JP7628065B2 - Gaming Machines - Google Patents

Description

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

A gaming machine such as a pachinko machine is equipped with a pattern display means that changes and displays a pattern on the condition that a pattern start means detects a gaming ball, and a profit state generating means that generates a profit state when the stopped pattern after the change of the pattern display means becomes a specific pattern. This type of gaming machine is configured to execute a pattern change performance by animation on the image display means in response to the pattern change by the pattern display means (Patent Document 1).

JP 2020-124357 A

In conventional gaming machines, the pattern change presentation by the image display means is always performed in response to the same type of pattern change regardless of the game state, etc., so there is little variation and the presentation effect obtained is not necessarily sufficient.
The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a gaming machine capable of more effectively performing a pattern variation presentation using an image display means.

The present invention includes a normal symbol display means for displaying a normal symbol on condition that the normal symbol start means detects a game ball, a normal profit state generating means for generating a normal profit state when the stopped symbol after the change of the normal symbol display means becomes a predetermined pattern, a special symbol display means for displaying a special symbol on condition that the special symbol start means detects a game ball, a special profit state generating means for generating a special profit state when the stopped symbol after the change of the special symbol display means becomes a specific pattern, a special game state generating means for generating a special game state different from the normal game state after the end of the special profit state when a special game state start condition is satisfied, a pattern change effect display means capable of executing a pattern change effect with an image display means, and an actuation input device capable of changing between a first state in which the game ball can be entered and a second state in which it is more difficult or impossible for the game ball to be entered than in the first state. In a gaming machine including a ball means and an external signal means for outputting a signal to the outside of the machine, in the normal profit state, the operating ball entry means changes from the second state to the first state according to one of a plurality of operating patterns, and the special symbol start means includes the operating ball entry means, the symbol change effect display means executes the symbol change effect in response to the change of the special symbol during the normal game state, and in response to the change of the normal symbol during the special game state, the external signal means outputs a signal from a predetermined external terminal when the change of the special symbol stops during the normal game state, and does not output a signal from the predetermined external terminal when the change of the normal symbol stops, and in the special game state, outputs a signal from the predetermined external terminal when the change of the normal symbol stops, and does not output a signal from the predetermined external terminal when the change of the special symbol stops.

According to the present invention, it is possible to more effectively perform pattern change effects using image display means.

1 is an overall perspective view of a pachinko machine according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a front view of the game board of the pachinko machine. This is a diagram showing the jackpot opening patterns, special game states, and their allocation rates for each type of jackpot mode for the first special pattern of the pachinko machine. This is a diagram showing the normal profit states (opening and closing patterns) and their allocation rates corresponding to the winning patterns and types of special game states for the normal patterns of the same pachinko machine. This figure shows the big win/small win opening patterns, special game states, and their distribution rates for each type of big win/small win mode in the second special pattern of the same pachinko machine. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the small jackpot opening pattern of the pachinko machine and the corresponding allocation pattern. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the control system of the pachinko machine. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing normal symbol processing in the pachinko machine. A figure showing a flowchart of the normal pattern variation start processing of the same pachinko machine. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a flowchart of processing during normal pattern fluctuation in the pachinko machine. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing special symbol processing in the pachinko machine. A figure showing a flowchart of the special pattern variation start processing of the same pachinko machine. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a flowchart of processing during special pattern change in the pachinko machine. A figure showing a flowchart of the external terminal management process of the pachinko machine. A diagram showing output signals corresponding to the external terminals on the board side of the pachinko machine. A figure showing a flowchart of the customer waiting presentation processing of the pachinko machine. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a time chart of the presentation of the liquid crystal display means and related items during normal game mode of the pachinko machine. A figure showing a time chart of the presentation of the liquid crystal display means and related items at the end of the jackpot state of the pachinko machine (at the start of the special game state). FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a time chart of the presentation of the liquid crystal display means and related items during the special game state of the pachinko machine. A figure showing a time chart of the presentation of the liquid crystal display means and related items at the end of the special game state of the pachinko machine.

Below, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Figures 1 to 20 show an embodiment in which the present invention is adopted in a so-called type 1/type 2 mixed type pachinko machine. In Figure 1, the gaming machine main body 1 comprises an outer frame 2 that is rectangular when viewed from the front, and a front frame 4 that is pivotally attached to the front of the outer frame 2 by a hinge 3 on one of the left and right sides, for example the left side, so that it can be opened and closed freely. In front of the front frame 4, a glass door 5 and a front panel 6 are arranged adjacent to each other vertically, and each is pivotally supported by the front frame 4 by a hinge 7 on the same side as the hinge 3 so that it can be opened and closed freely. Of course, the glass door 5 and the front panel 6 may be made to be able to be opened and closed as one door body.

In front of the front panel 6, an upper tray 8 is arranged at the top, which stores game balls dispensed from a dispensing means (not shown) and supplies them to a launching means (not shown). Also, below the upper tray 8, a lower tray 9 is arranged at the left end, which stores surplus balls when the upper tray 8 is full, and a launching handle 10 is arranged at the right end. The launching handle 10 is used to operate the launching means. When a player grasps and rotates the launching handle 10, the launching means is operated so that the launch strength corresponds to the amount of operation, and the game balls supplied from the upper tray 8 are continuously launched toward the game area 18 (Figure 2) at a predetermined launch interval (for example, 0.6 seconds). Also, on the upper tray cover 11 that covers the upper tray 8 from the front, operation buttons 12, 13 for presentation, a ball lending operation unit 14, etc. are arranged.

A game board 15 (Fig. 2) is attached to the front frame 4 so as to be freely attached and detached from the front side, corresponding to the rear side of the glass door 5. The game board 15 has a base plate 16 such as a plywood board, and a guide rail 17 that guides the game balls launched by the launching means is arranged in a circular shape on the front side of the base plate 16, and in the game area 18 inside the guide rail 17, unit parts such as a central display frame unit 21, a first start winning unit 22, a second start winning unit 23, and a normal winning unit 24, as well as a large number of game nails (not shown), are arranged.

The multiple unit components 21 to 24 of the game board 15 are provided with a first normal symbol start means 31, a second normal symbol start means 32, a first special symbol start means 33, a second special symbol start means 34, a first big prize means 35, a second big prize means 36, a normal prize means 37, a normal symbol display means 38, a normal reserved number display means 39, a right hit lamp 40, a first special symbol display means 41, a second special symbol display means 42, etc. In addition, a liquid crystal display means (an example of an image display means) 43, a movable performance means 44, etc. are arranged on the rear side of the base plate 16.

The central display frame unit 21 constitutes a display frame for the liquid crystal display means 43 and the movable performance means 44, and has an opening window 45 formed in the approximate center corresponding to the rear liquid crystal display means 43, and is detachably attached from the front side to a mounting hole (not shown) formed in the base plate 16 that penetrates in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 2, the central display frame unit 21 includes a front mounting plate 46 that is arranged outside the mounting hole along the front surface of the base plate 16 and through which the game ball can pass, a decorative frame 47 that is arranged in a roughly gate-like shape in front view from both the left and right sides to the upper side in front of the liquid crystal display means 43 and protrudes forward on the inner periphery of the front mounting plate 46, and a stage 48 that is arranged between the left and right lower ends of the decorative frame 47. The game ball is launched by the launching means and enters the upper part of the game area 18, and is divided to the left and right at the top of the decorative frame 47, and flows down either the left flow path (first flow path) 49a on the left side of the central display frame unit 21 or the right flow path (second flow path) 49b on the right side.

The central display frame unit 21 is provided with a warp inlet 50 through which game balls can flow, on at least one side of the left flow-down path 49a side or the right flow-down path 49b side, for example, on the left flow-down path 49a side. A game ball that flows into the warp inlet 50 while flowing down the left flow-down path 49a rolls freely in the left-right direction on the stage 48, and then falls to the front from either a central drop section 51 provided corresponding to the left-right center of the game area 18 or from another part.

The movable performance means 44 has a movable body 44a formed in an arbitrary three-dimensional shape. The movable body 44a is configured to be movable in front of the liquid crystal display means 43 starting from a predetermined origin position by driving means (not shown).

Below the central display frame unit 21, along the inside of the guide rail 17, a first start winning unit 22 is located in the center in the left-right direction, a second start winning unit 23 is located on the right side, and a normal winning unit 24 is located on the left side.

The first normal symbol start means (normal symbol start means) 31 is used to start the variable display of normal symbols by the normal symbol display means 38, and is composed of a passage gate through which the game ball can pass, and is equipped with game ball detection means 31a that detects the passage of the game ball, and is disposed on the right flow path 49b on the right side of the central display frame unit 21.

The second normal symbol starting means (normal symbol starting means) 32 is for starting the variable display of the normal symbol by the normal symbol display means 38, like the first normal symbol starting means 31, and is composed of a non-operating winning means that does not have an opening and closing means, and is equipped with a game ball detection means 32a that detects the game ball that has entered. This second normal symbol starting means 32 is provided in the second start winning unit 23 arranged on the most downstream side of the right flow down path 49b, and is configured so that a game ball that has flowed down the right flow down path 49b without winning any other winning means will win this second normal symbol starting means 32 with a high probability (for example, 95% or more), although not 100%. When a game ball wins in the second normal symbol starting means 32, a predetermined number of game balls (here, one) per winning are paid out as prize balls. By providing the second normal symbol starting means 32 as described above, it is possible to play without reducing the number of balls held during the right hitting period described later. As shown in FIG. 2, there are game pins located just above the second normal symbol starting means 32, which can be used to adjust the winning rate for the second normal symbol starting means 32.

