JP5931109B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine including an opening / closing member that is driven to open and close by a solenoid.

  Many gaming machines provided with various opening / closing members (mainly accessories) driven to open / close by a solenoid are provided. There is an electric tulip that opens and closes a prize opening as one of the objects that are opened and closed. In general, the electric tulip is opened when the solenoid for driving the electric tulip is energized and closed when the energization of the solenoid is stopped (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).

JP 2011-87860 A

  The solenoid generates heat when energized. For this reason, when energizing the solenoid, generally, a voltage is applied for a certain time (on time) to energize the solenoid, and then the cooling time (off time) for cooling the solenoid by stopping the voltage application. ) Must be provided.

  Normally, the upper limit of the ratio between the on time and the off time (hereinafter also referred to as “duty ratio”) is set for the solenoid. If energization exceeding the upper limit is performed, the solenoid will overheat and malfunction (for example, burnout) )

  Therefore, for example, when the electric tulips are repeatedly opened and closed repeatedly, even if an attempt is made to set the opening time as long as possible and conversely set the closing time to be short, there are cases where the upper limit of the duty ratio is limited.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to enable various continuous opening / closing operations of the opening / closing member while suppressing the temperature rise of the solenoid.

  The present invention employs the following configuration in order to solve the above problems. Note that the reference numerals in parentheses and supplementary explanations in this column show the correspondence with the embodiments described later in order to help understanding of the present invention, and do not limit the present invention at all. .

  The gaming machine (1) of the present invention includes an opening / closing member (124), an opening / closing drive mechanism (700), and an energization control unit (301a, 1000). The opening / closing member is a member capable of opening / closing the winning opening (123). The opening / closing drive mechanism has a solenoid (307) and is a mechanism that drives the opening / closing member to open / close by the solenoid. The energization control unit controls energization to the solenoid.

The open / close drive mechanism is configured so that the open / close member is closed while the solenoid is in a non-excited state, and when the solenoid is operated in an excited state, the open / close member is open during the operation. The energization control unit energizes the solenoid with a first excitation current that can change the open / close member from the closed state to the open state when the open / close member in the closed state is opened for a predetermined period. The initial drive energization is performed to shift to the open state, and after the initial drive energization, the energization is performed by holding the solenoid with a second excitation current that is lower than the first excitation current. It said opening and closing member in the state when a short period opened than the predetermined time period does not perform the holding current.

  In the present invention, the energization control unit may include a power source unit (1001, 1002), a switch unit (1003), and a switch control unit (301a) that controls the switch unit. The power supply unit generates a first power supply voltage having a predetermined voltage value and a second power supply voltage lower than the first power supply voltage. The switch unit is provided to selectively apply one of the first power supply voltage and the second power supply voltage to the solenoid. The switch control unit applies a first power supply voltage to the solenoid during initial drive energization, and applies a second power supply voltage to the solenoid during holding energization. Thus, the second exciting current is energized.

  In the present invention, the energization control unit includes a power supply unit (3201) that generates a power supply voltage having a predetermined voltage value, and a supply unit (3202) that supplies power from the power supply unit to the solenoid. The energization current from the unit to the solenoid may be configured to increase to the first excitation current after the start of energization, and then continuously decrease to the second excitation current.

  In the present invention, an open state detecting unit (307a) for detecting the open state of the opening / closing member is provided, and the energization control unit detects the open state of the opening / closing member by the open state detecting unit after starting the initial drive energization. In this case, the initial drive energization may be switched to the holding energization.

  According to the present invention, when the opening / closing member is changed from the closed state to the open state, the first excitation current is applied. However, after the opening / closing member is opened by the application of the first excitation current, the first excitation current is directly applied. Rather than energizing the excitation current, the open state is maintained by a second excitation current lower than the first excitation current. Since the energization current is kept low during the holding period, the temperature rise of the solenoid can be suppressed accordingly. Further, by suppressing the temperature rise of the solenoid, for example, when continuously opening and closing the opening / closing member, the opening time per time is set longer or the closing time per time is shorter. It is possible to set the number of continuous operations for opening and closing.

  Therefore, according to the gaming machine of the present invention, it is possible to realize various continuous opening / closing operations of the opening / closing member while suppressing the temperature rise of the solenoid.

It is a schematic front view of the gaming machine 1 of the embodiment. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of a display device 111. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a gaming machine 1. (A) illustrates the jackpot determination table of the first special symbol, (B) illustrates the jackpot determination table of the second special symbol, and (C) is an explanatory diagram illustrating the hit determination table of the normal symbol. (A) illustrates the symbol determination table for jackpot, (B) illustrates the ratio of 15R jackpot, and (C) is an explanatory diagram illustrating the symbol determination table for lose. It is explanatory drawing which illustrates the table for the determination of a fluctuation pattern. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance structure of the electric tulip drive unit 700. FIG. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of an electric tulip drive unit 700. (A) is a front view which shows the state of the electric tulip 124 in a closed posture, (b) is a front view which shows the state of the electric tulip 124 in an open posture. (A) is a circuit diagram showing a specific circuit configuration of the starter opening / closing solenoid 307 and the solenoid drive circuit 1000 that drives the starter opening / closing solenoid 307, and (B) is a time chart showing an operation example of the solenoid drive circuit 1000. 3 is a flowchart showing main processing executed by a main CPU 301a of the main control board 300. 5 is a flowchart showing a recovery process executed by the main CPU 301a of the main control board 300. 5 is a flowchart showing a power interruption monitoring process executed by the main CPU 301a of the main control board 300. 5 is a flowchart showing a timer interrupt process executed by the main CPU 301a of the main control board 300. 4 is a flowchart showing a switch process executed by the main CPU 301a of the main control board 300. 3 is a flowchart showing a first starter switch process executed by a main CPU 301a of the main control board 300. 7 is a flowchart showing a second starter switch process executed by the main CPU 301a of the main control board 300. 4 is a flowchart showing a gate switch process executed by a main CPU 301a of the main control board 300. 5 is a flowchart showing special symbol processing executed by the main CPU 301a of the main control board 300. 7 is a flowchart showing a jackpot determination process executed by the main CPU 301a of the main control board 300. 5 is a flowchart showing a variation pattern table selection process executed by the main CPU 301a of the main control board 300. 7 is a flowchart showing a stop process executed by the main CPU 301a of the main control board 300. 3 is a flowchart showing normal symbol processing executed by a main CPU 301a of the main control board 300. 5 is a flowchart showing an electric tulip process executed by the main CPU 301a of the main control board 300. 4 is a flowchart showing an electric tulip drive process executed by the main CPU 301a of the main control board 300. 7 is a flowchart showing a big prize device opening control process executed by a main CPU 301a of the main control board 300. 7 is a flowchart showing a game state setting process executed by the main CPU 301a of the main control board 300. 10 is a flowchart showing a timer interrupt process executed by a sub CPU 320a of the effect control board 320. 10 is a flowchart showing command processing executed by a sub CPU 320a of the effect control board 320. 12 is a flowchart showing a hold-related process executed by a sub CPU 320a of the effect control board 320. 10 is a flowchart showing a hold process executed by a sub CPU 320a of the effect control board 320. (A) is a circuit diagram showing a specific circuit configuration of a solenoid drive circuit 3200 as another embodiment of the solenoid drive circuit, and (B) is a time chart showing an operation example of the solenoid drive circuit 3200. (A) is a specific circuit configuration example when energization is controlled based on a detection signal from the electric tulip operation detection switch 307a, and (B) is a time chart illustrating an operation example according to the circuit configuration of (A).

Hereinafter, a gaming machine 1 as an embodiment of the gaming machine of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate.
[Configuration of gaming machine 1]
A schematic configuration of the gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment. The gaming machine 1 is configured to fire a game ball based on a player's launch operation, and when a game ball wins a specific winning device, a predetermined number of game balls are paid out to the player based on the win. It is a pachinko machine. Note that the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment is a pachinko gaming machine called a type 1 type.

As shown in FIG. 1, the gaming machine 1 includes a game board 100 provided with a prize and a prize related to determination, and a frame member 101 surrounding the game board 100.
The frame member 101 is a so-called glass frame that supports a transparent glass plate arranged in parallel with a predetermined distance from the board surface of the game board 100. A game area 102 in which a game ball can flow down is formed by the glass plate supported by the frame member 101 and the game board 100.

  The frame member 101 has a frame lamp 103 that emits light for production or the like in the upper center. Speakers 104 are provided on the left and right sides of the frame lamp 103. Further, the frame member 101 has a structure in which a lower portion thereof protrudes toward the player side, and a circular effect button 105 is provided on the upper surface of the protruding portion. An effect key 106 composed of four push buttons is provided in front of the effect button 105 on the left side. Further, on the back side of the effect button 105, a tray 107 for guiding the game ball to a launching device (not shown) is provided. The frame member 101 has a handle 108 at the lower right side. A lever 109 is rotatably attached to the handle 108. Further, the handle 108 is provided with a stop button 110 for temporarily stopping the launch of the game ball regardless of the rotation of the lever 109. A display 111 is provided in the lower right region of the game board 100 in the frame member 101.

  The game board 100 has a liquid crystal display device 121 at the center thereof. In addition, the game board 100 includes a first starting device 122, a second starting device 123, an electric tulip 124, a gate 125, a grand prize winning device 126, and four general winning devices 127 as a prize and a prize related to determination. ing.

  The first starter 122 is provided at the center of the game board 100 below the liquid crystal display device 121. A second starter 123 is provided below the first starter 122. In addition, an electric tulip 124 as a normal electric accessory is provided in the vicinity of the second starting device 123. The gate 125 is provided on the upper right side of the game board 100. A big winning device 126 is provided on the lower right side of the liquid crystal display device 121. Two of the four general winning devices 127 are provided in the lower left part of the game board 100, and the remaining two are provided in the lower right part of the game board 100. At the bottom of the game board 100, a discharge device 128 that discharges game balls that have not won a prize is provided.

  With such a configuration, when the player grasps the handle 108 and rotates the lever 109 in the clockwise direction, the game balls stored in the tray 107 are guided to the launching device (not shown), and the rotation angle of the lever 109 is set. The ball is fired toward the game area 102 with a corresponding hitting force. The game ball launched by the launching device rises between rails (not shown) provided on the left end side of the game board 100 and eventually reaches the upper part in the game area 102. The game ball that has reached the upper part in the game area 102 then falls in the game area 102. At this time, the game ball falls on the board of the game board 100 while changing its moving direction (unpredictably) by contacting a plurality of nails or windmills provided in the game area 102. As described above, the launch of the game ball is temporarily stopped when the player operates the stop button 110.

  When a player launches a game ball by rotating the lever 109 of the handle 108, if the player makes a so-called “left-handed” operation that maintains the lever 109 rotated at a small rotation angle, the game ball It is launched with a relatively weak hitting force. In this case, the game ball flows down the left area in the game area 102 as illustrated by the wavy arrow 131 in FIG. On the other hand, when the player performs a so-called “right strike” in which the lever 109 is rotated at a large rotation angle, the game ball is launched with a relatively strong hitting force. In this case, the game ball flows down the right area in the game area 102 as illustrated by the wavy arrow 132 in FIG. Therefore, “right-handed” is required to win the gate 125 and the big winning device 126.

  The first starter 122 is a starter that is always open. The first starter 122 is provided with a first starter detection switch 304 (see FIG. 3) that detects the entry of a game ball. When the first starter detection switch 304 detects that a game ball has entered and wins a prize, it is determined whether or not a jackpot game advantageous to the player is executed, and the determination result is displayed on the display 111. In addition, a predetermined prize ball (for example, three game balls) is paid out.

  The second starter 123 is a starter that is opened only when the electric tulip 124 is operating. The second starter 123 is provided with a second starter detection switch 305 (see FIG. 3) that detects the entry of a game ball. When the second starting device detection switch 305 detects that a game ball has entered and wins, it is determined whether or not a jackpot game advantageous to the player is executed, as with the first starting device 122 described above. The determination result is displayed on the display 111, and a predetermined prize ball (for example, three game balls) is paid out.

  In the following description, the determination executed on the condition that the winning of the game ball that has passed through the first starting device 122 is referred to as “first special symbol determination”, and the winning of the gaming ball to the second starting device 123 is determined. The determination executed as a condition is referred to as “second special symbol determination”, and these determinations are collectively referred to as “special symbol determination”.

  The special winning device 126 is opened according to the result of the special symbol determination. A plate for opening and closing the large winning device 126 is provided at the opening of the large winning device 126. The big winning device 126 is normally closed by this plate. On the other hand, when a predetermined jackpot symbol indicating that the determination result of the special symbol determination is “big jackpot” is stopped and displayed on the display 111, that is, when a big jackpot occurs, the plate is operated to win a big prize. A jackpot game that opens the device 126 is executed. For this reason, the player can obtain more prize balls by making a right hit during the jackpot game compared to when the jackpot game is not being played.

  The electric tulip 124 is disposed close to the second starter 123 and has a pair of blade members 124a and 124b (see FIG. 7). This electric tulip 124 opens the second starter 123 in a closed position (closed state) in which the pair of blade members closes the second starter 123 (see FIGS. 1, 7, 9A, etc.). The posture (state) can be changed to an open posture (open state) (see FIG. 9B).

  The second starting device 123 is normally closed by an electric tulip 124 as shown in FIG. On the other hand, when the game ball passes through the gate 125, it is determined whether or not the second starter 123 is to be opened, although no prize ball is paid out. Here, when it is determined that the second starting device 123 is to be opened, the operation of returning to the closed position after the pair of blade members of the electric tulip 124 has maintained the open position for a specified time is repeated a specified number of times.

  In this way, the second starting device 123 is in a state where it is difficult for the game ball to pass when the electric tulip 124 is not operating (that is, when the pair of blade members are in the closed posture), whereas the electric tulip is When 124 is actuated (that is, when the pair of blade members are in the open position), the game ball easily passes. In the following description, the determination executed on condition that a game ball wins the gate 125 is referred to as “ordinary symbol determination”. Although not shown in FIG. 1, an electric tulip operation detection switch 307 a (see FIG. 3) is provided in the vicinity of the electric tulip 124 to detect when the electric tulip 124 is opened. .

  The four general winning devices 127 are always open like the first starting device 122, and are a winning device having a predetermined number of winning balls by winning a game ball. Unlike the first starting device 122 and the like, even if a game ball wins the general winning device 127, no determination is made.

[Configuration of Display 111]
FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the display 111 in FIG. The display 111 mainly displays information related to the special symbol determination and the normal symbol determination. As shown in FIG. 2, the first special symbol display 201, the second special symbol display 202, and the first special symbol are displayed. The symbol holding display 203, the second special symbol holding display 204, the normal symbol display 205, and the normal symbol holding display 206 are provided.

  When the first special symbol determination is performed, the first special symbol display 201 displays the stop symbol indicating the determination result of the first special symbol determination after variably displaying the symbol, thereby displaying the first special symbol determination. The determination result is notified. On this first special symbol display 201, a jackpot symbol indicating that the result of the first special symbol determination is “big hit”, or a lost symbol indicating that the result of the first special symbol determination is lost Is done.

  When the second special symbol determination is performed, the second special symbol display unit 202 displays the stop symbol indicating the determination result of the second special symbol determination after variably displaying the symbol, thereby displaying the second special symbol determination. The determination result is notified. In the second special symbol display 202, a jackpot symbol indicating that the determination result of the second special symbol determination is “big hit” or a lost symbol indicating that the result of the second special symbol determination is lost is stopped. Is displayed.

  By the way, when a game ball is newly won in the first starter 122 while the symbol variation display or jackpot game related to the special symbol determination is performed, the first special symbol triggered by this winning is used. Judgment and symbol variation display cannot be executed immediately. Therefore, the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment is configured so that the right of the first special symbol determination is suspended when the first special symbol determination cannot be immediately executed even if a game ball wins the first starting device 122. It is configured. The first special symbol hold display 203 displays the number of hold of the first special symbol determination held in this way.

  Similarly, when a game ball is newly won in the second starting device 123 while the symbol change display or jackpot game related to the special symbol determination is being performed, the second special is triggered by this winning. Symbol determination and symbol variation display cannot be executed immediately. Therefore, the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment reserves the right to determine the second special symbol when the second special symbol determination cannot be executed immediately even if a game ball wins the second starting device 123. It is configured. The second special symbol hold indicator 204 displays the number of hold of the second special symbol determination held in this way.

  When the normal symbol determination is performed, the normal symbol display unit 205 notifies the determination result of the normal symbol determination by suspending and displaying the stop symbol indicating the determination result of the normal symbol determination after variably displaying the symbol. Note that the normal symbol determination and the symbol variation display related to the normal symbol determination cannot be immediately executed even if the game ball passes through the gate 125, such as during the symbol variation display on the normal symbol display 205, for example. Judgment rights are withheld. The normal symbol hold display unit 206 displays the number of hold for normal symbol determination held in this way.

