JP7832698B2 - Gaming machine - Google Patents

Description

This invention relates to a pachinko machine.

Gaming machines, such as pachinko machines, are configured to launch game balls, and when a launched game ball enters a prize slot, they award a number of game balls (prize balls) corresponding to that slot. For example, see Patent Document 1.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2014-128601

In recent years, such gaming machines have been required to have a function (a so-called "complete function") that stops the game when the number of balls played exceeds a predetermined threshold, in order to curb excessive gambling.
However, this "complete" function is a new feature that did not exist before, and combining it with existing functions creates new problems that were not present before.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and provides a gaming machine that, while possessing the complete functionality described above, can also enhance compatibility with existing functions.

According to the present invention, a game machine is provided in which game balls are awarded based on the occurrence of a game ball entering a prize slot, and the game is stopped based on the MY value, which is the increase in game balls from the lowest game ball state, becoming equal to or greater than a specific threshold, wherein there is a specific notification that can be started when a game ball enters the prize slot where the MY value becomes equal to or greater than the specific threshold, the prize slots include a first prize slot and a second prize slot different from the first prize slot, and there is a notification mode of the specific notification that is started when a game ball enters the first prize slot in the first game state, and a second game slot which is more advantageous than the first game state The notification mode of the specific notification initiated by the entry of a game ball into the first prize slot in the game state may differ, and the notification mode of the specific notification initiated by the entry of a game ball into the first prize slot in the first game state and the notification mode after a predetermined period has elapsed since the entry of a game ball into the first prize slot in the second game state are the same, and in at least a portion of the cases in which a power outage and subsequent restoration without RAM clear processing occurs during the execution of the specific notification in the second game state , the notification mode of the specific notification immediately before the power outage and subsequent restoration occurs is executed. Furthermore, after a period of time has elapsed since the power outage and restoration occurred, a specific notification is initiated that has a different notification pattern from the specific notification immediately before the power outage and restoration occurred, but has some commonalities with the notification pattern of the specific notification immediately before the power outage and restoration occurred, and there is a predetermined notification that can be initiated when a game ball enters the prize slot and the MY value becomes greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold that is smaller than the specific threshold, the difference between the specific threshold and the predetermined threshold is greater than the total number of game balls awarded in one jackpot game, and the predetermined notification continues from the start of the predetermined notification until the MY value reaches the specific threshold. A gaming machine is provided which has a first channel and a second channel, wherein the first prize entry point is provided on the first channel and the second prize entry point is provided on the second channel, in the first game state, it is recommended to launch the game ball into the first channel, in the second game state, it is recommended to launch the game ball into the second channel, and the notification mode of the specific notification that is initiated by the entry of a game ball into the second prize entry point in the first game state may differ from the notification mode of the specific notification that is initiated by the entry of a game ball into the second prize entry point in the second game state.

According to the present invention, a gaming machine is provided that has a complete functionality while also being able to enhance compatibility with existing functions.

