JP6492913B2 - Gaming machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine.

  Some gaming machines such as pachinko machines are provided with a gaming board in which a gaming area is formed, and gaming ball firing means for firing a gaming ball to the gaming area based on a firing operation by a player. A bonus such as payout of a predetermined number of gaming balls is given to the player by the game balls fired from the gaming ball launching means entering the ball entry portion provided in the gaming area (see, for example, Patent Document 1) ).

JP, 2002-78904, A

  In the gaming machine of the type described above, there is still room for improvement in the configuration in order to suppress the monotonization of the game and to suppress the decline in the gaming intention of the player.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances and the like, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine capable of preferably suppressing monotonization of a game.

  Hereinafter, means for solving the above problems will be described.

The present invention
A game board in which a game area is formed,
A starting ball entry portion provided in the game area;
Determining means for determining whether to transition to an advantageous special game state to the player the game state based on the input spheres to the starting ball entrance portion,
Gaming state transition means for transitioning to the special game state when the determination result by the determination means becomes the transition correspondence result corresponding to the transition to the special game state;
A reception state in which game balls flowing in the game area can enter and a variable ball entry unit that can be switched to a non-reception state where it is more difficult to enter the ball than the reception state, provided in the game area;
And a switching control unit that switches the variable ball entry unit between the receiving state and the non-receiving state when shifting to the special game state.
The variable ball entry unit is
A first opening through which gaming balls can flow, a receiving position where the gaming balls can enter the first opening, and a first movable body that can be switched to a non-receiving position where entering the gaming balls is more difficult than the receiving position. A first variable ball entry portion having
A second opening through which game balls can flow, a receiving position where the game balls can enter the second opening, and a second movable body switchable to a non-receiving position where entering the game balls is more difficult than the receiving position. And a second variable entry ball portion having
The switching control means has means for switching the first variable ball entry unit and the second variable ball entry unit to the non-reception state and the reception state in a predetermined order when the special game state is in effect. And
The transition correspondence result is the period from when the first variable ball entry part becomes the non-reception state to the non-reception state, and until the second variable ball entry part becomes the reception state from the non-reception state. Bei give a period setting means for setting in accordance with the transition corresponding result of the type and kind of game status at the time of a said transition corresponding results if,
A high probability mode and a low probability mode in which the probability of becoming the transition correspondence result becomes relatively high and low are provided as modes of transition judgment by the judgment means,
The game ball having flowed into the second opening is provided with means for transitioning to the game state corresponding to the high probability mode after the end of the special game state, by reaching a predetermined location.
Between the first variable ball entry unit and the second variable ball entry unit, a guide path is provided for guiding the game ball that has not entered the first variable ball entry unit to the second variable ball entry unit. It has been
The guide route is configured such that a period required for the game ball having passed through the first variable ball entry unit to reach the second variable ball entry unit is a predetermined period.
The period setting means is means for setting the period set by the period setting means to be a first period defined to be shorter than the predetermined period, and the period set by the period setting means And means for causing a second period defined to be longer than the predetermined period .

  The monotonization of the game can be suitably suppressed.

It is a perspective view showing a pachinko machine in one embodiment. It is a perspective view which expands and shows the main composition of a pachinko machine. It is a perspective view which expands and shows the main composition of a pachinko machine. It is a front view which shows the structure of a game board. It is the elements on larger scale of FIG. 4 which shows a variable ball entry unit and its periphery structure. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows an upper side variable ball entering apparatus and its periphery structure. (A) An enlarged view which shows a lower side variable ball entering apparatus and its periphery structure, (b) It is a perspective view of a lower side variable ball entering apparatus. (A) It is a top view which shows the deceleration structure provided to the lower side variable ball entry apparatus, (b) It is sectional drawing which shows the deceleration structure provided to the lower side variable ball entry apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of a pachinko machine. It is the schematic for demonstrating the display content in the display screen of a symbol display apparatus. It is the schematic for demonstrating the display content in the display screen of a symbol display apparatus. It is the schematic for demonstrating the content of the various counters used for the success / failure lottery etc. It is the schematic which shows the table for lottery of success or failure. It is a schematic diagram showing a table for distribution lottery, and its related information. It is a flowchart which shows the timer interruption process performed by MPU of a main control apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the normal processing performed by MPU of a main control apparatus. It is a flow chart which shows game times control processing. It is a flow chart which shows change start processing. It is a flowchart which shows the process for interval period setting. It is a flow chart which shows game state transition processing. It is a flow chart which shows big winning a prize opening and closing processing. (A) A flowchart showing transition processing to the high probability mode, (b) A flowchart showing transition processing at the end of the open / close execution mode. It is a flowchart which shows an interval period setting process. It is the schematic which shows the flow of opening / closing execution mode for every classification. It is the schematic which shows the flow of the display production in open / close execution mode.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a pachinko gaming machine (hereinafter referred to as a "pachinko machine") which is a type of gaming machine will be described in detail based on the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pachinko machine 10 viewed from the front side, and FIGS. 2 and 3 are perspective views showing the main configuration of the pachinko machine 10 in an expanded manner. In addition, in FIG. 2, the structure in the game area PE of the pachinko machine 10 is abbreviate | omitted for convenience.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the pachinko machine 10 has an outer frame 11 forming an outer shell of the pachinko machine 10 and a gaming machine main unit 12 attached to the outer frame 11.

  The outer frame 11 is configured by connecting plate members to four sides, and has a rectangular frame shape. The pachinko machine 10 is installed in the game hall by fixing the outer frame 11 to the island facility. In the pachinko machine 10, the outer frame 11 is not an essential component, and the outer frame 11 may be provided on an island facility of the game arcade.

  The gaming machine main part 12 is supported by the outer frame 11 in an openable / closable manner. Specifically, the upper support bracket 17 is fixed to the connection portion between the upper frame portion and the left frame portion in the outer frame 11, and the lower connection portion between the lower frame portion and the left frame portion in the outer frame 11 is further fixed. A side support fitting 18 is provided. The upper support bracket 17 and the lower support bracket 18 constitute a support mechanism, and the support mechanism rotates the left side of the gaming machine main part 12 with respect to the outer frame 11 in the front view of the pachinko machine 10 on the base end side. The right side is the front end side of the rotation, and can be rotated forward of the pachinko machine 10 (see FIGS. 2 and 3).

  As shown in FIG. 2, the gaming machine main part 12 includes an inner frame 13 as a base body, a front door frame 14 disposed in front of the inner frame 13, and a back pack disposed behind the inner frame 13. And a unit 15. The inner frame 13 of the gaming machine main part 12 is rotatably supported relative to the outer frame 11. In detail, the inner frame 13 is pivotable forward with the left side as the pivoting base end and the right side as the pivoting tip side in front view.

  A front door frame 14 is rotatably supported by the inner frame 13 and can be pivoted forward with the left side as a pivoting base end and the right side as a pivoting tip side in a front view. In addition, the back pack unit 15 is rotatably supported by the inner frame 13 and can be rotated backward with the left side as the rotation base end side and the right side as the rotation tip end side in a front view ( See Figure 3).

(Front door frame 14)
Next, the front door frame 14 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the front door frame 14 is mainly composed of a synthetic resin frame body 20 whose outer shape has substantially the same shape as the outer frame 11, and covers almost the entire front surface of the inner frame 13. There is. A substantially elliptical window 21 is formed in the central portion of the frame 20 so that almost the entire game area PE described later can be viewed from the front, and the window 21 is formed by the glass unit 22. It is closed from the back side of the front door frame 14.

  The glass unit 22 includes a plurality of transparent glass panels 23 and a glass holder for holding the glass panels 23. The glass holder is formed with a partition part that divides the holding area of the glass panel 23 back and forth, and the two glass panels 23 face each other in the front and back across the partition part. That is, by securing a predetermined gap between the two glass panels 23, the game area PE is doubly covered from the front side of the pachinko machine 10 by the glass panels 23, while avoiding interference between the glass panels 23. It is in the state.

  In addition, it is not necessary to unitize both the glass panels 23 using a glass holder, and it is good also as a structure which attaches each glass panel 23 with respect to the frame 20 separately. Furthermore, the number of glass panels is arbitrary, and may be one or three or more. However, from the viewpoint of improving safety and crime prevention, it is preferable to adopt a plurality of glass panels and make the respective glass panels face each other with a predetermined gap therebetween. Incidentally, it is also possible to employ a synthetic resin panel member having transparency in place of the glass panel.

  As shown in FIG. 1, light emitting means such as various lamps are provided around the glass unit 22 (specifically, the window portion 21). For example, along the periphery of the window portion 21, an annular illumination portion 26 incorporating light emitting means such as an LED is provided. In the annular electric decoration part 26, lighting and blinking are performed according to the change of the game state at the time of a big hit, a predetermined reach time, and the like. In addition, an error display lamp unit 27 which lights up at the time of a predetermined error is provided at the top of the pachinko machine 10 at the center of the annular electric decorative unit 26 and further to the left and right side thereof A ball ramp 28 is provided. In addition, a speaker unit 29 is provided at a position close to the right and left award ball lamp units 28, to which sound effects and the like according to the game state are output.

  Below the window portion 21 in the front door frame 14 (frame 20), an upper bulging portion 31 and a lower bulging portion 32 bulging toward the front side are vertically arranged in parallel. An upper plate 33 opened upward is provided inside the upper bulging portion 31, and a lower plate 34 opening similarly upward is provided inside the lower bulging portion 32. The upper tray 33 has a function for temporarily storing game balls paid out from the later described payout device and guiding the game balls to the game ball launch mechanism side described later while aligning them in a line. Further, the lower tray 34 has a function of storing the game balls which become surplus in the upper tray 33.

  A game ball emission handle 41 is provided on the right side of the lower side bulging portion 32 so as to protrude to the front side. By operating the game ball emission handle 41, a game ball is emitted from a game ball emission mechanism described later.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a passage forming unit 45 is attached to the back of the front door frame 14. The passage forming unit 45 is formed of a synthetic resin, and has a front door upper tray passage communicating with the upper tray 33 and a front door lower tray passage communicating with the lower tray 34. In the passage forming unit 45, a receiving portion that protrudes rearward and is opened upward is formed at the upper corner portion, and the receiving portion is divided into right and left portions by a partition wall, whereby the inlet of the front door side upper tray passage is formed. A portion and an inlet portion of the lower door passage on the front door side are defined. The gaming balls entering the front door upper tray passage are guided to the upper tray 33, and the gaming balls entering the front door lower tray passage are guided to the lower tray 34.

  Protruding shafts are provided at the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the rotation base end side of the back surface of the front door frame 14. These projection shafts constitute an assembly mechanism for the inner frame 13. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of metal fittings 49 extending rearward are juxtaposed in the vertical direction on the pivoting tip side of the back surface of the front door frame 14. These hooks 49 constitute a locking mechanism for the inner frame 13.

(Inner frame 13)
Next, the inner frame 13 will be described in detail based on FIGS. 2 and 3. The inner frame 13 mainly includes a resin base 50 whose outer shape is substantially rectangular like the outer frame 11. The height dimension of the resin base 50 is set slightly smaller than the height dimension of the outer frame 11. Further, the resin base 50 is disposed close to the upper frame portion of the outer frame 11, and a slight gap is formed between the lower frame portion of the outer frame 11 and the resin base 50. A curtain plate is attached to the outer frame 11 so as to close the gap. The curtain plate is disposed below the resin base 50 (specifically, the lower end thereof), and when the inner frame 13 is closed with respect to the outer frame 11, the resin base 50 is placed on the curtain plate .

  Support fittings 51 and 52 are attached to the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the rotation base end side of the front surface of the resin base 50. Shaft holes are formed in the support fittings 51 and 52, and the front door frame 14 is rotatably supported with respect to the inner frame 13 by inserting the protruding shafts of the front door frame 14 into these shaft holes. ing.

  At the front end of the resin base 50 on the front end side, insertion holes for inserting a hook 49 provided on the back of the front door frame 14 are provided. In the pachinko machine 10, as shown in FIG. 3, a locking device 55 for locking the inner frame 13 and the front door frame 14 is arranged to be hidden behind the inner frame 13. Therefore, the front door frame 14 is locked to the inner frame 13 such that the front door frame 14 can not be opened by being locked to the locking device 55 (specifically, the front door hook receiving member) through the insertion hole. The locking device 55 also has an inner frame wedge member 57 extending rearward of the inner frame 13. When the inner frame wedge member 57 is hooked on the wedge receiving member 19 of the outer frame 11, the gaming machine main portion 12 is locked in a closed state with respect to the outer frame 11.

  In the lower right corner of the resin base 50, a cylinder lock 58 for unlocking the locking device 55 is installed. The cylinder lock 58 is integrated with the locking device 55, and turning the key inserted in the key hole of the cylinder lock 58 to the right unlocks the front door frame 14 with respect to the inner frame 13 and inserts it into the key hole of the cylinder lock 58. The locking device 55 is configured such that the locking of the inner frame 13 with respect to the outer frame 11 is released when the key is turned to the left.

  A substantially elliptical window hole 54 is formed in the central portion of the resin base 50, and the window hole 54 is closed from the rear by the game board 60 mounted on the resin base 50. The game board 60 has a wooden plywood and a sheet material covering a front plate surface of the plywood, and the front surface is exposed to the front side of the resin base 50 through the window hole 54. On the exposed portion, that is, on the front surface of the game board 60, a game area PE where a game ball flows down is formed. The game board 60 is not limited to wooden, and may be made of synthetic resin.

  Hereinafter, based on FIG. 4, the game board 60 (in particular, various configurations arranged in the game area PE) will be described. FIG. 4 is a front view of the game board 60, and a part of the configuration disposed on the right route described later in the game area PE is not shown.

(Game board 60)
The game board 60 is formed with a plurality of large and small openings penetrating in its own thickness direction (front-rear direction). At each opening, a general winning opening 61, operation ball entering units 62 and 63, a variable ball entering unit 64, a through gate, a variable display unit 67 and the like are disposed. When the ball is entered into the ball entry portion such as the general winning opening 61, the operation ball entry portion 62, 63, the variable ball entry unit 64, etc., it is detected by the detection sensor and a predetermined number of balls The player is given benefits such as the payout of

  An out port 68 is provided at the bottom of the game board 60, and game balls that have not entered the various ball entry sections are discharged from the game area PE through the out port 68. Here, entering the ball means that the game ball passes through the predetermined opening site, and the game ball is discharged from the game area PE after passing through the opening site as well as passing through the opening site Also included is an aspect in which the game area PE is not discharged later. However, in the following description, in order to distinguish clearly from the entry of the game ball to the out port 68, the general winning opening 61, the operation entry portion 62, 63, the variable entry unit 64 (more detailed description of variable entry) Ball device), entering the ball into the through gate, also expressed as winning.

  Further, on the game board 60, a large number of nails are implanted in order to appropriately disperse and adjust the flow-down path of the game ball, and various members (features) such as a windmill are disposed. The flow paths of the game balls are differentiated by various configurations such as nails and windmills, and the above-mentioned winning of the general winning opening 61 and the like is adjusted to occur with an appropriate probability.

  The variable display unit 67 is disposed at the center of the game board 60, and below the variable display unit 67, the operation entering portions 62, 63, etc. are arranged vertically. Hereinafter, for convenience, the actuating ball portion disposed immediately below the variable display unit 67 is referred to as the “upper actuating ball portion 62”, and the actuating ball portion disposed below the upper actuating ball portion 62 is It is called a side operation ball entry unit 63 ".

  In particular, the lower operating entry section (lottery trigger entry section) 63 is provided with a motorized jack 71 as an opening / closing ball entry assisting device (ball entry assisting means) or an opening / closing member (opening / closing means). The electric part 71 has a movable piece and a solenoid-type drive unit for driving the movable piece, and by operating the movable piece, an inlet portion (lower operation port 63a in the lower operation ball entry portion 63) It is possible to switch between an open state (supporting state or assistance state) where entry to the ball is possible, and a closed state (non-supporting state or non-assistance state) where the entry ball is more difficult than the open state. There is.

  A variable ball entry unit 64 is disposed in an area (right route) on the side of the variable display unit 67 in the game area PE. Specifically, the game board 60 is formed with a vertically long opening extending vertically, and a variable ball entry unit 64 is attached to the opening from the front of the gaming machine. The variable insertion unit 64 is configured such that a base body formed of a synthetic resin material having transparency is a main component, and a plurality of (two in the present embodiment) variable insertion balls are formed in the base portion. The device is mounted (consolidated).

  The through gate is disposed downstream of the variable ball entry unit 64 at the right route. When the winning is made in the lottery triggered by the passage of the through gate of the game ball, the motorized jack object 71 is opened for a preset time.

  As a support mode in the motorized character 71 of the lower operation ball storage unit 63, the lower operation opening 63a is a unit when compared with the game area PE in a situation where the firing of the game ball is continued in the same manner. Low frequency support mode (low frequency support state or low frequency guide state) and high frequency support mode (high frequency support state or high frequency guide state) so that the frequency of opening state per hour is relatively high and low Is set.

  In the variable ball entry device (special ball entry device or special ball entry means), a big winning opening is formed, and an opening / closing mechanism as opening / closing means for opening / closing the big prize opening is provided. The opening and closing mechanism has an opening and closing member as an opening and closing member for the special winning opening. The opening / closing body can be switched between an allowed state (assisting state or receiving state) in which game balls are allowed to enter the ball and a blocking state (non-assisted state or non-receiving state) in which the ball can not be entered ing. In addition, the opening and closing body is connected to a variable ball entry drive unit (specifically, a solenoid), and the opening and closing body is maintained in the blocked state under normal conditions, and transition to the opening and closing execution mode (opening and closing execution state) in the internal lottery When it is elected, it is possible to switch to the permitted state.

  Here, the open / close execution mode is a mode in which transition is made when a big hit is won. As an opening aspect of the variable ball entry device in the opening / closing execution mode, for example, progress of a predetermined period (1 sec, 2 sec, 30 sec in the present embodiment) or a predetermined number (10 in the present embodiment) of winnings As the round, the opening and closing body is set to be repeatedly opened with a plurality of rounds (16 rounds in the present embodiment) as the upper limit.

  Next, the variable display unit 67 will be described. The variable display unit 67 is provided with a symbol display device 75 that variably displays symbols (variation display) using a winning on the operation ball entry portions 62, 63 as a trigger.

  The symbol display device 75 is configured as a liquid crystal display device having a liquid crystal display, and the display content on the display screen 75a is controlled by a display control device described later. On the display screen 75a of the symbol display device 75, symbols are displayed side by side, for example, in the upper, middle, and lower positions, and these symbols are displayed so as to be scrolled in the left-right direction. When the jackpot is won, the symbols of the predetermined combination are stopped and displayed on the previously set effective line, and the mode is shifted to the open / close execution mode (special game state or jackpot). The symbol display device 75 does not necessarily have to be a liquid crystal display device, and may be a dot matrix or 7 segment type display device.

  Further, a center frame 76 is disposed on the variable display unit 67 so as to surround the symbol display device 75. The center frame 76 is fixed to the game board 60 from the front side, and in such a fixed state, the center frame 76 and the glass unit 22 are erected from the front of the game board 60. The size of the gap between the two is smaller than the diameter of the gaming ball. Thereby, the game ball flowing down the game area PE is prevented from colliding with the symbol display device 75, and the flow-down path of the game ball flowing down the game area PE is to the right of the variable display unit 67 (specifically, the center frame 76). It is divided roughly into the above-mentioned right route which diverts from and the above-mentioned left route diverted from the left side.

  The variable ball entry unit 64 and the through gate described above are disposed on the right route, and game balls flowing down the left route are prevented from winning in the variable ball entry device (large winning opening) and the through gate. Ru. On the other hand, the game ball flowing down the right route is prevented from winning in the upper operation ball entry unit 62 (upper operation opening 62a). For this reason, when the motorized role piece 71 of the lower operation ball entry unit 63 is in the high frequency support mode or in the opening / closing execution mode, the game is advantageous by firing the game ball to the right route In the low frequency support mode, the game can be advantageously advanced by firing the game ball to the left route. That is, the player can advantageously advance the game by selecting the flow-down path of the game ball from the right route / left route according to the game situation.

  The operation ball entering units 62 and 63 are disposed at positions closer to the variable display unit 67. Since a big hit may occur triggered by a win on the operating ball 62, 63, the player pays attention to whether or not the winning ball 62, 63 is played, and whether a big hit is generated or not. It is considered that attention is paid to the symbol display device 75 for grasping. Providing the operation ball receiving portions 62 and 63 closer to the variable display unit 67 is a device for concentrating the portion that the player wants to focus on around the variable display unit 67.

  At the end on the right side of the game board 60, a game area partitioning member 84 for partitioning and forming the game area PE together with a guide rail 100 described later is disposed. The variable ball entry unit 64 is provided along the game area dividing member 84, and a main display unit (see FIG. 7) is disposed below the variable ball entry unit 64. The main display unit is disposed along the outer edge on the lower side of the game area PE, and protrudes from the front of the game board 60 to the front of the pachinko machine 10. The front of the main display unit is opposed to the glass unit 22 (specifically, the rear glass panel 23) which allows the gaming area PE to be viewed from the front of the pachinko machine 10, and further between the rear glass panel 23 The distance of is smaller than that of one game ball. This prevents the game ball from falling in front of the front surface of the main display unit. The main display unit is electrically connected to a main controller to be described later, and the display content of the main display unit is controlled by the main controller.

  A main display unit on which a predetermined pattern or the like is displayed is provided in a portion facing the glass unit 22 in the main display unit. The main display unit is a display unit for the upper operation entering unit that displays a lottery result based on winning on the upper operation entering unit 62 (the upper operation opening 62a), and a lower operation entering unit 63 (the lower operation opening 63a And a display unit for a lower operation ball entry unit that displays a lottery result performed based on the winning a prize).

  In the display portion for the upper operation ball entry unit, the variation display of the pattern is performed with the winning of the upper operation ball member 62 as a trigger, and as a result of the stop of the fluctuation display, based on the prize for the upper operation ball member 62 The results of the internal drawing that has been made will be clearly stated. If the result of the internal lottery based on the winning on the upper operation ball entering portion 62 is the winning result (big hit result) corresponding to the transition to the open / close execution mode, the variable display on the display portion for the upper operation ball entering portion Is stopped and a predetermined pattern is displayed as a result of the stop, and then the mode is switched to the open / close execution mode.

  In the lower operation ball entry display unit, a change display of a pattern is performed using a winning on the lower operation ball entry unit 63 as a trigger, and as a result of the stop of the fluctuation display, the winning of the lower operation ball entry unit 63 The results of the internal drawing made on the basis of If the result of the internal lottery based on the winning on the lower operation ball entering portion 63 is the winning result (big hit result) corresponding to the transition to the open / close execution mode, the display portion for the lower operation ball entering portion After the variable display is stopped and a predetermined pattern is displayed as the stop result, the mode is switched to the open / close execution mode according to the result.

  Here, based on the winning on any of the operation ball receiving portions 62, 63, the variable display is started on the corresponding operation ball receiving portion display portion, a predetermined stop result is displayed, and the above-described fluctuation display is stopped. Until the end (in detail, until the end of the confirmation display) corresponds to one of the game times. However, one game round is not limited to the above contents, for example, a single display area is provided, and it is possible to win a prize in any of the operation entry sections 62, 63. In the configuration in which the variable display is performed in one display area, the variable display is started in the single display area, and until the variable display is stopped in the state where the predetermined stop result is displayed, You may do it once.

  The main display unit of the main display unit is provided with a first holding number display unit and a second holding number display unit. The first hold number display unit corresponds to the upper operation opening 62a, the number of times the game ball has won the upper operation opening 62a is held up to four times, and the number of holdings is displayed by lighting the first hold number display unit It has become so. The second hold number display unit corresponds to the lower operation opening 63a, the number of times the game ball has won the lower operation opening 63a is held up to four times, and the number of holdings is displayed by lighting the second hold number display unit It is supposed to be

  Further, the main display unit of the main display unit is provided with a through gate display unit for displaying a lottery result based on winning on the through gate. In the display unit for through gate, the variation display of the pattern is performed triggered by the winning of the through gate, and the result of the internal lottery performed based on the winning of the through gate is clearly indicated as a stop result of the variation display. . If the result of the internal lottery (support lottery) based on the winning on the through gate is a winning result corresponding to the shift to the electronic part opening state, a predetermined stopping result is displayed on the through gate display unit. After the variable display is stopped, shift to the open state. In the open state, the motorized accessory 71 provided on the lower operation light entering portion 63 is released in a predetermined manner.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, a configuration is adopted in which the number of times the game ball passes through the through gate is held up to four times at maximum, but the number of reservations displayed on the main display of the main display unit A display unit is provided.

