JP7486176B2 - Gaming Machines - Google Patents

Description

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

Conventionally, as this type of gaming machine, a gaming machine equipped with a notification means for notifying the gaming state has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1). This gaming machine is equipped with a judgment means for judging the gaming state, and a notification means for notifying the gaming state based on the judgment result. The notification means includes a first notification means for notifying that the gaming state is a time-saving gaming state or a high-probability gaming state, and a second notification means for notifying that the gaming state is a high-probability gaming state, and the second notification means is configured to only issue a notification when the power is turned on.

In addition, there have also been proposals for a time-saving state to be triggered if the next jackpot does not occur before the number of times that the special symbol changes, based on the game ball entering the starting hole, reaches a predetermined number (see, for example, Patent Document 2), and for a time-saving state to be triggered when the special symbol stops and is displayed as a specific losing symbol (see, for example, Patent Document 3).

JP 2008-220841 A JP 2005-52345 A JP 2005-211430 A

In gaming machines with multiple time-saving states (easily scoring states) with different conditions for occurrence, it is common for each time-saving state to have different conditions for ending (number of times the time-saving state is repeated). In addition, in gaming machines with a backup function in the main control means that controls the progress of the game, which retains memory of the game information before the power is cut off even if the power is cut off during the time-saving state and then restored, the game can be resumed from the time-saving state based on the game information that is stored. However, in gaming machines with multiple time-saving states as described above, if the sub-control means that performs the presentation and notification does not have a backup function similar to that of the main control means, when the power is cut off during the time-saving state and the power is restored and the game is resumed in the time-saving state, it may be unclear which of the multiple time-saving states the game has returned to. In this case, it is not possible for the gaming establishment or the player to guess the number of times the time-saving state remains, which is disadvantageous.

The main objective of the gaming machine of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that has multiple easy-to-score states with different conditions for generation (or termination conditions) as easy-to-score states that make it easier for a gaming ball to score into a variable starting hole, has a backup function in the main control means for retaining memory of game information, but does not have a backup function in the secondary control means, and is capable of determining the type of easy-to-score state when power is restored in the easy-to-score state after the power is cut off during the easy-to-score state.

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

The first gaming machine of the present invention comprises:
A starting port including a variable starting port in which the possibility of the game ball entering the game changes;
A winning/losing lottery means for performing a winning/losing lottery based on the entry of a game ball into the starting hole;
A symbol display means for variably displaying symbols based on the result of the winning/losing lottery;
A jackpot game execution means for executing a jackpot game based on the symbols stopping at a winning symbol;
A game state setting means for setting a game state;
a notification means for making a predetermined notification;
A main control means for controlling the progress of a game and having a memory unit for storing game information related to the game including the game state;
A sub-control means that operates based on a command from the main control means and controls the notification means;
A gaming machine comprising:
The game state includes a normal game state and an easy-to-enter ball entry state in which it is easier for a game ball to enter the variable start opening than in the normal game state,
The ball-entering easy state includes a post-jackpot state that occurs after the end of the jackpot game, and a post-ceiling state that occurs when the variable display of the symbols is executed a predetermined number of times without the jackpot game being executed,
The main control means has a backup function for retaining the memory of the memory unit in a state where the power supply to the gaming machine is cut off,
The secondary control means does not have the backup function,
When the power supply to the gaming machine is cut off during the ball-scoring state, and the power supply to the gaming machine is restored with the memory in the memory section of the main control means maintained, and a game is resumed from the ball-scoring state, the notification means notifies in a distinguishable manner whether the ball-scoring state is the post-jackpot state or the post-ceiling state based on a command from the main control means to the sub-control means.
The gist of the present invention is as follows.

The first gaming machine of the present invention comprises a main control means having a memory section that controls the progress of the game and stores game information related to the game including the game state, and a sub-control means that operates based on a command from the main control means and controls the notification means, the main control means having a backup function for retaining the memory of the memory section when the gaming machine is powered off, and the sub-control means having no backup function. This gaming machine has two easy-to-enter states in which it is easy for a game ball to enter the variable ball entrance: a post-jackpot state that occurs after a jackpot game ends, and a post-ceiling state that occurs when the variable display of the pattern is executed a predetermined number of times without executing a jackpot game. When the gaming machine is powered off during the easy-to-enter state, and the gaming machine is powered back on with the memory of the memory section of the main control means retained, and the game is resumed from the easy-to-enter state, the notification means notifies the user in a distinguishable manner whether the easy-to-enter state is a post-jackpot state or a post-ceiling state based on a command from the main control means to the sub-control means. As a result, when the power is cut off during an easy-to-score state, and then the power is restored and play resumes in the easy-to-score state, the gaming establishment or player can ascertain the type of easy-to-score state from the notification content of the notification means, which can be useful in estimating the number of times remaining in the easy-to-score state. In other words, if the gaming establishment estimates that there may be too many remaining times, it can avoid disadvantages by clearing the RAM for the gaming machine. Alternatively, leaving such a state that is advantageous to the player can be used as a means of returning profits to the player, thereby improving the operating rate. Furthermore, the estimated number of remaining times can be used as a basis for the player to decide whether or not to play on the gaming machine.

The second gaming machine of the present invention is
A starting port including a variable starting port in which the possibility of the game ball entering the game changes;
A winning/losing lottery means for performing a winning/losing lottery based on the entry of a game ball into the starting hole;
A symbol display means for variably displaying symbols based on the result of the winning/losing lottery;
A jackpot game execution means for executing a jackpot game based on the symbols stopping at a winning symbol;
A game state setting means for setting a game state;
a notification means for making a predetermined notification;
A main control means for controlling the progress of a game and having a memory unit for storing game information related to the game including the game state;
A sub-control means that operates based on a command from the main control means and controls the notification means;
A gaming machine comprising:
The game state includes a normal game state and an easy-to-enter ball entry state in which it is easier for a game ball to enter the variable start opening than in the normal game state,
The ball-entering easy state includes a post-jackpot state that occurs after the end of the jackpot game, and a post-specific symbol stop state that occurs based on the symbol stopping at a specific symbol different from the winning symbol,
The main control means has a backup function for retaining the memory of the memory unit in a state where the power supply to the gaming machine is cut off,
The secondary control means does not have the backup function,
When the power supply to the gaming machine is cut off during the ball-scoring state, and the power supply to the gaming machine is restored with the memory in the memory section of the main control means maintained, and a game is resumed from the ball-scoring state, the notification means notifies in a distinguishable manner whether the ball-scoring state is the state after a big win or the state after the specific symbol has stopped, based on a command from the main control means to the sub-control means.
The gist of the present invention is as follows.

The second gaming machine of the present invention comprises a main control means having a memory section that controls the progress of the game and stores game information related to the game including the game state, and a sub-control means that operates based on a command from the main control means and controls the notification means, the main control means having a backup function for retaining the memory of the memory section when the gaming machine is powered off, and the sub-control means having no backup function. This gaming machine has a post-jackpot state that occurs after the end of a jackpot game and a post-specific pattern stop state that occurs based on the stop of a specific pattern different from the winning pattern as easy-to-enter states in which it is easy for a game ball to enter the variable ball entry port, and when the gaming machine is powered off during the easy-to-enter state, and the gaming machine is powered back on with the memory of the memory section of the main control means retained, and the game is resumed from the easy-to-enter state, the notification means notifies the user in a distinguishable manner whether the easy-to-enter state is the post-jackpot state or the post-specific pattern stop state based on a command from the main control means to the sub-control means. As a result, when the power is cut off during an easy-to-score state, and then the power is restored and play resumes in the easy-to-score state, the gaming establishment or player can ascertain the type of easy-to-score state from the notification content of the notification means, which can be useful in estimating the number of times remaining in the easy-to-score state. In other words, if the gaming establishment estimates that there may be too many remaining times, it can avoid disadvantages by clearing the RAM for the gaming machine. Alternatively, leaving such a state that is advantageous to the player can be used as a means of returning profits to the player, thereby improving the operating rate. Furthermore, the estimated number of remaining times can be used as a basis for the player to decide whether or not to play on the gaming machine.

The third gaming machine of the present invention is
A starting port including a variable starting port in which the possibility of the game ball entering the game changes;
A winning/losing lottery means for performing a winning/losing lottery based on the entry of a game ball into the starting hole;
A symbol display means for variably displaying symbols based on the result of the winning/losing lottery;
A jackpot game execution means for executing a jackpot game based on the symbols stopping at a winning symbol;
A game state setting means for setting a game state;
a notification means for making a predetermined notification;
A main control means for controlling the progress of a game and having a memory unit for storing game information related to the game including the game state;
A sub-control means that operates based on a command from the main control means and controls the notification means;
A gaming machine comprising:
The game state includes a normal game state and an easy-to-enter ball entry state in which it is easier for a game ball to enter the variable start opening than in the normal game state,
The ball-winning easy state includes a state after reaching a ceiling, which occurs when the variable display of the symbol is executed a predetermined number of times without the execution of the big win game, and a state after a specific symbol stops, which occurs when the symbol stops at a specific symbol different from the winning symbol,
The main control means has a backup function for retaining the memory of the memory unit in a state where the power supply to the gaming machine is cut off,
The secondary control means does not have the backup function,
When the power supply to the gaming machine is cut off during the ball-scoring state, and the power supply to the gaming machine is restored with the memory in the memory section of the main control means maintained, and a game is resumed from the ball-scoring state, the notification means notifies in an identifiable manner whether the ball-scoring state is the state after the ceiling is reached or the state after the specific symbol is stopped, based on a command from the main control means to the sub-control means.
The gist of the present invention is as follows.

The third gaming machine of the present invention comprises a main control means having a memory section that controls the progress of the game and stores game information related to the game including the game state, and a sub-control means that operates based on a command from the main control means and controls the notification means, the main control means having a backup function for retaining the memory of the memory section when the gaming machine is powered off, and the sub-control means having no backup function. This gaming machine has, as easy-to-enter states in which it is easy for a game ball to enter the variable ball entrance, a state after the ceiling is reached that occurs when the variable display of the pattern is executed a predetermined number of times without executing a jackpot game, and a state after a specific pattern is stopped that occurs when the pattern stops with a specific pattern different from the winning pattern, and when the gaming machine is powered off during the easy-to-enter state, and the gaming machine is powered back on with the memory of the memory section of the main control means retained, and the game is resumed from the easy-to-enter state, the notification means notifies in a distinguishable manner whether the easy-to-enter state is the state after the ceiling is reached or the state after a specific pattern is stopped, based on a command from the main control means to the sub-control means. As a result, when the power is cut off during an easy-to-score state, and then the power is restored and play resumes in the easy-to-score state, the gaming establishment or player can ascertain the type of easy-to-score state from the notification content of the notification means, which can be useful in estimating the number of times remaining in the easy-to-score state. In other words, if the gaming establishment estimates that there may be too many remaining times, it can avoid disadvantages by clearing the RAM for the gaming machine. Alternatively, leaving such a state that is advantageous to the player can be used as a means of returning profits to the player, thereby improving the operating rate. Furthermore, the estimated number of remaining times can be used as a basis for the player to decide whether or not to play on the gaming machine.

The fourth gaming machine of the present invention is
A starting port including a variable starting port in which the possibility of the game ball entering the game changes;
A winning/losing lottery means for performing a winning/losing lottery based on the entry of a game ball into the starting hole;
A symbol display means for variably displaying symbols based on the result of the winning/losing lottery;
A jackpot game execution means for executing a jackpot game based on the symbols stopping at a winning symbol;
A game state setting means for setting a game state;
a notification means for making a predetermined notification;
A main control means for controlling the progress of a game and having a memory unit for storing game information related to the game including the game state;
A sub-control means that operates based on a command from the main control means and controls the notification means;
A gaming machine comprising:
The game state includes a normal game state and an easy-to-enter ball entry state in which it is easier for a game ball to enter the variable start opening than in the normal game state,
The ball-entering easy-to-win states include a post-jackpot state that occurs after the end of the jackpot game, a post-ceiling state that occurs when the variable display of the symbols is executed a predetermined number of times without the jackpot game being executed, and a post-specific symbol stop state that occurs when the symbols stop at a specific symbol different from the winning symbol,
The main control means has a backup function for retaining the memory of the memory unit in a state where the power supply to the gaming machine is cut off,
The secondary control means does not have the backup function,
When the power supply to the gaming machine is cut off during the ball-scoring state, and the power supply to the gaming machine is restored with the memory in the memory section of the main control means maintained, and play is resumed from the ball-scoring state, the notification means notifies in an identifiable manner whether the ball-scoring state is the state after a big win, the state after the ceiling is reached, or the state after a specific symbol is stopped, based on a command from the main control means to the sub-control means.
The gist of the present invention is as follows.

