JP7541771B2 - Gaming Machines - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a pachinko machine.

Gaming machines, such as pachinko machines, are configured to be able to shoot gaming balls, and when a shot gaming ball enters a winning hole, a number of gaming balls (prize balls) corresponding to the winning hole are awarded. For example, see Patent Document 1.

JP 2014-128601 A

In recent years, in order to curb gambling, such gaming machines have been required to be equipped with a function (a so-called complete function) that stops play when the difference in the number of balls reaches or exceeds a predetermined threshold.
However, such a complete function is a function that has not been provided in the past, and it is necessary to make it easier to recognize the release and occurrence of a game stop state (complete error) caused by the complete function.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and aims to provide a gaming machine that has a complete function but also makes it easy to cancel a complete error or recognize that it has occurred.

According to the present invention, a gaming machine in which gaming balls can be used by being fired, and in which a number of gaming balls corresponding to a winning port is awarded when a gaming ball enters a winning port, has a first gaming state and a second gaming state that is more advantageous than the first gaming state as gaming states in which a pattern change can be executed, and is equipped with a base value derivation means for deriving a base value, which is a ratio of safe balls, which are the number of gaming balls awarded related to the winning, to out balls, which are the number of gaming balls used in the first gaming state, over a plurality of derivation periods, a completion means for setting a gaming stop state based on the difference in the number of balls derived using the out balls and the safe balls becoming equal to or greater than a specific threshold value, a display monitor visible from the rear of the gaming machine, and a display control means for controlling the display monitor, and the gaming stop state is configured to be releaseable by an operation, and the display control means is capable of sequentially switching between the plurality of base values derived in each of the plurality of derivation periods and displaying them on the display monitor with an interval period in between during which the base value is not displayed. and when the game stop state is set, a predetermined restriction is imposed on the display of the base value, and when the game stop state is subsequently released, the base value is displayed without the predetermined restriction from a predetermined timing after the release timing of the game stop state , or when the game stop state is set, the base value is hidden, and when the game stop state is subsequently released, the base value is displayed from a predetermined timing after the release timing of the game stop state , and a period from when the game stop state is released to when the predetermined timing is reached is longer than the interval period, and when the game stop state is set during the interval period, the predetermined restriction can be imposed on the display of the base value during the display of the base value after the interval period has elapsed, or the base value can be hidden during the display of the base value after the interval period has elapsed .
According to the present invention, a gaming machine is provided in which gaming balls can be used by being shot, and when a gaming ball enters a winning hole, a number of gaming balls corresponding to the winning hole are awarded,
The gaming machine includes a first gaming state and a second gaming state that is more advantageous than the first gaming state as gaming states in which a pattern change can be executed, and a base value derivation means for deriving a base value, which is a ratio of safe balls, which are the number of game balls related to the winning, to out balls, which are the number of game balls used in the first gaming state, over a plurality of derivation periods, a completion means for setting a gaming stop state based on the difference in the number of balls derived using the out balls and the safe balls becoming equal to or greater than a specific threshold value, a display monitor visible from the rear of the gaming machine, and a display control means for controlling the display monitor, and the gaming stop state is configured to be releasable by an operation, and the display control means is capable of sequentially switching between the plurality of base values derived in each of the plurality of derivation periods and displaying them on the display monitor with an interval period in between during which the base value is not displayed, and when the gaming stop state is set, a predetermined restriction is imposed on the display of the base value, and when the gaming stop state is subsequently released, the display control means is configured to display the base value in a predetermined manner. a predetermined time period from when the game stop state is released to when the game stop state is released, the base value is displayed without the predetermined restriction, or when the game stop state is set, the base value is hidden, and when the game stop state is released thereafter, the base value is displayed from a predetermined time period from when the game stop state is released to when the predetermined time period is reached, the period from when the game stop state is released to when the predetermined time period is reached is longer than the interval period, and the base value derivation means, at a specific time when the difference in number of balls becomes equal to or greater than the specific threshold value due to the safe ball related to the entry of a game ball into the winning port in the first game state, reflects the safe ball in the derivation of the base value, and at the specific time, the specified restriction may be imposed on the display of the base value before the base value reflecting the safe ball related to the specific time is displayed, or the base value may be hidden before the base value reflecting the safe ball related to the specific time is displayed.

The present invention provides a gaming machine that has a completion function, but also makes it easy to cancel a completion error or recognize its occurrence.

FIG. 1 is a front view of the gaming machine. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a pattern display device disposed in the area II shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a bird's-eye view showing the operation buttons arranged in the area III shown in FIG. 1 and their surroundings. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a game board installed in the gaming machine. FIG. 5 is a rear view of the gaming machine. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the gaming machine. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the gaming machine. Figure 8(a) is a diagram that shows a schematic drawing of a lottery table for determining whether a special symbol is a hit or not, Figure 8(b) is a diagram that shows a schematic drawing of a lottery table for selecting stopping symbols used when a big hit is derived in the special symbol hit or not determination related to special symbol 1, Figure 8(c) is a diagram that shows a schematic drawing of a lottery table for selecting stopping symbols used when a small hit is derived in the special symbol hit or not determination related to special symbol 2, and Figure 8(d) is a diagram that shows a schematic drawing of a lottery table for selecting stopping symbols used when a big hit is derived in the special symbol hit or not determination related to special symbol 2. Figure 9(a) is a schematic diagram showing a special chart change pattern lottery table used in the pattern change related to special chart 1 when in the special chart change pattern derivation state PA, and Figure 9(b) is a schematic diagram showing a special chart change pattern lottery table used when a special chart change pattern HNP is determined in the pattern change related to special chart 1 when in the special chart change pattern derivation state PA. FIG. 10(a) is a state transition diagram showing the transition of the special chart variation pattern derivation state, and FIG. 10(b) is a diagram showing the relationship of the average variation time for each special chart variation pattern derivation state. FIG. 11 shows a flow of a game stop flag setting process related to the complete function. This process is executed when a game stop flag described later is OFF, but is not executed when the game stop flag is ON. FIG. 12 shows a flow of the complete error setting process. This process is executed regardless of the state of the game stop flag, and when the game stop flag setting process related to the complete function is executed, this process is executed continuously from the game stop flag setting process. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the display forms of the main control board monitor according to the different states. Figure 14(a) is a diagram showing the transition of the display mode of the main control board monitor when an error other than a complete error occurs while displaying a base value, and Figure 14(b) is a diagram showing the transition of the display mode of the main control board monitor when a complete error occurs while displaying a base value. Figure 15(a) is a diagram showing the transition of the display mode of the main control board monitor when an error other than a complete error is cleared, and Figure 15(b) is a diagram showing the transition of the display mode of the main control board monitor when a complete error is cleared. Figure 16(a) is a diagram showing the switching flow related to the base value for each section, Figure 16(b) is a diagram showing the transition of the display mode of the main control board monitor when an error occurs during a non-interval period (while the base value is displayed), and Figure 16(c) is a diagram showing the transition of the display mode of the main control board monitor when an error occurs during an interval period (while the base value is not displayed). FIG. 17 is a flow chart showing the execution timing of the base value update process in the process related to the main control board.

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

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

The present invention relates to
A gaming machine in which gaming balls can be used by firing the balls, and when a gaming ball enters a winning hole, a number of gaming balls corresponding to the winning hole are awarded,
As game states in which pattern variation can be performed, there are a first game state (special pattern variation pattern derivation state PA) and a second game state (special pattern variation pattern derivation state PB, special pattern variation pattern derivation state PC) which is more advantageous than the first game state.
A base value deriving means (base value update process) for deriving a base value, which is a ratio of safe balls, which are the number of game balls awarded for the winning, to out balls, which are the number of game balls used in the first game state, for a plurality of derivation periods;
A completion means (a completion function control means 190) for setting a specific error state (a complete error) based on the difference in the number of balls derived using the out balls and the safe balls becoming equal to or greater than a specific threshold value;
A display monitor (main control board monitor 97) visible from the rear of the gaming machine;
A display control means (main control board 100) for controlling the display monitor;
Equipped with
The specific error state is configured to be releasable by an operation,
The display control means includes:
The base values derived in the respective derivation periods can be displayed on the display monitor in a sequential manner with an interval period in which the base values are not displayed therebetween,
Regarding the display of the above base values,
When the specific error state is set, a predetermined restriction is imposed on the display of the base value, and when the specific error state is subsequently released, the base value is displayed without the predetermined restriction from a predetermined timing (time t1 elapsed) after the release timing of the specific error state,
Alternatively, when the specific error state is set, the base value is hidden, and when the specific error state is subsequently released, the base value is displayed from a predetermined timing after the release timing of the specific error state.
A period from when the specific error state is resolved to when the predetermined timing occurs is longer than the interval period.
This is a gaming machine characterized by the above.

According to the present invention, by starting to display the base value at a timing later than the timing at which the specific error state is cleared, it is possible to make a person who is concentrating on an operation related to clearing the specific error state more easily recognize that the specific error state has been cleared.
Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is possible to easily distinguish between the base values in the multiple derivation periods, while also making it easy to recognize that the specific error state has been released.

Note that "not displaying the base value" includes not only simply not displaying the base value, but also switching to another display in place of the base value.

The above-mentioned specified restriction may be, for example, a method of making the base value difficult to recognize (including impossible to recognize) compared to the base value display in a non-error state (when no error has occurred), such as hiding part of the base value or replacing part of the display period of the base value (including the interval period described below) with a different display (error code display).

The gaming machine 10 having the above characteristics will be specifically described based on the following embodiment.

