JP7634281B2 - Gaming Machines - Google Patents

Description

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

Some gaming machines, such as pachinko machines, have a winning hole (starting hole according to Special Drawing 2) equipped with an electric device (such as a normal electric device), and opening the electric device allows game balls to enter the winning hole. For example, see Patent Document 1.

JP 2016-193025 A

However, in gaming machines with such electric devices, due to the recent diversification of gameplay, it has become necessary to provide opening patterns for the electric devices that make it difficult for game balls to enter the corresponding winning holes, and the existence of such opening patterns may result in game balls entering unintended winning holes (those that do not exist in the ball-dispensing design).

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and provides a gaming machine that can prevent gaming balls from unintentionally entering a winning hole, provided that the opening pattern of the electric device makes it difficult for the gaming ball to enter the corresponding winning hole.

According to the present invention, a gaming machine capable of launching a game ball and generating a small win game based on the entry of the game ball into a specific winning port that can be won by opening an electric device, and when the game ball passes through a specific area in the small win game, a big win game starts after the small win game ends, the gaming machine is provided with an annunciation means and an annunciation control means for controlling the annunciation means, and the annunciation control means is capable of starting a first annunciation in the small win game, and has a normal state and an easy-to-win state in which the electric device is more likely to open than in the normal state, and the opening pattern of the electric device in the easy-to-win state includes a first opening pattern and a second opening pattern in which it is more difficult for the game ball to enter the specific winning port compared to the first opening pattern, and can be executed in parallel with the first annunciation. A gaming machine is provided which has other notifications, and in which either one of the first notification executed at the first time when the small win game is caused by the entry of a game ball into the specific winning port generated when the electric device is opened in the first opening pattern , and the first notification executed at the second time when the small win game is caused by the entry of a game ball into the specific winning port generated when the electric device is opened in the second opening pattern, and the other notification are executed in parallel, and the notification control means further executes a predetermined notification to prompt the launch of the game ball toward the specific winning port when the electric device is opened in the first opening pattern, and does not execute the predetermined notification when the electric device is opened in the second opening pattern .
Further, according to the present invention, there is provided a gaming machine capable of launching a gaming ball, generating a small win game based on the entry of the gaming ball into a specific winning hole which can be won by opening an electric device, and starting a big win game after the small win game ends when the gaming ball passes through a specific area, the gaming machine comprising: an announcing means; and an announcing control means for controlling the announcing means, the announcing control means being capable of starting a first announcing in the small win game, and The notification control means includes a first opening pattern and a second opening pattern in which it is more difficult for a game ball to enter the specific winning port compared to the first opening pattern, and the notification mode of the first notification executed at the first time when the small winning game is generated by the game ball entering the specific winning port generated when the electric role is opened in the first opening pattern is different from the notification mode of the first notification executed at the second time when the small winning game is generated by the game ball entering the specific winning port generated when the electric role is opened in the second opening pattern, or the first notification is executed at the first time and the first notification is not executed at the second time, and the notification control means further executes a predetermined notification to encourage the game ball to be launched toward the specific winning port when the electric role is opened in the first opening pattern, and the predetermined notification is not executed when the electric role is opened in the second opening pattern, A gaming machine is provided in which the opening of the electric device ends when a game ball has entered the specific winning port once, and when two consecutive entries of a game ball have occurred in the second opening pattern, the notification mode of the first notification in the small win game caused by the first entry of a game ball into the specific winning port is different from the notification mode of the first notification in the small win game caused by the second entry of a game ball into the specific winning port.

According to the present invention, a gaming machine is provided that can prevent the unintended entry of gaming balls into a corresponding winning hole, provided that the opening pattern of the electric device makes it difficult for the gaming ball to enter the corresponding winning hole.

FIG. 1 is a front view of the gaming machine. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a pattern display device disposed in the area II shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a bird's-eye view showing the operation buttons and their surroundings arranged in the area III shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a game board installed in the gaming machine. FIG. 5 is a rear view of the gaming machine. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the gaming machine. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the gaming machine. Figure 8(a) is a diagram that shows a schematic drawing of a lottery table for determining whether a special symbol is a hit or not, Figure 8(b) is a diagram that shows a schematic drawing of a lottery table for selecting stopping symbols used when a big hit is derived in the special symbol hit or not determination related to special symbol 1, Figure 8(c) is a diagram that shows a schematic drawing of a lottery table for selecting stopping symbols used when a big hit is derived in the special symbol hit or not determination related to special symbol 2, and Figure 8(d) is a diagram that shows a schematic drawing of a lottery table for selecting stopping symbols used when a small hit is derived in the special symbol hit or not determination related to special symbol 2. Figure 9(a) is a schematic diagram showing a special chart change pattern lottery table used in the pattern change related to special chart 1 during the special chart change pattern derivation state PA, and Figure 9(b) is a schematic diagram showing a special chart change pattern lottery table used when special chart change pattern HNP1 is determined in the pattern change related to special chart 1 during the special chart change pattern derivation state PA. FIG. 10(a) is a diagram showing a schematic drawing of a lottery table used for determining whether a normal symbol is a winning symbol or not, and FIG. 10(b) is a diagram showing a schematic drawing of a lottery table for drawing a normal symbol stop pattern. Figure 11(a) is a schematic diagram showing a regular map variation pattern lottery table used in regular map variation when the special map variation pattern derivation state PB is in effect, and Figure 11(b) is a schematic diagram showing a special map variation pattern lottery table used in regular map variation when the special map variation pattern derivation state PC is in effect. FIG. 12(a) is a state transition diagram showing the transition of the special chart variation pattern derivation state, and FIG. 12(b) is a diagram showing the relationship of the average variation time for each special chart variation pattern derivation state. FIG. 13 shows a flow of the flag setting process when the second starting port is won. FIG. 14 is a flow chart of the V aim notification control process. 15(a) to 15(c) are diagrams showing specific examples of notification modes related to the V aim notification. 16(a) to 16(c) are diagrams specifically showing the display mode of the symbol matching display and the presence or absence of display during a big win game caused by a small win game. Figures 17(a) and 17(b) are figures specifically showing the notification mode of the electric chute opening notification and whether or not it is executed.

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

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

The present invention relates to
A game ball can be launched, and a small win game can be generated based on the game ball entering a specific winning hole (second starting hole 59) that can be won by opening an electric role (normal electric role 61);
When the game ball passes through a specific area (V winning area) in the small win game, the game machine starts a big win game after the small win game ends,
Notification means (main display unit 81, speaker 33);
A notification control means (first sub-control board 200, second sub-control board 300) for controlling the notification means;
Equipped with
The notification control means is capable of starting a first notification (a V target notification) in the small win game,
The opening patterns of the electric role-playing device include a first opening pattern (long opening pattern) and a second opening pattern (short opening pattern) in which it is more difficult for a game ball to enter the specific winning hole than in the first opening pattern.
Regarding the implementation of the above first notice,
The notification mode of the first notification executed at the first time when the small win game is generated by the winning of a game ball into the specific winning hole generated when the electric role is opened in the first opening pattern, is different from the notification mode of the first notification executed at the second time when the small win game is generated by the winning of a game ball into the specific winning hole generated when the electric role is opened in the second opening pattern.
Alternatively, the first notification is executed at the first time, while the first notification is not executed at the second time,
The notification control means further executes a predetermined notification to prompt the launch of the game ball toward the specific winning hole when the electric role is opened by the first opening pattern,
When the electric role is opened by the second opening pattern, the predetermined notification is not executed.
This is a gaming machine characterized by the above.

According to the present invention, it is possible to easily distinguish whether a game ball has entered the specific winning port when the electric device is opened according to the first opening pattern, or whether a game ball has entered the specific winning port when the electric device is opened according to the second opening pattern.
Furthermore, according to the present invention, when a game ball enters the specific winning port while the electric device relating to the second opening pattern is in an open state, the possibility that the winning is fraudulent can be increased.

In addition, the first notification may be any notification that is initiated at the same time as or during the start of a small win game.
Furthermore, it is preferable that the timing for the end of the first notification is during the small win game when the first notification was initiated, but the first notification may also end during the big win game caused by the small win game.

In addition, in the present invention, "different notification modes" does not necessarily mean that the notifications executed by the same device are different, as in the present embodiment described above, but also means that the ease of recognition of a target notification changes depending on the combination of the target notification with other notifications that are started at the same time as the notification is started, and the number or combination of devices that execute the notifications is different.

The specific winning opening is not limited to the second start opening as in the present embodiment described below, but may be of any type as long as it is equipped with an electric device and the opening and closing of the electric device controls whether or not a winning is possible. In particular, the specific winning opening may be a special electric operation opening that generates a small winning game regardless of whether or not a winning is made.

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

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

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

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

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

The front frame 20 is supported by a hinge mechanism 21 so as to be rotatable about the left end side, and can be opened and closed relative to the middle frame 17. The front frame 20 can be locked and unlocked by a cylinder lock 23 (by inserting a door key into the cylinder lock 23 and turning the door key in the direction opposite to the unlocking direction of the middle frame 17 (left in this embodiment)).
In addition, the front frame 20 is provided with a transparent member 25 arranged to cover the playing area 50a, and the transparent member 25 protects the playing area 50a and the playing board 50 from view.
The front frame 20 also has an upper ball tray 27 and a lower ball tray 29 for storing game balls, and the upper ball tray 27 and the lower ball tray 29 are spaced apart from each other vertically and are formed integrally with the front frame 20.
In addition, the front frame 20 is provided with an operating handle 31 on the right side of the lower ball tray 29, and by rotating the operating handle 31, the game balls stored in the upper ball tray 27 are launched toward the game area 50a.