The fourth gaming machine of the present invention is equipped with a main control means having a memory unit that controls the progress of the game and stores gaming information related to the game including the gaming status, and a sub-control means that operates based on commands from the main control means and controls the notification means, and the main control means has a backup function that retains the memory of the memory unit when the gaming machine is powered off, while the sub-control means does not have a backup function. This gaming machine has the following easy-to-enter states in which it is easy for a gaming ball to enter the variable entry port: a post-jackpot state that occurs after a jackpot game ends, a post-ceiling state that occurs when the variable display of the symbols is executed a predetermined number of times without the jackpot game being executed, and a post-specific symbol stop state that occurs when the symbols stop at a specific symbol different from the winning symbol, and when the power of the gaming machine is cut off during the easy-to-enter state and the memory of the memory unit of the main control means is retained and the gaming machine is powered back on and the game is resumed from the easy-to-enter state, the notification means notifies in a distinguishable manner whether the easy-to-enter state is a post-jackpot state, a post-ceiling state, or a post-specific symbol stop state based on a command from the main control means to the sub-control means. This allows the gaming establishment or the player to know the type of easy-to-enter state from the notification content of the notification means when the power is cut off during the easy-to-enter state and the game is resumed from the easy-to-enter state after the power is restored, and this can be useful in estimating the remaining number of times the easy-to-enter state will occur. That is, if an arcade estimates that there may be too many remaining plays, it can avoid any disadvantage by clearing the RAM for that gaming machine. Alternatively, it can be a way to return profits to the player by leaving such a favorable state for the player, thereby improving the operating rate. Furthermore, the estimated remaining play count can be used as a factor for the player to decide whether or not to play on that gaming machine.

In addition, the gaming machine of the reference invention is,
A starting port including a variable starting port in which the possibility of the game ball entering the game changes;
A winning/losing lottery means for performing a winning/losing lottery based on the entry of a game ball into the starting hole;
A symbol display means for variably displaying symbols based on the result of the winning/losing lottery;
A jackpot game execution means for executing a jackpot game based on the symbols stopping at a winning symbol;
A game state setting means for setting a game state;
a notification means for making a predetermined notification;
A main control means for controlling the progress of a game and having a memory unit for storing game information related to the game including the game state;
A sub-control means that operates based on a command from the main control means and controls the notification means;
A gaming machine comprising:
The game state has a plurality of easy-to-score states with different occurrence conditions or end conditions,
The main control means has a backup function for retaining the memory of the memory unit in a state where the power supply to the gaming machine is cut off,
The secondary control means does not have the backup function,
when the power supply to the gaming machine is cut off during the easy-to-score state, and the power supply to the gaming machine is restored with the memory in the memory section of the main control means maintained, and play is resumed from the easy-to-score state, the notification means notifies, in an identifiable manner, which of the plurality of easy-to-score states the game state of the resumed game is, based on a command from the main control means to the sub-control means;
The gist of the present invention is as follows.

According to the gaming machine of the present invention, a gaming machine is provided with a plurality of easy-to-score states with different conditions for generation (or termination conditions) as easy-to-score states that make it easier for a gaming ball to score into a variable starting hole, and the main control means has a backup function for retaining memory of game information, but the secondary control means does not have a backup function. In this gaming machine, it is possible to provide a gaming machine that is capable of determining the type of easy-to-score state when power is restored in an easy-to-score state after power is cut off during the easy-to-score state.

1 is a front view of a pachinko machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a game board 20 of a pachinko machine 1. FIG. A block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 1. An explanatory diagram showing an example of a performance display of the performance display device 37. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the specifications of a pachinko machine 1. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a main control process executed by a CPU 60a of the main control device 60. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a power-on process. A flowchart showing an example of a start winning process. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a normal symbol game process. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of normal pattern change display related processing. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a normal symbol winning game process. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a special symbol game process. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a special symbol game process. A flowchart showing an example of a first special pattern change display related process. A flowchart showing an example of a second special pattern change display related process. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a variation pattern determination process. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a fluctuation pattern table. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a probability change flag ending process. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a time-saving flag ending process. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a time-saving flag setting process. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a time-saving flag setting process. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a jackpot game process. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a jackpot game process. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an initial setting process. An explanatory diagram showing an example of a normal mode and a special mode as initial presentation modes. An explanatory diagram showing examples of time-saving mode a, time-saving mode b, and time-saving mode c as initial presentation modes. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a presentation mode setting process. 13 is a flowchart showing a modified example of a presentation mode setting process.

Next, we will explain the embodiment of the present invention using examples.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[Configuration of the game board 20]
As shown in Fig. 3, the game board 20 has a game area 21 surrounded by an outer rail 21a and an inner rail 21b. The game board 20 includes a performance display device 37 provided in the approximate center of the game area 21, a center role 38 including a warp entrance, a warp gutter, a stage, etc., arranged around the performance display device 37, a normal symbol operation gate 22 arranged to the right of the center role 38, a first start opening 23 that is always open and arranged below the center role 38, a second start opening 24 that can be opened and closed and arranged below the normal symbol operation gate 22, a big prize opening 25 arranged in the lower right of the game area 21, a normal prize opening 27 that is always open and arranged in the lower left of the game area 21, and an outlet 29 for collecting game balls that have not entered any of the prize openings. In addition, a large number of nails 21c that guide and bounce game balls flowing down the game area 21 are planted on the game board 20.

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

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

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

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

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

If a game ball enters the first start hole 23 while the special symbol is being displayed or during a jackpot game, the display of the first special symbol is reserved for a predetermined number of times (four times in this embodiment), and after the current display of the symbols is completed, the display of the reserved first special symbols is started sequentially. The number of reserved first special symbols is displayed on the first special symbol reserved number display device 33. Also, if a game ball enters the second start hole 24 while the special symbol is being displayed or during a jackpot game, the display of the second special symbol is reserved for a predetermined number of times (four times, for example), and after the current display of the symbols is completed, the display of the reserved second special symbols is started sequentially. The number of reserved second special symbols is displayed on the second special symbol reserved number display device 34.

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

In this embodiment, when the game ball passes through the normal symbol activation gate 22 while the normal symbol is being displayed, the normal symbol display is reserved up to a predetermined number (for example, four), and when the current display is completed, the display of the reserved normal symbols is started in sequence. The number of reserved normal symbols is displayed on the normal symbol display device 36.

The performance display device 37 is an image display device composed of a liquid crystal display or the like, and displays various performances such as the performance patterns (pseudo patterns) 371L, 371C, and 371R corresponding to the special patterns on the display screen, as well as the reach performance, the notice performance that predicts a big win, and the suggestion performance that suggests a set value. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the performance display of the performance display device 37. As shown in the figure, three performance patterns 371L, 371C, and 371R on the left, center, and right, consisting of numbers, English letters, characters, symbols, characters, etc. (numbers in the example shown in the figure), are displayed in the center of the display screen of the performance display device 37. When a game ball enters the start hole (first start hole 23 or second start hole 24), the three performance patterns 371L, 371C, and 371R are displayed in a variable manner so as to scroll from top to bottom, and when a predetermined variable time has passed, they are displayed in the order of left, right, and center. When the right performance pattern 371R is stopped and displayed, if the right performance pattern 371R does not match the left performance pattern 371L, it is a miss (miss without a reach). On the other hand, when the right performance pattern 371R matches the left performance pattern 371L, it is a reach, and it transitions to a reach performance. Then, after the reach performance, when the middle performance pattern 371C is stopped and displayed, if the middle performance pattern 371C does not match the left and right performance patterns 371L, 371R, it is a miss (reach miss), and when the middle performance pattern 371C matches the left and right performance patterns 371L, 371R, it is a jackpot. In addition, the performance display device 37 also displays a character pattern 373 that suggests the possibility (reliability) of a jackpot, for example.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, the first and second reserved patterns 372a and 372b are also displayed in the corner (lower part) of the display screen of the performance display device 37. The first reserved pattern 372a is a pattern corresponding to the reserved memory of the first special pattern. The first reserved patterns 372a are additionally displayed one by one in sequence from the right side every time a game ball enters the first starting hole 23 during the variable display of the special pattern, and are erased one by one from the opposite side from the start ball entry every time the variable display of the first special pattern starts. In addition, the second reserved pattern 372b is a pattern corresponding to the reserved memory of the second special pattern. The second reserved patterns 372b are additionally displayed one by one in sequence from the right side every time a game ball enters the second starting hole 24 during the variable display of the special pattern, and are erased one by one from the opposite side from the start ball entry every time the variable display of the second special pattern starts.

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

The main control device 60 is responsible for the basic progress of the game. As shown in FIG. 4, the main control device 60 receives detection signals from the front frame opening switch 3a, which detects the opening of the front frame 3, the inner frame opening switch 5a, which detects the opening of the inner frame 5, and the like, via the rear wiring relay terminal board 64. In addition, the main control device 60 receives detection signals from the gate switch 22a, which detects the passage of a game ball through the normal pattern operation gate 22, the first start port switch 23a, which detects the entry of a game ball into the first start port 23, the second start port switch 24a, which detects the entry of a game ball into the second start port 24, the large prize port switch 25a, which detects the entry of a game ball into the large prize port 25, the normal prize port switch 27a, which detects the entry of a game ball into the normal prize port 27, and the like, via the game board relay terminal board 61. In addition, the main control device 60 receives operation signals directly from the probability setting switch 98 and the RAM clear switch 99. On the other hand, the main control device 60 outputs drive signals to the second start port solenoid 24c and the large prize port solenoid 25c, etc., via the game board relay terminal board 61. Also, the main control device 60 outputs display signals to the first special symbol display device 31, the second special symbol display device 32, the first special symbol reserved number display device 33, the second special symbol reserved number display device 34, the regular symbol display device 35, the regular symbol reserved number display device 36, etc., via the symbol display device relay terminal board 62. Furthermore, the main control device 60 outputs signals to the hall computer 100 via the back wiring relay terminal board 64 and the external connection terminal board 65.

The probability setting switch 98 and the RAM clear switch 99 are provided on the main control device 60 on the back side of the pachinko machine 1, as shown in FIG. 2. The probability setting switch 98 is a switch for setting the jackpot probability of the special symbol, and the RAM clear switch 99 is a switch for executing RAM clear. The RAM clear switch 99 in this embodiment is also used to select the set value of the jackpot probability of the special symbol. That is, the probability setting switch 98 and the RAM clear switch 99 are used to select and set one of six set values (settings 1 to 6) to which different jackpot probabilities are assigned as the jackpot probability of the special symbol. The manager of the game hall inserts a predetermined key into the probability setting switch 98, rotates it, and turns on the power with the RAM clear switch 99 pressed. Then, the RAM of the pachinko machine 1 is cleared and the set value can be changed. When the pachinko machine 1 is in this state, the manager can select the desired set value from settings 1 to 6 by pressing the RAM clear switch 99. In this embodiment, the pachinko machine 1 displays the numbers "1" to "6" corresponding to the currently selected setting value on the first special symbol display device 31 in sequence each time the RAM clear switch 99 is pressed. Therefore, the administrator can select the desired setting value by repeatedly pressing the RAM clear switch 99 so that the number displayed on the first special symbol display device 31 corresponds to the desired setting value. The setting value selected by the operation of the RAM clear switch 99 is confirmed by the administrator by rotating the key inserted into the probability setting switch 98 and returning it to the initial position, and is set as the jackpot probability of the special symbol. By performing such operations, the administrator can set any of the settings 1 to 6 for each pachinko machine 1. Note that, in this embodiment, the setting value is selected and set using the probability setting switch 98 and the RAM clear switch 99, but this is not limited to this. For example, the setting value may be selected and set using any other operating means as long as it can be operated from the outside, such as a rotary knob, or a dedicated switch for selecting the setting value may be provided. Additionally, while the pachinko machine 1 is configured to display information regarding the currently selected setting value on the first special symbol display device 31, this is not limited to this, and the information may be displayed on another display device, or may be notified by voice. For example, a display device capable of displaying the setting value may be provided on the main control device 60 on the back side of the pachinko machine 1, and this display device may be a device dedicated to displaying the setting value. Additionally, the setting values are not limited to six, settings 1 to 6, and any number may be available as long as it is selectable from a plurality of setting values.