  In the following description, the symbol displayed on the first special symbol display 201 or the second special symbol display 202 is referred to as “special symbol”, and the symbol displayed on the normal symbol display 205 is “normal symbol”. Shall be called.

[Internal configuration of gaming machine 1]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the gaming machine 1. The gaming machine 1 includes a main control board 300, a payout control board 310, an effect control board 320, an image control board 330, a lamp control board 340, a launch control board 350, and a power supply board 360.

  The main control board 300 controls the basic operation of the gaming machine. The main control board 300 includes a one-chip microcomputer 301, and the one-chip microcomputer 301 includes a main CPU 301a, a main ROM 301b, and a main RAM 301c. The main control board 300 includes an input port and an output port (both not shown) for main control.

  The main control input port includes a general winning device detection switch 302 for detecting that a game ball has entered the general winning device 127, and a gate detection switch for detecting that a game ball has entered the normal symbol gate 125. 303, a first starter detection switch 304 for detecting that a game ball has entered the first starter 122, a second starter detection switch 305 for detecting that a game ball has entered the second starter 123, Detects that a winning device detection switch 306 for detecting that a game ball has entered the winning device 126 and that an electric tulip 124 disposed in proximity to the second starting device 123 has been actuated (ie, opened). The electric tulip operation detection switch 307a and the payout control board 310 are connected. Various signals are input to the main control board 300 through the main control input port.

  In addition, a starting device opening / closing solenoid 307 for opening / closing a pair of blade members of the electric tulip 124 disposed in the vicinity of the second starting device 123 and a plate for opening / closing the grand prize winning device 126 are operated on the output port for main control. The big winning device opening / closing solenoid 308, the displays 201 to 206 constituting the display 111, the game information output terminal board 309 for outputting an external information signal, the payout control board 310, and the effect control board 320 are connected. Various signals are output from the main control output port.

  The main control board 300 is provided with a solenoid drive circuit 1000 (see FIG. 10) for energizing and driving the starter opening / closing solenoid 307, but is not shown in FIG.

  The game information output terminal board 309 is a board for outputting an external information signal generated in the main control board 300 to a hall computer or the like of the game shop. The game information output terminal board 309 is wired to the main control board 300, and the game information output terminal board 309 is provided with a connector for connecting to a hall computer of a game store.

  In the one-chip microcomputer 301 of the main control board 300, the main CPU 301a reads out the program stored in the main ROM 301b based on the input signals from the detection switches and timers, performs arithmetic processing, and directly controls each device. Alternatively, a command is transmitted to another board according to the result of the arithmetic processing.

  The main ROM 301b stores game control programs and tables necessary for various games. For example, a jackpot determination table referred to in the jackpot lottery, a symbol determination table for determining a special symbol stop symbol, a variation pattern determination table for determining a special symbol variation pattern, and the like are stored. The tables listed here are only a part, and a number of tables (not shown) are provided.

  The main RAM 301c functions as a data work area when the main CPU 301a performs arithmetic processing, and has a plurality of storage areas. For example, in the main RAM 301c, the number T of the normal symbol determination, the normal symbol random number, the numbers U1 and U2 of the special symbol, the round number R, the number C of balls entered into the big winning device, the probability variation game flag, the short-time game flag, etc. Is memorized. In addition to the information listed here, a lot of information is stored.

  The payout control board 310 performs game ball launch control and prize ball payout control. The payout control board 310 includes a one-chip microcomputer composed of a payout CPU, a payout ROM, and a payout RAM (not shown), and is connected to the main control board 300 so as to be capable of bidirectional communication. The payout CPU reads out a program stored in the payout ROM based on an input signal from the payout ball measuring switch 311, the door opening switch 312, and the timer that detects whether or not the game ball has been paid out, and performs arithmetic processing. And corresponding data is transmitted to the main control board 300 based on the processing.

  Further, a payout motor 313 of a prize ball payout device for paying out a predetermined number of prize balls from a game ball storage unit to a player is connected to the output side of the payout control board 310. The payout CPU reads out a predetermined program from the payout ROM based on the payout number designation command transmitted from the main control board 300, performs arithmetic processing, and controls the payout motor 313 of the prize ball payout device to control the predetermined prize. Pay the ball to the player. At this time, the payout RAM functions as a data work area at the time of calculation processing of the payout CPU.

  The effect control board 320 mainly controls each effect such as during a game or standby. The effect control board 320 includes a sub CPU 320a, a sub ROM 320b, and a sub RAM 320c, and is connected to the main control board 300 so as to be communicable in one direction from the main control board 300 to the effect control board 320. .

  The sub CPU 320a reads out a program stored in the sub ROM 320b based on a command transmitted from the main control board 300, an effect button detection switch 321, an effect key detection switch 322, and an input signal from the timer, and performs arithmetic processing. At the same time, based on this processing, corresponding commands and data are transmitted to the image control board 330 and the lamp control board 340. The sub RAM 320c functions as a data work area when the sub CPU 320a performs arithmetic processing.

  For example, when the sub CPU 320a in the effect control board 320 receives the fluctuation pattern designation command indicating the fluctuation pattern of the special symbol from the main control board 300, the sub CPU 320a analyzes the content of the received fluctuation pattern designation command, and displays the liquid crystal display device 121, the sound. Commands and data for causing the output device 331, the effect driving device 341, and the effect illumination device 342 to execute predetermined effects are generated, and these commands and data are transmitted to the image control board 330 and the lamp control board 340.

The sub ROM 320b of the effect control board 320 stores a program for effect control and data and tables necessary for determining various games.
For example, an effect pattern determination table for determining an effect pattern based on a variation pattern designation command received from the main control board 300, an ornamental symbol determination table for determining a combination of ornamental symbols to be stopped, and the like are stored in the sub ROM 320b. Has been. In addition, the table mentioned above only enumerates the characteristic table among the tables in this embodiment as an example, and many other tables and programs (not shown) are provided.

  The sub RAM 320c of the effect control board 320 has a plurality of storage areas. In these storage areas, a game state, an effect mode, an effect pattern, a decorative pattern, a counting counter, firing operation information, and the like are stored. In addition to this, a lot of information is stored.

  The image control board 330 includes an image CPU, control ROM, control RAM, CGROM, VRAM, and VDP (not shown) for performing image display control of the liquid crystal display device 121, a sound CPU, a sound ROM, and a sound RAM. . The image control board 330 is connected to the effect control board 320 so that bidirectional communication is possible, and a liquid crystal display device 121 and an audio output device 331 are connected to the output side thereof.

  The image CPU performs control to display a predetermined image on the VDP based on the command received from the effect control board 320. The control RAM functions as a data work area at the time of calculation processing of the image CPU, and temporarily stores data read from the control ROM. The control ROM stores a control processing program of the image CPU, an animation pattern for displaying an animation of the effect pattern, animation scene information, and the like.

  The CGROM stores a large number of image data such as decorative symbols and backgrounds displayed on the liquid crystal display device 121. The image CPU reads a predetermined program based on a command transmitted from the effect control board 320, and the CGROM. The predetermined image data stored in the VRAM is expanded in the VRAM, and the image data expanded in the VRAM is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 121.

  The audio ROM stores a large amount of audio data to be output from the audio output device 331, and the audio CPU reads out a predetermined program based on the command transmitted from the effect control board 320, and the audio ROM Audio output control is performed in the output device 331.

  The lamp control board 340 controls operations of the effect driving device 341 and the effect lighting device 342. The lamp control board 340 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like (not shown), and is connected to the effect control board 320 so as to be capable of bidirectional communication.

  The production drive device 341 includes various production solenoids and actuators such as motors. The lamp control board 340 controls driving of these various actuators. The effect lighting device 342 includes various lighting / light emitting devices / elements of the gaming machine 1, such as a frame lamp 103 provided on the frame member 101 and a board lamp (not shown) provided on the gaming board 100. Including. The lamp control board 340 also controls the operation of these various lamps. The CPU of the lamp control board 340 performs each control described above based on the commands and data transmitted from the effect control board 320.

  The firing control board 350 inputs a touch signal from the touch sensor 351 and performs energization control on the firing solenoid 353 and the ball feed solenoid 354 based on the voltage supplied from the firing volume 352.

  The touch sensor 351 includes a capacitive proximity switch that uses a change in capacitance caused by the player touching the handle 108. When the touch sensor 351 detects that the player touches the handle 108, the launch control board is detected. A touch signal that permits energization of the firing solenoid 353 is output to 350.

  The firing volume 352 includes a variable resistor, and a constant voltage (for example, 5 V) applied to the firing volume 352 is divided by the variable resistor, and the divided voltage is supplied to the firing control board 350.

  Here, the rotational speed of the firing solenoid 353 is set to about 99.9 (times / minute) based on the frequency based on the output period of the crystal oscillator provided on the firing control board 350. As a result, the number of game balls fired per minute is about 99.9 (pieces / minute) because one ball is fired every time the firing solenoid rotates. That is, one game ball is fired about every 0.6 seconds.

  Note that the touch signal from the touch sensor 351 and the voltage signal from the firing volume 352 are input to the effect control board 320. Thereby, it is possible to detect the launch of the game ball on the effect control board 320.

  The power supply board 360 includes a regulator that converts externally input electric power (for example, AC 24V) into a DC voltage having a predetermined voltage value, and the DC voltage generated by the regulator is used as a power supply voltage for each part in the gaming machine 1. Supply. Specifically, the power supply board 360 supplies a power supply voltage to the main control board 300, the payout control board 310, the effect control board 320, and the launch control board 350. The power supply board 360 includes a backup power source composed of a capacitor for storing the DC power generated by the regulator. When the regulator stops operation, the DC power is supplied from the backup power source. Is also possible.

  There are a plurality of types of power supply voltages (for example, 12V, 5V, 3V, etc.) that can be supplied by the power supply board 360, and the power supply board 360 supplies a necessary power supply voltage to each supply target board or circuit. . For example, at least 5 V and 3 V power supply voltages are supplied to the main control board 300.

  The power supply board 360 monitors the power supply voltage supplied into the gaming machine 1 and outputs a power interruption detection signal to the main control board 300 when the power supply voltage becomes a predetermined value or less. More specifically, when the power interruption detection signal becomes high level, the main CPU 301a enters an operable state, and when the power interruption detection signal becomes low level, the main CPU 301a enters an operation stop state. The power supply voltages to be monitored may be all of a plurality of types of power supply voltages generated by the power supply board 360, or may be one or more specific power supply voltages. The backup power source is not limited to a capacitor, and for example, a battery may be used, and a capacitor and a battery may be used in combination.

[Various tables]
Details of various tables stored in the main ROM 301b will be described with reference to FIGS.

  4 (A) and 4 (B) show a jackpot determination table used for “big jackpot determination”. FIG. 4 (A) is a jackpot determination table for the first special symbol, and FIG. 4 (B) is a jackpot determination table for the second special symbol.

  The jackpot determination table is for determining “big hit” or “losing” based on the gaming state and the acquired jackpot random number. The jackpot random number is acquired as a numerical value of “0” to “598” when entering the first starting device 122 or the second starting device 123.

Here, the gaming state shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B will be described.
In the present embodiment, “normal gaming state” and “probability changing gaming state” are included as states relating to the jackpot determination.

  “Normal gaming state” means that the probability of winning a jackpot is set to 1 / 299.5 in the jackpot determination performed on the condition that a game ball has entered the first starting device 122 or the second starting device 123. Refers to the played gaming state. On the other hand, the “probability gaming state” refers to a gaming state in which the probability of winning the jackpot is set to 1 / 29.95. Therefore, in the “probability game state”, it is easier to win a big hit than in the “normal game state”. It should be noted that in this probability variation game state, a probability variation game flag, which will be described later, is set to “ON”, and in the normal game state, the probability variation game flag is “OFF”. Also, the transition from the normal gaming state to the probability variation gaming state is after the probability variation big hit game is finished.

  The “big hit” is a special game that opens the big prize winning device 126. Specifically, it refers to a game that is executed when a big win is won in the jackpot determination performed on the condition that a game ball has entered the first starter 122 or the second starter 123.

  In the “hit”, the round game in which the grand prize winning device 126 is released is performed 15 times in total or 8 times in total. The maximum opening time of the grand prize winning device 126 in each round game is set to a maximum of 29.5 seconds, and if a prescribed number (9) of game balls enter the big prize winning device 126 during this time, one round game Ends. The “big hit” allows a large amount of winning balls to be obtained because a game ball enters the winning device 126 and the player can acquire a winning ball corresponding to the winning ball. Further, since the big winning device 126 is provided at the lower right side of the game board 100, when “hit”, the lever 109 of the handle 108 is greatly rotated, so that the game is performed by so-called “right-handed”. Become.

  According to the jackpot determination table of the first special symbol shown in FIG. 4A, in the normal gaming state, when the acquired jackpot random number is “7” or “8”, it is determined to be a jackpot. On the other hand, when the probability variation gaming state, 20 big hit random numbers “7” to “26” are determined to be big hits. If the value is other than the above, it is determined as “lost”.

  Since the random number range of the jackpot random number is “0” to “598”, the probability of being determined to be a jackpot in the normal gaming state is 1 / 299.5, and the probability of being determined to be the jackpot in the probability variation gaming state Is increased by 10 times to 1 / 29.9.

FIG. 4C is an explanatory diagram illustrating a hit determination table used for “normal symbol hit determination”.
The winning determination table is for determining “winning” or “losing” based on the gaming state and the acquired normal symbol random number. The normal symbol random number is acquired as a numerical value of “0” to “65535” when passing through the gate 125.

Here, a description will be given of the gaming state shown in FIG.
In the present embodiment, there are a “non-short game state” and a “short-time game state” as states relating to the electric tulip 124 arranged in proximity to the second starting device 123. The states related to the jackpot determination (the normal gaming state, the probability variation gaming state) and the states related to the electric tulip 124 (the non-short-time gaming state and the short-time gaming state) can be associated with each other or can be made independent. .

It should be noted that the gaming state when the game is started, that is, the initial gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is the “normal gaming state” and is set to the “non-short game state”.
In the present embodiment, “non-short-time gaming state” means that in the normal symbol hit determination performed on the condition that the game ball has passed through the gate 125, the variation time of the normal symbol corresponding to the determination result is 12 seconds. This is a gaming state in which the opening control time of the second starting device 123 is set to be as short as 0.2 seconds when it is set to be long and won. In other words, when the game ball passes through the gate 125, the normal symbol is drawn, and the normal symbol display 205 displays the fluctuation of the normal symbol, but the normal symbol stops 12 seconds after the fluctuation display is started. indicate. If the lottery result is a win, the second starting device 123 is opened for about 0.2 seconds by the operation of the electric tulip 124 after the normal symbol is stopped.

  On the other hand, the “short-time gaming state” means that in the normal symbol hit determination performed on the condition that the game ball has passed through the gate 125, the variation time of the normal symbol corresponding to the determination result is 3 seconds. A gaming state that is set to be shorter than the “non-short game state” and is set to be longer than the “non-short game state”, that is, the opening control time of the second starter 123 when winning in the win is 3.5 seconds. Say. Further, in the “non-short game state”, the probability of winning in the normal symbol hit determination is set to 1/65536, and in the “short time game state”, the probability of winning in the normal symbol hit determination is 65535 / 65536 is set. At this time, the short-time game flag, which will be described later, is set to “ON” in the short game state, and the short-time game flag is “OFF” in the non-short-time game state.

  Therefore, in the “short-time gaming state”, the second starting device 123 is more easily controlled to the open state as long as the game ball passes through the gate 125 than in the “non-short-time gaming state”. Thereby, in the “short-time gaming state”, the consumption of the game ball is suppressed in the progress of the game.

  In addition, since the gate 125 is provided on the right side of the game board 100, in the “short-time gaming state”, the game is played by so-called “right-handed” in which the lever 109 of the handle 108 is greatly rotated.

It should be noted that the probability of winning in the normal symbol hit determination may be set so that it does not change in any of the “non-short game state” and the “short-time game state”.
According to the hit determination table shown in FIG. 4 (C), in the non-time-saving gaming state, it is determined that the normal symbol random number is “0”. On the other hand, in the short-time gaming state, it is determined that the normal symbol random number is any one of “0” to “65534”. If the random number is other than the above, it is determined as “lost”.

  Since the range of normal symbol random numbers is “0” to “65535”, the probability of being determined to be hit in the non-short game state is 1/65536, and the probability of being determined to be win in the time-short game state is 65535 / 65536 = 1 / 1.00002.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a symbol determination table for determining a special symbol stop symbol.
FIG. 5A is a symbol determination table for determining a stop symbol at the time of jackpot, FIG. 5B is an explanatory diagram showing the probability of 15R jackpot, and FIG. It is a symbol determination table for determining a stop symbol at the time of losing.