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

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

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

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

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

The main display unit 81 can display the changing display of a pattern row that is performed in conjunction with the changing display in the first special pattern display device 91 and the normal pattern display device 93 described below, and can also display various other effects.
In the variable display of the pattern rows (decorative patterns) displayed on the main display unit 81, the displayed decorative patterns form three pattern rows. In this embodiment, the direction of the variable display of each pattern row is downward, but the direction is not particularly limited. For example, it may be upward, left and right, depth, or a combination of these (diagonal direction).
Here, the depth direction refers to a virtual direction recognized by the player in a display mode that uses a technique (e.g., perspective) that makes the player perceive the pattern row as if it is changing from the back of the main display unit 81 to the front or vice versa, even though in reality it is a planar changing display on the display screen of the main display unit 81.
In addition, the decorative symbols in this embodiment include a "1 symbol" that imitates the number "1", a "2 symbol" that imitates the number "2", a "3 symbol" that imitates the number "3", a "4 symbol" that imitates the number "4", a "5 symbol" that imitates the number "5", a "6 symbol" that imitates the number "6", a "7 symbol" that imitates the number "7", an "8 symbol" that imitates the number "8", and a "9 symbol" that imitates the number "9", and these symbols are provided in each symbol row. In the following description, the "1 symbol", "3 symbol", "5 symbol", "7 symbol", and "9 symbol" may be collectively referred to as "odd number symbols", and the "2 symbol", "4 symbol", "6 symbol", and "8 symbol" may be collectively referred to as "even number symbols".

Each of the sub-display sections 82 is not only provided for the purpose of displaying a performance image related to a performance, but is also configured to be movable.
The initial positions of the upper sub-display unit 82a are on the upper side relative to the main display unit 81, the left sub-display unit 82b are on the left side relative to the main display unit 81, and the right sub-display unit 82c are on the right side relative to the main display unit 81, and each of the sub-display units 82 is configured to be movable from these initial positions to a position where the entire display area of the sub-display unit 82 overlaps with the display area of the main display unit 81.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

However, when the special electric device 65 is set from the open state to the closed state based on the entry of a specified number of game balls (10 in this embodiment) in one round, it cannot immediately return to the closed state. Therefore, in one round of play in a big win game or in a small win game, there may be cases where more than the specified number of game balls enter the big win port 55, and such a win may be referred to as an over win.

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

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

A normal electric device 61 is disposed in the flow path connected to the second starting port 59. The normal electric device 61 is a member that can be switched between an open state in which it is easy to insert a game ball into the second starting port 59 and a closed state in which it is difficult to insert the ball, and is switched to either the open state or the closed state by a normal electric device solenoid 62.
More specifically, the normal electric role 61 is opened when the result of the normal winning/losing judgment described later is a normal winning (hereinafter, may be simply referred to as a "normal winning"), and thus winning can be allowed in the second starting hole 59. In this embodiment, the opening pattern when the normal electric role 61 is opened includes a long opening pattern (the opening time of the normal electric role 61 is 5000 ms (milliseconds)) in which the opening time is long and winning in the second starting hole 59 is easy, and a short opening pattern (the opening time of the normal electric role 61 is 300 ms) in which the opening time is short and basically winning in the second starting hole 59 does not occur (winning is difficult).

Gate 63 is located in the center right of game area 50a. A gate sensor 74 is attached to gate 63, and the detection result of gate sensor 74 determines whether or not a win has been made at gate 63. In at least some cases where a win has been made at gate 63, the pattern on the normal map will change. In this embodiment, no prize balls are awarded when gate 63 is won, but a prize ball (e.g., one ball) may be awarded when a win is made. This can reduce the decrease in game balls in the normal map high probability state described below.

The general winning opening 67 is composed of a left general winning opening 67a and a right general winning opening 67b, with the left general winning opening 67a located at the bottom left of the play area 50a and the right general winning opening 67b located at the bottom right of the play area 50a. A general winning opening sensor 73 is attached to each general winning opening 67, and the winning of the general winning opening 67 is determined based on the detection result of the general winning opening sensor 73, and the number of prize balls associated with the general winning opening 67 (4 in this embodiment) is awarded. In addition, due to the arrangement, in the normal low probability (except during a jackpot game) described below in which it is recommended to shoot the game ball into the first flow path X, winning is likely to occur in the left general winning opening 67a, and in the jackpot game and normal high probability in which it is recommended to shoot the game ball into the second flow path Y, winning is likely to occur in the right general winning opening 67b.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The CPU 101 executes various processes related to the main control of the game by reading out various control programs stored in the ROM 102 and performing arithmetic processing.
The RAM 103 is backed up by a backup power source generated in a backup power circuit described later. Specifically, among the information stored in the RAM 103, various information is backed up so that when power is restored (when power is turned on) after a power outage, the data can be used to restore the gaming machine 10 to the state it was in immediately before the power outage. For example, in addition to the data of the stack pointer and each register held at the time of the power outage, information related to the game, such as the state of the gaming machine 10 at that time (a game stop state or a game possible state), the current normal drawing state, etc., are backed up. Note that this information is cleared (initialized) by a RAM clear process. Therefore, after the RAM is cleared, a special pattern variation pattern derivation state PA (low probability of normal drawing described later) is newly set. Furthermore, when a RAM clear process is executed, the pattern string related to the decorative pattern is in a state in which the initial pattern combination is stopped and displayed, and even if the RAM clear process is not executed when the power is turned on and the pattern variation is not being executed at the time of the previous power outage, the initial pattern combination is also stopped and displayed. In addition, this initial symbol combination is displayed statically only when the power is turned on, and is not displayed statically due to the execution of symbol variation.

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

The main control board 100 is also electrically connected to the first start opening sensor 70, the second start opening sensor 71, the large prize opening sensor 72, the general prize opening sensor 73, the gate sensor 74, the out ball sensor 75, the middle frame open door sensor 76, the front frame open door sensor 77, etc., and is configured to be able to input detection signals from these sensors to the CPU 101 via the I/O port 104.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

<Functional configuration of the gaming machine 10>
Next, the functional configuration of the gaming machine 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the gaming machine 10. Note that the functional configuration shown in Fig. 7 is necessary for explaining the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, and the gaming machine 10 may have a functional configuration not shown in Fig. 7. Also, when explaining the functional configuration, Figs. 8 to 12 will be referred to as necessary.

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

First, the main information storage means 160 is a means for temporarily storing data read by the means included in the main control board 100, data derived by calculations in the means, etc., in the corresponding storage areas. In particular, the data (performance control commands) stored in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160 is transmitted to the sub-command management means 270 of the first sub-control board 200 (described later) by the command transmission means after being stored.
In addition to the various presentation control commands described below, the presentation control commands in this embodiment also include those that are sent when a gaming ball enters a winning port, including the general winning port 67. The presentation control command that is sent when a gaming ball enters a winning port includes information that can identify the winning port related to the winning.

The ball entry determination means 110 determines whether a ball has been entered into each winning hole based on the detection results of the sensors installed in each winning hole.

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

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

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

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

8 and 9 are diagrams that diagrammatically show a lottery table used in the main control board 100, and will be referred to as necessary in the following description.
In addition, in a lottery using a lottery table, including other lottery tables, the lottery values stored in the lottery table are added to the read random number in a predetermined order (if there is only one lottery value, the addition is performed once), and a result corresponding to the lottery value where a carry (overflow) occurs is derived as the result of the lottery. Similarly, in the explanation of the lottery table, the lottery table is given a name for convenience of explanation, but it is sufficient that the data such as the lottery value included in the lottery table corresponding to the name is identifiable and stored in each ROM, and these names do not specify the area in which the data is stored. In the illustrated lottery table, items described for convenience of explanation or "-" or "0" may be described as the lottery value, but these do not necessarily indicate the data stored in each ROM. And, there is no winning result for the lottery value "-" or "0". Furthermore, if the same lottery value as the random number range used for the lottery (the number of random numbers that can be obtained within that range) is listed in the lottery table, the result is 100% derived, so there is no need to perform a lottery. Also, if the total value of the lottery values used in one lottery matches the random number range used for the lottery, a carry will always occur in the addition of the last lottery value, so there is no need to perform the addition, and in that case, the lottery value itself used for the addition is also unnecessary.

The special pattern hit/miss judgment means 131 reads out a random number for the special pattern hit/miss judgment for each pattern change, and executes a special pattern hit/miss judgment to determine by lottery whether a big hit, a small hit, or a miss will be won, using the read out random number and a lottery table for the special pattern hit/miss judgment.
8(a) is a diagram showing a schematic drawing of a lottery table for determining whether a special drawing is a hit or a miss, and the drawing table is different between special drawing 1 and special drawing 2, and the range of random numbers used in these determinations is 0 to 65535. Therefore, in the special drawing hit or miss determination in special drawing 1, a big hit is derived with a probability of 205/65536 (about 1/320), and a miss is otherwise obtained, and a small hit is not derived. On the other hand, in the special drawing hit or miss determination in special drawing 2, a big hit is derived with a probability of 205/65536 (about 1/320), and a small hit is derived with a probability of 65331/65536, and a miss is not obtained.
In this embodiment, as described later, a jackpot game can occur via a small jackpot, so the probability of a jackpot being derived in the special chart hit/miss determination is set to the one probability mentioned above.

