JP6701485B2 - Amusement machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine represented by a pachinko gaming machine.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a gaming machine represented by a pachinko gaming machine, which informs the player of that fact when the probability variation function is activated and the gaming state becomes a high probability state, and which does not inform the player. As a gaming machine that does not notify the player of the high probability state, for example, there is a gaming machine in which the operation of the probability variation function is always fixed when a big hit is won (that is, a gaming machine with low need for notification).

  In addition, the gaming machine uses a backup power supply circuit or the like to store information on a gaming state, which is a high probability state, in a memory even when the main power source is off. When the main power source is turned on, the gaming machine refers to the information stored in the memory and determines the gaming state immediately after starting. Therefore, if the information of the high probability state is stored, the gaming state immediately after the start becomes the high probability state. Therefore, when the gaming state immediately after starting is a high-probability state, the gaming machine displays a high-probability state on a display provided in the gaming machine, for example, as in Patent Document 1, and displays a message such as morning. It prevents fraud.

JP2012-65682A

  As described above, in a gaming machine that does not notify that it is in the high probability state when it is in the high probability state, the information indicating the high probability state is not output to the hall computer. Therefore, it is difficult for the hall computer to manage the gaming state of the gaming machine. Even with such a gaming machine, the staff of the hall can grasp the gaming status of each gaming machine by notifying the gaming status immediately after starting using the display as in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1. ，May be mistaken for visual confirmation. Therefore, it is difficult to manage the gaming state immediately after the gaming machine is started, and it may be forgotten to initialize the memory of the gaming machine in the high probability state.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the conventional technique. That is, the problem is to provide a technology that makes it easy to manage the gaming state immediately after the gaming machine is started.

  The present invention takes the following means in order to solve the above problems. In the description of the means described below, corresponding configuration names and expressions in the embodiments for carrying out the invention described below, and reference numerals used in the drawings are added in parentheses for reference. However, the constituent elements of the present invention are not limited to the supplementary notes.

The gaming machine of the present invention,
In the gaming machine that can give a privilege to the player depending on the result of the lottery game,
High-probability-state transition means capable of transitioning from a normal probability state to a high-probability state when the first transition condition is satisfied,
Low probability transition means for transitioning from the high probability state to the normal probability state when a second transition condition is satisfied,
Informing means for informing that the gaming state is the high probability state, provided that the information that the gaming state is the high probability state is held when the main power source is turned on. ，
When the main power source is turned on from off, a special signal indicating that the gaming state is the high probability state is provided, provided that the information that the gaming state is the high probability state is held. Output means to output to the external equipment of the machine,
Equipped with
The notifying means notifies that the gaming state is the high-probability state until the first gaming lottery is executed after the main power source is turned on,
The special signal is a signal which, after the main power supply is turned on, maintains an on state until the gaming state transitions from the high probability state to the normal probability state and then switches to the off state,
It is a game machine characterized by that.

  According to the present invention, a technology that facilitates the management of the game state immediately after the game machine is activated is realized.

It is a perspective view of a pachinko gaming machine according to an embodiment. It is a front view of the game board of the pachinko gaming machine according to the embodiment. It is a figure which shows the indicator in the frame A of the pachinko game machine shown in FIG. It is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a main control board and peripheral devices of the pachinko gaming machine. It is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a sub-control board and peripheral devices of the pachinko gaming machine. It is a figure which shows the determination table of a big hit. It is a figure which shows the determination table of a jackpot type. It is a figure which shows the opening mode table of a special winning opening. It is a figure which shows the determination table of reach. It is a diagram showing a variation pattern table in the lottery of the first special symbol. It is the figure which shows the fluctuation pattern table in the lottery of the 2nd special design. It is a figure which shows the determination table of a normal hit. It is a timing chart showing each timing of on/off of a main power source, a game state, presence/absence of notification of a high probability state, presence/absence of signal output to a hall computer, showing a case where a RAM clear switch is pressed. It is a timing chart showing each timing of ON/OFF of the main power source, gaming state, presence/absence of notification of a high probability state, presence/absence of signal output to the hall computer, and is a diagram showing a case where the notification stop condition is satisfied. .. It is a flow chart which shows the procedure of the main side starting processing in a main control board. It is a flow chart which shows the procedure of power-on processing in a main control board. It is a flow chart which shows the procedure of main side timer interruption processing in a main control board. It is a flow chart which shows the procedure of the sensor detection processing in the main control board. It is a flow chart which shows the procedure of the normal operation processing in the main control board. It is a flow chart which shows the procedure of special operation processing in a main control board. It is a flow chart which shows the procedure of special design standby processing in a main control board. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the jackpot determination process in a main control board. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of a high-precision notification completion process in a main control board. It is a flow chart which shows the procedure of processing during special symbol change in a main control board. It is a flow chart which shows the procedure of the special design decision processing in the main control board. It is a flow chart which shows the procedure of the game state management processing in a main control board. It is the flowchart which shows the procedure of the big hit game processing in the main control board. It is a flow chart which shows the procedure of the game state setting processing in a main control board. It is a flow chart which shows the procedure of the power supply cutoff monitoring processing in the main control board. It is a flow chart which shows the procedure of the sub side starting processing in a sub control board. It is a flow chart which shows the procedure of 2ms timer interruption processing in a sub-control board. It is a flow chart which shows the procedure of 10 ms timer interruption processing in a sub-control board. It is a flow chart which shows the procedure of received command analysis processing in a sub-control board.

  Hereinafter, the gaming machine according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to a pachinko game machine. In the following description, the left-right direction of each part of the pachinko gaming machine is the same as the left-right direction for the player facing the pachinko gaming machine. The front side of each part of the pachinko gaming machine is the side closer to the player facing the pachinko gaming machine, and the rear side of each part of the pachinko gaming machine is the side far from the player facing the pachinko gaming machine.

1. Structure of Pachinko Gaming Machine 1 As shown in FIG. 1, the pachinko gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment includes a gaming machine frame 50 and a gaming board 2 mounted in the gaming machine frame 50. The gaming machine frame 50 is composed of a front frame 51, an inner frame 52, and an outer frame 53 in order from the front side. In addition, the pachinko gaming machine 1 includes an upper decoration unit 200, a left decoration unit 210, a right decoration unit 220, and an operation unit 230 on a front frame 51 in the front of the game machine frame 50.

  Further, the operation unit 230 of the pachinko gaming machine 1 includes an effect button 63, a cross button 68, a handle 60, a hitting ball supply tray 61, and an extra ball receiving tray 62. The cross button 68 and the effect button 63 are provided on the front side of the pachinko gaming machine 1, specifically, on the upper front side of the hitting ball supply tray 61. Therefore, the player can easily operate the cross button 68 and the effect button 63 from near the front of the pachinko gaming machine 1.

  The handle 60 is located in the lower center of the front frame 51 and is operated by the player to input the launch intensity of the game ball according to the rotation angle to the pachinko gaming machine 1. The hitting ball supply plate 61 is located below the center of the front frame 51 and stores game balls. The surplus ball receiving tray 62 is located below the hit ball supplying tray 61 and stores game balls that cannot be accommodated in the hit ball supplying tray 61.

  The right decoration unit 220 of the pachinko gaming machine 1 includes a sword member 222 that imitates the shape of a part of a sword and a handle. The sword member 222 can be pushed downward by the player, and the pachinko gaming machine 1 can detect the pushing operation of the sword member 222. That is, the sword member 222 is one of the input devices. The sword member 222 is also provided on the front side of the pachinko gaming machine 1, and the player can easily operate the sword member 222 from near the front of the pachinko gaming machine 1.

  Further, the pachinko gaming machine 1 is provided with a frame lamp 66 and a speaker 67 for decoration on the front frame 51. Of these, the frame lamp 66 is provided in the upper decoration unit 200, and is configured by four light emitting units imitating the shape of an alphabet, and each light emitting unit is individually or simultaneously turned on according to the necessity of various effects.

  Further, the speakers 67 are provided on the left side and the right side of the front frame 51, respectively, and output various sounds such as voice, music, sound effect, notification sound, and the like as needed. For example, during game control of the pachinko gaming machine 1, voice, music, sound effects, etc. are output according to the effect. Further, when an abnormality occurs in the pachinko gaming machine 1 during the game, in order to notify the abnormality, for example, a notification sound such as a siren sound is output. Note that the speaker 67 provided on the left side is arranged immediately below the upper decoration unit 200, like the speaker 67 provided on the right side, and is not shown in FIG. 1.

  Next, the game board 2 of the pachinko gaming machine 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the pachinko gaming machine 1 is provided with a rail member 4 and a plurality of gaming nails (reference numerals are omitted) on a gaming board 2. A part of the game board 2 is surrounded by a rail member 4, and a game area 3 in which a game ball can roll is formed. The rail member 4 guides the game balls shot from below the game area 3 toward above the game area 3.

  Further, the pachinko gaming machine 1 is provided with an image display device 7 having a liquid crystal display member near the center of the game area 3. Further, the pachinko gaming machine 1 is provided below the image display device 7 in the game area 3, and includes a fixed winning device 19 in which a first starting opening 20 in which the ease of entering a game ball does not always change is assembled. The winning of the game ball into the first starting opening 20 is a trigger for the lottery of the first special symbol by the pachinko gaming machine 1. The lottery for the first special symbol is one of the lottery for jackpots, and the details will be described later.

  Further, the pachinko gaming machine 1 is provided with a center ornament 10 in front of the image display device 7, and further with a stage portion 11 below the center ornament 10 with the image display device 7 interposed therebetween. The stage unit 11 guides the game ball to the first starting opening 20. Further, the pachinko gaming machine 1 includes a warp portion 12 on the lower left side of the center decoration body 10. The warp unit 12 guides the game ball to the stage unit 11.

  In addition, the pachinko gaming machine 1 includes a decorative movable body 15 on the center decorative body 10. The decorative movable body 15 is a movable so-called gimmick. The decorative movable body 15 is changed from the storage state in which it is compactly folded and stored in the upper portion of the image display device 7 to the exposed state in which the folding is released and the front portion including the central portion of the image display device 7 is exposed. It can be displaced. The decorative movable body 15 is displaced in accordance with the effect, for example, during the game control of the pachinko gaming machine 1.

  Further, the pachinko gaming machine 1 is provided with a normal variable winning device 22 below the first starting opening 20 in the game area 3. Hereinafter, the normal variable winning device 22 will be referred to as "Den Chu 22". The power cable 22 has a second starting port 21. The winning of the game ball to the second starting opening 21 is a trigger for the lottery of the second special symbol by the pachinko gaming machine 1. The lottery for the second special symbol is also one of the lottery for jackpots, and the details will be described later. The power tube 22 includes a movable member 23, and the second starting port 21 is opened and closed by the operation of the movable member 23.

  The second starting opening 21 allows the game ball to enter only when the movable member 23 is in the open position in the open position. On the other hand, when the movable member 23 is in the closed position in the closed position, the game ball cannot enter. In this case, the game ball that has reached the upper side of the second starting port 21 is flipped in the left-right direction of the movable member 23. That is, the second starting opening 21 has different ease of entering the game ball depending on the position of the movable member 23. This point is different from the first starting opening 20 in which the ease of entering the game ball does not always change. It should be noted that when the movable member 23 is in the closed state, it is sufficient that the game ball can enter the second starting port 21 more than in the opened state, and the movable member 23 does not have to be completely incapable of entering in the closed state. Good.

  In addition, the pachinko gaming machine 1 is provided with a first big winning device 31 having a first big winning opening 30 in the game area 3 on the upper right of the fixed winning device 19, that is, on the upper right of the game board 2. Further, the first big winning device 31 includes an opening/closing member 32, and the opening/closing member 32 is operated to open/close the first big winning opening 30. The first special winning opening 30 allows the game ball to enter only when the opening/closing member 32 is in the open position, and when the opening/closing member 32 is in the closed position, the game ball is Will not be able to enter. The opening/closing member 32 is in a closed state as long as it is more difficult for the game ball to enter the first special winning opening 30 than in the open state, and the opening/closing member 32 does not have to be completely incapable of entering. ..

  In addition, the pachinko gaming machine 1 is provided with a second special winning device 36 having a second special winning opening 35 diagonally right above the game area 3 above the first special winning opening 30, that is, the game board 2. There is. Further, the second special winning device 36 includes an opening/closing member 37, and the operation of the opening/closing member 37 opens/closes the second special winning opening 35. The second special winning opening 35 allows game balls to enter only when the opening/closing member 37 is in the open state, and when the opening/closing member 37 is in the closed position, the game ball is in the closed state. Will not be able to enter. The opening/closing member 37 is in the closed state as long as it is more difficult for the game ball to enter the second special winning opening 35 than in the open state, and the opening/closing member 37 need not be completely incapable of entering. ..

  In addition, the pachinko gaming machine 1 is provided with a first gate 28 through which a game ball can pass, on the lower left side of the center ornament 10 in the game area 3. In addition, the pachinko gaming machine 1 is provided with a second gate 29 through which a game ball can pass, above the first start opening 20 in the game area 3 and above the first special winning opening 30. The passage of the game ball to the first gate 28 and the second gate 29 is a trigger for the lottery of the normal symbol that decides whether or not to open the electric Chu 22. The details of the ordinary symbol lottery will also be described later. In the following description, the first gate 28 and the second gate 29 are collectively referred to as a gate.

  Further, the pachinko gaming machine 1 further has, in the game area 3, one or a plurality of ordinary winning openings 27, and an outlet 16 for discharging a game ball that has not won any of the winning openings to the outside of the playing area 3. is doing.

  In this way, the game area 3 in which various winning openings and the like are arranged has a left game area 3A located on the left side of the center in the left-right direction and a right game area 3B located on the right side. The method of hitting by a player who shoots a game ball so that the game ball rolls in the left game area 3A is called "left hitting". On the other hand, the way the player hits the game ball so that the game ball rolls in the right game area 3B is called "right hitting". In the pachinko gaming machine 1, in the case of left-handed play, the winning of the first start opening 20 is easy to aim at. On the other hand, in the case of right-handed striking, the second start opening 21, the first big winning opening 30, and the second big winning opening 35 are easily aimed.