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

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

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

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

The front frame 20 is supported by a hinge mechanism 21 so as to be rotatable about the left end side, and can be opened and closed relative to the middle frame 17. The front frame 20 can be locked and unlocked by a cylinder lock 23 (by inserting a door key into the cylinder lock 23 and turning the door key in the opposite direction to the unlocking direction of the middle frame 17 (left in this embodiment)).
In addition, the front frame 20 is provided with a transparent member 25 arranged to cover the playing area 50a, and the transparent member 25 protects the playing area 50a and the playing board 50 from view.
The front frame 20 also includes an upper ball tray 27 and a lower ball tray 29 for storing game balls, and the upper ball tray 27 and the lower ball tray 29 are vertically spaced apart and integral with the front frame 20. In this embodiment, a full tank detection sensor (not shown) for detecting when the lower ball tray 29 is full of discharged game balls is provided upstream of the lower discharge port 30 that discharges game balls into the lower ball tray 29.
In addition, the front frame 20 is provided with an operating handle 31 on the right side of the lower ball tray 29, and by rotating the operating handle 31, the game balls stored in the upper ball tray 27 are launched toward the game area 50a.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Each of the sub-display sections 82 is not only provided for the purpose of displaying a performance image mainly related to the performance, but is also configured to be movable.
The initial positions of the upper sub-display section 82a are on the upper side with respect to the main display section 81, the left sub-display section 82b are on the left side with respect to the main display section 81, and the right sub-display section 82c are on the right side with respect to the main display section 81, and each of the sub-display sections 82 is configured to be movable from these initial positions to a position where the entire display area of the sub-display section 82 overlaps with the display area of the main display section 81. However, even when the sub-display sections 82 (particularly the left sub-display section 82b and right sub-display section 82c) are in the initial positions shown in Fig. 4, approximately the upper half of the display area (the left display area 821 and the right display area 822 described later) is visible to the player.

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

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

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

In addition to the above-mentioned display devices, the symbol display device 90 is provided with a first special symbol reservation lamp 94, a second special symbol reservation lamp 95, and a normal symbol reservation lamp 96.
The first special pattern reserve lamp 94 makes it possible to identify the number of pattern variations relating to reserved special pattern 1, the second special pattern reserve lamp 95 makes it possible to identify the number of pattern variations relating to reserved special pattern 2, and the normal pattern reserve lamp 96 makes it possible to identify the number of pattern variations for reserved normal patterns, and all of them make it possible to identify the number of corresponding pattern variations by the lighting state of the two LEDs (in this embodiment, right constantly lit only = 1, left and right constantly lit = 2, right flashing + left constantly lit = 3, left and right flashing = 4).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A normal electric device 61 is disposed in the flow path connected to the second starting port 59. The normal electric device 61 is a member that can be switched between an open state in which it is easy to insert a game ball into the second starting port 59 and a closed state in which it is difficult to insert the ball, and is switched to either the open state or the closed state by a normal electric device solenoid 62.
More specifically, the normal electric device 61 is opened when the result of the normal winning/losing judgment described later is a normal winning (hereinafter, sometimes simply referred to as a "normal winning"), and thus entry into the second starting hole 59 is permitted. In this way, when the normal electric device 61 is in the open state, entry into the second starting hole 59 is possible, so that the opportunity for the pattern variation related to the special drawing 2 to be executed can be greatly increased while suppressing the decrease in game balls by the prize balls.

Gate 63 is located in the center right of play area 50a. A gate sensor 74 is attached to gate 63, and the detection result of gate sensor 74 determines whether or not a prize has been won at gate 63. In at least some cases where a prize has been won at gate 63, the pattern on the regular symbol changes.

The general winning opening 67 is composed of a left general winning opening 67a and a right general winning opening 67b, with the left general winning opening 67a located at the bottom left of the play area 50a and the right general winning opening 67b located at the bottom right of the play area 50a. A general winning opening sensor 73 is attached to each general winning opening 67, and the result of detection by the general winning opening sensor 73 determines whether a ball has been won at the general winning opening 67, and the number of prize balls associated with the general winning opening 67 (4 in this embodiment) is awarded. In addition, due to the arrangement, winning at the left general winning opening 67a is likely to occur during normal low probability (except during a jackpot game) described below, and winning at the right general winning opening 67b is likely to occur during a jackpot game and normal high probability, and these winnings can also turn on the game stop flag described below.

The outlet 69 is located at the bottom of the play area 50a. Game balls that are shot into the play area 50a and do not enter any of the winning holes mentioned above fall into the outlet 69 and are treated as out balls.

In this embodiment, an out ball sensor is provided for detecting out balls that have entered the winning hole and the out hole 69, and the number of out balls counted using the detection results of the sensor is used to derive the base value and the difference in the number of balls.
Here, the base value is a value (rounded to the first decimal place) derived by dividing the number of safe balls (safe balls) equivalent to the number of winning balls in the most unfavorable state among the playable states described below (special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PA, in which the special chart is unlikely to win and the normal chart is unlikely to win), by the number of out balls x 100, and the base value is displayed on the main control board monitor 97 described below during the period in which an error code (details of which will be described later) is not displayed.
More specifically, the main control board monitor 97 derives base values for 60,000 intervals of out balls from the time the power is first turned on (including when the area related to the base values in RAM 103 is cleared), and sequentially switches between and displays the base value being derived (being derived) for the current interval, the base value derived for the previous interval, the base value derived for the interval before that, and the base value derived for the interval before that, in that order, with an interval period in between.
Furthermore, the safe ball used when deriving the base value may be a game ball that is scheduled to be awarded, regardless of whether a game ball has actually been awarded.

In addition to the above-mentioned sensors, the game board 50 is also provided with a magnetic detection sensor for detecting magnetism and a radio wave detection sensor for detecting radio waves (both not shown) to prevent fraudulent acts such as receiving prize balls illegally.

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

The main control board 100 is also provided with a main control board monitor 97 that displays, in addition to the base value described above, an error code (described in detail below) that can identify the type of error that has occurred, and this monitor is visible from the back of the game board 50. The display on this monitor is controlled by the main control board 100.

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

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

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

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

The CPU 101 reads out various control programs stored in the ROM 102 and performs calculations to execute various processes related to the main control of the game.

The RAM 103 is backed up by a backup power source generated in a backup power circuit described later. Specifically, among the information stored in the RAM 103, various information is backed up so that when power is restored (when power is turned on) after a power outage, the gaming machine 10 can be restored to the state it was in just before the power outage using the data. For example, in addition to data such as a stack pointer and each register that were held when the power outage occurred, information related to the game, such as the state of the gaming machine 10 at that time (a game stop state or a game available state), the current general drawing state, etc., are backed up.
Particularly, in this embodiment, in addition to the area (game-related area of RAM 103) in which such information related to the game is stored, an area (base value-related area of RAM 103) in which a base value is stored, an area (backup information area of RAM 103 related to the game) in which a complement of a checksum and a backup flag related to the area related to the game of RAM 103 are stored, and an area (backup information area of RAM 103 related to the base value) in which a complement of a checksum and a backup flag related to the area related to the base value of RAM 103 are stored are backed up. Then, when power is restored, the gaming machine 10 returns to normal using the various pieces of information stored in the backed up area related to the game of RAM 103, the area related to the base value of RAM 103, the backup information area related to the game of RAM 103, and the backup information area related to the base value of RAM 103.
In addition, the areas related to the game among these pieces of information (area related to the game in RAM 103, backup information area related to the game in RAM 103) are cleared (initialized) by the RAM clear process. Therefore, after the RAM is cleared, a special pattern variation pattern derivation state PA (low probability of normal pattern) described later is newly set. Furthermore, when the RAM clear process is executed, the pattern string related to the decorative pattern is in a state in which the initial pattern combination is stopped and displayed, and even if the RAM clear process is not executed when the power is turned on and the pattern variation is not being executed at the time of the previous power outage, the initial pattern combination is also stopped and displayed. In addition, this initial pattern combination is stopped and displayed only when the power is turned on, and is not stopped and displayed by the execution of the pattern variation. On the other hand, the areas related to the base value (area related to the base value in RAM 103, backup information area related to the base value in RAM 103) are not cleared and are maintained even if the RAM clear process is executed.

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

The main control board 100 is also electrically connected to the first start gate sensor 70, the second start gate sensor 71, the big prize gate sensor 72, the general prize gate sensor 73, the gate sensor 74, the out ball sensor 75, the middle frame door open sensor 76, the front frame door open sensor 77, etc., and is configured to be able to input detection signals from these sensors to the CPU 101 via the I/O port 104. Although not shown in the figure, in addition to these sensors, the main control board 100 is also electrically connected to a full tank detection sensor, a magnetic detection sensor, and a radio wave detection sensor, and is configured to be able to input detection signals from these sensors to the CPU 101 via the I/O port 104.

In addition, the main control board 100 is electrically connected to the first special pattern display device 91, the second special pattern display device 92, the normal pattern display device 93, the first special pattern reserve lamp 94, the second special pattern reserve lamp 95, the normal pattern reserve lamp 96, the main control board monitor 97, the normal electric role solenoid 62 and the special electric role solenoid 66, and is configured to be able to control these via the I/O port 104.
Similarly, the main control board 100 is electrically connected to the main operation unit 39 and the RAM clear switch 43 , and is configured to be able to detect the operation of the main operation unit 39 .

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

As shown in FIG. 7, the main control board 100 includes a ball entry determination means 110, a main random number generation means 115, a main hold control means 120, a pre-determination means 125, a special drawing means 130, a normal drawing means 135, a jackpot game control means 140, a pattern display control means 145, an electric device control means 150, a game state control means 155, a main information storage means 160, a main error control means 165, a main command management means 170, a power restoration process execution means 175, a power interruption process execution means 180, and a complete function control means 190. These means are functional representations of what is realized by each control configuration on the main control board 100 described using FIG. 6.

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

The ball winning determination means 110 determines whether a ball has won at each winning hole based on the detection results of a sensor installed at each winning hole.
In addition, when the ball entry determination means 110 determines that a game ball has entered a prize hole by a sensor installed in a prize hole such as the large prize hole sensor 72, it generates a presentation control command (prize entry command) including information that can identify the type of sensor related to the prize, and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.

