JP7587271B2 - Gaming Machines - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to gaming machines.

Pachinko machines and slot machines are known as gaming machines. For example, in pachinko machines, gaming balls are shot toward a gaming area in response to a player's shooting operation, and when a gaming ball enters a ball entry section provided in the gaming area, a gaming value such as a prize ball is awarded (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

In addition, in slot machines, a lottery process is executed by operating a start lever and the rotation of the reels is started, and the rotation of the reels is stopped by operating a stop button while the reels are rotating. Then, if the result of the reels stopping after the rotation has stopped corresponds to a winning combination in the lottery process, a game value corresponding to the winning combination is awarded to the player.

JP 2004-81853 A

However, in gaming machines such as those exemplified above, there is still room for improvement in terms of operating the gaming machines optimally.

The present invention was made in consideration of the circumstances exemplified above, and aims to provide a gaming machine that can be operated optimally.

The present invention relates to
In a gaming machine having a control means for executing a predetermined control regarding the progress of a game,
an information storage means for storing first information used in executing the predetermined control;
an awarding means for awarding a predetermined game value based on the occurrence of a predetermined event that may occur when a game is being played;
A derivation means for deriving second information based on the occurrence of the predetermined event or the awarding of the predetermined game value;
A transition means capable of transitioning to a gaming stop state when a transition condition is established based on the second information ;
Equipped with
The second information derived by the derivation means is stored in the information storage means,
A first switching operation allows switching from a power-off state to a power-on state, and a second switching operation allows switching from the power-on state to a power-off state,
a means for erasing the second information from the information storage means when a power supply is turned off by the second switching operation while the second information is stored in the information storage means, and then the power supply is turned on by the first switching operation without performing any operation other than the first switching operation, or a means for erasing the second information from the information storage means when a power supply is turned off by the second switching operation while the second information is stored in the information storage means ,
The present invention is characterized in that after the transition to a game stop state is performed by the transition means while the first information is stored in the information storage means, the state in which the first information is stored in the information storage means can be maintained at least until the second switching operation is performed.

The present invention makes it possible to operate the gaming machine optimally.

1 is a front view showing a pachinko machine according to a first embodiment. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the main components of a pachinko machine. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the main components of a pachinko machine. FIG. FIG. 2 is a front view showing the configuration of the game board. FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram of the second operating port when it is in a closed state, and FIG. 4B is a schematic diagram of the second operating port when it is in an open state. 1A is a cross-sectional view of the variable winning device when it is in a closed state, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the variable winning device when it is in an open state. An explanatory diagram to explain the configuration regarding the discharge of game balls that have flowed down the game area. FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine. 11 is a diagram for explaining the display contents on the display screen of the pattern display device. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the display contents on the display screen of the pattern display device. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the display contents on the display screen of the pattern display device. FIG. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the contents of various counters used in lotteries, etc. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining various tables stored in the main ROM. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining display contents of a notification display device. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a setting mode of programs and data in a main ROM. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a setting mode of each area in the main RAM. 4 is a flowchart showing main processing in the MPU of the main control device. 13 is a flowchart showing a setting value update process. 13 is a flowchart showing a setting confirmation process. 13 is a flowchart showing a timer interrupt process. 13 is a flowchart showing a special chart special electric control process. 13 is a flowchart showing the special chart change start process. This is an explanatory diagram to explain the configuration for inputting the detection results of the ball entry detection sensor. 13 is a flowchart showing a ball scoring detection process. A block diagram to explain the electrical configuration of a dispensing control device and various devices that communicate with the dispensing control device. A flowchart showing timer interrupt processing in the MPU of the dispensing control device. 13 is a flowchart showing base value and ball difference processing. 13 is a flowchart showing execution processing for base value and ball difference number. 13 is a flowchart showing a base value calculation process. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the setting manner of each area in a work area for non-specific control. 13 is a flowchart showing an excess determination process. 10A is a flowchart showing a display setting process, and FIG. 10B is an explanatory diagram for explaining the correspondence between the value of a display type counter and the display type. 13 is a flowchart showing a notification display process. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining display contents of a notification display device. 13 is a flowchart showing a process for determining whether to stop playing a game. 13A is a flowchart showing an excess start-up process, and FIG. 13B is a flowchart showing a partial clear process. 13 is a flowchart showing a partial clearing execution process. FIG. 1A is an explanatory diagram for explaining the processing flow in game restrictions that utilize the difference in ball count, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing changes in the difference in ball count. FIG. 1A is an explanatory diagram for explaining the mode of the game stop state, and FIG. 1B is an explanatory diagram for explaining the mode of the initialization process when power is restored. A figure showing the change in the number of balls difference in the first variant of the first embodiment. FIG. 13A is an explanatory diagram for explaining a setting mode of a work area for non-specific control, and FIG. 13B is an explanatory diagram for explaining a lowest point determination process. 13 is a flowchart showing an excess determination process. 13 is a flowchart showing a power outage information storage process according to Modification 2 of the first embodiment. 13 is a flowchart showing a process for clearing when power is interrupted. 13 is a flowchart showing a clearing execution process in the event of power interruption.

First Embodiment
A first embodiment of a pachinko gaming machine (hereinafter referred to as a "pachinko machine"), which is a type of gaming machine, will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a perspective view of a pachinko machine 10 seen from the front side, and Figures 2 and 3 are perspective views showing the main components of the pachinko machine 10 in an expanded form. Note that, for the sake of convenience, the components within the play area PE of the pachinko machine 10 are omitted in Figure 2.

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

The outer frame 11 is made of plate material connected on all four sides, forming a rectangular frame. The pachinko machine 10 is installed in the game hall by attaching and fixing the outer frame 11 to the island equipment. Note that the outer frame 11 is not a required component of the pachinko machine 10, and the outer frame 11 may be attached to the island equipment of the game hall.

The gaming machine main body 12 is supported by the outer frame 11 in a state in which it can be opened and closed. Specifically, an upper support bracket 17 is fixed to the connection between the upper frame portion and the left frame portion of the outer frame 11, and a lower support bracket 18 is provided at the connection between the lower frame portion and the left frame portion of the outer frame 11. The upper support bracket 17 and the lower support bracket 18 form a support mechanism, which allows the gaming machine main body 12 to rotate forward of the pachinko machine 10 with the left side as the base end and the right side as the tip end when viewed from the front of the pachinko machine 10 relative to the outer frame 11 (see Figures 2 and 3).

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

The front door frame 14 is rotatably supported by the inner frame 13, and can be rotated forward with the left side as the base end and the right side as the tip end when viewed from the front. The back pack unit 15 is rotatably supported by the inner frame 13, and can be rotated backward with the left side as the base end and the right side as the tip end when viewed from the front (see Figure 3).

Next, the front door frame 14 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the front door frame 14 is mainly composed of a synthetic resin frame body 20 whose external shape is almost the same as that of the outer frame 11, and covers almost the entire front area of the inner frame 13. A roughly elliptical window portion 21 is formed in the center of the frame body 20, allowing almost the entire play area PE, which will be described later, to be viewed from the front, and the window portion 21 is blocked from the rear side of the front door frame 14 by a glass unit 22.

The glass unit 22 comprises a plurality of transparent glass panels 23 and a glass holder that holds the glass panels 23. The glass holder is formed with a partition that separates the holding area of the glass panels 23 into front and rear, and both glass panels 23 face each other from the front and rear with the partition in between. In other words, by ensuring a predetermined gap between both glass panels 23, interference between the glass panels 23 is avoided, and the playing area PE is doubly covered by the glass panels 23 from the front side of the pachinko machine 10.

It is not necessary to unitize both glass panels 23 using a glass holder, and each glass panel 23 may be attached individually to the frame body 20. Furthermore, the number of glass panels is arbitrary, and may be one, or three or more. However, from the viewpoint of improving safety and crime prevention, it is preferable to employ multiple glass panels and have each glass panel face each other at a specified gap from the front to the back. Incidentally, it is also possible to employ a panel member made of a transparent synthetic resin instead of the glass panels.

As shown in FIG. 1, various light emitting means such as lamps are provided around the glass unit 22 (specifically, the window section 21). For example, a lamp section (annular illumination section) 26 incorporating a light emitting means such as an LED is provided along the periphery of the window section 21. The lamp section 26 lights up or blinks in response to changes in the game state, such as when a jackpot is hit or a predetermined reach is reached. In addition, an error display lamp section 27 that lights up in the event of a predetermined error is provided at the center of the lamp section 26 and at the top of the pachinko machine 10, and prize ball lamp sections 28 that light up while prize balls are being paid out are provided on the left and right sides of the error display lamp section 27. In addition, speaker sections 29 that output sound effects according to the game state are provided close to the left and right prize ball lamp sections 28.

Below the window 21 in the front door frame 14 (frame body 20), an upper bulge 31 and a lower bulge 32 that bulge toward the front are arranged side by side. An upper tray 33 that opens upward is provided inside the upper bulge 31, and a lower tray 34 that also opens upward is provided inside the lower bulge 32. The upper tray 33 has the function of temporarily storing game balls paid out from the payout device described below, and guiding them to the game ball launching mechanism described below while aligning them in a row. In addition, the lower tray 34 has the function of storing surplus game balls in the upper tray 33.

The upper surface of the upper bulge 31 is provided with a performance operation unit 36 (more specifically, a push button) that is manually operated by the player. For example, the performance operation unit 36 is manually operated according to suggestions displayed on the display screen G of the pattern display device 75, which will be described later, and the performance content on the display screen G, etc. becomes a predetermined performance content that corresponds to the operation.

A game ball launching handle 41 is provided to the right of the lower bulge 32 so as to protrude forward. When the game ball launching handle 41 is operated, a game ball is launched from the game ball launching mechanism described below.

As shown in FIG. 2, a passage forming unit 45 is attached to the back of the front door frame 14. The passage forming unit 45 is molded from synthetic resin and has a front door side upper tray passage that leads to the upper tray 33 and a front door side lower tray passage that leads to the lower tray 34. In the passage forming unit 45, a receiving portion that protrudes rearward and opens upward is formed at the upper corner, and the receiving portion is divided into left and right by a partition wall to define an entrance portion of the front door side upper tray passage and an entrance portion of the front door side lower tray passage. Game balls that enter the front door side upper tray passage are guided to the upper tray 33, and game balls that enter the front door side lower tray passage are guided to the lower tray 34.

The front door frame 14 has protruding shafts at its upper and lower ends on the rear side of the pivot base end. These protruding shafts form an assembly mechanism for the inner frame 13. In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of hooks 49 extending rearward are arranged in parallel in the vertical direction on the rear side of the front door frame 14 on the pivot tip end side. These hooks 49 form a locking mechanism for the inner frame 13.

Next, the inner frame 13 will be described in detail with reference to Figures 2 and 3. The inner frame 13 is mainly composed of a resin base 50, which has an approximately rectangular outer shape like the outer frame 11. The height dimension of the resin base 50 is set to be slightly smaller than the height dimension of the outer frame 11. The resin base 50 is also positioned close to the upper frame portion of the outer frame 11, and a slight gap is formed between the lower frame portion of the outer frame 11 and the resin base 50. A fascia is attached to the outer frame 11 so as to close this gap. The fascia is positioned below the resin base 50 (specifically, its lower end portion), and when the inner frame 13 is closed to the outer frame 11, the resin base 50 rests on the fascia.

Support brackets 51, 52 are attached to the upper and lower ends of the front of the resin base 50 on the rotation base side. Axle holes are formed in the support brackets 51, 52, and the protruding shafts of the front door frame 14 are inserted into these axle holes, so that the front door frame 14 is supported rotatably relative to the inner frame 13.

The front of the resin base 50 has an insertion hole at the tip of the rotation for inserting the hook metal fittings 49 provided on the back of the front door frame 14. In this pachinko machine 10, as shown in FIG. 3, the locking device 55 for locking the inner frame 13 and the front door frame 14 is hidden and arranged on the back side of the inner frame 13. Therefore, the hook metal fittings 49 are engaged with the locking device 55 (more specifically, the front door hook receiving member) through the insertion hole, so that the front door frame 14 is locked so that it cannot be opened relative to the inner frame 13. The locking device 55 also has multiple inner frame hook members 57 extending rearward from the inner frame 13. These inner frame hook members 57 are hooked onto the hook receiving members 19 of the outer frame 11, so that the gaming machine main body 12 is locked in a closed state relative to the outer frame 11.

A cylinder lock 58 for unlocking the locking device 55 is installed in the lower right corner of the resin base 50. The cylinder lock 58 is integrated with the locking device 55, and the locking device 55 is configured so that when a key inserted into the keyhole of the cylinder lock 58 is turned to the right, the front door frame 14 is unlocked from the inner frame 13, and when the key inserted into the keyhole of the cylinder lock 58 is turned to the left, the inner frame 13 is unlocked from the outer frame 11.

A roughly elliptical window hole 54 is formed in the center of the resin base 50, and the window hole 54 is blocked from the rear by the game board 60 attached to the resin base 50. The game board 60 is made of wooden plywood and a sheet material that covers the front surface of the plywood, and its front surface is exposed to the front side of the resin base 50 through the window hole 54. A game area PE where game balls flow down is formed in this exposed area, i.e., the front surface of the game board 60. Note that the game board 60 is not limited to being made of wood, and can also be made of synthetic resin.

The game board 60 (particularly the various components arranged in the game area PE) will be described below with reference to Figure 4. Figure 4 is a front view of the game board 60.

The game board 60 has multiple openings of various sizes that run through it in the thickness direction (front-to-back direction). Each opening is provided with a general winning opening 61, a first operating opening 62, a second operating opening 63, a through gate 64, a variable winning device 65, a variable display unit 67, etc.

When a ball enters the general winning opening 61, the variable winning device 65, the first operating opening 62, and the second operating opening 63, it is detected by a winning sensor (detection sensor), and a bonus such as a payout of a predetermined number of prize balls is given to the player based on the detection result. In this case, when a ball enters the general winning opening 61, 10 game balls are paid out, and when a ball enters the variable winning device 65, 15 game balls are paid out. Also, when a ball enters the first operating opening 62, 3 game balls are paid out, and when a ball enters the second operating opening 63, 1 game ball is paid out. Incidentally, even if a ball enters the through gate 64, no game balls are paid out.

The number of prize balls is arbitrary, and for example, the number of prize balls associated with the first operating port 62 may be the same as the number of prize balls associated with the second operating port 63, or the number of prize balls associated with the second operating port 63 may be greater than the number of prize balls associated with the first operating port 62. The number of prize balls associated with the variable winning device 65 may be the same as or less than the number of prize balls associated with other operating ports. A predetermined number of game balls may also be paid out when a ball enters the through gate 64.

At the bottom of the game board 60, an outlet 68 is provided, and game balls that do not enter the various entry sections are discharged from the game area PE through the outlet 68. Here, "entering" means that the game ball passes through a specified opening position, and includes not only a situation in which the game ball is discharged from the game area PE after passing through the opening position, but also a situation in which the game ball is not discharged from the game area PE after passing through the opening position. However, in the following explanation, in order to clearly distinguish from game balls entering the outlet 68, balls entering the general winning port 61, the operating ports 62, 63, the variable winning device 65, or the through gate 64 will also be referred to as winning.

The game board 60 is also provided with numerous nails 69 to appropriately distribute and adjust the flow path of the game balls, and various components (apparatus) such as windmills are also arranged on it. These nails 69, windmills, and other components diversify the flow of the game balls, and are adjusted so that winning the general winning hole 61 and the like described above occurs with an appropriate probability.

The variable display unit 67 is located in the center of the game board 60. The variable display unit 67 is installed on the back side of the game board 60 (Figure 3), and its display screen G can be viewed through an opening provided in the center of the game board 60. A frame-shaped center frame 76 is attached to the front of the game board 60, corresponding to the periphery of the opening.

The center frame 76 protrudes forward from the front surface of the game board 60, and the gap dimension between the front surface of the center frame 76 and the glass unit 22 is smaller than the diameter dimension of the game ball. This prevents the game ball flowing down the game area PE from entering the inner area of the center frame 76 and coming into contact with the display screen G. In addition, the center frame 76 distributes the flow path of the game ball as it flows down the game area PE to the left and right, forming a left route that passes through the left side of the center frame 76 and a right route that passes through the right side.

Whether the game ball flows down (passes through) the left or right route is determined by the amount of rotation of the game ball launch handle 41, i.e., the launch force of the game ball. The launched game ball enters the game area PE from the upper left side of the game board 60, so the stronger the launch force of the game ball, the more likely it is that the game ball will flow down the right route.

In more detail, when the player rotates the game ball launching handle 41 as the first launching operation with a rotation amount in the first range that is equal to or greater than the predetermined rotation amount but less than the reference rotation amount, the launched game ball flows down the left route, and when the player rotates the game ball launching handle 41 as the second launching operation with a rotation amount in the second range that is equal to or greater than the reference rotation amount, the launched game ball flows down the right route. Note that the predetermined rotation amount is the rotation amount that allows the launched game ball to pass through the guide rail 100 described below and enter the game area PE, and the reference rotation amount is the rotation amount that launches the game ball with a launch force that can reach the top of the center frame 76.

A first operating port 62 that opens upward is disposed below the center frame 76 (variable display unit 67). The first operating port 62 is located in the center of the game board 60, but game components such as nails 69 are disposed to prevent game balls flowing down the right route from entering the first operating port 62. In other words, only game balls flowing down the left route can enter the first operating port 62. Therefore, when a player aims to enter the first operating port 62, the player plays by shooting the game ball so that it flows down the left route. A first operating port detection sensor 93a (FIG. 7) is provided in the first operating port 62, and the detection sensor 93a detects a game ball that has entered the first operating port 62.

The second actuation port 63 is located to the right of the center frame 76 (variable display unit 67). The configuration of the second actuation port 63 will be described with reference to Figure 5.

The second operating port 63 is provided with a normal power attachment 63a (variable receiving means) that serves as a guide piece (support piece) consisting of a pair of left and right movable pieces. Specifically, the pair of movable pieces that are supported so as to be rotatable in the left and right direction are arranged so as to sandwich the opening serving as the second operating port 63 from both the left and right sides.

The rotation of each of the movable pieces allows the opening 63 to be switched between a closed state (non-support state or non-guide state) shown in FIG. 5(a) and an open state (support state or guide state) shown in FIG. 5(b). In detail, a protrusion 63d is provided at the top of the second operating port 63 so as to protrude forward, and when the movable pieces are in an upright position as shown in FIG. 5(a), the gap between each of the movable pieces and the protrusion 63d becomes less than the diameter of the game ball, and the game ball is prevented from flowing into the second operating port 63. On the other hand, when the movable pieces are rotated so as to tilt outward as shown in FIG. 5(b), an opening large enough for the game ball to pass through is formed between the protrusion 63d and the movable pieces, and the game ball is allowed to flow into the second operating port 63. A ball entry detection sensor 94a is provided at the second operating port 63, and the ball entry detection sensor 94 detects a game ball that has entered the second operating port 63.

The normal power supply mechanism 63a is provided with a drive unit 63b that drives each movable piece. Each movable piece is driven by the drive unit 63b through a link mechanism (not shown) to switch between an open state (inclined position) and a closed state (standing position). Incidentally, the first operating port 62 is not provided with a normal power supply mechanism (opening/closing structure).

In the above configuration, it is not possible to win through the second operating port 63 when it is closed, but it may be possible to win. In other words, it may be possible to win through the second operating port 63 when it is closed, but it is more difficult to win (it is more difficult to win) than when it is open. In short, it is sufficient that the ease of winning through the second operating port 63 differs between the open and closed states, and the degree of closing or opening is arbitrary. In addition, the configuration of the normal power device 63a is not limited to the above, and for example, the second operating port 63 may be opened and closed by a movable piece rotating back and forth or sliding back and forth or left and right.

As shown in FIG. 4, a through gate 64 is disposed above (upstream of) the second operating port 63 on the right route. The through gate 64 has a through hole (not shown) that penetrates vertically, and a game ball that enters the through gate 64 passes through the through gate 64 and flows down the game area PE again. Therefore, a game ball that enters the through gate 64 can also enter the second operating port 63. A ball entry detection sensor 97a (FIG. 8) is provided on the through gate 64, and the ball entry detection sensor 97a detects a game ball that enters the through gate 64.

The through gate 64 is a trigger for opening the normal power device 63a provided in the second operating port 63. Specifically, an internal lottery is held when a prize is won through the through gate 64, and if the result of the internal lottery is an opening result (support win), a device opening/closing game (support execution mode) is executed in which the normal power device 63a is opened from a closed state and then returned to the closed state.

In the right route, a variable winning device 65 is located below (downstream of) the second operating port 63. The configuration of the variable winning device 65 will be explained with reference to Figure 6.

The variable winning device 65 is equipped with a large winning opening 65a that opens to the front, and an opening/closing door 65b that opens and closes the large winning opening 65a. The large winning opening 65a is a horizontally long rectangle when viewed from the front, and is large enough to allow multiple game balls to win at the same time. The large winning opening 65a is connected to a guide passage 65e provided on the back side of the game board 60, and is configured so that all game balls that win in the large winning opening 65a are guided to the guide passage 65e. A ball entry detection sensor 95a is provided in the guide passage 65e, and the ball entry detection sensor 95a detects game balls that win in the large winning opening 65a.

The variable winning device 65 is also provided with a drive unit 65d that drives the opening and closing door 65b. The opening and closing door 65b is driven by the drive unit 65d through a link mechanism (not shown) to switch between a closed state (FIG. 6(a)) in which game balls cannot enter the large winning opening 65a, and an open state (FIG. 6(b)) in which game balls can enter the large winning opening 65a. Specifically, the opening and closing door 65b is normally in a closed state, and is switched to an open state when an internal lottery is won to transition to an opening and closing execution mode (large win game).

The open/close execution mode is a mode to which the mode is switched when a jackpot is won. The open/close execution mode will be described in detail later. In the case of a jackpot, the variable winning device 65 may be opened repeatedly for up to a maximum of multiple rounds (e.g., 10 rounds), with one round being the passage of a predetermined time (e.g., 30 seconds) or the winning of a predetermined number of balls (e.g., 10 balls).

In the above configuration, it is not possible to win a prize through the large prize opening 65a when it is closed, but it may be possible to win a prize. In other words, it may be possible to win a prize through the large prize opening 65a when it is closed, but it may be more difficult to win a prize (make it more difficult to win a prize) than when it is open. In short, it is sufficient that the ease of winning a prize through the large prize opening 65a differs between the open and closed states, and the degree of closing or opening is arbitrary.

Here, only game balls that flow down the right route can win the second operating port 63, through gate 64, and variable winning device 65. Therefore, when a player aims to win the second operating port 63, through gate 64, and variable winning device 65, the player will play by shooting the game ball so that it flows down the right route.

As shown in FIG. 4, a main display unit 81 is provided below the variable winning device 65. The main display unit 81 is arranged along the outer edge of the lower side of the play area PE, and protrudes forward from the front of the play board 60. A special display section 43 and a regular display section 44, which display predetermined pictures, etc., are provided on the front of the main display unit 81. These display sections 43, 44 are visible from the front through the glass unit 22 of the front door frame 14. The gap dimension between the front of the main display unit 81 and the glass unit 22 is smaller than the diameter of the game ball. This prevents the game ball from passing in front of the main display unit 81, ensuring the visibility of the various display sections 43, 44.

The special chart display section 43 is provided with a first special chart display section AS that displays the results of a lottery based on winning the first operating port 62, and a second special chart display section BS that displays the results of a lottery based on winning the second operating port 63.

In the first special chart display unit AS, the winning of the first operating port 62 is used as a trigger to display a changing pattern, and the result of the display stopping is the clear display of the result of the internal lottery conducted based on the winning of the first operating port 62. If the result of the internal lottery based on the winning of the first operating port 62 is a winning result corresponding to a jackpot, the display stopping in the first special chart display unit AS, a predetermined pattern is displayed as the stopping result, and then the above-mentioned opening and closing execution mode is entered.

In the second special chart display section BS, the winning of the second operating port 63 is used as a trigger to display a changing pattern, and the result of the display stopping is the clear display of the result of the internal lottery conducted based on the winning of the second operating port 63. If the result of the internal lottery based on the winning of the second operating port 63 is a winning result corresponding to a jackpot, the display stopping in the second special chart display section BS is stopped, a predetermined pattern is displayed as the stopping result, and then the above-mentioned opening and closing execution mode is entered.

In the following, to distinguish between the image that changes in appearance when a winning jackpot is won through the first operating port 62 and the image that changes in appearance when a winning jackpot is won through the second operating port 63, the former will be referred to as the first special image or first special design, and the latter will be referred to as the second special image or second special design.

Here, based on a win in any of the operating ports 62, 63, a change display is started in the corresponding special chart display unit AS, BS, and the period from when the specified stop result is displayed until the change display is stopped corresponds to one play round in the special chart display unit AS, BS. However, one play round is not limited to the above, and for example, in a configuration in which a single display area is provided and the change display is performed in that single display area regardless of whether a win occurs in any of the operating ports 62, 63, the change display is started in that single display area, and one play round corresponds to the period from when the change display is started in that single display area until the specified stop result is displayed and the change display is stopped.

The main display unit 81 is also provided with a special reserved number display section AM. The number of times that the game ball has entered the first actuation port 62 or the second actuation port 63 can be reserved up to four times, and the special reserved number display section AM can display the reserved number of the first special chart (first actuation port 62) and the reserved number of the second special chart (second actuation port 63) separately.

The normal map display unit 44 is a display unit for displaying the results of an internal lottery performed based on winning at the through gate 64. In this case, the normal map display unit 44 displays the changing patterns triggered by winning at the through gate 64, and as a result of the stopping of the changing display, the result of the internal lottery performed based on winning at the through gate 64 is displayed clearly. If the result of the internal lottery based on winning at the through gate 64 is a winning result corresponding to a transition to a support state in which the normal power device 63a is opened, a predetermined stopping result is displayed on the normal map display unit 44, the changing display is stopped, and then a transition to the support state occurs. Note that the pattern that is displayed in a changing manner triggered by winning at the through gate 64 is sometimes called a normal pattern or a normal map.

Here, based on winning at the through gate 64, the variable display starts on the regular display unit 44, and the period from when a predetermined stop result is displayed until the variable display stops corresponds to one play round on the regular display unit 44. In the following, to distinguish between a play round on the regular display unit 44 and a play round on the special display units AS and BS, the former may be referred to as a regular play round, and the latter as a special play round.

The regular map display section 44 is also provided with a regular map reserve number display section FM. The number of times that a game ball has entered the through gate 64 can be reserved up to four times, and the regular map reserve number display section FM can display the number of reserved regular maps (through gate 64).

The special map display unit 43 and the general map display unit 44 are configured with a segment display device having multiple segments, but are not limited to this and may be configured with other display devices such as a liquid crystal display device.

In addition, although not shown in the figure, the main display unit 81 is provided with a round display section for clearly indicating the number of rounds in the opening and closing execution mode. The round display section starts displaying the number of rounds when the opening and closing execution mode is started or has been started. This display continues without changing the display content while the opening and closing execution mode is being executed, and ends when the opening and closing execution mode is ended or has been ended.

Next, the variable display unit 67 will be described. The variable display unit 67 is provided with a pattern display device 75 that variably displays (or variably displays or switches between) a pattern, which is a type of picture.

The pattern display device 75 is configured as a liquid crystal display device equipped with a liquid crystal display, and the display content is controlled by a display control device described later. Note that the pattern display device 75 is not limited to being a liquid crystal display device, and may be other display devices such as a plasma display device, an organic EL display device, or a CRT.

On the pattern display device 75, for example, patterns are displayed in a line at the top, middle, and bottom, and these patterns are scrolled left and right to display in a variable manner. In this case, the variable display on the pattern display device 75 is started based on a winning entry in the first actuation port 62 or the second actuation port 63. In other words, when a variable display is performed on the special pattern display section 43, a variable display is also performed on the pattern display device 75 accordingly. Then, when the variable winning device 65 transitions to a jackpot game state (open/close execution mode) in which it is in an open state, a predetermined pattern combination is displayed stopped on a preset winning line on the pattern display device 75.

The pattern display device 75 also displays a reservation corresponding to the first special display unit AS and the second special display unit BS. In this reservation display, a predetermined reservation image is displayed, and the number of reserved items in each operating port 62, 63 is indicated by the number of reserved items displayed. The reservation number is not limited to that indicated by the reservation image, but may be indicated by a numerical display. In addition, the number may be indicated by, for example, a display unit (a display unit separate from the reservation number display units AM, FM of the main display unit 81) or a light-emitting unit (reservation lamp unit) provided on the game board 60, separate from the pattern display device 75.

Next, the configuration for discharging game balls that have flowed down the game area PA will be explained with reference to Figure 7.

A game ball that enters any of the general winning opening 61, the variable winning device 65, the first operating opening 62, the second operating opening 63, and the outlet 68 is guided to the rear side of the game board 60 and discharged from the game area PA. In other words, a game ball that is launched from the game ball launching mechanism and flows into the game area PA is discharged from the game area PA by entering any of the general winning opening 61, the variable winning device 65, the first operating opening 62, the second operating opening 63, and the outlet 68.

On the back of the game board 60, discharge passages 91-96 are formed corresponding to the general winning port 61, the variable winning device 65, the first operating port 62, the second operating port 63, and the outlet port 68, respectively. Game balls that flow into the discharge passages 91-96 flow down the discharge passages 91-96 and are guided to the lower end of the game board 60 on the back side of the game board 60, and are collected in a discharge ball collection section (not shown). The game balls collected in the discharge ball collection section are then discharged to a ball circulation device of the island equipment on which the pachinko machine 10 is installed in the game hall.

Each discharge passage section 91-96 is provided with various detection sensors 91a-96a for detecting game balls. These discharge passage sections 91-96 and the detection sensors 91a-96a are described below.

Since there are three general winning openings 61, there are discharge passage sections 91, 92 corresponding to each of the three. In this case, one detection sensor 91a is provided in the first discharge passage section 91 corresponding to the leftmost general winning opening 61. Specifically, the first winning opening detection sensor 91a is provided so that there is a detection range at a midpoint of the first discharge passage section 91, and a game ball that enters the leftmost general winning opening 61 is detected by the first winning opening detection sensor 91a as it passes through the first discharge passage section 91.

A second discharge passage section 92 is provided that is formed to merge with the two general winning openings 61 on the right side at a midway position. The second discharge passage section 92 has an entrance side area corresponding to each of the two general winning openings 61, and these entrance side areas merge midway to form a single exit side area. A second winning opening detection sensor 92a is provided so that there is a detection range midway in the exit side area of the second discharge passage section 92. A game ball that enters either of the two general winning openings 61 on the right side is detected by the second winning opening detection sensor 92a as it passes through the second discharge passage section 92.

A third discharge passage section 93 exists corresponding to the first actuation port 62. A first actuation port detection sensor 93a is provided so that a detection range exists at a midpoint of the third discharge passage section 93, and a game ball that enters the first actuation port 62 is detected by the first actuation port detection sensor 93a on the way through the third discharge passage section 93. A fourth discharge passage section 94 exists corresponding to the second actuation port 63. A second actuation port detection sensor 94a is provided so that a detection range exists at a midpoint of the fourth discharge passage section 94, and a game ball that enters the second actuation port 63 is detected by the second actuation port detection sensor 94a on the way through the fourth discharge passage section 94.

A fifth discharge passage section 95 exists corresponding to the variable winning device 65. A large winning opening detection sensor 95a is provided so that there is a detection range in the middle of the fifth discharge passage section 95, and a game ball that enters the variable winning device 65 is detected by the large winning opening detection sensor 95a in the middle of passing through the fifth discharge passage section 95. A sixth discharge passage section 96 exists corresponding to the outlet 68. An outlet detection sensor 96a is provided so that there is a detection range in the middle of the sixth discharge passage section 96, and a game ball that enters the outlet 68 is detected by the outlet detection sensor 96a in the middle of passing through the sixth discharge passage section 96.

A gaming ball that is detected by any one of the various detection sensors 91a-96a will not be detected by the other detection sensors 91a-96a. A gate detection sensor 97a is also provided for the through gate 64, and a gaming ball that passes through the through gate 64 on its way down the play area PA is detected by the gate detection sensor 97a.

The various detection sensors 91a-97a are all electromagnetic induction type proximity sensors, but any sensor can be used as long as it can detect game balls individually. The various detection sensors 91a-97a are electrically connected to the main control device 162, which will be described later, and the detection results of the various detection sensors 91a-97a are output to the main control device 162. Specifically, the various detection sensors 91a-97a output a LOW level signal when they are not detecting a game ball, and output a HI level signal when they are detecting a game ball. However, this is not limited to the above, and the relationship between HI and LOW may be reversed.

The configuration of the inner frame 13 will be described with reference to FIG. 2 again. A game ball launching mechanism 110 is provided below the mounting area of the game board 60 on the resin base 50, which launches game balls toward the game area PE based on the operation of the game ball launching handle 41. The game ball launching mechanism 110 mainly comprises a solenoid 111 that launches game balls placed at a predetermined launch waiting position, a launch rail 112 that determines the launch direction of the game balls launched by the solenoid 111, a ball delivery device 113 that supplies game balls to the launch waiting position, and a base plate 114 on which these various components 111 to 113 are attached. The base plate 114 is fixed to the resin base 50, thereby integrating the game ball launching mechanism 110 with the resin base 50.

The launch rail 112 is fixed to the base plate 114 in an obliquely inclined state so that it slopes upward toward the game board 60. A ball stopper that stops the game balls supplied from the ball sending device 113 in the above-mentioned launch waiting position is provided at a position closer to the downstream end (i.e., the lower end) of the launch rail 112. The solenoid 111 is disposed at a position further downstream than the ball stopper.

The solenoid 111 is electrically connected to a power source and a launch control device, which will be described later. Based on the output of electrical signals from the power source and the launch control device, the output shaft of the solenoid 111 reciprocates in the extension/contraction direction, causing the game ball placed in the launch standby position to be launched toward the game board 60, or more specifically, toward the guide rail 100 attached to the game board 60.

As shown in FIG. 4, the guide rail 100 defines the play area PE so that the outer shape of the play area PE is approximately circular. The guide rail 100 is composed of an inner rail 101 and an outer rail 102 that are arranged facing each other with a gap slightly larger than the diameter of the play ball, and a guide passage 103 is defined by these two rails 101, 102. The guide passage 103 has an entrance portion that opens to the tip side (diagonally downward) of the launch rail 112, and an exit portion located at the top of the play area PE. The play ball launched based on the operation of the solenoid 111 is guided to the play area PE by moving in the order of the launch rail 112 → guide rail 100 (entrance portion → exit portion).

In addition, a return prevention member 106 is attached to the front side of the exit portion of the game board 60, specifically near the tip of the inner rail 101, to prevent game balls that have reached the game area PE from returning back into the guide passage 103, preventing game balls that have already reached the game area PE from interfering with the launch of subsequent game balls.

As shown in FIG. 2, the guide rail 100 and the launch rail 112 are arranged so that the entrance portion of the guide rail 100 and the tip portion of the launch rail 112 face each other diagonally across the bottom edge of the game board 60. In other words, the rails 100, 112 are arranged so that the entrance portion of the guide rail 100 and the tip portion of the launch rail 112 are offset left and right near the bottom edge of the game board 60. This brings the rails 100, 112 closer to the bottom edge of the game board 60, while forming a predetermined gap between the entrance portion of the guide rail 100 and the launch rail 112.

A foul ball passage 46 is disposed below the gap thus formed. The foul ball passage 46 is molded integrally with the passage forming unit 45 of the front door frame 14. If a game ball launched from the game ball launching mechanism 110 does not reach the game area PE and returns inside the guide passage 103 as a foul ball, the foul ball will enter the foul ball passage 46 through the above-mentioned gap. The foul ball passage 46 is connected to the lower tray passage on the front door side, and game balls that enter the foul ball passage 46 are discharged to the lower tray 34. This prevents interference between the foul ball and the next game ball to be launched, and returns the game ball that has become a foul ball to the player.