  In FIG. 5A, the type of “special symbol” (whether the game ball has entered the first starter 122 or the second starter 123) and the first starter 122 or the second starter 123 are The jackpot “type” and stop symbol data are determined based on the “hit symbol random number” acquired when the game ball enters. The range of the jackpot symbol random number is set to “0” to “99”. In addition, the probability of being a promiscuous jackpot or a normal jackpot is ½ (50%), respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 5 (A), when the first special symbol is a jackpot, the jackpot symbol random number is referred to, and if the jackpot symbol random number is between “0” and “49”, the probability is ½. Becomes a “probable 15R jackpot” with a probability of 1/2 and becomes a “normal 15R jackpot”. At this time, the stop symbol data is “01” and “02”, respectively.

  Similarly, if the jackpot symbol random number is between “50” and “99”, it becomes “probability 8R jackpot” with a probability of 1/2, and “normal 8R jackpot” with a probability of 1/2. At this time, the stop symbol data becomes “03” and “04”, respectively.

  In the case of jackpot in the second special symbol, the jackpot symbol random number is referred to, and if the jackpot symbol random number is “0” to “74”, it becomes “probability 15R jackpot” with a probability of 1/2, It becomes “normal 15R big hit” with a probability of 1/2. At this time, the stop symbol data is “05” and “06”, respectively.

  Similarly, if the jackpot symbol random number is between “75” and “99”, it becomes “probability 8R jackpot” with a probability of 1/2 and “normal 8R jackpot” with a probability of 1/2. At this time, the stop symbol data becomes “07” and “08”, respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 5 (B), the ratio of 15R jackpot is 50% when the first special symbol is a big jackpot, whereas when the second special symbol is a big jackpot, it is 75%. It has become.

As shown in FIG. 5C, when the determination result is lost in both the first special symbol and the second special symbol, the stop symbol data is “00”.
In addition, the game state after jackpot end and the jackpot mode are determined by the type of special symbol (stop symbol data).

[Variation pattern determination table]
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a variation pattern determination table for determining the variation pattern of the special symbol.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the variation pattern determination tables for the first special symbol and the second special symbol are common. The variation pattern is determined based on the determination result, the gaming state, the number of reserved balls, the reach random number, and the variation pattern random number. The reach random number and the fluctuation pattern random number take values from “0” to “99”.

  As illustrated in FIG. 6, when the determination result is a probable big hit, the variation pattern is determined based on the variation pattern random number. Specifically, when the fluctuation pattern random number is “0” to “29”, the fluctuation pattern 1 is selected. At this time, the fluctuation time is 20 seconds, and the reach A is a big hit. Then, after the jackpot ends, the game is controlled in the probability variation gaming state. When the variation pattern random number is “30” to “99”, the variation pattern 2 is selected. At this time, the fluctuation time is 30 seconds, and a big hit is made by reach B. Then, after the jackpot ends, the game is controlled in the probability variation gaming state.

  When the determination result is usually a big hit, the variation pattern is determined based on the variation pattern random number. Specifically, when the fluctuation pattern random number is “0” to “29”, the fluctuation pattern 1 is selected. At this time, the fluctuation time is 20 seconds, and the reach A is a big hit. Then, after the jackpot ends, the game is controlled in the normal gaming state. When the variation pattern random number is “30” to “99”, the variation pattern 2 is selected. At this time, the fluctuation time is 30 seconds, and a big hit is made by reach B. Then, after the jackpot ends, the game is controlled in the normal gaming state.

When the determination result is a loss, the variation pattern is determined based on the gaming state, the number of reserved balls, the reach determination random number, and the variation pattern random number.
Specifically, when the game state is “non-short-time game state” and the number of held balls is “0 to 2”, one of the variation patterns 3, 4, and 5 is selected by the reach random number and the variation pattern random number. . The fluctuation pattern 3 is a normal fluctuation with a fluctuation time of 10 seconds, the fluctuation pattern 4 is a fluctuation time of 20 seconds and loses at reach A, and the fluctuation pattern 5 is a fluctuation time of 30 seconds and loses at reach B.

  When the game state is “non-short game state” and the number of reserved balls is “3-4”, one of the variation patterns 4, 5, and 6 is selected by the reach random number and the variation pattern random number. The variation pattern 6 is a shortened variation with a variation time of 5 seconds, the variation pattern 4 has a variation time of 20 seconds and loses at reach A, and the variation pattern 5 has a variation time of 30 seconds and loses at reach B.

  When the game state is “time-short game state” and the number of held balls is “0 to 1”, one of the variation patterns 3, 4, and 5 is selected by the reach random number and the variation pattern random number. The fluctuation pattern 3 is a normal fluctuation with a fluctuation time of 10 seconds, the fluctuation pattern 4 is a fluctuation time of 20 seconds and loses at reach A, and the fluctuation pattern 5 is a fluctuation time of 30 seconds and loses at reach B.

  When the game state is “time-short game state” and the number of held balls is “2-4”, one of the variation patterns 4, 6, and 7 is selected by the reach random number and the variation pattern random number. The variation pattern 4 is a shortened variation with a variation time of 5 seconds, the variation pattern 4 has a variation time of 20 seconds and loses at reach A, and the variation pattern 7 has a variation time of 5 seconds and loses at reach C. The variation pattern 7 is a variation pattern having a short variation time despite being reach.

  As a feature of the special symbol variation pattern determination table illustrated in FIG. 6, the special symbol variation time is set to be short when the determination result is lost and the game is in the short-time gaming state. For example, if the jackpot determination result is a loss and the number of held balls is “2”, if the game is in the short-time game state, the variation pattern 6 (shortening variation) with a variation time of 5 seconds with a probability of 95% based on the reach random number However, in the non-time-saving gaming state, a variation pattern in which the variation time exceeds 10 seconds is determined. In this manner, the variation time is set to be short when the time-saving gaming state is entered.

[Electric tulip unit 700]
The electric tulip unit 700 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of the electric tulip unit 700, FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the electric tulip unit 700, and FIGS. 9A and 9B show the closed state of the electric tulip 124. FIG. It is a front view which shows the case of a state, and the case of an open state, respectively.

  The electric tulip unit 700 includes an electric tulip 124 and various mechanisms that operate the tulip. Specifically, the electric tulip unit 700 opens and closes the second starting device 123, and the electric tulip 124 is opened and closed (specifically, a pair of opening and closing pieces (blades) 124a and 124b are opened and closed). ) Opening / closing mechanism 701, a solenoid type driving mechanism 702 for operating the opening / closing mechanism 701, and a lock mechanism 703 for locking the solenoid type driving mechanism 702.

  The electric tulip unit 700 is disposed in an opening formed in the game board 100 so that the pair of opening / closing pieces 124a and 124b are positioned in front of the board surface of the game board 100, and the solenoid drive mechanism 702 is a game as a whole. It arrange | positions so that it may be located in the back of the board | substrate 100. FIG. The electric tulip unit 700 is fixed to the game board 100 by fixing the mounting member 704 shown in FIGS. 7 and 9 to the game board 100. Therefore, when the player views the gaming machine 1 from the front side, the pair of opening / closing pieces 124a and 124b are basically visible to the player in the entire electric tulip unit 700 as shown in FIG. Yes, the solenoid drive mechanism 702 is not directly visible to the player. Although not shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, in the vicinity of the electric tulip 124, an electric tulip operation detection switch 307 a (FIG. 3) that detects that the electric tulip 124 has been operated (that is, opened). Reference) is provided.

  Each opening / closing piece (blade) 124a, 124b is supported in the left-right direction indicated by the arrow by pivotally supporting a shaft portion 706 projecting from the lower rear surface by a pair of left and right shaft holes 705 provided at the front portion of the mounting member 704. It is configured to be openable and closable, and a protrusion-like actuated member 707 that is moved up and down by a solenoid-type drive mechanism 702 protrudes from the back of the open / close piece inside each shaft portion 706. The shaft hole 705, the shaft portion 706, and the actuated member 707 constitute an opening / closing mechanism 701 that opens / closes each opening / closing piece 124a, 124b.

  The solenoid-type drive mechanism 702 is elastic when the coil 712 is de-energized, and the coil 712 is switched between an energized state (energized state) and a non-excited state (non-energized state) by turning on and off the energization from the solenoid drive circuit 1000 (see FIG. 10). A pull-type starter opening / closing solenoid 307 provided with a plunger 714 that protrudes forward by biasing by a member (coil spring or the like) and retracts backward when the coil 712 is excited, and a starter opening / closing solenoid fixed to the mounting member 704 A pair of base member 715 that supports 307 and a pair of shafts that support the opening / closing mechanism 701 and each of the opening / closing pieces 124a and 124b by pivoting (turning) the tip portion in the vertical direction by pivotally supporting the rear portion by the base member 715. The operating arm 716 and the operating arm 716 are interlocked with the movement of the plunger 714. A connecting portion 717 for connecting the plunger 714 and the actuating arm 716 so as to movement, and a. The base member 715 constitutes a part of the attachment member 704. Further, the base member as means for supporting the operation arm 716 is not necessarily integral with the base member 715 supporting the starter opening / closing solenoid 307, and may be a separate member.

  As is well known, the pull-type starter opening / closing solenoid 307 attracts and immerses the plunger 714 as the movable iron core when the coil 712 wound around the fixed iron core is energized, and returns to the protruding direction by the elastic member when deenergized. It is configured.

  Each actuating arm 716 includes a shaft support portion 716a extending in a direction (horizontal direction) orthogonal to the direction in which the plunger 714 protrudes and retracts (front-rear direction), and a shaft support portion 716a provided on the base member 715 (or mounting member 704). The opening / closing mechanism 701 is actuated by pivoting in the vertical direction by being pivotally supported by a support portion (support hole). Each operating arm 716 is integrated by a horizontal shaft 716c.

  Each operating arm 716 has a substantially circular recess 716b opened at the tip, and an actuated member 707 protruding from the rear surface of each opening / closing piece 124a, 124b in the opening of each recess 716b. It is loosely fitted, and the actuated member 707 moves in the up-down direction by swinging the actuating arm 716 in the up-down direction, and is configured to open and close the open / close pieces 124a, 124b about the shaft portion 706. ing. That is, when the tip of the operating arm 716 is lowered, the actuated member 707 is pushed down, so that the open / close pieces 124a and 124b are closed, and conversely, when the tip of the operating arm is raised, the actuated member 707 is Since it is pushed up, the open / close pieces 124a and 124b are opened.

  The connecting portion 717 is a protrusion 716 d that protrudes from the gap between two discs 717 a that are fixed at the center of the distal end of the plunger 714 at a predetermined interval on the rear upper portion of the inner surface of the operating arm 716. When the plunger 714 is in a protruding state, the disk 717a pushes the protrusion 716d forward to lower the tip of the operating arm 716, while the plunger 714 is retracted. When in a state, the disk 717a pulls the protrusion 716d backward to raise the tip of the operating arm 716.

  The lock mechanism 703 is a mechanism for locking the operating arm 716 when the coil 712 is in a non-excited state and prohibiting the swing thereof, and releasing the prohibition of the swinging of the operating arm 716 when the coil is in an excited state. is there. A detailed description of the specific configuration and operation of the lock mechanism 703 will be omitted.

  Thus, in the electric tulip unit 700, while the coil 712 of the starter opening / closing solenoid 307 is energized, the plunger 714 is attracted to open the electric tulip 124, and the coil 712 is not energized. In the meantime, the plunger 714 protrudes by the biasing force of the elastic member, and the electric tulip 124 is thereby closed. In the following description, “actuating” the electric tulip 124 means that the electric tulip 124 changes from the closed position (closed state) to the open position (open state). “Activate” means that the plunger 714 is sucked from the protruding state of the starter opening / closing solenoid 307 (and the electric tulip is opened by the suction).

  By the way, in order to operate the electric tulip 124 by attracting the plunger 714, it is not sufficient to simply pass a current through the coil 712. In order to operate the plunger 714, it is necessary to supply a current of a predetermined value or more. There is. Specifically, the coil 712 needs to be energized with a current equal to or greater than a predetermined initial drive lower limit value. Therefore, when the electric tulip 124 is in the closed state, in order to operate it and maintain it in the open state for a certain period of time, first, a driving current having a predetermined current value equal to or greater than the initial driving lower limit Id (see FIG. 10B). It is necessary to energize the coil 712. And it can maintain an open state by continuing supplying with the drive current during the period which should be maintained in an open state.

  However, the current required to operate the electric tulip 124 is a relatively large current. That is, when the electric tulip 124 in the closed state is operated, a current (large electric power) larger than that required to maintain the open state is required due to various factors such as inertia and friction (static friction). . For this reason, if the initial drive current continues to be applied after operating with a large current required for operation (current greater than the initial drive lower limit Id; hereinafter also referred to as “initial drive current”), the coil 712 generates heat. Proceed quickly. Therefore, when the electric tulip 124 is repeatedly opened and closed continuously, the on-time (time when the drive voltage is applied to the coil 712 and energization is performed) and the off-time (application of the drive voltage to the coil 712 is stopped). The duty ratio, which is a ratio with respect to the time to be used, is limited, and it becomes difficult to increase the duty ratio.

  On the other hand, after the electric tulip 124 is activated and opened, in order to maintain the opened state, it is not always necessary to pass a current equal to or higher than the initial drive lower limit Id, and the opened state is maintained with a lower current. Can be made.

  Therefore, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, when the electric tulip 124 is operated to maintain the open state for a certain period of time, a large initial driving current greater than or equal to the initial driving lower limit value Id is energized at the start of the operation. After operating the electric tulip 124 by energizing the current for a predetermined time, the current flowing through the coil 712 is kept lower than the initial drive current, and the open state is maintained by the reduced current (holding current). (Hereinafter referred to as “holding current reduction control”). And in order to implement | achieve holding current reduction control, the game machine 1 of this embodiment is provided with the solenoid drive circuit 1000 as shown to FIG. 10 (A). In this embodiment, the holding current reduction control is not always performed when the electric tulip 124 is operated, but the holding current is satisfied when a specific condition (execution condition) for executing the holding current reduction control is satisfied. Reduction control is executed.

[Solenoid drive circuit 1000]
As shown in FIG. 10A, the solenoid drive circuit 1000 is provided on the main control board 300. The solenoid drive circuit 1000 includes a first voltage source 1001, a second voltage source 1002, a voltage changeover switch 1003, and an energization switch 1004.

  The first voltage source 1001 outputs a first drive voltage Vs1 (5 V in the present embodiment) necessary for flowing an initial drive current through the coil 712. Various specific configurations of the first voltage source 1001 are conceivable. For example, a configuration may be provided that includes a regulator that steps down or boosts the DC power supply voltage input from the power supply board 360 to the first drive voltage Vs1. Further, for example, a circuit configuration in which a power supply voltage having the same voltage value as the first drive voltage Vs1 among the power supply voltages input from the power supply substrate 360 is used as the first drive voltage Vs1 may be used.

  The second voltage source 1002 outputs a second drive voltage Vs2 (3 V in the present embodiment) necessary for causing the holding current Ik (see FIG. 10B) to flow through the coil 712. Various specific configurations of the second voltage source 1002 are possible as in the case of the first voltage source 1001.

  The voltage changeover switch 1003 is a switch for switching the drive voltage applied to the coil 712 of the starter opening / closing solenoid 30 to either the first drive voltage Vs1 or the second drive voltage Vs2. The operation of the voltage changeover switch 1003 is controlled by a switch control signal output from the main CPU 301a. One of the drive voltages selected by the voltage switch 1003 is applied to the coil 712 as the solenoid drive voltage Vsol via the energization switch 1004. When the first drive voltage Vs1 is applied to the coil 712, an initial drive current equal to or greater than the initial drive lower limit Id flows through the coil 712. When the second drive voltage Vs2 is applied to the coil 712, a holding current Ik that is lower than the initial drive current (lower than the initial drive lower limit value in the present embodiment) flows through the coil 712.

  The energization switch 1004 is a switch for conducting / interrupting the energization path from the voltage changeover switch 1003 to the coil 712. The energization switch 1004 is controlled (ON / OFF) by an energization control signal output from the main CPU 301a.

  An example of the energization pattern to the starter opening / closing solenoid 307 and the change in the open / close state of the electric tulip 124 accompanying energization will be described with reference to FIG. Note that in FIG. 10B, electric Chu is an abbreviation for electric tulip.

  As shown in FIG. 10B, in the present embodiment, when the opening and closing operation of the electric tulip 124 is continuously repeated a plurality of times, electrically, a predetermined on-time during which the drive voltage is applied from the solenoid drive circuit 1000 Ton and a predetermined off time Toff in which a drive voltage is not applied from the solenoid drive circuit 1000 continuously and repeatedly occur. Furthermore, when the holding current reduction control is executed, the on-time Ton more specifically includes an initial driving time Ta to which the first driving voltage Vs1 is applied and a holding time Tb to which the second driving voltage Vs2 is applied.