  The display units are visible from the front of the pachinko machine 10 through the glass unit 22 of the front door frame 14, and the visibility is improved by the game balls being prevented from moving in front of the various display units. Secured.

  Referring back to FIG. 2, the configuration of the inner frame 13 will be described. In the lower part of the mounting area of the game board 60 in the resin base 50, the game ball PE is directed to the game area PE based on the operation of the game ball emission handle 41. A game ball launch mechanism 110 is provided to launch the game ball. The game ball firing mechanism 110 has a solenoid 111 for launching a game ball disposed at a predetermined launch standby position, a launch rail 112 for defining the launch direction of the game ball launched by the solenoid 111, and the game at the launch standby position. A ball feeding device 113 for feeding balls and a base plate 114 on which the various components 111 to 113 are mounted are provided as main components, and the base plate 114 is fixed to the resin base 50 to fix the resin base 50. It is integrated against.

  The launch rail 112 is fixed to the base plate 114 in an inclined state so as to be inclined upward toward the game board 60 side. At a position closer to the downstream end (i.e., the lower end) of the firing rail 112, a ball stopper that holds the gaming balls supplied from the ball feeding device 113 in the above-described firing standby position is disposed. The solenoid 111 is disposed at a position further downstream than the ball stopper.

  The solenoid 111 is electrically connected to a power supply and emission control device described later. The output shaft of the solenoid 111 reciprocates in the expansion and contraction direction based on the output of the electric signal from the power supply and emission control device, whereby the game ball placed at the emission standby position is on the game board 60 side, specifically, the game It is launched toward the guide rail 100 mounted on the board 60.

  The induction rail 100 partitions the game area PE so that the outer shape of the game area PE is substantially circular. Further, the guide rail 100 is composed of an inner rail 101 and an outer rail 102 which are disposed to face each other with a gap slightly larger than the diameter of the game ball, and the two rails 101 and 102 define a single guide passage 103 It is formed. The guiding passage 103 has an inlet portion opened to the tip side (obliquely lower) of the firing rail 112, and an outlet portion located at the top of the game area PE. The game ball fired based on the operation of the solenoid 111 is guided to the game area PE by moving in the order of the firing rail 112 → the induction rail 100 (inlet portion → outlet portion). By adjusting the operation amount of the game ball emission handle 41, the game ball is divided into the area on the left side of the variable display unit 67 in the game area PE and the area on the right side of the variable display unit 67 in the game area PE. It is possible.

  In addition, on the tip side of the exit part in the game board 60, specifically, near the tip of the inner rail 101, a reverse return preventing member 106 for preventing the return of the gaming ball having reached the game area PE into the same induction passage 103 is attached. It is suppressed that the game ball which has reached the game area PE ahead of time prevents the launch of the following game ball from being blocked.

  The guide rail 100 (see FIG. 4) and the launch rail 112 are disposed such that the inlet portion of the guide rail 100 and the tip end portion of the launch rail 112 face each other diagonally across the lower edge of the game board 60. That is, the two rails 100 and 112 are disposed such that the inlet portion of the guide rail 100 and the leading end portion of the firing rail 112 are displaced laterally in the vicinity of the lower end edge of the game board 60. As a result, while the two rails 100 and 112 are brought close to the lower end edge of the game board 60, a gap of a predetermined distance is formed between the entrance portion of the guide rail 100 and the firing rail 112.

  A far ball passage 46 is disposed below the gap formed in this manner. The foul ball passage 46 is integrally formed with the passage forming unit 45 of the front door frame 14. If the game ball fired from the game ball firing mechanism 110 does not reach the game area PE and moves backward in the guiding passage 103 as a far ball, those far balls enter the far ball passage 46 through the above-mentioned gap. It becomes. The foul ball passage 46 leads to the lower door passage on the front door side, and the gaming ball entering the far ball passage 46 is discharged to the lower plate 34 shown in FIG. Thus, the interference between the foul ball and the game ball to be fired next is suppressed.

  In the resin base 50, a through hole penetrating the resin base 50 in the front-rear direction is formed on the left side (specifically, the side supporting the front door frame 14) of the firing rail 112. A passage forming member is formed in this through hole 121 are arranged. The passage forming member 121 is screwed to the resin base 50, and has a main body side upper countersink and a main body lower countersink. The upstream sides of the main body side upper plate passage and the main body side lower plate passage communicate with a game ball distribution unit described later. Further, the receiving portion of the passage forming unit 45 attached to the front door frame 14 is inserted below the passage forming member 121, and the front door upper plate passage is disposed below the main body upper plate passage. A front door side upper plate passage is disposed below the main body lower plate passage.

  Below the passage forming member 121 in the resin base 50, an opening / closing member 124 for opening / closing the main body side upper plate passage and the main body side lower plate passage is attached. The opening and closing member 124 is rotatably supported in the front and rear direction by a support shaft provided at its lower end, and an urging member for urging the body side upper disc passage and the body side lower disc passage to a front position closing them. It is provided. Accordingly, when the front door frame 14 is opened relative to the inner frame 13, the opening and closing member 124 ascends as illustrated to close the main body side upper countersink and the main body lower countersink. Thereby, when the front door frame 14 is opened in a state where game balls are stored in the main body side upper plate passage or the main body side lower plate passage, it is possible to prevent such a problem that the storage balls fall off. On the other hand, when the front door frame 14 is closed, the opening / closing member 124 is pushed and opened against the biasing force by the socket provided in the passage forming unit 45 of the front door frame 14. In this state, the main body side upper plate passage and the front door side upper plate passage communicate with each other, and the main body side lower plate passage and the front door side lower plate passage communicate with each other.

  Next, the rear face configuration of the inner frame 13 (the resin base 50 and the game board 60) will be described based on FIG.

  At the rotation base end side of the back surface of the resin base 50, bearing fittings 132 are vertically juxtaposed. Bearing parts are formed on the bearing fitting 132 so as to be vertically separated from each other, and the back pack unit 15 is rotatably attached to the inner frame 13 by these bearing parts.

  A plurality of locking brackets 135 are provided on the back surface of the resin base 50, and the game board 60 is attached to the resin base 50 by the locking brackets 135 as described above. Here, the configuration of the back of the game board 60 will be described.

  A display control device is attached to the variable display unit 67 disposed at the center of the game board 60 so as to cover the variable display unit 67 from behind (not shown). Then, at the back of the display control device, a notification / rendering control device unit 142 is mounted so as to overlap the display control device. The notification and effect control device unit 142 is configured to include the notification and effect control device 143 and the mounting base 144, and the notification and effect control device 143 is mounted on the mounting base 144.

  The notification and effect control device 143 has a notification and effect control board for controlling sound and lamp display and control of the display control device according to an instruction from the main control device described later, and the notification and effect control board is a transparent resin material. And the like are accommodated in a substrate box 145 formed of, for example.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a collecting plate 150 is provided below the variable display unit 67 on the back of the game board 60. The collecting plate 150 is provided with a game ball collecting mechanism for collecting game balls that have won in various winning openings, a detection mechanism for detecting entry of game balls into various winning openings, and the like.

  To describe the gaming ball collecting mechanism, the collecting plate 150 is provided with collecting passages respectively corresponding to various ball entry parts such as the general winning opening 61 and the like. These recovery passages descend from the ball entry portion along the back of the game board 60 and define a drop path of the game balls. Each collection passage joins near the lower end of the same game board 60, and all the game balls which passed the ball entry part such as the general winning opening 61 gather in the lower part of the game board 60 via the collection passage. It becomes. The outlet portion of each recovery passage is opened downward, and a discharge passage described later is provided on the front side thereof (specifically, below the game board 60). The game balls gathered below the game board 60 by the recovery passage are led out to the discharge passage. The out-port 68 is also in communication with the discharge passage, and game balls that have not won any of the winning openings are also led out to the discharge passage through the out-port 68.

  Describing the detection mechanism, the collective plate 150 is provided with detection sensors respectively corresponding to various ball entry portions such as the general winning opening 61 and the like. These various detection sensors are disposed at an intermediate position of each collection passage connected to the ball entry part such as the above-mentioned common winning opening 61 and the like, and the falling path of the game ball is defined in the collection passage. Detect passage. More specifically, each detection sensor detects a ball entering a ball entry opening such as the general winning opening 61 by the game ball passing through a detection area provided at an intermediate position of each collection passage. Specifically, a magnetic sensor is employed which grasps the change of the magnetic field generated when the gaming ball passes through the detection area.

  These various detection sensors are electrically connected to the main controller unit 160 (more specifically, the main controller) provided on the back side of the game board 60, and detection signals from these detection sensors are sent to the same main control device. Is configured to be output. Hereinafter, the main controller unit 160 and the configuration associated with it will be described.

  The main controller unit 160 is mounted on the game board 60 so as to cover the collective plate 150 from the rear side, and is made of a synthetic resin mount 161 and a main controller 162 mounted on the mount 161. It is configured. The main control device 162 is equipped with a main control board having a function (main control circuit) to control the main control of the game and a function (power failure monitoring circuit) to monitor the power, and the main control board is a transparent resin material. And the like are accommodated in a substrate box 163 formed of, for example.

  The substrate box 163 is provided with a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box base (front case body) and a box cover (back case body) that covers the opening of the box base. The box base and the box cover are unopenably connected by a sealing unit as sealing means, whereby the substrate box 163 is sealed. A plurality of sealing portions are provided on the long side of the substrate box 163, and at least one of them is used to perform the sealing process.

  Although the sealing unit may have any configuration as long as it can unopenably connect the box base and the box cover, the box base and the box cover can be formed by inserting the locking claw into the elongated hole constituting the sealing unit. It is designed to be unsealable. The sealing process by the sealing unit prevents unauthorized opening after the sealing, and even if unauthorized opening is performed, such a situation can be detected early and easily, and it was opened once. It is possible to perform the sealing process again later. That is, the sealing process is performed by inserting the locking claw into at least one elongated hole of the plurality of sealing portions. Then, when the substrate box 163 is opened, such as when a defect occurs in the main control substrate accommodated or when the main control substrate is inspected, the connecting portion between the sealing portion in which the locking claw is inserted and the other sealing portion is Disconnect. Thus, the box base and the box cover of the substrate box 163 are separated, and the main control substrate inside can be taken out. Thereafter, when the sealing process is performed again, the locking claw is inserted into the long hole of the other sealing portion. If a history indicating that the substrate box 163 has been opened is left in the substrate box 163, it is possible to easily find that unauthorized opening has been performed by looking at the substrate box 163.

  A plurality of coupling pieces are provided on one short side of the substrate box 163 so as to protrude laterally. These coupling pieces correspond one-to-one with a plurality of coupled pieces formed on the mounting base 161, and sealing processing is performed between the substrate box 163 and the mounting block 161 by the coupling pieces and the coupled pieces. It will be.

(Back pack unit 15)
Next, the back pack unit 15 will be described based on FIGS. 2 and 3.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the inner frame 13 is covered from behind by the back pack unit 15. The back pack unit 15 includes a back pack 201, and a delivery mechanism unit 202, a discharge passage board, and a control device assembly unit 204 are attached to the back pack 201.

  The back pack 201 is molded of a synthetic resin having transparency, and as shown in FIG. 3, a base portion 211 to which the dispensing mechanism portion 202 and the like are attached, and a protective cover portion 212 which protrudes rearward of the pachinko machine 10 and has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. And. The protective cover portion 212 has a shape in which the left and right side surfaces and the upper surface are closed and only the lower surface is open, and at least has a size sufficient to surround the variable display unit 67.

  The external terminal board 213 is provided in the upper right portion of the base portion 211. The external terminal board 213 is provided with various output terminals, and various signals are output to the management control device on the game hall side through these output terminals. The base portion 211 is provided with a pair of upper and lower retaining pins at the right end when viewed from the rear of the pachinko machine 10, and the retaining pins are inserted into the bearing fitting 132 (more specifically, the bearing portion) provided on the inner frame 13. By doing this, the back pack unit 15 is rotatably supported by the inner frame 13. In addition, a fastening tool for fastening to a fastening hole provided in the inner frame 13 is provided at the rotation tip of the base section 211, and the fastening tool is fitted into the fastening hole The back pack unit 15 is fixed to the inner frame 13.

  A dispensing mechanism unit 202 is disposed on the base unit 211 so as to bypass the protective cover unit 212. The payout mechanism section 202 is provided with a tank 221 disposed at the top of the back pack 201 and opened upward, and the gaming balls supplied from the island facilities of the game hall are sequentially replenished to the tank 221 Ru. Below the tank 221, a tank rail that is gently inclined toward the downstream side is connected, and to the downstream side of the tank rail, a vertically extending case rail is connected. A dispensing device 222 is provided at the most downstream part of the case rail. The game balls paid out from the payout device 222 are supplied to the game ball distribution unit provided in the base portion 211 of the back pack 201 through the payout passage provided on the downstream side of the payout device 222.

  The game ball distribution unit has a function to distribute the game balls paid out from the payout device 222 to any of the upper tray 33, the lower tray 34, or a discharge passage described later, and the opening on the inner side is the main body side It communicates with the upper plate 33 through the upper plate passage and the front door side upper plate passage, and the outer opening is formed to communicate with the lower plate 34 through the main body lower plate passage and the front door side lower plate passage. .

  As shown in FIG. 3, at the lower end portion of the base portion 211, a discharge passage panel and a control device aggregation unit 204 are attached so as to sandwich the lower end portion in the front and rear direction. In the discharge passage board 203, a discharge passage opened rearward is formed on the surface facing the control device collection unit 204, and the open portion of the discharge passage is closed by the control device collection unit 204. The discharge passage is formed to discharge the game ball to the island facilities of the game hall, and the game ball led out to the discharge passage from the above-mentioned collection passage or the like passes the discharge passage to the outside of the pachinko machine 10 Exhausted.

  The control device assembly unit 204 has a horizontally long mount, and the payout control device 181 and the power / emission control device 191 are mounted on the mount. The payout control device 181 and the power supply / discharge control device 191 are disposed so as to be stacked back and forth so that the payout control device 181 is located behind the pachinko machine 10.

  In the payout control device 181, a payout control substrate for controlling the payout device 222 is accommodated in the substrate box, and a state recovery switch provided on the payout control substrate protrudes out of the substrate box. For example, when the state recovery switch is pressed at the occurrence of a dispensing error such as a ball clogging in the dispensing device 222, the ball clogging is eliminated.

  In the power supply and emission control device 191, a power supply and emission control substrate is accommodated in a substrate box, and a predetermined power supply required by various control devices and the like is generated and output by the substrate. Control of launch of the game ball accompanying the operation of the handle 41 is performed. In addition, the power / emission control device 191 is provided with a RAM erase switch. The pachinko machine 10 has a memory holding function of various data, and can maintain the state at the time of the power failure even if the power failure occurs, and can return to the state at the time of the power failure when recovering from the power failure. It has become. Therefore, for example, when the power is shut off in the normal procedure as in the case of business closing of the game hall, the state before shutting off is stored and held, but when the power is turned on while pressing the RAM erase switch, the RAM data is initialized It has become.

(Variable ball entry unit 64)
In the present embodiment, the variable ball entering unit 64 (specifically, the variable ball entering devices 310 and 320) that can enter the ball by being in the open / close execution mode is characterized by the configuration related thereto There is. Therefore, the variable ball entry unit 64 and the configuration related thereto will be supplementarily described below with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7. FIG. 5 is a partial enlarged view of FIG. 4 showing the variable entering unit 64 and its peripheral structure (the part to which dot hatching is given in FIG. 4), and FIG. 7 (a) is a lower variable entering apparatus FIG. 7 (b) is a perspective view showing the lower variable ball entry device 320. FIG.

  As described above, the right route used mainly in the high-frequency support mode or the open / close execution mode is formed in the portion on the right side of the variable display unit 67 (central opening) in the game board 60 The opening 65 (see FIG. 6) is formed in a portion of the game board 60 where the right route is provided.

  The opening 65 penetrates in the thickness direction of the game board 60, and the variable entrance unit 64 is fitted into the opening 65 from the front of the gaming machine. Thus, in the state in which the variable ball entry unit 64 is disposed, the opening portion is formed by the above-mentioned base body 350 which constitutes the main part of the variable ball entry unit 64 and is provided with a function as an attachment for the game board 60 65 is covered.

  The base body 350 includes a housing formed along the edge of the opening 65. The housing has a flat plate portion formed parallel to the front surface of the game board 60 and a bulging portion which bulges from the flat plate portion to the front of the gaming machine. The variable ball entry unit 64 is integrated with the game board 60 by being fixed to the game board 60 while the flat plate portion is in contact with the front of the game board 60.

  A substantially flat cover is fixed to the housing from the front of the gaming machine. The cover is formed so that its outer shape is substantially the same as the outer shape of the housing, and faces the flat plate portion with a gap. An area sandwiched by the flat plate portion and the cover constitutes a part of the right route. In addition, transparency is given to the cover and the housing, and the visibility of the game ball having flowed into the configuration (for example, the flow-down path mentioned above) such as the cover and the like through the cover and the housing and the variable ball entry unit 64 is secured. There is.

  Above the variable ball entry unit 64, a return member 97 is provided, on which the game balls fired to the right route hit. The return member 97 is a shock absorbing material (more specifically, a rubber cushion), and the gaming ball having collided with the return member 97 will flow down to the variable ball entry unit 64 after its momentum is reduced. In the upstream portion of the variable ball entry unit 64 and the downstream portion of the return member 97, an upper variable ball entry device 310 is disposed.

(Upper variable ball entry device 310)
As shown in FIG. 6, the upper variable ball entry device 310 includes a horizontally elongated upper large winning opening 311 opened forward of the gaming machine, and an upper opening / closing member 312 formed to match the upper large winning opening 311. Have. The upper opening / closing body 312 is prevented from protruding from the front of the game board 60 and is allowed to move to a retracted position covering the upper large winning opening 311 and a projecting position which protrudes from the front of the gaming board 60 and opens the upper large winning opening 311 It is done.

  The upper variable ball entry device 310 is provided with a variable ball entry drive section 313 which constitutes drive means for the upper opening / closing member 312. The variable ball entry drive unit 313 is connected to the main controller 162 and operates based on the drive signal from the main controller 162. The upper variable opening device 310 is a game ball to the upper large winning opening 311 by opening and closing the upper opening / closing member 312 by drive control by the main control device 162, specifically by displacing the projecting position and the retracted position. It is configured to switch between a state in which the inflow is permitted (the above-mentioned allowed state) and a state in which the inflow is not possible (the above-mentioned blocked state).

  The variable ball entry unit 64 is formed with an inflow passage through which the game balls having flowed into the upper large winning opening 311 pass. In the most upstream part of the inflow passage, an upper detection sensor 315 for detecting a game ball having flowed into the upper big winning opening 311 is disposed. The upper detection sensor 315 is connected to the main controller 162, and the main controller 162 recognizes that the ball has entered the upper large winning opening 311 based on the detection information from the upper detection sensor 315, and enters. When the ball is grasped, the game balls are paid out according to the number.

  Referring again to FIG. 5, the lower variable ball entering device 320 is disposed at a position downstream of the upper variable ball entering device 310 in the right route, specifically, in the lower part of the base body 350. It is set up. A communication passage 351 is formed in the base body 350 so as to connect the upper variable ball entering device 310 and the lower variable ball entering device 320.

(Communication passage 351)
The upper variable ball entry device 310 is located at the entrance portion of the communication passage 351, and when the upper variable ball entry device 310 is in the blocking state, the gaming ball to the communication passage 351 through the entrance portion is Inflow is acceptable. The game ball having flowed into the communication passage 351 is guided to the lower variable ball entry device 320 via the communication passage 351.

  On the other hand, when the upper variable ball entry device 310 is in the permitted state, the inlet / outlet portion of the communication passage 351 is covered from above by the upper opening / closing member 312 which constitutes the upper variable ball entry device 310. Thereby, the inflow of gaming balls into the communication passage 351 is regulated. In the present embodiment, in particular, the width of the upper large winning opening 311 (upper opening and closing member 312) and the width of the inlet portion of the communication passage 351 are equal. Therefore, when the upper variable ball entry device 310 is in the permitted state, the gaming ball that has reached the upper variable ball entry device 310 flows into the communication path 351 so that the upper variable ball entry device 310 is bypassed. It is being avoided.

  As for the communication passage 351, a passage width or the like is defined so that a plurality of gaming balls can not pass through the same place at the same time. As a result, in the communication path 351, it is regulated that an event that the following game ball overtakes the game ball flowing down in advance does not occur. Further, with regard to the communication passage 351, a plurality of folded portions are formed, and meandering so as to be bent to the left and right as a whole. Thereby, the variation in the passing speed of the game ball passing through the communication passage 351 is suppressed, and the period required for the passage of the communication passage 351 (required period) becomes a predetermined period (approximately 3 seconds: 3 seconds to 3.5 seconds). As specified. Incidentally, the portion constituted by the variable ball entry unit 64 (for example, the communication passage 351) in the right route is the non-arranged area of the nail 69 described above, and the variation of the behavior of the gaming ball is reduced.

  The connection passage 351 is offset laterally from the center of the game board 60 from the upstream side to the downstream side while meandering laterally. This is a device for suppressing the communication passage 351 from being a factor that squeezes the occupied area (visible portion) of the variable display unit 67 while securing the function of reducing the weight of the gaming ball in the communication passage 351.

  The gaming ball that has reached the lower variable ball entry device 320 through the communication passage 351 flows into the lower variable ball entry device 320 when the lower variable ball entry device 320 is in the permitted state, and the lower side When the variable ball entering device 320 is in the blocking state, it passes through the lower variable ball entering device 320 and flows downward toward the through gate 66 → lower activated ball entering portion 63. Here, the lower variable ball entry device 320 will be supplementarily described with reference to FIG. 7.

(Lower variable ball entry device 320)
A ball passage 361 that constitutes a part of the right route and is connected to the outlet of the communication passage 351 is formed in a portion of the base body 350 where the lower variable ball entry device 320 is disposed. The ball passage 361 has a horizontal shape, and is inclined downward from the side of the game board 60 to the central side. The passage width of the ball passage 361 and the like are also defined in the same way as the communication passage 351 so that a plurality of gaming balls do not simultaneously pass through the same portion.

  At the middle position of the bottom portion 364 of the ball passage 361, the lower large winning opening 321 opened upward is formed. The lower large winning opening 321 has a horizontally elongated shape extending leftward and rightward along the ball passage 361, and is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in which the left and right direction is a longitudinal direction and the front and rear direction is a lateral direction.

  A long plate-like lower opening / closing member 322 is disposed so as to cover the lower large winning opening 321. The lower opening / closing body 322 is a bottom of the ball passage 361 together with an upstream bottom surface portion 365 located upstream of the lower opening / closing body 322 and a downstream bottom surface portion 366 located downstream of the lower opening / closing body 322 364 is configured. FIG. 7B shows a state in which the lower opening and closing member 322 is closed (blocked state).

  With the above-described configuration, the gaming ball having bypassed the lower variable ball entry device 320 is guided toward the through gate 66 and the lower operation ball entry portion 63 through the ball passage 361. In the present embodiment, the probability that the gaming ball which has flowed down through the left route is lower than the gaming ball which has flowed down through the right route is higher (probability of winning). ing.

  The lower opening / closing body 322 has a long plate shape extending in the same direction as the passage direction of the ball passage 361, and the inclination angle of the upper surface is the upstream bottom surface portion 365 (upstream passage 362) and the downstream bottom surface portion 366. It is equal to the inclination angle of (the downstream passage 363). Incidentally, the upstream end of the lower opening / closing body 322 is positioned slightly lower than the upstream bottom surface portion 365, and the downstream end is positioned slightly higher than the downstream bottom surface portion 366. ing. Thereby, the flow when the gaming ball flows down along the bottom 364 is secured.

  The above-mentioned variable entering ball drive unit 323 is attached to the lower side variable entering apparatus 320. The variable ball entry drive unit 323 is electrically connected to the main controller 162, and operates based on the drive signal from the main controller 162 to switch the lower variable ball entry device 320 from the blocked state to the permitted state. . Specifically, the lower opening / closing body 322 is retracted by the operation of the variable ball entry drive unit 323, and switching to the above-described allowed state in which entry of the ball into the lower large winning opening 321 is allowed.