A through hole is formed in the resin base 50 to the left of the launch rail 112 (more specifically, the side supporting the front door frame 14) that penetrates the resin base 50 in the front-rear direction, and a passage forming member 121 is disposed in this through hole. The passage forming member 121 is screwed to the resin base 50, and has a main body side upper dish passage and a main body side lower dish passage. The upstream sides of the main body side upper dish passage and the main body side lower dish passage lead to the game ball distribution section described below. In addition, the receiving portion of the passage forming unit 45 attached to the front door frame 14 fits in below the passage forming member 121, and the front door side upper dish passage is disposed below the main body side upper dish passage, and the front door side upper dish passage is disposed below the main body side lower dish passage.

An opening/closing member 124 for opening and closing the upper plate passage on the main body side and the lower plate passage on the main body side is attached below the passage forming member 121 in the resin base 50. The opening/closing member 124 is supported by a support shaft provided at its lower end so as to be rotatable in the front-rear direction, and a biasing member is provided to bias the opening/closing member to a forward position where the upper plate passage on the main body side and the lower plate passage on the main body side are closed. Therefore, when the front door frame 14 is opened relative to the inner frame 13, the opening/closing member 124 rises as shown in the figure, closing the upper plate passage on the main body side and the lower plate passage on the main body side. This prevents the stored balls from spilling out when the front door frame 14 is opened while game balls are stored in the upper plate passage on the main body side or the lower plate passage on the main body side. On the other hand, when the front door frame 14 is closed, the opening/closing member 124 is pushed open against the biasing force by the receiving portion provided in the passage forming unit 45 of the front door frame 14. In this state, the upper tray passage on the main body side is connected to the upper tray passage on the front door side, and the lower tray passage on the main body side is connected to the lower tray passage on the front door side.

Next, the rear structure of the inner frame 13 (resin base 50 and game board 60) will be described with reference to Figure 3.

Bearing fittings 132 are arranged side by side on the upper and lower sides of the rotation base end on the back surface of the resin base 50. The bearing fittings 132 are formed with bearing portions spaced apart from each other on the top and bottom, and the back pack unit 15 is rotatably attached to the inner frame 13 by these bearing portions.

The back surface of the resin base 50 is provided with multiple locking fittings, and the game board 60 is attached to the resin base 50 by these locking fittings. Here, the structure of the back surface of the game board 60 will be explained.

A display control device is attached to the variable display unit 67, which is located in the center of the game board 60, so as to cover the variable display unit 67 from behind (not shown). A performance control device unit 142 is mounted behind the display control device so as to overlap the display control device. The performance control device unit 142 is configured to include a performance control device 143 and a mounting base 144, and the performance control device 143 is attached to the mounting base 144.

The performance control device 143 is equipped with a performance control board that controls the sound, lamp display, and display control device according to instructions from the main control device described below, and the performance control board is housed in a board box 145 made of a transparent resin material or the like.

As shown in FIG. 3, a collection plate 150 is provided on the back of the game board 60 below the variable display unit 67. The collection plate 150 is provided with a game ball recovery mechanism that recovers game balls that have entered the various winning holes, a detection mechanism that detects the entry of game balls into the various winning holes, etc.

Regarding the game ball recovery mechanism, the collecting board 150 is provided with recovery passages corresponding to the various ball entry sections such as the general winning opening 61. These recovery passages run down from the ball entry sections along the back of the game board 60, and define the path along which the game balls fall. The recovery passages join near the bottom end of the game board 60, and all game balls that pass through the ball entry sections such as the general winning opening 61 are collected at the bottom of the game board 60 via the recovery passages. The outlet of each recovery passage is open downward, and a discharge passage is provided at the end of the outlet (more specifically, below the game board 60). The game balls that have collected below the game board 60 through the recovery passage are led out to the discharge passage. The outlet 68 also leads to the discharge passage, and game balls that have not won any of the winning openings are also led out to the discharge passage via the outlet 68.

The main control device unit 160 is mounted on the game board 60 so as to cover the assembly board 150 from the rear, and is composed of a mounting base 161 made of synthetic resin and a main control device 162 mounted on the mounting base 161. The main control device 162 is responsible for the main control of the game. Figure 8 is a front view of the main control device 162.

As shown in FIG. 8, the main control device 162 is configured by housing a main control board 311 in a board box 163a. An MPU 312 is mounted on one of the board surfaces of the main control board 311, which is the element mounting surface. The board box 163a is formed transparent so that the MPU 312 housed in the board box 163a can be seen from outside the board box 163a. Note that the board box 163a is formed colorless and transparent, but it may be formed colored and transparent as long as the MPU 312 housed in the board box 163a can be seen from outside the board box 163a.

The main control device 162 is mounted on the back of the resin base 50 so that the opposing wall portion 163b of the board box 163a that faces the element mounting surface of the main control board 311 faces the rear of the pachinko machine 10. Therefore, by opening the gaming machine main body 12 toward the front of the pachinko machine 10 relative to the outer frame 11 and exposing the rear of the resin base 50, it becomes possible to visually observe the opposing wall portion 163b of the board box 163a and the MPU 312 through the opposing wall portion 163b.

The board box 163a is formed by combining multiple case bodies 163c in front and behind, and these multiple case bodies 163c are provided with connecting parts 163e that prevent the separation of these case bodies 163c and leave a trace when these case bodies 163c are separated. The connecting parts 163e are arranged in parallel on one side of the board box 163a, which is approximately rectangular. As a result, even if some of the connecting parts 163e are used to prevent the separation of the case bodies 163c and the case bodies 163c are separated by destroying the connecting parts 163e, it is possible to prevent the separation of the case bodies 163c again by connecting other connecting parts 163e thereafter. In addition, since the connecting parts 163e are destroyed when the case bodies 163c are separated and a trace is left, it is possible to visually check the connecting parts 163e to see whether the separation of the case bodies 163c is being performed illegally.

A seal 163f is attached to the side of the substrate box 163a opposite to the side on which the connecting portions 163e are arranged, so as to straddle the boundary between the case bodies 163c. When the seal 163f is peeled off, an adhesive layer remains on the case body 163c. This makes it possible to leave a trace when the seal 163f is peeled off when the case body 163c is separated.

In the main control device 162 configured as above, the main control board 311 is provided with a setting key insertion section 166a into which a setting key owned by the manager of the game hall is inserted and turned on to trigger a change in the setting state of the pachinko machine 10 within the range of "setting 1" to "setting 6", an update button 166b which is operated to sequentially change the setting state of the pachinko machine 10 after the setting key insertion section 166a is turned on, a reset button 166c which is operated to clear the data in the main RAM 314 (FIG. 9) provided in the MPU 312 of the main control device 162, and first to fifth notification display devices 169a to 169e for notifying the management results of the game history. In addition, the MPU 312 mounted on the main control board 311 is provided with a read terminal 166d for connecting a connection terminal of an external device to read the management results of the game history or the information (programs and data) stored in the main ROM 313 by the external device. The setting state of the pachinko machine 10 is not limited to six stages from "Setting 1" to "Setting 6" and can be any number of stages.

The setting key insertion section 166a, update button 166b, reset button 166c, reading terminal 166d (i.e. MPU 312), and first to fifth alarm display devices 169a to 169d are all provided on the element mounting surface of the main control board 311. As already explained, the element mounting surface of the main control board 311 faces the opposing wall 163b of the board box 163a, but the setting key insertion section 166a, update button 166b, reset button 166c, and reading terminal 166d are not covered by the opposing wall 163b. In other words, the areas of the opposing wall 163b facing the setting key insertion section 166a, update button 166b, reset button 166c, and reading terminal 166d are each provided as separate openings. This allows the setting key to be inserted into the setting key insertion section 166a, the update button 166b to be pressed, the reset button 166c to be pressed, and the connection terminal for an external device to be connected to the reading terminal 166d, without the need to open the board box 163a.

By inserting a setting key into the setting key insertion section 166a and rotating it in a specific direction, the setting key insertion section 166a is turned ON. In this state, by starting the supply of operating power to the pachinko machine 10 while pressing the reset button 166c (i.e., by starting the supply of operating power to the MPU 312 of the main control device 162), the setting state of the pachinko machine 10 becomes changeable, allowing it to be changed. In this state, each time the update button 166b is pressed once, the setting state of the pachinko machine 10 is changed by one step in ascending order within the range of "Setting 1" to "Setting 6". Note that if the update button 166b is operated when the setting is "Setting 6", it is updated to "Setting 1".

In addition, when the setting key insertion section 166a is turned ON, the supply of operating power to the pachinko machine 10 can be started without pressing the reset button 166c, resulting in a confirmation state in which the current setting state can be confirmed. Details will be described later, but in the confirmation state, the current setting state is displayed on the first to fifth notification display devices 169a to 169d.

Also, by rotating the setting key inserted into the setting key insertion section 166a from the ON operation position in the direction opposite to the predetermined direction and returning it to its initial position, the setting key insertion section 166a is turned OFF. When the setting key insertion section 166a is turned OFF, the above-mentioned changeable state and confirmationable state end.

The ON operation of the setting key insertion section 166a is only valid when the supply of operating power to the pachinko machine 10 starts (i.e., when the supply of operating power to the MPU 312 of the main control device 162 starts). Therefore, even if the ON operation of the setting key insertion section 166a is performed after the processing at the start of the supply of operating power in the MPU 312 of the main control device 162 has ended, the setting value cannot be changed or confirmed.

The setting state of the pachinko machine 10 determines the degree of advantage per unit time in the pachinko machine 10, and the greater the value of "setting n" (n is an integer from "1" to "6") (i.e., the higher the setting value), the higher the degree of advantage. As will be described in detail later, there are two winning/losing lottery modes that determine the probability of winning a jackpot result: a low probability mode with a relatively low probability of winning and a high probability mode with a relatively high probability of winning, and the higher the setting value, the higher the probability of winning a jackpot result in the low probability mode and high probability mode.

As described above, the reset button 166c is operated to clear the data in the main RAM 314, but in order to clear the data, it is necessary to start the supply of operating power to the pachinko machine 10 while the reset button 166c is pressed (i.e., it is necessary to start the supply of operating power to the MPU 312 of the main control device 162). The ON operation of the reset button 166c is only valid when the supply of operating power to the pachinko machine 10 starts (i.e., when the supply of operating power to the MPU 312 of the main control device 162 starts). Therefore, even if the reset button 166c is pressed after the processing at the start of the supply of operating power in the MPU 312 of the main control device 162 has finished, the data in the main RAM 314 cannot be cleared.

As already explained, the read terminal 166d is connected to a connection terminal of an external device to read the results of game history management or information (programs and data) stored in the main ROM 313 by the external device, but in order to output to the external device, it is necessary to start the supply of operating power to the pachinko machine 10 with the connection terminal of the external device connected to the read terminal 166d (i.e., it is necessary to start the supply of operating power to the MPU 312 of the main control device 162). The connection of an external device to the read terminal 166d is only valid when the supply of operating power to the pachinko machine 10 starts (i.e., when the supply of operating power to the MPU 312 of the main control device 162 starts). Therefore, even if an external device is connected to the read terminal 166d after the processing at the start of the supply of operating power in the MPU 312 of the main control device 162 is completed, no external output to the external device is performed.

The first to fifth alarm display devices 169a to 169e are all segment displays with an arrangement of seven LED display segments, but are not limited to this and may be a single light-emitting device that emits multicolor light, a liquid crystal display device, or an organic EL display. The first to fifth alarm display devices 169a to 169e are all installed so that their display surfaces face in the direction in which the element mounting surface of the main control board 311 faces, and are covered by the opposing wall portion 163b of the board box 163a.

In this case, since the board box 163a is formed transparent, it is possible to visually observe the display surfaces of the first to fifth notification display devices 169a to 169e housed in the board box 163a from outside the board box 163a. Also, as already explained, the main control device 162 is mounted on the back surface of the resin base 50 so that the opposing wall portion 163b, which faces the element mounting surface of the main control board 311 in the board box 163a, faces the rear of the pachinko machine 10. Therefore, when the gaming machine main body 12 is opened toward the front of the pachinko machine 10 relative to the outer frame 11 to expose the rear of the resin base 50 toward the front of the pachinko machine 10, it is possible to visually observe the display surfaces of the first to fifth notification display devices 169a to 169e through the opposing wall portion 163b.

The display surfaces of the first to fifth notification display devices 169a to 169e are capable of displaying not only the numbers "0" to "9" but also various characters including alphabetic characters. The first to fifth notification display devices 169a to 169e are used to display base values and the like, which will be described later, and the display format will be described in detail later.

In addition, in a changeable state in which the setting state of the pachinko machine 10 can be changed or a checkable state in which the current setting state can be checked, a value corresponding to the setting value is displayed on the fourth notification display device 169d. Note that the value corresponding to the setting value may be displayed on either the first to third notification display devices 169a to 169c or the fifth notification display device 169e. In addition, the setting value before the changeable state is reached may be displayed on one of the notification display devices 169a to 169e, and the current setting value may be displayed on the other of the notification display devices 169a to 169e.

Next, the back pack unit 15 will be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3.

As shown in FIG. 2, the inner frame 13 is covered from the rear by the back pack unit 15. The back pack unit 15 has a back pack 201, to which a dispensing mechanism 202, a discharge passage panel 203, and a control device assembly unit 204 are attached.

The back pack 201 is molded from a transparent synthetic resin, and as shown in FIG. 3, has a base part 211 to which the payout mechanism part 202 and the like are attached, and a protective cover part 212 that protrudes to the rear of the pachinko machine 10 and has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape. The protective cover part 212 is closed on the left and right sides and the top, and only the bottom is open, and is large enough to surround at least the variable display unit 67.

The base 211 is provided with an external output terminal 213 at its upper right side. The external output terminal 213 is provided with various output terminals, and various signals are output to the hall computer HC (management control device) at the gaming hall through these output terminals. In addition, the base 211 is provided with a pair of upper and lower hook pins at the right end when viewed from the rear of the pachinko machine 10, and the back pack unit 15 is supported rotatably relative to the inner frame 13 by inserting the hook pins into the bearing fittings 132 (more specifically, the bearing part) provided on the inner frame 13. In addition, a fastener is provided at the pivot tip of the base 211 for fastening to a fastening hole provided in the inner frame 13, and the back pack unit 15 is fixed to the inner frame 13 by fitting the fastener into the fastening hole.

The payout mechanism 202 is disposed on the base 211 so as to bypass the protective cover 212. The payout mechanism 202 is provided with a tank 221 that is disposed at the top of the back pack 201 and opens upward, and game balls supplied from the island equipment of the game hall are sequentially replenished to the tank 221. The payout mechanism 202 is supplied with a main power source of, for example, 24 volts AC, and is equipped with a back pack board that has a power switch for turning the power source on and off.

A tank rail that slopes gently toward the downstream side is connected below the tank 221, and a case rail that extends in the vertical direction is connected to the downstream side of the tank rail. A payout device 222 is provided at the most downstream part of the case rail. The game balls paid out by the payout device 222 are supplied to a game ball distribution section provided in the base part 211 of the back pack 201 through a payout passage provided downstream of the payout device 222.

The game ball distribution section has the function of distributing game balls dispensed from the payout device 222 to either the upper tray 33, the lower tray 34, or the discharge passage described below, and is formed so that the inner opening leads to the upper tray 33 via the above-mentioned main body side upper tray passage and front door side upper tray passage, and the outer opening leads to the lower tray 34 via the main body side lower tray passage and front door side lower tray passage.

As shown in FIG. 3, the discharge passage panel 203 and the control device assembly unit 204 are attached to the lower end of the base portion 211, sandwiching the lower end from the front and rear. The discharge passage panel 203 has a discharge passage that is open to the rear on the surface facing the control device assembly unit 204, and the open part of the discharge passage is blocked by the control device assembly unit 204. The discharge passage is formed to discharge game balls to the island equipment of the game hall, and the game balls led to the discharge passage from the above-mentioned collection passage etc. are discharged to the outside of the pachinko machine 10 by passing through the discharge passage.

The control device assembly unit 204 has a horizontally long mounting base on which the payout control device 181 and the power supply and launch control device 191 are mounted. The payout control device 181 and the power supply and launch control device 191 are stacked one behind the other so that the payout control device 181 is at the rear of the pachinko machine 10.

In the payout control device 181, a payout control board that controls the payout device 222 is housed in a board box, and a status return switch provided on the payout control board protrudes outside the board box. For example, when the status return switch is pressed in the event of a payout error, such as a ball jam in the payout device 222, the ball jam is cleared.

The power supply and launch control device 191 has a power supply and launch control board housed in a board box, which generates and outputs the specified power required by various control devices, etc., and also controls the launch of the game ball in response to the player's operation of the game ball launch handle 41.

The power supply and launch control device 191 is provided with a power outage monitoring section (power outage monitoring circuit) 315 that monitors the power supply and detects the occurrence of a power outage or other power interruption. This pachinko machine 10 has a function for storing and retaining various data, so that in the unlikely event of a power outage, the state at the time of the power outage is retained, and when the power is restored, the state at the time of the power outage can be restored. For example, if the power supply is cut off in the normal manner, such as when an amusement hall closes, the state before the power outage is stored and retained.

<Electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 10>
Next, the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 10 will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG.

The main control device 162 is equipped with a main control board 311 that is responsible for the main control of the game, and the main control board 311 is equipped with an MPU 312. The MPU 312 has a main ROM 313 and a main RAM 314 built in, as well as an interrupt circuit, a timer circuit, a data input/output circuit, various counter circuits as random number generators, and the like.

The main ROM 313 is a memory (i.e., a non-volatile memory means) that does not require an external power supply to retain memory, such as a NOR flash memory or a NAND flash memory, and is used for read-only purposes. The main ROM 313 stores various control programs and fixed value data executed by the MPU 312.

The main RAM 314 is a memory (i.e., a volatile memory means) that requires an external power supply to retain memory, such as SRAM and DRAM, and is used for both reading and writing. The main RAM 314 is randomly accessible, and when compared with the main ROM 313 for the same data capacity, it takes less time to read data. The main RAM 314 temporarily stores various data for the execution of the control programs stored in the main ROM 313.

The MPU 312 is provided with an input port and an output port. The payout control device 181 and the power supply and launch control device 191 are connected to the input side of the MPU 312. In addition, various sensors such as the ball entry detection sensors 91a to 97a are connected to the input side of the MPU 312. As already explained, the ball entry detection sensors 91a to 97a include the first winning hole detection sensor 91a, the second winning hole detection sensor 92a, the first operating hole detection sensor 93a, the second operating hole detection sensor 94a, the large winning hole detection sensor 95a, the out hole detection sensor 96a, and the gate detection sensor 97a. Based on the detection results of these ball entry detection sensors 91a to 97a, the MPU 312 judges whether a ball has entered each ball entry section. In addition, the MPU 312 performs various lotteries based on the winning of the first operating hole 62, the second operating hole 63, and the through gate 64.

The input side of the MPU 312 is provided with a setting key insertion section 166a, an update button 166b, and a reset button 166c, which are provided on the main control board 311. The setting key insertion section 166a is provided with a sensor (not shown), which detects whether the setting key insertion section 166a is located at the ON operation position or the OFF operation position. The MPU 312 then identifies whether the setting key insertion section 166a is located at the ON operation position or the OFF operation position based on the detection result from the sensor. The update button 166b is provided with a sensor (not shown), which detects whether the update button 166b is pressed. The MPU 312 then identifies whether the update button 166b is pressed based on the detection result from the sensor. The reset button 166c is provided with a sensor (not shown), which detects whether the reset button 166c is pressed. The MPU 312 then determines whether the reset button 166c has been pressed based on the detection results from the sensor.

The output side of the MPU 312 is connected to the payout control device 181, the presentation control device 143, etc. For example, a prize ball command is output to the payout control device 181 based on the fact that a game ball has entered a prize ball corresponding entry section among the above-mentioned entry sections, where the occurrence of the entry corresponds to the payout of a game ball (prize ball). Various commands such as a variation command, a type command, and an opening command are output to the presentation control device 143.

Connected to the output side of the MPU 312 are a special power drive unit 65d that opens and closes the opening and closing door 65b of the variable winning device 65, a normal power drive unit 63b that opens and closes the normal power device 63a of the second operating port 63, a special chart display unit 43, and a normal chart display unit 44. Various driver circuits are provided on the main control board 311, and the MPU 312 controls the drive of the various drive units and displays through these driver circuits.

In other words, in the open/close execution mode, the MPU 312 controls the drive of the special power drive unit 65d so that the variable winning device 65 opens and closes. Also, when the open state of the normal power device 63a is selected, the MPU 312 controls the drive of the normal power drive unit 63b so that the normal power device 63a opens and closes.

During each game, the MPU 312 controls the display of the special symbol display unit 43. When the result of the lottery as to whether the regular symbol 63a is opened is to be displayed, the MPU 312 controls the display of the regular symbol display unit 44. When a win occurs in the first operating port 62 or the second operating port 63, or when a variable display starts in the special symbol display unit 43, the MPU 312 controls the display of the special symbol reservation number display unit AM, and when a win occurs in the through gate 64, or when a variable display starts in the regular symbol display unit 44, the MPU 312 controls the display of the regular symbol reservation number display unit FM.

An external output terminal 213 is connected to the output side of the MPU 312. Through this external output terminal 213, information on balls entering various entry areas and information on lottery results such as big wins are output to the hall computer HC. This makes it possible for the hall computer HC to grasp the status of the pachinko machine 10, etc.

The first to fourth notification display devices 169a to 169d are connected to the output side of the MPU 312. The results of game history management and information on setting values are reported through these first to fourth notification display devices 169a to 169d.

The MPU 312 is provided with a read terminal 166d. A sensor (not shown) is provided on the read terminal 166d, and this sensor detects whether or not a connection terminal for an external device is connected to the read terminal 166d. Then, based on the detection result from the sensor, the MPU 312 determines whether or not a connection terminal for an external device is connected to the read terminal 166d. Furthermore, when an external device is connected to the read terminal 166d, the results of the game history management in the MPU 312 and information (programs and data) stored in the main ROM 313 are output to the external device.

The power supply and launch control device 191 is connected to a commercial power supply (external power supply) in, for example, an amusement park. Then, based on the external power supplied from the commercial power supply, it generates the operating power required for each of the main control board 311, the payout control device 181, etc., and supplies the generated operating power.

The power supply and launch control device 191 is provided with a power failure monitoring unit 315, which monitors the stable 24-volt DC voltage output from the power supply and launch control device 191. When the output voltage from the power supply and launch control device 191 falls below 22 volts, the power failure monitoring unit 315 determines that a power failure (power cutoff) has occurred, and outputs a power failure signal to the NMI terminal (non-maskable interrupt terminal) provided in the MPU 312 of the main control device 162. As a result, the main control device 162 recognizes the occurrence of a power failure and immediately executes NMI interrupt processing, and further executes power failure processing based on this. Incidentally, the power supply and launch control device 191 is provided with a power failure power supply unit such as a backup capacitor, and when a power failure occurs or when the power supply of the pachinko machine 10 is OFF, backup power (power for memory retention) is supplied from the power failure power supply unit to the RAM 314 of the main control device 162. The power supply and launch control device 191 is responsible for controlling the launch of the game ball launch mechanism 110, which is activated when certain launch conditions are met. The payout mechanism 202 is also provided with a power switch, which starts the supply of operating power to the pachinko machine 10 when the power switch is turned ON, and stops the supply of operating power to the pachinko machine 10 when the power switch is turned OFF.

The payout control device 181 controls the payout of prize balls and loan balls by the payout device 222 based on the prize ball command received from the main control device 162.

The performance control device 143 drives and controls the lamp units 26-28 and speaker unit 29 provided on the front door frame 14, and controls the display control device 350, based on various commands received from the main control device 162. The display control device 350 controls the display of the pattern display device 75 based on commands received from the performance control device 143. In this case, the performance control device 143 determines the time for which the patterns are displayed on the pattern display device 75 to vary and the type of combination of patterns to be finally displayed in a stopped state, based on various commands input from the main control device 162, and also determines whether or not a reach will occur and the content of the reach performance.

Here, the display contents of the pattern display device 75 will be explained based on Figures 10 to 12.

As shown in Figures 10(a) to (j), the design, which is a type of picture, is composed of nine main designs, each numbered "1" to "9," and a sub-design consisting of a shell-shaped picture. More specifically, the main designs are composed of nine character designs, such as an octopus, each numbered "1" to "9."

As shown in FIG. 10(a), the display screen G of the symbol display device 75 has three symbol rows Z1, Z2, and Z3 set on the upper, middle, and lower rows. Each symbol row Z1 to Z3 is configured with main and sub-symbols arranged in a predetermined order. In detail, the upper symbol row Z1 has nine main symbols from "1" to "9" arranged in descending numerical order, with one sub-symbol arranged between each main symbol. The lower symbol row Z3 has nine main symbols from "1" to "9" arranged in ascending numerical order, with one sub-symbol arranged between each main symbol. In other words, the upper symbol row Z1 and the lower symbol row Z3 are configured with 18 symbols. In contrast, in the middle symbol row Z2, nine main symbols from "1" to "9" are arranged in ascending numerical order, with a main symbol "4" additionally arranged between the main symbol "9" and the main symbol "1", and one sub-symbol is arranged between each of these main symbols. In other words, the middle symbol row Z2 alone is composed of 20 symbols, with 10 main symbols arranged. Then, on the display screen G, the symbols of each of these symbol rows Z1 to Z3 are displayed variably, scrolling in a predetermined direction with periodicity. Also, as shown in FIG. 11(b), the display screen G is designed so that three symbols are displayed in each symbol row, resulting in a total of nine symbols, 3 x 3, being displayed in a stopped state.

Five active lines, namely the left line L1, the middle line L2, the right line L3, the downward-right line L4, and the upward-right line L5, are set on the display screen G. The display stops in the order of upper pattern row Z1 → lower pattern row Z3 → middle pattern row Z2, and when the display of all pattern rows Z1 to Z3 ends with a combination of patterns with the same number on any active line, a jackpot video is displayed to indicate the occurrence of a normal 4R jackpot result or a 10R special jackpot result, which will be described later.

In this pachinko machine 10, main symbols with odd numbers (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) correspond to "specific symbols", and when a 10R special jackpot result occurs, the same combination of specific symbols is displayed. Also, main symbols with even numbers (2, 4, 6, 8) correspond to "non-specific symbols", and when a regular 4R jackpot result occurs, the same combination of non-specific symbols is displayed.

Here, the variable display of each symbol row will be explained further with reference to FIG. 12. When a game round starts, first, high-speed variable display starts for all symbol rows Z1 to Z3. In this case, it is impossible or difficult to recognize which symbol row is being displayed. Then, as shown in FIG. 12(a), the variable display mode of the upper symbol row Z1 switches from high-speed variable display to low-speed variable display in which the player can recognize the variable displayed symbol. Then, as shown in FIG. 12(b), the variable display mode of the lower symbol row Z3 switches from high-speed variable display to low-speed variable display as the variable display of the upper symbol row Z1 ends. Then, as shown in FIG. 12(c), the variable display of the lower symbol row Z3 ends. After the variable display of all symbol rows Z1 to Z3 ends, a stop display period is provided in which the stop display is maintained and the player waits for a predetermined period.

In a gaming machine, when the symbols are displayed in a stopped state on the symbol display device 75, it is common to stop the symbols in the final stop row (middle symbol row Z2 in this embodiment) gradually while slowing down the variable display speed, rather than stopping them suddenly. In this case, if the symbols in the middle symbol row Z2 (final stop row) are configured to start stopping in time with the start of the stopped display on the special symbol display section 43, the time required for the symbols to decelerate to stop on the symbol display device 75 is shortened, resulting in a reduction in the effective stopped display time.

Therefore, the symbol rows Z1 to Z3, including the final stop row, are stopped (temporarily stopped) before the special symbol display section 43 starts to display the symbols, and then the temporarily stopped symbols are permanently stopped (determined display) in accordance with the start timing of the special symbol display section 43. The display mode of the symbol rows Z1 to Z3 in the provisional stop is different from that in the definitive display. For example, at least one of the symbol rows Z1 to Z3 moves gently back and forth, or at least a part of the characters such as an octopus (FIG. 10) constituting the main symbol and sub-symbol is moving. In other words, the provisional stop is performed so that the symbols appear to be stationary at first glance, but remain in an incompletely stopped state (stationary display). In contrast, the definitive display is performed so that the symbols do not move back and forth or the characters do not move, and the symbols are completely stopped.

The provisional stop display of the pattern rows Z1 to Z3 may start with a stop result that corresponds to the result of the win/lose lottery or the type of jackpot, and then transition directly to a final display. In addition, the provisional stop display may temporarily stop with a stop result that does not correspond to the result of the win/lose lottery or the type of jackpot, and then the pattern rows Z1 to Z3 may change again to a stop result that corresponds to the result of the win/lose lottery, and then transition to a final display.

Incidentally, in a special pattern game run executed by the special pattern display unit 43, the pattern is not temporarily stopped, but the changing pattern is suddenly stopped as the changing display time elapses, and this state (the state in which the pattern is stopped) is maintained until the fixed display time has elapsed. In other words, the stopped display of the pattern in the special pattern display unit 43 remains a fixed display. This is also the case in a regular pattern game run executed by the regular pattern display unit 44.

The manner in which the pattern display device 75 changes is not limited to the above and can be any manner, and the number of pattern rows, the direction in which the patterns change in the pattern rows, the number of patterns in each pattern row, and the combination of patterns corresponding to a jackpot or a miss can be changed as appropriate.

As shown in FIG. 11(b), a hold display section 200 is provided at the bottom of the display screen G for displaying a number of hold images corresponding to the number of holds in the previous play, and the player can recognize the number of holds by visually checking the hold display section 200. The hold display section 200 has a first hold display area Ga corresponding to the first special symbol, and a second hold display area Gb corresponding to the second special symbol.

In the first hold display area Ga, unit hold display areas Ga1 to Ga4 are displayed side by side in the left-right direction, with the same number of unit hold display areas Ga1 to Ga4 as the maximum number of balls that can be held when a game ball enters the first operating port 62. Specifically, the maximum number of balls that can be held when a game ball enters the first operating port 62 is four, and corresponding to this, the first hold display area Ga1, the second unit hold display area Ga2, the third unit hold display area Ga3, and the fourth unit hold display area Ga4 are set in the first hold display area Ga.

For example, if the number of reserved balls when a game ball enters the first operating port 62 is one, a predetermined reserved image is displayed only in the first unit reserved display area Ga1, and if the number of reserved balls when a game ball enters the first operating port 62 is four, a predetermined reserved image is displayed in all of the first unit reserved display area Ga1 to the fourth unit reserved display area Ga4.

In addition, in the second reserve display area Gb, the same number of unit reserve display areas Gb1 to Gb4 as the maximum number of reserved balls when a game ball enters the second operating port 63 are displayed side by side in the left-right direction. Specifically, the maximum number of reserved balls when a game ball enters the second operating port 63 is four, and corresponding to this, the first unit reserve display area Gb1, the second unit reserve display area Gb2, the third unit reserve display area Gb3, and the fourth unit reserve display area Gb4 are set in the second reserve display area Gb.

For example, if the number of reserved balls when the game ball enters the second operating port 63 is one, a predetermined reserved image is displayed only in the first unit reserved display area Gb1, and if the number of reserved balls when the game ball enters the second operating port 63 is four, a predetermined reserved image is displayed in all of the first unit reserved display area Gb1 to the fourth unit reserved display area Gb4.

In addition, an execution display area D is set between the first hold display area Ga and the second hold display area Gb. A hold image corresponding to the game round to be executed (being executed) is displayed in the execution display area D. For example, when a game round ends and the next game round starts, the hold image displayed in the first unit hold display area Ga1 of the first hold display area Ga or the first unit hold display area Gb1 of the second hold display area Gb is moved and displayed in the execution display area D. This allows the player to recognize that the game round that was on hold will be executed.

<Electrical configuration for performing various lotteries by the MPU 312 of the main control device 162>
Next, the electrical configuration for performing various lotteries by the MPU 312 of the main control device 162 will be described with reference to FIG.

During play, the MPU 312 uses various counter information to perform a lottery for determining whether a jackpot occurs, the display settings for the special symbol display unit 43, the symbol display settings for the symbol display unit 75, and the display settings for the normal symbol display unit 44. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 13, the MPU 312 uses a winning random number counter C1 used to determine the lottery for determining whether a jackpot occurs, a jackpot type counter C2 used to determine the type of jackpot, a reach random number counter C3 used to determine whether a reach occurs when the symbol display unit 75 misses and fluctuates, a random number initial value counter CINI used to set the initial value of the winning random number counter C1, and a fluctuating type counter CS that determines the display duration time in the special symbol display unit 43 and the symbol display unit 75. In addition, the MPU 312 uses a normal electric device release counter C4 used to determine whether the normal electric device 63a of the second operating port 63 is set to a normal electric open state. The counters C1 to C3, CINI, CS, and C4 are located in the various counter areas 314b of the main RAM 314.

Each of the counters C1 to C3, CINI, CS, and C4 is a loop counter that adds 1 to the previous value each time it is updated and returns to "0" after it reaches its maximum value. Each counter is updated at short intervals. Information corresponding to the winning random number counter C1, the big win type counter C2, and the reach random number counter C3 is stored in the reserved storage area 314a provided as acquired information storage means in the main RAM 314 when a winning occurs in the first actuation port 62 or the second actuation port 63.

The reserved storage area 314a comprises a reserved area RE and an execution area AE. The reserved area RE comprises a first reserved area RE1, a second reserved area RE2, a third reserved area RE3 and a fourth reserved area RE4, and a combination of the numerical information of the winning random number counter C1, the big win type counter C2 and the reach random number counter C3 is stored as reserved information in one of the reserved areas RE1 to RE4 according to the winning history of the first actuation port 62 or the second actuation port 63.

In this case, when multiple consecutive wins occur in the first actuation port 62 or the second actuation port 63, the numerical information is stored in the first holding area RE1 to the fourth holding area RE4 in chronological order from the first holding area RE1 to the second holding area RE2 to the third holding area RE3 to the fourth holding area RE4. By providing four holding areas RE1 to RE4 in this way, up to four winning histories of game balls entering the first actuation port 62 or the second actuation port 63 can be reserved and stored.

The number of items that can be stored on hold is not limited to four, but is arbitrary, and may be any other multiple, such as two, three, or five or more, or may be singular.

The execution area AE is an area for moving the various numerical information stored in the first reserved area RE1 of the reserved area RE when the variable display of the special chart display section 43 begins, and when one game round begins, a win/loss determination is made based on the various numerical information stored in the execution area AE.

Each of the above counters will be explained in detail below.

First, the normal power feature opening counter C4 will be described. The normal power feature opening counter C4 is configured to increment by one within a range of, for example, 0 to 250, and return to "0" after it reaches its maximum value. The normal power feature opening counter C4 is updated periodically, and is stored in the normal power reserve area 314c of the main RAM 314 when the game ball enters the through gate 64. Then, at a specified timing, a lottery is held to determine whether or not to control the normal power feature 63a to an open state based on the value of the stored normal power feature opening counter C4.

In this pachinko machine 10, multiple types of support modes are set so that the manner of support provided by the normal power device 63a differs from one another. In detail, the support modes are set to a high-frequency support mode and a low-frequency support mode so that the frequency with which the normal power device 63a of the second operating port 63 opens per unit time is relatively high and low when compared with a situation in which game balls are continuously released in the same manner into the game area PA.

In the high-frequency support mode and the low-frequency support mode, the probability of winning the normal power opening state in the normal power opening lottery using the normal power role opening counter C4 is the same (for example, both are 4/5). However, in the high-frequency support mode, the number of times that the normal power role 63a will be in the open state when the normal power opening state is won is set to be greater than in the low-frequency support mode, and the opening time for each time is set to be longer. In this case, when the normal power opening state is won in the high-frequency support mode and the open state of the normal power role 63a occurs multiple times, the closing time from the end of one opening state to the start of the next opening state is set to be shorter than the opening time for each time. Furthermore, in the high-frequency support mode, the minimum time to be secured between one normal power opening lottery and the next normal power opening lottery (i.e., the duration of one display on the normal power display unit 44) is set to be shorter than in the low-frequency support mode.