The normal pattern display means 38 is for displaying the normal pattern in a variable manner, and is composed of, for example, two LEDs. On the condition that either the first normal pattern starting means 31 or the second normal pattern starting means 32 detects a game ball, that is, the game ball passes through the first normal pattern starting means 31 and is detected by the game ball detection means 31a, or the game ball enters the second normal pattern starting means 32 and is detected by the game ball detection means 32a, the two LEDs constituting the normal pattern emit light in a normal variation light pattern, and then if the winning judgment random number value included in the normal random number information acquired when the game ball is detected by the first and second normal pattern starting means 31 and 32 matches a predetermined winning judgment value, the variation stops in a winning mode (predetermined mode), and otherwise in a losing mode.

The two LEDs that make up the normal symbol can display one or more winning patterns and one or more losing patterns by combining their light emission patterns (e.g., on/off). In this embodiment, three types of winning patterns for the normal symbol, a1 to a3, are provided as shown in FIG. 4, and the distribution rates for the winning patterns a1 to a3 are set to 30%, 30%, and 40%, respectively.

The normal random number information acquired when the first and second normal symbol starting means 31 and 32 detect a game ball is reserved and stored up to a predetermined upper limit of reserved numbers, for example, four, and each time a normal symbol can be changed, one is consumed to change the normal symbol. The number of stored normal random number information (normal reserved number) is notified to the player by the normal reserved number display means 39, etc.

The first special symbol starting means (special symbol starting means) 33 is for starting the symbol variation by the first special symbol display means 41, and is composed of a non-operating winning means that does not have an opening and closing means, and is equipped with a game ball detection means 33a that detects the game ball that has entered. This first special symbol starting means 33 is provided in the first start winning unit 22, and is arranged in an upward opening manner on the lower side corresponding to the central drop part 51 of the stage 48, and since there is a route from the warp entrance 50 on the left flow down path 49a side through the stage 48 to win, the game ball that has flowed down the left flow down path 49a has a higher probability of winning than the game ball that has flowed down the right flow down path 49b. When a game ball wins in this first special symbol starting means 33, a predetermined number of game balls (for example, four balls) are paid out as prize balls per winning.

The second special symbol starting means (special symbol starting means, actuated ball entry means) 34 is for starting the pattern change by the second special symbol display means 42, and is composed of an actuated winning means that can be changed by the actuation of the movable part 52a between a first state in which the game ball can enter the winning hole 52 and a second state in which it is impossible to win (or it is more difficult to win than the first state), and is equipped with a game ball detection means 34a that detects the game ball that has entered the winning hole 52, and when the stopped pattern after the change of the normal symbol display means 38 becomes a winning state and a normal profit state occurs, the movable part 52a changes from the second state to the first state for a predetermined time according to a predetermined actuation pattern. This second special symbol starting means 34 is arranged on the right flow path 49b and downstream of the first normal symbol starting means 31, and the game ball that has flowed down the right flow path 49b can win.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, there are two types of operation patterns of the second special symbol starting means 34 in the normal profit state: a short pattern in which the time of the first state is extremely short, and a long pattern in which the time of the first state is longer than the short pattern. Depending on whether or not the special game state described below is in progress, and the type of the special game state (first to third time-shortened states), in the first time-shortened state, the long pattern is selected in any of the winning patterns a1 to a3 (long opening rate 100/100), in the second time-shortened state, the long pattern is selected in the winning patterns a1 and a2, and the short pattern is selected in the winning pattern a3 (long opening rate 60/100), in the third time-shortened state, the long pattern is selected in the winning pattern a1, and the short pattern is selected in the winning patterns a2 and a3 (long opening rate 30/100), and in the normal game state that is not one of the first to third time-shortened states, the short pattern is selected in any of the winning patterns a1 to a3 (long opening rate 0/100).

In the case of a long pattern, after switching from the second state to the first state, when a predetermined number of game balls (here, one) enter the winning position, the state switches to the second state and the normal profit state ends. That is, in this embodiment, the number of winning balls is limited to one for each operation of the second special symbol starting means 34 in a long pattern. When a game ball enters the winning hole 52 of this second special symbol starting means 34, a predetermined number of game balls (e.g., two balls) per winning position are paid out as prize balls. The long opening rate in the normal game state may be set to a value greater than 0/100.

In the second special symbol starting means 34, the winning hole 52 is formed as a sideways opening, and the movable part 52a is arranged near the upstream side (right side) of the winning hole 52 in a state where it can slide back and forth, and in the first state, the movable part 52a protrudes forward from the surface of the game board 15 to receive the game ball flowing down the right flow path 49b and guide it to the winning hole 52 side, and in the second state, the movable part 52a retreats behind the surface of the game board 15 to allow the game ball to flow downstream of the right flow path 49b. Therefore, even if a game ball is placed on the movable part 52a in the first state, if the state is switched to the second state before the game ball enters the winning hole 52, the game ball will fall from the movable part 52a and will not be able to enter the winning hole 52. Combined with the structure of the second special symbol starting means 34, in the case of a short pattern in which the time of the first state is extremely short, it is virtually impossible to win on the second special symbol starting means 34.

A separate closing means capable of closing the winning opening 52 may be provided, and the winning opening 52 may be closed except in the first state. This can reliably prevent more than a predetermined number (1) of game balls from winning during operation in the long pattern. It is desirable to link this closing means with the operation of the movable part 52a. That is, the movable part 52a and the closing means may be linked so that the closing means opens the winning opening 52 when the movable part 52a is in the first state, and the closing means closes the winning opening 52 when the movable part 52a is in the second state, and the movable part 52a and the closing means may be configured to operate together by turning on/off a driving means such as a solenoid.

In this embodiment, the selection rate of the activation pattern of the second special symbol start means 34 is varied depending on the game state, so that the probability of winning with the normal symbol is substantially varied depending on the game state. In other words, even if a win is drawn in the lottery for winning with the normal symbol, if a short pattern is selected, it is substantially the same as a loss. Therefore, if the probability of winning in the lottery for the normal symbol is 1/73, the effective probability of winning during the first time-saving state is 1/73, whereas the effective probability of winning during the second time-saving state is (1/73) x (60/100) ≒ 1/122, and the effective probability of winning during the third time-saving state is (1/73) x (30/100) ≒ 1/243.

Note that the second special symbol starting means 34 of this pachinko machine does not open or close the winning opening 52 with the movable part 52a, but for the sake of convenience in the following explanation, the sliding movement of the movable part 52a will be referred to as the opening and closing movement, the first state as the open state or open, the second state as the closed state or closed, and the operating pattern of the movable part 52a as the opening and closing pattern.

The first special symbol display means (special symbol display means) 41 is configured with a display means such as a seven-segment type capable of variably displaying one or more, for example, one, first special symbol (special symbol). The first special symbol is variably displayed for a predetermined time on the condition that the first special symbol starting means 33 detects a game ball, that is, the game ball enters the first special symbol starting means 33 and is detected by the game ball detection means 33a. If the jackpot determination random number value included in the first special random number information acquired at the time of the entry into the first special symbol starting means 33 matches a predetermined jackpot determination value, the ball stops in a jackpot state (specific state), if it matches a small jackpot determination value, the ball stops in a small jackpot state, and otherwise in a miss state. If the stopped pattern after the variation of the first special symbol display means 41 becomes a jackpot state, a jackpot state occurs, and if it becomes a small jackpot state, a small jackpot state occurs (special profit state).

In this embodiment, three types of jackpot modes, A1 to A3, shown in FIG. 3, are provided for the first special symbol display means 41, and when the jackpot determination random number value matches the jackpot determination value, one of the jackpot modes A1 to A3 is selected at the allocation rate shown in FIG. 3 based on the jackpot pattern random number value acquired together with the jackpot determination random number value. Also, in this embodiment, the jackpot probability is set to 1/199 and the small jackpot probability is set to 0/199 for the first special symbol display means 41. In other words, there is no case where the first special symbol display means 41 is in a small jackpot mode, and therefore the special advantage state that occurs due to the fluctuation of the first special symbol is only a jackpot state, and there is no case where a small jackpot state occurs.

The second special symbol display means (special symbol display means) 42 is configured with a display means such as a seven-segment type capable of variably displaying one or more, for example, one second special symbol (special symbol), and variably displays the second special symbol for a predetermined time on the condition that the second special symbol starting means 34 detects a game ball, that is, the game ball enters the second special symbol starting means 34 and is detected by the game ball detection means 34a, and when the jackpot determination random number value included in the second special random number information acquired at the time of the entry into the second special symbol starting means 34 matches a predetermined jackpot determination value, the ball stops in a jackpot state (specific state), when it matches a small jackpot determination value, it stops in a small jackpot state, and otherwise in a miss state. When the stopped pattern after the variation of the second special symbol display means 42 becomes a jackpot state, a jackpot state occurs, and when it becomes a small jackpot state, a small jackpot state occurs (special profit state).

In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 5, the second special symbol display means 42 is provided with one type of big win mode, B11, and three types of small win modes, B21 to B23, and when the big win determination random number value matches the big win determination value, the big win mode B11 is selected with a 100% probability, and when the big win determination random number value matches the small win determination value, for example, one of the small win modes B21 to B23 is selected with the allocation rate shown in Fig. 5 based on the big win pattern random number value obtained together with the big win determination random number value. Also, in this embodiment, the big win probability is set to 1/199 and the small win probability is set to 198/199 for the second special symbol display means 42. In other words, with regard to the second special symbol display means 42, if the stopped symbol is not a big win symbol, it will always be a small win symbol, and there is no chance of it being a miss symbol, so if the second special symbol changes, a special advantage state (small win symbol or big win symbol) will always occur.

