and the fixed symbol of the special symbol being displayed is displayed (S422). The sub-integrated control device 90, which has received the symbol stop command, transmits a control command to the effect display control device 91 to end the symbol change effect on the effect display device 38. Then, it is determined whether or not the fixed symbol display time has elapsed (S424). Here, the fixed symbol display time is set to 0.5 seconds in this embodiment. If it is determined that the fixed symbol display time has not elapsed, the special symbol game process is temporarily terminated. When the special symbol game process is executed after the special symbol is stopped and displayed, it is determined in S404 that the fixed symbol is being displayed, so it is again determined in S424 whether or not the fixed symbol display time has elapsed, and if it is determined that the fixed symbol display time has elapsed, the display of the fixed symbol is terminated (S426), and it is determined whether or not the fixed symbol is a jackpot symbol (S428).

When it is determined in S428 that the confirmed symbol is a jackpot symbol, the operation of the condition device is started to generate a jackpot (S430), the operation of the consecutive operation device of the role object is started (S432), and the jackpot flag is set to a value of 1 (S434). In addition, in order to stop the probability variable function and the time-saving function during a jackpot game, when the probability variable flag is a value of 1, the value of the probability variable flag is set to 0 (S436, S438), when the first time-saving flag is a value of 1, the value of the first time-saving flag is set to 0 (S440, S442), when the second time-saving flag is a value of 1, the value of the second time-saving flag is set to 0 (S444, S446), and when the ceiling-through flag is a value of 1, the value of the ceiling-through flag is set to 0 (S448, S450). Then, if the LED of the status notification device 37 is on, that is, if it is notifying that the first time-saving state, the second time-saving state, or the ceiling-through state is in progress, the LED is turned off to end the status notification (S452, S454). In addition, a game status designation command is sent to the sub-integrated control device 90 (S456) to end the special symbol game processing. The game status designation command includes the value of the jackpot flag, the value of the probability bonus flag, and the values of each time-saving flag. When the special symbol game processing is ended, the process returns to the main control process and proceeds to the jackpot game processing in the next S80.

On the other hand, if it is determined in S428 that the confirmed symbol is not a jackpot symbol, it is determined whether the special symbol flag is set to value 1 (during special symbol state) (S458), and if it is determined that the special symbol flag is set to value 0 rather than value 1, the process proceeds to S466. If it is determined that the special symbol flag is set to value 1, the special symbol counter is decremented by a value of 1 (S460), and it is determined whether the special symbol counter is set to value 0 (S462). Here, the special symbol counter indicates the remaining number of times (continuation period) that the special symbol will maintain the special symbol state, and a predetermined value (for example, value 10000) is set in the special symbol counter at the end of the jackpot game that is executed when the special symbol is displayed as a confirmed special symbol. If it is determined that the special symbol counter is not set to value 0, the process proceeds to the next step S466 while maintaining the special symbol state, and if it is determined that the special symbol counter is set to value 0, the process proceeds to step S466 to end the special symbol state, and the special symbol counter is set to value 0 (S464) to end the special symbol state.

Then, the time-saving flag setting process is executed (S466), a game state designation command is sent to the sub-integrated control device 90 (S456), and the special symbol game process is terminated. FIG. 17 and FIG. 18 are flowcharts showing an example of the time-saving flag setting process. In the time-saving flag setting process, first, it is determined whether the first time-saving flag is a value of 1 or not (S550), and if it is determined that the first time-saving flag is a value of 0, the process proceeds to S562. If it is determined in S550 that the first time-saving flag is a value of 1, the first time-saving counter is decremented by a value of 1 (S552), and it is determined whether the first time-saving counter is a value of 0 or not (S554). Here, the first time-saving counter indicates the remaining number of fluctuations (continuation period) of the special symbol that maintains the first time-saving state, and a predetermined value (value 100 or value 10000) according to the jackpot symbol is set in the first time-saving counter at the end of the jackpot game executed by the jackpot symbol being displayed. If it is determined that the first time-saving counter is not equal to 0, the first time-saving state is maintained and processing proceeds to S562.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the first time-saving counter is 0, the first time-saving flag is set to 0 (S556) in order to end the first time-saving state, and it is determined whether the status notification device 37 (LED) is on or not by the first time-saving notification process described above (S558). If it is determined that the status notification device 37 is on in the lighting mode for the first time-saving state, i.e., the first time-saving state is being notified, the LED of the status notification device 37 is turned off to end the notification of the first time-saving state (S560), and the process proceeds to S562, and if it is determined that the status notification device 37 is not on, S560 is skipped and the process proceeds to S562.

