JP7560082B2 - Gaming Machines - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to gaming machines such as pachinko machines and slot machines.

Some gaming machines, such as pachinko machines, allow players to adjust the volume and brightness by operating a control unit that can be operated by the player.

JP 2016-182174 A

In these gaming machines, it is possible to adjust the volume and brightness to suit the player, but there is still room for improvement, as there is a possibility that the volume or brightness may be adjusted to an unintended level due to incorrect operation, etc.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and aims to provide a gaming machine that can prevent mistakes in adjusting the volume and brightness.

According to the present invention, a display device includes a display means, a display control means for controlling the display means, a movable body capable of covering a display area related to the display means, a movement control means for controlling the movement of the movable body, a sound output means for outputting sound, and a volume adjustment means for adjusting the volume of the sound output from the sound output means by a volume adjustment operation, and the display control means is capable of displaying a volume specifying image capable of specifying a current volume on the display means, and the movement control means is capable of executing movement control for moving the movable body from an original position which is a position which does not cover the display area or a position which covers a part of the display area, to the original position via a covering position where the range of the display area covered by the movable body is wider than the original position. A gaming machine is provided in which, upon satisfaction of a transition condition, a transition occurs from an unadjustable period in which volume adjustment by the volume adjustment operation is not possible to an adjustable period in which volume adjustment by the volume adjustment operation is possible, the transition condition may be satisfied during a period in which the movement control is being executed on the movable body while a pattern change is being performed, the unadjustable period may start before the start of a period in which the movement control in which the transition condition is satisfied is being executed, and when the transition condition is satisfied during a period in which the movement control is being executed, the length of a first period from the start of the movement control to the satisfaction of the transition condition and the length of a second period from the satisfaction of the transition condition to the end of the movement control may be different.
According to the present invention, there is provided a display device, a display control means for controlling the display means, a movable body capable of covering a display area related to the display means, a movement control means for controlling movement of the movable body, a sound output means for outputting sound, and a volume adjustment means capable of adjusting the volume of the sound output from the sound output means by a volume adjustment operation, wherein the display control means is capable of displaying a volume specifying image capable of specifying a current volume on the display means, and the movement control means executes movement control for moving the movable body from an original position which is a position which does not cover the display area or a position which covers a part of the display area, to the original position via a covering position where the range of the display area covered by the movable body is wider than the original position. a transition condition is satisfied, the transition occurs from an unadjustable period in which volume adjustment by the volume adjustment operation is not possible to an adjustable period in which volume adjustment by the volume adjustment operation is possible, the transition condition can be satisfied during a period in which the movement control is being executed on the movable body while the pattern variation is being executed, the unadjustable period can be started before the start of a period in which the movement control in which the transition condition can be satisfied is being executed, the sound output means is configured to be able to output a confirmation sound when the volume adjustment operation is performed, and during at least a part of the adjustable period in which the movement control is being executed, output of the confirmation sound is restricted.

The present invention provides a gaming machine that can prevent mistakes in adjusting volume and brightness.

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. 6(a) to 6(c) are diagrams showing the movable positions of the performance shield. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the gaming machine. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the gaming machine. Figure 9(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 9(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 9(c) 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, and Figure 9(d) 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. Figure 10(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 10(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. Figure 11 (a) is a schematic diagram showing a special chart change pattern lottery table used in the pattern change related to special chart 2 when in the special chart change pattern derivation state PB, and Figure 11 (b) is a schematic diagram showing a special chart change pattern lottery table used when special chart change pattern HNP is determined in the pattern change related to special chart 2 when in the special chart change pattern derivation state PB. Figure 12(a) is a schematic diagram showing a special chart change pattern lottery table used in the pattern change related to special chart 2 when the special chart change pattern derivation state PC is in effect, and Figure 12(b) is a schematic diagram showing a special chart change pattern lottery table used when special chart change pattern HNP is determined in the pattern change related to special chart 2 when the special chart change pattern derivation state PC is in effect. FIG. 13(a) is a state transition diagram showing the transition of the special chart variation pattern derivation state, and FIG. 13(b) is a diagram showing the relationship of the average variation time for each special chart variation pattern derivation state. FIG. 14 shows a flow of the volume adjustment process when transitioning to a playable state. FIG. 15 shows a flow of the volume adjustment process during a game playable state. FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing the process of generating a volume adjustment command. FIG. 17 is a flow chart showing other volume adjustment processes. FIG. 18 shows a flow of the brightness adjustment process when transitioning to a playable state. FIG. 19 shows a flow of the brightness adjustment process during a game playable state. FIG. 20 is a flow chart showing the brightness adjustment command generating process. FIG. 21 is a timing chart showing the setting status of the non-adjustable period in the pattern change in which the lid-covering effect is executed.

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 display means (main display unit 81);
A display control means (first sub-control board 200, second sub-control board 300) for controlling the display means;
A movable body (a performance shield 83) capable of covering a display area related to the display means;
A movable control means (movable prop control means 245) for controlling the movement of the movable body;
A light emitting means (performance lamp 35);
a brightness adjustment means (brightness adjustment means 255) capable of adjusting the brightness of the display means and the light emitting means by a brightness adjustment operation (operation of the left cursor button 38c or the right cursor button 38d);
Equipped with
The display control means is capable of causing the display means to display a luminance specific image capable of specifying a current luminance,
The movable control means is capable of executing a movement control (covering effect) for moving the movable body from an original position (position shown in FIG. 6(a)) which is a position where the display area is not covered or a position where a part of the display area is covered, to the original position via a covering position (position shown in FIG. 6(c)) where the range of the display area covered by the movable body is wider than that of the original position;
When the transition condition is satisfied, a transition is made from one of an adjustable period during which the brightness can be adjusted by the brightness adjustment operation and an unadjustable period during which the brightness cannot be adjusted by the brightness adjustment operation to the other period;
The transition condition may be satisfied during a period in which the movement control is being executed on the movable body during the execution of the pattern variation.
This is a gaming machine characterized by the above.

According to the present invention, the non-adjustable period is set during the execution of the movement control, which may induce brightness adjustment errors, to suppress the occurrence of such errors, while the transition condition is satisfied during the execution of the movement control, so that the adjustable period is set longer, thereby increasing the degree of freedom of brightness adjustment operation for players who are accustomed to brightness adjustment.

In addition, as for the relationship between the transition condition and the movement control during the execution of the pattern change, as described above, during the execution of the pattern change, the execution period of the movement control exists, and a situation in which the transition condition is satisfied during the execution period occurs in terms of the phenomenon. In other words, the factors that cause these configurations may be independent and unrelated to each other.
Furthermore, the transition conditions are for defining the timing of transition from an unadjustable period to an adjustable period or from an adjustable period to an unadjustable period, and the specific contents of the conditions are not important.

Furthermore, it is not necessarily necessary for the brightness specific image to be displayed in a display area of the display means that may be covered by the movable body related to the movement control. However, as in the present embodiment described below, it is preferable for the brightness specific image to be displayed in the display area that may be covered.

In the embodiment described below, an example of applying the present invention to a pachinko machine is shown, but the present invention can also be applied to a slot machine that uses a predetermined number of medals to perform a pattern change that spins multiple reels, and pays out medals based on the result of the pattern change (the stopping pattern of the multiple reels).

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 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 has 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 spaced apart from each other vertically and are formed integrally with the front frame 20.
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. These operating sections are provided on the front side of the game board 50, and in particular, the up cursor button 38a and the down cursor button 38b are operated to adjust the volume of the sound output from the speaker 33 described below, and the left cursor button 38c and the right cursor button 38d are operated to adjust the brightness of the performance lamp 35 and the performance display device 80 described below.
In addition, 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, and effect lamps 35 (35a, 35b, 35c) are disposed inside each of them. The speaker 33 and effect 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 unit 82a are on the upper side relative to the main display unit 81, the left sub-display unit 82b are on the left side relative to the main display unit 81, and the right sub-display unit 82c are on the right side relative to the main display unit 81, and each of the sub-display units 82 is configured to be movable from these initial positions to a position where the entire display area of the sub-display unit 82 overlaps with the display area of the main display unit 81.

In addition, in this embodiment, the performance display device 80 (main display unit 81, upper sub-display unit 82a, left sub-display unit 82b, right sub-display unit 82c) all use liquid crystal display devices, but the implementation of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, various types of display devices, such as drum type and dot matrix type, can be used as the performance display device 80.

