JP7797026B2 - gaming machines - Google Patents

Description

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

Some of the gaming machines described above are configured to determine whether a win or loss occurs each time the start conditions are met, and each time a win or loss determination is made, an image of the symbol game is displayed on the display, thereby informing the player of the result of the determination. Some of these gaming machines are equipped with an operating means. This operating means is operated by the player to change settings related to the symbol game, and is activated when the game is stopped and both the symbol game and the special game have stopped.

JP 2010-17425 A

An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that can improve operability .

A gaming machine of a first invention for solving the above-mentioned problems comprises a first operation means operable by a player, a second operation means operable by a player, a determination means (main control circuit 40) for determining whether or not to execute a special game advantageous to the player each time a starting condition is established, a special symbol display control means for, when the determination is made, variably displaying a special symbol on a predetermined special symbol display means and then statically displaying a special symbol indicating the result of the determination, and a presentation control means for controlling presentations, wherein the presentation control means executes a symbol game including variably displaying a presentation symbol indicating the result of the determination in accordance with the variably displaying of the special symbol, and executes the symbol game in any one of a plurality of presentation modes, and an image displayed during the execution of the symbol game includes an image of the symbol game, a presentation mode setting image indicating the setting of a presentation mode related to the symbol game, and an image of the first operation means. and a second image that prompts the player to operate the second operating means, and the presentation control means is capable of starting to display the second image when the symbol game image, the presentation mode setting image, and the first image are displayed, and displaying the symbol game image , the presentation mode setting image, the first image, and the second image together, and when the second operating means is operated when the symbol game image, the presentation mode setting image , the first image , and the second image are displayed together , executing a change-adding presentation that adds a change to the symbol game image being displayed , and when the first operating means is operated, updating the display of the presentation mode setting image to show another presentation mode different from the presentation mode before the operation of the first operating means, without erasing the first image being displayed .

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention (a perspective view showing the appearance of a pachinko gaming machine); A diagram showing a game board Figure showing the front frame Block diagram showing the electrical configuration (a) is a diagram showing a list of random number counters, (b) is a diagram showing a normal chart hit determination table, (c) is a diagram showing a normal chart fluctuation display time table, (d) is a diagram showing a normal chart game pattern table, (e) is a diagram showing a jackpot determination table, (f) is a diagram showing a fall determination table, (g) is a diagram showing a special chart 1 jackpot type table, (h) is a diagram showing a special chart 2 jackpot type table, (i) is a diagram showing a special chart 1 area, and (j) is a diagram showing a special chart 2 area. (a) is a diagram showing the special chart 1 variation pattern table, and (b) is a diagram showing the special chart 2 variation pattern table. (a) is a diagram showing a game pattern table, and (b) is a flowchart showing the main processing of the main control circuit. Flowchart showing timer interrupt processing of the main control circuit (a) is a flowchart showing the special diagram 2 processing of the main control circuit, and (b) is a flowchart showing the special diagram 1 processing Flowchart showing the time-saving count update process of the main control circuit Flowchart showing the fall determination process of the main control circuit (a) is a diagram for explaining the transition of game modes, and (b) and (c) are diagrams for explaining the transition of presentation modes. (a) to (d) are diagrams showing background images of the effect symbol game, and (e) is a diagram showing a list of the effect contents of the effect symbol game. A diagram to explain normal effects and simultaneous stop effects for all figures A diagram to explain the normal reach effect A diagram to explain the special reach effect (battle effect) (a) is a diagram for explaining the big win game performance, (b) and (c) are diagrams showing the special chart pre-reading reception area, (d) is a diagram for explaining the reserved performance, and (e) is a diagram for explaining the pattern group. A diagram to explain the button preview effect Flowchart showing button preview effect processing A diagram to explain the flow of the effect pattern game after the button notice effect ends with a failure ending. A diagram to explain the flow of the effect pattern game after the button preview effect ends with a successful conclusion A diagram for explaining the flow of button effect 1 (a) is a flowchart showing the button effect processing, (b) to (d) are diagrams showing button effect tables. A diagram to explain the flow of the game when a button notice effect occurs in this effect pattern game. A diagram to explain the round promotion effects 1A is a flowchart showing a round promotion effect process, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing an effect determination table. (a) is a flowchart showing the main processing, and (b) is a flowchart showing the timer interrupt processing. (a) is a flowchart showing the received command analysis process, and (b) is a flowchart showing the symbol game performance start process. FIG. 21(d) shows Example 2. FIG. 10 shows Example 3 (a diagram for explaining button quick press game 1) A diagram for explaining button quick press game 2 A diagram for explaining the start timing of button quick press games 1 and 2. 10A and 10B are diagrams showing Example 4 (a is a diagram showing the firing handle, and b is a diagram showing an image in chance mode). 10A to 10D are diagrams for explaining tilt advance notice effects, and FIG. 10E is a flowchart showing tilt advance notice effect processing. 34(a) to (d) showing the fifth embodiment FIG. 10 shows Example 6 (a diagram for explaining the pre-reach tilt notice effect). (a) to (c) are diagrams showing operation buttons, (d) is a flowchart showing the reach before and after tilt advance notice performance processing, and (e) to (f) are diagrams showing the tilt advance notice performance table. A diagram to explain the tilt notice effect after reaching 34(a) to (d) showing Example 7 10A and 10B are diagrams showing an eighth embodiment (a is a diagram showing a switch unit, b is a diagram showing an individual setting image and a mode setting image, and c is a diagram showing a list of submodes). 1A to 1D are diagrams showing individual setting images, and FIG. 1E is a flowchart showing setting operation processing 1. (a) is a flowchart showing the setting operation process 2, and (b) is a flowchart showing the switch process 1. (a) Flowchart showing switch processing 2, (b) shows a mode setting image. A diagram to explain button operation effects (a) is a flowchart showing the button operation effect processing, (b) and (c) are diagrams showing the effect table. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an image when a button operation effect is started while an individual setting image and a mode setting image are displayed. A diagram for explaining an image when a switch is operated while an individual setting image, a mode setting image, and a button design are displayed. 9 shows a flowchart of the ninth embodiment (a is a flowchart showing the switch process 1, and b is a flowchart showing the switch process 2). Flowchart showing the setting change process

[Example 1]
1. Mechanical Configuration of the Gaming Machine The outer frame 1 in Figure 1 is installed on the machine tray of a pachinko parlor. The outer frame 1 is a vertically long rectangular frame with openings at the front and back, and an inner frame 3 is attached to the left end of the outer frame 1 via a hinge fitting 2. The inner frame 3 is a rectangular container with an opening at the front, and is rotatable relative to the outer frame 1 around the vertical axis of the hinge fitting 2 between a stored position where it is stored within the outer frame 1 and a pulled-out position where it is pulled out forward from within the outer frame 1. As shown in Figure 2, a vertical, flat game board 4 is attached to the inner frame 3. The game board 4 is made of a colorless, transparent synthetic resin and covers the front opening of the inner frame 3 from the front.

As shown in Figure 1, a front frame 5 is attached to the hinge fitting 2. This front frame 5 is a rectangular frame with an opening 6, and a colorless, transparent window plate 7 that covers the opening 6 is fixed to the front frame 5. This front frame 5 is rotatable around the vertical axis of the hinge fitting 2 between a closed state that covers the game board 4 from the front and an open state that exposes the game board 4. When the front frame 5 is in the closed state, the window plate 7 faces the game board 4 from the front via a gap. As shown in Figure 3, an upper tray 8 and a lower tray 9 are fixed to the front frame 5 in two rows, one above the other. The upper tray 8 stores game balls, and the lower tray 9 stores game balls that the upper tray 8 cannot store. The upper tray 8 is equipped with an operation button 10 that can be operated by the player.

A launching device (not shown) is attached to the front frame 5. This launching device has a striking hammer that strikes the game balls and a launching motor that operates the hammer, and game balls are supplied to the striking hammer one by one from the upper tray 8. This launching device supplies a new game ball to the striking hammer each time the hammer strikes a game ball, and as shown in Figure 3, a launching handle 11 is connected to the launching device. This launching handle 11 is attached to the lower right corner of the front frame 5 so that it can be rotated around an axis oriented in the front-to-rear direction, and the force with which the striking hammer strikes the game ball is adjusted according to the amount of clockwise operation (rotation angle) of the launching handle 11.

As shown in Figure 2, an outer rail 12 and an inner rail 13 are fixed to the front of the game board 4. An arc-shaped launch passage 14 is formed between the outer rail 12 and the inner rail 13, and game balls struck by the battering hammer rise from bottom to top within the launch passage 14. The outer rail 12 and the inner rail 13 define a game area 15 on the front of the game board 4. The game area 15 is a circular area connected to the exit at the top of the launch passage 14, and game balls rising within the launch passage 14 are released into the game area 15 from the exit of the launch passage 14. Multiple game pegs (not shown) have been driven into the game area 15, and game balls released into the game area 15 fall within the game area 15 while colliding with the multiple game pegs.

As shown in Figure 2, a left-hitting area 16 and a right-hitting area 17 are defined within the play area 15. The left-hitting area 16 is the area to the left of the center line of the play area 15, and when the launch handle 11 is operated clockwise to a small extent, the game ball is released from the exit of the launch passage 14 into the left-hitting area 16. This type of hitting in which the game ball is released into the left-hitting area 16 is referred to as a left-hitting. The right-hitting area 17 is the area to the right of the center line of the play area 15, and when the launch handle 11 is operated clockwise to a large extent, the game ball is released from the exit of the launch passage 14 through the left-hitting area 16 into the right-hitting area 17. This type of hitting in which the game ball is released into the right-hitting area 17 is referred to as a right-hitting.

As shown in Figure 2, a first starting opening 18, which corresponds to the starting area, is fixed within the game area 15. This first starting opening 18 is pocket-shaped with an open top, allowing game balls to enter from the top. This first starting opening 18 is located between the left-hand hitting area 16 and the right-hand hitting area 17, allowing game balls to easily enter the first starting opening 18 from the top entrance when hitting from the left, but making it difficult to enter when hitting from the right.

As shown in Figure 2, a large prize opening 19, which corresponds to the ball entry area, is fixed within the right-hand play area 17. This large prize opening 19 is shaped like a horizontally long box with an open front and is equipped with a door panel 20. This door panel 20 is rotatable around a horizontal axis (not shown) at its bottom end between a vertically closed state and a horizontally open state. When the door panel 20 is closed, it closes the front entrance of the large prize opening 19 to prevent balls from entering. When a ball is played from the right side with the door panel 20 open, the ball falls onto the door panel 20 and rolls from front to back along the door panel 20, entering the entrance of the large prize opening 19. In other words, the large prize opening 19 allows balls to enter when the ball is played from the right side. A V-shaped entry port (not shown) is provided within the large prize opening 19. This V-shaped entry port is an opening through which a ball that enters the large prize opening 19 can fall, and is equipped with a V-shaped entry panel (not shown). This V-door plate is movable between a closed position that closes the V-winning opening so that game balls cannot fall, and an open position that opens it so that game balls can fall; game balls that enter the large winning opening 19 can fall into the V-winning opening when the V-door plate is in the open position, and cannot fall into the V-winning opening when the V-door plate is in the closed position.

As shown in Figure 2, within the right-hand hitting area 17, a guide plate 21 is fixed below the large prize opening 19. This guide plate 21 slopes downward from right to left, and when the game ball is hit from the right, the game ball falls onto the guide plate 21 and then rolls from right to left along the guide plate 21. Within the right-hand hitting area 17, a regular starting opening 22 is fixed above the large prize opening 19. This regular starting opening 22 is U-shaped with openings on the top and bottom, and when the game ball is hit from the right, the game ball can pass through from the top to the bottom.

As shown in Figure 2, within the game area 15, a second starting hole 23 is fixed, located below the first starting hole 18 and corresponding to the starting area. This second starting hole 23 has an open top and is equipped with an opening/closing member 24. This opening/closing member 24 is movable between a protruding state in which it protrudes and retracts from the front of the game board 4 and a recessed state in which it retracts. When the opening/closing member 24 is in the protruding/retracted state, the entrance on the top of the second starting hole 23 is closed to prevent game balls from entering. The entrance of this second starting hole 23 is open when the opening/closing member 24 is recessed. When the game ball is hit from the right while the second starting hole 23 is open, it rolls from right to left along the guide plate 21 and enters the entrance of the second starting hole 23.

As shown in Figure 2, an LED display 25 is fixed to the gaming board 4. This LED display 25 is located outside the gaming area 15, and displays the result of the win/loss judgment. A decorative frame 26 is fixed to the gaming board 4. This decorative frame 26 is colored and opaque, and has an opening 27. When viewed from the front, this decorative frame 26 is frame-shaped and surrounds the display area E of the effect symbol display 28. As shown in Figure 1, this effect symbol display 28 consists of a color LCD display fixed within the inner frame 3, and the display area E is set to be a horizontally long rectangle. This effect symbol display 28 corresponds to a display, and the display area E of the effect symbol display 28 is visible to the player through the window panel 7, the opening 27 in the decorative frame 26, and the gaming board 4.

As shown in Figure 3, an electric light 29 is fixed to the front frame 5. This electric light 29 is located at the upper end of the front frame 5 and has multiple hemispherical LED covers 30. Each LED cover 30 is set to a translucent white color and houses an LED 31 inside. Each LED 31 is a full-color LED whose color and brightness can be controlled, and each LED cover 30 is illuminated in a manner corresponding to the emitted color and brightness of the LED 31 as the internal LED 31 emits light. Two speakers 32 are fixed to the front frame 5. These speakers 32 face each other left and right with the electric light 29 in between, and each speaker 32 outputs sound forward.

As shown in Figure 2, the inner frame 3 contains a preview effect device 33. This preview effect device 33 has a colored, transparent, hemispherical decorative member 34 and is movable vertically between an upper limit position (see dashed double-dashed line) and a lower limit position (see solid line). The upper limit position of this preview effect device 33 is set above the display area E of the effect symbol display 28, and the preview effect device 33 is not visible to the player when in the upper limit position. The lower limit position of this preview effect device 33 is set to a position that overlaps the display area E of the effect symbol display 28 from the front, and the preview effect device 33 is visible to the player when in the lower limit position. The decorative member 34 of this preview effect device 33 contains a full-color LED 35 (see Figure 4) whose color and brightness can be controlled. This LED 35 serves as a light source, and the decorative member 34 emits light in a color that corresponds to the illumination color of the LED 35 when the LED 35 is lit. This decorative member 34 is connected to a pulse motor 36 (see Figure 4) via an elevation mechanism (not shown), and is moved between an upper limit position and a lower limit position as the pulse motor 36 is driven forward and reverse.

2. Electrical Configuration of the Gaming Machine The main control circuit 40 in Figure 4 is primarily a microcomputer, equipped with ROM, RAM, a CPU, and I/O. This main control circuit 40 controls the game content, such as the special symbol 1 lottery, special symbol 2 lottery, special symbol variable display, jackpot game, small jackpot game, game status setting, normal symbol lottery, normal symbol variable display, and normal symbol game, and corresponds to game control means. The ROM of this main control circuit 40 stores a main processing program, a timer interrupt processing program, a normal symbol hit determination table, a normal symbol variable display time table, a normal symbol game pattern table, a jackpot determination table, a fall determination table, a special symbol 1 jackpot type table, a special symbol 2 jackpot type table, a special symbol 1 variable pattern table, a special symbol 2 variable pattern table, and a game pattern table. The RAM of the main control circuit 40 is configured with a special symbol 1 area and a special symbol 2 area.

As shown in Figure 4, the main control circuit 40 is connected to a first start gate sensor 41, a second start gate sensor 42, a normal gate sensor 43, a large prize gate sensor 44, and a V prize gate sensor 48. The first start gate sensor 41 detects game balls that enter the first start gate 18, the second start gate sensor 42 detects game balls that enter the second start gate 23, the normal gate sensor 43 detects game balls that pass through the normal start gate 22, the large prize gate sensor 44 detects game balls that enter the large prize gate 19, and the V prize gate sensor 48 detects game balls that fall into the V prize gate. The main control circuit 40 is connected to a start gate solenoid 45, a large prize gate solenoid 46, and a V prize gate solenoid 47. The start port solenoid 45 opens and closes the opening/closing member 24 of the second start port 23, the large prize port solenoid 46 opens and closes the door panel 20 of the large prize port 19, and the V prize port solenoid 47 opens and closes the V door panel of the V prize port. An LED display 25 is connected to this main control circuit 40, and the main control circuit 40 controls the display content of the LED display 25 to display a variable special pattern.

The payout control circuit 50 in Figure 4 is primarily a microcomputer. This payout control circuit 50 has ROM, RAM, and a CPU, and when the main control circuit 40 detects signals from the first start hole sensor 41, the second start hole sensor 42, and the large prize hole sensor 44, it sends a payout command to the payout control circuit 50. A prize ball payout device 51 is connected to this payout control circuit 50, and when the payout control circuit 40 detects a payout command from the main control circuit 40, it drives and controls the prize ball payout device 51 to pay out a unit number of game balls as prize balls into the upper tray 8.

The sub-control circuit 60 in Figure 4 is primarily a microcomputer. The main control circuit 40 sends commands to the sub-control circuit 60 according to the progress of the game, and the sub-control circuit 60 sets the display content of the effect symbol display 28, the illumination content of the illumination device 29, the sound content of the speaker 32, and the operation content of the advance notice effect device 33 in response to commands from the main control circuit 40. This sub-control circuit 60 has ROM, RAM, a CPU, I/O, an RTC, a drive circuit, a PWM circuit, a speaker circuit, and a motor circuit, and the ROM stores programs for main processing, reception interrupt processing, and timer interrupt processing. The RAM functions as work memory, and the CPU executes the ROM programs for main processing to timer interrupt processing in response to commands from the main control circuit 40. The operation button 10 is connected to this sub-control circuit 60, and the sub-control circuit 60 detects the operation of the operation button 10 in response to an electrical signal from the operation button 10.

The drive circuit in Figure 4 is primarily a microcomputer. This drive circuit controls the effect symbol display 28 in accordance with the display content settings of the sub-control circuit 60, and has ROM, RAM, CPU, CGROM, CGRAM, and VDP. The ROM stores an image control program for specifying image data, the RAM functions as work memory, and the CPU executes the program in the ROM. The CGROM stores image data for displaying images on the effect symbol display 28, and the VDP reads image data from the CGROM in response to commands from the CPU. The VDP expands the results of the image data read into CGRAM, synthesizes the expanded image data, and draws it in the CGRAM frame buffer, outputting the image drawing results to the effect symbol display 28 as an RGB signal, and the effect symbol display 28 displays the image in color in accordance with the RGB signal from the VDP.

The PWM circuit in Figure 4 is based on a microcomputer, and PWM controls the color and brightness of the multiple LEDs 31 in the illumination device 29 to cause the multiple LED covers 30 in the illumination device 29 to light up according to the lighting settings, and PWM controls the color and brightness of the LEDs 35 in the notice display device 33 to cause the decorative members 34 of the notice display device 33 to light up according to the lighting settings. The speaker circuit in Figure 4 is based on a microcomputer, and controls both speakers 32 to output sound from both speakers 32 at a scale, volume, and tone according to the sound settings. The motor circuit in Figure 4 is based on a microcomputer, and controls the pulse motor 36 to drive forward and backward to move the notice display device 33 between its upper and lower limit positions.

3. Game Functions 3-1. Regular Game 3-1-1. Regular Lottery When the game ball passes through the regular game starting hole 22, the value of the regular game random number in Figure 5 (a) is obtained, and the result of the regular game hit judgment according to the result of the acquisition of the value of the regular game random number is obtained from the regular game hit judgment table in Figure 5 (b). This regular game hit judgment table is set to a non-electric support state and an electric support state, and in the electric support state, the judgment result of a regular game hit is obtained with a higher probability than in the non-electric support state.

3-1-2. Ordinary Map Variation Display When the result of the normal map hit/miss judgment is obtained, the normal map fluctuation display begins. This normal map fluctuation display starts by flashing a predetermined number of LEDs on the LED display 25 in a predetermined pattern, and then stops flashing in either a "normal map hit" or "normal map miss" mode. If the predetermined number of LEDs are judged to be a "normal map hit," they stop flashing in a "normal map hit mode," and if they are judged to be a "normal map miss," they stop flashing in a "normal map miss mode." The required time for this normal map fluctuation display is obtained from the normal map fluctuation display time table in Figure 5 (c). This normal map fluctuation display time table assigns normal map fluctuation times to each of the "electric support state" and "non-electric support state," and a shorter normal map fluctuation display time is obtained in the "electric support state" compared to the "non-electric support state."

3-1-3. Normal gameplay When the normal game display is stopped in the "normal hit" mode, a normal game pattern corresponding to the current game state is selected from the normal game pattern table in Figure 5 (d), and normal gameplay begins with the selection result of the normal game pattern. This normal game opens the second start port 23, and in the "electric support state", the second start port 23 is opened once for a long time (6 seconds) as a normal game, and in the "non-electric support state", the second start port 23 is opened once for a short time (1 second) as a normal game.