  Further, the pachinko gaming machine 1 includes a display device 40 on the upper right side of the game board 2. In the display device 40, as shown in FIG. 3, a first special symbol display device 41a that variably displays the first special symbol, a second special symbol display device 41b that variably displays the second special symbol, and a normal symbol And a normal symbol display 42 for variably displaying. In addition, in the display device 40, the first special symbol reservation display 43a for displaying the number of memories of the operation reserve of the first special symbol display 41a, and the number of memories of the operation reserve of the second special symbol display 41b are displayed. The second special figure hold indicator 43b, the ordinary figure hold indicator 44 that displays the number of memory of the operation hold of the normal symbol display 42, and the high probability of notifying that the gaming state immediately after startup is the high probability state A status indicator 45 (so-called morning lamp) is included. The gaming state of the pachinko gaming machine 1 will be described later.

  The display change of the first special symbol is carried out upon the winning of the game ball into the first starting opening 20. The display change of the second special symbol is carried out upon the winning of the game ball into the second starting opening 21. In the following description, the first special symbol and the second special symbol are collectively referred to as a special symbol. Moreover, when the first special symbol display device 41a and the second special symbol display device 41b are generically referred to, they are called special symbol display device 41. Further, the first special figure reservation indicator 43a and the second special figure reservation indicator 43b are collectively referred to as the special figure reservation indicator 43.

  In the pachinko gaming machine 1, a big hit lottery is carried out when the winning in the first starting opening 20 or the second starting opening 21 is triggered. Therefore, the pachinko gaming machine 1 causes the special symbol display 41 to variably display the special symbol, and then stops and displays the stop symbol which is the special symbol corresponding to the lottery result, so that the jackpot lottery by the pachinko gaming machine 1 is performed. Notify the result of. The stop symbol is one special symbol selected from a plurality of types of special symbols according to the result of the lottery. When the jackpot is won, the pachinko gaming machine 1 controls the jackpot game in which the first big winning opening 30 and the second big winning opening 35 are opened. The jackpot game is also called a special game. The opening patterns of the first special winning opening 30 and the second special winning opening 35 in the jackpot game will be described later.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the special symbol display 41 is composed of eight LEDs, and the lighting mode thereof displays a special symbol according to the result of the jackpot lottery by the pachinko gaming machine 1. The special symbol display device 41 displays the special symbol corresponding to the winning of the jackpot, for example, "○○●●○○●●" (○: lit, ●unlit), according to a predetermined symbol, left The first, second, fifth, and sixth LEDs are turned on. Further, the special symbol display 41 lights up the eighth LED from the left according to a predetermined symbol such as "●●●●●●●○" as a display of the special symbol in the case of a loss. Let Further, before the special symbol is stopped and displayed, the variable display of the special symbol is performed for a predetermined variation time. The mode of this variable display may be any mode other than the mode in which each LED is stopped and displayed, for example, by lighting each LED so that the lighting location flows from left to right.

  The pachinko gaming machine 1 acquires a jackpot random number which is a random number for a jackpot when the game ball is won in the first starting opening 20 or the second starting opening 21, and the jackpot random number is obtained. It is temporarily stored in a specific storage area of its own memory. In detail, if there is a winning in the first starting port 20, the obtained jackpot random number is stored in a storage area for the first starting port 20 (first special figure reservation storage unit 85a shown in FIG. 4 described later), If there is a winning in the second starting opening 21, the obtained jackpot random number is stored in the storage area for the second starting opening 21 (the second special figure reservation storage unit 85b shown in FIG. 4 described later). There is an upper limit to the number of jackpot random numbers that can be stored in each storage area, and in the pachinko gaming machine 1, both the first special figure reservation storage unit 85a and the second special figure reservation storage unit 85b have an upper limit number of four.

  The stored jackpot random numbers are digested by satisfying the digestion conditions that enable the display of special symbols based on the values. The digestion of the jackpot random number is that the pachinko gaming machine 1 determines whether the value of the jackpot random number is a value corresponding to the jackpot, and executes the display of the special symbol to show the determination result, and the stop symbol. Completion is displayed by stopping. Therefore, in the pachinko gaming machine 1, when the special symbol based on the winning of the game ball to the first starting opening 20 or the second starting opening 21 cannot be displayed immediately after the winning, for example, the special symbol based on the last lottery result Even if a prize is won during variable display or during the jackpot game, the jackpot lottery right for the prize can be reserved up to the maximum number. The suspension of the lottery right is called suspension of special drawing. Further, the special figure reservation for the winning in the first starting port 20 is referred to as the first special figure reservation, and the special figure reservation for the winning in the second starting port 21 is referred to as the second special figure reservation.

  It should be noted that the digestion conditions for the first special figure reservation stored in the first special figure reservation storage unit 85a include the first special character stored in the first special figure reservation storage unit 85a prior to the first special figure reservation. It includes that there is no figure reservation, that is, that the first special figure reservation stored previously has been exhausted. In addition, the digestion condition for the second special figure reservation stored in the second special figure reservation storage unit 85b includes the second special feature stored in the second special figure reservation storage unit 85b prior to the second special figure reservation. This includes the fact that there is no figure reservation, that is, that the second special figure reservation stored previously has been exhausted. Further, in the pachinko gaming machine 1, the digestion of the second special map reservation is prioritized over the digestion of the first special map reservation. Therefore, the extinguishing condition for the first special figure hold includes the absence of the second special figure hold.

  The pachinko game machine 1 displays the number of special figure reservations as described above on the special figure reservation display 43. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the special figure reservation indicator 43 includes a first special figure reservation indicator 43a composed of four LEDs, and also has a second special figure reservation indicator 43b. It is composed of LEDs. The pachinko gaming machine 1 displays the number of special figure reservations by turning on the LEDs for each special figure reservation number on the special figure reservation display 43.

  Further, in the pachinko gaming machine 1, the normal symbol lottery is performed upon the passage of the game ball to the gate. Therefore, the pachinko gaming machine 1 notifies the result of the ordinary symbol lottery by the pachinko gaming machine 1 by displaying the ordinary symbol on the ordinary symbol display device 42 in a variable manner and then stopping and displaying the ordinary symbol corresponding to the lottery result. To do. The ordinary symbol displayed in a stopped state is one ordinary symbol selected from a plurality of types of ordinary symbols in accordance with the result of the lottery. In addition, according to the lottery result of the ordinary symbol lottery, the pachinko gaming machine 1 controls the auxiliary game for opening the second starting opening 21. The opening pattern of the second starting opening 21 in the auxiliary game will be described later.

  Specifically, the normal symbol display device 42, as shown in FIG. 3, is composed of two LEDs, and displays the normal symbol corresponding to the result of the ordinary symbol lottery by the pachinko gaming machine 1 depending on the lighting mode. .. Ordinary symbol display 42, as a display of the specific ordinary symbol corresponding to the winning per ordinary symbol lottery, for example, "○○" (○: lighting, ● unlit), such as a predetermined symbol Then, both LEDs are turned on. Further, the normal symbol display device 42 lights up the left LED according to a predetermined normal symbol such as "●○" as the display of the normal symbol in the case of a loss. Before the normal symbol is stopped and displayed, the variable display of the normal symbol is performed for a predetermined variation time. The mode of this variable display may be any mode other than the mode in which each LED is stopped and displayed, for example, both LEDs are alternately turned on.

  Pachinko gaming machine 1, when there is a passage of the game ball to the gate, the value of the ordinary symbol random number which is a random number for the ordinary symbol for the passage is acquired, and the ordinary symbol random number is specified in its own memory. Is temporarily stored in the storage area of (in FIG. There is an upper limit to the number of normal symbol random numbers that can be stored in the storage area, and in the pachinko gaming machine 1, the upper limit number is 4.

  The stored normal symbol random number is digested on condition that the normal symbol based on the value can be displayed. The digestion of the value of the normal symbol random number means that the pachinko gaming machine 1 determines whether or not the value of the ordinary symbol random number corresponds to the ordinary hit, and executes the display of the ordinary symbol to show the determination result. It is completed by stopping and displaying the ordinary symbol corresponding to the lottery result. Therefore, in the pachinko gaming machine 1, when the normal symbol based on the passage of the game ball to the gate cannot be displayed immediately after the passage, for example, during the variable display of the normal symbol based on the last lottery result or during the execution of the auxiliary game. Even if the game ball passes through the gate, the maximum number of game balls can be set to four and the right to draw a regular symbol for the passage can be reserved. The suspension of the right to draw the lottery is referred to as the universal map suspension.

  It should be noted that the digest condition for the universal figure hold stored in the universal figure hold storage unit 86 is that there is no universal figure hold stored in the universal figure hold storage unit 86 prior to the universal figure hold, that is, the universal figure hold first. This includes the fact that all the universal figure reservations stored in the figure reservation storage unit 86 have been exhausted.

  The pachinko gaming machine 1 displays the number of public figure reservations as described above on the general figure reservation display 44. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the universal figure hold indicator 44 is composed of four LEDs, and the number of the universal figure hold is displayed by turning on the LEDs for the number of the universal figure hold. ..

  Further, the pachinko gaming machine 1 has, as a gaming state, a "normal probability state" and a "high probability state" in which the probability of winning a jackpot is higher than the normal probability state. Details of the game state will be described later. The pachinko gaming machine 1 lights the high-probability state indicator 45 when the gaming state immediately after starting is a high-probability state. In addition, the pachinko gaming machine 1 has an indicator for notifying that the gaming state has changed from the normal probability state to the high probability state, that is, an indicator for notifying that the gaming state is the high probability state at a timing other than immediately after activation. Not prepared. Therefore, when the gaming state changes from the normal probability state to the high probability state, the pachinko gaming machine 1 does not notify the hall computer 900 to that effect. As a result, there is no difference between the information obtained by the player and the information obtained by the hall computer 900.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the pachinko gaming machine 1 is provided with an image display device 7 near the center of the game area 3, and the display screen 7a of the image display device 7 displays a display device 40 An effect symbol display area for displaying the effect symbols 8L, 8C, 8R synchronized with the variable display of the first special symbol or the second special symbol is included. The effect displayed while changing the display contents of the effect symbols 8L, 8C, 8R is referred to as effect symbol variation effect.

  The effect symbol display area includes, for example, three symbol display areas of "left", "middle", and "right". The left effect design 8L is displayed in the left symbol display area, the middle effect symbol 8C is displayed in the middle symbol display area, and the right effect symbol 8R is displayed in the right symbol display area. It Each effect symbol is composed of, for example, a plurality of symbols representing numbers "1" to "9". The image display device 7 shows the contents of the variable display of the special symbols displayed on the special symbol display 41, that is, the result of the jackpot lottery by the pachinko gaming machine 1, by the combination of the left, middle, and right effect symbols. Display in an easy-to-understand manner.

  For example, when the "big hit" is won in the big hit lottery, the image display device 7 displays the effect design with double stitches that are a combination of the same numbers such as "777". Further, in the case of “miss”, the effect symbol is displayed in a broke pattern in which at least one number is a combination different from other numbers. This makes it easier for the player to grasp the progress of the game. In other words, the player can grasp the result of the jackpot lottery by the pachinko gaming machine 1 by the special symbol displayed on the display device 40, and also by the combination of the effect symbols displayed on the image display device 7. it can. The position of the symbol display area may be fixed or variable. Further, the image display device 7 may scroll the effect design vertically or horizontally when performing the variable display of the effect design.

  The image display device 7 displays, on the display screen 7a, an effect used for performing a jackpot game or an auxiliary game, a demonstration image for waiting for a customer, in addition to the effect design variation effect using the effect design as described above. indicate. In the effect design variation effect, in addition to effect patterns such as numbers, images other than effect patterns such as background images and character images may be displayed.

  Further, on the display screen 7a of the image display device 7, according to the number of memories of the first special figure reservation, according to the number of the first effect hold display area 9A for displaying the effect pending image and the number of the second special figure reservations. And a second effect hold display area 9B for displaying the effect hold image. The image display device 7 displays the effect reserved image so that the player can easily understand the number of stored first special figure and the number of stored second special figure displayed on the display device 40. That is, the player can grasp the number of special figure reservations by the special figure reservation display 43 of the display device 40, and also the first effect hold display area 9A and the second effect hold display area 9B of the image display device 7. It can also be grasped by the number of effect holding images displayed in.

2. Electrical Configuration of Pachinko Gaming Machine 1 Next, the electrical configuration of the pachinko gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. The pachinko gaming machine 1 includes a main control board 80, a sub control board 90, and a payout control board 110. The main control board 80 mainly controls the game profit, such as lottery for special symbols and ordinary symbols, and transition of game states. The sub-control board 90 performs control related to the display of the image display device 7, lighting of various lamps, sound output, and the like, which are mainly performed as the game progresses. The payout control board 110 controls the payout of gaming balls.

  The pachinko gaming machine 1 also includes a power supply board 150. The power supply board 150 controls the supply of electric power to the main control board 80, the sub control board 90, and the payout control board 110, and supplies necessary electric power to other devices via these boards.

  A backup power supply circuit 151 is provided on the power supply board 150. The backup power supply circuit 151 is a RAM 84 or a sub control board of the main control board 80 described later when power is not supplied to the pachinko gaming machine 1 from the outside, that is, when the main power supply is off or a power failure occurs. Electric power necessary for holding information is supplied to the RAM 94 of 90. Therefore, the information stored in the RAM 84 of the main control board 80 and the RAM 94 of the sub control board 90 can be supplied from the backup power supply circuit 151 even when the pachinko gaming machine 1 is not supplied with power from the outside. It is held temporarily. A power switch 155 is connected to the power board 150. By operating the power switch 155, the main power supply can be switched on and off. A dedicated backup power supply circuit for the RAM 84 of the main control board 80 may be provided in the main control board 80, and a dedicated backup power supply circuit for the RAM 94 of the sub control board 90 may be provided in the sub control board 90.