A performance shield 83 is disposed between the main display unit 81 and the sub display unit 82. Furthermore, the performance shield 83 is composed of an upper left performance shield 83a, an upper right performance shield 83b, a lower left performance shield 83c, and a lower right performance shield 83d, which are configured to be movable in a direction to cover the display area related to the main display unit 81 in conjunction with each other. The performance shield 83 is used to execute the covering performance described below, and the operation of the performance shield 83 and details of the covering performance will be described later.

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 only 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 of reserved special pattern 1, the second special pattern reserve lamp 95 makes it possible to identify the number of pattern variations of reserved special pattern 2, and the normal pattern reserve lamp 96 makes it possible to identify the number of pattern variations of 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 side only constantly lit = 1, left and right sides constantly lit = 2, right side flashing + left side 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 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 enter the big winning hole 55, so the big win game and small win game in which the chance of winning a prize ball is 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 the 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 of the game 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) associated with the first starting hole 57 is awarded. In at least some cases where the winning of the first starting hole 57 is determined, the pattern of the special chart 1 is changed.
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 jackpot has been determined for the second starting hole 59, the pattern on special chart 2 will change.
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 of the special drawing 2 to be executed can be greatly increased while suppressing the decrease in the game balls by the prize balls.

The gate 63 is located in the right center of the game area 50a. A gate sensor 74 is attached to the gate 63, and winning at the gate 63 is determined based on the detection result of the gate sensor 74. In at least some cases where winning at the gate 63 is determined, the pattern of the normal symbol is changed.
In this embodiment, the gate 63 can be a trigger for starting a jackpot game in a jackpot game standby state described later. Specifically, when the entry (passage) of a game ball into the gate 63 is detected in the jackpot game state, the standby jackpot game is started. Note that, a passage area for a game ball that triggers the start of a jackpot game may be provided in addition to the gate 63, but the passage area is preferably provided on the second flow path Y, similar to the gate 63.

The general winning opening 67 is located in the lower left of the game area 50a. A general winning opening sensor 73 is attached to the general winning opening 67, and a winning ball is determined based on the detection result of the general winning opening sensor 73, and the number of prize balls associated with the general winning opening 67 (4 in this embodiment) is awarded.
In this embodiment, the obstacles are arranged so that more game balls roll toward the general winning opening 67 when rolling from the first flow path X compared to when rolling from the second flow path Y, but the obstacles may be arranged so that more game balls roll toward the general winning opening 67 when rolling from the second flow path Y. Also, a plurality of general winning openings 67 may be provided.

The outlet 69 is disposed at the bottom of the game area 50a. Game balls that are shot into the game area 50a and do not enter any of the winning holes described above fall into the outlet 69 and are treated as out balls.
In this embodiment, an out ball sensor 75 (not shown) is provided for detecting out balls, which are game balls that enter the winning hole and the out hole 69.

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 cover the respective substrates are made of transparent materials, and the corresponding substrates can be seen through each case and cover.

5, a volume adjustment unit 85 operated for adjusting the volume and a brightness adjustment unit 86 operated for adjusting the brightness are provided on the first sub-control board 200. The first sub-control board case 209 stores the first sub-control board 200 so that the volume adjustment unit 85 and the brightness adjustment unit 86 are exposed to the outside, and the opening/closing cover 45 is attached so as to avoid the volume adjustment unit 85 and the brightness adjustment unit 86. Therefore, in the state shown in FIG. 5, i.e., in the state where the first sub-control board 200 is stored in the first sub-control board case 209 and the opening/closing cover 45 is attached, the volume adjustment unit 85 and the brightness adjustment unit 86 can be operated.
The volume adjustment unit 85 and the brightness adjustment unit 86 are so-called rotary switches, and in this embodiment, the volume adjustment unit 85 can be adjusted to one of three levels: high volume, medium volume, and low volume, and the brightness adjustment unit 86 can be adjusted to one of three levels: high brightness, medium brightness, and low brightness. The volume adjustment unit 85 and the brightness adjustment unit 86 are not limited to rotary switches, and may be slide switches. Furthermore, the volume adjustment unit 85 and the brightness adjustment unit 86 may be switches provided on a board different from the first sub-control board 200 as long as they are electrically connected to the first sub-control board 200. Furthermore, the installation position is not important as long as they are provided on the back side of the game board 50.

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 detection circuit 503 detects a power interruption, the power supply control board 500 transmits 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.

In this way, when installed on the play island, unless the middle frame 17 is opened, it becomes difficult to operate the various control sections (power switch 40, RAM clear switch 43, volume control section 85, brightness control section 86) located on the back side of the play board 50.

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, the structure of the gaming machine 10 in this embodiment has been described, but this is merely a specific example, and the present invention can also be implemented with a different configuration.
<Operation of the performance shield 83>
Next, the operation of the effect shield 83 will be described with reference to Figures 6(a) to 6(c). Figures 6(a) to 6(c) are diagrams showing the movable positions of the effect shield 83.
As described above, the effect shielding body 83 is composed of the upper left effect shielding body 83a, the upper right effect shielding body 83b, the lower left effect shielding body 83c, and the lower right effect shielding body 83d. These shielding bodies are configured to be movable from the position shown in Fig. 6(a) to the position shown in Fig. 6(c) via the position shown in Fig. 6(b).

FIG. 6(a) shows a state in which the performance shield 83 is in the initial position, in which substantially the entire display area of the main display unit 81 is visible.
FIG. 6( b ) shows a state in which a portion (approximately 30% of the entirety) of the main display unit 81 is covered by the performance shield 83 .
FIG. 6( c ) shows a state in which the entire main display unit 81 is covered by the performance shield 83 .
In this way, the upper left performance shield 83a, the upper right performance shield 83b, the lower left performance shield 83c, and the lower right performance shield 83d operate in conjunction with each other in the planar direction of the main display unit 81.

Also, as shown in Figure 6 (c), the upper left performance shield 83a has a convex portion modeled after the character "heaven" on its front surface (the front surface when the main display unit 81 side is defined as the rear surface), the upper right performance shield 83b has a convex portion modeled after the character "below" on its front surface, the lower left performance shield 83c has a convex portion modeled after the character "mu" on its front surface, and the lower right performance shield 83d has a convex portion modeled after the character "fuu" on its front surface, and each performance shield is configured so as not to transmit light from the rear (the main display unit 81 side).
<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. 7. Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the gaming machine 10. Note that the control configuration shown in Fig. 7 is necessary for explaining the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, and the gaming machine 10 may have a control configuration not shown in Fig. 7.

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 executes various processes related to the main control of the game by reading out various control programs stored in the ROM 102 and performing arithmetic processing.
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 data can be used to restore the gaming machine 10 to the state it was in immediately before the power outage. For example, in addition to the data of the stack pointer and each register held at the time of the power outage, information related to the game, such as the state of the gaming machine 10 at that time (a game stop state or a game possible state), the current normal drawing state, etc., are backed up. Note that this information is 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 drawing 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 symbol combination is displayed statically only when the power is turned on, and is not displayed statically due to the execution of symbol variation.

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 opening sensor 70, the second start opening sensor 71, the large prize opening sensor 72, the general prize opening sensor 73, the gate sensor 74, the out ball sensor 75, the middle frame open door sensor 76, the front frame open door 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.

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 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.
As described above, the first sub-control board 200 is provided with a volume adjustment unit 85 and a brightness adjustment unit 86. Furthermore, the first sub-control board 200 is electrically connected to the performance button 37 and the cursor button 38. Therefore, the first sub-control board 200 is configured to be able to detect operations on these operation units.

In addition, the first sub-control board 200, in a performance control process based on the 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, brightness adjustment commands that instruct adjustment of the brightness related to the image performance, audio control commands that instruct the audio to be output to the audio control board 310, volume adjustment commands that instruct adjustment of the volume, lamp control data for controlling the lighting of various lamps such as the performance lamp 35, and movement control data for controlling the movement of movable bodies such as the performance shield 83.
Here, the first sub-control board 200 is connected to the second sub-control board 300 and the audio control board 310 to enable two-way communication, and each control command (image control command, brightness adjustment command, audio control command, volume adjustment command) is transmitted from the first sub-control board 200 to the second sub-control board 300 or the audio 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, audio control board 310) to the first sub-control board 200.

The first sub-control board 200 is also electrically connected to the performance lamp 35, and transmits lamp control data via the I/O port 204. The performance lamp 35 is configured such that its illumination is controlled by the lamp control data transmitted from the first sub-control board 200.
The lamp control data is generated according to the brightness determined based on the adjustment results obtained by operating the brightness adjustment unit 86, the left cursor button 38c, and the right cursor button 38d. Therefore, in this embodiment, the performance lamp 35 can be turned on at the brightness determined based on the adjustment results. Note that the brightness in this embodiment can be set in a range of 10 levels, from brightness 1 to brightness 10, and the brightness of the performance lamp 35 and the main display unit 81 increases in this order. In addition, each time the brightness is adjusted, the first sub-control board 200 transmits a brightness adjustment command including data specifying the brightness after the adjustment (hereinafter referred to as "brightness specifying data") to the second sub-control board 300.