The payout control device 70 is responsible for controlling the payout of prize balls and loan balls. A detection signal from a ball-out switch 76 that detects the ball-out of the ball tank 77 for storing game balls to be paid out to the upper tray 11 is input to the payout control device 70 via the back wiring relay terminal board 64, a detection signal from a payout switch 74 that detects game balls to be paid out to the upper tray 11 is input via the payout relay terminal board 71 and the back wiring relay terminal board 64, and a detection signal from a full switch 75 that detects the fullness of the lower tray 12 is directly input. On the other hand, a drive signal to the payout motor 73 is output from the payout control device 70 via the back wiring relay terminal board 64 and the payout relay terminal board 71. The payout control device 70 is configured to be able to communicate bidirectionally with the main control device 60, and drives the payout motor 73 according to commands sent from the main control device 60 to pay out prize balls. When the payout control device 70 receives a detection signal from either the out-of-ball switch 76 or the full-load switch 75, it stops driving the payout motor 73 and suspends the payout operation of prize balls until the detection condition is resolved and the detection signal is no longer input.

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

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

The sub-integrated control device 90 is responsible for controlling the effects of the game. The sub-integrated control device 90 is configured as a microprocessor centered on the CPU 90a, and in addition to the CPU 90a, it is equipped with a ROM 90b, a RAM 90c, an input/output port, a communication port, etc. This sub-integrated control device 90 can receive various commands from the main control device 60 by one-way communication via the effect relay terminal board 63, and performs effect control according to the received command. A detection signal from the effect button switch 16a that detects the operation (pressing) of the effect button 16 is input to the sub-integrated control device 90. On the other hand, the sub-integrated control device 90 outputs an audio signal to the speaker 14 and a lighting signal to the various decorative lamps 15. In addition, the sub-integrated control device 90 outputs a command for effect display control to the effect display control device 91 by one-way communication. The effect display control device 91 receives a command for effect display control from the sub-integrated control device 90, and controls the display of the effect display device 37 so that an effect image corresponding to the command is displayed on the effect display device 37.

The power supply board 95 is a DC power supply that converts AC voltage from an external AC power supply into DC voltage, and supplies power to each part of the pachinko machine 1 by operating a power switch (not shown). Even when the power switch is turned off and the power supply of the pachinko machine 1 is turned off, the power supply board 95 supplies power from the AC power supply to the RAM 60c of the main control device 60, etc., and the data in the RAM 60c is maintained by the power from the AC power supply. The power supply board 95 also has an auxiliary power supply composed of a capacitor or the like, and stores the power supplied from the AC power supply in the auxiliary power supply. As a result, during a power outage when the power supply from the AC power supply is cut off, power from the auxiliary power supply is supplied to the RAM 60c of the main control device 60, etc., and the data in the RAM 60c of the main control device 60 is maintained for a certain period of time. In this way, the main control device 60 has a backup function that maintains the memory of the RAM 60c by power from the AC power supply or the auxiliary power supply even when the power switch is turned off or a power outage occurs. On the other hand, the sub-integrated control device 90 does not have such a backup function, so if the power switch is turned off or there is a power outage, the memory in RAM 90c is cleared.

[Overview of Pachinko Machine 1 Game]
Next, an overview of the game in the pachinko machine 1 thus configured will be described. Fig. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the specifications of the pachinko machine 1. In the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment, the probability of winning a special symbol varies depending on the game state and the setting value. That is, as shown in Fig. 6(a), when the game state is the normal game state, the probability of winning a special symbol is 1/320, the probability of winning a special symbol is 1/310, the probability of winning a special symbol is 1/300, the probability of winning a special symbol is 1/290, the probability of winning a special symbol is 1/280, and the probability of winning a special symbol is 1/270. On the other hand, when the game state is a probability variable game state, the jackpot probability of setting 1 is 1/64, the jackpot probability of setting 2 is 1/62, the jackpot probability of setting 3 is 1/60, the jackpot probability of setting 4 is 1/58, the jackpot probability of setting 5 is 1/56, and the jackpot probability of setting 6 is 1/54. When a special symbol becomes a jackpot, a 4-round jackpot game (a jackpot game in which a round game with a specified number of 10 and a maximum opening time of 30 seconds is repeated 4 times) or a 10-round jackpot game (a jackpot game in which the above round game is repeated 10 times) is executed.

As shown in FIG. 6(b), the probability of winning with a normal symbol varies depending on the game state; when the game state is the normal game state, it is 1/100, and when the game state is the time-saving game state, it is 1/1.1. When a win occurs with a normal symbol, a normal symbol winning game (normal symbol winning game) is executed in which the second starting hole 24 (normal electric device) opens. When a win occurs with a normal symbol when the game state is the normal game state, a normal symbol winning game with a specified number of 10 and a maximum opening time of 0.1 seconds is executed, and when a win occurs with a normal symbol when the game state is the time-saving game state, a normal symbol winning game with a specified number of 10 and a maximum opening time of 5.8 seconds is executed.

In a pachinko machine 1 with such specifications, when a game ball enters the first starting hole 23 by hitting from the left (firing a game ball into the first game area), the variable display of the first special symbol begins. Then, when the first special symbol stops and displays as a jackpot symbol, a jackpot occurs, and a jackpot game is played in which the large prize opening 25 is opened. The large prize opening 25 cannot accept game balls when hit from the left, but can be opened by hitting from the right (firing a game ball into the second game area). Therefore, when a jackpot game is played, the player can play the jackpot game by hitting from the right. The winning symbol of the special symbol may include a small prize symbol for playing a small prize game in which the opening time of the large prize opening 25 is shorter than that of the jackpot game.

The special jackpot patterns include normal jackpot patterns and probability jackpot patterns, and when the special pattern is stopped and displayed as a normal jackpot pattern, a time-saving state a occurs as the game state after the jackpot game ends. When a jackpot game is played with a normal jackpot pattern, the time-saving state a continues until the variable display of the special pattern is executed a predetermined number of times (100 times). On the other hand, when the special pattern is stopped and displayed as a probability jackpot pattern, a probability jackpot game state occurs in addition to the time-saving state a as the game state after the jackpot game ends. In this embodiment, the selection rate of the probability jackpot pattern is 65%. When a jackpot game is played with a probability jackpot pattern, the probability jackpot game state and the time-saving state a continue until the variable display of the special pattern is executed a predetermined number of times (10,000 times), that is, essentially until the next jackpot occurs. Therefore, in the probability variation game mode and the time-saving a mode, by hitting to the right, the player can prevent the loss of balls and advantageously generate a jackpot, giving the player a chance to win a lot of balls in a short amount of time.

In addition, if the special symbol changes display the planned number of times (900 times) without a jackpot occurring, a time-saving game state (time-saving b state) will occur as the game state. The probability of a jackpot is 1/320 to 1/270, and the time-saving b state will continue until the special symbol changes display the planned number of times (1000 times), so when the player reaches the ceiling of the trap and the time-saving b state occurs, in most cases a jackpot can be generated during the time-saving b state.

In addition, when the special symbol stops and is displayed as a time-saving symbol (specific symbol) different from the jackpot symbol, a time-saving game state (time-saving state c) occurs as the game state. The time-saving state c continues until the number of times the special symbol changes is executed fewer times (20 times) than the time-saving state b.

In this way, the time-saving state a is a time-saving game state that occurs after the end of a jackpot game, the time-saving state b is a time-saving game state that occurs when the special symbol changes the planned number of times (900 times) without a jackpot occurring, and the time-saving state c is a time-saving game state that occurs when the special symbol is stopped and displayed as a time-saving symbol, and the conditions for the time-saving state a, state b, and state c are all different. The conditions for the time-saving state a, state b, and state c to end are also all different, and they end when the special symbol changes 100 times (low probability), 1000 times, and 20 times, respectively.

Furthermore, the a time-saving state, the b time-saving state, and the b time-saving state are all game states that activate a time-saving function in which the normal pattern variation time is shortened compared to the normal game state, a normal pattern probability change function in which the winning probability of the normal pattern is higher than in the normal game state, and an opening extension function in which the opening time of the second starting hole 24 when the normal pattern is won is extended compared to the normal game state. Note that the a time-saving state, the b time-saving state, and the c time-saving state may omit some of these three functions. In particular, the b time-saving state and the c time-saving state are considered not to activate the normal pattern probability change function because the time-saving game state occurs without going through a jackpot. In this case, the a time-saving state and the b time-saving state and the c time-saving state are different game states, and the a time-saving state in which the normal pattern probability change function is activated is more advantageous to the player than the b time-saving state and the c time-saving state. Of course, it is also possible to make the time-saving state A the same as the time-saving state B or C without activating the normal probability variation function. In this case, even if a situation occurs in which two of the time-saving states A, B, and C overlap, there is no need to change the time-saving state.

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

[Power-on process]
8 is a flow chart showing an example of the power-on process. In the power-on process of S10, the CPU 60a of the main control device 60 first completes the security check and allows access to the RAM 60c (S100), and then judges whether the backup flag is OFF (S102) and whether the RAM clear signal is OFF (S104). The backup flag is a flag indicating whether the data in the RAM 60c is normally held or not, and is ON if the data is normally held and OFF if the data is not normally held. The RAM clear signal is ON when the power is turned on with the RAM clear switch 99 operated, and is OFF when the power is turned on with the RAM clear switch 99 not operated.

When it is determined that the backup flag is OFF, or that the backup flag is ON but the RAM clear signal is ON, it starts from the initial state. That is, first, a stack setting process is performed (S106). Next, the setting value set by the probability setting switch 98 is read (S108), and an initialization process is performed to clear and initialize the working area of RAM 60c (S110). The working area of RAM 60c stores game information including various flags indicating the game state and the setting values of various counters, and the initialization process includes a process of clearing the values of these flags and counters and setting them to their initial values. The various flags include a normal symbol winning flag (normal symbol winning flag) indicating that a normal symbol winning game is in progress, a jackpot flag indicating whether or not a jackpot game is in progress, a probability variable flag indicating whether or not a probability variable game state is in progress, an a time-saving flag indicating whether or not an a time-saving state (time-saving after a jackpot) is in progress, a b time-saving flag indicating whether or not a b time-saving state (ceiling time-saving) is in progress, a c time-saving flag indicating whether or not a c time-saving state (time-saving per symbol time-saving) is in progress, etc. The various counters include a probability variable counter indicating the remaining number of times that the special symbol will change until the probability variable game state ends, an a time-saving counter indicating the remaining number of times that the special symbol will change until the a time-saving state ends, a b time-saving counter indicating the remaining number of times that the special symbol will change until the b time-saving state ends, a ceiling counter indicating the remaining number of times that the special symbol will change until the ceiling is reached, and a c time-saving counter indicating the remaining number of times that the special symbol will change until the c time-saving state ends. As described above, if the power is turned on while the probability setting switch 98 and the RAM clear switch 99 are being operated, the RAM is cleared and one setting value selected from settings 1 to 6 by the RAM clear switch 99 and set (selected) by the probability setting switch 98 is enabled. Then, corresponding initial commands are sent to the payout control device 70 and the sub-integrated control device 90 (S112), and the power-on process is terminated. The initial command sent to the sub-integrated control device 90 includes the values of various flags (jackpot flag, probability change flag, a time-saving flag, b time-saving flag, and c time-saving flag).

On the other hand, if it is determined in S102 and S104 that the backup flag is ON and the RAM clear signal is OFF, the system starts from the state immediately before the power was cut off. That is, first, the game information immediately before the power was cut off, which is stored in the working area of the RAM 60c, is read (S114). The game information immediately before the power was cut off is information indicating the state of the game that was in progress immediately before the power was cut off. Then, the system performs a power recovery process to resume the game according to the read game information (S116), and transmits corresponding recovery commands to the payout control device 70 and the sub-integrated control device 90 (S118), and ends the power-on process. The recovery command transmitted to the sub-integrated control device 90 includes the values of various flags (jackpot flag, probability change flag, a time-saving flag, b time-saving flag, and c time-saving flag) as in the initial command. When the power-on process is completed, the system returns to the main control process and proceeds to the next random number update process (S20).

In this way, in the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment, the main control device 60 has a backup function that retains the memory of the RAM 60c, and if the game information is properly stored in the RAM 60c when the power is turned on and the RAM has not been cleared, the game can be restored to the game state before the power was cut off. On the other hand, the sub-integrated control device 90 does not have such a backup function, and therefore cannot recognize the game state of the pachinko machine 1 when the power is turned on. Therefore, in this embodiment, the main control device 60 selectively transmits an initial command or a return command to the sub-integrated control device 90 according to the game information stored at the time of return during the power-on process, and the sub-integrated control device 90 determines the game state of the pachinko machine 1 immediately after the power is turned on based on the received command.