  As shown in FIG. 4, on the main control board 80, a game control one-chip microcomputer 81 for controlling the progress of the game of the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to a program is mounted. Hereinafter, the game control one-chip microcomputer 81 is referred to as a game control microcomputer 81. The game control microcomputer 81 includes a ROM 83 that stores a program for controlling the progress of the game, a RAM 84 used as a work memory, and a CPU 82 that executes the program stored in the ROM 83. The game control microcomputer 81 transmits/receives data to/from another board or the like via an input/output circuit 87 configured by an I/O port. The input/output circuit 87 may be built in the game control microcomputer 81. The ROM 83 may be externally attached.

  In the RAM 84, a special figure holding storage unit 85 that stores random numbers related to a lottery for jackpots, a general figure holding storage unit 86 that stores random numbers related to a lottery for ordinary symbols, and a game state storage unit 89 that stores information about a game state. , Are provided. The gaming state of the pachinko gaming machine 1 will be described later. In addition, in the special figure reservation storage section 85, the first special figure reservation storage section 85a that stores the random number obtained due to the game ball passing through the first starting opening 20 and the second starting opening 21 are played. A second special figure reservation storage unit 85b for storing the random number obtained due to the passage of the sphere is provided.

  Specifically, each of the first special figure pending storage unit 85a and the second special figure pending storage unit 85b is provided with a storage area corresponding to the upper limit number of pending. In the pachinko gaming machine 1, since the maximum number of reservations is 4, each of the first special figure reservation storage unit 85a and the second special figure reservation storage unit 85b is provided with four storage areas. Further, each storage area is provided with a small area for storing the acquired random number. Specifically, the pachinko gaming machine 1 obtains four random numbers, a jackpot random number, a jackpot type random number, a reach random number, and a fluctuation pattern random number, due to a game ball winning the starting opening. Therefore, the four random numbers are stored in each small area. Details of each random number will be described later.

  In addition, the universal figure reservation storage unit 86 is also provided with a storage area corresponding to the upper limit number of reservations. In the pachinko gaming machine 1, since the maximum number of reservations is 4, the universal figure reservation storage unit 86 is provided with four storage areas. Further, each area is provided with a storage area for storing the acquired random number. Specifically, in the pachinko gaming machine 1, a random number is normally acquired due to the game ball passing through the gate. Therefore, a random number is normally stored in the storage area. The details of the random numbers per ordinary will be described later.

  Various sensors and solenoids are electrically connected to the main control board 80 via a relay board 88. Therefore, a signal from each sensor is input to the main control board 80, and a signal is output from the main control board 80 to each solenoid. Specifically, as the sensors, the first starting opening sensor 20a, the second starting opening sensor 21a, the first gate sensor 28a, the second gate sensor 29a, the first big winning opening sensor 30a, the second big winning opening sensor 35a, There is a normal winning hole sensor 27a.

  The first starting port sensor 20a is provided immediately below the first starting port 20 and outputs a signal for detecting passage of a game ball, that is, an output value when the game ball passes through the first starting port 20. Output a changing signal. The second starting port sensor 21a is provided immediately below the second starting port 21 and outputs a signal for detecting passage of a game ball, that is, an output value when the game ball passes through the second starting port 21. Output a changing signal. The first gate sensor 28a is provided in the passage area immediately below the first gate 28 and outputs a signal for detecting passage of a game ball. The second gate sensor 29a is provided in the passage area immediately below the second gate 29, and outputs a signal for detecting passage of a game ball.

  The first special winning opening sensor 30a is provided directly below the first special winning opening 30 and outputs a signal for detecting passage of a game ball, that is, when the game ball passes through the first special winning opening 30. Outputs a signal whose output value changes. The second special winning opening sensor 35a is provided immediately below the second special winning opening 35, and outputs a signal for detecting passage of a game ball, that is, when the game ball passes through the second special winning opening 35. Outputs a signal whose output value changes.

  The normal winning opening sensor 27a is provided directly below each normal winning opening 27, and outputs a signal for detecting passage of the game ball, that is, the output value changes when the game ball passes through each normal winning opening 27. To output the signal.

  Further, as solenoids, there are an electric Chu solenoid 24, a first special winning opening solenoid 33, and a second special winning opening solenoid 38. The electric Chu solenoid 24 drives the movable member 23 of the electric Chu 22. The first special winning opening solenoid 33 drives the opening/closing member 32 of the first special winning device 31. The second special winning opening solenoid 38 drives the opening/closing member 37 of the second special winning device 36.

  Further, on the main control board 80, the first special symbol display 41a, the second special symbol display 41b, the normal symbol display 42, the first special symbol reservation display 43a, the second special symbol reservation display 43b, universal The figure hold indicator 44 and the high probability state indicator 45 are electrically connected. That is, the display control of these display devices 40 is performed by the game control microcomputer 81.

  Further, various commands are sent to the main control board 80 to the payout control board 110, and various signals are received from the payout control board 110 for payout monitoring. Specifically, the payout control board 110 is electrically connected to the prize ball payout device 120, the ball rental payout device 130, and the card unit 135. The card unit 135 is a device that is installed adjacent to the pachinko gaming machine 1 and enables a ball lending based on information on the inserted prepaid card or the like. Further, a launch device 112 is electrically connected to the payout control board 110 via a launch control board 111.

  The payout control board 110 drives the prize ball motor 121 of the prize ball payout device 120 based on a signal from the game control microcomputer 81 and a signal from the card unit 135 electrically connected to the pachinko gaming machine 1. The prize-ball paying-out device 120 is caused to pay out a prize-ball, or the ball-lending motor 131 of the ball-paying device 130 is driven to cause the ball-paying device 130 to pay a ball. The prize balls to be paid out are controlled by a signal from the prize ball sensor 122 for counting. The balls to be paid out are controlled by a signal from the ball lending sensor 132 for counting the balls.

  In the pachinko gaming machine 1, the number of prize balls paid out by winning the first starting opening 20 is three, and the number of prize balls paid out by winning the second starting opening 21 is two. Further, the number of prize balls paid out by winning the first big winning opening 30 or the second big winning opening 35 is 13, and the number of prize balls paid out by winning the normal winning opening 27 is 3. The number of prize balls is an example, and may be selected as appropriate.

  The firing device 112 includes a firing motor 113, a touch switch 114, a firing volume 115, and a firing stop switch 116. When the player operates the handle 60, a signal indicating that the touch switch 114 has touched the handle 60 is output to the firing control board 111, and a signal from the firing volume 115 according to the amount of rotation of the handle 60. Is output to the firing control board 111. The launch control board 111 drives the launch motor 113, and controls the launch device 112 so that the game ball is launched with an appropriate strength based on various signals input from the launch device 112.

  A RAM clear switch 161 is connected to the main control board 80. The RAM clear switch 161 is attached inside the gaming machine frame 50 and normally cannot be operated by the player. That is, the RAM clear switch 161 can be operated when the gaming machine frame 50 is opened by staff in the hall or the like. The pachinko gaming machine 1 initializes the RAM 84 when activated with the RAM clear switch 161 pressed. As a result, the information stored in the RAM 84 is lost.

  Further, the main control board 80 transmits various commands to the sub control board 90. Communication between the main control board 80 and the sub control board 90 is unidirectional communication in which only commands can be transmitted from the main control board 80 to the sub control board 90. That is, a unidirectional control circuit using, for example, a diode is interposed between the main control board 80 and the sub control board 90 as a communication direction regulating means.

  An external terminal board 190 is connected to the main control board 80. The external terminal board 190 outputs various signals based on the signals received from the game control microcomputer 81 to external devices such as the data display 910 and the hall computer 900 arranged outside the pachinko gaming machine 1. Specifically, the external terminal board 190 is provided with a plurality of channels (CN) for external output. The connector corresponding to each channel (CN) and the connector on the data display 910 side are connected by a cable. One signal is output from each connector to the outside. In the external terminal board 190, a jackpot count signal is output from the first CN. In addition, the jackpot continuation signal is output from the second CN. Also, a high-accuracy signal at startup is output from the third CN. Details of the jackpot count signal, jackpot continuation signal, and high-accuracy signal at startup will be described later. In the external terminal board 190, in addition to these signals, for example, a frame opening signal indicating that the gaming machine frame 50 is open, a prize ball indicating that a predetermined number (for example, 10 balls) of prize balls have been made. A signal, a security signal indicating that there is a prize in the winning opening of these devices when the electric Chu 22 or the special winning device is not activated, and that there is a winning in the first starting opening 20 or the second starting opening 21. The starting port signals shown are output from different channels.

  As shown in FIG. 5, a sub-control board 90 is mounted with a one-chip microcomputer 91 for effect control for controlling the effect of the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to a program. Hereinafter, the one-chip microcomputer 91 for effect control will be referred to as the effect control microcomputer 91. The effect control microcomputer 91 includes a ROM 93 that stores a program for controlling effects as the game progresses, a RAM 94 used as a work memory, and a CPU 92 that executes the program stored in the ROM 93. The production control microcomputer 91 transmits or receives data to or from another board or the like via the input/output circuit 97 configured by an I/O port. The input/output circuit 97 may be built in the effect control microcomputer 91. The ROM 93 may be externally attached.

  An image control board 100, a lamp control board 107, and a sound control board 106 are electrically connected to the sub control board 90. The effect control microcomputer 91 of the sub control board 90 causes the image control microcomputer 101 of the image control board 100 to perform display control of the image display device 7 based on the command received from the main control board 80. The image data is expanded in the RAM 104 of the image control microcomputer 101 and used as a work memory. The ROM 103 of the image control microcomputer 101 stores still image data and moving image data displayed on the image display device 7, more specifically, image data such as characters, items, figures, characters, numbers, symbols, and background images. Remembered The CPU 102 of the image control microcomputer 101 reads the image data from the ROM 103 based on the command from the effect control microcomputer 91. Then, the read image data is displayed on the image display device 7.

  Further, the effect control microcomputer 91 performs voice control for causing the speaker 67 to output voice, music, sound effect, etc. through the voice control board 106 based on the command received from the main control board 80. Specifically, acoustic data such as voice output from the speaker 67 is stored in the ROM 93 of the sub control board 90. The audio data may be stored in the voice control board 106. Further, the image control board 100 may be electrically connected to the speaker 67 or the sound control board 106 to cause the image control board 100 to perform sound control. In this case, the image control board 100 may store the acoustic data.

  In addition, the production control microcomputer 91 performs lighting control of each lamp such as the frame lamp 66 provided in the gaming machine frame 50 via the lamp control board 107 based on the command received from the main control board 80. . The effect control microcomputer 91 uses the data stored in the ROM 93 to create light emission pattern data that determines the light emission mode of each lamp, and transmits the light emission pattern data to the lamp control board 107. Upon receiving the light emission pattern data, the lamp control board 107 controls the light emission of each lamp according to the light emission pattern data.

  Further, the effect control microcomputer 91 operates the decorative movable body 15 electrically connected to the lamp control board 107 via the relay board 108 based on the command received from the main control board 80. Specifically, the effect control microcomputer 91 uses the data stored in the ROM 93 to create operation pattern data that determines the operation mode of the decorative movable body 15, and transmits the operation pattern data to the lamp control board 107. . The lamp control board 107 that has received the operation pattern data controls the operation of the decorative movable body 15 in accordance with the operation pattern data.

  A CPU may be mounted on the lamp control board 107. In that case, the CPU may be caused to execute the lighting control of the lamp and the operation control of the decorative movable body 15 and the like. Further, in that case, a ROM may be mounted on the lamp control board 107, and the ROM may store the data used to create the light emission pattern data and the data used to create the operation pattern data.

  Further, on the sub-control board 90, a cross button detection switch 68x, an effect button detection switch 63x, and a sword member detection switch 222x are electrically connected via a frame relay board 98 provided in the gaming machine frame 50. It is connected. The cross button detection switch 68x is a detection switch corresponding to the cross button 68. Therefore, when the cross button 68 is pressed, a signal regarding the direction in which the cross button 68 is pressed is output from the cross button detection switch 68x to the sub control board 90. Based on the signal output from the cross button detection switch 68x, the sub control board 90 can determine whether or not one of the direction buttons of the cross button 68 has been pressed. The effect button detection switch 63x is a detection switch corresponding to the effect button 63. Therefore, when the effect button 63 is pressed, a signal related to the effect button 63 is output from the effect button detection switch 63x to the sub control board 90. Based on the signal output from the effect button detection switch 63x, the sub control board 90 can determine whether or not the effect button 63 has been pressed. The sword member detection switch 222x is a detection switch corresponding to the sword member 222. Therefore, when the sword member 222 is pushed in, a signal regarding the sword member 222 is output from the sword member detection switch 222x to the sub control board 90. Based on the signal output from the sword member detection switch 222x, the sub control board 90 can determine whether or not the sword member 222 has been pushed.

3. Big hit of the pachinko gaming machine 1 Next, the big hit in the pachinko gaming machine 1 will be described. In the pachinko gaming machine 1, as described above, the jackpot lottery is performed in response to the winning of the game ball into the first starting opening 20 or the second starting opening 21. In the jackpot lottery that is triggered by the winning of the game ball into the first starting opening 20, the lottery result is displayed on the first special symbol display device 41a, which is also called a lottery for the first special symbol (special symbol 1). In addition, in the jackpot lottery that is triggered by the winning of the game ball into the second starting opening 21, the lottery result is displayed on the second special symbol display 41b, and the lottery of the second special symbol (special symbol 2) is also performed. Say.

  The pachinko gaming machine 1 obtains various random numbers such as a big hit random number, a big hit type random number, a reach random number, and a special pattern variation pattern random number according to the winning of the game ball to the first starting opening 20 or the second starting opening 21. .. The jackpot lottery is performed based on the obtained jackpot random numbers.

  The results of the jackpot lottery performed by the pachinko gaming machine 1 include “big hit” and “miss”. The jackpot random number is a value within the range of 0 to 65535. Then, in the pachinko gaming machine 1, as shown in FIG. 6, in the normal probability state, for example, if the jackpot random number is a value within the range of 0 to 164, it is determined that the jackpot is won, and other numbers are used. If there is, it is judged as a loss. In the pachinko gaming machine 1, there are two gaming states with different jackpot winning probabilities, namely, a normal probability state and a high probability state. In the high probability state, for example, the jackpot random number is a value within the range of 0 to 649. If there is, it is judged that the jackpot was won. Details of the game state will be described later.