In addition, the first sub-control board 200 is electrically connected to the movable decorative body 22, the sub-display unit 82, and the performance shield 83, and transmits movement control data via the I/O port 204.
The movable decorative body 22, sub-display unit 82, and performance shield 83 are configured so that their movement is controlled by 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, 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.
Additionally, the second sub-control board 300 is equipped with a VDP that generates image data in accordance with the content of the performance determined by the performance content determination means 225 described below. The VDP is a so-called image processor that reads image data stored in an image ROM in response to instructions from the CPU of the second sub-control board 300, 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 is also connected to this VDP, which is used to expand and process the image data read from the image ROM.
The second sub-control board 300 sets the luminance according to the luminance specifying data included in the above-mentioned luminance adjustment command, and executes image processing to generate image data based on the set luminance. Therefore, in this embodiment, images can be displayed on the main display unit 81 and the sub-display unit 82 at luminance determined based on the adjustment results obtained by operating the luminance adjustment unit 86, the left cursor button 38c, and the right cursor button 38d.

The audio control board 310 is equipped with a CPU 311 that performs various calculations 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.

More specifically, the RAM 313 is provided with storage areas corresponding to a total of 32 audio playback channels, namely, audio playback channel CH0 to audio playback channel CH31 (the audio playback channels may be simply expressed as "CH0 to CH31"), and a storage area for storing synthesized audio data (unit audio data, described later). The storage area corresponding to each audio playback channel is composed of storage areas for storing data read from the ROM 312 (hereinafter referred to as "audio data"), data specifying the volume of the audio playback channel (hereinafter referred to as "volume specifying data"), data specifying the number of times the audio playback channel has been played (including loop playback), and data specifying the playback state of the audio playback channel (playing, paused, playback stopped) (hereinafter referred to as "playback state specifying data"). Note that the volume in this embodiment can be set in a range of 11 levels, from volume 0 to volume 10, and the volume output from the speaker 33 increases in this order. Note that each data corresponding to each audio playback channel stored in the RAM 313 is configured to be readable by the first sub-control board 200 as necessary.

The above-mentioned audio control command is composed of audio control data for each audio playback channel, and each audio control data is composed of data specifying the presence or absence of various data corresponding to the audio playback channel, data specifying (specifying) the audio data to be played (hereinafter referred to as "audio instruction data"), data specifying the volume of the audio data (hereinafter referred to as "volume instruction data"), data specifying the number of times the audio data is played, and data specifying the playback state. When the CPU 311 receives an audio control command, it checks the presence or absence of audio control data for each audio playback channel, and if audio control data is present, it updates the various data of the audio playback channel corresponding to the audio control data in accordance with the audio control data.
The audio data is data in which unit audio data separated by one frame (24 milliseconds) is arranged consecutively, and for each frame, CPU 311 refers to the playback status identification data of each audio playback channel, and synthesizes the unit audio data at the current playback position of the audio playback channel identified as being played by the playback status identification data in accordance with the volume identification data corresponding to that audio playback channel, and stores the synthesized unit audio data in the corresponding memory area.
In addition, if the received audio control command includes audio control data including playback state instruction data instructing playback to be stopped, the CPU 311 deletes various data for the audio playback channel corresponding to the audio control data, sets data indicating playback stop to the playback state specification data for the audio playback channel, and stops playback of the audio related to the audio playback channel.

As described above, the first sub-control board 200 is configured to be able to generate volume adjustment commands in addition to audio control commands, and to be able to transmit the volume adjustment commands to the audio control board 310. This volume adjustment command is composed of data for each audio playback channel that specifies whether or not there is volume instruction data corresponding to that audio playback channel, and volume instruction data. When the CPU 311 receives a volume adjustment command, it checks whether or not there is volume instruction data for each audio playback channel, and if there is volume instruction data, it updates the volume identification data for that audio playback channel in accordance with the volume instruction data.

Thus, in this embodiment, the first sub-control board 200 can control the audio to be output from the speaker 33 via the audio control board 310, and can also control the volume of each audio to be output (audio playback channel).
The method of controlling the sound and volume output from the speaker 33 is not limited to the method of this embodiment, and any method may be adopted. The sound control board 310 may be connected to the second sub-control board 300 so as to be capable of two-way communication, and the sound control board 310 may be configured to receive commands equivalent to sound control commands and volume adjustment commands from the first sub-control board 200 via the second sub-control board 300. The functions of the sound control board 310 may be provided in the first sub-control board 200 or the second sub-control board 300.

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 also controls the launch of the 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 that 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 that generates backup power, and a power interruption detection circuit (all not shown) that detects power interruption (a specified voltage drop in the supply voltage from 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 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 detection circuit detects a power interruption, the power supply control board 500 transmits 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 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 may be provided on the dispensing control board 400, and the power interruption detection circuit 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. 8. Fig. 8 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the gaming machine 10. Note that the functional configuration shown in Fig. 8 is necessary for explaining the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, and the gaming machine 10 may have a functional configuration not shown in Fig. 8. Also, when explaining the functional configuration, Figs. 9 to 13 will be referred to as necessary.

As shown in FIG. 8, the main control board 100 is equipped with 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 role 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, and a power cut process execution means 180. These means are functional representations of what is realized by each control configuration on the main control board 100 described using FIG. 7.

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 figure 1 and the operation pending information corresponding to the special figure 2 are reserved, a priority change is performed in which the operation pending information corresponding to the special figure 2 is used preferentially. However, instead of this priority change, a simultaneous change in which the operation pending information corresponding to the special figure 1 and the operation pending information corresponding to the special figure 2 are simultaneously used in this case 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 reserved command. Here, the predetermined pre-determination timing refers to a timing that is not during a jackpot game, for example, a timing when the operation reservation information of the special chart is reserved. In this embodiment, if the operation reservation 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 reservation 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 restricted.

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 in progress, neither Special Chart 1 nor Special Chart 2 is in the process of 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 operation pending information.

Here, FIGS. 9 to 13 are diagrams that typically show lottery tables 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 in which 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, there are items described for convenience of explanation, and if "-" or "0" is described as the lottery value, 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.
9(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 9 (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 500/1000 (1/2), pattern B with a probability of 450/1000 (approximately 1/2.22), and pattern C with a probability of 50/1000 (1/20).
Here, regardless of whether pattern A, pattern B, or pattern C is determined, after the end of the jackpot game corresponding to these stopped patterns, the normal pattern will have a high probability, as described below, but the number of pattern changes during which the normal pattern high probability continues will be 10 times if the jackpot game ends when pattern A is determined, and 80 times if the jackpot game ends when pattern B or pattern C is determined.
Furthermore, the number of rounds of the jackpot game corresponding to the symbols A and B is 4, while the number of rounds of the jackpot game corresponding to the symbol C is 10. Therefore, it can be said that the symbol C is a more advantageous symbol than the symbol B in terms of the number of rounds, and the symbol B is more advantageous than the symbol A in terms of the prescribed number of times related to the normal symbol high probability.

As shown in Figure 9 (c), which is a schematic diagram of a lottery table for selecting the stopping symbols used when a jackpot is derived in the special symbol hit/miss determination related to special symbol 2, when a jackpot is derived in the special symbol hit/miss determination related to special symbol 2, symbol a is determined as the stopping symbol with a probability of 900/1000 (approximately 1/1.11), and symbol b is determined as the stopping symbol with a probability of 100/1000 (1/10).
Here, the symbol a is a stopping symbol for which the number of rounds of the corresponding jackpot game is 4 and which becomes a normal high probability after the end of the jackpot game, and the prescribed number of times for the normal high probability is 80. On the other hand, the symbol b is a stopping symbol for which the number of rounds of the corresponding jackpot game is 10 and which becomes a normal high probability after the end of the jackpot game, and the prescribed number of times for the normal high probability is 80. Therefore, it can be said that the symbol b is more advantageous than the symbol a in terms of the number of rounds.