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

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

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

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

8 to 10 are diagrams that typically show a lottery table used in the main control board 100, and will be referred to as necessary in the following description.
In addition, in a lottery using a lottery table, including those other than these lottery tables, the lottery values stored in the lottery table are added to the read random number in a predetermined order (if there is only one lottery value, the addition is performed once), and a result corresponding to the lottery value where a carry (overflow) occurs is derived as the result of the lottery. Similarly, in the explanation of the lottery table, the lottery table is given a name for convenience of explanation, but it is sufficient that the data such as the lottery value included in the lottery table corresponding to the name is identifiable and stored in each ROM, and these names do not specify the area in which the data is stored. In the illustrated lottery table, items described for convenience of explanation or "-" or "0" may be described as the lottery value, but these do not necessarily indicate the data stored in each ROM. And, there is no winning result for the lottery value "-" or "0". Furthermore, when the same lottery value as the random number range used for the lottery (the number of random numbers that can be obtained within that range) is written in the lottery table, the result is derived 100%, so there is no need to perform a lottery. Also, when the total value of the lottery values used in one lottery matches the random number range used for the lottery, a carry is always generated in the addition of the last lottery value, so the addition does not need to be performed, and in that case, the lottery value used for the addition itself is not necessary.

The special pattern hit/miss judgment means 131 reads out a random number for the special pattern hit/miss judgment for each pattern change, and executes a special pattern hit/miss judgment to judge by lottery whether a big hit, a small hit, or a miss will be won, using the read out random number and a lottery table for the special pattern hit/miss judgment.
8(a) is a diagram showing a schematic drawing of a lottery table for determining whether a special drawing is a hit or a miss, and the drawing table is different between special drawing 1 and special drawing 2, and the range of random numbers used in these determinations is 0 to 65535. Therefore, in the special drawing hit or miss determination in special drawing 1, a big hit is derived with a probability of 205/65536 (about 1/320), and a miss is otherwise obtained, and a small hit is not derived. On the other hand, in the special drawing hit or miss determination in special drawing 2, a big hit is derived with a probability of 205/65536 (about 1/320), a small hit is derived with a probability of 1820/65536 (about 1/36.0), and a miss is otherwise obtained.
In this embodiment, as described later, a jackpot game can occur via a small jackpot, so the probability of a jackpot being derived in the special chart hit/miss determination is set to the one probability mentioned above.

When the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment is a big hit or a small hit, the special chart stopping pattern selection means 132 determines the special chart stopping pattern by lottery using a random number for special chart stopping pattern selection (in this embodiment, in the range of 0 to 999) and a selection table for special chart stopping pattern selection.
Specifically, as shown in Figure 8 (b), which is a schematic diagram of a lottery table for selecting the stopping patterns used when a jackpot is derived in the special pattern hit/miss judgment related to special pattern 1, when a jackpot is derived in the special pattern hit/miss judgment related to special pattern 1, pattern A is determined as the stopping pattern with a probability of 100/1000 (1/10), and pattern B is determined as the stopping pattern with a probability of 900/1000 (approximately 1/1.11).
Here, whether pattern A or pattern B is determined, the game will become a normal high probability game after the end of the jackpot game corresponding to these stopped patterns, but the number of pattern changes during which the normal high probability game continues (hereinafter referred to as the "prescribed number of times related to the normal high probability game") is 80 times after the end of the jackpot game when pattern A is determined, and 40 times after the end of the jackpot game when pattern B is determined. In addition, the number of rounds of the jackpot game corresponding to pattern A is 10, while the number of rounds of the jackpot game corresponding to pattern B is 4. Therefore, it can be said that pattern A is more advantageous than pattern B in terms of both the number of rounds and the prescribed number of times related to the normal high probability game.

As shown in Figure 8 (c), which is a schematic diagram of a lottery table for selecting the stopping patterns used when a small win is derived in the special pattern hit/miss determination related to special pattern 2, when a small win is derived in the special pattern hit/miss determination related to special pattern 2, pattern a is determined as the stopping pattern with a probability of 700/1000 (approximately 1/1.43), and pattern b is determined with a probability of 300/1000 (approximately 1/3.33).
Here, the symbol a is a stopping symbol that has 10 rounds of the big win game that occurs in the small win game related to the symbol, and becomes a normal high probability after the end of the big win game, and the specified number of times related to the normal high probability is 80. On the other hand, the symbol b is a stopping symbol that has 4 rounds of the big win game that occurs in the small win game related to the stopping symbol, and becomes a normal high probability after the end of the big win game, and the specified number of times related to the normal high probability is 80. Therefore, it can be said that the symbol a is more advantageous than the symbol b in terms of the number of rounds.
In addition, when a big win game occurs in a small win game, the number of rounds in the big win game is the number calculated by counting the small win game as one round. Furthermore, in the following explanation, a big win game caused by a small win game related to the pattern a may be expressed as a "big win game related to the pattern a", and a big win game caused by a small win game related to the pattern b may be expressed as a "big win game related to the pattern b".

As shown in FIG. 8(d), which is a schematic diagram of a lottery table for drawing the stopping symbols used when a jackpot is derived in the special symbol hit/miss judgment related to special symbol 2, when a jackpot is derived in the special symbol hit/miss judgment related to special symbol 2, symbol c is determined as the stopping symbol with a probability of 1000/1000 (1/1). In particular, symbol c is a stopping symbol for which the number of rounds of the jackpot game corresponding to the stopping symbol is 10, and which becomes a normal symbol with high probability after the jackpot game ends, and the specified number of times for the normal symbol with high probability is 80 times.

In addition, the special chart stop pattern selection means 132 determines pattern C as the stop pattern when the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment for special chart 1 is a miss, and determines pattern d as the stop pattern when the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment for special chart 2 is a miss.

In this way, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the jackpot game generated by the pattern change related to special chart 2 tends to be more advantageous than the jackpot game generated by the pattern change related to special chart 1. Therefore, the transition from the special chart change pattern derivation state PA to another special chart change pattern derivation state described later can further increase the interest in the game.

The special pattern variation pattern derivation means 133 has a plurality of types of special pattern variation pattern selection tables to be referred to when determining the special pattern variation pattern, and selects one special pattern variation pattern selection table for determining the current special pattern variation pattern based on the current special pattern variation pattern derivation state and the result of the current special pattern hit/miss judgment, determines one special pattern variation pattern using the selected special pattern variation pattern selection table and the random number for special pattern variation pattern selection, and determines the variation time based on the determined special pattern variation pattern. Here, the variation time refers to the time from the start of the pattern variation related to the special pattern (special pattern 1 or special pattern 2) to the end of the pattern variation.
Although details of the transition conditions will be described later, the special pattern variation pattern derivation state in this embodiment includes a special pattern variation pattern derivation state PA, a special pattern variation pattern derivation state PB, and a special pattern variation pattern derivation state PC. The above-mentioned method of determining the special pattern variation pattern is adopted in the pattern variation related to the special pattern 1 in the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PA, and is adopted in the pattern variation related to the special pattern 2 in the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PB and the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PC.
On the other hand, in the pattern change related to the other special pattern (the special pattern for which the above-mentioned method of determining the special pattern change pattern is adopted) in each special pattern change pattern derivation state, a predetermined special pattern change pattern is determined according to the result of the special pattern hit/miss judgment. In particular, in the pattern change related to the special pattern 2 in the special pattern change pattern derivation state PA, if the result of the special pattern hit/miss judgment of the pattern change is miss, a change pattern with a change time of 1000 ms is determined, and if the result of the special pattern hit/miss judgment of the pattern change is other than miss, a change pattern with a change time of 2000 ms is determined.

Figure 9 (a) is a schematic diagram showing a special chart change pattern lottery table used in the pattern change related to special chart 1 during the special chart change pattern derivation state PA, and the range of random numbers used in the lottery is 0 to 999.
As shown in Figure 9 (a), in the pattern change related to special chart 1 during the special chart change pattern derivation state PA, special chart change patterns HNP to ASP-C can be determined.
Specifically, when the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in the pattern change related to the special chart 1 during the special chart change pattern derivation state PA is a miss, the special chart change pattern HNP occurs with a probability of 900/1000 (approximately 1/1.11), the special chart change pattern HRP occurs with a probability of 52/1000 (approximately 1/19.2), the special chart change pattern HSP1-A occurs with a probability of 13/1000 (approximately 1/76.9), and the special chart change pattern HS occurs with a probability of 11/1000 (approximately 1/90.9). P1-B, special chart fluctuation pattern HSP2-A with a probability of 9/1000 (about 1/111), special chart fluctuation pattern HSP2-B with a probability of 7/1000 (about 1/143), special chart fluctuation pattern HSP3-A with a probability of 5/1000 (1/200), and special chart fluctuation pattern HSP3-B with a probability of 3/1000 (about 1/333) are determined, and in this case, special chart fluctuation pattern ASP1-A to special chart fluctuation pattern ASP-C are not determined. Note that, although details will be described later using FIG. 9(b), when the special chart fluctuation pattern HNP is determined, the special chart fluctuation pattern is further specified using the value of the special chart 1 reserved counter at the start of this pattern fluctuation.
On the other hand, when the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in the pattern change related to the special chart 1 during the special chart change pattern derivation state PA is a jackpot, the special chart change pattern ASP1-A has a probability of 90/1000 (about 1/11.1), the special chart change pattern ASP1-B has a probability of 110/1000 (about 1/9.09), the special chart change pattern ASP2-A has a probability of 135/1000 (about 1/7.41), and the special chart change pattern ASP3-B has a probability of 165/1000 (about 1/6.01). Special chart fluctuation pattern ASP2-B is determined with a probability of 1.06), special chart fluctuation pattern ASP3-A with a probability of 180/1000 (approximately 1/5.56), special chart fluctuation pattern ASP3-B with a probability of 220/1000 (approximately 1/4.56), and special chart fluctuation pattern ASP-C with a probability of 100/1000 (1/10), and in this case, special chart fluctuation pattern HNP to special chart fluctuation pattern HSP3-B will not be determined.
In this embodiment, when the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in the pattern fluctuation related to the special chart 1 in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PA is a miss, any one of the special chart fluctuation patterns HRP to HSP3-B is determined at a rate of 100/1000 (1/10), and the special chart fluctuation pattern HNP is determined at a rate of 900/1000 (approximately 1/1.11). Furthermore, when the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in the pattern fluctuation related to the special chart 1 in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PA is a big hit, any one of the special chart fluctuation patterns ASP1-A to ASP-C is determined at a rate of 1000/1000 (1/1).
Here, in the description of the special pattern variation pattern of this embodiment, when two special pattern variation patterns are described with "~" between them, the description of the special pattern variation pattern existing between the special pattern variation pattern described earlier and the special pattern variation pattern described later is omitted according to the order described in the drawing related to the special pattern variation pattern lottery table for each special pattern variation pattern derivation state. Also, in the description of the special pattern variation pattern of this embodiment, regardless of whether the corresponding variation time is described or not, if the names of the special pattern variation patterns are different, it indicates that the different special pattern variation patterns are different.