  In the case of "big hit", the pachinko gaming machine 1 causes the special symbol display 41 to stop and display the "big hit symbol", which is a special symbol corresponding to the big hit. There are several types of jackpots, and a "jackpot pattern" according to the type is stopped and displayed. In the case of “miss”, the pachinko gaming machine 1 causes the special symbol display 41 to stop and display the “miss symbol”, which is a special symbol corresponding to the loss.

  Further, when a big hit is won, the pachinko gaming machine 1 executes a "big hit game" which is a control for opening the first big winning opening 30 and the second big winning opening 35 in an opening pattern according to the type of big hit. .. In the following description, the first special winning opening 30 and the second special winning opening 35 are collectively referred to as the big winning opening.

  The jackpot game includes one or a plurality of round games, an opening before the first round game is started, and an ending after the final round game is finished. Each round game is started by the end of the opening or the end of the previous round game, and is ended by the start of the next round game or the start of the ending. The interval time, which is the time for closing the special winning opening between round games, is included in the open round game before the closing.

  In the pachinko gaming machine 1, there are “16R jackpot” and “4R jackpot” as types of jackpots. In the pachinko gaming machine 1, when the jackpot is won, the jackpot type lottery is also performed. The jackpot type lottery is performed based on the jackpot type random number. The jackpot type random number has a value within the range of 0 to 9. Then, in the pachinko gaming machine 1, as shown in FIG. 7, in the lottery of the first special symbol (lottery of the special map 1), for example, if the jackpot type random number is a value within the range of 0 to 2, "16R It is judged that the "big hit" is won, and if it is any other value, it is judged as "4R big hit". On the other hand, in the lottery of the second special symbol (lottery of the special map 2), for example, if the jackpot type random number is a value within the range of 0 to 6, it is determined that "16 jackpots" have been won, and other numerical values. If so, it is determined as "4R jackpot".

  The "16 jackpot" and the "4R jackpot" are jackpots that alternately operate the opening/closing member 32 of the first big winning device 31 and the opening/closing member 37 of the second big winning device 36 during the big hit game. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, “16R jackpot” has a total round number of 16 rounds (R), and “4R jackpot” has a total round number of 4R. In both “16 jackpot” and “4R jackpot”, the first jackpot 30 is opened for a maximum of 25.0 seconds per 1R in each odd-numbered round. Further, in each even-numbered round, the second special winning opening 35 is opened for a maximum of 25.0 seconds per 1R.

  The pachinko gaming machine 1 shifts the gaming state after the completion of the jackpot game to the high-probability state regardless of the type of jackpot. That is, in the pachinko gaming machine 1, the gaming state after the jackpot game becomes a high probability state regardless of whether the 16R jackpot or the 4R jackpot.

  In the pachinko gaming machine 1, as shown in FIG. 7, the distribution ratio of the jackpot in the lottery of the first special symbol (lottery of the special map 1) is 30% for the 16R jackpot and 70% for the 4R jackpot. .. On the other hand, the distribution ratio of the jackpot in the lottery of the second special symbol (lottery of the special map 2) is 60% for the 16R jackpot and 40% for the 4R jackpot. That is, when the jackpot is won by the jackpot lottery based on the winning of the second starting opening 21 that can be entered by executing the electric support control described later, the probability of becoming a 16R jackpot is to the first starting opening 20. It is higher than when the jackpot is won by the jackpot lottery. Thus, in the pachinko gaming machine 1, the lottery for the second special symbol is set to be more advantageous to the player than the lottery for the first special symbol.

  In the pachinko gaming machine 1, as described above, in addition to the jackpot random number, the jackpot type random number, and the reach number as the random number acquired based on the winning of the game ball into the first starting opening 20 or the second starting opening 21. There are random numbers and random patterns.

  The reach random number is a random number that is used to determine whether or not to generate a reach in the effect design variation effect showing the result when the result of the jackpot determination is a loss. Reach is a state in which there is only one effect symbol that is variably displayed out of a plurality of effect symbols, and the jackpot win depending on which symbol the effect symbol that is variably displayed is stopped and displayed. Is a state in which the effect symbols are combined, for example, “7↓7” (“↓” means changing). The effect symbol that is stopped and displayed in the reach state may be displayed as if it is slightly shaking in the display screen 7a. That is, the effect design may not be completely stopped. The reach random number has a value within the range of 0 to 127.

  Then, in the pachinko gaming machine 1, as shown in FIG. 9, in the non-time saving state, if the reach random number is a value within the range of 0 to 13, it is determined that the reach is present, and if it is any other numerical value, there is no reach. To judge. Further, in the time saving state, if the reach random number is a value within the range of 0 to 5, it is determined that there is reach, and if it is any other numerical value, it is determined that there is no reach. Details of the time saving state and the non-time saving state will be described later.

  The fluctuation pattern random number is a random number used to determine the fluctuation pattern including the fluctuation time of the special symbol. The fluctuation pattern random number also takes a value within the range of 0 to 127. 10 and 11 are tables showing the relationship between the fluctuation pattern random number and the fluctuation pattern. In this embodiment, the variation pattern determines the reach mode and the variation time of the special symbol. The forms of reach included in the variation pattern include normal reach and super reach (SP reach), which has a longer variation time than the normal reach. In the pachinko gaming machine 1, the variation pattern is determined based on the variation pattern random number, the type of special symbol, the time saving state or the non-time saving state, and the lottery result of the jackpot or the reach.

  Further, in the pachinko gaming machine 1, there is an ordinary hit random number as the random number acquired based on the passage of the game ball to the gate. The normal hit random number is a random number used in a lottery to determine whether or not to perform an auxiliary game for opening the electric Chu 22. Ordinary random numbers are values within the range of 0 to 255.

  Then, in the pachinko gaming machine 1, as shown in FIG. 12, in the non-time saving state, if the random number per ordinary hit is a value within the range of 0 to 2, it is determined that the ordinary win is won, and other numbers are used. If there is, it is judged as a loss. Further, in the time saving state, if the random number per ordinary hit is a value within the range of 0 to 254, it is determined that the regular win is won, and if it is any other numerical value, it is determined to be lost. In other words, the lottery for ordinary wins is almost lost in the non-time saving state and almost ordinary wins in the time saving state. Details of the time saving state and the non-time saving state will be described later.

4. Gaming state of the pachinko gaming machine 1 Next, the gaming state of the pachinko gaming machine 1 will be described. The pachinko gaming machine 1 has a "probability variation function" and a "variation time shortening function", respectively, for the jackpot lottery (special symbol display device 41) and the ordinary winning lottery (ordinary symbol display device 42).

  The state in which the probability variation function is activated in the jackpot lottery is called the "high probability state", and the state in which it is not activated is called the "normal probability state". In the high probability state, as shown in FIG. 6, the probability of winning the jackpot is higher than in the normal probability state. That is, when the probability variation function is activated, the probability that the result of the jackpot lottery will be a jackpot is higher than when the probability variation function is not activated.

  In addition, the state where the variable time reduction function in the jackpot lottery is activated is called the "time saving state", and the state where it is not activated is called the "non-time saving state". In the time saving state, the variation time of the special symbol on the special symbol display 41, that is, the time from the start of the variation display to the stop display of the display result tends to be shorter than the non-time saving state. Specifically, in the pachinko gaming machine 1, when the jackpot lottery is lost, as shown in FIG. 9, the value of the reach random number determined to reach is less in the time saving state than in the non-time saving state. The reach determination is performed using the determination table. In other words, in the time-saving state, if the player loses in the lottery for the big hit, the probability that the time until the special symbol is stopped and displayed is long is low. Further, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, in the case of loss without reach, a variation pattern having a shorter variation time is more likely to be selected in the time saving state than in the non-time saving state. That is, when the variation time reduction function is activated, the variation time is likely to be shorter than when it is not activated. As a result, in the time-saving state, the pace of digesting the special figure reservation becomes faster, and an effective prize is easily generated in the starting opening that can be stored as the special figure reservation. Therefore, the player can aim for a big hit under the smooth progress of the game.

  The probability variation function and the variation time reduction function in the jackpot lottery may be activated at the same time, or only one of them may be activated. The probability variation function and the variation time reduction function in the regular win lottery are designed to operate in synchronization with the variation time reduction function in the jackpot lottery. That is, the probability variation function and the variation time reduction function in the regular lottery operate in the time saving state and do not operate in the non-time saving state. Therefore, in the time saving state, the winning probability in the regular win lottery is higher than in the non-time saving state. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 12, the pachinko gaming machine 1 uses the judgment table in which the value of the random number for normal hit, which is determined to be normal hit, is higher in the time saving state than in the non-time saving state. Draw lots. In other words, when the probability variation function operates in the lottery for ordinary wins, the probability of the result being ordinary wins in the lottery for ordinary wins is higher than that when the probability variation function does not operate.

  Moreover, in the time saving state, the fluctuation time of the normal symbol is shorter than in the non-time saving state. In the pachinko gaming machine 1, for example, the variation time in the non-time saving state is 30 seconds, and the variation time in the time saving state is 1 second. Further, in the time saving state, the opening time of the electric chew 22 in the auxiliary game is longer than in the non-time saving state. That is, the opening time extension function of the power cable 22 is operating. On the other hand, the number of times of opening the electric chew 22 in the auxiliary game is the same in both the time saving state and the non-time saving state. In other words, in the time saving state, the function of increasing the number of times of opening the power cable 22 is not operating. In addition, in the time saving state, the function of increasing the number of times of opening of the power tube 22 may be activated.

  Thus, in a situation where the probability variation function and the variation time shortening function in the lottery for ordinary hits and the opening time extension function of the electric chew 22 are operating, the electric tue is compared with the case where these functions are not operating. 22 is frequently opened, and the game ball is frequently won in the second starting opening 21. As a result, the base, which is the ratio of the number of prize balls to the number of game balls to be launched, increases. Therefore, the state in which these functions are operating is called the "high base state", and the state in which these functions are not operating is called the "low base state". In the high base state, the player can aim for a big hit without significantly reducing the game balls on hand. It should be noted that the high base state can be said to be a state in which the control for supporting the winning of the second start opening 21 by the electric power chute 22, that is, the electric support control is being executed.

  Note that the high base state does not have to operate all of the plurality of functions described above. That is, one or more functions among the probability variation function in the regular win lottery, the variation time shortening function in the regular win lottery, the opening time extension function of the electric Chu 22 and the opening frequency increase function of the electric Chu 22 are activated. It suffices if the power tube 22 can be opened more easily than when the function is not operating. Further, the high base state may be independently controlled without being associated with the time saving state.

  In the pachinko gaming machine 1, the gaming state after the big hit game is a high-probability state, a time saving state, and a high base state regardless of the type of the big hit. This game state is called "high-precision high-base state". The high-probability/high-base state ends when a predetermined number of times (160 times in the present embodiment) of the jackpot lottery is executed without winning the jackpot, or when the jackpot is won again and the jackpot game is executed.

  The gaming state after powering on the pachinko gaming machine 1 is a normal probability state, a non-time saving state, and a low base state. This game state is especially called the "low accurate low base state". Further, a state in which the jackpot game is being executed is called a "jackpot game state". The jackpot gaming state is also called a "special gaming state".

  In the high base state, it is more advantageous for the player to advance the game by allowing the game ball to enter the right game area 3B by hitting it to the right. Since the electric support control is executed, the electric Chu 22 is more easily opened than in the low base state, and it is easier to win the second starting port 21 than to win the first starting port 20. Because it has become. Accordingly, the player makes a right-hand hit to pass the game ball to the second gate 29, which is a trigger for the normal winning lottery, and to win the second starting opening 21. As a result, it can be expected that more prizes will be awarded to the starting opening than left-handed hitting.

  On the other hand, in the low base state, it is more advantageous for the player to advance the game by allowing the game ball to enter the left game area 3A by left-handing. Since the electric support control is not executed, the electric Chu 22 is less likely to be opened than in the high base state, and it is easier to win the first starting opening 20 than to win the second starting opening 21. Because it has become. Therefore, the player hits left to win the first start opening 20. As a result, it can be expected that more prizes will be awarded to the starting opening than to right-handed strikes.

5. Notification of the gaming state of the pachinko gaming machine 1 Next, the notification of the gaming state performed by the pachinko gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to the timing charts of FIGS. 13 and 14.

  FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 show the interrelationship of each timing of turning on/off the main power supply, switching the game state, presence/absence of notification of the high probability state, presence/absence of output of a signal indicating the high probability state to the hall computer. .. In FIGS. 13 and 14, (A) and (C) are time points when the gaming state is switched to the high-probability state in accordance with the jackpot, (B) is a time point when the condition for returning to the normal probability state is satisfied, and (D) ) And (F) are when the main power is turned off, (E) is when the main power is turned on and (G) is when the RAM clear switch 161 is pressed and the main power is turned on. (H) indicates the time when the stop condition for the notification of the high probability state is satisfied.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the pachinko gaming machine 1 shifts to a high-probability state after the jackpot game, whether it is a 16R jackpot or a 4R jackpot, when the jackpot is won. Therefore, since it is not necessary to inform the player of the change to the high-probability state, the pachinko gaming machine 1 wins the jackpot and then, as shown in the period of FIG. 13(A) to (B), Do not notify that it is in a high probability state. That is, the high-probability state indicator 45 informs that the gaming state immediately after starting is the high-probability state, and does not inform that the gaming state has become the high-probability state during the game. Further, since the player is not notified of the high probability state, the hall computer 900 does not output a signal indicating the high probability state.

  Further, the pachinko gaming machine 1 includes the backup power supply circuit 151 as described above, and does not lose the information stored in the RAM 84 for a while even if the main power supply is turned off. As a result, even if the main power supply should be turned off due to a machine trouble or the like during a game, for example, it becomes possible for the staff in the hall to perform maintenance work while maintaining the game state. Further, even if a power failure occurs during a game, for example, it is difficult for the player's profit to be lost during the power failure.