As shown in Figure 9 (d), 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 judgment related to special pattern 2, when a small win is derived in the special pattern hit/miss judgment related to special pattern 2, pattern c is determined as the stopping pattern with a probability of 900/1000 (approximately 1/1.11), and pattern d is determined as the stopping pattern with a probability of 100/1000 (1/10).
Here, if a big win game occurs in a small win game related to the pattern c, the number of rounds in the big win game will be 4, and the specified number of times after the big win game ends will be 80 times of normal high probability. On the other hand, if a big win game occurs in a small win game related to the pattern d, the number of rounds in the big win game will be 10, and the specified number of times after the big win game ends will be 80 times of normal high probability. Therefore, it can be said that the pattern d is more advantageous than the pattern c in terms of the number of rounds when a big win game occurs.
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. In addition, in the following explanation, a big win game caused by a small win game related to the pattern c may be expressed as a "big win game related to the pattern c," and a big win game caused by a small win game related to the pattern d may be expressed as a "big win game related to the pattern d."

In addition, the special chart stop pattern selection means 132 determines pattern D as the stop pattern when the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment for special chart 1 is a miss, and determines pattern e 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 chart variation pattern derivation state in this embodiment includes a special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, a special chart variation pattern derivation state PB, and a special chart variation pattern derivation state PC. The above-mentioned method of determining the special chart variation pattern is adopted in the pattern variation of the special chart 1 in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, and is adopted in the pattern variation of the special chart 2 in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PB and the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC. In addition, in the pattern variation related to the other special chart in each special chart variation pattern derivation state, a predetermined special chart variation pattern is determined according to the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment.

FIG. 10(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 FIG. 10(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, if the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in the pattern change related to special chart 1 during the special chart change pattern derivation state PA is a miss, the special chart change pattern HNP will appear with a probability of 900/1000 (approximately 1/1.11), the special chart change pattern HRP with a probability of 52/1000 (approximately 1/19.2), HSP1-A with a probability of 13/1000 (approximately 1/76.9), and HSP2-B with a probability of 11/1000 (approximately 1/90. 9) probability of HSP1-B, 9/1000 (about 1/111) probability of HSP2-A, 7/1000 (about 1/143) probability of HSP2-B, 5/1000 (1/200) probability of HSP3-A, 3/1000 (about 1/333) probability of HSP3-B are determined, and in this case, the special pattern variation pattern ASP1-A to the special pattern variation pattern ASP-C are not determined. Note that, although details will be described later using FIG. 10(b), when the special pattern variation pattern HNP is determined, the special pattern variation pattern is further specified using the value of the special pattern 1 reserved counter at the start of the current pattern variation.
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 (different variation times).

Figure 10 (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 10 (a)) is 0 to 999.
As shown in Figure 10 (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.

FIG. 11(a) is a schematic diagram showing a special chart change pattern lottery table used for the pattern change related to special chart 2 in the special chart change pattern derivation state PB, and the range of random numbers used in the lottery is 0 to 999.
As shown in FIG. 11(a), in the pattern change related to special chart 2 in the special chart change pattern derivation state PB, special chart change patterns HNP to ASP-F can be determined.
Specifically, when the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in the pattern change related to the special chart 2 in the special chart change pattern derivation state PB is a miss, the special chart change pattern HNP is determined with a probability of 960/1000 (about 1/1.04), the special chart change pattern HSP-D with a probability of 20/1000 (1/50), the HSP-E with a probability of 15/1000 (about 1/66.7), and the HSP-F with a probability of 5/1000 (1/200), and in this case, the special chart change pattern ASP-D to the special chart change pattern ASP-F are not determined. Note that, although details will be described later using FIG. 11(b), when the special chart change pattern HNP is determined, the special chart change pattern is further specified using the value of the special chart 2 reserved counter at the start of the current pattern change. And, the method of determining the special chart change pattern using this special chart 2 reserved counter is the same in the special chart change pattern derivation state PB described later.
On the other hand, if the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in the pattern change related to special chart 2 during the special chart change pattern derivation state PB is a big hit or a small hit, special chart change pattern ASP-D is determined with a probability of 500/1000 (1/2), ASP-E with a probability of 350/1000 (approximately 1/2.86), and ASP-F with a probability of 150/1000 (approximately 1/6.67), and in such case, special chart change pattern HNP to special chart change pattern HSP-F are not determined.
In this embodiment, when the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in the pattern fluctuation related to the special chart 2 in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PB is a miss, any one of the special chart fluctuation patterns HSP-D to HSP-F is determined at a rate of 40/1000 (1/25), and the special chart fluctuation pattern HNP is determined at a rate of 960/1000 (approximately 1/1.04). Furthermore, when the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PB is a big hit or a small hit, any one of the special chart fluctuation patterns ASP-D to ASP-F is determined at a rate of 1000/1000 (1/1).

Figure 11 (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 2 during the special chart variation pattern derivation state PB, 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 11 (a)) is 0 to 999.
As shown in Figure 11 (b), the special chart variation patterns HNP that can be determined in the pattern variation related to special chart 2 in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PB include special chart variation pattern HNP-E with a variation time of 3000 ms and special chart variation pattern HNP-F with a variation time of 15000 ms.
Specifically, when the special pattern 2 reserved counter is 3 at the start of the current pattern change, when the special pattern 2 reserved counter is 2 at the start of the current pattern change, and when the special pattern 2 reserved counter is 1 at the start of the current pattern change, the special pattern change pattern HNP-E is determined with a probability of 1000/1000 (1/1), and in these cases, the special pattern change pattern HNP-F is not determined. On the other hand, when the special pattern 2 reserved counter is 0 at the start of the current pattern change, the special pattern change pattern HNP-F is determined with a probability of 1000/1000 (1/1), and in these cases, the special pattern change pattern HNP-E is not determined.
In addition, special chart variation pattern HNP-E and special chart variation pattern HNP-F are different from either the special chart variation pattern that can be determined when special chart variation pattern HNP is determined in the pattern variation related to special chart 1 in the above-mentioned special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, or the special chart variation pattern that can be determined when special chart variation pattern HNP is determined in the pattern variation related to the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC described below.

FIG. 12(a) is a schematic diagram showing a special chart change pattern lottery table used for the pattern change related to special chart 2 when the special chart change pattern derivation state PC is in, and the range of random numbers used in the lottery is 0 to 999.
As shown in FIG. 12(a), the special chart change pattern lottery table used for the pattern change related to special chart 2 when in the special chart change pattern derivation state PC may differ depending on the number of pattern changes executed without a jackpot game in the special chart change pattern derivation state, and in the pattern change related to special chart 2 when in the special chart change pattern derivation state PC, special chart change pattern HNP to special chart change pattern ASP-I can be determined.
Specifically, if the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in the pattern change related to special chart 2 during the special chart change pattern derivation state PC is a miss, special chart change pattern HNP is determined with a probability of 950/1000 (approximately 1/1.05), special chart change pattern HSP-G with a probability of 25/1000 (1/40), special chart change pattern HSP-H with a probability of 15/1000 (approximately 1/66.7), and HSP-I with a probability of 10/1000 (1/100), and in this case, special chart change pattern ASP-G to special chart change pattern ASP-I are not determined.
On the other hand, if the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in the pattern change related to special chart 2 during the special chart change pattern derivation state PC is a big hit or a small hit, regardless of the number of rotations in the special chart change pattern derivation state PC, special chart change pattern ASP-G is determined with a probability of 500/1000 (1/2), ASP-H is determined with a probability of 350/1000 (approximately 1/2.86), and ASP-I is determined with a probability of 150/1000 (approximately 1/6.67), and in such case, special chart change pattern HNP to special chart change pattern HSP-I are not determined.

Figure 12 (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 2 during the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC, 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 12 (a)) is 0 to 999.
As shown in Figure 12 (b), the special chart variation patterns HNP that can be determined in the pattern variation related to special chart 2 when the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC is in include special chart variation pattern HNP-G with a variation time of 2000 ms and special chart variation pattern HNP-H with a variation time of 10000 ms.
Specifically, when the special pattern 2 reserved counter is 3 at the start of the current pattern change, when the special pattern 2 reserved counter is 2 at the start of the current pattern change, and when the special pattern 2 reserved counter is 1 at the start of the current pattern change, the special pattern change pattern HNP-G is determined with a probability of 1000/1000 (1/1), and in these cases, the special pattern change pattern HNP-H is not determined. On the other hand, when the special pattern 2 reserved counter is 0 at the start of the current pattern change, the special pattern change pattern HNP-H is determined with a probability of 1000/1000 (1/1), and in these cases, the special pattern change pattern HNP-G is not determined.
In addition, special chart variation pattern HNP-G and special chart variation pattern HNP-H are different from both the special chart variation pattern that can be determined when special chart variation pattern HNP is determined in the pattern variation related to special chart 1 in the above-mentioned special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, and the special chart variation pattern that can be determined when special chart variation pattern HNP is determined in the pattern variation related to special chart 2 in the above-mentioned special chart variation pattern derivation state PB.