3-2. Special Chart 1 Game 3-2-1. Acquisition of Special Chart 1 Game Data When a game ball enters the first starting hole 18, the values of the special chart random number, jackpot type random number, fall random number, and variation pattern random number shown in FIG. 5(a) are acquired, and the acquired values of the special chart random number and the variation pattern random number are stored in RAM as a set of special chart 1 game data. As shown in FIG. 5(i), special chart 1 reserve areas 1 to 4 are set in this RAM, and the special chart 1 game data is stored in the order of acquisition: "Special Chart 1 Reserve Area 4,""Special Chart 1 Reserve Area 3,""Special Chart 1 Reserve Area 2," and "Special Chart 1 Reserve Area 1." In other words, if special chart 1 game data is stored in all special chart 1 reserve areas 1 to 4, the special chart 1 game data in "Special Chart 1 Reserve Area 4" is the oldest, and the special chart 1 game data in "Special Chart 1 Reserve Area 1" is the newest. A state in which special chart 1 game data is stored in all of special chart 1 holding areas 1 to 4 is referred to as the special chart 1 holding number being "4", a state in which special chart 1 game data is stored in three of special chart 1 holding areas 2 to 4 is referred to as the special chart 1 holding number being "3", a state in which special chart 1 game data is stored in two of special chart 1 holding areas 3 to 4 is referred to as the special chart 1 holding number being "2", a state in which special chart 1 game data is stored in one of special chart 1 holding areas 4 is referred to as the special chart 1 holding number being "1", and a state in which special chart 1 game data is not stored in any of special chart 1 holding areas 1 to 4 is referred to as the special chart 1 holding number being "0".

3-2-2. Special Chart 1 Lottery When special chart 1 game data is stored in the "special chart 1 reserve area 4," the special chart 1 lottery is held on the condition that the current game is stopped. This game-stopped state refers to a state in which special chart 1 game, special chart 2 game, jackpot game, and small jackpot game are all stopped, and the special chart 1 lottery is permitted during normal game play. This game-stopped state corresponds to a playable state, and a state in which any one of special chart 1 game, special chart 2 game, jackpot game, and small jackpot game is being played corresponds to a non-playable state.

When special chart 1 game data is stored in "Special Chart 1 Reserve Area 4" while game play is stopped, the storage result of the special chart random number value is detected from "Special Chart 1 Reserve Area 4," and in the "high probability state," a judgment result of "jackpot," "small hit," or "miss" is obtained from the jackpot judgment table for the high probability state in Figure 5 (e) depending on the detection result of the special chart random number value. In the "normal probability state," a judgment result of "jackpot," "small hit," or "miss" is obtained from the jackpot judgment table for the normal probability state depending on the detection result of the special chart random number value. The jackpot judgment probability in this "normal probability state" is set lower than the jackpot judgment probability in the "high probability state," and the judgment probability of a small hit is set the same between the normal probability state and the high probability state. The jackpot probability in this high probability state is "40/1201," and the jackpot probability in the normal probability state is "3/1201."

When a "jackpot" determination result is obtained from the jackpot determination table, the stored value of the jackpot type random number is detected from the "Special Chart 1 Reserve Area 4," and a jackpot type corresponding to the detection result of the jackpot type random number value is obtained from the Special Chart 1 Jackpot Type Table in Figure 5 (g). This Special Chart 1 Jackpot Type Table has three jackpot types set: "Jackpot Pattern 1," "Jackpot Pattern 2," and "Jackpot Pattern 3." When "Jackpot Pattern 1" is obtained and when "Jackpot Pattern 3" is selected, "Electric Support State 1" and "High Probability State" are set, respectively, and when "Jackpot Pattern 2" is obtained, "Electric Support State 2" and "Normal Probability State" are set.

When a jackpot type is determined in response to the obtained "jackpot" determination result, the storage result of the fluctuation pattern random number value is detected from the "Special Chart 1 Reserve Area 4," and the special chart fluctuation pattern and special chart fluctuation display time are selected from the special chart 1 fluctuation pattern table in Figure 6 (a) according to the detection result of the fluctuation pattern random number value. When a "miss" determination result is obtained, the storage result of the fluctuation pattern random number value is detected from the "Special Chart 1 Reserve Area 4," and the special chart fluctuation pattern and special chart fluctuation display time are selected from the special chart 1 fluctuation pattern table in Figure 6 (a) according to the detection result of the fluctuation pattern random number value.

3-2-3. Fall Lottery When a special chart variation pattern and special chart variation display time are selected, the storage result of the value of the fall random number is detected from the "special chart 1 reserve area 4", and either "fall occurred" or "fall did not occur" is selected from the fall determination table in Figure 5 (f) according to the detection result of the value of the fall random number. If "fall occurred" is selected as this determination result, if the current game state is a "high probability state", the "high probability state" is canceled and the "normal probability state" is set instead of the "high probability state".

3-2-4. Special Chart 1 Variation Display When the special chart variation pattern and special chart variation display time are selected, the special chart 1 variation display begins. This special chart 1 variation display causes a predetermined number of LEDs on the LED display 25 to start flashing in a predetermined pattern and then stop flashing. If the predetermined number of LEDs are determined to be a miss, they stop flashing in the "Special Chart 1 Miss"mode; if they are determined to be a jackpot, they stop flashing in the "Big Hit" mode according to the jackpot type judgment result; and if they are determined to be a small hit, they stop flashing in the "Small Hit" mode. The time required from the start of flashing to the end of flashing depends on the selection result of the special chart variation display time.

3-2-5. Small Win Game When a predetermined number of LEDs on the LED display 25 stop flashing in a small win mode, a small win game pattern is selected from the game pattern table shown in Figure 7(a), and small win gameplay begins according to the selected small win game pattern. This small win game pattern consists of an opening period, one round, and an ending period. The round involves keeping the large prize opening 19 open, and the round's open time limit is set to a short value of 0.8 seconds, making it difficult for a game ball to enter the large prize opening 19. This round is played while the V prize opening is closed, and game balls are prohibited from falling into the V prize opening during small win gameplay. The opening period is the period during which the large prize opening 19 is closed, and is a waiting period for the round to begin. The ending period is the period during which the large prize opening 19 is closed, and the period from the start of the opening period to the end of the ending period is called small win game.

3-2-6. Jackpot Game When the predetermined plurality of LEDs of the LED display 25 stop flashing in a manner corresponding to the jackpot type determination result "jackpot pattern 1," jackpot game pattern L is selected from the game pattern table of FIG. 7(a), and jackpot game begins with jackpot game pattern 1. This jackpot game allows game balls to enter the large prize opening 19 by opening and closing the large prize opening 19. In jackpot game pattern L, an opening period is set before the start of the first round and an ending period is set after the end of the final round. The opening period is a period during which the large prize opening 19 is closed, and is a waiting period during which the large prize opening 19 is changed from a state in which game balls cannot enter to a state in which game balls can enter. The ending period is a period during which the large prize opening 19 is closed, and is a period during which the player is made aware that the jackpot game has ended. The period from the start of the opening period to the end of the ending period is called the jackpot game.

Jackpot game pattern L is set to 16 rounds. In each of these rounds, the V entry port 19 remains open until a time limit has elapsed, after which it is closed for a set period of time. If the maximum number of game balls enters the V entry port before the time limit has elapsed, the V entry port is closed for a set period of time without waiting for the time limit to elapse, and then the game ends. In other words, jackpot game pattern L is composed of 16 unit games, with the first round beginning upon the end of the opening period and the ending period beginning upon the elapse of the closing time following the end of the final round. This jackpot game pattern L can pay out a large number of prize balls to the player, and in jackpot game pattern L when jackpot symbol 1 is selected as the jackpot type, game balls are allowed to fall into the V entry port as the V entry port is left open for a set number of rounds (e.g., the 13th through 15th rounds).

When the predetermined number of LEDs on the LED display 25 stop flashing in the pattern corresponding to the jackpot type determination result "jackpot symbol 2" and the pattern corresponding to "jackpot symbol 3," respectively, jackpot game pattern S is selected from the game pattern table in Figure 7(a), and jackpot game begins in jackpot game pattern S. This jackpot game pattern S is set to eight rounds and pays out fewer prize balls to the player than jackpot game pattern L. In jackpot game pattern S when jackpot symbol 3 is selected as the jackpot type, the V prize opening is kept open for a specific number of rounds (e.g., the second through fourth rounds), allowing game balls to fall into the V prize opening. In jackpot game pattern S when jackpot symbol 2 is selected as the jackpot type, the V prize opening is always kept closed, prohibiting game balls from falling into the V prize opening.

3-2-7. Updating the Game State 3-2-7-1. High Probability State and Normal Probability State When "Jackpot Symbol 2" is selected, the "normal probability state" is set when the jackpot game ends, as shown in FIG. 5(g). When "Jackpot Symbol 1" or "Jackpot Symbol 3" is selected, the "high probability state" is set when the jackpot game ends. This "high probability state" is set on the condition that the game ball falls into the V prize opening during the jackpot game. If the game ball does not fall into the V prize opening during the jackpot game, the "normal probability state" is set. This "high probability state" continues until "Fall" is determined.

3-2-7-2. Electric Support State and Non-Electric Support State When "Jackpot Symbol 1" or "Jackpot Symbol 3" is selected, "Electric Support State 1" is set when the jackpot game ends. This "Electric Support State 1" is set to a minimum of "100 times." If the "High Probability State" falls to the "Normal Probability State" in response to a "Fall" being drawn before the total number of times for Special Chart 1 play and Special Chart 2 play reaches the minimum number of times, "Electric Support State 1" continues until the total number of times for Special Chart 1 play and Special Chart 2 play reaches the minimum number of times "100." If the total number of times for Special Chart 1 play and Special Chart 2 play reaches the minimum number of times "100," the "High Probability State" falls to the "Normal Probability State" in response to a "Fall" being drawn, and the "Non-Electric Support State" is set. If "Jackpot Symbol 2" is selected, "Electric Support State 2" is set when the jackpot game ends. This "electric support state 2" has a limit of "100 times," and "electric support state 2" is switched to "non-electric support state" when the total number of times that special chart 1 play and special chart 2 play reaches the limit.

3-2-7-3. Special Chart 1 Prediction When the acquisition result of the special chart 1 game data is stored in one of the special chart 1 reserve areas 1-4 in response to the game ball entering the first starting hole 18, a pre-determination of whether or not the game will be won, a pre-determination of the fluctuation pattern, a pre-determination of the fluctuation display time, and a pre-determination of whether or not the game will fall are made based on the acquisition result of the special chart 1 game data. If the pre-determination result of whether or not the game will be won is a jackpot, a pre-determination of the jackpot type and a pre-determination of the game state are made. These pre-determinations of whether or not the game will be won and the pre-determination of the jackpot type are made in the manner described above, and if the pre-determination result of whether or not the game will be won is a jackpot, a pre-determination of the game state is made based on the pre-determination result of the jackpot type. In other words, if the pre-determination result of the jackpot type is "jackpot symbol 1" or "jackpot symbol 3," a pre-determination of "electric support state 1" or "high probability state" is made, and if it is "jackpot symbol 2," a pre-determination of "electric support state 2" or "normal probability state" is made.

When a pre-determination of whether or not a win/loss has been made and a pre-determination of the game state has been made, the pre-determination results of whether or not a win/loss has been made and the pre-determination results of the game state are stored in RAM as a set of special chart 1 pre-read data. As shown in Figure 5(i), special chart 1 pre-read areas 1-4 are set in this RAM, and special chart 1 pre-read data corresponding to the special chart 1 game data in "special chart 1 reserve area 4" is stored in "special chart 1 pre-read area 4," special chart 1 pre-read data corresponding to the special chart 1 game data in "special chart 1 reserve area 3" is stored in "special chart 1 pre-read area 3," special chart 1 pre-read data corresponding to the special chart 1 game data in "special chart 1 reserve area 2" is stored in "special chart 1 pre-read area 2," and special chart 1 pre-read data corresponding to the special chart 1 game data in "special chart 1 reserve area 1" is stored in "special chart 1 pre-read area 1."

3-3. Special Chart 2 Game 3-3-1. Acquisition of Special Chart 2 Game Data When the game ball enters the second starting hole 23 validly, the special chart random number value, jackpot type random number value, fall random number value, and fluctuation pattern random number value in Figure 5(a) are acquired, and the acquisition results of the special chart random number value to the acquisition results of the fluctuation pattern random number value are stored in RAM as a set of special chart 2 game data. As shown in Figure 5(j), special chart 2 reserve areas 1 to 4 are set in this RAM, and the special chart 2 game data is stored in the order of acquisition in the following order: "Special Chart 2 Reserve Area 4", "Special Chart 2 Reserve Area 3", "Special Chart 2 Reserve Area 2", "Special Chart 2 Reserve Area 1". A state in which special chart 2 game data is stored in all of these special chart 2 reserve areas 1 to 4 is referred to as the special chart 2 reserve number being "4", a state in which special chart 2 game data is stored in three of the special chart 2 reserve areas 2 to 4 is referred to as the special chart 2 reserve number being "3", a state in which special chart 2 game data is stored in two of the special chart 2 reserve areas 3 to 4 is referred to as the special chart 2 reserve number being "2", a state in which special chart 2 game data is stored in one of the special chart 2 reserve areas 4 is referred to as the special chart 2 reserve number being "1", and a state in which special chart 2 game data is not stored in any of the special chart 2 reserve areas 1 to 4 is referred to as the special chart 2 reserve number being "0".

3-3-2. Special Chart 2 Lottery When special chart 2 game data is stored in the "special chart 2 reserve area 4" in a game-stopped state, the storage result of the special chart random number value is detected from the "special chart 2 reserve area 4," and in the "high probability state," a judgment result of "jackpot,""smallhit," or "miss" is obtained from the jackpot judgment table for the high probability state in Figure 5 (e) depending on the detection result of the special chart random number value, and in the "normal probability state," a judgment result of "jackpot,""smallhit," or "miss" is obtained from the jackpot judgment table for the normal probability state depending on the detection result of the special chart random number value. This special chart 2 lottery is performed with priority over the special chart 1 lottery, and when special chart 2 game data is stored in the "special chart 2 reserve area 4," the special chart 2 lottery is performed on the condition that the game is currently stopped. In other words, when both special chart 1 game data and special chart 2 game data exist, the special chart 2 lottery is started according to the special chart 2 game data, and the special chart 1 lottery is started after all of the special chart 2 game data has been drawn.

The Special Chart 2 Jackpot Type Table in Figure 5(h) is used to determine the jackpot type for Special Chart 2. This Special Chart 2 Jackpot Type Table has "Jackpot Pattern 1," "Jackpot Pattern 2," and "Jackpot Pattern 3" set, and when "Jackpot Pattern 1" or "Jackpot Pattern 3" is obtained from the Special Chart 2 Jackpot Type Table, "Electric Support State 1" or "High Probability State" is set, respectively, and when "Jackpot Pattern 2" is obtained from the Special Chart 2 Jackpot Type Table, "Electric Support State 2" or "Normal Probability State" is set. The allocation probability of "jackpot symbol 1" in this special chart 2 jackpot type table is set higher than the allocation probability of "jackpot symbol 1" in the special chart 1 jackpot type table, and when a jackpot is determined to have occurred when the game ball enters the second starting hole 23, the "electric support state 1" and "high probability state" are set with a higher probability than when a jackpot is determined to have occurred when the ball enters the first starting hole 18.

When a jackpot type is determined in response to the obtained "jackpot" judgment result, the storage result of the fluctuation pattern random number value is detected from the "Special Chart 2 Reserve Area 4", and the special chart fluctuation pattern and special chart fluctuation display time are selected from the special chart 2 fluctuation pattern table in Figure 6 (b) according to the detection result of the fluctuation pattern random number value. When a "miss" judgment result is obtained, the storage result of the fluctuation pattern random number value is detected from the "Special Chart 2 Reserve Area 4", and the special chart fluctuation pattern and special chart fluctuation display time are selected from the special chart 2 fluctuation pattern table in Figure 6 (b) according to the detection result of the fluctuation pattern random number value.

3-3-3. Fall Lottery When a special chart variation pattern and special chart variation display time are selected, the storage result of the fall random number value is detected from the "special chart 2 reserve area 4", and either "fall occurred" or "fall did not occur" is selected from the fall determination table in Figure 5 (f) according to the detection result of the fall random number value. If "fall occurred" is selected as this determination result, if the current game state is a "high probability state", the "high probability state" is canceled and the "normal probability state" is set instead of the "high probability state".

3-3-4. Special chart 2 variation display When a special chart variation pattern and special chart variation display time for special chart 2 are selected, the special chart 2 variation display is performed for the required time according to the selection result of the special chart variation display time. This special chart 2 variation display starts flashing the multiple LEDs for special chart 2 of the LED display 25 in a predetermined pattern and then stops flashing, and the LEDs for special chart 2 stop flashing in the "special chart 2 miss" mode if it is determined to be a miss, stops flashing in the "small hit" mode if it is determined to be a "small hit", and stops flashing in the mode according to the judgment result of the big hit type if it is determined to be a big hit.
When a predetermined number of LEDs of the LED indicator 25 stop flashing in the mode of a small win, a small win game pattern is selected from the game pattern table of FIG. 7(a), and the small win game starts according to the selection result of the small win game pattern.

3-3-6. Jackpot Game When the LED for special chart 2 of the LED display 25 stops flashing in a manner corresponding to the result of the jackpot type determination, a jackpot game pattern corresponding to the result of the jackpot type determination is selected from the game pattern table of FIG. 7(a), and the jackpot game starts with the selected result of the jackpot game pattern.
3-3-7. Updating the Game State If "Jackpot Symbol 2" is selected, "Electric Support State 2" and "Normal Probability State" are set when the jackpot game ends, and if "Jackpot Symbol 1" or "Jackpot Symbol 3" is selected, "Electric Support State 1" and "High Probability State" are set when the jackpot game ends. This "High Probability State" is set on the condition that the game ball falls into the V winning hole during the jackpot game, and if the game ball does not fall into the V winning hole during the jackpot game, the "Normal Probability State" is set.

3-3-8. Special Chart 2 Pre-reading When the result of acquiring the special chart 2 game data is stored in one of the special chart 2 reserve areas 1-4 in response to the game ball entering the second starting hole 23, a pre-determination of whether or not the ball will win, a pre-determination of the fluctuation pattern, a pre-determination of the fluctuation display time, and a pre-determination of whether or not the ball will fall are made according to the result of acquiring the special chart 2 game data, and if the pre-determination result of whether or not the ball will win is a jackpot, a pre-determination of the type of jackpot and a pre-determination of the game status are made. These pre-determinations of whether or not the ball will win and the pre-determination of the game status are made in the procedure described above, and the pre-determination results of whether or not the ball will win and the pre-determination results of the game status are stored in RAM as a set of special chart 2 pre-reading data. As shown in Figure 5 (j), special chart 2 pre-reading areas 1 to 4 are set in this RAM, and special chart 2 pre-reading data corresponding to the special chart 2 game data in the "special chart 2 reserve area 4" is stored in the "special chart 2 pre-reading area 4", special chart 2 pre-reading data corresponding to the special chart 2 game data in the "special chart 2 reserve area 3" is stored in the "special chart 2 pre-reading area 3", special chart 2 pre-reading data corresponding to the special chart 2 game data in the "special chart 2 reserve area 2" is stored in the "special chart 2 pre-reading area 2", and special chart 2 pre-reading data corresponding to the special chart 2 game data in the "special chart 2 reserve area 1" is stored in the "special chart 2 pre-reading area 1".

4. Processing Functions of the Main Control Circuit 40 4-1. Main Processing When the main control circuit 40 is powered on, it detects the main processing program shown in Figure 7(b) from the ROM and disables interrupts in S1. Then, it updates the values of the random numbers shown in Figure 5(a) in S2 and enables interrupts in S3. The value of each of these random numbers is incremented by "1" to the current value, and when it is incremented to the upper limit, it is reset to "0" and added again.

4-2. Timer Interrupt Processing When the main control circuit 40 sets interrupt permission in S3, it allows the timer interrupt processing to start in S4. This timer interrupt processing is executed at regular intervals, and the random number update processing in S3 is repeated during the waiting time from the end of the current timer interrupt processing until the start of the next timer interrupt processing.

Figure 8 shows the timer interrupt processing of the main control circuit 40. The main control circuit 40 sends the commands and other information set in the RAM output buffer during the previous timer interrupt processing to the sub-control circuit 60 during the output processing of S11 of this timer interrupt processing. Then, the random number update processing of S12 updates the values of the random numbers in Figure 5(a), and the sensor detection processing of S13 detects the presence or absence of signals from each of the first start gate sensor 41, second start gate sensor 42, regular prize sensor 43, large prize gate sensor 44, and V prize gate sensor 48.

After the main control circuit 40 completes the sensor detection process in S13, it determines in S14 whether or not a signal has been detected from the map sensor 44. If it determines that a signal has not been detected from the map sensor 44, it proceeds to S16. If it determines that a signal has been detected from the map sensor 44, it acquires the value of the map random number in the map game data acquisition process in S15 and then proceeds to S16.

When the main control circuit 40 proceeds to S16, it determines whether a signal from the second start port sensor 42 has been detected. If it determines that a signal from the second start port sensor 42 has not been detected, it proceeds to S19. If it determines that a signal from the second start port sensor 42 has been detected, it compares the special chart 2 reserved number with "4." If it determines that the special chart 2 reserved number is "4," it proceeds to S19. If it determines that the special chart 2 reserved number is less than "4," it acquires special chart 2 game data in S17. Here, the acquired special chart 2 game data is stored in one of special chart 2 reserve areas 1 to 4 according to the storage order, a special chart 2 reserve command is set in the output buffer, and the process proceeds to S18. This special chart 2 reserve command notifies the sub-control circuit 60 of the special chart 2 reserved number, and is sent to the sub-control circuit 60 during the next timer interrupt process.