  The base body 350 is formed with an inflow passage 324 into which gaming balls having entered the lower big winning opening 321 flow in, and a lower detection sensor 325 is disposed at an intermediate position of the inflow passage 324. The lower detection sensor 325 is electrically connected to the main controller 162, and when the gaming ball passes the detection area of the lower detection sensor 325, detection information (detection signal) is input to the main controller 162 It is a structure. Main controller 162 determines the presence or absence of a prize based on the detection information. In the present embodiment, the game ball flows into the inflow passage 324 during the open / close execution mode, whereby the lottery mode after the end of the open / close execution mode is shifted to the high probability mode. In the following description, the inflow passage 324 is referred to as a "special ball entry unit 324".

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when the player performs a firing operation, the game ball is repeatedly fired at a predetermined firing cycle (0.6 sec). Although the presence of such a firing cycle is a preferable configuration to promote attention to the individual game balls, the lower variable ball entering device 320, just before the lower variable ball entering device 320 is opened, specifically, It can also be a factor that bypasses the area where the ball can enter the lower big winning opening 321 in the ball passage 361 (the specific area SE facing the lower opening / closing member 322). Although the details will be described later, the frequent occurrence of an event that entering the lower variable ball entry device 320 is avoided by a slight time difference is a factor that impairs the flow of the original game in the gaming machine shown in the present embodiment. It is not preferable because it can be In the present embodiment, one of the features is that the device is made in consideration of such circumstances. Hereinafter, the device will be described with reference to FIG. 8 (a) is a schematic view of the ball passage 361 as viewed from above, and FIG. 8 (b) is a partial cross-sectional view of FIG. 8 (a).

  A plurality of ridges 371 are formed so as to protrude to the specific area SE side in the part where the specific area SE is formed by the back wall 367 and the front wall 368 that constitute the ball passage 361. ing. The projecting portion 371 extends in a direction (vertical direction) intersecting with the passage direction of the ball passage 361 and the gaming ball flowing down the ball passage 361 contacts the tip portion thereof. In the following description, the protruding portion 371 formed on the back wall portion 367 is referred to as a back protruding portion 371R, and the protruding portion 371 formed on the front wall 368 is referred to as a front protruding portion 371F.

  The gap dimension D1 between the back wall 367 and the front protrusion 371F is set to be larger than the diameter D of the gaming ball, and the gap dimension D2 between the front wall 368 and the back protrusion 371R Is also set to be larger than the diameter dimension D of the gaming ball. A plurality of (four in the present embodiment) rear side ridges 371R are arranged with a gap larger than the diameter D of the game ball in the passage direction of the ball passage 361, and those rear side ridges The front ridges 371F are disposed so as to be located in the middle of the portions 371R. Thus, the flow-down path of the gaming ball in the specific area SE is devised to meander forward and backward with respect to the passage direction of the ball passage 361.

  Here, when the protrusion amount of the back protrusion 371R, the protrusion amount of the front protrusion 371F, and the diameter dimension D of the gaming ball are added, the passage in the front-rear direction of the ball passage 361 (specific area SE) It is configured to be larger than the width (D3 <D). As a result, the game ball is prevented from running through the specific area SE so as to avoid a collision with the projecting portions 371F and 371R.

  As shown in FIG. 8B, while the upper end of the ridge 371 reaches the ceiling 369, a predetermined gap is formed between the lower end and the lower opening / closing member 322. There is. However, the gap is set smaller than the radius of the gaming ball, and the contact between the gaming ball and the projection 371 when the gaming ball rolls on the upper surface of the lower opening / closing body 322 (deceleration function) Is secured.

  The game ball having flowed into the ball passage 361 is decelerated in the specific area SE, so that the time required for passage is longer as compared with the case where the projection 371 is not formed. Further, in the present embodiment, the substantial passage length is increased by the meandering of the gaming ball, so even when reaching the specific area SE at the same speed, the comparison is made in the same period. This causes a difference in the movement distance in the passage direction. Thereby, securing of the above-mentioned period is realized while avoiding upsizing of the ball passage 361 (the lower side big winning opening 321).

  Here, the degree of deceleration and the like in the present embodiment are defined as follows. That is, the time required for the game ball to pass through the specific area SE is defined to be longer than the firing cycle (0.6 sec) of the game ball. As a result, although the conditions for entering the lower large winning opening 321 can be generated, an event such as missing the opportunity occurs due to the effect of the difference in arrival timing due to the firing cycle. To suppress that.

(Electrical configuration of pachinko machine 10)
Next, the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 10 will be described based on the block diagram of FIG.

  An MPU 602 is mounted on a main control board 601 provided in the main controller 162. The MPU 602 is a ROM 603 storing various control programs to be executed by the MPU 602 and fixed value data, and a memory for temporarily storing various data etc. when the control program stored in the ROM 603 is executed. The RAM 604 is an element in which an interrupt circuit, a timer circuit, a data input / output circuit, various counter circuits as a random number generator, and the like are incorporated. Note that part of the functions of the MPU 602, for example, the function of the ROM 603, the function of the RAM 604, or the like may be provided as another element.

  The MPU 602 is provided with an input port and an output port, respectively. To the input side of the MPU 602, a power failure monitoring board 605 provided in the main control device 162, a payout control device 181, various detection sensors, and the like are connected. The power and emission control device 191 is connected to the power failure monitoring substrate 605, and power is supplied to the MPU 602 through the power failure monitoring substrate 605. Further, as a part of various detection sensors, a detection sensor 151 a for the general winning opening 61, a detection sensor 151 b for the upper operation ball receiving portion 62, a detection sensor 151 c for the lower operation ball receiving portion 63, and the through gate 66 The detection sensor 151 d and the detection sensors 315 and 325 for the variable ball entry unit 64 are connected, and the MPU 602 of the main control device 162 based on detection information (detection signals) from these various detection sensors 151 a to 151 d, 315 and 325. At this time, it is determined whether or not a winning determination (entry determination) or the like has been made for each ball entry section. Further, the MPU 602 executes a big hit occurrence lottery on the basis of winning on the upper operation ball receiving portion 62 (upper operation port 62a) and the lower operation ball receiving portion 63 (lower operation port 63a). Execute a support occurrence lottery based on the winnings.

  To the output side of the MPU 602, the power failure monitoring board 605, the payout control device 181, and the notification and effect control device 143 (specifically, the notification and effect control substrate 611) are connected. For example, a winning ball command is output to the payout control device 181 based on the result of the winning determination on the winning support ball entry unit. In this case, the command information storage area 603a of the ROM 603 is referred to when outputting the prize ball command. Then, when a prize in the general prize hole 61 is specified, a prize ball command corresponding to the payout of 10 game balls is output, and a prize in the upper big prize hole 311 or the lower big prize hole 321 is specified. In the case, the winning ball command corresponding to the payout of 15 game balls is output, and when the winning in the upper operation opening 62a is specified, the winning ball command corresponding to the payout of 3 game balls is output, When a winning in the lower operation opening 63a is specified, a winning ball command corresponding to the payout of four game balls is output.

  Various commands such as a change start command, a type command, a change end command, an opening command, and an ending command are output to the notification / effect control device 143. In this case, when outputting these various commands, the command information storage area 603a of the ROM 603 is referred to. Details of these various commands will be described later. Each command is configured as information of a predetermined number of bytes, and includes various information as the information of the predetermined number of bytes.

  Further, on the output side of the MPU 602, a drive unit 71b for driving the motorized accessory 71 attached to the lower operation ball receiving unit 63, and a variable ball drive unit 313 for driving the upper opening / closing body 312 of the upper variable ball entering device 310. The variable ball drive unit 323 for driving the lower opening / closing body 322 of the lower variable ball entering device 320, the number-of-holds display unit of the main display unit D of the main display unit 81, and the display units for various ball units ing. The main control substrate 601 is provided with various driver circuits, and the MPU 602 executes drive control of various driving units and the like through the driver circuits and the like.

  That is, in the open / close execution mode, drive control of the variable ball entry drive units 313 and 323 in the variable ball entry devices 310 and 320 is executed in the MPU 602 so that the upper large winning hole 311 and the lower large winning hole 321 are opened and closed. Ru. Further, when the open state of the motorized combination 71 of the lower operation ball entry unit 63 is won (support is elected), the drive control of the drive unit 71b is executed in the MPU 602 so that the motorized combination 71 is opened and closed. Be done. In each game session, the MPU 602 executes display control of the display portion for the upper operation ball storage portion or the display portion for the lower operation ball storage portion in the main display portion D of the main display unit 81.

  Furthermore, an external terminal board 213 is connected to the output side of the MPU 602. The external terminal board 213 is provided with a jackpot signal output terminal or the like as an output terminal for outputting a signal at the time of state transition. The MPU 602 can output a jackpot signal to the management control device on the game hall side through the jackpot signal output terminal when the game result is a jackpot result. Specifically, in the normal state, the LOW level signal is output from the jackpot signal output terminal, and when the jackpot result is obtained, the HI level signal is output. The output mode of this signal may be reversed.

  The power failure monitoring board 605 relays the main control board 601 and the power supply and emission control device 191, and monitors the voltage of the DC stable 24 volts which is the maximum voltage output from the power supply and emission control device 191. The payout control device 181 performs payout control of the winning balls and the lending balls by the payout device 222 based on the winning ball command input from the main control device 162.

  The power supply and emission control device 191 is connected to, for example, a commercial power supply (external power supply) in a game arcade or the like. Then, based on the external power supplied from the commercial power supply, the main control board 601, the payout control device 181, etc. generate necessary operation power for each, and the generated operation power is supplied through a predetermined power path. Do.

  Further, the power supply and emission control device 191 is responsible for the emission control of the game ball emission mechanism 110, and the game ball emission mechanism 110 (specifically, the solenoid 111) is driven when a predetermined emission condition is satisfied. More specifically, the power supply and emission control device 191 is connected to an operation level detection sensor provided on the game ball emission handle 41 and a touch sensor. The operation level detection sensor is a sensor that detects the amount of operation (rotation amount) of the game ball emission handle 41, and based on the information from the operation level detection sensor, the emission intensity of the game ball by the game ball emission mechanism 110 ) Will be determined. The touch sensor is configured to output information when the player touches the game ball firing handle 41. In the power / fire control device 191, the player touches the game ball firing handle 41 based on this information. Is configured so that it can be grasped. It is determined that the player is touching the game ball emission handle 41 based on the information from the touch sensor, and the operation level detection sensor determines that the game ball emission handle 41 is operated. Will be permitted.

  In addition, the information from the touch sensor is transmitted to the main control device 162 and further to the notification and effect control device 143 and the display control device 620 via the power and emission control device 191.

  The notification and effect control device 143 has a notification and effect control board 611 on which the MPU 612 is mounted, and the MPU 612 stores a ROM 613 storing various control programs and fixed value data, and a control program stored in the ROM 613 A RAM 614 or the like, which is a memory for temporarily storing various data and the like upon execution of the program, is incorporated.

  The notification and effect control device 143 drives and controls the lamp units 26 to 28 and the speaker unit 29 provided on the front door frame 14 based on various commands input from the main control device 162, and controls the display control device 620. It is a thing. Specifically, in the notification and effect control device 143, based on various commands input from the main control device 162, the variation display mode of the symbol in the symbol display device 75 and the stop display mode of the symbol to be finally displayed by stop (for example, the symbol The type of combination) is determined, the presence or absence of reach occurrence, the content of reach effect, etc. are determined, and the determined content is added to the command and transferred to the display control device 620.

  The display control device 620 has a display control board on which an MPU is mounted. The MPU stores various control programs and ROM storing fixed value data, and various control programs stored in the ROM. A RAM for temporarily storing data etc., a video display processor (VDP), a character ROM for storing image data, a video RAM for temporarily storing image data read from the character ROM, etc. are incorporated. ing. The MPU executes display control of the variable display unit 67 (specifically, the symbol display device 75) on the basis of the command input from the notification and effect control device 143.

  Here, the display contents of the symbol display device 75 will be described with reference to schematic diagrams of FIGS. 10 and 11. On the display screen 75a of the symbol display device 75, three symbol rows of the upper row, the middle row and the lower row are set. In each symbol row, main symbols and sub symbols are arranged in a predetermined order. Then, on the display screen 75a, the symbols of each of the symbol rows are displayed so as to scroll in a predetermined direction (specifically, right to left) with periodicity. In this case, in the upper symbol row, nine types of main symbols of “1” to “9” are arranged in descending order of the numbers, and one sub-symbol is arranged between each main symbol. In the lower row pattern row, nine types of main symbols of “1” to “9” are arranged in ascending order of the numbers, and one sub symbol is disposed between each of the main symbols. That is, the upper pattern row and the lower pattern row are composed of 18 symbols. On the other hand, in the middle symbol row, nine types of main symbols of "1" to "9" are arranged in ascending order of numbers, and then between the main symbol of "9" and the main symbol of "1" The main symbols of "4" are additionally arranged, and one sub-symbol is arranged between each of the main symbols. That is, only in the middle symbol row, ten main symbols are arranged and it is constituted by 20 symbols.

  Further, on the display screen 75a, three symbols are stop-displayed for each symbol row, and as a result, a total of nine symbols of 3 × 3 are stop-displayed. Further, on the display screen 75a, five effective lines, that is, a left line, a middle line, a right line, a right-down line, and a right-up line are set. Then, the variation display stops in the order of upper symbol row → lower symbol row → middle symbol row, and a predetermined symbol combination (for example, a symbol combination with the same numeral) is formed on any effective line. If the variation display of all the symbol rows ends, the big hit animation is displayed as the occurrence of the big hit result.

  In addition, in view of the fact that the variable display of each symbol row is stopped as described above, the upper symbol row is the first symbol row (or first symbol row) and the lower pattern row is the second symbol row (or second symbol) Row), the middle symbol row can be referred to as a third symbol row (or a third symbol row).

  Incidentally, the mode of the variation display of the symbols in the symbol display device 75 is not limited to the above and is arbitrary, the number of symbol rows, the direction of the variation display of the symbols in the symbol row, the number of symbols in each symbol row, etc. Can be changed as appropriate. For example, a plurality of symbol rows may be set to be horizontally arranged, and the direction of variation display of the symbols in the symbol rows may be set in the vertical direction.

  Next, the operation of the pachinko machine 10 configured as described above will be described with reference to the schematic view of FIG.

(Various counters)
The MPU 602 of the main control unit 162 uses the various counter information to set the jackpot occurrence lottery, the setting of the display of the main display section D (setting of the light emission mode), the setting of the symbol display of the symbol display device 75, etc. Specifically, for a big hit random number counter C1 used for a big hit lottery, a big hit type counter C2 used for determining a big hit type, and a reach lottery for executing out-of-out variation in the symbol display device 75 Determine the reach random number counter C3 to be used, the random number initial value counter CINI to be used for setting the initial value of the big hit random number counter C1, the display portion for the operation ball entry unit of the main display unit 81 and the fluctuation display time in the symbol display device 75 The variation type counter CS is used. Further, the electric combination release counter C4 used in the drawing of whether or not the electric combination 71 of the lower operation ball entering unit 63 is in the electric combination release state is used.

  Each of the counters C1 to C3, CINI, CS, and C4 is a loop counter in which 1 is added to the previous value each time it is updated, and reaches a maximum value and returns to 0. Each counter is updated at a short time interval, and the updated value is appropriately stored in a lottery counter buffer 604 a set in a predetermined area of the RAM 604. In the holding ball storage area 604b of the RAM 604, a holding area RE for the operation opening and an execution area AE are provided. The reserve area RE includes a first area Ra1, a second area Ra2, a third area Ra3, a fourth area Ra4, a fifth area Ra5, a sixth area Ra6, a seventh area Ra7, and an eighth area Ra8. The numerical information of the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type counter C2 and the reach random number counter C3 stored in the lottery counter buffer 604a in accordance with the prize history for the mouths 62a and 63a is used as hold information for any area Ra1. It is stored in ~ Ra8. The hold information corresponds to special information.

  In the first area Ra1 to the eighth area Ra8, when winnings to the operation ports 62a and 63a occur a plurality of times consecutively, the first area Ra1 → the second area Ra2 → the third area Ra3 → the fourth area Ra4 Each numerical value information is stored in chronological order in the order of the fifth area Ra5, the sixth area Ra6, the seventh area Ra7, and the eighth area Ra8. As described above, by providing eight areas Ra1 to Ra8, the ball entry history of the game balls to the operation openings 62a and 63a is reserved and stored up to four (ie, a total of eight). . In addition, a total holding number storage area FE is provided in the holding ball storage area 604b, and the total holding number storage area FE is obtained from the holding information obtained and stored based on the entry into the operation port 62a, 63a. Information for specifying the storage number is stored.

  The execution area AE is an area for moving the respective values stored in the first area Ra1 of the holding area RE when the variable display is started on the display unit for the ball entry unit of the main display unit D, At the start of one game period, on the basis of various kinds of numerical information stored in the execution area AE, a judgment of success or failure is made.

  Specifically, for each counter, the jackpot random number counter C1 is configured to be sequentially incremented by one within a range of 0 to 599, for example, and returned to 0 after reaching the maximum value (that is, 599). In particular, when the big hit random number counter C1 makes one revolution, the value of the random number initial value counter CINI at that time is read as the initial value of the big hit random number counter C1. The random number initial value counter CINI is a loop counter similar to the large hitting random number counter C1 (value = 0 to 599). The jackpot random number counter C1 is periodically updated, and is stored in the holding ball storage area 604b of the RAM 604 at the timing when the gaming ball wins the upper operation ball storage unit 62 or the lower operation ball storage unit 63.

  The value of the random number to be the jackpot win is stored as a yes / no table (win / fail information group) in a yes / no table storage area 603b as a yes / no information group storage unit in the ROM 603. Here, the contents of the success or failure table will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 13, as the success / failure table, the success / failure table (low probability success / failure information group) for the low probability mode of FIG. 13A and the success / failure table for high probability mode of FIG. Probability pass / fail information group) is set. That is, in the pachinko machine 10, the low probability mode (low probability state) and the high probability mode (high probability state) are set as the lottery modes in the hit / fall lottery means.

  Under gaming conditions in which the probability table for the low probability mode is referred to at the time of the lottery, as shown in FIG. 13A, the value of the random number for winning the jackpot (ie, winning information) is "7", There are three "307" and "507". That is, among the values of the big hit random number counter C1 of "0 to 599", "7", "307", and "507" correspond to the big hit result, and the substantial big hit probability by 1/2 lottery is 1/200. It has become. On the other hand, under the gaming state where the high probability mode pass / fail table is referred to at the time of the lottery, as shown in FIG. 13B, the value of the jackpot winning random number (ie, winning information) is “7 “107”, “207”, “307”, “407”, and “507”. That is, among the values of the big hit random number counter C1 of "0 to 599", "7", "107", "207" ... "507" correspond to the big hit result, and a substantial big hit by one lottery The probability is 1/100. The number and the value of the random numbers to be won are arbitrary as long as the winning probability in the high probability mode is higher than that in the low probability mode. In each lottery mode, except for the value of the random number for winning the big hit, it is out.

  The jackpot type counter C2 is configured to be sequentially incremented by one within the range of 0 to 49 and to return to 0 after reaching the maximum value (that is, 49). Here, in the present embodiment, a plurality of jackpot results are set. A difference is set to the mode of the opening and closing control of the variable ball entry devices 310 and 320 in the opening and closing execution mode.

(Distribution of game results)
The distribution destination of the game result for the jackpot type counter C2 (that is, the lottery result by the acceptance lottery and the distribution lottery) is in the distribution table storage area 603c as the distribution information group storage unit in the ROM 603 the distribution table (distribution information Group) is stored. Here, the contents of the distribution table will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, the distribution table (first distribution information group) for the upper operation ball storage unit and the distribution table (second distribution information group) for the lower operation ball storage unit are provided. The configuration is common, and there is no difference in superiority or inferiority depending on the type of distribution table. This is a preferable configuration in order to reduce the storage capacity and to prevent the occurrence of disadvantages due to the winning order.

  In the distribution table, 16R big hit results A to 16 R big hit results D are set as the distribution destinations of the game results. Specifically, among the values of the "0 to 49" jackpot type counter C2, "0 to 9" corresponds to the 16R jackpot result A, and "10 to 24" corresponds to the 16R jackpot result B In addition, “25 to 39” corresponds to the 16R jackpot result C, and “40 to 49” corresponds to the 16R jackpot result D.

  Each of these jackpot results is a jackpot result in which the variable ball entry devices 310 and 320 are opened 16 times, and the opening order of the variable ball entry devices 310 and 320 is the same. However, differences are set in the interval period when the object to be released moves to the lower variable ball entry device 320 and the open period of the lower variable ball entry device 320. As described above, in this gaming machine, the transition to the high probability mode is determined based on entering the ball into the lower variable ball entering device 320 (special ball entering unit 324), and the interval period or the opening period is The difference is set to the substantial transition probability to the high probability mode by. Although the details will be described later, 16R jackpot result A <16R jackpot result B <16R jackpot result C <16R jackpot result D is set to increase the transition probability to the high probability mode in the order.

  Here, supplemental description will be given of combinations of symbols that are stopped and displayed on the display screen 75a of the symbol display device 75 when various jackpot results are obtained by the above-mentioned lottery for acceptance and distribution and lottery for distribution.

  As already explained, in the display screen 75a, the upper, middle and lower three symbol rows are set, and the upper symbol row and the lower row of symbol rows are nine types of main symbols from "1" to "9" The middle pattern row has 10 types of main symbols of "0" to "9" and the sub symbols arranged between the respective main symbols, and the sub symbols arranged between the respective main symbols. Have.

  In this pachinko machine 10, the main symbol with an odd number (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) corresponds to a "specific symbol", and the combination of the same specific symbols is the above effective line (see FIG. 11) By being stopped and displayed on one of the lines, it is taught that the 16R big hit result D is reached. Moreover, the main symbol with an even number (2, 4, 6, 8) corresponds to the "non-specific symbol", and the combination of the same non-specific symbol is one of the effective lines (see FIG. 11). By being stopped and displayed on the upper side, it is taught that the 16R jackpot result A to 16R jackpot result C is one of the result. That is, when the combination of specific symbols is stopped and displayed, it is clearly indicated that it is 16R jackpot result D, while when the combination of non-specified symbols is stopped and displayed, which jackpot result is It becomes implicit.

  In addition, in the display part for operation ball storage parts of the main display part D mentioned above, the result of the success or failure lottery is clearly shown. In the operation ball display unit, the above-mentioned types of jackpots are separately displayed, but in each operation ball display unit, a plurality of LEDs constituting the operation ball display unit The patterns corresponding to each jackpot are diversified by individually turning on / off the light and by changing the color development pattern variously. As a result, even if the operation ball display unit display portion is visually checked, it is difficult to identify the type of jackpot.

  Referring again to FIG. 12, the reach random number counter C3 is configured to be sequentially incremented by one within a range of 0 to 238, for example, and returned to 0 after reaching the maximum value (that is, 238). The reach random number counter C3 is periodically updated, and the holding balls of the RAM 604 are stored at the timing when the game ball wins the upper operation entrance 62 (upper operation opening 62a) or the lower operation entrance 63 (lower operation opening 63a). It is stored in the area 604b. More specifically, the game ball is stored in the lower operation ball storage area for the RAM 604 at the timing when the game ball is won in the upper operation ball unit 62 (upper operation port 62a), and the lower operation ball unit 63 (lower operation port 63a) is stored in the lower operation ball storage area for the RAM 604 at the timing when the gaming ball has won a prize. Then, based on the reach table stored in the reach table storage area of the ROM 603, it is determined whether or not the reach should be generated.

  However, in the gaming round (the gaming round in which the winning lottery is won), the MPU 602 determines the reach occurrence regardless of the value of the reach random number counter C3. Although the number of reach random number counters C3 corresponding to the occurrence of reach display is the same in each gaming state, it may be set individually according to the gaming state. For example, in the case where the support mode is the high frequency support mode, the number of reach random number counters C3 corresponding to the occurrence of the reach display may be set larger than that in the low frequency support mode.

  Here, the reach display (reach state) includes the symbol display device 75 capable of performing variable display (or variable display) of a symbol (pattern), and the game result is the game result corresponding to the opening / closing execution mode In the gaming machine, in the gaming machine where the stop display result after the variable display can be the special display result, the stop display result is derived and displayed after the variable display (or variable display) of the symbol in the symbol display device 75 is started. In the previous step, it refers to a display state for making the player think that the variable display state is likely to be the special display result.