Next, it is determined whether the special probability flag has a value of 0 (S562). If it is determined that the special probability flag has a value of 0, the ceiling counter is incremented (counted) by a value of 1 (S564) and processing proceeds to S566. If it is determined that the special probability flag does not have a value of 0, S564 is skipped and processing proceeds to S566. Therefore, in a game state that is not in a special probability state, that is, in the first time-saving state, the second time-saving state, or the normal state (including the ceiling-through state), the ceiling counter is incremented by a value of 1 (counting the number of times the hit/miss determination is performed) when the result of the jackpot determination is a miss.

Next, it is determined whether the value of the ceiling counter matches a specified value (specified number of times) (S566). The specified value is a threshold value for determining whether the ceiling has been reached, and in this embodiment, is set to a value of 800. If it is determined that the value of the ceiling counter matches the specified value, it is determined that the ceiling has been reached, and the second time-saving flag is set to a value of 1 (S568), and a second time-saving counter setting process is performed to set the second time-saving counter to a value of 1200 (S570), and the process proceeds to S586.

On the other hand, if it is determined in S566 that the value of the ceiling counter does not match the specified value, i.e., that the value of the ceiling counter is smaller or larger than the specified value, it is determined whether the second time-saving flag is value 1 (S572), and if it is determined that the second time-saving flag is not value 1, the process proceeds to S586. On the other hand, if it is determined that the second time-saving flag is value 1, the second time-saving counter is decremented by value 1 (S574), and it is determined whether the second time-saving counter is value 0, i.e., whether the predetermined number of (1200) pass/fail judgments have been performed (S576). If it is determined that the second time-saving counter is not value 0, the process proceeds to S586 while maintaining the second time-saving state. On the other hand, if it is determined that the second time-saving counter is value 0, in order to end the second time-saving state, the second time-saving flag is set to value 0 (S578), and it is determined whether the status notification device 37 (LED) is on by the above-mentioned second time-saving notification process (S580). If it is determined that the status notification device 37 is lit in the lighting mode for the second time-saving state, i.e., the second time-saving state is being notified, the LED of the status notification device 37 is turned off to end the notification of the second time-saving state (S582), and if it is determined that the status notification device 37 is not lit, S582 is skipped. Then, since the second time-saving counter becomes a value of 0 and the second time-saving state ends, the ceiling through flag, which indicates that the ceiling through state has been entered, is set to a value of 1 (S584). In this process, even if the ceiling through flag is set to a value of 1 in S584, the ceiling through notification process such as S128 of the power-on process is not performed. Therefore, during play, even if the predetermined number of hit/miss determinations are performed in the second time-saving state and the ceiling through state is entered, no notification to that effect is given.

Then, a game state designation command is sent to the sub-integrated control device 90 (S586), and the time-saving flag setting process is terminated. The game state designation command includes the value of the special probability flag, the value of each time-saving flag, the value of the jackpot flag, the value of the ceiling skip flag, the value of the special probability counter, the value of each time-saving counter, and the value of the ceiling counter.