The first and second special random number information acquired at the time of winning the first and second special symbol starting means 33, 34 are reserved and stored up to a predetermined upper limit of reserved number, for example, four each, and when the first and second special symbols can be changed, if the reserved memory on the second special symbol side is one or more, one reserved memory of the second special symbol is consumed to change the second special symbol, and if only the reserved memory on the first special symbol side is one or more, one reserved memory of the first special symbol is consumed to change the first special symbol. In this way, in this embodiment, the first special symbol and the second special symbol are not both changing, and when there are reserved memories on both the first special symbol side and the second special symbol side, the second special symbol is changed with priority. The number of stored first and second special random number information (first and second special reserved numbers) is notified to the player by the liquid crystal display means 41, etc.

In the case of this embodiment, during the special game states (first to third time-saving states), big win states, and small win states (hereinafter referred to as special game states), which will be described later, the game ball is shot toward the right flow path 49b, aiming at the first and second normal symbol start means 31, 32, the second special symbol start means 33, 34, and the first and second big win means 35, 36 (hereinafter referred to as "right hit"); during other periods (non-special game states), the game ball is shot toward the left flow path 49a, aiming at the first special symbol start means 33 (hereinafter referred to as "left hit"). Therefore, during the special game states included in the special game states, mainly the second special symbol changes, and otherwise the first special symbol changes.

The first large prize winning means 35 is an actuation type winning means that can be changed between an open state where the game ball can win the first large prize opening 53 and a closed state where the game ball cannot win by the operation of the opening/closing member 53a, and is equipped with a game ball detection means 35a that detects the game ball that has won the first large prize opening 53, and when the stopped pattern after the change of the first and second special pattern display means 41, 42 becomes a small prize state and a small prize state occurs, the opening/closing member 53a opens according to a predetermined small prize opening pattern. When a game ball wins in this second large prize winning means 35, a predetermined number of game balls (e.g., three) are paid out as prize balls for each win.

The first large prize winning means 35 is disposed, for example, downstream of the second special symbol starting means 34 and upstream of the second normal symbol starting means 32 in the right flow-down path 49b. The first large prize winning opening 53 of the first large prize winning means 35 is formed, for example, in an elongated shape along a left-down sloping passage and has an upward opening. The opening/closing member 53a is a plate-shaped body formed in a left-down sloping shape along the sloping passage and can slide back and forth by driving an opening/closing driving means such as a solenoid (not shown). When in a closed state, it protrudes forward from the surface of the game board 15 to close the first large prize winning opening 53 and guides the game balls flowing down from the upstream side toward the downstream side (here, the left side) of the sloping passage, and when in an open state, it retreats behind the surface of the game board 15 to open the first large prize winning opening 53.

Figure 6 (a) shows an example of the opening pattern (small win opening pattern) of the first large winning means 35 in the small win state. In the small win opening pattern shown in Figure 6 (a), when a certain small win start interval ends and the small win state starts, after 100 ms has elapsed, the opening operation is repeated a certain number of times (14 times) for a certain time (48 ms) at a certain interval (632 ms). Since the first large winning means 35 of this embodiment is configured as described above, a game ball that is on the opening and closing member 53a in the closed state falls into the first large winning opening 53 at the next opening, so it is possible to win a large number of game balls in a short opening time.

The first large prize winning means 35 also includes a specific area 54a, a normal area 54b, a movable distribution means 55 for distributing a game ball that has won in the first large prize winning opening 53 between the specific area 54a and the normal area 54b, a specific game ball detection means 56a for detecting a game ball that has flowed into the specific area 54a, and a normal game ball detection means 56b for detecting a game ball that has flowed into the normal area 54b. After being detected by the game ball detection means 35a, the game ball that has won in the first large prize winning opening 53 is guided to either the specific area 54a or the normal area 54b by the distribution means 55, and is detected by either the specific game ball detection means 56a or the normal game ball detection means 56b, and is guided to the rear side of the game board 15. When a game ball that enters the first big winning hole 53 is guided to the specific area 54a by the distribution means 55, and the specific game ball detection means 56a detects the game ball (hereinafter referred to as a V win), a big win state occurs.

The allocation means 55 can be switched between a V guide state in which the game ball is guided to the specific area 54a and a non-V guide state in which the game ball is guided to the normal area 54b according to a predetermined allocation pattern. FIG. 6(b) shows the allocation pattern of the allocation means 55 in correspondence with the small win opening pattern shown in FIG. 6(a). The allocation pattern shown in FIG. 6(b) is a V guide state for a predetermined time (40 ms) at the start of the small win state, and then becomes a V guide state again at the first opening of the first large winning means 35. The V guide state continues until the last (14th) opening of the first large winning means 35 is completed and a V passage waiting time of a predetermined time (2500 ms) has elapsed. As a result, almost all of the game balls that have won in the first large winning means 35 during the small win state are guided to the specific area 54a (V winning). That is, in this embodiment, when a normal symbol becomes a winning symbol during a special game state in which a right hit is performed, and the game ball enters the opened second special symbol starting means 34 and the second special symbol changes, a big win state can be generated with a virtually 100% probability.

When the first big win means 35 opens according to the small win opening pattern shown in FIG. 6 and the winning game ball is guided to the specific area 54a (V win), a big win state occurs.

The second large prize winning means 36 is an actuation type prize winning means that can be changed between an open state where the game ball can win the second large prize winning opening 57 and a closed state where the game ball cannot win by the operation of the opening and closing member 57a, and is equipped with a game ball detection means 36a that detects the game ball that has won the second large prize winning opening 57, and when the stopped pattern after the first and second special pattern display means 41, 42 change becomes a big win state or when a big win state occurs due to a V win, the opening and closing member 57a opens according to one or more kinds of big win opening patterns. When a game ball wins in this second large prize winning means 36, a predetermined number of game balls (for example, 14 balls) are paid out as prize balls for each win.

This second large prize winning means 36 is disposed, for example, on the most upstream side of the right flow path 49b, that is, on the upstream side of the first normal symbol starting means 31. The second large prize winning opening 57 of the second large prize winning means 36 is formed, for example, in an elongated shape along a sloping passageway slanting downward to the right, with an upward opening. The opening/closing member 57a is a plate-shaped body formed in a sloping shape slanting downward to the right along the sloping passageway, and can slide back and forth by driving an opening/closing driving means such as a solenoid (not shown). When in a closed state, it protrudes forward from the surface of the game board 15 to close the second large prize winning opening 57 and guides the game balls flowing down from the upstream side toward the downstream side (here, the right side) of the sloping passageway, and when in an open state, it retreats behind the surface of the game board 15 to open the second large prize winning opening 57.

In addition, the opening pattern of the second large prize winning means 36 in the jackpot state is such that the closing operation is performed a predetermined number of rounds when a predetermined time (e.g., 28 seconds) has passed since the second large prize winning means 36 was opened or a predetermined number of game balls (e.g., 9 balls) have been won by that time. In this embodiment, there are two types, 3R and 10R, depending on the number of rounds (Figures 3 and 5).

As shown in FIG. 3, in the jackpot state that occurs when the first special symbol becomes a jackpot state, the 3R opening pattern is selected regardless of the type of jackpot state. Also, as shown in FIG. 5, in the jackpot state that occurs when the second special symbol becomes a jackpot state, the 10R opening pattern is selected, and in the jackpot state that occurs due to a V winning during a small winning state, the 10R opening pattern is selected in the case of small winning mode B21, and the 3R opening pattern is selected in the case of small winning modes B22 and B23, depending on the small winning mode. In the case of a jackpot state due to a V winning, the first round of the opening pattern is the opening of the first large winning means 35 due to a small winning state (the small winning opening pattern shown in FIG. 6(a) above). Therefore, in each of the 3R and 10R opening patterns, the second large winning means 36 is opened due to a jackpot state due to a V winning from the second round onwards, that is, 2R and 9R.

After the end of the big win state, the special game state occurs with a predetermined probability (here, 100%). In this embodiment, three types of time-saving states (first to third time-saving states) are provided as special game states. In the special game state that occurs when the first special symbol becomes a big win state, the first to third time-saving states are selected at distribution rates of 50%, 30%, and 20% according to the type of big win state as shown in FIG. 3, and in the special game state that occurs when the second special symbol becomes a big win state, the first time-saving state is selected as shown in FIG. 5, and in the special game state due to a V win when the second special symbol becomes a small win state, the first to third time-saving states are selected at distribution rates of 70%, 20%, and 10% according to the type of small win state as shown in FIG. 5.

During the first to third time-saving states (special game states), a long pattern is selected with a predetermined probability as the opening and closing pattern of the second special symbol starting means 34 in the normal profit state, but as shown in Figure 4, the probability that the long pattern is selected (long opening rate) differs for each time-saving state, and the long opening rates for the first to third time-saving states are 100/100, 60/100, and 30/100, respectively.

The special game state (first to third time-saving states) ends when the next big win state occurs, or when the number of times the normal symbols change reaches a predetermined number of times (here, 100 times) (when a predetermined ending condition is met) (Figures 3 and 5).