Figure 9 (b) is a schematic diagram showing a special chart variation pattern lottery table used when a special chart variation pattern HNP is determined in the pattern variation related to special chart 1 during the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, and the range of the random numbers used in the lottery (different from the random numbers used in the lottery related to the special chart variation pattern lottery table shown in Figure 9 (a)) is 0 to 999.
As shown in Figure 9 (b), the special chart variation patterns HNP that can be determined in the pattern variation related to special chart 1 during special chart variation pattern derivation state PA include special chart variation pattern HNP-A with a variation time of 3200 ms (milliseconds), special chart variation pattern HNP-B with a variation time of 5600 ms, special chart variation pattern HNP-C with a variation time of 8000 ms, and special chart variation pattern HNP-D with a variation time of 11200 ms, in that order of increasing variation time.
Specifically, if the special pattern 1 reserved counter is 3 at the start of the current pattern change, the special pattern change pattern HNP-A is determined with a probability of 1000/1000 (1/1). Similarly, if the special pattern 1 reserved counter is 2 at the start of the current pattern change, the special pattern change pattern HNP-A is determined with a probability of 150/1000 (about 1/6.67), and the special pattern change pattern HNP-B is determined with a probability of 850/1000 (about 1/1.18). If the special pattern 1 reserved counter is 1 at the start of the current pattern change, the special pattern change pattern HNP-A is determined with a probability of 50/1000 (1/20), and the special pattern change pattern HNP-B is determined with a probability of 150/1000 (about 1/6.67). The special pattern variation pattern HNP-B is determined with a probability of 800/1000 (1/1.25), and the special pattern variation pattern HNP-C is determined with a probability of 800/1000 (1/1.25). If the special pattern 1 reserved counter at the start of the pattern variation is 0, the special pattern variation pattern HNP-B is determined with a probability of 50/1000 (1/20), the special pattern variation pattern HNP-C is determined with a probability of 100/1000 (1/10), and the special pattern variation pattern HNP-D is determined with a probability of 850/1000 (about 1/1.18). In the following explanation, when the value of the special pattern reserved counter to be referred to is 3, it may be called "retention 3", when the value of the special pattern reserved counter is 2, it may be called "retention 2", when the value of the special pattern reserved counter is 1, it may be called "retention 1", and when the value of the special pattern reserved counter is 0, it may be called "retention 0".
In this way, when the special pattern change pattern HNP is determined in the special pattern change pattern derivation state PA, the special pattern change pattern (change time) that is likely to be determined by the value of the special pattern 1 reserved counter at the start of the current pattern change differs. More specifically, the smaller the value of the special pattern 1 reserved counter at the start of the current pattern change, the more likely it is that a long pattern change will be determined (the larger the value of the special pattern 1 reserved counter at the start of the current pattern change, the more likely it is that a short change time will be determined).
In addition, such special chart variation pattern HNP (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as the "basic special chart variation pattern") also exists in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PB and the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC, and in these special chart variation pattern derivation states, the reserved counter referenced is different from that in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, and in both cases the value of the special chart 2 reserved counter is referenced.

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

The regular map lottery means 135, like the special map lottery means 130, reads out the most recent pending activation information from the pending activation information stored in the main information storage means 160 when the regular map pattern is not changing, and uses the read random number to perform a regular map hit/miss judgment to determine whether the regular map is correct or not, and determines various parameters related to the regular map (regular map change time, regular map stop display time, etc.) based on the result of the regular map hit/miss judgment and information such as the current special map change pattern derivation state.
In the normal drawing hit/miss judgment, there are a normal drawing lottery state with a high probability (sometimes abbreviated as "normal drawing high probability") and a normal drawing lottery state with a low probability (sometimes abbreviated as "normal drawing low probability"). Although the drawing of the lottery table is omitted, in this embodiment, in the normal drawing high probability, the probability of a normal drawing hit is 65535/65536, and the remaining probability of a 1/65536 miss, while in the normal drawing low probability, the probability of a normal drawing hit is 1/65536, and the remaining probability of a 65535/65536 miss. In addition, in the normal drawing low probability, it may be set so that the normal drawing does not hit (65536/65536 miss).

The jackpot game control means 140 controls the progress of the jackpot game. Specifically, it manages the jackpot start demo period that is set at the start of the jackpot game and ends after a certain time has elapsed, and the jackpot end demo period that is set just before the end of the jackpot game and ends after a certain time has elapsed, and also manages the progress of the round period during which the above-mentioned round game is executed during these periods. In particular, at the start of the jackpot game (the start of the jackpot start demo period), the jackpot game control means 140 generates a presentation control command including the number of rounds of the jackpot game and the subsequent special chart variation pattern derivation state, and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160. Furthermore, the jackpot game control means 140 generates corresponding performance control commands at the start of the round period, the end of the round period (the start of the jackpot end demo period), and the end of the jackpot game (the end of the jackpot end demo period), and stores them in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160. This allows the first sub-control board 200 to recognize the progress of the jackpot game in this embodiment.

In addition, the jackpot game control means 140 starts a small jackpot game when the result of the special win/loss determination is a small jackpot, and if the game ball passes through the V winning area (not shown) provided in the large winning port 55 during the small jackpot game, it makes it possible to start a jackpot game corresponding to the small jackpot after the small jackpot game ends. Therefore, in this embodiment, the small jackpot game functions as a trigger for a jackpot game. Note that if the game ball does not pass through the V winning area during the small jackpot game, the jackpot game does not start after the small jackpot game ends.

The pattern display control means 145 displays the special pattern 1 on the first special pattern display device 91 in a variable manner according to the variable time corresponding to the determined special pattern variable pattern of the special pattern 1, and displays the special pattern 1 in a stopped pattern determined by the special pattern stop pattern lottery after the variable time has elapsed. Similarly, the special pattern 2 is displayed on the second special pattern display device 92 in a variable manner according to the variable time corresponding to the determined special pattern variable pattern of the special pattern 2, and displays the special pattern 2 in a stopped pattern determined by the special pattern stop pattern lottery after the variable time has elapsed. Here, the stop display time of the pattern change related to the special chart refers to the time from when the special chart is stopped and displayed until the pattern change of the next special chart can start (when the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment is a miss), or the time from when the pattern change of the special chart ends and until the big win game or small win game starts (when the result of the normal chart hit/miss judgment is a normal hit), and the stop display time of the pattern change related to the special chart in this embodiment is a uniform 300 ms, regardless of the type of special chart or the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment.
In addition, the pattern display control means 145 has a special chart game timer for managing the time (variation time, stop display time) related to the display of special chart 1 and special chart 2, and when the special chart is stopped from being displayed (at the timing when the value of the special chart game timer becomes "0"), it generates a presentation control command (variation stop command) for requesting a confirmed stop display of the decorative pattern, and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.
Here, the definite stop display of the decorative pattern refers to the final stop display of the decorative pattern in the pattern change, and is different from the provisional stop display of the decorative pattern that may occur during the execution of the pattern change. In the provisional stop display of the decorative pattern, for example, the decorative pattern displayed as stopped is accompanied by a small movement (so-called swinging movement) up and down, while in the definite stop display of the decorative pattern, the decorative pattern displayed as stopped is not accompanied by swinging movement, and so on. Even if the same decorative pattern is displayed as stopped, the display mode of the decorative pattern displayed as definite stop is different from the display mode of the decorative pattern displayed as provisional stop. Therefore, the player can recognize whether the display of the decorative pattern is a definite stop display or a provisional stop display.

Furthermore, the pattern display control means 145 causes the normal pattern display device 93 to display the normal pattern in a variable manner in accordance with a variable time corresponding to the determined normal pattern variable pattern of the normal pattern, and after the variable time has elapsed, causes the normal pattern to be displayed in a stopped state with the determined stopping pattern.
In addition, the pattern display control means 145 has a regular pattern play timer for managing the time related to the regular pattern (regular pattern change time, regular pattern stop display time, etc.).

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

The game state control means 155 controls the normal drawing state. Specifically, the game state control means 155 sets the normal drawing to low probability regardless of the stop pattern of the special drawing related to the jackpot game at the start of the jackpot game, and when a specified condition such as the end of the jackpot game is satisfied, sets the normal drawing to high probability until the pattern change of the specified number of times related to the normal drawing to high probability is performed, and sets the normal drawing to low probability when the pattern change of the specified number of times related to the normal drawing to high probability is completed. Here, as described later, in this embodiment, the number of times of pattern change used to determine whether the specified number of times related to the normal drawing to high probability has been reached is the number of times of pattern change related to special drawing 2, but the number of times of pattern change used for the determination may be the number of times of pattern change related to special drawing 1 added to the number of times of pattern change related to special drawing 2.
In addition, in this embodiment, during a small win game, the normal symbol lottery state is maintained in the pattern change that caused the small win game.

Such a general drawing state changes in link with the above-mentioned special drawing variation pattern derivation state, and the transition of the special drawing variation pattern derivation state is managed by the game state control means 155. The transition of the special drawing variation pattern derivation state will be described below with reference to Figures 10(a) and 10(b). Note that Figure 10(a) is a state transition diagram showing the transition of the special drawing variation pattern derivation state, and Figure 10(b) is a diagram showing the relationship of the average variation time for each special drawing variation pattern derivation state.
As shown in Fig. 10(a), in the special pattern derivation state, there is a special pattern derivation state PA as a special pattern derivation state corresponding to a normal pattern low probability, and there are a special pattern derivation state PB and a special pattern derivation state PC as special pattern derivation states corresponding to a normal pattern high probability, and any of these special pattern derivation states is set except during a jackpot game. And, there are transition conditions (i) to (v) for the transition conditions between the special pattern derivation state PA and the special pattern derivation state PC.