[Random number update process]
The random number update process of S20 is a process for updating various random numbers for judgment. Examples of the random numbers for judgment include a random number for jackpot judgment (random number for special pattern win/loss judgment) used for jackpot judgment (win/lose judgment) performed based on the entry of a game ball into the start hole (first start hole 23 or second start hole 24), a random number for time-saving judgment used for time-saving judgment performed based on the entry of a game ball into the start hole, a random number for determining a jackpot pattern to be stopped and displayed on the special pattern display device (first special pattern display device 31 or second special pattern display device 32) when the result of the jackpot judgment is a jackpot, and a random number for determining a jackpot pattern to be stopped and displayed on the special pattern display device (first special pattern display device 31 or second special pattern display device 32) when the result of the time-saving judgment is that there is a time-saving (win). Examples of such random numbers include a random number for determining a time-saving pattern used to determine a time-saving pattern to be stopped and displayed on the special pattern display device (first special pattern display device 31), a random number for determining a losing pattern used to determine a losing pattern to be stopped and displayed on the special pattern display device (first special pattern display device 31 or second special pattern display device 32) when both the results of the jackpot judgment and the time-saving judgment are misses, a random number for determining a fluctuation pattern used to determine the fluctuation pattern (fluctuation time) of the special pattern, and a random number for determining whether or not a win has been made based on the passage of the game ball through the normal pattern operation gate 22. When the random number update process is completed, the process returns to the main control process and proceeds to the next winning confirmation process (S30).

[Winning confirmation process]
The winning confirmation process of S30 detects the state of various sensors (such as the first start port switch 23a, the second start port switch 24a, the gate switch 22a, the large winning port switch 25a, and the normal winning port switch 27a) and stores the state in a predetermined state storage area of the RAM 60c. In addition, it determines whether or not a game ball is detected by a switch related to a prize ball (the above-mentioned winning port switches except the gate switch 22a), and if it is determined that a game ball is detected, it calculates the number of prize balls to be paid out and stores it as prize ball information in a predetermined prize ball information storage area of the RAM 60c. Then, when the prize ball information is not a value of 0, it transmits a prize ball number designation command (prize ball information) to the payout control device 70 and ends the winning confirmation process. When the payout control device 70 receives the prize ball number designation command, it drives the payout motor 73 to pay out game balls one by one, and executes a prize ball payout process in which the prize ball information (number of unpaid game balls) is decremented by one each time a paid-out game ball is detected by the payout switch 74. This prize ball payout process is repeatedly executed until the prize ball information becomes 0, but when a game ball is detected entering the machine and a new prize ball number designation command is received from the main control device 60, the process is repeated until the prize ball information also becomes 0. When the winning confirmation process is completed, the process returns to the main control process and proceeds to the next start winning process (S40).

[Start-up winning process]
9 is a flow chart showing an example of the start winning process. In the start winning process of S40, the CPU 60a of the main control device 60 first inputs a detection signal from the first start port switch 23a to determine whether or not a game ball has entered the first start port 23 (S200). When it is determined that a game ball has entered the first start port 23, it determines whether or not the current reserved number of the first special symbol (first special symbol reserved number) is less than its upper limit number (value 4 in this embodiment) (S202). When it is determined that the reserved number of the first special symbol is less than the upper limit number, it increments the reserved number of the first special symbol by a value of 1 and updates the display of the first special symbol reserved number display device 33 (S204), and obtains a random number for determining the first special symbol and stores it in a predetermined random number for determining storage area of the RAM 60c (S206). Here, the random numbers for judgment acquired in S206 include information on the progress of the variable game of the first special symbol, such as the random numbers for judging a jackpot, the random numbers for judging a time-saving pattern, the random numbers for determining a jackpot pattern, the random numbers for determining a time-saving pattern, the random numbers for determining a losing pattern, and the random numbers for determining a variable pattern. Then, a command to indicate the number of reserved first special symbols is sent to the sub-integrated control device 90 (S208), and the process proceeds to S210. The command to indicate the number of reserved first special symbols includes information on the number of reserved first special symbols for displaying the first reserved symbol 372a on the performance display device 37. Note that, if it is determined in S200 that no game ball has entered the first starting hole 23, or if it is determined in S202 that the number of reserved first special symbols has reached the upper limit, the process skips S204 to S208 and proceeds to the process of the next S210.

Next, a detection signal from the second start hole switch 24a is input to determine whether or not a game ball has entered the second start hole 24 (S210). When it is determined that a game ball has entered the second start hole 24, it is determined whether or not the current number of reserved second special symbols (second special symbol reserved number) is less than the upper limit number (in this embodiment, the value is 4) (S212). When it is determined that the number of reserved second special symbols is less than the upper limit number, the reserved number of second special symbols is incremented by a value of 1 and the display of the second special symbol reserved number display device 34 is updated (S214), and a random number for determining the second special symbol is obtained and stored in a predetermined random number for determination storage area of the RAM 60c (S216). Here, the random number for determination obtained in S216 can be information on the progress of the variable game of the second special symbol, such as the above-mentioned random number for determining a jackpot, random number for determining a jackpot symbol, random number for determining a losing symbol, and random number for determining a variable pattern. Then, a second special symbol reserved number instruction command is sent to the sub-integrated control device 90 (S218), and the process proceeds to S220. The second special symbol reserved number instruction command includes information regarding the reserved number of second special symbols for displaying the second reserved symbol 372b on the performance display device 37. Note that if it is determined in S210 that no game ball has entered the second starting hole 24, or if it is determined in S212 that the reserved number of second special symbols has reached the upper limit, the process skips S214 to S218 and proceeds to the next process of S220.

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

[Normal symbol game processing]
FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing an example of a normal symbol game process. In the normal symbol game process of S50, the CPU 60a of the main control device 60 first judges whether the normal symbol hit flag (normal symbol hit flag) is a value of 1 or not (step S300). The normal symbol hit flag is a flag indicating whether or not a normal symbol hit game is being played. If it is judged that the normal symbol hit flag is a value of 1, it is judged that a normal symbol hit game is being played, and the normal symbol game process is terminated. When the normal symbol game process is terminated, it proceeds to the next normal symbol hit game process of S60. On the other hand, if it is judged that the normal symbol hit flag is a value of 0 instead of a value of 1, it is judged that a normal symbol hit game is not being played, and it is judged whether or not the normal symbol is being displayed in a variable manner (S302), and whether or not the display time of the fixed symbol of the normal symbol is being displayed (S304). If it is determined that the normal symbol is not being displayed in a variable manner and is not in the display time of the fixed symbol, it is determined whether the number of reserved normal symbols is greater than the value 0 (S306). If it is determined that the number of reserved normal symbols is not greater than the value 0, that is, the value is 0, the normal symbol game process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the number of reserved normal symbols is greater than the value 0, the oldest of the normal symbol determination random numbers stored in the determination random number storage area is read (S308), and a normal symbol variable display related process for displaying the normal symbol in a variable manner is executed (S310), and the normal symbol game process is terminated. Details of the normal symbol variable display related process of S310 will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 11.

In the normal pattern change display related process, it is determined whether the a time-saving flag is equal to 0 (S350), whether the b time-saving flag is equal to 0 (S352), and whether the c time-saving flag is equal to 0 (S354). As described above, the a time-saving flag is a flag indicating whether the a time-saving state (time-saving after a jackpot) is in progress, and the a time-saving state occurs when a jackpot occurs. The b time-saving flag is a flag indicating whether the b time-saving state (ceiling time-saving) is in progress, and the b time-saving state occurs when the ceiling of the trap is reached. The c time-saving flag is a flag indicating whether the c time-saving state (time-saving after a pattern time-saving) is in progress, and the c time-saving state occurs when the special pattern is stopped and displayed as a time-saving pattern. If it is determined that the a time-saving flag, the b time-saving flag, and the c time-saving flag are all 0, it is determined that the current game state is not a time-saving game state (it is neither the a time-saving state, the b time-saving state, nor the c time-saving state), and a win/loss determination is made using a low-probability normal pattern win determination table based on the obtained normal pattern win/loss determination random number (S356). On the other hand, if it is determined that any of the a time-saving flag, the b time-saving flag, and the c time-saving flag are not 0 but 1, it is determined that the current game state is a time-saving game state (it is either the a time-saving state, the b time-saving state, or the c time-saving state), and a win/loss determination is made using a high-probability normal pattern win determination table based on the obtained normal pattern win/loss determination random number (S358). The normal pattern hit/miss judgment is performed by comparing the normal pattern hit/miss judgment random number with the hit value included in the normal pattern hit judgment table, and if the normal pattern hit/miss judgment random number matches the hit value, it is judged as a hit, and if they do not match, it is judged as a miss. The high probability normal pattern hit judgment table has more hit values set than the low probability normal pattern hit judgment table. If the hit/miss judgment result is a hit ("YES" in S360), a winning pattern is determined as the confirmed pattern of the normal pattern (S362), and the change time of the normal pattern from the start of the change display of the normal pattern to the confirmed display of the winning pattern (a winning change pattern) is determined (S366). Also, if the hit/miss judgment result is a miss ("NO" in S360), a losing pattern is determined as the confirmed pattern of the normal pattern (S364), and the change time of the normal pattern from the start of the change display of the normal pattern to the confirmed display of the losing pattern (a losing change pattern) is determined (S366). The normal symbol fluctuation time is set to be shorter in the time-saving game state than in the normal game state. Once the confirmed normal symbol and fluctuation time (fluctuation pattern) are determined in this way, the normal symbol fluctuation display is started (S368), the reserved number of normal symbols is decremented by a value of 1, and the display of the reserved number of normal symbols display device 36 is updated (S370), a normal symbol fluctuation start command is sent to the sub-integrated control device 90 (S372), and the normal symbol game process is terminated.

Returning to the normal symbol game process in FIG. 10, when the normal symbol variable display is started, the CPU 60a of the main control device 60 determines in S302 that the normal symbol is being displayed variable, and then determines whether the normal symbol variable time determined in S362 or S364 has elapsed (variation according to the determined variable pattern has ended) (S312). If it is determined that the normal symbol variable time has not elapsed, the normal symbol game process is temporarily terminated, and if it is determined that the normal symbol variable time has elapsed, a fixed symbol display process is performed to display the fixed symbol of the normal symbol being displayed variable (S314). Then, it is determined whether the fixed symbol display time (for example, 0.5 seconds) has elapsed (S316). If it is determined that the fixed symbol display time has not elapsed, the normal symbol game process is temporarily terminated. When the normal pattern game process is executed after the fixed normal pattern is displayed, it is determined in S304 that the display time for the fixed pattern is in progress, so it is again determined in S316 whether the fixed pattern display time has elapsed, and if it is determined that the fixed pattern display time has elapsed, the display of the fixed pattern is terminated (S318), and it is determined whether the fixed normal pattern is a winning pattern (S320).

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

[Normal symbol winning game processing]
12 is a flow chart showing an example of a normal symbol winning game process. In the normal symbol winning game process of S60, the CPU 60a of the main control device 60 first judges whether the normal symbol winning flag is a value of 1 or not (S400). If it is judged that the normal symbol winning flag is a value of 0 instead of a value of 1, it is judged that the normal symbol winning game is not being played, and the normal symbol winning game process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is judged that the normal symbol winning flag is a value of 1, it is judged that the normal symbol winning game is being played, and it is judged whether the second start hole 24 is being opened or not (S402). If it is judged that the second start hole 24 is not being opened, it is judged whether the opening waiting time has elapsed or not (S404). If it is judged that the opening waiting time has not elapsed, the normal symbol winning game process is terminated. On the other hand, when it is determined that the opening waiting time has elapsed, the opening pattern (maximum opening time) of the second start hole 24 is determined (S406), and the second start hole solenoid 24c is controlled so that the second start hole 24 opens in the determined opening pattern (S408), and the normal symbol winning game processing is temporarily terminated. The opening pattern of the second start hole 24 differs depending on the game state. In this embodiment, when the game state is the normal game state, an opening pattern is set in which the hole is opened once for a maximum of 0.1 seconds, and when the game state is the time-saving game state, an opening pattern is set in which the hole is opened once for a maximum of 5.8 seconds.