When the main control circuit 40 proceeds to S18, it performs a preliminary determination of whether or not the game has been won, the fluctuation pattern, the fluctuation display time, the type of jackpot, the presence or absence of a fall, and the game status on the results of the special chart 2 game data acquisition, and stores the preliminary determination results of whether or not the game has been won and the game status as special chart 2 pre-read data in one of special chart 2 pre-read areas 1 to 4 according to the storage order. Next, the stored results of the special chart 2 pre-read data are set in the output buffer of RAM to be sent to the sub-control circuit 81 in the next timer interrupt process, and proceeds to S19.

When the main control circuit 40 proceeds to S19, it determines whether a signal from the first start gate sensor 41 has been detected. If it determines that a signal from the first start gate sensor 41 has not been detected, it proceeds to normal game processing at S22, special game 2 processing at S23, and special game 1 processing at S24, in that order. If it determines that a signal from the first start gate sensor 41 has been detected, it compares the special game 1 reserved number with "4." If it determines that the special game 1 reserved number is "4," it proceeds to S22 through S24, in that order. If it determines that the special game 1 reserved number is less than "4," it acquires the special game 1 game data at S20. Here, the acquired special game data is stored in one of special game 1 reserved areas 1 through 4 according to the storage order, and a special game 1 reserve command is set in the output buffer. This special game 1 reserve command notifies the sub-control circuit 60 of the special game 1 reserved number, and is sent to the sub-control circuit 60 during the next timer interrupt process.

When the main control circuit 40 stores the acquisition results of the special chart 1 game data in S20, in S21 it performs a preliminary judgment of whether it is a win or not, a preliminary judgment of the fluctuation pattern, a preliminary judgment of the fluctuation display time, a preliminary judgment of the type of jackpot, a preliminary judgment of whether it will fall or not, and a preliminary judgment of the game status on the acquisition results of the special chart 1 game data, and stores the preliminary judgment results of whether it is a win or not and the game status as special chart 1 pre-read data in one of the special chart 1 pre-read areas 1 to 4 according to the storage order. Next, the stored result of the special chart 1 pre-read data is set in the output buffer of the RAM to be sent to the sub-control circuit 60 in the next timer interrupt processing, and proceeds in order to S22 to S24.
4-3. General map processing

The main control circuit 40 determines whether the normal win is successful based on the result of the normal win random number value obtained during the normal win process in S22, and selects a normal win display time that corresponds to the current game state from the normal win display time table in Figure 5 (c). Then, the normal win/loss determination result is announced in response to the normal win display being executed based on the normal win display time selection result. If the "normal win" determination result is announced here, a normal win game pattern that corresponds to the current game state is selected from the normal win game pattern table in Figure 5 (d), and the game ball is allowed to enter the second starting hole 23 in response to the normal win game being executed based on the normal win game pattern selection result.

4-4. Special Chart 2 Processing Figure 9 (a) shows the special chart 2 processing of S23, in which the main control circuit 40 selectively executes the special chart 2 lottery processing of S31, the time reduction count update processing of S32, the fall determination processing of S33, the special chart 2 fluctuation stop processing of S34, the small win game processing of S35, and the big win game processing of S36 depending on the setting result of the value of the second pointer P2 in the RAM. The value of this second pointer P2 is initially set to "1" when the power is turned on.

4-4-1. Special Chart 2 Lottery Processing When the value of the second pointer P2 is set to "1", the main control circuit 40 proceeds to the special chart 2 lottery processing of S31. The value of this second pointer P2 is set to "1" when the game is stopped, and the main control circuit 40 determines whether special chart 2 game data is stored in the "special chart 2 reserve area 4" in the special chart 2 lottery processing of S31. If it is determined that special chart 2 game data is not stored in the "special chart 2 reserve area 4", the special chart 2 lottery processing is terminated, and if it is determined that special chart 2 game data is stored in the "special chart 2 reserve area 4", a win/loss determination, a fluctuation pattern determination, and a fluctuation display time determination are made based on the special chart 2 game data in the "special chart 2 reserve area 4", and if the win/loss determination result is a jackpot, a jackpot type determination is made. Then, the results of the hit/miss judgment, the results of the fluctuation pattern judgment, and the results of the jackpot type judgment are set in the output buffer of the RAM to be sent to the sub-control circuit 60 as special chart 2 game data, and a fluctuation start command 2 is set in the output buffer of the RAM to be sent to the sub-control circuit 60.

When the main control circuit 40 sets special chart 2 game data in the output buffer at S31 in Figure 9(a), it starts the special chart variable display and organizes "Special Chart 2 Reserve Area 1" to "Special Chart 2 Reserve Area 4." This process erases special chart 2 game data from "Special Chart 2 Reserve Area 4." If special chart 2 game data is stored in "Special Chart 2 Reserve Area 3," the special chart 2 game data is shifted to "Special Chart 2 Reserve Area 4." If special chart 2 game data is stored in "Special Chart 2 Reserve Area 2," the special chart 2 game data is shifted to "Special Chart 2 Reserve Area 3." If special chart 2 game data is stored in "Special Chart 2 Reserve Area 1," the special chart 2 game data is shifted to "Special Chart 2 Reserve Area 2." After organizing "Special Chart 2 Reserve Areas 1 to 4," the main control circuit 40 organizes "Special Chart 2 Preview Area 1" to "Special Chart 2 Preview Area 4" using the same procedure and sets the value of the second pointer P2 to "2."

4-4-2. Time-Saving Count Update Processing If the value of the second pointer P2 is set to "2," the main control circuit 40 proceeds to the time-saving count update processing in S32. Figure 101 shows the time-saving count update processing. In S41 of Figure 10, the main control circuit 40 determines whether the current game state is "Electric Support State 1,""Electric Support State 2," or "Non-Electric Support State." If the current game state is determined to be "Non-Electric Support State," the value of the second pointer P2 is set to "3" in S48. If the current game state is determined to be "Electric Support State 1" or "Electric Support State 2," the value of the time-saving count counter is incremented in S42. The value of this time-saving count counter measures the number of times the electric support state continues, and the main control circuit 40 sets a time-saving count command when the time-saving count counter is incremented. This time-saving count command notifies the sub-control circuit 60 of the result of adding the value of the time-saving count counter as the number of times the electric support state continues, and when the main control circuit 40 sets the time-saving count command, it sets the setting result of the time-saving count command in the output buffer of RAM in S43 to send it to the sub-control circuit 60, and then proceeds to S44.

When the main control circuit 40 proceeds to S44, it determines whether the current game state is "Electric Support State 2." If it determines that the current game state is "Electric Support State 1," it sets the value of the second ponter P2 to "3" in S48, and if it determines that the game state is "Electric Support State 2," it compares the value of the time-saving count counter with the upper limit of "100" in S45. If it determines that the value of the time-saving count counter is not the upper limit of "100," it sets the value of the second ponter P2 to "3" in S48.

If the main control circuit 40 determines in S45 that the value of the time-saving counter is the upper limit of "100", it changes the current game state from "Electric Support State 2" to "Non-Electric Support State" in S46, and sets an electric support cancel command in the RAM output buffer in S47. This electric support cancel command notifies the sub-control circuit 60 that the state has switched from "Electric Support State 2" to "Non-Electric Support State", and if the main control circuit 40 sets the electric support cancel command in S47, it sets the value of the second ponter P2 to "3" in S48.

4-4-3. Fall Determination Processing If the value of the second pointer P2 is set to "3," the main control circuit 40 proceeds to the fall determination processing of S33 in Figure 9(a). Figure 11 shows the fall determination processing of S33, in which the main control circuit 40 determines whether the current game state is a "high probability state" in S61. If it determines that the current game state is a "normal probability state," it sets the value of the second pointer P2 to "4" in S70, and if it determines that the current game state is a "high probability state," it proceeds to S62. Here, the value of the fall random number is detected from the "Special Chart 2 Reserve Area 4," and a determination result corresponding to the detection result of the fall random number value is detected from the fall determination table in Figure 5(f).

When the main control circuit 40 detects the result of the determination of whether or not a fall has occurred in S62, it determines in S63 whether or not the detection result is "fall has occurred." If it determines that the detection result is "no fall," it sets the value of the second pointer P2 to "4" in S70. If it determines that the detection result is "fall has occurred," it sets the "normal probability state" in place of the "high probability state" in S64, and sets it in the output buffer of RAM in S65 to send a fall command to the sub-control circuit 60. This fall command notifies the sub-control circuit 60 that the "high probability state" has fallen to the "normal probability state," and is sent to the sub-control circuit 60 in the next timer interrupt process.

When the main control circuit 40 sets a fall command in the output buffer in S65, it determines in S66 whether the current game state is "Electric Support State 1." If it determines that the current game state is "Electric Support State 1," it compares the value of the time-saving count counter with "100" in S71. If it determines that the value of the time-saving count counter is less than "100," it changes "Electric Support State 1" to "Electric Support State 2" in S68, sets an electric support change command in the RAM output buffer to be sent to the sub-control circuit 60 in S69, and sets the value of the second pointer P2 to "4" in S70. This electric support change command notifies the sub-control circuit 60 that "Electric Support State 1" has switched to "Electric Support State 2," and is sent to the sub-control circuit 60 during the next timer interrupt process.

If the main control circuit 40 determines in S67 that the time-saving count counter value is "101" or greater, it changes the current game state from "Electric Support State 1" to "Non-Electric Support State" in S71. Then, in S72, it sets an electric support change command to the RAM output buffer to be sent to the sub-control circuit 60, and in S70 sets the value of the second pointer P2 to "4." This electric support cancel command notifies the sub-control circuit 60 that "Electric Support State 1" has switched to "Non-Electric Support State," and is sent to the sub-control circuit 60 in the next timer interrupt process. In other words, if a drop is determined to have occurred in the "High Probability State" or "Electric Support State 1" where the time-saving count counter value is "100" or less, the normal probability state is set, but the electric support state continues. However, if a drop is determined to have occurred in the "High Probability State" or "Electric Support State 1" where the time-saving count counter value is "101" or greater, the "Normal Probability State" or "Non-Electric Support State" is set.

4-4-4. Special Chart 2 Variation Stop Processing If the value of the second pointer P2 is set to "4," the main control circuit 40 proceeds to the special chart 2 variation stop processing of S34 in Figure 9(a). Here, the timer value is incremented and the resulting value is compared with the result of the special chart variation display time determination. If the timer value increment has not reached the result of the special chart variation display time determination, the special chart 2 variation stop processing is terminated. If the timer value increment has reached the result of the special chart variation display time determination, the special chart variation display is stopped in a manner corresponding to the result of the win/loss determination, and a variation stop command 2 is set in the output buffer to be sent to the sub-control circuit 60. If the result of the win/loss determination is "miss," the value of the second pointer P2 is initialized to "1." If the result of the win/loss determination is "small win," the value of the second pointer P2 is set to "5." If the result of the win/loss determination is "big win," the value of the second pointer P2 is set to "6."

4-4-5. Small Win Game Processing When the value of the second pointer P2 is set to "5," the main control circuit 40 proceeds to the small win game processing of S35 in FIG. 9(a), starts a small win game using the small win game pattern, and then sets a small win game start command to the output buffer to be sent to the sub-control circuit 60. When the main control circuit 40 allows the small win game to proceed to the end of the small win game pattern, it ends the small win game, sets a small win game end command to be sent to the output buffer to be sent to the sub-control circuit 60, and sets the value of the second pointer P2 to "1." This small win game involves keeping the V prize opening closed and the large prize opening 19 open, and during small win game, the game ball is prohibited from falling into the V prize opening. In other words, if a small win is determined to have occurred in a high probability state, the high probability state is maintained.

4-4-6. Jackpot Game Processing When the value of the second pointer P2 is set to "6," the main control circuit 40 proceeds to the jackpot game processing of S36 in FIG. 9(a). Here, the jackpot game begins and a jackpot game start command is set in the output buffer to be sent to the sub-control circuit 60. The main control circuit 40 executes the jackpot game using jackpot game pattern L when the jackpot type determination result is "jackpot symbol 1," and executes the jackpot game using jackpot game pattern S when the jackpot type determination result is "jackpot symbol 2" or "jackpot symbol 3." Each time a round is started during jackpot game, a round start command is set in the output buffer and sent to the sub-control circuit 60. This round start command indicates the number of the current round. Each time a round is stopped during jackpot game, the main control circuit 40 sets a round stop command in the output buffer and sends it to the sub-control circuit 60. When the main control circuit 40 has allowed the jackpot game to proceed to the end of the jackpot game pattern, it ends the jackpot game and sets a jackpot game end command in the output buffer to be sent to the sub-control circuit 60.

If the main control circuit 40 determines that the jackpot type is "jackpot symbol 2," it closes the V entry port in each round, thereby prohibiting the game ball from falling into the V entry port. If the main control circuit 40 determines that the jackpot type is "jackpot symbol 1," it opens the V entry port in each of the 13th through 15th rounds, thereby allowing the game ball to fall into the V entry port. If the main control circuit 40 determines that the jackpot type is "jackpot symbol 3," it opens the V entry port in each of the 2nd through 4th rounds, thereby allowing the game ball to fall into the V entry port. This main control circuit 40 monitors whether the game ball has fallen into the V entry port during jackpot play in response to the output signal from the V entry port sensor 48, and records a V entry if it determines that the game ball has fallen into the V entry port.

When the main control circuit 40 allows a jackpot game to proceed to the end of the jackpot game pattern, it detects the jackpot type determination result when the jackpot game ends. If the jackpot type determination result is "jackpot symbol 1" or "jackpot symbol 3," it determines whether a V prize has occurred. If it determines that a V prize has occurred, it sets the game state to "high probability state" and "electric support state 1," resets the time-saving count counter to "0," and initializes the second pointer P2 to "1." It then sets a "high probability command," "electric support command 1," and time-saving count command 0 in the RAM output buffer to be sent to the sub-control circuit 60. This time-saving count command 0 notifies the sub-control circuit 60 that the electric support state has continued for "0 times," the "high probability command" notifies the sub-control circuit 60 that the "high probability state" has been set, and the "electric support command 1" notifies the sub-control circuit 60 that the electric support state has been set for more than "100 times."

If the main control circuit 40 determines that the jackpot type is "jackpot symbol 2," it sets the game state to "normal probability state" and "electric support state 2," resets the value of the time-saving count counter to "0," and initializes the value of the second pointer P2 to "1." It then sets a "normal probability command," "electric support command 2," and time-saving count command 0 in the RAM output buffer to be sent to the sub-control circuit 60. This "normal probability command" notifies the sub-control circuit 60 of the setting of the "normal probability state," and the "electric support command 2" notifies the setting of electric support state 2, with a limit of "100 times."

4-5. Special Chart 1 Processing Figure 9 (b) shows the special chart 1 processing of S24, in which the main control circuit 40 selectively executes the special chart 1 lottery processing of S81, the time reduction count update processing of S82, the fall determination processing of S83, the special chart 1 fluctuation stop processing of S84, the small win game processing of S85, and the big win game processing of S86 depending on the setting result of the value of the first pointer P1 in the RAM. The value of this first pointer P1 is initially set to "1" when the power is turned on.

4-5-1. Special Chart 1 Lottery Processing When the value of the first pointer P1 is set to "1", the main control circuit 40 proceeds to the special chart 1 lottery processing of S81. The value of this first pointer P1 is set to "1" when the game is stopped, and the main control circuit 40 determines whether special chart 1 game data is stored in the "special chart 1 reserve area 4" in the special chart 1 lottery processing of S81. If it is determined that special chart 1 game data is not stored in the "special chart 1 reserve area 4", the special chart 1 lottery processing is terminated, and if it is determined that special chart 1 game data is stored in the "special chart 1 reserve area 4", it determines whether special chart 2 game data is stored in the "special chart 2 reserve area 4".

If the main control circuit 40 determines that special chart 2 game data is stored in the "special chart 2 reserve area 4," it terminates the special chart 1 lottery process. If it determines that special chart 2 game data is not stored in the "special chart 2 reserve area 4," it performs a win/loss determination, a fluctuation pattern determination, and a fluctuation display time determination based on the special chart 1 game data in the "special chart 1 reserve area 4" at S81. If the win/loss determination result is a jackpot, it determines the type of jackpot. These fluctuation pattern determinations and fluctuation display time determinations are made according to the special chart 1 fluctuation pattern table of Figure 6(a). The main control circuit 40 sets the win/loss determination results, fluctuation pattern determination results, and jackpot type determination results in the RAM output buffer to be sent to the sub-control circuit 60 as special chart 1 game data, sets fluctuation start command 1 in the RAM output buffer to be sent to the sub-control circuit 60, and sets the special chart 1 reserve command in the RAM output buffer to be sent to the sub-control circuit 60. This special chart 1 reserve command notifies the sub-control circuit 60 of the number of special chart 1 reserved.

When the main control circuit 40 sets a change start command 1, etc., it starts the special chart change display and then organizes "Special Chart 1 Reserve Area 1" to "Special Chart 1 Reserve Area 4." This process is performed using the same procedure as "Special Chart 2 Reserve Areas 1-4." The main control circuit 40 also organizes "Special Chart 1 Preview Areas 1-4" using the same procedure, and then sets the value of the first pointer P1 to "2." In other words, the special chart 1 lottery process is given a lower priority than the special chart lottery 2 process. If the special chart 2 reserved number is not "0," the special chart 2 lottery process takes priority over the special chart 1 lottery process, and the special chart 1 lottery process begins when the special chart 2 reserved number reaches "0."

4-5-2. Time-saving count update process When the value of the first pointer P1 is set to "2", the main control circuit 40 executes the time-saving count update process of FIG. 10 in S82 and sets the value of the first pointer P1 to "3".
4-5-3. Fall Determination Processing If the value of the first pointer P1 is set to "3", the main control circuit 40 executes the fall determination processing of FIG. 11 in S83 and sets the value of the first pointer P1 to "4".
4-5-4. Special Chart 1 Variation Stop Processing When the value of the first pointer P1 is set to "4", the main control circuit 40 proceeds to the special chart 1 variation stop processing of S84 in FIG. 9(b), and when the addition result of the timer value reaches the judgment result of the special chart variation display time, the special chart 1 variation display is stopped in a manner according to the judgment result of whether it is a hit or a miss, and the output buffer is set to send a variation stop command 1 to the sub-control circuit 60. Then, if the judgment result of whether it is a hit or a miss is "miss", the value of the first pointer P1 is initially set to "1", if the judgment result of whether it is a hit or a miss is "small hit", the value of the first pointer P1 is set to "5", and if the judgment result of whether it is a hit or a miss is "big hit", the value of the first pointer P1 is set to "6".

4-5-5. Small Win Game Processing When the value of the first pointer P1 is set to "5," the main control circuit 40 transitions to the small win game processing of S85 in Figure 9(b), and after starting a small win game in a small win game pattern, sets a small win game start command in the output buffer to be sent to the sub-control circuit 60. When the main control circuit 40 has progressed the small win game to the end of the small win game pattern, it ends the small win game, sets a small win game end command in the output buffer to be sent to the sub-control circuit 60, and sets the value of the first pointer P1 to "1." This small win game keeps the V prize opening closed and the large prize opening 19 open, and during small win game, the game ball is prohibited from falling into the V prize opening.

4-5-6. Jackpot Game Processing When the value of the first pointer P1 is set to "6," the main control circuit 40 proceeds to the jackpot game processing of S86 in Figure 9(b), and after starting the jackpot game, sets a jackpot game start command in the output buffer to be sent to the sub-control circuit 60. This main control circuit 40 executes the jackpot game using jackpot game pattern L when the jackpot type determination result is "jackpot symbol 1," and executes the jackpot game using jackpot game pattern S when the jackpot type determination result is "jackpot symbol 2" or "jackpot symbol 3." Each time a round is started, the main control circuit 40 sets a round start command in the output buffer and sends it to the sub-control circuit 60. Each time a round is stopped during jackpot game, the main control circuit 40 sets a round stop command in the output buffer and sends it to the sub-control circuit 60. When the main control circuit 40 has allowed the jackpot game to proceed to the end of the jackpot game pattern, it ends the jackpot game and sets a jackpot game end command in the output buffer to be sent to the sub-control circuit 60.

When the main control circuit 40 determines that the jackpot type is "jackpot symbol 2," it closes the V entry port in each round. When the main control circuit 40 determines that the jackpot type is "jackpot symbol 1" or "jackpot symbol 3," it opens the V entry port in each of a specific number of rounds. During jackpot play, the main control circuit 40 monitors whether a game ball has fallen into the V entry port in response to the output signal from the V entry port sensor 48. If the jackpot play progresses to the end of the jackpot play pattern, it detects the jackpot type determination result when the jackpot play ends. If the jackpot type determination result is "jackpot symbol 1" or "jackpot symbol 3," it determines whether a V entry occurred. If a V entry is determined to have occurred, it sets the play state to "high probability state" or "electric support state 1," resets the time-saving count counter to "0," and initializes the second pointer P2 to "1." Then, the "high probability command", "electric support command 1", and time-saving count command 0 are set in the RAM output buffer to be sent to the sub-control circuit 60. If the result of the jackpot type determination is "jackpot symbol 2", the main control circuit 40 sets the game state to "normal probability state" and "electric support state 2", resets the value of the time-saving count counter to "0", and initially sets the value of the second pointer P2 to "1". Then, the "normal probability command", "electric support command 2", and time-saving count command 0 are set in the RAM output buffer to be sent to the sub-control circuit 60.