  On the other hand, the pachinko gaming machine 1 continues to hold the information stored in the RAM 84 as described above even if the main power supply is turned off. In other words, when the main power supply is turned off with a high probability at the end of the opening of the hall, the pachinko gaming machine 1 is mainly used to start the opening of the hall on the next day, as shown in the period from (C) to (E) of FIG. It will start with a high probability even after the power is turned on. Therefore, when the pachinko gaming machine 1 is activated in the high-probability state, the high-probability state indicator 45 is turned on to notify that the high-probability state is set, as shown in FIG. 13(E). As a result, the staff in the hall can judge whether or not the high-probability state is present by visually checking whether or not the high-probability state indicator 45 is turned on. Then, when the pachinko gaming machine 1 that is in the high probability state is found, the pachinko gaming machine 1 is restarted while the RAM clear switch 161 is being pressed to return the gaming state of the pachinko gaming machine 1 to the normal probability state. You can

  Further, when the high probability state indicator 45 is turned on, the pachinko gaming machine 1 also indicates the high probability state to the hall computer 900 via the external terminal board 190 as shown in FIG. 13(E). The high-accuracy signal at startup, which is the signal shown, is output. In other words, the notification by lighting the high-probability state indicator 45 is a visual confirmation by the staff of the hall, so oversight is likely to occur. Therefore, the pachinko gaming machine 1 also outputs a high-accuracy signal at startup to the hall computer 900. This allows the hall computer 900 to manage the gaming state.

  When the pachinko gaming machine 1 is restarted with the RAM clear switch 161 pressed while the staff of the hall noticed that the pachinko gaming machine 1 is in the high probability state, the operation is shown in FIG. 13(F) to (G). As described above, the high-probability state indicator 45 is turned off, the output of signals to the hall computer 900 is stopped, and the information stored in the RAM 84 is initialized. As a result, the game state returns to the normal probability state.

  Further, in the pachinko gaming machine 1, if the specific stop condition is satisfied even after the high probability state indicator 45 is turned on and before the RAM 84 is initialized by pressing the RAM clear switch 161. As shown in FIG. 14(H), the high-probability state indicator 45 is turned off and the output of signals to the hall computer 900 is stopped. As a specific stop condition, for example, the variable display of the special symbol is started (that is, the jackpot lottery is performed), that a predetermined time has elapsed after the start, the game state is usually due to the player's game. Returning to the stochastic state is applicable.

6. Operation of the game control microcomputer 81 Next, the operation of the game control microcomputer 81 in the main control board 80 of the pachinko gaming machine 1 will be described. Specific processing executed by the game control microcomputer 81 is main side startup processing. The counter, timer, flag, status, buffer, and the like that appear in the description of the operation of the game control microcomputer 81 are provided in the RAM 84.

[Main side startup processing]
The main-side activation process executed by the game control microcomputer 81 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The game control microcomputer 81 is triggered by the fact that the main power supply of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is turned on, that is, the power switch 155 is turned on, and power supply from the outside is started via the power supply board 150. In response to this, the main side startup processing program is read from the ROM 83 and executed.

  In the main-side activation process, the game control microcomputer 81 first executes a power-on process for initializing the CPU 82 and initializing the RAM 84 (S001). Details of S001 will be described later.

  After S001, the game control microcomputer 81 prohibits interruption (S002). Next, the game control microcomputer 81 updates the values of various random numbers (S003). Specifically, in S003, the game control microcomputer 81 updates the values of various random numbers such as a big hit random number, a big hit type random number, a reach random number, a variation pattern random number, and a normal hit random number. As a method of updating the random number, for example, a predetermined number of values are added in one update. The predetermined number may be common to all random numbers or may be different for each random number. The value of the random number returns to 0 when it reaches the upper limit. Further, the initial value of the random number may be 0 or a value other than 0, and the initial value of the random number may be common to all the random numbers or may be different for each random number. .. Further, each random number may be generated by using a known random number generation circuit such as a counter IC.

  After S003, the game control microcomputer 81 permits interruption (S004). After that, S002 to S004 are repeated. While interrupts are enabled, main-side timer interrupt processing can be executed. The main-side timer interrupt process is executed based on an interrupt pulse repeatedly input to the CPU 82 at a cycle of 4 ms, for example. Then, when the main-side timer interrupt processing is executed, the processing of S002 to S004 is repeated between the end of the main-side timer interrupt processing and the start of the next main-side timer interrupt processing. .. When an interrupt pulse is input to the CPU 82 in the interrupt disabled state, execution of the main timer interrupt processing is not immediately started, but is started after waiting for the interrupt enabled state.

[Power-on processing]
Next, the power-on process of S001 of FIG. 15 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the power-on process, the game control microcomputer 81 first sets permission for access to the RAM 84 (S011). As a result, it becomes possible to write and read information to and from the RAM 84.

  After S011, the game control microcomputer 81 determines whether or not the power-off flag is on (S012). The power-off flag is a flag for determining whether or not the main power supply has been turned off in a normal procedure. The power-off flag is turned on when the main power supply is turned off in a normal procedure through a power-off monitoring process in S181 described later, and a power failure occurs. If the main power is not turned off by the normal procedure due to unauthorized access, etc., it remains off. If the power-off flag is on (S012: YES), the game control microcomputer 81 determines whether or not the RAM clear switch 161 is pressed (S013).

  If the RAM clear switch 161 is not pressed (S013: NO), the game control microcomputer 81 diagnoses whether the CPU 82 or the RAM 84 has an abnormality at startup (S014). In S014, for example, the consistency of the information in the RAM 84 based on the checksum is diagnosed. After that, the game control microcomputer 81 determines whether or not there is an abnormality by the diagnosis in S014 (S015).

  When the power-off flag is off (S012: YES), the RAM clear switch 161 is pressed (S013: YES), or when there is an abnormality (S015: YES), the game control microcomputer 81 The RAM 84 is initialized (S021). As a result, various information stored in the RAM 84 is lost. For example, the game state information stored in the game state storage unit 89 is reset to the initial probability state information.

  After S021, the game control microcomputer 81 sets a RAM initialization command instructing initialization of the RAM in the output buffer of the RAM 84 (S022). The RAM initialization command set in the output buffer is output to the sub control board 90, and the sub control board 90 executes processing according to the command.

  After S022 or when there is no abnormality (S015: NO), the game control microcomputer 81 turns off the power-off flag (S016). Further, the game control microcomputer 81 performs initialization setting of the CPU 82 and the like (S017). Specifically, in S017, the game control microcomputer 81 sets, for example, stack setting, constant setting, interrupt time setting, CPU setting, SIO, PIO, CTC (circuit for interrupt time management) and the like. To do.

  After S017, the game control microcomputer 81 determines whether or not the probability variation flag is on (S031). The probability variation flag is a flag indicating whether or not the probability variation function is operating, that is, whether the gaming state is a high probability state or a normal probability state. It is on in the high probability state and off in the normal probability state. Is. The probability variation flag has an initial value of OFF and is stored in the game state storage unit 89 of the RAM 84. Even if the main power supply is off as described above, the RAM 84 continues to be supplied with power by the backup power supply circuit 151 and keeps the information stored in the RAM 84. Therefore, the game state storage unit 89 stores information on the game state before the main power is turned off.

  When the probability variation flag is on, that is, when the game state is a high probability state (S031: YES), the game control microcomputer 81 notifies the player of the high probability state by a high probability state indicator. 45 is turned on (S032). After turning on the high-probability state indicator 45, the pachinko gaming machine 1 keeps the high-probability state indicator 45 turned on until a predetermined condition for turning off the high-probability state indicator 45 is satisfied. The high-probability state indicator 45 may be lit continuously or may be lit periodically such as blinking.

  After S032, the game control microcomputer 81 notifies the hall computer 900 that it is in the high-probability state, that is, outputs a high-accuracy-at-start signal, which is a signal indicating the high-probability state, to the hall computer 900. , The high accuracy notification command is set in the external output buffer of the RAM 84 (S033). When the high-accuracy notification command is set, a startup high-accuracy signal is output to the hall computer 900 in S171 of the main timer interrupt processing (see FIG. 17) described later. Note that S032 and S033 may be in reverse order.

  After S033, the game control microcomputer 81 turns on the high accuracy notification flag (S034). The high-accuracy notification flag is turned on while continuously outputting the high-accuracy signal at startup. After S034, or when the probability variation flag is off, that is, when the game state is the normal probability state (S031: NO), the power-on process ends.

[Main side timer interrupt processing]
Next, the main timer interrupt process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The main timer interrupt processing is executed by the game control microcomputer 81 every time an interrupt pulse of 4 ms period is input.

  In the main timer interrupt processing, the game control microcomputer 81 first sends a command set in the output buffer of the RAM 84 to a device other than the main control board 80 in the pachinko gaming machine 1, such as the sub control board 90 or the payout control board 110. (S101). Commands are appropriately set in the output buffer of the RAM 84 by various processes described later.

  After S101, the game control microcomputer 81 updates the information regarding payout (S102). Specifically, in S102, the game control microcomputer 81 includes the first starting opening sensor 20a, the second starting opening sensor 21a, the first big winning opening sensor 30a, the second big winning opening sensor 35a, the normal winning opening sensor 27a, and the like. The presence/absence of a prize is determined based on the signals output from various sensors, and a payout command for instructing the payout of prize balls according to the type of the winning opening is set in the output buffer of the RAM 84.

  After S102, the game control microcomputer 81 updates the values of various random numbers (S103). The process of S103 is the same as that of S003. That is, the game control microcomputer 81 updates the values of various random numbers both during the main timer interrupt processing execution period and during the other periods. The random number value may be updated only in either period.

  After S103, the game control microcomputer 81 executes a sensor detection process for detecting a ball entering a starting opening or the like, based on signals output from various sensors (S111). Details of S111 will be described later.

  After S111, the game control microcomputer 81 executes normal operation processing which is an operation related to a normal symbol (S121). After the normal operation process of S121, the game control microcomputer 81 executes a special operation process which is an operation related to a special symbol (S131). Note that S121 and S131 may be in reverse order. Details of S121 and S131 will be described later.

  After S131, the game control microcomputer 81 causes the special figure hold indicator 43 and the general figure hold indicator based on the respective numbers of the figure hold number, the first special figure hold number, and the second special figure hold number. The display of 44 is updated (S161).

  After S161, the game control microcomputer 81 outputs various signals via the external terminal board 190 based on the command set in the external output buffer of the RAM 84 (S171). For example, when the high accuracy notification command is set in S033 of the power-on process described above, the game control microcomputer 81 outputs a high accuracy signal at startup to the hall computer 900. The pachinko gaming machine 1 continues to output the high-accuracy signal at startup until the high-accuracy notification command is reset.

  After S171, the game control microcomputer 81 executes power-off monitoring processing for turning off the main power source normally (S181). Details of S181 will be described later. After S181, the main timer interrupt processing ends.

  After that, the game control microcomputer 81 repeats the processing of S002 to S004 of the main side startup processing until the next interrupt pulse is input to the CPU 82, and when the interrupt pulse is input, again performs the main side timer interrupt processing. Run. In S<b>101 of the main timer interrupt processing that is executed again, the command set in the output buffer of the RAM 84 in the previous main timer interrupt processing is output.

[Sensor detection processing]
Next, the sensor detection processing of S111 of FIG. 17 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In the sensor detection process, the game control microcomputer 81 first determines whether or not the game ball has passed the gate based on the signals output from the first gate sensor 28a and the second gate sensor 29a (S201). When the game ball has passed through the gate (S201: YES), the game control microcomputer 81 determines whether or not the number of reserved universal figures is less than four (S202).

  If the number of public figure reservations is less than 4 (S202: YES), the game control microcomputer 81 adds one to the number of public figure reservations (S203), and further acquires the value of a random number per ordinary game (S204). ). The game control microcomputer 81 stores the value of the acquired normal hit random number in the universal figure holding storage unit 86. In other words, the pachinko gaming machine 1 adds one to the number of the universal figure reservation, whether the gaming ball passes through the first gate 28 or the second gate 29, and normally wins. Get the value of a random number.

  After S204, or when the number of reservations for the universal figure is four or more (S202: NO), or when the game ball has not passed through the gate (S201: NO), the game control microcomputer 81 uses the first start opening. Based on the signal output from the sensor 20a, it is determined whether or not the game ball has passed through the first starting opening 20 (S211). When the game ball has passed through the first starting port 20 (S211: YES), the game control microcomputer 81 determines whether the number of first special figure reservations is less than four (S212).

  If the number of 1st special figure reservation is less than 4 (S212: YES), the game control microcomputer 81 adds 1 to the 1st special figure reservation number (S213), and further jackpot random number, jackpot type random number, The value of each random number regarding the jackpot of the reach random number and the variation pattern random number is acquired (S214). The game control microcomputer 81 stores the obtained value of each random number in the first special figure reservation storage unit 85a.

  After S214, or when the number of the first special figure reservation is four or more (S212: NO), or when the game ball has not passed through the first start opening 20 (S211: NO), the game control microcomputer 81. Judges whether or not the game ball has passed through the second starting opening 21 based on the signal output from the second starting opening sensor 21a (S221). When the game ball has passed through the second starting port 21 (S221: YES), the game control microcomputer 81 determines whether or not the number of second special figure reservations is less than four (S222).

  If the number of second special figure reservations is less than four (S222: YES), the game control microcomputer 81 adds 1 to the second special figure reservation number (S223), and, similarly to S214, relates to the big hit. The value of each random number is acquired (S224). The game control microcomputer 81 stores the obtained value of each random number in the second special figure reservation storage unit 85b.

  After S224, or when the number of second special figure reservations is four or more (S222: NO), or when the game ball has not passed through the second starting opening 21 (S221: NO), the sensor detection process ends. To do.

[Normal operation processing]
Next, the normal operation process of S121 of FIG. 17 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In the normal operation process, the game control microcomputer 81 first determines whether or not the electric Chu 22 is in operation (S301). The electric chu 22 operates in accordance with winning a normal win. The operation timing of the power tube 22 will be described later.