When the second start hole 24 is opened, the next time the normal symbol winning game processing is executed, in order to determine in S402 that the second start hole 24 is open, it is determined whether or not a specified number of game balls (for example, 10 balls) have entered the second start hole 24 based on the detection signal from the second start hole switch 24a (S410), and whether or not the elapsed time since the opening of the second start hole 24 began has reached the maximum opening time determined in S406 (S412). If it is determined that the specified number of game balls have not entered the second start hole 24, and that the elapsed time since the opening of the second start hole 24 began has not reached the maximum opening time determined, the normal symbol winning game processing is temporarily terminated while the second start hole 24 is kept open. On the other hand, if it is determined that the specified number of game balls have entered the second start hole 24, or that the elapsed time since the opening of the second start hole 24 began has reached the maximum opening time determined, the second start hole 24 is closed (S414). Then, to end the normal symbol hit game, the normal symbol hit flag is set to a value of 0 (S416), and the normal symbol hit game process ends. When the normal symbol hit game process ends, the process proceeds to the special symbol game process of S70.

[Special symbol game processing]
13 and 14 are flow charts showing an example of a special symbol game process. In the special symbol game process of S70, the CPU 60a of the main control device 60 first judges whether the jackpot flag is a value of 1 or not (S500). If it is judged that the jackpot flag is a value of 1, it is judged that a jackpot game is being played, and the special symbol game process is terminated. When the special game process is terminated, it returns to the main control process and proceeds to the next jackpot game process (S80). On the other hand, if it is judged that the jackpot flag is a value of 0, not a value of 1, it is judged that a jackpot game is not being played, and it is judged whether either the first special symbol or the second special symbol is being displayed in a variable manner (S502), and whether or not a fixed symbol is being displayed (S504). If it is judged that either the first special symbol or the second special symbol is not being displayed in a variable manner and the fixed symbol is not being displayed, it is judged whether or not the reserved number of the second special symbol is greater than a value of 0 (S506). If it is determined that the number of reserved second special symbols is greater than the value 0, the oldest of the random numbers for determining the second special symbol stored in the random number memory area for determining the second special symbol is read (S508), a process related to the second special symbol change display for displaying the change in the second special symbol is executed (S510), and the special symbol game process is terminated.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the reserved number of the second special symbol is 0, it is determined whether or not the reserved number of the first special symbol is greater than 0 (S512). If it is determined that the reserved number of the first special symbol is greater than 0, the oldest random number for determining the first special symbol stored in the random number for determining storage area is read (S514), a process related to the first special symbol variable display is executed to display the first special symbol variable (S516), and the special symbol game process is terminated.
When it is determined that the reserved number of the special symbol is the value 0, the special symbol game processing is terminated. In S506 to S516, when the reserved number of the first special symbol and the reserved number of the second special symbol are both greater than the value 0, the display of the change of the second special symbol (consumption of reserved symbols) is executed with priority (special symbol 2 priority change). Of course, this is not limited to this, and the display of the change of the first special symbol (consumption of reserved symbols) may be executed with priority (special symbol 1 priority change), the display of the change of the special symbol may be executed in the order of balls entering the starting hole (first starting hole 23, second starting hole 24) (ball entry order change), or the display of the change of the first special symbol and the display of the change of the second special symbol may be executed in parallel (simultaneous change). Details of the second special symbol display related process in S510 and the first special symbol display related process in S516 will be described below. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of a first special pattern change display related process, and FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of a second special pattern change display related process.

In the first special symbol variation display related process in FIG. 15, first, it is determined whether the probability variable flag is a value of 0 or not (S600). The probability variable flag is a flag that indicates whether the current game state is a probability variable game state or not. If it is determined that the probability variable flag is a value of 0, it is determined that the current game state is not a probability variable game state, and a low probability hit value corresponding to the set value is read (S602). If it is determined that the probability variable flag is a value of 1 instead of 0, it is determined that the current game state is a probability variable game state, and a high probability hit value corresponding to the set value is read (S604). Then, a jackpot determination is performed to determine whether or not a jackpot has occurred by comparing the jackpot determination random number obtained in S514 with the read hit value (S606). The jackpot determination is performed when the jackpot determination random number matches any of the read hit values, and when the jackpot determination random number does not match any of the read hit values, it is determined that a miss has occurred. Here, the winning value that is read out corresponds to the currently set value out of settings 1 to 6 and the current game state (normal game state or special game state). A different number of winning values is assigned to each of settings 1 to 6, and in this embodiment, the higher the setting value, the more winning values are assigned. That is, setting 1 has the fewest number of winning values, and setting 6 has the most number of winning values. The more winning values assigned, the higher the probability of a jackpot for a special pattern, so setting 1 has the lowest probability of a jackpot and is the most disadvantageous setting value to the player, and setting 6 has the highest probability of a jackpot and is the most advantageous setting value to the player.

Next, it is determined whether the result of the jackpot determination process is a jackpot (S608). If it is determined that the result of the jackpot determination process is a jackpot, the jackpot pattern is determined based on the random number for determining the jackpot pattern obtained in S514 (S610). This process is performed by using the random number for determining the jackpot pattern to select one pattern from multiple jackpot patterns (for example, a 4R normal jackpot pattern, a 10R normal jackpot pattern, a 10R special jackpot pattern, etc.) that differ in the content of the jackpot game (number of rounds) and the game state after the jackpot game ends (normal game state, special game state). The determined jackpot pattern is stored in RAM 60c and is saved until the jackpot game ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in S608 that the result of the jackpot determination process is not a jackpot, the time-saving determination process is performed based on the random number for time-saving determination acquired in S514 (S612). The time-saving determination process is performed by comparing the acquired random number for time-saving determination with the hit value included in the time-saving determination table, and if the random number for time-saving determination matches any of the hit values, it is determined that there is a time-saving (hit), and if they do not match, it is determined that there is no time-saving (miss). Note that the time-saving determination may be performed using the random number for time-saving determination instead of the random number for time-saving determination. When the random number for time-saving determination is used to perform the time-saving determination, the hit value for the time-saving determination is set to a value other than the hit value for the jackpot determination. After the time-saving determination process is performed, it is determined whether or not the result of the time-saving determination process is a time-saving (S614). If it is determined that there is a time-saving result, the time-saving pattern is determined (S616). The time-saving symbol may be determined by determining a predetermined one of the time-saving symbols, or may be selected from among a number of time-saving symbols each of which has a different number of time-saving cycles, based on a random number for determining the time-saving symbol.

If the result of the time-saving determination process in S614 is that there is no time-saving, that is, it is determined that there is neither a jackpot nor time-saving, the losing symbol is determined based on the losing symbol determination random number obtained in S514 (S618).

Once the confirmed pattern of the first special symbol is determined in this manner, a change pattern determination process is executed (S620) to determine the change pattern of the first special symbol from when the display of the first special symbol starts to change until the determined confirmed pattern is displayed, based on the change pattern determination random number obtained in S514 and the change pattern table. The change pattern determination process is described below.

Figure 17 is a flowchart showing an example of the fluctuation pattern determination process. In the fluctuation pattern determination process, first, it is determined whether the a time-saving flag is 0 (S650), whether the b time-saving flag is 0 (S652), and whether the c time-saving flag is 0 (S654). If it is determined that the a time-saving flag, the b time-saving flag, and the c time-saving flag are all 0, it is determined that the game state is a normal game state, and the normal table is selected as the fluctuation pattern table (S656). If it is determined in S650 that the a time-saving flag is 1 instead of 0, it is determined that the game state is an a time-saving state, and the a time-saving table is selected as the fluctuation pattern table (S658). If it is determined in S652 that the b time-saving flag is 1 instead of 0, it is determined that the game state is a b time-saving state, and the b time-saving table is selected as the fluctuation pattern table (S660). If it is determined in S654 that the c time-saving flag is not 0 but 1, the game state is determined to be the c time-saving state, and the c time-saving table is selected as the variation pattern table (S662). When the variation pattern table is selected in this way, the variation pattern (variation time) of the special symbol is determined based on the selected table, the hit/miss determination results of S608 and S612 (jackpot, time-saving, miss), and the random number for determining the variation pattern (S664), and the variation pattern determination process is terminated.

18 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a variation pattern table. FIG. 18(a) shows a normal table, FIG. 18(b) shows an a time-saving table, FIG. 18(c) shows a b time-saving table, and FIG. 18(d) shows a c time-saving table. All of these variation pattern tables are stored in ROM 60b. Each variation pattern of the variation pattern table includes, in order from the shortest variation time, a no-reach miss, a normal reach, and an SP (special) reach that develops from a normal reach. When the result of the hit/miss judgment is a miss, the patterns are in order of the highest probability of appearance, a no-reach miss, a normal reach, and an SP reach, and when the result of the hit/miss judgment is a jackpot, the patterns are in order of the highest probability of appearance, a SP reach, and a normal reach. Note that when the result of the hit/miss judgment is a jackpot, a no-reach miss does not appear. Therefore, a no-reach miss does not result in a jackpot, and the SP reach has a higher reliability of a jackpot than the normal reach. In addition, in the normal table, if the time-saving judgment result is that there is time-saving, it becomes an SP reach (time-saving fluctuation pattern), but in the a time-saving table, b time-saving table, and c time-saving table, even if the time-saving judgment result is that there is time-saving, the time-saving is invalidated, and the same fluctuation pattern (miss fluctuation pattern) as when the hit/miss judgment result is determined. In other words, if the current game state is a normal game state, if the time-saving judgment result is that there is time-saving, the time-saving fluctuation pattern is determined as the fluctuation pattern, while if the current game state is a time-saving game state (either the a time-saving state, the b time-saving state, or the c time-saving state), even if the time-saving judgment result is that there is time-saving, the miss fluctuation pattern is determined as the fluctuation pattern.

As shown in FIG. 18, the a time-saving table, the b time-saving table, and the c time-saving table all have a shorter average change time of the special symbol change pattern than the normal table. The b time-saving table also has a shorter average change time of the special symbol change pattern than the a time-saving table and the c time-saving table. Therefore, the average change time of the change pattern determined during the a time-saving state or the c time-saving state is shorter than the average change time of the change pattern determined during the normal game state, and the average change time of the change pattern determined during the b time-saving state is shorter than the average change time of the change pattern determined during the a time-saving state or the c time-saving state. As described above, the b time-saving state occurs when the ceiling of the trap is reached, and when the b time-saving state occurs, a jackpot occurs in most cases. For this reason, by shortening the average change time of the change pattern determined during the b time-saving state, the time until the jackpot occurs can be shortened and the player can be prevented from feeling stressed. In addition, the a time-saving table may have multiple a time-saving tables with different average change times, and the change pattern may be determined while switching between the multiple a time-saving tables during the a time-saving state. This allows for a wide variety of variation in the fluctuation patterns. In particular, the a time-saving state occurs after the end of a big win game, and is a period during which the player hopes for a series of big wins (consecutive wins), so by implementing various fluctuation effects according to the fluctuation pattern, it is possible to increase the interest in the game. Note that the c time-saving table may also have multiple c time-saving tables.

Returning to the first special symbol variation display related process in FIG. 15, when the variation pattern is determined in this way, the variation display of the first special symbol is started (S622), the reserved number of the first special symbol is decremented by a value of 1, and the display of the first special symbol reserved number display device 33 is updated (S624). In addition, with the update of the reserved number of the first special symbol, the judgment random number related to the reserved number to be consumed this time is cleared, and a shift process is performed to shift the judgment random number related to the remaining reserved number. Then, the first special symbol variation start command (first special symbol variation start command) is sent to the sub-integrated control device 90 (S626), and the first special symbol variation display related process is terminated. The sub-integrated control device 90 that has received the first special symbol variation instruction command sends a control command to the performance display control device 91 so that the pattern variation performance is started on the performance display device 37. In addition, the first special symbol variation start command includes the result of the hit/miss judgment, the variation pattern of the first special symbol (variation time), the confirmed symbol (jackpot symbol, time-saving symbol, or miss symbol), etc.

In the process related to the second special symbol change display in FIG. 16, first, it is determined whether the probability flag is a value of 0 or not (S600b). If it is determined that the probability flag is a value of 0, a low probability hit value corresponding to the set value is read (S602b). If it is determined that the probability flag is a value of 1 rather than 0, a high probability hit value corresponding to the set value is read (S604b). Then, a jackpot determination is made by comparing the random number for jackpot determination obtained in S510 with the read hit value (S606b).

Next, it is determined whether the result of the jackpot determination process is a jackpot (S608b). If it is determined that the result of the jackpot determination process is a jackpot, the jackpot pattern is determined based on the random number for determining the jackpot pattern obtained in S510 (S610b). On the other hand, if it is determined that the result of the jackpot determination process is a miss, the miss pattern is determined based on the random number for determining the miss pattern obtained in S510 (S618b).