When the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment is a big hit or a small hit, the special chart stopping pattern selection means 132 determines the special chart stopping pattern by lottery using a random number for special chart stopping pattern selection (in this embodiment, in the range of 0 to 999) and a selection table for special chart stopping pattern selection.
Specifically, as shown in Figure 8 (b), which is a schematic diagram of a lottery table for selecting the stopping patterns used when a jackpot is derived in the special pattern hit/miss judgment related to special pattern 1, when a jackpot is derived in the special pattern hit/miss judgment related to special pattern 1, pattern A is determined as the stopping pattern with a probability of 950/1000 (approximately 1/1.05), and pattern B is determined as the stopping pattern with a probability of 50/1000 (1/20).
Here, regardless of whether pattern A or pattern B is determined, after the end of the jackpot game, the normal pattern will have a high probability of winning, as described below.
Here, the number of rounds of the pattern A is 4, and the pattern A is a stop pattern that becomes a normal high probability after the end of the jackpot game, as described later, and the prescribed number of times (the maximum number of times that the pattern variation related to the normal pattern that continues the normal high probability) related to the normal high probability is 30 times. On the other hand, the number of rounds of the pattern B is 10, and the pattern B is a stop pattern that becomes a normal high probability after the end of the jackpot game, and the prescribed number of times related to the normal high probability is 80 times. Therefore, it can be said that the pattern B is a more advantageous pattern than the pattern A in terms of both the number of rounds and the prescribed number of times related to the normal high probability. In this embodiment, the reason why the prescribed number of times that triggers the end of the normal high probability is the number of times that the pattern variation related to the normal pattern is performed is due to the fact that the main pattern variation in the normal high probability of the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PB and the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PC is the pattern variation related to the normal pattern.

As shown in Figure 8 (c), which is a schematic diagram of a lottery table for selecting the stopping symbols used when a jackpot is derived in the special symbol hit/miss determination related to special symbol 2, when a jackpot is derived in the special symbol hit/miss determination related to special symbol 2, symbol a is determined as the stopping symbol with a probability of 250/1000 (1/4), and symbol b is determined as the stopping symbol with a probability of 750/1000 (approximately 1/1.33).
Here, the number of rounds for pattern a is 4, and the stopping pattern becomes a normal high probability pattern after the end of the jackpot game, and the specified number of times for the normal high probability pattern is 80. On the other hand, the number of rounds for pattern b is 10, and the stopping pattern becomes a normal high probability pattern after the end of the jackpot game, and the specified number of times for the normal high probability pattern is 80. Therefore, it can be said that pattern b is a more advantageous pattern than pattern a in terms of the number of rounds.

As shown in Figure 8 (d), which is a schematic diagram of a lottery table for selecting the stopping patterns used when a small win is derived in the special pattern hit/miss judgment related to special pattern 2, when a small win is derived in the special pattern hit/miss judgment related to special pattern 2, pattern c is determined as the stopping pattern with a probability of 250/1000 (1/4), and pattern d is determined as the stopping pattern with a probability of 750/1000 (approximately 1/1.33).
Here, when a big win game occurs in a small win game related to the pattern c, the number of rounds in the big win game becomes 4, and the stopping pattern becomes a normal high probability after the end of the big win game, and the specified number of times related to the normal high probability is 80. On the other hand, when a big win game occurs in a small win game related to the pattern d, the number of rounds in the big win game becomes 10, and the stopping pattern becomes a normal high probability after the end of the big win game, and the specified number of times related to the normal high probability is 80. Therefore, it can be said that the pattern d is a more advantageous pattern than the pattern c in terms of the number of rounds when a big win game occurs.
Here, the number of rounds in a big win game when a big win game occurs in a small win game is the number of rounds of the small win game. In the following explanation, a big win game caused by a small win game related to the pattern c may be expressed as a "big win game related to the pattern c", and a big win game caused by a small win game related to the pattern d may be expressed as a "big win game related to the pattern d".

In this embodiment, as described above, the rate at which the pattern a is determined, which generates a jackpot game with four rounds, when a jackpot is derived in the special chart hit/miss judgment related to the special chart 2, is the same as the rate at which the pattern c is determined, which generates a jackpot game with four rounds, when a small jackpot is derived in the special chart hit/miss judgment related to the special chart 2, and the rate at which the pattern b is determined, which generates a jackpot game with ten rounds, when a jackpot is derived in the special chart hit/miss judgment related to the special chart 2, is the same as the rate at which the pattern d is determined, which generates a jackpot game with ten rounds, when a small jackpot is derived in the special chart hit/miss judgment related to the special chart 2. Therefore, the advantage of the jackpot game when a jackpot is derived in the special chart hit/miss judgment related to the special chart 2 and the advantage of the jackpot game that occurs when a small jackpot is derived in the special chart hit/miss judgment related to the special chart 2 are the same.

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

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

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

Figure 9 (a) is a schematic diagram showing a special chart change pattern lottery table used for the pattern change related to special chart 1 during the special chart change pattern derivation state PA, and the range of random numbers used in the lottery is 0 to 999.
As shown in Figure 9 (a), in the pattern change related to special chart 1 during the special chart change pattern derivation state PA, special chart change patterns HNP1 to ASP-C can be determined.
Specifically, when the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in the pattern change related to the special chart 1 during the special chart change pattern derivation state PA is a miss, the special chart change pattern HNP1 has a probability of 900/1000 (about 1/1.11), the special chart change pattern HRP has a probability of 52/1000 (about 1/19.2), the HSP1-A has a probability of 13/1000 (about 1/76.9), and the HSP2-B has a probability of 11/1000 (about 1/90). 9) probability of HSP1-B, 9/1000 (about 1/111) probability of HSP2-A, 7/1000 (about 1/143) probability of HSP2-B, 5/1000 (1/200) probability of HSP3-A, 3/1000 (about 1/333) probability of HSP3-B are determined, and in this case, the special pattern variation pattern ASP1-A to the special pattern variation pattern ASP-C are not determined. In addition, the details will be described later using FIG. 9 (b), but when the special pattern variation pattern HNP1 is determined, the special pattern variation pattern is further specified using the value of the special pattern 1 reserved counter at the start of the current pattern variation.
On the other hand, when the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in the pattern change related to the special chart 1 during the special chart change pattern derivation state PA is a jackpot, the special chart change pattern ASP1-A has a probability of 90/1000 (about 1/11.1), the special chart change pattern ASP1-B has a probability of 110/1000 (about 1/9.09), the special chart change pattern ASP2-A has a probability of 135/1000 (about 1/7.41), and the special chart change pattern ASP3-B has a probability of 165/1000 (about 1/6.01). Special chart fluctuation pattern ASP2-B is determined with a probability of 1.06), special chart fluctuation pattern ASP3-A with a probability of 180/1000 (approximately 1/5.56), special chart fluctuation pattern ASP3-B with a probability of 220/1000 (approximately 1/4.56), and special chart fluctuation pattern ASP-C with a probability of 100/1000 (1/10), and in this case, special chart fluctuation pattern HNP1 to special chart fluctuation pattern HSP3-B will not be determined.
In this embodiment, when the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in the pattern fluctuation related to the special chart 1 in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PA is a miss, any one of the special chart fluctuation patterns HRP to HSP3-B is determined at a rate of 100/1000 (1/10), and the special chart fluctuation pattern HNP1 is determined at a rate of 900/1000 (approximately 1/1.11). Furthermore, when the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in the pattern fluctuation related to the special chart 1 in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PA is a big hit, any one of the special chart fluctuation patterns ASP1-A to ASP-C is determined at a rate of 1000/1000 (1/1).
Here, in the description of the special pattern variation pattern of this embodiment, when two special pattern variation patterns are described with "~" between them, the description of the special pattern variation pattern existing between the special pattern variation pattern described earlier and the special pattern variation pattern described later is omitted according to the order described in the drawing related to the special pattern variation pattern lottery table for each special pattern variation pattern derivation state. Also, in the description of the special pattern variation pattern of this embodiment, regardless of whether the corresponding variation time is described or not, if the names of the special pattern variation patterns are different, it indicates that the different special pattern variation patterns are different (different variation times).

Figure 9 (b) is a schematic diagram showing a special chart variation pattern lottery table used when special chart variation pattern HNP1 is determined in the pattern variation related to special chart 1 during special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, and the range of random numbers used in this lottery (different from the random numbers used in the lottery related to the special chart variation pattern lottery table shown in Figure 9 (a)) is 0 to 999.
As shown in Figure 9 (b), the special chart variation patterns HNP1 that can be determined in the pattern variation related to special chart 1 during special chart variation pattern derivation state PA include special chart variation pattern HNP1-A with a variation time of 3200 ms, special chart variation pattern HNP1-B with a variation time of 5600 ms, special chart variation pattern HNP1-C with a variation time of 8000 ms, and special chart variation pattern HNP1-D with a variation time of 11200 ms, in that order of increasing variation time.
Specifically, if the special pattern 1 reserved counter is 3 at the start of the current pattern change, the special pattern change pattern HNP1-A is determined with a probability of 1000/1000 (1/1). Similarly, if the special pattern 1 reserved counter is 2 at the start of the current pattern change, the special pattern change pattern HNP1-A is determined with a probability of 150/1000 (approximately 1/6.67), and the special pattern change pattern HNP1-B is determined with a probability of 850/1000 (approximately 1/1.18). If the special pattern 1 reserved counter is 1 at the start of the current pattern change, the special pattern change pattern HNP1-A is determined with a probability of 50/1000 (1/20), and the special pattern change pattern HNP1-B is determined with a probability of 150/1000 (approximately 1/6.67). At this rate, the special pattern variation pattern HNP1-B is determined, and the special pattern variation pattern HNP1-C is determined with a probability of 800/1000 (1/1.25), and when the special pattern 1 reserved counter at the start of the pattern variation is 0, the special pattern variation pattern HNP1-B is determined with a probability of 50/1000 (1/20), the special pattern variation pattern HNP1-C is determined with a probability of 100/1000 (1/10), and the special pattern variation pattern HNP1-D is determined with a probability of 850/1000 (about 1/1.18). In the following explanation, when the value of the special pattern reserved counter to be referred to is 3, it may be called "reservation 3", when the value of the special pattern reserved counter is 2, it may be called "reservation 2", when the value of the special pattern reserved counter is 1, it may be called "reservation 1", and when the value of the special pattern reserved counter is 0, it may be called "reservation 0".
In this way, when the special pattern change pattern HNP1 is determined in the special pattern change pattern derivation state PA, the special pattern change pattern (change time) that is likely to be determined by the value of the special pattern 1 reserved counter at the start of the current pattern change differs. More specifically, the smaller the value of the special pattern 1 reserved counter at the start of the current pattern change, the more likely it is that a long pattern change will be determined (the larger the value of the special pattern 1 reserved counter at the start of the current pattern change, the more likely it is that a short change time will be determined).