The liquid crystal display means 43 also includes a pattern change performance display means 61, a reserved image display means 62, a firing direction indication image display means 63, etc., as shown in FIG. 2.

The pattern change effect display means 61 performs a pattern change effect using the effect pattern 64, and executes a pattern change effect using the effect pattern 64 according to the game state, in response to the change display of the first and second special patterns (effectively only the first special pattern) by the first and second special pattern display means 41, 42 during the normal game state, and in response to the change display of the normal pattern by the normal pattern display means 38 during the special game state.

The reason why the target of the pattern change presentation is changed according to the game state is because the target that the player pays most attention to is different during the special game state and the normal game state. That is, during the normal game state, the player pays attention to the result of the first special pattern change, so the pattern change presentation using the presentation pattern is performed in response to the display of the change in this first special pattern, whereas during the special game state, as described above, the probability of a jackpot state occurring as long as the second special pattern changes is essentially 100%, so the player pays most attention to the result of the change in the normal pattern related to the start of the change in the second special pattern, so the pattern change presentation using the presentation pattern 64 is performed in response to the display of the change in this normal pattern.

Here, the performance pattern 64 has multiple pattern rows (here, three in the left-right direction) made up of multiple numbers and other patterns, and each pattern that makes up each pattern row is composed of a pattern main body 64a made up of numbers such as 1 to 8 and the like, combined with characters and other decorative parts 64b attached to this pattern main body 64a, as shown in Figure 2. The display form of the performance pattern 64 can be changed as desired, such as by enlarging or reducing it, changing the display position, or erasing the decorative parts 64b.

The performance symbols 64 start to change by vertical scrolling or the like for each symbol row according to a predetermined change pattern at approximately the same time as the normal symbols or the first and second special symbols start to change, and finally stop at approximately the same time as the normal symbols or the first and second special symbols stop changing so that the stopped symbols on a predetermined effective line become in a predetermined state. The pattern change performance by the performance symbols 64 includes a winning performance in which all the stopped symbols on the effective line are the same, a losing performance in which one of the stopped symbols on the effective line is different from the other stopping symbols, etc., and either the winning performance, the losing performance, etc. is executed according to the result of the change of the normal symbols or the first and second special symbols. In addition, in the case of a pattern change presentation corresponding to a normal pattern, in the case of a substantial miss in which a short pattern is selected, that is, as shown in FIG. 4, when the winning pattern a3 occurs during the second time-saving state, when the winning patterns a2 and a3 occur during the third time-saving state, and when the winning patterns a1 to a3 occur during a non-time-saving state (normal game state), a miss presentation is executed instead of a winning presentation.

The symbol variation effect display means 61 is also capable of displaying three types of mini symbols 65, 66a, and 66b on the liquid crystal display means 43. The mini symbol 65 corresponds to a normal symbol, and is displayed in a variably manner in synchronism with the variation of the normal symbol. The mini symbols 66a and 66b correspond to the first and second special symbols, respectively, and are displayed in a variably manner in synchronism with the variation of the first and second special symbols. Therefore, for example, even if the second special symbol changes during a special game state, the liquid crystal display means 43 does not perform a symbol variation effect using the effect symbol 64 corresponding to that variation, but does display a symbol variation using the mini symbol 66b. Similarly, even if the normal symbol changes during a normal game state, the liquid crystal display means 43 does not perform a symbol variation effect using the effect symbol 64 corresponding to that variation, but does display a symbol variation using the mini symbol 65.

The reserved image display means 62 displays the number of first and second special reserved balls, and when the number of first and second special reserved balls increases based on the first and second special symbol start means 33, 34 detecting a game ball, it displays one additional first and second reserved image X1-, Y1- on the liquid crystal display means 43, and when the number of first and second special reserved balls decreases based on the first and second special symbol display means 41, 42 starting a new variation of the first and second special symbols, it erases, for example, the varying reserved image Z, shifts the first and second reserved images X1-, Y1- by one toward the front of the queue (for example, the right side of the screen), and moves the pushed-out first first and second reserved images X1, Y1 to a specified position, for example, to change them into a new varying reserved image Z.

The launch direction indication image display means 63 is used to indicate the direction to aim when launching, and during a special game state (right-hitting period), it displays a right-hit indication image (first launch direction indication image) 63a indicating that the player should aim toward the right-flow path (first flow path) 49b, and during a non-special game state (left-hitting period), it displays a left-hit indication image 63b indicating that the player should aim toward the left-flow path 49a.

In this embodiment, in addition to the above-mentioned launch direction indication image display means 63, a right hit lamp (launch direction suggestion lamp) 40 is provided as a means for notifying the direction to aim when firing. The right hit lamp 40 is always in a first state (e.g., lit) indicating that a right hit should be performed during the special game state (right hit period), while the right hit indication by displaying the right hit indication image 63a on the liquid crystal display means 43 is executed during at least a part of the special game state (right hit period). Note that the right hit indication image 63a may not be displayed at all during the special game state (right hit period). The same applies to the left hit indication image 63b.

Figure 7 is a block diagram of the control system of this pachinko machine. In Figure 7, 71 is the main control board (main control means), and 72 is the performance control board (sub-control means). Each of these control boards 71, 72 is housed in a board case that is detachably attached to an appropriate location on the back side of the gaming machine main body 1 including the front frame 4 and gaming board 15, such as the back side of the rear cover that collectively covers the central display frame unit 21 attached to the gaming board 15 and the other multiple gaming parts from the back side. Note that in the block diagram of Figure 7, boards other than the main control board 71 and the performance control board 72 are omitted.

The main control board 71 controls the overall game operation, and includes a normal random number creation processing means 81, a normal start port check processing means 82, a normal random number storage means 83, a normal pattern processing means 84, a normal pattern display control means 85, a normal profit state generation means 86, a special random number creation processing means 87, a special start port check processing means 88, a special random number storage means 89, a special pattern processing means 90, a special pattern display control means 91, a special profit state generation means 92, a special game state generation means 93, a right hit lamp control means 94, an external terminal management means 95, a control command transmission means 96, etc.

The normal random number creation processing means 81 is configured to repeatedly generate winning determination random numbers and the like at predetermined time intervals, which are used to determine whether or not the normal pattern after the change is a winning pattern. The normal start port check processing means 82 performs processing based on the detection of a gaming ball by the first and second normal pattern start means 31, 32, and is configured to obtain normal random number information, such as winning determination random number values, created by the normal random number creation processing means 81 based on the detection of a gaming ball by either the first or second normal pattern start means 31, 32, and store the normal random number information in the first-in, first-out normal random number storage means 83 up to a predetermined upper limit of reserved numbers (e.g., 4).

The normal symbol processing means 84 performs processing related to the variable display of normal symbols, and executes the normal symbol processing shown in FIG. 8 at regular interrupts every predetermined time (here, every 4 ms).

In normal pattern processing (Figure 8), the normal pattern operation status is referenced (S1). The normal pattern operation status is a status value that indicates the behavior of the normal pattern; for example, a value of 00H or 01H indicates "waiting", a value of 02H indicates "changing", and a value of 03H indicates "checking". Furthermore, "waiting" indicates that the normal pattern is waiting for the next change, "changing" indicates that the normal pattern is changing, and "checking" indicates that the change in the normal pattern has finished and is being displayed as stopped (confirmed).

If the normal pattern operation status is 00H or 01H (standby), the normal pattern change start process (S2) is executed; if it is 02H (changing), the normal pattern change in progress process (S3) is executed; if it is 03H (checking), the normal pattern check time process (S4) is executed.

In the normal pattern change start process (S2) when the normal pattern operation status is 01H (waiting), as shown in FIG. 9, it is determined whether the normal reserved number is 0 (S11), and if the normal reserved number is 0 (when the normal pattern change has stopped and the normal pattern change start condition is not met), the normal pattern operation status is set to 00H (waiting) (S12), and a customer waiting demo command (BA24H) is sent to the performance control board 72 via the control command sending means 96 (S13), and the normal pattern change start process is terminated.

On the other hand, if it is determined in S11 that the number of reserved normal symbols is not 0, the number of reserved normal symbols is decremented (S14), and a winning judgment random number value is taken from the head of the queue of normal random number information stored in the normal random number storage means 83, and a winning/miss judgment (S15) is made depending on whether the winning/miss judgment random number value matches a predetermined winning judgment value or not, and the stopping pattern and the change pattern after the normal symbol change are determined based on the winning/miss judgment result (S16), and a normal symbol change start command is sent to the performance control board 72 via the control command sending means 96 (S17). Then, the normal symbol operation status is set to 02H (changing) (S18), and the normal symbol change start process is terminated. The winning probability of the normal symbol is 1/73, and if the judgment result is a winning, one of the winning patterns a1 to a3 is selected at the distribution rate shown in FIG. 4.

Returning to the normal pattern processing in Figure 8, the explanation will continue. In the normal pattern changing process (S3) that is executed when the normal pattern operation status is 02H (changing) in S1, the value of the normal pattern changing timer that measures the change time of the normal pattern is referenced (S21) as shown in Figure 10, and if the value of the normal pattern changing timer is not 0, that is, if it is determined that the timing for the normal pattern to stop changing has not yet been reached, the normal pattern changing process is terminated.