Once the fixed symbol of the second special symbol is determined in this manner, a fluctuation pattern determination process is executed (S620b) to determine the fluctuation pattern of the second special symbol from when the variable display of the second special symbol starts to when the fixed symbol is stopped and displayed based on the fluctuation pattern determination random number obtained in S510 and the fluctuation pattern table. Note that the fluctuation pattern determination process of the second special symbol can be performed by a process similar to the fluctuation pattern determination process of FIG. 17 described above.

When the variation pattern is determined, the variation display of the second special symbol is started (S622b), the reserved number of the second special symbol is decremented by a value of 1, and the display of the second special symbol reserved number display device 34 is updated (S624b). In addition, the judgment random number related to the reserved number to be consumed this time is cleared with the update of the reserved number of the second special symbol, and a shift process is performed to shift the judgment random number related to the remaining reserved number. Then, a second special symbol variation start command (second special symbol variation start command) is sent to the sub-integrated control device 90 (S626b), and the second special symbol variation display related process is terminated. The sub-integrated control device 90 that has received the second special symbol variation instruction command sends a control command to the performance display control device 91 so that the pattern variation performance is started on the performance display device 37. In addition, the second special symbol variation start command includes the result of the hit/miss judgment, the variation pattern of the second special symbol (variation time), the confirmed symbol (jackpot symbol or miss symbol), etc.

Returning to the special symbol game process of FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, when the special symbol game process is executed after the variable display of the special symbol (first special symbol or second special symbol) has started, since it is determined in S502 that either the first special symbol or the second special symbol is being displayed, the CPU 60a of the main control device 60 determines whether the variable time has elapsed (S518). Since the variable time is set according to the variable pattern of the special symbol determined in S620 or S620b, it is possible to determine whether the variable time has elapsed by comparing the elapsed time since the variable display of the special symbol started with the variable time corresponding to the determined variable pattern. If it is determined that the variable time has not elapsed, the special symbol game process is temporarily terminated. If it is determined that the variable time has elapsed, a symbol stop command is sent to the sub integrated control device 90 (S520), and the fixed symbol of the special symbol being displayed is displayed (S522). The sub-integrated control device 90, which has received the symbol stop command, transmits a control command to the effect display control device 91 to end the symbol change effect on the effect display device 37. Then, it is determined whether the display time of the fixed symbol has elapsed (S524). Here, the display time of the fixed symbol is set to 0.5 seconds in this embodiment. If it is determined that the display time of the fixed symbol has not elapsed, the special symbol game process is temporarily terminated. When the special symbol game process is executed after the special symbol is stopped and displayed, it is determined in S504 that the fixed symbol is being displayed, so it is again determined in S524 whether the display time of the fixed symbol has elapsed, and if it is determined that the display time of the fixed symbol has elapsed, the display of the fixed symbol is terminated (S526), and it is determined whether the fixed symbol is a jackpot symbol (S528).

When it is determined in S528 that the symbol is a jackpot, the condition device is started to operate in order to generate a jackpot (S530), the continuous operation device of the role is started to operate (S532), and the jackpot flag is set to a value of 1 (S534). In order to stop the jackpot function and the time-saving function during the jackpot game, the jackpot flag, the time-saving flag a, the time-saving flag b, and the time-saving flag c are cleared to a value of 0 (S536 to S542). Then, the ceiling counter is cleared (S544), a game state designation command is sent to the sub-integrated control device 90 (S546), and the special symbol game processing is terminated. The game state designation command includes the value of the jackpot flag, the value of the jackpot flag, the value of the time-saving flag a, the value of the time-saving flag b, and the value of the time-saving flag c, as well as the variation pattern group of the confirmed and displayed special symbol (the type of variation pattern table used to determine the variation pattern). When the special symbol game processing is terminated, the process returns to the main control processing and proceeds to the jackpot game processing in the next S80.

On the other hand, if it is determined in S528 that the symbol is not a winning symbol but a losing symbol, the special symbol end process (S548), the a time-saving flag end process (S550), the b time-saving flag setting process (S552), and the c time-saving flag setting process (S554) are executed. Then, a game state designation command is sent to the sub-integrated control device 90 (S546), and the special symbol game process is terminated. Below, the special symbol end process, the a time-saving flag end process, the b time-saving flag setting process, and the c time-saving flag setting process are explained in order.

Figure 19 is a flowchart showing an example of the variable probability flag end process. In the variable probability flag end process, it is determined whether the variable probability flag is a value of 1 (variable probability game state) (S700). If it is determined that the variable probability flag is a value of 0, not a value of 1, the variable probability flag end process is ended. On the other hand, if it is determined that the variable probability flag is a value of 1, the variable probability counter is decremented by a value of 1 (S702), and it is determined whether the variable probability counter is a value of 0 (S704). The variable probability counter indicates the remaining number of times the special pattern will change until the variable probability game state ends, and a value that is predetermined at the end of the jackpot game is set to the variable probability counter. In this embodiment, when the jackpot pattern is a variable probability jackpot pattern (variable probability jackpot), a value of 10,000 is set. Therefore, when a variable probability jackpot is hit, the variable probability game state is essentially maintained until the next jackpot is hit. If it is determined that the variable probability counter is not a value of 0, the variable probability flag end process is ended while maintaining the variable probability game state. On the other hand, if it is determined that the probability variation counter is at a value of 0, the probability variation flag is set to a value of 0 (S706) in order to end the probability variation game state, and the probability variation flag end process is terminated.

Figure 20 is a flowchart showing an example of the a time-saving flag end process. In the a time-saving flag end process, it is determined whether the a time-saving flag is value 1 (in the a time-saving state) (S710). If it is determined that the a time-saving flag is value 0, not value 1, the a time-saving flag end process is ended. On the other hand, if it is determined that the a time-saving flag is value 1, the a time-saving counter is decremented by value 1 (S712), and it is determined whether the a time-saving counter is value 0 (S714). The a time-saving counter indicates the remaining number of times the special pattern will change until the a time-saving state ends, and a predetermined initial value is set to the a time-saving counter when the jackpot game ends. In this embodiment, if the jackpot pattern is a normal jackpot pattern, a value of 100 is set, and if it is a special jackpot pattern, a value of 10000 is set. Therefore, when a special jackpot is hit, the a time-saving state is essentially maintained until the next jackpot is hit. If it is determined that the a-time-saving counter is not 0, the a-time-saving flag termination process is terminated while maintaining the a-time-saving state. On the other hand, if it is determined that the a-time-saving counter is 0, the a-time-saving flag is set to 0 (S716) in order to terminate the a-time-saving state, and the a-time-saving flag termination process is terminated.

Figure 21 is a flowchart showing an example of the b time-saving flag setting process. In the b time-saving flag setting process, it is determined whether the probability variable flag is a value of 0 (S720). If it is determined that the probability variable flag is a value of 1 and not a value of 0, the b time-saving flag setting process is terminated. Therefore, the b time-saving state does not occur during the probability variable game state. On the other hand, if it is determined that the probability variable flag is a value of 0, it is determined whether the b time-saving flag is a value of 1 (during the b time-saving state) (S722). If it is determined that the b time-saving flag is a value of 0 and not a value of 1, the ceiling counter is decremented by a value of 1 (S724), and it is determined whether the ceiling counter is a value of 0 (S726). The ceiling counter indicates the remaining number of times the special pattern will change until the ceiling is reached, and a predetermined initial value (value 900) is set to the ceiling counter at the end of the big win game. If it is determined that the ceiling counter is not a value of 0, the b time-saving flag setting process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the ceiling counter is 0, the b time-saving flag is set to 1 (S728) and the b time-saving counter is set (S730) in order to generate the b time-saving state, and the b time-saving flag setting process is terminated. The b time-saving counter indicates the remaining number of times the special pattern will change until the b time-saving state ends, and a predetermined initial value (value 1000) is set to the b time-saving counter. Since the probability of a big win is 1/320 to 1/270, when the ceiling is reached and the b time-saving state occurs, a big win can be drawn in most cases. After the b time-saving state occurs, when the b time-saving flag setting process is executed, it is determined in S722 that the b time-saving flag is 1, so the b time-saving counter is decremented by 1 (S732), and it is determined whether the b time-saving counter is 0 (S734). If it is determined that the b time-saving counter is not 0, the b time-saving flag setting process is terminated while maintaining the b time-saving state. On the other hand, if it is determined that the b time-saving counter is 0, the b time-saving flag is set to 0 (S736) to end the b time-saving state, and the b time-saving flag setting process is terminated. In other words, if the b time-saving counter becomes 0 without a jackpot being drawn, the b time-saving state ends and the game moves to the normal game state. In this embodiment, the ceiling counter is not initialized when the game moves to the normal game state. Therefore, if the game moves to the normal game state without a jackpot being drawn in the b time-saving state, even if the number of times the special symbol changes further reaches the planned number of times, it is not considered that the ceiling has been reached, and the b time-saving state is not generated. Of course, after the game moves from the b time-saving state to the normal game state, the ceiling counter may be initialized, and if the number of times the special symbol changes further reaches the planned number of times, the b time-saving state may be generated as the ceiling has been reached.

In this embodiment, the ceiling counter is counted even during the a time-saving state (the a time-saving flag is a value of 1) unless the player is in the high probability game state (the high probability game flag is a value of 1). However, it may not be counted during the a time-saving state. In addition, in a type of pachinko machine in which the ceiling counter is initialized when the b time-saving counter becomes a value of 0 without a jackpot being hit during the b time-saving state and the game returns to the normal game state, if the number of time-saving times in the b time-saving state (e.g., 450 times) is less than the ceiling number (e.g., 900 times), the ceiling counter may be counted during the b time-saving state. In addition, in a pachinko machine (a so-called ST machine) in which the number of high probability game times in the high probability game state is relatively small (e.g., 50 times or 100 times), the ceiling counter may be counted during the high probability game state.

Figure 22 is a flowchart showing an example of the c time-saving flag setting process. In the c time-saving flag setting process, it is determined whether the fixed pattern of the special pattern is a time-saving pattern (S740). If it is determined that the fixed pattern is a time-saving pattern, it is determined whether the probability variable flag is a value of 0 (S742), whether the a time-saving flag is a value of 0 (S744), whether the b time-saving flag is a value of 0 (S746), and whether the c time-saving flag is a value of 0 (S748). In other words, it is determined whether the current game state is not a probability variable game state or a time-saving game state, but a normal game state. If it is determined that any of the probability variable flag, the a time-saving flag, the b time-saving flag, and the c time-saving flag is a value of 1, it is determined that the current game state is a probability variable game state or a time-saving game state, and the c time-saving flag setting process is terminated. Therefore, even if the fixed pattern of the special pattern is a time-saving pattern, if the current game state is a probability variable game state or a time-saving game state, the time-saving hit is invalid. On the other hand, if it is determined that the probability change flag, the time-saving flag a, the time-saving flag b, and the time-saving flag c are all 0, the time-saving flag c is set to 1 (S750) to generate the time-saving state c, and the time-saving counter c is set (S752), and the time-saving flag c setting process is terminated. The time-saving counter c indicates the remaining number of times the special pattern will change until the time-saving state c ends, and a predetermined initial value (value 20) is set in the time-saving counter c. If it is determined in S740 that the confirmed pattern of the special pattern is not a time-saving pattern but a losing pattern, it is determined whether the time-saving flag c is 1 (S754). If it is determined that the time-saving flag c is 0 instead of 1, the time-saving flag c setting process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the time-saving flag c is 1, the time-saving counter c is decremented by 1 (S756), and it is determined whether the time-saving counter c is 0 (S758). If it is determined that the c time-saving counter is not 0, the c time-saving state is maintained and the c time-saving flag setting process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the c time-saving counter is 0, the c time-saving flag is set to 0 (S760) in order to end the c time-saving state, and the c time-saving flag setting process is terminated.

[Jackpot game processing]
23 and 24 are flow charts showing an example of the jackpot game process. In the jackpot game process of S80, the CPU 60a of the main control device 60 first judges whether the jackpot flag is value 1 (during jackpot game) or not (S800). If it is judged that the jackpot flag is value 0, not value 1, the jackpot game process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is judged that the jackpot flag is value 1, it judges whether the big prize winning port 25 is open or not (S802), whether the jackpot game start presentation is in progress or not (S804), whether the jackpot game end presentation is in progress or not (S806), and whether the opening interval is in progress or not (S808). If the judgments of S802 to S808 are all negative, it transmits a jackpot game start presentation command to the sub-integrated control device 90 (S810) and terminates the jackpot game process. The sub-integrated control device 90 that has received the jackpot game start presentation command starts the jackpot game start presentation. When the jackpot game start presentation starts, the next time the jackpot game process is executed, it is determined in S804 that the jackpot game start presentation is in progress, and it is determined whether the jackpot game start presentation time has elapsed (S812). If it is determined that the jackpot game start presentation time has not elapsed, the jackpot game process is temporarily terminated, and if it is determined that the jackpot game start presentation time has elapsed, the jackpot game solenoid 25c is driven to open the jackpot game opening 25 (S814), and the jackpot game process is terminated. With the opening of the jackpot game opening 25, the main control unit 60 transmits a round game presentation command to the sub-integrated control unit 90.