[Jackpot game processing]
19 and 20 are flow charts showing an example of the jackpot game process. In the jackpot game process of S80, the CPU 60a of the main control device 60 first judges whether the jackpot flag is value 1 (during jackpot game) or not (S600). If it is judged that the jackpot flag is value 0, not value 1, the jackpot game process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is judged that the jackpot flag is value 1, it judges whether the big prize winning port 25 is open or not (S602), whether the jackpot game start presentation is in progress or not (S604), whether the jackpot game end presentation is in progress or not (S606), and whether the opening interval is in progress or not (S608). If the judgments of S602 to S608 are all negative, it transmits a jackpot game start presentation command to the sub-integrated control device 90 (S610) and terminates the jackpot game process. The sub-integrated control device 90 that has received the jackpot game start presentation command starts the jackpot game start presentation. When the jackpot game start presentation starts, it is determined whether the jackpot game start presentation time has elapsed (S612) in order to determine that the jackpot game start presentation is in progress the next time the jackpot game process is executed. If it is determined that the jackpot game start presentation time has not elapsed, the jackpot game process is temporarily terminated, and if it is determined that the jackpot game start presentation time has elapsed, the jackpot game opening solenoid 25c is driven to open the jackpot game opening 25 (S614), and the jackpot game process is terminated.

When the large prize opening 25 is opened, the next time the large prize opening 25 is executed, in order to determine in S602 that the large prize opening 25 is open, it is determined whether or not the number of game balls entering the large prize opening 25 has reached a specified number (10 in this embodiment) based on the detection signal from the large prize opening switch 25a (S616), and whether or not the elapsed time (opening time) since the large prize opening 25 was opened has reached the maximum opening time (30 seconds in this embodiment) (S618). If it is determined that the number of game balls entering the large prize opening 25 has not reached the specified number and that the opening time of the large prize opening 25 has not reached the maximum opening time, the large prize opening 25 is left open and the large prize opening 25 is left open while the large prize opening 25 is temporarily terminated. On the other hand, when it is determined that the number of game balls entering the big prize opening 25 has reached a specified number, or when it is determined that the opening time of the big prize opening 25 has reached the maximum opening time even if the number of balls entering has not reached the specified number, the big prize opening 25 is closed (S620), and it is determined whether or not the current round game is the final round (S622). Since the number of rounds of the big prize game is set by the big prize symbol, it is determined whether or not the current round game is the final round by determining whether or not the number of repetitions of the round game has reached a number determined according to the big prize symbol. When it is determined that the current round game is not the final round, an interval between openings is generated (S624), and the big prize game processing is terminated. When an interval between openings is generated, it is determined whether or not the interval between openings has elapsed (S626) in order to determine that the interval between openings is in progress when the big prize game processing is executed next time in S608. If it is determined that the interval time between openings has not elapsed, the jackpot game process is terminated with the jackpot winning opening 25 closed, and if it is determined that the interval time between openings has elapsed, the jackpot winning opening 25 is opened again (S614) and the jackpot game process is terminated.

After repeating the round play in which the big prize winning hole 25 is opened and closed with an interval between openings, if it is determined in S622 that the current round play is the final round, a big prize play end presentation command is sent to the sub-integrated control device 90 (S628) and the big prize play processing is terminated. The sub-integrated control device 90 that has received the big prize play end presentation command starts the big prize play end presentation. When the big prize play end presentation starts, it is determined whether or not the big prize play end presentation time has elapsed (S630) in order to determine that the big prize play end presentation is in progress when the next big prize play processing is executed (S606). If it is determined that the big prize play end presentation time has not elapsed, the big prize play processing is temporarily terminated, and if it is determined that the big prize play end presentation time has elapsed, the operation of the role continuous operation device is stopped (S632) and the operation of the condition device is stopped (S634). Next, it is determined whether or not the current big prize is a sure-win big prize (S636). If it is determined that a special jackpot has occurred, the special jackpot flag is set to a value of 1 (S638) and a special jackpot counter setting process is performed to set the special jackpot counter to a value of 10,000 (S640) in order to generate a special jackpot state with 10,000 special jackpots, and the first time-saving flag is set to a value of 1 (S642) and a time-saving counter setting process is performed to set the first time-saving counter to a value of 10,000 (S644) in order to generate a first time-saving state with 10,000 time-saving jackpots.