Figure 1 is a front view of the gaming machine. Figure 2 shows the pattern display device installed in area II shown in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a bird's-eye view showing the group of control buttons and their surroundings located in area III shown in Figure 1. Figure 4 shows a game board installed inside a gaming machine. Figure 5 is a rear view of the gaming machine. Figure 6 is a block diagram showing the control configuration of a gaming machine. Figure 7 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a gaming machine. Figure 8(a) schematically shows a lottery table for determining whether a special symbol win or loss occurs; Figure 8(b) schematically shows a lottery table for determining the stopping symbols used when a big win is determined in the special symbol win or loss determination for special symbol 1; Figure 8(c) schematically shows a lottery table for determining the stopping symbols used when a small win is determined in the special symbol win or loss determination for special symbol 2; and Figure 8(d) schematically shows a lottery table for determining the stopping symbols used when a big win is determined in the special symbol win or loss determination for special symbol 2. Figure 9(a) schematically shows the special symbol variation pattern lottery table used in the symbol variation related to special symbol 1 when special symbol variation pattern derivation state PA, and Figure 9(b) schematically shows the special symbol variation pattern lottery table used when special symbol variation pattern HNP is determined in the symbol variation related to special symbol 1 when special symbol variation pattern derivation state PA. Figure 10(a) schematically shows the special symbol variation pattern lottery table used in the symbol variation related to special symbol 2 when the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PB is reached, and Figure 10(b) schematically shows the special symbol variation pattern lottery table used when the special symbol variation pattern HNP is determined in the symbol variation related to special symbol 2 when the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PB is reached. Figure 11(a) schematically shows the special symbol variation pattern lottery table used in the symbol variation related to special symbol 2 when the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PC is active, and Figure 11(b) schematically shows the special symbol variation pattern lottery table used when the special symbol variation pattern HNP is determined in the symbol variation related to special symbol 2 when the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PC is active. Figure 12(a) is a state transition diagram showing the transitions between the states for which the special pattern variation is derived, and Figure 12(b) is a diagram showing the relationship between the average variation time for each state for which the special pattern variation is derived. Figure 13 shows the flow of the game stop flag setting process related to the complete function. Figure 14 shows the flow of the game stop process related to the complete function. Figure 15 shows the general flow of notifications related to the complete function. Figure 16 shows the flow of notifications related to the complete function when the game stop flag is turned ON during a jackpot game. Figure 17 shows the flow of the pre-notification execution process. Figures 18(a) to 18(f) show the notification methods for advance notification. Figure 19 shows the flow of the pre-notification termination process. Figure 20 shows the flow of the process for initiating a stop warning notification. Figure 21 shows the flow of the process for initiating a game stop notification. Figure 22 is a table summarizing the combinations of the type of winning slot that triggered the pre-notification, the game state at the time the notification started, and the notification method of the notification. Figures 23(a) and 23(b) show specific examples of notification methods for advance notification. Figure 24 is a table summarizing the combinations of the type of winning slot that triggered the start of the stop notification, the winning game at the time the notification started, and the notification method of the notification. Figures 25(a) and 25(b) show specific examples of notification methods for stop warning notifications. Figure 26 is a table summarizing the combinations of the type of winning slot that triggered the game stop notification, the game state at the time the notification started, and the notification method of the notification. Figures 27(a) and 27(b) show specific examples of notification methods for game stop notifications. Figure 28 is a timing chart showing the behavior of each notification when a power outage occurs and is restored without a RAM clear process during a period when both the advance notification and the stop warning notification are being executed in parallel. Figure 29 is a timing chart showing the behavior of each notification when a power outage occurs and is restored without a RAM clear process during the initial period after the game stop flag is turned ON. Figure 30 is a timing chart showing the behavior of each notification when the game stop flag is turned ON just before the final stage and a power outage and subsequent restoration occurs during that final stage without the execution of a RAM clear process. Figure 31 is a timing chart showing the behavior of each notification when a power outage occurs and is restored while a game stop notification is being executed. Figure 32(a) shows the notification pattern when the stop warning notification is restored, and Figure 32(b) shows the notification pattern when the game stop notification is restored.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In all drawings, the same reference numerals are used for similar components, and their descriptions will be omitted as appropriate. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, "front,""rear,""left,""right,""top," and "bottom" refer to the gaming machine 10 as viewed from the front (player side), as shown in Figure 1.
In the following explanation, "advantageous (degree of advantage)" refers to being advantageous to the player, and unless otherwise specified, it refers to being advantageous in terms of the amount of prize balls (game currency) won (including not only game balls but also medals), excluding so-called premium images and other visual effects.

<Features of the present invention>
Before describing the details of the gaming machine 10 in this embodiment, the features of the invention described in this embodiment will be explained.
In describing the features, the configurations in parentheses are illustrative examples of the configurations in this embodiment corresponding to the preceding configuration, and similar configurations may be described in parentheses in subsequent descriptions of the gaming machine 10.

The present invention
A game machine in which a win/loss determination is performed when a symbol change begins, and if a specific result (jackpot or minor win) is derived from the win/loss determination, a jackpot game can be generated after the end of the symbol change in which the win/loss determination was performed, and when a game ball enters a prize slot, a number of game balls corresponding to that prize slot are awarded, and the game is stopped when the difference in the number of game balls derived using the number of safe balls (the number of game balls awarded related to the award) and the number of out balls (the number of game balls used) exceeds a specific threshold (100,000 balls),
Notification means (main display unit 81),
A notification control means (first sub-control board 200, second sub-control board 300) that controls the above notification means,
Equipped with,
The game state in which symbol variations can be performed has a predetermined game state (special symbol variation pattern derivation state PA, special symbol variation pattern derivation state PB, or special symbol variation pattern derivation state PC),
The above notification control means can initiate a specific notification (game stop notification) based on the entry of game balls into the prize-winning slot where the number of balls exceeds the specified threshold.
The above prize-winning openings include a first prize-winning opening (first starting opening 57) and a second prize-winning opening (second starting opening 59), which is different from the first prize-winning opening.
The notification method of the specific notification that begins when a game ball enters the first prize slot in the predetermined game state described above may differ from the notification method of the specific notification that begins when a game ball enters the second prize slot in the predetermined game state described above.
This is a gaming machine characterized by the following features.