When the large prize opening 25 is opened, the next time the large prize opening 25 is executed, it is determined in S802 that the large prize opening 25 is open, and based on the detection signal from the large prize opening switch 25a, it is determined whether the number of game balls entering the large prize opening 25 has reached a specified number (10 in this embodiment) (S816), and whether the elapsed time (opening time) since the large prize opening 25 was opened has reached the maximum opening time (28 seconds in this embodiment) (S818). If it is determined that the number of game balls entering the large prize opening 25 has not reached the specified number and the opening time of the large prize opening 25 has not reached the maximum opening time, the large prize opening 25 is left open and the large prize opening 25 is temporarily terminated. On the other hand, when it is determined that the number of game balls entering the big prize opening 25 has reached a specified number, or when it is determined that the opening time of the big prize opening 25 has reached the maximum opening time even if the number of game balls has not reached the specified number, the big prize opening 25 is closed (S820), and it is determined whether or not the current round game is the final round (S822). Since the number of rounds of the big prize game is set by the big prize pattern ("4R normal big prize pattern", "10R normal big prize pattern", "10R sure-win big prize pattern"), the determination of whether or not the current round game is the final round is performed by determining whether or not the number of repetitions of the round game has reached a number determined according to the big prize pattern. When it is determined that the current round game is not the final round, an interval between openings is generated (S824), and the big prize game processing is terminated. The main control unit 60 transmits an interval between openings generation command to the sub integrated control unit 90 in response to the generation of the interval between openings. When an interval between openings occurs, the next time the jackpot game process is executed, it is determined in S808 that the interval between openings is in progress, and it is then determined whether the interval between openings (e.g., 2 seconds) has elapsed (S826). If it is determined that the interval between openings has not elapsed, the jackpot game process is terminated once with the jackpot winning opening 25 closed, and if it is determined that the interval between openings has elapsed, the jackpot winning opening 25 is opened again (S814), and the jackpot game process is terminated.

After repeating the round play in which the big prize winning hole 25 is opened and closed with an interval between openings, if it is determined in S822 that the current round play is the final round, a big prize play end presentation command is sent to the sub-integrated control device 90 (S828) and the big prize play processing is terminated. The sub-integrated control device 90 that has received the big prize play end presentation command starts the big prize play end presentation. When the big prize play end presentation starts, it is determined in S806 that the big prize play end presentation is in progress when the next big prize play processing is started, so it is determined whether the big prize play end presentation time has elapsed (S830). If it is determined that the big prize play end presentation time has not elapsed, the big prize play processing is temporarily terminated, and if it is determined that the big prize play end presentation time has elapsed, the operation of the role continuous operation device is stopped (S832) and the operation of the condition device is stopped (S834). Next, it is determined whether the current big prize pattern is a sure-win big prize pattern (S836). When it is determined that the jackpot pattern is a probability variable jackpot pattern, in order to generate a probability variable game state and an a time-saving state, the probability variable flag is set to a value of 1 (S838), the probability variable counter is set to a value of 10000 (S840), the a time-saving flag is set to a value of 1 (S842), and the a time-saving counter is set to a value of 10000 (S844). On the other hand, when it is determined that the jackpot pattern is not a probability variable jackpot pattern but a normal jackpot pattern, in order to generate an a time-saving state, the a time-saving flag is set to a value of 1 (S846), the a time-saving counter is set to a value of 100 (S848), and the ceiling counter is set to a value of 900 (S850). Then, in order to end the jackpot game, the jackpot flag is set to a value of 0 (S852), and a game state designation command is sent to the sub-integrated control device 90 (S854), and the jackpot game processing is ended. The game state specification command includes the value of the probability change flag, the value of the a time-saving flag, the value of the a time-saving counter, the value of the ceiling counter, the value of the jackpot flag, etc.

Next, the processing of the sub-integrated control device 90 that receives various commands from the main control device 60 will be described. As described above, the commands that the sub-integrated control device 90 receives from the main control device 60 include the special pattern change start command (first special pattern change start command, second special pattern change start command), pattern stop command, game state designation command, jackpot game start presentation command, and jackpot game end presentation command. In addition, after performing initial setting processing when the power of the pachinko machine 1 is turned on, the sub-integrated control device 90 repeatedly executes pattern change presentation processing based on the special pattern change display, presentation mode setting processing for setting the presentation mode, jackpot game presentation processing, and the like. Details of the initial setting processing and presentation mode setting processing will be described below. Note that the pattern change presentation processing and jackpot game presentation processing are not included in the gist of the present invention, so their explanation will be omitted.

[Initial Setup Processing]
FIG. 25 is a flow chart showing an example of the initial setting process. In the initial setting process, the CPU 90a of the sub-integrated control device 90 first performs preparation (initial setting) for the effect display control device 91 and the like to be in a state in which they can process commands from the sub-integrated control device 90 (S900), then transmits a command to the effect display control device 91 to display a predetermined preparation screen (e.g., a message such as "Preparing, please wait for a while") on the effect display device 37 (S902). Then, in the power-on process of FIG. 8, it is determined whether an initial command or a return command has been received from the main control device 60 (S904). If it is determined that the initial command has been received, it is determined that the game state immediately after the power-on of the pachinko machine 1 is the normal game state, and the initial effect mode is set to the normal mode (S914), and the initial setting process is terminated.

If it is determined in S904 that a return command has been received, the values of the probability variable flag, the time-saving flag a, the time-saving flag b, and the time-saving flag c included in the received return command are checked, and it is determined whether the game state immediately after power-on is a probability variable game state (S906), whether it is a time-saving flag a (S908), whether it is a time-saving flag b (S910), or whether it is a time-saving flag c (S912). If it is determined that the game state immediately after power-on is not a probability variable game state, a time-saving flag a, a time-saving flag b, or a time-saving flag c, it is a normal game state, so the initial presentation mode is set to normal mode (S914), and the initial setting process is terminated. If it is determined in S906 that the game state immediately after power-on is a probability variable game state, the probability variable mode is set as the initial presentation mode (S916); if it is determined in S908 that the game state immediately after power-on is an a time-saving state, the a time-saving mode is set as the initial presentation mode (S918); if it is determined in S910 that the game state immediately after power-on is a b time-saving state, the b time-saving mode is set as the initial presentation mode (S920); if it is determined in S912 that the game state immediately after power-on is a c time-saving state, the c time-saving mode is set as the initial presentation mode (S922), and the initial setting process is terminated. The initial presentation mode is executed by transmitting a control command corresponding to the set mode from the sub-integrated control device 90 to the presentation display control device 91, and controlling the display screen of the presentation display device 37 based on the control command received by the presentation display control device 91.

Figure 26 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the normal mode and the high probability mode as the initial presentation mode, and Figure 27 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the a time-saving mode, the b time-saving mode, and the c time-saving mode as the initial presentation mode. As shown in the figure, the combination of presentation symbols 371L, 371C, and 371R is different for the normal mode, the high probability mode, the a time-saving mode, the b time-saving mode, and the c time-saving mode, and the initial presentation mode suggests (informs) the game state immediately after power-on by the combination of presentation symbols 371L, 371C, and 371R. The initial presentation mode ends when a game ball enters the start hole (first start hole 23 or second start hole 24) and the display of the varying presentation symbols 371L, 371C, and 371R begins.

[Performance mode setting process]
FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing an example of the presentation mode setting process. In the presentation mode setting process, it is determined whether or not a game state designation command transmitted by the main control device 60 in S546 of the special symbol game process or S854 of the jackpot game process has been received (S1000). If it is determined that the game state designation command has not been received, the presentation mode setting process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the game state designation command has been received, the values of the jackpot flag, the probability variable flag, the a time-saving flag, the b time-saving flag, and the c time-saving flag included in the game state designation command are checked, and it is determined whether or not the current game state is a jackpot game state (S1002), whether or not it is a probability variable state (S1004), whether or not it is an a time-saving state (S1006), whether or not it is a b time-saving state (S1008), and whether or not it is a c time-saving state (S1010). If it is determined that the current game state is a jackpot game state, the presentation mode setting process is terminated. In this case, a jackpot game presentation is executed in a jackpot game presentation process (not shown).

If it is determined in S1004 to S1010 that the current game state is neither a sure-change game state, nor an a-time-saving state, nor a b-time-saving state, nor a c-time-saving state, it is determined to be a normal game state, the presentation mode is set to normal mode (S1012), and the presentation mode setting process is terminated. If it is determined in S1004 that the current game state is a sure-change game state, the presentation mode is set to the sure-change mode (S1014), if it is determined in S1006 that the current game state is an a-time-saving state, the presentation mode is set to the a-time-saving mode (S1016), if it is determined in S1008 that the current game state is a b-time-saving state, the presentation mode is set to the b-time-saving mode (S1018), and if it is determined in S1010 that the current game state is a c-time-saving state, the presentation mode is set to the c-time-saving mode (S1020), and the presentation mode setting process is terminated. The presentation mode is executed by sending a control command corresponding to the set mode from the sub-integrated control device 90 to the presentation display control device 91, and controlling the display screen of the presentation display device 37 based on the control command received by the presentation display control device 91. In the presentation mode, for example, the background screen of the presentation display device 37 is made different for normal mode, probability variation mode, time-saving mode a, time-saving mode b, and time-saving mode c, so that the current game state is suggested (announced) by the background screen.

Here, in a pachinko machine 1 having multiple time-saving game states (time-saving state a, time-saving state b, and time-saving state c) with different occurrence conditions, it is common that each time-saving state has a different end condition (number of time-saving times). As described above, in a pachinko machine 1 having a backup function for storing game information (game state) in the main control device 60, even if the power is cut off during the time-saving state and then the power is restored, the game can be resumed from the time-saving state based on the stored game information. However, in a pachinko machine 1 having multiple time-saving game states as described above, if the sub-integrated control device 90 does not have a backup function similar to that of the main control device 60, when the power is cut off during the time-saving state and the power is restored and the game is resumed in the time-saving state, it may be unclear which of the multiple time-saving states has been restored. In this case, it is not possible for the game parlor or the player to guess the remaining number of times in the time-saving state, which is disadvantageous. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the power of the pachinko machine 1 is turned on, the sub-integrated control device 90 executes an initial setting process based on a command (initial command or return command) from the main control device 60 to the sub-integrated control device 90 to suggest (inform) the game state immediately after power is turned on (either normal game state, guaranteed game state, time-saving state a, time-saving state b, or time-saving state c). As a result, when the power is turned on and the game is resumed from the time-saving game state after the power is cut off during the time-saving game state, the game establishment or the player can grasp the type of time-saving game state (whether the time-saving game state is the time-saving state a, time-saving state b, or time-saving state c) from the suggestion (notification) content, and can use it to guess the remaining number of times in the time-saving game state. In other words, when the game establishment predicts that there may be too many remaining times, it can avoid disadvantages by clearing the RAM for the pachinko machine 1. Alternatively, it can be used as a means of returning profits to the player by leaving such a state that is advantageous to the player, and the operation rate can be improved. Additionally, the player can use the estimated remaining number of plays as a deciding factor for whether or not to play on the pachinko machine 1.