  If the power cable 22 is not in operation (S301: NO), the game control microcomputer 81 determines whether or not the normal symbol is stopped and displayed (S302). If the normal symbol is not being stopped and displayed (S302: NO), the game control microcomputer 81 determines whether or not the normal symbol is being variable displayed (S303). If the normal symbols are not being displayed in a variable state (S303: NO), it is determined whether or not the number of reserved universal symbols is 0 (S311). If the number of public figures held is 0 (S311: YES), the operation relating to the lottery for normal winning is unnecessary, and the normal operation processing is ended.

  If the number of reserved figures is not 0 (S311: NO), the game control microcomputer 81 determines the lottery for normal winning (S312). Specifically, in S312, the game control microcomputer 81 reads the value of the normal hit random number stored at the head of the universal figure holding storage unit 86, and uses the normal hit determination table shown in FIG. Based on the value of the random number and the current game state, it is determined whether or not a regular win is won. Then, the game control microcomputer 81 determines the universal figure stop symbol data according to the determination result (S313). In other words, the game control microcomputer 81 determines "normal hit symbol" if "normal hit", and determines "normal loss symbol" if "miss".

  After S313, the game control microcomputer 81 determines a variation pattern according to the game state (S314). That is, the game control microcomputer 81, if the time-saving state, the variation time of the normal symbol is determined to be a normal symbol variation pattern of 1 second, if the non-time-saving state, the variation time of the normal symbol is 30 seconds ordinary symbol Determine the fluctuation pattern.

  After S314, the game control microcomputer 81 subtracts one from the number of universal figure reservations (S315). Then, each of the universal figure reservation data in the universal figure reservation storage unit 86 is shifted from the current storage position to the side having a higher read priority, and the storage position of the last shifted shift source is initialized ( S316). As a result, the universal figure reservations are digested in the order in which they were reserved.

  After S316, the game control microcomputer 81 starts the variable display of the normal symbol on the normal symbol display device 42 according to the variation pattern determined in S314 (S317). After S317, the normal operation process ends.

  On the other hand, if the variation of the normal symbol is being displayed (S303: YES), the game control microcomputer 81 determines whether or not the variation time of the normal symbol has elapsed (S321). The fluctuation time is a time based on the fluctuation pattern determined in S314. If the variation time of the normal symbol has not elapsed (S321: NO), the normal operation process ends.

  If the variation time of the normal symbol has elapsed (S321: YES), the game control microcomputer 81 displays the variation display of the ordinary symbol by the ordinary symbol display device 42, that is, the symbol determined in S313, that is, the lottery result per ordinary It is stopped with a design corresponding to (S322). Then, the game control microcomputer 81 sets a stop time for stopping and displaying the normal symbol for a certain time (S323), and ends the normal operation process.

  On the other hand, if the normal symbols are still displayed (S302: YES), the game control microcomputer 81 determines whether or not the stop time set in S323 has elapsed (S331). If the stop time has not elapsed (S331: NO), the normal operation process ends.

  If the stop time has elapsed (S331: YES), the game control microcomputer 81 determines whether or not the normal win symbol is stopped and displayed, that is, whether or not the normal win is won (S332). If the regular win has not been won (S332: NO), the normal operation process ends.

  If the winning is a regular win (S332: YES), the game control microcomputer 81 determines the opening pattern of the power tube 22 (S333). Specifically, in S333, the game control microcomputer 81 determines a pattern to open the electric chew 22 for 5.5 seconds in the time saving state, and opens the electric chew 22 for 0.2 seconds in the non-time saving state. Decide on the pattern to be performed. After S333, the game control microcomputer 81 starts the operation of the electric chu 22 according to the determined opening pattern (S334). That is, the control of the electric power solenoid 24 is started. After S334, the normal operation process ends.

  On the other hand, if the power switch 22 is in operation (S301: YES), the game control microcomputer 81 determines whether or not the operation time of the power switch 22 based on the open pattern determined in S333 has elapsed ( S341). If the operation time of the power cable 22 has not elapsed (S341: NO), the normal operation process ends.

  If the operation time of the power switch 22 has elapsed (S341: YES), the game control microcomputer 81 ends the operation of the power switch 22 (S342). That is, the control of the electric power solenoid 24 is terminated. After S342, the normal operation process ends.

[Special action processing]
Next, the special operation processing of S131 of FIG. 17 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In the special operation processing, the processing relating to the special symbol display 41, the first big winning device 31, and the second big winning device 36 is divided into four stages, and "special operation status 1, 2, 3, 4 Is assigned. Then, the game control microcomputer 81 determines whether the special operation status is 1 (S901), 2 (S911), or 3 (S921), and which status it corresponds to at the present time. To judge. The initial value of the special operation status is 1.

  Then, the game control microcomputer 81, if the special operation status is 1 (S901: YES), executes a special symbol standby process (S902). If the special operation status is 2 (S911: YES), the special symbol changing process is executed (S912). If the special operation status is 3 (S921: YES), the special symbol determination process is executed (S922). On the other hand, if the special operation status is 4 (S921: NO), the jackpot game process is executed (S932). Hereinafter, each process executed in the special operation process will be described.

[Special symbol waiting process]
FIG. 21 shows the procedure of the special symbol waiting process of S902 of FIG. In the special symbol standby process, the game control microcomputer 81 first determines whether or not the number of second special symbol reservations is 0 (S1001). If the number of second special figure reservation is 0 (S1001: YES), the game control microcomputer 81 determines whether or not the number of first special figure reservation is 0 (S1020). In other words, the game control microcomputer 81 gives priority to the process related to the second special figure reservation over the process related to the first special figure reservation.

  If the number of 1st special figure reservation is also 0 (S1020:YES), the game control microcomputer 81 determines whether the display screen 7a of the image display device 7 is a standby screen, that is, a demonstration screen for waiting for customers. It is determined (S1031). If the display screen 7a of the image display device 7 is a standby screen (S1031: YES), the special symbol standby process ends.

  If the display screen 7a of the image display device 7 is not the standby screen (S1031: NO), the game control microcomputer 81 determines that the elapsed time after the number of special figure reservations is 0 has passed the predetermined standby time. Under the condition, the customer waiting standby command for displaying the standby screen on the image display device 7 is set in the output buffer of the RAM 84 (S1032). The customer waiting standby command set in the output buffer is output to the sub-control board 90, and the sub-control board 90 executes processing according to the command. After S1032, the special symbol waiting process ends.

  On the other hand, if the number of second special figure reservations is not 0 (S1001: NO), the game control microcomputer 81 executes a jackpot determination process for determining whether or not a jackpot is won (S1011).

  FIG. 22 shows the procedure of the jackpot determination process. In the jackpot determination process, the game control microcomputer 81 first reads, as a determination value, the value of each random number related to the jackpot stored at the head of the second special figure reservation storage unit 85b (S1101). Then, the game control microcomputer 81 uses the jackpot determination table shown in FIG. 6 to determine a jackpot or loss based on the read jackpot random number (S1102). It should be noted that the pachinko gaming machine 1 makes a determination as to one of two types, a big hit and a loss. If, for example, a small hit is provided as the type of hit, the judgment including the small hit is made in S1102. After S1102, the game control microcomputer 81 determines whether or not the jackpot is won based on the determination result of S1102 (S1111).

  When the jackpot is won (S1111: YES), the game control microcomputer 81 turns on the jackpot flag (S1112). The jackpot flag is used to determine whether or not the jackpot is won. After S1112, the game control microcomputer 81 uses the jackpot type table shown in FIG. 7 to determine the jackpot type based on the read jackpot type random number (S1113). After S1113, the game control microcomputer 81 determines stop symbol data according to the jackpot type (S1114), and ends the jackpot determination process.

  If the jackpot is not won, that is, if the game is lost (S1111: NO), the game control microcomputer 81 determines stop symbol data according to the game loss (S1131), ends the jackpot determination process, and enters the special symbol standby process. Return.

  Returning to the description of FIG. 21, after the jackpot determination process of S1011, the game control microcomputer 81 determines a variation pattern based on the read variation pattern random number and reach random number (S1012). Specifically, in S1012, the game control microcomputer 81, when the jackpot is won in the lottery of the second special symbol (lottery of special map 2), the type of jackpot, the variation pattern random number, and in FIG. Using the variation pattern table shown, the variation pattern according to the game state is determined. For example, in the time saving state, if the “16R jackpot” is won and the variation pattern random number is “1”, the variation pattern is determined as “P310”. In the case of a loss, first, the presence/absence of reach is determined by using the reach random number and the reach determination table shown in FIG. 9, and the presence/absence of the reach and the game are determined by using the variation pattern random number and the variation pattern table shown in FIG. The variation pattern is determined according to the state and the number of balls for which the special map is reserved. For example, in the time saving state, when it is determined that there is reach, and the variation pattern random number is “1”, the variation pattern is determined as “P320”.

  After S1012, the game control microcomputer 81 subtracts one from the number of second special figure reservations (S1013). Then, each special figure reservation data in the second special figure reservation storage unit 85b is shifted by one from the current storage area to the storage area on the side having the higher read priority, and at the same time, the shift source storage area that is finally shifted. Are initialized (S1014). As a result, the second special figure reservations are digested in the order in which they are reserved.

  After S1014, the game control microcomputer 81 starts the variable display of the special symbol on the second special symbol display 41b according to the variation pattern determined in S1012 (S1015). Further, the game control microcomputer 81 sets the fluctuation start command in the output buffer of the RAM 84 (S1016). The variation start command includes information on the stop symbol data determined in S1114 and S1131 of FIG. 22 and information on the variation pattern determined in S1012. The fluctuation start command is output to the sub control board 90, and the sub control board 90 produces an effect according to the fluctuation start command. After S1016, the game control microcomputer 81 changes the special operation status to 2 (S1017).

  On the other hand, if the number of the second special figure reservation is 0 (S1001: YES) and the number of the first special figure reservation is not 0 (S1020: NO), the game control microcomputer 81 causes the second special figure reservation to be performed. Similar to the case, the jackpot determination process is executed (S1021). S1021 is the same process as S1011, but each random number serving as the determination value is read from the first special figure pending storage unit 85a.

  After S1021, the game control microcomputer 81 determines a variation pattern based on various random numbers such as a variation pattern random number and the variation pattern table shown in FIG. 10 (S1022). S1022 is the same process as S1012. Then, the game control microcomputer 81 subtracts one from the number of the first special figure reservation (S1023), and the priority of reading each special figure reservation data in the first special figure reservation storage unit 85a from the current storage area. One is shifted to the storage area on the higher side, and the storage area of the last shifted source is initialized (S1024). As a result, the first special figure reservations are digested in the order in which they are reserved.

  After S1024, the game control microcomputer 81 starts variable display of special symbols on the first special symbol display 41a according to the variation pattern determined in S1022 (S1025). Further, the game control microcomputer 81 sets a fluctuation start command in the output buffer of the RAM 84 (S1026). The variation start command includes information on the stop symbol data determined in S1131 and information on the variation pattern determined in S1022. After S1026, the game control microcomputer 81 changes the special operation status to 2 (S1017).

  After S1017, the game control microcomputer 81 executes a high-probability notification end process for ending the notification that the high probability state has been reached (S1018). After S1018, the special symbol waiting process is ended.

  FIG. 23 shows the procedure of the highly accurate notification end process. In the high accuracy notification end processing, the game control microcomputer 81 first determines whether or not the high accuracy notification flag is ON (S1041). When the high probability notification flag is on (S1041: YES), the game control microcomputer 81 turns off the high probability state indicator 45 (S1042). That is, it is estimated that the player has started the game after the variable display of the special symbol is started. When the staff of the hall operates the pachinko gaming machine 1 to clear the RAM while the player is playing the game, the player feels distrust. Therefore, it is difficult for the staff in the hall to perform the RAM clearing work after the player starts the game. From this, the notification of the high-probability state becomes unnecessary, and the notification of the high-probability state by the high-probability state indicator 45 is stopped.

  Similarly, after S1042, the game control microcomputer 81 resets the high-accuracy notification command set in the external output buffer of the RAM 84, and stops the output of the high-accuracy signal at startup to the hall computer 900 (S1043). .. Note that S1042 and S1043 may be in reverse order.

  After S1043, the game control microcomputer 81 turns off the high accuracy notification flag (S1044). After S1044 or when the high-accuracy notification flag is off (S1041: NO), the high-accuracy notification process ends.

[Special symbol changing process]
FIG. 24 shows the procedure of the special symbol changing process of S912 of FIG. In the special symbol variation process, the game control microcomputer 81 first determines whether or not the variation time of the special symbol has elapsed (S1501). The variation time is determined by the variation pattern determined in S1012 or S1022 of the special symbol waiting process described above. If the change time of the special symbol has not elapsed (S1501: NO), the special symbol changing process is ended. That is, the variable display of special symbols is continued.

  On the other hand, if the variation time of the special symbol has elapsed (S1501: YES), the game control microcomputer 81 sets a variation stop command in the output buffer of the RAM 84 (S1502). The fluctuation stop command is output to the sub control board 90, and the sub control board 90 produces an effect according to the fluctuation stop command. After S1502, the game control microcomputer 81 changes the special operation status to 3 (S1503).

  After S1503, the game control microcomputer 81 stops the variable display of the special symbol on the special symbol display 41 (S1504). Then, the game control microcomputer 81 sets a stop time for stopping and displaying the special symbol for a fixed time (S1505), and ends the special symbol changing process.

[Special symbol confirmation process]
FIG. 25 shows the procedure of the special symbol determination process of S922 of FIG. In the special symbol determination process, the game control microcomputer 81 first determines whether or not the stop time set in S1505 of the special symbol changing process described above has elapsed (S1601). If the stop time has not elapsed (S1601: NO), the special symbol determination process ends. If the stop time has elapsed (S1601: YES), a game state management process for managing the game state is executed (S1602).

  FIG. 26 shows the procedure of the game state management process. In the game state management process, the game control microcomputer 81 first determines whether the probability variation flag is on (S1701). The probability variation flag is a flag indicating whether or not the probability variation function is operating, that is, a high-probability state or a normal-probability state, and is on in the high-probability state and off in the normal-probability state.