According to the present invention, by making it easier to recognize the winning slot related to the trigger for the specific notification through differences in the notification mode described above, it is possible to reduce the likelihood of causing distrust among players when the specific notification is initiated.

Furthermore, in the above-mentioned statement, "The notification pattern of the specific notification that begins when a game ball enters the first prize slot in the predetermined game state, and the notification pattern of the specific notification that begins when a game ball enters the second prize slot in the predetermined game state, may differ," the phrase "may differ" does not necessarily mean they must differ. It is permissible for one notification pattern to be identical to the other, provided that one pattern is not identical to the other.

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

<About the structure of the gaming machine 10>
First, the structure of the gaming machine 10 will be explained using Figures 1 to 5.
Figure 1 is a front view of the gaming machine 10, Figure 2 shows the pattern display device 90 located in area II shown in Figure 1, Figure 3 is a bird's-eye view showing the group of operation buttons and their surroundings located in area III shown in Figure 1, Figure 4 shows the game board 50 installed inside the gaming machine 10, and Figure 5 is a rear view of the gaming machine 10.
The configurations shown in Figures 1 to 5 are merely those necessary for explaining the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, and configurations and functions not shown herein may be added to the gaming machine 10. Furthermore, the gaming machine 10 does not necessarily have to include all of the configurations shown herein, and some configurations or functions may be omitted as long as they do not hinder the effects of the present invention.

The gaming machine 10 of this embodiment is a so-called pachinko machine. It plays a game where game balls are launched into the front area (hereinafter referred to as the "game area 50a") of a game board 50, which has numerous game pins (not shown in the illustration). When a game ball enters a prize winning slot (for example, a large prize winning slot 55), the player receives a prize. In the following description, the entry of a game ball into a prize winning slot may simply be referred to as "entering a prize (into the prize winning slot)."

The gaming machine 10 comprises a rectangular outer frame 15 with openings at the front and rear, an inner frame 17 that detachably holds the game board 50 on the front side of the openings of the outer frame 15, and a front frame 20 configured to cover the front side of the game board 50.

The inner frame 17 is supported by a hinge mechanism (not shown) located on the same side as the hinge mechanism 21, allowing it to rotate freely around its left end and open and close to the front of the outer frame 15. The inner frame 17 can be locked and unlocked by a cylinder lock 23 (by inserting a door key into the cylinder lock 23 and turning the door key in the opposite direction to the unlocking direction of the front frame 20 (to the right in this embodiment)).

The front frame 20 is supported by a hinge mechanism 21 so as to be rotatable around its left end, and can be opened and closed relative to the middle frame 17. The front frame 20 can be locked and unlocked by a cylinder lock 23 (by inserting a door key into the cylinder lock 23 and turning the door key in the opposite direction to the unlocking direction of the middle frame 17 (to the left in this embodiment)).
Furthermore, the front frame 20 is equipped with a transparent member 25 positioned to cover the game area 50a, and the transparent member 25 provides transparent protection for the game area 50a and the game board 50.
Furthermore, the front frame 20 is equipped with an upper ball receiving tray 27 and a lower ball receiving tray 29 for storing game balls, and the upper ball receiving tray 27 and the lower ball receiving tray 29 are spaced apart vertically and integrally provided with the front frame 20. In this embodiment, a full-capacity detection sensor (not shown) for detecting when the lower ball receiving tray 29 is full with discharged game balls is provided upstream of the lower discharge port 30 that discharges game balls into the lower ball receiving tray 29.
Furthermore, the front frame 20 is equipped with an operating handle 31 on the right side of the lower ball receiving tray 29, and by rotating the operating handle 31, the game balls stored in the upper ball receiving tray 27 are launched toward the game area 50a.