As described above, in the high-frequency support mode, the probability of a winning entry into the second actuation port 63 is higher than in the low-frequency support mode. In other words, in the low-frequency support mode, the probability of a winning entry into the first actuation port 62 is higher than in the second actuation port 63, but in the high-frequency support mode, the probability of a winning entry into the second actuation port 63 is higher than in the first actuation port 62. When a winning entry into the second actuation port 63 occurs, a predetermined number of game balls are paid out, so in the high-frequency support mode, the player can play without losing too many balls.

The configuration for increasing the frequency of the high-frequency support mode becoming in the normal power release state per unit time compared to the low-frequency support mode is not limited to the above, and may be, for example, a configuration for increasing the probability of winning the normal power release state in the normal power release lottery. In addition, in a configuration in which multiple types of reserved time (for example, the time of variable display executed in the normal power display unit 44 based on winning the through gate 64) are prepared for the time reserved between one normal power release lottery and the next normal power release lottery, the high-frequency support mode may be set so that a shorter reserved time is more likely to be selected or the average reserved time is shorter than in the low-frequency support mode. Furthermore, the advantage of the high-frequency support mode over the low-frequency support mode may be increased by applying any one or any combination of conditions from increasing the number of openings, lengthening the opening time, shortening the reserved time reserved between one normal power release lottery and the next normal power release lottery, shortening the average time of the reserved time, and increasing the winning probability.

As already explained, the pachinko machine 10 has the setting states of "Setting 1" to "Setting 6". The opening frequency and opening mode of the normal power device 63a in the low-frequency support mode are the same regardless of the setting value, and the opening frequency and opening mode of the normal power device 63a in the high-frequency support mode are also the same regardless of the setting value. However, this is not limited to this, and at least one of the opening frequency and opening mode of the normal power device 63a for at least one of the low-frequency support mode and the high-frequency support mode may be configured to vary depending on the setting state of the pachinko machine 10. For example, the higher the setting value, the higher the opening frequency of the normal power device 63a in the low-frequency support mode, and the higher the probability of a game ball entering the second operating port 63 when the normal power device 63a is in a one-time opening state in the low-frequency support mode. In addition, the higher the set value, the higher the frequency with which the normal power device 63a opens in the high-frequency support mode, and the higher the probability of a game ball entering the second operating port 63 when the normal power device 63a opens once in the high-frequency support mode.

Next, the winning random number counter C1 will be described. The winning random number counter C1 is configured to increment by one within the range of, for example, 0 to 599, and return to "0" after reaching a maximum value. In particular, when the winning random number counter C1 goes around once, the value of the random number initial value counter CINI at that time is read as the initial value of the winning random number counter C1. The random number initial value counter CINI is a loop counter similar to the winning random number counter C1 (value = 0 to 599). The winning random number counter C1 is updated periodically, and is stored in the reserved storage area 314a of the main RAM 314 when a game ball enters the first actuation port 62 or the second actuation port 63.

The random number value that will result in a jackpot win is stored in the main ROM 313 as a win/lose table. Figure 14 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the various tables stored in the main ROM 313. The main ROM 313 has an area 411 for setting 1, an area 412 for setting 2, an area 413 for setting 3, an area 414 for setting 4, an area 415 for setting 5, and an area 416 for setting 6.

The setting 1 area 411 stores a low probability win/loss table 411a for setting 1 that is referenced when the setting state of the pachinko machine 10 is "setting 1" and the win/loss selection mode is the low probability mode, and a high probability win/loss table 411b for setting 1 that is referenced when the setting state of the pachinko machine 10 is "setting 1" and the win/loss selection mode is the high probability mode. The setting 2 area 412 stores a low probability win/loss table 412a for setting 2 that is referenced when the setting state of the pachinko machine 10 is "setting 2" and the win/loss selection mode is the low probability mode, and a high probability win/loss table 412b for setting 2 that is referenced when the setting state of the pachinko machine 10 is "setting 2" and the win/loss selection mode is the high probability mode. The area 413 for setting 3 stores a low probability win/lose table 413a for setting 3 that is referenced when the setting state of the pachinko machine 10 is "setting 3" and the win/lose selection mode is the low probability mode, and a high probability win/lose table 413b for setting 3 that is referenced when the setting state of the pachinko machine 10 is "setting 3" and the win/lose selection mode is the high probability mode.

The area for setting 4 414 stores a low-probability win/loss table 414a for setting 4 that is referenced when the setting state of the pachinko machine 10 is "setting 4" and the win/loss selection mode is the low probability mode, and a high-probability win/loss table 414b for setting 4 that is referenced when the setting state of the pachinko machine 10 is "setting 4" and the win/loss selection mode is the high probability mode. The area for setting 5 415 stores a low-probability win/loss table 415a for setting 5 that is referenced when the setting state of the pachinko machine 10 is "setting 5" and the win/loss selection mode is the low probability mode, and a high-probability win/loss table 415b for setting 5 that is referenced when the setting state of the pachinko machine 10 is "setting 5" and the win/loss selection mode is the high probability mode. The area 416 for setting 6 stores a low probability win/lose table 416a for setting 6 that is referenced when the setting state of the pachinko machine 10 is "setting 6" and the win/lose selection mode is the low probability mode, and a high probability win/lose table 416b for setting 6 that is referenced when the setting state of the pachinko machine 10 is "setting 6" and the win/lose selection mode is the high probability mode.

The winning probabilities of the jackpot result set in each of the low probability hit/miss tables 411a to 416a are different from each other. For example, when the low probability hit/miss table 411a for setting 1 to the low probability hit/miss table 416a for setting 6 are referenced, the winning probabilities of the jackpot are approximately 1/320, approximately 1/310, approximately 1/300, approximately 1/290, approximately 1/280, and approximately 1/270, respectively.

The winning probabilities of the jackpot result set in each of the high probability hit/miss tables 411b to 416b are also different from each other. For example, when the high probability hit/miss table 411b for setting 1 to the high probability hit/miss table 416b for setting 6 are referenced, the winning probabilities of the jackpot are approximately 1/45, approximately 1/40, approximately 1/35, approximately 1/30, approximately 1/25, and approximately 1/20, respectively.

In other words, the higher the setting value of the pachinko machine 10, the higher the probability of winning a jackpot result in both the low probability mode and the high probability mode. Therefore, the higher the setting value in both the low probability mode and the high probability mode, the easier it is for a jackpot to occur, and the advantage to the player of having a high setting value set is preferably increased.

The jackpot type counter C2 is configured to be incremented by one within the range of 0 to 29, and to return to "0" after it reaches its maximum value. The jackpot type counter C2 is updated periodically, and is stored in the reserved storage area 314a when a game ball enters the first actuation port 62 or the second actuation port 63.

In this pachinko machine 10, multiple jackpot results are set. These multiple jackpot results are set by providing differences in three conditions: (1) the manner of opening and closing control of the variable winning device 65 in the opening and closing execution mode, (2) the lottery mode in the winning/losing lottery means after the opening and closing execution mode ends, and (3) the support mode in the normal power device 63a of the second operating port 63 after the opening and closing execution mode ends.

As the manner of controlling the opening and closing of the variable winning device 65 in the opening and closing execution mode, a high frequency winning mode and a low frequency winning mode are set so that the frequency of winning in the variable winning device 65 from the start to the end of the opening and closing execution mode is relatively high and low. Specifically, in either the high frequency winning mode or the low frequency winning mode, a predetermined number of rounds are played up to the upper limit.

A round play is a play that continues until one of the following conditions is met: a predetermined upper limit duration has elapsed, or a predetermined upper limit number of game balls have entered the variable winning device 65. Furthermore, the number of round plays in the open/close execution mode triggered by a jackpot result is the same fixed number of rounds regardless of the type of jackpot result that triggered the transition. Specifically, regardless of the jackpot result, the upper limit number of round plays is set to 15 rounds.

In addition, in this pachinko machine 10, the variable winning device 65 is set to have multiple opening modes with different durations of opening from when the variable winning device 65 is opened until when it is closed. In detail, a long-time mode in which the opening duration is set to 29 seconds, which is a long time, and a short-time mode in which the opening duration is set to 0.06 seconds, which is a short time shorter than the long time, are set.

In this pachinko machine 10, when the game ball launching handle 41 is operated by the player, the game ball launching mechanism 110 is driven and controlled so that one game ball is launched toward the game area PA every 0.6 seconds. In addition, the upper limit number of balls for the end condition of the round game is set to nine. In this case, in the long-time mode among the above-mentioned opening modes, the opening duration is set to a time longer than the product of the game ball launching cycle and one round game. On the other hand, in the short-time mode, the opening duration is set to a time shorter than the product of the game ball launching cycle and one round game, more specifically, shorter than the game ball launching cycle. Therefore, when one opening is performed in the long-time mode, it is expected that the variable winning device 65 will win the maximum number of balls in one round game, and when one opening is performed in the short-time mode, it is expected that no winning will occur in the variable winning device 65, or if a winning occurs, it is expected that only about one ball will be won.

In the high frequency winning mode, the variable winning device 65 is opened once in each round of play in a long time mode. On the other hand, in the low frequency winning mode, the variable winning device 65 is opened once in each round of play in a short time mode.

The number of times the variable winning device 65 is opened and closed in the high frequency winning mode and the low frequency winning mode, the number of rounds of play, the duration of opening for one opening, and the upper limit number of balls in one round of play are not limited to the above values and are arbitrary, so long as the frequency of winning in the variable winning device 65 from the start to the end of the opening and closing execution mode is higher in the high frequency winning mode than in the low frequency winning mode.

As shown in FIG. 13, the allocation destination of the jackpot result for the jackpot type counter C2 is stored in the main ROM 313 as an allocation table 387. In addition, in the allocation table 387, a low probability jackpot result, a low prize high probability jackpot result, and a high prize jackpot result are set as the allocation destination of the jackpot result in the event of a jackpot result.

A low probability jackpot result is a jackpot result in which the open/close execution mode becomes a high frequency winning mode, and after the open/close execution mode ends, the win/lose selection mode becomes a low probability mode, and the support mode becomes a high frequency support mode. However, this high frequency support mode will transition to a low frequency support mode if the number of plays reaches the end reference number (specifically, 100 plays) after the transition.

A low-winning, high-probability jackpot result is a jackpot result in which the open/close execution mode becomes a low-frequency winning mode, and after the open/close execution mode ends, the win/lose lottery mode becomes a high-probability mode, and the support mode becomes a high-frequency support mode. These high-probability and high-frequency support modes continue until the lottery result in a win/lose lottery win and the jackpot state is entered.

A high-prize jackpot result is one in which the open/close execution mode becomes the high-frequency win mode, and after the open/close execution mode ends, the win/lose lottery mode becomes the high probability mode, and the support mode becomes the high-frequency support mode. These high probability and high frequency support modes continue until the lottery result in a win in the win/lose lottery and the game transitions to a jackpot state.

In relation to the above game states, the normal game state refers to a state in which the win/lose selection mode is a low probability mode and the support mode is a low frequency support mode, rather than the open/close execution mode. Also, a configuration may be adopted in which a low winning high probability jackpot result is not set as a game result. Also, in the open/close execution mode in a low winning high probability jackpot result, the number of rounds of play may be fewer than in the case of a low probability jackpot result and a high winning jackpot result.

In the distribution table 387, of the jackpot type counter C2 values of "0 to 29," "0 to 9" correspond to a low probability jackpot result, "10 to 14" correspond to a low probability jackpot result with a high prize, and "15 to 29" correspond to a high probability jackpot result.

Only one type of distribution table 387 is provided so that it is common to all settings from "Setting 1" to "Setting 6." This makes it possible to prevent any advantage or disadvantage in the distribution pattern of the jackpot result from being caused by the setting state of the pachinko machine 10, and also makes it possible to reduce the storage capacity required to previously store the distribution table 387 in the main ROM 313.

The allocation of the jackpot result may be different depending on the setting state of the pachinko machine 10. For example, the higher the setting value, the higher the probability of being allocated to a high winning jackpot result, or the higher the setting value, the higher the probability of being allocated to a high winning jackpot result or a low winning high probability jackpot result. In this case, the higher the setting value, the higher the probability of entering a high probability mode after a jackpot result. Also, the higher the setting value, the lower the probability of being allocated to a low winning high probability jackpot result, or the higher the setting value, the higher the probability of being allocated to a low winning high probability jackpot result. In this case, the higher the setting value, the higher the probability of the opening and closing execution mode of the high frequency winning mode occurring.

Next, the reach random number counter C3 will be described. The reach random number counter C3 is configured to be incremented by one within a range of, for example, 0 to 238, and to return to "0" after reaching a maximum value. In this pachinko machine 10, an expectation effect is set as one type of display effect in the symbol display device 75. The expectation effect refers to a display state that makes the player think that the variable display state is likely to result in the award corresponding result from the start of the variable display of the symbols in the symbol display device 75 and before the stop result is derived and displayed in a gaming machine equipped with a symbol display device 75 capable of performing a variable display of symbols, in which the final stop result in a game round that results in a predetermined jackpot result is a grant corresponding result. Specifically, the grant corresponding result is displayed as a combination of symbols with the same number on one of the pay lines.

There are two types of expectation effects: reach displays and advance notices that are used to anticipate the occurrence of reach displays or corresponding results before the reach display occurs.

The reach display includes a display state in which the reach pattern combination is displayed by stopping and displaying the patterns for some of the multiple pattern rows Z1 to Z3 displayed on the display screen G of the pattern display device 75, and in this state, the remaining pattern rows display varying patterns. In addition, it includes a state in which the reach pattern combination is displayed as described above, and the remaining pattern rows display varying patterns, and a reach performance is performed by displaying a predetermined character or the like as a video on the background screen, and a reach performance is performed by displaying a reduced or hidden reach pattern combination and displaying a predetermined character or the like as a video on almost the entire display screen G.

Pre-notification displays include modes in which characters are displayed separately from the patterns on the pattern columns when all of the pattern columns Z1 to Z3 are displaying patterns after the display screen G of the pattern display device 75 starts displaying patterns in a variable manner, or when some of the pattern columns are displaying patterns in a multiple number of pattern columns. Pre-notification displays also include modes in which the background screen is displayed in a predetermined manner different from the previous manner, and modes in which the patterns on the pattern columns are displayed in a predetermined manner different from the previous manner. Such pre-notification displays can occur in both game rounds when a reach display is made and when a reach display is not made, but are set to occur with a higher probability when a reach display is made than when a reach display is not made.

The reach display is executed regardless of the value of the reach random number counter C3 in a game round in which the same symbol combination is ultimately displayed. Also, in a game round corresponding to a jackpot result in which the same symbol combination is not displayed, the reach display is not executed regardless of the value of the reach random number counter C3. Also, in a game round corresponding to a miss result, the reach display is executed when the reach random number counter C3 obtained at a predetermined timing by referring to the reach table stored in the main ROM 313 corresponds to the occurrence of the reach display.

On the other hand, the decision as to whether or not to display a preview is not made by the main control device 162, but by the presentation control device 143. In this case, the presentation control device 143 executes a lottery process for the preview display so that a game round corresponding to any jackpot result satisfies at least one of the conditions that a preview display is more likely to occur and that a preview display with a low occurrence rate is more likely to occur in a game round corresponding to a miss result. Incidentally, this lottery result is reflected when the presentation for the game round is executed by the pattern display device 75.

Here, the probability of a reach display occurring in a game that results in a losing result is the same regardless of the setting state of "Setting 1" to "Setting 6." This makes it possible to ensure that the setting state of the pachinko machine 10 does not result in an advantage or disadvantage in terms of the probability of a reach display occurring in a game that results in a losing result. However, this is not limited to this, and a configuration may be adopted in which the higher the setting value, the higher the probability of a reach display occurring in a game that results in a losing result.

Next, the variation type counter CS will be described. The variation type counter CS is configured to be incremented by one within the range of, for example, 0 to 198, and to return to "0" after reaching the maximum value. The variation type counter CS is used in the MPU 312 to determine the display duration in the special pattern display unit 43 and the display duration of the pattern in the pattern display device 75.
The variation type counter CS is updated once each time a timer interrupt process described later is executed, and is repeatedly updated within the remaining time until the next timer interrupt process is executed. The buffer value of the variation type counter CS is acquired when the variation display in the special pattern display unit 43 starts and when the pattern display device 75 starts varying the pattern to determine the variation pattern.

Here, in the pachinko machine 10 according to this embodiment, processing related to the base value is executed. The base value referred to in this processing does not apply to all game states, but is the ratio of the total number of game balls dispensed to the total number of game balls discharged from the game area PA (i.e., the total number of game balls supplied to the game area PA) for a period excluding the period during the open/close execution mode due to a jackpot result and the period during the high frequency support mode; in other words, it is the base value during normal play (when playing with the left hand).

In processing related to the base value, the MPU 312 of the main control device 162 calculates and measures the above-mentioned base value. At that time, the measurement section is defined as a unit of the period until the total number of outs (total number of game balls discharged from the game area PA) reaches a predetermined number (for example, 60,000 balls), and the current base value in the latest measurement section and the base value in the past measurement period are displayed on the first to fifth notification display devices 169a to 169e.

As shown in FIG. 15(a), when displaying the base value, of the first to fifth notification display devices 169a to 169e, the first notification display device 169a and the second notification display device 169b are used as identification display units, and the third notification display device 169c and the fourth notification display device 169d are used as ratio (base value) display units. The identification display units are used to indicate whether the base value displayed in the ratio display unit is a real-time base value or a past base value. Note that the fifth notification display device 169e is not used when displaying the base value.

Figure 15(b) is an explanatory diagram for explaining the display mode of the base values in the first to fourth display devices 169a to 169d for notification. The first to fourth display devices 169a to 169d switch between displaying the current base value, which is the real-time base value in the latest measurement section, the previous base value, which is the base value in the previous measurement section (the base value measured when the total number of outs reached 60,000 in the previous measurement section), the previous-previous base value, which is the base value in the measurement section before last, and the previous-previous base value, which is the base value in the measurement section before last, at predetermined intervals (e.g., 5 seconds).

When displaying the current base value, "bL." is displayed on the identification display unit (first notification display unit 169a and second notification display unit 169b), and the current base value is displayed in two digits on the ratio display unit (third notification display unit 169c and fourth notification display unit 169d). When displaying the previous base value, the base value before last, or the base value before last, "b1.", "b2.", or "b3." is displayed on the identification display unit, and the base value for each measurement period (past base value) is displayed on the ratio display unit. By displaying the base value in this way together with the identification display unit, when the amusement hall manager or the like checks the base value, he or she can properly understand what point in time the base value is.

In this way, the base value is displayed not only as the current base value, but also as the base values for multiple past times. Generally, in an amusement hall, approximately 10,000 to 20,000 game balls are fired into one pachinko machine 10 per day, so the base value for every 60,000 total outs corresponds to the base value over several days, such as 3 to 6 days. By being able to check the current base value in comparison with such past base values, it becomes possible to appropriately determine whether the current base value is appropriate. Therefore, for example, if fraudulent activity has been committed to increase the winning rate at the first operating port 62 or the general winning port 61, the possibility of such fraudulent activity can be discovered.

In this case, for example, if only the previous base value is displayed as the past value, if the base value at that time happens to be low, it may be difficult to determine whether or not there is fraudulent activity by comparing it with the current base value. In this regard, by also displaying the base value before last and the value before last, it becomes possible to compare with multiple past base values, making it easier to determine whether or not there is fraudulent activity.

In the above configuration, the base values are displayed for the past three measurement intervals, but the base values for two intervals may be displayed, or the base values for four or more intervals may be displayed. In other words, when displaying past base values for multiple measurement intervals, the number of measurement intervals to be displayed can be determined arbitrarily.

In addition to the processing related to the base value, in this embodiment, processing related to the difference in balls is executed. The difference in balls in this processing is the total number of game balls paid out minus the total number of outs (the total number of game balls discharged from the game area PA) regardless of the game state, in other words, the total difference in balls during the game period. In the processing related to the difference in balls, the MPU 312 of the main control device 162 calculates and measures the difference in balls, and executes processing to limit the progress of the game if the measured value exceeds a specific number (for example, 100,000 balls). Also, the difference in balls each time is displayed on the first to fifth notification display devices 169a to 169e. These processes will be explained in detail later.

As described above, in this embodiment, processing related to the base value and processing related to the difference in the number of balls are performed along with control processing for progressing the game based on the game operation by the player, but the MPU 312 of the main control device 162 executes these processes by distinguishing between specific control and non-specific control. Specifically, processing related to the base value and part of the processing related to the difference in the number of balls are considered to be non-specific control, and control other than non-specific control, including control processing for progressing the game based on the game operation by the player and other parts of the processing related to the difference in the number of balls, is considered to be specific control.

Figure 16 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the setting mode of programs and data in the main ROM 313. In accordance with the distinction between specific control and non-specific control in the control executed by the MPU 312, as shown in Figure 16, the addresses of the areas in the main ROM 313 where programs and data for specific control are stored and programs and data for non-specific control are stored are clearly distinguished.

Specifically, programs for specific control are stored in a concentrated manner in the area of each successive address within the range of addresses X(1) to X(k+2). In addition, addresses X(k+3) to X(k+5) successive to addresses X(1) to X(k+2) are unused area addresses in which no data is stored, and following these, data for specific control are stored in a concentrated manner in the area of each successive address within the range of addresses X(k+6) to X(m+2).

Furthermore, addresses X(m+3) to X(m+5) consecutive to addresses X(k+6) to X(m+2) are unused area addresses where no data is stored, and non-specific control programs are collectively stored in the consecutive address areas in the range of addresses X(m+6) to X(n+2).Furthermore, addresses X(n+3) to X(n+5) consecutive to addresses X(m+6) to X(n+2) are unused area addresses where no data is stored, and non-specific control data are collectively stored in the consecutive address areas in the range of addresses X(n+6) to X(p+2).

The relationship between the above programs and data and addresses is set in both the physical addresses in the main ROM 313 and the logical addresses on the memory map recognized by the MPU 312.

As described above, the program and data for specific control and the program and data for non-specific control are stored in different address ranges regardless of the execution order of the process for executing the corresponding control. Therefore, when checking only the program and data for specific control, it is necessary to check only the address range area in which the program and data for specific control are stored, and when checking only the program and data for non-specific control, it is necessary to check only the address range area in which the program and data for non-specific control are stored. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently check the program and data for specific control and non-specific control separately. It is also possible to efficiently correct the program and data for specific control and non-specific control separately.

By setting an address range for an unused area in which no data is stored between the address range of the area in which the program for specific control and the data for specific control are stored and the address range of the area in which the program for non-specific control and the data for non-specific control are stored, it becomes easier to grasp the boundary between the address range for specific control and the address range for non-specific control when performing a check.

In the address range for specific control and the address range for non-specific control, programs and data are stored in different address ranges, regardless of the execution order of the processes for executing the corresponding controls, which makes it possible to efficiently check programs and data separately. In addition, an address range for an unused area in which no data is stored is set between the address range of the area in which the program is stored and the address range of the area in which the data is stored, which makes it easier to grasp the boundary between the address range of the program and the address range of the data when checking.

Figure 17 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the setting mode of each area in the main RAM 314. In accordance with the distinction between specific control and non-specific control in the control executed by the MPU 312, as shown in Figure 17, the address range of the work area 391 for specific control and the stack area 392 for specific control is also clearly distinguished from the address range of the work area 393 for non-specific control and the stack area 394 for non-specific control in the main RAM 314.

Specifically, the area of each successive address within the range of addresses Y(1) to Y(r+2) is set as a work area 391 for specific control. In addition, addresses Y(r+3) to Y(r+5) successive to addresses Y(1) to Y(r+2) are unused area addresses, and the area of each successive address within the range of addresses Y(r+6) to Y(s+2) is set as a stack area 392 for specific control.

Furthermore, addresses Y(s+3) to Y(s+5) consecutive to addresses Y(r+6) to Y(s+2) are unused area addresses, and the area of each consecutive address in the range of addresses Y(s+6) to Y(t+2) is set as a work area 393 for non-specific control.Furthermore, addresses Y(t+3) to Y(t+5) consecutive to addresses Y(s+6) to Y(t+2) are unused area addresses, and the area of each consecutive address in the range of addresses Y(t+6) to Y(u+2) is set as a stack area 394 for non-specific control.

The relationship between each area and address as described above is set in both the physical address in the main RAM 314 and the logical address on the memory map recognized by the MPU 312.

As described above, the work area 391 for specific control and the work area 393 for non-specific control are set separately, so that different areas of the main RAM 314 are used when performing various calculations, etc., when the MPU 312 executes specific control and when it executes non-specific control. This makes it possible to prevent an event from occurring in which information in the main RAM 314 required for the execution of one of specific control and non-specific control is erased when the other is executed. Incidentally, a load command is issued by the MPU 312 when writing information to each work area 391, 393 and reading information from each work area 391, 393.

By setting the stack area 392 for specific control and the stack area 394 for non-specific control separately, different areas of the main RAM 314 are used when saving information stored in the registers of the MPU 312 and when storing information of the return address in the program, depending on whether the MPU 312 executes specific control or non-specific control. This makes it possible to prevent an event in which information used in the other is erased when saving information stored in the registers of the MPU 312 and when storing information of the return address in the program while one of the specific control and non-specific control is being executed. Incidentally, when writing information to each stack area 392, 394, a push command is issued by the MPU 312, and when reading information from each stack area 392, 394, a pop command is issued by the MPU 312. When reading information from each stack area 392, 394, the order of writing to the stack areas 392, 394 is such that the later information is read first.

Here, when the MPU 312 executes a process corresponding to a specific control, the MPU 312 can write information to the work area 391 for specific control and the stack area 392 for specific control, and can read information from the work area 391 for specific control and the stack area 392 for specific control. On the other hand, when the MPU 312 executes a process corresponding to a specific control, the MPU 312 can read information from the work area 393 for non-specific control and the stack area 394 for non-specific control, but cannot write information to the work area 393 for non-specific control and the stack area 394 for non-specific control. This makes it possible to prevent information used in the process corresponding to a non-specific control from being accidentally erased when a process corresponding to a specific control is being executed.

In addition, when the MPU 312 executes a process corresponding to non-specific control, the MPU 312 can write information to the work area 393 for non-specific control and the stack area 394 for non-specific control, and can read information from the work area 393 for non-specific control and the stack area 394 for non-specific control. On the other hand, when the MPU 312 executes a process corresponding to non-specific control, the MPU 312 can read information from the work area 391 for specific control and the stack area 392 for specific control, but cannot write information to the work area 391 for specific control and the stack area 392 for specific control. This makes it possible to prevent information used in a process corresponding to specific control from being accidentally erased when a process corresponding to non-specific control is being executed.

Note that backup power is supplied to the main RAM 314 even after the power to the pachinko machine 10 is cut off, and this backup power is supplied to all of the work area 391 for specific control, the stack area 392 for specific control, the work area 393 for non-specific control, and the stack area 394 for non-specific control. As a result, the information stored in the work area 391 for specific control, the stack area 392 for specific control, the work area 393 for non-specific control, and the stack area 394 for non-specific control is stored and retained as long as backup power is being supplied, even after the power to the pachinko machine 10 is cut off.

<Processing Configuration of MPU 312>
Next, a description will be given of each control process executed by the MPU 312 of the main control device 162. The processes of the MPU 312 are roughly divided into main processes that are started when the power is turned on, and timer interrupt processes that are started periodically (for example, every 4 msec).

<Main processing>
First, the main process will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 18. The main process is started under the condition that the timer interrupt process is prohibited. The main process is basically executed by a program for specific control, but some processes (step S115) are executed by a program for non-specific control.

First, in step S101, the power-on initial setting process is executed. In the power-on initial setting process, for example, the main process is started and then the process waits until a predetermined wait time (specifically, 1 sec) has elapsed before proceeding to the next process. During this predetermined wait period, the operation of the pattern display device 75 is started and the initial setting is completed. In addition, access to the main RAM 314 is permitted.

In step S102, an internal function register setting process is executed. In the internal function register setting process, the interrupt period of the timer interrupt process (FIG. 21), which is a process that periodically interrupts the main process and is started, is set to a predetermined period (e.g., 4 msec). In addition to setting the interrupt period of the timer interrupt process, the internal function register setting process also executes a process for setting the numerical range of various counters, such as the numerical range of the hit random number counter C1.

In step S103, it is determined whether the reset button 166c has been pressed. In other words, it is determined whether the power to the pachinko machine 10 has been turned on while the reset button 166c has been pressed, and whether the supply of operating power to the MPU 312 has begun.

If the reset button 166c has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S104, and a first initialization process is executed for the area for specific control. In the first initialization process, the work area 391 for specific control in the main RAM 314 is cleared to "0", except for the area (setting value counter) in which setting value information indicating the setting state of the pachinko machine 10 is set.

In addition, in the first initialization process, the work area 393 for non-specific control and the stack area 394 for non-specific control are not cleared to "0". This makes it possible to prevent the work area 393 for non-specific control and the stack area 394 for non-specific control from being cleared to "0" by a clearing operation by an employee of the amusement hall, etc.

In step S105, it is determined whether the setting key insertion unit 166a has been turned on using the setting key. If the setting key insertion unit 166a has been turned on, the process proceeds to step S106, where the setting value update process is executed.

The setting value update process in step S106 will now be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 19. Note that steps S201 to S207 in the setting value update process are executed by a program for specific control.

In the setting value update process, first in step S201, the setting update display flag provided in the work area 391 for specific control is set to "1". The setting update display flag is a flag that allows the MPU 312 to identify that the setting value of the pachinko machine 10 is being updated.

In step S202, it is determined whether the value of the setting value counter provided in the work area 391 for specific control is equal to or greater than 1, which corresponds to "setting 1," and equal to or less than 6, which corresponds to "setting 6." If the value of the setting value counter is "0" or equal to or greater than 7, the process proceeds to step S203, where the setting value counter is set to "1." This causes the setting value of the pachinko machine 10 to become "setting 1."

After execution of step S203 or if a positive judgment is made in step S202 (if the setting value is within the range of setting 1 to setting 6), in step S204, it is judged whether the setting key insertion unit 166a has been turned OFF using the setting key. In this case, it may be configured to judge whether the setting key insertion unit 166a has switched from an ON state to an OFF state, or to judge whether the setting key insertion unit 166a is in an OFF state.

If the setting key insertion section 166a has not been turned OFF, then in step S205 it is determined whether the update button 166b has been pressed. If the update button 166b has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S206, where the value of the setting value counter in the work area 391 for specific control is incremented by 1. This updates the setting value to the next higher level.

After step S206 is executed, or if a negative judgment is made in step S205 (if the update button 166b has not been pressed), the process returns to step S202. Thereafter, the processes of steps S202 to S206 are repeated until a positive judgment is made in step S204. If it is determined in step S202 that the value of the setting value counter is 7 or greater, the setting value counter is set to "1" in step S203. As a result, if the update button 166b is pressed once in the "setting 6" situation, the setting will return to "setting 1."

If the determination in step S204 is affirmative (the setting key insertion section 166a is turned OFF), the process proceeds to step S207, where the setting update display flag in the work area 391 for specific control is cleared to "0." After step S207 is executed, the setting value update process ends.

Returning to the explanation of the main process (FIG. 18), if a negative judgment is made in step S103 (the reset button 166c has not been pressed), the process proceeds to step S107, where it is judged whether or not the power outage flag provided in the work area 391 for specific control is set to "1". The power outage flag is set to "1" when power outage processing is executed in the power outage information storage processing (step S401) of the timer interrupt processing (FIG. 21) described later, and is a flag that allows the MPU 312 to determine whether or not power outage processing was performed appropriately the previous time the power was shut off.

If the power failure flag is set to "1", in step S108, a checksum is calculated for the work area 391 for specific control and the stack area 392 for specific control. In the following step S109, it is determined whether or not the checksum matches the checksum saved when the power was cut off, i.e., the validity of the stored data is determined.

If a negative judgment is made in either step S107 or step S109, an operation prohibition process is executed. In the operation prohibition process, an error notification process is executed to notify the hall manager or the like of the occurrence of an error (step S110), and then an infinite loop is performed. The operation prohibition process is released when the initialization process in step S104 is executed.

If the determination in step S109 is positive (if the checksum is normal), in step S111, it is determined whether the setting key insertion unit 166a has been turned ON. If the setting key insertion unit 166a has been turned ON, the process proceeds to step S112, where a setting confirmation process is executed.

The setting confirmation process of step S112 will now be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 20. Note that steps S301 to S303 in the setting confirmation process are executed by a specific control program.

In the setting confirmation process, first in step S301, the setting confirmation display flag provided in the work area 391 for specific control is set to "1". The setting confirmation display flag is a flag that allows the MPU 312 to identify that the current setting value of the pachinko machine 10 is being confirmed. The current setting value is displayed on the first to fifth notification display devices 169a to 169e. The process for this display will be described later.

In step S302, it is determined whether the setting key insertion unit 166a has been turned OFF. In this case, it may be configured to determine whether the setting key insertion unit 166a has switched from an ON state to an OFF state, or to determine whether the setting key insertion unit 166a is in an OFF state. If the setting key insertion unit 166a has not been turned OFF, the process of step S302 is repeated.

If the setting key insertion section 166a is turned OFF, the setting confirmation display flag in the specific control work area 391 is cleared to "0", and then the setting confirmation process is terminated. This clears the setting value confirmation state (the display state of the setting value in the first to fifth notification display devices 169a to 169e).

Returning to the explanation of the main process (FIG. 18), after the setting confirmation process of step S112 is executed, and after the setting value update process of step S106 is executed, if a negative judgment is made in step S111 (when the power supply of the pachinko machine 10 is turned on without pressing the reset button 166c and the setting key insertion unit 166a is not turned on) or if a negative judgment is made in step S105 (when the power supply of the pachinko machine 10 is turned on while the reset button 166c is pressed and the setting key insertion unit 166a is not turned on), a power-on setting process is executed in step S113. In the power-on setting process, a predetermined area of the main RAM 314, such as the initialization of the power outage flag, is set to an initial value, and a command corresponding to the current game state is sent to the performance control device 143. In the power-on setting process, it is determined whether or not the game is stopped, and if the game is stopped, it is released. In other words, if the game stop flag provided in the work area 391 for specific control is set to "1", it is cleared to "0" and initialized.

In step S114, the process for starting up when the overtime has expired is executed, and in the following step S115, the process for partial clearing is executed. These processes relate to game restrictions that utilize the difference in the number of balls, and the details of these will be described later.

In step S116, an operation check process is performed on the first to fifth display devices 169a to 169e. In this operation check process, all segments in the first to fifth display devices 169a to 169e are lit, and this state continues for a predetermined period of time (for example, 5 seconds). If any segment in the first to fifth display devices 169a to 169e is not lit due to a fault such as a broken wire, the base value, etc. will not be displayed correctly, which may cause problems in determining whether or not there is fraud. In this regard, by performing the operation check process, it is possible to check whether the first to fifth display devices 169a to 169e are lit normally each time the power of the pachinko machine 10 is turned on, and the game is prevented from progressing in a state in which the base value, etc. is not displayed correctly.

In step S117, interrupt permission is set to allow timer interrupt processing to occur. Then, the process proceeds to the remaining processing of steps S118 to S121. In other words, the MPU 312 is configured to periodically execute timer interrupt processing, but there will be a remaining time between one timer interrupt processing and the next timer interrupt processing. This remaining time will vary depending on the processing completion time of each timer interrupt processing, but this irregular time is used to repeatedly execute the remaining processing of steps S118 to S121. In this respect, the remaining processing of steps S118 to S121 can be said to be non-periodic processing that is executed non-periodically.

In the remaining process, first, in step S118, interrupt prohibition is set to prohibit the occurrence of timer interrupt processing. In the following step S119, random number initial value update processing is executed to update the random number initial value counter CINI, and in step S120, fluctuation counter update processing is executed to update the fluctuation type counter CS. In these update processing, the current numerical information is read from the corresponding counter in the work area 391 for specific control, and the read numerical information is added by 1, and then the counter from which it was read is overwritten. In this case, when the counter value exceeds the maximum value, each is cleared to "0". After that, in step S121, interrupt permission is set to switch from a state in which the occurrence of timer interrupt processing is prohibited to a state in which it is permitted. If the processing of step S121 is executed, the process returns to step S118, and the processing of steps S118 to S121 is repeated.