  As shown in FIG. 10B, when the first drive voltage Vs1 is applied to the coil 712 as the solenoid drive voltage Vsol at time t1, energization to the coil 712 starts, and the energization current of the coil 712 increases. Go. When the energization current value of the coil 712 reaches the initial drive lower limit Id at time t2, the suction operation of the plunger 714 starts, and thereby the electric tulip 124 starts to open. At time t3, the electric tulip 124 is fully opened.

  Until time t4, the first drive voltage Vs1 is continuously applied to the coil 712, and therefore, the initial drive current (current greater than or equal to the initial drive lower limit Id) continues to flow from time t2 to at least time t4. When the second drive voltage Vs2 is applied to the coil 712 as the solenoid drive voltage Vsol by switching the voltage changeover switch 1003 at the time t4 when the initial drive time Ta has elapsed from the time t1, the energization current to the coil 712 is gradually increased. It will drop to. And if it falls to the holding current Ik which is a steady-state current value corresponding to the 2nd drive voltage Vs2, the holding current Ik will be energized after that.

  During the holding time Tb from the time t4 to the time t5, the second driving voltage Vs2 is continuously applied to the coil 712, whereby the electric tulip 124 is maintained in the open state. When application of the solenoid drive voltage Vsol to the coil 712 is stopped at time t5, the current flowing through the coil 712 decreases and becomes zero. Accordingly, at a timing slightly delayed from time t5, the plunger 714 starts to move in the direction of the original protruding position, whereby the electric tulip 124 starts to close from the open state and closes at time t6. After the solenoid drive voltage Vsol is set to 0 at time t5, when the specified off time Toff has elapsed, the energization control of the starter opening / closing solenoid 307 is performed again (the above-described energization control after time t1).

[Main control board main processing]
A main process executed in the main control board 300 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of main processing executed in the main control board 300. The main control board 300 executes this main process when the power is turned on. The main process of the main control board 300 is executed by the main CPU 301a based on a program stored in the main ROM 301b.

  When the main process of FIG. 11 is started, the main CPU 301a permits access to the main RAM 301c in S1101. This process is performed, for example, after waiting for 1000 ms after the power is turned on.

  In S1102, it is determined whether or not the RAM clear switch is “ON”. If it is determined that the RAM clear switch is “ON” (S1102: YES), the process proceeds to S1111. On the other hand, when it is determined that the RAM clear switch is not “ON” (S1102: NO), that is, when the RAM clear switch is “OFF”, the process proceeds to S1103.

  In S1103, it is determined whether or not the backup flag is “ON”. The backup flag is stored in the main RAM 301c, and is set to “ON” when the power to the gaming machine 1 is cut off. If it is determined that the backup flag is “ON” (S1103: YES), the process proceeds to S1104. On the other hand, when it is determined that the backup flag is not “ON” (S1103: NO), that is, when the backup flag is “OFF”, the process proceeds to S1111.

  In S1104, it is determined whether the checksum is normal. The checksum is created for the backup information, and is intended to determine the validity of the backup information when the data addition values match. If it is determined that the checksum is normal (S1104: YES), the process proceeds to S1105. On the other hand, if it is determined that the checksum is not normal (S1104: NO), the process proceeds to S1111.

In S1105, recovery processing is executed. Details of the recovery process will be described later.
In S1106, the CTC cycle is set. This process sets the cycle of the CTC that is a built-in timer counter. For example, it is set to 4 ms. As a result, the main CPU 301a executes a timer interrupt process to be described later at a CTC cycle.

In S1107, a power interruption monitoring process is executed. Details of the power interruption monitoring process will be described later.
In S1108, interrupt prohibition setting is performed. This process prohibits the timer interrupt process by the main CPU 301a.

  In S1109, random number update processing is performed. This process is to update various random values of jackpot random numbers, jackpot symbol random numbers, reach random numbers, variation pattern random numbers, and regular symbol random numbers. These random numbers are incremented by “1” every time this process is performed. Each random value is returned to “0” after reaching a preset maximum value.

  In S1110, interrupt permission setting is performed. This process permits timer interrupt processing by the main CPU 301a. Then, after the processing of S1110 is completed, the processing from S1107 is repeated.

  The process proceeds to S1111 when an affirmative determination is made in S1102, a negative determination is made in S1103, and a negative determination is made in S1104. In S1111, the RAM is cleared. The RAM clear is to initialize various flags and count values set by the main control board 300. For example, various flags include a probability variation flag and a time reduction flag. Examples of the count value include the number of short-time fluctuations W.

  In S1112, the peripheral part initial setting is performed. In this process, an initial setting command is transmitted from the main control board 300 to the payout control board 310 and the effect control board 320. Thereby, initial setting is performed on the payout control board 310 and the effect control board 320. After the process of S1112, the process proceeds to S1106 described above.

[Recovery processing]
The restoration process executed in the main control board 300 will be described using FIG. This restoration process is executed in S1105 of FIG.

In the first step S1201, a work area is set. The work area is an area used for recovery processing. In the processing of S1201, the work area is set in the main RAM 301c.
In S1202, a recovery command is created. This recovery command includes a command related to the gaming state. That is, a probability variation game flag, a time-short game flag, and the like. In addition, the count value of the counter related to these flags is included. Furthermore, hold information related to the hold display is included.

In S1203, a recovery command is transmitted. This process is a process of transmitting the restoration command created in S1202 to the effect control board 320.
In S1204, the backup flag is set to “OFF”, and then the recovery process is terminated.

[Power failure monitoring processing]
The power interruption monitoring process executed in the main control board 300 will be described with reference to FIG. This power interruption monitoring process is executed in S1107 of FIG.

In the first S1301, interrupt prohibition setting is performed. This process is a process for prohibiting the timer interrupt process by the main CPU 301a.
In S1302, it is determined whether or not the power supply is shut off. This process is a process for determining whether or not the power supply to the gaming machine 1 is cut off. If it is determined that the power supply has been cut off (S1302: YES), the process proceeds to S1303. On the other hand, if it is determined that the power supply is not shut off (S1302: NO), the process proceeds to S1306.

  In S1303, backup information is created and stored. The backup information is stored in the main RAM 301c. At this time, a checksum is created and stored together with the backup information. The backup information is used for creating a recovery command as described above.

In S1304, the backup flag is set to “ON”. The backup flag is stored in the main RAM 301c.
In S1305, RAM access is prohibited, and then the main process (see FIG. 11) is terminated.

  The process proceeds to S1306 when it is determined in S1302 that the power is not shut off. In S1306, interrupt permission setting is performed. This process permits the timer interrupt process of the main CPU 301a. After the processing of S1306 is completed, the process proceeds to S1108 in FIG.

[Timer interrupt processing]
The timer interrupt process executed in the main control board 300 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of timer interrupt processing executed in the main control board 300. The main control board 300 repeatedly executes a series of processes illustrated in FIG. 14 at regular time intervals (for example, 4 milliseconds) during a normal operation except for special cases such as when the power is turned on and when the power is turned off. . Note that the processing of the main control board 300 described based on the flowcharts of FIG. 14 and thereafter is executed by the main CPU 301a based on a program stored in the main ROM 301b.

  First, in S1401, random number update processing is executed. This process is to update various random values of jackpot random numbers, jackpot symbol random numbers, reach random numbers, variation pattern random numbers, and regular symbol random numbers. These random numbers are incremented by “1” every time this process is performed. Each random value is returned to “0” after reaching a preset maximum value.

In S1402, a switch process is performed. This process is executed when a detection signal from each switch is input. Details of the switch process will be described later.
In S1403, special symbol processing is performed. This process includes a process of stopping and displaying a stop symbol indicating the result of the special symbol determination after the special symbol is variably displayed on the first special symbol display 201 or the second special symbol display 202. Details of the special symbol process will be described later.

  In S1404, normal symbol processing is performed. This process includes a process of executing normal symbol determination, causing the normal symbol display 205 to display the normal symbol variably, and then stopping and displaying the normal symbol indicating the result of the normal symbol determination. Details of this normal symbol processing will be described later.

  In S1405, electric tulip processing is performed. This process activates the electric tulip 124 when it is determined that the second starter 123 is to be released as a result of the normal symbol determination. Details of the electric tulip process will be described later.

  In S1406, a special winning device opening control process is performed. In this process, when it is determined in S1403 that it is a big hit, the big winning device opening / closing solenoid 308 is controlled to open the big winning device 126. Details of the big prize device opening control process will be described later.

In S1407, prize ball processing is executed. This process controls the payout of prize balls according to the winning of game balls.
In S1408, transmission processing is executed. In this process, information necessary for determining various commands and contents of effects set (stored) in the main RAM 301c in the processing steps before S1407 is transmitted to the effect control board 320.

[Switch processing]
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing details of the switch processing in S1402 of FIG.

  In the first S1501, the first starter switch process is executed. This process monitors the presence / absence of a detection signal input from the first starter detection switch 304, and various random numbers (big hit random number, big hit symbol random number, reach random number, and variation pattern random number that are appropriately updated by the processing of S1401. ) Is obtained at the time when the detection signal from the first starter detection switch 304 is input. The first starter switch process will be further described later.

  In subsequent S1502, second starter switch processing is executed. This process monitors the presence / absence of a detection signal input from the second starter detection switch 305, and various random numbers (big hit random number, big hit symbol random number, reach random number, and variation pattern random number that are appropriately updated by the processing of S1401. ) Is obtained at the time when the detection signal from the second starter detection switch 305 is input. The second starter switch process will be further described later.

  In the next S1503, gate switch processing is executed. This process monitors the presence / absence of a detection signal input from the gate detection switch 303, and determines the value at the time when the detection signal from the gate detection switch 303 is input for the normal symbol random number updated as appropriate in the process of S1401. To get. The gate switch process will be further described later.

[First starter switch processing]
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing details of the first starter switch process in S1501 of FIG.

  In first step S1601, it is determined whether or not the first starter detection switch 304 has been turned “ON”. This processing is based on whether or not a detection signal from the first starter detection switch 304 (ON signal indicating that the first starter detection switch 304 is “ON”) is input. It is determined whether or not the detection switch 304 is turned “ON”. Here, when it is determined that the first starter detection switch 304 is “ON” (S1601: YES), the process proceeds to S1602. On the other hand, if it is determined that the first starter detection switch 304 is not “ON” (S1601: NO), the subsequent process is not executed and the first starter switch process is terminated.

  In S1602, it is determined whether or not the hold number U1 is less than the maximum hold number Umax1. In this process, it is determined whether or not the hold number U1 for the first special symbol determination stored in the main RAM 301c is less than the maximum hold number Umax1 ("4" in the present embodiment) stored in the main ROM 301b in advance. Judgment. If it is determined that U1 <Umax1 (S1602: YES), the process proceeds to S1603. On the other hand, when it is determined that U1 ≧ Umax1 (S1602: NO), the subsequent processing is not executed and the first starter switch processing is terminated.

In S1603, the value of the holding number U1 is updated to a value obtained by adding “1” from the current value.
In S1604 to S1607, various random numbers are acquired. In this process, a jackpot random number, a jackpot symbol random number, a reach random number, and a variation pattern random number are acquired as acquisition information used for the first special symbol determination, and these random numbers are associated with each other and stored in the main RAM 301c. .

  In S1608, a prior determination is performed. Here, jackpot determination, determination of jackpot symbol, and selection of variation pattern are performed in advance. These processes are the same as those performed in the special symbol process described later. Therefore, detailed processing will be described later.

Here, it is first determined whether or not the jackpot is based on the jackpot random number acquired in S1604.
If the result of the jackpot determination is a jackpot, a jackpot symbol (stop symbol data) is determined based on the jackpot symbol random number acquired in S1605. As shown in FIG. 5A, when the jackpot symbol random number is “0 to 49”, it becomes 15R jackpot, and when the jackpot symbol random number is “50 to 99”, it becomes 8R jackpot. Further, the probability variation 15R jackpot is a half of the 15R jackpot, and the ratio is usually 15R jackpot at a ratio of 1/2. At this time, the stop symbol data is “01” and “02”, respectively. Further, the probability variation 8R jackpot is a half of the 8R jackpot, and the ratio of 1/2 is usually the 8R jackpot. At this time, the stop symbol data is “03” and “04”, respectively.

On the other hand, when the result of the jackpot determination is a loss, a lost symbol (stop symbol data) is selected. The stop symbol data at the time of losing is “00”.
If the result of the jackpot determination is a jackpot, a variation pattern is selected based on the variation pattern random number acquired in S1607. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, in the case of a big hit, the fluctuation pattern 1 or the fluctuation pattern 2 is selected.

  On the other hand, when the result of the jackpot determination is a loss, a variation pattern is selected based on the reach random number acquired in S1606, the variation pattern random number acquired in S1607, the gaming state, and the number of holds. In this case, one of the fluctuation pattern 3 to the fluctuation pattern 6 is selected.

  As described above, the jackpot determination, the determination of the jackpot symbol, and the selection of the variation pattern are performed by special symbol processing described later. Therefore, the variation pattern may be changed according to the number of holds at the time of executing the special symbol process.

  In S1609, a hold command is set. The hold command includes “starter data” for distinguishing whether the hold is related to the first special symbol or the second special symbol, and “hold number data” indicating the number of the hold (ie, the hold number data). The number of reservations U1), “stop symbol data” indicating the jackpot type and loss, and “variation pattern data” indicating the variation pattern are included.

Note that the hold command set in S1609 is transmitted to the effect control board 320 in the transmission process of S1408 in FIG.
[Second starter switch processing]
FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing details of the second starter switch process in S1502 of FIG. The second starter switch process is the same as the first starter switch process described above.

  In the first S1701, it is determined whether or not the second starter detection switch 305 is turned “ON”. This process is based on whether or not a detection signal from the second starter detection switch 305 (ON signal indicating that the second starter detection switch 305 is “ON”) is input. It is determined whether or not the detection switch 305 is turned “ON”. Here, when it is determined that the second starter detection switch 305 is “ON” (S1701: YES), the process proceeds to S1702. On the other hand, when it is determined that the second starter detection switch 305 is not “ON” (S1701: NO), the subsequent process is not executed and the second starter switch process is terminated.

  In S1702, it is determined whether or not the hold number U2 is less than the maximum hold number Umax2. In this process, it is determined whether or not the second special symbol hold number U2 stored in the main RAM 301c is less than the maximum hold number Umax2 ("4" in the present embodiment) stored in the main ROM 301b in advance. Is. Here, when it is determined that U2 <Umax2 is satisfied (S1702: YES), the process proceeds to S1703. On the other hand, if it is determined that U2 ≧ Umax2 (S1702: NO), the subsequent processing is not executed and the second starter switch processing is terminated.

In step S1703, the value of the hold count U2 is updated to a value obtained by adding “1” from the current value.
In S1704 to S1707, various random numbers are acquired. This process acquires jackpot random numbers, jackpot symbol random numbers, reach random numbers, and variation pattern random numbers as acquisition information used for the second special symbol determination, associates these random numbers, and stores them in the main RAM 301c. .

  In S1708, a prior determination is performed. Here, jackpot determination, determination of jackpot symbol, and selection of variation pattern are performed in advance. These processes are the same as those performed in the special symbol process described later. Therefore, detailed processing will be described later.

Here, it is first determined whether or not the jackpot is based on the jackpot random number acquired in S1704.
If the result of the jackpot determination is a jackpot, a jackpot symbol (stop symbol data) is determined based on the jackpot symbol random number acquired in S1705. As shown in FIG. 5A, when the jackpot symbol random number is “0 to 74”, it becomes 15R jackpot, and when the jackpot symbol random number is “75 to 99”, it becomes 8R jackpot. Further, the probability variation 15R jackpot is a half of the 15R jackpot, and the ratio is usually 15R jackpot at a ratio of 1/2. At this time, the stop symbol data is “05” and “06”, respectively. Further, the probability variation 8R jackpot is a half of the 8R jackpot, and the ratio of 1/2 is usually the 8R jackpot. At this time, the stop symbol data becomes “07” and “08”, respectively.

On the other hand, when the result of the jackpot determination is a loss, a lost symbol (stop symbol data) is selected. The stop symbol data at the time of losing is “00”.
If the result of the jackpot determination is a jackpot, a variation pattern is selected based on the variation pattern random number acquired in S1707. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, in the case of a big hit, the fluctuation pattern 1 or the fluctuation pattern 2 is selected.

  On the other hand, if the result of the jackpot determination is a loss, a variation pattern is selected based on the reach random number acquired in S1706, the variation pattern random number acquired in S1707, the gaming state, and the number of holds. At this time, any one of the fluctuation patterns 3 to 6 is selected.