5. Explanation of Game Modes The game flow in Figure 12(a) shows how game modes change, and Figures 12(b) and (c) show the relationship between game modes and presentation modes. When the power is turned on, the normal game mode is set. This normal game mode is the "normal probability state" or "non-electric support state." In normal game mode, a left-hit image prompting the player to hit the game ball left is displayed on the presentation symbol display 28. If the player hits the game ball left-handed in accordance with this left-hit image, the game ball will enter the first starting hole 18. If a jackpot is determined in response to the game ball entering the first starting hole 18, the low-probability time-saving mode or the high-probability time-saving mode will be set.

The low-probability time-saving mode is a state in which "normal probability state" and "electric support state 2" are set, and is set when "jackpot symbol 2" is selected in response to a jackpot determination in normal play mode. The high-probability time-saving mode is a state in which "high probability state" and "electric support state 1" are set, and is set when "jackpot symbol 1" or "jackpot symbol 3" is selected in response to a jackpot determination in normal play mode. In each of these low-probability time-saving mode and high-probability time-saving mode, a right-hit image prompting the player to hit the game ball to the right is displayed on the effect symbol display 28. If the player hits the game ball to the right in accordance with this right-hit image, the game ball will pass through the normal symbol start port 22, and since a hit is determined with a high probability, the second start port 23 will frequently be opened for a long period of time, and the special symbol variation display time for time-saving "1000 msec" will be frequently obtained from the special symbol 2 variation pattern table in Figure 6(b). Therefore, in both the low-probability time-saving mode and the high-probability time-saving mode, the process of determining whether a jackpot or miss is achieved is repeated at shorter intervals than in the normal play mode, increasing the probability of winning the next jackpot with fewer game balls consumed. In other words, both the low-probability time-saving mode and the high-probability time-saving mode are more advantageous to the player than the normal play mode.

In low-probability time-saving mode, the game ball is hit to the right, and if the total number of Special Chart 1 draws and Special Chart 2 draws (in reality, only Special Chart 2 draws) reaches the limit of 100 times without a jackpot being determined in low-probability time-saving mode, the "Non-electric support state" is set instead of "Electric support state 2," and the game transitions to normal game mode. If a jackpot is determined to have occurred before the total number of Special Chart 1 draws and Special Chart 2 draws reaches the limit of 100 times in this low-probability time-saving mode and "Jackpot symbol 2" is selected, the low-probability time-saving mode is repeated, and if "Jackpot symbol 1" or "Jackpot symbol 3" is selected, the game transitions to high-probability time-saving mode. In this high-probability time-saving mode, the game ball is hit to the right, and if "jackpot symbol 2" is selected in response to a determination of a jackpot, the low-probability time-saving mode is set; if "jackpot symbol 1" or "jackpot symbol 3" is selected, the high-probability time-saving mode is set again. This high-probability time-saving mode is a state in which a jackpot is determined with a higher probability than the low-probability time-saving mode, and is a state that is more advantageous to the player than the low-probability time-saving mode, with the degree of advantage to the player being greater in the "high-probability state" than in the "electric support state."

In high-probability time-saving mode, whether or not a drop has occurred is determined each time a special chart 1 or special chart 2 draw is made, and if the total number of special chart 1 and special chart 2 draws does not exceed the limit of 100 times and it is determined that a drop has occurred, the "normal probability state" and "electric support state 2" are set, and the game transitions from high-probability time-saving mode to low-probability time-saving mode. In this high-probability time-saving mode, if the total number of special chart 1 and special chart 2 draws exceeds the limit of 100 times and it is determined that a drop has occurred, the "normal probability state" and "non-electric support state" are set, and the game falls from high-probability time-saving mode to normal play mode all at once.

6. Description of Presentation Modes Presentation modes specify a background image as the presentation content when displaying an image for a presentation symbol game. Presentation modes include normal mode, chance mode, and speed mode. Normal mode is the presentation mode when the normal game mode is set. In normal mode, a normal background image resembling a cityscape is displayed in the display area E of the presentation symbol display 28, as shown in FIG. 13(a). Chance mode is the presentation mode common to both the low-probability time-saving mode and the high-probability time-saving mode. In chance mode, a chance background image resembling four women is displayed in the display area E of the presentation symbol display 28, as shown in FIG. 13(b). Speed mode is entered from chance mode when the total number of times the special symbol 1 and special symbol 2 are drawn exceeds the limit of 100 times while the high-probability time-saving mode is set. In speed mode, a speed background image resembling an ancient landmass is displayed in the display area E of the presentation symbol display 28, as shown in FIG. 13(c).

6-1. Behavior of the Presentation Mode Figure 12 (b) shows the behavior of the presentation mode when jackpot symbol 2 is selected in response to a jackpot determination. In this case, the chance mode is set in response to the low-probability time-saving mode being set at the end of the jackpot play, and the chance background image is displayed from the first presentation symbol play. In this state, if a total of 100 special symbol 1 and special symbol 2 lotteries are performed without a jackpot being determined, the normal play mode is set, and the normal mode is set in response to the setting of the normal play mode, and the normal background image is displayed from the 101st presentation symbol play.

Figure 12(c) shows the behavior of the presentation mode when jackpot pattern 1 or jackpot pattern 3 is selected in response to a determination that a jackpot has occurred. In this case, chance mode is set in response to the high-probability time-saving mode being set at the end of the jackpot play, and the chance background image is displayed from the first presentation pattern play. In this state, if it is determined that a fall has occurred before a total of 100 special pattern 1 and special pattern 2 draws have been performed, low-probability time-saving mode is set as the play mode, but as shown in the upper part of Figure 12(c), chance mode continues as the presentation mode, and the chance background image continues to be displayed. Then, normal mode is set from the 101st presentation pattern play, and the normal background image is displayed.

The bottom part of Figure 12 (c) shows the behavior of the presentation mode when a total of 100 or more Special Chart 1 and Special Chart 2 drawings are performed without a fall being determined when Chance Mode is set in accordance with High Probability Time-Shortening Mode. In this case, Speed Mode is set from the 101st presentation symbol play, and a speed background image is displayed, giving the player the impression that they have been promoted to High Probability Time-Shortening Mode. If a fall is determined to have occurred when Speed Mode is set, Normal Mode is set in accordance with the normal play mode setting, and the normal background image is displayed from the next time.

6-2. Performance symbol game The performance symbol game image starts in time synchronization with the start of the special symbol 1 variable display or special symbol 2 variable display by the sub-control circuit 60, and ends in time synchronization with the end of the special symbol 1 variable display or special symbol 2 variable display. This performance symbol game image is displayed superimposed on top of the background image corresponding to the performance mode, and in normal mode it is displayed superimposed on top of the normal background image. This performance symbol game image is displayed superimposed on top of the chance background image in chance mode, and in speed mode it is displayed superimposed on top of the speed background image.

The image for effect symbol games displays effect symbols consisting of the numbers "1" through "9" in three horizontal columns on the left, middle, and right in a scrolling and stopped state, with each column scrolling in ascending order from "1" to "2" ... "9" before returning from "9" to "1" and repeating. The scrolling display in each column stops at one of the numbers "1" through "9," with the odd numbers "1, 3, 5, 7, 9" in each column set to red and the even numbers "2, 4, 6, 8" in each column set to blue. The effect symbols in the left, middle, and right columns each correspond to symbol elements, the effect symbols in the three columns correspond to identification symbols, the scrolling state corresponds to a changing state, the stopped scrolling state corresponds to a stopped changing state, and effect symbol games correspond to symbol games.

When the three-column scrolling display is stopped, there are three types of combinations set: "jackpot combinations," "miss reach combinations," and "complete miss combinations." Miss reach combinations are combinations in which the left and right columns are identical but the middle column is different, and are set by the sub-control circuit 60 when the main control circuit 40 transmits a special symbol variation pattern for a miss (PH01-PH05). Complete miss combinations are combinations in which the left and right columns are different, and are set by the sub-control circuit 60 when the main control circuit 40 transmits a special symbol variation pattern for a miss (PH06-PH07). Jackpot combinations are combinations in which the three columns are identical, and are set by the sub-control circuit 60 when the main control circuit 40 transmits a special symbol variation pattern for a jackpot (PO00-PO05). This sub-control circuit 60 sets the three rows of effect symbols to an odd jackpot combination when it receives the jackpot types "jackpot symbol 1" or "jackpot symbol 3" from the main control circuit 40, and sets the three rows of effect symbols to either an odd jackpot combination or an even jackpot combination when it receives the jackpot type "jackpot symbol 2" from the main control circuit 40. In other words, an odd jackpot combination suggests to the player that a high probability electric support mode will be set, and an even jackpot combination suggests to the player that either a high probability electric support mode or a low probability electric support mode will be set, and neither an odd jackpot combination nor an even jackpot combination suggests to the player the number of rounds of jackpot play.

Figure 13 (d) is a list of the effects for effect symbol games, and there are four types of effects set for effect symbol games: "normal effect," "all symbols stop simultaneously effect," "normal reach effect," and "special reach effect." Normal effects begin with the "start of the three-column scrolling display," and the "stop of the scrolling display" is set to the order of "left column," "right column," and "middle column." This normal effect is set by the sub-control circuit 60 when the main control circuit 40 transmits the special symbol variation pattern PH06 for a loss, and as shown in Figures 14 (a), (b), (c), and (d), in normal effects, a "complete loss combination" is completed as the three-column scrolling display stops in the order of "left column," "right column," and "middle column."

As shown in Figure 13(d), the simultaneous stop of all symbols effect is initiated by the "start of three-column scrolling display," and the "stop of scrolling display" is set to three columns simultaneously. This "simultaneous stop of all symbols effect" is set by the sub-control circuit 60 when the main control circuit 40 transmits the special symbol variation pattern PH07 for a miss, and in the "simultaneous stop of all symbols effect," a "complete miss combination" is completed when the three columns of scrolling display stop simultaneously, as shown in Figures 14(a) and (d). This simultaneous stop of all symbols effect ends in the shortest time (1000 msec) of all special symbol variation display times, and in the low-probability time-saving mode and high-probability time-saving mode, the variation display time is shortened in response to the high probability of "special symbol variation pattern PH07" being selected.

As shown in Figure 13(d), the normal reach effect begins with the "start of three-column scrolling display," and is set to "slow scrolling speed" for the "middle column" before "stopping scrolling display." This normal reach effect is set by the sub-control circuit 60 when the main control circuit 40 transmits the special chart variation pattern PH05 for a miss and the special chart variation pattern PO05 for a jackpot. As shown in Figures 15(a), (b), and (c), in the "normal reach effect," when the "stopping of scrolling display" is performed in the order of the "left column" and "right column," the "left column" and "right column" enter the same reach state, and the scrolling display of the "middle column" switches from normal speed to slow speed in the reach state.

In the "normal reach presentation" for a miss, the scrolling display of the "middle column" stops at a different presentation pattern from the "left column" and "right column," and in the "normal reach presentation" for a miss, the miss reach combination is completed when the scrolling display of the final "middle column" stops, as shown in Figure 15(e). In the "normal reach presentation" for a jackpot, the scrolling display of this "middle column" stops at the same presentation pattern as the "left column" and "right column," and in the "normal reach presentation" for a jackpot, the jackpot combination is completed when the scrolling display of the final "middle column" stops, as shown in Figure 15(d).

As shown in Figure 13 (d), the special reach effect begins with the "start of three-column scrolling display," and is set to "slow scrolling speed" for the "middle column" before "stopping scrolling display." This special reach effect is set by the sub-control circuit 60 when the main control circuit 40 transmits special chart change patterns PH01-PH04 for misses and special chart change patterns PO01-PO04 for jackpots. In the "special reach effect," a reach state occurs when the "stopping of scrolling display" is performed in the order of the "left column" and "right column," and the scrolling display of the "middle column" is switched from normal speed to slow speed in the reach state.

As shown in Figure 13 (d), the special reach effect is set by "reducing the scrolling speed" for the "middle row" followed by "removing three rows," and in this special reach effect, three rows of effect symbols are removed in the reach state. This special reach effect is set by "removing three rows" and "battle effect" after the normal reach effect. Figure 16 shows battle images BL1 to BL4 that are displayed as battle effects. Each of these battle images BL1 to BL4 begins displaying with the three rows of effect symbols removed, and is set to show the silhouette of a woman in a karate uniform fighting an enemy dinosaur with her bare hands.

As shown in Figure 16(a), battle image BL1 is set to show the enemy as "dinosaur D1." This battle image BL1 depicts dinosaur D1 fighting a female silhouette W, and is displayed when the main control circuit 40 transmits the "special chart variation pattern PO01" for a jackpot and the "special chart variation pattern PH01" for a miss. As shown in Figure 16(b), battle image BL2 is set to show the enemy as "dinosaur D2," and is displayed when the main control circuit 40 transmits the "special chart variation pattern PO02" for a jackpot and the "special chart variation pattern PH02" for a miss. As shown in Figure 16(c), battle image BL3 is set to show the enemy as "dinosaur D3," and is displayed when the main control circuit 40 transmits the "special chart variation pattern PO03" for a jackpot and the "special chart variation pattern PH03" for a miss. As shown in Figure 16(d), battle image BL4 is set to have the enemy "dinosaur D4," and is displayed when the main control circuit 40 transmits the "special chart variation pattern PO04" for a jackpot, and when it transmits the "special chart variation pattern PH04" for a miss. The reliability of jackpots for these battle images BL1 to BL4 is set in the order of "battle image BL4," "battle image BL3," "battle image BL2," and "battle image BL1" (see Figure 6).

Each of the battle images BL1 to BL4 has two possible endings: a winning ending and a losing ending. As shown in Figure 16 (e), a winning ending suggests that the female protagonist's silhouette W has won, and is displayed when a "special chart variation pattern PO01 to PO04" for a jackpot is transmitted. As shown in Figure 16 (f), a losing ending suggests that the female protagonist's silhouette W has lost, and is displayed when a "special chart variation pattern PH01 to PH04" for a miss is transmitted. This losing ending corresponds to a losing ending, and a winning ending corresponds to a winning ending.

As shown in Figure 13(d), the special reach effect is a "battle effect" followed by a "three-row static display." As shown in Figure 16(e), in the special reach effect for a jackpot, after the protagonist wins a fight in each of the battle images BL1 to BL4, a victory ending image is displayed, followed by three rows of effect symbols in a jackpot combination. As shown in Figure 16(f), in the special reach effect for a loss, after the protagonist loses a fight in each of the battle images BL1 to BL4, a defeat ending image is displayed, followed by three rows of effect symbols in a loss reach combination.

6-3. Jackpot Game Presentation The jackpot game presentation displays a background image for the jackpot game presentation within the display area E of the presentation symbol display 28, and begins when a jackpot game begins and ends when the jackpot game ends. Figure 17(a) shows an image of a jackpot game presentation. The image of this jackpot game presentation consists of an image of two dancing female silhouettes, and in front of the image of the jackpot game presentation are superimposed an image that says "Hit Right," encouraging the player to hit right, and an image that says "X (X is the number of rounds) R," informing the player of the current round number.

6-4. Prize ball acquisition effect During a jackpot game effect, a prize ball acquisition effect is performed. As shown in Figure 17(a), this prize ball acquisition effect displays prize ball acquisition information superimposed on the image of the jackpot game effect. The prize ball acquisition information counts up the number of prize balls that the player can acquire in the currently ongoing jackpot game from an initial value of "0" to an end value by "80" per round. In a jackpot game of 16-round jackpot game pattern L, the end value of the prize ball acquisition information is set to "1280," and in a jackpot game of 8-round jackpot game pattern S, the end value of the prize ball acquisition information is set to "640."

6-5. Look-ahead function As shown in Figure 17 (b), special chart 1 look-ahead receiving areas 1 to 4 are set in the RAM of the sub-control circuit 60, and the sub-control circuit 60 stores the reception result of the special chart 1 look-ahead data in one of the special chart 1 look-ahead receiving areas 1 to 4 each time it receives special chart 1 look-ahead data from the main control circuit 40. These special chart 1 look-ahead receiving areas 1 to 4 are set with a higher storage priority in the order of "special chart 1 look-ahead receiving area 1", "special chart 1 look-ahead receiving area 2", "special chart 1 look-ahead receiving area 3", and "special chart 1 look-ahead receiving area 4", and the storage process of the special chart 1 look-ahead data is performed in the blank special chart 1 look-ahead receiving area 1 to 4 with the highest number and the highest priority.

When the sub-control circuit 60 starts displaying the effect symbol game image in response to receiving special symbol 1 game data, it organizes the "special symbol 1 pre-read receiving areas 1-4." This process erases the special symbol 1 pre-read data from the "special symbol 1 pre-read receiving area 4." If special symbol 1 pre-read data is stored in the "special symbol 1 pre-read receiving area 3," the special symbol 1 pre-read data is shifted to the "special symbol 1 pre-read receiving area 4." If special symbol 1 pre-read data is stored in the "special symbol 1 pre-read receiving area 2," the special symbol 1 pre-read data is shifted to the "special symbol 1 pre-read receiving area 3." If special symbol 1 pre-read data is stored in the "special symbol 1 pre-read receiving area 1," the special symbol 1 pre-read data is shifted to the "special symbol 1 pre-read receiving area 2." In other words, the special symbol 1 pre-read receiving areas 1-4 of the sub-control circuit 60 always store the same special symbol 1 pre-read data in the same order as the special symbol 1 pre-read areas 1-4 of the main control circuit 40.

As shown in Figure 17(c), special chart 2 pre-read receiving areas 1 to 4 are set in the RAM of the sub-control circuit 60, and each time the sub-control circuit 60 receives special chart 2 pre-read data from the main control circuit 40, it stores the results of the special chart 2 pre-read data in one of the special chart 2 pre-read receiving areas 1 to 4. These special chart 2 pre-read receiving areas 1 to 4 are set with increasing storage priority in the order of "Special chart 2 pre-read receiving area 1," "Special chart 2 pre-read receiving area 2," "Special chart 2 pre-read receiving area 3," and "Special chart 2 pre-read receiving area 4," and the storage process for special chart 2 pre-read data is performed in the blank special chart 2 pre-read receiving area 1 to 4 with the highest number and highest priority.

When the sub-control circuit 60 starts displaying the image of the effect symbol game in response to receiving the special symbol 2 game data, it organizes the "special symbol 2 advance read receiving areas 1-4." This process is performed in the same procedure as the special symbol 1 advance read receiving areas 1-4, and the special symbol 2 advance read receiving areas 1-4 of the sub-control circuit 60 always store the same special symbol 2 advance read data in the same order as the special symbol 2 advance read areas 1-4 of the main control circuit 40.

17(d), a reserved display area H0 is set within the display area E of the effect symbol display device 28, and the sub-control circuit 60 starts displaying one cloud image C within the reserved display area H0 in response to starting to display the image of the current effect symbol game in each of the normal mode, chance mode, and speed mode. This sub-control circuit 60 erases the cloud image C from within the reserved display area H0 in response to stopping the display of the image of the current effect symbol game, and while the image of the effect symbol game is displayed, the cloud image C is continuously displayed within the reserved display area H0.

As shown in Figure 17 (d), pending display areas H1 to H4 are set within display area E of effect symbol display device 28. These pending display areas H1 to H4 are arranged in a horizontal row, and in normal mode, the sub-control circuit 60 displays one cloud image C in pending display area H1 when special symbol 1 preview data is stored in special symbol 1 preview receiving area 4, displays one cloud image C in pending display area H2 when special symbol 1 preview data is stored in special symbol 1 preview receiving area 3, displays one cloud image C in pending display area H3 when special symbol 1 preview data is stored in special symbol 1 preview receiving area 2, and displays one cloud image C in pending display area H4 when special symbol 1 preview data is stored in special symbol 1 preview receiving area 1.

In chance mode and speed mode, the sub-control circuit 60 displays one cloud image C in the hold display area H1 when special chart 2 pre-read data is stored in special chart 2 pre-read receiving area 4, displays one cloud image C in the hold display area H2 when special chart 2 pre-read data is stored in special chart 2 pre-read receiving area 3, displays one cloud image C in the hold display area H3 when special chart 2 pre-read data is stored in special chart 2 pre-read receiving area 2, and displays one cloud image C in the hold display area H4 when special chart 2 pre-read data is stored in special chart 2 pre-read receiving area 1. In other words, in normal mode, the hold effect displays a number of cloud images C corresponding to the number of special chart 1 pre-reads, and in chance mode and speed mode, displays a number of cloud images C corresponding to the number of special chart 2 pre-reads.

6-7. Chance Mode Symbol Effects The upper row of Figure 17(e) shows the normal symbol group. This normal symbol group consists of nine types of number symbols from "1" to "9." When the effect mode is set to normal mode or speed mode, the effect symbols for each column are selected from the normal symbol group. The lower row of Figure 17(e) shows the chance symbol group. This chance symbol group consists of a total of 10 types of symbols, including nine types of number symbols from "1" to "9" and one type of character symbol M. When the effect mode is set to chance mode, the effect symbols for the left column and the right column are each selected from the 10 types of the chance symbol group, and the effect symbols for the middle column are selected from the nine types of "1" to "9."

6-8. Button Preview Performance Figure 18 explains the button preview performance. This button preview performance is executed when the performance mode is set to chance mode, and begins when the performance symbol in the left column stops and displays as a character symbol M from the chance symbol group while three columns of performance symbols are scrolling (see a → b). This button preview performance has a failure ending and a success ending. The failure ending is when the performance symbol in the right column stops and displays as a number symbol "4" (see b → c), and the success ending is when the performance symbol in the right column stops and displays as the same character symbol M as the left column (see b → d).