Specifically, transition condition (i) is the end of a jackpot game related to pattern B, transition condition (ii) is the end of a jackpot game related to pattern A, transition condition (iii) is the end of a jackpot game related to pattern a, pattern b, or pattern c, transition condition (iv) is the end of pattern change in which the number of pattern changes related to special pattern 2 executed without a jackpot game in normal pattern high probability becomes 40 times (the specified number of times related to normal pattern high probability in special pattern change pattern derivation state PB), and transition condition (v) is the end of pattern change in which the number of pattern changes related to special pattern 2 executed without a jackpot game in normal pattern high probability becomes 80 times (the specified number of times related to normal pattern high probability in special pattern change pattern derivation state PC).
In addition, when a big win game occurs in the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PC, the state transitions to the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PC again after the big win game ends, and the number of pattern variations related to the special pattern 2 that can be executed up to the specified number of times related to the high probability of the normal pattern in the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PC is reset. Also, although not shown, if a big win game does not occur in a small win game that occurs in the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PC, and if a big win game does not occur in a small win game related to the transition condition (iii), the current special pattern variation pattern derivation state ends and transitions to the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PA at the opportunity of the end of the small win game.

As shown in FIG. 10(b), the average fluctuation time of each of the special pattern fluctuation pattern derivation state PA, the special pattern fluctuation pattern derivation state PB, and the special pattern fluctuation pattern derivation state PC is shorter in the order of special pattern fluctuation pattern derivation state PA, special pattern fluctuation pattern derivation state PB, and special pattern fluctuation pattern derivation state PC. This is due to the length of the fluctuation time related to the basic special pattern fluctuation pattern that is most likely to be determined in each special pattern fluctuation pattern derivation state. Here, the average fluctuation time refers to the sum of the fluctuation times derived by multiplying the occurrence rate (the probability that may occur in any pattern fluctuation, derived by multiplying the probability of the result of the special pattern hit/miss judgment by the probability of the special pattern fluctuation pattern) for each of the fluctuation times related to the special pattern fluctuation pattern that can be selected in a certain special pattern fluctuation pattern derivation state. However, in this embodiment, when there is only one special pattern fluctuation pattern that can be selected in the certain special pattern fluctuation pattern derivation state, the fluctuation time related to the special pattern fluctuation pattern is treated as the average fluctuation time.

In addition, when a transition occurs to the regular chart lottery state or the special chart variation pattern derivation state, the game state control means 155 generates a presentation control command (game state designation command) including the state after the transition, and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.
Furthermore, the game state control means 155 counts the number of times that the pattern change related to the transition to another special pattern change pattern derivation state is executed in each special pattern change pattern derivation state, and generates a performance control command including the number of times of the counted pattern change each time the pattern change is started, and stores the command in the transmission command area of the main information storage means 160. The information included in the performance control command may be included in the above-mentioned change start command.

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

The main error control means 165 monitors the input information of the I/O port 104 and judges whether or not the gaming machine 10 is in an error state. If it is judged that the gaming machine 10 is in an error state, a performance control command (error command) including information capable of identifying the error state is stored in a transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.
In this embodiment, the error states determined by the main error control means 165 include a door open error that occurs when the middle frame 17 is detected as being opened by the middle frame open sensor 76 or the front frame 20 is detected as being opened by the front frame open sensor 77, a remaining prize ball error that occurs when there are remaining prize balls (prize balls that have not yet been awarded), a complete error as described below, an abnormal prize winning error that occurs when a game ball is detected by the large prize winning opening sensor 72 when the large prize winning opening 55 is in a closed state (excluding the period up to a predetermined time after the large prize winning opening 55 changes from an open state to a closed state, taking into account the occurrence of so-called over winning), (particularly when magnetic detection by the magnetic detection sensor occurs continuously for 500 ms), a radio wave error that occurs due to radio wave detection by the radio wave detection sensor, a magnetic error that occurs due to magnetic detection by the magnetic detection sensor, a main board error that occurs due to the occurrence of the above-mentioned update abnormality, and a RAM error that occurs due to the occurrence of a RAM abnormality as described below.

The door open error ends (is released) when detected by the sensor that triggered the door open error (middle frame door open sensor 76, front frame door open sensor 77), the remaining prize ball error ends when there are no more prize balls remaining, and the abnormal winning error ends when time has passed (in this embodiment, after 30,000 ms has passed).
In addition, radio wave errors and magnetic errors are terminated by power restoration (regardless of whether or not the RAM clear process is performed), and complete errors, main board errors, and RAM errors are terminated by power restoration accompanied by the execution of the RAM clear process.
In addition, the abnormal winning error can also be ended by a power outage and restoration (regardless of whether the RAM clear process is performed or not), and the remaining prize ball error can also be ended by a power outage and restoration accompanied by the execution of the RAM clear process.

In addition, in this embodiment, if any of these errors, such as a complete error, main board error, magnetic error, or radio wave error, occurs, in addition to turning on the security signal, a process to stop playing, which will be described later, is executed until the error is released.
Here, the security signal is a type of signal output from an external terminal board (not shown) provided on the gaming machine 10 to devices outside the gaming machine (such as a data display or hall computer). Including the following explanation, turning the security signal ON refers to starting the output of the security signal, and turning the security signal OFF refers to ending the output of the security signal. Also, in this embodiment, the process of turning the security signal OFF does not take into account the elapsed time since the security signal was turned ON, but the elapsed time may be taken into account, i.e., the security signal may not be turned OFF before a certain time has elapsed since the security signal was turned ON.
In addition, although details will be described later, in this embodiment, when these errors occur, the display of the base value on the main control board monitor 97 is restricted, and an error code capable of identifying the error that has occurred is displayed on the main control board monitor 97.

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

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

The return state setting means 176 executes a return state setting process to set a return state based on whether or not there is an abnormality in the RAM 103 when power is restored, the state at the time of the power outage immediately before the power restoration, the state of the RAM clear switch 43 when power is restored, and the state of the inner frame door open sensor 76 when power is restored. The return states set by this process include a game stop state and a game ready state (which may or may not involve the execution of a RAM clear process).
Specifically, if there is an abnormality in the RAM 103 when power is restored, the above-mentioned RAM error occurs and the game stop state is set regardless of the state of the RAM clear switch 43 and the state of the middle frame door open sensor 76 when power is restored. Also, if there is no abnormality in the RAM 103 when power is restored and the RAM clear switch 43 is ON (pressed state) when power is restored, the RAM clear process is executed and the playable state is set on the condition that the middle frame door open sensor 76 is ON when power is restored (if the middle frame door open sensor 76 is OFF when power is restored, the RAM clear process is not executed and the playable state is set), and if there is no abnormality in the RAM 103 when power is restored and the RAM clear switch 43 is OFF (not pressed state) when power is restored, the RAM clear process is not executed and the playable state is set.
Here, the game stop state is a state in which the game cannot proceed by not executing the process according to the detection result of the sensor provided at each winning port (the detection result of the sensor itself does not need to be seen). Note that, in the game stop state in this embodiment, the launch of the game ball itself is not restricted, but the launch of the game ball itself may be prohibited in the game stop state.
On the other hand, the playable state is a return state in which the game can be continued by executing a process according to the detection result of the sensor installed in each winning port. In particular, if the RAM clear process is not executed when the power is restored, the game returns to the playable state at the time of the last power outage. For example, if the last power outage was during a big win game or a small win game, the game returns to the big win game or small win game that was being executed, and if the last power outage was during a pattern change, the game returns to the pattern change that was being executed.

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

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

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

The complete function control means 190 derives the difference in the number of balls using the above-mentioned out balls and safe balls, and when the derived difference in the number of balls is equal to or greater than a specific threshold value (in this embodiment, 100,000 balls), it determines that a complete error has occurred (hereinafter, this function is referred to as the "complete function"). The process executed by the complete function control means 190 will be described in detail later.

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

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

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

When the presentation mode control means 221 receives a game state designation command, it controls the transition of the presentation mode in a manner consistent with the special chart variation pattern derivation state managed on the main control board 100 side.
The presentation modes in this embodiment are broadly divided into normal mode, challenge mode, and RUSH mode, with the normal mode corresponding to the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, the challenge mode corresponding to the special chart variation pattern derivation state PB, and the RUSH mode corresponding to the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC.

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

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

When the sub-hold control means 223 receives a hold command (hereinafter, sometimes simply referred to as the occurrence of a hold winning), it sets performance data for displaying the number of hold images corresponding to the special hold counter 1 and the number of hold images corresponding to the special hold counter 2 in the hold display area (not shown) of the main display unit 81 based on the information on the special hold counter 1 and the special hold counter 2 included in the command. Note that the hold images are images that are the subject of a hold pre-reading performance (an example of a pre-reading performance described later) that changes into various forms that suggest the degree of advantage, such as the expectation of a jackpot game occurring.

When the pre-reading performance control means 224 receives a pre-determination command, it determines the content of the so-called pre-reading performance based on the result of the pre-determination included in the command.

When the effect content determining means 225 receives a variation start command, it determines the content of the effect to be executed in the current pattern variation according to the presentation route already determined by the presentation route determining means 222.
More specifically, the performance content determining means 225 determines a performance pattern selection table to be referenced for the content of the performance (performance pattern) for each performance execution timing in the pattern change based on the performance route determined by the performance route determining means 222, and determines the content of the performance by a selection using the determined performance pattern selection table. In particular, by doing so, it is possible to change the content of the performance related to (executed according to) the determined performance route, and to provide a connection between the performances in one pattern change.