Although not shown in Figures 1 to 5, the middle frame 17 has a middle frame open sensor 76 that detects whether the middle frame 17 is open or closed relative to the outer frame 15, and a front frame open sensor 77 that detects whether the front frame 20 is open or closed relative to the middle frame 17. In this embodiment, both of these open sensors are ON when open and OFF when closed. However, these open sensors may be configured to be OFF when open and ON when closed.
This allows the gaming machine 10 to detect both the open/closed state of the middle frame 17 relative to the outer frame 15, and the open/closed state of the front frame 20 relative to the middle frame 17.

Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, a group of operation buttons operated by the player is arranged on the upper surface of the upper ball receiving tray 27. This group of operation buttons includes a main operation unit 39 electrically connected to the main control board 100 (described later), which includes a ball dispensing button 39a and a return button 39b for accepting prepaid card return operations. It also includes an effect button 37 electrically connected to the first sub-control board 200 (described later), which can accept player operations to switch between effects that occur during gameplay or to obtain various information related to the gaming machine 10, and cursor buttons 38 (up cursor button 38a, down cursor button 38b, left cursor button 38c, right cursor button 38d, middle cursor button 38e) for instructing operations up, down, left, and right, respectively. Each operation unit is equipped with a sensor for detecting operations, and the connected control board detects the operation of each operation unit by changes in the detection state of the sensor.
Furthermore, a movable decorative body 22, which is operated by an actuator such as a motor (not shown), is provided on the side of the upper ball receiving tray 27.

The lower part of the lower ball receiving tray 29 is provided with a ball removal mechanism 36 that discharges the game balls stored in the lower ball receiving tray 29 downwards. By operating this ball removal mechanism 36, a bottom opening (not shown) formed on the bottom surface of the lower ball receiving tray 29 opens, and the game balls fall naturally out through this bottom opening and are discharged.
Although not shown in the diagram, the upper ball tray 27 is equipped with a mechanism, similar to the ball removal mechanism 36, that, when operated, moves the stored balls to the lower ball tray 29. By operating both this mechanism and the ball removal mechanism 36, the stored balls can be discharged.

As shown in Figure 1, a pair of speakers 33 (33a, 33b) are installed on the left and right sides of the upper frame portion 32 of the front frame 20, respectively. Furthermore, the upper frame portion 32 and the left and right side frame portions 34a and 34b of the front frame 20 are formed by light-transmitting covers, and frame lamps 35 (35a, 35b, 35c) are installed inside each of these covers. The speakers 33 and frame lamps 35 can emit sound or light up or turn off in conjunction with effects and error notifications that occur during gameplay.

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

The main display unit 81 can display the changing display of the symbol sequence, which is performed in conjunction with the changing display in the first special symbol display device 91 or the second special symbol display device 92, which will be described later, and can also display various other effects.
In the display of the pattern sequence (decorative pattern) shown on the main display unit 81, the displayed decorative pattern consists of three pattern sequences. In this embodiment, the direction of the display of each pattern sequence is downward, but this direction is not particularly limited. For example, it may be upward, left-right, in the depth direction, or a combination of these (diagonal direction).
Here, the depth direction refers to the virtual direction perceived by the player in a display configuration that uses a method (for example, perspective) that makes it appear as if the pattern sequence is moving from the back to the front or vice versa, even though it is actually a two-dimensional, fluctuating display on the display screen of the main display unit 81.
Furthermore, the decorative patterns in this embodiment include "Pattern 1" which imitates the number "1", "Pattern 2" which imitates the number "2", "Pattern 3" which imitates the number "3", "Pattern 4" which imitates the number "4", "Pattern 5" which imitates the number "5", "Pattern 6" which imitates the number "6", "Pattern 7" which imitates the number "7", "Pattern 8" which imitates the number "8", and "Pattern 9" which imitates the number "9", and these patterns are provided in each pattern row.In the following description, "Pattern 1", "Pattern 3", "Pattern 5", "Pattern 7", and "Pattern 9" may be collectively referred to as "odd-number patterns", and "Pattern 2", "Pattern 4", "Pattern 6", and "Pattern 8" may be collectively referred to as "even-number patterns".