If the value of the normal pattern fluctuation timer is 0 in S21, that is, if it is determined that the timing for the normal pattern fluctuation to stop has been reached, a normal pattern stop command is sent to the performance control board 72 via the control command sending means 96 (S22), and various setting processes are performed when the pattern stops (S23), such as setting the normal pattern operation status to 03H (checking), setting the normal pattern operation timer to an initial value corresponding to the fixed time (here, 500 ms), and clearing various flags related to the pattern fluctuation that were set at the start of fluctuation or during fluctuation, such as the fluctuation in progress flag and the normal pattern fluctuation counter used to flash the LEDs that make up the normal pattern.

Then, the special game state flag, which indicates whether or not a special game state is in progress, is referenced (S24), and if this special game state flag is not 5AH (special game state in progress), the normal pattern change processing is terminated here. Also, it is determined whether the change in the normal pattern was initiated during a big win state or a small win state (S25), and if it is determined that the change was initiated during a big win state or a small win state, the normal pattern change processing is terminated here.

If the special game state flag is 5AH (special game state in progress) in S24 and it is determined in S25 that the change in the normal symbol did not start during a big win or small win state, the determination count counter is incremented (S26) and the normal symbol change process is terminated. Note that the determination count counter is related to the signal output from the first external terminal, which will be described later.

Returning to the normal symbol processing in FIG. 8, the explanation will continue. In the normal symbol confirmation time processing (S4) that is executed when the normal symbol operation status is 03H (confirming) in S1, the normal symbol operation timer is monitored, and when the value becomes 0, that is, when the elapsed time after the normal symbol fluctuation display has ended reaches the fixed time (here, 500 ms), the normal symbol operation status is set to 01H (standby), and the necessary setting processing is executed before the start of the normal profit state according to the type of stopped symbol (win state/lose state), and various setting processing etc. are also executed based on the end of the current fluctuation. When the normal symbol operation status is set to 01H (standby), the normal symbol fluctuation start processing (S2) is executed again in the next normal symbol processing (FIG. 8).

The normal pattern display control means 85 controls the display of the normal pattern display means 38 based on the normal pattern processing by the normal pattern processing means 84, and, on the condition that the normal pattern display means 38 is in a state where it can display changes and one or more pieces of normal random number information are stored in the normal random number storage means 83 (the normal reserved number is one or more), changes the normal pattern by the normal pattern display means 38 according to the change pattern selected by the normal pattern processing means 84, and then stops the change of the normal pattern with the stop pattern selected by the normal pattern processing means 84.

The normal profit state generating means 86 is configured to generate a normal profit state in which the movable part 52a of the second special pattern starting means 34 is opened or closed according to either a short or long pattern when the stopped pattern after the change of the normal pattern display means 38 becomes a winning pattern based on the winning judgment result by the normal pattern processing means 84 being a winning one.

In the case of a short pattern, the opening time is extremely short, making it virtually impossible to win on the second special symbol starting means 34. On the other hand, in the case of a long pattern, the opening time is set long enough that it is easy to win on the second special symbol starting means 34 by hitting to the right. In the long pattern, the second special symbol starting means 34 closes when a predetermined number of game balls (here, one) win while it is open, and the normal profit state ends.

In addition, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the probability that a long pattern will be selected (long opening rate) varies depending on the game state, with the long opening rate during the first time-saving state being 100/100, the long opening rate during the second time-saving state being 60/100, the long opening rate during the third time-saving state being 30/100, and the long opening rate during a normal game state that is not one of the first to third time-saving states being 0/100. As such, since the probability of a normal symbol hitting during a normal game state is essentially 0%, it is desirable to hit left during a normal game state (not including a special advantage state) to cause the first special symbol to fluctuate and generate a special game state first.

The special random number creation processing means 87 is configured to perform special random number creation processing that repeatedly generates jackpot determination random numbers used to determine jackpot/small jackpot/miss, pattern determination random numbers used to select the stopping pattern after the special pattern changes, change pattern random numbers used to select the change pattern, and other specified random numbers.

The special start port check processing means 88 performs processing based on the entry of a game ball into the first and second special symbol start means 33, 34. Based on the entry of a game ball into either the first or second special symbol start means 33, 34, the special start port check processing means 88 acquires first and second special random number information such as a jackpot determination random number value and a jackpot symbol random number value created by the special random number creation processing means 87, and stores the first and second special random number information in the special random number storage means 89 up to a predetermined upper limit of reserved numbers (here, 4 each). In this embodiment, the upper limit of the first and second special reserved numbers is set to 4, but this is not limited to this, and the upper limit of the second special reserved number may be set to 0 (no reserved memory), 1, etc.

The special symbol processing means 90 performs processing related to the variable display of the first and second special symbols, and executes the special symbol processing shown in FIG. 11 at regular interrupts at predetermined time intervals (here, every 4 ms).

In the special symbol processing shown in FIG. 11, the special symbol operation status is referenced (S31). The special symbol operation status is a status value that indicates the behavior of the first and second special symbols; for example, a value of 00H or 01H indicates "waiting", a value of 02H indicates "changing", and a value of 03H indicates "checking". Furthermore, "waiting" indicates that the first and second special symbols are waiting for the next change, "changing" indicates that the first and second special symbols are changing, and "checking" indicates that the change of the first and second special symbols has finished and they are displayed as stopped (confirmed).

If the special symbol operation status is 00H or 01H (standby), the special symbol change start process (S32) is executed; if it is 02H (changing), the special symbol change process (S33) is executed; and if it is 03H (checking), the special symbol confirmation time process (S34) is executed.

In the special symbol change start process (S32) when the special symbol operation status is 01H (waiting), as shown in FIG. 12, it is determined whether the first and second special reserved numbers are 0 or not (S41, S42). If the first and second special reserved numbers are both 0 (the first and second special symbol changes have stopped and the special symbol change start conditions are not met), the special symbol operation status is set to 00H (waiting) (S43), and a customer waiting demo command (BA14H) is sent to the performance control board 72 via the control command sending means 96 (S44), and the special symbol change start process is terminated.

In this way, the customer waiting demo command (BA14H) sent in the special symbol change start process (Figure 12) is different from the customer waiting demo command (BA24H) sent in the normal symbol change start process (Figure 9).

On the other hand, if at least one of the first and second special reserved numbers is not 0 in S41 and S42, the first or second special reserved number is decremented (S45), and the first or second special reserved number is taken out of the queue of the first or second special random number information, and a judgment of a big win/small win/miss is made (S46) depending on whether the big win/small win/miss judgment random number value matches a predetermined big win judgment value or small win judgment value, and the stop pattern and change pattern after the change of the first and second special symbols are determined based on the judgment result of the big win/small win/miss (S47), and a special symbol change start command is sent to the performance control board 72 via the control command sending means 96 (S48). Then, the special symbol operation status is set to 02H (changing) (S49), and the special symbol change start process is terminated.

In this embodiment, the probability of a big win is 1/199 for both the first and second special symbols, while the probability of a small win is 0/199 for the first special symbol and 198/199 for the second special symbol. If the first special symbol is judged to be a big win, one of the big win modes A1 to A3 is selected according to the distribution rate shown in FIG. 3. If the second special symbol is judged to be a big win, the big win mode B11 is selected. If the second special symbol is judged to be a small win, one of the small win modes B21 to B23 is selected according to the distribution rate shown in FIG. 5.

Returning to the special symbol processing in FIG. 11, the explanation will continue. In the special symbol changing process (S33) that is executed when the special symbol operation status is 02H (changing) in S31, the value of the special symbol changing timer that measures the change time of the first and second special symbols is referenced (S51) as shown in FIG. 13, and if the value of the special symbol changing timer is not 0, that is, if it is determined that the timing for the first and second special symbols to stop changing has not yet been reached, the special symbol changing process is terminated.

If the value of the special symbol fluctuation timer is 0 in S51, i.e., if it is determined that the timing for the first and second special symbols to stop fluctuating has been reached, a special symbol stop command is sent to the performance control board 72 via the control command sending means 96 (S52), and various setting processes are performed when the symbols stop (S53), such as setting the special symbol operation status to 03H (checking), setting the special symbol operation timer to an initial value corresponding to the fixed time (here, 500 ms), and clearing various flags.

Then, the special symbol determination counter is incremented (S54), and the special game state flag indicating whether or not the special game state is in progress is referenced (S55). If the special game state flag is 5AH (in special game state), the special symbol change processing ends here, but if the special game state flag is not 5AH (in special game state), the determination count counter is incremented (S56), and the special symbol change processing ends. Note that the special symbol determination counter is related to the signal output from the seventh external terminal described later, and the determination count counter is related to the signal output from the first external terminal described later.

Returning to the special symbol processing in FIG. 11, the explanation will be continued. In the special symbol confirmation time processing (S34) executed when the special symbol operation status is 03H (confirming) in S31, the special symbol operation timer is monitored, and when the value becomes 0, that is, when the elapsed time after the end of the variable display of the first and second special symbols reaches the fixed time (here, 500 ms), the special symbol operation status is set to 01H (standby), and the necessary setting processing is executed before the start of the special advantage state (big hit state, small hit state) according to the type of stopped symbol (big hit state/small hit state/miss state), and various setting processing etc. based on the end of the current variation are also executed. When the special symbol operation status is set to 01H (standby), the special symbol variation start processing (S32) is executed again in the next special symbol processing (FIG. 11).

The special symbol display control means 91 controls the display of the first and second special symbol display means 41, 42, and starts the variation of the first special symbol by the first special symbol display means 41 or the variation of the second special symbol by the second special symbol display means 42 based on the special symbol processing by the special symbol processing means 90, and stops the variation of the first and second special symbols at the selected stop symbol based on the lapse of the variation time corresponding to the selected variation pattern.