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 stop pattern, 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).

When a jackpot game starts, the jackpot game control means 140 generates a presentation control command (jackpot start command) including information related to the jackpot game (number of rounds and the state of the subsequent special chart variation pattern derivation) and stores it in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160, and when the jackpot game ends, it generates a presentation control command (jackpot end command) including the demo time related to the end demo of the jackpot game and stores it in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160. This is also true for jackpot games caused by small jackpot games.

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 the 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 the 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 state to low probability regardless of the stopped pattern of the special drawing related to the jackpot game at the start of the jackpot game, sets the normal drawing state to high probability until the pattern changes a specified number of times when a specified condition such as the end of the jackpot game is satisfied, and sets the normal drawing state to low probability after the pattern changes a specified number of times. In particular, in this embodiment, during a small jackpot game, the normal drawing state is maintained in the pattern change that caused the small jackpot 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 13(a) and 13(b). Note that Figure 13(a) is a state transition diagram showing the transition of the special drawing variation pattern derivation state, and Figure 13(b) is a diagram showing the relationship of the average variation time for each special drawing variation pattern derivation state.
As shown in Fig. 13(a), in the special pattern variation derivation state, there is a special pattern variation pattern derivation state PA as a special pattern variation pattern derivation state corresponding to a normal pattern low probability, and there are a special pattern variation pattern derivation state PB and a special pattern variation pattern derivation state PC as a special pattern variation pattern derivation state corresponding to a normal pattern high probability, and any of these special pattern variation 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 variation pattern derivation state PA and the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PC.

Specifically, transition condition (i) is the end of a jackpot game related to pattern A, transition condition (ii) is the end of a jackpot game related to pattern B or pattern C, transition condition (iii) is the end of a jackpot game related to pattern a, pattern b, pattern c, or pattern d, 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 10 times (the specified number of times related to 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 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 special pattern variation pattern derivation state PC is reset. In addition, 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 with the end of the small win game as a trigger, and transitions to the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PA.

As shown in FIG. 13(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 between the regular chart lottery state and 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. Note that 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 determines whether the gaming machine 10 is in an error state. If it is determined that the gaming machine 10 is in an error state, it stores a presentation control command (error command) including information that can identify the error state in a transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.

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, a game-stopped 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 a 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 a 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 a playable state is set.
Here, the game stop state is a return state in which game progress is impossible by not executing processing according to the detection results of the sensors installed at each winning port (it is not necessary to look at the detection results of the sensors themselves).
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).

As shown in Figure 8, 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 volume adjustment means 250, a brightness adjustment means 255, 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 7.
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 particular, in this embodiment, in the pattern change in which a development performance is executed, after the decorative pattern reaches a reach state, a cover performance is executed using the performance shield 83, and then the development performance is executed.
Here, the cover effect is that the effect shield 83 moves from the initial position shown in Fig. 6(a) to the position shown in Fig. 6(c) via the position shown in Fig. 6(b), is held at that position for a certain period of time (5 seconds in this embodiment, but the length of time does not matter), and then returns to the initial value shown in Fig. 6(a) via the position shown in Fig. 6(b). However, the cover effect is not limited to such an operation, and may be, for example, moved from the position shown in Fig. 6(b) to the position shown in Fig. 6(c), held at that position for a certain period of time, and then returned to the position shown in Fig. 6(b), or moved from the position shown in Fig. 6(a) to the position shown in Fig. 6(b), held at that position for a certain period of time, and then returned to the position shown in Fig. 6(a).

As described below, in this embodiment, in one presentation mode, a different presentation route corresponds to each determined special chart variation pattern. Therefore, in the following explanation, the presentation route for a special chart variation pattern may be simply expressed as a special chart variation pattern. However, multiple presentation routes may correspond to one special chart variation pattern, in which case one presentation route may be selected from the 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 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 determination means 225 determines the performance content (performance pattern) for each performance execution timing in the pattern change by a lottery using a performance pattern lottery table corresponding to the performance route determined by the performance route determination means 222. In this way, 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. Even if the same performance route is determined, it is also possible to diversify the performances to be executed. Note that the timing for determining the performance content can be, for example, the start of the 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 included in the command, etc. The effects during the jackpot game include a round effect that notifies the player that a round game is in progress and an end demo effect that notifies the player that the jackpot game has ended.
In addition, in this embodiment, the jackpot presentation control means 227 is configured to be capable of determining the content of a presentation mode announcement presentation that announces the presentation mode after the end of a jackpot game (capable of identifying the presentation mode after the end of a jackpot game), and details of the presentation including the start conditions will be described later.

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.
The error notification is executed with priority over the variable performance executed in the pattern variation. Here, the error notification is executed with priority, which does not only mean that 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, only the error notification is executed in the device (the execution of the variable performance is restricted by the execution of the error notification), but also includes the error notification being executed in a manner that is easier to recognize than the variable performance in the device. In particular, in this embodiment, the voice control command related to the sound of the error notification (hereinafter referred to as the "error sound") is composed of voice control data corresponding to the voice playback channel CH31. On the other hand, the voice control command related to the sound of the variable performance (hereinafter referred to as the "variable sound") is composed of voice control data corresponding to any one of the voice playback channels CH0 to CH30.
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 performance 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 performance shield 83 and the like from the ROM 202 based on the performance data, and transmits the read movement control data to the target movable body, thereby controlling the movement of the movable decorative body 22, the sub-display unit 82, and the performance shield 83.

The volume adjustment means 250 executes a volume adjustment process for adjusting the volume, and a volume adjustment command generation process for generating the volume adjustment command described above.
Details of these processes will be described later, but when the volume adjustment command generation process is executed, i.e., when the volume is adjusted, a volume identification image that can identify the adjusted volume is displayed in the display area of the main display unit 81.

The luminance adjustment unit 255 executes a luminance adjustment process for adjusting the luminance, and a luminance adjustment command generation process for generating the above-mentioned luminance adjustment command.
Details of these processes will be described later, but when the brightness adjustment command generation process is executed, i.e., when the brightness is adjusted, a brightness specific image that can identify the brightness after adjustment is displayed in the display area related to the main display unit 81.

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 make it possible to adjust the volume not only by operating the volume adjustment unit 85 but also by operating the up cursor button 38a and the down cursor button 38b, thereby making it possible to output a volume that matches the player's preferences, and to display a volume specifying image that can specify the current volume (adjusted volume) in the display area related to the main display unit 81. However, the display area related to the main display unit 81 is configured to be covered by a covering effect provided by the effect shield 83.
Therefore, the cover effect may induce mistakes in adjusting the volume, and the volume may be set to an unintended level during the pattern change. This is also true for the brightness adjustment described above.
In contrast, in this embodiment, an adjustment-disabled period that restricts volume adjustment by the operation of the up cursor button 38a or the down cursor button 38b is used to prevent volume adjustment errors or brightness adjustment errors caused by the execution of the cover-cover effect. The details of this function will be described below.

<Volume adjustment process>
Prior to describing the above functions, the volume adjustment process executed by the volume adjustment unit 250 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 14 shows a flow of a volume adjustment process at the time of transition to a playable state, which is a volume adjustment process executed at the time of transition to a playable state (at the time of receiving a playable state transition command).
Figure 15 shows a flow of volume adjustment processing during playable state, which is a volume adjustment processing executed during a transition to a playable state, and this processing is executed at each interrupt period in the first sub-control board 200 during the playable state.
FIG. 16 shows a flow of a volume adjustment command generation process for generating a volume adjustment command, and this process is executed each time the volume is updated by each volume adjustment process, i.e., each time the volume is set in the memory area corresponding to each audio playback channel of RAM 203 by the volume adjustment process (each time the volume in the memory area corresponding to each audio playback channel of RAM 203 is updated).
FIG. 17 shows a flow of another volume adjustment process for generating a volume adjustment command, which is executed at each interrupt period of the first sub-control board 200, similar to the volume adjustment process during a playable state.

As shown in FIG. 14, in the first step S201 of the volume adjustment process when transitioning to a playable state, it is determined whether or not the volume adjustment unit 85 is at a high volume stage. If the condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S203, and if the condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S205.
Here, the stage of the volume adjustment unit 85 refers to the stage of the volume adjustment unit 85 at the time of power-on, which triggers the execution of the current volume adjustment process at the time of transition to the playable state.