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

The ordinary drawing means 135, like the special drawing means 130, reads out the most recent operation pending information among the operation pending information reserved in the main information storage means 160 when the ordinary drawing pattern is not changing, and uses the read random number to determine whether the ordinary drawing is correct or not, to determine whether the ordinary drawing is correct or not, to draw the ordinary drawing stop pattern to determine the ordinary drawing stop pattern based on the result of the ordinary drawing correct or not, and to determine the ordinary drawing change pattern (change time) based on the determined ordinary drawing stop pattern and the current special drawing change pattern derivation state, etc. Details of these draws will be described below with reference to Figures 10 and 11.
10(a) is a diagram showing a schematic drawing of a lottery table used for determining whether a regular symbol is a winning symbol or not, and the range of random numbers used in this determination is 0 to 65536. FIG. 10(b) is a diagram showing a schematic drawing of a lottery table for drawing regular symbol stop symbols, and the range of random numbers used in this lottery is 0 to 999.
Furthermore, Figure 11 (a) is a schematic diagram showing a lottery table for selecting a normal pattern variation pattern in the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PB, and Figure 11 (b) is a schematic diagram showing a lottery table for selecting a normal pattern variation pattern in the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PC, and the range of random numbers used in these lotteries is 0 to 999.

As shown in Figure 10 (a), the lottery state (regular lottery state) for determining whether the regular drawing is a hit or miss can be a high regular drawing probability or a low regular drawing probability. If the current regular drawing lottery state is a low regular drawing probability, there is a 1/65536 probability of a regular drawing being a hit, and in any other case it is a miss.
On the other hand, if the current state of the regular drawing is a high probability of a regular drawing, the probability of winning a regular drawing is 898/65536 (approximately 1/73.0), and otherwise it is a loss.

When a normal winning combination is derived in the normal winning combination determination, regardless of the type of the current special combination variation pattern derivation state, a lottery for the normal combination stop pattern is executed using the lottery table shown in Figure 10 (b), and in this lottery, the pattern fa is determined with a probability of 700/1000 (approximately 1/1.43) and the pattern fb is determined with a probability of 300/1000 (approximately 1/3.33).
And, when the pattern fa is determined as the normal pattern stop pattern, if the current special pattern variation pattern derivation state is the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PA and the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PB, the above-mentioned short opening pattern is determined, and if the current special pattern variation pattern derivation state is the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PC, the long opening pattern is determined. Also, when the pattern fb is determined as the normal pattern stop pattern, if the current special pattern variation pattern derivation state is the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PA, the short opening pattern is determined, and if the current special pattern variation pattern derivation state is the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PB and the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PC, the long opening pattern is determined.
In addition, if the result of the normal winning/losing judgment is a loss, the pattern fc is uniformly determined as the normal winning/losing stopping pattern.

Next, as shown in FIG. 11(a), in the pattern fluctuation related to the ordinary pattern during the special pattern fluctuation pattern derivation state PB, ordinary pattern fluctuation pattern HNP2 to ordinary pattern fluctuation pattern ASP-F can be determined.
Specifically, when pattern fa or pattern fc is determined as the normal map stopping pattern in the pattern change related to the normal map during the special map change pattern derivation state PB, normal map change pattern HNP2 is determined with a probability of 960/1000 (approximately 1/1.04), normal map change pattern HSP-D with a probability of 20/1000 (1/50), normal map change pattern HSP-E with a probability of 15/1000 (approximately 1/66.7), and normal map change pattern HSP-F with a probability of 5/1000 (1/200), and in this case, normal map change pattern ASP-D to normal map change pattern ASP-F are not determined.
On the other hand, when the pattern fb is determined as the normal pattern stopping pattern in the pattern change related to the normal pattern during the special pattern change pattern derivation state PB, the normal pattern change pattern ASP-D is determined with a probability of 500/1000 (1/2), the ASP-E with a probability of 350/1000 (approximately 1/2.86), and the ASP-F with a probability of 150/1000 (approximately 1/6.67), and in this case, the normal pattern change pattern HNP2 to the normal pattern change pattern HSP-F are not determined.
In this embodiment, when the pattern fa or pattern fc is determined as the normal map stop pattern in the pattern variation related to the normal map in the special map variation pattern derivation state PB, any one of the normal map variation patterns HSP-D to HSP-F is determined at a rate of 40/1000 (1/25), and the normal map variation pattern HNP2 is determined at a rate of 960/1000 (about 1/1.04). Furthermore, when the pattern fb is determined as the normal map stop pattern in the pattern variation related to the normal map in the special map variation pattern derivation state PB, any one of the normal map variation patterns ASP-D to ASP-F is determined at a rate of 1000/1000 (1/1).
In addition, in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PB, when the ordinary chart variation pattern HNP2 is determined, unlike when the special chart variation pattern HNP1 is determined, regardless of the number of reserved ordinary chart variations, a predetermined variation time (1000 ms in this embodiment) is determined. This is also the case when the ordinary chart variation pattern HNP2 is determined in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC. Furthermore, in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, the ordinary chart variation pattern HNP2 is determined as the ordinary chart variation pattern regardless of the determined ordinary chart stop pattern, and even when this determination is made, the predetermined variation time is determined regardless of the number of reserved ordinary chart variations.

As shown in FIG. 11(b), in the pattern change related to the ordinary pattern when the special pattern change pattern derivation state PC is in, ordinary pattern change pattern HNP2 to ordinary pattern change pattern ASP-I can be determined.
Specifically, when pattern fc is determined as the regular pattern stopping pattern in the pattern change related to the regular pattern when the special pattern change pattern derivation state PC is in, regular pattern change pattern HNP2 is determined with a probability of 950/1000 (approximately 1/1.05), regular pattern change pattern HSP-G with a probability of 25/1000 (1/40), regular pattern change pattern HSP-H with a probability of 15/1000 (approximately 1/66.7), and regular pattern change pattern HSP-I with a probability of 10/1000 (1/100), and in this case, regular pattern change pattern ASP-G to regular pattern change pattern ASP-I are not determined.
On the other hand, when pattern fa or pattern fb is determined as the regular pattern stopping pattern in the pattern change related to the regular pattern when the special pattern change pattern derivation state PC is in, regular pattern change pattern ASP-G is determined with a probability of 500/1000 (1/2), regular pattern change pattern ASP-H with a probability of 350/1000 (approximately 1/2.86), and regular pattern change pattern ASP-I with a probability of 150/1000 (approximately 1/6.67), and in such case, regular pattern change pattern HNP2 to regular pattern HSP-I are not determined.
In this way, in this embodiment, when the pattern fc is determined as the normal map stop pattern in the pattern variation related to the normal map in the special map variation pattern derivation state PC, any one of the normal map variation patterns HSP-G to HSP-I is determined at a rate of 50/1000 (1/20), and the normal map variation pattern HNP2 is determined at a rate of 950/1000 (approximately 1/1.05). Furthermore, when the pattern fa or pattern fb is determined as the normal map stop pattern in the pattern variation related to the normal map in the special map variation pattern derivation state PC, any one of the normal map variation patterns ASP-G to ASP-I is determined at a rate of 1000/1000 (1/1).

In addition, at the start of pattern fluctuation related to the regular map in the special map fluctuation pattern derivation state PB or the special map fluctuation pattern derivation state PC, the regular map lottery means 135 generates a performance control command (fluctuation start command) including the determined stopping pattern of the regular map and the determined regular map fluctuation pattern as a result of the regular map hit/miss judgment, and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.

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

In addition, the big win game control means 140 starts a small win game when the result of the special winning/unwinning judgment is a small win, and when the game ball passes through a V winning area (not shown) provided in the big win opening 55 during the small win game, the end of the small win game (more precisely, the end of the end demo of the small win game) is used as a trigger to start a big win game corresponding to the small win. Therefore, in this embodiment, the small win game functions as a game that generates a big win game.
In addition, if the game ball does not pass through the V winning area during a small win game, the big win game will not start (occur) after the small win game ends.

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

Furthermore, the pattern display control means 145 causes the normal pattern display device 93 to display the normal pattern in a variable manner in accordance with a variable time corresponding to the determined normal pattern variable pattern of the normal pattern, and after the variable time has elapsed, causes the normal pattern to be displayed in a stopped state with the determined stopping pattern.
The symbol display control means 145 has a regular symbol game timer for managing the time related to the regular symbol (regular symbol variation time, regular symbol stop display time, etc.), and when the regular symbol is stopped and displayed in the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PB or the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PC (regular symbol high probability) (at the timing when the value of the regular symbol game timer becomes "0"), a performance control command (regular symbol variation stop command) for requesting a confirmed stop display of the decorative symbol is generated, and the command is stored in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160. That is, in this embodiment, in the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PB or the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PC, the symbol row related to the decorative symbol varies according to the progress of the pattern variation related to the regular symbol.

In the above-mentioned big win game or small win game, the electric device control means 150 outputs a control signal to the special electric device solenoid 66, and opens the special electric device 65 according to an opening pattern corresponding to the stopping pattern of the special chart.
In addition, when the result of the normal winning/losing judgment is a normal winning, the electric role control means 150 determines the opening pattern (short opening pattern or long opening pattern) according to the current special pattern variation pattern derivation state as described above, and then outputs a control signal to the normal electric role solenoid 62 to open the normal electric role 61 according to the determined opening pattern. In addition, the opening state of the normal electric role 61 in this embodiment ends when either the time of the opening state reaches a specified time (in this embodiment, 300 ms for the short opening pattern and 5000 ms for the long opening pattern) or the game ball enters the second starting hole 59 once in the opening state is satisfied, and the normal electric role 61 is closed.