The special advantage state generating means 92 is for generating a special advantage state advantageous to the player. When the result of the jackpot determination by the special symbol processing means 90 is a jackpot and the stopped symbol after the first and second special symbols change to a jackpot state, the jackpot state generating means 92a generates a jackpot state in which the second large prize winning means 36 opens according to either the 3R or 10R opening pattern (Figures 3 and 5). When the result of the jackpot determination by the special symbol processing means 90 is a small jackpot and the stopped symbol after the first and second special symbols change to a small jackpot state, If a V win occurs during a small win state, the small win state generating means 92b generates a small win state in which the first large win means 35 opens according to a predetermined small win opening pattern (Figs. 5 and 6), and if a V win occurs during a small win state, the large win state generating means 92a generates a large win state in which the second large win means 36 opens according to either a 3R or 10R opening pattern (Fig. 5) (in 3R and 10R, the first round corresponds to a small win state, so the rounds corresponding to the large win state are the second round and onward).

The special game state generating means 93 is for generating a special game state advantageous to the player, and is configured to generate a time-saving state with a predetermined probability (here, 100%) after the end of a jackpot state, and to end the time-saving state when the next jackpot state occurs or the normal pattern changes a predetermined number of times (here, 100 times). Note that the number of times the normal pattern changes as a condition for ending the time-saving state is not limited to 100 times, and may be different for each time-saving state.

In this embodiment, three types of time-saving states, the first to third time-saving states, are provided, and are selected at a predetermined allocation rate according to the big win or small win state. That is, in the special game state that occurs when the first special symbol becomes a big win state, the first to third time-saving states are selected at allocation rates of 50%, 30%, and 20% corresponding to the big win states A1 to A3 as shown in FIG. 3, in the special game state that occurs when the second special symbol becomes a big win state, the first time-saving state is selected as shown in FIG. 5, and in the special game state due to a V win when the second special symbol becomes a small win state, the first to third time-saving states are selected at allocation rates of 70%, 20%, and 10% corresponding to the small win states B21 to B23 as shown in FIG. 5.

In addition, during the first to third time-saving states (special game states), a long pattern is selected with a predetermined probability as the opening and closing pattern of the second special symbol starting means 34 in the normal profit state, but as shown in Figure 4, the probability that the long pattern is selected (long opening rate) differs for each time-saving state, and the long opening rates for the first to third time-saving states are 100/100, 60/100, and 30/100, respectively.

The right hit lamp control means 94 controls the illumination of the right hit lamp (firing direction indication lamp) 40, and turns on the right hit lamp 40 during special game states (first to third time-saving states), special game states including big win and small win states (during the right hit period) (first mode indicating that the second flow path should be aimed), and turns off the right hit lamp 40 during other periods (second mode).

The external terminal management means (external signal means) 95 controls the signal output from the external terminal, and executes the external terminal management process shown in FIG. 14 at regular interrupts every predetermined time (here, every 4 ms).

The rear side of this pachinko machine is provided with an external terminal board 100 (Fig. 7) for outputting signals to a computer or the like on the hall side. This external terminal board 100 is provided with two frame-side external terminals corresponding to the frame side and ten board-side external terminals corresponding to the game board side. In this embodiment, the information shown in Fig. 15 is output from each of the ten board-side external terminals.

In the external terminal management process (FIG. 14), it is determined whether various conditions are met, and if the conditions are met, the corresponding bit is set (S61). In this case, the bit corresponds to the number of the external terminal on the board side shown in FIG. 15.

For example, if the condition device is in operation, the third, fourth, and eighth bits, which correspond to the special game state signal and the big win signal, are set. Also, if the time-saving state is in effect, the third bit, which corresponds to the custom game state signal, is set.

It is also determined whether each counter is 1 or greater, and if it is 1 or greater, the corresponding bit is set (S62). For example, if the special symbol determination counter is 1 or greater, the seventh bit is set, and if the determination count counter is 1 or greater, the first bit is set.

In this embodiment, if the normal symbol stops changing during a special game state (excluding when it starts changing during a big win or small win state), the fixed number counter is incremented in S26 of the normal symbol changing process (FIG. 10), and if the first special symbol stops changing during a non-special game state, the fixed number counter is also incremented in S56 of the special symbol changing process (FIG. 13). Also, if the first and second special symbols stop changing, regardless of whether or not the game is in a special game state, the special symbol fixed counter is set in S54 of the special symbol changing process (FIG. 13). The value of each counter is decremented after processing in S62.

Then, in the external terminal signal output process (S63), a signal is output from the external terminal on the board side corresponding to the set bit, and the external terminal management process is terminated. As a result, in this embodiment, during the special game state, a fixed number signal is output from the first external terminal (predetermined external terminal) when the normal pattern stops changing (excluding when the change starts during the big win state or small win state), but is not output when the first and second special patterns stop changing, and during the normal game state, a fixed number signal is output from the first external terminal when the first and second special patterns stop changing, but is not output when the normal pattern stops changing.

The performance control board 72 is used to control various performance means such as the liquid crystal display means 43, the movable performance means 44, the sound output means 101, and the electric lighting means 102, and is equipped with a special reserved number display execution means 103, a pattern change performance execution means 104, a launch direction instruction execution means 105, a customer waiting performance control means 106, etc., which are composed of a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc.

The special reserved number display execution means 103 controls the display of the first and second special reserved numbers on the liquid crystal display means 43, and is configured to display on the liquid crystal display means 43 first reserved images X1 to X4 corresponding to the number of first special reserved numbers (maximum 4), second reserved images Y1 to Y4 corresponding to the number of second special reserved numbers (maximum 4), and a changing reserved image Z corresponding to the changing first and second special symbols in response to an increase or decrease in the number of first and second special reserved numbers.

The symbol-changing performance execution means 104 controls the display of the performance symbol 64 on the liquid crystal display means 43 by the symbol-changing performance display means 61, and the associated sound output means 101, illumination means 102, movable performance means 44, etc., and executes a symbol-changing performance using the performance symbol 64 in response to the changing display of the first special symbol (special symbol) by the first special symbol display means 41 during the normal game state, and in response to the changing display of the normal symbol by the normal symbol display means 38 during the special game state (first to third time-saving states). Specific examples of performances by the symbol-changing performance execution means 104 will be described later.

The launch direction instruction execution means 105 controls the display of the right hit instruction image 63a and the left hit instruction image 63b on the liquid crystal display means 43 by the launch direction instruction image display means 63, and is configured to display the right hit instruction image 63a during the right hit period (during a special game state) and the left hit instruction image 63b during the left hit period (during a non-special game state) at any position on the liquid crystal display means 43.

The customer waiting performance control means 106 controls the execution of the performance during the customer waiting state, and executes the customer waiting performance processing shown in FIG. 16 in the timer interrupt processing on the performance control side.

In the customer waiting performance process (FIG. 16), it is first determined whether the customer waiting state flag is 01H or 02H (ON) (S71). Here, the customer waiting state flag indicates whether the customer waiting state is in progress, and is set to 01H or 02H at the start of the customer waiting state (S74, S77 described later).

If it is determined in S71 that the customer waiting state flag is neither 01H nor 02H (S71: No), it is determined whether or not a customer waiting demo command (BA14H or BA24H) has been received (S72, S75). Note that the customer waiting demo command BA14H is sent when the first and second special symbols stop changing and the special symbol change start condition is not met (S44 of the special symbol change start process (Fig. 12)), and the customer waiting demo command BA24H is sent when the normal symbol changes stop and the normal symbol change start condition is not met (S13 of the normal symbol change start process (Fig. 9)). If the customer waiting demo command (BA14H or BA24H) has not been received (S72: No → S75: No), the customer waiting performance process ends.

When it is determined that the customer waiting demo command BA14H has been received (S72: Yes), if the game is in a normal game state (not including a special profit state or a normal profit state) different from a special game state, the customer waiting start condition is met (S73: Yes), and the customer waiting state flag is set to 01H. On the other hand, when it is determined that the customer waiting demo command BA24H has been received (S75: Yes), if the game is in a special game state (first to third time-saving states), the customer waiting start condition is met (S76: Yes), and the customer waiting state flag is set to 02H. When the customer waiting demo command BA14H has been received but the game is not in a normal game state (S73: No), and when the customer waiting demo command BA24H has been received but the game is not in a special game state (first to third time-saving states) (S76: No), the customer waiting performance processing ends.

In this way, the performance control board 72 determines whether the customer waiting start condition is met or not based on the type of customer waiting demo command received and the game state. That is, during the special game state (first to third time-saving states), if the customer waiting demo command BA24H is received, the customer waiting start condition is met, but even if the customer waiting demo command BA14H is received, the customer waiting start condition is not met. On the other hand, during the normal game state, if the customer waiting demo command BA14H is received, the customer waiting start condition is met, but even if the customer waiting demo command BA24H is received, the customer waiting start condition is not met.

When the customer waiting start condition is met (S74, S77), the normal customer waiting performance starts (S78), the demo timer is set to an initial value (S79), and the customer waiting performance processing ends. In the normal customer waiting performance, the previous display image continues to be displayed on the liquid crystal display means 43, the illumination means 102 emits light in a predetermined light emission pattern, and the audio output means 101 outputs predetermined background music. The demo timer is used to count the duration of the normal customer waiting performance, and is initially set to a value corresponding to, for example, 180 seconds.