In step S203, the volume of audio reproduction channel CH0 to audio reproduction channel CH30 is set to volume 10.
In step S205, it is determined whether or not the volume adjustment unit 85 is at the medium volume stage. If the condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S207, and if the condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S209.
In step S207, the volume of the sound reproduction channels CH0 to CH30 is set to volume 5, and then the volume adjustment process during transition to the playable state is terminated.
In step S209, the volume of audio reproduction channel CH0 to audio reproduction channel CH30 is set to volume 1.
In step S211, the volume of the audio reproduction channel CH31 is set to volume 10, and then the volume adjustment process during transition to the playable state is terminated.

In this way, in this embodiment, when the game transitions to a playable state, the volumes of audio playback channels CH0 to CH30 are set based on the stage of the volume adjustment unit 85 at power-on related to the transition to the playable state. On the other hand, the volume of audio playback channel CH31 is set to volume 10 regardless of the stage of the volume adjustment unit 85.

Next, as shown in FIG. 15, in the first step S301 of the volume adjustment process during a playable state, it is determined whether or not it is an adjustment period, and if the condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S303, and if the condition is not satisfied (if it is a period during which adjustment is not possible), the volume adjustment process during a playable state is terminated.
In step S303, it is determined whether or not the down cursor button 38b has been operated. If this condition is met, the process proceeds to step S305, and if this condition is not met, the process proceeds to step S309.

In step S305, it is determined whether or not the volume of audio playback channels CH0 to CH30 is set to volume 1. If this condition is not met, the process proceeds to step S307. If this condition is met, the volume adjustment process during the playable state is terminated.
That is, in the volume adjustment process during a playable state, if the volumes of the audio playback channels CH0 to CH30 are set to volume 1, the volume subtraction process in step S307 described later is not executed. Therefore, the volume adjustment process during a playable state is configured not to set the volume to 0.

In step S307, the volumes of the audio reproduction channels CH0 to CH30 are decremented by 1, and then the game-ready state volume adjustment process is terminated.
In step S309, it is determined whether or not the up cursor button 38a has been operated. If the condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S311. If the condition is not satisfied, the volume adjustment process during the playable state is terminated.
In step S311, it is determined whether the volume of audio playback channels CH0 to CH30 is set to 10, and if this condition is not met, the process proceeds to step S313, and if this condition is met, the volume adjustment process during the playable state is terminated.
In step S313, the volumes of the audio reproduction channels CH0 to CH30 are incremented by 1, and then the game-ready state volume adjustment process is terminated.

In this manner, in this embodiment, during an adjustable period in a playable state, the volume of the audio playback channels CH0 to CH30 can be adjusted by operating the down cursor button 38b or the up cursor button 38a. On the other hand, the volume of the audio playback channel CH31 is not adjusted by these operations.
Therefore, the volume of the fluctuating sound corresponding to any one of the audio reproduction channels CH0 to CH30 can be adjusted by operating the down cursor button 38b or the up cursor button 38a. On the other hand, the volume of the error sound corresponding to the audio reproduction channel CH31 cannot be adjusted by operating the down cursor button 38b or the up cursor button 38a.

Next, as shown in FIG. 16, in the first step S401 in the volume adjustment command generation process, it is determined whether or not the volume has been updated. If the condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S403; if the condition is not satisfied, the volume adjustment command generation process is terminated.
In step S403, a volume adjustment command is generated including volume instruction data indicating the volume of the audio playback channels (audio playback channel CH0 to audio playback channel CH30) whose volume has been updated by the volume adjustment process that triggered the execution of this volume adjustment command generation process, and the command is stored in the transmission command storage area of the sub-information storage means 260.

In step S405, effect data relating to a volume specifying image that enables specifying the updated volume is set, whereby the volume specifying image is displayed.
Here, the volume specifying image is an image that allows the updated volume to be specified by numbers or memory (not shown), and the image is displayed in the display area related to the main display unit 81. Therefore, the volume specifying image is difficult to see due to the cover effect.
In the present embodiment, the volume specific image is displayed until a specified time (five seconds in the present embodiment) has elapsed since the image was displayed, and then is hidden. However, if the volume is updated again while the volume specific image is displayed, the volume specific image is displayed until the specified time has elapsed from the time of the update.

In step S407, it is determined whether the cover effect is being performed, and if the condition is met, the volume adjustment command generation process ends, and if the condition is not met, the process proceeds to step S409.

In step S409, the performance data related to the confirmation sound is set, and then the volume adjustment command generating process is terminated, so that the confirmation sound is output at the adjusted volume.
Here, the confirmation sound is a sound that enables identification that the volume has been updated by, for example, operating the up cursor button 38a or the down cursor button 38b, and this sound is output from the speaker 33. Note that the confirmation sound may be output when the volume has been updated by operating these cursor buttons, but may not be output when the volume has been updated by the volume adjustment process during transition to a playable state. Also, the confirmation sound output when the volume has been added and the confirmation sound output when the volume has been subtracted may be different.

In this way, in this embodiment, when the volume (volume related to audio playback channel CH0 to audio playback channel CH30) is updated, a volume specification image is displayed and a confirmation sound can be output.

In particular, in this embodiment, even if the volume is updated while the lid-covering effect is being executed, the emission of the confirmation sound is restricted.
This makes it difficult to adjust the volume while the lid-covering effect is in progress, thereby improving the effect of reducing the occurrence of volume adjustment errors, as described below.
In order to achieve this effect, it is not necessary to restrict the confirmation sound in all cases where the volume is updated during the execution of the cover effect, but it is sufficient to configure the confirmation sound to be restricted in some of these cases. Furthermore, it is also possible to lower the volume of the confirmation sound while emitting the confirmation sound without necessarily restricting the confirmation sound. In other words, in order to achieve this effect, it is sufficient to limit the emission of the confirmation sound.

Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, the sound output means (speaker 33) is configured to be able to output a confirmation sound when a volume adjustment operation (operation of the up cursor button 38a or the down cursor button 38b) is performed, and in other words, during the adjustable period during which movement control (covering effect) is being executed, the output of the confirmation sound is restricted at least in part when a volume adjustment operation is performed.

Next, as shown in FIG. 17, in the first step S501 of the other volume adjustment process, it is determined whether or not a voice control command has been generated in the current interrupt cycle, and if the condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S503, and if the condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S507.
In step S503, it is determined whether the generated voice control command contains voice control data corresponding to the voice playback channel CH31, and if the condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S505, and if the condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S507.
In step S505, a volume adjustment command for setting the volumes of audio reproduction channels CH0 to CH30 to 0 is generated, and the command is stored in the transmission command storage area of the sub-information storage means 260, after which the rest of the volume adjustment process is terminated.
In step S507, it is determined whether or not playback of the audio corresponding to audio playback channel CH31 has ended (whether or not the playback status identification data related to audio playback channel CH31 newly indicates a stop), and if the condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S509, and if the condition is not satisfied, the other volume adjustment processing is terminated.
In step S509, a volume adjustment command for restoring the volumes of the audio playback channels CH0 to CH30 to the current volumes is generated, the command is stored in the transmission command storage area of the sub-information storage means 260, and the other volume adjustment processes are then terminated. Note that the current volume refers to the volume set in the storage area of the RAM 203 corresponding to each audio playback channel.

Thus, in this embodiment, when an audio control command is generated that includes audio control data corresponding to audio playback channel CH31, that is, when an error sound is output, a volume adjustment command is generated that sets the volume of audio playback channels CH0 to CH30 to 0, and the volume of the audio output by these audio playback channels is forcibly set to 0.
Then, when the playback of the audio corresponding to audio playback channel CH31 ends, i.e., when the output of the error sound ends, an audio adjustment command is generated to restore the volume of audio playback channels CH0 to CH30 to the current volume, and the volume of the audio output by these audio playback channels is restored.

<Brightness adjustment process>
Next, the brightness adjustment process executed by the brightness adjustment unit 255 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 18 shows a flow of the brightness adjustment process at the time of transition to a playable state, which is the brightness adjustment process executed at the time of transition to a playable state (at the time of receiving a playable state transition command).
Figure 19 shows a flow of brightness adjustment processing during playable state, which is a brightness adjustment processing executed during a transition to a playable state, and this processing is executed for each interrupt period in the first sub-control board 200 during the playable state.
FIG. 20 is a flow chart of a brightness adjustment command generation process for generating a brightness adjustment command. This process is executed each time the brightness is updated by each brightness adjustment process, that is, each time the brightness is set by the brightness adjustment process.

As shown in FIG. 18, in the first step S601 in the brightness adjustment process when transitioning to a playable state, it is determined whether or not the brightness stage of the brightness adjustment unit 86 is high, and if the condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S603, and if the condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S605.
Here, the stage of the brightness adjustment unit 86 refers to the stage of the brightness adjustment unit 86 at the time of power-on, which triggers the execution of the current brightness adjustment process at the time of transition to a playable state.