The game state control means 155 controls the normal drawing state. Specifically, the game state control means 155 sets the normal drawing probability to low regardless of the stopped pattern of the special drawing related to the jackpot game at the start of the jackpot game, and when a specified condition such as the end of the jackpot game is satisfied, sets the normal drawing probability to high until the pattern change related to the normal drawing occurs a specified number of times, and sets the normal drawing probability to low after the pattern change related to the normal drawing occurs a specified number of times. Note that in this embodiment, the normal drawing probability is low during a small win game or a jackpot game. In other words, the normal drawing probability transitions from high to low when the small win game or the jackpot game starts.

Such a general drawing state changes in link with the above-mentioned special drawing variation pattern derivation state, and the transition of the special drawing variation pattern derivation state is managed by the game state control means 155. The transition of the special drawing variation pattern derivation state will be described below with reference to Figures 12(a) and 12(b). Note that Figure 12(a) is a state transition diagram showing the transition of the special drawing variation pattern derivation state, and Figure 12(b) is a diagram showing the relationship of the average variation time for each special drawing variation pattern derivation state.
As shown in Fig. 12(a), in the special pattern derivation state, there is a special pattern derivation state PA as a special pattern derivation state corresponding to a normal pattern low probability, and there are a special pattern derivation state PB and a special pattern derivation state PC as special pattern derivation states corresponding to a normal pattern high probability, and any of these special pattern derivation states is set except during a jackpot game. And, there are transition conditions (i) to (v) for the transition conditions between the special pattern derivation state PA and the special pattern derivation state PC.

Specifically, transition condition (i) is the end of a jackpot game related to pattern A, transition condition (ii) is the end of a jackpot game related to pattern B, transition condition (iii) is the end of a jackpot game related to patterns a, b, c, and d, transition condition (iv) is the end of pattern changes related to normal patterns when the number of pattern changes related to normal patterns executed without a jackpot game during a normal pattern high probability period is 30, and transition condition (v) is the end of pattern changes related to normal patterns when the number of pattern changes related to normal patterns executed without a jackpot game during a normal pattern high probability period is 80.
In addition, when a big win game occurs in the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PC, the state transitions to the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PC again after the big win game ends, and the number of pattern variations related to the normal pattern that can be executed up to the specified number of times in the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PC is reset. Also, if a big win game does not occur in the small win game derived in the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PB or the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PC, the normal pattern becomes low probability at the start of the small win game and the normal pattern is not set to high probability after that, so in that case, the state transitions to the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PA.

As shown in FIG. 12(b), the average fluctuation time of each of the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PA, the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PB, and the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PC is shorter in the order of special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PA, special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PB, and special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PC. Here, the average fluctuation time refers to the sum of the fluctuation times derived by multiplying the occurrence rate for each of the fluctuation patterns that can be selected in a certain special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state (special chart fluctuation patterns in special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PA, and general chart fluctuation patterns in special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PB or special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PC).

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

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

The main error control means 165 monitors the input information of the I/O port 104 and determines whether the gaming machine 10 is in an error state. If it is determined that the gaming machine 10 is in an error state, it stores a presentation control command (error command) including information that can identify the error state in a transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.

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

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

The return state setting means 176 executes a return state setting process to set a return state based on whether or not there is an abnormality in the RAM 103 when power is restored, the state at the time of the power outage immediately before the power restoration, the state of the RAM clear switch 43 when power is restored, and the state of the inner frame door open sensor 76 when power is restored. The return states set by this process include a game stop state and a game ready state (which may or may not involve the execution of a RAM clear process).
Specifically, if there is an abnormality in the RAM 103 when power is restored, a game-stopped state is set regardless of the state of the RAM clear switch 43 and the state of the middle frame door open sensor 76 when power is restored. Also, if there is no abnormality in the RAM 103 when power is restored and the RAM clear switch 43 is ON (pressed state) when power is restored, the RAM clear process is executed and a playable state is set on the condition that the middle frame door open sensor 76 is ON when power is restored (if the middle frame door open sensor 76 is OFF when power is restored, the RAM clear process is not executed and a playable state is set), and if there is no abnormality in the RAM 103 when power is restored and the RAM clear switch 43 is OFF (not pressed state) when power is restored, the RAM clear process is not executed and a playable state is set.
Here, the game stop state is a return state in which game progress is impossible by not executing processing according to the detection results of the sensors installed at each winning port (it is not necessary to look at the detection results of the sensors themselves).
On the other hand, the playable state is a return state in which the game can be played by executing a process according to the detection result of the sensor provided at each winning port. In particular, if the RAM clear process is not executed when the power is restored, the game returns to the playable state at the time of the previous power outage. For example, if the previous power outage was during a big win game or a small win game, the game returns to the big win game or small win game that was being played, and if the previous power outage was during a pattern change (a pattern change related to a special pattern in the special pattern change pattern derivation state PA, and a pattern change related to a normal pattern in the special pattern change pattern derivation state PB or the special pattern change pattern derivation state PC), the game returns to the pattern change that was being played.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

When the presentation route determination means 222 receives a pre-determination command, it determines (sets) a presentation route corresponding to the target pattern change currently reserved (pattern change related to special pattern 1 if the special pattern change pattern derivation state PA is selected, and pattern change related to normal pattern if the special pattern change pattern derivation state PB or special pattern change pattern derivation state PC is selected) based on the result of the pre-determination included in the command (special pattern change pattern or normal pattern change pattern in this embodiment). Note that, when the change pattern corresponding to the target pattern change is the above-mentioned special pattern change pattern HNP1 or normal pattern change pattern HNP2, the presentation route determination means 222 does not determine a presentation route when a pre-determination command is sent, and at the start of the pattern change, it determines a presentation route based on the change pattern included in the change start command (for example, in the special pattern change pattern derivation state PA, special pattern change pattern HNP1-A to special pattern change pattern HNP1-D).
Here, the presentation route refers to the presentation from the start to the end of the target pattern change, and specifies the process of the presentation that notifies the result of the lottery related to the target pattern change. The content of the presentation executed in the target pattern change is determined by the presentation content determination means 225, which will be described later, in accordance with the presentation route corresponding to the target pattern change.

The performance route in this embodiment is roughly divided into a failure performance route that notifies that the result of the lottery related to the target pattern change this time is a failure (if the current state is the special pattern change pattern derivation state PA, it indicates that the result of the special pattern hit/miss judgment is a miss, if the current state is the special pattern change pattern derivation state PB or the special pattern change pattern derivation state PC, it indicates that the normal pattern hit/miss judgment is a miss, and the normal pattern hit is derived and the short opening pattern is determined), and a winning performance route that notifies that the result of the lottery related to the target pattern change this time is a hit (if the current state is the special pattern change pattern derivation state PA, it indicates that the result of the special pattern hit/miss judgment is a small hit or a big hit, if the current state is the special pattern change pattern derivation state PB or the special pattern change pattern derivation state PC, it indicates that the normal pattern hit is derived and the long opening pattern is determined). Furthermore, the failure performance route includes a non-development failure performance route in which the development performance is not executed, and a development failure performance route in which the development performance is executed. When a winning presentation route is determined, a development presentation is executed.
Here, the development performance refers to a performance that is executed after the decorative symbols are in a reach state (a state in which all decorative symbols except one symbol row are displayed stationary and the remaining symbol rows are displayed in a variable manner), and at the end of which, it is announced whether the result of the lottery for the current target symbol variation is a win or a miss. Therefore, in a development performance that corresponds to a development miss performance route, a series of performances corresponding to the development performance are executed, and at the end of which, it is announced that the result of the lottery for the current target symbol variation is a miss (that the result is not a win). On the other hand, in a development performance that corresponds to a big win performance route, a series of performances corresponding to the development performance are executed, and at the end of which, it is announced that the result of the lottery for the current target symbol variation is a win.
In addition, as described later, in this embodiment, in one presentation mode, one different presentation route corresponds to each of the determined variation patterns. Therefore, in the following description, the presentation route for the variation pattern may be simply expressed as a variation pattern. However, multiple presentation routes may be made to correspond to one variation pattern, and in this case, one presentation route may be determined from the multiple presentation routes corresponding to the determined variation pattern.

When the sub-hold control means 223 receives a hold command (hereinafter, sometimes simply referred to as the occurrence of a hold winning), it sets performance data for displaying a number of hold images corresponding to the hold counter in the hold display area (not shown) of the main display unit 81 based on the hold counter information contained in the command. The hold images change into various forms that indicate the favorability of the hold corresponding to the hold image, such as the expectation of a jackpot game occurring.

When the look-ahead performance control means 224 receives a pre-determination command, it determines the content of the look-ahead performance based on the result of the pre-determination included in the command.
The pre-reading effect is a performance that suggests the expectation for the result of the lottery related to the pattern change of the pre-read target and the content of the performance to be executed during the pattern change of the pre-read target before the pattern change of the pre-read target begins, with the aim of increasing interest in the game.

When the effect content determining means 225 receives a variation start command, it determines the content of the effect to be executed in the current pattern variation according to the presentation route already determined by the presentation route determining means 222.
More specifically, the performance content determining means 225 determines the performance content (performance pattern) for each performance execution timing in the target symbol variation by a lottery using a performance pattern lottery table corresponding to the performance route determined by the performance route determining means 222. In this way, it is possible to change the content of the performance related to (executed according to) the determined performance route, and to provide a connection between the performances in one target symbol variation. Even if the same performance route is determined, it is also possible to diversify the performances to be executed. Note that, for example, the timing for determining the performance content can be the start of the target symbol variation.