If the customer waiting state flag is either 01H or 02H (in the customer waiting state) in S71 (S71: Yes), it is determined whether the customer waiting state end condition has been met (S80). In this embodiment, it is determined that the customer waiting state end condition has been met when the timing to start changing the normal symbol during the special game state or the first and second special symbols during the normal game state arrives, or when the player touches the launch handle 10 (when the touch sensor of the launch handle 10 turns ON). Then, if the customer waiting state end condition has not yet been met (S80: No), it is determined whether the customer waiting state is in a normal customer waiting performance, that is, whether the customer waiting state is in a normal customer waiting performance or a customer waiting demo performance described later is in progress (S81).

If the normal waiting performance is not in progress (S81: No), the waiting demo performance continues as is (S87), and the waiting performance process ends. On the other hand, if the normal waiting performance is in progress (S81: Yes), the demo timer is decremented (S82), and if the value of the demo timer after the subtraction is 0 (S83: Yes), that is, if a predetermined time (180 s) has elapsed since the waiting state began, the first waiting demo performance starts if the waiting flag is 01H, and if the waiting flag is 02H, the second waiting demo performance starts (S84-S86). In the waiting demo performance, the liquid crystal display means 43 repeatedly displays a model image, a company logo image, a still image of the performance pattern 64, etc. in a predetermined pattern, the illumination means 102 emits light in a predetermined light-emitting pattern, and the audio output means 101 outputs a predetermined background music. Note that audio output may be stopped in the waiting demo performance.

It is desirable to have different contents for the second customer waiting demo effect performed during the special gaming state and the first customer waiting demo effect performed during the normal gaming state, but they may be the same. In this case, it is not necessary to provide two states in which the customer waiting state flag is ON.

After the customer waiting demo performance starts (S81: No), the customer waiting demo performance continues (S87) until the customer waiting state end condition is met (S80: Yes), that is, until the timing for starting the fluctuation of the normal symbol during the special game state, or the first and second special symbols during the normal game state, arrives, or until the player touches the launch handle 32. If the customer waiting state end condition is subsequently met (S80: Yes), the customer waiting state in progress flag is set to 00H (not in the customer waiting state) (S89), and the customer waiting normal performance or customer waiting demo performance currently being executed is ended (S90), and the customer waiting performance processing is ended.

Next, following the flow of play in this pachinko machine, we will specifically explain the pattern change presentation by the liquid crystal display means 43 and related matters with reference to the time charts shown in Figures 17 to 20.

First, during normal gameplay (not including special and normal win states), even if a right hit is made and the normal symbol changes resulting in a win, the second special symbol start means 34 opens in a short pattern that is unlikely to result in a win (FIG. 4), so it is desirable for the player to hit left, aiming at the first special symbol start means 33. Therefore, the right hit lamp 40 goes out, and the left hit instruction image 63b is displayed on the liquid crystal display means 43. When the game ball wins the first special symbol start means 33 by hitting left (T11 in FIG. 17), the first special symbol is changed by the first special symbol display means 41, and the liquid crystal display means 43 performs a symbol change performance by the performance pattern 64 in response to the display of the change in the first special symbol.

If the stopped pattern after the first special pattern changes to a jackpot pattern (T12), the condition device is activated and a jackpot state occurs (T13), and the second big winning means 36 opens according to the 3R opening pattern (Figure 3). During the jackpot state, a jackpot presentation is performed on the liquid crystal display means 43. When the first special pattern stops and is confirmed (T12), a confirmation number signal is output from the first external terminal.

During the jackpot state, the second large prize winning means 36 on the right flow path 49b side is open, so the player hits to the right aiming at the second large prize winning means 36 (special game state). Therefore, the right hit lamp 40 is lit, and the right hit instruction image 63a is displayed on the liquid crystal display means 43.

During the jackpot state, many game balls enter the second large winning means 36 by hitting from the right, but if a game ball that misses entering the second large winning means 36 passes through the first normal symbol starting means 31 or enters the second normal symbol starting means 32, the normal symbol on the normal symbol display means 38 will change even during the jackpot state. In this embodiment, the long opening rate of the second special symbol starting means 34 during the normal game state is 0/100 (Figure 4), so even if the normal symbol becomes a winning pattern during this jackpot state and a normal profit state occurs, it is extremely rare (or impossible) for a game ball to enter the second special symbol starting means 34. If a game ball enters the second special symbol starting means 34 during this jackpot state, it will be reserved and stored up to the upper limit of the reserved number (4 balls).

When the big win state ends (the operation of the condition device ends) (T21 in FIG. 18), a special game state (any of the first to third time-saving states) begins. During the special game state, if the normal symbol becomes a winning pattern, there is a possibility that the second special symbol starting means 34 will open in a long pattern (FIG. 4), so the player continues to hit to the right (special game state). Therefore, the right hit lamp 40 lights up, and the right hit instruction image 63a is displayed on the liquid crystal display means 43.

During this special game state, the liquid crystal display means 43 performs a pattern change presentation using the presentation pattern 64 in response to the display of the normal pattern change. Therefore, for example, even if the number of first special reserved pieces is 1 or more at the end of the jackpot state and the first special pattern change starts (T21), the liquid crystal display means 43 does not start a pattern change presentation corresponding to the change in the first special pattern.

On the other hand, if the normal symbol is already changing at the time when the jackpot state ends (T21), the liquid crystal display means 43 does not perform a symbol change performance corresponding to the normal symbol change, and when the next normal symbol starts changing (T23), a symbol change performance by the performance pattern 64 is started in response to the display of the normal symbol change. Note that, until the symbol change performance starts (T21 to T23), the liquid crystal display means 43 executes a preparation performance. In this preparation performance, at least a part of the last performance during the jackpot state, that is, the last performance image in the jackpot end interval performance (performance image related to the end of the special profit state) is continuously displayed, and an image indicating that the game is waiting is displayed. This image indicating that the game is waiting may be a wording such as "WEIT" that directly indicates that the game is waiting, or may be a wording such as "XX mode start" that indicates the start of a special game state (performance image related to the start of a special game state) that indirectly indicates that the game is waiting.

In addition, during the special game state, when the normal symbol stops and is confirmed, a confirmed number signal is output from the first external terminal (T24, T25), but this is for normal symbol fluctuations that start after the special game state begins. For normal symbol fluctuations that start before the special game state begins, even if they stop and are confirmed after the special game state begins (T22), no confirmed number signal is output from the first external terminal (see S25, S26 in Figure 10).

When the normal symbol fluctuates and then stops in a winning state during the special game state (T31 in FIG. 19), a normal profit state occurs, and the second special symbol start means 34 opens in an opening and closing pattern (either a short or long pattern) selected according to the type of winning state and the type of time-saving state. The probability that a long pattern will be selected (long opening rate) differs for each type of time-saving state (FIG. 4).

When the second special symbol starting means 34 opens in a long pattern (T32), the liquid crystal display means 43 executes a good opportunity arrival effect. This good opportunity arrival effect is intended to make the player aware of the arrival of a good opportunity and arouse a sense of expectation, and in addition to an image indicating a good opportunity, it is desirable to display a winning instruction image such as "Aim here and hit →" that instructs the second special symbol starting means 34 to win. This winning instruction image may be, for example, an enlarged display of the right hit instruction image 63a.

When the game ball enters the second special symbol starting means 34 (T33), the second special symbol starting means 34 closes at that point, the normal profit state ends, and the second special symbol is changed by the second special symbol display means 42, and stops in either the big win mode (1/199) or the small win mode (198/199).

When the second special symbol stops in a small win state (T34), a 10R or 3R opening pattern is selected according to the small win state (Fig. 5), and the first large prize winning means 35 operates according to the small win opening pattern as the first round (T35). Note that Fig. 19 shows a simplified opening pattern for the first round (small win state), but in reality it opens and closes in the pattern shown in Fig. 6(a).

When a game ball enters the first big prize winning means 35 during the small win state, the game ball is guided to the specific area 54a side with a probability of approximately 100% and becomes a V win (T36), and the condition device is activated to generate a big win state, and the second big prize winning means 36 is activated according to the second round onwards in the 10R/3R opening pattern (T37). When the big win state begins, the liquid crystal display means 43 displays a big win display following an opportunity arrival display.

The special game state ends when the number of times the normal symbols change reaches 100 times (a predetermined number of times) and the 100th normal symbol change ends (T41 in FIG. 20). When the special game state ends (T41), the liquid crystal display means 43 starts displaying the results of the game during the special game state, and even if a new normal symbol starts changing (T42), it does not display the corresponding symbol change using the performance symbol 64. Note that if the final (100th) normal symbol change during the special game state is a miss, the result display may start during that final change, i.e., before the special game state ends.

When the special game state ends (T41), the left hit period (non-special game state) begins again, and at this point the right hit lamp 40 goes out, but the left hit instruction image 63b does not start to be displayed at that point, and is instead displayed, for example, superimposed on the result display, a predetermined time after the result display begins. This allows a certain amount of time to be secured for the result display.

After the special game state ends, when the first special symbol stops and is fixed after changing (T43, T45), a fixed number signal is output from the first external terminal. Note that in this embodiment, the fixed number signal is also output when the first special symbol that started changing during the special game state stops and is fixed after the special game state ends (T43), but when the first special symbol starts changing during the special game state, the fixed number signal may be configured not to be output even if it stops and is fixed after the special game state ends.