  As described above, the jackpot determination, the determination of the jackpot symbol, and the selection of the variation pattern are performed by special symbol processing described later. Therefore, the variation pattern may be changed according to the number of holds at the time of executing the special symbol process.

  In S1709, a hold command is set. The hold command includes “starter data” for distinguishing whether the hold is related to the first special symbol or the second special symbol, and “hold number data” indicating the number of the hold (ie, the hold number data). The number of reservations U2), “stop symbol data” indicating the jackpot type and loss, and “variation pattern data” indicating the variation pattern are included.

Note that the hold command and the prefetch command set in S1709 are transmitted to the effect control board 320 in the transmission processing in S1408 of FIG.
[Gate switch processing]
FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing details of the gate switch processing in S1503 of FIG.

  In the first S1801, it is determined whether or not the gate detection switch 303 is “ON”. In this process, the gate detection switch 303 is turned “ON” based on whether or not a detection signal from the gate detection switch 303 (ON signal indicating that the gate detection switch 303 is “ON”) is input. It is determined whether or not. If it is determined that the gate detection switch 303 is “ON” (S1801: YES), the process proceeds to S1802. On the other hand, if it is determined that the gate detection switch 303 is not “ON” (S1801: NO), the subsequent processing is not executed and the gate switch processing is terminated.

  In S1802, it is determined whether the hold number T is less than the maximum hold number Tmax. In this process, whether or not the normal symbol determination hold number T stored in the main RAM 301c is less than the maximum normal symbol determination hold number Tmax ("4" in this embodiment) stored in advance in the main ROM 301b. It is a judgment. If it is determined that T <Tmax (S1802: YES), the process proceeds to S1803. On the other hand, if it is determined that T ≧ Tmax (S1802: NO), the gate switch process is terminated without executing the subsequent processes.

  In S1803, the hold count T is updated to a value obtained by adding “1” from the current value. In subsequent S1804, a normal symbol random number used for normal symbol determination is acquired and stored in the main RAM 301c.

[Special symbol processing]
Details of the special symbol process executed by the main control board 300 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing details of the special symbol process in S1403 of FIG.

  In first S1901, it is determined whether or not a big hit game is being played. When the jackpot game is being played, the jackpot game flag stored in the main RAM 301c is set to “ON”. This process is to determine whether or not the jackpot game flag stored in the main RAM 301c is set to “ON”. If it is determined that the game is a jackpot game (S1901: YES), the subsequent symbol processing is terminated without executing the subsequent processing. On the other hand, if it is determined that the game is not a jackpot game (S1901: NO), the process proceeds to S1902.

  In S1902, it is determined whether or not the special symbol variation display is in progress. If it is determined that the special symbol variation display is not being performed (S1902: NO), the process proceeds to S1903. On the other hand, if it is determined that special symbols are being displayed (S1902: YES), the process proceeds to S1911.

  In S1903, it is determined whether or not one of the holding number U1 for the first special symbol determination or the holding number U2 for the second special symbol determination is greater than “0”. If it is determined that U1> 0 or U2> 0 (S1903: YES), the process proceeds to S1904. On the other hand, when it is determined that U1 = U2 = 0 (S1903: NO), the subsequent process is not executed and the special symbol process is terminated.

  In S1904, if U2> 0, the pending number U2 is updated to a value obtained by subtracting “1” from the current value. If U2 = 0, the number of holds U1 is updated to a value obtained by subtracting “1” from the current value. That is, the reservation of the second special symbol is preferentially digested.

  In S1905, the storage area is shifted. This process executes a shift process for the storage area of the main RAM 301c. Specifically, the first or second special symbol determination jackpot random number, jackpot symbol random number, reach random number, and variation pattern random number subtracted in S1904 are stored first in the reserved storage area (the oldest one) Are shifted to the determination storage area, and the rest are shifted to the determination storage area.

  In S1906, a jackpot determination process is executed. In this process, the jackpot determination process is executed based on the random numbers stored in the determination storage area. By executing this jackpot determination process, it is determined whether it is a jackpot or loss, and the determination result is set in the main RAM 301c. When it is determined that the jackpot is a jackpot symbol (stop symbol data) indicating the type of jackpot. Details of the jackpot determination process will be described later.

  In S1907, a variation pattern selection process is executed. Specifically, referring to the variation pattern table stored in the main ROM 301b in advance, the determination result of the jackpot determination in S1906, the stop symbol data set in the main RAM 301c, the current gaming state, the number of special symbol determination pending The variation pattern of the special symbol is selected based on the reach random number and the variation pattern random number stored in the storage area for determination U1 or U2. By performing the processing of S1907, it is also determined whether to perform an effect with reach or an effect without reach. Details of the variation pattern selection process will be described later.

  In S1908, a change start command is set. In this process, a change start command including stop symbol data set in the process of S1906, change pattern data indicating the change pattern set in the process of S1907, game state data indicating the gaming state of the gaming machine 1, and the like is set in the main RAM 301c. To do. This variation start command is a command for instructing the start of the variation effect accompanying the variation display of the special symbol, and is transmitted to the effect control board 320 by the transmission processing of S1408 of FIG.

  On the other hand, the effect control board 320 needs to specify the result of the special symbol determination by analyzing the variation start command received from the main control board 300, and perform either the effect with reach or the effect without reach. To determine the game state of the gaming machine 1 by acquiring the variation time during which the special symbol is variably displayed. From the voice output device 331, the display pattern of the decorative symbol is variably displayed on the liquid crystal display device 121 in accordance with the variation display of the special symbol on the first special symbol indicator 201 or the second special symbol indicator 202. What kind of sound is output, what light emission pattern the frame lamp 103 emits, various types of actors are operated, and what types of actors are operated when various types of actors are operated The image control board 330 and the lamp control board 340 are caused to execute the effect of the determined content.

  In S1909, the variable display is started. This process starts the special symbol variation display based on the data included in the variation start command set in S1908. The special symbol variation display is performed using the first special symbol display 201 or the second special symbol display 202.

In S1910, measurement of the variation time is started. In this process, measurement of a variation time that is an elapsed time since the start of variation display is started.
In the next S1911, it is determined whether or not the variation time has elapsed. In this process, it is determined whether or not the variation time corresponding to the variation pattern selected by the processing in S1907 has elapsed since the measurement of the variation time in S1910. If it is determined that the fluctuation time has not elapsed (S1911: NO), the subsequent process is not executed and the special symbol process is terminated. On the other hand, when it is determined that the fluctuation time has elapsed (S1911: YES), the process proceeds to S1912.

  In S1912, a symbol confirmation command is set. In this process, a symbol confirmation command for notifying that the stop symbol indicating the determination result of the special symbol determination is stopped and displayed on the first special symbol display 201 or the second special symbol display 202 is set in the main RAM 301c. is there. The symbol confirmation command is transmitted to the effect control board 320 by the transmission processing in S1408 of FIG. Thereby, the process etc. which stop-display the decoration symbol which was variably displayed on the liquid crystal display device 121 in the aspect which shows the determination result of a special symbol determination, etc. are performed.

  In S1913, the variable display ends. This process ends the special symbol variation display started in S1909. At that time, the stop symbol data (big hit symbol or lost symbol) set in the processing of S1906 is stopped and displayed on the special symbol indicators 201 and 202 that have been variably displayed on the special symbols. Specifically, when the special symbol is variably displayed on the first special symbol display 201, the first special symbol display 201 is caused to stop display the jackpot symbol or the lost symbol, and the second special symbol display 202 When the special symbol is variably displayed, the big special symbol or the lost symbol is stopped and displayed on the second special symbol display unit 202.

In S1914, the measured variation time is reset. This process is to reset the variation time when the measurement is started in the process of S1910.
In the subsequent S1915, the stop process is executed. This process includes a process of starting a jackpot game when the jackpot is won. Details of the stop process will be described later.

[Big hit judgment processing]
FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing details of the jackpot determination process in S1906 of FIG.

  In the first S2001, a jackpot determination is performed. Here, when the jackpot determination relating to the winning to the first starter 122 is executed, the jackpot determination table (see FIG. 4A) of the first special symbol stored in advance in the main ROM 301b is used. On the other hand, when the jackpot determination relating to winning in the second starting device 123 is executed, a jackpot determination table (see FIG. 4B) of the second special symbol stored in advance in the main ROM 301b is used.

  A jackpot random number is described in the jackpot determination table of the first special symbol and the second special symbol. Therefore, the jackpot is determined based on whether or not the jackpot random number stored in the determination storage area matches the value described in the jackpot determination table of the first special symbol or the second special symbol. If they do not match, it is determined to be lost. At this time, when the gaming state is the normal gaming state, the jackpot random number is either “7” or “8”, and when the gaming state is the probability variation gaming state, the jackpot random number is “7” to “26”. Either.

  In subsequent S2002, it is determined whether or not it is a big hit. This process determines whether or not the jackpot is based on the determination result of S2001. If it is determined that the game is a big hit (S2002: YES), the process proceeds to S2003. On the other hand, if it is determined that it is not a big hit (S2002: NO), that is, if it is a loss, a lost symbol (stop symbol data “00”) is set in S2005, and the big hit determination process is terminated.

  In S2003, the type of jackpot is determined. In this process, a jackpot type is determined using a jackpot symbol determination table (see FIG. 5A) stored in the main RAM 301c. Here, 15R jackpot or 8R jackpot is determined based on the jackpot symbol random number stored in the determination storage area. In the case of the first special symbol, the value shown in the upper part of FIG. 5A is used, and in the case of the second special symbol, the value shown in the lower part of FIG. 5A is used. This makes it possible to realize the jackpot breakdown shown in FIG.

  In S2004, a jackpot symbol is set. In this process, a jackpot symbol (stop symbol data) corresponding to the type of jackpot determined in the process of S2003 is set in the main RAM 301c. Accordingly, during the process of S1913 in FIG. 19 described above, the jackpot symbol set here is stopped and displayed as a stop symbol on the first special symbol display 201 or the second special symbol display 202, and the jackpot game is executed. Will be. After the process of S2004 ends, the jackpot determination process ends.

[Variation pattern selection processing]
FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing details of the variation pattern selection processing in S1907 of FIG.

  In the first S2101, it is determined whether or not a big hit. This process is based on the jackpot determination in S2001 of FIG. If it is determined that the game is a big hit (S2101: YES), the process proceeds to S2102. On the other hand, if it is determined that it is not a big hit (S2101: NO), that is, if it is a loss, the process proceeds to S2105.

  In S2102, it is determined whether or not the probability variation jackpot. This processing is based on the jackpot type (stop symbol data) determined in S2003 in FIG. If it is determined that it is a probable big hit (S2102: YES), the fluctuation pattern table for the probable big hit is set in S2103, and then the process proceeds to S2109. On the other hand, if it is determined that it is not a probable big hit (S2102: NO), that is, if it is a normal big hit, the normal big hit variation pattern table is set in S2104, and then the process proceeds to S2109.

  In S2105, which shifts to a case where it is determined in S2101 that the game is not a big hit, the gaming state and the number of holds are determined. This process is to determine whether the current gaming state is the hourly gaming state or the non-hourly gaming state based on the hourly gaming flag stored in the main RAM 301c. Moreover, the number of pending special symbol determinations is determined. As a result, the corresponding variation pattern table is narrowed down.

  In S2106, it is determined whether or not it is reach. In the case of a loss, this process determines whether or not to perform a reach effect for causing the player to expect a big hit. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the reach random number stored in the determination storage area matches the value described in the variation pattern table. If it is determined that it is reach (S2106: YES), the process proceeds to S2107. On the other hand, when it is determined that it is not reach (S2106: NO), the process proceeds to S2108.

  In step S2107, a variation pattern table for reach is set. In this process, the reach variation pattern table is read from the main ROM 301b based on the gaming state and the number of reserved balls determined in S2105, and is set in the main RAM 301c. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S2109.

  In S2108, a variation pattern table without reach is set. In this process, the unreachable variation pattern table is read from the main ROM 301b based on the gaming state and the number of reserved balls determined in S2105, and is set in the main RAM 301c. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S2109.

  In S2109, a variation pattern random number determination process is performed. In this process, the fluctuation pattern random number is determined using the fluctuation pattern table set in the process of S2103, S2104, S2107, or S2108. Specifically, the variation pattern corresponding to the variation pattern random number stored in the determination storage area is selected with reference to the variation pattern table set in the main RAM 301c. By performing the processing of S2109, the variation pattern (variation time) of the special symbol is determined.

  In S2110, a variation pattern is set. In this process, variation pattern data indicating the variation pattern selected in S2109 is set in the main RAM 301c. The variation pattern data is included in the variation start command set in the processing of S1908 in FIG. 19 together with the symbol (stop symbol data) set by the jackpot determination processing, and the effect control board 320 is transmitted by the transmission processing in S1408 of FIG. Sent to.

[Processing while stopped]
FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing details of the stopping process in S1915 in FIG.

  In the first S2201, it is determined whether or not a big hit. This process determines whether or not the jackpot is based on the determination result of S2001 in FIG. If it is determined that the game is a jackpot (S2201: YES), the jackpot game flag is set to “ON” in S2202, and then the process proceeds to S2203. On the other hand, when it is determined that it is not a big hit (S2201: NO), the process proceeds to S2206.

  In S2203, it is determined whether or not the time-saving game flag is “ON”. This process is to determine whether or not the short-time game flag stored in the main RAM 301c is set to “ON”. The short-time game flag is a flag indicating whether or not the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is a short-time game state, and is set to “ON” when transitioning from the normal game state to the short-time game state. It is set to “OFF” when returning to the gaming state. If it is determined that the short-time game flag is set to “ON” (S2203: YES), the short-time game flag is set to “OFF” in S2204, and then the process proceeds to S2205. On the other hand, if it is determined that the short-time game flag is not set to “ON” (S2203: NO), that is, if the short-time game flag is set to “OFF”, the process of S2204 is not executed. The process moves to S2205.

  In S2205, an opening command is set in the main RAM 301c. The opening refers to a period from when the jackpot game is started until the first prize-winning device 126 starts to be released. The opening command is a command for notifying that the opening is started, and is transmitted to the effect control board 320 by the transmission process of S1408.

  After S2205, or when it is determined in S2201 that it is not a big hit, it is determined whether or not the probability variation game flag is “ON”. The probability change game flag is stored in the main RAM 301c, and is set to “ON” when the probability change game state is set, and is set to “OFF” when the normal game state is set. If it is determined that the probability variation game flag is “ON” (S2206: YES), the subsequent processing is terminated without executing the subsequent processing. On the other hand, when it is determined that the probability variation game flag is “OFF” (S2206: NO), the process proceeds to S2207.

  In S2207, it is determined whether or not the time-saving game flag is “ON”. The time saving game flag is stored in the main RAM 301c, and is set to “ON” when the time saving gaming state is set, and is set to “OFF” when the non-time saving gaming status is set. If it is determined that the time-saving game flag is “ON” (S2207: YES), the process proceeds to S2208. On the other hand, when it is determined that the time-saving game flag is “OFF” (S2207: NO), the subsequent processing is terminated without executing the subsequent processing.

In S2208, the number of short-time fluctuations W is updated by subtracting “1” from the current number of short-time fluctuations W. The time fluctuation number W is stored in the main RAM 301c.
In S2209, it is determined whether or not the time-varying fluctuation count W is “0”. If it is determined that W = 0 (S2209: YES), the time-short game flag is set to “OFF” in S2210, and then the in-stop process is terminated. On the other hand, if W ≠ 0 (S2209: NO), the process in S2210 is not executed and the stopped process is terminated.

[Normal pattern processing]
FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing details of the normal symbol processing in S1404 of FIG.

  In the first S2301, it is determined whether or not the auxiliary game flag is “ON”. This process determines whether or not the auxiliary game flag stored in the main RAM 301c is set to “ON”. The auxiliary game flag is a flag that indicates whether or not the electric tulip 124 is in an auxiliary game in which the operation of returning to the closed posture after maintaining the open posture for a predetermined time is performed, and is set to “ON” during the auxiliary game. When it is not in the auxiliary game, “OFF” is set. If it is determined that the auxiliary game flag is set to “ON” (S2301: YES), the subsequent symbol processing is terminated without executing the subsequent processing. In this case, it moves to the electric tulip process of S1405 of FIG. On the other hand, if it is determined that the auxiliary game flag is not “ON” (S2301: NO), that is, if the auxiliary game flag is set to “OFF”, the process proceeds to S2302.

  In S2302, it is determined whether or not the normal symbol is changing. This process is to determine whether or not the variable display on the normal symbol display 205 is being performed. If it is determined here that the normal symbol is not changing (S2302: NO), the process proceeds to S2303. On the other hand, if it is determined that the normal symbol is changing (S2302: YES), the flow proceeds to S2314.