When the decorative pattern control means 226 receives a variation start command, it determines the final (confirmed stopped) combination of decorative patterns (left pattern, middle pattern, right pattern) based on the stopped pattern of the determined special pattern.
Specifically, in the pattern variation related to the special pattern 1, one of the pattern alignments related to the decorative patterns other than the 7 pattern is determined for the pattern A and the pattern B, and the pattern alignment related to the 7 pattern is determined for the pattern C. Therefore, in this embodiment, even if the pattern alignment related to the decorative patterns other than the 7 pattern is stopped and displayed, the subsequent performance mode, that is, the performance mode set at the opportunity of the end of the big win game related to the pattern alignment, cannot be accurately determined from the pattern alignment that is stopped and displayed. On the other hand, when the pattern alignment related to the 7 pattern is stopped and displayed, the player can determine that the RUSH mode will be set afterwards.
In addition, in the pattern variation related to the special chart 2, any of the pattern combinations related to the decorative patterns except for the 7 pattern is determined for the patterns a and c, and any of the pattern combinations related to the decorative patterns including the 7 pattern is determined for the patterns b and d. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the pattern combinations related to the decorative patterns except for the 7 pattern are stopped and displayed, it is not possible to accurately determine the number of rounds of the jackpot game related to the pattern combination. On the other hand, when the pattern combinations related to the 7 pattern are stopped and displayed, the player can determine that the number of rounds of the jackpot game related to the pattern combination is 10.

When the jackpot start command is received, the jackpot effect control means 227 determines the content of the effects during the jackpot game based on the information contained in the command. Note that the effects during the jackpot game include a jackpot start effect that can be specified as a jackpot start demo period, a round effect that can be specified as a round period, and a jackpot end effect that can be specified as a jackpot end demo period.

The normal performance control means 220 reads out performance data for each device corresponding to each performance at the execution timing of that performance, in accordance with the content of the performance determined by the above-mentioned means provided in the first sub-control board 200. If the read performance data includes performance data related to images, an image control command is generated based on that performance data, and the command is stored in a transmission command storage area of the sub-information storage means 260. Furthermore, if the read performance data includes performance data related to sound, an audio control command related to sound is generated based on that performance data, and the command is stored in a transmission command storage area of the sub-information storage means 260.
In addition, the normal presentation control means 220 reads presentation data for informing the player that the playable state has been achieved with the execution of the RAM clear process when the return state at the time of power recovery is a playable state accompanied by the execution of the RAM clear process, and reads presentation data for informing the player that the playable state has been achieved without the execution of the RAM clear process when the return state at the time of power recovery is a playable state without the execution of the RAM clear process. Furthermore, in the case where the return state at the time of power recovery is a play-stop state, the normal presentation control means 220 reads presentation data for informing the player that the play-stop state has been achieved and that the execution of the RAM clear process is required. Details of these notifications are omitted, but it is preferable that they are executed continuously for a certain period of time (for example, 30 seconds) after the execution is started, and the presentation device for executing the notification does not matter.

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

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

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

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

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

As described above, the gaming machine 10 according to this embodiment is configured to be able to display a base value on the main control board monitor 97, and when any of the above-mentioned errors, including a complete error, occurs, the display of the base value is restricted and an error code capable of identifying the error that has occurred is displayed.
Here, the complete function that generates a complete error is a function that was not provided in conventional gaming machines, and it is necessary to make it easy to release the complete error or to recognize its occurrence.
In response to this, the present invention has a function that makes it easier to recognize the release or occurrence of a complete state, and the function will be described in detail below.

<Processing related to the complete function>
First, using Figures 11 and 12, we will explain in detail the game stop flag setting process and the complete error setting process related to the complete function, which are processes executed by the complete function control means 190 to realize the above-mentioned complete function.
FIG. 11 shows a flow of a game stop flag setting process related to the complete function. This process is executed when a game stop flag described later is OFF, but is not executed when the game stop flag is ON.
FIG. 12 shows a flow of the complete error setting process. This process is executed regardless of the state of the game stop flag, and when the game stop flag setting process related to the complete function is executed, this process is executed continuously from the game stop flag setting process.

As shown in FIG. 11, in step S102, which is the first step of the game stop flag setting process related to the complete function, out balls and safe balls are obtained.
As mentioned above, the out balls refer to the total number of game balls detected by the out ball sensor 75, and the out balls are set to their initial value (0 in this embodiment) when power is restored after a power outage, regardless of whether the RAM clear process is performed or not.
On the other hand, the safe balls refer to the total number of prize balls awarded by the entry of game balls into the above-mentioned winning slots, and the safe balls are set to their initial value (5,000 in this embodiment) when power is restored after a power outage, regardless of whether the RAM clear process is performed or not.

In step S104, the difference in number of balls is calculated using the acquired out balls and safe balls.
Specifically, in this process, the difference in the number of balls is derived by subtracting the number of out balls from the number of safe balls, and if this derived result is negative, the difference in the number of balls becomes zero.
In addition, the method of deriving the difference in the number of balls is not limited to the derivation method described in this embodiment, and any derivation method may be adopted as long as the derivation result is consistent.

In step S106, it is determined whether the difference in the number of balls is 100,000 or more (whether the difference in the number of balls has reached 100,000), and if this condition is met, the process proceeds to step S108, and if this condition is not met, the process proceeds to step S110.

In step S108, the game stop flag is set to ON.
In this embodiment, once the game stop flag is set to ON, it is cleared (set to OFF) only by powering on the device along with the execution of a RAM clearing process, and is not cleared by powering on the device without the execution of a RAM clearing process.

In step S110, preparations are made for sending a command related to the complete function, and then the game stop flag setting process related to the complete function is terminated.
Specifically, in this process, a complete function-related command is stored in a transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160, and the execution of this process causes the complete function-related command to be transmitted to the first sub-control board 200. In this embodiment, the complete function-related command includes information that can specify the number of out balls, safe balls, difference in number of balls, and the state of the game stop flag.

Next, as shown in FIG. 12, in step S202, which is the first step in the complete error setting process, it is determined whether or not the game stop flag is ON. If the condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S204, and if the condition is not satisfied, the complete error setting process is terminated.
In step S204, it is determined whether or not a big win game or a small win game is being played. If the condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S206. If the condition is satisfied, the complete error setting process is terminated.
In step S206, a complete error is set.
In step S208, the security signal is set to ON, and then the complete error setting process is terminated. This allows the device outside the gaming machine to determine that the game stop flag has been set to ON, i.e., that the complete function has been activated.

In this embodiment, when the difference in the number of balls derived using the out balls and the safe balls exceeds a specific threshold (100,000 balls), a complete error is set immediately except during a big win or a small win. On the other hand, if the case is during a big win or a small win, a complete error is set when the win ends.
In particular, in this embodiment, the difference in the number of balls does not have a negative value, but since the initial value of the safe balls is 5000, it can be said that the difference in the number of balls has a value of up to minus 5000. The initial value may be set to any one value (a value determined for each gaming machine) according to the performance of the gaming machine.
However, the initial value of the safe balls may be set to zero, similar to the initial value of the out balls. In this way, the complete error can be set according to the increase in the number of game balls from the point when the number of game balls has decreased the most during the game (so-called MY).

<Display mode of the main control board monitor>
Next, the display mode of main control board monitor 97 will be described with reference to Fig. 13. Fig. 13 is a diagram showing the display mode of main control board monitor 97 for different states.
As shown in FIG. 13, the main control board monitor 97 is composed of four seven-segment displays (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as "7-seg") arranged consecutively horizontally, with a dot-shaped LED provided at the bottom right of each seven-segment, and when displaying various information, the information is displayed right-justified.

Specifically, an error code that identifies the error that has occurred (corresponding to the error that has occurred) is displayed using the rightmost 7-segment display and the second 7-segment display from the right. For example, when a complete error occurs, "E3" is displayed on the main control board monitor 97.

Next, the display of the base value in this embodiment is realized by displaying information such as "bL." indicating that it is a display of the base value using the leftmost 7-segment, the second from the left 7-segment, and dot-shaped LEDs at the bottom right of the second from the left 7-segment, and displaying the base value itself using the second from the right 7-segment, the rightmost 7-segment, and dot-shaped LEDs at the bottom right of the rightmost 7-segment.
For example, if the base value derived for the current section is 30, "bL.30" is displayed on the main control board monitor 97, which is a combination of "bL." indicating that the base value relates to the current section and "30" indicating the base value itself.
In addition, when the display object is a base value derived in the previous section, "b1." indicating that it is the base value related to the previous section is displayed using dot-shaped LEDs on the leftmost 7-segment, the second 7-segment from the left, and the bottom right of the second 7-segment from the left. When the display object is a base value derived in the section before previous, "b2." indicating that it is the base value related to the section before previous is displayed using dot-shaped LEDs on the leftmost 7-segment, the second 7-segment from the left, and the bottom right of the second 7-segment from the left.
Furthermore, in any section, if the base value exceeds 100, "99." is displayed using the second 7-segment display from the right, the rightmost 7-segment display, and the dot-shaped LED at the bottom right of the rightmost 7-segment display.

Although not shown in the figures, in this embodiment, as described above, the base value derived (being derived) in the current section, the base value derived in the previous section, the base value derived in the section before last, and the base value derived in the section before that are displayed on the main control board monitor 97 in that order, switching between them with an interval period in between, and the interval period is 500 ms.

<Display state of the main control board monitor when an error occurs>
Next, the transition of the display mode of the main control board monitor 97 when an error occurs while displaying the base value will be described with reference to FIG.
Figure 14(a) is a diagram showing the transition of the display mode of the main control board monitor 97 when an error other than a complete error occurs while the base value is being displayed, and Figure 14(b) is a diagram showing the transition of the display mode of the main control board monitor 97 when a complete error occurs while the base value is being displayed.

As shown in FIG. 14(a), when an error other than a complete error occurs while the base value is being displayed, the base value that was being displayed up until that point becomes hidden, and an error code that can identify the error that occurred begins to be displayed.

As shown in FIG. 14(b), when a completion error occurs while the base value is being displayed, the base value that was displayed up until that point becomes hidden, and an error code that identifies the error that occurred begins to be displayed, similar to the flow shown in FIG. 14(a).

Thus, in this embodiment, when an error occurs while displaying the base value, regardless of the type of error, the displayed base value is made invisible and an error code capable of identifying the error that has occurred is displayed.
Although not mentioned in the above explanation, in this embodiment, there are errors other than those mentioned above that do not result in the display of an error code on the main control board monitor 97 (for example, a right-hit error that occurs when the gate sensor 74 detects a gaming ball three times during normal play (low probability of special drawing and low probability of normal drawing), and a full tank error that occurs when a gaming ball is detected by the full tank detection sensor), and when an error that does not result in the display of an error code occurs, the display of the base value is maintained.