The button preview performance process in Figure 19 is initiated when the sub-control circuit 60 receives special symbol 2 game data from the main control circuit 40, and the sub-control circuit 60 determines whether or not to execute a button preview performance in the button preview performance process in Figure 19. If the sub-control circuit 60 determines that a button preview performance should be executed, it determines whether the button preview performance will end with a successful outcome or a failed outcome, and executes the button preview performance for the current performance symbol game according to the determination result. When the sub-control circuit 60 initiates the button preview performance process, it determines in S201 whether the current performance mode is chance mode. If it determines that it is chance mode, it proceeds to S202 and determines whether the reception result of the special symbol 2 game data includes any of the eight determination results (PO01-PO04 and PH01-PH04) of the special symbol variation pattern for battle performances.

If the sub-control circuit 60 determines in S202 that there is a determination result for a special symbol variation pattern for battle effects, it proceeds to S203 and determines whether the reception results of the special symbol 2 game data include either the jackpot type "jackpot symbol 1" or "jackpot symbol 3" for high probability electric support mode. If it determines that there is a jackpot type for high probability electric support mode, it proceeds to S204 and determines with 100% probability that a button preview effect for a successful outcome will be executed in this effect symbol game. If the sub-control circuit 60 determines in S203 that there is no jackpot type for high probability electric support mode, it proceeds to S205 and determines whether the reception results of the special symbol 2 game data include the jackpot type for low probability electric support mode, "jackpot symbol 2." If it is determined that there is a jackpot type for low probability electric support mode here, S206 determines with 100% probability that a button preview effect with a failure ending will be executed for this performance symbol play, but if it is determined that there is no jackpot type for low probability electric support mode, it moves to S207. Here, it determines with 20% probability that a button preview effect will be executed for this performance symbol play, and if it is determined that a button preview effect will be executed, it determines with 50% probability that both a successful ending and a failure ending will be executed.

Figure 20 explains the flow of the effect symbol game when a button preview effect with a failure ending is executed during this effect symbol game. In this case, after the button preview effect ends with a failure ending, the character symbol M in the left column changes to the number symbol "4," developing into a normal reach effect of "4↓4" (see a → b), and the normal reach effect develops into a battle effect with one of the battle images BL1 to BL4 (see b → c). This battle effect ends with either a defeat ending of "434" (see d) or a victory ending of "444" (see e). If the battle effect ends with a victory ending of "444," a low-probability electric support mode is set after eight rounds of jackpot play. In other words, the failure ending of the button preview effect indicates to the player that high-probability electric support mode will not be set.

6-9. Button effect 1
An operation button group (not shown) consisting of multiple operation buttons is attached to the upper tray 8. This operation button group includes an operation button for adjusting the volume of the speaker 32 and an operation button for adjusting the brightness of the effect symbol display 28, and each of the multiple operation buttons in the operation button group is visible and operable by the player. As shown in FIG. 21 , this operation button group includes an operation button 10 (see d). This operation button 10 is semi-transparent and white, hemispherical, and is attached to the surface of the upper tray 8 so that it can be operated by the player. A full-color LED 10a is housed inside this operation button 10, and the sub-control circuit 60 controls and drives the LED 10a to illuminate the operation button 10. This LED 10a switches from an off state to a red (R) illumination state when the button preview effect ends with a successful outcome. Button effect 1 begins when the operation button 10 switches from a non-illuminating state to a red illumination state after the button preview effect ends with a successful outcome (see a → d).

Figure 21 explains button effect 1. When button effect 1 begins, button design B begins to be displayed on the design display 28 (see a → b). This button design B has a semicircular outline that resembles the operation button 10, and begins to be displayed in the same red color as the operation button 10. This button design B is displayed between two character designs M in place of the middle row of design designs during slow scrolling, and from the player's point of view, it appears as an image of a reach state occurring with the character design M. This button design B encourages the player to operate the operation button 10, which is lit up in red, and has a "PUSH" announcement image.

As shown in Figure 21, a horizontally long rectangular timer symbol T is attached to button symbol B (see b). This timer symbol T notifies the player of the remaining valid period of the operation button 10, which is lit red, and the remaining valid period is at its maximum when the timer symbol T begins to be displayed. This timer symbol T is displayed entirely in white when the remaining valid period is at its maximum. As shown in Figure 22, the width of the black area of this timer symbol T increases and the width of the white area decreases as the remaining valid period decreases (see a → b), and the entire area becomes black as the remaining valid period reaches "0" (see b → c). When the remaining valid period reaches "0", the "PUSH" announcement image is erased, and the color of button symbol B changes from red (R) to white (W) (see c). This remaining valid period will also expire if the operation button 10 is operated within the valid period. When the remaining valid period expires in response to a valid operation of the operation button 10, the color change of the timer design T stops (see b → d), the "PUSH" announcement image is erased, and the color of the button design B changes from red to white (see d).

When the remaining valid period of the operation button 10 expires due to either the expiration of the valid period or a valid operation, as shown in Figure 21, the character M in the left column and the character M in the right column are replaced with the number "4" (see b → d), and the number patterns "1" to "9" begin to be displayed again in a slow scrolling state in place of the button B in the middle column, ending Button Presentation 1, and a normal reach presentation of "4↓4" begins in place of Button Presentation 1 (see d). This normal reach presentation develops into a battle presentation in one of the battle images BL1 to BL4 (see e), and the battle presentation ends with either a defeat ending of "434" (see f) or a victory ending of "444" (see g).

6-10. Button effect 2
21 explains button performance 2. This button performance 2 is initiated when the operation button 10 switches from a non-illuminating state to a blue illuminating state after the button preview performance has ended with a successful outcome (see a → c), and when button performance 2 begins, button design B begins to be displayed on the performance design display 28 (see c). This button design B is displayed in the same blue color as the operation button 10, and button performance 2 proceeds in the same manner as button performance 1, except for the illuminating color of the operation button 10 and the color of button design B.

The button effect processing of Figure 23 (a) is executed by the sub-control circuit 60 immediately after the button preview effect processing of Figure 19. The sub-control circuit 60 determines whether to execute either button effect 1 or button effect 2 in the button effect processing of Figure 23 (a). If it determines to execute button effect 1, it starts button effect 1 after the button preview effect in the current effect symbol game ends successfully. If it determines to execute button effect 2, it starts button effect 2 after the button preview effect in the current effect symbol game ends successfully. In other words, neither button effect 1 nor button effect 2 will start after the button preview effect ends unsuccessfully.

In S211, the sub-control circuit 60 determines whether a button preview effect for a successful ending has been set for this effect pattern game. If it determines that a button preview effect for a successful ending has been set, it proceeds to S212, where it determines whether the received results of the special pattern 2 game data include the 16-round jackpot type "jackpot pattern 1" for the high probability electric support mode. If it determines that "jackpot pattern 1" is included, it proceeds to S213, where it detects button effect table 1 in Figure 23 (b) from the ROM. This button effect table 1 assigns a high selection probability to button effect 1 and a low selection probability to button effect 2. If the sub-control circuit 60 detects button effect table 1 in S213, it selects either button effect 1 or button effect 2 from button effect table 1 at a probability corresponding to the selection probability in S216.

If the sub-control circuit 60 determines in S212 that the 16-round jackpot type "jackpot symbol 1" for high-probability electric support mode is not present in the reception results of the special chart 2 game data, it proceeds to S214, where it determines whether the 8-round jackpot type "jackpot symbol 3" for high-probability electric support mode is present in the reception results of the special chart 2 game data. If it determines that the jackpot type "jackpot symbol 3" is present, it proceeds to S215, where it detects button effect table 2 of Figure 23 (c) from the ROM. This button effect table 2 assigns the same selection probability to button effect 1 and button effect 2, and if the sub-control circuit 60 detects button effect table 2 in S215, it selects either button effect 1 or button effect 2 from button effect table 2 with a probability corresponding to the selection probability in S216.

If the reception result of the special symbol 2 game data indicates a miss, the sub-control circuit 60 determines in S214 that the jackpot type "jackpot symbol 3" does not exist, and detects button effect table 3 of Figure 23 (d) from the ROM in S218. This button effect table 3 assigns a high selection probability to button effect 1 and a low selection probability to button effect 2, and if the sub-control circuit 60 detects button effect table 3 in S218, it selects either button effect 1 or button effect 2 from button effect table 3 with a probability corresponding to the selection probability in S216.

Figure 24 shows the flow of play when a button preview effect is executed during performance symbol play. If the button preview effect ends with a failure outcome, neither button effect 1 nor button effect 2 is executed, and a battle effect begins. If this battle effect ends with a victory outcome, a low probability electric support mode is always set after eight rounds of jackpot play have been executed. If the button preview effect ends with a success outcome, a battle effect begins after either button effect 1 or button effect 2 has been executed. If button effect 1 develops into a battle effect, although the three rows of performance symbols form a jackpot combination with a low probability, a high probability electric support mode is set after 16 rounds of jackpot play have been executed with a high probability, and a high probability electric support mode is set after eight rounds of jackpot play have been executed with a low probability. When button effect 2 develops into a battle effect, the three rows of effect symbols form a jackpot combination with a high probability, but after 16 rounds of jackpot play are played with a low probability, the high probability electric support mode is set, and after 8 rounds of jackpot play are played with a high probability, the high probability electric support mode is set.

6-11. Round Promotion Effects. Figure 25 explains the round promotion effects. This round promotion effect is initiated by switching the jackpot game effect image to a round promotion effect image during the eighth round of a jackpot game (see b → c). The round promotion effect image is set to depict a woman climbing a cliff. This round promotion effect image is set to depict a failure ending and a success ending, with the failure ending image and the success ending image each being displayed before the eighth round ends. The failure ending image is set to depict the woman falling before reaching the top of the cliff (see g). If the round promotion effect ends with the failure ending image, the image "Failure, this is the last one" is displayed. In this case, the jackpot game always ends with the eighth round, and a ninth jackpot round does not begin. The success ending image is set to depict the woman reaching the top of the cliff (see d). If the round promotion effect ends with the success ending image, the image "Success! 16R Confirmed!" is displayed. In this case, the 9th jackpot round always starts (see e), and from the 9th round, the image of the round promotion effect is replaced with the image of the jackpot game effect, and the jackpot game continues until the 16th round (see f).

The round promotion effect processing in Figure 26 (a) is executed in S217 when the sub-control circuit 60 selects execution of button effect 1 or button effect 2 in S216 of the button effect processing in Figure 23. In the round promotion effect processing, the sub-control circuit 60 selects either a round promotion effect with a successful ending or a round promotion effect with an unsuccessful ending, and executes the round promotion effect with an ending corresponding to the selected result during the 8 rounds of the current jackpot game.

The sub-control circuit 60 detects the effect determination table of FIG. 26(b) from the ROM at S221 in FIG. 26. This effect determination table assigns a round promotion effect with a successful ending to the jackpot type "jackpot pattern 1" and a round promotion effect with a failed ending to the jackpot type "jackpot pattern 3." If the sub-control circuit 60 detects the effect determination table at S221, it selects the ending round promotion effect corresponding to the jackpot type determination result of the special chart 2 game data from the effect determination table at S222.

7-1. Main Processing When the sub-control circuit 60 is powered on, it detects the main processing program shown in Figure 27(a) from the ROM, sets access permission to RAM in S101, and sets interrupt prohibition in S102. Then, it updates the values of multiple random numbers in RAM in the random number update process in S103, and after allowing interrupts in S104, it repeats S102 to S104. While interrupts are allowed, it allows the start of the receive interrupt process in S105 and the timer interrupt process in S106.
The sub-control circuit 60 starts the reception interrupt process of S105 every time an STB signal is input to the INT terminal from the main control circuit 40. This reception interrupt process is executed with priority over the timer interrupt process of S106, and the sub-control circuit 60 stores the commands and the like sent by the main control circuit 40 in the output process of S11 in Fig. 8 in the reception buffer of RAM during the reception interrupt process.

8-3. Timer interrupt processing The sub-control circuit 60 activates the timer interrupt processing of S106 every time a timer interrupt signal is input at a fixed cycle. Figure 27(b) shows the timer interrupt processing of S106, and the sub-control circuit 60 performs the received command analysis processing of S111 and the prize ball acquisition effect processing of S112 in the timer interrupt processing. This sub-control circuit 60 displays an image of the prize ball acquisition effect on the effect pattern display 28 in response to the prize ball acquisition effect processing of S112.

8-3-1. Received Command Analysis Processing Figure 28 (a) shows the received command analysis processing of S111. In S121, the sub-control circuit 60 determines whether special image 1 pre-read data or special image 2 pre-read data from the main control circuit 40 is stored in the receive buffer. If it determines that special image 1 pre-read data or special image 2 pre-read data is stored, the process proceeds to S122, where the special image 1 pre-read data or special image 2 pre-read data from the receive buffer is shifted to the special image pre-read area of RAM. This special image pre-read area is set up with special image 1 pre-read receiving areas 1-4 and special image 2 pre-read receiving areas 1-4. The sub-control circuit 60 shifts the special image 1 pre-read data to one of the special image 1 pre-read receiving areas 1-4 in the same procedure as the main control circuit 40, and shifts the special image 2 pre-read data to one of the special image 2 pre-read receiving areas 1-4 in the same procedure as the main control circuit 40. In other words, the same special image 1 pre-read data and special image 2 pre-read data as the main control circuit 40 are stored in the RAM of the sub-control circuit 60.

At S123 in FIG. 28(a), the sub-control circuit 60 determines whether special symbol 1 game data or special symbol 2 game data from the main control circuit 40 is stored in the receive buffer. If it determines that special symbol 1 game data or special symbol 2 game data is stored, it executes the symbol game presentation start process of S124. FIG. 28(b) shows the symbol game presentation start process of S124, and at S141 the sub-control circuit 60 detects the reception results of the special symbol 1 game data (the result of the hit/miss determination, the result of the jackpot type determination, the result of the special symbol change pattern determination, and the result of the fall-off determination) or the reception results of the special symbol 2 game data (the result of the hit/miss determination, the result of the jackpot type determination, the result of the special symbol change pattern determination, and the result of the fall-off determination) from the receive buffer. The button preview presentation process of FIG. 19, the button presentation process of FIG. 23(a), and the round promotion presentation process of FIG. 26(a) are executed in the symbol game presentation start process of S124.

After completing S141 in Figure 28 (b), the sub-control circuit 60 sets a three-column combination of effect symbols in S142. These three columns of effect symbols are set to odd-numbered "jackpot combinations" when the hit/miss detection result is "jackpot" and the hit type detection result is "jackpot symbol 1" or "jackpot symbol 3," and are set to either even-numbered "jackpot combinations" or odd-numbered "jackpot combinations" when the hit/miss detection result is "jackpot" and the hit type detection result is "jackpot symbol 2." If the hit/miss detection result is "miss," these effect symbols are set to "miss reach combinations" if the variation pattern detection result is "PH01-PH05" for misses, and are set to "complete miss combinations" if the variation pattern detection result is "PH06-PH08" for complete misses. After completing S142, the sub-control circuit 60 detects video data from the CGROM according to the result of the variation pattern detection in S143, and starts displaying the image of the effect symbol game on the effect symbol display device 28 in response to starting playback of the video data detection result.

At S125 in Figure 28 (a), the sub-control circuit 60 determines whether fluctuation stop command 1 or fluctuation stop command 2 from the main control circuit 40 is stored in the receive buffer, and if it determines that fluctuation stop command 1 or fluctuation stop command 2 has been stored, it performs the pattern game effect stop process at S126 and displays the three columns of effect symbols according to the combination setting result at S124.

At S127 in Figure 28(a), the sub-control circuit 60 determines whether a jackpot game start command from the main control circuit 40 has been stored in the receive buffer. If it determines that a jackpot game start command has been stored, it begins displaying the background image for the jackpot game presentation on the presentation symbol display 28 in response to starting playback of video data for the jackpot game presentation in the jackpot game presentation start process at S128, and if a round promotion presentation is set, it displays an image of the round promotion presentation in the eighth round. At S129, the sub-control circuit 60 determines whether a jackpot game stop command from the main control circuit 40 has been stored in the receive buffer. If it determines that a jackpot game stop command has been stored, it erases the background image for the jackpot game presentation in response to stopping playback of video data for the jackpot game presentation in the jackpot game presentation stop process at S130.

According to the first embodiment, the following effects are achieved.
In button effect 1, a red button symbol B is displayed to prompt the player to operate the operation button 10 that is illuminated in red, and in button effect 2, a blue button symbol B is displayed to prompt the player to operate the operation button 10 that is illuminated in blue, so that the player can easily recognize that he or she should operate the operation button 10 from among the multiple operators in the group of operation buttons. Moreover, when the blue button symbol B is displayed, a jackpot is notified with a higher probability than when only the red button symbol B is displayed. Therefore, the player can know the probability of a jackpot depending on whether the red button symbol B or the blue button symbol B is displayed, which improves the entertainment value of the game.
A timer design T for informing the player of the remaining valid period of the operation button 10 is attached to the button design B, so that the player can easily recognize the time by which the operation button 10 must be operated.

After button performance 1 in which three rows of performance symbols are in an undetermined scroll stop state including a red button symbol B is performed, the three rows of performance symbols are displayed in a definite jackpot combination, and after button performance 2 in which three rows of performance symbols are in an undetermined scroll stop state including a blue button symbol B is performed, the three rows of performance symbols are made into a definite jackpot combination, so that it is possible to notify the player of the jackpot game pattern in addition to the jackpot in accordance with the performance of button performance 1 and button performance 2.
In the performance symbol game, the button performance 1 is performed in response to the red button symbol R being displayed in the middle row in the final stopping order in a temporary scroll stop state, and the button performance 2 is performed in response to the blue button symbol B being displayed in a temporary scroll stop state, thereby improving the entertainment value of the game.
In a performance symbol game, a player is warned of a big win in advance by making the middle row, which is part of a three-row performance symbol, either red or blue. In this case, the operation button 10 is illuminated in the same color as the middle row, so that the player can easily understand the details of the advance notice.

[Example 2]
As shown in Figure 29, operation buttons 10R and 10B are mounted on the upper tray 8 instead of the operation button 10. Each of these operation buttons 10R and 10B can be operated and seen by the player, and an LED 10a is housed within each of the operation buttons 10R and 10B. The operation button 10R is semitransparent in red, and the sub-control circuit 60 causes the operation button 10R to emit red light in response to the LED 10a within the operation button 10R emitting white light. The operation button 10B is semitransparent in blue, and the sub-control circuit 60 causes the operation button 10B to emit blue light in response to the LED 10a within the operation button 10B emitting white light.

Button effect 1 prompts the player to operate operation button 10R, and the sub-control circuit 60 initiates button effect 1 by starting operation button 10R to emit red light instead of illuminating operation button 10 red. If operation button 10R is operated within the valid period or if the valid period has elapsed without operation of operation button 10R, button effect 1 ends and a normal reach effect begins by switching operation button 10R to a non-illuminating state. This sub-control circuit 60 initiates button effect 2 by starting operation button 10B to emit blue light instead of illuminating operation button 10 blue. If operation button 10B is operated within the valid period or if the valid period has elapsed without operation of operation button 10B, button effect 2 ends and a normal reach effect begins by switching operation button 10B to a non-illuminating state.

[Example 3]
FIG. 30 illustrates button quick-press game 1. This button quick-press game 1 is initiated by displaying command image C1, "Press the red button!" during button performance 1 (see a-b). Button quick-press game 1 has a success ending and a failure ending. Each of these success and failure endings involves erasing command image C1, then changing button image B from red to white and stopping the progression of timer image T (see d). In the success ending, operation button 10R switches from a red illuminating state to a rainbow flashing state (see d-e). In the failure ending, operation button 10R switches from a red illuminating state to an unlit state (see d-f). This button quick-press game 1 ends with a success ending if the red operation button 10R is operated within the quick-press period T, based on the start of display of command image C1. If the red operation button 10R is not operated within the quick-press period T, the game ends with a failure ending.

Figure 31 explains Button Quick Press Game 2. This Button Quick Press Game 2 is performed by displaying command image C2, "Press the blue button!" during Button Performance 2 (see a-b). Button Quick Press Game 2 has a successful outcome and a failed outcome. Each of these successful and failed outcomes involves erasing command image C2, then changing button image B from blue to white and stopping the progression of timer image T (see d). In a successful outcome, operation button 10B switches from a blue illuminating state to a rainbow flashing state (see d-e). In a failed outcome, operation button 10B switches from a blue illuminating state to an unlit state (see d-f). This Button Quick Press Game 2 ends with a successful outcome if the blue operation button 10B is operated within the quick press period T, based on the start of display of command image C2. If the blue operation button 10B is not operated within the quick press period T, the game ends with a failed outcome.

Figure 32 explains the pre-reach performance pattern and the post-reach performance pattern. The pre-reach performance pattern starts either Button Performance 1 or Button Performance 2 immediately after the button preview performance ends with a successful outcome, and starts the normal reach performance after either Button Performance 1 or Button Performance 2 ends (see a). In this pre-reach performance pattern, the quick-press period T of button quick-press game 1 and the quick-press period T of button quick-press game 2 are each set to a common long value, and the probability that each of button quick-press game 1 and button quick-press game 2 will end with a successful outcome is set high. In other words, even if the probability of a three-row performance pattern forming a jackpot combination in performance pattern play is low, when 16 rounds of jackpot play for the high probability electric support mode are executed with a high probability, the probability that each of button quick-press game 1 and button quick-press game 2 will end with a successful outcome is set high.

