JP7523138B2 - Gaming Machines - Google Patents

Description

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

Some gaming machines, such as pachinko machines, are configured to be able to shoot gaming balls, perform pattern changes based on the entry of the gaming ball into the starting hole, and if a small win is won in the pattern change determination, the small win game starts after the pattern change ends, and if the gaming ball passes through a specified area during the small win game, the big win game starts after the small win game ends. For example, see Patent Document 1.

JP 2017-80637 A

This type of gaming machine has the advantage that the frequency at which big wins occur can be set relatively freely because the big wins are generated by small wins, but there is still room for improvement in terms of increasing interest in the game when taking advantage of this advantage.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above problems, and aims to provide a gaming machine that has the function of generating a big win game from a small win game, while also being able to further increase the interest in the game.

According to the present invention, a game ball can be launched, and a special pattern variation can be executed based on the winning of the game ball into a first starting port or a second starting port into which the game ball can win by opening a normal electric role device, and a special pattern win/loss judgment including a judgment of whether or not a small win will be won is executed with the start of the special pattern variation, and when the small win is derived by the special pattern win/loss judgment, a small win game is started after the end of the special pattern variation in which the special pattern win/loss judgment was executed, and when the game ball reaches a specific area in the small win game, A gaming machine that starts a big win game after the small win game ends, can hold the start of the special pattern variation related to the second start port up to a predetermined number, can execute a normal pattern variation based on the game ball reaching a predetermined area, executes a normal pattern win/loss judgment to determine whether or not a normal pattern win will be won with the start of the normal pattern variation, and when the normal pattern win/loss judgment determines that the normal pattern win will be won, opens the normal electric device after the normal pattern variation ends. The gaming machine has a gaming state management means for managing a gaming state, and a special pattern and a variation pattern determination means for determining a variation pattern in which a variation time required for the execution of the variation is set. The game state management means can set an easy-to-win state in which the opening of the normal electric device, which allows a game ball to enter the second start port once, can occur for each execution of a normal pattern variation, triggered by the end of the jackpot game, and the result of the special pattern hit/miss judgment in the special pattern variation related to the second start port is not a miss. The easy-to-win state further changes from the easy-to-win state to a non-easy-to-win state in which a game ball is not allowed to enter the second start port when a specified number of normal pattern variations, which is a value equal to or less than the predetermined number, is completed, or when a special pattern variation related to the second start port is completed once. The easy-to-win state includes a first easy-to-win state in which the specified number is a first number, and a second easy-to-win state in which the specified number is a second number less than the first number. The variation pattern determination means can set a first variation pattern and a second easy-to-win state in which the specified number is a second number less than the first number, as the variation pattern. and a second variation pattern having a different variation time from the variation time related to the first start port, and when neither the special symbol variation related to the first start port nor the special symbol variation related to the second start port is reserved at the time when the easy-to-win state is set, if the easy-to-win state is the first easy-to-win state, the second variation pattern is not determined for the special symbol variation related to the second start port in the first easy-to-win state, and the first variation pattern is determinable. When the easy-to-win state is the second easy-to-win state, the first variation pattern is not determined for the special symbol variation related to the second start port in the second easy-to-win state, and the second variation pattern is determinable. Regarding the proportion of the easy-to-win state set at the end of the jackpot game, the proportion in which the jackpot game is caused by the special symbol variation related to the second start port is determined based on the proportion in which the jackpot game is caused by the special symbol variation related to the first start port. a ratio of occurrences of a special symbol change related to the second start port that is newly reserved in the easy-to-win state is greater than or equal to the predetermined number, and the same variation pattern can be determined in two cases: when a special symbol change related to the second start port is reserved at the time the first easy-to-win state is set and the sum of the number of special symbol changes related to the second start port that are reserved at the time the special symbol change related to the second start port in the first easy-to-win state is started and the first number of times is greater than or equal to the predetermined number; and when a special symbol change related to the second start port is reserved at the time the second easy-to-win state is set and the sum of the number of special symbol changes related to the second start port that are reserved at the time the special symbol change related to the second start port in the second easy-to-win state is started and the second number of times is greater than or equal to the predetermined number .

The present invention provides a gaming machine that can further increase the interest of players by using a function that creates a big win game from a small win game.

FIG. 1 is a front view of the gaming machine. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a pattern display device disposed in the area II shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a bird's-eye view showing the operation buttons arranged in the area III shown in FIG. 1 and their surroundings. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a game board installed in the gaming machine. FIG. 5 is a rear view of the gaming machine. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the gaming machine. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the gaming machine. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a schematic drawing of a lottery table for determining whether or not a special drawing has been won. Figure 9(a) is a schematic diagram showing a special chart change pattern selection table used in the pattern change related to special chart 1 when the probability of a normal chart is low, and Figure 9(b) is a schematic diagram showing a special chart change pattern selection table used when special chart change pattern HNP is determined in the pattern change related to special chart 1 when the probability of a normal chart is low. FIG. 10 is a state transition diagram showing the transition of the general drawing state. FIG. 11 shows the flow of the transition process from high probability to low probability. FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a lottery table used in the lottery for the special chart stop pattern for special chart 1 upon a jackpot. Figure 13(a) is a schematic diagram showing a lottery table used in the drawing of the special chart stopping pattern for special chart 2 when a big hit is achieved, and Figure 13(b) is a schematic diagram showing a lottery table used in the drawing of the special chart stopping pattern for special chart 2 when a small hit is achieved. Figure 14 is a flow chart of the special chart variation pattern determination process for the regular chart high probability medium special chart 2. Figures 15(a) and 15(b) are diagrams that show reference tables for determining a special chart variation pattern, with Figure 15(a) showing a reference table TA among the reference tables, and Figure 15(b) showing a reference table TB among the reference tables. Figure 16 is a flow chart of the special chart variation pattern determination process for the regular chart high probability medium special chart 1. Figure 17 (a) is a flow chart of the special chart variation pattern determination process for the ordinary chart low-probability medium special chart 2, and Figure 17 (b) is a flow chart of the special chart variation pattern determination process for the ordinary chart low-probability medium special chart 1. FIG. 18 shows a flow of the start winning notification control process. Figures 19(a) to 19(c) are specific examples showing the notification mode of the start winning notification or whether or not the notification is executed, with Figure 19(a) showing a specific example when the start winning notification of notification mode H1 is executed, Figure 19(b) showing a specific example when the start winning notification of notification mode H2 is executed, and Figure 19(c) showing a specific example when the start winning notification is not executed. FIG. 20 is a specific example showing the flow of executing a change end notification when the pattern change related to special chart 2 from which a small win has been derived ends. Figure 21 is a timing chart showing the flow of executing multiple types of notifications including a change end notification when the pattern change related to special chart 2 from which a small win has been derived ends. FIG. 22 is a timing chart showing the flow of executing multiple types of notifications including a change end notification when the pattern change related to special chart 2 from which a jackpot has been derived ends.

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

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

The present invention relates to
A game ball can be launched, and a special pattern change can be executed based on the game ball entering a first start port (first start port 57) or a second start port (second start port 59) into which a game ball can enter by opening a normal electric role (normal electric role 61). A special pattern hit/miss judgment including a judgment of whether or not a small hit will be won is executed with the start of the special pattern change, and when the small hit is derived by the special pattern hit/miss judgment, a small hit game is started after the end of the special pattern change in which the special pattern hit/miss judgment was executed, and in the small hit game, the game ball When the ball reaches a specific area (V winning area), a big win game is started after the small win game ends, and the start of the special symbol variation related to the second starting port can be suspended up to a predetermined number (3), and a normal symbol variation can be executed based on the game ball reaching a predetermined area (gate 63). A normal symbol win/loss judgment is executed to judge whether or not a normal symbol win is won with the start of the normal symbol variation, and when the normal symbol win is won in the normal symbol win/loss judgment, the normal electric device is opened after the normal symbol variation ends.
A game status management means (game status control means 155) for managing a game status;
A variation pattern determination means (special pattern variation pattern derivation means 133) for determining a variation pattern in which a variation time required for executing a special pattern variation is set;
Equipped with
The game state management means can set a winning-prone state (normal pattern high probability) in which the opening of the normal electric role, which allows a game ball to enter the second starting hole once, can be generated every time a normal pattern variation is executed, upon the end of the jackpot game,
The result of the special pattern judgment in the special pattern variation related to the second starting port will not be a miss,
The easy-to-win state further changes to a non-easy-to-win state (low probability of winning) in which the game ball is not allowed to enter the second start hole from the easy-to-win state when the normal pattern variation is completed a specified number of times (specified number of times to open) that is equal to or less than the predetermined number, or when the special pattern variation related to the second start hole is completed once.
The easy-to-win state includes a first easy-to-win state (normal high probability set after the end of the jackpot game related to the symbol B) in which the specified number of times is a first number of times (three times), and a second easy-to-win state (normal high probability set after the end of the jackpot game related to the symbol C) in which the specified number of times is a second number of times (two times) less than the first number of times.
The fluctuation pattern determination means can determine, as the fluctuation pattern, a first fluctuation pattern (special chart fluctuation pattern VSP2B) and a second fluctuation pattern (special chart fluctuation pattern VSP1B) in which a fluctuation time different from the fluctuation time related to the first fluctuation pattern is set,
When the winning-prone state is set, if neither the special symbol fluctuation related to the first starting port nor the special symbol fluctuation related to the second starting port is reserved,
When the easy-to-win state is the first easy-to-win state, the second variation pattern is not determined for the special symbol variation related to the second starting port in the first easy-to-win state, and the first variation pattern can be determined.
When the easy-to-win state is the second easy-to-win state, the first variation pattern is not determined for the special symbol variation related to the second starting port in the second easy-to-win state, and the second variation pattern is determined.
Regarding the rate of the easy-to-win state set at the end of the jackpot game, the rate in which the jackpot game is caused by a special pattern variation related to the second starting port is equal to or higher than the rate in which the jackpot game is caused by a special pattern variation related to the first starting port.
This is a gaming machine characterized by the above.

According to the present invention, when the special pattern change related to the second starting port is not on hold at the time when the easy-to-win state is set, the difference in the degree of advantage (the above-mentioned specified number of times) can be easily recognized depending on the difference in the change time related to the change pattern of the special pattern change related to the second starting port in the easy-to-win state.
Furthermore, according to the present invention, the effect of increasing interest in games can be further enhanced.

First, the above phrase "the result of the special pattern hit judgment in the special pattern change related to the second starting port will never be a miss" refers to, as in the present embodiment described below, if the pattern change related to special pattern 2 (the special pattern change related to the second starting port) is configured to be able to lead to a big hit, then either a small hit or a big hit will always be led in the special pattern hit judgment related to that pattern change. Also, if the pattern change related to special pattern 2 is configured so that a big hit cannot be led, then it refers to the pattern change always leading to a small hit.

The above-mentioned small hit refers to a small hit that can result in a big hit, and does not include a small hit that results in a small hit game in which the game ball does not pass through the above-mentioned specified area, such as when the period during which the special electric device 65 described below is in an open state is extremely short.

In addition, in order to achieve the effect of making it easier to recognize the above-mentioned differences in advantageous degrees, the relationship between the length of the fluctuation time related to the first fluctuation pattern and the length of the fluctuation time related to the second fluctuation pattern is not important.

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

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

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

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

The front frame 20 is supported by a hinge mechanism 21 so as to be rotatable about the left end side, and can be opened and closed relative to the middle frame 17. The front frame 20 can be locked and unlocked by a cylinder lock 23 (by inserting a door key into the cylinder lock 23 and turning the door key in the opposite direction to the unlocking direction of the middle frame 17 (left in this embodiment)).
In addition, the front frame 20 is provided with a transparent member 25 arranged to cover the playing area 50a, and the transparent member 25 protects the playing area 50a and the playing board 50 from view.
The front frame 20 also has an upper ball tray 27 and a lower ball tray 29 for storing game balls, and the upper ball tray 27 and the lower ball tray 29 are spaced apart from each other vertically and are formed integrally with the front frame 20.
In addition, the front frame 20 is provided with an operating handle 31 on the right side of the lower ball tray 29, and by rotating the operating handle 31, the game balls stored in the upper ball tray 27 are launched toward the game area 50a.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Each of the sub-display sections 82 is not only provided for the purpose of displaying a performance image mainly related to the performance, but is also configured to be movable.
The initial positions of the upper sub-display unit 82a are on the upper side relative to the main display unit 81, the left sub-display unit 82b are on the left side relative to the main display unit 81, and the right sub-display unit 82c are on the right side relative to the main display unit 81, and each of the sub-display units 82 is configured to be movable from these initial positions to a position where the entire display area of the sub-display unit 82 overlaps with the display area of the main display unit 81.

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

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

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

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

In addition to the above-mentioned display devices, the symbol display device 90 is provided with a first special symbol reservation lamp 94, a second special symbol reservation lamp 95, and a normal symbol reservation lamp 96.
The first special pattern reserved lamp 94 can specify the number of reserved pattern variations of special pattern 1, the second special pattern reserved lamp 95 can specify the number of reserved pattern variations of special pattern 2, and the normal pattern reserved lamp 96 can specify the number of reserved pattern variations of normal patterns, and each can specify the number of corresponding pattern variations by the lighting mode of the two LEDs (in this embodiment, only right constant lighting = 1, left and right constant lighting = 2, right flashing + left constant lighting = 3, left and right flashing = 4). However, as described later, in this embodiment, the maximum number of reserved pattern variations related to special pattern 2 is 3, so the second special pattern reserved lamp 95 does not have a lighting mode of left and right flashing.

In the following explanation, the pattern change in which the first special pattern display device 91 or the second special pattern display device 92 displays a special pattern in a variable manner and then stops displaying the special pattern will be referred to as the ``pattern change of the special pattern,'' and in the following explanation, the pattern change in which the normal pattern display device 93 displays a variable manner and then stops displaying the normal pattern will be referred to as the ``pattern change of the normal pattern.''
In addition, in the following description, the change display of the pattern row (decorative pattern) displayed on the above-mentioned main display unit 81 may be referred to as "pattern change of decorative pattern" to distinguish it from "pattern change of special pattern" and "pattern change of normal pattern".
In the following explanation, when simply referring to "pattern change," it means a pattern change of a special design unless otherwise specified.

As shown in FIG. 4, a number of obstacles such as game pegs (not shown), windmills 52, and decorative parts are arranged on the front of the game board 50, thereby defining a game area 50a in which the shot game ball can roll.
Additionally, on the left and upper sides of the play area 50a, there are arranged a curved outer rail 51 and an inner rail 53 for guiding the game balls launched by rotating the operating handle 31 to the upper part of the play area 50a. The outer rail 51 is located outside the inner rail 53 with the center of the play area 50a as the reference point. Here, the windmill 52 is a nail-shaped mechanism for changing the direction in which the game balls fall.

The gaming machine 10 allows the strength of the ball to be varied by the amount of rotation (e.g., the angle of rotation) of the operating handle 31, and various obstacles are arranged in the gaming area 50a to make the ball roll along either the first flow path X (so-called left hit), along which a weaker ball will roll, or the second flow path Y (so-called right hit), along which a stronger ball will roll.

In Figure 4, the main prize openings are shown as the large prize opening 55, the first start opening 57, the second start opening 59, the gate 63, and the general prize opening 67, but the prize openings shown are only examples, and the number and arrangement of the openings may be changed as appropriate.

The large prize opening 55 is located in the lower right of the play area 50a. A large prize opening sensor 72 is attached to the large prize opening 55, and a prize ball is determined to have been won in the large prize opening 55 based on the detection result of the large prize opening sensor 72, and the number of prize balls associated with the large prize opening 55 (15 in this embodiment) is awarded.
In this embodiment, the obstacles are positioned so that more game balls roll toward the large prize opening 55 when rolling from the second flow path Y compared to when rolling from the first flow path X.

A special electric device 65 is disposed above the large prize opening 55. The special electric device 65 is a member that can be switched between an open state, in which it is easy to win a prize in the large prize opening 55, and a closed state, in which it is difficult to win a prize, and is switched to either the open state or the closed state by a special electric device solenoid 66.
More specifically, the special electric device 65 is in an open state during a part of a big win game that starts when a big win is derived by the special chart hit/miss judgment described later, or during a part of a small win game that starts when a small win is derived by the special chart hit/miss judgment, and thus entry into the big winning hole 55 is permitted. In this way, when the special electric device 65 is in an open state, it is easy to enter the big winning hole 55, so the big win game and small win, in which the chances of winning prize balls are greatly increased, can be said to be advantageous game states. Details will be described later, but the small win game in this embodiment can cause a big win game.
In a jackpot game, the special electric device 65 is alternately set to an open state and a closed state, and one open state (sometimes referred to as a "round game", and the total number of round games occurring in one jackpot may be referred to as the "number of rounds") ends when a predetermined number (10 in this embodiment) of game balls have entered the large prize opening 55, and the special electric device 65 enters a closed state. Furthermore, one open state in a jackpot game also ends when a sufficient time (30 s (seconds) in this embodiment) has elapsed for a predetermined number of game balls to enter the large prize opening 55.
On the other hand, in the small win game, the game ends when the special electric device 65 is in the open state for 1.8 seconds or when 10 game balls enter the large prize hole. Therefore, in the small win game, it is more difficult for game balls to enter the large prize hole than in the large win game.