  In other words, a combination of symbols corresponding to the generation of the open / close execution mode is established by stopping and displaying the symbols for a part of the plurality of symbol rows displayed on the display screen 75a of the symbol display device 75. It is a display state in which a combination of possible reach symbols is displayed, and in that state, variation display of symbols is performed in the remaining symbol rows.

  More specifically, a combination of symbols corresponding to the generation of the open / close execution mode is established on a preset effective line in the display screen 75a of the symbol display device 75 as a step before the variable display of the symbols is ended. A reach line is formed by stopping and displaying a combination of possible reach symbols, and the variation display of symbols is performed by the final stop symbol row under the situation where the reach line is formed.

  The display contents on the display screen 75a will be described in more detail. First, in the upper symbol row, the variation display of symbols is ended, and in the lower row of symbol rows, the fluctuation display of symbols is ended, any valid line is hit and any symbol is hit. The reach line is formed by the stop display of the main symbols with the numbers that make up the combination, and the reach display is performed by the variation display of the symbols in the middle symbol row in the situation where the reach lines are formed. It will be displayed. And, when the big hit occurs, the main symbol forming the reach line and the main symbol with the number that composes the combination of the symbols are stopped and displayed on the reach line so that the variation display of the symbols in the middle symbol row Is finished.

  Furthermore, in reach display, while displaying combinations of reach symbols as described above, fluctuation display of symbols is performed in the remaining symbol rows, and a predetermined character or the like is displayed as a moving image on the background screen. What performs a reach effect is included by displaying a predetermined character etc. as a moving image in the substantially whole display screen, after reducing or displaying the thing of performing a reduction and the combination of a reach symbol reduced. In addition, when reach display is performed or before advance display, it is determined whether to display advance notice using a predetermined image such as a predetermined character using reach random number counter C3 or another counter. May be

  For example, the fluctuation type counter CS is sequentially incremented by one within the range of 0 to 198, and returns to 0 after reaching the maximum value (that is, 198). The fluctuation type counter CS is a fluctuation display time in the display portion for the upper operation entering portion and the display portion for the lower operation entering portion of the main display unit 81 (main display portion D), and a fluctuation display of symbols in the symbol display device 75 It is used in determining time and time in the MPU 602. The fluctuation type counter CS is updated once each time a normal process to be described later is executed once, and is repeatedly updated even within the remaining time in the normal process. The buffer value of the variation type counter CS is used to determine the variation pattern at the start of variation display on the upper operation entry sphere display unit and the lower operation entry sphere display unit and at the start of variation of the symbol by the symbol display device 75 It is acquired.

  For example, the motorized product release counter C4 is configured to be incremented by one in order within the range of 0 to 250, and to return to 0 after reaching the maximum value (that is, 250). The motorized jack release counter C4 is periodically updated, and is stored in the hold combination area 604c of the RAM 604 at the timing when the game ball wins the through gate 66. Then, at a predetermined timing, a lottery is performed to determine whether or not the motorized jack 71 of the lower operation ball entering unit 63 is controlled to be open according to the value of the stored electric jack combination release counter C4. For example, if C4 = 0 to 190, the motorized prize 71 is controlled to the open state, and if C4 = 191 to 250, the motorized prize 71 is not controlled to the open state.

  As described above, in the MPU 602, the fluctuation display time in the display portion for the upper actuating ball portion and the display portion for the lower actuating ball portion is determined using at least the buffer value of the fluctuation type counter CS. At the time of determination, the variable display time table storage area 603 d of the ROM 603 is used. Further, in the MPU 602, using the value of the big hit random number counter C1 and the value of the big hit type counter C2 stored in the execution area AE, stopping at the display part for the upper action ball entry part and the display for the lower action ball entry part Although the result is determined, the stop result table storage area 603e of the ROM 603 is used in the determination.

(About various processes executed by the MPU 602 of the main control board 601)
Next, each control process executed by the MPU 602 of the main control board 601 will be described. The processing of the MPU 602 is roughly classified into main processing activated upon power-on, normal processing executed after the main processing ends, and timer interrupt processing which is periodically interrupted and activated to the normal processing, For convenience of explanation, first, the timer interrupt process will be described, and then the normal process will be described.

(Timer interrupt processing)
First, timer interrupt processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This processing is started up periodically (for example, in a cycle of 2 msec) by the MPU 602.

  In step S101, reading processing of various detection sensors, for example (the above-mentioned detection sensors 151a to 151d, 315, 325) is executed. That is, while reading the states of various detection sensors connected to the main control device 162, the state of the detection sensor (detection information from the detection sensor) is determined and the detection information (winning detection information) is stored. For example, when it is determined that the ball has entered the upper operation port 62a, the winning detection flag for the lower operation ball entry unit is stored in the various flag storage areas of the RAM 604, and the ball is input to the lower operation port 63a. Is determined to have occurred, the prize detection flag for the lower operation ball entry unit is stored in the various flag storage area. When it is determined that the game ball has passed through gate 66, the winning detection flag for through gate is stored in various flag storage areas of RAM 604.

  Thereafter, in step S102, the random number initial value counter CINI is updated. Specifically, the random number initial value counter CINI is incremented by 1 and cleared to 0 when the counter value reaches the maximum value. Then, the updated value of the random number initial value counter CINI is stored in the corresponding buffer area of the RAM 604.

  In the subsequent step S103, the big hit random number counter C1, the big hit type counter C2, the reach random number counter C3, and the electric character release counter C4 are updated. Specifically, the big hit random number counter C1, the big hit type counter C2, the reach random number counter C3 and the motorized combination release counter C4 are respectively incremented by 1 and cleared to 0 when their counter values reach the maximum value. Then, the updated values of the counters C1 to C4 are stored in the corresponding buffer area of the RAM 604.

  In the subsequent step S104, a winning process for through is performed in association with the winning of the through gate 66. In the winning process for through, it is determined whether or not the winning detection flag for through gate is stored in the various flag storage area 604e of the RAM 604, and when the flag is stored, it is stored in the electronic mail holding area On the condition that the number of bonus product holding memories being stored is less than 4, the value of the motorized product release counter C4 updated in the step S103 is stored in the electric power manager holding area. Then, when the winning detection flag for through gate is stored in the various flag storage area, the winning detection flag is erased and the winning processing for the through gate is ended.

  After the winning process for the through gate in step S104 is performed, the process proceeds to step S105, and in step S105, winning for the operating ball is associated with winning on the operating ball portions 62, 63 (the operating ports 62a, 63a). The processing is executed and this timer interrupt processing is finished.

  In the winning process for the operating ball entry unit, first, the lower operation entering ball in the various flag storage areas of the RAM 604 whether or not the game ball has won the upper operation focusing portion 62 (upper operation port 62a) (start winning). This determination is made based on whether or not a prize detection flag for club use is stored. When it is determined that the same winning detection flag is stored, that is, when the game ball receives a detection signal indicating that a winning on the upper operation ball entry portion 62 (upper operation port 62a) has occurred, the payout control device A winning ball command for causing three game balls to be paid out is set at 181. Then, external signal setting processing is performed to output information indicating that the gaming ball has won in the upper operation ball entry unit 62 (upper operation port 62a) to the hall computer HC on the game hall side. Thus, the hole computer HC recognizes that a winning on the upper operation ball receiving portion 62 (upper operation port 62a) has occurred.

  Thereafter, the value stored in the holding number storage area of the holding area for the upper operation ball entry unit is read out, and the number of upper start holding memories held in the holding area is set. Subsequently, information acquisition processing for storing the values of the big hit random number counter C1, the big hit type counter C2 and the reach random number counter C3 is performed, and the present winning processing is ended.

  On the other hand, when the winning detection flag for the lower operation ball storage unit is not stored in the various flag storage areas 604e of the RAM 604, that is, the lower operation ball storage unit 63 instead of the upper operation ball storage unit 62 (upper operation port 62a). If a prize winning has occurred, a prize ball command for causing the payout control device 181 to pay out four gaming balls is set. The set award ball command is transmitted to the payout control device 181 in the external output process of the normal process described later.

  Subsequently, an external signal setting process is performed to output information indicating that the gaming ball has won in the lower operation ball entry unit 63 (the lower operation opening 63a) to the hall computer HC on the gaming hall side. Thus, the hole computer HC recognizes that a winning on the lower operation ball receiving portion 63 (lower operation port 63a) has occurred.

  Thereafter, the value stored in the number-of-holds storage area of the holding area for the lower operation entry unit is read out, and the number of lower start holding memories held in the holding area is set, and then the information acquisition process is performed. Perform and complete the winning process.

  On the other hand, when the game ball does not win in any of the upper operation ball entering portion 62 and the lower operation ball entering portion 63, the present winning process is ended as it is.

  In the information acquisition process, first, it is determined whether the set start pending storage number is less than the upper limit (4 in the present embodiment). If the start pending storage number is the upper limit value, the information acquisition processing is ended as it is. If the start pending storage number is less than the upper limit value, the start pending storage number of the corresponding result display section pending area is incremented by one and The value stored in the pending count storage area (hereinafter referred to as the common pending count) is incremented by one.

  After that, each value of the updated big hit random number counter C1, big hit type counter C2, reach random number counter C3 and fluctuation type counter CS is set to the first storage area among the free storage areas of the corresponding result display holding area, ie 1 It is stored in the storage area corresponding to the incremented pending storage number.

  That is, when the start pending storage number for the upper operation ball storage unit is set, each value of the updated big hit random number counter C1, big hit type counter C2, reach random number counter C3 and fluctuation type counter CS is changed to the upper action. Of the empty storage areas of the holding area for entering the ball, the first storage area is stored in the holding area corresponding to the number of start and holding memories for the upper operation ball section incremented by one.

  In addition, when the number of start pending storages for the lower operation ball storage unit is set, the values of the updated large hit random number counter C1, the large hit type counter C2 and the reach random number counter C3 are changed to the lower operation ball input unit The first storage area of the free storage areas of the reserved area for the reserved area, that is, stored in the reserved area corresponding to the number of start reserved memories for the lower operation ball part incremented by one.

  Subsequently, the notification and effect control device 143 and the display control device 620, which are control devices on the sub side (secondary side), are made to recognize that winning has occurred on the upper operation ball receiving portion 62 or the lower operation ball receiving portion 63. The process for confirming the hold information and the process for setting the hold command, which are processes for the purpose, are executed. Thereafter, when the winning detection flag is stored, the flag is erased, and the information acquisition process is ended. The hold command set in the setting process of the hold command is transmitted to the notification and effect control device 143 in the external output process of the normal process described later.

(Normal processing)
Next, the flow of the normal processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The normal process is a process that is started after the main process that is activated in response to the power-on is performed. In the normal process, the main process of the game is performed. As an outline thereof, the processes of steps S201 to S207 are executed as periodic processes of 4 msec cycle, and the counter updating processes of steps S209 and S210 are executed with the remaining time.

  In the normal process, in step S201, output data such as a command set in the timer interrupt process or the previous normal process is transmitted to each control device on the sub side. Specifically, it determines the presence or absence of a winning ball command, and if the winning ball command is set, transmits it to the payout control device 181. In addition, when a command for effect such as a command corresponding to an effect for game circulation such as a change start command, a type command, a change end command, or a command corresponding to an effect for opening / closing execution mode is set, it is notified Send to the effect control device 143. Also, in accordance with the information set in the external output buffer of the RAM 604, output setting for the external terminal board 213 is performed.

  Next, in step S202, the variation type counter CS is updated. Specifically, the fluctuation type counter CS is incremented by one, and the counter value is cleared to zero when the counter value reaches the maximum value. Then, the updated value of the fluctuation type counter CS is stored in the corresponding buffer area of the RAM 604.

  In the following step S203, game number control processing for advancing the game of each game number is executed. In this game number control process, while performing the hit determination such as a big hit etc. and the distribution determination of the big hit type, the setting of the fluctuation display of the symbol by the symbol display device 75, the operation ball entry part in the main display unit 81 (main display part D) Perform display control of the display unit etc.

  Thereafter, in step S204, a game state transition process is executed to shift the game state. Although the details will be described later, the gaming state is shifted to the open / close execution mode, the high probability mode, the high frequency support mode or the like by this gaming state shift processing.

  In step S <b> 205, a process for supporting the combination for driving and controlling the motorized part 71 provided on the lower operation ball entering unit 63 is executed. In this electronic control support process, an electronic control open lottery of whether or not the electric commercial 71 is opened using the numerical information acquired from the electric commercial product opening counter C4 stored in the electronic commercial holding area of the RAM 604 While (support lottery) is done, opening and closing processing of the electromotive role item 71 is executed when it becomes elected electronic work open state. Further, display control of the through gate display section in the main display unit 81 (main display section D) is performed so as to teach the lottery result of the electronic combination open lottery.

  As described above, the low-frequency support mode and the high-frequency support mode are set as modes of support by the motor-operated role 71, and transition to one of the support modes is performed in the gaming state transition process. In this case, the high frequency support mode is set when the high frequency support flag is set in the various flag storage areas of the RAM 604, and the low frequency support mode is set when the flag is not set.

  In the electronic-support support process, it is determined whether the high-frequency support mode is set by determining whether the high-frequency support flag is set in the various flag storage areas of the RAM 604. Then, in the high-frequency support mode, the number of times the motorized jack 71 is in the open state is set to a large number when the electronic-arm open state is won, as compared to the low-frequency support mode. Set the open time longer. Also, in the high frequency support mode, when the electric jack open state is elected and the open state of the motorized combination 71 occurs a plurality of times, the next open state is started after one open state ends. The closing time until is set to be shorter than one opening time.

  Incidentally, when the mode is switched to the open / close execution mode, even if the high frequency support flag is set in the various flag storage areas of the RAM 604, the support mode is forcibly set to the low frequency support mode.

  In the following step S206, a game ball launch control process is executed. In the game ball emission control processing, a predetermined condition is provided on the condition that the emission permission signal output from the power supply / emission control device 191 is input based on the fact that the emission operation is performed to the game ball emission handle 41. The solenoid 111 of the game ball launch mechanism 110 is excited once in the firing period (0.6 sec in the present embodiment). As a result, the game ball is launched toward the game area. That is, in the case where an irregular hit such as a so-called hit is not performed, the game ball is repeatedly fired at a predetermined cycle on the condition that the firing operation is performed.

  In the following step S207, it is determined whether the power failure flag is set in the RAM 604 or not. The power failure flag is a flag that is set when the power failure monitoring substrate 605 confirms the occurrence of a power failure and the power failure signal is input from the power failure monitoring substrate 605 to the NMI terminal of the MPU 602 and is erased in the next main processing.

  If the power failure flag is not set, it means that the last process of the plurality of processes to be repeatedly executed is finished, so whether or not the execution timing of the next normal process has been reached in step S208, that is, the previous normal It is determined whether a predetermined time (4 msec in the present embodiment) has elapsed since the start of the process. Then, updating of the random number initial value counter CINI and the variation type counter CS is repeatedly executed within the remaining time until the execution timing of the next normal process. That is, in step S209, the random number initial value counter CINI is updated, and in step S210, the variation type counter CS is updated.

  Here, since the execution time of each process of steps S201 to S206 changes according to the state of the game, the remaining time until the execution timing of the next normal process is not constant but fluctuates. Therefore, it is possible to randomly update the random number initial value counter CINI (that is, the initial value of the big hit random number counter C1) by repeatedly executing updating of the random number initial value counter CINI using the remaining time. The variation type counter CS can also be updated at random.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S207 that the power failure flag is set, it means that the power is shut off, so that the processing at the time of power failure in step S211 and subsequent steps is executed. That is, in step S211, the generation of timer interrupt processing is prohibited, and then the RAM determination value is calculated and stored in step S211, and after the access to RAM 604 is prohibited in step S213, the power is completely shut off and processing is performed. Continues an infinite loop until it can not execute.

(Game times control processing)
Here, the game number control process of step S203 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIG. 17 and FIG.

  In the game number control process, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 17, it is determined in step S301 whether the open / close execution mode is in progress. When the open / close execution mode is in effect, the game is executed without executing any of the processes after step S302, that is, the game cycle start process of step S303 to step S305 and the game cycle progression process of step S306 to step S309. End the control process.

  If it is not in the open / close execution mode, it is determined in step S302 whether or not the display unit for the action ball entry unit of the main display unit D is in the variable display mode. If the operation ball display unit display portion is not in a fluctuating display mode, the processing proceeds to the processing for the game cycle start in step S303 to step S305. In the processing for starting a game, in step S303, it is determined whether the total number of start holding balls (the common holding number CRN) is "0". The case where the common holding number CRN is “0” means that holding information is not stored in the holding ball storage area 604 b. Therefore, the game number control process ends.

  On the other hand, when the common holding number CRN is not "0", for variable display based on the data stored in the holding area for the upper operation ball storage unit or the lower area for the operation ball holding unit in step S304. Execute data setting process for setting.

  In the data setting process, first, it is determined in which holding area the oldest one of the holding information stored in the upper operation ball storage area and the lower operation ball storage area is stored. Then, the following processing is executed on the pending area in which the oldest pending information described above is stored. In addition, in the following description, the case where the storage area for upper operation ball storage parts became object first is demonstrated, and the case where the storage area for lower operation ball storage parts becomes object after that is demonstrated.

  First of all, the start pending ball number and the common pending number CRN of the upper operation ball storage area are decremented by 1 and the data stored in the first area of the lower operation ball storage area is moved to the execution area AE Do.

  Thereafter, processing is performed to shift the data (i.e., the hold information) stored in each area of the upper operation ball storage area. This data shift process is a process of sequentially shifting data stored in the first area to the fourth area toward the lower area side, and clears the data of the first area, and also the second area → the first area, Data in each area is shifted in such a way as third area → second area, fourth area → third area, and so on.

  Subsequently, a shift command, which is information for causing the notification and effect control device 143 and the display control device 620 to recognize that the data of the reserve area has been shifted, is set. Thereafter, the data setting process is ended. The shift command set in this manner is transmitted to the display control device 620 via the notification / render effect control device 143 in step S201 in the normal process (FIG. 16).

  On the other hand, also when the lower operation ball storage area is targeted, the start and hold ball count and the common storage number CRN of the lower operation ball storage area are decremented by 1 and The data stored in the first area of the reserve area for operation ball storage unit is moved to the execution area AE.

  Thereafter, processing is performed to shift the data (i.e., the hold information) stored in each area of the lower activation ball storage area. This data shift process is a process of sequentially shifting data stored in the first area to the fourth area toward the lower area side, and clears the data of the first area, and also the second area → the first area, Data in each area is shifted in such a way as third area → second area, fourth area → third area, and so on.

  Subsequently, a shift command, which is information for causing the notification and effect control device 143 and the display control device 620 to recognize that the data of the reserve area has been shifted, is set. Thereafter, the data setting process is ended. The shift command set in this manner is transmitted to the display control device 620 via the notification / render effect control device 143 in step S201 in the normal process (FIG. 16).

  After the data setting process described in detail above is performed, the variable display on the main display unit 81 (specifically, the display unit for the operation ball unit of the main display D) is started in step S305 and the variable display on the symbol display device 75 After executing the variation start process for causing the game, the game play control process ends.

(Variation start processing)
Next, the fluctuation start process of step S305 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In the change start process, first, in step S401, a process for determining whether or not the hold information referred to in the current change start process corresponds to a big hit is executed. In the success or failure determination process, first, it is determined whether or not the success or failure lottery mode is the high probability mode. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the high probability mode flag is stored in the various flag storage areas 604e of the RAM 604. The high probability mode flag is stored in the various flag storage area 604e when entering the lower variable ball entering device 320 (special ball entering unit 324) during the open / close execution mode, and the next big hit occurs Alternatively, it is a flag that is erased when the number of times of playing a game performed in the high probability mode set in advance reaches a preset number of times.

  When it is determined that the mode is the high probability mode, the table stored in the success / failure table storage area 603b is referred to the success / failure table for the high probability mode, and information for determination of success or failure is stored in the information stored in the execution area AE. It is determined whether the information, that is, the numerical information concerning the jackpot random number counter C1 matches the jackpot numerical information for high probability. When it is determined that the mode is the low probability mode, the jackpot random number counter C1 stored in the execution area AE is referred to by referring to the table for the low probability mode among the tables stored in the probability table storage area 603b. It is determined whether or not the numerical information in question is identical to the jackpot numerical information for low probability.

  In the following step S402, it is determined whether the result of the success or failure determination process in step S401 is a result corresponding to a big hit. If the result corresponds to the big hit, the type determination process is executed in step S403.

  In the type determination process, among the information stored in the execution area AE, the information for type determination, that is, the information acquired from the information updated by the big hit type counter C2 is grasped and stored in the distribution table storage area 603c. By referring to the distribution table, it is specified to which jackpot result the numerical information concerning the jackpot type counter C2 grasped above corresponds. Specifically, among the 16R jackpot results A to 16R jackpot results D, it is specified which jackpot result it corresponds to.

  In the subsequent step S404, a jackpot stop result setting process is executed. If it is determined in step S402 that the jackpot has not been won, in step S406, a stop result setting process for removal is executed.

  In each stop result setting process of steps S404 and S406, information on the pattern aspect to be finally displayed on the main display D as a stop is referred to the stop result table stored in the stop result table storage area 603e of the ROM 603. The identification information is stored in the RAM 604. In step S404, the MPU 602 stores information in the various flag storage area 604e of the RAM 604 to determine which of 16R big hit result A to 16 R big hit result D is the success or failure judgment result of the current game run. . Specifically, in step S404, the 16R jackpot result A correspondence flag is stored when the 16R jackpot result A, and the 16R jackpot result B correspondence flag is stored when the 16R jackpot result B, and the 16R jackpot result C If there is a 16R jackpot result C correspondence flag, the 16R jackpot result D correspondence flag is stored if it is the 16R jackpot result D.

  After the process of step S404 is performed, the process proceeds to step S405, and an interval period setting process is performed. Here, the interval period setting process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

(Processing for setting interval period)
In the interval period setting process, it is first determined in step S501 whether the support mode is the high frequency support mode. If a negative determination is made in step S501, that is, if the support mode is the low frequency support mode, the process proceeds to step S502. In step S502, it is determined whether or not the current jackpot result is the 16R jackpot result A with reference to the jackpot result corresponding flag stored in the various flag storage area 604e of the RAM 604.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step S502, a type 1 interval period flag is set in the various flag storage area 604e of the RAM 604 in step S503, and the setting processing ends. In the special winning opening / closing process described later, when the flag for the type 1 interval period is stored, the round object is opened from the upper variable ball entering device 310 to the lower variable ball entering device 320 during the round The interval period of is set to correspond to the 16R jackpot result A under the low frequency support mode. Thus, the interval period becomes "1 sec" (see FIG. 14).

  If a negative determination is made in step S502, the process proceeds to step S504. In step S504, it is determined whether or not the current jackpot result is the 16R jackpot result B or C with reference to the jackpot result corresponding flag stored in the various flag storage area 604e of the RAM 604.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step S504, a second type interval period flag is set in the various flag storage area 604e of the RAM 604 in step S505, and this setting processing is ended. In the special winning opening / closing process described later, when the flag for the second kind interval period is stored, the round object is opened from the upper variable ball entering device 310 to the lower variable ball entering device 320 during the round Interval period is set to correspond to the 16R jackpot results B and C under the low frequency support mode. As a result, the interval period becomes "2 sec" (see FIG. 14).

  If a negative determination is made in step S504, or if a positive determination is made in step S501 (if the result is a jackpot result in the high-frequency support mode), the process proceeds to step S506. After the flag for the type 3 interval period is set in the various flag storage area 604e of the RAM 604 in step S506, the present setting process is ended. In the special winning opening and closing process described later, when the flag for the type 3 interval period is stored, between rounds when the open target moves from the upper variable ball entering device 310 to the lower variable ball entering device 320 Interval period is set to correspond to either 16R jackpot result D under low frequency support mode or 16R jackpot result A to 16R jackpot result D under high frequency support mode. As a result, the interval period becomes "4 sec" (see FIG. 14).

  Returning to the explanation of the fluctuation start process of FIG. 18, after executing the process of step S405 or step S406, the process of setting the fluctuation display time is executed in step S407. In the setting process of the variable display time, first, it is determined whether or not the winning lottery has been won. Specifically, it is determined whether any of the 16R big hit result A correspondence flag to the 16R big hit result D correspondence flag is stored in the various flag storage areas 604e of the RAM 604.

  If the result of the acceptance lottery is a result of out-of-order, it is determined whether or not reach display occurs in the symbol display device 75 in the current game run. Specifically, when the value of the reach random number counter C3 stored in the execution area AE is a value corresponding to the reach occurrence, the reach display is generated. When specifying the presence or absence of reach occurrence using the value of the reach random number counter C3, the reach determination table stored in the reach determination table storage area of the ROM 603 is referred to.