In the pachinko machine 1 of the embodiment, when the power is restored in the time-saving game state, the main control device 60 transmits a return command including the type of the time-saving game state (time-saving flag a, time-saving flag b, and time-saving flag c) to the sub-integrated control device 90, so that the sub-integrated control device 90 (effect display device 37) notifies the type of the time-saving game state immediately after the power is restored. However, a configuration is also conceivable in which the return command or the initial command includes the presence or absence of the probability variable game state and the presence or absence of the time-saving game state, but does not include the type of the time-saving game state (time-saving flag a, time-saving flag b, and time-saving flag c). Similarly, a configuration is also conceivable in which the game state designation command includes the presence or absence of the probability variable game state and the presence or absence of the time-saving game state, but does not include the type of the time-saving game state (time-saving flag a, time-saving flag b, and time-saving flag c). In this case, the type of the time-saving game state can be notified by the following. FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing the effect mode setting process of a modified example. In addition, among the processes of the presentation mode setting process of FIG. 29, the same process as that of FIG. 28 is given the same step number, and detailed description thereof is omitted. In the modified example, the initial command, the return command, and the game state designation command do not include the type of time-saving game state (time-saving flag a, time-saving flag b, and time-saving flag c), and the game state designation command transmitted from the main control device 60 to the sub-integrated control device 90 in S546 of the special symbol game process includes a group of variation patterns of the special symbol displayed in a variable manner (type of variation pattern table used to determine the variation pattern). In the presentation mode setting process of the modified example, when it is determined that a game state designation command is received in S1000, it is determined whether the received game state designation command is for the end of the variation of the special symbol (S1100). When it is determined that the received game state designation command is not for the end of the variation, the presentation mode setting process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the received game state designation command is for the end of the variation, the game state designation command is checked for the presence or absence of a jackpot game state, the probability game state, and the time-saving game state, and it is determined whether the current game state is a jackpot game state (S1002), a probability game state (S1004), or a time-saving game state (S1102). If it is determined that the current game state is neither a jackpot game state, a probability game state, nor a time-saving game state, the current game state is a normal game state, so the presentation mode is set to normal mode (S1012) and the presentation mode setting process is terminated. If it is determined that the current game state is a probability game state, the presentation mode is set to probability game mode (S1014) and the presentation mode setting process is terminated. If it is determined that the current game state is a time-saving game state, it is further determined the type of variation pattern group included in the game state designation command (S1104). The fluctuation pattern group has a fluctuation pattern group a, which is a fluctuation pattern determined based on the a time-saving table, a fluctuation pattern group b, which is a fluctuation pattern determined based on the b time-saving table, and a fluctuation pattern group c, which is a fluctuation pattern determined based on the c time-saving table. When it is determined that the type of the fluctuation pattern group is the fluctuation pattern group a, the presentation mode is set to the a time-saving mode (S1016), when it is determined that the type of the fluctuation pattern group is the fluctuation pattern group b, the presentation mode is set to the b time-saving mode (S1018), when it is determined that the type of the fluctuation pattern group is the fluctuation pattern group c, the presentation mode is set to the c time-saving mode (S1020), and the presentation mode setting process is terminated. In this embodiment, the types of the fluctuation pattern tables (a time-saving table, b time-saving table, c time-saving table) and the types of the time-saving game states (a time-saving state, b time-saving state, c time-saving state) correspond one-to-one, so that the sub-integrated control device 90 can grasp the type of the time-saving game state and notify it by checking the type of the fluctuation pattern group included in the game state designation command transmitted from the main control device 60. The type of the fluctuation pattern group (fluctuation pattern group a, fluctuation pattern group b, fluctuation pattern group c) can also be included in the game state designation command sent from the main control device 60 to the sub-integrated control device 90 in S854 of the jackpot game processing. In this case, by omitting the processing of S1100, the sub-integrated control device 90 can determine the type of time-saving game state based on the game state designation command (fluctuation pattern group) sent from the main control device 60 at the end of the jackpot game, and can report the determined type of time-saving game state immediately after the end of the jackpot game.

The type of fluctuation pattern group (fluctuation pattern group a, fluctuation pattern group b, fluctuation pattern group c) can also be included in the command (initial command, return command) sent from the main control device 60 to the sub-integrated control device 90 in S112 and S118 of the power-on process. This allows the sub-integrated control device 90 to determine the type of time-saving game state based on the return command (fluctuation pattern group) sent from the main control device 60 when the power is restored in the time-saving game state, and to report the determined type of time-saving game state immediately after the power is restored.

In the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment, the sub-integrated control device 90 does not have a backup function, and therefore cannot determine the number of times the time-saving play state remains when the power is restored from the time-saving play state. However, the sub-integrated control device 90 has a counter that counts the number of times the special symbol changes, and when it determines that the play state immediately after power is turned on is a time-saving play state based on the restore command received from the main control device 60, it may start counting the counter and notify information for estimating the number of times the time-saving play remains based on the counter value, such as "Time-saving play state, x times since power was restored."

Alternatively, the main control device 60 may include the values of the time-saving counter a, the time-saving counter b, and the time-saving counter c in a return command or a game state designation command and transmit them to the sub-integrated control device 90, so that the sub-integrated control device 90 may notify the remaining number of time-saving operations in addition to the type of time-saving game state.

In the pachinko machine 1 of the embodiment, when the power is restored from the time-shortened play state, the type of time-shortened play state is notified by the performance display device 37. However, the type of time-shortened play state may be notified by outputting a different sound from the speaker 14 depending on the type of time-shortened play state. Also, the type of time-shortened play state may be notified by lighting the decorative lamp 15 in a different lighting pattern depending on the type of time-shortened play state.

In the pachinko machine 1 of the embodiment, the time-saving game states include the time-saving state a that occurs after the end of a jackpot game, the time-saving state b that occurs based on the ceiling being reached, and the time-saving state c that occurs based on the special symbol being stopped and displayed as a time-saving symbol, and when the time-saving game state is restored when the power is turned on after the power is cut off in the time-saving game state, it is possible to identifiably notify which of the time-saving game states a, b, and c is the time-saving game state. However, it is sufficient that the time-saving game state includes at least two time-saving states with different ending conditions (or occurrence conditions), and when the time-saving game state is restored when the power is turned on, it is possible to identifiably notify which of the time-saving game states the time-saving game state is. For example, the time-saving game state may include the time-saving state a and the time-saving state b, and when the time-saving game state is restored when the power is turned on, it is possible to identifiably notify whether the time-saving game state is the time-saving state a or the time-saving state b. In addition, the time-saving game state may include a time-saving state a and a time-saving state c, and when the time-saving game state is restored when the power is turned on, it may be notified in an identifiable manner whether the time-saving game state is the time-saving state a or the time-saving state c. Furthermore, the time-saving game state may include a time-saving state b and a time-saving state c, and when the time-saving game state is restored when the power is turned on, it may be notified in an identifiable manner whether the time-saving game state is the time-saving state b or the time-saving state c.

In the pachinko machine 1 of the embodiment, one jackpot probability is selected from a number of different jackpot probabilities based on the operation of the operation means (probability setting switch 98) and set, but it is also possible to make it possible to select whether or not there is a ceiling by the operation means, and to change the number of times the special symbols change until the ceiling is reached based on the operation of the operation means.

In the embodiment, the machine is configured as a so-called seven-type gaming machine, but is not limited to this. The machine may be configured as a so-called one-type two-type mixed machine, which has a specific area inside the large prize opening that opens during a small prize game, and when a game ball enters the large prize opening during a small prize game and the game ball passes through the specific area, it progresses to a big prize game. In this case, if the number of times the special pattern changes reaches the scheduled number of times without the occurrence of a small prize or a big prize, a b time-saving state may be generated as a ceiling being reached.

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

The correspondence between the main elements of the embodiment and the main elements of the invention described in the section on means for solving the problem will be explained. In the embodiment, the first start hole 23 and the second start hole 24 correspond to the "start hole", the second start hole 24 corresponds to the "variable start hole", the CPU 60a of the main control device 60 which executes the processes S600 to S606 of the first special symbol change display related process and S600b to S606b of the second special symbol change display related process corresponds to the "win/lose lottery means", the first special symbol display device 31 and the second special symbol display device 32 correspond to the "symbol display means", and the CPU 60a of the main control device 60 which executes the processes S800 to S834 of the jackpot game process corresponds to the "jackpot game execution means". The CPU 60a of the main control device 60, which executes the processes of S836 to S848 of the jackpot game process and the b time-saving flag setting process and the c time-saving flag setting process, corresponds to the "game state setting means", the sub-integrated control device 90, which executes the processes of S904 to S922 of the initial setting process and the processes of S1004 to S1020 of the presentation mode setting process, the presentation display control device 91, and the presentation display device 37 correspond to the "notification means", the main control device 60 corresponds to the "main control means", the RAM 60c corresponds to the "storage unit", and the sub-integrated control device 90 corresponds to the "sub-control means". Note that the correspondence between the main elements of the embodiment and the main elements of the invention described in the "Means for solving the problem" column does not limit the elements of the invention described in the "Means for solving the problem" column, since the embodiment is an example for specifically explaining the form for implementing the invention described in the "Means for solving the problem" column. In other words, the interpretation of the invention described in the Means for Solving the Problem section should be based on the description in that section, and the examples are merely specific examples of the invention described in the Means for Solving the Problem section.

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

1 Pachinko machine, 2 Outer frame, 3 Front frame, 3a Front frame opening switch, 4 Glass plate, 5 Inner frame, 5a Inner frame opening switch, 11 Upper tray, 12 Lower tray, 13 Launch handle, 14 Speaker, 15 Decorative lamp, 16 Performance button, 16a Performance button switch, 20 Game board, 21 Game area, 21a Outer rail, 21b Inner rail, 21c Nail, 22 Normal symbol activation gate, 22a Gate switch, 23 First start port, 23a First start port switch, 24 Second start port, 24a Second start port switch, 24b Opening and closing blade, 24c Second start port solenoid, 25 Large prize port, 25a Large prize port switch, 25b Opening and closing plate, 25c Large prize port solenoid, 27 Normal prize port, 27a Normal prize port switch, 29 Outlet, 31 first special symbol display device (first special symbol display device), 32 second special symbol display device (second special symbol display device), 33 first special symbol reserved number display device (first special symbol reserved number display device), 34 second special symbol reserved number display device (second special symbol reserved number display device), 35 normal symbol display device (normal symbol display device), 36 normal symbol reserved number display device (normal symbol reserved number display device), 37 performance display device, 371L, 371C, 371R performance symbol (pseudo symbol), 372a first reserved symbol, 372b second reserved symbol, 38 center role, 50 CR unit, 51 CR unit terminal board, 52 settlement display device, 53 ball loan button, 53a ball loan switch, 54 settlement button, 54a settlement switch, 60 main control device, 60a CPU, 60b ROM, 60c RAM, 61 game board relay terminal board, 62 Pattern display device relay terminal board, 63 Performance relay terminal board, 64 Back wiring relay terminal board, 65 External connection terminal board, 70 Payout control device, 71 Payout relay terminal board, 72 Payout device, 73 Payout motor, 74 Payout switch, 75 Full switch, 76 Ball out switch, 77 Ball tank, 78 Tank rail, 80 Firing control device, 81 Firing stop switch, 82 Touch switch, 83 Firing motor, 90 Sub-integrated control device, 90a CPU, 90b ROM, 90c RAM, 91 Performance display control device, 95 Power supply board, 98 Probability setting switch, 99 RAM clear switch, 100 Hall computer.

Claims (1)

A starting port including a variable starting port in which the possibility of the game ball entering the game changes;
A winning/losing lottery means for performing a winning/losing lottery based on the entry of a game ball into the starting hole;
A symbol display means for indicating the result of the winning/losing lottery by displaying a symbol in a variable manner and then displaying the determined result ;
A variation pattern determination means for determining a time period during which the symbols are displayed in a varying manner;
A jackpot game execution means for executing a jackpot game based on the symbols stopping at a winning symbol;
A game state setting means for setting a game state;
a notification means for making a predetermined notification;
A main control means for controlling the progress of a game and having a memory unit for storing game information related to the game including the game state;
A sub-control means that operates based on a command from the main control means and controls the notification means;
A gaming machine comprising:
The game state includes a normal game state and an easy-to-enter ball entry state in which it is easier for a game ball to enter the variable start opening than in the normal game state,
The ball-entering easy state includes a post-jackpot state that occurs after the end of the jackpot game, and a post-ceiling state that occurs when the variable display of the symbols is executed a predetermined number of times without the jackpot game being executed,
The main control means has a backup function for retaining the memory of the memory unit in a state where the power supply to the gaming machine is cut off,
The secondary control means does not have the backup function,
The fluctuation pattern determination means is provided with a plurality of fluctuation pattern tables for determining a fluctuation pattern, and uses different fluctuation pattern tables at least for the post-jackpot state and the post-ceiling state,
When the power supply to the gaming machine is cut off during the ball-scoring state, and the power supply to the gaming machine is restored with the memory in the memory section of the main control means maintained, and play is resumed from the ball-scoring state , the notification means notifies in an identifiable manner whether the ball-scoring state is the post-jackpot state or the post-ceiling state based on the fluctuation pattern transmitted from the main control means to the sub-control means.
Amusement machine.

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