In step S603, the brightness is set to 10, and then brightness adjustment processing is performed when transitioning to a playable state.
In step S605, it is determined whether or not the brightness adjustment unit 86 is at a medium brightness stage. If this condition is met, the process proceeds to step S607, and if this condition is not met, the process proceeds to step S609.
In step S607, the brightness is set to 5, and then the brightness adjustment process for transition to the playable state is terminated.
In step S609, the brightness is set to brightness 1, and then the brightness adjustment process for transition to the playable state is terminated.

In this way, in this embodiment, when the playable state is transitioned, the brightness is set based on the stage of the brightness adjustment unit 86 at the time of power-on related to the transition to the playable state.

Next, as shown in FIG. 19, in the first step S701 in the brightness adjustment process during a playable state, it is determined whether or not it is an adjustment period, and if the condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S703, and if the condition is not satisfied (if it is a period during which adjustment is not possible), the brightness adjustment process during a playable state is terminated.
In step S703, it is determined whether or not the left cursor button 38c has been operated. If this condition is met, the process proceeds to step S705, and if this condition is not met, the process proceeds to step S709.

In step S705, it is determined whether or not the brightness is set to brightness 1. If this condition is not met, the process proceeds to step S707. If this condition is met, the brightness adjustment process during the playable state is terminated.
That is, in the brightness adjustment process during a playable state, the brightness subtraction process in step S707 described later is not executed if the brightness is 1. Therefore, in this embodiment, the brightness is configured not to be set to 0.

In step S707, the brightness is decremented by 1, and then the brightness adjustment process during the game playable state is terminated.
In step S709, it is determined whether or not the right cursor button 38d has been operated. If the condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S711. If the condition is not satisfied, the brightness adjustment process during the playable state is terminated.
In step S711, it is determined whether or not the brightness is set to 10. If the condition is not met, the process proceeds to step S713. If the condition is met, the brightness adjustment process during the playable state is terminated.
In step S713, the brightness is incremented by 1, and then the brightness adjustment process during the playable state is terminated.

In this way, in this embodiment, the brightness can be adjusted by operating the left cursor button 38c or the right cursor button 38d during the adjustable period in the playable state.

Next, as shown in FIG. 20, in the first step S801 in the brightness adjustment command generation process, it is determined whether or not the brightness has been updated. If the condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S803, and if the condition is not satisfied, the brightness adjustment command generation process is terminated.
In step S803, a brightness adjustment command including brightness instruction data indicating the brightness updated by the brightness adjustment process that triggered the execution of this brightness adjustment command generation process is generated, and the command is stored in the transmission command storage area of the sub-information storage means 260.

In step S805, rendering data relating to a luminance specific image that enables the updated luminance to be specified is set, whereby the luminance specific image is displayed.
Here, the brightness specific image is an image that allows the updated brightness to be specified by numbers or memory (not shown), and the image is displayed in the display area related to the main display unit 81. Therefore, in this embodiment, the brightness specific image is difficult to see due to the cover effect.
In the present embodiment, the luminance specific image is displayed for a specified time (five seconds in the present embodiment) after it has been displayed, and then is hidden, similar to the volume specific image. If the luminance is updated while the luminance specific image is being displayed, the luminance specific image continues to be displayed for the specified time from that timing.

In step S807, it is determined whether or not the cover effect is being performed. If the condition is met, the brightness adjustment command generation process ends, and if the condition is not met, the process proceeds to step S809.

In step S809, the performance data related to the confirmation sound is set, and then the brightness adjustment command generation process is terminated. As a result, the confirmation sound is output at the current volume (the volume set for the audio reproduction channels CH0 to CH30).
Here, the confirmation sound that can be output by the brightness adjustment command generation process is, for example, a sound that makes it possible to specify that the brightness has been updated by operating the left cursor button 38c or the right cursor button 38d, and this sound is output from the speaker 33. Note that, like the confirmation sounds that can be output by the volume adjustment command generation process, this confirmation sound is output when the brightness has been updated by operating these cursor buttons, but may not be output when the brightness has been updated by the brightness adjustment process during transition to a playable state.
Furthermore, the confirmation sound that is output when the luminance is added may be different from the confirmation sound that is output when the luminance is subtracted.
Furthermore, the confirmation sound that can be output by the brightness adjustment command generation process and the confirmation sound that can be output by the volume adjustment command generation process may be the same sound or may be different sounds.

In this way, in this embodiment, when the brightness is updated, a brightness specific image is displayed and a confirmation sound can be emitted.

In particular, in this embodiment, when the brightness is updated while the lid-covering effect is being performed, the emission of the confirmation sound is restricted.
This makes it difficult to adjust the brightness while the lid-covering effect is in progress, thereby improving the effect of reducing the occurrence of brightness adjustment errors, as described below.
In order to achieve this effect, it is not necessary to restrict the confirmation sound in all cases where the brightness is updated during the execution of the cover effect, but it is sufficient to configure the confirmation sound to be restricted in some of these cases. Furthermore, it is also possible to reduce the volume of the confirmation sound while emitting the confirmation sound without necessarily restricting the confirmation sound. In other words, in order to achieve this effect, it is sufficient to limit the emission of the confirmation sound.

Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, the sound output means (speaker 33) is configured to be able to output a confirmation sound when a brightness adjustment operation (operation of the left cursor button 38c or the right cursor button 38d) is performed, and in other words, during the adjustable period during which movement control (covering effect) is being executed, the output of the confirmation sound is restricted at least in part when a brightness adjustment operation is performed.

<Regarding non-adjustment periods>
Next, the setting of the non-adjustable period in this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 21. Note that the non-adjustable period is a period during which volume adjustment or brightness adjustment cannot be performed by operating the cursor button 38, as described above.
FIG. 21 is a timing chart showing the setting status of the non-adjustable period in the pattern change in which the lid-covering effect is executed.

As shown in Figure 21, in this embodiment, a non-adjustable period is provided so that part of the execution period of the lid-covering effect, which is executed before the development effect, is a non-adjustable period.
Specifically, a non-adjustable period is set from time t1 when the decorative pattern reaches a reach state, spanning time t2 when the lid-covering performance begins, to time t3 when the lid-covering performance is being executed (a timing determined by the elapsed time from time t1), and then transitions to a period where adjustment is possible.

That is, in this embodiment, the transition condition from the non-adjustable period to the adjustable period is satisfied while the lid-covering performance is being executed.
According to this, by setting up an unadjustable period during the execution of the cover effect which may induce volume or brightness adjustment errors, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of such errors, while at the same time ensuring that the transition condition from the unadjustable period to the adjustable period is satisfied during the execution of the cover effect, thereby setting up a longer adjustable period and increasing the freedom of adjustment operations for players who are accustomed to adjusting volume and brightness.
In addition, in order to achieve this effect, unlike this embodiment, the transition condition from the adjustable period to the non-adjustable period may be satisfied while the lid-covering performance is being executed.
In addition, the transition conditions from the non-adjustable period to the adjustable period can be any condition that is satisfied while the lid-covering effect is being executed, such as being determined by the elapsed time from the start of the fluctuation or the elapsed time from the start timing of the lid-covering effect, and the content of the condition is not important as long as it is a condition that is satisfied while the lid-covering effect is being executed.
Furthermore, it is not necessary for the transition conditions to be satisfied in all cases when the lid-covering effect is executed, but the transition conditions may be satisfied in some of the cases when the lid-covering effect is executed.

Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, the display control means (first sub-control board 200, second sub-control board 300) can cause the display means to display a volume specifying image capable of specifying the current volume, and the movable control means (movable gadget control means 245) can change the display area (display area related to the main display unit 81) from an original position (initial position shown in FIG. 6(a)) in which the display area is not covered or a part of the display area is covered, to a covering position (position shown in FIG. 6(c)) in which the range of the display area covered by the movable body is wider than the original position. It is possible to execute movement control (covering performance) for moving the movable body (performance shield 83) to the original position via the above, and when the transition condition is satisfied, a transition is made from one of the adjustable period during which volume adjustment is possible by volume adjustment operation (operation of the up cursor button 38a or the down cursor button 38b) and the non-adjustable period during which volume adjustment is not possible by volume adjustment operation to the other period, and in other words, the transition condition can be satisfied during the period during which movement control is being executed on the movable body during the pattern change.
In particular, the volume specific image does not necessarily need to be displayed in a display area of the display means that can be covered by the movable body related to the movement control. However, as in the present embodiment described later, it is preferable that the volume specific image is displayed in the display area that can be covered.