The first starting hole 57 is located at the center of the game area 50a. A first starting hole sensor 70 is attached to the first starting hole 57, and the winning of the first starting hole 57 is determined based on the detection result of the first starting hole sensor 70, and the number of prize balls (4 in this embodiment) associated with the first starting hole 57 is awarded. In at least some cases where the winning of the first starting hole 57 is determined, the pattern of the special chart 1 is changed.
In addition, in the game area 50a of this embodiment, obstacles such as game nails are arranged so that more game balls roll toward the first starting hole 57 when they roll from the first flow path X compared to when they roll from the second flow path Y.

The second starting hole 59 is located in the lower right of the play area 50a. A second starting hole sensor 71 is attached to the second starting hole 59, and the winning of the second starting hole 59 is determined based on the detection result of the second starting hole sensor 71, and the number of prize balls associated with the second starting hole 59 (1 in this embodiment) is awarded.
In at least some cases where a winning jackpot has been awarded at the second starting hole 59, the pattern on special chart 2 will change.
In addition, in the game area 50a of this embodiment, obstacles such as game nails are arranged so that more game balls roll toward the second starting hole 59 when they roll from the second flow path Y compared to when they roll from the first flow path X.

A normal electric device 61 is disposed in the flow path connected to the second starting port 59. The normal electric device 61 is a member that can be switched between an open state in which it is easy to insert a game ball into the second starting port 59 and a closed state in which it is difficult to insert the ball, and is switched to either the open state or the closed state by a normal electric device solenoid 62.
More specifically, the normal electric device 61 is in an open state at least in part of the normal winning game that is played by winning the pattern variation of the normal picture, and thus allows winning into the second starting hole 59. In this way, when the normal electric device 61 is in an open state, winning into the second starting hole 59 is easy, so that the chances of the pattern variation of the special picture 2 being executed can be greatly increased while suppressing the decrease in game balls by the prize balls.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

<Regarding the control configuration of the gaming machine 10>
Next, a control configuration of the gaming machine 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the gaming machine 10. Note that the control configuration shown in Fig. 6 is necessary for explaining the gaming machine 10 according to this embodiment, and the gaming machine 10 may have a control configuration not shown in Fig. 6.

The main control board 100 is equipped with a CPU 101 that performs various calculation processes related to the game, a ROM 102 that stores data such as control programs and various lottery tables, a RAM 103 that functions as a work area and buffer memory that serves as a temporary storage area, an I/O port 104 that inputs and outputs signals between peripheral boards and each device, and a random number circuit 105 that operates separately from the program processing by the CPU 101 and generates random numbers (hard random numbers), and these are connected to each other via an internal bus.

The CPU 101 executes various processes related to the main control of the game by reading out various control programs stored in the ROM 102 and performing arithmetic processing.
The RAM 103 is backed up by a backup power source generated in a backup power circuit described later. Specifically, among the information stored in the RAM 103, various information is backed up so that when power is restored (when power is turned on) after a power outage, the data can be used to restore the gaming machine 10 to the state it was in immediately before the power outage. For example, in addition to the data of the stack pointer and each register held at the time of the power outage, information related to the game, such as the state of the gaming machine 10 at that time (a game stop state or a playable state), the current normal drawing state, etc., are backed up. Note that this information is cleared (initialized) by the RAM clear process. Therefore, after the RAM is cleared, a new normal drawing low probability, described later, is set. Furthermore, when the RAM clear process is executed, the pattern string related to the decorative pattern is in a state in which the initial pattern combination (a combination different from the pattern combination that can be stopped by the pattern pre-reading performance described later) is stopped and displayed, and even if the RAM clear process is not executed when the power is turned on and the pattern change is not being executed at the time of the previous power outage, the initial pattern combination is stopped and displayed. In addition, this initial symbol combination is displayed statically only when the power is turned on, and is not displayed statically due to the execution of symbol variation.

In this embodiment, at least an area in which such information related to the game is stored (sometimes referred to as the game-related area of RAM 103) is backed up, as well as an area in which the complement of a checksum and a backup flag related to the game-related area of RAM 103 are stored (sometimes referred to as the game-related backup information area of RAM 103). Then, when power is restored, the gaming machine 10 returns to normal using the various pieces of information stored in the backed-up game-related area of RAM 103 and the game-related backup information area of RAM 103.
In addition, the specific method of backup in this embodiment is not limited. For example, the area to be backed up in the RAM 103 may be realized with a configuration capable of non-volatilely retaining data even in a power-off state. As another example, in the RAM 103, a first memory configured to be capable of non-volatilely retaining data even in a power-off state and a second memory referenced during operation of the gaming machine 10 may be provided with different hardware. In that case, the gaming machine 10 may save the information to be backed up from the second memory to the first memory when power is cut off, and recover the saved information from the first memory to the second memory when power is restored.

The main control board 100 is also electrically connected to the first start opening sensor 70, the second start opening sensor 71, the large prize opening sensor 72, the general prize opening sensor 73, the gate sensor 74, the out ball sensor 75, the middle frame open door sensor 76, the front frame open door sensor 77, etc., and is configured to be able to input detection signals from these sensors to the CPU 101 via the I/O port 104.

In addition, the main control board 100 is electrically connected to the first special pattern display device 91, the second special pattern display device 92, the normal pattern display device 93, the first special pattern reserve lamp 94, the second special pattern reserve lamp 95, the normal pattern reserve lamp 96, the normal electric role solenoid 62 and the special electric role solenoid 66, and is configured to be able to control these via the I/O port 104.
Similarly, the main control board 100 is electrically connected to the main operation unit 39 and the RAM clear switch 43 , and is configured to be able to detect the operation of the main operation unit 39 .

The main control board 100 and the first sub-control board 200 are connected by eight parallel signal lines and one strobe line, and are connected so that communication is possible in only one direction, from the main control board 100 to the first sub-control board 200, and various performance control commands are transmitted from the main control board 100 to the first sub-control board 200.
Furthermore, data cannot be transmitted from the first sub-control board 200 to the main control board 100, and the first sub-control board 200 is configured so as not to be able to request the main control board 100 to transmit data.
In addition, in this embodiment, a parallel transmission method is used for transmitting data from the main control board 100 to the first sub-control board 200, but a serial transmission method may also be used.

The first sub-control board 200 comprises a CPU 201 which performs various arithmetic processing related to game presentation based on presentation control commands from the main control board 100, a ROM 202 which stores data such as presentation control programs and various lottery tables, a RAM 203 which functions as a work area or buffer memory that serves as a temporary storage area, and an I/O port 204 which inputs and outputs signals between peripheral boards and each device, and these are connected to each other via an internal bus, and the CPU 201 is configured to execute main control related to game presentation in accordance with the control program stored in ROM 202.
In addition, the first sub-control board 200 is electrically connected to the performance button 37 and the cursor button 38, and is configured to be able to detect the operation of these operating sections.

In addition, the first sub-control board 200, through performance control processing based on performance control commands from the main control board 100, generates image control commands that instruct the image to be displayed on the second sub-control board 300, audio control commands that instruct the audio to be output to the audio control board 310, lamp control data for controlling the lighting of various lamps such as the frame lamp 35, and movement control data for controlling the movement of the movable decorative body 22 and the sub-display unit 82, etc.
Here, the first sub-control board 200 is connected to the second sub-control board 300 and the voice control board 310 to enable two-way communication, and each control command (image control command, voice control command) is transmitted from the first sub-control board 200 to the second sub-control board 300 or the voice control board 310, while in response, a response command (ACK command) indicating that the control command was received successfully is transmitted from each control board (second sub-control board 300, voice control board 310) to the first sub-control board 200.

The first sub-control board 200 is also electrically connected to the frame lamp 35, and transmits lamp control data via the I/O port 204. The frame lamp 35 is configured such that its illumination is controlled by the lamp control data transmitted from the first sub-control board 200.
Furthermore, the first sub-control board 200 is electrically connected to the movable decorative body 22 and the sub-display unit 82, and transmits movement control data via the I/O port 204. The movable decorative body 22 and the sub-display unit 82 are configured so that their movement is controlled by the movement control data transmitted from the first sub-control board 200.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The main random number generating means 115 is capable of generating multiple types of random numbers with different update ranges depending on the random number circuit 105, and when a win at a winning port is determined, it obtains (latches) one or more random numbers corresponding to that winning port from the random number circuit 105.
More specifically, when it is determined that the first start gate 57 or the second start gate 59 has been won, the main random number generating means 115 obtains a random number for determining whether or not the special symbol has been won, a random number for drawing a special symbol stop symbol, and a random number for drawing a special symbol change pattern, which will be described later. When it is determined that the gate 63 has been won, the main random number generating means 115 stores a random number for determining whether or not the normal symbol has been won, a random number for drawing a normal symbol stop symbol, and a random number for drawing a normal symbol change pattern, which will be described later, in a corresponding storage area of the main information storage means 160.
The random number circuit 105 monitors whether the multiple types of random numbers it updates are being updated normally, and if an update abnormality occurs in which the random numbers are not updated normally, information indicating the occurrence of the abnormality is written to a specific storage area of the random number circuit 105. Therefore, the CPU 101 can grasp that an update abnormality has occurred in the random number circuit 105.

The main reservation control means 120 controls the reservation of the pattern change of the special chart and the reservation of the pattern change of the normal chart. Regarding the special chart 1, the random number for determining whether the special chart is a hit or not, the random number for drawing the stop pattern of the special chart, and the random number for drawing the pattern of the special chart, which are obtained as a result of winning the first starting port 57, are reserved (stored) as operation reservation information of the special chart 1.
More specifically, the main hold control means 120 is provided with a hold counter (hereinafter referred to as the "special chart 1 hold counter") which is incremented by 1 each time the activation hold information of special chart 1 is held and decremented by 1 each time the activation hold information of special chart 1 is used (used in the draw by the special chart draw means 130), and stores the activation hold information in a storage area corresponding to the current special chart 1 hold counter of the main information storage means 160 until the value of the special chart 1 hold counter reaches an upper limit value (4 in this embodiment), and clears the used activation hold information each time the activation hold information is used, and controls the remaining activation hold information to be moved (shifted) from the current storage area to a storage area corresponding to a special chart 1 hold counter which is 1 less than the current special chart 1 hold counter, in order from the smallest special chart 1 hold counter.
In addition, the main reservation control means 120 performs the same control as the above-mentioned control for the special drawing 2 and the normal drawing separately from the special drawing 1, and the reservation counter for the special drawing 2 is called the special drawing 2 reservation counter. In this embodiment, the upper limit value of the special drawing 2 reservation counter is 3, which is 1 less than the upper limit value of the special drawing 1 reservation counter.
In addition, in the following explanation, "suspended operation information" may be expressed as "suspended pattern change" or simply as "suspended."
In addition, when the main hold control means 120 updates (adds or subtracts) the operation hold information (hold counter) of special chart 1 or special chart 2, it generates a performance control command (hold command) including the special chart 1 hold counter and the special chart 2 hold counter, and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.
In this embodiment, when both the activation pending information corresponding to special chart 1 and the activation pending information corresponding to special chart 2 are reserved, a priority change is performed in which the activation pending information corresponding to special chart 2 is used preferentially.

The advance judgment means 125 executes an advance judgment for a pre-reading performance targeting the pending activation information in at least some cases where the pending activation information of a special chart is pending at a specified advance judgment timing.
More specifically, the pre-judgment means 125 reads out each random number of the operation pending information that has been reserved this time, and executes pre-judgment for each of the special chart hit/miss judgment, special chart stop pattern lottery, and special chart change pattern lottery, which will be described later. In each pre-judgment, a lottery table (not shown) that is the same as or equivalent to the lottery table used in the lottery corresponding to each pre-judgment is used. Therefore, the results of these pre-judgments will be the same as the results of the lottery that will be executed later.
In addition, the pre-determination means 125 generates a performance control command (pre-determination command) including the derived result of the pre-determination, and stores the command in a transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.
Since the pre-determination command is transmitted (generated and stored in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160) at least part of the timing of the predetermined pre-determination, it will be transmitted following the above-mentioned reserved command. Here, the predetermined pre-determination timing refers to a timing that is not during a jackpot game, for example, a timing when the operation reservation information of the special chart is reserved. In this embodiment, if the operation reservation information of the special chart 1 is reserved during the normal chart high probability described below, the pre-determination is restricted, and therefore the transmission of the pre-determination command corresponding to the pre-determination is also restricted. On the other hand, if the operation reservation information of the special chart 2 is reserved during the normal chart low probability described below, the pre-determination may be restricted, or it may not be restricted.

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

8 and 9 are diagrams that diagrammatically show a lottery table used in the main control board 100, and will be referred to as necessary in the following description.
In addition, in a lottery using a lottery table, including those other than these lottery tables, the lottery values stored in the lottery table are added to the read random number in a predetermined order (if there is only one lottery value, the addition is performed once), and a result corresponding to the lottery value in which a carry (overflow) occurs is derived as the result of the lottery. Similarly, in the explanation of the lottery table, the lottery table is given a name for convenience of explanation, but it is sufficient that the data such as the lottery value included in the lottery table corresponding to the name is identifiable and stored in each ROM, and these names do not specify the area in which the data is stored. In the illustrated lottery table, there are items described for convenience of explanation, and if "-" or "0" is described as the lottery value, these do not necessarily indicate the data stored in each ROM. And there is no winning result for the lottery value "-" or "0". Furthermore, when the same lottery value as the random number range used for the lottery (the number of random numbers that can be obtained within that range) is written in the lottery table, the result is derived 100%, so there is no need to perform a lottery. Also, when the total value of the lottery values used in one lottery matches the random number range used for the lottery, a carry is always generated in the addition of the last lottery value, so the addition does not need to be performed, and in that case, the lottery value used for the addition itself is not necessary.

The special pattern hit/miss judgment means 131 reads out a random number for the special pattern hit/miss judgment for each pattern change, and executes a special pattern hit/miss judgment to judge by lottery whether a big hit, a small hit, or a miss will be won, using the read out random number and a lottery table for the special pattern hit/miss judgment.
8 is a diagram showing a schematic drawing of a lottery table for determining whether a special drawing is a hit or a miss, and the lottery table is different between special drawing 1 and special drawing 2, and the range of random numbers used in these determinations is 0 to 65535. Therefore, in the special drawing hit or miss determination in special drawing 1, a big hit is derived with a probability of 300/65536 (approximately 1/218), and a miss is obtained otherwise, and a small hit is not derived.
On the other hand, in the special chart hit/miss judgment in the special chart 2, a big hit is derived with a probability of 300/65536 (about 1/218), and a small hit is derived with a probability of 65236/65536 (about 1/1.005), and the total value of these lottery values (300 + 65236 = 65536) matches the number of types of random numbers (65536) used in the special chart hit/miss judgment. Therefore, in this embodiment, the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in the special chart 2 will not be a miss.
In this embodiment, as described later, a jackpot game can occur via a small jackpot, so the probability of a jackpot being derived in the special chart hit/miss determination is set to the one probability mentioned above.

When the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment is a big hit or a small hit, the special chart stop pattern selection means 132 determines the special chart stop pattern by lottery using a random number for special chart stop pattern selection (in this embodiment, the range is 0 to 999) and a lottery table for special chart stop pattern selection. Details of the selection will be described later.

The special chart variation pattern derivation means 133 has multiple types of special chart variation pattern determination tables to refer to when determining the special chart variation pattern, and selects one special chart variation pattern determination table for determining the current special chart variation pattern based on the current regular chart lottery status, the type of target pattern variation (current pattern variation) (pattern variation related to special chart 1 or pattern variation related to special chart 2), the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment related to the pattern variation, etc., determines one special chart variation pattern using the selected special chart variation pattern determination table, and determines the variation time based on the determined special chart variation pattern. Here, the variation time refers to the time from when the pattern variation related to the special chart (special chart 1 or special chart 2) starts to when the pattern variation ends.