  In S2303, which is shifted to when the normal symbol is not fluctuating, it is determined whether or not the number T of the normal symbol determination is “1” or more. If it is determined that the hold count T is “1” or more (S2303: YES), the process proceeds to S2304. On the other hand, when it is determined that the number of holdings T is not “1” or more (S2303: NO), that is, when the number of holdings T is “0”, the subsequent process is not executed and the normal symbol processing is terminated. .

  In S2304, the hold count T is updated to a value obtained by subtracting “1” from the current value. In step S2305, a hit random number determination process is performed. In this process, whether the oldest normal symbol random number among the normal symbol random numbers stored in the main RAM 301c in S1804 in FIG. 18 matches one of the winning values related to the normal symbol determination stored in the main ROM 301b in advance. It is to determine whether or not.

  In S2306, it is determined whether or not it is a win. This process determines whether or not the determination result of the normal symbol determination is a win based on the determination result of S2305. If it is determined that the game is successful (S2306: YES), the winning symbol is set in the main RAM 301c in S2307, and then the process proceeds to S2309. On the other hand, if it is determined that it is not a win (S2306: NO), that is, if it is a loss, the lost symbol is set in the main RAM 301c in S2308, and then the process proceeds to S2309.

  In S2309, it is determined whether or not the non-time-saving gaming state. This process determines whether or not the current gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is a non-short-time gaming state based on whether or not the hourly gaming flag is set to “ON”. If it is determined that the game is in the non-short-time gaming state (S2309: YES), the normal symbol variation time is set to 12 seconds in S2310, and then the process proceeds to S2312. On the other hand, if it is determined that the game is not in the non-short game state (S2309: NO), that is, if it is in the short-time game state, the normal symbol variation time is set to 3 seconds in S2311, and then the process proceeds to S2312. The normal symbol variation time is the time for the normal symbol display 205 to display the normal symbol in a variable manner. The normal symbol variation time set here is temporarily stored in the main RAM 301c.

In S2312, the normal symbol display 205 starts to change the normal symbol. In step S2313, measurement of elapsed time from the start of the variable display is started.
On the other hand, in S2314 which is shifted when the normal symbol is changing, it is determined whether or not to end the normal symbol change. Specifically, it is determined whether or not to end the normal symbol fluctuation display based on whether or not the elapsed time when the measurement is started in S2313 has reached the normal symbol fluctuation time set in S2310 or S2311. To do. Here, when it is determined that the variation of the normal symbol is to be ended (S2314: YES), the normal symbol variation display on the normal symbol display unit 205 is terminated in S2315, and the winning symbol or the lost symbol is stopped and displayed. The process moves to S2316. On the other hand, if it is determined not to end the variation of the normal symbol (S2314: NO), the normal symbol processing is terminated without executing the subsequent processing.

In S2316, the elapsed time is reset. This process resets the elapsed time when the measurement is started in the process of S2313.
In S2317, as in S2306, it is determined whether or not the determination result of the normal symbol determination is correct. If it is determined that it is a win (S2317: YES), the auxiliary game flag is set to “ON” in S2318, and then the normal symbol process is terminated. On the other hand, when it is determined that it is not a hit (S2317: NO), the process of S2318 is not executed and the normal symbol process is terminated.

[Electric tulip treatment]
FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing details of the electric tulip process in S1405 of FIG.

  In the first S2401, it is determined whether or not the auxiliary game flag is “ON”. If it is determined that the auxiliary game flag is “ON” (S2401: YES), the process proceeds to S2402. On the other hand, when it is determined that the auxiliary game flag is not “ON” (S2401: NO), that is, when the auxiliary game flag is “OFF”, the subsequent processing is not executed and the electric tulip is executed. The process ends.

  In S2402, it is determined whether or not the electric tulip is operating. If it is determined that the electric tulip is operating (S2402: YES), the process proceeds to S2407. On the other hand, when it is determined that the electric tulip is not operating (S2402: NO), the process proceeds to S2403.

  In S2403, it is determined whether or not it is a non-time saving gaming state. This process is the same as S2309 in FIG. If it is determined that the game is in the non-short game state (S2403: YES), an operation pattern is set in S2404, and then the process proceeds to S2406. In S2404, as an operation pattern of the electric tulip 124, an operation pattern for performing the operation of opening the second starting device 123 for 0.1 second twice is set in the main RAM 301c. Thereby, the opening for a total of 0.2 seconds is realized.

  The operation pattern set in S2404, that is, the operation pattern in which the operation of releasing for 0.1 second is performed twice will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The operation pattern is such that the time Toff is set to a predetermined time, and the electric tulip 124 is continuously opened twice (set to the open state) at the set on time Ton and off time Toff. However, the on-time Ton is set to 0.1 second, for example. For example, the on-time Ton is set so that the period (time t2 to t6) from when the electric tulip 124 starts to close to 0.1 second is 0.1 second. In addition, the off time Toff may be set. Further, for example, the on-time Ton and the off-time Toff are set so that the period during which the electric tulip 124 is fully open (slightly after time t3 to time t5 (timing when the closing operation starts)) is 0.1 second. May be.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the game is not in the non-short game state (S2403: NO), that is, if it is in the short-time game state, the operation pattern is set in S2405, and then the process proceeds to S2406. In S2405, as an operation pattern of the electric tulip 124, an operation pattern for performing the operation of opening the second starter 123 for 0.5 seconds seven times is set in the main RAM 301c. Thereby, the opening for a total of 3.5 seconds is realized.

  The operation pattern set in S2405, that is, the operation pattern in which the operation of releasing for 0.5 seconds is performed seven times will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 10B. The operation pattern is such that the time Toff is set to a predetermined time, and the electric tulip 124 is continuously opened seven times (set to the open state) at the set on time Ton and off time Toff. However, the ON time Ton is set to 0.5 seconds, for example. For example, the ON time Ton is set so that the period (time t2 to t6) from when the electric tulip 124 starts to close to 0.5 seconds becomes 0.5 seconds. In addition, the off time Toff may be set. In addition, for example, the on time Ton and the off time Toff are set so that the period in which the electric tulip 124 is fully open (slightly after time t3 to time t5 (timing at which the closing operation starts)) is 0.5 seconds. May be.

  In S2406, the operation of the electric tulip 124 is started. This process is to start the operation of the electric tulip 124 with the operation pattern set in S2404 or S2405. Specifically, the electric tulip driving process shown in FIG. 25 is started by the main CPU 301a. The electric tulip driving process in FIG. 25 is executed in parallel (as a parallel process) with the main process. Details of the electric tulip driving process of FIG. 25 will be described later.

  In S2407, it is determined whether the operation of the electric tulip 124 is completed. If it is determined that the operation of the electric tulip 124 is completed (S2407: YES), the auxiliary game flag is set to “OFF” in S2408, and then the electric tulip process is terminated. Thereby, an auxiliary game is complete | finished. On the other hand, when it is determined that the operation of the electric tulip 124 is not completed (S2407: NO), the processing of S2408 is not executed, and the electric tulip process is terminated.

[Electric tulip drive process]
FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing details of the electric tulip driving process started to be executed by the main CPU 301a in S2406 of FIG.

  In the first S2501, the initial drive time Ta and the holding time Tb are set to values corresponding to the operation pattern set in S2404 or S2405 in the electric tulip process of FIG. That is, for example, when the operation pattern is set such that the operation of releasing for 0.1 second in S2404 is performed twice, the initial drive time Ta that can reliably operate the electric tulip 124 is set, and Ta + Tb Is set to be 0.1 seconds.

  In S2502, the voltage selector switch 1003 is switched to the first drive voltage Vs1. In S2503, the energization switch 1004 is turned on. Thereby, the first drive voltage Vs1 of the first voltage source 1001 is applied to the coil 712 as the solenoid drive voltage Vsol, and energization of the coil 712 is started.

  In S2504, it is determined whether or not the holding current reduction control execution condition is satisfied. This execution condition (in other words, the condition that the current supplied to the coil 712 should be reduced to a holding current lower than the initial drive current (current greater than the initial drive lower limit Id) after the electric tulip 124 is in the open position) is Although it can be determined as appropriate, in the present embodiment, at least the short-time gaming state is set.

  The fact that the gaming state is the short-time gaming state at the time of the determination in S2504 means that the electric tulip 124 is released for a total of 3.5 seconds as an operation pattern in S2405 in the electric tulip processing of FIG. Is executed 7 times). The opening time of the electric tulip 124 in this operation pattern is longer than the opening time in the non-short game state (0.2 seconds in total). Therefore, if a large current continues to flow through the coil 712 during opening, the coil 712 may overheat.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, one of the execution conditions of the holding current reduction control is set to be the short-time gaming state, and the holding current reduction control is performed when the electric tulip 124 is operated in the short-time gaming state. I am trying to do it. On the other hand, in the non-short-time gaming state, the opening time of the electric tulip 124 is very short at a total of 0.2 seconds. Therefore, the holding current reduction control is not performed in the non-short game state.

  If it is determined in S2504 that the holding current reduction control execution condition is not satisfied (for example, in the case of a non-time saving gaming state), it is determined in S2505 whether or not the specified on-time Ton has elapsed since the start of energization. The on-time used as a criterion here is the sum of the initial driving time Ta and the holding time Tb set in S2501. The determination in S2505 is repeated until the on time Ton elapses. Note that, in the process in which the determination in S2505 is repeated, the current flowing through the coil 712 increases and becomes equal to or greater than the initial drive lower limit Id, and the electric tulip 124 is activated.

  If the on-time Ton has elapsed since the start of energization (S2505: YES), the process proceeds to S2509. Thus, when the execution condition of the holding current reduction control is not satisfied, the holding current reduction control is not performed. That is, the first drive voltage Vs1 is continuously applied to the coil 712 from the start to the end of energization, and switching to the second drive voltage Vs2 (that is, reduction of the energization current) is not performed.

  If the execution condition of the holding current reduction control is satisfied in S2504, the process proceeds to S2506. In S2506, it is determined whether the initial drive time Ta has elapsed since the start of energization. The intended drive time Ta used as a criterion here is the time set in S2501. Until the initial drive time Ta elapses from the start of energization, the determination process of S2506 is repeated. In the process in which the determination process of S2506 is repeated, as described with reference to FIG. 10B, the current flowing through the coil 712 becomes equal to or greater than the initial drive lower limit Id, and the electric tulip 124 is activated.

  When the initial drive time Ta has elapsed from the start of energization (S2506: YES), the voltage switch 1003 is switched to the second drive voltage Vs2 in S2507. At this point, the electric tulip 124 is in an open state unless an abnormality has occurred. When the voltage changeover switch 1003 is switched to the second drive voltage Vs2 in S2507, the second drive voltage Vs2 of the second voltage source 1002 is applied to the coil 712 as the solenoid drive voltage Vsol, and the holding current Ik is energized. It will be.

  In S2508, it is determined whether the holding time Tb has elapsed since the voltage changeover switch 1003 was switched to the second drive voltage Vs2 in S2507. Here, the holding time Tb used as a criterion is the time set in S2501. Until the holding time Tb elapses, the determination processing of S2508 is repeated. If the holding time Tb has elapsed (S2508: YES), the process proceeds to S2509.

  In S2508, which is executed when it is determined that the holding time Tb has elapsed in S2508 or when it is determined that the on-time Ton has elapsed in S2505, the energization switch 1004 is turned off. Thereby, the application of the solenoid drive voltage Vsol to the coil 712 is stopped.

  In S2510, it is determined whether the opening / closing operation of the electric tulip 124 has been completed a specified number of times. The specified number of times here is the number of operations corresponding to the operation pattern set in S2404 or S2405 in the electric tulip process of FIG. If the specified number of opening / closing operations has not been completed (S2510: NO), the system waits for the off time Toff in S2511 and returns to S2502.

  If the specified number of opening / closing operations has been completed in S2510 (S2510: YES), the electric tulip driving process of FIG. 25 is terminated. While the electric tulip driving process of FIG. 25 is being executed, a negative determination is continued in S2407 of FIG. On the other hand, when the electric tulip driving process of FIG. 25 is completed, an affirmative determination is made in S2407 of FIG. 24 and the process proceeds to S2408.

[Large winning device opening control processing]
FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing details of the big winning device opening control process in S1406 of FIG.

  In the first S2601, it is determined whether or not the jackpot game flag is set to “ON”. If it is determined that the jackpot game flag is set to “ON” (S2601: YES), the flow proceeds to S2602. On the other hand, if it is determined that the jackpot game flag is not set to “ON” (S2601: NO), that is, if the jackpot game flag is set to “OFF”, the subsequent processing is not executed. The big prize device opening control process is terminated.

  In S2602, it is determined whether or not opening is in progress. For example, it is determined whether or not the jackpot game is being opened based on whether or not the elapsed time after setting the opening command related to the jackpot game by the processing of S2205 in FIG. 22 has reached a predetermined opening time. That's it. If it is determined that the opening is being performed (S2602: YES), the process proceeds to S2603. On the other hand, when it is determined that the opening is not in progress (S2602: NO), the process proceeds to S2611.

  In S2603, it is determined whether or not the opening time has elapsed. If it is determined that the opening time has elapsed (S2603: YES), the flow proceeds to S2604. On the other hand, when it is determined that the opening time has not elapsed (S2603: NO), the subsequent process is not executed and the large winning device opening control process is terminated.

  In S2604, an operation pattern is set. In this process, the round upper limit number Rmax (“15” or “8”) and the operation pattern are determined and stored in the main RAM 301c. By the processing of S2604, various times related to the jackpot game such as the interval time between the rounds and the ending time after the end of the final round are also set.

  In S 2605, the winning number Y of game balls to the big winning device 126 is reset to “0”. In subsequent S2606, the number R of jackpot rounds stored in the main RAM 301c is updated to a value obtained by adding “1” from the current value. The round number R is set to “0” before the start of the jackpot, and is incremented by “1” every time the processing of S2606 is executed.

  In S2607, the opening control of the big winning device is started. In subsequent S2608, measurement of an opening time that is an elapsed time since the opening control in S2607 is started is started. In next step S2609, a round start command is set. In this process, a round start command for notifying that a round game has started is set in the main RAM 301c. After the processing of S2609 ends, the process proceeds to S2616.

  In S2611, when it is determined that the opening is not being performed in S2602, it is determined whether or not the ending is in progress. This process determines, for example, whether the ending immediately after the end of the final round is in progress based on information indicating when the current state stored in the main RAM 301c is in the jackpot game. If it is determined that the ending is in progress (S2611: YES), the process proceeds to S2624. On the other hand, when it is determined that ending is not being performed (S2611: NO), the process proceeds to S2612.

  In S2612, it is determined whether the interval is in progress. In this process, for example, whether or not the current state stored in the main RAM 301c is in the interval (between the rounds) is determined based on the information indicating the time point in the jackpot game. To do. If it is determined that the interval is in effect (S2612: YES), the flow shifts to S2613. On the other hand, if it is determined that the interval is not in progress (S2612: NO), the process proceeds to S2614.

  In S2613, it is determined whether the interval time has elapsed. This process is to determine whether or not the interval time set by the process of S2604 has elapsed since the big winning device 126 was closed at the end of the previous round. If it is determined that the interval time has elapsed (S2613: YES), the process proceeds to S2604 because it is time to start the next round. On the other hand, when it is determined that the interval time has not elapsed (S2613: NO), the subsequent process is not executed and the large winning device opening control process is terminated.

  In S2614, it is determined whether or not the special winning device detection switch 306 is turned “ON”. The big winning device detection switch 306 is a switch for detecting a winning of a game ball to the big winning device. This process is to determine whether or not the big winning device detection switch 306 is turned “ON” based on the presence / absence of the detection signal input from the big winning device detection switch 306 during the round. Here, when it is determined that the big winning device detection switch 306 is “ON” (S2614: YES), it is determined that one game ball has won the big winning device 126, and the game ball is won in S2615. The number Y is updated to a value obtained by adding “1” from the current value, and thereafter, the process proceeds to S2616. On the other hand, when it is determined that the special winning device detection switch 306 is not “ON” (S2614: NO), the processing of S2615 is not executed, and the process proceeds to S2616.

  In S2616, it is determined whether the specified opening time has elapsed. In this process, it is determined whether or not the specified opening time has elapsed since the opening of the special winning device 126. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the opening time at which the measurement is started by the processing of S2608 has reached a specified opening time (29 seconds in this embodiment) stored in the main ROM 301b in advance. If it is determined that the specified opening time has not elapsed (S2616: NO), the process proceeds to S2617. On the other hand, when it is determined that the specified release time has elapsed (S2616: YES), the processing of S2617 is not executed, and the process proceeds to S2618.