Furthermore, the display control means (first sub-control board 200, second sub-control board 300) is capable of displaying a brightness specific image capable of identifying the current brightness on the display means, and the movable control means (movable prop control means 245) is capable of executing movement control (covering performance) to move the movable body from an original position (initial position shown in FIG. 6(a)), which is a position that does not cover the display area (display area related to the main display unit 81) or a position that covers part of the display area, to the original position via a covering position (position shown in FIG. 6(c)), where the range of the display area covered by the movable body (performance shield 83) is wider than the original position; in other words, when the transition condition is satisfied, a transition occurs from one of the adjustable period in which brightness adjustment is possible by a brightness adjustment operation (operation on the left cursor button 38c or the right cursor button 38d) and the non-adjustable period in which brightness adjustment is not possible by a brightness adjustment operation, to the other period, and the transition condition can be satisfied during the period in which movement control is being executed on the movable body during the pattern change.
In particular, the luminance specific image does not necessarily have to be displayed in a display area of the display means that can be covered by the movable body related to the movement control. However, as in this embodiment, it is preferable that the luminance specific image is displayed in the display area that can be covered.

In particular, in this embodiment, the transition condition from the non-adjustable period to the adjustable period is satisfied while the lid-covering effect is being executed.
This makes it possible to provide a period during which adjustments cannot be made in the first half of the cover effect, where operational errors are more likely to occur, thereby improving the effectiveness of reducing volume and brightness adjustment errors.
In order to achieve this effect, it is preferable that the start timing of the non-adjustable period is the start timing of the cover effect, and this start timing may be before the start of the pattern change that satisfies the transition condition.

In other words, when the transition condition is satisfied, the gaming machine 10 transitions from the non-adjustable period to the adjustable period.

In addition, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 21, the length of period Ta, which is the period from timing t2 to timing t3, and the length of period Tb, which is the period from timing t3 to timing t4, are configured to be different.
According to this, the timing at which the transition condition is satisfied becomes close to the operation timing of the performance shield 83 in the cover performance (movement from Figure 6 (a) to Figure 6 (c), or movement from Figure 6 (c) to Figure 6 (a)), making it difficult to predict the timing at which the transition condition is satisfied, thereby improving the effect of reducing volume adjustment errors and brightness adjustment errors.

Therefore, in other words, when a transition condition is satisfied during the period when movement control (covering effect) is being executed on the gaming machine 10, the length of the first period (period Ta) from when the movement control is started to when the transition condition is satisfied is different from the length of the second period (period Tb) from when the transition condition is satisfied to when the movement control ends.

In particular, in this embodiment, in addition to the transition condition from the non-adjustable period to the adjustable period being satisfied during the execution of the lid-covering performance, the length of period Tb is configured to be longer than the length of period Ta.
This allows players who are accustomed to adjusting volume and brightness to have greater freedom in adjusting operations.

Therefore, in other words, in the gaming machine 10, the length of the second period (period Tb), which transitions from the non-adjustable period to the adjustable period when the transition condition is satisfied, is longer than the length of the first period (period Ta).

In the present embodiment, the specified time from when the volume specific image is displayed until when the image is hidden is set to be longer than the period Tb. The same applies to the specified time from when the brightness specific image is displayed until when the image is hidden.
With this, even if a non-adjustable period transitions to an adjustable period while the lid-covering performance is being performed and a volume or brightness adjustment operation is performed unintentionally during the adjustable period, it is easy to recognize that such an operation has been performed, making it easy to perform subsequent adjustment operations.

<Other Modifications>
Modifications not mentioned in the above description are listed below.
First, in the above-described embodiment, a pattern has been described in which an unadjustable period is set in the pattern change in which the development performance is executed, but the conditions under which an unadjustable period according to the present invention is set are not limited to the conditions of this embodiment.

First, 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 10 to 12, 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 drawing 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 10 to 12 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 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 display means;
A display control means for controlling the display means;
a movable body capable of covering a display area related to the display means;
A movement control means for controlling the movement of the movable body;
A light emitting means;
a brightness adjustment means for adjusting the brightness of the display means and the light emitting means by a brightness adjustment operation;
Equipped with
the display control means is capable of causing the display means to display a luminance specific image capable of specifying a current luminance,
the movement control means is capable of executing movement control to move the movable body from an original position, which is a position that does not cover the display area or a position that covers a part of the display area, to the original position via a covering position in which a range of the display area covered by the movable body is wider than that of the original position;
When a transition condition is satisfied, a transition is made from one of an adjustable period during which the brightness can be adjusted by the brightness adjustment operation and an unadjustable period during which the brightness cannot be adjusted by the brightness adjustment operation to the other period;
The transition condition may be satisfied during a period in which the movement control is being executed on the movable body during the execution of the pattern variation.
A gaming machine characterized by:
(2)
The gaming machine according to (1) above,
When the transition condition is satisfied, a transition is made from the non-adjustable period to the adjustable period.
A gaming machine characterized by:
(3)
The gaming machine according to (1) or (2) above,
When the transition condition is satisfied during a period in which the movement control is being executed, a length of a first period from when the movement control is started to when the transition condition is satisfied is different from a length of a second period from when the transition condition is satisfied to when the movement control is terminated.
A gaming machine characterized by:
(4)
The gaming machine according to (3) above,
When the transition condition is satisfied, a transition is made from the non-adjustable period to the adjustable period.
The length of the second period is longer than the length of the first period.
A gaming machine characterized by:
(5)
A gaming machine according to any one of (1) to (4) above,
A sound output means for outputting a sound is provided,
the sound output means is configured to output a confirmation sound when the brightness adjustment operation is performed,
During the adjustable period in the period in which the movement control is being executed, the output of the confirmation sound is limited at least partly when the brightness adjustment operation is performed.
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) Performance 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 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 83, performance shield 83a, upper left performance shield 83b, upper right performance shield 83c, lower left performance shield 83d, lower right performance shield 85, volume adjustment section 86, brightness adjustment section 90, pattern display device 91 First special symbol display device 92 Second special symbol display device 93 Ordinary symbol display device 94 First special symbol reserved lamp 95 Second special symbol reserved lamp 96 Ordinary symbol reserved lamp 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 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 250 Volume adjustment means 255 Brightness adjustment 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 X First flow path Y Second flow path

Claims (2)

A display means;
A display control means for controlling the display means;
a movable body capable of covering a display area related to the display means;
A movement control means for controlling the movement of the movable body;
A sound output means for outputting a sound;
a volume adjustment means for adjusting the volume of the sound output from the sound output means by a volume adjustment operation;
Equipped with
the display control means is capable of causing the display means to display a volume specifying image capable of specifying a current volume,
the movement control means is capable of executing movement control to move the movable body from an original position, which is a position that does not cover the display area or a position that covers a part of the display area, to the original position via a covering position in which a range of the display area covered by the movable body is wider than that of the original position;
When the transition condition is satisfied, a transition is made from an unadjustable period during which the volume cannot be adjusted by the volume adjustment operation to an adjustable period during which the volume can be adjusted by the volume adjustment operation,
The transition condition may be satisfied during a period in which the movement control for the movable body is being executed during the execution of the pattern variation,
The non-adjustable period may start before a period during which the movement control is executed in which the transition condition may be satisfied,
When the transition condition is satisfied during the period in which the movement control is being executed, a length of a first period from when the movement control is started to when the transition condition is satisfied may be different from a length of a second period from when the transition condition is satisfied to when the movement control is terminated.
A gaming machine characterized by: A display means;
A display control means for controlling the display means;
a movable body capable of covering a display area related to the display means;
A movement control means for controlling the movement of the movable body;
A sound output means for outputting a sound;
a volume adjustment means for adjusting the volume of the sound output from the sound output means by a volume adjustment operation;
Equipped with
the display control means is capable of causing the display means to display a volume specifying image capable of specifying a current volume,
the movement control means is capable of executing movement control to move the movable body from an original position, which is a position that does not cover the display area or a position that covers a part of the display area, to the original position via a covering position in which a range of the display area covered by the movable body is wider than that of the original position;
When the transition condition is satisfied, a transition is made from an unadjustable period during which the volume cannot be adjusted by the volume adjustment operation to an adjustable period during which the volume can be adjusted by the volume adjustment operation,
The transition condition may be satisfied during a period in which the movement control for the movable body is being executed during the execution of the pattern variation,
The non-adjustable period may start before a period during which the movement control is executed in which the transition condition may be satisfied,
the sound output means is configured to output a confirmation sound when the volume adjustment operation is performed,
During the adjustable period in the period in which the movement control is being executed, the output of the confirmation sound is limited at least in part when the volume adjustment operation is performed.
A gaming machine characterized by:

Images