  If the probability variation flag is on (S1701: YES), the game control microcomputer 81 subtracts one from the probability variation counter (S1702). The probability variation counter indicates the remaining number of times the jackpot lottery can be executed during the high probability state. Then, each time the jackpot lottery is performed, the probability variation counter is decremented by 1 in S1702. After S1702, the game control microcomputer 81 determines whether or not the value of the probability variation counter has become 0 (S1703). If the value of the probability variation counter is 0 (S1703: YES), the game control microcomputer 81 turns off the probability variation flag (S1704). As a result, the pachinko gaming machine 1 shifts to the normal probability state.

  After S1704, or if the value of the probability variation counter is not 0 (S1703: NO) or if the probability variation flag is not on (S1701: NO), the game control microcomputer 81 determines whether the time saving flag is on. Yes (S1711). The time saving flag is a flag indicating whether or not the variable time reducing function is operating, that is, a time saving state or a non-time saving state. The time saving state is ON, and the non time saving state is OFF.

  If the time saving flag is on (S1711: YES), the game control microcomputer 81 decrements the time saving counter by one (S1712). The time saving counter indicates the remaining number of times that the jackpot lottery can be executed during the time saving state. Then, each time the big hit lottery is carried out, the time saving counter is decremented by 1 in S1712. After S1712, the game control microcomputer 81 determines whether or not the value of the time saving counter has become 0 (S1713). If the value of the time saving counter is 0 (S1713: YES), the game control microcomputer 81 turns off the time saving flag (S1714). Thereby, the pachinko gaming machine 1 shifts to the non-time saving state.

  After S1714, the game control microcomputer 81 determines whether or not the jackpot flag is on (S1715). If the jackpot flag is not on (S1715: NO), the game control microcomputer 81 resets the jackpot continuation notification command set in the external output buffer of the RAM 84 and stops the jackpot continuation signal external output (S1716). .. The jackpot continuation signal is a signal output during the special advantageous period (so-called consecutive chan period) in which the jackpot game and the lottery in the highly accurate and high base state are repeated from the first jackpot winning. The output is started when the jackpot game about the jackpot is started. When the hour-shortening counter becomes 0 and the hour-shortening flag is turned off, the special advantageous period ends, so the external output of the jackpot continuation signal is stopped. On the other hand, when the jackpot flag is on (S1715: YES), the jackpot is won in the final one (160th in this embodiment) of the predetermined number of jackpots in the highly accurate and high base state, which is a special advantage. The period continues. Therefore, the game control microcomputer 81 does not perform S1716.

  After S1716, or if the jackpot flag is on (S1715: YES), or the value of the time saving counter is not 0 (S1713: NO), or the time saving flag is not on (S1711: NO), game control The microcomputer 81 ends the game state management process and returns to the special symbol determination process.

  Returning to the explanation of FIG. 25, after the game state management processing of S1602, the game control microcomputer 81 determines whether or not the jackpot flag is on (S1611). The jackpot flag is a flag that indicates that the jackpot is won in the jackpot, and is on when the jackpot is won and off when the jackpot is not won.

  If the jackpot flag is on (S1611: YES), the game control microcomputer 81 changes the special operation status to 4 (S1612). Then, the game control microcomputer 81 turns off the probability variation flag (S1613) and turns off the time saving flag (S1614). As a result, during the execution of the jackpot game, which will be described later, the normal probability state and non-time saving state are controlled. In other words, the pachinko gaming machine 1 is in a low base state while the jackpot game is being executed.

  After S1614, the game control microcomputer 81 sets the big hit opening command in the output buffer of the RAM 84 in order to start the big hit game (S1621). The opening command set in the output buffer is output to the sub control board 90, and the sub control board 90 executes processing according to the command. As a result, the opening of the jackpot game will be started.

  After S1621, the game control microcomputer 81 determines an opening pattern (see FIG. 9) for the first big winning opening 30 according to the type of big hit (S1622). Further, the game control microcomputer 81 sets the value of the counter that counts the number of times the special winning opening is opened during the big hit game to a value according to the kind of the big hit (S1623). In the pachinko gaming machine 1, if the 16R big hit, the special winning opening is opened 16 times in total, so 16 is set to the counter value. Further, in the case of a 4R jackpot, the special winning opening is opened a total of four times, so that the counter value is set to 4. After S1623, the game control microcomputer 81 starts the operation of a predetermined special winning opening according to the determined opening pattern (S1624). That is, the control for the solenoid corresponding to each special winning opening is started.

  After S1624, the game control microcomputer 81 determines whether or not the jackpot continuation signal is externally output, that is, whether or not the jackpot continuation notification command for outputting the jackpot continuation signal is set in the external output buffer of the RAM 84. It is determined (S1651). When the jackpot continuation notification command is not set in the external output buffer of the RAM 84 (S1651: NO), the game control microcomputer 81 sets the jackpot continuation notification command in a predetermined external output buffer of the RAM 84 (S1652). As a result, in S171 of the main timer interrupt processing (see FIG. 17), the jackpot continuation signal is started to be output to the hall computer 900 and the data display 910.

  After S1652 or when the jackpot continuation notification command is set in a predetermined external output buffer of the RAM 84 (S1651: YES), the game control microcomputer 81 outputs the jackpot count notification command for outputting the jackpot count signal to the RAM84. To the predetermined external output buffer (S1653). The jackpot count signal is output during the jackpot game. After S1653, the special symbol determination process ends.

  On the other hand, if the jackpot flag is off (S1611: NO), the jackpot lottery result is a miss, and since the jackpot game is not executed, the game control microcomputer 81 changes the special operation status to 1 (S1631). .. After S1631, the special symbol determination process ends.

[Big hit game processing]
FIG. 27 shows the procedure of the jackpot game process of S932 of FIG. In the jackpot game process, the game control microcomputer 81 first determines whether or not the jackpot end flag is on (S2001). The jackpot end flag is a flag indicating that the jackpot game is finished, and is off at the start of the jackpot game.

  If the jackpot end flag is off (S2001: NO), the game control microcomputer 81 determines whether or not the special winning opening is open (S2011). Since the pachinko gaming machine 1 opens the first big winning opening 30 or the second big winning opening 35 according to the number of rounds during the big hit game (see FIG. 8), the big winning opening according to the number of rounds is made in S2011. It will be judged whether it is open or not. The number of rounds is calculated by the total number of rounds and the value of the release counter.

  If the special winning opening is not open (S2011: NO), the game control microcomputer 81 determines whether it is time to open the special winning opening (S2012). Specifically, in S2012, the game control microcomputer 81 has reached the time when the opening of the jackpot game is finished and the opening of the special winning opening corresponding to the first round is started, or the interval time from the end of the previous opening is reached. It is determined whether or not it is time to start opening the special winning opening corresponding to this round.

  If it is time to open the special winning opening (S2012: YES), the game control microcomputer 81 follows the opening pattern set in S1622 of the special symbol determination process described above, and is the time to open the large winning prize. The mouth is opened (S2013). After S2013, or if it is not time to open the special winning opening (S2012: NO), the big hit game process is ended.

  On the other hand, if the special winning opening is open (S2011: YES), the game control microcomputer 81 determines whether or not the conditions for closing the special winning opening are satisfied (S2021). The conditions for closing the special winning opening include that the number of winning game balls in the special winning opening is greater than or equal to the predetermined maximum winning number, and that the opening time according to the set opening pattern has elapsed. In the game control microcomputer 81, if any one of these conditions is satisfied, it is determined that the condition for closing the special winning opening is satisfied. In this embodiment, the maximum winning number is eight. When the condition for closing the special winning opening is not satisfied (S2021: NO), the big hit game process is ended. That is, the opening of the special winning opening is continued.

  When the condition for closing the special winning opening is satisfied (S2021: YES), the game control microcomputer 81 closes the special winning opening that satisfies the closing condition (S2022). After S2022, the game control microcomputer 81 decrements the open counter by one (S2023). Then, the game control microcomputer 81 determines whether or not the open counter has reached 0 (S2031).

  When the release counter reaches 0 (S2031: YES), the game control microcomputer 81 sets a jackpot ending command in the output buffer of the RAM 84 to end the jackpot game (S2032). The ending command set in the output buffer is output to the sub control board 90, and the sub control board 90 executes processing according to the command. With this, the ending of the jackpot game is started. In addition, the ending command includes information on the types of jackpots.

  After S2032, the game control microcomputer 81 turns on the jackpot end flag (S2033), resets the jackpot count notification command set in the external output buffer of the RAM 84, and stops the jackpot count signal external output (S2034). ). After S2034, the jackpot game process is ended. If the open counter is not 0 (S2031: NO), the jackpot game is continuing, and the jackpot game process is ended without performing S2032-S2034 for the next opening of the special winning opening.

  On the other hand, if the jackpot end flag is on (S2001: YES), the opening of the special winning opening in the jackpot game is all finished and the ending is started, so that the game control microcomputer 81 passes the ending time. It is determined whether or not (S2041). If the ending time has elapsed (S2041: YES), the game control microcomputer 81 turns off the jackpot end flag (S2042), turns off the jackpot flag (S2043), and changes the special operation status to 1 ( S2044). After S2044, the game control microcomputer 81 executes a game state setting process for setting a game state (S2045), and ends the jackpot game process.

  FIG. 28 shows the procedure of the game state setting process. In the game state setting process, the game control microcomputer 81 first turns on the probability variation flag (S2052). As a result, the pachinko gaming machine 1 shifts to a high probability state. That is, the probability variation flag is stored in the gaming state storage unit 89 of the RAM 84, and by turning on the probability variation flag, the gaming state is shifted to the high probability state and the memory that the gaming state is the high probability state is stored. Done. Further, the game control microcomputer 81 sets 160 to the probability variation counter (S2053). As a result, it is possible to successively win a maximum of 160 big hits in a high probability state.

  After S2053, the game control microcomputer 81 turns on the time saving flag (S2055). As a result, the pachinko gaming machine 1 shifts to a time saving state. Further, 160 is set in the time saving counter (S2056). As a result, it is possible to consecutively win a maximum of 160 jackpots in a short time. That is, in the pachinko gaming machine 1, the gaming state becomes a high-probability state and a time saving state after the big hit game. After S2056, the game state management process ends.

[Power interruption monitoring process]
Next, the power-off monitoring process of S181 of FIG. 17 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the power-off monitoring process, the game control microcomputer 81 first determines whether or not a power-off signal has been input (S3001). The power-off signal is input from the power board 150 to the game control microcomputer 81 when the power switch 155 is turned off.

  When the power-off signal is input (S3001: YES), the game control microcomputer 81 sets the end of the CPU 82, the RAM 84, etc. (S3002). Specifically, in S3002, the game control microcomputer 81 calculates, for example, a checksum and stores the calculation result in a predetermined storage area of the RAM 84.

  After S3002, the game control microcomputer 81 turns on the power-off flag (S3003). Then, the prohibition setting of access to the RAM 84 is made (S3004). This makes it impossible to write or read information to or from the RAM 84. That is, access to the RAM 84 is restricted while the main power is off. After S3004 or when there is no input of the power-off signal (S3001: NO), power-off monitoring processing is performed.

7. Operation of Performance Control Microcomputer 91 Next, the operation of the performance control microcomputer 91 in the sub-control board 90 of the pachinko gaming machine 1 will be described. A specific process executed by the production control microcomputer 91 is a sub-side activation process. The counter, timer, flag, status, buffer, and the like that appear in the description of the operation of the production control microcomputer 91 are provided in the RAM 94.

[Sub-side startup processing]
The sub-side activation processing executed by the production control microcomputer 91 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. The sub-side activation processing is executed by the effect control microcomputer 91 when the power of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is turned on.

  In the sub-side activation process, the effect control microcomputer 91 first initializes the CPU 92 (S4001). Specifically, in S4001, the effect control microcomputer 91 performs, for example, stack setting, constant setting, CPU setting, SIO, PIO, CTC (circuit for managing interrupt time), and the like. Note that S4001 is executed only once after the power is turned on, and is not executed thereafter.

  After S4001, the effect control microcomputer 91 determines whether or not the RAM initialization command is received from the game control microcomputer 81 (S4002). When the RAM initialization command has been received (S4002: YES), the effect control microcomputer 91 initializes the RAM 94 (S4003). As a result, various information stored in the RAM 94 is lost.

  After S4003, or when the RAM initialization command has not been received (S4002: NO), the production control microcomputer 91 prohibits interruption (S4004). Next, the effect control microcomputer 91 updates the values of various random numbers (S4005). Specifically, in S4005, the effect control microcomputer 91 updates the values of various random numbers of the effect design random number, the variable effect pattern random number, the notice effect random number, and the notice effect type random number. These random numbers are different from the random numbers used in the game control microcomputer 81 described above, and are used only in the effect control microcomputer 91. The method of updating the random number may be the same as or different from that of the game control microcomputer 81.

  After S4005, the production control microcomputer 91 transmits various commands set in the output buffer of the RAM 94 to the image control board 100 and the like (S4006). For example, the image control board 100 that receives the command causes the image display device 7 to display various still images or moving images in accordance with the command. In other words, the effect design variation effect, the game effect accompanying the jackpot game, etc. are executed.

  It should be noted that, along with execution of various effects by the image control board 100, the effect control microcomputer 91 outputs sound from the speaker 67 via the voice control board 106 or the panel lamp 5 via the lamp control board 107. The frame lamp 66 is turned on or the decorative movable body 15 is driven. Of these, the control of the sound output from the speaker 67 may be executed based on the command output from the image control board 100. Since the main control board 80 does not receive the input from the sub control board 90 as described above, the command transmitted from S4006 is not input to the game control microcomputer 81.

  After S4006, the production control microcomputer 91 permits interruption (S4007). After that, S4004 to S4007 are repeated. While the interrupt is permitted, various processes such as 2 ms timer interrupt process (S4009) and 10 ms timer interrupt process (S4010) can be executed.

  The effect control microcomputer 91 also executes interrupt processing other than S4009 and S4010. For example, when the command sent from the main control board 80 is input to the input/output circuit 97 of the effect control microcomputer 91, the effect control microcomputer 91 executes a main control command interrupt process for storing the command in the RAM 94. To do. The main control command interrupt process is executed prior to the other interrupt processes (S4009, S4010).