On the other hand, if it is determined in S638 that the current jackpot is not a special jackpot but a normal jackpot, in order to generate a first time-saving state in which the number of time-saving times is 100, the first time-saving flag is set to a value of 1 (S646) and a time-saving counter setting process is performed to set the first time-saving counter to a value of 100 (S648). Then, the jackpot flag is set to a value of 0 (S650), the ceiling counter is reset to a value of 0 (S652), and a game state designation command is sent to the sub-integrated control device 90 (S654), and the jackpot game process is terminated. The game state designation command includes the value of the special jackpot flag, the value of each time-saving flag, the value of the jackpot flag, the value of the special jackpot counter, the value of each time-saving counter, the value of the ceiling counter, etc.

Here, FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the transition of the game state. FIG. 21 shows an example from the end of the normal jackpot game to the occurrence of the ceiling-through state. As shown in the figure, when the normal jackpot game ends, the first time-saving state occurs, and the ceiling counter (count value) is reset to the value 0 (initial value). When the first time-saving state has no jackpot and the miss variable display (special chart hit/miss judgment) is performed 100 times and the ceiling counter reaches the value 100 (the first time-saving counter has the value 0), the first time-saving state ends and returns to the normal state. Also, when the miss variable display is performed 700 times in the normal state and the number of miss variable displays since the end of the jackpot game reaches a total of 800 times (the ceiling counter has the value 800), the ceiling counter reaches the specified value, i.e., the ceiling, and the second time-saving state occurs. Furthermore, even in this second time-saving state, if the missing variable display is performed 1200 times without a big win occurring and the ceiling counter reaches a value of 2000 (the second time-saving counter has a value of 0), the second time-saving state ends and the ceiling is skipped, and the ceiling is skipped state (state after the end) occurs. Also, since a big win has not occurred, the ceiling counter continues counting without being reset. Therefore, in the ceiling-skip state, the ceiling counter exceeds the value of 2000 and remains above the specified value. In this way, the ceiling-skip state is not a high probability state or a time-saving state, and the game is played in the same state as the normal state, but since the ceiling has already been exceeded, the ceiling counter will not be judged to match (reach) the specified value (value 800) no matter how many times the miss hit/miss judgment is performed. In other words, the ceiling-skip state differs from the normal state in that the second time-saving state will not occur again, and can be said to be disadvantageous to the player.

Next, the processing executed by the sub-integrated control device 90 that receives various commands from the main control device 60 will be described. As described above, the commands that the sub-integrated control device 90 receives from the main control device 60 include an initial command, a return command, a second time-saving notification command, a ceiling-through notification command, a reserved number instruction command, a special pattern change start command, a pattern stop command, a game state designation command, a jackpot game start presentation command, and a jackpot game end presentation command. In this embodiment, a status notification presentation process executed based on the reception of these commands will be described. In addition, the sub-integrated control device 90 executes various presentation processes such as a reserved display presentation process that displays the reserved pattern 382 of the first special pattern or the second special pattern according to the reserved number and the current game state, a pattern change presentation process performed during the display of the special pattern change, and a jackpot game presentation process performed during a jackpot game. FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing an example of a status notification presentation process. This process is repeatedly executed at predetermined time intervals (e.g., every few msec) by the CPU 90a of the sub-integrated control device 90.

[Status notification processing]
In the state notification performance process of FIG. 22, the CPU 90a of the sub-integrated control device 90 first judges whether or not the second time-shortening notification command transmitted by the main control device 60 in S124 of the power-on process has been received (S700). If it is judged that the second time-shortening notification command has been received, a screen for the second time-shortening state notification is displayed on the performance display device 38, and the lamp 15 is turned on in a lighting mode for the second time-shortening state notification (S702). FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen display in the state notification performance. In the screen display for the second time-shortening state notification, as shown in FIG. 23(a), a message is displayed indicating that the game state is the second time-shortening state, a message urging the player to clear the RAM, and notification termination conditions such as the passage of a predetermined time such as 10 minutes or the ball entering the starting hole (the first starting hole 23 or the second starting hole 24) (starting ball entering). This allows a notification to be made to the manager (staff) of the game hall to urge the player to clear the RAM because the game state is the second time-shortening state. Note that a voice message indicating that the second time-shortening state is being activated may be output from the speaker 14. If it is determined in S700 that the second time-shortening notification command has not been received, the process of S702 is skipped.