Figure 9 (a) is a schematic diagram showing a special chart change pattern determination table (special chart change pattern lottery table) used in the pattern change related to special chart 1 when the probability of a normal chart is low, as described below, and the range of random numbers used in the lottery is 0 to 999.
As shown in Figure 9 (a), in the pattern change related to special chart 1 when the probability of normal chart is low, special chart change pattern HNP to special chart change pattern ASP-C can be determined.
Specifically, if the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in the pattern change related to the special chart 1 at the time of normal chart low probability is a miss, the probability of the special chart change pattern HNP is 900/1000 (about 1/1.11), the probability of the special chart change pattern HRP is 52/1000 (about 1/19.2), the probability of the HSP1-A is 13/1000 (about 1/76.9), and the probability of the HSP2-A is 11/1000 (about 1/90.9) HSP1-B is determined at a probability of 9/1000 (approximately 1/111), HSP2-A at a probability of 7/1000 (approximately 1/143), HSP2-B at a probability of 5/1000 (1/200), HSP3-A at a probability of 5/1000 (1/200), and HSP3-B at a probability of 3/1000 (approximately 1/333). In this case, the special pattern variation pattern ASP1-A to the special pattern variation pattern ASP-C are not determined. In addition, although details will be described later using FIG. 9(b), when the special pattern variation pattern HNP is determined, the special pattern variation pattern is further specified using the value of the special pattern 1 reserved counter at the start of the current pattern variation.
On the other hand, if the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in the pattern change related to the special chart 1 at the time of normal chart low probability is a jackpot, the probability of the special chart change pattern ASP1-A is 90/1000 (about 1/11.1), the probability of the special chart change pattern ASP1-B is 110/1000 (about 1/9.09), the probability of the special chart change pattern ASP2-A is 135/1000 (about 1/7.41), and the probability of the special chart change pattern ASP2-B is 165/1000 (about 1/6.06). There is a probability that special chart fluctuation pattern ASP2-B will be determined, there is a probability of 180/1000 (approximately 1/5.56) that special chart fluctuation pattern ASP3-A will be determined, there is a probability of 220/1000 (approximately 1/4.56) that special chart fluctuation pattern ASP3-B will be determined, and there is a probability of 100/1000 (1/10) that special chart fluctuation pattern ASP-C will be determined, and in this case, special chart fluctuation pattern HNP to special chart fluctuation pattern HSP3-B will not be determined.
In this way, in this embodiment, when the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in the pattern fluctuation related to the special chart 1 at the time of normal chart low probability is a miss, any one of the special chart fluctuation patterns HRP to HSP3-B is determined at a rate of 100/1000 (1/10), and the special chart fluctuation pattern HNP is determined at a rate of 900/1000 (approximately 1/1.11). Furthermore, when the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in the pattern fluctuation related to the special chart 1 at the time of normal chart low probability is a big hit, any one of the special chart fluctuation patterns ASP1-A to ASP-C is determined at a rate of 1000/1000 (1/1).
Here, in the description of the special pattern variation pattern of this embodiment, when two special pattern variation patterns are described with "~" between them, the description of the special pattern variation pattern existing between the special pattern variation pattern described earlier and the special pattern variation pattern described later is omitted according to the order described in the drawing showing each special pattern variation pattern lottery table. Also, in the description of the special pattern variation pattern of this embodiment, regardless of whether the corresponding variation time is described or not, if the names of the special pattern variation patterns are different, it indicates that the different special pattern variation patterns are different (different variation times).

Figure 9 (b) is a schematic diagram showing a special chart change pattern determination table (special chart change pattern lottery table) used when special chart change pattern HNP is determined in the pattern change related to special chart 1 when the probability of normal chart is low, and the range of random numbers used in the lottery (different from the random numbers used in the lottery related to the special chart change pattern lottery table shown in Figure 9 (a)) is 0 to 999.
As shown in Figure 9 (b), the special chart fluctuation patterns HNP that can be determined in the pattern fluctuation related to special chart 1 when the probability of normal chart is low include special chart fluctuation pattern HNP-A with a fluctuation time of 3200 ms (milliseconds), special chart fluctuation pattern HNP-B with a fluctuation time of 5600 ms, special chart fluctuation pattern HNP-C with a fluctuation time of 8000 ms, and special chart fluctuation pattern HNP-D with a fluctuation time of 11200 ms, in that order of increasing fluctuation time.
Specifically, when the special chart 1 pending counter is equal to 3 at the start of the current pattern change, that is, when the special chart 1 pending counter is equal to 4 and a new pattern change related to special chart 1 is executed, special chart change pattern HNP-A is determined with a probability of 1000/1000 (1/1). Similarly, if the special pattern 1 reserved counter is 2 at the start of the current pattern change, that is, if a new pattern change related to special pattern 1 is executed in a state where the special pattern 1 reserved counter is 3, the special pattern change pattern HNP-A is determined with a probability of 150/1000 (approximately 1/6.67), and the special pattern change pattern HNP-B is determined with a probability of 850/1000 (approximately 1/1.18). If the special pattern 1 reserved counter is 1 at the start of the current pattern change, that is, if a new pattern change related to special pattern 1 is executed in a state where the special pattern 1 reserved counter is 2, the special pattern change pattern HNP-A is determined with a probability of 50/1000 (1/20), and the special pattern change pattern HNP-B is determined with a probability of 150/1000 (approximately 1/6.67). In the case where the special pattern change pattern HNP-B is determined with a probability of 800/1000 (1/1.25), and the special pattern change pattern HNP-C is determined, and when the special pattern 1 pending counter is 0 at the start of the current pattern change, that is, when a new pattern change related to special pattern 1 is executed with the special pattern 1 pending counter = 1 (including the case where a winning entry occurs in the first starting port 57 with the special pattern 1 pending counter = 0 and the winning entry triggers the execution of a pattern change related to special pattern 1), the special pattern change pattern HNP-B is determined with a probability of 50/1000 (1/20), the special pattern change pattern HNP-C is determined with a probability of 100/1000 (1/10), and the special pattern change pattern HNP-D is determined with a probability of 850/1000 (approximately 1/1.18).
In this way, when the special pattern change pattern HNP is determined in the normal pattern low probability, the special pattern change pattern (change time) that is likely to be determined by the value of the special pattern 1 reserved counter at the start of the current pattern change is different. More specifically, the smaller the value of the special pattern 1 reserved counter at the start of the current pattern change, the more likely it is that a long pattern change will be determined (the larger the value of the special pattern 1 reserved counter at the start of the current pattern change, the more likely it is that a short change time will be determined).

In addition, at the start of the pattern change, the special pattern change pattern derivation means 133 generates a performance control command (change start command) that includes the result of the special pattern hit/miss judgment, the determined special pattern to stop, and the determined special pattern change pattern, and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.

The regular map lottery means 135, like the special map lottery means 130, reads out the most recent pending operation information from the pending operation information stored in the main information storage means 160 when the regular map pattern is not changing, and uses the read random number to execute a regular map hit/miss judgment to determine whether the regular map is a hit or not, and if a regular map hit is won in which the regular electric role device 61 is controlled to an open state as a result of the regular map hit/miss judgment, executes a regular map stop pattern lottery to determine the stopping pattern of the regular map by lottery, and a regular map change pattern lottery to determine the change pattern (change time) of the regular map by lottery.
More specifically, in the normal drawing hit/miss judgment, there are a normal drawing lottery state with a high probability (sometimes abbreviated as "normal drawing high probability") and a normal drawing lottery state with a low probability (sometimes abbreviated as "normal drawing low probability"). Although the drawing of the lottery table is omitted, in this embodiment, in the normal drawing high probability, the probability of the normal drawing being a hit is 65535/65536, and the remaining probability of 1/65536 is a miss, while in the normal drawing low probability, the probability of the normal drawing being a hit is 1/65536, and the remaining probability of 65535/65536 is a miss. In addition, in the normal drawing hit/miss judgment in the normal drawing high probability, the normal drawing may always be a hit, or in the normal drawing hit/miss judgment in the normal drawing low probability, the normal drawing may not be a hit (65536/65536 is a miss).
In this way, a high probability of winning a normal draw is more likely than a low probability of winning a normal draw, and it can be said to be a more advantageous state than a low probability of winning a normal draw.

In the regular stop pattern lottery, similarly to the special stop pattern lottery, if the result of the regular hit/miss judgment is a regular hit, one stop pattern is determined by lottery using a lottery table (not shown) for the regular stop pattern lottery, and similarly, if the result of the regular hit/miss judgment is a miss, one stop pattern is determined.
In addition, in the selection of regular map fluctuation patterns, as in the selection of special map fluctuation patterns, one regular map fluctuation pattern is determined by a selection using a selection table (not shown) for selecting regular map fluctuation patterns.
However, in this embodiment, in both the low probability and high probability of the normal map, when the result of the normal map hit/miss judgment is the normal map hit, and when the result of the normal map hit/miss judgment is the normal map miss, a predetermined one of the stop patterns corresponding to each case is determined, and a predetermined one of the normal map fluctuation patterns corresponding to each case is determined. Therefore, the above-mentioned lottery for determining the normal map stop pattern and the lottery for determining the normal map fluctuation pattern may not be performed.

When the result of the special symbol hit/miss judgment is a big hit or a small hit, the big hit game control means 140 determines the demo time for the start demo and the demo time for the end demo according to the determined symbol.
Furthermore, at the start of a jackpot game, the jackpot game control means 140 generates a presentation control command (jackpot start command) including information such as a demo time related to the start demo of the jackpot game, and stores it in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160, and at the end of the jackpot game, generates a presentation control command (jackpot end command) including a demo time related to the end demo of the jackpot game, and stores it in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160. This is also true for a jackpot game caused by a small jackpot game.

In addition, the game control means 140 starts a small win game when the result of the special winning/unwinning judgment is a small win, and when the game ball passes through a V winning area (not shown) provided in the large winning port 55 during the small win game, the game control means 140 starts a big win game corresponding to the small win at the end of the small win game (more precisely, the end of the end demo of the small win game). Therefore, in this embodiment, the small win game functions as a game that generates a big win game.
In addition, if the game ball does not pass through the V winning area during a small win game, the big win game will not start (occur) after the small win game ends.

The pattern display control means 145 displays the special pattern 1 on the first special pattern display device 91 in a variable manner according to the variable time corresponding to the determined special pattern variable pattern of the special pattern 1, and displays the special pattern 1 in a stopped state determined by the special pattern stop pattern lottery after the variable time has elapsed. Similarly, the special pattern 2 is displayed on the second special pattern display device 92 in a variable manner according to the variable time corresponding to the determined special pattern variable pattern of the special pattern 2, and displays the special pattern 2 in a stopped state determined by the special pattern stop pattern lottery after the variable time has elapsed.
In addition, the pattern display control means 145 has a special chart game timer for managing the time (variation time, stop display time) related to the display of special chart 1 and special chart 2, and when the special chart is stopped from being displayed (at the timing when the value of the special chart game timer becomes "0"), it generates a presentation control command (variation stop command) for requesting a confirmed stop display of the decorative pattern, and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.
Here, the definite stop display of the decorative pattern refers to the final stop display of the decorative pattern in the pattern change, and is different from the provisional stop display of the decorative pattern that may occur during the execution of the pattern change. In the provisional stop display of the decorative pattern, for example, the decorative pattern displayed as stopped is accompanied by a small movement (so-called swinging movement) up and down, while in the definite stop display of the decorative pattern, the decorative pattern displayed as stopped is not accompanied by swinging movement, and so on. Even if the same decorative pattern is displayed as stopped, the display mode of the decorative pattern displayed as definite stop is different from the display mode of the decorative pattern displayed as provisional stop. Therefore, the player can recognize whether the display of the decorative pattern is a definite stop display or a provisional stop display.

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

The electric device control means 150 outputs a control signal to the special electric device solenoid 66 during the big win game or small win game described above, and opens the special electric device 65 according to an opening pattern corresponding to the stopping pattern of the special chart.

In addition, when the normal winning symbol is determined to be a winning symbol in the normal winning symbol determination, the electric device control means 150 outputs a control signal to the normal electric device solenoid 62 to open the normal electric device 61 according to an opening pattern corresponding to the stopping symbol of the normal symbol (in this embodiment, one predetermined pattern).
In particular, in the opening pattern of the normal electric device 61 when the normal winning is won in the normal winning judgment during the normal high probability, an opening time of 6500 ms is adopted, and the opening of the normal electric device 61 according to the opening pattern ends even when the game ball enters the second starting hole 59 once. Since this 6500 ms is a sufficient time for the game ball to enter the second starting hole 59, when the game is proceeding according to the normal game method, the game ball will enter the second starting hole 59 once for each opening of the normal electric device 61 during the normal high probability. Here, the normal game method refers to a game method in which the game ball continues to be shot in a favorable launch direction according to the game situation, for example, during the normal high probability, during the small winning game, and during the big winning game, it refers to a game method in which the game ball continues to be shot toward the second flow path Y. This is also used in the following explanations.
On the other hand, in the opening pattern of the normal electric device 61 when a normal winning combination is determined during a normal winning combination low probability, an opening time of 300 ms is adopted, and since the opening time of the normal electric device 61 related to this opening pattern is extremely short, it is configured so that the game ball cannot enter the second starting hole 59.

The game state control means 155 controls the general drawing state.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, which is a state transition diagram showing the transition of the normal drawing lottery state, the game state control means 155 switches between normal drawing low probability and normal drawing high probability at a part of the end of the jackpot game, and transitions from the normal drawing high probability to the normal drawing low probability when the number of times that the normal electric role 61 (electric chute) has been in an open state in the normal drawing high probability reaches the opening specified number of times. Details of the transition of the normal drawing lottery state, including this opening specified number of times, will be described later, but in this embodiment, the opening specified number of times is set at the end of the jackpot game, and its value is determined corresponding to the jackpot game (the stopping pattern of the special drawing at the time of the jackpot game or small win).

In addition, when a transition to the normal drawing state occurs, the game state control means 155 generates a presentation control command (game state designation command) that can identify the occurrence of the transition, and stores the command in a transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160. The presentation control command includes information that can identify the specified number of times to open the normal drawing high probability state that has been transitioned to this time.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

As shown in Figure 7, the first sub-control board 200 is equipped with a sub-random number generation means 210, a normal performance control means 220, a sub-error control means 230, a lamp control means 240, a movable prop control means 245, a volume adjustment means 250, a brightness adjustment means 255, a sub-information storage means 260, and a sub-command management means 270, and these means are functional representations of what is realized by each control configuration on the first sub-control board 200 described using Figure 6.
Here, the sub-information storage means 260 is a means for temporarily storing data read by the means provided in the first sub-control board 200, data derived by calculations in the means, etc., in the corresponding storage areas. Also, the performance control command transmitted from the main command management means 170 is stored in a received command storage area of the sub-information storage means 260 by the sub-command management means 270. In the following explanation, the storage of the performance control command transmitted from the main command management means 170 in the received command storage area of the sub-information storage means 260 by the sub-command management means 270 may be simply expressed as reception of the performance control command.

The sub-random number generating means 210 can generate random numbers (software random numbers) that are updated by program processing by the CPU 201, and obtains random numbers at the timing when each lottery (details will be described later) is executed by the normal performance control means 220.

The normal presentation control means 220 includes a presentation mode control means 221, a presentation route determination means 222, a sub-hold control means 223, a look-ahead presentation control means 224, a presentation content determination means 225, a decorative pattern control means 226, and a jackpot presentation control means 227.

When the presentation mode control means 221 receives a game state designation command, it controls the transition of the presentation mode in a manner consistent with the general map lottery state managed on the main control board 100 side.
In this embodiment, the presentation modes are divided into normal mode and RUSH mode, except during jackpot play, and the normal mode corresponds to the normal low probability state where the pattern change related to special chart 2 has not been executed and the pattern change related to special chart 2 is not pending, and the RUSH mode corresponds to other states.

When the presentation route determination means 222 receives a pre-determination command, it determines (sets) a presentation route corresponding to the reserved pattern change based on the result of the pre-determination included in the command (in this embodiment, the special pattern change pattern). Note that, when the special pattern change pattern corresponding to the pattern change is the above-mentioned special pattern change pattern HNP, the presentation route determination means 222 does not determine a presentation route when a pre-determination command is sent, and determines a presentation route based on the special pattern change pattern (for example, special pattern change pattern HNP-A to special pattern change pattern HNP-D) included in the change start command at the start of the pattern change.
Here, the presentation route refers to the presentation from the start to the end of the pattern change, and specifies the process of the presentation that notifies the result of the special pattern determination in the pattern change, and the content of the presentation executed in the pattern change is determined by the presentation content determination means 225 described later in accordance with the presentation route corresponding to the pattern change.