In addition, when the first special symbol starts to change after the special game state ends (T44), the liquid crystal display means 43 ends the result display at that point, and starts a symbol change display using the display symbol 64 in response to the change display of the first special symbol. Note that if a predetermined time (180 s) has passed without the first special symbol changing after the special game state ends, the result display ends at that point, and starts a customer waiting demo display (S85 in FIG. 16).

As described above, the pachinko machine according to this embodiment includes: a normal symbol display means 38 which changes and displays a normal symbol on condition that the first and second normal symbol start means 31 and 32 detect a gaming ball; a normal profit state generating means 86 which generates a normal profit state when the stopped symbol after the change of the normal symbol display means 38 becomes a winning pattern (predetermined pattern); a first and second special symbol display means 41 and 42 which changes and displays the first and second special symbols on condition that the first and second special symbol start means 33 and 34 detect a gaming ball; a special profit state generating means 92 which generates a special profit state when the stopped symbol after the change of the first and second special symbol display means 41 and 42 becomes a jackpot pattern (specific pattern); a special game state generating means 93 which generates a special game state different from the normal game state after the special profit state ends when the special game state start condition is satisfied; and a pattern change effect capable of executing a pattern change effect on the liquid crystal display means (image display means) 43. The machine is equipped with a display means 61, a second special symbol starting means (operation ball entry means) 34 that can change between a first state in which the game ball can enter the ball and a second state in which the game ball is more difficult to enter or cannot enter the ball than in the first state, and an external terminal management means (external signal means) 95 that outputs a signal to the outside of the machine. In the normal profit state, the second special symbol starting means 34 changes from the second state to the first state according to either a short/long pattern (multiple types of operation patterns), and the symbol change effect display means 61 executes a symbol change effect in response to the change of the first and second special symbols during the normal game state and in response to the change of the normal symbol during the special game state. The external terminal management means 95 is configured to output a signal from the first external terminal (predetermined external terminal) for each change of the first and second special symbols during the normal game state and for each change of the normal symbol during the special game state, so that the symbol change effect by the liquid crystal display means (image display means) 43 can be performed more effectively.

The external terminal management means 95 is also capable of outputting a signal from the first external terminal when the normal symbols and the first and second special symbols stop fluctuating. That is, during the normal game state, a signal is output from the first external terminal when the first and second special symbols stop fluctuating, and no signal is output from the first external terminal when the normal symbols stop fluctuating, and during the special game state, a signal is output from the first external terminal when the normal symbols stop fluctuating, and no signal is output from the first external terminal when the first and second special symbols stop fluctuating.

The pattern change effect display means 61 does not perform a pattern change effect corresponding to the change when the change of the normal pattern is started during the normal game state, but performs a pattern change effect corresponding to the change of the normal pattern started during the special game state thereafter, and the external terminal management means 95 does not output a signal from the first external terminal when the change of the normal pattern started during the normal game state stops during the special game state, and outputs a signal from the first external terminal when the change of the normal pattern started during the special game state stops during the special game state.

In addition, when the first and second special symbols start to change during the special game state, the pattern change effect display means 61 does not perform a pattern change effect corresponding to the change, but performs a pattern change effect corresponding to the change of the first and second special symbols that starts during the normal game state thereafter.

In addition, during the normal game state, a customer waiting demo performance is started based on the fact that the special symbol change start condition is not satisfied, and during the special game state, based on the fact that the normal symbol change start condition is not satisfied. When the first and second special symbols stop changing and the special symbol change start condition is not satisfied, and when the normal symbol change stops and the normal symbol change start condition is not satisfied, a customer waiting demo command is sent from the main control board (main control means) 71 to the performance control board (sub-control means) 72 regardless of the game state, and when the performance control board 72 receives the customer waiting demo command, it determines whether or not to execute a customer waiting demo performance according to the game state. Moreover, the customer waiting demo command sent when the first and second special symbols stop changing and the special symbol change start conditions are not met is different from the customer waiting demo command sent when the normal symbols stop changing and the normal symbol change start conditions are not met, and the customer waiting demo performance performed during the normal game state is different from the customer waiting demo performance performed during the special game state.

In addition, if the normal symbol is already changing when the special game state starts, the pattern change presentation corresponding to the change in the normal symbol is not performed until the change stops, and the pattern change presentation starts when the next normal symbol starts changing, and at least a part of the presentation image last displayed during the special profit state is continued until the next normal symbol starts changing, and an image indicating that the game is on standby is displayed on the liquid crystal display means 43.

The special game state ends when the normal symbols have changed 100 times (a predetermined number of times), and during or after the final change of the normal symbols in the special game state, the liquid crystal display means 43 starts displaying the results related to the special game state, and the result display continues until the first and second special symbols start changing thereafter.

In addition, when the special game state ends, the right hit lamp (launch direction indication lamp) 40 is switched from on (first state), indicating that the player should aim toward the right flow path 49b, to off (second state), and a left hit instruction image (first launch direction indication image) 63b, indicating that the player should aim toward the left flow path 49a, is displayed on the liquid crystal display means 43 a predetermined time after the start of the result display.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above in detail, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention. For example, in the embodiment, the number of times the normal pattern changes as the end condition for the time-saving state is set to a uniform number (100 times) regardless of the type of time-saving state, but the end condition (the number of times the normal pattern changes) may be different depending on the type of time-saving state.

In the embodiment, the upper limit of the number of reserved symbols for the second special symbol is set to four, and the second special symbol starting means 34 is configured to close if it opens in a long pattern and one symbol wins, but it may be configured not to store the reserved number for the second special symbol, and when a game ball wins in the second special symbol starting means 34 and starts the fluctuation of the second special symbol, the second and subsequent winnings are invalidated, thereby limiting the winnings in the second special symbol starting means 34 to one.

Also, the upper limit of the number of reserved second special symbols may be set to one, and when a game ball enters the second special symbol starting means 34 and starts the variation of the second special symbol, the second winning ball may be reserved and stored, and the third and subsequent winning balls may be invalidated. This makes it possible to diversify the winning state, for example, by linking two jackpots together, for a maximum of 20 rounds and a minimum of 6 rounds.

In the embodiment, in the customer waiting presentation process shown in FIG. 16, if a customer waiting demo command BA14H is received (S72: Yes) and if the game is in a normal game state (S73: Yes), the customer waiting normal presentation is started (S78). However, the game may be configured to start the customer waiting normal presentation (S78) if it is determined in S73 that the game is not in a special game state.

In the embodiment, the display of the left hit instruction image 63b is not started when the special game state ends, but is configured to start after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the result display. However, based on the start of a new change in the first special pattern after the end of the special game state, the display of the left hit instruction image 63b may be configured to start when the result display ends and a pattern change presentation corresponding to the change in the first special pattern begins.

In the embodiment, when the first and second special symbols stop changing and the special symbol change start condition is not met, and when the normal symbol stops changing and the normal symbol change start condition is not met, the main control board 71 sends a customer waiting demo command to the performance control board 72 regardless of the game state, and when the performance control board 72 receives the customer waiting demo command, it is configured to decide whether or not to execute a customer waiting demo performance depending on the game state. However, the main control board 71 may be configured to decide whether or not to execute a customer waiting demo performance depending on the game state and then send a customer waiting demo command to the performance control board 72.

The embodiment shows an example in which the present invention is applied to a so-called type 1/type 2 mixed type pachinko machine, but it can also be implemented in other types of pachinko machines, as well as in various types of gaming machines such as arrange ball machines and mahjong ball gaming machines.

31 First normal symbol starting means (normal symbol starting means)
32 Second normal symbol starting means (normal symbol starting means)
33 First special symbol start means (special symbol start means)
34 Second special symbol start means (special symbol start means, activation ball entry means)
38 Normal symbol display means 41 First special symbol display means (special symbol display means)
42 Second special symbol display means (special symbol display means)
43 Liquid crystal display means (image display means)
61 Symbol variation effect display means 86 Normal profit state generating means 92 Special profit state generating means 93 Special game state generating means 95 External terminal management means (external signal means)

Claims (1)

A normal symbol display means for variably displaying a normal symbol on condition that the normal symbol starting means detects a gaming ball;
A normal profit state generating means for generating a normal profit state when the stopped symbol after the change of the normal symbol display means becomes a predetermined pattern;
a special symbol display means for variably displaying a special symbol on condition that the special symbol start means detects a gaming ball;
A special advantage state generating means for generating a special advantage state when the stopped symbols after the variation of the special symbol display means become a specific pattern;
a special game state generating means for generating a special game state different from a normal game state after the special profit state ends when a special game state starting condition is satisfied;
A pattern change effect display means capable of executing a pattern change effect by the image display means;
an operating ball-entry means that can be changed between a first state in which the game ball can be entered and a second state in which the game ball can be more difficult to enter or cannot be entered than in the first state;
an external signal means for outputting a signal to the outside of the aircraft;
In the normal profit state, the actuating ball entry means changes from the second state to the first state according to any one of a plurality of actuation patterns,
In the gaming machine, the special symbol starting means includes the activation ball entry means.
The symbol variation effect display means executes the symbol variation effect in response to the variation of the special symbol during the normal game state, and in response to the variation of the normal symbol during the special game state;
The external signal means includes:
During the normal gaming state, a signal is output from a predetermined external terminal when the variation of the special symbol is stopped, and a signal is not output from the predetermined external terminal when the variation of the normal symbol is stopped,
During the special game state, a signal is output from the predetermined external terminal when the variation of the normal symbols stops, and no signal is output from the predetermined external terminal when the variation of the special symbols stops.