Next, it is determined whether or not the ceiling through notification command transmitted by the main control device 60 in S128 of the power-on process has been received (S704). If it is determined that the ceiling through notification command has been received, a screen for notifying the ceiling through state is displayed on the performance display device 38, and the lamp 15 is turned on in a lighting mode for notifying the ceiling through state (S706). As shown in FIG. 23(b), the screen display for notifying the ceiling through state displays a message indicating that the game state is a ceiling through state, a message urging the user to clear the RAM, and a notification end condition such as the passage of a predetermined time such as 10 minutes or a ball entering the starting hole. This allows a notification to be sent to the manager (staff) of the game hall that the game state is a ceiling through state and that the user is urged to clear the RAM. Note that a voice message indicating that the game state is a ceiling through state may be output from the speaker 14. Also, if it is determined in S704 that the ceiling through notification command has not been received, the process of S706 is skipped.

Next, it is determined whether or not a screen for status notification executed in either S702 or S706 is being displayed, i.e., whether or not either the screen for the second time-saving status notification or the screen for the ceiling-through status notification is being displayed (S708), and if it is determined that neither screen is being displayed, the status notification presentation process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined in S708 that either the screen for status notification is being displayed, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time (e.g., 10 minutes) has elapsed since the screen display was started in either S702 or S706 (S710), and whether or not a special pattern change start command transmitted by the main control device 60 in S520 of the special pattern change display related process has been received (S712). If it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed and the special pattern change start command has not been received, the status notification presentation process is terminated while the status notification presentation is continued.

When it is determined in S710 that a predetermined time has elapsed or in S712 that a special chart change start command has been received, the screen display for the status notification is ended and the lamp 15 that is lit in the lighting mode for the status notification is turned off (S714), and the status notification display process is ended. This ends the notification display of the second time-saving state started in S702 or the notification display of the ceiling-through state started in S706. Even in the second time-saving state or the ceiling-through state, in order to enable the game to start in that state (to enable the business to start), it is possible to intentionally end the status notification display by entering the first start port 23 or the second start port 24 (receiving a change start command). This makes it possible to notify the player that they are in the second time-saving state or the ceiling-through state without impeding the progress of the game. In addition, the contents of the screen display of the notification effect of the second time-saving state and the notification effect of the ceiling through state are the same except for the name of the state to be displayed, but they may be different, for example, the content may emphasize the ceiling through state more and strongly urge the player to clear the RAM. Furthermore, the end conditions of the notification effect of the second time-saving state and the notification effect of the ceiling through state are the same, but they may be different, for example, the ceiling through state may be displayed for a longer period of time. As described above, the state notification device 37 does not end the state notification of the second time-saving state or the ceiling through state unless a jackpot occurs. Therefore, even if the notification of the second time-saving state or the ceiling through state is ended by the effect display device 38, the player can recognize that the state is the second time-saving state or the ceiling through state from the state notification device 37.