The post-reach performance pattern starts either Button Performance 1 or Button Performance 2 immediately after the normal reach performance if the button preview performance ends with a failed outcome, and the battle performance starts after either Button Performance 1 or Button Performance 2 ends (see b). In this post-reach performance pattern, the quick-press period T for button quick-press game 1 and the quick-press period T for button quick-press game 2 are each set to a common short value, and the probability that each of button quick-press game 1 and button quick-press game 2 will end with a successful outcome is set lower than in the pre-reach performance pattern. In other words, although the probability of a three-row performance pattern forming a jackpot combination in performance pattern play is high, when an 8-round jackpot game for low-probability electric support mode is executed, the probability that each of button quick-press game 1 and button quick-press game 2 will end with a successful outcome is set lower.

According to the third embodiment, the following effects are achieved.
Since button effects 1 and 2 are started either before the normal reach effect image starts to be displayed or after the normal reach effect image starts to be displayed, it is difficult for the player to grasp the start timing of button effects 1 and 2. This keeps the player in a state of long-lasting anticipation for the start of either button effect 1 or button effect 2, improving the entertainment value of the game.
In response to the red operation button 10R being effectively operated in button effect 1, the red operation button 10R is switched to a rainbow color, and in response to the blue operation button 10B being effectively operated in button effect 2, the blue operation button 10B is switched to a rainbow color. This allows the player to recognize that the operation button 10R has been effectively operated from the change in color of the operation button 10R, and to recognize that the operation button 10B has been effectively operated from the change in color of the operation button 10B, thereby improving the entertainment value of the game.

In the above-described second and third embodiments, one of the operation buttons 10R and 10B may be a lever switch, and the other may be a push button switch.
In the above Examples 1 to 3, it is also possible to suggest with a high probability that a high-probability electric support mode will be set in response to the execution of button effect 1, and to suggest with a low probability that a low-probability electric support mode will be set. In this configuration, it is preferable to suggest with a low probability that a high-probability electric support mode will be set in response to the execution of button effect 2, and to suggest with a high probability that a low-probability electric support mode will be set. In this case, a jackpot game in which a high-probability electric support mode is set corresponds to a special game with a high-advantage pattern, and a jackpot game in which a low-probability electric support mode is set corresponds to a special game with a low-advantage pattern.

In addition to the inventions described in the claims, Examples 1 to 3 above also describe the following [Reference Invention 1-1] to [Reference Invention 1-11]. Some gaming machines are configured to determine whether a game has been won or lost each time a start condition is met, and to notify the player of the result of the determination by displaying an image of the symbol game each time a win or loss determination is made (see JP 2010-17425 A). Some gaming machines are equipped with an operating means. This operating means is activated when a preview effect is being executed in the symbol game, and when the operating means is operated effectively, the probability of a win is indicated to the player. With this configuration, only the monotonous fun of operating the operating means can be provided to the player, and there is room for improvement in terms of the fun of the game.

[Reference Invention 1-1]
A determination means for determining whether or not a starting condition is met each time the starting condition is met;
A symbol game means for displaying a symbol game image to notify the player of the result of the winning or losing decision;
a special game means for playing a special game by opening the special area when it is determined that a win has occurred;
a first operating means and a second operating means that can be operated by a player;
A notice performance means is provided for performing a notice performance that indicates to a player in advance that a winning will be notified in a symbol game,
The preview production means
This gaming machine is capable of performing advance notice performances in "a first pattern displaying a first type of symbol that prompts the player to operate the first operating means" and "a second pattern displaying a second type of symbol that prompts the player to operate the second operating means," and is characterized in that when a win is announced in a symbol game, the advance notice performance of the second pattern is executed with a higher probability than when a loss is announced.
In the embodiment, "the stopping of all of the special symbol 1 game, special symbol 2 game, big win game, and small win game" corresponds to the establishment of the start condition, the "main control circuit 40" corresponds to the judgment means and the special game means, the "performance symbol game" corresponds to the pattern game, the "big prize opening 19" corresponds to the special area, the "big win game" corresponds to the special game, the "sub-control circuit 60" corresponds to the pattern game means and the advance notice performance means, the "operation button 10 in the red light emission state" corresponds to the first operation means, the "operation button 10 in the blue light emission state" corresponds to the second operation means, "button performance 1" corresponds to the advance notice performance of the first pattern, "button performance 2" corresponds to the advance notice performance of the second pattern, the "red button symbol B" corresponds to the first type of symbol, and the "blue button symbol B" corresponds to the second type of symbol.
[Reference Invention 1-2]
The gaming machine described in [Reference Invention 1-1] is characterized in that the first operating means and the second operating means are each operators that can be operated individually by a player.
In this embodiment, the operation button 10R corresponds to the first operation means, and the operation button 10B corresponds to the second operation means.
[Reference Inventions 1-3]
The gaming machine described in [Reference Invention 1-1] is characterized in that the first operating means and the second operating means are a single operating element whose visual appearance can be changed to a first appearance and a second appearance.
In this embodiment, the operation button 10 in the red light emitting state corresponds to the first operation means, and the operation button 10 in the blue light emitting state corresponds to the second operation means.
According to the above means, a first type of symbol is displayed in the first pattern of preview effects to prompt the player to operate the first operating means, and a second type of symbol is displayed in the second pattern of preview effects to prompt the player to operate the second operating means, so that when there are multiple operators around the first operating means and the second operating means, the player can easily recognize which of the multiple operators to operate. Moreover, when the second type of symbol is displayed, a win is notified with a higher probability than when the first type of symbol is displayed. Therefore, the player can know the probability of winning depending on whether the first type of symbol or the second type of symbol is displayed, thereby improving the entertainment value of the game.

[Reference Inventions 1-4]
the special game means is capable of playing a special game in a highly advantageous pattern and a low advantageous pattern which are different in degree of advantage to the player,
The gaming machine described in [Reference Invention 1-1] is characterized in that the advance notice presentation means indicates to the player the probability that a special game will be executed in a highly advantageous pattern depending on whether the first type of pattern or the second type of pattern is displayed.
In the embodiment, 16 rounds of jackpot play correspond to a special game with a highly advantageous pattern, and 8 rounds of jackpot play correspond to a special game with a low advantageous pattern.
According to the above means, the probability that a highly advantageous special game will be executed is suggested to the player depending on whether the first pattern preview performance or the second pattern preview performance is executed, thereby improving the entertainment value of the game.

[Reference Inventions 1-5]
The gaming machine described in [Reference Invention 1-1] is characterized in that the advance notice presentation means displays, as the first type of pattern, a pattern having a portion that notifies the player of the remaining period during which the first operating means can be effectively operated, and displays, as the second type of pattern, a pattern having a portion that notifies the player of the remaining period during which the second operating means can be effectively operated.
According to the above means, a first type of pattern is displayed which has a portion that notifies the player of the remaining validity period of the first operating means, and a second type of pattern is displayed which has a portion that notifies the player of the remaining validity period of the second operating means, so that when there are multiple operators around the first operating means and the second operating means, the player can easily recognize which of the multiple operators to operate and by what time.
The timer symbol T in the embodiment corresponds to the part that notifies the player of the remaining valid period of the first operating means and the remaining valid period of the second operating means.

[Reference Inventions 1-6]
The symbol game means displays an image of the identification symbol in a variable state and then stops the variable state in a definite manner according to the result of the winning or losing judgment as an image of the symbol game,
The gaming machine described in [Reference Invention 1-1] is characterized in that the preview performance means performs a first pattern of preview performance in which the identified pattern is brought into a non-deterministic state including the first type of pattern before the identified pattern is brought into a definite stopped state during pattern play, and performs a second pattern of preview performance in which the identified pattern is brought into a non-deterministic state including the second type of pattern.
In the embodiment, the "scroll state" corresponds to the changing state, the "scroll stop state" corresponds to the changing stop state, the combination of three rows of performance patterns of "character pattern M, red button pattern B, character pattern M" corresponds to a changing stop state of an indeterminate mode including a first type of pattern, and the combination of three rows of performance patterns of "character pattern M, blue button pattern B, character pattern M" corresponds to a changing stop state of an indeterminate mode including a second type of pattern.
[Reference Inventions 1-7]
The symbol game means displays an identification symbol consisting of a plurality of rows of symbol elements,
The gaming machine described in [Reference Invention 1-6] is characterized in that the preview performance means displays the first type of pattern in a temporary stopped state in place of one column of pattern elements in a first pattern of preview performance, and displays the second type of pattern in a temporary stopped state in place of the same column of pattern elements as in the first pattern of preview performance in a second pattern of preview performance.
In the embodiment, each of the performance patterns in the left, middle and right columns corresponds to a pattern element, and the middle column corresponds to one column.
[Reference Invention 1-8]
The gaming machine described in [Reference Invention 1-7] is characterized in that the preview performance means displays either the first type of pattern or the second type of pattern in a temporary stopped state in one of the multiple rows of pattern elements that is the last in the order of stopping the change.
In the embodiment, the middle column corresponds to the last column in the fluctuation stop order.
According to the above means, a first pattern of advance notice performance is performed in response to a first type of pattern being displayed in a stopped state in one specific column out of multiple columns in a pattern game, and a second pattern of advance notice performance is performed in response to a second type of pattern being displayed in a stopped state, thereby improving the entertainment value of the game.

[Reference Invention 1-9]
a reach effect means for displaying an image of a reach effect during the display of an image of a symbol game, which image enhances a player's expectation that the identification symbol will become a winning symbol;
The gaming machine described in [Reference Invention 1-1] is characterized in that the advance notice performance means starts a first pattern advance notice performance and a second pattern advance notice performance either at a pre-reach timing before the image of the reach performance starts to be displayed or at a post-reach timing after the image of the reach performance starts to be displayed. The "normal reach performance" in the embodiment corresponds to the reach performance, and the "sub-control circuit 60" corresponds to the reach performance means.
[Reference Inventions 1-10]
a switching means for switching each of the first operating means and the second operating means from a non-operated state to an operated state;
The gaming machine described in [Reference Invention 1-1] is characterized in that the switching means switches the first operating means from a non-operated state to an operated state in response to the first operating means being effectively operated in a first pattern of preview performance, and switches the second operating means from a non-operated state to an operated state in response to the second operating means being effectively operated in a second pattern of preview performance.
The "sub-control circuit 60" in the embodiment corresponds to the switching means, the "mode in which the operation button 10R emits red light" corresponds to the mode in which the first operation means is not operated, the "mode in which the operation button 10R flashes in rainbow colors" corresponds to the mode in which the first operation means has been operated, the "mode in which the operation button 10B emits blue light" corresponds to the mode in which the second operation means is not operated, and the "mode in which the operation button 10B flashes in rainbow colors" corresponds to the mode in which the second operation means has been operated.

[Reference Inventions 1-11]
A determination means for determining whether or not a starting condition is met each time the starting condition is met;
a symbol game means for displaying an image of a symbol game in which the identification symbol is displayed in a variable state and then the variable state is definitively stopped in a manner according to the result of the judgment of whether or not the symbol is a winning symbol;
a special game means for playing a special game by opening the special area when it is determined that a win has occurred;
a notice effect means for effecting a notice effect that suggests to a player in advance that a win will be notified in a symbol game in accordance with a part of an identification symbol being one of a plurality of different colors in the symbol game;
The device is visible and operable by a player and has an operation means that emits light in a plurality of different colors;
The gaming machine is characterized in that the operating means is made to emit light in the same color as the one color when a part of the identification pattern is made one color in the advance notice performance.
In the embodiment, "the special chart 1 game, the special chart 2 game, the small hit game, and the big hit game all stopping" corresponds to the start condition being met, the "main control circuit 40" corresponds to the determination means and the special game means, the "three rows of performance symbols" correspond to the identification symbol, the "scroll state" corresponds to the changing state, the "scroll stop state" corresponds to the changing stop state, "performance symbol game" corresponds to the pattern game, the "sub-control circuit 60" corresponds to the pattern game means and the advance notice performance means, the "big prize opening 19" corresponds to the special area, the "big hit game" corresponds to the special game, the "button effect 1 and button effect 2" correspond to the advance notice performance, and the "operation button 10" corresponds to the operation means.
According to the above means, a player is informed in advance of a win when a part of the identification symbol in a symbol game is one of a plurality of colors. In this case, the operation means emits light in the same color as the part of the identification symbol, making it easier for the player to understand the contents of the advance notice.

[Example 4]
Figure 33(a) shows the launch handle 11. Here, a handle base 11a is fixed to the front of the front frame 5, located in the lower right corner. The handle base 11a is cylindrical and oriented in the front-to-rear direction, and a handle 11b is fitted to the outer surface of the handle base 11a. The handle 11b is annular and coaxial with the handle base 11a, and is rotatable around an axis 11c between an off position (see solid line) and a limit position (not shown). A knob 11d is fixed to the handle 11b, allowing the player to rotate the handle 11b by pinching the knob 11d with their fingers. The limit position of the handle 11b is set at a position spaced clockwise from the off position, and the launching action of the game ball is stopped when the handle 11b is in the off position. This game ball is launched into the game area 15 of the game board 4 when the handle 11b is rotated clockwise from the off position, and the launching force with which the game ball is launched into the game area 15 becomes stronger as the amount of clockwise operation of the handle 11b increases.

As shown in Figure 33(a), a stop button 11e is attached to the handle base 11a. This stop button 11e is movable horizontally in a straight line between an OFF position (see solid line) and an ON position (not shown) to the right of the OFF position, and is held in the OFF position by spring force when no operating force is applied. When the stop button 11e is pressed from the OFF position to the ON position and the operating force is removed, it automatically returns from the ON position to the OFF position by spring force. When the handle 11b is rotated clockwise from the OFF position to launch game balls, if the stop button 11e is pressed from the OFF position to the ON position, the game ball launching operation will stop, and if the stop button 11e returns from the ON position to the OFF position when the game ball launching operation has stopped, the game ball launching operation will resume.

Figure 33 (b) illustrates the image of the effect symbol game displayed on the effect symbol display 28 when the effect mode is set to chance mode. In this chance mode setting, the background image for the effect symbol game is set to the chance background image, and three rows of effect symbols are displayed in order, superimposed on top of the chance background image, in scrolling and stopped scrolling states. In this chance mode, an operation instruction area Ec is continuously set in the upper right corner of the display area E of the effect symbol display 28, and an operation instruction symbol C is continuously displayed statically in a fixed horizontal position within the operation instruction area Ec. This operation instruction symbol C includes an announcement symbol C1 and a handle symbol C2. The announcement symbol C1 consists of the words "hit right" and encourages the player to hit the game ball to the right. The handle symbol C2 imitates the outline shape of the launch handle 11, and has a portion corresponding to the handle 11b, a portion corresponding to the knob 11d, and a portion corresponding to the stop button 11e. This handle pattern C2 shows the handle 11b rotated to its limit position by drawing the knob 11d with the handle 11b rotated to its limit position, and encourages the player to hit the game ball to the right by rotating the handle 11b to its limit position.

Figures 34 (a) to (d) explain the tilt preview effect. This tilt preview effect is executed when the presentation mode is set to chance mode, and begins in a three-column scrolling display state after the scrolling display of each of the three columns of presentation symbols has begun and before the scrolling display of the left column of presentation symbols stops. This tilt preview effect suggests to the player that the three columns of presentation symbols will form a jackpot combination in this presentation symbol game, and ends in a three-column scrolling display state before the scrolling display of the left column of presentation symbols stops.

The tilt notice effect processing in Figure 34 (e) is activated each time the sub-control circuit 60 receives special symbol 2 game data from the main control circuit 40. The sub-control circuit 60 determines whether or not to execute a tilt notice effect in the tilt notice effect processing, and if it determines that a tilt notice effect should be executed, it executes a tilt notice effect while three rows of effect symbols are scrolling in the current effect symbol game. When this sub-control circuit 60 activates the tilt notice effect processing, it determines in S301 whether or not the current effect mode is chance mode. If it determines that it is chance mode, it proceeds to S302 and determines whether or not the reception result of the special symbol 2 game data contains a jackpot determination result. If it determines that a jackpot determination result exists, it determines in S303 that a tilt notice effect will be executed with a high probability, and if it determines that a jackpot determination result does not exist, it determines in S304 that a tilt notice effect will be executed with a low probability.

As shown in Figure 34, the tilt preview effect is initiated by displaying a frame pattern F within the display area E of the effect pattern display device 28 (see a → b). This frame pattern F is a horizontally long rectangular frame that follows the periphery of the display area E, and is displayed to encompass the operation instruction area Ec with the operation instruction pattern C displayed within the operation instruction area Ec. This frame pattern F surrounds the entire chance background image, and during the tilt preview effect, the scrolling display of each of the three columns of effect patterns continues to be superimposed on top of the chance background image within the frame pattern F at the same size, direction, and position as before the tilt preview effect began.

The frame symbol F defines the frame area Ef within the display area E of the effect symbol display 28, where the preview image for the tilt preview effect is displayed. The tilt preview effect progresses by tilting the frame symbol F two-dimensionally in a clockwise direction along with the chance background image. The tilted display of the frame symbol F and the chance background image is performed while shrinking both (see b → c), and the remaining area of the display area E of the effect symbol display 28, excluding the frame area Ef, expands as the tilted and reduced display of the frame symbol F progresses. In this case, the display of the operation instruction symbol C continues in the same position, horizontal orientation, and size as before the tilt preview effect began, and the tilt angle of the frame symbol F relative to the operation instruction symbol C increases as the tilted and reduced display of the frame symbol F and the chance background image progresses. During this tilt preview effect, the scrolling display of each of the three columns of effect symbols continues, superimposed on the tilted and reduced frame symbol F and chance background image, at the same size, direction, and position as before the tilt preview effect began. This tilt preview effect ends when both the tilted, reduced frame pattern F and the chance background image are erased (see c→d). When the tilt preview effect ends, the chance background image is displayed again, superimposed behind the three rows of effect patterns in the state it was in before the tilt preview effect began (see d→a).

The fourth embodiment provides the following effects.
A tilt notice effect is performed by tilting the frame area Ef of the effect symbol display 28 together with the chance background image, and an operation instruction area Ec is set within the frame area Ef. This operation instruction area Ec is an area where an operation instruction pattern C is displayed that prompts the player to operate the launch handle 11, and when the tilt notice effect starts with the operation instruction pattern C displayed within the operation instruction area Ec, the display of the operation instruction pattern C continues in the same position as before the start of the tilt notice effect. Therefore, the operation instruction pattern C does not tilt together with the chance background image within the frame area Ef, so that the player can accurately view the display content of the operation instruction pattern C even during the tilt notice effect.
When the tilt notice performance is started with the operation instruction pattern C displayed in the operation instruction area Ec of the performance pattern display 28, the display of the operation instruction pattern C continues to be the same size and at the same position as before the start of the tilt notice performance, so that the player can see the display contents of the operation instruction C more easily even during the tilt notice performance.

[Example 5]
The tilt preview effect of Figure 35 is executed by the sub-control circuit 60 in place of the tilt preview effect of Figures 34(a) to (d), and when the sub-control circuit 60 starts the tilt preview effect, it changes each of the announcement symbol C1 and the handle symbol C2 to a larger size than the standard size before the start of the tilt preview effect (see b → c). These size changes of the announcement symbol C1 and the handle symbol C2 are performed within the same operation instruction area Ec as before the start of the tilt preview effect, and when the sub-control circuit 60 starts the tilt preview effect, it changes each of the colors of the announcement symbol C1 and the handle symbol C2 to a preview color different from the standard color before the start of the tilt preview effect. The announcement pattern C1 is displayed in a large size and in a preview color until the tilt preview performance ends, and the handle pattern C2 is displayed in a large size and in a preview color until the tilt preview performance ends, and the announcement pattern C1 is returned to the standard color and size before the start of the tilt preview performance as the tilt preview performance ends, and the handle pattern C2 is returned to the standard size and color before the start of the tilt preview performance as the tilt preview performance ends.

According to the fifth embodiment, the following effects are achieved.
When the tilt advance notice performance is started, the display of the operation instruction pattern C continues in the same position as before the start of the tilt advance notice performance, and the sizes of the announcement pattern C1 and the handle pattern C2 are changed to larger sizes than before the start of the tilt advance notice performance, so the visibility of the announcement pattern C1 and the handle pattern C2 is improved during the tilt advance notice performance. Moreover, when the tilt advance notice performance is started, the colors of the announcement pattern C1 and the handle pattern C2 are changed to colors different from before the start of the tilt advance notice performance, so the visibility of the announcement pattern C1 and the handle pattern C is further improved during the tilt advance notice performance.

[Example 6]
FIG. 36 illustrates the pre-reach tilt preview effect. This pre-reach tilt preview effect is executed in chance mode while each of the three columns of effect symbols is scrolling, and begins when the framed symbol F begins to appear on the effect symbol display 28 (see a → b). When this pre-reach tilt preview effect begins, an operation instruction area Ec is set in the upper right corner of the framed region Ef, and an operation instruction symbol C is displayed within the operation instruction area Ec. This operation instruction symbol C includes a "PUSH!" announcement symbol C1 and a button symbol C2, and is displayed statically in a horizontal, landscape orientation. The announcement symbol C1 prompts the player to operate the operation button 10. The button symbol C2 is semicircular, mimicking the outline of the operation button 10, and is displayed in red.

When the pre-reach tilt preview effect begins, as shown in Figure 36, the framed symbol F is displayed two-dimensionally tilted clockwise along with the chance background image. The tilted display of the framed symbol F and chance background image is performed while both are shrinking (see b → c), and the display of the operation instruction symbol C continues in the same position, horizontal position, and size as before the pre-reach tilt preview effect began. In this case, the scrolling display of each of the three rows of effect symbols continues superimposed in front of the tilted and reduced framed symbol F and chance background image in the same size, direction, and position as before the pre-reach tilt preview effect began.