When the decorative symbol control means 226 receives a variation start command, it determines the final (determined stop displayed) combination of decorative symbols (left symbol, middle symbol, right symbol) based on the result of the lottery for the target symbol variation contained in the command. In particular, if the current state is the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PA, when the result of the special symbol hit/miss judgment is a big hit or a small hit, a pattern arrangement consisting of the same decorative symbols is determined, otherwise a spread pattern in which at least one decorative symbol is different from the remaining decorative symbols is determined. Also, if the current state is the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PB or the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PC, when the normal symbol hit/miss judgment is a miss or when a normal symbol hit is derived and a short opening pattern is determined, a spread pattern is determined, otherwise a pattern arrangement is determined.

When the jackpot start command is received, the jackpot presentation control means 227 determines the content of the jackpot game presentation that notifies the player that a jackpot game is in progress based on the information included in the command. The jackpot game presentation includes a start demo presentation that notifies the player that a jackpot game has started, a round presentation that notifies the player that a round game is in progress, and an end demo presentation that notifies the player that a jackpot game has ended. Similarly to when a jackpot start command is received, when the jackpot presentation control means 227 receives a presentation control command related to a small jackpot game, it determines the content of the small jackpot game presentation that notifies the player that a small jackpot game is in progress based on the information included in the command.

The normal performance control means 220 reads out performance data for each device corresponding to each performance at the execution timing of that performance, in accordance with the content of the performance determined by the above-mentioned means provided in the first sub-control board 200. If the read performance data includes performance data related to images, an image control command is generated based on that performance data, and the command is stored in a transmission command storage area of the sub-information storage means 260. Furthermore, if the read performance data includes performance data related to sound, an audio control command related to sound is generated based on that performance data, and the command is stored in a transmission command storage area of the sub-information storage means 260.
In particular, when the return state upon power restoration is a playable state accompanied by the execution of a RAM clear process, the normal presentation control means 220 reads presentation data for notifying that a playable state has been achieved accompanied by the execution of a RAM clear process, and when the return state upon power restoration is a playable state without the execution of a RAM clear process, the normal presentation control means 220 reads presentation data for notifying that a playable state has been achieved without the execution of a RAM clear process.
Furthermore, when the recovery state upon power restoration is a game stop state, the normal presentation control means 220 reads out presentation data for notifying not only that the game has been stopped, but also that it is necessary to execute a RAM clear process.
Details of these notifications are omitted, but it is preferable that they continue to be executed for a certain period of time (e.g., 30 seconds) after execution has begun, and the presentation device that executes the notification does not matter.

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

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

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

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

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

As described above, in the gaming machine according to this embodiment, the pattern change according to the special pattern 2, which is executed by the entry of a game ball into the second starting hole 59, which becomes possible to win when the normal electric role 61 is in an open state, is configured to have a higher rate of occurrence of a jackpot game compared to when the pattern change according to the special pattern 1 is executed (particularly, when the pattern change according to the special pattern 2 is executed, a small win or a jackpot is always derived and a jackpot game occurs). And, in order to realize the above-mentioned game characteristics (the transition of the special pattern change pattern derivation state and the difference in the advantage degree related to the special pattern change pattern derivation state), the opening pattern of the normal electric role 61 has a long opening pattern (the opening time of the normal electric role 61 is 5000 ms) in which the opening time is long and it is easy to win the second starting hole 59, and a short opening pattern (the opening time of the normal electric role 61 is 300 ms) in which the opening time is short and basically no winning occurs in the second starting hole 59 (the winning is difficult), and these opening patterns are used differently.
However, even in the short opening pattern described above, the normal electric device 61 will be in the open state. Therefore, when the normal electric device 61 is in the open state in this opening pattern, there is a possibility, although extremely rare, of a game ball winning through the second starting hole 59 even when playing in the normal manner, and in such a case, there is also a possibility that the open state of the normal electric device 61 will be maintained by an illegal device, allowing a game ball to win through the second starting hole 59, which may cause unexpected disadvantages to the hall in which the gaming machine is installed.
In contrast, the gaming machine according to this embodiment has a function that makes it easier to recognize the occurrence of such an irregular winning when a gaming ball enters the second starting hole 59. The details of this function will be described below.

<About the V Aim Notification>
First, using Figures 13 to 15, the details of the V aim notification that can be executed at the start of a small win game in this embodiment will be explained.
FIG. 13 shows a flow of the flag setting process when the second starting port is won, and this process is executed in the timer interrupt process in the first sub-control board 200.
FIG. 14 shows a flow of the V Aim Notification control process, which is executed at the start of a small win game.
15(a) to 15(c) are diagrams showing specific examples of notification modes related to the V aim notification.

As shown in FIG. 13, in step S102, which is the first step of the second start port entry flag setting process that manages the setting of the flag when a game ball enters the second start port 59, it is determined whether or not a game ball has entered the second start port 59. If the condition is met, the process proceeds to step S104, and if the condition is not met, the second start port entry flag setting process is terminated.

In step S104, it is determined whether the opening pattern for the normal electric device 61 at the time when the game ball enters the second starting hole 59 this time is a short opening pattern, and if this condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S106, and if this condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S108.
In addition, this judgment takes into consideration the time lag in the hardware configuration when the normal electric role 61 transitions from an open state to a closed state, and more specifically, it is determined that the ho open pattern is in effect until 500 ms has elapsed even after the open state of the normal electric role 61 related to the short opening pattern has been transitioned to a transition state in terms of control. This is also true for the open state of the normal electric role 61 related to the long opening pattern.

In step S106, the irregular winning flag is set to ON, and then the second starting hole winning flag setting process is terminated.
In step S108, it is determined whether the normal electric device 61 is in a closed state at the time when the game ball enters the second starting hole 59 this time, and if this condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S110, and if this condition is not satisfied, the flag setting process at the time of entry into the second starting hole is terminated.
In step S110, the abnormal winning flag is set to ON, and then the second starting hole winning flag setting process is terminated.

Next, as shown in FIG. 14, in step S202, which is the first step of the V aim notification control process that controls whether or not the V aim notification is executed and the notification mode of the notification, it is determined whether the abnormal winning flag is ON, and if the condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S210, and if the condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S204.
In step S204, it is determined whether or not the irregular winning flag is ON. If the condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S208, and if the condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S206.

In step S206, performance data for executing the V aim notification of the notification mode HA is set. As a result, the V aim notification of the notification mode HA is executed.
Here, the V aim notification in this embodiment is a notification that encourages the launch of a game ball into the large prize opening 55 (particularly, the V prize area provided in the large prize opening 55). Specifically, as shown in Fig. 15(a), in the V aim notification of notification mode HA, a first V aim notification image vg1 including the characters "Aim at V" is displayed in the central area of the display area related to the main display unit 81, and a sound corresponding to the notification image, "Aim at V", is output from the speaker 33. At this time, an instruction image sg that encourages the launch of a game ball into the second flow path Y is displayed in the upper right corner of the display area related to the main display unit 81, and this is the same in Figs. 15(b) and 15(c) described later.

In step S208, performance data for executing the V aim notification of the notification mode HB is set, whereby the V aim notification of the notification mode HB is executed.
15B, in the V aim notification of notification mode HB, a second V aim notification image vg2 including the text "Aim at V" is displayed in the lower area of the display area related to the main display unit 81. At this time, no sound corresponding to the notification image is output from the speaker 33.

In step S210, all flags (irregular winning flag, abnormal winning flag) are set to OFF, and then the V aim notification control process is terminated.

In this manner, in this embodiment, when the normal electric device 61 is in an open state and a game ball enters the second starting hole 59 and a small win game is initiated as a result of this entry, a V aim notification is executed to encourage the game ball to be shot toward the large winning hole 55 which includes the V winning area, and the notification manner of this notification differs depending on the opening pattern of the normal electric device 61 when the game ball enters the second starting hole 59.
This makes it easier to distinguish whether a game ball has entered the second starting hole 59 when the normal electric device 61 related to the long opening pattern is in an open state, or whether a game ball has entered the second starting hole 59 when the normal electric device 61 related to the short opening pattern is in an open state.
In addition, in order to achieve this effect, the V aim notification related to notification mode HB may be prevented from being executed.In this case, while allowing the above-mentioned identification to be made depending on whether or not the V aim notification is executed, it is possible to avoid causing discomfort to players playing in the normal manner.

In addition, in the present invention, "different notification modes" including the display of the symbol combination in the display area 811 and the electric chute opening notification described below, do not necessarily mean that the notifications executed by the same device are different, as in the present embodiment described above, but also mean that the ease of recognition of the target notification changes depending on the combination with other notifications that start at the same time as the target notification starts, and also include different numbers and combinations of devices that execute the notifications.

The subject of the notification to achieve the above-mentioned effect is not limited to the V Aim notification in this embodiment, but may be any notification that is initiated with the start of or during a small win game, such as a V winning notification (specifically, a notification that displays the letter "V" in the display area related to the main display unit 81) that is executed when the game ball passes through the V winning area during a small win game. Furthermore, the timing of the end of the subject of the notification is preferably during the small win game when the notification was initiated, but the notification may also end during the big win game caused by the small win game.

Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, the notification control means (first sub-control board 200, second sub-control board 300) is capable of starting a first notification (Aim for V notification) during a small win game, and the opening patterns of the electric role (normal electric role 61) include a first opening pattern (long opening pattern) and a second opening pattern (short opening pattern) in which it is more difficult for a game ball to enter a specific winning hole compared to the first opening pattern, and when the first notification is executed, the electric role opens in the first opening pattern. The notification mode (notification mode HA) of the first notification executed at the first time when a small win game is generated by the entry of a game ball into a specific winning port (second starting port 59) that occurs when the electric device is opened in the second opening pattern and a small win game is generated by the entry of a game ball into a specific winning port that occurs when the electric device is opened in the second opening pattern is different from the notification mode (notification mode HB) of the first notification executed at the second time when a small win game is generated by the entry of a game ball into a specific winning port that occurs when the electric device is opened in the second opening pattern, or in other words, the first notification is executed at the first time and the first notification is not executed at the second time.