  Thereafter, the variable display time information corresponding to the value of the current fluctuation type counter CS is acquired with reference to the reach generation variable display time table stored in the variable display time table storage area 603d of the ROM 603, and subsequently Fluctuation display time information is set in a fluctuation display time counter area (variation display time measuring means) provided in various counter areas 604 d of the RAM 604. Thereafter, this setting process is ended.

  That is, in the present embodiment, the reach display can be executed when the result of the success or failure lottery is the big hit result or when the result of the same result failure lottery is the result and the lottery for reach occurrence is won, It has become.

  Here, the reach display is provided with a normal reach display and a super reach display which are different from each other in the variation display mode. The variable display time information corresponding to each of the normal reach display and the super reach display is set in the reach generation variable display time table, and the variable display time information corresponding to each reach display is set by referring to the table. It is acquired. Note that for the determination of the type of reach display, a table in which the type of reach display corresponds to the value of the fluctuation type counter CS is provided, and by referring to the table, the value of the current fluctuation type counter CS is set. The corresponding reach indication is determined.

  When it is determined that the reach display is not performed, the fluctuation display time corresponding to the value of the fluctuation type counter CS of this time is referred to with reference to the fluctuation display time table for reach non-occurrence stored in the fluctuation display time table storage area 603d. Are acquired, and the fluctuation display time information is set in the fluctuation display time counter area. Thereafter, this setting process is ended.

  In addition, the fluctuation display time information at the time of reach non-occurrence | occurrence | production is set so that the fluctuation display time may become short, so that the number of starting pending balls number N is large. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be configured not to depend on the number of start holding balls N, for example. The smaller the number of start holding balls N, the shorter the fluctuation display time. It is also good. Also, in the situation where the support mode is the high frequency support mode, the reach non-range is selected so that the short fluctuation display time is selected as compared with the situation where the number of holding information is the same as the situation where the support mode is the low frequency support mode. Although the generation variation display time table is set, the generation variation display time table is not limited to this, and the selected variation display time may be the same, or may be opposite to the above relationship. Furthermore, the above configuration may be applied to the fluctuation display time at the time of reach occurrence, and the fluctuation display time that is easy to be selected and the fluctuation display time that is hard to be selected are different at the jackpot winning time and the outreach time. It is good also as composition. In addition, the variation display time table for the jackpot, the variation display time table for the outreach, and the variation display time table for the complete removal may be set individually.

  As described above, the fluctuation display time of each game is determined using the presence / absence of reach, the type of reach display, the number of suspension information, the value of the fluctuation type counter, and the like as parameters. However, the fluctuation display time of each game time is the content of other suspension information, specifically, information for jackpot determination included in other suspension information, information for type determination, and information for reach determination as parameters It is decided without doing.

  Returning to the explanation of the fluctuation start process (FIG. 18), after the fluctuation display time setting process is executed in step S407, the fluctuation command and the type command are set in step S408. The fluctuation command includes information on presence / absence of reach and information on fluctuation display time. Further, the type command includes information on the game result. That is, the type command includes, as information on the game result, information on the 16R jackpot result A to information on the 16R jackpot result D, information on the deviation result, and the like.

  The fluctuation command and the type command set in step S407 are transmitted to the notification and effect control device 143 and the display control device 620 in step S201 in the normal process (FIG. 16). The notification and effect control device 143 determines the light emission pattern of the lamp unit 26 and the output pattern of the sound from the speaker unit 29 in the game turn based on the received variable command and type command, and the contents of the determined effect Control the lamp unit 26 and the speaker unit 29 so that In addition, in the notification and effect control device 143, the fluctuation display pattern on the symbol display device 75 in the game round is determined based on the received fluctuation command and type command, and the determined fluctuation display pattern is executed. The information for specifying the fluctuation display pattern is added to the fluctuation command and the classification command while maintaining the information form, and the information is transmitted to the display control device 620. After that, in step S408, the variation display of the pattern is started on the display unit for the ball entry unit of the main display unit D, and the variation start processing is ended.

  Returning to the explanation of the game number control process (FIG. 17), when the operation ball display portion display portion of the main display portion D is in a variable display mode, the game number progression processing of steps S306 to S309 is executed. In the processing for game progression, first, at step S306, it is determined whether or not the variation display time of the current game has elapsed. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the value of the variable display time information stored in the variable display time counter area of the RAM 604 has become “0”. The value of the variable display time information is set in the setting process of the variable display time described above. Also, the value of the set variable display time information is decremented by 1 each time the timer interrupt process (FIG. 15) is activated.

  If the variable display time has not elapsed, processing for variable display is executed in step S307. In the variable display process, the display mode of the display unit for the actuating ball storage unit of the main display unit D is changed. Thereafter, the game play control process ends.

  If the fluctuation display time has elapsed, fluctuation end processing is executed in step S308. In the fluctuation end process, the information stored in the RAM 604 is specified in any one of the steps S305 to S307, and the symbol corresponding to the information is stopped and displayed on the operation ball display portion of the main display portion D. The display unit for the operation ball receiving unit is controlled to be controlled.

  In the following step S309, a change end command is set. Thereafter, the game play control process ends. The change end command set in step S309 is transmitted to the notification and effect control device 143 in step S201 in the normal process (FIG. 16). The notification and effect control device 143 transmits the received change end command to the display control device 620 while maintaining the information form. In the display control device 620, by receiving the change end command, the combination of the final stop symbols in the game play is displayed (final stop display).

(Playing state transition process)
Next, the gaming state transition processing of step S204 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In the gaming state transition process, it is first determined in step S601 whether or not the open / close execution mode is in progress. If it is not in the opening / closing execution mode, the process proceeds to step S602, and it is determined whether or not it is the timing when the variation display of the pattern in the upper operation ball display unit or the lower operation ball display for one game cycle is finished. Do. When it is not the timing when the variable display ends, the main game state transition processing ends.

  If the variable display has ended, more specifically, if the preset stop display period (interval period: fixed display period) has elapsed since the end of the variable display, the process proceeds to step S603. It is determined whether or not the game result of the current game run (the result of the above-mentioned acceptance lottery) corresponds to the transition to the open / close execution mode. Specifically, it is determined whether any one of the 16R jackpot result A correspondence flag to the 16R jackpot result D correspondence flag is stored in the RAM 604. If none of the above flags is stored, the game state transition processing is ended.

  If any of the above flags is stored, the process of starting the open / close execution mode is executed in step S604. By the start processing, the operation restriction of the variable ball entry devices 310 and 320 by the lock device is released, and the opening and closing operation of the variable ball entry devices 310 and 320 is permitted until the open / close execution mode is ended. In addition, the detection of the gaming ball by the lower detection sensor 325 is validated by this start processing. That is, when entering the lower variable ball entry device 320 occurs for some reason when the open / close execution mode is not in progress, transition to the high probability mode based on the entering ball is avoided.

  In step S 605, “16” is set in the open number counter OC provided in various counter areas of the RAM 604. After the process of step S605, the process proceeds to step S606, and an opening command is set. The set opening command is transmitted to the notification and effect control device 143 and the display control device 620 in step S201 in the normal process (FIG. 16). The notification and effect control device 143 determines the contents of the effect corresponding to the open / close execution mode based on the received opening command, and controls various devices so that the contents of the determined effect are executed. The content of this effect includes the display mode in the symbol display device 75, and the determined display mode is output from the notification / effect control device 143 to the display control device 620 as a display content command. In the display control device 620, based on the opening command received from the main control device 162 and the display content command received from the notification / effect control device 143, a display corresponding to the current opening / closing execution mode, for example, a display content corresponding to a big hit The display control of the symbol display device 75 is executed so that the moving image display of the character etc. and the switching of the background image etc. are performed. After the process of step S510 is executed, the external signal setting process is executed in step S607, and the game state transition process is ended.

  Returning to the description of step S601, when it is determined in step S601 that the open / close execution mode is in progress, the process proceeds to step S608. In step S608, it is determined whether the waiting time for opening has elapsed. If the waiting time for opening has not elapsed, this game state transition processing is ended as it is. When the waiting time for opening has elapsed, the special winning opening / closing process is executed in step S609. Here, the special winning opening / closing process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

(Big winning opening opening and closing process)
In the special winning opening / closing process, first, in step S701, it is determined whether or not one of the upper large winning opening 311 and the lower large winning opening 321 is open. Specifically, this determination is performed based on the drive state of the variable ball entry drive units 313 and 323 in the variable ball entry devices 310 and 320. When the upper special winning opening 311 and the lower special winning opening 321 are not open, it is determined in step S702 whether the value of the open number counter OC is "0". When an affirmative determination is made in step S702, the present special winning opening / closing process is ended.

  If a negative determination is made in step S702, the process proceeds to step S703. In step S703, it is determined whether or not a special round (seventh round in the present embodiment) in which the lower variable ball entry device 320 is to be released is reached. Specifically, it is determined whether the open number counter OC is "10". In the following description, a round whose open target is the upper variable ball entry device 310 is also referred to as a “normal round” to distinguish it from the “special round”.

  If a negative determination is made in step S703, the process proceeds to step S704. In step S704, it is determined whether the first open timer counter TC1 is "0". The first release timer counter TC1 is a counter that is referred to when grasping the release period of the variable ball entry devices 310 and 320 or the interval period between rounds, each time timer interrupt processing (FIG. 15) is executed. The value is decremented by one. If a negative determination is made in step S704, the present special winning opening / closing process is ended.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step S704, the process proceeds to step S705, and an opening process of the upper variable ball entry device 310 (upper special winning opening 311) is executed. Specifically, in order to open the upper large winning opening 311, the variable ball entry drive unit 313 is driven. After that, the processing of step S706 and step S712 is executed as setting processing (setting processing for opening time) of the closing condition corresponding to the upper variable ball entry device 310 (upper special winning opening 311). Specifically, in step S706, "15000" (corresponding to 30 seconds) is set in the first open timer counter TC1, and in the subsequent step S712, "10" is set in the winning counter PC.

  On the other hand, when an affirmation judging is carried out at Step S703 (when it is judged that it is the above-mentioned specific round), it progresses to Step S707. In step S707, it is determined whether the first open timer counter TC1 is "0". If a negative determination is made in step S707, the present special winning opening / closing process is ended. If an affirmative determination is made in step S707, the process proceeds to step S708.

  In step S708, an opening process of the lower variable ball entry device 320 (lower large winning opening 321) is executed. Specifically, the variable ball entry drive unit 323 is driven to open the lower big winning opening 321. Thereafter, the processing of step S709 to step S712 is executed as setting processing (setting processing for opening) of the closing condition corresponding to the lower variable ball entry device 320 (lower large winning opening 321).

  Specifically, first, in step S709, it is determined whether or not the current open / close execution mode corresponds to the 16R big hit results A, B. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the 16R big hit result A correspondence flag or the 16 R big hit result B correspondence flag is stored in the various flag storage areas 604e of the RAM 604. If an affirmative determination is made in step S709, the process proceeds to step S710, where "500" (corresponding to 1 sec) is set in the first open timer counter TC1, and in the subsequent step S712, "10" is set in the pay counter PC. . On the other hand, when neither the 16R jackpot result A correspondence flag nor the 16R jackpot result B correspondence flag is stored, ie, the 16R jackpot result C correspondence flag or the 16R jackpot result D correspondence flag is stored. In step S711, "1000" (corresponding to 2 sec) is set in the first open timer counter TC1, and in the subsequent step S712, "10" is set in the winning counter PC.

  As described above, the open period is unified regardless of which jackpot result in a normal round other than the special round, while the open period differs depending on the type of the jackpot result in the special round. It has become. In addition, since it is longer than the firing cycle of a game ball about any open period, it is suppressed that a ball is avoided by the influence of this firing cycle.

  After execution of the process of step S712, an open command indicating that the variable ball entry devices 310 and 320 have been opened is set in step S713, and the present special winning opening / closing process is ended. The set release command is transmitted to the notification and effect control device 143 in step S201 in the normal process (FIG. 16). Based on the received release command, the notification and effect control device 143 determines the content of the effect corresponding to the release, and controls various devices so that the content of the determined effect is executed. In addition, although the details will be described later, in the release command to be output, either the special round in which the release target is the lower variable ball entry device 320 or the normal round in which the release target is the upper variable ball entry device 310 It contains information that indicates whether it exists. In the notification and effect control device 143 or the like, it is possible to grasp which of the normal round and the special round corresponds to the round to be executed this time on the basis of the open command, according to the type of the round A display effect etc. will be performed.

  Returning to the description of step S701, when it is determined in step S701 that the special winning opening 311, 321 is open, the process proceeds to step S714, and it is determined whether the value of the first open timer counter TC1 is "0" or not. judge. If the value of the first open timer counter TC1 is not "0", the process proceeds to step S715, and the side detection sensor attached to the variable ball entry device 310, 320 determines whether the gaming ball has won in the large winning opening 311, 321 or not. The determination is made based on the detection signals from 315 and 325. If no winning has occurred, the process for opening and closing the special winning opening is ended.

  On the other hand, when a winning has occurred, output processing of a winning command is executed in step S716. The winning command is output to the notification and effect control device 143, and the effect in the open / close execution mode executed on the display screen 75a of the symbol display device 75 changes according to the winning command.

  After the command output process is performed in step S716, the process proceeds to step S717. In step S717, the value of the winning counter PC is decremented by 1, and it is determined in the following step S718 whether the value of the winning counter PC is "0" or not. finish.

  When an affirmative determination is made in step S718, that is, when the value of pay counter PC is "0", or when an affirmative determination is made in step S714 (ie, the value of first open timer counter TC1 is "0"). (When it is determined that) means that the special winning opening closing condition is established. In this case, in step S719, the variable ball entry drive units 313 and 323 are brought into a non-driving state in order to close the special winning openings 311 and 321 that are to be opened.

  In the subsequent step S720, the open number counter OC is updated. Specifically, when the value of the open number counter OC is not "0", the open number counter OC is decremented by 1 and when the value of the open number counter OC is "0", the open number counter OC is decremented. Keep the value of "0".

  After the update process of step S720 is performed, the process proceeds to step S721. In step S721, it is determined whether the value of the open number counter OC is "0". If a negative determination is made in step S721, an interval period setting process is executed in step S722, and then a closing command is set in step S723, and the special winning opening / closing process is ended. The set closing command is transmitted to the notification and effect control device 143 in step S201 in the normal process (FIG. 16). The notification and effect control device 143 determines the content of the effect corresponding to the close command based on the received close command, and controls various devices so that the contents of the determined effect are executed.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S721 that the value of the open number counter OC is "0", the process proceeds to step S724. In step S724, an ending start process is performed. In the start process, an ending standby time is set for waiting without starting the next game run for ending in the open / close execution mode. Specifically, ending waiting time information stored in advance in the ROM 603 is set in the waiting time counter area provided in the various counter areas 604 d of the RAM 604.

  Thereafter, after the ending command is set in step S631, the present special winning opening / closing process is ended. The set ending command is transmitted to the notification and effect control device 143 in step S201 in the normal process (FIG. 16).

  Returning to the description of the gaming state transition process (FIG. 20), after executing the special winning opening / closing process in step S609, the process for transition to the high probability mode is executed in step S610.

  As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 22A, in the process for transition to the high probability mode, first, in step S801, it is determined whether or not the open / close execution mode is in progress. When an affirmative determination is made in step S801, the process proceeds to step S802. In step S802, based on the detection information from the lower detection sensor 325, it is determined whether or not a prize winning on the special ball entry unit 324 has occurred.

  When a winning on the special ball entry unit 324 occurs during the open / close execution mode, a high probability mode shift flag is set in the various flag storage area 604e of the RAM 604 in step S803. As a result, after the open / close execution mode ends, the lottery mode shifts to the high probability mode.

  Returning to the description of the gaming state transition process (FIG. 19), after executing the process of step S610, the process proceeds to step S611. In step S611, it is determined whether the value of the open number counter OC is "0". If an affirmative determination is made in step S611, it is determined in step S612 whether the waiting time for ending has elapsed. If the value of the open number counter OC is not “0” or the waiting time for ending has not elapsed, the present gaming state transition processing is ended as it is.

  When the value of the open number counter OC is "0" and the waiting time for ending has elapsed, the transition process at the end of the open / close execution mode is executed in step S613, and then this game state transition is made. End the process. Here, the transition processing at the end of the open / close execution mode will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In the transition process at the end of the open / close execution mode, first, at step S901, it is determined whether or not the high probability mode transition flag is stored in the various flag storage area 604e of the RAM 604. If an affirmative determination is made in step S901, a high probability mode flag is set in the various flag storage area 604e of the RAM 604 in step S902. As a result, the lottery mode is switched to the high probability mode.

  After the process of step S902 is performed or when a negative determination is made in step S901, the process proceeds to step S903. In step S903, the high frequency support mode flag is set in the various flag storage areas 604e of the RAM 604. As a result, the support mode is switched to the frequent support mode.

  After the process of step S903 is performed, the process proceeds to step S904. In step S904, the game number counter GC provided in the various counter areas 604d of the RAM 604 is set to "100". The number-of-games counter GC is decremented by one for digesting the number of games, and when the number-of-games counter GC becomes "0", the high probability mode flag and the high frequency support mode flag are erased. That is, the maximum number of continuations of the high probability mode and the high frequency support mode is defined to be "100".

  In the present embodiment, the interval period described above is changed in accordance with the type of the jackpot result and the gaming state (specifically, the support mode) at the time of the jackpot result. Specifically, the reference interval period corresponding to a round other than the special round (corresponding to 2 sec: a period shorter than the required period in the present embodiment) is shorter than the reference interval period in the special round. A process of shortening or a process of extending to be longer than the reference interval period is performed. Thus, the ball entering probability to the lower variable ball entering device 320 in the special round is changed. Here, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 23, the interval period setting process (step S722) which constitutes the above-mentioned special winning opening / closing process will be described.

(Interval period setting process)
In the interval period setting process, first, it is determined whether or not the round to be started next is the special round (the seventh round). Specifically, it is determined in step S1001 whether the open number counter OC is "10". If a negative determination is made in step S1001, that is, if it is a normal round, the process proceeds to step S1002. In step S1002, "1000" (reference interval period: equivalent to 2 sec) is set in the first open timer counter TC1.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step S1001, the process proceeds to step S1003. In step S1003, it is determined whether the first type interval period flag is stored in the various flag storage area 604e of the RAM 604 or not. If an affirmative determination is made in step S1003, that is, if the 16R big hit result A is obtained in the low frequency support mode, the process proceeds to step S1004. In step S1004, "500" (corresponding to a period shorter than the reference interval period: 1 sec) is set in the first open timer counter TC1.

  If a negative determination is made in step S1003, the process proceeds to step S1005. In step S1005, it is determined whether the flag for the type 3 interval period is stored in the various flag storage area 604e of the RAM 604. If an affirmative determination is made in step S1005, that is, if 16R big hit result D in low frequency support mode or 16R big hit result A to D in high frequency support mode, the process proceeds to step S1006. In step S1006, "2000" (corresponding to a period longer than the reference interval period: 4 sec) is set in the first open timer counter TC1.

  If a negative determination is made in step S1005, that is, if 16R big hit results B and C are obtained in the low frequency support mode, the process proceeds to step S1007. In step S1006, "1000" (reference interval period: equivalent to 2 sec) is set in the first open timer counter TC1.

  As described above, in the communication passage 351 connecting the upper variable ball entering device 310 and the lower variable ball entering device 320 in the present embodiment, the required period required for passing the game ball is approximately "3 sec". Is defined in For this reason, the ball entering the lower variable ball entering device 320 substantially occurs by variously setting the interval period when the object to be released moves from the upper variable ball entering device 310 to the lower variable ball entering device 320 It is possible to adjust whether it is possible or not. Here, the flow of the open / close execution mode for each jackpot result will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 24 is a schematic view showing the relationship between the interval period and the possibility of entering a ball.

(Flow of game in open / close execution mode)
As described above, the gaming ball launched to the right route under the condition that the upper variable ball-in device 310 is opened flows into the upper variable ball-in device 310 and the flow into the communication passage 351 is avoided. It will be. Since the firing cycle of the game ball is 0.6 sec and the number of ball entry which is the closing condition is 10, when the game ball is continuously launched to the right route, the ball entry limit is about 6 sec. Before the closing condition (30 sec) relating to time is satisfied, the closing condition relating to the number of balls entered is satisfied. That is, the round game according to the upper variable ball entry device 310 requires approximately 6 seconds, and this period is longer than the required period required for the passage of the communication passage 351. As a result, the gaming ball that has flowed through the upper variable ball entry device 310 during the previous interval and flowed into the communication passage 351 will flow out of the communication passage 351 before the upper variable ball entry device 310 is closed. . Incidentally, in the opening and closing execution mode, the proceedings of the game up to the sixth round before the special round (the seventh round) and the flow of the games after the eighth round are common.

  When the 16R big hit result A is obtained in the low frequency support mode, the interval period from the end of the sixth round to the start of the seventh round is “1 sec”. Since this interval period is set to be shorter than the above-mentioned required period, the game ball which has flowed through the upper variable ball entry device 310 and has flowed into the communication passage 351 does not reach the lower variable ball entry device 320. The lower variable ball entry device 320 is released at timing.

  However, for the 16R big hit result A, the open period of the lower variable ball entry device 320 is “1 sec”. For this reason, the lower variable ball entering device 320 is closed before the gaming balls having flowed into the communication passage 351 reach the lower variable ball entering device 320, and thus the ball enters the lower variable ball entering device 320. The sphere probability is substantially 0%.

  When the 16R big hit result B is obtained in the low frequency support mode, the interval period from the end of the sixth round to the start of the seventh round is “1 sec”. Since this interval period is set to be shorter than the above-mentioned required period, the game ball which has flowed through the upper variable ball entry device 310 and has flowed into the communication passage 351 does not reach the lower variable ball entry device 320. The lower variable ball entry device 320 is released at timing.

  In the 16R jackpot result B, the open period of the lower variable ball entry device 320 is “1 sec”. Therefore, the lower variable ball entry device 320 is closed at the timing when the gaming balls having flowed into the communication passage 351 reach the lower variable ball entry device 320. At this time, although the closing timing of the lower variable ball entry device 320 is slightly earlier than the arrival timing of the game ball substantially, the ball entering the lower variable ball entry device 320 is avoided, Depending on the flow mode of the gaming ball, the possibility of entering the lower variable ball entry device 320 remains. That is, for the 16R big hit result B, although the ball entry probability to the lower variable ball entry device 320 is almost 0% similarly to the 16R big hit result A, there is a slight room for the occurrence of the ball. There is.

  When the 16R big hit result C is obtained in the low frequency support mode, the interval period from the end of the sixth round to the start of the seventh round is “2 sec”. Since this interval period is set to be shorter than the above-mentioned required period, the game ball which has flowed through the upper variable ball entry device 310 and has flowed into the communication passage 351 does not reach the lower variable ball entry device 320. The lower variable ball entry device 320 is released at timing.

  The set interval period is the same as in the case of the 16R jackpot result B. Therefore, from the movement of the variable ball entry devices 310 and 320 (the timing at which the lower variable ball entry device 320 is opened), the player performs any of the jackpot execution modes of 16R big hit result B and 16R big hit result C. It is difficult to determine if it corresponds to the result.

  In the 16R jackpot result C, the open period of the lower variable ball entry device 320 is “2 sec”. For this reason, at the timing when the gaming ball having flowed into the communication passage 351 reaches the lower variable ball entry device 320, the lower variable ball entry device 320 is maintained open. The sum of the interval period and the open period is longer than the required period (3 sec) required for the passage of the communication passage 351. Furthermore, the latter is longer when compared to the sum of the interval period and the firing period. Under such circumstances, ball entry to the lower variable ball entry device 320 occurs with a probability of almost 100%. Incidentally, about the said required period, the dispersion | variation of about 0.5 sec may arise as already demonstrated. When the shift (0.6 sec) due to the firing cycle and the above variation (0.5 sec) are combined, the gaming ball via the upper variable ball entry device 310 → the communication path 351 reaches the lower variable ball entry device 320 The lower variable ball entry device 320 will close immediately before For this reason, in the case of the 16R big hit result C, although the ball entry probability to the lower variable ball entry device 320 is approximately 100%, there remains room for avoiding ball entry.