<Timer interrupt processing>
Next, the timer interrupt process will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 21. The timer interrupt process is executed periodically (for example, every 4 msec). Note that a program corresponding to the timer interrupt process is set in a program for specific control.

First, in step S401, a power outage information storage process is executed. In the power outage information storage process, it is monitored whether a power outage signal corresponding to a power outage has been received from the power outage monitoring unit 315, and if a power outage is identified, a power outage process is executed and then an infinite loop occurs. In the power outage process, the power outage flag provided in the work area 391 for specific control is set to "1", and checksums are calculated for the work area 391 for specific control and the stack area 392 for specific control, and the calculated checksum is saved.

In step S402, a random number update process for lottery is executed. In the random number update process for lottery, the winning random number counter C1, the big win type counter C2, the reach random number counter C3, and the normal power feature opening counter C4 are updated. Specifically, the current numerical information is read out sequentially from the winning random number counter C1, the big win type counter C2, the reach random number counter C3, and the normal power feature opening counter C4, and the process of adding 1 to each of the read numerical information is executed, and then the process of overwriting the counter from which it was read out is executed. In this case, when the counter value exceeds the maximum value, each is cleared to "0". After that, in step S403, the random number initial value update process is executed as in step S119, and in step S404, the variable counter update process is executed as in step S120.

In step S405, a fraud detection process is executed to monitor whether or not a specific event set as a target for fraudulent monitoring has occurred. The pachinko machine 10 is equipped with anomaly detection sensors such as a vibration detection sensor, a magnet detection sensor, and a radio wave detection sensor, and the fraud detection process determines whether or not various anomalies have occurred based on the output of these detection sensors.

In step S406, a notification display process is executed to control the display of the first to fifth notification display devices 169a to 169e. In the following step S407, a game stop determination process is executed to determine whether or not to enter a game stop state. These details will be described later.

In step S408, it is determined whether the game progress has been stopped by determining whether the game stop flag provided in the work area 391 for specific control is set to "1". If the game progress has not been stopped, the process proceeds to step S409 and executes port output processing.

In the port output process, if output information was set in the previous timer interrupt process, processing is executed to output corresponding to that output information to the various drive units 63b, 65d. For example, if information is set to switch the variable winning device 65 to the open state, the output of a drive signal to the special power drive unit 65d is started, and if information is set to switch to the closed state, the output of the drive signal is stopped. Also, if information is set to switch the normal power device 63a of the second operating port 63 to the open state, the output of a drive signal to the normal power drive unit 63b is started, and if information is set to switch to the closed state, the output of the drive signal is stopped.

In step S410, a read process is executed. In the read process, signals other than the power outage signal and the winning signal are read, and the read information is stored for use in future processes.

In step S411, the ball entry detection process is executed. In this ball entry detection process, the signals received from each ball entry detection sensor 91a-97a are read, and based on the read results, it is determined whether or not a ball has entered the out gate 68, the general entry gate 61, the variable entry device 65, the first operating gate 62, the second operating gate 63, and the through gate 64. Details of the ball entry detection process will be explained later.

In step S412, a timer update process is executed to collectively update the numerical information of multiple types of timer counters provided in the main RAM 314. In this case, the timer counters whose stored numerical information is updated by subtraction are handled in a consolidated manner, but it is also possible to configure the updating of both subtractive timer counters and additive timer counters in a consolidated manner.

In step S413, a launch control process is executed to control the launch of the game balls. When the launch operation to the game ball launch handle 41 is continued, one game ball is launched every 0.6 seconds, which is a predetermined launch cycle. In the following step S414, a special chart special electric control process is executed to control the execution of a game round and the execution of the open/close execution mode. The special chart special electric control process will be described in detail later.

In step S415, a normal map normal power control process is executed. In the normal map normal power control process, if a winning entry has occurred in the through gate 64, a process is executed to obtain the reserved information on the normal map side, and if reserved information on the normal map side is stored, an opening judgment is made for that reserved information, and further, a process is executed to perform a normal map performance using the opening judgment as a trigger. Also, based on the result of the opening judgment, a process is executed to open and close the normal power role 63a of the second operating port 63. In this case, if the support mode is the low frequency support mode, a corresponding process is executed, and if the support mode is the high frequency support mode, a corresponding process is executed. Also, if the opening and closing execution mode is selected, the support mode will be the low frequency support mode even if the previous support mode was the high frequency support mode.

In step S416, based on the results of the processing in steps S414 and S415, output information is set to reflect the increase or decrease in the number of reserved items related to the special image display unit 43 in the special image reserved number display unit AM, and output information is set to reflect the increase or decrease in the number of reserved items related to the regular image display unit 44 in the regular image reserved number display unit FM. Also, in step S416, based on the results of the processing in steps S414 and S415, output information is set to update the display contents of the special image display unit 43, and output information is set to update the display contents of the regular image display unit 44.

In step S417, the contents of the command and signal received from the payout control device 181 are confirmed, and a payout status receiving process is executed to perform processing corresponding to the confirmation result. In the following step S418, a payout output process is executed to set the prize ball command as the output target. In addition, in step S419, an external information setting process is executed to control the start and end of the output of an external signal according to the processing results of the various processes executed in this timer interrupt process.

In step S420, a base value and ball difference process is executed to calculate the base value and the ball difference. Details of the base value and ball difference process will be described later. In addition, if a positive judgment is made in step S408 (if the game is stopped), in step S421, it is determined whether or not the excess flag is set to "1". If the excess flag is set to "1", the payout status reception process in step S417 is executed without executing the various processes from step S409 to step S416, and if the excess flag is not set to "1", the base value and ball difference process in step S420 is executed without executing the various processes from step S409 to step S419. In this way, the process that is not executed while the game is stopped is controlled to be different depending on the value of the excess flag, and details of the excess flag will be described later.

<Special chart special signal control processing>
The special picture special power control process in step S414 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In the special chart special power control process, first in step S501, a process for acquiring reserved information is executed. In the process for acquiring reserved information, it is determined whether or not a winning has occurred in the first actuation port 62 or the second actuation port 63, and if a winning has occurred, it is determined whether or not the number of reserved balls in the reserved storage area 314a is less than the upper limit ("4" in this embodiment). If the number of reserved balls is less than the upper limit, the number of reserved balls is incremented by 1, and the numerical information of the winning random number counter C1, the big win type counter C2, and the reach random number counter C3 updated in the previous step S402 is stored in the first of the empty reserved areas RE1 to RE4 in the reserved area RE.

When winning entries occur simultaneously in the first actuation port 62 and the second actuation port 63, the process for acquiring the reserved information is executed multiple times within the range of one execution of the process for acquiring the reserved information. When new reserved information is acquired, a corresponding acquisition command is sent to the performance control device 143. When the performance control device 143 receives this command, it updates the display of the image showing the number of reserved information items on the pattern display device 75 to a display content corresponding to the increase in reserved information.

In step S502, the information of the special diagram special power counter provided in the work area 391 for specific control is read, and in step S503, the special diagram special power address table provided in the main ROM 313 is read. In the following step S504, a start address corresponding to the information of the special diagram special power counter is obtained from the special diagram special power address table, and in step S505, a jump is made to the process indicated by the obtained start address among the processes of steps S506 to S512. The special diagram special power counter is a counter that allows the MPU 312 to know which of the various processes of steps S506 to S512 should be executed, and the special diagram special power address table is set with the start address of the program for executing the processes of steps S506 to S512 corresponding to the numerical information of the special diagram special power counter.

In step S506, the special chart change start process is executed. The special chart change start process is explained with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 23.

In the special chart change start process, first in step S501, it is determined whether the number of reserved information items stored in the reserved area RE is 1 or more. If the number of reserved information items is 1 or more, the data setting process is executed in step S602.

In the data setting process, the number of reserved items is first subtracted by 1, and the data stored in the first reserved area RE1 of the reserved area RE is moved to the execution area AE. After that, a process is executed to shift the data stored in each reserved area RE1 to RE4 of the reserved area RE. This data shift process is a process to shift the data stored in the first reserved area RE1 to the fourth reserved area RE4 to the lower area side in order. In detail, the data in each area is shifted from the second reserved area RE2 to the first reserved area RE1, the third reserved area RE3 to the second reserved area RE2, and the fourth reserved area RE4 to the third reserved area RE3, and then the fourth reserved area RE4 is cleared to "0". At this time, a shift command is sent to the performance control device 143 to recognize that the data in the reserved area has been shifted. When the performance control device 143 receives the command, it updates the display of the image showing the number of reserved information in the pattern display device 75 to the display content corresponding to the decrease in reserved information.

In step S603, a win/lose table is read from the main ROM 313. Specifically, the value of the setting value counter provided in the work area 391 for specific control is first read, and the setting state of the pachinko machine 10 is grasped. Then, the current win/lose lottery mode is grasped, and if it is the high probability mode, the high probability win/lose table corresponding to the grasped setting state is read, and if it is the low probability mode, the low probability win/lose table corresponding to the grasped setting state is read.

In step S604, the hit/miss table read in step S603 is referenced to execute a hit/miss determination process. In the hit/miss determination process, it is determined whether the hit/miss determination information stored in the execution area AE, i.e., the numerical information related to the hit random number counter C1, matches the jackpot numerical information set in the hit/miss table read in step S603.

If the result of the win/loss determination process is a jackpot winning result (step S605: YES), the allocation determination process is executed in step S606. In the allocation determination process, the information for allocation determination from the information stored in the execution area AE, i.e., the numerical information related to the jackpot type counter C2, is read out. Then, by referring to the allocation table 387 provided in the main ROM 313, it is determined which jackpot result the numerical information related to the jackpot type counter C2 read out above corresponds to. Specifically, it is determined which jackpot result it corresponds to among a low probability jackpot result, a low prize high probability jackpot result, and a high prize high probability jackpot result.

In step S607, a stop result setting process for the jackpot result is executed. Specifically, information on the form of the pattern to be finally stopped and displayed on the special chart display unit 43 in the game round related to the start of the current fluctuation is identified from a stop result table for the jackpot result stored in advance in the main ROM 313, and the identified information is written to the work area 391 for specific control in the main RAM 314. In this stop result table for the jackpot result, information on the form of the pattern to be stopped and displayed on the special chart display unit 43 is set differently for each type of jackpot result.

In step S608, a flag set process corresponding to the distribution determination result is executed. Specifically, flags corresponding to the types of each jackpot result are provided in the work area 391 for specific control, and in step S608, the flag corresponding to the result of the distribution determination process in step S606 is set to "1".

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S605 that the result is not a jackpot win, a stop result setting process for a miss result is executed in step S609. Specifically, information on the pattern form to be finally stopped and displayed on the special pattern display unit 43 in the game round related to the start of the current fluctuation is identified from a stop result table for miss results pre-stored in the main ROM 313, and the identified information is written to the work area 391 for specific control. The information on the pattern form selected in this case is different from the information on the pattern form selected in the case of a jackpot win result.

After executing either the process of step S608 or step S609, a process for grasping the duration of the game round is executed in step S610. In this process, the numerical information of the fluctuation type counter CS is obtained. In addition, it is determined whether or not a reach display will occur on the pattern display device 75 in the current game round. Specifically, if the game round related to the start of the current fluctuation has a low probability of a jackpot result or a high probability of a jackpot result with a high prize, it is determined that a reach display will occur. In addition, if there is no jackpot result and furthermore the numerical information related to the reach random number counter C3 stored in the execution area AE is numerical information corresponding to the occurrence of a reach, it is determined that a reach display will occur.

If it is determined that a reach display will occur, the reach occurrence duration table stored in the main ROM 313 is referenced to obtain the duration of the game corresponding to the current numerical information of the variable type counter CS. On the other hand, if it is determined that a reach display will not occur, the non-reach occurrence duration table stored in the main ROM 313 is referenced to obtain the duration of the game corresponding to the current numerical information of the variable type counter CS. Incidentally, the duration of the game that can be obtained by reference to the non-reach occurrence duration table is different from the duration of the game that can be obtained by reference to the reach occurrence duration table.

The duration of the game when a reach does not occur is set so that the more reserved information stored in the reserved area RE, the shorter the duration of the game. In addition, the non-reach duration table is set so that a shorter duration of the game is selected when the support mode is a high-frequency support mode than when the support mode is a low-frequency support mode, when the number of reserved information is the same. However, this is not limited to this, and the duration of the game may not change depending on the number of reserved information or the support mode, and the above relationship may be reversed. Furthermore, the above configuration may be applied to the duration of the game when a reach occurs. In addition, a duration table may be set separately for each of various jackpot results, a miss reach, and a miss result without a reach. In this case, the duration of the game is allocated according to each game result.

In step S611, the information on the duration of the game acquired in step S610 is set in the special chart special electricity timer counter provided in the work area 391 for specific control. The numerical information set in the special chart special electricity timer counter is updated in the timer update process (step S412). Incidentally, as a performance for a game round, the display of changing patterns in the special chart display unit 43 and the display of changing patterns in the pattern display device 75 are performed, and when each of these display changes is ended, the final stop is displayed for the final stop period (e.g., 0.5 seconds) in a state in which the stop result of that game round is displayed (in the pattern display device 75, a predetermined combination of patterns is waiting on the active line). In this case, the duration of the game round acquired in step S610 is the total time for one game round.

In step S612, the variation command and the type command are sent to the performance control device 143. The variation command includes information on the duration of the game round. Here, as described above, the duration of the game round obtained by referring to the non-reach duration table is different from the duration of the game round obtained by referring to the reach duration table. Therefore, even if the variation command does not include information on whether a reach has occurred, the performance control device 143 can determine whether a reach has occurred from the information on the duration of the game round. In this regard, it can be said that the variation command includes information indicating whether a reach has occurred. Note that the variation command may also include information directly indicating whether a reach has occurred. Furthermore, the type command includes information on the game result.

When the effect control device 143 receives a variation command and a type command from the MPU 312, it causes the lamp units 26-28, the speaker unit 29, and the pattern display device 75 to execute the effect for the game round. In this case, the effect for that game round is executed in a manner corresponding to the contents of the variation command and the type command. In addition, the pattern display device 75 displays a variation of the patterns as the effect for the game round, and when the effect for that game round ends, a combination of patterns corresponding to the results of the win/lose determination process and the allocation determination process is displayed frozen.

In step S613, the display of the changing pattern in the special pattern display unit 43 is started. In the following step S614, the special pattern special electric counter is incremented by 1. In this case, since the numerical information of the special pattern special electric counter is "0" when the special pattern change start process is executed, the numerical information of the special pattern special electric counter becomes "1".

Returning to the explanation of the special chart special electricity control process (FIG. 22), in step S507, special chart change processing is executed. In the special chart change processing, it is determined whether or not it is during the duration of a game round and before the final stop display, and if it is before the final stop display, processing is executed to regularly change the display mode of the image in the special chart display unit 43. When it is time to display the final stop, the numerical information of the special chart special electricity counter is incremented by 1, thereby updating the numerical information of the counter from that corresponding to the special chart change processing to that corresponding to the special chart determination processing. Note that in this embodiment, a final stop command is not transmitted from the MPU 312 to the performance control device 143.

In step S508, a special chart determination process is executed. In the special chart determination process, the display mode of the image on the special chart display unit 43 is changed to a display mode corresponding to the lottery result of the current game round. In addition, in the special chart determination process, it is determined whether the final stop period has elapsed, and if the period has elapsed, it is determined whether a transition to the opening and closing execution mode will occur. If a transition to the opening and closing execution mode does not occur, the numerical information of the special chart special electricity counter is cleared to "0". If a transition to the opening and closing execution mode occurs, the numerical information of the special chart special electricity counter is incremented by 1, thereby updating the numerical information of the counter from that corresponding to the special chart determination process to that corresponding to the special electricity start process.

In step S509, the special power start process is executed. In the special power start process, if the process for starting the opening period in the current open/close execution mode has not yet been executed, the process for setting the opening period is executed. In addition, an opening command is sent to the performance control device 143. By receiving the opening command, the performance control device 143 causes the lamp units 26 to 28, the speaker unit 29, and the pattern display device 75 to execute the opening performance. If the opening period has elapsed, a start process is executed to start the first round of play. In the start process, the variable winning device 65 is opened and the end condition of the round of play is set. When setting this end condition, the upper limit duration for continuing the variable winning device 65 in the open state in the current first round of play is set, and the upper limit number of game balls that can win the variable winning device 65 in the current first round of play is set in the winning number counter provided in the work area 391 for specific control.

In step S510, the special line open process is executed. In the special line open process, it is determined whether or not the end condition for the round game is met. If the end condition is met, the variable winning device 65 is closed. Then, if the currently ended round game is not the last round game executed, the numerical information of the special chart special line counter is incremented by 1 to update the numerical information of the counter from that corresponding to the special line open process to that corresponding to the special line closed process, and if the currently ended round game is the last round game executed, the numerical information of the special chart special line counter is incremented by 2 to update the numerical information of the counter from that corresponding to the special line open process to that corresponding to the special line end process.

In step S511, special line closed processing is executed. In the special line closed processing, it is determined whether or not the interval period between rounds of play has elapsed. The interval period is set when the previous round of play ends. When the interval period has elapsed, the variable winning device 65 is opened and the end condition for the round of play is set. Then, the numerical information of the special chart special line counter is subtracted by 1, thereby updating the numerical information of the counter from that corresponding to the special line closed processing to that corresponding to the special line open processing.

In step S512, the special call termination process is executed. In the special call termination process, if the process for starting the ending period in the current opening/closing execution mode has not yet been executed, the ending period (e.g., 5 seconds) is set and an ending command is sent to the performance control device 143. By receiving the ending command, the performance control device 143 causes the lamp units 26-28, speaker unit 29, and pattern display device 75 to execute an ending performance. When the ending period has elapsed, the win/lose lottery mode and support mode after the end of the opening/closing execution mode are set to modes corresponding to the jackpot result that triggered the start of the current opening/closing execution mode.

Next, we will explain the configuration in MPU 312 to determine whether or not a game ball has entered the general winning opening 61, the first operating opening 62, the second operating opening 63, the variable winning device 65, the out opening 68, and the through gate 64 based on the detection results of each ball entry detection sensor 91a to 97a. Figure 24 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the configuration in which the detection results of the ball entry detection sensors 91a to 97a are input to MPU 312.

The MPU 312 is provided with an input port 312a. The input port 312a is configured as an 8-bit parallel interface so that it can handle eight types of signals simultaneously. An area in which information "0" or "1" is stored according to the voltage of each signal is provided in one-to-one correspondence with each terminal. In other words, the area includes the 0th bit D0 to the 7th bit D7. However, in this pachinko machine 10, the 7th bit D7 is not used, and the configuration is such that seven types of signals can be handled simultaneously. In addition, although more than eight types of signals are input to the input port 312a, in order to limit the types of signals that can be input simultaneously to eight types, the group of signals to be input to the input port 312a is switched through switching control by the driver IC.

In the ball entry detection process (step S411) of the timer interrupt process (FIG. 21), the signal group to be input to the input port 312a is set to the signal group from each ball entry detection sensor 91a to 97a. In a situation where such a setting has been made, the 0th bit D0 stores information corresponding to the detection signal from the first winning opening detection sensor 91a, the first bit D1 stores information corresponding to the detection signal from the second winning opening detection sensor 92a, the second bit D2 stores information corresponding to the detection signal from the first operation opening detection sensor 93a, the third bit D3 stores information corresponding to the detection signal from the second operation opening detection sensor 94a, the fourth bit D4 stores information corresponding to the detection signal from the large winning opening detection sensor 95a, the fifth bit D5 stores information corresponding to the detection signal from the out opening detection sensor 96a, and the sixth bit D6 stores information corresponding to the detection signal from the gate detection sensor 97a.

Each of the ball entry detection sensors 91a to 97a outputs a LOW level signal indicating that the ball is not being detected as a detection signal when the ball is not being passed, and outputs a HI level signal indicating that the ball is being detected as a detection signal when the ball is being passed. When the input port 312a receives a LOW level signal, it stores "0" information in the corresponding bit, and when it receives a HI level signal, it stores "1" information in the corresponding bit. In other words, when the ball entry detection sensors 91a to 97a do not detect the ball passing, the corresponding bit stores "0" information corresponding to the information indicating that the ball is not being detected, and when the ball passing is detected, the corresponding bit stores "1" information corresponding to the information indicating that the ball is being detected.

Figure 25 is a flowchart showing the ball entry detection process executed in step S411 of the timer interrupt process (Figure 21).

If it is confirmed that the 0th bit D0 or the 1st bit D1 has switched from a state in which "0" is stored to a state in which "1" is stored, it is determined that one game ball has been detected by the first winning hole detection sensor 91a or the second winning hole detection sensor 92a (step S801: YES). In this case, in step S802, the general winning sensor flag provided in the work area 391 for specific control is set to "1", and in step S803, the value of the 10 winning ball counter provided in the work area 391 is incremented by 1.

The general winning sensor flag is a flag that allows the MPU 312 to identify the occurrence of a winning entry into the general winning port 61, and the 10 prize ball counter is a counter that allows the MPU 312 to identify the number of times the payout of 10 game balls should be executed. If the value of the 10 prize ball counter is 1 or more, a 10 prize ball command is output to the payout control device 181 in the payout output process of step S418 in the timer interrupt process (Figure 21), and the value of the 10 prize ball counter is decremented by 1 when the 10 prize ball command is output once. When the payout control device 181 receives the 10 prize ball command, it drives and controls the payout device 222 so that 10 game balls are paid out.

When it is confirmed that the second bit D2 has switched from a state in which "0" is stored to a state in which "1" is stored, it is determined that one game ball has been detected by the first actuation port detection sensor 93a (step S804: YES). In this case, in step S805, the first actuation winning flag provided in the work area 391 is set to "1", and in step S806, the value of the three prize ball counter provided in the work area 391 is incremented by one. The first actuation winning flag is a flag for the MPU 312 to identify that a win has occurred in the first actuation port 62, and the three prize ball counter is a counter for identifying the number of times that the MPU 312 should pay out three game balls.

In the special chart special electric control process (step S414) of the timer interrupt process (Figure 21), by confirming that the first operation winning flag is set to "1", a process is executed to store new reserved information, provided that the number of reserved information stored in the reserved area RE of the reserved storage area 314a is less than the upper limit of four. In the special chart special electric control process (step S414), it is confirmed that the first operation winning flag is set to "1", and when the process corresponding to that confirmation is executed, the first operation winning flag is cleared to "0".

When it is confirmed that the third bit D3 has switched from a state in which "0" is stored to a state in which "1" is stored, it is determined that one game ball has been detected by the second actuation port detection sensor 94a (step S807: YES). In this case, in step S808, the second actuation winning flag provided in the work area 391 is set to "1", and in step S809, the value of the one prize ball counter provided in the work area 391 is incremented by one. The second actuation winning flag is a flag for the MPU 312 to identify that a win has occurred in the second actuation port 63, and the one prize ball counter is a counter for identifying the number of times that the MPU 312 should pay out one game ball.

In the special chart special electric control process (step S414) of the timer interrupt process (Figure 21), by confirming that the second activation winning flag is set to "1", a process is executed to store new reserved information, provided that the number of reserved information stored in the reserved area RE of the reserved storage area 314a is less than the upper limit of four. In the special chart special electric control process (step S414), it is confirmed that the second activation winning flag is set to "1", and when the process corresponding to that confirmation is executed, the first activation winning flag is cleared to "0".

When it is confirmed that the fourth bit D4 has switched from a state in which "0" is stored to a state in which "1" is stored, it is determined that one game ball has been detected by the large prize opening detection sensor 95a (step S810: YES). In this case, in step S811, the special electric prize flag provided in the work area 391 is set to "1", and in step S812, the value of the 15 prize ball counter provided in the work area 391 is incremented by 1. The special electric prize flag is a flag that allows the MPU 312 to identify that a prize has been won in the variable prize device 65, and the 15 prize ball counter is a counter that identifies the number of times that the MPU 312 should pay out 15 game balls.

The special chart special electric control process (step S414) of the timer interrupt process (Figure 21) confirms that the special electric winning flag is set to "1", thereby determining that one game ball has entered the variable winning device 65, and subtracts one from the remaining number of balls that can enter the variable winning device 65 in a round of play. When the process of subtracting one from the number of balls that can enter is executed, the special electric winning flag is cleared to "0".

If it is confirmed that the fifth bit D5 has switched from a state in which the information "0" is stored to a state in which the information "1" is stored, it is determined that one game ball has been detected by the outlet detection sensor 96a (step S813: YES). In this case, the out flag provided in the work area 391 is set to "1". The out flag is a flag that allows the MPU 312 to identify that a game ball has entered the outlet 68.

If it is confirmed that the sixth bit D6 has switched from a state in which "0" is stored to a state in which "1" is stored, it is determined that one game ball has been detected by the gate detection sensor 97a (step S815: YES). In this case, in step S816, the gate winning flag provided in the work area 391 is set to "1". The gate winning flag is a flag that allows the MPU 312 to identify that one game ball has entered the through gate 64.

In the normal map normal power control process (step S415) of the timer interrupt process (Figure 21), by confirming that the gate winning flag is set to "1", a process is executed to store the current numerical information of the normal power device opening counter C4 as reserved information on the normal map side in the normal power reserve area 314c, provided that the number of reserved information on the normal map side stored in the normal power reserve area 314c is less than the upper limit of four. In the normal map normal power control process (step S415), it is confirmed that the gate winning flag is set to "1", and when the process corresponding to that confirmation is executed, the gate winning flag is cleared to "0".

Next, we will explain the processing executed by the dispensing control device 181. First, we will explain the electrical configuration of the dispensing control device 181 and the various devices that communicate with the dispensing control device 181 with reference to the block diagram in Figure 26.

The payout control device 181 is equipped with an MPU 382. The MPU 382 includes a payout side ROM 383, a payout side RAM 384, an interrupt circuit, a timer circuit, a data input/output circuit, and the like.

The dispensing side ROM 383 is a memory (i.e., a non-volatile memory means) that does not require an external power supply to retain memory, such as a NOR type flash memory or a NAND type flash memory, and is used for read-only purposes. The dispensing side ROM 383 stores various control programs and fixed value data executed by the dispensing side MPU 382.

The payout side RAM 384 is a memory (i.e., a volatile memory means) that requires an external power supply to retain memory, such as SRAM and DRAM, and is used for both reading and writing. The payout side RAM 384 is randomly accessible, and when compared with the payout side ROM 383 for the same data capacity, the payout side RAM 384 requires less time to read data. The payout side RAM 384 temporarily stores various data for the execution of the control program stored in the payout side ROM 383.

The payout side MPU 382 is capable of two-way communication with the MPU 312 of the main control device 162. By receiving a prize ball command from the MPU 312, the payout side MPU 382 drives and controls the payout device 222 so that the number of game balls corresponding to the prize ball command is paid out. The payout side MPU 382 also monitors whether or not the game balls can be paid out normally, and if it determines that the game balls cannot be paid out normally, it stops the payout device 222 even if the payout side RAM 384 stores information on the number of prize balls that have not been paid out. The payout side MPU 382 also sends a payout restriction command to the MPU 312 indicating that the game balls cannot be paid out normally.

When the MPU 312 receives the payout restriction command, it sends a notification command to the performance control device 143 so that a notification indicating that the state is such that it is not possible to normally pay out game balls is executed by the pattern display device 75, the lamp units 26-28, and the speaker unit 29. The states in which it is not possible to normally pay out game balls include a full state in which the lower tray 34 is full of game balls, a no-ball state in which the tank 221 has not been replenished with game balls, an abnormal payout state in which the payout device 222 is not operating normally, a main body open state in which the gaming machine main body 12 is open from the outer frame 11, and a front door open state in which the front door frame 14 is open from the inner frame 13.

A full tank detection sensor (not shown) is provided midway along the game ball passageway leading from the payout device 222 to the lower tray 34, and the detection result of the full tank detection sensor is input to the payout side MPU 382. The payout side MPU 382 determines that the tank is full when game balls are continuously detected by the full tank detection sensor, and determines that the full tank state has been released when the state in which game balls are continuously detected by the full tank detection sensor is released.

A no-ball detection sensor (not shown) is provided midway along the game ball passageway leading from the tank 221 to the payout device 222, and the detection result of the no-ball detection sensor is input to the payout side MPU 382. The payout side MPU 382 determines that a no-ball state exists when the no-ball detection sensor continues to not detect a game ball, and determines that the no-ball state has been released when the state in which the no-ball detection sensor continues to not detect a game ball is released.

The payout device 222 is provided with a payout detection sensor (not shown) for detecting game balls paid out from the payout device 222, and the detection result of the payout detection sensor is input to the payout side MPU 382. The payout side MPU 382 determines that one game ball has been paid out from the payout device 222 when a game ball is detected by the payout detection sensor. The payout side MPU 382 also determines that an abnormal payout state exists when a game ball is continuously not detected by the payout detection sensor despite driving and controlling the payout device 222 so that a game ball is paid out, and determines that the abnormal payout state has been released when the state in which a game ball is continuously not detected by the payout detection sensor is released.

A front door open sensor 232 is provided on the front portion of the inner frame 13, and the detection result of the front door open sensor 232 is input to the dispensing side MPU 382. In this case, when the front door frame 14 is closed relative to the inner frame 13, the front door open sensor 232 transmits a closed detection signal to the dispensing side MPU 382, and when the front door frame 14 is open relative to the inner frame 13, the front door open sensor 232 transmits an open detection signal to the dispensing side MPU 382.

The dispensing side MPU 382 determines that the front door frame 14 is in a closed state when it receives a closed detection signal from the front door open sensor 232, and determines that the front door frame 14 is in an open state when it receives an open detection signal from the front door open sensor 232. The dispensing side MPU 382 also sends a front door open command to the MPU 312 when it determines that the front door frame 14 has changed from a closed state to an open state, and sends a front door close command to the MPU 312 when it determines that the front door frame 14 has changed from an open state to a closed state. The MPU 312 determines that the front door frame 14 is in an open state when it receives a front door open command, and determines that the front door frame 14 is in a closed state when it receives a front door close command.

A main body open sensor 233 is provided on the front of the back pack unit 15, and the detection result of the main body open sensor 233 is input to the payout side MPU 382. In this case, when the gaming machine main body 12 is in a closed state relative to the outer frame 11, the main body open sensor 233 transmits a closed detection signal to the payout side MPU 382, and when the gaming machine main body 12 is in an open state relative to the outer frame 11, the main body open sensor 233 transmits an open detection signal to the payout side MPU 382.

The payout side MPU 382 determines that the gaming machine body 12 is in a closed state when it receives a closed detection signal from the body open sensor 233, and determines that the gaming machine body 12 is in an open state when it receives an open detection signal from the body open sensor 233. The payout side MPU 382 also transmits a main body open command to the MPU 312 when it determines that the gaming machine body 12 has changed from a closed state to an open state, and transmits a main body close command to the MPU 312 when it determines that the gaming machine body 12 has changed from an open state to a closed state. The MPU 312 determines that the gaming machine body 12 is in an open state when it receives a main body open command, and determines that the gaming machine body 12 is in a closed state when it receives a main body close command.

The timer interrupt process executed by the dispensing side MPU 382 will be explained with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 27. The timer interrupt process is repeatedly started at a predetermined cycle (e.g., every 2 msec).

First, in step S901, full tank processing is executed. In full tank processing, it is determined whether the tank is full or not based on the detection result of the full tank detection sensor, and if the tank is full, processing is executed to stop the payout of game balls and a command indicating that the tank is full is sent to MPU 312. Furthermore, if the full tank state is released, processing is executed to enable the payout of game balls and a command indicating that the full tank state has been released is sent to MPU 312.

In step S902, no-ball processing is executed. In the no-ball processing, it is determined whether or not the state is a no-ball state based on the detection result of the no-ball detection sensor, and if the state is a no-ball state, processing is executed to stop the payout of game balls and a command indicating the no-ball state is sent to MPU 312. In addition, if the no-ball state is released, processing is executed to enable the payout of game balls and a command indicating that the no-ball state has been released is sent to MPU 312.

In step S903, a payout abnormality monitoring process is executed. In the payout abnormality monitoring process, it is determined whether or not a payout abnormality exists based on the detection result of the payout detection sensor, and if a payout abnormality exists, a process is executed to stop the payout of game balls and a command is sent to MPU312 indicating that a payout abnormality exists. In addition, if the payout abnormality exists, a process is executed to enable the payout of game balls and a command is sent to MPU312 indicating that the payout abnormality has been cleared.

In step S904, a front door open monitoring process is executed. In the front door open monitoring process, it is determined whether the front door frame 14 is open or not based on the detection result of the front door open sensor 232, and if the front door frame 14 is open, a process is executed to stop the payout of game balls and a front door open command is sent to the MPU 312. In addition, if the front door frame 14 is closed, a process is executed to enable the payout of game balls and a front door close command is sent to the MPU 312.

In step S905, a main body open monitoring process is executed. In the main body open monitoring process, it is determined whether the gaming machine main body 12 is in an open state based on the detection result of the main body open sensor 233, and if the gaming machine main body 12 is in an open state, a process is executed to stop the payout of gaming balls and a main body open command is sent to the MPU 312. In addition, if the gaming machine main body 12 is closed, a process is executed to enable the payout of gaming balls and a main body close command is sent to the MPU 312.

In step S906, a command reading process is executed. In this command reading process, a process is executed to read the prize ball command sent by the MPU 312, and the prize ball command is stored in the payout side RAM 384. Then, a prize ball setting process is executed to add the number corresponding to the received prize ball command to the unpaid prize ball number information in the payout side RAM 384 (step S907), and then a payout control process is executed to control the execution of the payout of game balls by the payout device 222 (step S908).

In the payout control process, when the unpaid prize ball count information stored in the payout side RAM 384 is a value of 1 or more, the payout device 222 is controlled to be driven, and when the payout detection sensor detects one game ball, the value of the prize ball count information is decremented by 1. When the value of the prize ball count information becomes "0", the payout device 222 is stopped to be controlled to be driven. After that, an external information setting process is executed to control the start and end of the output of an external signal according to the results of the various processes executed in this timer interrupt process (step S909).

<Base value and difference in number of pitches>
The base value and ball difference processing in step S420 will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 28. Note that the processing in steps S1001 to S1005 in the base value and ball difference processing is executed by the MPU 312 using a program for specific control.

In the base value and ball difference processing, first, in step S1001, interrupt prohibition is set to prohibit the occurrence of timer interrupt processing (FIG. 21). In the following step S1002, a push command is used to write and save the information stored in the flag register, one of the multiple registers provided in the MPU 312, to a specified area in the work area 391 for specific control. The flag register includes a zero flag, a sign flag, etc., and the information changes depending on the execution results of arithmetic instructions, rotate instructions, input/output instructions, etc. By saving such flag register information before the program of the subroutine corresponding to the base value and ball difference processing (step S1003) is started, it becomes possible to save the information of the flag register in the state before it changes after the call of the subroutine or the start of the subroutine in the work area 391 for specific control.

In step S1003, a call command is used to read out a subroutine program corresponding to the execution process for the base value and the difference in pitches set in the program for non-specific control, and the execution process is started. At this time, information for identifying the return address after the execution process is executed is written to the stack area 392 for specific control. Then, when the execution process for the base value and the difference in pitches is completed, the information for identifying the return address written in the stack area 392 is read out, and the program for the base value and the difference in pitches indicated by the return address is returned to.

After step S1003 is executed, in step S1004, the saved flag register information is restored by a pop command. Specifically, the flag register information saved in the specific control stack area 392 in step S1002 is read out and stored in the flag register of MPU 312. This causes the flag register information of MPU 312 to be restored to the information at the time step S1002 was executed.

In step S1005, interrupt permission is set to switch from a state in which timer interrupt processing (FIG. 21) is prohibited to a state in which it is permitted. This allows new execution of timer interrupt processing.

Next, the execution process for the base value and the number of balls difference that is executed by reading the program for non-specific control in step S1103 will be explained with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 29.

In step S1101, a load command is issued to set the address information of the start position in the non-specific control stack area 394 (specifically, address Y(u+2) in FIG. 17) in the stack pointer of the MPU 312. This causes the stack area to be used to be switched to the non-specific control stack area 394.