The presentation route in this embodiment is roughly divided into a miss presentation route that notifies that the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in the current pattern change is a miss (the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in the current pattern change is neither a big hit nor a small hit), and a big hit presentation route that notifies that the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in the current pattern change is a big hit. Furthermore, the miss presentation route includes a non-development miss presentation route in which the development presentation is not executed, and a development miss presentation route in which the development presentation is executed. As will be described later, when the big hit presentation route is determined, the development presentation is executed unless otherwise specified.
Here, the development performance refers to a performance that is executed after the decorative symbols are in a reach state (a state in which all decorative symbols except one symbol row are displayed stationary and the remaining symbol rows are displayed in a variable manner), and at the end of which, it is notified whether the result of the special symbol hit/miss judgment in the current symbol change is a jackpot or not. Therefore, in a development performance that corresponds to a development miss performance route, a series of performances corresponding to the development performance are executed, and at the end of which, it is notified that the result of the special symbol hit/miss judgment in the current symbol change is a miss. On the other hand, in a development performance that corresponds to a jackpot performance route, a series of performances corresponding to the development performance are executed, and at the end of which, it is notified that the result of the special symbol hit/miss judgment in the current symbol change is a jackpot.
In addition, as described later, in this embodiment, in one presentation mode, each of the determined special chart variation patterns corresponds to one different presentation route. Therefore, in the following description, the presentation route for the special chart variation pattern may be simply expressed as a special chart variation pattern. However, multiple presentation routes may be made to correspond to one special chart variation pattern, and in this case, one presentation route may be determined from multiple presentation routes corresponding to the determined special chart variation pattern.
Below, the contents of the presentation route corresponding to each special chart change pattern determined in normal mode will be explained.

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

The special chart fluctuation patterns HSP1-A to HSP3-B correspond to the above-mentioned development miss performance route.
Specifically, the special pattern change pattern HSP1-A and the special pattern change pattern HSP1-B correspond to a performance route in which the decorative pattern is in a reach state without pseudo-change, and then a development performance is executed to notify that the result of the special pattern hit/miss judgment in this pattern change is a miss, and the decorative pattern is stopped and displayed with a spread pattern after the development performance ends. Note that the types of development performances corresponding to each special pattern change pattern are different from each other, and the development performance HEA corresponds to the special pattern change pattern HSP1-A, and the development performance HEB corresponds to the special pattern change pattern HSP1-B.
The special chart fluctuation pattern HSP2-A and the special chart fluctuation pattern HSP2-B correspond to a performance route in which the decorative pattern reaches a reach state through two pseudo fluctuations, and then a development performance is executed to notify that the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in this pattern fluctuation is a miss, and the decorative pattern is stopped and displayed with a spread eye after the development performance ends. Note that, like the special chart fluctuation pattern HSP1-A and the special chart fluctuation pattern HSP1-B, the types of development performances corresponding to each special chart fluctuation pattern are different from each other, and the development performance HEA corresponds to the special chart fluctuation pattern HSP2-A, and the development performance HEB corresponds to the special chart fluctuation pattern HSP2-B.
The special chart fluctuation pattern HSP3-A and the special chart fluctuation pattern HSP3-B correspond to a performance route in which the decorative pattern reaches a reach state through three pseudo fluctuations, and then a development performance is executed to notify that the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in this pattern fluctuation is a miss, and the decorative pattern is stopped and displayed with a spread eye after the development performance ends. Note that, like the special chart fluctuation pattern HSP1-A and the special chart fluctuation pattern HSP1-B, the types of development performances corresponding to each special chart fluctuation pattern are different from each other, and the development performance HEA corresponds to the special chart fluctuation pattern HSP3-A, and the development performance HEB corresponds to the special chart fluctuation pattern HSP3-B.

The special chart fluctuation pattern ASP1-A and the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP1-B correspond to the jackpot performance route described above.
Specifically, the special pattern variation pattern ASP1-A and the special pattern variation pattern ASP1-B correspond to a performance route in which the decorative pattern reaches a reach state without pseudo-variation, and then a development performance is executed to notify that the result of the special pattern hit/miss judgment in this pattern change is a big hit, and the decorative pattern is displayed in a pattern alignment (a state in which all pattern rows are stopped and displayed, and the same decorative pattern is stopped and displayed in each pattern row) after the end of the development performance. Note that the types of development performance corresponding to each special pattern variation pattern are different from each other, and the development performance HEA corresponds to the special pattern variation pattern ASP1-A, and the development performance HEB corresponds to the special pattern variation pattern ASP1-B.
The special chart fluctuation pattern ASP2-A and the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP2-B correspond to a performance route in which the decorative pattern reaches a reach state through two pseudo fluctuations, and then a development performance is executed to notify that the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in this pattern fluctuation is a big hit, and the decorative pattern stops and is displayed after the development performance ends. Note that, like the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP1-A and the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP1-B, the types of development performances corresponding to each special chart fluctuation pattern are different from each other, and the development performance HEA corresponds to the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP2-A, and the development performance HEB corresponds to the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP2-B.
The special chart fluctuation pattern ASP3-A and the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP3-B correspond to a performance route in which the decorative pattern reaches a reach state through three pseudo fluctuations, and then a development performance is executed to notify that the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in this pattern fluctuation is a big hit, and the decorative pattern stops and is displayed after the development performance ends. Note that, like the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP1-A and the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP1-B, the types of development performances corresponding to each special chart fluctuation pattern are different from each other, and the development performance HEA corresponds to the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP3-A, and the development performance HEB corresponds to the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP3-B.
The special pattern change pattern ASP-C corresponds to a presentation route in which the decorative pattern reaches a reach state without pseudo-change, and then a development presentation HEC is executed to notify that the result of the special pattern hit/miss judgment in this pattern change is a jackpot, and the decorative pattern stops and is displayed in a pattern alignment after the development presentation ends.

In this way, in this embodiment, by making the same development performance correspond, the performance route corresponding to the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP1-A corresponds to the performance route corresponding to the special chart fluctuation pattern HSP1-A, the performance route corresponding to the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP1-B corresponds to the performance route corresponding to the special chart fluctuation pattern HSP1-B, the performance route corresponding to the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP2-A corresponds to the performance route corresponding to the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP2-A, the performance route corresponding to the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP2-B corresponds to the performance route corresponding to the special chart fluctuation pattern HSP3-A corresponds to the performance route corresponding to the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP3-A, and the performance route corresponding to the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP3-B corresponds to the performance route corresponding to the special chart fluctuation pattern HSP3-B. As a result, the contents of the performances of the corresponding performance routes will match from the start to the end (the timing when the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment is shown by the development performance related to the performance route). Therefore, in the pattern change in which the development performance HEA and the development performance HEB are executed, the player can have a sense of expectation of winning a jackpot. Also, the above-mentioned special pattern change pattern in which the performance route in which the development performance HEA and the development performance HEB are executed is determined can be said to be a special pattern change pattern that makes the player expect a jackpot.
In addition, there is no corresponding development failure performance route for the special chart variation pattern ASP-C. Therefore, when the development performance HEC is executed in the pattern variation, the player can be made to recognize the big win definitely. Therefore, it can be said that the performance route corresponding to the special chart variation pattern is a performance route that determines the big win, and the special chart variation pattern is a special chart variation pattern that determines the big win.

Also, as shown in FIG. 9(a), when the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment is a miss, within the range where the number of pseudo fluctuations is the same, the special chart fluctuation pattern corresponding to the performance route where the development performance HEA is executed (for example, special chart fluctuation pattern HSP1-A), the special chart fluctuation pattern corresponding to the performance route where the development performance HEB is executed (for example, special chart fluctuation pattern HSP1-B) is less likely to be determined in that order. And, when the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment is a jackpot, within the range where the number of pseudo fluctuations is the same, the special chart fluctuation pattern corresponding to the performance route where the development performance HEA is executed (for example, special chart fluctuation pattern ASP1-A), the special chart fluctuation pattern corresponding to the performance route where the development performance HEB is executed (for example, special chart fluctuation pattern ASP1-B) is more likely to be determined in that order. And, as described above, the development performance HEC is executed only when a jackpot is won.
Therefore, the expectation of winning the jackpot can be increased in the order of the development performance HEA, the development performance HEB, and the development performance HEC. The expectation of winning the jackpot related to such development performances is also the same in the relationship between the development performance HED, the development performance HEE, and the development performance HEF, and the relationship between the development performance HEG, the development performance HEH, and the development performance HEI, which will be described later.

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

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

When the sub-hold control means 223 receives a hold command (hereinafter, sometimes simply referred to as the occurrence of a hold winning), it sets performance data for displaying the number of hold images corresponding to the special chart 1 hold counter and the number of hold images corresponding to the special chart 2 hold counter in the hold display area (not shown) of the main display unit 81 based on the information of the special chart 1 hold counter and the special chart 2 hold counter contained in the command. In this embodiment, the hold image corresponding to the special chart 1 can be the subject of a hold pre-reading performance that changes to various forms that suggest the degree of advantage, such as the expectation degree of a jackpot game. On the other hand, as described above, the execution of the pattern change related to the special chart 2 always wins a jackpot or a small jackpot, leading to a jackpot game, so the hold image corresponding to the special chart 2 is not the subject of the hold pre-reading performance.

When the look-ahead performance control means 224 receives a pre-determination command, it determines the content of the look-ahead performance based on the result of the pre-determination included in the command.
The pre-reading effect is an effect that suggests the expectation for the result of the judgment of whether the special symbol will be selected in the pattern change of the pre-read target and the content of the effect to be executed in the pattern change of the pre-read target before the pattern change of the pre-read target begins, with the aim of increasing interest in the game.In this embodiment, the pre-reading effect is executed only for the pattern change related to special symbol 1, similar to the reserved pre-reading effect described above.

When the effect content determining means 225 receives a variation start command, it determines the content of the effect to be executed in the current pattern variation according to the presentation route already determined by the presentation route determining means 222.
More specifically, the performance content determination means 225 determines the performance content (performance pattern) for each performance execution timing in the pattern change by a lottery using a performance pattern lottery table corresponding to the performance route determined by the performance route determination means 222. In this way, it is possible to change the content of the performance related to (executed according to) the determined performance route, and to provide a connection between the performances in one pattern change. Even if the same performance route is determined, it is also possible to diversify the performances to be executed. Note that the timing for determining the performance content can be, for example, the start of the pattern change.

When the decorative pattern control means 226 receives a variation start command, it determines the final (determined stopped) combination of decorative patterns (left pattern, center pattern, right pattern) based on the determined stopping pattern of the special pattern.

When the jackpot start command is received, the jackpot presentation control means 227 determines the content of the jackpot game presentation that notifies the player that a jackpot game is in progress based on the information included in the command. The jackpot game presentation includes a start demo presentation that notifies the player that a jackpot game has started, a round presentation that notifies the player that a round game is in progress, and an end demo presentation that notifies the player that a jackpot game has ended. Similarly to when a jackpot start command is received, when the jackpot presentation control means 227 receives a presentation control command related to a small jackpot game, it determines the content of the small jackpot game presentation that notifies the player that a small jackpot game is in progress based on the information included in the command.

The normal performance control means 220 reads out performance data for each device corresponding to each performance at the execution timing of that performance, in accordance with the content of the performance determined by the above-mentioned means provided in the first sub-control board 200. If the read performance data includes performance data related to images, an image control command is generated based on that performance data, and the command is stored in a transmission command storage area of the sub-information storage means 260. Furthermore, if the read performance data includes performance data related to sound, an audio control command related to sound is generated based on that performance data, and the command is stored in a transmission command storage area of the sub-information storage means 260.
In particular, when the return state upon power restoration is a playable state accompanied by the execution of a RAM clear process, the normal presentation control means 220 reads presentation data for notifying that a playable state has been achieved accompanied by the execution of a RAM clear process, and when the return state upon power restoration is a playable state without the execution of a RAM clear process, the normal presentation control means 220 reads presentation data for notifying that a playable state has been achieved without the execution of a RAM clear process.
Furthermore, when the recovery state upon power restoration is a game stop state, the normal presentation control means 220 reads out presentation data for notifying not only that the game has stopped, but also that it is necessary to execute a RAM clear process.
Details of these notifications are omitted, but it is preferable that they continue to be executed for a certain period of time (e.g., 30 seconds) after execution has begun, and the presentation device that executes the notification does not matter.

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

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

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

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

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

As explained above, the gaming machine 10 according to this embodiment is configured so that a big win or small win is always derived from the pattern change according to the special chart 2, leading to a big win game, and the high probability of the normal chart is ended when the number of times that the normal electric device 61 is opened during this high probability of the normal chart (when the game is played according to the normal playing method, one entry of the game ball into the second starting hole 59 occurs) reaches the specified number of times of opening, and this type of game nature is new and unprecedented, and contributes to increasing interest in the game.
In contrast, the gaming machine 10 according to the present invention further has a function related to such a new game property, and the details of the function will be described below. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, it is assumed that the game proceeds according to the normal game method described above, and that the pattern change related to the special chart 1 is not reserved after the big win game ends.

<Regarding the transition of the general lottery status>
First, the transition of the general drawing state in this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to Figures 11 to 13.
FIG. 11 shows a flow of the process for transitioning from a high probability state of normal to a low probability state of normal, and this process is executed by the game state control means 155 during a high probability state of normal.
Fig. 12 is a diagram showing a selection table used in the selection of the special symbol stop symbol related to the special symbol 1 at the time of a big win, Fig. 13(a) is a diagram showing a selection table used in the selection of the special symbol stop symbol related to the special symbol 2 at the time of a big win, and Fig. 13(b) is a diagram showing a selection table used in the selection of the special symbol stop symbol related to the special symbol 2 at the time of a small win. The range of the random numbers used in these selections is 0 to 999.

As shown in FIG. 11, in the first step S202 of the process of transitioning between high probability and low probability of normal drawing, which controls the transition from high probability of normal drawing to low probability of normal drawing, it is determined whether the pattern change related to special drawing 2 has ended, and if the condition is met, the process proceeds to step S210, and if the condition is not met, the process proceeds to step S204.

In step S204, it is determined whether or not one opening of the normal electric device 61 has been completed. If the condition is met, the process proceeds to step S206. If the condition is not met, the process of transitioning between a normal high probability and a normal low probability is terminated.
Here, as described above, the opening of the normal electric device 61 once during the normal high probability is terminated when the elapsed time in the opening reaches 6500 ms and when a game ball enters the second start hole 59 in the opening. Therefore, when the former condition is satisfied, the latter condition is not satisfied, that is, when the normal electric device 61 is opened this time, a game ball does not enter the second start hole 59.

In step S206, the open counter is incremented by one.
In step S208, it is determined whether the opening counter is equal to the specified number of openings, and if the condition is met, the process proceeds to step S210, and if the condition is not met, the normal high probability medium normal low probability transition process is terminated.
In step S210, a low probability of normal play is set, and then the process of transitioning between high probability of normal play and low probability of normal play is terminated.

In this embodiment, the value of the opening counter in the current normal high probability, i.e., the number of times the normal electric device 61 has been opened in the current normal high probability, reaches the opening specified number of times, and the normal high probability ends and becomes a normal low probability. Therefore, the opening specified number of times corresponds to the number of times the normal electric device 61 can be opened in the current normal high probability, i.e., the number of times the game ball can enter the second starting hole 59 in the current normal high probability.
In particular, in this embodiment, the opening regulation number is set at the end of the big win game, and the value is determined by the stop symbol corresponding to the big win game. The details will be described below with reference to Figs. 12 and 13.

As shown in FIG. 12, when a jackpot is derived in the pattern change related to Special Pattern 1, one of Patterns A to E is determined as the stopping pattern.
Specifically, when a jackpot is derived in the pattern change related to Special Chart 1, the stopping pattern is determined to be pattern A with a probability of 10/1000 (1/100), pattern B with a probability of 25/1000 (1/40), pattern C with a probability of 100/1000 (1/10), pattern D with a probability of 365/1000 (approximately 1/2.74), and pattern E with a probability of 500/1000 (1/2).
Then, when pattern A is determined, the number of rounds of the jackpot game related to that stopped pattern becomes 10, and after the end of that jackpot game, the normal pattern becomes highly probable, and the specified number of times for opening the normal pattern with highly probable is four.
When pattern B is determined, the number of rounds of the jackpot game related to that stopped pattern becomes 4, and after the end of that jackpot game, the jackpot game becomes a normal pattern with high probability, and the specified number of times for opening the normal pattern with high probability becomes 3.
When pattern C is determined, the number of rounds of the jackpot game related to that stopped pattern becomes 4, and after the end of that jackpot game, the jackpot game becomes a normal pattern with high probability, and the specified number of times for opening the normal pattern with high probability becomes 2.
When pattern D is determined, the number of rounds of the jackpot game related to that stopped pattern becomes 4, and after the end of that jackpot game, the jackpot game becomes a normal pattern with high probability, and the specified number of times for opening the normal pattern with high probability becomes 1.
On the other hand, if the symbol E is determined, the number of rounds of the jackpot game related to the stopped symbol becomes 4, and the probability of the jackpot game ending becomes low. Therefore, the opening regulation number is not set.