  In the present embodiment, a display effect indicating the presence or absence of the transition to the high probability mode is executed during the open / close execution mode. Here, referring to the timing chart of FIG. 25, it is executed on the display screen 75a of the symbol display device 75 when the 16R big hit result B and the 16R big hit result C are obtained under the low frequency support mode. A supplementary explanation of the display effect will be given.

  When the sixth round ends at the timing of t1, the display of the moving image corresponding to the special round (the seventh round) is started on the display screen 75a at the end of the sixth round. Specifically, an image imitating a girl is displayed, and an effect is given to the character image at the start of the seventh round. That is, regardless of the type of the jackpot result, the same moving image is displayed from the timing of t1 to the timing of t2 when the lower variable ball player 320 is opened. The image data for executing this display is standardized. In addition, when the image imitating a girl tries to be transformed as the game progresses, and the transition to the high probability mode is determined based on entering the special ball entry part 324, the image successfully transformed is displayed. That is taught that, when entering into the special ball entry unit 324 does not occur and it does not shift to the high probability mode, that effect is taught by displaying the image failed in transformation.

  In the case of the 16R big hit result B where entry to the lower variable ball entry device 320 is substantially avoided, the lower variable ball entry device 320 is closed (blocked) at the timing of t3, and the lower variable ball entry In the case of the 16R big hit result C where entry to the device 320 substantially occurs, the lower variable ball entering device 320 is closed (blocked) at the timing of t4 after t3. The lower big winning opening 321 and the special ball entry unit 324 are directly connected, and the game ball flowing into the lower large winning opening 321 is configured to reach the special ball entering unit 324 immediately. Therefore, when entering the lower variable ball entry device 320 occurs by the specified timing immediately after the timing of t4, the image of the girl who has succeeded in transformation is displayed on the display screen 75a, and by the specified timing. If entry into the side variable entry device 320 does not occur, the image of the girl who failed in transformation will be displayed.

  Here, as described above, in most cases for the 16R jackpot result C, ball entry to the lower variable ball entry device 320 occurs. Therefore, in the case of the 16R jackpot result C, the moving image for the transformation success is displayed as a corresponding moving image. Temporarily, when the ball into the lower variable ball entry device 320 does not occur, a moving image indicating that the transformation has finally failed at the timing of t5 (the start timing of the eleventh round) is displayed It will be.

  On the other hand, in most cases for the 16R big hit result B, no ball entry to the lower variable ball entry device 320 occurs. Therefore, in the case of the 16R jackpot result B, the moving image for the transformation failure is displayed as the corresponding moving image. Temporarily, when entering the lower side variable ball entering device 320 occurs, at the timing of t5 (the start timing of the 11th round) that the animated picture which shows that transformation finally succeeded is displayed Become.

  That is, from the end timing of the 7th round to the start timing of the 8th round, the suggestion effect which indicates the possibility of the transition to the high probability mode is executed, and the transition to the high probability mode is performed at the start timing of the eighth round. A finalization effect indicating whether or not it has been decided is executed. The presence or absence of ball entry (transition to the high probability mode) to the lower variable ball entry device 320 is clearly indicated to the player by such a series of moving images.

  As described above, the type of the jackpot result for which the approximate result is determined is associated with the moving image, and when irregular occurs, the corresponding moving image is displayed, so that the display control can be performed each time. We are trying to reduce the load.

  Referring back to FIG. 24, when the 16R big hit result D is obtained in the low frequency support mode, the interval period from the end of the sixth round to the start of the seventh round is “4 sec”. Since this interval period is set to be longer than the above-mentioned required period, it is later than the game ball which has flowed into the communication passage 351 passing through the upper variable ball entry device 310 reaches the lower variable ball entry device 320. The lower variable ball entry device 320 is released at timing.

  Further, in the 16R big hit result D, the open period of the lower variable ball entry device 320 is “2 sec”. Under these circumstances, even if the above-described deviation (0.6 sec) or variation (0.5 sec) due to the firing cycle is taken into consideration, the lower variable ON can be achieved as long as the firing operation of the game ball is continued. The probability of entering the ball device 320 is 100%. That is, the 16R jackpot result D is a jackpot result in which the ball entering the lower variable ball entry device 320 is secured. And, since the game ball can reach over the entire opening period, more balls can be expected compared to the 16R jackpot result C, and among the various jackpot results under the low frequency support mode, the jackpot result most advantageous for the player It has become.

  Next, the case where a big hit results in the high frequency support mode will be described. In the opening and closing execution mode, the game progress to the sixth round before the special round (the seventh round) and the flow of the game after the eighth round are common regardless of the gaming state when the big hit results The explanation is used because

  When the 16R big hit result A or the 16R big hit result B in the high frequency support mode, the interval period from the end of the sixth round to the start of the seventh round is extended (delayed) to “4 sec”. Since this interval period is set to be longer than the above-mentioned required period, it is later than the game ball which has flowed into the communication passage 351 passing through the upper variable ball entry device 310 reaches the lower variable ball entry device 320. The lower variable ball entry device 320 is released at timing.

  Also, in the 16R big hit result A and the 16R big hit result B, the open period of the lower variable ball entering device 320 is "1 sec", but as described above, the lower variable ball entering device 320 has the above-mentioned deviation of the firing cycle Since the configuration is acceptable, the probability of entering the lower variable ball entry device 320 will be 100%, as long as the game ball firing operation is continued. That is, the 16R big hit result A and the 16R big hit result B are the big hit results in which entering the lower variable ball player 320 is secured.

  Not only the transition to the high probability mode can be expected, but also the player can be expected to be able to expect a substantial rise compared to the jackpot result under the low frequency support mode as described above.

  When the 16R big hit result C or the 16R big hit result D in the high frequency support mode, the interval period from the end of the sixth round to the start of the seventh round is “4 sec”. Since this interval period is set to be longer than the above-mentioned required period, it is later than the game ball which has flowed into the communication passage 351 passing through the upper variable ball entry device 310 reaches the lower variable ball entry device 320. The lower variable ball entry device 320 is released at timing.

  Further, in the 16R big hit result C and 16R big hit result D, the open period of the lower variable ball entry device 320 is “2 sec”, and more balls can be expected compared to the 16R big hit result A and 16R big hit result B. In other words, if you get a big hit result under high frequency support mode, you can expect the transition to high probability mode regardless of the type, but 16R big hit result C and 16R big hit result D are more for the ball The difference is secured as

  According to the embodiment described above, the following excellent effects can be expected.

  If the jackpot results in a winning lottery based on entering a ball into the operation ball entering portion 62, 63 (corresponding to "starting ball entering portion"), the type of the jackpot result and the gaming state at the time of the jackpot result In response, the length of the interval period between rounds in the open / close execution mode (corresponding to “special game state”) changes. The ball entering probability to the lower variable ball entering device 320 changes according to the length of the interval period, and to the lower variable ball entering device 320 (specifically, the special ball entering portion 324 as the "advantageous ball entering portion") Since the transition probability / continuation probability to the high probability mode changes based on the ball hitting, it is possible to make a difference in the progression of the game while suppressing the complication of the configuration. By thus diversifying the flow of the game, it is possible to suppress the monotonization of the game and to preferably suppress the decline in the player's willingness to play.

  In particular, by changing the plurality of variable ball entry devices 310 and 320 to be opened in a predetermined order, monotonization of the game is further suitably suppressed as compared with the case where only one variable ball entry device is applied. can do. In such a configuration, the monotonization suppression effect can be more suitably exhibited by the two changes of the change of the release target and the change of the release timing.

  When the object to be opened shifts from the upper side variable ball entering device 310 on the upstream side to the lower side variable ball entering device 320 on the downstream side, the game ball bypassing the upper variable ball entering device 310 is sent to the lower side variable ball entering device 320 Head. Therefore, during the interval period, whether or not the game ball which has passed the upper variable ball-loading device 310 by the upper variable ball-in device 310 being blocked is picked up (remedied) by the lower variable ball-in device 320. It depends on you. As described above, by increasing the degree of contribution of the length of the interval period to the possibility of entering the ball, it is possible to preferably exhibit the above-described effect of making the interval period variable.

  When the object to be released is transferred to the lower variable ball entering device 320, the presence or absence of the ball entering the lower variable ball entering device 320 depends on the interval period. As described above, the length of the interval period changes according to the type of the jackpot result and the type of the normal gaming state at the time of the jackpot result. The probability of occurrence of the sphere (i.e., the probability of transition to the high probability mode or the probability of continuation) can be varied.

  When the upper side variable ball entering device 310 and the lower side variable ball entering device 320 are compared, the former is opened for the purpose of increasing the number of balls, while the latter is switched to the high probability mode. It is open for the main purpose of deciding whether or not to shift. In other words, it is a “ball entry section” that is highly important to the player in terms of whether the latter can advance the subsequent game in an advantageous manner as compared to the former.

  Here, if the positional relationship between both variable ball entering devices is reversed, there is no room for relief for the game ball that bypasses the upper variable ball entering device, even if the interval period becomes long. It is assumed that the effects of the In this case, although the generation of the wasted ball can be suppressed by shortening the interval period, the game ball passing between both the variable ball entering devices is relieved by the movement of the variable ball entering device becoming sharp. It will be difficult to bring the player's attention to whether or not From the above reasons, the positional relationship and the opening / closing order of the variable ball entry device described above have technical significance in taking advantage of the diversity of the interval period.

  In addition, when the upper variable ball entering device 310 is in the permitted state, the upper variable ball entering device 310 prevents the game balls from flowing down toward the lower variable ball entering device 320. . As a result, the game ball erroneously flows into the communication path 351, and the game proceeds in a mode out of design, for example, in a situation where entering the ball into the lower variable ball entry device 320 should be avoided. By avoiding the occurrence of ball entry to the lower variable ball entry device 320, it is possible to prevent the gaming hall from suffering an unexpected disadvantage.

  When the open / close object moves from the upper variable ball entering device 310 to the lower variable ball entering device 320, the upper variable ball entering device 310 is allowed at least for a longer period than the game ball passes through the communication passage 351. Will be maintained. This makes it possible to empty the communication passage 351 and then open the lower variable ball entry device 320. Therefore, the relationship between the interval period described above and the required period required for the passage of the communication path 351 prevents the function defining the transition probability to the high probability mode from being impaired, and for the player a seemingly random degree It is possible to preferably secure the certainty of the operation of the gaming machine while showing that it is present.

  The length of the interval period set in accordance with the type of the jackpot result and the gaming state at that time is configured to be shorter than the period in which the upper variable ball entry device 310 is maintained in the permitted state. As described above, diversification of the interval period is a preferable configuration in order to suppress monotonization of the game. However, in consideration of the fact that the game is played in expectation of "filling ball" to the variable ball entry device in the open / close execution mode, the interval period becomes dominant and the game progress is unnecessarily delayed for the player. The possibility of giving an impression as if This is not preferable because it is a factor that causes a decline in gaming intention. Therefore, the upper variable ball entering device 310 (a target to be opened before the lower variable ball entering device 320 is opened, or a target to be mainly opened in the open / close execution mode) is allowed for any interval period length. By setting the period shorter than the period maintained in the above, the occurrence of the above-mentioned inconvenience can be suitably suppressed.

  The adjustment width of the variable interval period set by the MPU 602 is from the period in which the upper variable ball entering device 310 is maintained in the allowed state before the open object moves from the upper variable ball entering device 310 to the lower variable ball entering device 320. Is also configured to be short. As described above, diversification of the interval period is a preferable configuration in order to suppress monotonization of the game. However, in consideration of the fact that the game is played in expectation of "filling ball" to the variable ball entry device in the open / close execution mode, the interval period becomes dominant and the game progress is unnecessarily delayed for the player. The possibility of giving an impression as if This is not preferable because it is a factor that causes a decline in gaming intention. Therefore, the occurrence of the above-mentioned inconvenience is preferably suppressed by setting the adjustment width (variable amount) of the interval period shorter than the period in which the upper variable ball entry device 310 to be opened in advance is in the allowable state. Can.

  When the first period (1 sec) shorter than the required period required for passage of the communication path 351 is selected as the interval period, the gaming ball having passed the upper variable ball entering device 310 reaches the lower variable ball entering device 320 The lower variable ball entry device 320 enters the blocking state → the permitting state → the blocking state prior to the timing at which it would do. On the other hand, when the second period (4 sec) longer than the predetermined period is selected as the interval period, the gaming ball having passed through the upper variable ball entering device 310 reaches the lower variable ball entering device 320 The lower variable ball entry device 320 enters the blocking state → the permitting state → the blocking state later than the timing when it would be. Under such circumstances, when the first period is set, the possibility of entering the lower variable ball entry device 320 is substantially 0%, whereas the second period is set. In this case, the possibility of entering the lower variable ball entry device 320 is substantially 100%. An aspect that is in between is provided for the two aspects where such a clear difference is set. This realizes multistage transition probability to the high probability mode. Furthermore, as this intermediate aspect, the above-mentioned multi-stepping is achieved by the existence of those having a possibility of entering the ball close to 0% but not 0% and those close to 100% but not 100%. Promote.

  If, for example, the 16R big hit result B is obtained under the low frequency support mode, the lower variable ball entry device 320 switches from the blocked state to the allowed state early. Here, when the lower variable ball entry device 320 is switched to the blocking state early, there is a concern that the sense of expectation for the occurrence of ball entry to the lower variable ball entry device 320 is lowered. In other words, if the lower variable entry device 320 quickly becomes permissive as a basis for denying the transition to the high probability mode, there is a concern that it will be a factor that reduces the player's willingness to play . Therefore, as shown in the present embodiment, even if the lower variable ball entry device 320 is in the permitted state before the game ball reaches the lower variable ball entry device 320, the game ball is Provide an aspect of returning to the blocking state before reaching (16R jackpot result B in low frequency support mode) and an aspect of returning to the blocking state after reaching (16R jackpot result C in low frequency support mode) As a result, it is possible to preferably suppress a drop in the player's sense of expectation as described above.

  In the configuration in which transition to the high probability mode is made based on entering the ball into the lower variable ball entry device 320, the role of the upper variable ball entry device 310 and the role of the lower variable ball entry device 320 differ. With regard to the upper variable ball entry device 310, while the player's attention is directed to how much ball entry occurs, with regard to the lower variable ball entry device 320, the player's attention is directed to the presence or absence of the ball entry occurrence. Become. Here, if the reception period in which the lower variable ball entry device 320 is in the permitted state becomes longer than the interval period, the player's attention is directed exclusively to the reception period of the lower variable ball entry device 320, and the interval period It is assumed that the effect of improving the degree of attention to the game can not be exhibited well by determining whether or not to enter the ball by making the variable. Therefore, as shown in the present embodiment, if the period for which the lower variable ball entry device 320 is in the permitted state is configured to be the same as or shorter than the interval period for which the variable setting is variable, the interval period is It is possible to suppress the dilution of the meaning of the variable and to preferably exhibit the above effect.

  In the first place, there is a technical significance that the progression of the game in the special game state can be progressed rhythmically in making the interval period stationary. Therefore, while the interval period at the time of switching the object to be opened from the upper variable ball entering device 310 to the lower variable ball entering device 320 is variable as described above, the object to be opened is the upper variable ball entering device 310 → upper variable input By making the interval period fixed to the ball device fixed, it is possible to realize a practically preferable configuration.

  The communication passage 351 provided between the upper variable ball entry device 310 and the lower variable ball entry device 320 is configured such that the required time required for the game ball to pass is a predetermined period. As described above, after the period required for passing is made steady, the switching manner between the upper variable ball entering device 310 and the lower variable ball entering device 320 is performed by providing the relevancy corresponding to the required period to the switching mode. It is possible to diversify the game in the mode and to contribute to the improvement of the degree of attention to the game in the opening / closing execution mode.

  In the low frequency support mode, when it becomes 16R big hit result A-C, after the upper variable ball entry device 310 becomes blocking state and the flow of gaming balls into the communication passage 351 is permitted, the upper variable is concerned Before the gaming ball that has passed the ball entry device 310 reaches the lower variable ball entry device 320, the lower variable ball entry device 320 switches to the permitted state. As described above, by switching the downstream variable ball entry unit to the receiving state before reaching the game ball, the gaming ball moving toward the downstream variable ball entry unit enters the downstream variable ball entry unit. It can look like it does.

  As described above, clearly differentiating the switching mode of the lower variable ball entry device 320 in the opening / closing execution mode according to the difference in degree of advantage suppresses the progression of the game out of the specification of the gaming machine, etc. It is advantageous in securing the certainty regarding the operation of the gaming machine. However, in the case where such a configuration is simply applied, it is possible that the lower variable ball entering device 320 switches to the permitted state before the required period elapses, the ball entering the lower variable ball entering device 320 It can be a factor that denies sex. In particular, with a certain level of experience, it can not be ruled out that early acceptance can be seen negatively. This is not preferable because it causes the player's attention to be reduced early.

  Therefore, as described in the present embodiment, when the mode in which the lower variable ball entry device 320 is switched to the allowable state is selected before the required period has elapsed, the lower variable ball entry device 320 is switched to the allowable state. By arranging the timing in two modes, the case of prompting the ball into the lower variable ball entering device 320 and the case of not prompting the ball, the lower variable ball entering device 320 is switched to the permitted state at an early timing. Even if such, it is possible to leave the possibility of ball entry into the lower variable ball entry device 320. Thereby, the occurrence of the above-mentioned inconvenience can be suitably suppressed.

  In the case of 16R big hit results B and C under the low frequency support mode, in the open / close execution mode corresponding to the results, the lapse of the above-mentioned required period after the upper variable ball entry device 310 returns to the blocking state The lower variable ball-entering device 320 is maintained in the allowed state with timing overlapping or partial overlapping. It can not be denied that the movement time of each game ball may cause slight variations in the required period defined by the communication passage 351. Therefore, by utilizing such variations, it is possible to diversify the results while avoiding the occurrence of the occurrence of the occurrence of the sphere being uniform.

  In a game machine of a type in which game balls are fired periodically in response to a player's launch operation, the arrival timing to the lower variable ball entry device 320 may be around that cycle. Even in the case where the passage period is to be made steady by the passage structure of the connection passage 351, it is difficult to eliminate such variations. Certainly, although it is possible to eliminate the above variation by a movable body such as a ball feeding member, the impression that the presence or absence of entering the ball into the lower variable ball entry device 320 is determined by the gaming machine in advance is then It is assumed that the game becomes stronger and the effect of increasing the player's attention to the movement of the gaming ball is not well exhibited. Therefore, as described in the present embodiment, the occurrence of the above-mentioned inconvenience is achieved if the variation for the above period is absorbed not in the connection passage 351 but in the vicinity of the lower variable ball entry device 320 (ball passage 361). It can be suitably suppressed.

<Other Embodiments>
In addition, it is not limited to the description content of embodiment mentioned above, For example, you may implement as follows. Incidentally, the following configurations may be applied individually to the above embodiment, or some or all of them may be combined and applied to the above embodiment.

  (1) In the above embodiment, the interval period between rounds in the open / close execution mode (corresponding to “special game state”) is changed depending on whether the support mode is the high frequency support mode or the low frequency support mode. Although it was set as a structure, it is not limited to this. In the configuration in which a plurality of "normal game states" are provided, it is sufficient if the interval period is set individually according to the game state when the big hit results, for example, the lottery mode is high probability mode / low It is also possible to make the interval period different depending on which of the probability modes is in effect.

  In addition, a combination of a plurality of modes (for example, (1) low frequency support mode and low probability mode, (2) low frequency support mode and high probability mode, (3) high frequency support mode and low probability mode, (4) high frequency It is also possible to set a difference in the interval according to the support mode and the high probability mode). In such a configuration, it is also possible to set the difference in the degree of advantage in the interval period set in each state. For example, (1) low frequency support mode and low probability mode <(2) low frequency support mode and high probability mode, (3) high frequency support mode and low probability mode <(4) high frequency support mode and high probability mode) By setting the interval period so as to be advantageous to the player in the order of 1, it is possible to realize further diversification of the game (eg, the transition probability to the high probability mode, the categorization of the continuation probability, etc.).

  (2) In the above embodiment, the firing cycle (firing interval) of the gaming ball to be fired based on the player's firing operation is 0.6 sec, and ten balls are entered into the upper variable ball entry device 310. The shortest open period (6 sec) of the upper variable ball entering device 310 is required for the passage of the communication passage 351 by switching the upper variable ball entering device 310 from the allowed state to the blocked state in response to the occurrence of It is set to be longer than (3 sec). Therefore, about the game ball which reached communication way 351 before opening of upper variable ball entering device 310, the above-mentioned upper variable ball entering device 310 closes (that is, before lower variable ball entering device 320 is opened) the above-mentioned It is configured to be completely discharged from the communication passage 351. However, the relationship between the shortest opening period of the upper variable ball entry device 310 and the period required for the passage of the communication passage 351 is not limited to the above. It is sufficient if at least gaming balls that have flowed into the communication passage 351 before opening the upper variable ball-in device 310 can avoid reaching the lower variable ball-in device 320 while the lower variable ball-in device 320 is open. The specific configuration may be changed arbitrarily.

  Note that, in order to prevent the game ball having flowed into the communication passage 351 from reaching the lower variable ball entering device 320 while the lower variable ball entering device 320 is opened before the upper variable ball entering device 310 is opened, communication is performed. Although it is possible to lengthen the passage length of the passage 351, in such correspondence, the communication passage 351 is unnecessarily long and the variable ball entry unit 64 and other game components etc. coexist in the game area PE. Can be difficult. From the above reasons, as described in the above embodiment, the relationship between the firing cycle of the gaming ball, the number of ball entry related to the closing condition, and the passage period of the communication passage 35 It has technical significance.

  (3) In the above embodiment, the object to be opened is the upper variable ball entering device 310 (corresponding to the "upstream variable ball entering portion") to the lower variable ball entering device 320 (corresponding to the "downstream variable ball entering portion") Although the open period for maintaining the lower variable ball entering device 320 in the permitted state is shorter than the interval period at the time of the transition to the above, this is changed and the object to be opened is the lower one from the upper variable ball entering device 310. It is also possible to configure so that the open period of the lower variable ball entry device 320 is longer than the interval period when moving to the side variable ball entry device 320.

  (4) In the above embodiment, when the jackpot result occurs in the low frequency support mode, transition to the high probability mode is made with about 50% probability, and the jackpot result occurs in the high frequency support mode. Although the configuration is such that the mode is shifted to the high probability mode with a probability of about 100%, it is not limited to this. It is sufficient if it can ensure at least the superiority in the high frequency support mode (the relatively high ball entry probability to the lower variable ball entry device 320), and it does not depend on the transition to the high probability mode. For example, it is also possible to have a configuration in which the above superiority is secured in such a manner that the difference in the interval in the special round (the seventh round) is caused by the difference in the interval period.

  (5) In the above embodiment, a plurality of jackpot types (16R jackpot results A to D) are set, and the amount of change in the interval period is different for each jackpot result. For example, in the 16R jackpot result A, the interval period is changed from 1 sec to 4 sec, whereas in the 16R jackpot result C, the interval period is changed from 2 sec to 4 sec. It is also possible to change this and unify the amount of change in the interval period in each jackpot result.

  (6) In the above embodiment, the interval period from the previous round of the special round to which the lower variable ball entry device 320 is to be released to the special round is "variable", and the other interval periods are "constant". However, it is not limited to this. Other interval periods may be "variable".

  (7) In the said embodiment, it was set as the structure which the lower side variable ball entry apparatus 320 switches to a permission state in the 7th round. In the configuration in which the round game is repeated in the open / close execution mode, which round is to be set as the “special round” may be arbitrarily changed.

  However, in the configuration in which the ball entry probability to the lower variable ball entry device 320 is changed according to the relationship between the passage period of the communication passage 351 and the interval period, the open / close target in the previous round is the upper variable ball entry device 310. Thus, the upper variable ball entry device 310 can be provided with a function as a shutter that limits gaming balls flowing into the communication passage 351, and the function of changing the ball entry probability can be suitably secured. For the above reasons, even when changing the round for opening the lower variable ball entry device 320, at least the open object in the previous round should be the upper variable ball entry device 310. Is preferred.

  (8) In the above embodiment, the interval period is changed (changed) according to the gaming state (low frequency support mode / high frequency support mode) when the big hit results, but instead of this In addition, the open period may be changed (changed) according to the gaming state when the big hit results.

  (9) In the above embodiment, in the high-frequency support mode, the interval period is longer than the period required for the passage of the communication passage 351, and the open period is shorter than the period required for the passage of the communication passage . By changing this and lengthening the interval period as compared with the jackpot result in the low frequency support mode, the lower variable ball entering device is made to straddle the required period after the upper variable ball entering device 310 is closed. It is also possible for 320 to be open.