[2ms timer interrupt processing]
Next, the 2 ms timer interrupt process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The 2 ms timer interrupt process is executed by the effect control microcomputer 91 every time an interrupt pulse of 2 ms period is input.

  In the 2 ms timer interrupt process, the effect control microcomputer 91 first presses the effect button 63 on the operation panel based on the output signals from the effect button detection switch 63x, the cross button detection switch 68x, and the sword member detection switch 222x. Switch data indicating the presence/absence and the presence/absence of pushing of the sword member 222 is created (S4201). When the pachinko gaming machine 1 is provided with an input member other than these, the switch data also includes information regarding the presence/absence of input of the input member.

  After S4201, the effect control microcomputer 91 performs control for turning on or off the frame lamp 66 via the lamp control board 107 according to the lamp data created by the 10 ms timer interrupt process described later (S4202). Furthermore, the effect control microcomputer 91 performs control for operating the decorative movable body 15 via the lamp control board 107 in accordance with the drive data similarly created in the 10 ms timer interrupt process (S4203). Further, the effect control microcomputer 91 also performs control for causing the speaker 67 to output a sound or the like via the sound control board 106 according to the sound data similarly created by the 10 ms timer interrupt process (S4204).

  After S4204, the production control microcomputer 91 executes other processing such as resetting the watchdog timer (S4299). After S4299, the 2ms timer interrupt process is ended.

[10ms timer interrupt processing]
Next, the 10 ms timer interrupt process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The 10 ms timer interrupt process is executed by the effect control microcomputer 91 every time an interrupt pulse of 10 ms period is input.

  In the 10 ms timer interrupt process, the effect control microcomputer 91 first executes a received command analysis process for analyzing a command received from the main control board 80 (S4301). Details of S4301 will be described later. After S4301, the effect control microcomputer 91 performs an effect related to the effect hold image according to the change in the number of special figure reservations (S4302).

  After S4302, the production control microcomputer 91 acquires the switch data created in S4201 of the 2ms timer interrupt process (S4303). Then, the effect control microcomputer 91 performs switch control according to various button operations based on the switch data (S4304).

  After S4304, the effect control microcomputer 91 performs lighting control of the panel lamp 5 and the frame lamp 66 according to various effects (S4305). Furthermore, the production control microcomputer 91 creates audio data for controlling the output of audio from the speaker 67, and performs audio control according to the created audio data (S4306).

  After S4306, the effect control microcomputer 91 executes other processing such as updating various random numbers used in the effect control microcomputer 91 (S4399), and ends the 10 ms timer interrupt processing.

[Reception command analysis processing]
FIG. 33 shows the procedure of the received command analysis processing of S4301 of FIG. In the received command analysis processing, the production control microcomputer 91 first determines whether the production control microcomputer 91 has received a variation start command (S4411). The fluctuation start command is output from the main control board 80 when the fluctuation display of the special symbol is started, for example. When the fluctuation start command is received from the main control board 80 (S4411: YES), the effect control microcomputer 91 starts the effect effect fluctuation effect (S4412).

  After S4412 or when the fluctuation start command is not received from the main control board 80 (S4411: NO), the effect control microcomputer 91 determines whether or not the fluctuation end command is received (S4421). The variation end command is output from the main control board 80 when the variation display of the special symbol is finished, for example. When the variation end command is received from the main control board 80 (S4421: YES), the effect control microcomputer 91 ends the variation effect of the effect symbol (S4422).

  After S4422 or when the fluctuation end command has not been received from the main control board 80 (S4421: NO), the effect control microcomputer 91 determines whether or not the opening command has been received from the main control board 80 (S4431). ). The opening command is output from the main control board 80 when starting a special game such as a big hit game or a small hit game. When the opening command is received from the main control board 80 (S4431: YES), the effect control microcomputer 91 starts the opening effect related to the opening of the special game (S4432).

  After S4432 or when the opening command is not received from the main control board 80 (S4431: NO), the effect control microcomputer 91 determines whether or not the ending command is received from the main control board 80 (S4441). .. The ending command is output from the main control board 80 when ending the special game, for example. When the ending command is received from the main control board 80 (S4441: YES), the effect control microcomputer 91 starts the ending effect related to the ending of the special game (S4442).

  After S4442 or when the ending command is not received from the main control board 80 (S4441: NO), the production control microcomputer 91 determines whether or not the customer waiting standby command is received from the main control board 80 ( S4461). The customer waiting standby command is output from the main control board 80, for example, when the power is turned on or the number of special figure reservations becomes zero. When the customer waiting standby command is received from the main control board 80 (S4461: YES), the effect control microcomputer 91 starts the customer waiting effect (S4462).

  After S4462 or when the customer waiting standby command is not received from the main control board 80 (S4461: NO), the production control microcomputer 91 executes the process corresponding to the command other than the above-mentioned command (S4499). As the commands other than the above-mentioned commands, for example, various abnormality notification commands and full notification commands for the surplus ball tray 62 are applicable. After S4499, the received command analysis processing ends.

8. Effects of Embodiments As described in detail above, in the pachinko gaming machine 1, when the main power is turned on while the high probability state information (the probability variation flag is on in this embodiment) is stored, In addition to the notification by the probability state indicator 45, a signal indicating a high probability state (in this embodiment, a highly accurate start-up signal) is output to the hall computer 900. Therefore, the hall staff can grasp the pachinko gaming machine 1 in which the gaming state at the time of start-up is the high probability state in the hall computer 900. Therefore, the hall computer 900 can manage the gaming state of the pachinko gaming machine 1, and the gaming state of the pachinko gaming machine 1 can be easily managed. As a result, it is possible to prevent forgetting to initialize the RAM 84 that stores information on the game state, and prevent fraud such as morning. Since both the hall computer 900 and the player are informed that there is a high probability state, there is no difference in the information obtained between the two.

9. Modification of Embodiment This embodiment is merely an example and does not limit the present invention. Therefore, the present invention can of course be variously modified and modified within the scope of the invention. For example, the numerical values described in the present embodiment (number of times of lottery, set values of various tables, upper limit of various numbers of holdings, etc.) are examples, and may be selected appropriately.

  Further, in the embodiment, the signal is output from the main control board 80 to the hall computer 900 via the external terminal board 190. However, the external terminal board 190 is connected to the sub control board 90, and the sub control board 90 is connected. A configuration in which a signal is output to the hall computer 900 by the 90 may be used.

  Further, in the embodiment, the backup power supply circuit 151 supplies power to the RAM 84 and keeps the information in the RAM 84 even when the power is off. However, for example, a nonvolatile memory such as a hard disk is provided, and the nonvolatile memory is used as the nonvolatile memory. Information on the game state may be stored.

  Further, in the embodiment, the first variable display of the special symbols after the main power is turned on, that is, the start of the first jackpot lottery, the stop condition for turning on the high-probability state indicator 45 and the hall computer 900. Although the output high-accuracy signal output stop condition is used, another stop condition may be provided. For example, the stop condition may be that the gaming state has returned to the normal probability state. In this case, the high-precision notification end process of S1018 during the special symbol standby process is executed after S1704 of the game state management process or after S1613 of the special symbol determination process. With this configuration, the hall computer 900 can accurately grasp the gaming state of the pachinko gaming machine 1 during the game by continuously outputting the high-accuracy signal at startup until the gaming state returns to the normal probability state.

  In addition, in the embodiment, after the main power is turned on, the high-accuracy signal at the time of startup to the hall computer 900 is continuously output until the first variable display of the special symbol is displayed. The high-accuracy signal at startup may be output to the computer 900 only once (for example, one pulse) after the main power is turned on. The communication load can be reduced by making the communication with the hall computer 900 only once associated with the notification of the high probability state.

  Further, in the embodiment, both the turning off of the high probability state indicator 45 and the stop of the output of the high-accuracy signal at the time of activation to the hall computer 900 are performed by satisfying a specific stop condition. The condition for turning off the indicator 45 and the condition for stopping the output of the high-accuracy signal at startup to the hall computer 900 are separately prepared, and the high-probability state indicator 45 is extinguished and the high-accuracy signal at startup to the hall computer 900 is prepared. It is also possible to execute the stop of the output of 1 at different timings.

  Further, the processing disclosed in the embodiment is mainly executed by the CPU 82 of the game control microcomputer 81 of the main control board 80 and the CPU 92 of the effect control microcomputer 91 of the sub control board 90. It may be executed by a single CPU or a plurality of CPUs by a control board. Further, the processing disclosed in the embodiment may be executed by a plurality of CPUs in at least one of the game control microcomputer 81 and the effect control microcomputer 91. In addition, the processing disclosed in the embodiment may be executed in combination with other hardware in addition to the game control microcomputer 81 or the effect control microcomputer 91. Further, among the processes disclosed in the embodiment, the effect control microcomputer 91 may execute a part of the process of the game control microcomputer 81, or all or one of the processes of the effect control microcomputer 91. The part may be executed by the game control microcomputer 81. In other words, the game control microcomputer 81, the effect control microcomputer 91, one microcomputer including both, combined with other hardware, these are all examples of control means. Further, the processing disclosed in the embodiments can be realized in various aspects such as a recording medium recording a program for executing the processing, a method, or the like.

  In the description of the means described below, corresponding configuration names and expressions in the embodiments for carrying out the invention, and reference numerals used in the drawings are added in parentheses for reference. However, the constituent elements of the present invention are not limited to the supplementary notes.

  The gaming machine (pachinko gaming machine 1) disclosed in the present specification is an external output means (external terminal board 190) and a storage means (RAM84) for storing information on a gaming state, and while the main power is off. Also includes the storage means capable of storing the information, the input means (RAM clear switch 161), the notification means (high-probability state indicator 45), and the control means (main control board 80). An initialization process (S013, S021) for initializing the storage unit when there is an input to the input unit, and a lottery process (S1102) for performing a jackpot if the lottery conditions are satisfied, When the first transition condition is satisfied, the game state is changed from the normal probability state to the high probability state in which it is easy to win the jackpot in the lottery process, and when the second transition condition is satisfied, the game state is changed. The transition process (S2052, S1704, S1613) for transitioning from the high probability state to the normal probability state, and when the game state is transitioned by the transition process, the storage means stores the information of the game state after the transition. When the storage processing (S2052, S1704, S1613) and the main power supply is turned on, the notification is provided on condition that the storage means stores information indicating that the gaming state is the high probability state. Informing processing (S032) for informing the means that the gaming state is the high-probability state, and information indicating that the gaming state is the high-probability state in the storage means when the main power supply is turned on. Performing an output process (S033) of outputting a special signal, which is a signal indicating that the gaming state is the high-probability state, to an external device via the external output means, provided that it is stored. Is characterized by.

  That is, the gaming machine disclosed in the present specification, when the main power source is turned on in the state where the information that the gaming state is the high probability state is stored, outputs the special signal indicating the high probability state to the external device. (Hall computer etc.) Therefore, the staff of the hall can grasp the gaming machine in which the gaming state immediately after starting is a high probability state in the external device. Therefore, it becomes easy to manage the gaming state of the gaming machine. As a result, it is possible to prevent forgetting to initialize the storage means of the gaming machine in which the gaming state immediately after startup is in a high probability state, and prevent fraud such as morning.

  Further, in the output process, the control means may continue to output the special signal until the gaming state transitions from the high probability state to the normal probability state after the main power supply is turned on. By continuously notifying until the gaming state returns to the normal probability state, the external device can accurately grasp the current gaming state of the gaming machine. The mode of continuously outputting the special signal includes a mode of continuously outputting and a mode of repeatedly outputting at regular intervals.

  In the output process, the control means may continue to output the special signal until the first jackpot lottery in the lottery process is executed after the main power is turned on. If the staff of the hall operates the gaming machine after the player starts playing the game, the player feels distrust. For this reason, it is difficult for the player to initialize the storage means after starting the game. Therefore, it is preferable to output the special signal until the first jackpot lottery is performed.

  In the output process, the control means may continue to output the special signal while the notification means continues the notification. According to this configuration, the information obtained by the player and the information obtained by the external device can be aligned. Further, it is preferable that, in the notification processing, the control means causes the notification means to notify that the gaming state is the high-probability state until the first jackpot lottery in the lottery processing is executed.

  Further, in the output processing, the control means may output the special signal only once at the time when the main power supply is turned on or immediately thereafter. The communication load can be reduced by making the communication associated with the output of the special signal only once.

  Further, the control means may be configured not to output the special signal to the external device when the game state is shifted to the high probability state in the shift processing. With this configuration, since no special signal is output due to a change in the game state during the game, it is difficult for the external device to grasp the game state of the game machine. Therefore, the present invention can operate favorably.

  It should be noted that a control method for realizing the functions of the gaming machine, a computer program, and a computer-readable storage medium that stores the computer program are also novel and useful.

1 Pachinko gaming machine 7 Image display device 40 Displays 45 High probability state display 45
80 Main control board 81 Game control microcomputer 84 RAM
90 Sub-control board 91 Performance control microcomputer 151 Backup power supply circuit 190 External terminal board 900 Hall computer

Claims (1)

In the gaming machine that can give a privilege to the player depending on the result of the lottery game,
High-probability-state transition means capable of transitioning from a normal probability state to a high-probability state when the first transition condition is satisfied,
Low probability transition means for transitioning from the high probability state to the normal probability state when a second transition condition is satisfied,
Informing means for informing that the gaming state is the high probability state, provided that the information that the gaming state is the high probability state is held when the main power source is turned on. ，
When the main power source is turned on from off, a special signal indicating that the gaming state is the high probability state is provided, provided that the information that the gaming state is the high probability state is held. Output means to output to the external equipment of the machine,
Equipped with
The notifying means notifies that the gaming state is the high-probability state until the first gaming lottery is executed after the main power source is turned on,
The special signal is a signal which, after the main power supply is turned on, maintains an on state until the gaming state transitions from the high probability state to the normal probability state and then switches to the off state,
A gaming machine characterized by that.

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