In step S1102, information stored in a register used in the base value calculation process (step S1103), excess determination process (step S1104), and display setting process (step S1105) described below among multiple registers provided in the MPU 312 is written to a specified area in the work area 393 for non-specific control and saved.

After step S1102 is executed, the subroutine programs of steps S1103 to S1105 set in the program for non-specific control are read out by a call command and executed sequentially. Prior to these processes, the information of the registers used is saved in step S1102. Even if these registers are overwritten when steps S1103 to S1105 are executed, the information saved in the work area 393 for non-specific control can be written back into these registers to restore them to the state before they were overwritten. In other words, the information in the registers used during specific control can be protected.

When steps S1103 to S1105 are executed, information for identifying the return address after each process is executed is written to stack area 394 for non-specific control. Then, when steps S1103 to S1105 are completed, the information for identifying the return address written to area 394 is read, and the program returns to the execution process for the base value and ball difference indicated by the return address.

After executing the processes in steps S1103 to S1105, in step S1106, a load command is used to set the stack pointer of the MPU 312 to a fixed address in the stack area 392 for specific control. This causes the stack area to be used to be switched to the stack area 392 for specific control.

The base value and ball difference processing in step S420, which includes the execution processing for the base value and ball difference, is executed after the control processing for progressing the game based on the game operation by the player in the timer interrupt processing is completed, so the information stored in the stack area 39 for specific control immediately before the processing of steps S1103 to S1105 is executed is always constant. Therefore, by determining the above fixed address based on that constant amount of information, even if the stack pointer information in the MPU 312 has not been saved in advance, the state of the stack pointer can be restored to the information immediately before the processing corresponding to non-specific control is started. This makes it possible to reduce the processing load and eliminates the need to reserve an area in the main RAM 314 for the save.

In step S1107, the values of each register that were saved in the non-specific control work area 393 in step S1102 are read out by a load command, and these values are stored in each register of the MPU 312. This causes the information in each register of the MPU 312 to return to the information at the time step S1102 was executed.

Next, the base value calculation process in step S1103, the excess determination process in step S1104, and the display setting process in step S1105, which are executed by reading out the subroutine program, will be described. These processes calculate information related to the game history of the base value and the difference in the number of balls, set the display data to display the results on the first to fifth notification display devices 169a to 169e, and determine whether the calculated difference in the number of balls is equal to or greater than a predetermined specific number (for example, 100,000).

<Base value calculation process>
First, the base value calculation process in step S1103 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

In the base value calculation process, first in step S1201, it is determined whether or not a game ball has entered the general winning opening 61, the first operating opening 62, the second operating opening 63, the variable winning device 65, or the outlet 68. In other words, the above determination is made based on the outputs of the first winning opening detection sensor 91a, the second winning opening detection sensor 92a, the first operating opening detection sensor 93a, the second operating opening detection sensor 94a, the large winning opening detection sensor 95a, and the outlet detection sensor 96a.

If a ball has entered the field, step S1202 executes an update process for the out counter 501d for the measurement section. As shown in FIG. 31, the work area 393 for non-specific control includes a base value counter area 501 as an area corresponding to the calculation of the base value, and the out counter 501d for the measurement section is provided in this base value counter area 501.

The out counter 501d for the measurement section is a counter for measuring the total number of game balls discharged from the game area PA. In this embodiment, since the out port detection sensor 96a is configured to detect only game balls that enter the out port 68 (FIG. 7), the out counter 501d for the measurement section is updated by adding 1 not only when a ball enters the out port 68, but also when a ball enters the general winning port 61, the first operating port 62, the second operating port 63, and the variable winning device 65. The value of the out counter 501d for the measurement section is used to grasp the measurement section for each predetermined number (e.g., 60,000 balls).

In step S1203, it is determined whether the current game state is a normal game state (low probability mode and low frequency support mode). If it is a normal game state, the process proceeds to step S1204, and an update process is performed on the normal general winning counter 501a, the normal first operation counter 501b, and the normal out counter 501c in the base value counter area 501. These counters 501a to 501c are for measuring the number of game balls entering the general winning opening 61, the number of game balls entering the first operation opening 62, and the number of game balls discharged from the game area PA, respectively, in the normal game state. In step S1204, if a ball enters the general winning opening 61 or the first operation opening 62, the value of the corresponding counter among the general winning counter 501a and the first operation counter 501b is incremented by 1. In addition, regardless of the type of ball entry section where the ball entered, if a ball has entered, the value of the out counter 501c is incremented by 1.

After execution of step S1204 or if a negative judgment is made in step S1203 (the current gaming state is not the normal gaming state), a base value calculation process is executed in step S1205. In the base value calculation process, a base value in the normal gaming state is calculated using the values of the normal counters 501a to 501c. When the values of the normal general winning counter 501a, the normal first operation counter 501b, and the normal out counter 501c are K1 to K3, the base value is as follows.
Base value: The ratio of the total number of game balls paid out (K1 x "number of prize balls for winning through the general winning port 61" + K2 x "number of prize balls for winning through the first operating port 62") to the total number of game balls discharged from the game area PA (K3).

In step S1206, a process is executed to overwrite the base value information calculated in step S1205 in the current state area 504a provided in the non-specific control work area 393. As shown in FIG. 31, the non-specific control work area 393 is provided with a calculation result area 504 as an area for storing calculation results, and the calculation result area 504 is provided with, in addition to the current state area 504a, a previous area 504b for storing information on the previous base value, a previous-time area 504c for storing information on the base value before last, and a previous-time area 504d for storing information on the base value before last.

After step S1206 is executed or if a negative judgment is made in step S1201 (if no ball has been scored), step S1207 judges whether the management start flag in the area for various flags 507 (FIG. 31) provided in the work area 393 for non-specific control is set to "1". The management start flag is a flag that allows the MPU 312 to identify a situation in which the calculated base value should be notified.

If the management start flag is not set to "1", proceed to step S1208 and determine whether the value of the Out counter 501d for the measurement section is equal to or greater than a value corresponding to a predetermined management start reference value (e.g., 300). If the value of the Out counter 501d is equal to or greater than the value corresponding to the management start reference value, proceed to step S1209 and set the management start flag to "1". As a result, the calculated base value becomes the target for notification.

In this embodiment, the pachinko machine 10 is manufactured so that the management start flag is cleared to "0". During the shipping stage of the pachinko machine 10, the operation of the pachinko machine 10 may be checked before shipping, and at that time, game balls are groomed into each ball entry section and the subsequent operation is checked. Under these circumstances, during the period from the manufacture of the pachinko machine 10 until the total number of game balls discharged from the play area PA reaches the management start reference value, the calculated base value is excluded from the scope of notification, thereby preventing the base value affected by the above-mentioned grooming from being notified.

In step S1210, all of the counters 501a to 501d in the base value counter area 501 are cleared to "0". As a result, the next base value calculation process is started with the values of the counters 501a to 501d initialized, and in step S1205, the base value is calculated excluding the period before the total number of game balls discharged from the play area PA reaches the management start reference value. After execution of step S1210 or if a negative judgment is made in step S1208 (if the value of the out counter 501d for the measurement section is less than the management start reference value), the base value calculation process is terminated.

If the determination in step S1207 is positive (the management start flag is "1"), the process proceeds to step S1211, where it is determined whether the value of the out counter 501d for the measurement section is equal to or greater than a value corresponding to a predetermined number (e.g., 60,000) that defines the measurement section.

If the value of the out counter 501d is equal to or greater than the value corresponding to the predetermined number, data shift processing is executed in step S1212. In the data shift processing, the base value information stored in the current area 504a, the previous area 504b, the area before previous 504c, and the area before previous 504d in the calculation result area 504 of the work area 393 for non-specific control is shifted in the order of the area before previous 504c → the area before previous 504d, the previous area 504b → the area before previous 504c, and the current area 504a → the area before previous 504b. As a result, the final base value for the calculation period two periods ago (measurement section) is stored in area two periods ago 504d as the final base value for the calculation period three periods ago, the final base value for the calculation period one period ago is stored in area two periods ago 504c as the final base value for the calculation period two periods ago, and the base value last calculated in the current calculation period is stored in area 504b as the final base value for the calculation period one period ago.

In step S1213, all of the counters 501a to 501d in the base value counter area 501 are cleared to "0." After step S1213 is executed or if a negative judgment is made in step S1211 (if the value of the out counter 501d for the measurement section is less than the predetermined number), the base value calculation process is terminated.

<Excess Judgment Processing>
In pachinko machines, the winning probability in actual play is expected to eventually converge to the winning probability set internally, but the actual winning probability currently varies greatly, for example, when viewed based on a single game by a player or a single business day of a gaming hall. For this reason, the so-called winning amount from the player's perspective may increase to a level that the gaming machine designer did not anticipate. In such a case, not only the player who played the pachinko machine, but also those around him who were watching may be excessively stimulated to gamble.

In light of these circumstances, the pachinko machine 10 according to this embodiment monitors whether the positive amount seen from the player's perspective is within a predetermined range by referring to the game history, and restricts the progress of the game if the positive amount exceeds the range. The excess determination process in step S1104 is executed as part of this process, and this process will be explained below with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 32.

In the excess determination process, first in step S1301, it is determined whether or not a game ball has entered the general winning hole 61, the first operating hole 62, the second operating hole 63, the variable winning device 65, or the outlet hole 68. Note that this determination is made using the result of the determination in step S1201 in the base value calculation process (Figure 30).

If a ball has been scored, in step S1302, the values of the various counters in the ball difference counter area 502 are updated. As shown in FIG. 31, the work area 393 for non-specific control has a ball difference counter area 502 as an area corresponding to the calculation of the ball difference, and this ball difference counter area 502 has a regular general winning counter 502a, a regular first operation counter 502b, a regular second operation counter 502c, a regular special power counter 502d, and a regular out counter 502e.

Of these counters, the general winning counter 502a, the first operation counter 502b, the second operation counter 502c, and the special electric counter 502d are counters for counting the number of game balls that enter the general winning port 61, the first operation port 62, the second operation port 63, and the variable winning device 65. The out counter 502e is a counter for counting the total number of game balls that are discharged from the game area PA. These counters 502a to 502e count each ball that enters from a predetermined measurement start trigger regardless of the game state. In this embodiment, the game states include the normal game state, the time-saving game state (low probability mode and high frequency support mode), the high probability game state (high probability mode and high frequency support mode), and the open/close execution mode, so that the counters 502a to 502e count the total number of balls that enter all of these game states.

In step S1302, the value of the counter corresponding to the ball entry section determined to have been entered in step S1301 is updated among the counters 502a to 502e. For example, if it is determined that a ball has entered the first entry port 62, the value of the first entry counter 502b is incremented by 1. Note that, for the out counter 502e, the value is incremented by 1 if a ball has entered, regardless of the type of entry section into which the ball entered.

In the next step S1303, a process for calculating the difference in balls is executed. In the process for calculating the difference in balls, the difference in balls is calculated using the values of the counters 502a to 502e in the difference in balls counter area 502. When the values of the regular winning counter 502a, the regular first operation counter 502b, the regular second operation counter 502c, the regular special power counter 502d, and the regular out counter 502e are K4 to K8, the difference in balls is as follows.
Difference in number of balls: total number of game balls paid out (K4 x "number of prize balls for winning through the general winning port 61" + K5 x "number of prize balls for winning through the first operating port 62" + K6 x "number of prize balls for winning through the second operating port 63" + K7 x "number of prize balls for winning through the variable winning device 65") - total number of game balls discharged from the game area PA (K8).

The difference in ball count is derived as an index for measuring the plus amount (winning amount). Note that, in the calculation of the base value in the base value calculation process (FIG. 30), the base value in the normal game state is calculated, but in the calculation of the difference in ball count in the excess determination process, the total difference in ball count for all game states is calculated.

In step S1304, a process is executed in which the ball difference calculated in step S1303 is overwritten in the ball difference area 504e (FIG. 31) provided in the non-specific control work area 393. The excess determination process is started every 4 msec corresponding to the execution period of the timer interrupt period (FIG. 21), so the ball difference area 504e stores information on the ball difference every 4 msec, updating it each time.

In step S1305, it is determined whether the difference in balls overwritten in the difference in balls area 504e in step S1304 (the difference in balls calculated in step S1303) is equal to or greater than a specific number (e.g., 100,000). This determines whether the positive amount is within a certain range.

If the difference in the number of balls is equal to or greater than the specific number, proceed to step S1306, and set the excess flag in the area 507 for various flags provided in the work area 393 for non-specific control to "1". The excess flag is a flag that the MPU 312 uses to determine that the difference in the number of balls is equal to or greater than the specific number. After executing step S1306, if a negative judgment is made in step S1305 (if the difference in the number of balls is less than the specific number) or if a negative judgment is made in step S1301 (if no ball has been scored), the excess judgment process ends.

<Display setting process>
Next, the display setting process of step S1105 will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 33 (a). This process is a setting process for notifying by display the base value derived in the base value calculation process of step S1103 and the ball difference number derived in the excess judgment process of step S1104.

In the display setting process, first in step S1401, it is determined whether or not play is stopped. Specifically, it refers to the work area 391 for specific control in the main RAM 314 and determines whether or not the play stop flag is set to "1".

If the game is not stopped, the process proceeds to step S1402, and it is determined whether or not it is time to switch the display contents on the first to fifth notification display devices 169a to 169e. In this embodiment, the base value derived in the base value calculation process in step S1103 and the base value derived in the base value calculation process in step S1103 are both displayed on the first to fifth notification display devices 169a to 169e. In addition, when displaying these values, as for the base value, as already explained with reference to FIG. 15, the current base value, which is the current base value, the previous base value one time ago, the base value before the previous time two times ago, and the base value before the previous time three times ago are displayed in sequence every predetermined period (for example, 5 sec), and as for the difference in balls, after the display of the base value before the previous time has ended, the difference in balls (current difference in balls) is displayed. The process in step S1402 is to determine whether or not it is time to switch the above-mentioned displays.

If a positive judgment is made in step S1402 (if it is time to switch), in step S1403, an update process is executed for the display type counter 505 (FIG. 31) provided in the work area 393 for non-specific control. The display type counter 505 is a counter that allows the MPU 312 to identify which of the game history items, such as the various base values and the number of ball differences, is currently being displayed.

As shown in FIG. 33(b), when the value of the display type counter 505 is "0", the current base value is displayed, when the value of the display type counter 505 is "1", the previous base value is displayed, when the display type counter 505 is "2", the base value before the previous time is displayed, and when the display type counter 505 is "3", the base value before the previous time is displayed. When the display type counter 505 is "4", the difference in balls is displayed. In the update process of the display type counter 505, the value of the display type counter 505 is incremented by 1, and when the value after increment exceeds "4", the value of the display type counter 505 is set to "0". As a result, in the first to fifth notification display devices 169a to 169e, the display of the current base value, previous base value, before the previous time base value, and difference in balls is sequentially changed at each switching timing.

In this embodiment, the display of each of the above values is switched at regular intervals, but this is not limited to this. For example, the display period of some of the base values (e.g., the current base value) may be made different from the display period of the other base values (e.g., made longer), and the display period of the ball difference may be made different from the display period of each base value (e.g., made shorter).

After step S1403 is executed or if a negative judgment is made in step S1402 (if it is not the switching timing), a process for setting display type data indicating the current display target is executed in step S1404. As shown in FIG. 31, the work area 393 for non-specific control is provided with a display target area 506 as an area corresponding to the current display target. The display target area 506 is provided with a type area 506a in which type data indicating the type of the game history to be displayed is stored, and a history area 506b in which history data indicating the value of the game history to be displayed is stored. In the display type data setting process of step S1404, the type data of the game history corresponding to the value of the display type counter 505 is set in the type area 506a of the display target area 506. For example, if the value of the display type counter 505 is "2", a process for overwriting the type data corresponding to the base value before last in the type area 506a is executed.

In step S1405, it is determined whether the management start flag provided in the work area 393 for non-specific control is set to "1". If the management start flag is set to "1" and various base values and ball difference numbers should be notified, a process of setting history value data is executed in step S1406. In the process of setting history value data, information on the base value or ball difference number is read from the area corresponding to the value of the display type counter 505 among the areas 504a to 504e of the calculation result area 504, and the history data is set in the history area 506b of the display target area 506. For example, if the value of the display type counter 505 is "2", a process is executed in which the history data of the base value before last is read from the area before last 504c and overwritten in the history area 506b.

If a negative judgment is made in step S1405 (the management start flag is not set to "1"), initial display data is set in the history area 506b of the display target area 506 in step S1407. The initial display data indicates the display content from the time when the pachinko machine 10 is manufactured until the total number of game balls discharged from the play area PA reaches the management start reference value (e.g., 300 balls). The initial display data is set, for example, so that "-" is flashed on the third notification display device 169c and the fourth notification display device 169d.

If a positive judgment is made in step S1401 (if the game is stopped), the process proceeds to step S1408, where display type data corresponding to the difference in balls is set in the type area 506a of the display target area 506. In the following step S1409, history data corresponding to the difference in balls is set in the history area 506b of the display target area 506. In other words, if the game is stopped, the first to fifth notification display devices 169a to 169e are set to display the difference in balls.

<Notification display process>
Next, the notification display process in step S406 will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 34. The notification display process is for displaying output to the first to fifth notification display devices 169a to 169e, and is executed as part of the timer interrupt process (Fig. 21). This process is executed by the MPU 312 using a program for specific control.

In the notification display process, first in step S1501, it is determined whether the setting update display flag provided in the work area 391 for specific control is set to "1". The setting update display flag is a flag that allows the MPU 312 to identify a situation in which the setting values of the pachinko machine 10 are being updated, i.e., a situation in which the setting value update process (Figure 19) is being executed.

If the setting update display flag is set to "1", step S1502 executes a setting process for display data for updating the setting value. A specific display data buffer is provided in the specific control work area 391 in which display data for causing the first to fifth notification display devices 169a to 169e to perform a specific display is stored, and the first to fifth notification display devices 169a to 169e control the lighting/extinguishing of each display segment in each notification display device 169a to 169e based on the display data stored in the specific display data buffer.

In step S1502, display data is stored in the specific display data buffer to enable the first to fifth notification display devices 169a to 169e to display an indication that the setting value is being updated and to display the current setting value of the pachinko machine 10. As a result, for example, as shown in FIG. 35(a), the central display segment of the first notification display device 169a and the second notification display device 169b is turned on to display "-", the third notification display device 169c displays "H", which corresponds to the setting value being updated, and the fourth notification display device 169d displays a number indicating the setting value. Note that all display segments of the fifth notification display device 169e are turned off, and no display is being performed.

If a negative judgment is made in step S1501 (the setting update display flag is not set to "1"), the process proceeds to step S1503, where it is judged whether or not the setting confirmation display flag provided in the work area 391 for specific control is set to "1". The setting confirmation display flag is a flag that is used by the MPU 312 to identify a situation in which the current setting value of the pachinko machine 10 is being checked, i.e., a situation in which the setting confirmation process (Figure 20) is being executed.

If the setting confirmation display flag is set to "1", a setting process for display data for setting confirmation is executed in step S1504. In the setting process for display data for setting confirmation, display data for displaying the state in which the current setting value is being confirmed on the first to fifth notification display devices 169a to 169e and the current setting value of the pachinko machine 10 is stored in the specific display data buffer in the specific control work area 391. In this case, for example, the first notification display device 169a and the second notification display device 169b display "-" as in the case of the setting value update state, the third notification display device 169c displays "C" corresponding to the setting value confirmation state, and the fourth notification display device 169d displays a numerical value indicating the setting value. In this case, all display segments of the fifth notification display device 169e are turned off, and no display is being performed.

If a negative judgment is made in step S1503 (the confirmation display flag is not set to "1"), this means that the setting value is neither updated nor confirmed. In this case, the processes of steps S1505 and S1506 are executed to display the various base values and ball difference numbers on the first to fifth notification display devices 169a to 169e.

In step S1505, the display target area 506 provided in the work area 393 for non-specific control is referenced to ascertain the type data and history data of the game history that is currently being displayed among the various base values and ball difference numbers. Then, in step S1506, display data for displaying the type and calculated value of the game history to be displayed on the first to fifth notification display devices 169a to 169e is stored in the specific display data buffer in the work area 391 for specific control.

In this case, when the current base value is the display target, for example, as shown in FIG. 35(b), the identification display unit consisting of the first and second notification display devices 169a and 169b displays "bL." corresponding to the current base value, and the ratio display unit consisting of the third and fourth notification display devices 169c and 169d displays a two-digit number indicating the current base value. The display on the identification display unit is based on the reference result of the type area 506a in the display target area 506 of the non-specific control work area 393, and the display on the ratio display unit is based on the reference result of the history area 506b in the display target area 506.

In addition, in a situation where the ball difference is the display target, for example, as shown in FIG. 35(c), a five-digit numerical value indicating the ball difference is displayed on the first to fifth notification display devices 169a to 169e. Also, to indicate that the display corresponds to the ball difference, the display segment corresponding to the dot portion 197 on each notification display device 169a to 169e is lit. Of these, the numerical display on the first to fifth notification display devices 169a to 169e is based on the reference result of the history area 506b in the display target area 506, and the display of the dot portion 197 on each notification display device 169a to 169e is based on the reference result of the type area 506a in the display target area 506.

At that time, if the difference in the number of balls at that time is a negative value, that is, if the total number of game balls dispensed from the start point of the calculation of the difference in the number of balls is less than the total number of game balls discharged from the game area PA, the display data is set so that "00000" is displayed on the first to fifth notification display devices 169a to 169e, as shown in FIG. 35(d). However, internally, the calculated difference in the number of balls is stored and managed as a negative value.

In addition, after the manufacture of the pachinko machine 10, when the total number of game balls discharged from the play area PA has not yet reached the management start reference value, and the initial display data is the display target, for example, as shown in FIG. 35(e), the identification display unit consisting of the first and second notification display devices 169a and 169b displays based on the reference result of the type area 506a, and the central display segment is turned on in the ratio display unit consisting of the third and fourth notification display devices 169c and 169d, and displays "--". In addition, when the base value is the display target after the total number of game balls discharged from the play area PA has reached the management start reference value, the display on the identification display unit is turned on continuously, but when the initial display data is the display target, the display on the identification display unit is turned on in a flashing state, indicating that the total number of game balls discharged from the play area PA has not yet reached the management start reference value.

<Game Stop Judgment Processing>
Next, the game stop determination process in step S407 will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 36. The game stop determination process determines whether or not to enter a game stop state, and transitions to the game stop state based on the result, and is executed as part of the timer interrupt process (Fig. 21). This process is executed by the MPU 312 using a program for specific control.

In the game stop determination process, first in step S1601, it is determined whether the game stop flag provided in the work area 391 for specific control is set to "1". The game stop flag is used by the MPU 312 to determine that game play is stopped.

If the game stop flag is set to "1", the game stop determination process is terminated. On the other hand, if the game stop flag is not set to "1", i.e., if the game is not stopped, in step S1602, the ball difference area 504e provided in the work area 393 for non-specific control is referenced to determine the current ball difference. In the following step S1603, a ball difference command is sent to the performance control device 143 to notify the ball difference determined in step S1602.

When the performance control device 143 receives this command, it controls the display control device 350 so that a predetermined notification image for notifying the player of the current difference in number of coins is displayed on the pattern display device 75. At this time, it is preferable to display the notification image in a position that does not overlap with the patterns displayed in a stopped state on the pattern display device 75, such as in a corner or near a corner of the display section of the pattern display device 75 (the area of the display screen G that is visible when viewed from the front of the gaming machine). This makes it possible to prevent the notification image of the difference in number from impairing the visibility of each of the pattern rows Z1 to Z3.

The notification of the difference in number of sheets on the pattern display device 75 may be made at all times regardless of the size of the difference in number of sheets, or may be made when the difference in number of sheets reaches or exceeds a predetermined number (e.g., 95,000 sheets) that is less than the specific number. Also, instead of the difference in number of sheets, the remaining number up to the specific number may be notified. In this case, too, the notification may be made at all times regardless of the difference in number of sheets at that time, or the notification may be started when the difference in number of sheets reaches or exceeds the above-mentioned predetermined number.

The location where the difference in number of coins is not limited to the pattern display device 75, and the notification may be made by a notification unit other than the pattern display device 75. In that case, the notification unit may be a notification unit dedicated to notifying the difference in number of coins, or may be a notification unit that is also used for other notifications.

After execution of step S1603, in step S1604, it is determined whether or not cheating has been detected by the cheating detection process in step S405 (Figure 21). If cheating has been detected, the process proceeds to step S1605, and the game stop flag provided in the work area 391 for specific control is set to "1". As a result, in the subsequent timer interrupt process (Figure 21), the process for controlling the progress of the game in steps S409 to S419 is not executed (step S408: NO), and the progress of the game is restricted.

In step S1606, a closing control process is executed to close the variable winning device 65 and the normal power device 63a. As a result, if the variable winning device 65 or the normal power device 63a is open, it is forcibly closed.

In step S1607, a launch stop process is executed to switch the launch permission signal to the power supply and launch control device 191 to a LOW level. This restricts the launch of game balls, and game balls will not be launched even if the player operates the game ball launch handle 41.

In step S1608, a game stop command is output to the payout control device 181, and the payout device 222 stops paying out game balls. As a result, if an illegal act of paying out game balls is being performed, further payout of game balls is immediately restricted, and damage to the gaming hall is prevented from increasing. In step S1608, a game stop command is also output to the performance control device 143, and the performance display on the pattern display device 75 is stopped, and an image or audio notification that game play is stopped is executed.

In step S1609, an external information setting process is executed to output a predetermined external signal from the external output terminal 213, which corresponds to the detection of fraud or the transition to a game stop state. This causes the predetermined external signal to be output to the hall computer HC on the gaming hall side, which notifies the pachinko machine 10 that an abnormality has occurred. After step S1609 is executed, the game stop determination process is terminated.

If a negative judgment is made in step S1604 (if no fraud is detected), the process proceeds to step S1610, where it is judged whether or not the excess flag provided in the work area 393 for non-specific control is set to "1". If the excess flag is set to "1", that is, if the calculated difference in the number of balls is equal to or greater than a specific number, the game stop flag provided in the work area 391 for specific control is set to "1" in step S1611. This process is the same as step S1605, and as a result, the game is stopped. In other words, in this embodiment, if the difference in the number of balls is equal to or greater than a specific number, the game is stopped and the progress of the game is restricted thereafter.

In step S1612, a closing control process is executed to close the variable winning device 65 and the normal power device 63a, and in step S1613, a launch stop process is executed to switch the launch permission signal to the power supply and launch control device 191 to a LOW level. These processes are similar to those in steps S1606 and S1607.

In the next step S1614, an excess command is output to the presentation control device 143. The excess command is intended to notify the presentation control device 143 that the number of balls difference has reached a specific number or more and that the game has transitioned to a stopped state. When the presentation control device 143 receives this command, it controls the display control device 350 so that a notification image corresponding to the number of balls difference reaching a specific number or more and a notification image corresponding to the game being stopped are displayed on the pattern display device 75. It also controls so that an audio notification corresponding to the number of balls difference reaching a specific number or more and the game being stopped is output from the speaker unit 29.

When a game stop state is entered in response to the detection of fraud, a game stop command is output to the payout control device 181 to restrict the payout of game balls from the payout device 222 (step S1608). However, when a game stop state is entered in response to the difference in the number of balls becoming a specific number or more, a game stop command or an excess command is not output to the payout control device 181, and the payout of game balls from the payout device 222 is not restricted. Also, in the timer interrupt processing (FIG. 21), when a transition is made to a game stop state in response to the detection of fraud, i.e., when the game stop flag is set to "1" in the work area 391 for specific control and the excess flag is not set to "1", the processing of steps S409 to S419, including the processing for paying out game balls in steps S417 and S418, is controlled not to be executed (step S421: NO), but when a transition is made to a game stop state in response to the number of difference balls becoming a specific number or more, i.e., when both the game stop flag and the excess flag are set to "1" in the work area 391 for specific control, the range of processing that is not executed is limited to steps S409 to S416, and the processing for paying out game balls in steps S417 and S418 is executed. In this manner, in this embodiment, when a game is stopped because the difference in the number of balls is equal to or greater than a specific number, the system is configured to allow the payout of game balls, unlike when a game is stopped because fraud is detected.

In the case where many prize balls are generated, such as during the open/close execution mode, for example, if the lower tray 34 is in a full state where it is full of game balls while playing, the number of unpaid prize balls will increase without the payout device 222 being able to pay out game balls due to the full state. In such a situation, if the difference in the number of balls exceeds a specific number and the game transitions to a game stop state, if the payout of game balls is restricted, even if the player removes game balls from the lower tray 34 during the game stop state to eliminate the full state, the payout of game balls will not resume and the player may not be able to obtain prize balls. In this regard, since the payout of game balls is permitted in the game stop state, if the full state is eliminated and the payout device 222 is able to pay out game balls, the payout of game balls corresponding to the unpaid prize balls can be performed.

In addition, in this embodiment, when the game transitions to a game stop state in response to the difference in the number of balls reaching a specific number or more, not only are the processes for paying out game balls in steps S417 and S418 performed, but also the external information setting process in step S419 for outputting an external signal to the outside of the gaming machine is executed. In this case, when game balls are paid out in the game stop state, a corresponding external signal (a prize ball signal) can be output, and the hall computer HC can properly grasp the number of game balls paid out in the game stop state.

After execution of step S1614, in step S1615, an external information setting process is executed to output a predetermined external signal corresponding to the difference in the number of balls becoming a specific number or more from the external output terminal 213. As a result, the predetermined external signal is output to the hall computer HC on the gaming hall side, notifying that the difference in the number of balls has become a specific number or more.

In this case, it is advisable to use the same external signal as that used when the difference in the number of balls becomes a specific number or more as the external signal used when transitioning to a game stop state in response to the detection of cheating. Specifically, it is advisable to configure the external signal when the difference in the number of balls becomes a specific number or more to be output from the same output terminal as the external signal output from when cheating is detected in the external output terminal 213. This makes it possible to output an external signal when the difference in the number of balls becomes a specific number or more without adding a new output terminal or constructing a new external output terminal 213, thereby simplifying the configuration.

In the above case, there is a risk that the hall computer HC in the gaming hall may not be able to distinguish from the external signal whether cheating has been detected or whether the difference in the number of balls has exceeded a certain number. However, even in such a case, the external signal is output to the hall computer HC, and an employee of the gaming hall rushes to the pachinko machine 10 and is able to determine which of the above cases has occurred, so this is not considered to cause any operational problems.

After execution of step S1615 or if a negative judgment is made in step S1610 (the excess flag is not set to "1"), the game stop judgment process is terminated.

<Excess startup process, partial clear process>
Next, the excess start-up process of step S114 and the partial clear process of step S115 will be described. These processes are executed as part of the main process (FIG. 18), and are executed when the power of the pachinko machine 10 is turned on and the supply of operating power to the MPU 312 is started.

First, the excess startup process in step S114 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 37(a). This process is executed by a specific control program in the MPU 312.

In the excess start-up process, first in step S1801, it is determined whether the excess flag provided in the work area 391 for specific control is set to "1". If the excess flag is set to "1", it means that the supply of operating power to the MPU 312 was stopped while the excess flag was set to "1", and then the supply of said operating power was resumed. An example of such a situation would be when the difference in the number of balls becomes equal to or exceeds a specific number, an external signal is output, and an employee of the game hall rushes to the pachinko machine 10, turns the power off of the pachinko machine 10, and then turns the power on.

In the above case, the main RAM 314 of the MPU 312 is supplied with backup power from the power supply and launch control device 191, so the information stored in the main RAM 314 is retained. For this reason, for example, if the winning/losing lottery mode is in the high probability mode and the difference in the number of balls is equal to or greater than a specific number, and the power of the pachinko machine 10 is turned OFF→ON in that situation, the area in the main RAM 314 indicating that it is in the high probability mode is set to "1."

Incidentally, in this embodiment, when the supply of operating power to the pachinko machine 10 is stopped, backup power is supplied to the main RAM 314 of the main control device 162, but backup power is not supplied to the payout RAM 384 of the payout control device 181. Therefore, the information stored in the main RAM 314 is retained even if the power to the pachinko machine 10 is turned off, whereas the information written in the payout RAM 384 is erased when the power to the pachinko machine 10 is turned off.

If a positive judgment is made in step S1801 (if the excess flag is set to "1"), the process proceeds to step S1802, where a second initialization process is executed for the area for specific control. In the second initialization process, the work area 391 for specific control of the main RAM 314 is cleared to "0", except for an area (setting value counter) in which setting value information indicating the setting state of the pachinko machine 10 is set in the work area 391 for specific control, and an area in which prize ball information (at least information regarding the number of unpaid prize balls) for causing the payout control device 181 (payout device 222) to pay out prize balls is stored.

In this way, the work area 391 for specific control is cleared to "0" except for the area for the set value and the area for the prize ball information, so that, for example, the area indicating whether the win/lose lottery mode is a high probability mode or not is cleared to "0", and the win/lose lottery mode becomes a low probability mode regardless of the win/lose lottery mode immediately before the supply of operating power to the pachinko machine 10 is stopped. In addition, a game round is not being played, and the open/close execution mode is not being executed, and further, the normal map display unit 44 is not displaying a variable value and the normal power device 63a is in a closed state. In addition, the reserved storage area 314a and the normal power reserved area 314c provided in the work area 391 for specific control are also cleared to "0", so the special map reserved information and the normal map reserved information are erased.

On the other hand, the prize ball information is inherited from the state immediately before the supply of operating power to the pachinko machine 10 is stopped, so even if the power to the pachinko machine 10 is turned off while there are still prize balls that have not been paid out, when the power is turned on afterwards, a prize ball command can be output to the payout control device 181 based on the stored information on the unpaid prize balls.

Therefore, when the difference in the number of balls becomes equal to or exceeds a specific number in the high probability mode, if an employee of the game hall turns off the power of the pachinko machine 10 while there are still prize balls left to be paid out, the lottery mode after the power is turned on will be set to low probability mode, and the prize balls left to be paid out will be paid out in sequence after the power is turned on. This makes it possible to appropriately pay out the prize balls that the player should have received, while appropriately suppressing any further increase in the difference in the number of balls.

In addition, in the second initialization process, similar to the first initialization process in step S104 (FIG. 18), the work area 393 for non-specific control and the stack area 394 for non-specific control are not cleared to "0". This makes it possible to prevent the work area 393 for non-specific control and the stack area 394 for non-specific control from being cleared to "0" by a clearing operation by an employee of the game hall, etc.

After step S1802 is executed, the excess startup process is terminated. Also, if a negative judgment is made in step S1801 (the excess flag is not set to "1"), the excess startup process is terminated without executing step S1802.

Next, the partial clearing process of step S115 will be described. The partial clearing process is a process for clearing some of the information stored in the work area 393 for non-specific control to "0". The partial clearing process will be described below with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 37(b). Note that the processes of steps S1901 to S1903 in the partial clearing process are executed by the program for specific control in the MPU 312.

In the partial clear process, first in step S1901, the information stored in the flag register, one of the multiple registers provided in the MPU 312, is written to a specified area in the work area 391 for specific control and then saved. This process is the same as step S1002 in the base value and ball difference calculation process (Figure 28).

In step S1902, a call command is used to read a subroutine program corresponding to the partial clear execution process set in the program for non-specific control, and the execution process is started. At this time, information for specifying the return address after the execution process is executed is written to the stack area 392 for specific control. Then, when the execution process for partial clear is completed, the information for specifying the return address written in the stack area 392 is read, and a return is made to the program for the partial clear process indicated by the return address.

In step S1903, the saved information in the flag register is restored, and then the partial clear process ends. This process is the same as step S1004 in the base value and ball difference calculation process (Figure 28).

Here, the partial clear execution process that is executed by reading the program for non-specific control in step S1902 will be explained with reference to the flowchart in Figure 38.

In step S2101, the stack area to be used is switched from the stack area 392 for specific control to the stack area 394 for non-specific control. This process is similar to step S1101 in the execution process for the base value and the number of balls difference (Figure 29).