  In addition, it is also possible to make an open period longer than the above-mentioned required period. In this case, it is possible to reduce an increase in the amount of change in the interval period, and to preferably suppress the impression that the game progress is delayed needlessly.

  (10) In the above embodiment, variation of the passing speed of the gaming ball when passing through the communication passage 351 is suppressed by devising the passage shape of the communication passage 351, and the required period required for the passage of the communication passage 351 Was designed to be stationary. The specific configuration for exerting such a "period adjustment" function may be arbitrarily changed. For example, it is possible to provide a ball feeding mechanism for sending the game balls bypassing the upper variable ball entering device 310 to the lower variable ball entering device 320 between the upper variable ball entering device 310 and the lower variable ball entering device 320 is there.

  Specifically, the ball feeding mechanism has a rotating body and a motor as a drive unit for driving the rotating body. Specifically, the rotating body has a substantially disc shape, and the center thereof is fixed to the output shaft of the drive motor. The drive motor is constituted by a stepping motor, and is always rotated at a constant speed by the power supplied from the main controller 162. By driving the drive motor in this manner, the rotating body rotates at a constant speed in a predetermined direction. Recesses are formed at a plurality of locations (four locations at 90 ° intervals in the present modification) on the peripheral edge of the rotating body. Only the game balls having entered these recesses are guided to the downstream side.

  That is, no matter how the movement speed of the gaming ball is dispersed on the upstream side of the rotating body, the movement speed is adjusted to be constant by moving through the rotating body. Thereby, the dispersion | variation in the required period required for the movement to the lower side variable ball entering apparatus 320 will be suppressed.

  (11) In the above embodiment, the main function provided to the upper variable ball entry device 310 and the main function provided to the lower variable ball entry device 320 are configured to be different. Specifically, while the upper variable ball entry device 310 is opened and closed mainly for the increase in holding balls, the lower variable ball entry device 320 is not for the increase in balls but the possibility of transition to the high probability mode It is different in that it is configured to be opened and closed with the main purpose. However, such a difference is not essential, and the function of shifting to the high probability mode may be omitted based on entering the ball into the lower variable ball entry device 320. Moreover, it is also possible to use the upper variable ball-in-place apparatus 310 instead of the lower variable ball-in-place apparatus 320 for the function to be provided.

  (12) In the above embodiment, the lower variable ball entry device 320 is opened only once in the open / close execution mode, but the present invention is not limited to this. The number of times the lower variable ball entry device 320 is to be released can be arbitrarily changed within a range not exceeding the upper limit number of times of opening in the open / close execution mode (16 times in the present embodiment).

  (13) In the above embodiment, all gaming balls that have flowed into the lower variable ball entry device 320 are guided to the special ball entry unit 324 as an "advantage ball entry unit", but it is limited to this It is not a thing. It is also possible to provide a sorting device in the lower side variable ball entering device 320, and a part of the gaming balls flowing into the lower side variable ball entering device 320 to be guided to the special ball entering portion 324. .

  (14) In the above embodiment, the time required to pass through the lower variable ball entry device 320 (lower opening / closing body 322) is longer than the firing cycle of the game ball, so that the lower variable can be changed. It was set as the structure which decelerates the game ball which reached the ball entering apparatus 320. FIG. Specifically, a protuberance 371 is provided on the front wall 368 and the back wall 367 of the ball passage 361 crossing the upper side of the lower variable ball entering device 320 to meander the passage, thereby increasing the time required for passage. It was composition. The detailed configuration to embody such a thought is arbitrary. For example, a projection may be provided on the upper surface of the lower opening / closing body 322, and the game ball may be meandered up and down to earn a period required for passage.

  (15) In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the two variable ball entry devices 310 and 320 are used in combination is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. The number of variable ball entry devices may be arbitrarily changed. . However, the upper variable ball entry device 310 is provided not only with the function as the "variable ball entry portion" but also with the function as the "regulator". Therefore, when the upper variable ball entry device 310 is omitted, it is preferable to provide the following configuration in place of the upper variable ball entry device 310. That is, the distribution device which can be switched between the state of guiding the gaming ball to the communication path 351 and the state of not guiding the communication path 351 (for example, the state of guiding to another path) is provided at the entrance of the communication path 351 Is preferred.

  (16) In the above embodiment, when the jackpot result is achieved, the setting of the interval period is performed with reference to the gaming state, but the present invention is not limited to this. It is also possible to change the table to be referred to for each gaming state and to increase the type of the jackpot result corresponding to each interval period. Specifically, the distribution table to be referred to in the low frequency support mode and the distribution table to be referred to in the high frequency support mode are separately provided, and in the former, it is distributed to any of the 16R jackpot results A to D above. On the other hand, in the latter, it may be distributed to either 16R big hit result E (interval period 4 sec and open period 1 sec) and 16R big hit result F (interval period 4 sec and open period 2 sec).

  (17) In the above embodiment, when the lower opening / closing body 322 of the lower variable ball entry device 320 slides in the front-rear direction, the lower variable ball entry device 320 is allowed to be in the permitted state (corresponding to the “receiving state”) And the blocking state (corresponding to the “non-receiving state”), the operation mode of the lower opening / closing body 322 is optional. For example, similar to the upper opening / closing member 312 of the upper variable ball entry device 310, it is also possible to make it pivotable.

  In addition, although the upper variable opening device 310 is switched to the “reception state” and the “non-reception state” by rotating the upper opening / closing member 312 of the upper variable insertion device 310, the operation of the upper opening / closing member 312 The aspect is also optional. For example, as the lower opening / closing body 322 of the lower variable ball entry device 320, the sliding type is also possible.

  (18) In the embodiment described above, the upper variable ball entry device 310 is not allowed to detour when the upper variable ball entry device 310 is in the permitted state for the game ball that has reached the right route. However, it is not limited to this. For example, it is also possible to branch into a flow-down path flowing down to the upper variable ball-in-place device 310 upstream of the upper variable ball-in-place device 310 and a path flowing down to the out port juxtaposed to the upper variable ball-in-place device 310 Good. In order to embody the technical idea shown in the present modification, diversification of the drop-in destination of the game ball is achieved by the game nail etc. It is sufficient if the inflow is avoided, and it does not deny the configuration other than the above branch route.

  (19) Other types of pachinko machines and the like different from the above embodiment, for example, pachinko machines in which the motorized part opens a predetermined number of times when gaming balls enter a specific area of a special device The present invention can be applied to gaming machines such as pachinko machines, pachinko machines equipped with other features, arrange ball machines, ball balls, etc., in which a right is generated and a jackpot is generated.

  A non-ball-ball type game machine, for example, a plurality of reels having a plurality of kinds of symbols attached in the circumferential direction, starts the rotation of the reels by inserting medals and operating the start lever, and the stop switch is operated. If a specific symbol or a combination of specific symbols is established on an effective line visible from the display window after the reel is stopped by the passage of a predetermined time, a bonus such as payout of medals is awarded to the player The present invention can also be applied to slot machines.

  Furthermore, a pachinko machine and slot machine having a loading device and starting rotation of the reel by operating the start lever after the predetermined number of gaming balls stored in the storage unit are loaded by the loading device. The present invention can also be applied to a gaming machine in which

<About the invention group extracted from the above embodiment>
Hereinafter, characteristic configurations extracted from the above-described embodiment will be described while showing effects and the like as necessary. In the following, for ease of understanding, the corresponding configuration in the above embodiment is appropriately shown in parentheses or the like, but the present invention is not limited to the specific configuration illustrated in the parentheses or the like.

  The following feature groups include: "A game machine such as a pachinko machine has a game board on which a game area is formed, and game ball launch means for firing game balls to the game area based on the player's shooting operation. When the game ball fired from the game ball launching means enters the ball entry portion provided in the game area, a bonus such as payout of a predetermined number of game balls is awarded to the player. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1) "In the gaming machine of the type described above, the configuration is still improved to suppress the monotonization of the game and suppress the decline of the player's willingness to play the game. There is room for it. ”Was made with the problem that the invention is trying to solve.

<Feature A group>
Features A1. A game board (game board 60) in which a game area (game area PE) is formed,
A starting ball receiving portion (operation ball receiving portions 62, 63) provided in the game area;
Determining means for determining whether or not to shift the gaming state to the special gaming state (opening / closing execution mode) advantageous to the player based on entering the ball into the starting ball entry portion (lottery function in the MPU 602 of the main control device 162 )When,
Gaming state transition means (transition function of the MPU 602 of the main control device 162) for transitioning to the special gaming state when the determination result by the determination means becomes a transition correspondence result corresponding to transition to the special gaming state;
A variable entry portion (lower variable entry ball) that is provided in the game area and can switch to a non-accepting state where entering the ball is more difficult than entering the receiving state where the game ball flowing down the game area can enter Device 320),
And a switching control unit (switching function in the MPU 602 of the main control device 162) for switching the variable ball entry unit into the receiving state and the non-receiving state when the special game state is entered,
As a mode of switching control by the switching control means, a mode is provided in which the variable ball entry unit is switched to the receiving state a plurality of times,
The interval period from the acceptance state to the non-acceptance state from the acceptance state to the acceptance state again according to the type of the transition correspondence result and the type of gaming state when the transition correspondence result is obtained. A game machine characterized by comprising interval period setting means (setting function in the MPU 602 of the main control device 162) to be set.

  According to the feature A1, according to the type of the transition response result and the game state when the transition response result is obtained, the length of the interval period may be changed, thereby the presence or absence of the occurrence of entering the ball in the special game state ( Can make a difference in the game progress). By thus diversifying the flow of the game in each special game state, it is possible to suppress the monotonization of the game and to preferably suppress the decline of the player's willingness to play the game.

Feature A2. A game board (game board 60) in which a game area (game area PE) is formed,
A starting ball receiving portion (operation ball receiving portions 62, 63) provided in the game area;
Determining means for determining whether or not to shift the gaming state to the special gaming state (opening / closing execution mode) advantageous to the player based on entering the ball into the starting ball entry portion (lottery function in the MPU 602 of the main control device 162 )When,
Gaming state transition means (transition function of the MPU 602 of the main control device 162) for transitioning to the special gaming state when the determination result by the determination means becomes a transition correspondence result corresponding to transition to the special gaming state;
A variable ball entry unit (variable ball entry device 310) which is provided in the gaming area and can switch to a non-accepting state where entering the ball is more difficult than entering the receiving state where the gaming ball can flow into the gaming area. , 320),
And a switching control unit (switching function in the MPU 602 of the main control device 162) for switching the variable ball entry unit into the receiving state and the non-receiving state when the special game state is entered,
The variable ball entry unit is
At the first opening where the gaming ball can flow (upper big winning opening 311), the receiving position where the gaming ball can enter the first opening, and the non-receiving position where entering the gaming ball is more difficult than the receiving position A first variable entrance ball portion (upper variable entrance ball device 310) having a displaceable first movable body (upper opening / closing body 312);
The second opening (lower side big winning opening 321) where the game ball can flow in, the reception position where the game ball can enter into the second opening, and the non-reception position where it is more difficult to enter the game ball than the reception position And a second variable insertion ball portion (lower variable insertion ball device 320) having a second movable body (lower opening / closing body 322) displaceable to
The switching control means has means for switching the first variable ball entry unit and the second variable ball entry unit to the non-reception state and the reception state in a predetermined order when the special game state is in effect. And
When the switching target is moved from the first variable ball entering unit to the second variable ball entering unit, the second variable ball entering unit is switched from the receiving state to the non-receiving state from the first variable ball entering unit. If the interval period from the non-accepted state to the accepted state is the transition response result, the type of transition response result and the type of gaming state when the transition response result is obtained. A game machine characterized by comprising interval period setting means (setting function in the MPU 602 of the main control device 162) to be set.

  According to the feature A2, according to the type of transition correspondence result and the game period when the transition correspondence result is achieved, the length of the interval period may be changed, so that the ball entering situation in the special game state (game progress Can make a difference. By thus diversifying the flow of the game in each special game state, it is possible to suppress the monotonization of the game and to preferably suppress the decline of the player's willingness to play the game.

  In particular, monotonization of the game can be suppressed by changing the variable ball entry unit to be opened in a predetermined order. In such a configuration, when the interval period changes in accordance with the change of the release target, a difference occurs in the manner of entering the ball into the second variable ball entry unit. By making a difference in the benefits obtained in this manner, monotonization of the game in the special gaming state can be suitably suppressed by the two changes of the change of the open object and the change of the timing.

  Feature A3. The gaming machine according to feature A2, wherein the first variable ball entry unit is arranged on a flow-down path (on the right route) directed to the second variable ball entry unit.

  When the object to be released shifts from the upstream first variable ball entering portion (upstream variable ball entering portion) to the downstream second variable ball entering portion (downstream variable variable ball receiving portion), the upstream first variable The game ball which bypasses the ball entry section goes to the second variable entry section. For this reason, during the interval period, whether or not the game ball which has passed the first variable ball entry part in the first variable ball entry part in a non-accepting state is picked up (rescued) by the second variable ball entry part. It depends on you. Thus, the effect of changing the interval period can be suitably exhibited by enhancing the contribution of the length of the interval period to the possibility of entering the ball.

  When the positional relationship between the first variable ball entry unit and the second variable ball entry unit is reversed, there is no room for relief for the game ball that has passed the first variable ball entry unit, and the interval period is long. Even if it does, it is assumed that the effect by that will not be exhibited well. In this case, although the generation of the wasted ball can be suppressed by shortening the interval period, the game ball passing between both the variable ball entering portions is relieved by the movement of the variable ball entering portion becoming sharp. It becomes difficult for the player to draw the player's attention to whether or not the player is playing (movement of the game ball). From the above reasons, the positional relationship and the opening / closing order of the variable ball entry unit described above have technical significance in utilizing the diversity of the interval period.

Feature A4. The first variable ball entry unit is disposed on a flow-down path (on the right route) directed to the second variable ball entry unit,
When the first variable ball entering portion is in the receiving state, the game ball having reached the flow-down path flows into the first opening, whereby the flow-down to the second variable ball entering portion is restricted. The gaming machine according to feature A2, characterized in that

  When the object to be released shifts from the upstream first variable ball entering portion (upstream variable ball entering portion) to the downstream second variable ball entering portion (downstream variable variable ball receiving portion), the upstream first variable The game ball which bypasses the ball entry section goes to the second variable entry section. For this reason, during the interval period, whether or not the game ball which has passed the first variable ball entry part in the first variable ball entry part in a non-accepting state is picked up (rescued) by the second variable ball entry part. It depends on you. Thus, the effect of changing the interval period can be suitably exhibited by enhancing the contribution of the length of the interval period to the possibility of entering the ball.

  When the positional relationship between the first variable ball entry unit and the second variable ball entry unit is reversed, there is no room for relief for the game ball that has passed the first variable ball entry unit, and the interval period is long. Even if it does, it is assumed that the effect by that will not be exhibited well. In this case, although the generation of the wasted ball can be suppressed by shortening the interval period, the game ball passing between both the variable ball entering portions is relieved by the movement of the variable ball entering portion becoming sharp. It will be difficult to bring the player's attention to whether or not From the above reasons, the positional relationship and the opening / closing order of the variable ball entry unit described above have technical significance in utilizing the diversity of the interval period.

  In particular, when the upstream first variable ball entry unit is opened, the various effects described above can be suitably achieved by adopting a configuration in which the flow of the game ball toward the second variable ball entry unit is avoided. It can be demonstrated.

  Feature A5. The length of the interval period set by the interval period setting means is configured to be shorter than the period in which the first variable ball entry unit is maintained in the receiving state. The gaming machine according to feature A3 or feature A4.

  As shown in the feature A1, etc., diversification of the interval period is a preferable configuration in order to suppress monotonization of the game. However, in consideration of the point that the game is played in expectation of entering the variable ball entry part in the special game state, whether the game progress is unnecessarily delayed for the player because the interval period becomes dominant The possibility of giving such an impression is increased. This is not preferable because it is a factor that causes a decline in gaming intention. Therefore, the occurrence of the above-mentioned inconvenience can be suitably suppressed by making the length of the interval period shorter than the period in which the first variable ball entry unit is maintained in the receiving state.

  Feature A6. The adjustment width of the interval period set by the interval period setting means is the first variable entering portion before the target in the receiving state moves from the first variable entering portion to the second variable entering portion. Is configured to be shorter than a period during which the receiving state is maintained. The gaming machine according to any one of features A3 to A5.

  As shown in the feature A1, etc., diversification of the interval period is a preferable configuration in order to suppress monotonization of the game. However, in consideration of the point that the game is played in expectation of entering the variable ball entry part in the special game state, whether the game progress is unnecessarily delayed for the player because the interval period becomes dominant The possibility of giving such an impression is increased. This is not preferable because it is a factor that causes a decline in gaming intention. Therefore, the occurrence of the above-mentioned inconvenience is preferably suppressed by setting the adjustment width (variable amount) of the interval period to be shorter than the period in which the first variable ball entry part in the receiving state is in the receiving state before that. Can.

  In addition, about the structure shown to this characteristic, "the adjustment width of the said interval period set by the said interval period setting means becomes shorter than the period when the said 1st variable ball entry part is maintained in the said acceptance state. The gaming machine according to the feature A3 or the feature A4 characterized in that it is configured is also possible.

Feature A7. A high probability mode and a low probability mode in which the probability of becoming the transition correspondence result becomes relatively high and low are provided as modes of transition judgment by the judgment means,
The game ball having flowed into the second opening reaches a predetermined place, and after the end of the special game state, there is provided means for shifting to the game state corresponding to the high probability mode. The gaming machine according to any one of features A6.

  As described above, when the object to be released is shifted from the first variable entering portion to the second variable entering portion, presence or absence of entering the second variable entry portion (second opening) is affected by the interval period. The Rukoto. As described above, occurrence of entering the second opening is achieved by changing the length of the interval period according to the type of transition response result and the type of gaming state at the time of the transition response result. The probability (i.e., the probability of transition to the high probability mode or the probability of continuation) can be varied. This can contribute to the diversification of games.

Feature A8. A guiding path (contacting the game ball that did not enter the first variable ball entry part between the first variable ball entry part and the second variable ball entry part to the second variable ball entry part) Passage 351) is provided,
The guide route is configured such that a period required for the game ball having passed through the first variable ball entry unit to reach the second variable ball entry unit is a predetermined period.
The interval period setting means sets the interval period to be a first period defined to be shorter than the predetermined period, and the interval period is longer than the predetermined period. A game machine according to Feature A7, comprising: means for setting so as to be a defined second period.

  According to the feature A8, when the first period shorter than the predetermined period (required period) required for passage with the guide route is selected as the interval period, the gaming ball having passed the first variable ball entry portion is the first 2) Before reaching the variable ball entry unit, the second variable ball entry unit is in the receiving state. On the other hand, when the second period longer than the predetermined period is selected as the interval period, the second game ball that has passed the first variable ball storage unit reaches the second variable ball storage unit, and then the second The variable ball entry part is in the receiving state. Under such circumstances, when the first period is set, the possibility of ball entry into the second opening becomes lower than when the second period is set, that is, entry into the second opening The probability of occurrence of the sphere (probability of transition to high probability mode or probability of continuation) becomes low. With such a configuration, the effect shown in the feature A7 can be suitably exhibited.

Feature A9. When the first period is set as the interval period by the interval period setting means, the sum of the first period and the open period of the second variable ball entry unit may be shorter than the predetermined period. A means for setting an acceptance period of the second variable ball entry portion;
When the first period is set as the interval period by the interval period setting means, the sum of the first period and the open period of the second variable ball entry unit may be shorter than the predetermined period. A game machine according to Feature A8, comprising means for setting an open period of the second variable ball entry unit.

  As shown in the feature A8, when the first variable ball entry part is switched to the receiving state at an early stage, the second variable opening ball part returns to the non-receiving state early. It is feared that the feeling of expectation for entering the ball will decrease. This can be a factor that reduces the player's willingness to play. Therefore, as shown in the present feature, even if the second variable ball entry portion is in the receiving state before the game ball reaches the second variable ball entry portion, the game ball does not reach before the game ball reaches. By providing an aspect of returning to the receiving state and an aspect of returning to the non-receiving state after reaching the state, it is possible to preferably suppress the decline in the player's sense of expectation as described above.

  Feature A10. When the switching object of the receiving state moves from the first variable ball entering unit to the second variable ball entering unit, the receiving period in which the first variable ball entering unit is in the receiving state is longer than the predetermined period. The gaming machine according to the feature A8 or A9, which is set to be long.

  When the target to be switched to the receiving state shifts from the first variable ball entering part to the second variable ball entering part, the game in which the first variable ball entering part is bypassed before the first variable ball entering part switches to the receiving state The ball passes through the second variable ball entry unit. By avoiding the inflow of the game ball passed through to the second variable ball entry unit when the second variable ball entry unit is switched to the receiving state, the transition probability to the high probability mode is obtained by the difference in the interval period described above. The function to be changed can be suitably secured.

  Characteristics A11. A feature is characterized in that the reception period for setting the second variable ball entry unit to the reception state is a period shorter than the interval period set by the interval period setting means. The gaming machine according to any one of A10.

  As shown in feature A7, in the configuration to shift to the high probability mode based on entering the second variable entry, the main role of the first variable entry and the main role of the second variable entry. And differences may arise. While the player's attention will be directed to how much ball entry occurs for the first variable ball entry unit, the player's attention will be directed to the presence or absence of the ball entry occurrence for the second variable ball entry unit. . Here, if the reception period of the second variable ball entry section becomes longer than the interval period, the player's attention is directed exclusively to the reception period of the second variable ball entry section, thereby changing the interval period. It is assumed that the effect of improving the degree of attention to the game can not be exhibited well by determining whether or not the ball is generated. Therefore, with the configuration shown in the present feature, it is possible to suppress the significance of changing the interval period from becoming thin, and to preferably exhibit the effects shown in the respective features.

  Feature A12. In the case where the first variable ball entering part is continuously in the receiving state, an interval period until the first variable ball receiving part is changed from the receiving state to the non-receiving state and becomes the receiving state again is The gaming machine according to any one of features A2 to A11, wherein the gaming machine is configured to be determined according to the type of the transition correspondence result.

  In the first place, fixing (for example, making constant) the interval period has the technical meaning that it is possible to progress the game progress in the special gaming state in a rhythmic manner. Therefore, as described above, while the interval period at the time of switching the switching object to the receiving state from the first variable ball entry unit to the second variable ball entering unit is variable, the switching object is switched to the first variable ball entering unit By making the interval period at the time of being fixed fixed, a practically preferable configuration can be realized.

Feature A13. A game board (game board 60) in which a game area (game area PE) is formed,
A starting ball receiving portion (operation ball receiving portions 62, 63) provided in the game area;
Determination means (MPU 602 of the main control device 162 determines whether or not to shift the gaming state to a special gaming state (opening / closing execution mode) that is more advantageous to the player than usual based on entering the ball into the starting ball entry section. Lottery function), and
Gaming state transition means (transition function of the MPU 602 of the main control device 162) for transitioning to the special gaming state when the determination result by the determination means becomes a transition correspondence result corresponding to transition to the special gaming state;
A variable ball entry unit (variable ball entry device 310) which is provided in the gaming area and can switch to a non-accepting state where entering the ball is more difficult than entering the receiving state where the gaming ball can flow into the gaming area. , 320),
And a switching control unit (switching function in the MPU 602 of the main control device 162) for switching the variable ball entry unit into the receiving state and the non-receiving state when the special game state is entered,
The variable ball entry unit is
At the first opening where the gaming ball can flow (upper big winning opening 311), the receiving position where the gaming ball can enter the first opening, and the non-receiving position where entering the gaming ball is more difficult than the receiving position A first variable entrance ball portion (upper variable entrance ball device 310) having a displaceable first movable body (upper opening / closing body 312);
The second opening (lower side big winning opening 321) where the game ball can flow in, the reception position where the game ball can enter into the second opening, and the non-reception position where it is more difficult to enter the game ball than the reception position And a second variable insertion ball portion (lower variable insertion ball device 320) having a second movable body (lower opening / closing body 322) displaceable to
The switching control means has means for switching the first variable ball entry unit and the second variable ball entry unit to the non-reception state and the reception state in a predetermined order when the special game state is in effect. And
Interval period defining means for defining an interval period from the non-accepting state to the accepting state of the first variable ball entry unit and the second variable ball entry unit;
When the switching target is moved from the first variable ball entering unit to the second variable ball entering unit, the second variable ball entering unit is switched from the receiving state to the non-receiving state from the first variable ball entering unit. If the interval period from the non-accepted state to the accepted state is the transition response result, the type of transition response result and the type of gaming state when the transition response result is obtained. A game machine characterized by including period changing means (setting function in the MPU 602 of the main control device 162) to be extended or shortened.