  In S2617, it is determined whether or not the winning number Y has reached the maximum winning number Ymax. In this process, the winning number Y of game balls in the current round stored in the main RAM 301c is the maximum number of winnings Ymax (for example, “9”) that prescribes the closing timing of the big winning device 126 stored in the main ROM 301b in advance. ) Is determined. If it is determined that Y = Ymax (S2617: YES), the flow proceeds to S2618. On the other hand, if it is determined that Y ≠ Ymax (S2617: NO), the subsequent process is not executed and the large winning device opening control process is terminated.

In S2618, the opening control of the big winning device 126 is finished. As a result, the special winning device 126 is closed.
In S2619, it is determined whether or not the round number R has reached the round upper limit number Rmax. If it is determined that R = Rmax (S2619: YES), the flow proceeds to S2621. On the other hand, if it is determined that R ≠ Rmax (S2619: NO), the measurement of the interval time is started in S2620, and then the big prize winning device opening control process is ended. The process of S2620 starts measurement of an interval time that is an elapsed time after the big winning device 126 is closed in order to control the start timing of the next round. This interval time is used for the processing of S2613.

  In S2621, ending time measurement is started. In step S2622, the round number R is reset to “0”. In step S2623, an ending command is set in the main RAM 301c. This ending command is a command for notifying that the final release of the big winning device 126 has been completed, and is transmitted to the effect control board 320 by the transmission processing of S1408.

  In S2624, it is determined whether or not the ending time has elapsed. In this process, it is determined whether or not the ending time at which measurement is started by the process of S2621 has reached the set ending time set by the process of S2604. If it is determined that the ending time has elapsed (S2624: YES), the process proceeds to S2625. On the other hand, if it is determined that the ending time has not elapsed (S2624: NO), the subsequent process is not executed and the large winning device opening control process is terminated.

  In S2625, a game state setting process is executed. The game state setting process is to set the game state of the gaming machine 1 after the jackpot game ends. Details of the game state setting process will be described later.

  In S2626, the big hit game flag is turned “OFF”, and then the big winning device opening control process is ended. By setting the jackpot game flag to “OFF”, the jackpot game ends.

[Game state setting process]
FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing details of the gaming state setting process in S2625 of FIG.

  In the first S2701, the presence / absence of a probability change is determined based on the jackpot symbol (stop symbol data). This process is based on the jackpot symbol set in S2004 of FIG.

  In S2702, it is determined based on the determination result in S2701 whether or not it is a probable big hit. Here, when it is determined that it is a probable big hit (S2702: YES), the process proceeds to S2703. On the other hand, when it is determined that it is not a probable big hit (S2702: NO), that is, when it is a normal big hit, the process proceeds to S2705.

  In S2703, the probability variation game flag is set to “ON”. The probability change game flag is stored in the main RAM 301c, and is set to “ON” when the probability change game state is set, and is set to “OFF” when the normal game state is set.

  In S2704, the time-saving game flag is set to “ON”. The time saving game flag is stored in the main RAM 301c, and is set to “ON” when the time saving gaming state is set, and is set to “OFF” when the non-time saving gaming status is set. After the process of S2704 is completed, the game state setting process is terminated.

In S2705, which is shifted to when it is determined in S2702 that the probability variation is not a big hit, the probability variation game flag is set to “OFF”.
In S2706, the short-time game flag is set to “ON”, and in S2707, “100” is set to the short-time fluctuation count W. Thereby, a game (a so-called short-time game) in which a decrease in the number of game balls in the low probability state is suppressed is awarded 100 times. After the process of S2707 is completed, the game state setting process is terminated.

[Timer interrupt processing of production control board 320]
The contents of the timer interrupt process of the effect control board 320 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing the timer interrupt process performed by the sub CPU 320a of the effect control board 320. Note that this processing is performed by a reset clock pulse generation circuit (not shown) provided on the effect control board 320 during a normal operation except for special cases such as when the effect control board 320 is turned on or off. It is repeatedly executed every cycle (for example, 2 ms). In addition, the processing performed on the effect control board 320 described based on the flowchart of FIG. 28 is executed based on a program stored in the sub ROM 320b. Furthermore, processes that are not related to the present invention are omitted as appropriate.

  When the power is turned on, the sub CPU 320a executes a startup program, thereby initializing each unit such as a memory (for example, the sub RAM 320c). After initialization, the program stored in the sub ROM 320b is read into the sub RAM 320c, and the program is executed by the sub CPU 320a.

  In the first S2801, the production random number is updated. This process is to update various random numbers used for production. Specifically, “1” is added to various random numbers for updating, and when reaching a predetermined value, the random number is reset to “0”.

  In S2802, command processing is executed. This process is for performing effects based on various commands. The commands processed here are a change start command, a symbol determination command, an opening command, a round start command, and an ending command transmitted from the main control board 300. Details of the command processing will be described later.

  In S2803, a hold related process is executed. This process is for effect display based on a hold command or the like. The commands processed here are a hold command and a recovery command transmitted from the main control board 300. Details of the hold-related processing will be described later.

  In S2804, effect button processing is performed. This process is for realizing an effect by the effect button 105. Specifically, various types of effects are performed based on the input from the effect button detection switch 321 by the player operating the effect button 105.

In S2805, transmission processing is performed. In this process, the command set in the processes up to S2804 is transmitted to the image control board 330 and the lamp control board 340.
[Command processing]
FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing details of the command processing executed in S2802 of FIG.

  In first S2901, it is determined whether or not a command is received. The command transmitted from the main control board 300 is stored in the buffer area of the effect control board 320. This process determines whether a command is stored in the buffer area. If it is determined that a command has been received (S2901: YES), the process proceeds to S2902. On the other hand, if it is determined that a command has not been received (S2901: NO), the subsequent processing is not executed and the command processing is terminated.

  In S2902, it is determined whether or not the command determined to be received in S2901 is a change start command. The change start command is set in S1908 of FIG. If it is determined that the command is a change start command (S2902: YES), the change process is executed in S2903, and then the command process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the command is not a change start command (S2902: NO), the process proceeds to S2904. The variation processing of S2903 is mainly processing for setting a variation command for causing the liquid crystal display device 121 to perform variation display of decorative symbols.

  In S2904, it is determined whether or not the command determined to be received in S2901 is a symbol confirmation command. The symbol confirmation command is set in S1912 of FIG. If it is determined that the command is a symbol confirmation command (S2904: YES), the flow proceeds to S2905. On the other hand, if it is determined that the command is not a symbol determination command (S2904: NO), the process proceeds to S2906.

  In S2905, a symbol determination process is executed. The symbol confirmation command is a command for notifying that the stop symbol indicating the determination result of the special symbol determination is stopped and displayed on the first special symbol display 201 or the second special symbol display 202. Therefore, in the symbol determination process, a process of stopping and displaying the decorative symbol that has been variably displayed on the liquid crystal display device 121 in a manner indicating the determination result of the special symbol determination is performed. After the process of S2905 is completed, the command process is terminated.

  In step S2906, it is determined whether the command determined to be received in step S2901 is an opening command. If it is determined that the command is an opening command (S2906: YES), the process proceeds to S2907. On the other hand, if it is determined that the command is not an opening command (S2906: NO), the process proceeds to S2908.

  In S2907, an opening process is executed. The opening refers to a period from when the jackpot game is started until the first prize-winning device 126 starts to be released. The opening command is a command for notifying that the opening is started, and is set in S2205 of FIG.

  As the opening process, a live-action video (for example, an idle group video) stored in advance in the sub-ROM 320b is read out and transmitted together with a command to the image control board 330 so that the real-action video is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 121. It is illustrated that it is a simple process. Further, the voice data (for example, “congratulations”) stored in advance in the sub-ROM 320b is read and transmitted together with the command to the image control board 330, thereby performing voice output from the speaker 104 via the voice output device 331. It is exemplified. Furthermore, by transmitting control data together with a command to the lamp control board 340, the accessory is driven via the effect driving device 341, or the frame lamp 103 is turned on via the effect lighting device 342. The process is exemplified.

  Note that these commands and control data are actually transmitted to the lamp control board 340 when the transmission process of S2805 is executed. In S2907, these commands and control data are set in the sub RAM 320c and the like. . After the process of S2907 is completed, the command process is terminated.

  In S2908, it is determined whether or not the command determined to be received in S2901 is a round start command. If it is determined that the command is a round start command (S2908: YES), the process proceeds to S2909. On the other hand, if it is determined that the command is not a round start command (S2908: NO), the process proceeds to S2910.

  In S2909, a round process is executed. The round start command is a command for notifying that a round game has started, and is set in S2609 of FIG. Therefore, as the round processing, a live-action live video (for example, a live video of an idle group) stored in advance in the sub-ROM 320b is read and transmitted together with a command to the image control board 330, whereby the live-action live video is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 121. The process is exemplified to display a video. Also, music data (for example, music data corresponding to live video) stored in advance in the sub-ROM 320b is read out and transmitted to the image control board 330 together with the command, so that music from the speaker 104 via the audio output device 331 is obtained. It is illustrated that this is a process for performing the output. Furthermore, by transmitting control data together with a command to the lamp control board 340, the accessory is driven via the effect driving device 341, or the frame lamp 103 is turned on via the effect lighting device 342. The process is exemplified.

  Note that these commands and control data are actually transmitted to the lamp control board 340 when the transmission process of S2805 is executed. In S2909, these commands and control data are set in the sub RAM 320c and the like. . After the process of S2909 is completed, the command process is terminated.

  In S2910, it is determined whether or not the command determined to be received in S2901 is an ending command. If it is determined that the command is an ending command (S2910: YES), the flow shifts to S2911. On the other hand, if it is determined that the command is not an ending command (S2910: NO), the process of S2911 is not executed and the command process is terminated.

  In step S2911, an ending process is performed. The ending command is a command for notifying that the final release of the special winning device 126 has been completed, and is set in S2623 of FIG. Therefore, as the ending process, a message image (for example, rush time entry or chance time entry) stored in advance in the sub ROM 320b is read out and transmitted to the image control board 330 together with the command, whereby the message is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 121. It is exemplified that the process is to display an image. The audio data (for example, “RUSH time entry” or “chance time entry”) stored in advance in the sub-ROM 320b is read out and transmitted to the image control board 330 together with the command, whereby the speaker 104 via the audio output device 331 is obtained. It is exemplified that the process is to perform audio output from. Furthermore, by transmitting control data together with a command to the lamp control board 340, the accessory is driven via the effect driving device 341, or the frame lamp 103 is turned on via the effect lighting device 342. The process is exemplified.

  Note that these commands and control data are actually transmitted to the lamp control board 340 when the transmission process of S2805 is executed. In S2911, these commands and control data are set in the sub-RAM 320c and the like. . After the process of S2911, the command process is terminated.

[Pending-related processing]
FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing details of the hold-related process executed in S2803 of FIG.

  In first S3001, it is determined whether or not a command has been received. This process is the same as S2901 in FIG. The command transmitted from the main control board 300 is stored in the buffer area of the effect control board 320. This process determines whether a command is stored in the buffer area. If it is determined that a command has been received (S3001: YES), the process proceeds to S3002. On the other hand, if it is determined that the command has not been received (S3001: NO), the subsequent processing is not executed and the hold-related processing is terminated.

  In S3002, it is determined whether the command determined to be received in S3001 is a pending command. The hold command is set in S1609 in FIG. 16 or S1709 in FIG. If it is determined that the command is a hold command (S3002: YES), a hold process is executed in S3003, and then the hold related process is terminated. Details of the hold process will be described later. On the other hand, if it is determined that the command is not a pending command (S3002: NO), the process proceeds to S3004.

  In S3004, it is determined whether or not the command determined to be received in S3001 is a recovery command. The recovery command is transmitted in S1203 of FIG. If it is determined that the command is a recovery command (S3004: YES), the process proceeds to S3005. On the other hand, if it is determined that the command is not a recovery command (S3004: NO), the processing of S3005 is not executed and the hold-related processing is terminated.

  In S3005, a hold recovery process is executed. As described above, the recovery command is transmitted when the power is cut off. Since this recovery command includes hold information, here, the hold display is returned to the state before power-off based on the hold information. After executing the process of S3005, the hold related process is terminated.

[Hold processing]
FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing details of the hold process executed in S3003 of FIG.

  In the first S3101, the pending command is analyzed. The hold command includes “starter data” for distinguishing whether the hold is related to the first special symbol or the second special symbol, and “hold number data” indicating the number of the hold (ie, the hold number data). The number of holds U1, U2), “stop symbol data” indicating the jackpot type and loss, and “variation pattern data” indicating the variation pattern are included.

  In S3102, a pending object is selected. Here, the hold object in the normal display mode is selected. In the present embodiment, the hold related to the first special symbol and the hold related to the second special symbol share the hold object in the normal display mode, but may be different. At this time, the hold object in the normal display mode may be selected based on the “starter data”.

  In S3103, data is stored in the reserved area. This process specifies whether the hold is related to the first special symbol or the second special symbol based on the “starter data”, and the number of the hold based on the “hold number data” And the data is stored in one of the first to fourth reserved areas related to the first special symbol and the first to fourth reserved areas related to the second special symbol. The data to be stored are “object data” for specifying the pending object, “stop symbol data” indicating the jackpot type and loss, and “variation pattern data” indicating the variation pattern.

  In S3104, a hold display command is set. This hold display command is transmitted to the image control board 330 by the transmission process of S2805 in FIG. Thereby, regarding the new hold, the hold display by the hold object in the normal display mode is realized. After executing the process of S3104, the hold process is terminated.

[Effects of the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment]
(1) In the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, when the electric tulip 124 is changed from the closed state to the open state, an initial drive current higher than the initial drive lower limit Id is applied. After the tulip 124 is opened, the initial drive current is not continuously supplied, but the open state is held by the holding current Ik lower than the initial drive current. Since the energization current is kept low during the holding time Tb, the temperature rise of the solenoid 307 can be suppressed accordingly. Further, by suppressing the temperature rise of the solenoid 307, for example, when the electric tulip 124 is continuously opened and closed, the opening time per time is set longer or the closing time per time is set. It is possible to set a shorter time or to set a larger number of continuous opening / closing operations.

Therefore, according to the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, it is possible to realize various continuous opening / closing operations of the electric tulip 124 while suppressing the temperature rise of the solenoid 307.
(2) In this embodiment, the solenoid drive circuit 1000 is provided as an electrical configuration for energizing the solenoid 307. The solenoid drive circuit 1000 can selectively apply one of the two types of drive voltages, the first drive voltage Vs1 and the second drive voltage Vs1, to the solenoid 307. The drive voltage is selected by the main CPU 301a controlling the voltage changeover switch 1003. Therefore, the energization of each of the initial drive current and the holding current Ik and the switching between them can be easily performed.

  (3) In the present embodiment, the holding current Ik is configured not only to be a value lower than the initial drive current but also to a value lower than the initial drive lower limit value Id. That is, it is difficult to change the holding current Ik that is energized during the holding time Tb from the closed state to the open state, but the electric tulip 124 that has been once opened can be maintained in the open state. . In this way, by setting the holding current Ik to a value smaller than the initial drive lower limit value Id (however, at least, a value capable of holding the open state), the heat generation of the solenoid 307 can be more effectively suppressed, As a result, the electric tulip 124 can be operated in various operation patterns.

[Other Embodiments]
(1) The configuration of the solenoid drive circuit that drives the starter opening / closing solenoid 307 is not limited to the solenoid drive circuit 1000 of the above-described embodiment illustrated in FIG. 10A, and may take other various configurations. For example, a solenoid drive circuit 3200 as shown in FIG. 32A may be used. A solenoid drive circuit 3200 shown in FIG. 32 is provided on the main control board 300 in the same manner as the solenoid drive circuit 1000 shown in FIG.

  A solenoid drive circuit 3200 shown in FIG. 32A includes a voltage source 3201 and a CR energization circuit 3202. The voltage source 3201 outputs the first drive voltage Vs1 similarly to the first voltage source 1001 of the above embodiment.

  The CR energization circuit 3202 includes an energization switch 3203, a capacitor C1, a first resistor R1, and a second resistor R2. The first drive voltage Vs1 output from the voltage source 3201 is input to one end of the energization switch 3203. The other end of the energization switch 3203 is connected to one end of the second resistor R2. The other end of the second resistor R2 is connected to one end of the capacitor C1. The other end of the capacitor C1 is connected to the coil 712 of the starter opening / closing solenoid 307. The first resistor R1 is connected in parallel to the capacitor C1. The energization switch 3203 is controlled (on / off) by an energization control signal output from the main CPU 301a.

  An example of the energization pattern to the starter opening / closing solenoid 307 and the change in the open / close state of the electric tulip 124 due to energization by the solenoid drive circuit 3200 shown in FIG. 32A will be described with reference to FIG. .

  As shown in FIG. 10B, when the energization switch 3203 is turned on and energization of the coil 712 is started at time t1, the energization current rapidly increases. When the energization current value of the coil 712 reaches the initial drive lower limit Id at time t2, the suction operation of the plunger 714 starts, and thereby the electric tulip 124 starts to open. At time t3, the electric tulip 124 is fully opened.