In this embodiment, as shown in the flow from step S202 to step S210 in Fig. 14 and Fig. 15(c), when a game ball enters the second start hole 59 in the closed state of the normal electric role 61, that is, when the possibility of cheating (so-called cheating) is higher than when a game ball enters the second start hole 59 in the open state of the normal electric role 61 related to the short opening pattern, the V aim notification is not executed when a small win game is started due to the winning. That is, in this case, the V aim notification is not executed on any of the performance devices including the main display unit 81 and the speaker 33.
This makes it easier to identify that a game ball has entered the second starting hole 59 when the normal electric device 61 is in a closed state.
In order to achieve this effect, the V-target notification may be executed in a different notification mode from either notification mode HA or notification mode HB, triggered by the entry of a game ball into the second starting hole 59 that occurs when the normal electric role 61 is in a closed state, and a small win game is started. However, by configuring as in this embodiment, it is possible to make it easier to identify that a game ball has entered the second starting hole 59 in the closed state of the normal electric role 61, while making it difficult to generate a big win game in a small win game where there is a higher possibility of fraud, on the premise that the V-target notification related to the notification mode HA and the V-target notification related to the notification mode HB are executed.

Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, the notification mode of the first notification (Aim for V notification) executed at the first time is different from the notification mode of the first notification executed at the second time, and at the third time when a small win game is generated by the entry of a game ball into a specific winning hole (second starting hole 59) that occurs without the electric device (normal electric device 61) being in an opening pattern, the notification mode of the first notification executed at the third time is different from both the notification mode of the first notification executed at the first time and the notification mode of the first notification executed at the second time, or in other words, the first notification is not executed at the third time.

Also, as described above, once the V aim notification control process is executed, the irregular winning flag and the abnormal winning flag are uniformly set to OFF in the process.
Therefore, in this embodiment, when the normal electric device 61 related to one short opening pattern is in an open state and a game ball enters the second starting hole 59 two consecutive times (the open state of the normal electric device 61 related to one short opening pattern ends with a single entry of a game ball into the second starting hole 59, increasing the possibility of fraud), the notification mode of the V aim notification executed in response to the start of the small win game caused by the first of the consecutive wins (notification mode HB due to the irregular win flag being ON) is different from the notification mode of the V aim notification executed in response to the start of the small win game caused by the second of the consecutive wins (notification mode HA due to the irregular win flag being OFF).
According to this, when the game ball enters the second starting hole 59 twice in succession while the normal electric device 61 relating to one short opening pattern is in an open state, it becomes easier to identify the occurrence of these irregular entries.
In order to achieve this effect, the notification mode of the latter (the second of the consecutive winnings) of the V-aim notification may be a different notification mode from the notification mode HA. This also applies to the notification mode of the V-aim notification executed at the start of the small win game that occurs the second time when the game ball wins the second starting hole 59 for one long opening pattern described later occurs twice in a row.

Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, the opening of the electric device (normal electric device 61) related to the second opening pattern (short opening pattern) ends when a game ball enters a specific winning port (second starting port 59) once, and when a game ball enters a specific winning port twice in succession in the second opening pattern, the notification mode (notification mode HB) of the first notification (Aim for V notification) in the small win game caused by the first entry of a game ball into the specific winning port is different from the notification mode of the first notification in the small win game caused by the second entry of a game ball into the specific winning port.

In addition, in this embodiment, when the normal electric device 61 related to one long opening pattern is in an open state and a game ball enters the second starting hole 59 twice in a row (as with a one short opening pattern, the open state of the normal electric device 61 related to one long opening pattern ends with a game ball entering the second starting hole 59 once, which may lead to fraud), the notification mode of the V aim notification executed upon the start of the small win game that occurs at the second of the consecutive winnings, and the notification mode of the V aim notification executed upon the start of the small win game that occurs at the second of the consecutive winnings when the normal electric device 61 related to one short opening pattern is in an open state and a game ball enters the second starting hole 59 twice in a row, are configured to be the same (as described above, it may be notification mode HA, or it may be notification mode HB or a different notification mode from notification mode HA).
According to this, when a game ball enters the second starting hole 59 two times in succession while the normal electric device 61 relating to one long opening pattern is in an open state, it becomes easier to identify the occurrence of an event that is highly likely to be fraudulent.

Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, the opening of the electric device (normal electric device 61) related to the first opening pattern (long opening pattern) ends when a game ball enters a specific winning port (second starting port 59) once, and in other words, the notification mode of the first notification (Aim for V notification) in a small winning game caused by the game ball entering a specific winning port for the second time when two consecutive game balls enter a specific winning port in the first opening pattern is the same as the notification mode of the first notification in a small winning game caused by the game ball entering a specific winning port for the second time when two consecutive game balls enter a specific winning port in the second opening pattern (short opening pattern).

<About notifications during big win games>
Next, with reference to FIG. 16, the details of the symbol matching display displayed during a big win game generated by a small win game will be described.
16(a) to 16(c) are diagrams specifically showing the display mode of the pattern matching display and the presence or absence of display during a big win game caused by a small win game.

As shown in Figure 16 (a), when a game ball enters the second starting hole 59 (normal entry) while the normal electric device 61 relating to the long opening pattern is in the open state, and a big win game is started via a small win game caused by the entry, a combination of decorative patterns (particularly matching patterns) stopped and displayed in the normal pattern variation that determined the opening of the normal electric device 61 relating to the long opening pattern is displayed in a reduced size in display area 811 of the display area related to the main display unit 81.
On the other hand, as shown in Figures 16(b) and 16(c), when the normal electric role 61 related to the short opening pattern is in an open state and a game ball enters the second starting hole 59 (irregular entry), or when the normal electric role 61 is in a closed state and a game ball enters the second starting hole 59 (abnormal entry), a big win game is started via a small win game caused by such entry, and no decorative pattern matching is displayed in the display area 811. More specifically, in these examples, an image of "???" (an image that is neither a pattern matching nor a combination of decorative patterns) is displayed in the display area 811.

This makes it easier to identify that the current jackpot game has occurred based on the occurrence of an irregular win or abnormal win, regardless of the possibility of fraud.
In order to achieve this effect, in a jackpot game that occurs based on the occurrence of an irregular win or an abnormal win, a combination of decorative symbols different from the matching symbols that can be displayed in the display area 811 in a jackpot game that occurs based on the occurrence of a normal win may be displayed, such as by displaying a spread pattern in the display area 811. Furthermore, this also includes the case where no image is displayed in the display area 811 in the jackpot game, except for an image displayed in connection with other display areas such as a background image.
Furthermore, in order to achieve this effect, the display target is not limited to the combination of decorative patterns as in this embodiment, but can be anything that is displayed in a jackpot game that occurs based on the occurrence of a normal win but is not displayed based on the occurrence of an irregular win or abnormal win, or anything that has a different display mode displayed in a jackpot game that occurs based on the occurrence of a normal win and a different display mode displayed based on the occurrence of an irregular win or abnormal win.
Furthermore, as long as the display target ends during the jackpot game, it is not limited to being something that starts during the jackpot game, but may be something that starts during the small jackpot game that gives rise to the jackpot game and continues until the jackpot game.
In addition, when a jackpot game occurs without going through a small jackpot game, that is, when a jackpot is derived from a pattern change related to special chart 2, a combination of decorative patterns (matching patterns or scattered patterns) may be displayed in the display area 811 during the jackpot game, but it is preferable not to display a combination of decorative patterns in the display area 811 during the jackpot game.

Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, the notification control means (first sub-control board 200, second sub-control board 300) is capable of executing a second notification (combination of decorative symbols, particularly matching symbols) that is different from the first notification (Aim for V notification), and the second notification is a notification that is executed at least in a jackpot game, and while the second notification is executed in a jackpot game that occurs in a small jackpot game related to the first time, the second notification is not executed in a jackpot game that occurs in a small jackpot game related to the second time and in a jackpot game that occurs in a small jackpot game related to the third time.

In addition, the notification control means (first sub-control board 200, second sub-control board 300) can execute a second notification (combination of decorative symbols) different from the first notification (Aim for V notification), and the second notification is a notification executed at least in a big win game, and the notification mode (pattern alignment) of the second notification executed in a big win game that occurs in a small win game related to the first time is different from both the notification mode of the second notification executed in a big win game that occurs in a small win game related to the second time and the notification mode of the second notification executed in a big win game that occurs in a small win game related to the third time, and the notification mode of the second notification executed in a big win game that occurs in a small win game related to the second time and the notification mode (distributed eyes) of the second notification executed in a big win game that occurs in a small win game related to the third time are the same.

<About the electric chute opening notification>
Next, using Figure 17, the details of the electric chute opening notification that is executed when the normal electric device 61 opens will be explained.
Figures 17(a) and 17(b) are figures specifically showing the notification mode of the electric chute opening notification and whether or not it is executed.

17(a), when the opening pattern of the normal electric role 61 is a long opening pattern, an electric chute opening notification is executed in conjunction with the opening of the normal electric role 61. More specifically, in the electric chute opening notification, an electric chute aim notification image dg including the text "Aim at the electric chute" is displayed, and a sound corresponding to the notification image, "Aim at the electric chute", is output from the speaker 33. At this time, an instruction image sg encouraging the launch of the game ball into the second flow path Y is displayed in the upper right corner of the display area of the main display unit 81, and this is the same in 17(b) described below.
On the other hand, as shown in Figure 17 (b), when the opening pattern of the normal electric device 61 is a short opening pattern, the electric chute opening notification is not executed.