In this way, when a jackpot is derived in the pattern change related to special pattern 1, some of the jackpots (when the stopping pattern related to the jackpot is any of patterns A to D and excluding the case where the stopping pattern related to the jackpot game is pattern E) will become normal high probability after the jackpot game related to the jackpot, and the initial value of the specified number of times to open related to the normal high probability is set to 1 to 4 times depending on the stopping pattern related to the jackpot.
Here, the pattern change related to the special pattern 1 is mainly executed in the normal pattern low probability, and at the end of the jackpot game (so-called first hit) caused by the pattern change, it is assumed that the value of the special pattern 2 reserved counter is 0. Therefore, when the end of the jackpot game caused by the pattern change related to the special pattern 1 is normal pattern high probability, the jackpot game will be generated after that by the number of game balls that entered the second starting hole 59 in the normal pattern high probability (the opening regulation number corresponding to the jackpot game).

For example, if the stop pattern for the jackpot derived in the pattern variation for special pattern 1 is pattern A, four times is set as the opening regulation number, so that during the normal pattern high probability set at the end of the jackpot game for the jackpot, the pattern variation for special pattern 2 is executed (corresponding to one opening regulation number), and during the normal pattern high probability, the special pattern 2 reserve counter becomes the maximum value of 3 (corresponding to three opening regulation numbers), so a total of four jackpot games will occur afterwards. However, as described later, since there is a possibility that the normal pattern will become high probability again after each jackpot game, the final number of times the jackpot game is executed may exceed four, and this is also the case when the stop patterns for patterns B to D described later are determined.
Similarly, if the stopping pattern for the jackpot derived in the pattern change related to special chart 1 is pattern B, the specified number of times of opening is set to 3, and therefore during the high probability of the normal chart set at the end of the jackpot game related to that jackpot, the pattern change related to special chart 2 is executed (corresponding to the specified number of times of opening once), and during that high probability of the normal chart, the special chart 2 pending counter becomes 2 (corresponding to the specified number of times of opening twice), so that at least three jackpot games will occur thereafter.
When the stopping pattern for the jackpot derived in the pattern change related to special pattern 1 is pattern C, the specified number of times of opening is set to 2, so that during the high probability of the normal pattern set at the end of the jackpot game related to that jackpot, the pattern change related to special pattern 2 is executed (corresponding to one specified number of times of opening), and since the special pattern 2 pending counter becomes 1 during that high probability of the normal pattern (corresponding to one specified number of times of opening), at least two jackpot games will occur thereafter.
On the other hand, when the stop pattern for the jackpot derived in the pattern change for special pattern 1 is pattern D, the opening specified number of times is set to 1, so that the pattern change for special pattern 2 is executed (corresponding to one opening specified number of times) during the normal pattern high probability set at the end of the jackpot game for the jackpot, and the normal pattern low probability is triggered by the entry of a game ball into the second starting hole 59, which is the execution trigger of the pattern change, so that the special pattern 2 reserved counter does not become 1 or more during the normal pattern high probability. Therefore, at least one jackpot game will occur after that.

Next, as shown in FIG. 13(a), when a jackpot is derived in the pattern change related to special pattern 2, pattern a or pattern b is determined as the stopping pattern.
Specifically, when a jackpot is derived in the pattern change related to Special Chart 2, pattern a is determined as the stopping pattern with a probability of 500/1000 (1/2), and pattern b is determined as the stopping pattern with a probability of 500/1000 (1/2).
Then, when pattern a is determined, the number of rounds of the jackpot game related to that stopped pattern becomes 10, and after the end of that jackpot game, the normal pattern becomes highly probable, and the specified number of times for opening the normal pattern with highly probable is four.
When pattern b is determined, the number of rounds of the jackpot game related to that stopped pattern becomes 10, and after the end of that jackpot game, the jackpot game becomes a normal pattern with high probability, and the specified number of times for opening the normal pattern with high probability becomes two.

As shown in FIG. 13(b), when a small win is derived in the pattern change related to special pattern 2, one of patterns c to j is determined as the stopping pattern.
Specifically, when a small win is derived in the pattern change related to special chart 2, pattern c is determined as the stopping pattern with a probability of 10/1000 (1/100), pattern d with a probability of 10/1000 (1/100), pattern e with a probability of 30/1000 (approximately 1/33.3), pattern f with a probability of 50/1000 (1/20), pattern g with a probability of 30/1000 (approximately 1/33.3), pattern h with a probability of 80/1000 (1/12.5), pattern i with a probability of 340/1000 (approximately 1/2.94), and pattern j with a probability of 450/1000 (approximately 1/2.22).
Then, when pattern c is determined, the number of rounds of the jackpot game caused by the small jackpot game related to that stopping pattern (hereinafter simply referred to as the "jackpot game related to that stopping pattern") becomes 10, and after the jackpot game ends, the normal pattern becomes highly probable, and the specified number of times for opening the normal pattern with highly probable is four.
When pattern d is determined, the number of rounds of the jackpot game related to that stopped pattern becomes 10, and after the end of that jackpot game, the normal pattern becomes highly probable, and the specified number of times for opening the normal pattern with highly probable is three.
When pattern e is determined, the number of rounds of the jackpot game related to that stopped pattern becomes 10, and after the end of that jackpot game, the jackpot game becomes a normal pattern with high probability, and the specified number of times for opening the normal pattern with high probability becomes two.
When pattern f is determined, the number of rounds of the jackpot game related to that stopped pattern becomes 10, and after the end of that jackpot game, the jackpot game becomes a normal pattern with high probability, and the specified number of times for opening the normal pattern with high probability becomes 1.
When pattern g is determined, the number of rounds of the jackpot game related to that stopped pattern becomes 7, and after the end of that jackpot game, the normal pattern becomes highly probable, and the specified number of times for opening the normal pattern with highly probable is 3.
When pattern h is determined, the number of rounds of the jackpot game related to that stopped pattern becomes 7, and after the end of that jackpot game, the jackpot game becomes a normal pattern with high probability, and the specified number of times for opening the normal pattern with high probability becomes 2.
When pattern i is determined, the number of rounds of the jackpot game related to that stopped pattern becomes 7, and after the end of that jackpot game, the jackpot game becomes a normal pattern with high probability, and the specified number of times for opening the normal pattern with high probability becomes 1.
On the other hand, if the symbol j is determined, the number of rounds of the big win game will be 7, and the probability of winning the big win game will be low. Therefore, the opening regulation number is not set.

In this way, the pattern change related to special pattern 2 results in a big win or small win, resulting in a big win game, and in some of these cases (when the stopping pattern related to the big win game is any of patterns a to i, excluding the case where the stopping pattern related to the big win game is pattern j), the normal pattern becomes highly probable after the end of the big win game, and the initial value of the specified number of times to open related to the high probability of the normal pattern is set to 1 to 4 times depending on the stopping pattern related to the big win game.
Here, the pattern change related to the special chart 2 is based on the entry of a game ball into the second starting hole 59 that occurred during the normal high probability. Therefore, at the end of the jackpot game caused by the pattern change, the value of the special chart 2 reserved counter is not limited to 0, but it is also assumed that the value is any one of 1 to 3. And, the maximum value of the special chart 2 reserved counter in this embodiment is 3. Therefore, when the end of the jackpot game caused by the pattern change related to the special chart 2 becomes a normal high probability, all of the game balls that entered the second starting hole 59 during the normal high probability (the number of game balls corresponding to the opening regulation number of times corresponding to the jackpot game) do not necessarily lead to the jackpot game.

For example, if a jackpot game for pattern c occurs due to a pattern change for special pattern 2 immediately after the end of a jackpot game for pattern A, the value of the special pattern 2 reserved counter at the end of the jackpot game for that pattern c is 3. Therefore, even if a new pattern change for special pattern 2 starts immediately after the end of a jackpot game for that pattern c, the value of the special pattern 2 reserved counter is reduced by 1 to 2 (a value that is 1 less than the maximum value of the special pattern 2 reserved counter), and three of the four times that are the opening regulation number corresponding to the jackpot game for that pattern c may simply result in the entry of a game ball into the second starting hole 59, and do not contribute to an increase in the value of the special pattern 2 reserved counter.
On the other hand, when a jackpot game related to the pattern e occurs due to a pattern change related to the special pattern 2 immediately after the end of the jackpot game related to the pattern B, the value of the special pattern 2 reserved counter at the end of the jackpot game related to the pattern e is 2. Therefore, when a new pattern change related to the special pattern 2 starts immediately after the end of the jackpot game related to the pattern e, the value of the special pattern 2 reserved counter is reduced by 1 to 1 (a value that is 2 less than the maximum value of the special pattern 2 reserved counter), and all of the two times, which are the opening regulation number corresponding to the jackpot game related to the pattern e, contribute to the increase in the value of the special pattern 2 reserved counter.

That is, in this embodiment, when the value of the special chart 2 reserved counter at the end of the big win game (before the start of the pattern change related to the special chart 2 immediately after) is 1 or more, depending on the value of the opening regulation number set at the end of the big win game, a part of it will not contribute to the increase in the value of the special chart 2 reserved counter. In the following explanation, the part of the opening regulation number that contributes to the increase in the value of the special chart 2 reserved counter is referred to as the "actual V stock number".
In addition, in a specific example where a jackpot game related to the pattern e occurs due to the pattern change related to the special pattern 2 after the end of the jackpot game related to the pattern B described above (the value of the special pattern 2 reserved counter at the end of the jackpot game related to the pattern e is 2), the specified number of times to open and the actual number of V stocks match. However, if the value of the special pattern 2 reserved counter at the end of the jackpot game is 0, one of the specified number of times to open related to the jackpot game corresponds to the pattern change related to the special pattern 2 immediately after the end of the jackpot game. Therefore, even if all of the specified number of times to open lead to a jackpot game, the specified number of times to open and the actual number of V stocks do not necessarily match.

In addition, in this embodiment, when the jackpot game related to the pattern j ends, the probability of a normal pattern is low, in which case no new game balls will enter the second starting hole 59. However, if the special pattern 2 reserved counter is not 0 at the end of the jackpot game, a pattern change related to the special pattern 2 is executed after the jackpot game ends, and a jackpot game occurs. Therefore, even if a jackpot game related to the pattern j is executed, a series of jackpot games can continue.

Also, as shown in FIG. 13, in this embodiment, when a jackpot is derived in the pattern variation related to the special pattern 2, the end of the jackpot game related to the jackpot is always a normal pattern high probability, and when a small jackpot is derived in the pattern variation related to the special pattern 2, the end of the jackpot game caused by the small jackpot is a normal pattern high probability at a rate of 550 (the sum of the lottery values when the stop pattern related to the small jackpot is pattern c to pattern i) / 1000 (about 1 / 1.82). This is higher than the rate at which the end of the jackpot game related to the jackpot is a normal pattern high probability, which is 500 (the sum of the lottery values when the stop pattern related to the jackpot is pattern A to pattern D) / 1000 (1 / 2), when a jackpot is derived in the pattern variation related to the special pattern 1.
In other words, in this embodiment, when a jackpot game occurs due to a pattern change related to special chart 2, the probability that a high probability of a normal chart will be set at the end of the jackpot game is higher than the probability that a high probability of a normal chart will be set at the end of the jackpot game when a jackpot game occurs due to a pattern change related to special chart 1.

As described above, in this embodiment, when the end of the big win game caused by the pattern change related to the special pattern 2 becomes a normal pattern high probability, not all of the opening regulation times corresponding to the big win game will necessarily lead to a big win game. Furthermore, in this embodiment, since a big win or a small win is always derived in the pattern change related to the special pattern 2 and leads to a big win game, as shown in the flow from step S202 to step S210 described above, it is configured so that the normal pattern high probability ends even if the pattern change related to the special pattern 2 is executed.
Therefore, in this embodiment, for the pattern change executed during the normal pattern high probability after the end of the jackpot game, the special pattern change pattern related to the pattern change is determined taking into account the actual V stock number at the end of the jackpot game. The details will be described below.

<How to determine the special chart change pattern during normal chart high probability>
Using Figures 14 to 16, the details of the method for determining the special chart variation pattern during a regular chart high probability in this embodiment will be explained.
Figure 14 shows a flow of the special pattern change pattern determination process for special pattern 2 during a normal pattern high probability, and this process is executed by the special pattern change pattern derivation means 133 at the start of pattern change for special pattern 2 during a normal pattern high probability.
Figures 15(a) and 15(b) are diagrams that show reference tables for determining a special chart variation pattern, with Figure 15(a) showing a reference table TA among the reference tables, and Figure 15(b) showing a reference table TB among the reference tables.
Figure 16 shows a flow of the special pattern change pattern determination process for special pattern 1 during a normal pattern high probability, and this process is executed by the special pattern change pattern derivation means 133 at the start of pattern change for special pattern 1 during a normal pattern high probability.

As shown in FIG. 14, in the first step S402 of the special chart fluctuation pattern determination process for the normal chart high probability medium special chart 2, the actual number of V stocks at the current time is calculated.
Here, as described above, the actual number of V stocks is the portion that contributes to the increase in the value of the special chart 2 reserved counter among the specified number of times that the regular chart high probability is opened this time.
Therefore, in this step, if the pattern change related to special chart 2 is not pending at the time when the high probability of the normal chart is set, the actual V stock number is calculated as the value obtained by subtracting 1 from the specified number of times for opening the high probability of the normal chart.
In addition, if a pattern change related to special chart 2 is pending at the time the high probability of the regular chart is set, and if the value obtained by subtracting 1 from the number of pattern changes related to special chart 2 pending at that time plus the specified number of times to open the regular chart with high probability does not exceed the upper limit value of the special chart 2 pending counter (3 in this embodiment), the specified number of times to open itself is calculated as the actual V stock number.
Furthermore, if a pattern change related to special chart 2 is pending at the time the high probability of the regular chart is set, and if the value obtained by subtracting 1 from the number of pattern changes related to special chart 2 pending at that time plus the specified number of times to open the high probability of the regular chart exceeds the upper limit value of the special chart 2 pending counter (3 in this embodiment), the actual V stock number is calculated as the value obtained by subtracting 1 from the number of pattern changes related to special chart 2 pending at that time from the upper limit value.
In addition, in the case where a pattern change related to special chart 2 is pending at the time when the high probability of the normal chart is set, and the value obtained by subtracting 1 from the number of pattern changes related to special chart 2 pending at that time and adding the specified number of times of opening related to the high probability of the normal chart is equal to the upper limit value of the special chart 2 pending counter, the specified number of times of opening itself may be calculated as the actual V stock number.

In step S404, it is determined whether the pattern change related to the current special chart 2 has been reserved, and if the condition is met, the process proceeds to step S408, and if the condition is not met, the process proceeds to step S406. Here, the pattern change related to the current special chart 2 has been reserved means that the pattern change related to the current special chart 2 is a pattern change that was already reserved in the jackpot game immediately before the pattern change began.

In step S406, the special pattern change pattern for the pattern change related to the current special pattern 2 is determined using the reference table TA, and then the special pattern change pattern determination process for the normal pattern high probability medium special pattern 2 is terminated.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 15(a), when the actual V stock number = 1, a special chart fluctuation pattern VSP1A having a fluctuation time of 23,000 ms is determined, when the actual V stock number = 2, a special chart fluctuation pattern VSP2A having a fluctuation time of 32,000 ms is determined, and when the actual V stock number = 3, a special chart fluctuation pattern VSP3A having a fluctuation time of 43,500 ms is determined.

In step S408, the special pattern change pattern for the pattern change related to the current special pattern 2 is determined using the reference table TB, and then the special pattern change pattern determination process for the normal pattern high probability medium special pattern 2 is terminated.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 15(b), when the actual V stock number = 1, a special chart fluctuation pattern VSP1B having a fluctuation time of 26,500 ms is determined, when the actual V stock number = 2, a special chart fluctuation pattern VSP2B having a fluctuation time of 38,500 ms is determined, and when the actual V stock number = 3, a special chart fluctuation pattern VSP3B having a fluctuation time of 50,500 ms is determined.