When the pre-reach tilt warning effect begins, the operation button 10 is activated, and as shown in Figure 37, the operation button 10 switches from a non-illuminating state to a red lit state, the same as button design C2, thereby notifying the player that the operation button 10 has been activated (see a → b). If this operation button 10 is operated within the valid period, the operation button 10 switches from a red illuminating state to a rainbow flashing state, thereby notifying the player that the operation button 10 has been activated (see b → c).

If the operation button 10 is operated during the valid period during the pre-reach tilt preview effect, the pre-reach tilt preview effect ends as shown in Figure 36, with the reduced-tilt frame symbol F, the chance background image, and the operation instruction symbol C being erased (see c → d). In this case, the chance background image is displayed again superimposed behind the three columns of effect symbols in the normal state before the pre-reach tilt preview effect began, and the scroll display of the effect symbols in the left column stops, followed by the scroll display of the effect symbols in the right column, resulting in a reach state (see d → e). When this reach state occurs, the scrolling speed of the effect symbols in the middle column switches from normal to slow, and a normal reach effect begins. When a normal reach effect begins, it develops into a battle effect using one of the battle images BL1 to BL4 (see e → f). If this battle ends in a victory, the three rows of symbols will freeze in a jackpot combination (see f→g), and if it ends in a defeat, the three rows of symbols will freeze in a miss-lead combination (see f→h).

Figure 38 explains the post-reach tilt preview effect. This post-reach tilt preview effect is initiated by the display of a framed symbol F after a normal reach effect has occurred in chance mode (see b→c). When this post-reach tilt preview effect begins, an operation instruction area Ec is set in the upper right corner of the framed area Ef, and the announcement symbol C1 and button symbol C2 are displayed statically in a horizontal, landscape orientation within the operation instruction area Ec. This button symbol C2 is displayed in red, and when the post-reach tilt preview effect begins, the framed symbol F is displayed two-dimensionally tilted and reduced in a clockwise direction along with the chance background image. In this state, the display of the operation instruction symbol C continues in the same position, horizontal orientation, and size as before the post-reach tilt preview effect began, and the three rows of performance symbols are erased.

When the post-reach tilt preview effect begins, the operation button 10 is activated, and the operation button 10 switches from a non-illuminating state to a lit red state, thereby notifying the player that the operation button 10 has been activated. If the operation button 10 is operated within the valid period, the operation button 10 switches from a red illuminating state to a flashing rainbow state, thereby notifying the player that the operation button 10 has been validly operated. If the operation button 10 is operated within the valid period, the tilted and contracted frame symbol F, the chance background image, and the operation instruction symbol C are erased, thereby ending the post-reach tilt preview effect. When the post-reach tilt preview effect ends, a battle effect begins with one of the battle images BL1 to BL4 (see d->e). If the battle effect ends with a win, three rows of display symbols are displayed in a static jackpot combination (see e->f); if the battle effect ends with a loss, three rows of display symbols are displayed in a static jackpot combination (see e->g).

The reach before and after tilt notice performance processing in Figure 37 (d) is activated each time the sub-control circuit 60 receives special symbol 2 game data from the main control circuit 40. The sub-control circuit 60 determines whether to execute either a reach before tilt notice performance or a reach after tilt notice performance in the reach before and after tilt notice performance processing. If it determines that a reach before tilt notice performance should be executed, it starts the reach before tilt notice performance before the normal reach performance starts for the current performance symbol play, and if it determines that a reach after tilt notice performance should be executed, it starts the reach after the normal reach performance starts for the current performance symbol play.

When the sub-control circuit 60 activates the pre- and post-reach tilt preview display process, it determines in S311 whether the current display mode is chance mode. If it determines that it is chance mode, it proceeds to S312, where it determines whether the special chart variation pattern determination result for the special chart 2 game data includes any of the eight battle display patterns "PO01-PO04" or "PH01-PH04." If it determines that there is a special chart variation pattern determination result for battle display, it proceeds to S313, where it determines whether there is a jackpot determination result in the reception results of the special chart 2 game pattern. If it determines that there is a jackpot determination result here, it detects tilt preview display table 1 from the ROM in S314, and if it determines that there is no jackpot determination result, it detects tilt preview display table 2 from the ROM in S316.

Figure 37(e) shows tilt preview effect table 1. This tilt preview effect table 1 assigns a low selection probability to the pre-reach tilt preview effect, an intermediate selection probability to the post-reach tilt preview effect, and a high selection probability to no preview effect. When the sub-control circuit 60 detects tilt preview effect table 1 in S314, it selects from tilt preview effect table 1 in S315 one of the pre-reach tilt preview effect, the post-reach tilt preview effect, or no preview effect with a probability corresponding to the selection probability. Figure 37(f) shows tilt preview effect table 2. This tilt preview effect table 2 assigns a low selection probability to the post-reach tilt preview effect, an intermediate selection probability to the pre-reach tilt preview effect, and a high selection probability to no preview effect. When the sub-control circuit 60 detects tilt preview effect table 2 in S316, it selects from tilt preview effect table 2 in S315 one of the pre-reach tilt preview effect, the post-reach tilt preview effect, or no preview effect with a probability corresponding to the selection probability. In other words, if a post-reach tilt preview effect is executed during this symbol game, there is a high probability that a three-row symbol combination will result in a jackpot, and if a pre-reach tilt preview effect is executed, there is a low probability that a three-row symbol combination will result in a jackpot.

[Example 7]
FIG. 39 illustrates the tilt preview effect. This tilt preview effect is executed by the sub-control circuit 60 in place of the tilt preview effect of Example 4 and differs from the tilt preview effect of Example 4 in the following respects. The tilt preview effect of FIG. 39 is performed by tilting and shrinking the frame pattern F and the chance background image clockwise, and the operation instruction pattern C is continuously displayed within the frame area Ef in the same orientation as before the tilt preview effect began, while changing its position and size (see b → c). This tilt preview effect ends when the tilted and reduced frame pattern F and the chance background image are erased simultaneously with the operation instruction pattern C (see c → d). When the tilt preview effect ends, the operation instruction pattern C is displayed in the same horizontal orientation as before the tilt preview effect began, in the same position and with the same size as before the tilt preview effect began (see c → d), and the chance background image is displayed again superimposed behind the three columns of effect patterns in the state before the tilt preview effect began (see d → a).
In the above-mentioned Examples 4 to 7, the frame pattern F may be tilted three-dimensionally together with the chance background pattern to perform the tilt notice effect, the pre-reach tilt notice effect, and the post-reach tilt notice effect.
In the above-mentioned Examples 4 to 7, the frame pattern F may be set to a size that surrounds a part of the display area E of the effect pattern display 28, and a part of the chance background pattern that is located within the frame pattern F may be tilted two-dimensionally without being displayed in a reduced size together with the frame pattern F, thereby performing the tilt preview effect, the pre-reach tilt preview effect, and the post-reach tilt preview effect.

In addition to the inventions described in the claims, Examples 4 to 7 above also describe the following [Reference Invention 2-1] to [Reference Invention 2-9]. Some gaming machines are configured to determine whether a win or loss occurs each time a start condition is met, and to notify the player of the result of the determination by displaying an image of a symbol game on the display each time a win or loss determination is made (see JP 2010-17425 A). In these gaming machines, a preview effect may begin while an information symbol is displayed on the display. This information symbol prompts the player to operate the operating means, and there is a risk that the information symbol may be difficult for the player to see during the preview effect.

[Reference Invention 2-1]
A determination means for determining whether a starting condition is met each time the starting condition is met;
A symbol game means for displaying on a display an image of a symbol game that notifies a player of a winning or losing decision result;
an inclined display area set on the display device, in which an image displayed therein is inclined from an initial attitude;
a notice effect means for performing a notice effect that indicates to a player in advance that a win will be announced by an image of a symbol game in response to tilting the image in the tilt display area;
an operating means operable by a player;
an information display means for displaying an information pattern in a standard position within the inclined display area, the information pattern prompting a player to operate the operation means;
The information display means
A gaming machine characterized in that if the information pattern is displayed in the standard position within the inclined display area when the preview performance starts, the information pattern is continuously displayed in the standard position during the preview performance.
In the embodiment, "the special chart 1 game, the special chart 2 game, the small hit game, and the big hit game all stopping" corresponds to the start condition being met, the "main control circuit 40" corresponds to the determination means, the "performance pattern game" corresponds to the pattern game, the "performance pattern display 28" corresponds to the display, the "sub-control circuit 60" corresponds to the pattern game means, the advance performance means, and the information display means, the "launch handle 11" corresponds to the operation means, the "operation instruction pattern C" corresponds to the information pattern, the "horizontal position of the operation instruction pattern C" corresponds to the standard position, the "frame area Ef" corresponds to the tilted display area, the "chance background image" corresponds to the image in the tilted display area, and the "tilted advance performance" corresponds to the advance performance.
[Reference Invention 2-2]
The gaming machine described in [Reference Invention 2-1] is characterized in that the operating means can be operated by the player in multiple different directions.
In the embodiment, "the rotation direction which is the operation direction of the handle 11b and the horizontal direction which is the operation direction of the stop button 11e" correspond to a plurality of directions different from each other.
[Reference Invention 2-3]
The gaming machine described in [Reference Invention 2-1] is characterized in that the preview performance means displays the entire display area of the display device as the tilted display area together with the image inside at an angle.
According to the above means, a preview effect is performed in response to the image in the tilted display area of the display being tilted from its initial position. An information pattern is displayed in this tilted display area. This information pattern prompts the player to operate the operating means, and if the preview effect starts with the information pattern displayed in the tilted display area in a standard position, the display of the information pattern continues in the same standard position as before the preview effect started. As a result, the information pattern does not tilt together with the image in the tilted display area, making it possible for the player to accurately view the display content of the information pattern even during the preview effect.

[Reference Invention 2-4]
The gaming machine described in [Reference Invention 2-1] is characterized in that when the preview performance starts while the information pattern is displayed, the information display means continues to display the information pattern at the same size as before the preview performance started.
According to the above means, when the preview performance starts with the information pattern displayed in the standard position within the inclined display area, the display of the information pattern continues in the same position and the same size as before the preview performance started, so that the player can accurately view the display content of the information pattern even during the preview performance.

[Reference Invention 2-5]
The gaming machine described in [Reference Invention 2-1] is characterized in that when the preview performance starts while the information pattern is displayed, the information display means continues to display the information pattern in the same position as before the preview performance started.
According to the above means, when the preview performance starts with the information pattern displayed in the standard position within the inclined display area, the display of the information pattern continues in the same position and in the same position as before the preview performance started, so that the player can accurately view the display content of the information pattern even during the preview performance.

[Reference Invention 2-6]
the information display means displays the information pattern in a standard horizontal position within the inclined display area,
The gaming machine described in [Reference Invention 2-1] is characterized in that the preview performance means tilts the image in the tilted display area so that the tilt angle relative to the information pattern becomes larger.
According to the above means, the image in the tilted display area is tilted so that the tilt angle relative to the information pattern in the landscape orientation becomes larger. As a result, the presence of the information pattern becomes more noticeable as the tilted display of the image in the tilted display area progresses, so that the player can accurately see the displayed content of the information pattern even during the preview performance.

[Reference Invention 2-7]
a light source for illuminating the operating means;
a light source control means for switching the state of the operation means among an invalid state for notifying that the operation means is in an invalid state, an valid state for notifying that the operation means is in an valid state, and an operated state for notifying that the operation means has been operated in the valid state in response to controlling the light source;
The light source control means
The gaming machine described in [Reference Invention 2-1] is characterized in that the operation means is in an invalid mode before the preview performance starts, and the operation means is switched from the invalid mode to the valid mode after the preview performance starts, and if the operation means is operated during the preview performance, the operation means is switched from the valid mode to the operated mode.
In the embodiment, the "operation button 10" corresponds to the operation means, the "LED 10a" corresponds to the light source, the "non-light emitting state" corresponds to the invalid state, the "red light emitting state" corresponds to the valid state, and the "rainbow flashing state" corresponds to the operated state.

[Reference Invention 2-8]
a reach effect means for displaying on the display an image of a reach effect that enhances a player's sense of expectation for a win being notified in a symbol game;
the advance notice performance means starts the advance notice performance either at a pre-reach timing before the image of the reach performance starts to be displayed or at a post-reach timing after the image of the reach performance starts to be displayed,
The symbol game means notifies a win in a symbol game with different probabilities when the advance notice performance is started at a timing before a reach and when the advance notice performance is started at a timing after a reach,
The gaming machine described in [Reference Invention 2-1] is characterized in that the information display means displays the information pattern in the standard position within the inclined display area of the display when the preview performance begins, regardless of whether it is before the reach or after the reach, and continues to display the information pattern in the standard position during the preview performance.
The "normal reach effect" in the embodiment corresponds to the reach effect.

[Reference Invention 2-9]
A determination means for determining whether or not a starting condition is met each time the starting condition is met;
A symbol game means for displaying on a display an image of a symbol game that notifies a player of a winning or losing determination result;
an operating means that can be operated by a player to launch a gaming ball;
an information display means for displaying, in a horizontal position on the display, an information pattern that prompts a player to operate the operating means;
A notice effect means is provided to perform a notice effect that suggests to a player in advance when a winning is notified by an image of a symbol game,
The preview production means
This gaming machine is characterized in that, when an information pattern is displayed on the display in a horizontal position, the preview performance is performed by tilting the image displayed on the display so that the tilt angle relative to the information pattern becomes larger.
In the embodiment, "the special chart 1 game, the special chart 2 game, the small hit game, and the big hit game all stop" corresponds to the start condition being met, the "main control circuit 40" corresponds to the determination means, the "performance pattern game" corresponds to the pattern game, the "performance pattern display 28" corresponds to the display, the "sub-control circuit 60" corresponds to the pattern game means, the advance performance means, and the information display means, the "launch handle 11" corresponds to the operation means, the "operation instruction pattern C" corresponds to the information pattern, the "chance background image" corresponds to the image, and the "tilt advance performance" corresponds to the advance performance.
According to the above means, the preview effect is performed in response to the image being tilted so that the tilt angle relative to the information pattern in the landscape orientation becomes larger. Therefore, as the tilt display of the image progresses, the presence of the information pattern becomes more noticeable to the player, so that the player can accurately view the display content of the information pattern even during the preview effect.

[Example 8]
As shown in Figure 40(a), a switch unit 100 is attached to the upper tray 8. This switch unit 100 is operated by the player to change the current settings of the gaming machine and is composed of a volume switch 102, a light intensity switch 103, a music switch 104, and a mode switch 105 attached to a switch body 101. The volume switch 102 has a push-type up switch 102H and a push-type down switch 102L that can be operated by the player, and a speaker mark 102M is provided on the switch body 101 between the up switch 102H and the down switch 102L so that it can be seen by the player. This speaker mark 102M informs the player of the purpose of the volume switch 102, and the sub-control circuit 60 increases the volume of the speaker 32 by one level each time it detects an on signal from the up switch 102H, and decreases the volume of the speaker 32 by one level each time it detects an on signal from the down switch 102L.

As shown in Figure 40(a), the light intensity switch 103 has a push-type up switch 103H and a push-type down switch 103L that can be operated by the player, and a brightness mark 103M is provided on the switch body 101 between the up switch 103H and the down switch 103L so that it can be seen by the player. This brightness mark 103M informs the player of the purpose of the light intensity switch 103, and the sub-control circuit 60 brightens the brightness of the screen of the performance symbol display 28 by one level each time it detects an on signal from the up switch 103H, and darkens the brightness of the screen of the performance symbol display 28 by one level each time it detects an on signal from the down switch 103L.

The music switch 104 is a push-button switch that can be operated by the player, and a music mark 104M is provided on the music switch 104 so that it can be seen by the player. This music mark 104M notifies the player of the purpose of the music switch 104, and each time the sub-control circuit 60 detects an ON signal from the music switch 104, it changes the type of music in a cyclical order of "Music 1 → Music 2 → Music 3 → Music 1...". This music is output from the speaker 32 during performance symbol play, and the volume of the music can be adjusted by the player to any desired level depending on the operation of the volume switch 102.

The mode switch 105 is a push-button switch that can be operated by the player, and a mode mark 105M consisting of the word "MODE" is provided on the mode switch 105 so that it can be seen by the player. This mode mark 105M informs the player of the purpose of the mode switch 105, and the sub-control circuit 60 changes the sub-mode type in a cyclical order of "city mode → sea mode → mountain mode → city mode → ..." each time it detects an on signal from the mode switch 105. These city mode, sea mode, and mountain mode can each be changed when the presentation mode is set to normal mode, and cannot be set in chance mode or speed mode. As shown in Figure 40 (c), city mode is a mode in which music 1 is output from the speaker 32 during performance symbol play and a city background image (see b) is displayed on the performance symbol display 32; sea mode is a mode in which music 2 is output from the speaker 32 during performance symbol play and a sea background image is displayed on the performance symbol display 32; and mountain mode is a mode in which music 3 is output from the speaker 32 during performance symbol play and a mountain background image is displayed on the performance symbol display 32.

Figure 40 (b) shows the individual setting image Ie and mode setting image Im. The individual setting image Ie is displayed on the effect pattern display 28 when any of the up switch 102H, down switch 102L, up switch 103H, down switch 103L, or music switch 104 of the switch unit 100 is operated, and the display of the individual setting image Ie is permitted during effect pattern play (excluding button operation effects), big win play, small win play, and standby. This individual setting image Ie notifies the player of the current settings for the volume of the speaker 32, the brightness of the effect pattern display 28, and the type of music, and is displayed within the display area Ee.

As shown in Figure 41(a), the individual setting image Ie has a volume gauge design 102G, a brightness gauge design 103G, and a music window design 104W. The volume gauge design 102G notifies the player of the current volume setting result of the speaker 32 as the width dimension of the blacked-out area, and a volume mark design 102Z identical to the volume mark 102M of the switch unit 100 is displayed to the left of the volume gauge design 102G, thereby notifying the player that the volume gauge design 102G is displaying the current volume setting result of the speaker 32. The brightness gauge symbol 103G notifies the player of the current brightness setting result of the effect symbol display 28 as the width dimension of a blacked-out area, and a brightness mark symbol 103Z identical to the brightness mark 103M of the switch unit 100 is displayed to the left of the brightness gauge symbol 103G, thereby notifying the player that the brightness gauge symbol 103G is displaying the current brightness setting result of the effect symbol display 28. The music window symbol 104W displays the current music setting result in text within it, and a music mark symbol 104Z identical to the music mark 104M of the switch unit 100 is displayed to the left of the music window symbol 104W, thereby notifying the player that the image within the music window symbol 104W is displaying the current music setting result.

As shown in Figure 43(b), the mode setting image Im has a character pattern indicating the setting result of the current submode and a switch pattern Is that resembles the outline shape of the mode switch 105, and notifies the player that the current submode can be changed by operating the mode switch 105. As shown in Figure 40(b), this mode setting image Im is displayed within the display area Em of the effect pattern display 28, and the display area Em is set in a different position from the display area Ee for the individual setting image Ie.

Setting operation process 1 in Figure 41 (e) is activated when the sub-control circuit 60 detects that any of the up switch 102H, down switch 102L, up switch 103H, down switch 103L, or music switch 104 of the switch unit 100 has been operated. When setting operation process 1 is activated, the sub-control circuit 60 detects the current volume setting, current brightness setting, and current music setting, and determines in S401 whether the button operation effect described below is stopped. If it determines that the button operation effect is stopped, the process proceeds to S402, where an individual setting image Ie is displayed in the display area Ee of the effect symbol display 28. In this case, the blackened area of the volume gauge symbol 102Z is displayed with a width corresponding to the volume detection result, the blackened area of the brightness gauge symbol 103Z is displayed with a width corresponding to the brightness detection result, and an image corresponding to the music detection result is displayed in the music window symbol 104W, thereby notifying the player of the current settings related to the effect symbol game. If the individual setting image Ie is displayed in S402, the sub-control circuit 60 proceeds to S403 and sets setting operation flag 1 to the ON state.

Setting operation process 2 in Figure 42 (a) is activated when the sub-control circuit 60 detects that the mode switch 105 of the switch unit 100 has been operated. When setting operation process 2 is activated, the sub-control circuit 60 detects the setting result of the current sub-mode and determines in S411 whether the button operation effect described below is stopped. If it determines that the button operation effect is stopped, the process proceeds to S412, where a mode setting image Im is displayed in the display area Em of the effect pattern display 28. In this case, the current setting result of the sub-mode is notified to the player by displaying a pattern corresponding to the sub-mode detection result, and setting operation flag 2 is set to the ON state in S413. In other words, the mode setting image Im can be started to be displayed with the individual setting image Ie also displayed, and the individual setting image Ie can be started to be displayed with the mode setting image Im also displayed, and the individual setting image Ie and mode setting image Im can be displayed simultaneously.

Switch processing 1 in Figure 42(b) is executed by the sub-control circuit 60 during the timer interrupt processing in Figure 27(b), and the sub-control circuit 60 determines whether setting operation flag 1 is on in S421 of switch processing 1. When the individual setting image Ie is displayed on the performance symbol display 28, the sub-control circuit 60 determines that setting operation flag 1 is on and proceeds to S422 to determine whether the volume switch 102 has been operated. If it determines that the up switch 102H of the volume switch 102 has been operated, it increases the volume of the speaker 32 by one level from the current setting in S423. If it determines that the down switch 102L has been operated, it decreases the volume of the speaker 32 by one level from the current setting in S423. In either case, it changes the width of the black area of the volume gauge symbol 102Z of the individual setting image Ie in S424 to reflect the change in volume (see Figures 41(a) → (b)).