In step S2102, information stored in some of the multiple registers provided in the MPU 312 is evacuated to the non-specific control work area 393. In subsequent steps S2103 to S2106, processing is executed using those registers where the information has been evacuated.

After step S2102 is executed, the subroutine programs of steps S2103 to S2106 set in the program for non-specific control are read by a call command and executed in sequence. In this process, first, in step S2103, the information on the difference in the number of balls is cleared. Specifically, the area 504e (FIG. 31) for the difference in the number of balls in the calculation result area 504 provided in the work area 393 for non-specific control is cleared to "0". This erases the information on the difference in the number of balls stored in the area 504e for the difference in the number of balls at the time the power to the pachinko machine 10 was turned off.

After step S2103 is executed, in step S2104, all of the counters 502a to 502e (FIG. 31) in the ball difference counter area 502 provided in the work area 393 for non-specific control are cleared to "0". As a result, the count values of the regular winning counter 502a, the regular first operation counter 502b, the regular second operation counter 502c, the regular special power counter 502d, and the regular out counter 502e used to calculate the ball difference are changed to their initial values ("0").

In step S2105, it is determined whether the excess flag provided in the work area 393 for non-specific control is set to "1", and if it is set to "1", the excess flag is cleared to "0" (step S2106).

In this manner, in this embodiment, when the power ON operation of the pachinko machine 10 is performed, the information on the difference in the number of balls stored in the work area 393 for non-specific control, the collected values of the game history used to calculate the difference in the number of balls (the measured value of the number of balls entering each entry area), and the information corresponding to the difference in the number of balls being equal to or greater than a specific number are erased. Therefore, a player who plays after the power ON operation starts playing without inheriting the information on the difference in the number of balls from the state before the power ON operation.

Even if the power of the pachinko machine 10 is turned on, the areas of the non-specific control work area 393 other than the ball difference area 504e and the ball difference counter area 502 are not cleared to "0". Therefore, the information on the current base value and each inning base value stored in each area 504a to 504d of the calculation result area 504, and the information on each counter 501a to 501c in the base value counter area 501 are not erased, but remain stored. Therefore, a player who plays after the power is turned on will start playing with the information on the base value in the state it was in before the power was turned on.

After executing the processes of steps S2103 to S2106, in step S2107, the stack area to be used is switched from the stack area 394 for non-specific control to the stack area 392 for specific control. In the following step S2108, the values of each register that were saved in the work area 393 for non-specific control in step S2102 are restored to each register of the MPU 312.

<About the flow of game restrictions using the difference in balls>
Next, the flow of game restrictions using the difference in the number of balls will be described with reference to Figures 39 and 40.

When a player is playing a game, the pachinko machine 10 uses the MPU 312 of the main control device 162 to execute ball entry determination for the general winning hole 61, the first operating hole 62, the second operating hole 63, the variable winning device 65, and the outlet hole 68 (Fig. 39(a)). Specifically, it refers to the output of the ball entry detection sensors 91a-96 provided in the discharge passages 91-96 (Fig. 7) that communicate with each of the ball entry sections 61-63, 65, 68, and determines whether or not a ball has entered each of those ball entry sections 61-63, 65, 68.

If it is determined that a ball has entered the ball entry sections 61-63, 65, 68, the values of the regular general entry counter 502a, the first operation counter 502b, the second operation counter 502c, the special power counter 502d, and the out counter 502e, which are provided in the non-specific control work area 393 of the main RAM 314, are updated. Of these counters 502a-502e, the counters 502a-502d correspond to the general entry port 61, the first operation port 62, the second operation port 63, and the variable entry device 65, respectively, and if a ball has entered the ball entry sections 61-63, 65, the value of the corresponding counter is incremented by one. In addition, the out counter 520e serves to measure the total number (total) of game balls discharged from the game area PA, and if a ball enters any of the entry points 61-63, 65, 68, including the exit 68, the value of the out counter 502e is incremented by one.

Then, the MPU 312 uses the update results of the counters 502a-502e to calculate the difference in the number of balls. When calculating the difference in the number of balls, first, the total number of game balls paid out is calculated based on the values of the counters 502a-502d (the number of balls that entered each of the ball entry sections 61-63, 65) and the information on the number of winning balls in each of the ball entry sections 61-63, 65. Then, the value of the out counter 502e (the total number of game balls discharged from the game area PA) is subtracted from the total number of balls paid out to derive the difference in the number of balls.

The MPU 312 stores the calculated ball difference information in the ball difference area 504e provided in the work area 393 for non-specific control, and then performs an excess determination to determine whether the calculated ball difference is equal to or greater than a specific number (e.g., 100,000) set as a trigger for activating game restrictions. If the ball difference is equal to or greater than the specific number, the excess flag provided in the work area 393 for non-specific control is set to "1."

Here, the main RAM 314 is provided with a work area 391 and a stack area 392 for specific control, and a work area 393 and a stack area 394 for non-specific control. When the MPU 312 executes processing corresponding to non-specific control, it is possible to both write and read information to the work area 393 and the stack area 394 for non-specific control, while it is possible to read information from the work area 391 and the stack area 392 for specific control, but it is not possible to write information. The processing for controlling the progress of the game is included in the processing corresponding to the specific control, and each processing from the ball entry judgment to the overage judgment is included in the processing corresponding to the non-specific control. Therefore, by executing the processing from the ball entry judgment to the overage judgment, it is possible to prevent information used in the processing for controlling the progress of the game from being rewritten or accidentally erased.

In addition, when the MPU 312 executes processing corresponding to specific control using a program and data for specific control, it is possible to both write and read information to the work area 391 and stack area 392 for specific control, while it is possible to read information from the work area 393 and stack area 394 for non-specific control, but it is not possible to write information. Therefore, when executing processing to control the progress of the game, it is possible to prevent the values of the counters 502a to 502e and information on the calculated ball difference from being rewritten or accidentally erased.

The MPU 312 executes each process from the above-mentioned ball entry determination to the overrun determination as part of a timer interrupt process (Figure 21) that is started at a 4 msec cycle. Therefore, the difference in ball count is calculated periodically at the above-mentioned cycle, and each time, it is determined whether the difference in ball count has reached a specific number or more.

At that time, the difference in the number of balls each time is displayed on the first to fifth display devices 169a to 169e provided on the main control device 162. Therefore, if an employee of the game hall needs to check the difference in the number of balls managed by the pachinko machine 10, he or she can do so by unlocking the locking device 55 and rotating the inner frame 13 to the front side of the pachinko machine 10. The first to fifth display devices 169a to 169e also display the base value calculated and managed by the pachinko machine 10, and the first to fifth display devices 169a to 169e are used to display both the base value and the difference in the number of balls. Therefore, there is no need to provide a separate display device for each of these displays, which not only simplifies the configuration but also makes it possible to effectively utilize the first to fifth display devices 169a to 169e.

The difference in balls each time is notified to the presentation control device 143 via a difference in balls command output from the main control device 162. The presentation control device 143 controls the display device 75 to display a notification image of the difference in balls all the time or when the difference in balls reaches a certain number or more, thereby notifying the player of the difference in balls.

For example, in a normal game state where the total number of game balls dispensed is kept low and the total number of game balls dispensed is greater than the total number of game balls dispensed, the number of difference balls decreases, whereas in a situation where a large number of game balls are dispensed and the total number of game balls dispensed is greater than the total number of game balls dispensed, the number of difference balls increases. However, if jackpots are hit more times than expected and the number of difference balls increases significantly to reach the specific number (timing t1 in Figure 39(b)), the MPU 312 sets the excess flag to "1" as described above and transitions to a game stop state in which game progress is not possible.

Although the probability of winning a jackpot is uniquely determined for each set value, there is variation in the probability of winning in actual play, and as a result the number of balls dispensed can exceed what the gaming machine designer had anticipated, raising concerns about increased gambling. In this regard, in this embodiment, the difference in the number of balls is monitored each time, and when the difference in the number of balls reaches a specific number or more, the game transitions to a stopped state and it becomes impossible to continue playing, thereby preventing further balls from entering each of the entry sections 61-63, 65 that will result in prize balls. This prevents an increase in the number of game balls acquired by the player, making it possible to prevent an excessive increase in gambling.

In the game stop state, the closing control process of the variable winning device 65 and the regular electric device 63a is executed to forcibly close them, and the launch stop process is executed to prevent the launch of game balls by the game ball launching mechanism 110. Also, if a game round is being executed on the special picture display unit 43 or the regular picture display unit 44, the process for controlling the progress of the game round is interrupted, so that each game round is stopped.

The MPU 312 also outputs an excess command to the presentation control device 143, notifying the presentation control device 143 that the number of balls difference has reached a specific number or more. It controls the display device 75 to display a notification image corresponding to the number of balls difference reaching a specific number or a notification image requesting a call, such as "please call an attendant." Note that the excess command not only corresponds to the number of balls difference reaching a specific number or more, but also corresponds to a transition to a game stop state, so the presentation control device 143 stops the presentation display on the pattern display device 75, and executes an image or audio notification that game play is stopped.

Furthermore, the MPU 312 outputs a predetermined external signal to the hall computer HC on the gaming hall side through the external output terminal 213. At this time, the external signal is output from the same output terminal of the external output terminal 213 as the output terminal from which the external signal is output when fraud is detected. In this case, the external signal functions as a signal to notify that some abnormality has occurred in the pachinko machine 10, and prompts a hall employee to rush to the pachinko machine 10. In this way, by outputting an external signal from the same terminal for external output both when the number of difference balls becomes a specific number or more and when fraud is detected, it is possible to output an external signal when the number of difference balls becomes a specific number or more without adding a new output terminal, and furthermore, the gaming hall can receive the external signal using existing equipment (external signal receiving equipment such as a data counter).

When the game transitions to a game stop state because the difference in the number of balls is equal to or greater than a specific number, a game stop command is not output to the payout control device 181. In other words, the control process for driving the payout device 222 to pay out game balls is continued, and the payout of game balls is permitted during the game stop state. As a result, even if the game transitions to a game stop state during a payout, the payout process is continued until the payout of game balls is completed, and the prize balls that the player should have received can be properly paid out.

In addition, if the difference in the number of balls becomes equal to or exceeds a specific number, a transition to a game stop state is made while allowing the output of an external signal while the game is stopped, and an external signal (a prize ball signal) can be output when game balls are paid out while the game is stopped. This makes it possible to notify the hall computer HC of the occurrence and number of payouts while the game is stopped, and makes it possible to suitably match the number of payouts managed by the hall computer HC with the number of balls actually paid out, even in a configuration in which payouts can be executed while the game is stopped.

The game stop state is entered not only when the difference in the number of balls reaches a specific number or more, but also when an abnormality such as magnetism or vibration is detected (Figure 40 (a)). In this case, a game stop command is output to the payout control device 181, and the payout of game balls by the payout device 222 is stopped. As a result, if any illegal payout of game balls is being performed, further payout of game balls is immediately restricted, preventing the loss of the game hall from increasing.

In addition, if an abnormality such as magnetism or vibration is detected, the output of external signals will also be restricted. However, this is not necessarily limited to this, and the configuration may allow the output of external signals while play is stopped.

After the difference in the number of balls reaches or exceeds a specific number and the above-mentioned specified external signal is output, a hall employee rushes to the pachinko machine 10 and turns off the power to the pachinko machine 10, stopping the supply of operating power to the MPU 312. In the MPU 312, the power failure flag in the specific control work area 391 is set to "1", and the checksum is calculated and stored for the specific control work area 391 and the specific control stack area 392. While the supply of operating power is stopped, backup power is supplied from the power supply and launch control device 191 to the main RAM 314, and the information stored in the specific control work area 391 and the specific control stack area 392 and the information stored in the non-specific control work area 393 and the non-specific control stack area 394 are retained.

Then, when the hall employee turns on the power to the pachinko machine 10 without pressing the reset button 166c and the supply of operating power to the MPU 312 starts in this state, the MPU 312 calculates a checksum for the work area 391 for specific control and the stack area 392 for specific control in the main RAM 314, and determines whether this matches the checksum saved when the power was cut off.

If they match, the stored information is recognized as valid, and then it is determined whether the excess flag provided in the work area 393 for non-specific control is set to "1". If the excess flag is set to "1", it means that the power OFF operation of the pachinko machine 10 was performed in a situation where the difference in the number of balls is equal to or greater than the specific number. In this case, a second initialization process is executed for the work area 391 for specific control and the stack area 392 for specific control. In the second initialization process, the work area 391 for specific control is cleared to "0" except for the area in which the information of the current setting value in the pachinko machine 10 is stored and the area in which the prize ball information for causing the payout control device 181 (payout device 222) to pay out prize balls is stored (FIG. 40(b)).

By clearing the information in the work area 391 for specific control by the above-mentioned clearing process, the game stop flag provided in the work area 391 for specific control is cleared to "0" and the game stop state is released. In addition, the lottery mode is set to low probability mode, the open/close execution mode and game rounds are not being executed, and the special chart reservation information and regular chart reservation information are erased. Therefore, for example, if the difference in the number of balls becomes a specific number or more during a series of jackpots in high probability mode, the consecutive jackpot state is released, the win/lose lottery mode is changed to low probability mode, and gameplay is resumed.

In addition, in the second initialization process, the prize ball information is not subject to the clearing process, and the state of the prize ball information at the time of power off is carried over even after power is turned on. Therefore, even if the power of the pachinko machine 10 is turned off while there are still prize balls that have not been paid out, the next payout can be performed by turning the power on afterwards.

After the second initialization process, the MPU 312 executes a partial clear process for the work area 393 for non-specific control. In the partial clear process, the information on the difference in the number of balls stored in the area 504e for the difference in the number of balls in the work area 393 for non-specific control is erased, and the values of the counters 502a to 502e provided to collect the history of balls entering each of the ball entry sections 61 to 63, 65, and 68 in the work area 393 are initialized. Therefore, if the pachinko machine 10 is restarted by a hall employee when the difference in the number of balls is equal to or greater than the specific number, the excess state of the difference in the number of balls is released and the measurement of the difference in the number of balls is started from the initial state, and the pachinko machine 10 starts up.

If the difference in the number of balls is less than the specific number, the excess flag is not set to "1", and the power to the pachinko machine 10 is turned on without pressing the reset button 166c, the second initialization process is not executed, and the information stored in the work area 391 for specific control and the stack area 392 for specific control when the supply of operating power was stopped is retained as is.

On the other hand, a partial clear process is executed for the work area 393 and stack area 394 for non-specific control, the information on the difference in the number of balls is erased, and the values of the counters 502a to 502e and the status of the excess flag are initialized. This allows the values of the counters 502a to 502e updated by the previous day's play to be initialized and the information on the difference in the number of balls to be erased simply by turning off the power of the pachinko machine 10 when the game hall closes and turning on the power of the pachinko machine 10 when the game hall opens the next day. For example, if a reset operation is required to turn on the power of the pachinko machine 10 while pressing the reset button 166c to initialize the counters 502a to 502e and erase the information on the difference in the number of balls, the reset operation must be performed for each pachinko machine installed in the game hall one by one, which may significantly increase the work of the hall employees when preparing to open the game hall. In this regard, the above configuration can eliminate such work and reduce the workload of the hall employees. In particular, in amusement halls, multiple pachinko machines 10 are installed on an island, and by turning on the power to the island, it is possible to turn on the power to the multiple pachinko machines 10 installed on the island at the same time. Therefore, by turning on the power to the island, it is possible to erase information on the number of balls difference and the like for multiple pachinko machines 10 at the same time, which makes it possible to effectively reduce the effort required for opening preparations at the amusement hall.

When the power is turned on as described above, if the setting key insertion section 166a is in the on operation position, the device transitions to a setting confirmation state. In the setting confirmation state, the setting values are displayed on the first to fifth notification display devices 169a to 169e.

In addition, when the difference in the number of balls is less than the specific number and the excess flag is not set to "1", if the power to the pachinko machine 10 is turned on while the reset button 166c is pressed, the first initialization process is executed. In the first initialization process, the work area 391 for specific control is cleared to "0" except for the area in which the information on the current setting value in the pachinko machine 10 is stored. In addition, a partial clear process is executed for the work area 393 and stack area 394 for non-specific control, the information on the difference in the number of balls stored as the specific number is erased, and the values of the counters 502a to 502e and the state of the excess flag are initialized.

In the above case, if the power is turned on with the setting key insertion section 166a in the on position, the first initialization process is executed, and then the pachinko machine 10 transitions to a setting update state in which the setting state can be changed. In the setting update state, the setting value can be changed within the range of "Setting 1" to "Setting 6" by pressing the update button 166b. At this time, the setting value is displayed on the first to fifth notification display devices 169a to 169e. Note that the update button 166b may not be provided, and the setting value may be changed by operating the reset button 166c.

The present embodiment described above provides the following excellent advantages:

When a ball enters the general winning hole 61, the first operating hole 62, the second operating hole 63, the variable winning device 65, or the out hole 68, the counters 502a-502e corresponding to each of the winning holes 61-63, 65, and 68 are updated, and the difference in the number of balls is derived based on that information. This allows the pachinko machine 10 to collect the history of balls entering each of the winning holes 61-63, 65, and 68, and to monitor the difference in the number of balls each time. When the derived difference in the number of balls reaches or exceeds a specific number, the machine is configured to transition to a game stop state. This makes it possible to operate the pachinko machine 10 in such a way that the increase in prize balls acquired by the player is suppressed, and excessive increases in gambling tendencies are suppressed.

In the main RAM 314, a work area 391 and a stack area 392 for specific control are provided as areas for reading and writing information when processing is executed by a program for specific control, and a work area 393 and a stack area 394 for specific control are provided as areas for reading and writing information when processing is executed by a program for non-specific control. When processing is executed by a program for specific control, information can be read from the work area 393 and stack area 394 for non-specific control, but information cannot be written to it. When processing is executed by a program for non-specific control, information can be read from the work area 391 and stack area 392 for specific control, but information cannot be written to it. The processing executed by the program for specific control includes steps S409 to S419 for controlling the progress of the game, and counters 502a to 502e for collecting the history of balls entering each of the ball entry sections 61 to 63, 65, and 68, and area 504e for ball difference number in which information on the derived ball difference number is stored are provided in work area 393 for non-specific control.

This configuration ensures that the information of each counter 502a-502e and the information on the difference in the number of balls stored in the difference in the number of balls area 504e are not rewritten or erased by the process for controlling the progress of the game. This makes it possible to properly monitor whether the difference in the number of balls has reached a specific number or more, and ultimately to properly control the transition to a game stop state based on the results of this monitoring.

The external information when the game stops because the number of balls difference is equal to or exceeds a specific number is output using the same terminal as the external output terminal when the external information is output when the game stops because of fraud detection (abnormality detection). This eliminates the need to add a new external output terminal to the pachinko machine 10, and allows the gaming hall to use existing configurations for information receiving units such as data counters and management devices such as hall computers HC, making it possible to reduce costs on both sides.

In this case, the signal form (output period, etc.) of the external signal when the difference in the number of balls is equal to or greater than a specific number is made common to the signal form of the external information when fraud detection is performed, and the same signal is output in the former and latter cases. In this case, the pachinko machine 10 does not need to add a processing program for outputting a signal of a dedicated form corresponding to the case where the difference in the number of balls is equal to or greater than a specific number, and the gaming hall can analyze the external information when the difference in the number of balls is equal to or greater than a specific number using the existing hall computer HC, making it unnecessary to improve or add functions to the hall computer HC. However, since it is expected that it will be impossible or difficult for the hall computer HC to distinguish and recognize the external information when the difference in the number of balls is equal to or greater than a specific number and the external information when fraud detection is performed, it is preferable to have it function as a signal to call a hall employee.

When the game transitions to a game stop state because the difference in the number of balls becomes equal to or exceeds a specific number, the payout of game balls is permitted in that game stop state. For example, if the difference in the number of balls becomes equal to or exceeds a specific number while game balls are being paid out, there is a risk that the payout of game balls will end midway as the game transitions to the game stop state. In this regard, with this configuration, it is possible to continue paying out game balls to the end even if the game transitions to a game stop state in the middle of a payout.

In particular, a situation where the difference in the number of balls is equal to or greater than a specific number is assumed to be during the open/close execution mode, in which many prize balls are generated in a short period of time. At this time, if a full tank state occurs and the payout of game balls stops, many unpaid prize balls will accumulate internally. In this case, for example, in a configuration in which payout is restricted when the game is stopped, even if the player removes game balls from the lower tray 34 to eliminate the full tank state, the payout of game balls will not resume, and it may become impossible to collect the large number of unpaid prize balls that have accumulated internally. In this regard, since the payout of game balls is permitted in a game-stopped state, if the full tank state is eliminated and the payout device 222 is able to pay out game balls, the payout of game balls corresponding to the unpaid prize balls can be performed, and the prize balls that the player should have obtained can be appropriately paid out.

The system is configured to allow the output of external information corresponding to the payout of game balls in a game stop state when the difference in the number of balls becomes equal to or exceeds a specific number. In this case, even if game balls are paid out while game play is stopped, the occurrence of the payout is appropriately notified to the hall computer HC on the game parlor side through the output of the above-mentioned external information. This makes it possible to prevent inconsistencies between the number of game balls actually paid out in the pachinko machine 10 and the number grasped by the hall computer HC, which are caused by the payout of game balls while game play is stopped.

In a situation where the difference in the number of balls is equal to or greater than a specific number, the supply of operating power to the MPU 312 is stopped, and then when the supply of operating power to the MPU 312 is started, the second initialization process is executed to erase the information stored in the work area 391 for specific control. As a result, for example, when a player wins a jackpot in a high probability mode when the winning/losing lottery mode is in a high probability mode, and the difference in the number of balls becomes equal to or greater than a specific number during the opening/closing execution mode corresponding to the jackpot, the flag information corresponding to the opening/closing execution mode and the information corresponding to the transition to the high probability mode after the opening/closing execution mode (jackpot type information indicating that the jackpot is of a type corresponding to the transition to the high probability mode) are initialized, and the pachinko machine 10 is started. For this reason, the winning/losing lottery mode is changed to a low probability mode and the opening/closing execution mode is not executed, and the game is played, and as a result, further acquisition of prize balls is restricted. Therefore, it is possible to operate the pachinko machine 10 so that the increase in prize balls acquired by the player is suppressed, and excessive increase in gambling tendency is suppressed. In addition, because the pachinko machine 10 itself automatically performs such changes, it is possible to reduce the work required of hall employees when the difference in the number of balls becomes a certain number or more. Furthermore, because the hall employees do not have the discretion to make such changes, it is possible to ensure the fairness of the game.

In the second initialization process, the prize ball information for causing the payout control device 181 (payout device 222) to pay out prize balls is not subject to initialization. As a result, even if the pachinko machine 10 is turned off while there are still prize balls remaining in the game-stopped state after the difference in the number of balls reaches a specific number, the game balls corresponding to the unpaid prize balls can be paid out sequentially after the power is turned on. In other words, while initializing information such as the win/lose lottery mode restricts further acquisition of prize balls, it is possible to store and retain information corresponding to the unpaid prize balls and properly pay out the prize balls that the player should have received.

In this embodiment, the main RAM 314 of the main control device 162 is provided with a backup function for information stored in RAM when power is cut off, but the payout RAM 384 of the payout control device 181 is not provided with such a backup function, and instead, when power is cut off, the prize ball information for paying out prize balls is stored and held in the main RAM 314. In light of this, the main RAM 314 is configured so that the prize ball information is not erased during the second initialization process when power is restored, but if a backup function is provided for the payout RAM 384 and prize ball information is stored and held in the payout RAM 384 when power is cut off, it is preferable to prevent the stored prize ball information from being erased.

Regardless of whether the number of difference balls is equal to or greater than a specific number, the supply of operating power to MPU 312 is stopped, and when the supply of operating power to MPU 312 is started thereafter, a partial clear process is executed to initialize the information on the difference balls and the values of each of counters 502a to 502e. In this case, the power to pachinko machine 10 is cut off when the game hall closes, and then powered on when the game hall opens the next day, in that order, so that the information on the difference balls and the like can be naturally erased. This prevents the game from being played in a state where the difference balls and the like based on the game results of the previous day are carried over, and prevents the transition to a game stop state from being made due to the influence of the game results of the previous day.

In addition, since the partial clear process does not require any operations other than power off and power on, the work of the hall staff when the game hall opens can be greatly reduced. For example, if the information on the difference in ball count is erased on the condition that the supply of operating power to the MPU 312 is started while the reset button 166c is being pressed, such an operation must be performed for each pachinko machine installed in the game hall, which may be a very time-consuming task for the hall staff. In this regard, with the present configuration, the information on the difference in ball count is automatically erased when the power is turned on to the pachinko machine 10, so the work required for the erasure can be greatly reduced. In particular, in game halls, the power of the island equipment can be turned on to turn on the power of multiple pachinko machines installed in the island equipment all at once, so the erasure process can be performed for multiple pachinko machines at once with a single operation, making it possible to efficiently erase information on the difference in ball count.

In addition, since information such as the difference in ball count is stored in the work area 393 for non-specific control, when such information is erased using the partial clearing process, information such as setting values stored in the work area 391 for specific control can be prevented from being rewritten or erased.

The partial clear process is executed during the main process (Fig. 18) that starts when the pachinko machine 10 is powered on. In this case, the partial clear process can erase information such as the difference in the number of balls from the previous day, and then the timer interrupt process (Fig. 21), which controls the progress of the game, can be executed. This can reliably prevent the game from progressing while information such as the difference in the number of balls from the previous day remains.

The first to fifth notification display devices 169a to 169e, which display a value corresponding to the base value, are used to display a value corresponding to the difference in pitches. In this case, the display is switched in sequence between a value corresponding to the base value and a value corresponding to the difference in pitches. In this case, it is possible to appropriately display the values corresponding to the base value and the difference in pitches while effectively utilizing the first to fifth notification display devices 169a to 169e.

In addition, when the difference in the number of balls displayed on the first to fifth notification display devices 169a to 169e reaches or exceeds a specific number, the display is fixed to the number of balls that corresponds to the difference in the number of balls. As a result, when a hall employee rushes to the pachinko machine 10 in a state in which play has stopped due to the difference in the number of balls reaching or exceeding a specific number, the employee can immediately ascertain the difference in the number of balls at that time by visually checking the first to fifth notification display devices 169a to 169e. This allows for smooth confirmation that play has stopped, and increases convenience for the game hall.

<Modification 1>
A first modified example of the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 41 to 43. In these figures, the same components as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted or simplified.

This modified example differs from the first embodiment in the manner of the number of difference balls used to compare with the specific number in the excess judgment. Specifically, in the first embodiment, when the power of the pachinko machine 10 is turned on, the number of difference balls is initialized to 0, and the number of difference balls (total number of difference balls since power was turned on) that was used as the starting reference value to start calculation is compared with the specific number, but in this modified example, a change point CP (FIG. 41) is grasped when the number of difference balls changes from a decreasing state to an increasing state, and a difference ball number SA for judgment is calculated with the change point CP as the starting reference value, and this is compared with the specific number. The configuration for this purpose will be described in detail below.

Figure 42 (a) is an explanatory diagram for explaining the setting mode of the work area 393 for non-specific control. In this modified example, the work area 393 for non-specific control is provided with an area 601 for the difference in pitches. The area 601 for the difference in pitches is an area for storing information on the difference in pitches, and is provided in place of the area 504e for the difference in pitches (Figure 31) in the first embodiment.

This modified example is configured to handle multiple pieces of information as the difference in the number of balls, and the difference in the number of balls area 601 has multiple storage areas corresponding to the multiple pieces of information. Specifically, there are a current difference in the number of balls area 601a for storing the current difference in the number of balls (the same difference in the number of balls as in the first embodiment) based on 0 balls, a previous difference in the number of balls area 601b for storing the previous difference in the number of balls based on 0 balls, a start reference area 601c for storing the start reference value corresponding to the change point CP, and a judgment difference in the number of balls area 601d for storing the judgment difference in the number of balls SA.

<Excess Judgment Processing>
The excess determination process according to this modified example will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 43. This process is executed in step S1104 of the execution process for base value and ball difference (Fig. 29), and is executed in place of the excess determination process in Fig. 32. In Fig. 43, the same processes as those in Fig. 32 are given the same step numbers, and their descriptions are omitted or simplified. Note that this process is executed by a program for non-specific control.

First, in step S1301, it is determined whether or not a game ball has entered the general winning opening 61, the first operating opening 62, the second operating opening 63, the variable winning device 65, or the outlet opening 68. If a ball has entered, the process proceeds to step S1302, and the values of each of the ball entry detection counters 502a to 502e provided in the work area 393 for non-specific control are updated based on the determination result in step S1301.

In step S2301, data shift processing is executed. In the data shift processing, the information on the difference in balls stored in the current difference in balls area 601a in the difference in balls area 601 is shifted to the previous difference in balls area 601b. As a result, the information on the difference in balls calculated in the previous processing round is stored in the previous difference in balls area 601b.

In step S2302, a process for calculating the difference in the number of balls is executed. In this case, the difference in the number of balls is the total difference in the number of balls since the power was turned on, with 0 balls as the base number. In the calculation process of this step, the difference in the number of balls is derived by executing a calculation process similar to that of step S1303 (FIG. 32) in the first embodiment described above. In other words, using the values of each counter 502a to 502e at that time, the difference in the number of balls is derived by subtracting the total number of game balls dispensed from the game area PA.

In step S2303, a process is executed to overwrite the current ball difference number calculated in step S2302 in the current ball difference area 601a. As a result, the current ball difference number information is stored in the current ball difference area 601a. In the following step S2304, a nadir determination process is executed. The nadir determination process is a process for grasping the change point CP in FIG. 41. Here, the nadir determination process will be explained with reference to FIG. 42(b).

In the lowest point determination process, first, it is determined whether the previous difference in balls S2 stored in the previous difference in balls area 601b is smaller than the start reference value stored in the start reference area 601c. The start reference value in the start reference area 601c is the minimum value of the difference in balls calculated in each round during the period from when the information on the difference in balls is initialized by turning on the power to the pachinko machine 10 to the end of the previous processing round, in other words, it is the latest lowest point during that period. Then, if the previous difference in balls S2 is smaller than the start reference value at that time, it is determined whether the current difference in balls S1 is larger than the previous difference in balls S2 and the difference in balls has increased in the current processing round. As a result, if it is determined that the difference in balls has increased in the current processing round, the previous difference in balls S2 is recognized as the new lowest point.

Returning to the explanation of the exceedance determination process (FIG. 43), after the lowest point determination process in step S2304 is executed, the start reference value update process is executed in step S2305. In the start reference value update process, if the previous ball difference number S2 is recognized as the new lowest point in the lowest point determination process in step S2304, the information stored in the previous ball difference area 601b is overwritten in the start reference area 601c. This updates the start reference value.

In step S2306, a calculation process for the judgment difference number SA is executed. The judgment difference number SA is the difference number of balls from the starting reference value, and in this calculation process, the judgment difference number SA is derived by subtracting the starting reference value from the current difference number of balls S1. In the following step S2307, a process is executed to overwrite the judgment difference number SA calculated in step S2306 in the judgment difference number area 601d.

In step S2308, it is determined whether the judgment ball difference number SA (the judgment ball difference number SA calculated in step S2306) overwritten in the judgment ball difference area 601d in step S2307 is equal to or greater than a specific number (e.g., 100,000). If the judgment ball difference number SA is equal to or greater than the specific number, the process proceeds to step S2309, where the excess flag in the various flags area 507 provided in the work area 393 for non-specific control is set to "1."

When the excess flag is set to "1" in this way, the game stop determination process (FIG. 36) of step S407 in the timer interrupt process (FIG. 21) executes a transition process to a game stop state (steps S1610 to S1615). As a result, if the game was in the open/close execution mode, the open/close execution mode is terminated, and the variable winning device 65 and the normal power device 63a are closed, and the launch of game balls into the game area PA is restricted, restricting the progress of the game thereafter.

The modified example described above has the following advantages:

The lowest point CP of the difference in ball count is grasped and used as the starting reference value, and the difference in ball count for judgment SA, which is the increase in the difference in ball count from the starting reference value, is derived, and this is compared with a specific number to control the transition to a game stop state.

For example, when comparing the number of difference balls calculated based on 0 as the base number with a specific number, the negative amount (so-called lost time) that occurs during play will cause fluctuations in the upper limit of the effective number of difference balls. For example, as shown in FIG. 41, if the number of difference balls during play falls to -25,000, and a player starts playing from that point, the increase in the number of difference balls allowed for that player, SB, will be 1,250,000, and the upper limit of the effective number of difference balls will be greater than 100,000. This range of fluctuation in the upper limit will differ for each pachinko machine 10 due to variations in the negative amount, and this can be a factor that undermines the fairness of the game.

In this regard, according to this modified example, the increase in the difference in the number of balls is grasped for the period TP that starts when the negative amount ends, so regardless of the negative amount, the upper limit of the actual difference in the number of balls can be fixed at 100,000. This increases fairness between players and makes it possible to create a configuration that is easy to play.

<Modification 2>
The second modification of the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 44 to 46. In these figures, the same components as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted or simplified.

In the first embodiment described above, when the supply of operating power to the MPU 312 was started, the information on the difference in ball count was erased and the counters 502a to 502e in the difference in ball count counter area 502 were initialized. However, in this modified example, this is performed when the supply of operating power to the MPU 312 is stopped. The configuration for achieving this is described in detail below.

<Power outage information storage process>
The power failure information storage process according to this modification will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 44. This process is executed in step S401 of the timer interrupt process (Fig. 21). This process is executed by the MPU 312 using a program for specific control.

In the power outage information storage process, first in step S3101, the repetition counter provided in the work area 391 for specific control is set to "10", which is the repetition count information for the power outage signal. In the following step S3102, the power outage detection counter provided in the work area 391 for specific control is cleared to "0".

In step S3103, a process is executed to read information about the power outage signal received at the input port of MPU 312. In this case, if a power outage signal corresponding to no power outage (a LOW level power outage signal) is received, information "0" is stored in the input port as non-power outage information, and if a power outage signal corresponding to a power outage (a HI level power outage signal) is received, information "1" is stored in the input port as power outage occurrence information. In step S3103, a process is executed to read the information about the power outage signal into a register of MPU 312.

If the power outage signal information read in step S3103 corresponds to the occurrence of a power outage (power interruption) (step S3104: YES), the value of the power outage detection counter is incremented by 1 in step S3105. If a negative judgment is made in step S3104 or the processing of step S3105 is executed, the value of the repeat counter is decremented by 1 in step S3106.

In step S3107, it is determined whether the value of the repetition counter after subtracting 1 is "0". If the value of the repetition counter is not "0", the process returns to step S3103 and repeats the processes of steps S3103 to S3106. On the other hand, if the value of the repetition counter is "0", the process proceeds to step S3108 and it is determined whether the value of the power outage detection counter is equal to or greater than the trigger reference number corresponding to the occurrence of a power outage. If it is less than the trigger reference number, the power outage information storage process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is equal to or greater than the trigger reference number, the power outage process of steps S3109 to S3113 is executed.

Specifically, first, in step S3109, the power outage flag provided in the work area 391 for specific control is set to "1". As a result, if the power outage processing is executed normally and the information is stored and maintained normally in the main RAM 314, the power outage flag in the work area 391 for specific control will be set to "1" when the supply of operating power to the MPU 312 is resumed again.

In step S3110, a power outage clearing process is executed to erase the difference in number of coins and other data stored in the non-specific control work area 393. The power outage clearing process will be described in detail later.

After execution of step S3110, in step S3111, a checksum is calculated for the work area 391 for specific control and the stack area 392 for specific control. In this case, the storage areas in the work area 391 for specific control and the stack area 392 for specific control that are the objects of calculation when calculating the checksum are the same as the storage areas in the work area 391 for specific control and the stack area 392 for specific control that are the objects of calculation of the checksum in step S106 of the main processing (FIG. 18). In addition, the storage areas that are the objects of calculation when calculating this checksum include an area in the work area 391 for specific control where information on a setting value indicating the setting state of the pachinko machine 10 is set (specifically, a setting value counter). Then, the calculated checksum is stored in a storage area in the work area 391 for specific control for storing the checksum, which is excluded from the objects of calculation of the checksum.