  On the other hand, the capacitor C1 is charged in the process in which the current supplied to the coil 712 increases rapidly. Therefore, the value of the energization current takes a peak value higher than the initial drive lower limit value Id, then decreases, and eventually settles on the holding current Ik (time t4). That is, the capacitor C1 is in a fully charged state, and energization from the voltage source 3201 to the coil 712 is substantially performed through the resistors R1 and R2 in the CR energization circuit 3202.

  Therefore, the capacitance value of the capacitor C1 and the resistance values of the resistors R1 and R2 are sufficiently supplied with the initial drive current to the coil 712 at the start of energization (so that the electric tulip 124 is surely opened). In addition, after the electric tulip 124 is in the open state, it may be determined as appropriate so that the energization current decreases to the holding current Ik as soon as possible.

  The electric tulip 124 is maintained in the open state by supplying the holding current Ik until the time t5 when the energizing switch 3203 is turned off after the energizing current settles at the holding current Ik at time t4. When the energization switch 3203 is turned off at time t5, the current flowing through the coil 712 is reduced to zero. Accordingly, at a timing slightly delayed from time t5, the plunger 714 starts to move in the direction of the original protruding position, whereby the electric tulip 124 starts to close from the open state and closes at time t6. After the energization switch 3203 is turned off at time t5, when a specified off time Toff elapses, the energization control of the starter opening / closing solenoid 307 (the energization control after time t1 described above) is performed again.

  Thus, even with the solenoid drive circuit 3200 illustrated in FIG. 32A, the electric tulip 124 can be operated by energizing the initial drive current equal to or higher than the initial drive lower limit Id at the start of driving, After the operation, the open state can be maintained by energization with a lower holding current Ik, so that the same effect as the solenoid drive circuit 1000 of the above-described embodiment shown in FIG.

  Further, in the solenoid drive circuit 3200 illustrated in FIG. 32A, the energization current to the coil 712 is controlled by hardware by using a transient change in energization current caused by the circuit configuration of the CR energization circuit 3202. ing. That is, the main CPU 301a only needs to start and stop energization, and it is not necessary to switch between the two switches as in the above embodiment.

  Note that the configuration of the solenoid drive circuit 3200 illustrated in FIG. 32A is merely an example as a method of realizing an energization operation of flowing a large current at the start of driving and holding a lower current thereafter with one voltage source. Other configurations may be adopted. For example, a booster circuit that boosts the voltage of the voltage source and a charging capacitor are provided, and the voltage boosted by the booster circuit is charged in the charging capacitor during the closed state. Then, at the start of driving, first, the charging charge of the charging capacitor is discharged to the coil 712, thereby causing a large current to flow through the coil 712 and operating the electric tulip 124. After the operation of the electric tulip 124, the holding current Ik is continuously supplied by applying the voltage of the voltage source to the coil 712 as it is or after being transformed. Also with the solenoid drive circuit having such a configuration, the same operation and effect as the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

  When the solenoid drive circuit 3200 illustrated in FIG. 32A is used, the holding current reduction control is necessarily executed when the electric tulip 124 is operated. Therefore, if it is necessary to selectively switch whether or not the holding current reduction control is executed as in the above embodiment, for example, the following circuit configuration may be used. That is, for the solenoid drive circuit 3200 illustrated in FIG. 32A, for example, a bypass path is provided for applying the first drive voltage Vs1 from the voltage source 3201 directly to the coil 712 without passing through the CR energization circuit 3202. A switch (bypass switch) is provided on the bypass path. Specifically, for example, a bypass path that directly connects one end (voltage source side) of the energization switch 3203 and the other end (coil side) of the capacitor C1 is connected, and the bypass path is electrically connected to the bypass path. What is necessary is just to provide the bypass switch for interrupting | blocking. Then, when the holding current reduction control is to be executed, the bypass switch is turned off, and when it is not necessary to execute the holding current reduction control, the bypass switch is turned on. When the bypass switch is turned on, the first drive voltage Vs1 is always applied to the coil 712 during the operation of the electric tulip 124. For example, the main CPU 301a may control the bypass switch.

  (2) In the above embodiment, the timing of switching the voltage changeover switch 1003 from the first drive voltage Vs1 to the second drive voltage Vs2 (ie, reducing the energization current to the hold current Ik) at the time of executing the hold current reduction control, The main CPU 301a is determined by setting a predetermined initial drive time Ta (S2501 in FIG. 25). However, this switching timing may be determined by other methods.

  For example, as soon as it is confirmed that the electric tulip 124 is in the open state, it may be switched to the second drive voltage Vs2. As described above, the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment includes the electric tulip operation detection switch 307a (see FIG. 3) that detects that the electric tulip 124 is in the open state. Therefore, when the operation (open state) of the electric tulip 124 is detected by the electric tulip operation detection switch 307a, the voltage changeover switch 1003 may be switched from the first drive voltage Vs1 to the second drive voltage Vs2.

  A specific circuit example is shown in FIG. The solenoid drive circuit 1000 shown in FIG. 33A has the same hardware configuration as that of the solenoid drive circuit 1000 of the above embodiment shown in FIG. 10A, but the processing content of the main CPU 301a is the same as that of the above embodiment. Is different.

  A detection signal from the electric tulip operation detection switch 307a is input to the main CPU 301a as an input signal. Therefore, when operating the electric tulip 124, the main CPU 301 controls the voltage changeover switch 1003 based on the detection signal from the electric tulip operation detection switch 307a.

  Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 33B, when the opening / closing operation of the electric tulip 124 is continuously repeated a plurality of times, the voltage changeover switch 1003 is set to the first drive voltage Vs1 at time t11 and energized. When the switch 1004 is turned on, the first drive voltage Vs1 is applied to the coil 712 as the solenoid drive voltage Vsol. As a result, energization of the coil 712 starts, and the energization current of the coil 712 increases. When the energization current value of the coil 712 reaches the initial drive lower limit Id at time t12, the suction operation of the plunger 714 starts, and thereby the electric tulip 124 starts to open. At time t13, the electric tulip 124 is fully opened.

  When the electric tulip 124 is opened at time t13, the electric tulip operation detection switch 307a is turned on, and a detection signal is input from the electric tulip operation detection switch 307a to the main CPU 301a. Therefore, at time t13, the main CPU 301a switches the voltage changeover switch 1003 to the second drive voltage Vs2. As a result, the second drive voltage Vs2 is applied to the coil 714 as the solenoid drive voltage Vsol, and the current supplied to the coil 712 gradually decreases. And if it falls to the holding current Ik which is a steady-state current value corresponding to the 2nd drive voltage Vs2, the holding current Ik will be energized after that.

  When the main CPU 301a switches the voltage changeover switch 1003 to the second drive voltage Vs2 at time t13, the main CPU 301a starts measuring time. When the specified opening time Tx elapses from the start of time measurement (time t14), the energization switch 1004 is turned off, the energization to the coil 714 is stopped, and the electric tulip 124 is closed. The specified opening time Tx is a time for opening the electric tulip 124, and is, for example, 0.5 seconds in the short-time gaming state and 0.2 seconds in the non-short-time gaming state.

  When the application of the solenoid drive voltage Vsol to the coil 712 is stopped at time t14, the current flowing through the coil 712 decreases and becomes zero. Accordingly, at a timing slightly delayed from time t14, the electric tulip 124 starts to close from the open state and is closed at time t15. After the solenoid drive voltage Vsol is set to 0 at time t14, when a predetermined off time Toff has elapsed, the energization control of the starter opening / closing solenoid 307 is performed again (the energization control after time t11).

  In the case of the configuration illustrated in FIG. 33, if the gaming state is the non-short-time gaming state when the electric tulip 124 is driven, the electric tulip 124 is opened at time t13 to the main CPU 301a from the electric tulip operation detection switch 307a. Even when the detection signal is input, the main CPU 301a maintains the supply state of the first drive voltage Vs1 without switching the voltage switch 1003.

  (3) In the above embodiment, the execution condition for holding current reduction control has been described as being set to be in the short-time gaming state. However, the specific contents and number of execution conditions for holding current reduction control are The type can be determined as appropriate.

  For example, according to the gaming state, one or more conditions different from the execution conditions, or one or more other conditions in addition to the execution conditions may be set. When setting a plurality of execution conditions, holding current reduction control may be executed if at least one of the plurality of execution conditions is satisfied, or when a plurality of specific execution conditions are satisfied together The holding current reduction control may be executed.

  Specifically, for example, in the case of a specific gaming state, the holding current reduction control may be performed (or not performed). For example, the holding current reduction control may be determined according to whether the gaming state is a probability variation gaming state or a normal gaming state.

  Also, for example, in the non-short game state, the release for 0.1 seconds is normally repeated twice as in the above embodiment, but in a specific game state, the game is released for a long time even in the non-short game state. There is. For example, although it is a non-short-time gaming state, there are cases where the first time of the two opening operations is 0.1 seconds, but the second time is released for a long time (for example, 3 seconds). In such a case, the holding current reduction control may be executed on the assumption that the execution condition of the holding current reduction control is satisfied at least during the second operation that is opened for a long time.

  Further, for example, when the opening / closing operation is performed a plurality of times within a predetermined period, whether or not the holding current reduction control is to be executed may be determined according to the number of opening / closing operations within the predetermined period. For example, it may be executed when the number of times of opening and closing is greater than a predetermined number, and may not be executed when it is less than the predetermined number.

  In addition, when performing the opening / closing operation a plurality of times within a predetermined period, not only the number of opening / closing times but also the opening time per time, the off time Toff, the ratio of the opening time to the off time Toff, etc. Whether or not the holding current reduction control is executed may be determined. For example, when a very large number of continuous opening / closing operations are performed, but the opening time per time is much shorter than the closing time (for example, when a short time opening is repeated many times at long intervals) ), The holding current reduction control may not be performed. On the contrary, even if it is a case where it is opened for a predetermined time only instead of continuous opening and closing, if the open time is long, the holding current reduction control may be executed.

Further, for example, the holding current reduction control may be executed without fail when the electric tulip 124 is operated without particularly setting the execution condition.
(4) In the first embodiment, as described with reference to FIG. 10 (B), the on-time Ton from the start of energization to the coil 712 until the stop is a specified opening time (for example, in the short-time gaming state). In this case, the energization is performed so that it is 0.5 seconds), but it is possible to appropriately determine from where to where in the entire period from the start of energization to the stop as the specified open time.

For example, in FIG. 10B, energization control may be performed so that the holding time Tb becomes a specified opening time. The same applies to the example shown in FIG.
On the contrary, in the example shown in FIG. 33, after the electric tulip 124 is in the open state, the open state is maintained until the specified opening time Tx elapses. The entire period until the stop (time t11 to t14) may be the specified opening time Tx. In this case, for example, when the electric tulip 124 is opened at time t13, the elapsed time from the start of energization (time t11) to time t13 is calculated, and the elapsed time is subtracted from the specified opening time Tx. The energization time after time t13 may be used.

  The above-described example is merely an example, and how the time from the start of energization to the stop is specifically determined, and the initial drive time Ta and the hold time Tb in the entire period from the start of energization to the stop are specifically described. As to how to determine, how to specifically determine the time from when the open state of the electric tulip 124 is detected to when the energization is stopped, etc., as appropriate based on the specified opening time and other various requirements. I can decide.

  (5) In the solenoid drive circuit 1000 shown in FIG. 10A, other specific circuit configurations for generating two types of drive voltages Vs1 and Vs2 are conceivable. For example, only the first voltage source 1001 is used as the voltage source, the first drive voltage Vs1 can be applied to the coil 712 from the first voltage source 1001, and the first drive voltage Vs1 is divided into the second drive voltage Vs2. A voltage dividing circuit may be provided so that the second drive voltage Vs2 can be output from the voltage dividing circuit.

  Further, each function of the energization switch 1004 and the voltage changeover switch 1003 may be realized by one switch. For example, the energization switch 1004 may be omitted, and the voltage changeover switch 1003 may be a switch that can be turned on / off as well as the drive voltage.

  (6) The voltage value of the voltage source provided in the solenoid drive circuit (respective drive voltages Vs1, Vs2) can be determined as long as a desired current (initial drive current, holding current) can be passed through the coil 712 as a result.

  (7) The solenoid drive circuits 1000 and 3200 illustrated in FIG. 10A and FIG. 32A are all provided in the main control board 300, but in this way in the main control board 300. It is not essential to provide it. A part or all of the solenoid drive circuit may be provided outside the main control board 300.

  (8) The electric tulip to which the present invention is applied is not limited to the electric tulip of the type provided with a pair of opening and closing pieces 124a and 124b as in the above embodiment. As an electric tulip as an opening and closing member for opening and closing the second starting device, for example, there is a type including one rectangular door member. In this type of electric tulip, a door member is provided so as to close a hole formed in the board surface of the game board 100, and the door member normally closes the hole (closed state). When it is determined that the game ball passes through the gate 125 and the second starter 123 is opened, the door member opens and the game ball can enter the second starter 123 through the hole. (Open state). Even in this type of electric tulip, a solenoid is used to open and close the door member. Therefore, even when driving this type of electric tulip, the same energization (initial driving current and holding current) as in the above embodiment can be performed.

  (9) The application of the present invention is not limited to the application to the electric tulip 124 (in other words, the starter opening / closing solenoid that drives the tulip). For example, the present invention may also be applied to the big winning device opening / closing solenoid 308 so that the plate is opened by first flowing a high current, and then the open state is maintained at a low current until the plate is closed. Further, the application of the present invention is not limited to an accessory. In the gaming machine 1, the present invention can be applied to any opening / closing member that is driven to open / close using a solenoid as a driving source.

  (10) In addition, the present invention is not limited to the specific means and structure shown in the above embodiment, and can take various forms without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, the functions of one component in the above embodiment may be distributed as a plurality of components, or the functions of a plurality of components may be integrated into one component. Further, at least a part of the configuration of the above embodiment may be replaced with a known configuration having the same function. Moreover, you may abbreviate | omit a part of structure of the said embodiment as long as a subject can be solved. In addition, at least a part of the configuration of the above embodiment may be added to or replaced with the configuration of the other embodiment. In addition, all the aspects included in the technical idea specified from the wording described in the claims are embodiments of the present invention.

1 ... gaming machine,
124: Electric tulip (opening / closing member),
700 ... Electric tulip unit (open / close drive mechanism),
301a ... main CPU (energization control unit, switch control unit),
307 ... starter opening / closing solenoid,
307a ... Electric tulip operation detection switch (opening / closing state detection unit),
1000, 3200 ... Solenoid drive circuit (energization controller),
1001 ... 1st voltage source (power supply part),
1002 ... Second voltage source (power supply unit),
1003 ... Voltage changeover switch (switch part),
3201 ... Voltage source (power supply unit),
3202... CR energization circuit (supply unit).

Claims (4)

An opening and closing member capable of opening and closing the prize opening;
An open / close drive mechanism having a solenoid and driving the open / close member by the solenoid;
An energization control unit for controlling energization to the solenoid;
With
The open / close drive mechanism is configured to close the open / close member while the solenoid is in a non-excited state and open the open / close member during operation when the solenoid is in an excited state. And
The energization control unit energizes the solenoid with a first excitation current that can change the open / close member from a closed state to an open state when the open / close member in the closed state is opened for a predetermined period. An initial drive energization for shifting the open / close member to an open state is performed, and after the initial drive energization, a second excitation current lower than the first excitation current is applied to the solenoid to maintain the open state. The gaming machine is characterized in that the energization is not performed when energization is performed to open the open / close member in a closed state for a period shorter than the predetermined period. The gaming machine according to claim 1,
The energization control unit
A power supply unit that generates a first power supply voltage having a predetermined voltage value and a second power supply voltage lower than the first power supply voltage;
A switch unit for selectively applying one of the first power supply voltage and the second power supply voltage to the solenoid;
A switch control unit for controlling the switch unit, wherein the first excitation current is applied by applying the first power supply voltage to the solenoid during the initial drive energization, and the holding energization is performed; Includes a switch control unit for energizing the second excitation current by applying the second power supply voltage to the solenoid;
A gaming machine comprising: The gaming machine according to claim 1,
The energization control unit
A power supply unit for generating a power supply voltage of a predetermined voltage value;
A supply unit for supplying power of the power supply unit to the solenoid;
With
The supply unit is configured to increase an energization current from the power supply unit to the solenoid after the start of energization to the first excitation current, and then continuously decrease to the second excitation current. A gaming machine characterized by A gaming machine according to claim 1 or claim 2,
An open state detection unit for detecting an open state of the opening and closing member;
The energization control unit switches from the initial drive energization to the holding energization when the open state detection unit detects the open state of the opening and closing member after the start of initial drive energization.

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