<Display state of the main control board monitor when an error is cleared>
Next, the transition of the display mode of the main control board monitor 97 when an error is cleared will be described with reference to FIG.
Figure 15(a) is a diagram showing the transition of the display mode of the main control board monitor 97 when an error other than a complete error is cleared, and Figure 15(b) is a diagram showing the transition of the display mode of the main control board monitor 97 when a complete error is cleared.

As shown in FIG. 15(a), when an error other than a complete error is cleared, the error code that identifies the error becomes hidden and the display of the base value begins.

On the other hand, when the complete error is cleared, the error code that can identify the error is hidden, and the display of the base value begins a time t1 (15,000 ms in this embodiment) after the error code is hidden (the time when the complete error is cleared).
In this embodiment, during the period from the time when the display becomes non-displayed to time t1, all of the LEDs (including segments) that make up the main control board monitor 97 are turned off.

Thus, in this embodiment, as described above, when a completion error occurs while the base value is being displayed, the displayed base value becomes hidden and an error code that can identify the completion error begins to be displayed, and when the complete error is subsequently cleared, the display of the base value begins at a timing later than the timing at which the error code became hidden.
According to this, by starting to display the base value at a timing later than the timing of clearing the complete error, it is possible to make it easier for a person who is concentrating on an operation related to clearing the complete error (operation of the power switch 40 or the RAM clear switch 43) to recognize that the complete error has been cleared. This is because the moment when the display of the base value starts is more memorable than a situation in which the display of the base value continues.

In this embodiment, the base value is hidden when a complete error occurs while the base value is displayed, but the effect is not limited to this. For example, information indicating that the base value is being displayed may be displayed using the leftmost 7-segment, the second from the left 7-segment, and the dot-shaped LED at the bottom right of the second from the left 7-segment, while an error code may be displayed using the second from the right 7-segment and the rightmost 7-segment, thereby replacing part of the base value display with an error code, or the interval period when switching the range of the displayed base value may be filled with an error code display, thereby restricting the display of the base value without hiding the base value. This also applies when an error other than a complete error occurs. Furthermore, the same applies to each invention described below.

In addition, in this embodiment, all of the LEDs constituting the main control board monitor 97 are turned off during the period from when the error code related to the complete error is hidden until the time t1 has elapsed, but this is not limited to the above. In other words, if the lighting pattern of the LEDs constituting the main control board monitor 97 during that period does not match any of the lighting patterns used when displaying the error code or base value, some or all of the LEDs constituting the main control board monitor 97 may be turned on during that period.

Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, the specific error state (complete error) is configured to be reversible by operation, the display control means (main control board 100) is capable of displaying the base value on the display monitor (main control board monitor 97), and with regard to the display of the base value, when the specific error state is set (when a complete error occurs), a predetermined restriction is imposed on the display of the base value, and when the specific error state is subsequently released, the base value is displayed without the predetermined restriction from a first timing (when time t1 has elapsed) after the timing of the release of the specific error state, or, in other words, when the specific error state is set, the base value is hidden, and when the specific error state is subsequently released, the base value is displayed from a first timing after the timing of the release of the specific error state.

In particular, in this embodiment, as described above, base values are derived by dividing into a number of sections (current section, previous section, previous-before section, previous-before section), and the base values relating to these sections are displayed on the main control board monitor 97 by switching between them in sequence with an interval period in between, and the length of time t1 (15,000 ms) is made longer than the length of the interval period (500 ms).
This makes it easy to distinguish between the base values in the multiple sections, while also making it easy to recognize that the complete error has been cleared.

Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, the specific error state (complete error) is configured to be reversible by operation, and the display control means (main control board 100) can sequentially switch between multiple base values derived in each of the multiple derivation periods and display them on the display monitor (main control board monitor 97) with an interval period in between during which the base value is not displayed. With regard to the display of the base value, when a specific error state is set, a predetermined restriction is imposed on the display of the base value, and when the specific error state is subsequently released, the base value is displayed without the predetermined restriction from a predetermined timing (time t1 has elapsed) after the timing of the release of the specific error state, or when a specific error state is set, the base value is hidden, and when the specific error state is subsequently released, the base value is displayed from a predetermined timing after the timing of the release of the specific error state, and the period from the resolution of the specific error state to the predetermined timing is longer than the interval period.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, when a complete error occurs in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, the game is stopped, and the base value is not derived.
This allows a more accurate base value to be derived.

Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, the specific error state (complete error) is configured to be reversible by operation, the display control means (main control board 100) is capable of displaying the base value on the display monitor in a predetermined display mode, and with regard to the display of the base value, when the specific error state is set, a predetermined restriction is imposed on the display of the base value, and when the specific error state is subsequently released, the base value is displayed without the predetermined restriction from a predetermined timing (time t1 has elapsed) after the timing of the release of the specific error state, or when the specific error state is set, the base value is hidden, and when the specific error state is subsequently released, the base value is displayed from a predetermined timing after the timing of the release of the specific error state, and the base value derivation means (base value update processing described later) does not derive the base value when a specific error state is set in the first gaming state (special chart variation pattern derivation state PA) until the specific error state is released.

As described above, in this embodiment, when an error other than a complete error is cleared, the error code capable of identifying the error becomes non-displayable, and the display of the base value begins.
According to this, the timing at which the display of the base value begins when a complete error is cleared is later than the timing at which the display of the base value begins when an error other than a complete error is cleared, thereby enhancing the effect of making it easier to recognize that the above-mentioned complete error has been cleared.
In addition, in order to achieve this effect, the timing at which the display of the base value begins when an error other than a complete error is cleared does not matter as long as it is a timing earlier than the timing at which the display of the base value begins when a complete error is cleared, based on the timing of the error clearance.
Furthermore, it is sufficient that such a timing relationship is satisfied for at least some of the errors other than the complete error.

Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, when a predetermined error state (an error other than a complete error) different from a specific error state (a complete error) is set, the display control means (main control board 100) imposes a predetermined restriction on the display of the base value, and when the specific error state is subsequently released, the display control means displays the base value without the predetermined restriction from the second timing, or when a specific error state is set, the display control means hides the base value, and when the specific error state is subsequently released, the display control means displays the base value from the second timing, and in other words, the second timing is a timing earlier than the first timing based on the release of the corresponding error state from the specific error state and the predetermined error state.

The above-mentioned security signal may be turned ON for part or all of the period from when the complete error is cleared until the time t1 has elapsed. If configured in this way, it may be possible for devices outside the gaming machine (such as a data display or hall computer) to identify that the complete error has been cleared.

<If an error occurs during the interval period>
Next, the transition of the display mode of the main control board monitor 97 when an error occurs during an interval period, i.e., while the base value is not displayed, will be described with reference to FIG.
Figure 16(a) is a diagram showing the switching flow related to the base value for each section, Figure 16(b) is a diagram showing the transition of the display mode of the main control board monitor 97 when an error occurs during a non-interval period (while the base value is displayed), and Figure 16(c) is a diagram showing the transition of the display mode of the main control board monitor 97 when an error occurs during an interval period (while the base value is not displayed).

As shown in FIG. 16A, when the base value is displayed for a certain period of time (1000 ms in this embodiment), the base value for the next period is displayed after an interval period of time t2 (500 ms in this embodiment).
Then, as shown in Figure 16 (b), when an error occurs during a non-interval period, i.e., a period other than the above-mentioned interval period during which the base value is displayed, the base value that had been displayed up until then becomes hidden, and an error code that can identify the error that has occurred is displayed, as explained using Figure 14.

On the other hand, if an error occurs during the interval period, i.e., during the period when the base value is not displayed, as shown in FIG. 16(c), the base value is hidden and an error code that identifies the error that has occurred starts to be displayed at a time t3 (500 ms in this embodiment) after the end of the interval period.

Thus, in this embodiment, when a complete error occurs during an interval period, while the base value is being displayed after the interval period has elapsed, the base value is made invisible and an error code capable of identifying the complete error is started to be displayed.
According to this, by setting an interval period, it is possible to easily identify each of the base values in multiple sections, while also making it easier to recognize that a completion error has occurred when the completion error occurs during the interval period.

In order to achieve this effect, as in this embodiment, regardless of the type of error, the display may be switched from displaying the base value to displaying the error code, as shown in Figure 16 (c), or the control may be limited to only when a complete error occurs.
In addition, in some cases where a complete error occurs during an interval period, while the base value is being displayed after the interval period has elapsed, the base value may be made invisible and an error code capable of identifying the complete error may be started to be displayed.

Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, the base value derivation means (the base value update process described below) derives the base value over multiple derivation periods, and the display control means (main control board 100) can sequentially switch between and display the multiple base values derived in each of the multiple derivation periods, with an interval period in between during which the base value is not displayed. In other words, when the difference in the number of balls during the interval period exceeds a specific threshold value (100,000 balls) and a specific error state is set, a specific restriction can be imposed on the display of the base value during the display of the base value after the interval period has elapsed, or the base value can be hidden during the display of the base value after the interval period has elapsed.

<Regarding the execution timing of the base value update process>
Next, the execution timing of the base value update process for updating (deriving) the base value will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 17 is a flow chart showing the execution timing of the base value update process in the process related to the main control board 100.
Here, the base value update process is a process for updating the base value, and in this process, when the game is in a playable state and in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, the base value (for the current section) is updated using the acquired out balls and safe balls.

17, in the processing related to the main control board 100, the base value update processing (step S4) is executed after the game stop flag setting processing (step S1) related to the above-mentioned complete function and the complete error setting processing (step S2) are executed. If it is determined that a complete error has occurred by the determination processing (step S3) for determining whether or not a complete error has occurred, the base value update processing (step S4) is not executed, and the processing after step S4 related to the main control board 100 is executed.
Therefore, if a complete error is set by the previous complete error setting process, the base value is not updated. In other words, when a complete error occurs, the base value is hidden and an error code that can identify the complete error is displayed before the base value reflecting the safe ball that triggered the complete error is displayed (without the safe ball being reflected in the base value).
According to this, when a completion error occurs, the base value is hidden before it is updated, making it easier to recognize that a completion error has occurred.

Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, at a specific time when the difference in the number of balls becomes equal to or exceeds a specific threshold value (100,000) due to a safe ball related to the entry of a gaming ball into a winning port in the first gaming state (special chart variation pattern derivation state PA), the base value derivation means (base value update process) reflects the safe ball in the derivation of the base value, and in other words, the display control means (main control board 100) at the above-mentioned specific time imposes a predetermined restriction on the display of the base value before displaying the base value reflecting the safe ball related to the specific time, or hides the base value before displaying the base value reflecting the safe ball related to the specific time.

<Other Modifications>
Modifications not mentioned in the above description are listed below.

First, the thresholds related to the above-mentioned completion function and the thresholds related to acquisition notifications (prescribed numbers) may be any value as long as the magnitude relationship in this embodiment is maintained.

In addition, in this embodiment, the complete function control means 190 that controls the complete function is a functional configuration possessed by the main control board 100, but some or all of the functional configuration that controls the complete function may be realized by a separate board (including a board that is not built into the gaming machine 10) provided separately from the main control board 100. In this case, information can be transmitted from the separate board to the first sub-control board 200 by connecting the separate board to the main control board 100 so that information can be transmitted from the main control board to the first sub-control board 200, or by directly connecting the separate board to the first sub-control board 200.

In addition, the gaming machine 10 according to this embodiment is a so-called one-type two-type mixed machine that can derive both a big win and a small win that can generate a big win game in the special pattern hit/miss judgment, but it is not limited to this, and it is also possible to use one that can only derive a so-called two-type hit.

In addition, in each special chart variation pattern derivation state, the special chart variation pattern may be determined using the special chart variation pattern lottery table shown in Figures 9 to 11, or the special chart variation pattern may be determined using another special chart variation pattern lottery table, or the special chart variation pattern may be determined without using the special chart variation pattern lottery table (without performing a lottery). However, in each special chart variation pattern derivation state, it is preferable that the special chart variation pattern is determined using the special chart variation pattern lottery table shown in Figures 9 to 11 for more than half of the period during which the special chart variation pattern derivation state continues.

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

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

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

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

<Additional Notes>
The present embodiment encompasses the following technical idea.
(1)
A gaming machine in which gaming balls can be used by firing the balls, and when a gaming ball enters a winning hole, a number of gaming balls corresponding to the winning hole are awarded,
As game states in which the symbol variation can be performed, there are a first game state and a second game state which is more advantageous than the first game state,
A base value deriving means derives a base value, which is a ratio of safe balls, which are the number of awarded game balls related to the winning, to out balls, which are the number of game balls used in the first game state, for a plurality of derivation periods;
A completion means for setting a specific error state based on the difference in the number of balls derived using the out balls and the safe balls becoming equal to or greater than a specific threshold value;
A display monitor visible from the rear of the gaming machine;
A display control means for controlling the display monitor;
Equipped with
The specific error state is configured to be releasable by an operation,
The display control means
The base values derived in the respective derivation periods can be displayed on the display monitor in a sequential manner with an interval period in which the base values are not displayed therebetween,
Regarding the display of the base value,
When the specific error state is set, a predetermined restriction is imposed on the display of the base value, and when the specific error state is subsequently released, the base value is displayed without the predetermined restriction from a predetermined timing after the release timing of the specific error state,
Alternatively, when the specific error state is set, the base value is hidden, and when the specific error state is subsequently released, the base value is displayed from a predetermined timing after the release timing of the specific error state.
A period from when the specific error state is resolved to when the predetermined timing occurs is longer than the interval period.
A gaming machine characterized by:

10 Gaming machine 15 Outer frame 17 Middle frame 20 Front frame 21 Hinge mechanism 22 Movable decorative body 23 Cylinder lock 25 Transparent member 27 Upper ball tray 29 Lower ball tray 31 Operation handle 32 Upper frame portion 33 (33a, 33b) Speaker 34a, 34b Left and right side frame portions 35 (35a, 35b, 35c) Frame lamp 36 Ball removal mechanism 37 Performance button 38 Cursor button 38a Up cursor button 38b Down cursor button 38c Left cursor button 38d Right cursor button 38e Center cursor button 39 Main operation portion 39a Ball loan button 39b Return button 40 Power switch 43 RAM clear switch 45 Opening and closing cover 46 Game ball tank 47 Tank rail 48 Payout unit 49 Payout passage 50 Game board 50a Game area 51 Outer rail 52 Windmill 53, inner rail 54, protective member 55, large prize opening 57, first start opening 59, second start opening 61, normal electric role 62, normal electric role solenoid 63, gate 65, special electric role 66, special electric role solenoid 67, general prize opening 67a, left general prize opening 67b, right general prize opening 69, out opening 70, first start opening sensor 71, second start opening sensor 72, large prize opening sensor 73, general prize opening sensor 74, gate sensor 75, out ball sensor 76, middle frame door open sensor 77, front frame door open sensor 80, performance display device 81, main display section 82, sub-display section 82a, upper sub-display section 82b, left sub-display section 82c, right sub-display section 90, pattern display device 91, first special pattern display device 92, second special pattern display device 93, normal pattern display device 94, first special pattern reserved lamp 95, second special pattern reserved lamp 96 Normal symbol reservation lamp 97 Main control board monitor 100 Main control board 101 CPU
102 ROM
103 RAM
104 I/O port 105 Random number circuit 109 Main control board case 110 Ball entry determination means 115 Main random number generation means 120 Main hold control means 125 Advance determination means 130 Special chart lottery means 131 Special chart win/loss determination means 132 Special chart stop pattern lottery means 133 Special chart change pattern derivation means 135 Regular chart lottery means 140 Big win game control means 145 Pattern display control means 150 Electric role control means 155 Game state control means 160 Main information storage means 165 Main error control means 170 Main command management means 175 Power restoration process execution means 176 Recovery state setting means 179 Playable state transition means 180 Power cut process execution means 190 Complete function control means 200 First sub-control board 201 CPU
202 ROM
203 RAM
204 I/O port 209 First sub-control board case 210 Sub-random number generation means 220 Normal presentation control means 221 Presentation mode control means 222 Presentation route determination means 223 Sub-hold control means 224 Pre-reading presentation control means 225 Presentation content determination means 226 Decoration pattern control means 227 Big win presentation control means 230 Sub-error control means 240 Lamp control means 245 Movable role control means 260 Sub-information storage means 270 Sub-command management means 300 Second sub-control board 301 CPU
302 ROM
303 RAM
304 I/O port 309 Second sub-control board case 310 Audio control board 311 CPU
312 ROM
313 RAM
314 I/O port 400 Dispensing control board 409 Dispensing control board case 500 Power supply control board 501 Normal power supply circuit 502 Backup power supply circuit 503 Power interruption detection circuit 509 Power supply control board case 811 Display area 812 Display area 813 Display area X First flow path Y Second flow path

Claims (2)

A gaming machine in which gaming balls can be used by firing the balls, and when a gaming ball enters a winning hole, a number of gaming balls corresponding to the winning hole are awarded,
As game states in which the symbol variation can be performed, there are a first game state and a second game state which is more advantageous than the first game state,
A base value deriving means derives a base value, which is a ratio of safe balls, which are the number of awarded game balls related to the winning, to out balls, which are the number of game balls used in the first game state, for a plurality of derivation periods;
A completion means for setting a game stop state based on the difference in the number of balls derived using the out balls and the safe balls becoming equal to or greater than a specific threshold value;
A display monitor visible from the rear of the gaming machine;
A display control means for controlling the display monitor;
Equipped with
The game stop state is configured to be releasable by operation,
The display control means
The base values derived in the respective derivation periods can be displayed on the display monitor in a sequential manner with an interval period in which the base values are not displayed therebetween,
Regarding the display of the base value,
When the game stop state is set, a predetermined restriction is imposed on the display of the base value, and when the game stop state is subsequently released, the base value is displayed without the predetermined restriction from a predetermined timing after the release timing of the game stop state ;
Alternatively, when the game stop state is set, the base value is hidden, and when the game stop state is subsequently released, the base value is displayed from a predetermined timing after the release timing of the game stop state .
The period from when the game stop state is released to when the predetermined timing occurs is longer than the interval period,
When the game stop state is set during the interval period,
During the display of the base value after the interval period has elapsed, the predetermined restriction may be imposed on the display of the base value.
Alternatively, during the display of the base value after the interval period has elapsed, the base value may be hidden.
A gaming machine characterized by: A gaming machine in which gaming balls can be used by firing the balls, and when a gaming ball enters a winning hole, a number of gaming balls corresponding to the winning hole are awarded,
As game states in which the symbol variation can be performed, there are a first game state and a second game state which is more advantageous than the first game state,
A base value deriving means derives a base value, which is a ratio of safe balls, which are the number of awarded game balls related to the winning, to out balls, which are the number of game balls used in the first game state, for a plurality of derivation periods;
A completion means for setting a game stop state based on the difference in the number of balls derived using the out balls and the safe balls becoming equal to or greater than a specific threshold value;
A display monitor visible from the rear of the gaming machine;
A display control means for controlling the display monitor;
Equipped with
The game stop state is configured to be releasable by operation,
The display control means
The base values derived in the respective derivation periods can be displayed on the display monitor in a sequential manner with an interval period in which the base values are not displayed therebetween,
Regarding the display of the base value,
When the game stop state is set, a predetermined restriction is imposed on the display of the base value, and when the game stop state is subsequently released, the base value is displayed without the predetermined restriction from a predetermined timing after the release timing of the game stop state ;
Alternatively, when the game stop state is set, the base value is hidden, and when the game stop state is subsequently released, the base value is displayed from a predetermined timing after the release timing of the game stop state .
The period from when the game stop state is released to when the predetermined timing occurs is longer than the interval period,
the base value derivation means, when the difference in the number of balls becomes equal to or greater than the specific threshold value due to the safe ball related to the entry of the game ball into the winning hole in the first game state, reflects the safe ball in the derivation of the base value;
At the specified time,
Before the base value reflecting the safe ball related to the specific time is displayed, the predetermined restriction may be imposed on the display of the base value.
Alternatively, the base value may be hidden before the base value reflecting the safe ball related to the specific time is displayed.
A gaming machine characterized by:

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