In step S3112, all output port information in the registers of MPU 312 is set to "0", and in the following step S3113, access to main RAM 314 is prohibited. An infinite loop is then continued until the power is completely cut off and processing can no longer be executed.

In addition, by executing the power outage information storage process as the first process of the timer interrupt process, it is no longer necessary to execute the timer interrupt process from the middle after power is restored. This eliminates the need to store the address of the process that was being executed when the power outage occurred as stack information in the main RAM 314, making it possible to reduce the processing load when a power outage occurs.

<Clearing process when power is cut off>
The power interruption clearing process of step S3110 will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 45. Note that the processes of steps S3201 to S3205 in the power interruption clearing process are executed by a program for specific control.

In the power failure clearing process, first in step S3201, an interrupt prohibition setting is made to prohibit the occurrence of timer interrupt processing (FIG. 21). In the following step S3202, the information stored in the flag register, one of the multiple registers provided in the MPU 312, is written to a specified area in the work area 391 for specific control and saved. This process is the same as step S1002 in the base value and ball difference calculation process (FIG. 28).

In step S3203, a call command is used to read a subroutine program corresponding to the execution process for clearing when power is interrupted, which is set in the program for non-specific control, and the execution process is started. At this time, information for identifying the return address after the execution process is executed is written to the stack area 392 for specific control. Then, when the execution process for clearing when power is interrupted is completed, the information for identifying the return address written to the stack area 392 is read, and the program for clearing when power is interrupted indicated by the return address is returned to.

In step S3204, the saved information in the flag register is restored, and then the partial clear process ends. The process in step S3204 is the same as step S1004 in the base value and ball difference calculation process (Figure 28).

In step S3205, interrupt permission is set to switch from a state in which timer interrupt processing (FIG. 21) is prohibited to a state in which it is permitted. This allows new execution of timer interrupt processing.

Here, we will explain the execution process for clearing during power outage, which is executed by reading the program for non-specific control in step S3203, with reference to the flowchart in Figure 46.

In step S3301, the stack area to be used is switched from the stack area 392 for specific control to the stack area 394 for non-specific control. This process is similar to step S1101 in the execution process for the base value and the number of balls difference (Figure 29).

In step S3302, information stored in some of the multiple registers provided in the MPU 312 is evacuated to the non-specific control work area 393. In subsequent steps S3303 to S3306, processing is executed using those registers where the information has been evacuated.

After step S3302 is executed, the subroutine programs of steps S3303 to S3306 set in the program for non-specific control are read by a call command and executed in sequence. In this process, first, in step S3303, the information on the difference in the number of balls is cleared. Specifically, the area 504e for the difference in the number of balls (FIG. 31) in the calculation result area 504 provided in the work area 393 for non-specific control is cleared to "0". This erases the information on the difference in the number of balls stored in the area 504e for the difference in the number of balls at the time the power to the pachinko machine 10 was turned off.

When the configuration of this modified example is applied to the above modified example 1, in step S3303, all areas 601a to 601d of the ball difference area 601 (FIG. 42) provided in the work area 393 for non-specific control are cleared to "0". This initializes the ball difference for judgment SA used to determine whether the ball difference is equal to or greater than a specific number, and initializes the starting reference value, etc. used to calculate the ball difference for judgment SA.

After execution of step S3303, in step S3304, all of the counters 502a to 502e (FIG. 31) in the ball difference counter area 502 provided in the work area 393 for non-specific control are cleared to "0". As a result, the count values of the regular winning counter 502a, the regular first operation counter 502b, the regular second operation counter 502c, the regular special power counter 502d, and the regular out counter 502e used to calculate the ball difference are changed to their initial values ("0").

In step S3305, it is determined whether the excess flag provided in the work area 393 for non-specific control is set to "1", and if it is set to "1", the excess flag is cleared to "0" (step S3306).

In step S3307, the stack area to be used is switched from the stack area 394 for non-specific control to the stack area 392 for specific control. In the following step S3308, the values of each register that were saved in the work area 393 for non-specific control in step S3302 are restored to each register of the MPU 312.

The modified example described above has the following advantages:

Regardless of whether the number of difference balls is equal to or greater than a specific number, when the supply of operating power to the MPU 312 is stopped, the power cut-off clear process is executed, and the information on the number of difference balls and the values of each counter 502a to 502e are initialized. In this case, the information on the number of difference balls is automatically erased when the power to the pachinko machine 10 is cut off when the game hall closes, so when the power to the pachinko machine 10 is turned on the next day, the supply of operating power is started with the information on the number of difference balls erased. This prevents the game from being played with the number of difference balls based on the game results of the previous day carried over, and prevents the transition to a game stop state from being made due to the influence of the game results of the previous day. In this case, since the power cut-off clear process does not require any operation other than power cut-off, the work of the hall employees when the game hall closes can be greatly reduced.

<Other Modifications>
The present invention is not limited to the above-described first embodiment and each modified example, and may be implemented, for example, as follows. Each of the following configurations may be applied individually to the first embodiment and each modified example, or may be applied to the first embodiment and each modified example in combination in part or in whole. It is also possible to arbitrarily combine all or part of the various configurations shown in the first embodiment and each modified example. In this case, it is preferable that the technical significance (effects to be exerted) of each configuration to be combined is guaranteed.

In addition, for ease of understanding, some examples are specified as premise configurations, for example, "in the first embodiment," but the following configurations are not limited to being applied to the specified premise configurations (examples), but can also be applied to other examples.

(1) In the first embodiment and each modified example, the difference in ball number is derived by subtracting the total number of game balls discharged from the game area PA from the total number of game balls paid out, but the difference in ball number may be derived by subtracting the total number of game balls launched into the game area PA from the total number of game balls paid out. In this case, game balls that were launched from the game ball launching mechanism 110 but did not reach the game area PA and were collected in the foul ball passage 46 may be excluded from the calculation of the difference in ball number. Specifically, a game ball detection sensor may be placed in an area through which game balls launched with a launch strength that can reach the game area PA pass, and the number of game balls detected by the sensor may be counted to obtain the total number of launched game balls. Note that the area through which game balls launched with a launch strength that can reach the game area PA pass may be, for example, the area where the backflow prevention member 106 is placed or its surrounding area.

Incidentally, in the first embodiment and each of the modified examples, the remaining number up to the specific number may be calculated by subtracting the difference in the number of balls from the specific number, and the excess determination may be made based on this remaining number. In this case, if the remaining number becomes 0 or less, a transition to a game stop state will be made.

(2) In the first embodiment and each modified example, the counters 502a to 502e are updated based on the occurrence of balls entering each of the ball entry sections 61 to 63, 65, and 68, thereby deriving the difference in the number of balls based on the time of the ball entry. However, for the ball entry sections 61 to 63 and 65 where prize balls are awarded, when game balls are paid out, the number of paid out balls may be counted and the total value may be used as the "total number of paid out game balls" to derive the difference in the number of balls based on the time of the payout. In this case, for example, when the payout of game balls is suspended because the tank is full, it is possible to prevent the difference in the number of balls from exceeding a specific number, and it is possible to prevent the game from transitioning to a game stop state when there are many unpaid game balls remaining.

However, there is a concern that intentionally creating a full tank state to prevent game balls from being paid out could delay the timing at which the difference in the number of balls reaches a specific number, effectively extending the duration of play. In that sense, it is better to derive the difference in the number of balls based on the time when a ball goes in, as in the first embodiment and each of the modified examples above, or to derive the difference in the number of balls based on the time of payout without incorporating a function that allows game balls to be paid out when play is stopped.

(3) In the first embodiment and each of the modified examples, the difference in the number of balls may be derived by subtracting the total number of game balls dispensed from the total number of game balls discharged from the game area PA. In this case, since the positive amount on the player's side in the difference in the number of balls dispensed is indicated by a negative value, a negative value is used as the specific number. In other words, when the calculated difference in the number of balls becomes equal to or less than the specific number of -100,000, the game is stopped.

(4) In the first embodiment and each of the modified examples, the ball entry history information is collected for all ball entry sections 61 to 63, 65, and 68, but the ball entry history information may be collected for some of the ball entry sections. For example, if the ball entry history information is collected for only the variable entry device 65, it is possible to configure the game to transition to a game stop state when the number of balls difference increases during the open/close execution mode.

(5) In the first embodiment and each of the modified examples, information on the history of balls entering each of the ball entry sections 61-63, 65, and 68 was collected for all game states, but information on the history of balls entering may be collected for some game states. For example, information on the history of balls entering may be collected during the open/close execution mode. In this case, a configuration may be used in which an increase in the number of balls difference during the open/close execution mode causes a transition to a game stop state.

In the first embodiment and each of the modified examples, the information on the ball entry history for each ball entry section 61-63, 65, 68 is collected for the entire period from when the power is turned on to the pachinko machine 10, but the information on the ball entry history may be collected for a part of the period. For example, the information on the ball entry history may be collected for a so-called consecutive winning period. The consecutive winning period may be, for example, the period from when the opening and closing execution mode corresponding to a jackpot is started to when the game transitions to a high probability game state (high probability mode, or high probability mode and high frequency support mode) or a time-saving game state (low probability mode and high frequency support mode) after the opening and closing execution mode corresponding to the jackpot is ended, until the game transitions to the normal game state.

(6) In the first embodiment and each of the modified examples, the first to fifth notification display devices 169a to 169e are provided and the difference in pitches is displayed as a five-digit number. However, six notification display devices may be provided and the leftmost notification display device may display "- (minus)" when the difference in pitches is a negative value. Alternatively, four notification display devices may be provided to match the display of the set value and base value, and the difference in pitches may be displayed in its entirety by flowing from right to left.

(7) In the first embodiment and each of the modified examples, the first to fifth notification display devices 169a to 169e are shared by the set value, base value, and ball difference, but they may be shared by the set value and ball difference, or by the base value and ball difference. Also, the ball difference may be displayed on a display device separate from the display device that displays the set value and base value.

(8) In the first embodiment and each of the modified examples, the first to fifth notification display devices 169a to 169e are configured to switch between the base value and the number of balls difference in sequence. However, an operating means for switching the display (such as a switch button) may be provided, and the display may be switched by operating the operating means. In this case, the display may be switched in the following order each time the operating means is operated: current base value → previous base value → base value before last → base value before last → number of balls difference, or the display may be switched between the base value display and the number of balls difference each time the operating means is operated. In this case, the display contents of the first to fifth notification display devices 169a to 169e can be quickly switched, which is effective when hall employees want to quickly see the number of balls difference.

(9) In the first embodiment and each of the modified examples, a second timer interrupt process having a shorter interrupt period than the timer interrupt process in FIG. 21 may be provided in addition to the timer interrupt process, and the second timer interrupt process may control the display of the first to fifth notification display devices 169a to 169e. In this case, the display state of the first to fifth notification display devices 169a to 169e can be updated at a shorter period than when various processes related to the progress of the game are executed, and the occurrence of flickering and the like can be suppressed.

(10) In the first embodiment and each of the modified examples, the excess judgment is made by comparing the difference in the number of balls with a specific number, but the excess judgment may also be made by comparing the total number of paid-out game balls with a specific number. In other words, a configuration may be adopted in which the game is stopped when the total number of paid-out game balls becomes equal to or greater than a specific number. In this case, since the number of game balls discharged from the game area PA is not included in the judgment parameters, the effect of so-called "stuck" can be eliminated, and it becomes possible to make an excess judgment with a high degree of fairness.

(11) In the first embodiment and each of the modified examples, the process of determining whether the difference in ball count is equal to or greater than a specific number (step S1305) is executed by a program for non-specific control. However, since this process merely refers to the information on the difference in ball count stored in the difference in ball count area 504e in the work area 393 for non-specific control, this process may be configured to be executed by a program for specific control. In this case, an excess flag indicating whether the difference in ball count is equal to or greater than a specific number may be provided in the work area 391 for specific control.

(12) In the first embodiment and each of the modified examples, the excess determination process in step S1104 (FIG. 32) and the partial clear execution process in step S1902 (FIG. 38) may be executed by a program for specific control. In this case, each counter 502a to 502e, the ball difference area 504e, and the excess flag may be provided in the work area 391 for specific control.

(13) In the first embodiment and each of the modified examples, when the difference in the number of balls becomes a specific number or more, the game is stopped. However, the game may not be stopped. In this case, for example, when the difference in the number of balls becomes a specific number or more in the opening and closing execution mode based on a jackpot during the high probability mode, the information on the jackpot type and high probability mode stored in the main RAM 314 may be initialized, and the win/lose lottery mode after the opening and closing execution mode may be set to the low probability mode regardless of the type of the jackpot.

(14) In the first embodiment and each modified example, when the number of difference balls becomes a specific number or more, the game immediately transitions to a game stop state regardless of the game state at that time. However, the timing of transition to the game stop state may be controlled by referring to the game state at that time. For example, when the number of difference balls becomes a specific number or more when not in the opening and closing execution mode, the game immediately transitions to a game stop state, while when the number of difference balls becomes a specific number or more during the opening and closing execution mode, the game may wait for the opening and closing execution mode to end, and transition to the game stop state when or after the opening and closing execution mode ends. Also, when the number of difference balls becomes a specific number or more during the consecutive winning period of (5) above, the game may transition to a game stop state when or after the consecutive winning period ends.

(15) In the first embodiment and each of the modified examples described above, the payout of game balls is permitted in the game stop state entered when the difference in the number of balls becomes equal to or greater than a specific number, but the payout may not be permitted.

In this case, however, there is a risk that the payout of game balls will suddenly stop when the difference in the number of balls reaches or exceeds a specific number, and any prize balls that have not been paid out will not be paid out. In order to prevent such inconveniences from occurring, it is advisable to issue a predetermined notification in advance on the pattern display device 75 or the like to call attention. For example, when the difference in the number of balls reaches a predetermined number (e.g. 99,000 balls) that is less than the specific number, it is advisable to issue a visual or audio notification such as "We will soon reach the ball payout limit and will stop. Please be careful."

In addition, when the payout of game balls has stopped, such as when the tank is full, the notification mode may differ depending on whether the difference in the number of balls is equal to or greater than the above-mentioned predetermined number. For example, when the difference in the number of balls is less than the above-mentioned predetermined number in a full tank, an image or audio notification such as "Please remove the balls" may be issued, and when the difference in the number of balls is equal to or greater than the above-mentioned predetermined number in a full tank, an image or audio notification such as "Please remove the balls immediately. There is a risk that the unpaid balls will not be paid out." may be issued.

(16) In the first embodiment and each of the modified examples described above, when a game is stopped because the number of balls difference is equal to or greater than a specific number, external information is output using the same external output terminal as when a game is stopped because a game is stopped because fraud is detected. However, external information may be output using an external output terminal other than that used when a game is stopped because fraud is detected. It may be output as a dedicated signal corresponding to when the number of balls difference is equal to or greater than a specific number. In this case, the hall computer HC of the game hall can identify whether the number of balls difference is equal to or greater than a specific number or whether fraud has been detected based on the received external information.

In addition, while using the same external output terminal, the signal state (e.g., output period) may be made different from when transitioning to a game stop state based on fraud detection, making it possible to output external information as a dedicated signal corresponding to when the difference in the number of balls becomes a specific number or more.

In the above first embodiment and each modified example, when the difference in the number of balls becomes a specific number or more, external information is output when the game is stopped, but external information may be output when the difference in the number of balls becomes a specific number or more. Also, when the game is stopped based on fraud detection, in the above first embodiment and each modified example, external information is output when the game is stopped, but external information may be output when fraud is detected.

(17) In the first embodiment and each modification, in the game stop state based on the detection of fraud, a warning voice notification is controlled to be output from the speaker unit 29, while in the game stop state based on the difference in the number of balls becoming a specific number or more, the warning voice notification may not be output, or a voice notification such as a congratulatory message for the difference in the number of balls becoming a specific number or more may be output instead of the warning voice notification. In addition, the light emission mode of the various lamp units 26 to 28 provided on the front door frame 14 may be different between the game stop state based on the detection of fraud and the game stop state based on the difference in the number of balls becoming a specific number or more. For example, in the game stop state based on the detection of fraud, the error display lamp unit 27 is used to perform light emission control of a warning mode (for example, red light emission or blinking light emission), while in the game stop state based on the difference in the number of balls becoming a specific number or more, light emission control may be performed to cause the other lamp units 26, 28 to emit light in a mode different from the warning mode, without causing the error display lamp unit 27 to emit light.

(18) In the first embodiment and each of the modified examples described above, when a game is stopped because the difference in the number of balls is equal to or greater than a specific number, the pachinko machine 10 is turned off and then on in order to restart the pachinko machine 10, thereby releasing the game stop state. However, the game may be released without restarting the pachinko machine 10. For example, the game may be temporarily stopped because the difference in the number of balls is equal to or greater than a specific number. Specifically, the game may be stopped when the number of difference balls becomes a specific number or more, and an initialization process similar to the second initialization process (step S1801) or the first initialization process (step S104) for the main RAM 314 is performed, and the game stop state is released after a predetermined period of time has elapsed, and the game may be allowed to proceed. Alternatively, the game may be stopped when the number of difference balls becomes a specific number or more, and the pachinko machine 10 is automatically restarted after a predetermined period of time has elapsed, and the game stop state is released when the power is cut off or restored, and an initialization process similar to the second initialization process (step S1801) or the first initialization process (step S104) for the main RAM 314 is performed when the power is cut off or restored during the restart, and the game may be allowed to proceed. In this case, a predetermined notification corresponding to the number of difference balls becoming a specific number or more may be made using at least a portion of the period during which the game is stopped.

In the above case, the game suspension state based on the detection of fraud may be released in a manner (condition) different from that when the difference in the number of balls is equal to or greater than a specific number, in order to perform the release carefully. For example, in order to ensure an opportunity for a hall employee to be present, the game suspension state may be released by turning the power of the pachinko machine 10 OFF and then ON, as in the first embodiment and each of the modified examples, or the game suspension state may be released by turning the power of the pachinko machine 10 OFF and then ON while pressing the reset button 166c, as in the first embodiment and each of the modified examples.

The automatic release of the game stop state that has been entered based on the difference in the number of balls being equal to or greater than a specific number is not limited to being performed on the condition that a period of time has elapsed, and may be performed on the condition that a predetermined process set as a process after the transition to the game stop state has been executed. In addition, when the game stop state has been entered based on the difference in the number of balls being equal to or greater than a specific number, the game stop state may be released by outputting a predetermined signal to the pachinko machine 10 from outside the pachinko machine 10.

(19) In the first embodiment and each modified example, the game stop state can be released by restarting the pachinko machine 10 in both cases where the game is stopped because the difference in the number of balls is equal to or greater than a specific number and where the game is stopped because a fraudulent act is detected, and the release operation is the same. However, different operations may be used. For example, when the game is stopped because the difference in the number of balls is equal to or greater than a specific number, the game stop state can be released by restarting the pachinko machine 10, whereas when the game is stopped because a fraudulent act is detected, the game stop state can be released by turning the power of the pachinko machine 10 OFF and then turning the power of the pachinko machine 10 ON while pressing the reset button 166c. In this way, by increasing the effort required to release the game stop state when a fraudulent act is detected, it is possible to prevent the game stop state from being released fraudulently and continuing to carry out fraudulent acts.

(20) In the first embodiment and each of the modified examples, when a game is stopped because the difference in the number of balls is equal to or greater than a specific number, the game can be released by referring to date and time information. More specifically, when a game is stopped because the difference in the number of balls is equal to or greater than a specific number and an operation corresponding to the release is performed after the game is stopped, the date and time information can be referred to to determine whether or not to allow the release.

A specific configuration is conceivable in which the pachinko machine 10 (more specifically, the main control device 162) is equipped with a clock means (e.g., an RTC: real-time clock) that outputs time information and date information, and the MPU 312 of the main control device 162 controls whether or not to release the game stop state by referring to the time information and date information output from the clock means. That is, when the MPU 312 transitions to a game stop state based on the difference in the number of balls reaching a specific number or more, it determines the transition date and time by referring to the time information and date information from the clock means and stores this in information storage means such as the main RAM 314. Then, when the pachinko machine 10 is turned off and then turned on as a release operation, the MPU 312 refers to the time information and date information output from the clock means to determine the release date and time when the power-on operation was performed, and if the release date and time is the next day or later based on the transition date and time, the release is validated and the game suspension state is released, whereas if the release date and time is the same day as the transition date and time, the release is invalidated and the game suspension state is not restored.

With this configuration, if the difference in the number of balls reaches or exceeds the specific number and the game is stopped, the game cannot be resumed until the next day. Therefore, the specific number can function as the upper limit of the difference in the number of balls per business day at the game hall, making it possible to effectively suppress an excessive increase in gambling tendency.

In the above configuration, if it is possible to determine that midnight has passed, it is possible to recognize that it is the next day or later, so it is not necessary to determine the date, and the clock means may be one that outputs time information.

The above configuration may also be applied to a partial clear process that erases information on the difference in the number of balls, information on each of the counters 502a to 502e, and information on the excess flag. For example, the MPU 312 can be configured to grasp and store the execution date and time when the partial clear process is executed based on time information from the clock means, and then, when the power is turned on to the pachinko machine 10, compare that date and time with the execution date and time stored above, and execute the partial clear process if the power-on date and time falls on the following day or later, or not execute the partial clear process if it does not.

(21) In the first embodiment and each of the modified examples, a so-called reserve read-ahead process may be executed on the acquired reserve information, and if the reserve read-ahead process produces a predetermined result (for example, a read-ahead result corresponding to a jackpot or a reach display), a predetermined reserve notice performance may be performed on the pattern display device 75 or the like in a game turn prior to the game turn that was the subject of the reserve read-ahead process. In this case, the reserve read-ahead process may be performed by the main control device 162, and the process of controlling the predetermined reserve notice performance to be performed on the pattern display device 75 or the like may be performed by the performance control device 143.

That is, "information acquisition means (a function for executing acquisition processing of reserved information in the main control device 162) for acquiring special information based on the establishment of a predetermined acquisition condition, acquired information storage means (reserved area RE) for storing a predetermined number of special information acquired by the information acquisition means, an award determination means (a function for executing a win/lose determination processing in the main control device 162) for making an award determination as to whether or not the special information stored in the acquired information storage means corresponds to an award corresponding result corresponding to the awarding of a privilege to the player, a privilege awarding means (a function for executing a special line start processing to a special line end processing in the main control device 162) capable of awarding a privilege to the player based on the result of the award determination by the award determination means becoming the award corresponding result, and a game operation is started based on the award determination made by the award determination means, and the game operation is ended with a notification result corresponding to the determination result of the award determination. The system may also have a game round control means (a function for executing a special chart change start process to a special chart determination process in the main control device 162) that controls a predetermined notification means so that the game round operation is performed, with each game round being counted as one game round, a destination specification means (a function for executing a reserved pre-read process in the main control device 162) that executes a destination specification process for specifying information corresponding to a judgment result when the predetermined special information acquired by the information acquisition means becomes the subject of the grant judgment, at a timing before the special information becomes the subject of the grant judgment, and a specific notification means (a function for controlling the execution of a reserved pre-notification performance in the performance control device 143) that performs a specific notification (a reserved pre-notification performance) corresponding to the result of the specification by the destination specification means, in a game round that is performed before the game round related to the special information that became the subject of the specification by the destination specification means, when the result of the specification by the destination specification means is a predetermined result.

Furthermore, the above configuration may have multiple types of modes as the modes of the reserved notice performance, and a configuration may be provided in which one of the multiple types of modes to execute the reserved notice performance is set by referring to (taking into account) the derived number of difference balls. For example, if a performance is executed as the reserved notice performance in which the display color of the reserved image indicates the expectation of a jackpot, and normal colors (e.g., white), blue, yellow, green, and red are set as the display colors of the reserved image (normal color < blue < green < red in order of the expectation of a jackpot), in a situation in which the number of difference balls is less than a predetermined number (e.g., 95,000), if the above-mentioned predetermined result is identified by the reserved pre-reading process, one of four display colors from blue to red can be set as the display color of the reserved image in the reserved notice performance, and in a situation in which the number of difference balls is equal to or more than the predetermined number, the display of the higher-order colors, green and red, is restricted, and one of the lower-order colors, blue and yellow, can be set. In addition, when the number of difference balls is equal to or greater than the above-mentioned predetermined number, the system may be configured to restrict the hold notice performance from being performed regardless of the results of the hold pre-read process, or to lower the frequency (probability) of the hold notice performance compared to when the number of difference balls is less than the above-mentioned predetermined number. With these configurations, it is possible to prevent the player from having excessive expectations when the time to transition to a game stop state is approaching due to the difference ball number being equal to or greater than the specific number.

In the above case, if the performance control device 143 can grasp the number of balls difference at each time based on the ball difference command from the main control device 162, as in the first embodiment and each modified example, the performance control device 143 can determine whether the number of balls difference is equal to or greater than the predetermined number, and control the execution mode of the hold notice performance based on the result. On the other hand, if the performance control device 143 cannot grasp the number of balls difference at each time, the main control device 162 can determine whether the number of balls difference is equal to or greater than the predetermined number, and when it is equal to or greater than the predetermined number, output a predetermined command, and the performance control device 143 can control the execution mode of the hold notice performance based on the predetermined command.

(22) In the first embodiment and each of the modified examples, when the difference in the number of balls becomes equal to or greater than a specific number, the main control device 162 outputs an excess command to the performance control device 143, and in response to receiving the command, the performance control device 143 displays a notification image or the like corresponding to the difference in the number of balls becoming equal to or greater than a specific number on the pattern display device 75 or the like. However, the performance control device 143 may also determine whether the difference in the number of balls becomes equal to or greater than a specific number and display the notification image or the like based on the result of the determination. Note that the performance control device 143 can grasp the difference in the number of balls each time based on the difference in the number of balls command output from the main control device 162.

In the above case, the performance control device 143 may be configured to determine whether the difference in the number of balls has reached a predetermined number (e.g., 99,000 balls) that is less than a specific number, and to provide a prior notification such as, for example, "The ball output limit will soon be reached and the machine will stop. Please be careful." The performance control device 143 may also be configured to determine whether the increase in the difference in the number of balls has reached a predetermined number (e.g., 10,000 balls), and to provide a notification such as, "10,000 balls have been reached," or "20,000 balls have been reached." With this configuration, there is no need to output a command from the main control device 162 each time such a notification occurs, making it possible to enhance notifications regarding the difference in the number of balls while suppressing an increase in the processing load on the main control device 162.

(23) In the first embodiment and each of the modified examples described above, when the power OFF operation of the pachinko machine 10 is performed while the number of difference balls is equal to or greater than the specific number, and then the power ON operation is performed, the second initialization process is performed to clear the work area 391 for specific control to "0" except for the setting value and the prize ball information. However, the configuration may be such that the second initialization process is not performed in the above case. In other words, when the number of difference balls is equal to or greater than the specific number, the work area 391 for specific control is not automatically initialized, and the pachinko machine 10 may be started in the same manner as when the number of difference balls is less than the specific number.

(24) In the first embodiment and each modified example, in the second initialization process, all information stored in the work area 391 for specific control except for the setting value and the prize ball information is erased, but a configuration may be adopted in which some information other than the setting value and the prize ball information is erased. For example, (a) among the information other than the setting value and the prize ball information, information corresponding to winning a jackpot and information corresponding to the open/close execution mode being executed is erased, (b) among the information other than the setting value and the prize ball information, information corresponding to winning a jackpot, information for the open/close execution mode being executed, information corresponding to being in the high probability mode, and information corresponding to the jackpot type (information stored when a special jackpot is won and information corresponding to the fact that the high probability mode should be switched to after the open/close execution mode ends) is erased, and (c) among the information other than the setting value and the prize ball information, information corresponding to being in the high probability mode and information corresponding to the jackpot type is erased.

According to the configuration (a) above, if the difference in the number of balls becomes a specific number or more during the open/close execution mode, the game can be resumed without continuing the open/close execution mode. Also, according to the configurations (b) and (c) above, if the difference in the number of balls becomes a specific number or more during a consecutive winning period, the game can be resumed with the consecutive winning period having ended.

(25) In the first embodiment and each of the modified examples described above, when the pachinko machine 10 is turned off while the difference in the number of balls is equal to or greater than a specific number, and then the pachinko machine 10 is turned on while the reset button 166c is pressed, a first initialization process is executed in which the prize ball information is erased. However, a configuration may also be used in which a second initialization process is executed in which the prize ball information is not erased. In other words, when the pachinko machine 10 is restarted while the difference in the number of balls is equal to or greater than a specific number, a configuration may also be used in which the second initialization process is executed regardless of whether the reset button 166c is pressed.

(26) In the first embodiment and each of the modified examples, the information on the difference in the number of balls, the information on each of the counters 502a to 502e, and the excess flag are erased in the partial clearing process, but a configuration may be adopted in which only some of these are erased. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which only the excess flag information is erased. In this case, the information on the difference in the number of balls and the information on each of the counters 502a to 502e may be erased when the power to the pachinko machine 10 is turned on while the reset button 166c is pressed.

(27) In the first embodiment and each of the modified examples, the partial clear process is executed to erase the information on the difference in the number of balls stored in the work area 393 for non-specific control when the power of the pachinko machine 10 is turned ON after the power of the pachinko machine 10 is turned OFF, regardless of whether the reset button 166c is pressed or not. However, the partial clear process may be executed when the power of the pachinko machine 10 is turned ON while the reset button 166c is pressed after the power of the pachinko machine 10 is turned OFF. In other words, the partial clear process may be configured to be switched ON or OFF depending on the operation mode when the power of the pachinko machine 10 is turned ON.

(28) In the first embodiment and each of the modified examples, the partial clear process is executed in the main process, but it may be executed in the timer interrupt process. In this case, when the first timer interrupt process is executed when the power of the pachinko machine 10 is turned on, it is preferable that the partial clear process is executed before the processes of steps S409 to S419 for controlling the progress of the game are executed.

(29) In the first embodiment and each of the modified examples, when a predetermined operation is performed, a process of clearing the work area 393 for non-specific control and the stack area 394 for non-specific control to "0" (initialization process) may be executed. For example, when the power to the pachinko machine 10 is turned on while the reset button 166c is pressed, a process of clearing the work area 393 and the stack area 394 to "0" may be executed.

(30) In the second modification of the first embodiment described above, when the power OFF operation of the pachinko machine 10 is performed in a state where the difference in the number of balls is equal to or greater than a specific number, a second initialization process (step S1802) may be executed to clear the work area 391 for specific control to "0" except for the setting value and the prize ball information. In this case, the information of the power outage flag is not subject to initialization.

(31) In the second modification of the first embodiment described above, when the power to the pachinko machine 10 is turned off, the power interruption clearing process (step S3110) is executed to erase the information on the ball difference, the information on each of the counters 502a to 502e, and the excess flag information. However, this information may be configured not to be backed up when the power is interrupted. In other words, this information may be configured to be automatically erased when the supply of operating power to the MPU 312 is stopped.

(32) In the first embodiment and each of the modified examples, the maximum number of pending information items based on winning at the first actuation port 62 is four, but it may be less than four (it may be one) or it may be five or more. The maximum number of pending information items based on winning at the second actuation port 63 may also be less than four (it may be one) or it may be five or more. The maximum number of pending information items based on winning at each of the actuation ports 62, 63 may be different.

(33) In the first embodiment and each of the modified examples, the reserved information based on winning at the first actuation port 62 and the second actuation port 63 is differentiated, but it may be configured not to be differentiated. Also, the reserved information based on winning at the second actuation port 63 is prioritized in the win/loss determination over the reserved information based on winning at the first actuation port 62, but the relationship may be reversed, or the win/loss determination may be performed in the order of winning.

(34) In the first embodiment and each of the modified examples, only game balls flowing down the right route can pass through or win the through gate 64 and the second operating port 63, but only game balls flowing down the left route can pass through or win, or game balls can pass through or win from either the right route or the left route. However, in order to add variety to the game, it is preferable to configure the game so that only game balls flowing down either the right route or the left route can win the first operating port 62, and only game balls flowing down the other of the right route and the left route can pass through or win the through gate 64 and the second operating port 63.

(35) In the first embodiment and each of the modified examples, the result of the win/lose judgment is a jackpot result, and the game transitions to the jackpot game (open/close execution mode). However, like a so-called type 1/type 2 hybrid machine, the result of the win/lose judgment is a small win result, and the game transitions to the jackpot game when the game ball passes through the V winning port (V winning sensor) during the small win game (a game state in which a variable winning device having a V winning port or a V winning port and a loss port inside is opened and closed) (when the result of the award judgment is a predetermined result and a predetermined game result is achieved).

(36) In the first embodiment and each of the modified examples, the patterns displayed variably on the display screen G of the pattern display device 75 are configured to scroll in the left-right direction, but the patterns may be displayed lined up on the left, center, and right, and these patterns may be variably displayed by scrolling up and down. In other words, the arrangement direction of the patterns and the scrolling direction are not particularly limited. Furthermore, the number of patterns (number of rows of patterns) is not limited to three, and may be two, or four or more.

(37) The present invention can also be applied to other types of pachinko machines that differ from the above-described embodiments, such as pachinko machines in which an electric device opens a predetermined number of times when a gaming ball enters a specific area of a special device, pachinko machines in which a right is generated and a jackpot is awarded when a gaming ball enters a specific area of a special device, pachinko machines equipped with other devices, arrange ball machines, mahjong ball machines, and other gaming machines.

In addition, the present invention can also be applied to managed gaming machines (enclosed gaming machines, enclosed pachinko machines) that do not have a conventional payout device and do not directly lend or pay out game balls to players, but instead convert the player's balls into numerical values and treat them as ball information (game value) by storing a predetermined number of game balls in the pachinko machine and circulating them within the machine. In this gaming machine, the ball information can be stored in an information storage means provided in the gaming machine or ball lending device, and a numerical value indicating the number of balls the player has is displayed on a predetermined display unit based on the stored ball information. When a ball lending operation is performed, a numerical value corresponding to the number of lent balls is added to the ball information, when a game ball (circulating ball) is fired by the game ball firing mechanism, a numerical value corresponding to the number of fired balls is subtracted from the ball information, and when a game ball enters a predetermined winning hole provided in the game area, a numerical value corresponding to the number of winning balls is added to the ball information. In addition, by operating a specific operating means (e.g., a return button) provided on the gaming machine, the ball information is written to a specific card-type storage medium (portable storage medium), and the card-type storage medium can be removed from the gaming machine or ball lending device, making it possible to take gaming value equivalent to the balls outside the gaming machine.

The present invention can also be applied to non-ball type gaming machines, such as slot machines that have multiple reels with multiple types of symbols circumferentially attached, and that start the reels by inserting a medal and operating a start lever, and that, when a specific symbol or combination of specific symbols is formed on a winning line visible through a display window after the reels stop when a stop switch is operated or a predetermined time has passed, give the player a special privilege such as a medal payout. In this case, the difference in number of medals is derived instead of the difference in number of balls, and the difference in number of medals is compared with a predetermined specific number (e.g., 20,000 medals) to determine whether the difference in number of medals is equal to or greater than the specific number. In this case, the difference in number of medals can be derived by subtracting the total number of medals bet (number of bets) from the total number of medals paid out.

The present invention can also be applied to medalless slot machines in which the player does not use actual medals (in other words, it is possible to play without using actual medals) and the game is played based on electronic information based on the number of medals stored in the credit. In medalless slot machines, the medals held by the player are quantified and treated as credit information (game value, held medal information), and the credit information is stored in an information storage means provided in the gaming machine or medal lending device. When a lending medal operation is performed, a numerical value corresponding to the number of lent medals is added to the credit information, and when a bet is made using the bet button, a numerical value corresponding to the number of bets is subtracted from the credit information, and when a specific pattern or combination of specific patterns is formed on the pay line, a numerical value corresponding to the number of medals paid out corresponding to the winning role (winning role) is added to the credit information.

The present invention can also be applied to a gaming machine that combines a pachinko machine and a slot machine, in which the gaming machine body is supported on an outer frame so that it can be opened and closed, has a storage section and an intake device, and the reels start to rotate when a start lever is operated after a predetermined number of gaming balls stored in the storage section have been taken in by the intake device.