In this way, in this embodiment, when the pattern changes for special chart 2 during a normal chart high probability, a special chart change pattern is determined that corresponds to the actual number of V stocks at the current time.

For example, if the jackpot game that triggered the setting of this normal high probability is pattern B (the specified number of times to open is 3, and the value of the special pattern 2 reserved counter at the end of the jackpot game is 0), that is, if the actual number of V stocks is 2, the special pattern change pattern VSP2B is determined for the pattern change related to the special pattern 2 during the normal high probability. On the other hand, if the jackpot game that triggered the setting of this normal high probability is pattern C (the specified number of times to open is 2, and the value of the special pattern 2 reserved counter at the end of the jackpot game is 0), that is, if the actual number of V stocks is 1, the special pattern change pattern VSP1B is determined for the pattern change related to the special pattern 2 during the normal high probability.
According to this, when the pattern change related to the special pattern 2 is not reserved at the time when the normal pattern high probability is set, the difference in the pattern change (changing time) related to the special pattern 2 in the normal pattern high probability can make it easier to recognize the difference in the advantage (the opening prescribed number of times, the actual number of V stocks). And this leads to enhancing the effect of improving the interest in the game by the new game characteristics according to the present invention. In addition, when exerting this effect, the relationship between the length and shortness of these change patterns may be reversed.

Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, the gaming state management means (gaming state control means 155) can set a winning-easiness state (high probability of winning) in which the opening of the normal electric device (normal electric device 61), which allows a gaming ball to enter the second start port (second start port 59) once, can be generated for each normal symbol variation, triggered by the end of the jackpot game, and the result of the special symbol hit/miss judgment in the special symbol variation related to the second start port will never be a miss, and the winning-easiness state can be further set to a specified number (opening) of times that is a value equal to or less than a predetermined number (3). When the normal symbol variation of the specified number of times has ended, or when one special symbol variation related to the second starting hole has ended, the state changes from the easy-to-win state to a non-easy-to-win state (low probability of normal symbol) in which the game ball is not allowed to enter the second starting hole. The easy-to-win state includes a first easy-to-win state (high probability of normal symbol set after the end of a jackpot game related to symbol B) in which the specified number of times is the first number (3 times), and a second easy-to-win state (high probability of normal symbol set after the end of a jackpot game related to symbol C) in which the specified number of times is the second number (2 times) less than the first number. The variation pattern determination means (special pattern variation pattern derivation means 133) can determine the first variation pattern (special pattern variation pattern VSP2B) and the second variation pattern (special pattern variation pattern VSP1B) in which a variation time different from the variation time for the first variation pattern is set. In other words, when neither the special pattern variation for the first start port (first start port 57) nor the special pattern variation for the second start port is reserved at the time when the easy-to-win state is set, if the easy-to-win state is the first easy-to-win state, the second variation pattern is not determined for the special pattern variation for the second start port in the first easy-to-win state, and the first variation pattern is determined. On the other hand, when the easy-to-win state is the second easy-to-win state, the first variation pattern is not determined for the special pattern variation for the second start port in the second easy-to-win state, and the second variation pattern is determined.

In particular, in this embodiment, the special chart fluctuation pattern VSP1B corresponds to a fluctuation time that is shorter than that of the special chart fluctuation pattern VSP2B.
According to this, if the pattern change related to special chart 2 is not on hold at the time when the high probability of the normal chart is set, the time for the pattern change related to special chart 2 when the specified number of times of opening is small can be shortened, making it possible to smoothly progress in the game.

Therefore, in other words, in the gaming machine 10, the fluctuation time (26,500 ms) associated with the second fluctuation pattern (special chart fluctuation pattern VSP1B) is shorter than the fluctuation time (38,500 ms) associated with the first fluctuation pattern (special chart fluctuation pattern VSP2B).

Furthermore, as described above, with regard to the percentage of times when a high probability of a normal symbol is set at the end of a jackpot game, when a jackpot game occurs due to a pattern change related to special symbol 2, the percentage of times when a high probability of a normal symbol is set at the end of the jackpot game is higher than the percentage of times when a high probability of a normal symbol is set at the end of a jackpot game when a jackpot game occurs due to a pattern change related to special symbol 1.
This can enhance the effect of increasing interest in the game through the new game characteristics according to the present invention.
In addition, in order to achieve this effect, the rate at which a high probability of a normal symbol is set at the end of a jackpot game when a jackpot game occurs due to a pattern change related to special symbol 2 may be the same as the rate at which a high probability of a normal symbol is set at the end of a jackpot game when a jackpot game occurs due to a pattern change related to special symbol 1.

Therefore, in other words, the proportion of the easy-to-win state (normal high probability) that is set in the gaming machine 10 upon the end of a jackpot game when the jackpot game is caused by a special pattern change related to the second start port (second start port 59) is equal to or greater than the proportion of the jackpot game when the jackpot game is caused by a special pattern change related to the first start port (first start port 57).

In addition, in this embodiment, for example, if the jackpot game that triggered the setting of the normal high probability this time is pattern d (prescribed number of times to open = 3) and the value of the special chart 2 reserved counter at the end of the jackpot game is 3 (when the sum of the specified number of times to open and the value of the special chart 2 reserved counter minus 1 is 5, which is a value equal to or greater than the maximum value of the special chart 2 reserved counter), and if the jackpot game that triggered the setting of the normal high probability this time is pattern e (prescribed number of times to open = 2) and the value of the special chart 2 reserved counter at the end of the jackpot game is 3 (similarly, when the sum of the specified number of times to open and the value of the special chart 2 reserved counter minus 1 is 4, which is a value equal to or greater than the maximum value of the special chart 2 reserved counter), the same special chart change pattern (special chart change pattern VSP1A) is determined for the pattern change related to the special chart 2 during the normal high probability. In either case, the value of the special chart 2 reserved counter during the normal high probability becomes the maximum value.
This makes it easier for players to recognize that the most advantageous state (the state in which the value of the special chart 2 reserved counter is at its maximum value) has been reached.
In addition, in order to achieve this effect, it is not necessary that the special chart variation pattern determined in the former case and the special chart variation pattern determined in the latter case be identical, as in this embodiment, and these special chart variation patterns may be different.

Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, the same variation pattern (special pattern variation pattern VSP1A) can be determined in two cases: when the special pattern variation for the second start port (second start port 59) is reserved at the time when the first easy-to-win state (normal pattern high probability set after the end of the jackpot game related to pattern d) is set, and the combined value (5) of the number of special pattern variations (3-1=2) reserved for the second start port at the time when the special pattern variation for the second start port in the first easy-to-win state is started and the first number of times (3) is equal to or greater than the predetermined number (3); and when the special pattern variation for the second start port is reserved at the time when the second easy-to-win state (normal pattern high probability set after the end of the jackpot game related to pattern e) is set, and the combined value (4) of the number of special pattern variations (3-1=2) reserved for the second start port at the time when the special pattern variation for the second start port in the second easy-to-win state is started and the second number of times (2) is equal to or greater than the predetermined number.

In particular, in this embodiment, as described above, in the pattern change related to special chart 2 during a normal chart high probability, a special chart change pattern corresponding to the actual number of V stocks at the current time is determined.
This makes it difficult for the player to recognize that a game ball may enter the second starting hole 59 that does not lead to a big win game, and makes it difficult for the player to feel disappointed.
In this embodiment, in the pattern change related to the special chart 2 during the high probability of the normal chart, the actual V stock number is calculated by the above-mentioned calculation method, and the special chart change pattern corresponding to the calculated actual V stock number is set as the special chart change pattern of the pattern change related to the special chart 2 this time, but the effect is not limited to this. For example, a reference table in which a special chart change pattern is associated with each combination of values used to calculate the actual V stock number is prepared, and the special chart change pattern in the pattern change related to the special chart 2 during the high probability of the normal chart is determined using each of the values at the start of the pattern change related to the special chart 2 during the high probability of the normal chart and the reference table (the special chart change pattern corresponding to each combination of the values is derived in the reference table) without calculating the actual V stock number. However, considering the data capacity required to store the reference table, it is preferable to adopt a method of calculating the actual V stock and determining the special chart change pattern as in this embodiment.

Therefore, in other words, in the gaming machine 10, the variation pattern determination means (special pattern variation pattern derivation means 133) determines a variation pattern for the pattern variation related to the second start port (second start port 59) in an easy-to-win state (normal pattern high probability), depending on the number of special pattern variations (effective V stock number) related to the second start port that can be newly reserved in the easy-to-win state.

In this embodiment, as shown in steps S404 to S408, if the pattern change related to the special pattern 2 is not reserved at the end of the jackpot game in which the normal pattern high probability is set, the special pattern change pattern of the pattern change related to the current special pattern 2 is determined using the reference table TA. On the other hand, if the pattern change related to the special pattern 2 is reserved at the end of the jackpot game in which the normal pattern high probability is set, the special pattern change pattern of the pattern change related to the current special pattern 2 is determined using the reference table TB.
As described above, the special chart variation pattern determined using reference table TA is different from the special chart variation pattern determined using reference table TB.
According to this, by making it easier to recognize whether the pattern change related to the special pattern 2 is reserved at the time when the normal pattern high probability is set, it is possible to make it easier to recognize the difference in the advantageous degree at that time. And this leads to enhancing the effect of increasing the interest in the game by the new game characteristics according to the present invention.

Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, the gaming state management means (gaming state control means 155) can set an easy-to-win state (high probability of winning a normal pattern) in which the opening of the normal electric device (normal electric device 61), which allows a gaming ball to enter the second starting port (second starting port 59) once, can be generated for each execution of a normal pattern change, triggered by the end of a jackpot game, and the result of the special pattern hit/miss judgment in the special pattern change related to the second starting port will never be a miss, and the easy-to-win state further becomes a state in which, when a specified number of normal pattern changes (specified number of times of opening), which is a value equal to or less than a predetermined number (3), have ended, or when one special pattern change related to the second starting port has ended, the easy-to-win state does not allow a gaming ball to enter the second starting port from the easy-to-win state. In other words, when the easy-to-win state is set and a special pattern change for the first start port (first start port 57) is not reserved at the time the easy-to-win state is set, and a special pattern change for the second start port is reserved at that time, the change pattern determined for the special pattern change for the second start port that is executed in the easy-to-win state is different from the change pattern determined for the special pattern change that is executed when a game ball subsequently enters the second start port when a special pattern change for the first start port is not reserved at the time the easy-to-win state is set, and a special pattern change for the second start port is not reserved at that time.

In particular, in this embodiment, the special chart variation pattern determined using the reference table TB tends to be longer than the special chart variation pattern determined using the reference table TA. Note that this "the special chart variation pattern tends to be longer" refers to the variation time related to the special chart variation pattern being longer compared with the same actual V stock number.
This allows the game to proceed smoothly, while making it less likely that an event will occur in which, when the pattern change related to special chart 2 is put on hold at the end of a jackpot game in which a high probability of normal chart is set, that is, when the pattern change related to special chart 2 starts immediately after the end of the jackpot game, and game balls equivalent to the actual number of V stocks do not enter the second starting hole 59.

In other words, in the gaming machine 10, when the easy-to-win state (normal high probability) is set and the special pattern change for the first start port (first start port 57) is not reserved, and the special pattern change for the second start port (second start port 59) is reserved at that time, the change time for the change pattern determined for the special pattern change for the second start port executed in the easy-to-win state tends to be longer than the change time for the change pattern determined for the special pattern change executed upon the subsequent entry of a gaming ball into the second start port when the easy-to-win state is set and the special pattern change for the first start port is not reserved at that time.

Next, as shown in FIG. 16, in the first step S602 of the special pattern change pattern determination process for the normal pattern high probability special pattern 1, it is determined whether or not a jackpot has been won in the pattern change for this special pattern 1, and if the condition is met, the process proceeds to step S606, and if the condition is not met, the process proceeds to step S604.
In step S604, a special chart fluctuation pattern HTP having a fluctuation time of 500 ms is determined, and then the special chart fluctuation pattern determination process for the normal chart high probability medium special chart 1 is terminated.

In step S606, the actual V stock number at the current time is calculated.
In addition, when this process is executed, the pattern change related to the special chart 2 is not reserved, and the pattern change related to the special chart 2 is not newly executed, so except when the opening regulation number in this normal chart high probability is 4 times, the opening regulation number (which is a value of 3 times or less) is calculated as the actual V stock number. On the other hand, when the opening regulation number in this normal chart high probability is 4 times, the upper limit value of the special chart 2 reserved counter (3 in this embodiment) is calculated as the actual V stock number.

In step S608, it is determined whether the pattern change related to the current special drawing 1 is a pending consumption, and if the condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S612, and if the condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S610.
Here, the pattern change related to the current special chart 1 being reserved means that the pattern change related to the current special chart 1 is a pattern change that was already reserved in the jackpot game immediately before the pattern change was started.

In step S610, the special pattern change pattern for the pattern change related to the current special pattern 1 is determined using the reference table TA, and then the special pattern change pattern determination process for the normal pattern high probability medium special pattern 1 is terminated.
In step S612, the special pattern change pattern for the pattern change related to the current special pattern 1 is determined using the reference table TB, and then the special pattern change pattern determination process for the normal pattern high probability medium special pattern 1 is terminated.
In addition, since the details of determining the special chart variation pattern using the reference table TA or the reference table TB are the same as those already explained, the explanation thereof will be omitted.

In this embodiment, when the pattern change related to the special pattern 1 is executed during the high probability of the normal pattern, if the result of the special pattern hit/miss judgment related to the pattern change is miss, a predetermined special pattern change pattern (special pattern change pattern HTP) is determined. The special pattern change pattern is the special pattern change pattern with the shortest change time among the special pattern change patterns that can be determined during the high probability of the normal pattern (including the special pattern change pattern that can be determined in the pattern change related to the special pattern 2).
According to this, for example, even if a pattern change is executed for special chart 1 where the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment is a miss during a normal chart high probability, the game progress can be made smooth during the normal chart high probability period.

In addition, when a pattern change related to special pattern 1 is executed during a high probability of a normal pattern, if the result of the special pattern hit/miss judgment related to the pattern change is a jackpot, the special pattern change pattern is determined using the calculated actual V stock number, in the same way as when a pattern change related to special pattern 2 is executed during a high probability of a normal pattern.
According to this, even if, for example, a pattern change related to special chart 1, in which the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment is a jackpot during a high probability of a normal chart, is executed, it is possible to prevent the player from feeling uncomfortable.

<How to determine the special chart change pattern when the normal chart is low probability>
Next, using Figure 17, the details of the method for determining the special chart variation pattern during a low probability of a normal chart in this embodiment will be explained.
Figure 17 (a) shows a flow of the special pattern change pattern determination process for special pattern 2 during a normal pattern with low probability, and this process is executed by the special pattern change pattern derivation means 133 at the start of pattern change for special pattern 2 during a normal pattern with low probability.
Figure 17 (b) shows a flow of the special pattern change pattern determination process for special pattern 1 during a normal pattern with low probability, and this process is executed by the special pattern change pattern derivation means 133 at the start of pattern change for special pattern 1 during a normal pattern with low probability.

As shown in FIG. 17(a), in step S802 executed in the special chart fluctuation pattern determination process for the normal chart low probability medium special chart 2, a special chart fluctuation pattern VSP0 with a fluctuation time of 7000 ms is determined, and then the special chart fluctuation pattern determination process for the normal chart low probability medium special chart 2 is terminated.

In this way, in this embodiment, if the normal low probability is set after the end of the jackpot game and the pattern change related to the special chart 2 is reserved at the time of the end of the jackpot game, the pattern change related to the special chart 2 will be executed immediately after the end of the jackpot game. In the pattern change, a predetermined special chart change pattern (special chart change pattern VSP0) is determined regardless of the number of pattern changes related to the special chart 2 reserved at the time the pattern change starts. On the other hand, as described above, in this embodiment, if the normal high probability is set after the end of the jackpot game, the special chart change pattern changes based on the number of pattern changes related to the special chart 2 reserved at the time the pattern change related to the special chart 2 to be executed starts (more specifically, the actual V stock number is calculated taking into account the number of pattern changes related to the special chart 2 reserved at that time, and the calculated actual V stock number is used).
According to this, at the end of a jackpot game where a low probability of winning is set, the attention to the fact that the pattern change related to the special pattern 2 is reserved can be increased. This leads to an increase in the effect of increasing the interest in the game due to the new game characteristics according to the present invention.

Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, the gaming state management means (gaming state control means 155) can set a winning-easy state (high probability of winning) in which the opening of the normal electric device (normal electric device 61), which allows a gaming ball to enter the second start port (second start port 59) once, can occur for each normal pattern change, triggered by the end of the jackpot game, and the result of the special pattern hit/miss judgment in the special pattern change related to the second start port will not be a miss, and the winning-easy state will be changed from the winning-easy state to the normal pattern change when a specified number of normal pattern changes, which is a value equal to or less than a predetermined number (3), have ended, or when one special pattern change related to the second start port has ended. In other words, when a special pattern change related to the second starting port is executed in a non-easy-to-win state, a specific change pattern (special pattern change pattern VSP0) is determined regardless of the number of special pattern changes related to the second starting port that are pending at the time that the special pattern change is initiated, whereas when a special pattern change related to the second starting port is executed in a non-easy-to-win state, a specific change pattern (special pattern change pattern VSP0) is determined, regardless of the number of special pattern changes related to the second starting port that are pending at the time that the special pattern change is initiated.

In particular, in this embodiment, special chart fluctuation pattern VSP0 is a special chart fluctuation pattern with a shorter fluctuation time than any of the special chart fluctuation patterns (special chart fluctuation pattern VSP1A to special chart fluctuation pattern VSP3A, special chart fluctuation pattern VSP1B to special chart fluctuation pattern VSP3B) that can be determined by the pattern fluctuation related to special chart 2.
According to this, when the pattern change related to the special pattern 2 is reserved when the normal pattern low probability is set, the game progress can be made smooth. Furthermore, in this case, it is possible to prevent the player from feeling disappointed due to the fact that the pattern change related to the special pattern 2 is not newly reserved.

Therefore, it can be said that the specific fluctuation pattern (special pattern fluctuation pattern VSP0) is the one that has the shortest fluctuation time (7000 ms) among the fluctuation patterns that can be determined in the special pattern fluctuation related to the second starting port (second starting port 59).

Also, as shown in FIG. 17(b), in step S1002 executed in the special chart variation pattern determination process for the normal chart low probability medium special chart 1, the special chart variation pattern is determined using the special chart variation pattern lottery table and the value of the special chart 1 pending counter. Note that the method for determining the special chart variation pattern has already been explained using FIG. 9, so the explanation is omitted here.

<About the start-up prize announcement>
Next, in this embodiment, in order to let the player know that the game ball has entered the second starting hole 59 in the normal high probability state, the start winning notification can be executed when the game ball has entered the second starting hole 59. The details will be described below with reference to Figures 18 and 19.
18 is a flow of the start winning notification control process, and this process is executed by the normal performance control means 220 during a normal high probability. In particular, since this process is not executed during a normal low probability, even if a game ball enters the second start hole 59 during a normal low probability due to fraud or the like, the start winning notification in this embodiment is not executed.
In addition, Figures 19(a) to 19(c) are specific examples showing the notification mode of the start winning notification or whether or not the notification is executed, with Figure 19(a) showing a specific example when the start winning notification of notification mode H1 is executed, Figure 19(b) showing a specific example when the start winning notification of notification mode H2 is executed, and Figure 19(c) showing a specific example when the start winning notification is not executed.

As shown in Figure 18, in the first step S1202 of the start winning notification control process which executes control regarding the start winning notification, it is determined whether or not a game ball has entered the second start port 59, and if the condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S1204, and if the condition is not satisfied, the start winning notification control process is terminated.
In step S1204, it is determined whether the notification restriction flag is ON or not, and if the condition is satisfied, the start winning notification control process is terminated, and if the condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S1206. Here, the notification restriction flag, if ON, is a flag that terminates the start winning notification control process without setting the performance data related to the start winning notification. Therefore, the flag functions as a flag for determining whether or not to execute the start winning notification.
In step S1206, it is determined whether the special drawing 2 reserved counter = 3, i.e., whether the special drawing 2 reserved counter has reached its upper limit value of 3. If the condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S1210; if the condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S1208.

In step S1208, the effect data for the start winning notification of the notification mode H1 is set, and then the start winning notification control process is terminated. As a result, the start winning notification of the notification mode H1 is executed.
Here, the start winning notification of notification mode H1 is the notification mode shown in Fig. 19(a). Specifically, as shown on the right side of Fig. 19(a), a telop image stg1 including the characters "V Stock" is displayed in the display area related to the main display unit 81, and the sound "V Stock" is output from the speaker 33. Note that this start winning notification ends after a certain period of time (3000 ms in this embodiment) has elapsed, regardless of the notification mode.
In addition, before the start winning notification of the notification mode H1 is executed, a first right hit notification is executed to prompt the launch of the game ball into the second start hole 59. Specifically, as shown on the left side of Fig. 19 (a), a caption image ntg1 including the text "Aim for the electric chute!" is displayed in the display area related to the main display unit 81, and a voice saying "Aim for the electric chute" is output from the speaker 33. In this embodiment, the first right hit notification is started at the end of the normal pattern variation in which a normal hit is derived in the normal pattern high probability, and is ended at the end of the opening of the normal electric role 61.

In step S1210, the effect data for the start winning notification of the notification mode H2 is set, whereby the start winning notification of the notification mode H2 is executed.
Here, the start winning notification of the notification mode H2 is the notification mode shown in Fig. 19(b). Specifically, as shown on the right side of Fig. 19(b), a telop image stg2 including the word "MAX" is displayed in the display area related to the main display unit 81, and the voice "MAX" is output from the speaker 33.
In addition, before the start winning notification of notification mode H2 is executed, a first right-hit notification is executed to encourage the launch of the game ball into the second starting hole 59, in the same manner as before the start winning notification of notification mode H1 is executed.

In step S1212, the notification restriction flag is set to ON, and then the start winning notification control process is terminated.
Here, the notification restriction flag functions as a flag for determining whether or not to execute the start winning notification, as described above. Therefore, when the notification restriction flag is OFF, the start winning notification is executed when the game ball enters the second start hole 59, as shown in Figures 19(a) and 19(b).
On the other hand, when the notification restriction flag is ON, as shown on the right side of Fig. 19(c), the start winning notification is not executed even if the game ball enters the second starting hole 59. Furthermore, as shown on the left side of Fig. 19(c), in this case, the above-mentioned first right-hit notification is not executed even if the normal electric role 61 is opened. However, in either situation, a telop image mtg that is smaller than the other telop images and includes the word "MAX" is displayed in the display area related to the main display unit 81. Also, the display of the telop image mtg is started when the display of the telop image stg2 shown in Fig. 19(b) ends.
In this embodiment, after the notification restriction flag is turned ON, the notification restriction flag is set to OFF when the value of the special chart 2 pending counter becomes smaller than the upper limit value of 3 due to the pattern change related to special chart 2 being executed, etc.

Thus, in this embodiment, before the value of the special chart 2 reserved counter reaches the upper limit (the notification restriction flag is OFF) in the normal chart high probability state, the start winning notification is executed every time a game ball enters the second start hole 59. On the other hand, after the value of the special chart 2 reserved counter reaches the upper limit (the notification restriction flag is ON), the start winning notification is not executed even if a game ball enters the second start hole 59.
This makes it difficult for the player to recognize the entry of the game ball into the second starting hole 59, which is unrelated to the degree of advantage (occurrence of a jackpot game), and makes it difficult for the player to feel disappointed.

Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, the notification control means (normal presentation control means 220) can execute a start winning notification that can identify the occurrence of a winning ball when the game ball enters the second start port (second start port 59). In other words, in the easy-to-win state (normal high probability), before the number of reserved special pattern changes related to the second start port (the value of the special pattern 2 reserved counter) reaches a predetermined number (3), the start winning notification is executed each time a game ball enters the second start port, whereas in the easy-to-win state, after the number of reserved special pattern changes related to the second start port reaches the predetermined number, the start winning notification is not executed even if a game ball enters the second start port.

In particular, in this embodiment, before the value of the special chart 2 reserved counter reaches the upper limit value in the normal chart high probability state (the notification restriction flag is OFF), the start winning notification of notification mode H1 is executed every time a game ball enters the second start hole 59. On the other hand, when the value of the special chart 2 reserved counter reaches the upper limit value (the notification restriction flag is ON), the start winning notification of notification mode H2 is executed in response to the entry of a game ball into the second start hole 59.
This makes it easier for the player to recognize that the special chart 2 reserved counter has reached its upper limit (the most advantageous state) when the game ball enters the second starting hole 59.

Also, as in this embodiment, it is preferable to configure the above-mentioned start winning notification to be executed or not depending on the state of the notification restriction flag. However, in order to achieve the effect of making the above-mentioned player feel less disappointed, in the normal high probability, the start winning notification can be executed both before the value of the special chart 2 reserved counter reaches the upper limit value and after the value of the special chart 2 reserved counter reaches the upper limit value, and the notification mode of the start winning notification in the former case and the notification mode of the start winning notification in the latter case (more specifically, the notification mode different from both the notification mode H1 and the notification mode H2) may be made different.
In particular, in this modified example, it is preferable that the time required for executing the initial winning notification in the latter case is shorter than the time required for executing the initial winning notification in the former case.

Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, the notification control means (normal presentation control means 220) can execute a start winning notification that can identify the occurrence of a winning ball when the game ball enters the second start port (second start port 59), and the notification modes for the start winning notification include a first notification mode and a second notification mode. In other words, in the easy-to-win state (normal high probability), before the number of reserved special pattern variations related to the second start port (the value of the special pattern 2 reserved counter) reaches a predetermined number (3), the start winning notification of the first notification mode is executed each time a game ball enters the second start port, while in the easy-to-win state, after the number of reserved special pattern variations related to the second start port reaches a predetermined number, the start winning notification of the second notification mode is executed each time a game ball enters the second start port.

Furthermore, in other words, in the gaming machine 10, the execution time of the start winning notification in the second notification mode is shorter than the execution time of the start winning notification in the first notification mode.

In addition, in this embodiment, as described above, before the value of the special chart 2 reserved counter reaches the upper limit value (the notification restriction flag is OFF) in the normal chart high probability, the first right hit notification is executed every time the normal electric role 61 is opened. On the other hand, after the value of the special chart 2 reserved counter reaches the upper limit value (the notification restriction flag is ON), the first right hit notification is not executed even if the normal electric role 61 is opened.
This makes it difficult for the game ball to enter the second starting hole 59, which is unrelated to the degree of advantage (occurrence of a jackpot game), and makes it difficult for the player to feel disappointed.
In order to achieve this effect, the first right-hit notification is not a notification mode that prompts the launch of a game ball into the normal electric device 61 as in this embodiment, but in addition to or instead of this notification mode, it may be a notification mode that makes it possible to specify the remaining opening time of the normal electric device 61 (for example, one that uses a meter to show the remaining opening time).

Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, the notification control means (normal performance control means 220) is capable of executing a feature opening notification (first right hit notification) that notifies the player that a normal electric feature (normal electric feature 61) will be opened or that the normal electric feature is currently open. In other words, in the easy-to-win state (normal high probability), the feature opening notification is configured to be executable before the number of reserved special pattern variations related to the second start port (second start port 59) reaches a predetermined number (3), whereas in the easy-to-win state, the feature opening notification is not executed after the number of reserved special pattern variations related to the second start port reaches a predetermined number.

<Regarding notification of end of fluctuation>
Next, in this embodiment, in order to cause a big win game to occur following a small win game by passing a game ball through the V winning area, it is possible to execute a fluctuation end notification. The details will be described below with reference to Figures 20 to 22.
FIG. 20 is a specific example showing the flow of executing a change end notification when the pattern change related to special pattern 2 from which a small win has been derived ends.
Figure 21 is a timing chart showing the flow of executing multiple types of notifications including a change end notification when the pattern change related to special chart 2 from which a small win has been derived ends.
FIG. 22 is a timing chart showing the flow of executing multiple types of notifications including a change end notification when the pattern change related to special chart 2 from which a jackpot has been derived ends.

First, when the pattern change related to the special chart 2 from which the small win was derived ends, a change end notification is executed. Specifically, as shown in the left end of FIG. 20, the notification is performed by displaying a telop image ktg including the characters "V Open" in the display area related to the main display unit 81 and by outputting a sound "V Open" from the speaker 33.
In particular, as shown in Fig. 21, the change end notification is started at a timing T1 before the timing when the pattern change related to the special chart 2 from which the small win was derived ends. Then, the change end notification ends at a timing when a time T2 shorter than the time T1 has elapsed since the change end notification started. Therefore, the notification functions as something that can identify the end of the pattern change related to the special chart 2.

After that, when the pattern variation related to the special chart 2 ends, a second right-hit notification is executed to prompt the launch of the game ball into the big winning hole 55. Specifically, as shown in the center of Fig. 20, the notification is such that a caption image ntg2 including the text "Aim for V!" is displayed in the display area related to the main display unit 81, and a voice saying "Aim for V" is output from the speaker 33.
In this embodiment, the second right hit notification ends when the game ball passes through the V winning area as shown in Fig. 21. The notification also ends when the small win game ends due to the passage of time (when this ending condition is adopted, the big win game does not occur).

Furthermore, when the game ball passes through the V winning area, a V acquisition notification is executed to notify the occurrence of the event. Specifically, as shown on the right side of FIG. 20, the notification is made by displaying a caption image vtg containing the words "V Acquired" in the display area related to the main display unit 81, and by playing the sound "V Acquired" from the speaker 33.

On the other hand, when the pattern change related to the special chart 2 from which a big hit has been derived ends, as shown in Figure 22, a change end notification is executed in the same way as when the pattern change related to the special chart 2 from which a small hit has been derived ends, but the above-mentioned second right hit notification and V acquisition notification are not executed.
Specifically, the variation end notification shown in Fig. 22 is started at a timing T1 before the timing when the pattern variation related to the special pattern 2 from which the jackpot was derived ends. Then, the variation end notification ends at a timing when a time T2 shorter than the time T1 has elapsed since the variation end notification started.
It should be noted that time T1 in Fig. 22 is the same as time T1 shown in Fig. 21. The same is true for time T2.

In this way, in this embodiment, when a small win is derived in the pattern change related to special chart 2, the notification of the end of the change is initiated at the same timing when a large win is derived in the pattern change related to special chart 2.
According to this, by making it easier for the player to recognize the end of the pattern change related to special chart 2, if a small win has been derived in the pattern change, it becomes easier to cause a big win game to occur by passing the game ball through the V winning area in the small win game related to the small win.

Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, the notification control means (normal presentation control means 220) is capable of executing a notification of the end of the change that can identify the end of the special pattern change related to the second start port (second start port 59), and in other words, the notification of the end of the change is initiated at the same timing when a small win is derived by the special pattern hit/miss judgment in the special pattern change related to the second start port and when a big win is derived by the special pattern hit/miss judgment in the special pattern change related to the second start port.

Although omitted in the above explanation, the time T1 and the time T2 are constant in length, including the pattern change related to the special pattern 2 during the normal pattern low probability (when there is no actual V stock), regardless of the actual number of V stocks. Therefore, the time T1 is shorter than 7000 ms, which is the change time corresponding to the special pattern change pattern VSP0. In particular, in this embodiment, 5000 ms is adopted as the time T1, and this 5000 ms is longer than 500 ms, which is the change time corresponding to the special pattern change pattern HTP.
Furthermore, time T2 does not have to exist (time T2 = 0 may be possible), but in this embodiment, 1000 ms is adopted as time T2, which is longer than the fluctuation time of 500 ms corresponding to the special chart fluctuation pattern HTP.
In addition, the above content is also the same when a jackpot is derived in the pattern variation related to the special pattern 1 during the normal pattern high probability. That is, in that case, the variation end notification is executed along the flow shown in FIG.

<Additional Explanation of the Present Embodiment and Other Modifications>
Modifications not mentioned in the above description are listed below.
First, in the normal high probability/medium probability/normal low probability transition processing described using Figure 11, the opening counter is incremented each time the normal electric device 61 is opened and a determination is made as to whether or not the opening counter matches the specified number of times to be opened (steps S206, S208) to determine whether or not the number of times the normal electric device 61 has been opened has reached the specified number of times to be opened. However, this part may also be changed so that the initial value of the opening counter is set to the specified number of times to subtract the opening counter each time the normal electric device 61 is opened to determine whether or not the opening counter matches 0.
Also, in this embodiment, the high probability of a regular drawing does not end by the execution of a pattern change of special drawing 1, but in addition to the conditions for ending the high probability of a regular drawing in this embodiment, the high probability of a regular drawing may also be ended by the completion of the execution of pattern changes of special drawing 1 a predetermined number of times (for example, 10 times, and this value is preferably greater than 4, which is the maximum value of the special drawing 1 pending counter) since a new high probability of a regular drawing is set.