Here, in this embodiment, since the main control device 60 has a backup function for storing the game information (game state), when the power is restored after being cut off, the game can be resumed from the time-saving state before the power is cut off or the ceiling-through state based on the stored game information. However, as described above, in the ceiling-through state, the second time-saving state does not occur no matter how many times the miss hit/miss judgment is performed, so if the game returns to the ceiling-through state, it is disadvantageous to the player. In addition, a player who starts playing without recognizing the ceiling-through state believes that the ceiling will be reached and the second time-saving state will be entered if a specified number of miss hit/miss judgments are performed from the start of the game, which causes an unexpected disadvantage to the player, and if the player realizes that the game is in the ceiling-through state halfway through, it will cause dissatisfaction and distrust. In addition, the second time-saving state itself is not disadvantageous to the player, but depending on the remaining number of fluctuations in the second time-saving state (the value of the second time-saving counter), the second time-saving state may end early after the power is restored and the ceiling-through state may occur. In that case, it can be said to be disadvantageous to the player because the second time-saving state will not occur again. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the power supply of the pachinko machine 1 is turned on, the state notification device 37, the performance display device 38, and the lamp 15 notify the manager of the game hall that the machine has returned to the second time-saving state or the ceiling-through state, and prompt the manager to clear the RAM. The notification can be particularly noticeable with the performance display device 38. In addition, by continuing the state notification by the state notification device 37 until a jackpot occurs, the player can recognize that the state is disadvantageous to the player even after the notification by the performance device used in the game has ended. Since the second time-saving state itself is not disadvantageous to the player, the player can choose whether or not to play the game after recognizing that the pachinko machine 1 has returned to the second time-saving state. Also, some players may think that a jackpot will soon come when they see the ceiling-through state, so the player can choose whether or not to play the game after recognizing that the pachinko machine 1 has returned to the ceiling-through state.

In the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment described above, when a return occurs in the ceiling through state (post-termination state), a ceiling through notification process is performed to notify the player that the state is ceiling through. This allows the arcade manager to urge the player to return from the initial state (normal state) and also makes the player aware of the ceiling through state, thereby preventing the player from being disadvantaged unexpectedly due to the return state.

In addition, even if the second time-saving state ends during play and the machine enters the ceiling-through state, the pachinko machine 1 does not perform a ceiling-through notification process, which can prevent the impression that a jackpot has not been determined (that a jackpot is unlikely to occur) from decreasing the player's motivation to play. In addition, if the pachinko machine 1 returns to the time-saving state (state where it is easy to score a ball), a notification is made that makes it possible to distinguish whether the machine is in the first time-saving state or the second time-saving state. This can encourage the manager of the game hall to return to the initial state, and can also make the player aware that the ceiling-through state may occur early depending on the number of times remaining in the second time-saving state.

In the embodiment, the notification by the performance device (performance display device 38, lamp 15) is performed until a predetermined time has elapsed since the power supply is restored, or until a game ball enters the start port (first start port 23 or second start port 24), but this is not limited to this. For example, the notification by the performance device (particularly the notification of the ceiling through state) may be performed from the time the power supply is restored until the game starts (one of the switches detects a game ball) and while the pachinko machine 1 is in a standby state. In this case, the notification is performed from the time the power supply is restored, and the notification ends when the game starts or when the manager of the game hall intentionally makes the switch detect a game ball, but if a jackpot does not occur and the game is interrupted or ended, and the game machine enters a standby state (a state in which a predetermined time has elapsed since the end of the last special chart variation), the notification will start again, and the performance display device 38 will display a ceiling through state notification screen instead of a standby state screen (see FIG. 23(b)). This makes it possible to more strongly appeal that the ceiling through state is in a state.

In the embodiment, the status notification device 37 does not notify the player when the first time-saving state or the second time-saving state is entered during play, but this is not limited to the above, and the status notification device 37 may notify the player when the first time-saving state or the second time-saving state is entered during play, or both.

In the embodiment, the player is not notified when the ceiling-through state is reached during play, but this is not limited to the above, and the player may be notified when the ceiling-through state is reached during play. In this case, depending on the player, it may be possible to give the player the feeling that a jackpot is about to be hit.

In the embodiment, the first time-saving state and the second time-saving state are reported separately, but this is not limited to the above. The first time-saving state and the second time-saving state may be reported in common, i.e., the time-saving state may be reported without distinguishing between the first time-saving state and the second time-saving state.

In the embodiment, the first time-saving state, the second time-saving state, and the ceiling-through state are all notified, but this is not limited, and it is sufficient to notify at least the ceiling-through state. For example, in the status notification performance process, the second time-saving state and the ceiling-through state are notified as status notifications by the performance display device 38 and the lamps 15, but it is sufficient to notify at least the ceiling-through state. For this reason, the status notification performance process may notify the first time-saving state without notifying the second time-saving state, or may notify both the first time-saving state and the second time-saving state.