If the sub-control circuit 60 determines in S422 that the volume switch 102 has not been operated, it proceeds to S426 and determines whether the brightness switch 103 has been operated. If it determines that the up switch 103H of the brightness switch 103 has been operated, it makes the brightness of the effect pattern display 28 one step brighter than the current setting in S427; if it determines that the down switch 103L has been operated, it makes the brightness of the effect pattern display 28 one step darker than the current setting in S427; in either case, it changes the width of the black area of the brightness gauge pattern 103Z of the individual setting image Ie in S428 to reflect the change in brightness (see Figure 41 (a) → (c)).

If the sub-control circuit 60 determines in S426 that the brightness switch 103 has not been operated, it proceeds to S429 and determines whether the music switch 104 has been operated. If it determines that the music switch 104 has been operated, it changes the music from the current setting result to the next in order in S430, and changes the display in the music window design 104W of the individual setting image Ie to reflect the change in music in S431 (see Figures 41 (a) -> (d)). If the sub-control circuit 60 changes the volume gauge design 102Z in S424, the brightness gauge design 103Z in S428, or the music name in S431, it proceeds to S425 and sets the setting operation flag 1 to the OFF state. If the sub-control circuit 60 sets the setting operation flag 1 to the OFF state, it waits for a certain period of time (2 seconds) to pass since the setting operation flag 1 was turned OFF before erasing the individual setting image Ie.

Switch processing 2 in Figure 43 (a) is executed by the sub-control circuit 60 in the timer interrupt processing in Figure 27 (b), and the sub-control circuit 60 determines whether setting operation flag 2 is on in S441 of switch processing 2. When the mode setting image Im is displayed on the performance symbol display 28, the sub-control circuit 60 determines that setting operation flag 2 is on and proceeds to S442, where it determines whether the mode switch 105 has been operated. If it determines that the mode switch 105 has been operated, the sub-mode is changed from the current setting result to the next order in S443, and the name of the sub-mode in the mode setting image Im is changed to one corresponding to the change result of the sub-mode in S444 (see Figure 43 (b)). If the sub-control circuit 60 has changed the display name of the sub-mode in S444, it proceeds to S445 and sets setting operation flag 2 to the off state. When the setting operation flag 2 is set to the OFF state, the sub-control circuit 60 waits for a certain period of time (2 seconds) to pass after the setting operation flag 2 is turned OFF before erasing the mode setting image Im.

Figure 44 explains the button operation effect. This button operation effect is executed during a normal reach effect when the effect mode is set to normal mode, and is displayed superimposed on top of the city background image when set to city mode, superimposed on top of the sea background image when set to sea mode, and superimposed on top of the mountain background image when set to mountain mode. This button operation effect is initiated by displaying button symbol B in button area Eb of the effect symbol display 28 during a normal reach effect (see a→b), and button area Eb is set in a position that does not overlap with the display area Ee for the individual setting image Ie and the display area Em for the mode setting image Im.

As shown in Figure 44, button design B has a semicircular outline that mimics the outline of the operation button 10 and is displayed in white. This button design B is displayed together with the word "PUSH!", which urges the player to operate the operation button 10. This operation button 10 is switched from an invalid state to an valid state in synchronization with the start of the display of button design B, and the player is notified that the operation button 10 has been switched from an invalid state to an valid state when the operation button 10 switches from a non-illuminating state to a white lit state (see a → b).

As shown in Figure 44, button symbol B is erased when the operation button 10 is activated while lit in white. When button symbol B is erased, either a low-reliability ending image or a high-reliability ending image for the button operation effect is displayed. The low-reliability ending image displays a single lightning bolt T in place of button symbol B (see b → c), informing the player that the probability of the three rows of effect symbols forming a jackpot combination in this effect symbol play is low. The high-reliability ending image displays two lightning bolt T in place of button symbol B (see b → d), informing the player that the probability of the three rows of effect symbols forming a jackpot combination in this effect symbol play is high. Each of these low-reliability ending images and high-reliability ending images is displayed continuously for a fixed period of time (2 seconds). When the low-reliability ending image is displayed, the operation button 10 flashes yellow, and when the high-reliability ending image is displayed, it flashes rainbow colors.

The button operation effect processing in Figure 45 (a) is initiated by the sub-control circuit 60 each time it receives special symbol 1 game data from the main control circuit 40. The sub-control circuit 60 determines whether or not to execute a button operation effect in the button operation effect processing, and if it determines that a button operation effect should be executed, it determines whether to display a low-reliability ending image or a high-reliability ending image in the button operation effect, and executes the button operation effect for the current effect symbol game according to the determination result. When this sub-control circuit 60 initiates the button operation effect processing, it determines in S451 whether the current effect mode is city mode, sea mode, or mountain mode. If it determines that it is city mode, sea mode, or mountain mode, it proceeds to S452 and determines whether the reception result of the special symbol 1 game data includes any of the eight special symbol variation pattern determination results for battle effects, "PO01-PO04" or "PH01-PH04."

If the sub-control circuit 60 determines in S452 that there is a determination result for a special symbol variation pattern for battle effects, it proceeds to S453 and determines whether or not there is a jackpot determination result in the received results of the special symbol 1 game data. If it determines that there is a jackpot determination result, it proceeds to S454 and detects effect table 1 of Figure 45(b) from the ROM. This effect table 1 assigns a high selection probability to ending images with high reliability and a low selection probability to ending images with low reliability. If the sub-control circuit 60 detects effect table 1 in S454, it selects either a high-reliability ending image or a low-reliability ending image from effect table 1 in S455 with a probability corresponding to the selection probability.

If the received Special Chart 1 game data indicates a miss, the sub-control circuit 60 determines in S453 that there is no jackpot and proceeds to S456, where it detects Presentation Table 2 of Figure 45(c) from the ROM. This Presentation Table 2 assigns a low selection probability to ending images with high reliability and a high selection probability to ending images with low reliability. If the sub-control circuit 60 detects Presentation Table 2 in S456, it selects either a high-reliability ending image or a low-reliability ending image from Presentation Table 2 in S455 with a probability corresponding to the selection probability.

Figure 46 illustrates the image that appears when an individual setting image Ie is displayed in the display area Ee of the effect pattern display 28, and it is determined that a button operation effect will begin with a mode setting image Im displayed in the display area Em. In this case, with the individual setting image Ie and mode setting image Im displayed, button pattern B is displayed in white in the button area Eb (see a->b), and when button pattern B is displayed, the operation button 10 switches from a non-illuminating state to a white lit state. When this operation button 10 is operated with button pattern B displayed, button pattern B is erased from the button area Eb, and either a low-reliability ending image or a high-reliability ending image of the button operation effect is displayed (see b->c/b->d).

Figure 47 illustrates the images that appear when any of the volume switch 102, brightness switch 103, and music switch 104 is operated during a button operation performance while the setting operation image Ie and mode setting image Im are displayed on the performance pattern display 28. When the volume switch 102 is operated, the volume of the speaker 32 is changed according to the operation of the volume switch 102, and then the display content of the volume gauge pattern 102G on the setting operation image Ie is changed. When the brightness switch 103 is operated, the brightness of the performance pattern display 28 is changed according to the operation of the brightness switch 103, and then the display content of the brightness gauge pattern 103G on the setting operation image Ie is changed (see a→b). When the music switch 104 is operated, the type of music is changed according to the operation of the music switch 104, and then the music name in the music window pattern W on the setting operation image Ie is changed. This Figure 47 explains the image that appears when the mode switch 105 is operated during a button operation performance while the setting operation image Ie and mode setting image Im are displayed on the performance pattern display 28. When the mode switch 105 is operated, the submode changes according to the operation of the mode switch 105, and then the display name of the submode in the mode setting image Im changes (see a→c).

According to the eighth embodiment, the following effects are achieved.
During a game in which an individual setting image Ie and a mode setting image Im are displayed, the button design B begins to be displayed. The individual setting image Ie and the mode setting image Im each notify the player of settings related to the game in which the individual setting image Ie and the mode setting image Im are displayed, and the button design B prompts the player to operate the operation button 10. When the operation button 10 is operated in a state in which the individual setting image Ie to the button design B are displayed, a change is made to the image of the game in which the individual setting image Ie to the button design B are displayed, and therefore, even in a state in which the individual setting image Ie to the button design B are displayed, the player's anticipation for a jackpot is heightened. Moreover, when the switch unit 100 is operated while the individual setting image Ie to button design B are displayed, the display contents of the individual setting image Ie are changed according to the operation contents of the switch unit 100, and when the mode switch 105 is operated, the display contents of the mode setting image Im are changed according to the operation contents of the mode switch 105, so that even when the individual setting image Ie to button design B are displayed, the player is notified that the operation of the switch unit 100 and the operation of the mode switch 105 have been accepted.

[Example 9]
Switch processing 1 in Fig. 48(a) is executed by the sub-control circuit 60 in place of switch processing 1 in Fig. 42(b), and when the sub-control circuit 60 determines in S422 of Fig. 48(a) that the volume switch 102 has been operated, it sets volume change data in S423A and stores the change data setting result in RAM. This change data indicates to what level the volume of the speaker 32 should be changed from the current setting result, and is set according to the operation content of the volume switch 102. When the sub-control circuit 60 has stored the volume change data in S423A, it changes the display content of the volume gauge symbol 102G of the individual setting image Ie in S424 to one according to the setting result of the volume change data.

If the sub-control circuit 60 determines in S426 that the brightness switch 103 has been operated, it sets brightness change data in S427A and stores the change data setting result in RAM. This change data indicates to what brightness the brightness of the performance symbol display 28 should be changed from the current setting result, and is set according to the operation of the brightness switch 103. If the sub-control circuit 60 has stored the brightness change data in S427A, it changes the display content of the brightness gauge symbol 103G of the individual setting image Ie in S428 to one that corresponds to the setting result of the brightness change data.

If the sub-control circuit 60 determines in S429 that the music switch 104 has been operated, it sets music change data in S430A and stores the change data setting results in RAM. This change data indicates the type of music to be changed from the current setting results, and is set according to the operation of the music switch 104. If the sub-control circuit 60 stores the music change data in S430A, it changes the display content in the music window design 104W of the individual setting image Ie in S431 to match the setting results of the music change data.

Switch processing 2 in Figure 48(b) is executed by the sub-control circuit 60 in place of switch processing 2 in Figure 43(a). If the sub-control circuit 60 determines in S442 of Figure 48(b) that the mode switch 105 has been operated, it sets sub-mode change data in S443A and stores the result of setting the sub-mode change data in RAM. This change data indicates the type of sub-mode to be changed from the current setting result, and is set according to the operation of the mode switch 105. If the sub-mode change data has been stored in S443A, the sub-control circuit 60 changes the display content of the sub-mode of the mode setting image Im in S444 to one according to the result of setting the change data.

The setting item change process of Figure 49 is executed by the sub-control circuit 60 during the timer interrupt process of Figure 27 (b), and in S451 the sub-control circuit 60 determines whether volume change data, brightness change data, music change data, or sub-mode change data is stored in RAM. If it determines that change data is stored, it proceeds to S452 and determines whether game play is currently stopped. If special symbol 1 play, special symbol 2 play, small hit play, and big hit play are all stopped, it is determined that game play is currently stopped and it proceeds to S453. Here, the current settings for the performance symbol play are changed to those corresponding to the change data, and the change data is erased from RAM in S454.

In other words, if the volume switch 102 is operated while the individual setting image Ie is displayed during the current effect symbol game, the display content of the volume gauge symbol 102G on the individual setting image Ie is immediately changed in accordance with the operation of the volume switch 102, and the player is notified that the operation of the volume switch 102 has been accepted. In this case, the volume of the speaker 32 is changed when the current effect symbol game ends, and the next effect symbol game will be played with a sound volume that corresponds to the result of the volume change. If the brightness switch 103 is operated while the individual setting image Ie is displayed during the current effect symbol game, the display content of the brightness gauge symbol 103G on the individual setting image Ie is immediately changed in accordance with the operation of the brightness switch 103, and the player is notified that the operation of the brightness switch 103 has been accepted. In this case, the brightness of the effect symbol display 28 is changed when the current effect symbol game ends, and the next effect symbol game will be played with an image of a brightness that corresponds to the result of the brightness change.

If the music switch 104 is operated while the individual setting image Ie is displayed during the current effect symbol game, the display content in the music window 104W of the individual setting image Ie will immediately change in accordance with the operation of the music switch 104, and the player will be notified that the operation of the music switch 104 has been accepted. In this case, the music will change when the current effect symbol game ends, and the next effect symbol game will be played with music that corresponds to the change in music. If the mode switch 105 is operated while the mode setting image Im is displayed during the current effect symbol game, the display content of the mode setting image Im will immediately change in accordance with the operation of the mode switch 105, and the player will be notified that the operation of the mode switch 105 has been accepted. In this case, the sub-mode will change when the current effect symbol game ends, and the next effect symbol game will be played with a background image and music that corresponds to the change in sub-mode.

In the above-mentioned Example 9, when changing the display contents of the volume gauge pattern 102G, the display contents of the brightness gauge pattern 103G, and the display contents in the music window pattern W of the individual setting image Ie, a message image such as "Switch operation has been accepted" may be attached, and when changing the display contents of the mode setting image Im, a message image such as "Switch operation has been accepted" may be attached.
In the above-described Example 9, when the volume switch 102 is operated while the individual setting image Ie is displayed during the button operation effect, the display content of the volume gauge symbol 102G of the individual setting image Ie may be changed in accordance with the operation content of the volume switch 102, and when the button operation effect or the normal reach effect ends, the volume of the speaker 32 may be changed so that the battle effect is produced with a sound volume that corresponds to the result of the change in volume. This also applies to the cases when the brightness switch 103, the music switch 104, and the mode switch 104 are operated.

In addition to the inventions described in the claims, Examples 8 and 9 above also describe the following [Reference Invention 3-1] to [Reference Invention 3-10]. Some gaming machines are configured to determine whether a game has been won or lost each time a start condition is met, and each time a win/loss determination is made, an image of the symbol game is displayed on the display, thereby informing the player of the result of the determination (see JP 2010-17425 A). Some gaming machines are equipped with an operating means. This operating means is operable by the player to change settings related to the symbol game, and is enabled in a game-stopped state in which both the symbol game and the special game have stopped. As a result, the player must wait for the game to be stopped in order to change settings related to the symbol game, leaving room for improvement in terms of usability.

[Reference Invention 3-1]
A determination means for determining whether or not a starting condition is met each time the starting condition is met;
A symbol game means for displaying a symbol game image to notify the player of the result of the winning or losing decision;
a first operating means operable by a player to change settings relating to symbol games;
a first display means for displaying a first image during a symbol game to notify a player of settings related to the symbol game;
a second operating means operable by a player to add a visual change to the image of the symbol game;
a second display means for displaying a second image during a symbol game, the second image prompting a player to operate the second operation means;
the second display means is capable of starting to display the second image during a symbol game in a state where the first image is being displayed, and when the second operation means is operated during a symbol game in a state where both the first image and the second image are being displayed, a change is imparted to the image of the symbol game;
The gaming machine is characterized in that the first display means changes the display content of the first image when the first operating means is operated during a pattern game in which both the first image and the second image are displayed.
In the embodiment, "all of the special symbol 1 game, special symbol 2 game, small hit game, and big hit game stopping" corresponds to the start condition being met, the "main control circuit 40" corresponds to the determination means, the "performance symbol game" corresponds to the symbol game, the "sub-control circuit 60" corresponds to the symbol game means, the first display means, and the second display means, each of the "volume switch 102", "brightness switch 103", "music switch 104", and "mode switch 105" corresponds to the first operation means, each of the "volume of the speaker 32", "brightness of the performance symbol display 28", "music for performance symbol game", and "sub-mode" corresponds to the setting items related to the performance symbol game, each of the "individual setting image Ie" and "mode setting image Im" corresponds to the first image, the "operation button 10" corresponds to the second operation means, and the "button symbol B" corresponds to the second image.
According to the above means, the second image begins to be displayed during a symbol game while the first image is being displayed. The first image notifies the player of settings related to the symbol game, and the second image prompts the player to operate the second operating means. When the second operating means is operated while both images are displayed, a change is made to the symbol game image, thereby increasing the player's anticipation of a win even when both images are displayed. Moreover, when the first operating means is operated while both images are displayed, the display content of the first image is changed, so the player is notified that the operation of the first operating means has been accepted even when both images are displayed.

[Reference Invention 3-2]
The gaming machine described in [Reference Invention 3-1] is characterized in that the first display means displays an image representing the first operating means together with the first image.
In the embodiment, the "volume mark design 102Z", the "brightness mark design 103Z", the "music mark design 104Z" and the "switch design Is" each correspond to an image representing the first operating means.
[Reference Invention 3-3]
The gaming machine described in [Reference Invention 3-1] is characterized in that the second display means displays an image representing the second operating means as the second image.
In the embodiment, the "button design B" corresponds to the image representing the second operating means.
[Reference Invention 3-4]
a reach effect means for displaying an image of a reach effect during a symbol game to enhance a player's expectation of winning;
The gaming machine described in [Reference Invention 3-1] is characterized in that the second display means starts displaying the second image while the image of the reach effect is being displayed.

[Reference Invention 3-5]
The gaming machine described in [Reference Invention 3-1] is characterized in that it is provided with a change means for changing the settings related to the symbol game in accordance with the operation of the first operation means when the first operation means is operated during symbol game in which both the first image and the second image are displayed.
The "sub-control circuit 60" in the embodiment corresponds to the changing means.
[Reference Invention 3-6]
The change means changes the setting items related to the symbol game during the current symbol game in which the first operation means is operated,
The gaming machine described in [Reference Invention 3-5] is characterized in that the first display means changes the display content of the first image to one that corresponds to the result of a change in settings during the current pattern play.
[Reference Invention 3-7]
The change means changes the setting items related to the symbol game after the end of the current symbol game in which the first operation means is operated,
The gaming machine described in [Reference Invention 3-5] is characterized in that the first display means changes the display content of the first image to one corresponding to the setting items that the change means plans to change during the current pattern game before the change means changes the setting items related to the pattern game.
[Reference Invention 3-8]
The gaming machine described in [Reference Invention 3-1] is characterized in that the first display means is unable to start displaying the first image during a pattern game in which the second image is being displayed.
[Reference Invention 3-9]
The gaming machine described in [Reference Invention 3-1] is characterized in that the first display means starts displaying the first image when the first operating means is operated while the first image is not displayed.

[Reference Invention 3-10]
A determination means for determining whether or not a starting condition is met each time the starting condition is met;
A symbol game means for displaying a symbol game image to notify the player of the result of the winning or losing decision;
a reach effect means for displaying an image of a reach effect during a symbol game in order to increase a player's expectation of a win;
A display means for displaying a setting image for changing setting items related to a symbol game, the display means being capable of displaying the setting image while the image of the reach effect is being displayed;
A gaming machine characterized by comprising a receiving means for receiving an input for changing the setting items when the input is made while the image of the reach effect is being displayed with the setting image displayed.
In the embodiment, "all of the special symbol 1 game, special symbol 2 game, small hit game, and big hit game stop" corresponds to the start condition being met, the "main control circuit 40" corresponds to the determination means, the "performance symbol game" corresponds to the symbol game, the "button operation performance" corresponds to the reach performance, the "sub-control circuit 60" corresponds to the symbol game means, the reach performance means, the display means, and the reception means, the "volume of the speaker 32," the "brightness of the performance symbol display 28," the "music for performance symbol game," and the "sub-mode" each correspond to the setting items related to the performance symbol game, and the "individual setting image Ie" and the "mode setting image Im" each correspond to the setting image.
According to the above means, if a change to the settings related to the symbol game is input during the reach effect in which the setting image is displayed, the input is accepted, so that it becomes possible to change the settings related to the symbol game even during the reach effect.

18 is the first start port, 19 is the big prize port, 23 is the second start port, 28 is the performance symbol display, 40 is the main control circuit, and 60 is the sub-control circuit.

Claims (1)

a first operating means operable by a player;
a second operating means operable by a player;
a determination means for determining whether or not to execute a special game advantageous to a player each time a starting condition is established;
a special symbol display control means for, when the determination is made, causing a predetermined special symbol display means to variably display a special symbol and then to statically display a special symbol indicating the result of the determination;
a performance control means for controlling the performance ,
The performance control means
A symbol game including a variable display of a performance symbol that notifies the result of the judgment is executed in accordance with the variable display of the special symbol, and the symbol game is executed in any one of a plurality of performance modes;
The images displayed during the execution of the symbol game include an image of the symbol game, a presentation mode setting image showing the setting of a presentation mode related to the symbol game, a first image showing the first operation means, and a second image prompting the player to operate the second operation means,
The performance control means
The display of the second image can be started while the image of the symbol game, the presentation mode setting image, and the first image are being displayed , and the image of the symbol game, the presentation mode setting image, the first image, and the second image can be displayed together.
A gaming machine characterized in that, when the second operating means is operated while the pattern game image, the presentation mode setting image, the first image , and the second image are displayed together , a change-adding presentation is executed to add a change to the pattern game image being displayed , and when the first operating means is operated , the display of the presentation mode setting image is updated to show a presentation mode different from the presentation mode before the operation of the first operating means , without erasing the first image being displayed.