  By setting the length of the interval period to be variable depending on the type of transition response result and the gaming state at the time of transition response result, it is possible to make a difference in the progression of the game in the special gaming state. By thus diversifying the flow of the game in each special game state, it is possible to suppress the monotonization of the game and to preferably suppress the decline of the player's willingness to play the game.

  In particular, monotonization of the game can be suppressed by changing the variable ball entry unit to be opened in a predetermined order. In such a configuration, when the interval period changes in accordance with the change of the release target, a difference occurs in the presence or absence of the ball entering the second variable ball entry unit. By making a difference in the benefits obtained in this manner, monotonization of the game in the special gaming state can be suitably suppressed by the two changes of the change of the open object and the change of the timing.

  However, fixing (for example, making constant) the interval period has the technical meaning that it is possible to progress the game progress in the special game state in a rhythmic manner. Therefore, as described above, while the interval period at the time of switching the switching object to the receiving state from the first variable ball entry unit to the second variable ball entering unit is variable, the switching object is switched to the first variable ball entering unit By making the interval period at the time of being fixed fixed, a practically preferable configuration can be realized.

<Feature B group>
Feature B1. A game board (game board 60) in which a game area (game area PE) is formed,
A starting ball receiving portion (operation ball receiving portions 62, 63) provided in the game area;
Determination means (MPU 602 of the main control device 162 determines whether or not to shift the gaming state to a special gaming state (opening / closing execution mode) that is more advantageous to the player than usual based on entering the ball into the starting ball entry section. Lottery function), and
Gaming state transition means (transition function of the MPU 602 of the main control device 162) for transitioning to the special gaming state when the determination result by the determination means becomes a transition correspondence result corresponding to transition to the special gaming state;
A variable entry portion (lower variable entry ball) that is provided in the game area and can switch to a non-accepting state where entering the ball is more difficult than entering the receiving state where the game ball flowing down the game area can enter Device 320),
Switching control means (switching function in the MPU 602 of the main control device 162) for switching the variable ball entering means to the receiving state and the non-receiving state when shifting to the special game state;
It is provided on the upstream side of the variable ball entry unit in the flow-down path following the variable ball entry unit, and is directed to the variable ball entry unit and an allowance state that allows the game ball to flow toward the variable ball entry unit. And a regulation means (upper variable ball entry device 310) which can be switched to a regulation state for regulating the flow of the gaming ball,
In the passage route (communication path 351) between the restricting means and the variable ball entering portion, when the restricting means is in the permitted state, the game ball passing through the restricting means is attached to the variable ball entering portion The time required to reach is configured to be a predetermined time set in advance,
As a switching mode by the switching control means,
A first switching mode of switching the variable ball entry part into the non-accepting state after switching the variable ball entry part from the non-accepting state to the receiving state;
A second switching mode is provided for switching the variable ball entering section from the non-receiving state to the receiving state, and switching the variable ball entering section from the receiving state to the non-receiving state at a timing later than the first switching mode Yes,
At least a part of the period in which the receiving state is in the second switching mode includes a period after the predetermined period has elapsed since the restricting means switched from the restricting state to the allowable state. A game machine characterized by being configured.

  According to the feature B1, as for the passage route provided between the restricting means and the variable ball entry unit, the required period required for the game ball to pass is a predetermined period. Thereby, the presence or absence of entering the ball into the variable entering portion is influenced by the timing when the restricting means switches from the restricting state to the permitting state, the predetermined period, and the period when the variable entering portion becomes the receiving state. Become. Specifically, when the switching mode by the switching means becomes the second switching mode as compared to the case where the switching mode becomes the first switching mode, the ball entering probability to the variable ball entry portion of the gaming ball that has passed the regulation means Becomes higher. In this way, after making the time required for passage steady, by providing relevancy to the switching mode between the regulation means and the variable ball entry part, diversification of the game in the special game state is achieved, and the special game concerned It can contribute to the improvement of the degree of attention to the game in the state.

Feature B2. A game board (game board 60) in which a game area (game area PE) is formed,
A starting ball receiving portion (operation ball receiving portions 62, 63) provided in the game area;
Determination means (MPU 602 of the main control device 162 determines whether or not to shift the gaming state to a special gaming state (opening / closing execution mode) that is more advantageous to the player than usual based on entering the ball into the starting ball entry section. Lottery function), and
Gaming state transition means (transition function of the MPU 602 of the main control device 162) for transitioning to the special gaming state when the determination result by the determination means becomes a transition correspondence result corresponding to transition to the special gaming state;
A variable entry portion (lower variable entry ball) that is provided in the game area and can switch to a non-accepting state where entering the ball is more difficult than entering the receiving state where the game ball flowing down the game area can enter Device 320),
Switching control means (switching function in the MPU 602 of the main control device 162) for switching the variable ball entering means to the receiving state and the non-receiving state when shifting to the special game state;
It is provided on the upstream side of the variable ball entry unit in the flow-down path following the variable ball entry unit, and is directed to the variable ball entry unit and an allowance state that allows the game ball to flow toward the variable ball entry unit. It is equipped with a regulation means that can be switched to a regulation state that regulates the flow of the gaming ball,
The passage route between the restricting means and the variable ball entry part is required for the game ball passing through the restricting means to reach the variable ball entry part when the restricting means is in the permitted state. The period is configured to be a predetermined period which is predetermined.
As a switching mode by the switching control means,
A first switching mode in which the variable ball is switched to the reception state before the predetermined period elapses after the restriction means switches from the restriction state to the permission state;
A game machine characterized by further comprising a second switching mode for switching the variable ball entry into the receiving state after the predetermined period has elapsed since the restricting means was switched from the restricting state to the permitting state. .

  According to the feature B2, with regard to the passage route provided between the restricting means and the variable ball entry unit, the required period required for the game ball to pass is a predetermined period. Thus, the presence or absence of entering the ball into the variable entering portion is influenced by the timing at which the restricting means switches from the restricting state to the permitting state, the predetermined period, and the timing when the variable entering portion enters the receiving state. Become. Specifically, when the switching mode by the switching means becomes the second switching mode as compared to the case where the switching mode becomes the first switching mode, the ball entering probability to the variable ball entry portion of the gaming ball that has passed the regulation means Becomes higher. In this way, after making the time required for passage steady, by providing relevancy to the switching mode between the regulation means and the variable ball entry part, diversification of the game in the special game state is achieved, and the special game concerned It can contribute to the improvement of the degree of attention to the game in the state.

Feature B3. A game board (game board 60) in which a game area (game area PE) is formed,
A starting ball receiving portion (operation ball receiving portions 62, 63) provided in the game area;
Determination means (MPU 602 of the main control device 162 determines whether or not to shift the gaming state to a special gaming state (opening / closing execution mode) that is more advantageous to the player than usual based on entering the ball into the starting ball entry section. Lottery function), and
Gaming state transition means (transition function of the MPU 602 of the main control device 162) for transitioning to the special gaming state when the determination result by the determination means becomes a transition correspondence result corresponding to transition to the special gaming state;
A variable ball entry unit (variable ball entry device 310) which is provided in the gaming area and can switch to a non-accepting state where entering the ball is more difficult than entering the receiving state where the gaming ball can flow into the gaming area. , 320),
And a switching control unit (switching function of the MPU 602 of the main control device 162) for switching the variable ball entering unit between the receiving state and the non-receiving state when shifting to the special game state.
The variable ball entry unit is
A downstream opening (lower big winning opening 321) where game balls can flow in, a receiving position where the player can enter the downstream opening, and a non-receiving position where entering the downstream opening is more difficult than the receiving position. A downstream variable entrance ball unit (lower variable entrance device 320) having a displaceable downstream movable body (lower opening / closing body 322);
An upstream opening (upper large winning opening 311), which is provided on the upstream side of the downstream variable entry section in the downstream path following the downstream variable entry section and into which gaming balls can flow, and enters the upstream opening An upstream variable entrance (upper side) having a ball capable receiving position and an upstream movable body (upper open / close body 312) displaceable to a non-receiving position where it is difficult to enter the upstream opening from the receiving position Variable ball entry device 310),
The switching control means has means for switching the upstream variable ball entering portion and the downstream variable ball entering portion to the non-accepting state and the accepting state in a predetermined order when in the special game state. And
The passage route between the upstream variable ball entering portion and the downstream variable ball entering portion is a game in which the upstream variable restricting portion is passed through the upstream restricting means when the upstream variable ball entering portion is in the non-accepting state The period required for the ball to reach the downstream variable ball entry unit is configured to be a predetermined period determined in advance,
As a switching mode by the switching control means,
A first switching mode of switching the downstream variable ball entering portion into the non-accepting state after switching the downstream variable ball entering portion from the non-receiving state to the receiving state;
The second switching that switches the downstream variable ball entry unit from the non-accepting state to the receiving state and switches the downstream variable bulb unit from the receiving state to the non-receiving condition at a later timing than the first switching mode An aspect is provided,
At least a part of the period in which the receiving state is set in the first switching mode is after the predetermined period has elapsed since the upstream variable ball entry unit switches from the receiving state to the non-receiving state. While at least a part of the period in the receiving state in the second switching mode is configured so as not to include the period, the upstream variable ball entry unit is not in the non-receiving state from the receiving state. A game machine characterized in that it is configured to include a period after the predetermined period has elapsed since switching to the receiving state.

  According to the feature B3, for the passage route provided between the upstream variable ball entering portion and the downstream variable ball entering portion, the required period required for the game ball to pass is a predetermined period. It is done. Thus, the downstream variable ball entry is performed by the timing at which the upstream variable ball entry unit switches from the receiving state to the non-receiving state, the predetermined period, and the period when the downstream variable ball entry unit is switched from the non-receiving state to the receiving state. The presence or absence of entering the ball will be influenced. Specifically, when the switching mode by the switching means becomes the second switching mode as compared to the case where the switching mode becomes the first switching mode, the downstream variable entering ball of the gaming ball which bypasses the upstream variable ball entry unit The probability of entering the club increases. As described above, after making the time required for passage steady, the special game is performed by giving the relevancy corresponding to the above-mentioned predetermined period to the switching mode between the upstream variable ball entry and the downstream variable ball entry. It is possible to diversify the game in the state and to contribute to the improvement of the degree of attention to the game in the special game state.

Feature B4. A game board (game board 60) in which a game area (game area PE) is formed,
A starting ball receiving portion (operation ball receiving portions 62, 63) provided in the game area;
Determination means (MPU 602 of the main control device 162 determines whether or not to shift the gaming state to a special gaming state (opening / closing execution mode) that is more advantageous to the player than usual based on entering the ball into the starting ball entry section. Lottery function), and
Gaming state transition means (transition function of the MPU 602 of the main control device 162) for transitioning to the special gaming state when the determination result by the determination means becomes a transition correspondence result corresponding to transition to the special gaming state;
A variable ball entry unit (variable ball entry device 310) which is provided in the gaming area and can switch to a non-accepting state where entering the ball is more difficult than entering the receiving state where the gaming ball can flow into the gaming area. , 320),
And a switching control unit (switching function of the MPU 602 of the main control device 162) for switching the variable ball entering unit between the receiving state and the non-receiving state when shifting to the special game state.
The variable ball entry unit is
A downstream opening (lower big winning opening 321) where game balls can flow in, a receiving position where the player can enter the downstream opening, and a non-receiving position where entering the downstream opening is more difficult than the receiving position. A downstream variable entrance ball unit (lower variable entrance device 320) having a displaceable downstream movable body (lower opening / closing body 322);
An upstream opening (upper large winning opening 311), which is provided on the upstream side of the downstream variable entry section in the downstream path following the downstream variable entry section and into which gaming balls can flow, and enters the upstream opening An upstream variable entrance (upper side) having a ball capable receiving position and an upstream movable body (upper open / close body 312) displaceable to a non-receiving position where it is difficult to enter the upstream opening from the receiving position Variable ball entry device 310),
The switching control means has means for switching the upstream variable ball entering portion and the downstream variable ball entering portion to the non-accepting state and the accepting state in a predetermined order when in the special game state. And
The passage route between the upstream variable ball entering portion and the downstream variable ball entering portion is a game in which the upstream variable restricting portion is passed through the upstream restricting means when the upstream variable ball entering portion is in the non-accepting state The period required for the ball to reach the variable ball entry unit is configured to be a predetermined period that has been determined in advance.
As a switching mode by the switching control means,
A first switching mode of switching the downstream variable entering ball into the receiving state before the predetermined period elapses after the upstream variable entering ball portion switches from the receiving state to the non-receiving state;
A second switching mode is provided for switching the downstream variable entering ball into the receiving state after the predetermined period elapses after the upstream variable entering ball portion switches from the receiving state to the non-receiving state A game machine characterized by

  According to the feature B4, for the passage route provided between the upstream variable ball entering portion and the downstream variable ball entering portion, the required period required for the game ball to pass is a predetermined period. It is done. Thus, the downstream variable ball entry is performed by the timing at which the upstream variable ball entry unit switches from the receiving state to the non-receiving state, the predetermined period, and the period when the downstream variable ball entry unit is in the receiving state from the non-receiving The presence or absence of entering the ball will be influenced. Specifically, when the switching mode by the switching means becomes the second switching mode as compared to the case where the switching mode becomes the first switching mode, the downstream variable entering ball of the gaming ball which bypasses the upstream variable ball entry unit The probability of entering the club increases. As described above, after making the time required for passage steady, the special game is performed by giving the relevancy corresponding to the above-mentioned predetermined period to the switching mode between the upstream variable ball entry and the downstream variable ball entry. It is possible to diversify the game in the state and to contribute to the improvement of the degree of attention to the game in the special game state.

  Feature B5. The first switching mode switches the downstream variable ball entering portion from the non-receiving state to the receiving state before the predetermined period elapses after switching the upstream variable ball entering portion to the non-receiving state The gaming machine according to the feature B3 or the feature B4, which is configured as follows.

  According to the feature B5, in the special game state corresponding to the first switching mode, the upstream variable entering ball becomes non-accepting and after the movement of the gaming ball along the passage route is permitted, the upstream variable entering Before the gaming ball having passed the ball portion reaches the downstream variable ball receiving portion, the downstream variable ball receiving portion switches to the non-accepting state (returns). In the first place, even if it is not expected to enter the downstream variable ball entry part, the downstream variable ball entry part can be changed by switching the downstream variable ball entry part to the receiving state before reaching the game ball. It can appear as if a gaming ball moving toward the ball enters the downstream variable ball entry unit. Therefore, for example, it is possible to contribute to the improvement of the player's attention as compared with the configuration in which the downstream variable ball entry unit is not opened.

Feature B6. A switching unit for switching the downstream variable entering ball portion to the receiving state at a timing when a first period has elapsed after the upstream variable entering ball portion is in the non-accepting state in the first switching mode;
At the timing when the second period, which is the same as or equivalent to the first period, has passed from the upstream variable ball entry portion in the non-accepting state in the second switching mode, The gaming machine according to feature B5, further comprising means for switching to the reception state.

  As shown in the feature B5, clarifying the difference in the degree of advantage between the first switching mode and the second switching mode suppresses the progression of the game out of the specification of the gaming machine, etc. It is advantageous in securing such certainty. However, in the case where such a configuration is simply applied, the possibility that the downstream variable ball entering portion switches to the receiving state before the predetermined period has elapsed is the possibility of ball entering the downstream variable ball entering portion Can be a factor to deny This is not preferable because it causes the player's attention to be reduced early.

  Therefore, as shown in the present feature, when the second switching mode is selected (in detail, a part thereof), the downstream side variable ball entry unit is configured to align the timing of switching to the receiving state with the first switching mode. By doing this, even if the downstream variable ball entry unit is switched to the receiving state at an early timing, it is possible to leave the possibility of ball entry to the downstream variable light entry unit. Thereby, the occurrence of the above-mentioned inconvenience can be suitably suppressed.

  Feature B7. In the first switching mode, the downstream variable ball entering portion is returned from the receiving state to the non-receiving state before the predetermined period elapses after the upstream variable ball entering portion is switched to the non-receiving state. The gaming machine according to the feature B5 or the feature B6, which is configured to cause

  According to the feature B5, in the special game state corresponding to the first switching mode, the upstream variable entering ball becomes non-accepting and after the movement of the gaming ball along the passage route is permitted, the upstream variable entering Before the gaming ball having passed the ball portion reaches the downstream variable ball receiving portion, the downstream variable ball receiving portion switches to the non-accepting state (returns). As described above, by configuring the non-acceptance state → the acceptance state → the non-acceptance state within a predetermined period, the game ball that has passed the upstream variable ball entry unit enters the downstream variable ball entry unit. The ball will be avoided. This makes it possible to clarify differences in advantages and disadvantages depending on which of the first switching mode and the second switching mode is selected, and secure the certainty.

  Feature B8. As the switching mode by the switching control means, when the predetermined period elapses after the upstream variable ball entry unit switches from the receiving state to the non-receiving state, the downstream side variable entering is performed so as to include the predetermined period. A game machine according to any one of features B3 to B7, characterized in that a third switching mode is provided in which a period of time in which the ball portion is in the receiving state is set.

  According to the feature B8, in the special game state corresponding to the third switching mode, the downstream variable ball entry portion crosses the timing when the predetermined period has elapsed while being in the receiving state. The predetermined period described above may include some variation depending on the movement of the gaming ball each time. Therefore, by utilizing such a variation, in the third switching mode, the presence or absence of the occurrence of ball entry can be indeterminate, and the results can be diversified. By setting the third switching mode in addition to the above-described first / second switching mode, diversification of the game in the special gaming state can be realized.

Feature B9. The game ball emission means (game ball emission mechanism 110) for emitting the game balls in a predetermined cycle based on a release operation by the player.
The downstream opening is opened upward,
The downstream movable body is configured to cover the downstream opening when the downstream variable ball entering portion is in the non-reception state, and the gaming ball can roll on the downstream movable body. Has been
The game according to any one of features B3 to B8, wherein a time required for the game ball to pass on the downstream side movable body is set to be longer than the predetermined cycle. Machine.

  In a game machine of a type in which game balls are fired periodically in response to a player's firing operation, the arrival timing to the downstream variable ball entry unit may be around that cycle. In the case where the passage period in the passage route is to be made steady by the passage structure, it is difficult to eliminate such variations. Certainly, although it is possible to eliminate the above variation by a movable body such as a ball feeding member, it is strongly felt that the presence or absence of entering the ball into the downstream variable ball entry part is determined beforehand by the gaming machine It is assumed that the effect of increasing the player's attention to the movement of the gaming ball will not be exhibited well. Therefore, as shown in the present feature, the occurrence of the above-mentioned inconvenience can be suitably suppressed by adopting a configuration in which the variation on the above-mentioned cycle is absorbed by the downstream variable ball entry portion (near the downstream movable body). .

  The technical ideas shown in the features B5 to B9 can also be applied to the features B1 or B2.

Feature B10. As the normal gaming state, a first normal gaming state (for example, a normal gaming state for low frequency support mode) and a second normal gaming state (for example, high frequency support mode) that is more advantageous to the player than the first normal gaming state The normal gaming state of) is set,
A unit that sets the first switching mode as a switching mode of the downstream variable ball entry unit by the switching control unit when the transition response results under the first normal gaming state And means for setting the second switching mode as a switching mode of the downstream variable ball entry unit by the switching control means when the transition response results in the second normal gaming state. And the game machine according to any one of features B1 to B9.

  According to the feature B10, when the game state is advantageous, if the transition response result is obtained, the subsequent game can be advanced more advantageously. About such kind of bias, it is advantageous in strengthening the sharpness of the game. If the technical idea shown in the feature B1 and the like is applied, the effect can be exhibited with a simple configuration.

  The basic configuration of a gaming machine to which the above-described features can be applied will be shown below.

  Pachinko gaming machine: operation means (game ball emission handle 41) operated by the player, game ball emission means (game ball emission mechanism 110) for emitting game balls based on the operation of the operation means, and the emitted A ball passage (guide passage 103 of induction rail 100, etc.) for guiding game balls to a predetermined game area (playing region PE), and each game component (nail, etc.) disposed in the game region are provided. A gaming machine that provides a bonus to a player when a gaming ball passes through a predetermined passage portion (general winning opening 61 or the like) among them.

  Throttle type gaming machines such as slot machines: A variable display means is provided to display symbols in the final stop mode after variably displaying a symbol row consisting of a plurality of symbols, and the variation of symbols starts due to the operation of the starting operation means The variation of the symbol is stopped due to the operation of the operation means for stop or by the lapse of a predetermined time, the special stop game advantageous to the player as a necessary condition that the final stop symbol at the time of the stop is a specific symbol A gaming machine that generates a status (a bonus game, etc.).

  Ball-use belt-type gaming machine: A variable display means is provided for variably displaying a symbol row consisting of a plurality of symbols and then displaying the symbol row at the final stop, and the variation of symbols is started and stopped due to the operation of the starting operation means The variation of the symbol is stopped due to the operation of the operating means for the game or by the elapse of a predetermined time, the special gaming state (bonus advantageous to the player as a necessary condition that the final stop symbol at the time of the stop is a specific symbol A throwing device for generating a game, etc., and further providing a ball saucer to take in game balls from the ball saucer, and a payout device for paying out gaming balls to the ball saucer; A game machine configured such that the operation of the starting operation means becomes effective when a game ball is inserted.

  10: Pachinko machine as a game machine, 41: game ball launch handle, 60: game board, 64: variable entry unit, 110: game ball launch mechanism as game ball launch means, 162: main control device, 310: upstream Upper variable ball entry device as a side variable ball entry unit, 311 ... upper large winning hole, 312 ... upper opening / closing body, 313 ... variable ball entry drive unit, 320 ... lower variable ball entry device as downstream variable ball entry unit , 321 ... lower side big winning opening, 322 ... lower opening / closing body, 323 ... variable ball entry drive unit, 324 ... special ball entry unit as advantageous ball entry unit, 325 ... lower side detection sensor, 350 ... base body, 351 ... communication passage, 602 ... MPU, PE ... game area.

Claims (2)

A game board in which a game area is formed,
A starting ball entry portion provided in the game area;
Determining means for determining whether to transition to an advantageous special game state to the player the game state based on the input spheres to the starting ball entrance portion,
Gaming state transition means for transitioning to the special game state when the determination result by the determination means becomes the transition correspondence result corresponding to the transition to the special game state;
A reception state in which game balls flowing in the game area can enter and a variable ball entry unit that can be switched to a non-reception state where it is more difficult to enter the ball than the reception state, provided in the game area;
And a switching control unit that switches the variable ball entry unit between the receiving state and the non-receiving state when shifting to the special game state.
The variable ball entry unit is
A first opening through which gaming balls can flow, a receiving position where the gaming balls can enter the first opening, and a first movable body that can be switched to a non-receiving position where entering the gaming balls is more difficult than the receiving position. A first variable ball entry portion having
A second opening through which game balls can flow, a receiving position where the game balls can enter the second opening, and a second movable body switchable to a non-receiving position where entering the game balls is more difficult than the receiving position. And a second variable entry ball portion having
The switching control means has means for switching the first variable ball entry unit and the second variable ball entry unit to the non-reception state and the reception state in a predetermined order when the special game state is in effect. And
The transition correspondence result is the period from when the first variable ball entry part becomes the non-reception state to the non-reception state, and until the second variable ball entry part becomes the reception state from the non-reception state. Bei give a period setting means for setting in accordance with the transition corresponding result of the type and kind of game status at the time of a said transition corresponding results if,
A high probability mode and a low probability mode in which the probability of becoming the transition correspondence result becomes relatively high and low are provided as modes of transition judgment by the judgment means,
The game ball having flowed into the second opening is provided with means for transitioning to the game state corresponding to the high probability mode after the end of the special game state, by reaching a predetermined location.
Between the first variable ball entry unit and the second variable ball entry unit, a guide path is provided for guiding the game ball that has not entered the first variable ball entry unit to the second variable ball entry unit. It has been
The guide route is configured such that a period required for the game ball having passed through the first variable ball entry unit to reach the second variable ball entry unit is a predetermined period.
The period setting means is means for setting the period set by the period setting means to be a first period defined to be shorter than the predetermined period, and the period set by the period setting means Means for setting a second period defined to be longer than the predetermined period . The gaming machine according to claim 1, which is a pachinko machine.

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