In the embodiment, the timing at which the status notification by the status notification device 37 ends is different from that of the status notification by the performance display device 38 and lamps 15, but this is not limited to the above and they may end at the same timing. For example, similar to the status notification performance processing, the status notification by the status notification device 37 may end when a predetermined time has passed or when the ball enters the starting hole (first starting hole 23 or second starting hole 24). Also, while the status notification by the status notification device 37 and the status notification by the performance display device 38 and lamps 15 are performed, it is sufficient that at least one of the notification means is used to notify the status.

In the embodiment, whether or not the ceiling is through is determined based on whether the ceiling flag is set to a value of 1, but this is not limited to this. The determination can be made based on whether the value of the ceiling counter exceeds a specified value, and the ceiling flag need not be used.

In the embodiment, the pachinko machine 1 is configured as a so-called seven-type gaming machine, but is not limited to this, and may be configured as a so-called one-type two-type mixed machine that has a specific area inside the large prize opening that opens during a small prize game, and when a game ball enters the large prize opening during a small prize game and the game ball passes through the specific area, it develops into a big prize game. In the embodiment, the big prize of the special pattern includes a sure-win big prize, but this is not limited to this, and it does not have to include a sure-win big prize. In addition, the hit of the special pattern may include a small prize in which a small prize game is executed in which the opening time of the large prize opening is shorter than the big prize game, and even if a small prize is determined, the ceiling counter may be incremented (counted) by a value of 1.

In the embodiment, the game balls supplied from the island equipment of the game hall are paid out to the upper tray 11 as prize balls or loan balls, but it may be a so-called sealed type pachinko machine. A sealed type pachinko machine plays games by circulating the game balls sealed inside. The pachinko machines of the embodiment and the modified example may be applied to a so-called managed game machine. A managed game machine restricts external access to the main control device, and allows only specific information (information that affects the performance of the game or information that may affect the outcome of the game) to be transmitted from the frame control device (corresponding to the payout control device in the embodiment) to the main control device, and the frame control device is connected to the CR unit and is configured to be able to communicate with the outside only via the frame control device.

The correspondence between the main elements of the embodiment and the main elements of the invention described in the section on means for solving the problem will be explained. In the embodiment, the first start hole 23 and the second start hole 24 correspond to the "start hole", the second start hole 24 corresponds to the "variable start hole", the CPU 60a of the main control device 60 which executes the processing of S500 to S506 of the special symbol variable display related processing corresponds to the "win/lose determination means", the CPU 60a of the main control device 60 which executes the processing of S600 to S634, S650, and S654 of the jackpot game processing corresponds to the "special game execution means", and the main control device 60 which executes the processing of S562 and S564 of the time-saving flag setting processing and the processing of S652 of the jackpot game processing corresponds to the "special game execution means". The CPU 60a of the device 60 corresponds to the "counting means", the CPU 60a of the main control device 60 which executes the processes of S566 to S578 of the time-saving flag setting process corresponds to the "ball-scoring easy state transition means", the RAM 60c of the main control device 60 corresponds to the "information storage means", the CPU 60a of the main control device 60 which executes the processes of S100 to S116 of the power-on process corresponds to the "state restoration means", and the CPU 60a of the main control device 60 which executes the processes of S126 and S128 of the power-on process and the state notification device 37 correspond to the "notification means". In addition, the CPU 60a of the main control device 60 which executes the processes of S642 to S648 of the big win game process also corresponds to the "ball-scoring easy state transition means", and the CPU 90a of the sub-integrated control device 90 which executes the state notification performance process, the performance display control device 91, the performance display device 38, and the lamp 15 also correspond to the "notification means". Note that the correspondence between the main elements of the Examples and the main elements of the invention described in the Means for Solving the Problem column does not limit the elements of the invention described in the Means for Solving the Problem column, since the Examples are examples for specifically explaining the form for implementing the invention described in the Means for Solving the Problem column. In other words, the interpretation of the invention described in the Means for Solving the Problem column should be based on the description in that column, and the Examples are merely a specific example of the invention described in the Means for Solving the Problem column.