12 and 13, this embodiment is configured so that the larger the number of rounds of the jackpot game that occurs in each of the pattern fluctuations related to the special pattern 1 and the pattern fluctuations related to the special pattern 2, the larger the expected value of the opening regulation number of times related to the high probability of the normal pattern set at the end of the jackpot game. Here, the expected value refers to the total value obtained by multiplying the occurrence rate of each of the multiple types of target values.
Furthermore, in the pattern variation related to the special chart 2, the expected value of the opening regulation number of times related to the normal chart high probability set at the opportunity of the end of the jackpot game caused by the jackpot being derived is configured to be larger than the expected value of the opening regulation number of times related to the normal chart high probability set at the opportunity of the end of the jackpot game caused by the jackpot being derived. In particular, it is configured so that the normal chart high probability is always set at the end of the jackpot game caused by the jackpot being derived in the pattern variation related to the special chart 2.

Next, as shown in FIG. 15, for example, the fluctuation time (26,500 ms) associated with the special chart fluctuation pattern (special chart fluctuation pattern VSP1B) corresponding to actual V stock number = 1 in reference table TB is longer than the fluctuation time (23,000 ms) associated with the special chart fluctuation pattern (special chart fluctuation pattern VSP1A) corresponding to actual V stock number = 1 in reference table TA, and is also longer than the fluctuation time (32,000 ms) associated with the special chart fluctuation pattern (special chart fluctuation pattern VSP2A) corresponding to actual V stock number = 2 in reference table TA. In other words, in terms of the tendency of the fluctuation time, in the range where the actual V stock number value is the same, the fluctuation time determined by reference table TB is longer than the fluctuation time determined by reference table TA, and it can be said that the greater the actual V stock number is, regardless of which reference table is used, the longer the fluctuation time determined.

Also, although it was omitted in the above description, in the normal pattern high probability, the pattern change related to the normal pattern (the one in which the normal pattern hit is derived) ends 1000 ms after the start of the pattern change, and the stopped pattern in the pattern change is maintained for the next 2000 ms, and the normal electric device 61 is opened when the 2000 ms have passed. The opening of the normal electric device 61 continues for a maximum of 6500 ms (the maximum time when no game ball enters the second starting hole 59), and after the opening ends, an opening interval period of 7000 ms is provided. That is, in this embodiment, the period from the start of the pattern change related to one normal pattern to the end of the opening of the normal electric device 61 in the pattern change is a maximum of 9500 ms.
In contrast to this, in this embodiment, the fluctuation time (23,000 ms) adopted when the actual V stock number is 1 when reference table TA is used, and the fluctuation time (26,500 ms) adopted when reference table TB is used when the actual V stock number is 1 are both configured to be sufficiently longer than the longest time of 9,500 ms, making it easier for the game ball to enter the second starting hole 59 even in situations where the start of the game ball's launch immediately after the end of a jackpot game is likely to be delayed.

In addition, in the new gameplay according to the present invention, since the execution of the pattern change according to the special chart 2, that is, the entry of a game ball into the second starting hole 59, always leads to a jackpot game, it is necessary to suppress the occurrence of a situation in which multiple game balls enter by one opening of the normal electric device 61. Therefore, in this embodiment, as described above, control is executed to end the opening of the normal electric device 61 upon the entry of a game ball into the second starting hole 59. For this purpose, the structure of the normal electric device 61 may be further devised.
Specifically, a tongue-shaped plate member on which the game ball rolls on the upper surface and is guided to the second starting hole 59 may be adopted for the normal electric device, and the plate member may be controlled so as to appear on the game board 50 when the device is opened and not to appear on the game board 50 when the device is closed. With this configuration, it is possible to further prevent the occurrence of a situation in which a game ball behind the game ball that triggered the closure reaches the second starting hole 59 when the normal electric device is closed.

Furthermore, each notification described in this embodiment does not necessarily have to be realized by an image and sound, but may be realized by either an image or sound alone, or may be realized by another device such as lighting a lamp, or may be realized by a combination of these devices.

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

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

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

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

<Additional Notes>
The present embodiment encompasses the following technical idea.
(1)
A gaming machine capable of launching a game ball, capable of executing a special pattern change based on the game ball entering a first start port or a second start port into which the game ball can enter by opening a normal electric device, executing a special pattern hit/miss judgment including a judgment of whether or not a small hit will be won with the start of the special pattern change, and when the small hit is derived by the special pattern hit/miss judgment, starting a small hit game after the special pattern change for which the special pattern hit/miss judgment was executed ends, and when the game ball reaches a specific area in the small hit game, starting a big hit game after the small hit game ends, capable of suspending the start of the special pattern change related to the second start port up to a predetermined number, capable of executing a normal pattern change based on the game ball reaching the specified area, executing a normal pattern hit/miss judgment to determine whether or not a normal hit will be won with the start of the normal pattern change, and opening the normal electric device when the normal hit is won by the normal pattern hit/miss judgment,
A game status management means for managing a game status;
A variation pattern determination means for determining a variation pattern in which a variation time required for executing a special symbol variation is set;
Equipped with
The game state management means can set a winning-prone state in which the opening of the normal electric device, which allows a game ball to enter the second starting hole once, can be generated every time a normal pattern variation is performed, when the jackpot game ends, and
The result of the special pattern hit/miss judgment in the special pattern fluctuation related to the second starting port is not a miss,
The easy-to-win state is further changed to a non-easy-to-win state in which the entry of a game ball into the second start hole is not permitted from the easy-to-win state when a specified number of normal symbol variations, which is equal to or less than the predetermined number, have ended, or when one special symbol variation relating to the second start hole has ended,
The easy-to-win state includes a first easy-to-win state in which the specified number of times is a first number of times, and a second easy-to-win state in which the specified number of times is a second number of times that is less than the first number of times,
The fluctuation pattern determination means is capable of determining, as the fluctuation pattern, a first fluctuation pattern and a second fluctuation pattern in which a fluctuation time different from the fluctuation time related to the first fluctuation pattern is determined;
When the winning-prone state is set, neither the special symbol fluctuation related to the first start port nor the special symbol fluctuation related to the second start port is reserved,
When the easy-to-win state is the first easy-to-win state, the second variation pattern is not determined for the special symbol variation related to the second starting port in the first easy-to-win state, and the first variation pattern can be determined.
When the easy-to-win state is the second easy-to-win state, the first variation pattern is not determined for the special symbol variation related to the second starting port in the second easy-to-win state, and the second variation pattern is determined.
Regarding the rate of the easy-to-win state set at the end of the jackpot game, the rate in the case where the jackpot game is caused by a special pattern variation related to the second starting port is equal to or higher than the rate in the case where the jackpot game is caused by a special pattern variation related to the first starting port.
A gaming machine characterized by:
(2)
The gaming machine according to (1) above,
The fluctuation time related to the second fluctuation pattern is shorter than the fluctuation time related to the first fluctuation pattern.
A gaming machine characterized by:
(3)
The gaming machine according to (1) or (2) above,
The same variation pattern can be determined in the following cases: when the special pattern variation related to the second start port is reserved at the time when the first easy-to-win state is set, and the total value of the number of special pattern variations related to the second start port reserved at the time when the special pattern variation related to the second start port in the first easy-to-win state is started and the first number of times is equal to or greater than the predetermined number; and when the special pattern variation related to the second start port is reserved at the time when the second easy-to-win state is set, and the total value of the number of special pattern variations related to the second start port reserved at the time when the special pattern variation related to the second start port in the second easy-to-win state is started and the second number of times is equal to or greater than the predetermined number.
A gaming machine characterized by:
(4)
The gaming machine according to (3) above,
The variation pattern determination means determines the variation pattern according to the number of special pattern variations related to the second starting port that can be newly reserved in the easy-to-win state for the pattern variations related to the second starting port in the easy-to-win state.
A gaming machine characterized by:
(5)
A gaming machine according to any one of (1) to (4) above,
A notification means;
A notification control means for controlling the notification means;
Equipped with
The notification control means is capable of executing a start winning notification capable of identifying the occurrence of a winning when a game ball enters the second starting hole,
In the winning-easiness state, before the number of reserved special symbol variations related to the second start port reaches the predetermined number, the start winning notification is executed every time a game ball enters the second start port,
In the winning-easiness state, after the number of reserved special symbol variations related to the second start port reaches the predetermined number, the start winning notification is not executed even if a game ball enters the second start port.
A gaming machine characterized by:
(6)
The gaming machine according to any one of (1) to (5) above,
A notification means;
A notification control means for controlling the notification means;
Equipped with
The notification control means is capable of executing a feature opening notification that notifies the user that the normal electric feature is being opened or that the normal electric feature is being opened;
In the winning-prone state, before the number of reserved special pattern variations related to the second starting port reaches the predetermined number, the device opening notification is configured to be executable,
In the winning-prone state, after the number of reserved special symbol variations related to the second starting port reaches the predetermined number, the reel opening notification is not executed.
A gaming machine characterized by:
(a)
A gaming machine according to any one of (1) to (4) above,
A notification means;
A notification control means for controlling the notification means;
Equipped with
The notification control means is capable of executing a start winning notification capable of identifying the occurrence of a winning when a game ball enters the second starting hole,
The notification mode relating to the start winning notification includes a first notification mode and a second notification mode,
In the winning-easiness state, before the number of reserved special symbol variations related to the second start port reaches the predetermined number, the start winning notification of the first notification mode is executed every time a game ball enters the second start port,
In the winning-easiness state, after the number of reserved special symbol variations related to the second start port reaches the predetermined number, the start winning notification of the second notification mode is executed every time a game ball enters the second start port.
A gaming machine characterized by:
(b)
A gaming machine according to claim 1,
The execution time of the start winning notification in the second notification mode is shorter than the execution time of the start winning notification in the first notification mode.
A gaming machine characterized by:

10 Gaming machine 15 Outer frame 17 Middle frame 20 Front frame 21 Hinge mechanism 22 Movable decorative body 23 Cylinder lock 25 Transparent member 27 Upper ball tray 29 Lower ball tray 31 Operation handle 32 Upper frame portion 33 (33a, 33b) Speaker 34a, 34b Left and right side frame portions 35 (35a, 35b, 35c) Frame lamp 36 Ball removal mechanism 37 Performance button 38 Cursor button 38a Up cursor button 38b Down cursor button 38c Left cursor button 38d Right cursor button 38e Center cursor button 39 Main operation portion 39a Ball loan button 39b Return button 40 Power switch 43 RAM clear switch 46 Gaming ball tank 47 Tank rail 48 Payout unit 49 Payout passage 50 Gaming board 50a Gaming area 51 Outer rail 52 Windmill 53 Inner rail 54, protective member 55, large prize opening 57, first start opening 59, second start opening 61, normal electric role 62, normal electric role solenoid 63, gate 65, special electric role 66, special electric role solenoid 67, general prize opening 69, outlet opening 70, first start opening sensor 71, second start opening sensor 72, large prize opening sensor 73, general prize opening sensor 74, gate sensor 75, out ball sensor 76, middle frame door open sensor 77, front frame door open sensor 80, performance display device 81, main display section 82, sub-display section 82a, upper sub-display section 82b, left sub-display section 82c, right sub-display section 90, pattern display device 91, first special pattern display device 92, second special pattern display device 93, normal pattern display device 94, first special pattern hold lamp 95, second special pattern hold lamp 96, normal pattern hold lamp 100, main control board 101, CPU
102 ROM
103 RAM
104 I/O port 105 Random number circuit 109 Main control board case 110 Ball entry determination means 115 Main random number generation means 120 Main hold control means 125 Advance determination means 130 Special chart lottery means 131 Special chart win/loss determination means 132 Special chart stop pattern lottery means 133 Special chart change pattern derivation means 135 Regular chart lottery means 140 Big win game control means 145 Pattern display control means 150 Electric role control means 155 Game state control means 160 Main information storage means 165 Main error control means 170 Main command management means 175 Power restoration process execution means 176 Recovery state setting means 179 Playable state transition means 180 Power cut process execution means 200 First sub-control board 201 CPU
202 ROM
203 RAM
204 I/O port 209 First sub-control board case 210 Sub-random number generation means 220 Normal presentation control means 221 Presentation mode control means 222 Presentation route determination means 223 Sub-hold control means 224 Pre-reading presentation control means 225 Presentation content determination means 226 Decoration pattern control means 227 Big win presentation control means 230 Sub-error control means 240 Lamp control means 245 Movable role control means 260 Sub-information storage means 270 Sub-command management means 300 Second sub-control board 301 CPU
302 ROM
303 RAM
304 I/O port 309 Second sub-control board case 310 Audio control board 311 CPU
312 ROM
313 RAM
314 I/O port 400 Dispensing control board 409 Dispensing control board case 500 Power supply control board 501 Normal power supply circuit 502 Backup power supply circuit 503 Power interruption detection circuit 509 Power supply control board case 821 Display area 822 Display area X First flow path Y Second flow path stg1 Caption image stg2 Caption image ntg1 Caption image ntg2 Caption image mtg Caption image ktg Caption image vtg Caption image

Claims (1)

A gaming machine capable of launching a game ball, capable of executing a special pattern change based on the game ball entering a first start port or a second start port into which the game ball can enter by opening a normal electric device, executing a special pattern hit/miss judgment including a judgment of whether or not a small hit will be won with the start of the special pattern change, and when the small hit is derived by the special pattern hit/miss judgment, starting a small hit game after the special pattern change for which the special pattern hit/miss judgment was executed ends, and when the game ball reaches a specific area in the small hit game, starting a big hit game after the small hit game ends, capable of suspending the start of the special pattern change related to the second start port up to a predetermined number, capable of executing a normal pattern change based on the game ball reaching the specified area, executing a normal pattern hit/miss judgment to determine whether or not a normal hit will be won with the start of the normal pattern change, and opening the normal electric device when the normal hit is won by the normal pattern hit/miss judgment,
A game status management means for managing a game status;
A variation pattern determination means for determining a variation pattern in which a variation time required for executing a special symbol variation is set;
Equipped with
The game state management means can set a winning-prone state in which the opening of the normal electric device, which allows a game ball to enter the second starting hole once, can be generated every time a normal pattern variation is performed, when the jackpot game ends, and
The result of the special pattern hit/miss judgment in the special pattern fluctuation related to the second starting port is not a miss,
The easy-to-win state is further changed to a non-easy-to-win state in which the entry of a game ball into the second start hole is not permitted from the easy-to-win state when a specified number of normal symbol variations, which is equal to or less than the predetermined number, have ended, or when one special symbol variation relating to the second start hole has ended,
The easy-to-win state includes a first easy-to-win state in which the specified number of times is a first number of times, and a second easy-to-win state in which the specified number of times is a second number of times that is less than the first number of times,
The fluctuation pattern determination means is capable of determining, as the fluctuation pattern, a first fluctuation pattern and a second fluctuation pattern in which a fluctuation time different from the fluctuation time related to the first fluctuation pattern is determined;
When the easy-to-win state is set, if neither the special symbol fluctuation related to the first start port nor the special symbol fluctuation related to the second start port is reserved,
When the easy-to-win state is the first easy-to-win state, the second variation pattern is not determined for the special symbol variation related to the second starting port in the first easy-to-win state, and the first variation pattern is determined.
When the easy-to-win state is the second easy-to-win state, the first variation pattern is not determined for the special symbol variation related to the second starting port in the second easy-to-win state, and the second variation pattern is determined.
Regarding the ratio of the easy-to-win state set at the timing of the end of the jackpot game, the ratio when the jackpot game is caused by a special pattern variation related to the second starting port is equal to or greater than the ratio when the jackpot game is caused by a special pattern variation related to the first starting port,
The same variation pattern can be determined in the following cases: when the special pattern variation related to the second start port is reserved at the time when the first easy-to-win state is set, and the total value of the number of special pattern variations related to the second start port reserved at the time when the special pattern variation related to the second start port in the first easy-to-win state is started and the first number of times is equal to or greater than the predetermined number; and when the special pattern variation related to the second start port is reserved at the time when the second easy-to-win state is set, and the total value of the number of special pattern variations related to the second start port reserved at the time when the special pattern variation related to the second start port in the second easy-to-win state is started and the second number of times is equal to or greater than the predetermined number .
The variation pattern determination means further determines the variation pattern according to the number of special pattern variations related to the second starting port that can be newly reserved in the winning-easiness state for the pattern variations related to the second starting port in the winning-easiness state.
A gaming machine characterized by:

Images