In this way, in this embodiment, when the opening pattern of the normal electric device 61 is a long opening pattern, an electric chute opening notification is executed in conjunction with the opening of the normal electric device 61, whereas when the opening pattern of the normal electric device 61 is a short opening pattern, an electric chute opening notification is not executed.
According to this, when a game ball enters the second starting hole 59 while the normal electric device 61 related to the short opening pattern is in an open state, the possibility that the entry is a fraudulent act can be increased.

Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, the notification control means (first sub-control board 200, second sub-control board 300) executes a predetermined notification (electric chute opening notification) that prompts the launch of the game ball toward the specific winning hole (second starting hole 59) when the electric role (normal electric role 61) is opened by the first opening pattern (long opening pattern), but in other words, does not execute the predetermined notification when the electric role is opened by the second opening pattern (short opening pattern).

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

First, although not described above, as shown in FIG. 11(a), in this embodiment, when pattern fa (a normal map stopping pattern in which the normal electric device 61 is opened in a short opening pattern in the special map variation pattern derivation state PB) is determined as the normal map stopping pattern, the normal map variation pattern is determined using the same lottery table as when pattern fc (a normal map stopping pattern in which the normal electric device 61 is not opened) is determined.
According to this, it is possible to make it difficult to target the opening timing of the normal electric role 61 related to the short opening pattern in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PB.
In order to achieve this effect, the ordinary map variation pattern may be determined so that at least a part of the ordinary map variation pattern that can be determined when the pattern fa is determined as the ordinary map stop pattern in the special map variation pattern derivation state PB can be the same as the ordinary map variation pattern that can be determined when the pattern fc is determined as the ordinary map stop pattern in the special map variation pattern derivation state PB. However, as in this embodiment, it is preferable that the ordinary map variation pattern is determined using the same lottery table in these cases.

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

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

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

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

<Additional Notes>
The present embodiment encompasses the following technical idea.
(1)
A game ball can be launched, and a small win game can be generated based on the game ball entering a specific winning hole that can be won by opening an electric role.
When the game ball passes through a specific area in the small win game, the game machine starts a big win game after the small win game ends,
A notification means;
A notification control means for controlling the notification means;
Equipped with
The notification control means is capable of starting a first notification in the small win game,
The opening pattern of the electric role includes a first opening pattern and a second opening pattern in which it is more difficult for a game ball to enter the specific winning hole than in the first opening pattern.
Regarding the execution of the first notification,
The notification mode of the first notification executed at the first time when the small win game is generated by the winning of a game ball into the specific winning hole generated when the electric role device is opened in the first opening pattern is different from the notification mode of the first notification executed at the second time when the small win game is generated by the winning of a game ball into the specific winning hole generated when the electric role device is opened in the second opening pattern.
Alternatively, the first notification is executed at the first time, while the first notification is not executed at the second time,
The notification control means further executes a predetermined notification to prompt the launch of the game ball toward the specific winning hole when the electric role is opened by the first opening pattern,
When the electric role is opened by the second opening pattern, the predetermined notification is not executed.
A gaming machine characterized by:
(2)
The gaming machine according to (1) above,
The opening of the electric device related to the second opening pattern ends when a game ball enters the specific winning hole once,
When two consecutive entries of a game ball into the specific winning port occur in the second opening pattern, the notification mode of the first notification in the small winning game caused by the first entry of a game ball into the specific winning port is different from the notification mode of the first notification in the small winning game caused by the second entry of a game ball into the specific winning port.
A gaming machine characterized by:
(3)
The gaming machine according to (2) above,
The opening of the electric device according to the first opening pattern ends when a game ball enters the specific winning hole once,
The notification mode of the first notification in the small win game caused by the second entry of a game ball into the specific winning port when two consecutive entries of a game ball into the specific winning port occur in the first opening pattern is the same as the notification mode of the first notification in the small win game caused by the second entry of a game ball into the specific winning port when two consecutive entries of a game ball into the specific winning port occur in the second opening pattern.
A gaming machine characterized by:

10 Gaming machine 15 Outer frame 17 Middle frame 20 Front frame 21 Hinge mechanism 22 Movable decorative body 23 Cylinder lock 25 Transparent member 27 Upper ball tray 29 Lower ball tray 31 Operation handle 32 Upper frame portion 33 (33a, 33b) Speaker 34a, 34b Left and right side frame portions 35 (35a, 35b, 35c) Frame lamp 36 Ball removal mechanism 37 Performance button 38 Cursor button 38a Up cursor button 38b Down cursor button 38c Left cursor button 38d Right cursor button 38e Center cursor button 39 Main operation portion 39a Ball loan button 39b Return button 40 Power switch 43 RAM clear switch 46 Game ball tank 47 Tank rail 48 Payout unit 49 Payout passage 50 Game board 50a Game area 51 Outer rail 52 Windmill 53 Inner rail 54, protective member 55, large prize opening 57, first start opening 59, second start opening 61, normal electric role 62, normal electric role solenoid 63, gate 65, special electric role 66, special electric role solenoid 67, general prize opening 67a, left general prize opening 67b, right general prize opening 69, out opening 70, first start opening sensor 71, second start opening sensor 72, large prize opening sensor 73, general prize opening sensor 74, gate sensor 75, out ball sensor 76, middle frame door open sensor 77, front frame door open sensor 80, performance display device 81, main display section 82, sub-display section 82a, upper sub-display section 82b, left sub-display section 82c, right sub-display section 90, pattern display device 91, first special pattern display device 92, second special pattern display device 93, normal pattern display device 94, first special pattern reserved lamp 95, second special pattern reserved lamp 96 Normal symbol reserved lamp 100 Main control board 101 CPU
102 ROM
103 RAM
104 I/O port 105 Random number circuit 109 Main control board case 110 Ball entry determination means 115 Main random number generation means 120 Main hold control means 125 Advance determination means 130 Special chart lottery means 131 Special chart win/loss determination means 132 Special chart stop pattern lottery means 133 Special chart change pattern derivation means 135 Regular chart lottery means 140 Big win game control means 145 Pattern display control means 150 Electric role control means 155 Game state control means 160 Main information storage means 165 Main error control means 170 Main command management means 175 Power restoration process execution means 176 Recovery state setting means 179 Playable state transition means 180 Power cut process execution means 200 First sub-control board 201 CPU
202 ROM
203 RAM
204 I/O port 209 First sub-control board case 210 Sub-random number generation means 220 Normal presentation control means 221 Presentation mode control means 222 Presentation route determination means 223 Sub-hold control means 224 Pre-reading presentation control means 225 Presentation content determination means 226 Decoration pattern control means 227 Big win presentation control means 230 Sub-error control means 240 Lamp control means 245 Movable role control means 260 Sub-information storage means 270 Sub-command management means 300 Second sub-control board 301 CPU
302 ROM
303 RAM
304 I/O port 309 Second sub-control board case 310 Audio control board 311 CPU
312 ROM
313 RAM
314 I/O port 400 Payout control board 409 Payout control board case 500 Power supply control board 501 Normal power supply circuit 502 Backup power supply circuit 503 Power interruption detection circuit 509 Power supply control board case 811 Display area vg1 Aim for the first V notification image vg2 Aim for the second V notification image sg Instruction image dg Aim for the electric chute notification image X First flow path Y Second flow path

Claims (2)

A game ball can be launched, and a small win game can be generated based on the game ball entering a specific winning hole that can be won by opening an electric role.
When the game ball passes through a specific area in the small win game, the game machine starts a big win game after the small win game ends,
A notification means;
A notification control means for controlling the notification means;
Equipped with
The notification control means is capable of starting a first notification in the small win game,
The invention has a normal state and a winning-prone state in which the electric device is more likely to be opened than in the normal state,
The opening pattern of the electric device in the winning-prone state includes a first opening pattern and a second opening pattern in which it is more difficult for a game ball to enter the specific winning hole than in the first opening pattern.
Another notification may be executed in parallel with the first notification,
The first notification is executed at the first time when the small win game is generated by the entry of a game ball into the specific winning hole generated when the electric role is opened in the first opening pattern , and the first notification is executed at the second time when the small win game is generated by the entry of a game ball into the specific winning hole generated when the electric role is opened in the second opening pattern. Either one of the first notification and the other notification is executed in parallel,
The notification control means further executes a predetermined notification to prompt the launch of the game ball toward the specific winning hole when the electric role is opened by the first opening pattern,
When the electric role is opened by the second opening pattern, the predetermined notification is not executed.
A gaming machine characterized by: A game ball can be launched, and a small win game can be generated based on the game ball entering a specific winning hole that can be won by opening an electric role.
When the game ball passes through a specific area in the small win game, the game machine starts a big win game after the small win game ends,
A notification means;
A notification control means for controlling the notification means;
Equipped with
The notification control means is capable of starting a first notification in the small win game,
The opening pattern of the electric role includes a first opening pattern and a second opening pattern in which it is more difficult for a game ball to enter the specific winning hole than in the first opening pattern,
Regarding the execution of the first notification,
The notification mode of the first notification executed at the first time when the small win game is generated by the winning of a game ball into the specific winning hole which occurs when the electric role device is opened in the first opening pattern, is different from the notification mode of the first notification executed at the second time when the small win game is generated by the winning of a game ball into the specific winning hole which occurs when the electric role device is opened in the second opening pattern,
Alternatively, the first notification is executed at the first time, and the first notification is not executed at the second time,
The notification control means further executes a predetermined notification to prompt the launch of the game ball toward the specific winning hole when the electric role is opened by the first opening pattern,
When the electric role is opened by the second opening pattern, the predetermined notification is not executed,
The opening of the electric device related to the second opening pattern ends when a game ball enters the specific winning hole once,
When two consecutive entries of a game ball into the specific winning port occur in the second opening pattern, the notification mode of the first notification in the small winning game caused by the first entry of a game ball into the specific winning port is different from the notification mode of the first notification in the small winning game caused by the second entry of a game ball into the specific winning port.
A gaming machine characterized by:

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