The above describes the embodiment of the present invention using examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be embodied in various forms without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

1 Pachinko machine, 2 Outer frame, 3 Front frame, 3a Front frame opening switch, 4 Glass plate, 5 Inner frame, 5a Inner frame opening switch, 11 Upper tray, 12 Lower tray, 13 Firing handle, 14 Speaker, 15 Lamp, 16 Performance button, 16a Performance button switch, 20 Game board, 21 Game area, 21a Outer rail, 21b Inner rail, 21c Nail, 22 Normal symbol activation gate, 22a Gate switch, 23 First start port, 23a First start port switch, 24 Second start port, 24a Second start port switch, 24b Opening and closing blade, 24c Second start port solenoid, 25 Large prize port, 25a Large prize port switch, 25b Opening and closing plate, 25c Large prize port solenoid, 26 Normal prize port, 26a Normal prize port switch, 29 Outlet, 31 First special symbol display device (First special symbol display device), 32 Second special symbol display device (Second special symbol display device), 33 First special symbol reserved number display device (First special symbol reserved number display device), 34 Second special symbol reserved number display device (Second special symbol reserved number display device), 35 Ordinary symbol display device (Ordinary symbol display device), 36 Ordinary symbol reserved number display device (Ordinary symbol reserved number display device), 37 Status notification device, 38 Performance display device, 381L, 381C, 381R Performance symbol (pseudo symbol), 382 Reserved symbol, 383 Character, 39 Center role object, 50 CR unit, 51 CR unit terminal board, 52 Settlement display device, 53 Ball loan button, 53a Ball loan switch, 54 Settlement button, 54a Settlement switch, 60 Main control device, 60a CPU, 60b ROM, 60c RAM, 61 Game board relay terminal board, 62 Pattern display device relay terminal board, 63 Performance relay terminal board, 64 Back wiring relay terminal board, 65 External connection terminal board, 67 Setting key switch, 68 RAM clear switch, 69 Setting display device (performance display device), 70 Payout control device, 71 Payout relay terminal board, 72 Payout device, 73 Payout motor, 74 Payout switch, 75 Full switch, 76 Ball out switch, 77 Ball tank, 78 Tank rail, 80 Launch control device, 81 Launch stop switch, 82 Touch switch, 83 Launch motor, 90 Sub-integrated control device, 90a CPU, 90b ROM, 90c RAM, 91 Performance display control device, 95 Power supply board, 100 Hall computer.

Claims (1)

A starting port including a variable starting port in which the possibility of the game ball entering the game changes;
A winning/losing determination means for executing a winning/losing determination based on the entry of a game ball into the starting hole;
a special game execution means for executing a special game when the result of the win/loss determination is a win;
a counting means for counting the number of times the winning/losing determination is performed and resetting the counted value to an initial value when the special game is performed;
an easy-to-enter state transition means for transitioning to an easy-to-enter state in which it is easier for the game ball to enter the variable start hole based on the count value reaching a specified value, and terminating the easy-to-enter state when a predetermined number of hit/miss determinations have been performed or the special game has been played;
An information storage means for storing game information including the state of the gaming machine;
a state recovery means for erasing the game information stored in the information storage means and restoring the game to an initial state when a predetermined erasing operation is performed when the power is turned on, and for recovering the game to a state before the power is turned off based on the game information stored in the information storage means when the erasing operation is not performed when the power is turned on;
A notification means for notifying a state of the gaming machine;
Equipped with
The notification means, when the state restored by the state restoration means is a post-end state after the easy-to-score state has ended after the predetermined number of win/loss determinations have been performed in the easy-to-score state, notifies the player that the state is the post-end state and urges the player to cancel the post-end state .

Images