<Inventions extracted from the above embodiments>
The following describes the features of the inventions extracted from each of the above-mentioned embodiments, while indicating, as necessary, the effects, etc. In the following, for ease of understanding, the corresponding configurations in each of the above-mentioned embodiments are appropriately indicated in parentheses, but the present invention is not limited to the specific configurations indicated in parentheses.

The inventions described in the following feature groups A to C have been made with a view to solving the problem that the invention aims to solve, with respect to the background technology that states, "Pachinko machines and slot machines are known as gaming machines. For example, in pachinko machines, gaming balls are shot toward a gaming area in response to a player's shooting operation, and when a gaming ball enters a ball entry section provided in the gaming area, a gaming value such as a prize ball is awarded (for example, JP 2004-81853 A). In slot machines, a lottery process is executed by operating a start lever and the rotation of the reels is started, and the rotation of the reels is stopped by operating a stop button while the reels are rotating. Then, if the result of the reels stopping after the rotation of the reels has stopped corresponds to a winning combination in the lottery process, a gaming value corresponding to the winning combination is awarded to the player."

<Features Group A>
Feature A1. An information storage means (main RAM 314) that requires power supply to store and hold information;
A means for executing specific control based on predetermined information (information on the difference in the number of balls, the values of the counters 502a to 502e in the counter area 502 for the difference in the number of balls, an excess flag, information on the difference in the number of coins, etc.) stored in the information storage means (a function for executing a process for determining whether or not a game has been played in the main control device 162, and a process for determining whether or not a game has been played);
A means for supplying power (backup power) for storing and retaining information to the information storage means when the supply of operating power (external power) is stopped, and enabling information to be stored and retained in the information storage means (a function for backing up information stored in the main RAM 314 using backup power from the power outage monitoring unit 315);
A specifying means (a function for executing partial clear processing in the main control device 162 in the first embodiment and modified example 1, and a function for executing clear processing in the main control device 162 in modified example 2) capable of erasing the specified information in the information storage means when the supply of operating power is started, or of starting the supply of operating power in a state in which the specified information is erased in the information storage means;
A gaming machine comprising:

In the above configuration, when the supply of operating power is stopped, power for retention is supplied to the information storage means, and the information stored in the information storage means is retained. On the other hand, the specific information is erased from the information storage means when the supply of operating power is started, or the specific information is in a state of being erased before the supply of operating power is started, so that the gaming machine starts up in a state in which the specific information is not stored in the information storage means. This specific information is used to execute specific control, and for example, if it is desired to prevent specific control from being executed based on specific information stored in the previous day's play, this can be preferably realized by turning on the power of the gaming machine before the gaming hall opens, making it possible to optimize the operation of the gaming machine.

In this feature, "when the supply of operating power is started, the specified information is erased from the information storage means" does not necessarily have to be configured to erase the specified information simultaneously with or immediately after the supply of operating power is started, but may be configured to erase the specified information a specified period of time after the start of the supply, as long as it is based on the start of the supply. In this sense, "when the supply of operating power is started" can be read as "after the start of the supply of operating power", and "when the supply of operating power is started" can be understood as a concept that includes "after the start of the supply of operating power".

Feature A2. The gaming machine described in Feature A1 is characterized in that it is equipped with a means (a function for executing a partial clear process in the main control device 162) that enables the specified information to be erased by the specifying means without requiring an operation to erase the specified information when the supply of operating power is started.

For example, if a dedicated operation other than powering on is required to erase the specified information, the operation to erase the specified information must be performed on each gaming machine installed in the gaming hall, which can be a very time-consuming task for the hall employees. In this regard, with this feature, the specified information is automatically erased when the gaming machine is powered on, which can significantly reduce the effort required for said erasure. In particular, in gaming halls, turning on the power to the island equipment can turn on the power to multiple gaming machines installed on the island equipment all at once, so that the specified information can be erased for multiple gaming machines at once with a single operation, making it possible to erase the specified information efficiently.

Feature A3. A gaming machine according to feature A1 or feature A2, characterized in that it is equipped with a means (a function for executing a process for determining excess in the main control device 162) for deriving the predetermined information based on the occurrence of a predetermined event (such as a ball entering the general winning opening 61, the first operating opening 62, the second operating opening 63, the variable winning device 65, or the out opening 68) that may occur while a game is being played.

In the above configuration, the predetermined information is derived based on a predetermined event that occurs when a game is played, so that the game results are reflected in the predetermined information. Furthermore, because the predetermined information is erased when the gaming machine is powered on, it is possible to effectively prevent the previous day's game results from affecting the execution of specific control.

Feature A4. Equipped with a control means (such as a function for executing steps S906 to S908 in the payout control device 181) for controlling the awarding of a predetermined game value when a predetermined awarding opportunity (such as a ball entering the general winning port 61, the first operating port 62, the second operating port 63, or the variable winning device 65) is realized,
The gaming machine described in feature A3, wherein the specified event is the awarding of the specified gaming value or the realization of the awarding trigger.

In the above configuration, the specified event is the granting of gaming value or the establishment of an opportunity to execute the granting of gaming value, so specified information reflecting the acquisition status of gaming value is derived. Furthermore, since the deletion of such specified information is triggered by turning on the power to the gaming machine, it is possible to effectively prevent the acquisition status of gaming value in the previous day's play from affecting the execution of specific control.

Feature A5. The information storage means is provided with a history information area (ball difference area 504e, each counter 502a to 502e of ball difference counter area 502) in which history information of a game corresponding to a predetermined event that occurs when a game is executed is stored;
A gaming machine described in any one of Features A1 to A4, characterized in that the specified information is the history information stored in the history information area or is derived based on the history information.

According to the above configuration, when a predetermined event occurs, the corresponding history information is stored in the history storage means. This makes it possible to store and hold information for managing the number of occurrences or frequency of occurrence of a predetermined event in the gaming machine, and by using this managed information, it becomes possible to appropriately manage the occurrence frequency of a predetermined event. In addition, the predetermined information is either history information indicating the occurrence frequency of the predetermined event managed in this way, or information derived using the history information, and such predetermined information is erased when the gaming machine is powered on, so it is possible to appropriately prevent the performance of games played on the previous day from affecting the execution of specific control.

Feature A6. The specific control is configured to be executed based on the establishment of a predetermined specific opportunity (the difference in the number of balls is equal to or greater than a specific number);
A gaming machine according to any one of features A1 to A5, characterized in that the specified information is specific information (excess flag) corresponding to the occurrence of the specific opportunity.

In the above configuration, the specified information indicates that specific control should be executed, and the deletion of such specified information is triggered by turning on the power to the gaming machine. Therefore, when specific control is executed, the gaming machine is powered off, and then powered on, thereby canceling the execution state of specific control. Therefore, the presence of a hall employee is essential for the cancellation, and it is possible to prevent the execution state of specific control from being cancelled by the player.

In addition, in this feature, "the specified information is specific information (excess flag) corresponding to the occurrence of the specific trigger" can be read as "the specified information is specific information (excess flag) that the gaming machine uses to grasp the occurrence of the specific trigger."

Feature A7. A gaming machine according to any one of Features A1 to A6, characterized in that the identification means includes a means for erasing the predetermined information in the information storage means before a progress response process for controlling the progress of a game (steps S409 to S419 of the timer interrupt process) is executed when the supply of operating power is started (a function for executing the partial clear process of step S115 in the main process).

In the above configuration, when the power to the gaming machine is turned on, the process of erasing the specific information is executed, and then the progress response process is executed, so that the game can be started with the specific information of the previous day erased. This prevents specific control from being performed before or immediately after the start of game progress by carrying over the specific information of the previous day, and prevents the game from being improperly progressed due to the influence of specific control.

Feature A8: The device includes a means for executing a process at the start of supply of operating power when the supply of operating power is started (a function for executing a main process in the main control device 162);
A gaming machine according to any one of features A1 to A7, characterized in that the supply start processing includes a process of erasing the specified information by the identification means (a process for partial clearing in step S115).

In the above configuration, the specific information is erased during the supply start process that is executed in response to the start of the supply of operating power, so it is possible to suitably prevent the progress response process from being executed while the specific information from the previous day remains. This prevents specific control from being performed before or soon after the start of game progress by inheriting the specific information from the previous day, and prevents the game from being affected by the specific control and preventing it from being unable to proceed properly.

Feature A9: Equipped with a means for executing interrupt processing that is periodically started (a function for executing timer interrupt processing in the main control unit 162);
The interrupt process includes a progress response process (steps S409 to S419 in the main control device 162) that is executed to control the progress of the game.
The gaming machine described in feature A8 is characterized in that, when the supply of operating power is started and the supply start processing is executed, the interrupt processing is permitted to be interrupted after the erasure processing is executed (the processing of steps S101 to S116 is executed in a state in which the timer interrupt processing is prohibited in the main processing).

In the above configuration, when the erasure process of the specified information is executed in the supply start process, the progress response process for controlling the progress of the game is executed as an interrupt process that is periodically started, and the interruption of the interrupt process is permitted after the erasure process is executed in the supply start process, so that the specified information can be erased and then the progress response process can be started. This reliably prevents the progress response process from being started in a state where the specified information from the previous day is carried over, and makes it possible to preferably prevent the progress of the game from being improperly performed due to the influence of specific control.

Feature A10. In a situation where the supply of operating power is stopped, the first predetermined information as the predetermined information and the second predetermined information different from the first predetermined information (base value information, values of each counter 501a to 501c of the base value counter area 501, information used for processing to control the progress of the game, etc.) are stored in the information storage means, and the power for holding is supplied to the information storage means, and the first predetermined information and the second predetermined information are stored and held in the information storage means (a function of backing up information stored in the main side RAM 314 using backup power from the power outage monitoring unit 315).
A gaming machine described in any of Features A1 to A9, characterized in that the identification means is provided with a means for erasing the first specified information while leaving the second specified information stored in the information storage means when the supply of operating power is started, or for starting the supply of operating power in a state in which the second specified information is stored in the information storage means and the specified information is erased (a function for executing a partial clear process in the main control unit 162 in the first embodiment and variant 1, and a function for executing a clear process in the event of power outage in the main control unit 162 in variant 2).

In the above configuration, when the supply of operating power is stopped while the first and second specified information are stored in the information storage means, and the supply of operating power is then started again, the gaming machine can be started in a state in which the first specified information has been erased from the information storage means while the second specified information remains in the information storage means. This makes it possible to appropriately protect the second specified information from power interruptions, while deleting the first specified information to suitably prevent the previous day's gaming results from affecting the execution of specific control.

Feature A11. Equipped with a control unit (MPU 312) that executes various processes,
The control means includes:
A first predetermined process execution means (a function of executing the processes of steps S401 to S419 in the main control device 162) that executes a first predetermined process among the various processes;
A second predetermined process execution means (a function of executing the processes of steps S1103 to S1105, steps S2103 to S2106, and steps S3303 to S3306 in the main control device 162) for executing a second predetermined process among the various processes;
Equipped with
The information storage means is provided with a first predetermined storage area (a work area 391 for specific control) in which information is stored when the first predetermined process is executed, and a second predetermined storage area (a work area 393 for non-specific control) in which information is stored when the second predetermined process is executed,
The second predetermined storage area includes specific areas (a ball difference area 504e, a ball difference counter area 502, and a ball difference area 601) in which the predetermined information is stored,
A gaming machine described in any of Features A1 to A10, characterized in that the second specified processing execution means, as the identification means, is provided with a means for erasing information of at least an area including the specific area from the second specified memory area when the supply of operating power is started, or for starting the supply of operating power in a state in which information of at least an area including the specific area from the second specified memory area is erased (a function for executing a partial clear process in the main control unit 162 in the first embodiment and variant 1, and a function for executing a clear process in the event of power interruption in the main control unit 162 in variant 2).

According to the above configuration, a first predetermined storage area and a second predetermined storage area are provided, the first predetermined storage area is treated as a storage area dedicated to the first predetermined process, and the second predetermined storage area is treated as a storage area dedicated to the second predetermined process. This makes it possible to clearly differentiate the storage destination of information in the information storage means between the first predetermined process and the second predetermined process. Therefore, it becomes possible to prevent information used in one of the first and second predetermined processes from being erased when the other process is executed.

In addition, processing is performed on the second specified memory area so that the information in the specific area in which the specific information used to execute the specific control is stored is erased when the supply of operating power begins, or the information in the specific area is in a state of being erased before the supply of operating power begins. Therefore, for example, if you want to prevent specific control from being executed based on specific information stored during play on the previous day, this can be conveniently achieved by turning on the power to the gaming machine before the gaming hall opens.

In this case, as described above, by preventing the erasure of information used in one of the first and second predetermined processes when the other process is executed, it is possible to prevent the erasure of other information stored in the first predetermined area when erasing information in the specific area contained in the second predetermined area. In other words, it is possible to preferably erase the specific information used to execute the specific control while avoiding affecting the protection of other information to be stored during the process from the stoppage to the start of the supply of operating power.

Feature A12. A gaming machine according to any one of Features A1 to A11, characterized in that the processing executed by the specific control includes a specific processing (step S407 in the main control device 162) corresponding to a transition to a specific state (a game stop state) in which the progress of a specific game is restricted.

In the above configuration, the specific control is executed, and the game transitions to a restricted state in which the progress of the game thereafter is restricted. By applying any of the above features A1 to A11 to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the previous day's game results from affecting the transition to the restricted state, and to prevent excessive restrictions on the game being played by the current player.

Feature A13. The gaming machine described in Feature A1, characterized in that the identification means includes a means for enabling the specific information to be erased when the supply of operating power is stopped while the specific information is stored in the information storage means (a function for executing a clear process in the event of power interruption in the main control device 162 of Variation 2).

In the above configuration, the specified information stored in the information storage means is erased when the supply of operating power is stopped, so that the gaming machine can be started in a state in which the specified information has been erased when the supply of operating power is started. In addition, because the specified information is erased when the supply of operating power is stopped, there is no need to perform an erasure process when the supply of operating power starts, and the load of the startup process for the gaming machine that is executed in response to the start of the supply of operating power can be reduced. This shortens the startup time of the gaming machine, allowing the player to resume playing sooner.

Feature A14. The gaming machine described in Feature A13, which is characterized by having a means for enabling the specific information to be erased by the identifying means without requiring an operation to erase the specific information when the supply of operating power is stopped (a function for executing a clearing process in the main control device 162 in Variation 2 when power is interrupted).

In the above configuration, since no dedicated operation other than power cut is required to erase the specific information stored in the information storage means, the specific information is automatically erased when the power is cut off when the gaming hall closes, and the effort required for said erasure can be significantly reduced. In particular, in gaming halls, multiple gaming machines are installed on an island facility, and by cutting off the power to the island facility, the power can be cut off all at once for the multiple gaming machines installed on the island facility. Therefore, the specific information can be erased collectively for multiple gaming machines with a single operation, making it possible to erase the specific information efficiently.

It is possible to apply the technical ideas shown in any one of the configurations of Features A1 to A14, Features B1 to B11, and Features C1 to C7 individually to each of the configurations of Features A1 to A14 above, or to apply a part or all of each technical idea in combination. When applying each technical idea in combination, it is also possible to combine them across feature groups.

<Characteristics Group B>
Feature B1. In a gaming machine equipped with a control means (main control device 162) that executes a predetermined process related to the progress of a game (steps S409 to S419 by the main control device 162),
An information storage means (main RAM 314) having a predetermined area (a work area 391 for specific control, a stack area 392 for specific control) in which information used in executing the predetermined process is stored;
a first means (a function of transitioning to a game stop state by a game stop determination process in the main control device 162) for restricting the progress of a game with at least the first state being inherited when a first predetermined condition (the number of ball differences becomes a specific number or more, the number of ball differences for judgment becomes a specific number or more) is established while the information storage status in the specified area is a first state (a state in which various information used in steps S409 to S419 is stored);
a second means for allowing the game to continue in a state in which the first situation is continued or the storage situation of the information in the predetermined area is a second situation (a situation in which a second initialization process has been performed) different from the first situation, when a second predetermined condition (the power-on operation of the pachinko machine 10 is performed) different from the first predetermined condition is established after the restriction of the game progress by the first means (a function for canceling the game stop state by a power-on setting process in the main control device 162 and erasing information on the difference in the number of balls, etc., by a partial clear process);
A gaming machine comprising:

In the above configuration, in a gaming machine in which control processing regarding the progress of a game is performed by writing information to a specified area of an information storage means and reading information from the specified area, when a first specified condition is met, progress of the game is restricted while the storage status of the information in the specified area is inherited. Therefore, when it is desired to prevent the game from continuing while the first specified condition is met, this can be preferably realized. Furthermore, when a second specified condition is met in such a restricted state, the restricted state is released while the storage status of the information in the specified area is inherited or the storage status is changed, and the game is allowed to continue. Therefore, if the second specified condition is configured to be met by the action of a hall employee, the restricted state entered upon the satisfaction of the first specified condition can be released in the presence of a hall employee, and the game can be resumed.

Feature B2. The gaming machine described in Feature B1 is configured so that the first predetermined condition can be met based on the occurrence of a predetermined event that can occur when a game is being played.

In the above configuration, the first predetermined condition is met based on a predetermined event that occurs when a game is played, and therefore the transition to a state in which game progress is restricted is made according to the game results. Therefore, for example, if it is desired to restrict game progress when results are greater than expected by the gaming machine designer, this can be conveniently realized.

Feature B3. Equipped with a control means (a function for executing the processes of steps S417 and S418 in the main control device 162, and a function for executing the processes of steps S906 to S908 in the payout control device 181) for controlling the awarding of a predetermined game value based on the establishment of a predetermined awarding opportunity (such as a ball entering the general winning port 61, the first operating port 62, the second operating port 63, or the variable winning device 65),
The gaming machine according to feature B2, wherein the specified event is the awarding of the specified gaming value or the realization of the awarding opportunity.

In the above configuration, the predetermined event is the granting of game value or the establishment of an opportunity to execute the granting, and the first predetermined condition is established based on the occurrence of these events, so the transition to a state of restricted game progress is made according to the actual acquisition of game value. Therefore, when it is desired to prevent excessive acquisition of game value in actual play, this can be suitably realized.

Feature B4. The information storage means is provided with a history information area (ball difference area 504e, each counter 502a to 502e of ball difference counter area 502) in which history information of a game corresponding to a predetermined event that occurs when a game is executed is stored;
A gaming machine according to any one of Features B1 to B3, characterized in that the first predetermined condition is configured to be satisfied based on the history information.

According to the above configuration, when a predetermined event occurs, the corresponding history information is stored in the history storage means. This makes it possible for the gaming machine to store and hold information for managing the number of times or frequency of occurrence of the predetermined event, and by using this managed information, it becomes possible to appropriately manage the frequency of occurrence of the predetermined event. Furthermore, since the first predetermined condition is established based on the frequency of occurrence of the predetermined event managed in this way, it is possible to transition to a state in which game progress is restricted according to the game results.

Feature B5: A first predetermined process execution means for executing a first predetermined process (a function for executing the processes of steps S401 to S419 in the main control device 162);
A second predetermined process execution means (a function of executing the processes of steps S1103 to S1105, steps S2103 to S2106, and steps S3303 to S3306 in the main control device 162) that executes a second predetermined process different from the first predetermined process;
Equipped with
The information storage means is provided with a first predetermined storage area (a work area 391 for specific control) in which information is stored when the first predetermined process is executed, and a second predetermined storage area (a work area 393 for non-specific control) in which information is stored when the second predetermined process is executed,
The first predetermined process includes the predetermined process,
The first predetermined storage area includes the predetermined area,
A gaming machine described in any of Features B1 to B4, characterized in that it is equipped with a means (a function of executing an excess determination process in the main control unit 162) that enables the first predetermined condition to be established based on specific information (information on the difference in the number of balls, the values of each counter 502a to 502e in the counter area 502 for the difference in the number of balls, an excess flag, information on the difference in the number of sheets, etc.) stored in the second predetermined memory area.

In the above configuration, the first predetermined condition is established based on the specific information stored in the information storage means. If the specific information is erroneously rewritten when the process for controlling the progress of the game is executed, the first predetermined condition may not be established properly. In this respect, in this feature, the information storage means is provided with a first predetermined storage area and a second predetermined storage area, and the first predetermined storage area is treated as a dedicated storage area for the first predetermined process for controlling the progress of the game, while the second predetermined storage area in which the specific information is stored is treated as a dedicated storage area for the second predetermined process. This makes it possible to prevent the specific information from being rewritten when the first predetermined process is executed, which in turn makes it possible to properly establish the first predetermined condition and properly control the transition to the restricted state.

Feature B6: The device is provided with an operable predetermined operation means (power switch, reset button 166c), and is configured such that the operation of the predetermined operation means is required to satisfy the second predetermined condition;
The gaming machine has an inner frame 13 that can be opened and closed toward the front of the gaming machine.
A gaming machine described in any of Features B1 to B5, characterized in that the specified operating means is arranged at a position where the specified operating means can be operated when the gaming machine structure is opened toward the front of the gaming machine.

In the above configuration, the second predetermined condition is not satisfied unless the predetermined operation means is operated, and the predetermined operation means is located in a position where it cannot be operated unless the gaming machine component is opened to the front of the gaming machine. In this case, only hall employees can operate the predetermined operation means, making it necessary for a hall employee to be present to release the restricted state. This makes it possible to prevent the restricted state from being released by the player.

Feature B7. A gaming machine according to any one of Features B1 to B6, characterized in that it is provided with a means (a function for executing the process of step S113 in the main control device 162) that enables the second predetermined condition to be satisfied when the state transitions from a first state in which the supply of operating power to the control means is stopped to a second state in which the supply of operating power to the control means is started.

In the above configuration, the second predetermined condition for releasing the restricted state is met by sequentially turning the gaming machine off and then on, so only an employee of the gaming hall can satisfy the second predetermined condition. Therefore, the presence of an employee of the gaming hall is essential to release the restricted state, and it is possible to prevent the restricted state from being released by the player.

Feature B8. The device is provided with a means (a function for executing an excess determination process in the main control device 162) for storing predetermined information (information on the difference in the number of balls, the values of the counters 502a to 502e in the counter area 502 for the difference in the number of balls, an excess flag, information on the difference in the number of sheets, etc.) in the information storage means based on the occurrence of a predetermined event that may occur when a game is being played, and is configured to determine whether the first predetermined condition is established or whether the first predetermined condition is established based on the predetermined information stored in the information storage means;
The gaming machine described in feature B7 is characterized in that it is equipped with a means (a function of executing a partial clear process in the main control unit 162 in the first embodiment and variant 1, a function of executing a clear process in the main control unit 162 when power is lost in variant 2) that erases the specified information in the information storage means when the first state is reached and the second state is reached after the first state, or that enables the second state to be reached with the specified information erased in the information storage means.

In the above configuration, the first predetermined condition is satisfied based on the predetermined information stored in the information storage means, and a transition to the restricted state is made, and if the supply of operating power to the control means is stopped while the predetermined information is stored in the information storage means, the predetermined information is erased when the supply of operating power is started thereafter, or the predetermined information is in a state in which it was erased before the supply of operating power started. As a result, by turning on the power to the gaming machine, the restricted state is released and at the same time the state in which the first predetermined condition is satisfied is initialized and the gaming machine is started up, which makes it possible to suitably reduce the burden on hall employees.

Feature B9. A control means (such as a function for executing steps S906 to S908 in the payout control device 181) for controlling a predetermined game value to be awarded when a predetermined awarding opportunity (such as a ball entering the general winning port 61, the first operating port 62, the second operating port 63, the variable winning device 65, or the out port 68) is established,
A means for allowing the provision of the predetermined game value during the restriction of the progress of the game by the first means (a function for executing the processes of steps S1610 to S1615 in the main control device 162);
A gaming machine according to any one of features B1 to B8, characterized in that it is equipped with:

In the above configuration, when a transition to the restricted state occurs due to the satisfaction of the first predetermined condition, the granting of game value is permitted in the restricted state. For example, if the first predetermined condition occurs halfway through the granting of game value, there is a risk that the granting of game value will be prematurely terminated as the transition to the restricted state occurs. In this regard, according to this feature, even if a transition to the restricted state occurs halfway through the granting of game value, it is possible to ensure that the game value that the player should have is appropriately granted.

Feature B10. An output means capable of outputting specific information (a prize ball signal) corresponding to the award of the predetermined gaming value to the outside of the gaming machine (a function for executing the process of step S419 in the main control device 162, a function for executing the process of step S909 in the payout control device 181);
A means for allowing the output of the specific information by the output means while the progress of the game is being restricted by the first means (a function for executing the processes of steps S1610 to S1615 in the main control device 162);
The gaming machine described in feature B9 is characterized by comprising:

In the above configuration, since it is permitted to perform an external output corresponding to the granting of game value in the restricted state, when game value is granted in the restricted state, the occurrence of the granting is appropriately notified to the management device on the gaming hall side through the above external output. This makes it possible to prevent inconsistencies between the actual granted value of game value and the value that the management device recognizes as having been granted, which are caused by the granting of game value during the restricted state.

Feature B11. The gaming machine according to any one of Features B1 to B10, wherein the second means allows the progress of the game to be allowed with the information stored in the specified area in the second state when the second specified condition is met after the first means has restricted the progress of the game.

In the above configuration, when the second predetermined condition is met, the storage status of the information in the predetermined area is changed to a second status different from the first status, and game progress is permitted, so that it is possible to prevent the game from being played again under the same game conditions as when the first predetermined condition was met. At that time, the fulfillment of the second predetermined condition releases both the restricted state itself and the state in which the transition condition to the restricted state is met, so that the hall employee can simultaneously release both by simply performing one operation that causes the second predetermined condition to be met, which can suitably reduce the effort required by the game hall when resuming play.

It is possible to apply the technical ideas shown in any one of the configurations of Features A1 to A14, Features B1 to B11, and Features C1 to C7 individually to each of the configurations of Features B1 to B11 above, or to apply a part or all of each technical idea in combination. When applying each technical idea in combination, it is also possible to combine them across feature groups.

<Characteristics Group C>
Feature C1. A means for awarding a predetermined game value based on the occurrence of a predetermined event that may occur during the game (such as a ball entering the general winning port 61, the first operating port 62, the second operating port 63, or the variable winning device 65) (such as a function for executing steps S906 to S908 in the payout control device 181);
A means for deriving predetermined information for judgment (information on the difference in the number of balls, the values of the counters 502a to 502e in the counter area 502 for the difference in the number of balls, an excess flag, information on the difference in the number of sheets, etc.) based on the occurrence of the predetermined event or the awarding of the predetermined game value (a function for executing an excess judgment process in the main control device 162);
A means for executing a specific control when the predetermined determination information becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined specific value (100,000 pieces) (a function for executing an excess determination process and a game stop determination process in the main control device 162);
A gaming machine comprising:

In the above configuration, predetermined judgment information is derived based on the awarding of game value or the occurrence of a predetermined event that triggers the awarding of game value, and it is determined whether the derived judgment information is equal to or greater than a specific value. This allows the gaming machine to recognize the acquisition status of game value and monitor whether excessive acquisition has occurred. If the judgment information is equal to or greater than a specific value, a corresponding specific control is performed. If the specific control is configured to perform processing to limit further acquisition of game value, it becomes possible to operate the gaming machine in a way that suppresses the increase in game value acquired by the player and prevents excessive increases in gambling.

Feature C2. The gaming machine described in Feature C1, characterized in that the processing executed by the specific control includes a specific processing (processing of steps S1610 to S1614 in the main control device 162) that transitions to a state in which the progress of a specific game is restricted (a game stop state).

In the above configuration, when the judgment information reaches or exceeds a specific value, the progress of the game is restricted thereafter, thereby preventing further occurrence of the specified event. This makes it possible to operate the gaming machine in a way that limits further acquisition of gaming value and prevents excessive increases in gambling tendencies.

Feature C3. A detection means (vibration detection sensor, magnet detection sensor, radio wave detection sensor) capable of detecting a predetermined abnormality factor;
A means for transitioning to a state in which the progress of a predetermined game is restricted (a game stop state) when the detection is performed by the detection means (a function for executing the processes of steps S1604 to S1608 in the main control device 162);
A first output means (a function of executing the process of step S1609 in the main control device 162) for outputting external information to the outside of the gaming machine through a predetermined external output terminal among a plurality of external output terminals when the detection is performed by the detection means;
A second output means (a function for executing the process of step S1615 in the main control device 162) for outputting external information to the outside of the gaming machine through the predetermined external output terminal when the predetermined determination information becomes the specific value;
The gaming machine described in feature C2 is characterized by being equipped with:

In the above configuration, when the game progress is restricted because the predetermined judgment information exceeds a specific value, external information is output using the same external output terminal as when the game progress is restricted because an abnormality is detected. This eliminates the need to add a new external output terminal to the gaming machine, and allows the gaming hall to use existing configurations for the information receiving unit, management device, etc., making it possible to reduce costs on both sides.

Feature C4. A gaming machine according to any one of Features C1 to C3, characterized in that it is equipped with a means (a function for executing the processing of steps S1610 to S1615 in the main control device 162) that allows the awarding of the predetermined gaming value even if the predetermined judgment information is equal to or greater than the specific value.

In the above configuration, even if the predetermined judgment information reaches a specific value or more, resulting in a state in which specific control is performed, the game value is allowed to be awarded. Therefore, even if specific control is started during the awarding process, the game value can be awarded to the end, and it is possible to properly award the game value that the player should have obtained.

When this feature is applied to feature C2 above, it can be expressed as "having a means for allowing the granting of the specified game value in a state in which the progress of the specified game is restricted."

Feature C5. As game states, there are at least a first state (low probability mode, non-opening/closing execution mode) and a second state (high probability mode, opening/closing execution mode) in which the predetermined game value is more likely to be awarded than in the first state;
an information storage means (main RAM 314) for storing at least specific information (high probability flag, jackpot in progress flag) corresponding to the second state when the state is the second state, and predetermined information (jackpot type information indicating that the jackpot is of the type corresponding to the transition to the high probability mode) corresponding to the predetermined state when the state is a predetermined state that will later become the second state (a state in which a jackpot of the type corresponding to the transition to the high probability mode has occurred and the transition to the high probability mode has not yet occurred after the opening/closing execution mode);
A gaming machine described in any of Features C1 to C4, characterized in that it is equipped with a means (a function to execute start-up processing when an excess occurs in the main control unit 162, a function to initialize information such as high probability flag information when power is cut off) that enables the specific information or the predetermined information stored in the information storage means to be erased based on the judgment information becoming equal to or greater than the specific value.

In the above configuration, when the determination information reaches or exceeds a specific value in a situation in which the second state is relatively easy to award game value, the specific information corresponding to the second state and the predetermined information corresponding to a future state that will be the second state are initialized. This changes the state to the first state in which game value is relatively hard to award, and the game is played, which limits further acquisition of game value. This makes it possible to operate the gaming machine in such a way that the increase in game value acquired by the player is suppressed and excessive increases in gambling tendencies are suppressed. Furthermore, because the gaming machine itself automatically makes such changes, it is possible to reduce the work of hall employees when the determination information reaches or exceeds a specific value. Furthermore, because the decision as to whether or not to make such a change is not left to the discretion of hall employees, it is also possible to ensure fairness in the game.

Feature C6: An information storage means (main RAM 314) in which the predetermined determination information is stored;
When the supply of operating power is stopped with the predetermined information for judgment stored in the information storage means, a means for erasing the predetermined information for judgment in the information storage means when the supply of operating power is started, or for starting the supply of operating power with the predetermined information for judgment erased in the information storage means (a function for executing partial clear processing in the main control unit 162 in the first embodiment and modified example 1, and a function for executing clear processing at the time of power interruption in the main control unit 162 in modified example 2);
A gaming machine according to any one of features C1 to C5, characterized in that it is equipped with:

In the above configuration, the supply of operating power is stopped with the predetermined judgment information stored in the information storage means, and then the supply of operating power is started to erase the predetermined judgment information, or the supply of operating power is started with the predetermined judgment information erased. In this case, the predetermined judgment information is naturally erased by cutting off the power to the gaming machines when the gaming hall closes and then powering on the gaming machines when the hall opens the next day, and this makes it possible to suppress the effect of the acquisition of gaming value in the previous day's play on the execution of the specific control.

Feature C7: A first display control means (a function for executing a display setting process and a notification display process in the main control device 162) that controls the display of the information display means (the first to fifth notification display devices 169a to 169e) so that a display corresponding to the predetermined determination information is performed;
A second display control means (a function of executing a display setting process and a notification display process in the main control device 162) that controls the display of the information display means so that a display corresponding to information different from the predetermined judgment information (information on a set value, information on a base value, etc.) is performed;
A gaming machine according to any one of features C1 to C6, characterized in that it is equipped with:

In the above configuration, the information display means displays information corresponding to the predetermined judgment information, making it possible to grasp the predetermined judgment information at each time. Furthermore, the information display means not only displays information corresponding to the predetermined judgment information, but also displays information corresponding to other information. This makes it possible to make effective use of the information display means.

It is possible to apply the technical ideas shown in any one of the configurations of Features A1 to A14, Features B1 to B11, and Features C1 to C7 individually to each of the configurations of Features C1 to C7 above, or to apply a part or all of each technical idea in combination. When applying each technical idea in combination, it is also possible to combine them across feature groups.

Note that, to each of the configurations of Feature Group A to Feature Group C described above, it is possible to apply the technical ideas shown in the configurations of other Feature Groups A to C individually, or to apply each technical idea in combination. When applying each technical idea in combination, it is also possible to combine them across feature groups.

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

Pachinko game machine: A game machine that has an operating means operated by the player, a game ball launching means that launches game balls based on the operation of the operating means, a ball passage that guides the launched game balls to a specified game area, and various game components arranged within the game area, and that awards a bonus (game value) to the player when the game ball passes through a specified passage section of each of the game components.

Slot machines and other reel-type gaming machines: A gaming machine equipped with a variable display means that changes and displays a series of symbols consisting of multiple symbols, and then displays the series of symbols at its final stop; the change in symbols is started by operating a start operating means, the change in symbols is stopped by operating a stop operating means or after a predetermined time has passed, and a special gaming state (bonus game, etc.) advantageous to the player is generated on the condition that the final stopped symbol at the time of the stop is a specific symbol.

Ball-operated belt-type game machine (ball-operated reel-type game machine): A game machine equipped with a variable display means that displays a variable pattern sequence consisting of multiple patterns and then displays the final stop of the pattern sequence, in which the pattern variation is started due to the operation of a start operation means, the pattern variation is stopped due to the operation of a stop operation means or after a predetermined time has passed, and a special game state (bonus game, etc.) advantageous to the player is generated on the condition that the final stop pattern at the time of the stop is a specific pattern, and further equipped with a ball receiving tray and an insertion device that performs an insertion process to take in game balls from the ball receiving tray, and a payout device that pays out game balls to the ball receiving tray, and configured so that the operation of the start operation means is valid when game balls are inserted by the insertion device.

10... Pachinko machine, 143... Performance control device, 162... Main control device, 314... Main RAM, 391... Work area for specific control, 392... Stack area for specific control, 393... Work area for non-specific control, 394... Stack area for non-specific control.

Claims (1)

In a gaming machine having a control means for executing a predetermined control regarding the progress of a game,
an information storage means for storing first information used in executing the predetermined control;
an awarding means for awarding a predetermined game value based on the occurrence of a predetermined event that may occur when a game is being played;
A derivation means for deriving second information based on the occurrence of the predetermined event or the awarding of the predetermined game value;
A transition means capable of transitioning to a gaming stop state when a transition condition is established based on the second information ;
Equipped with
The second information derived by the derivation means is stored in the information storage means,
A first switching operation allows switching from a power-off state to a power-on state, and a second switching operation allows switching from the power-on state to a power-off state,
a means for erasing the second information from the information storage means when a power supply is turned off by the second switching operation while the second information is stored in the information storage means, and then the power supply is turned on by the first switching operation without performing any operation other than the first switching operation, or a means for erasing the second information from the information storage means when a power supply is turned off by the second switching operation while the second information is stored in the information storage means ,
A gaming machine characterized in that after the transition to a game stop state is performed by the transition means while the first information is stored in the information storage means, the state in which the first information is stored in the information storage means can be maintained at least until the second switching operation is performed.

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