Each of the sub-display units 82 is not only provided for displaying performance images related to the performance, but is also configured to be movable.
The initial positions of the sub-display units are as follows: the upper sub-display unit 82a is above the main display unit 81; the left sub-display unit 82b is to the left of the main display unit 81; and the right sub-display unit 82c is to the right of the main display unit 81. Each sub-display unit 82 is configured to be movable from these initial positions until the entire display area of the sub-display unit 82 overlaps with the display area of the main display unit 81. However, even in the initial positions shown in Figure 4, the upper half of the display area of the sub-display units 82 (particularly the left sub-display unit 82b and the right sub-display unit 82c) is visible to the player.

Multiple light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are arranged on the lower right side of the main display unit 81. These LEDs constitute the display area of the pattern display device 90, and special patterns and regular patterns are displayed on the pattern display device 90.
Furthermore, the symbol display device 90 is positioned in a location that is less visible to the player than the main display unit 81, and the display area of the symbol display device 90 is smaller than the display area of the main display unit 81.
The arrangement and number of LEDs in the pattern display device 90 in this embodiment are as shown in Figure 2, but this is just one example, and the arrangement and number of LEDs in the pattern display device 90 are not limited to this example.

Special symbols are symbols that stop and are displayed as a result of symbol changes that determine whether or not to activate a special electric mechanism (for example, a special electric mechanism 65). In this embodiment, special symbols include a first special symbol displayed on the first special symbol display device 91 and a second special symbol displayed on the second special symbol display device 92.
Special symbols are sometimes abbreviated as "Special Symbol," the first special symbol as "Special Symbol 1," and the second special symbol as "Special Symbol 2."

A normal symbol is a symbol that is displayed as a result of a symbol change that determines whether or not to activate a normal electric mechanism (for example, a normal electric mechanism 61). In this embodiment, the normal symbols are displayed on the normal symbol display device 93.
In addition, regular symbols are sometimes abbreviated as "regular symbols," and regular electric mechanisms are sometimes referred to as "electric chute."

In addition to the display device described above, the symbol display device 90 is also equipped with a first special symbol hold lamp 94, a second special symbol hold lamp 95, and a regular symbol hold lamp 96.
The first special symbol hold lamp 94 can identify the number of symbol changes related to the held special symbol 1, the second special symbol hold lamp 95 can identify the number of symbol changes related to the held special symbol 2, and the normal symbol hold lamp 96 can identify the number of symbol changes of the held normal symbol. In each case, the number of corresponding symbol changes can be identified by the lighting patterns of the two LEDs (in this embodiment, right LED always lit = 1, left and right LEDs always lit = 2, right LED flashing + left LED always lit = 3, left and right LEDs flashing = 4).

In the following explanation, a symbol variation in which a special symbol is displayed in a variable state on the first special symbol display device 91 or the second special symbol display device 92 and then stopped will be referred to as a "special symbol variation," and in the following explanation, a symbol variation in which a normal symbol is displayed in a variable state on the normal symbol display device 93 and then stopped will be referred to as a "normal symbol variation."
Furthermore, in the following explanation, the display of the changing patterns (decorative patterns) shown in the main display unit 81 mentioned above may be referred to as "decorative pattern changes" to distinguish them from "special pattern changes" and "regular pattern changes."
In the following explanation, when the term "symbol variation" is used, it refers to the variation of the special symbols unless otherwise specified.

As shown in Figure 4, numerous obstacles such as game pins (not shown), windmills 52, and decorative members are arranged on the front of the game board 50, thereby defining the game area 50a so that the launched game balls roll along it.
Furthermore, curved outer rails 51 and inner rails 53 are positioned on the left and upper sides of the game area 50a to guide the game balls, launched by the rotation of the operating handle 31, to the upper part of the game area 50a. The outer rail 51 is located outside the inner rail 53 with respect to the center of the game area 50a. Here, the windmill 52 is a mechanism for changing the direction of the game ball's fall, and is nail-shaped.

The gaming machine 10 allows the player to control the strength of the ball launch by adjusting the amount of rotation (e.g., rotation angle) of the operating handle 31. Various obstacles are arranged in the game area 50a so that the balls roll along either a first path X (so-called left-handed play) where weaker launches occur, or a second path Y (so-called right-handed play) where stronger launches occur.

Figure 4 illustrates the main prize-winning openings: the Grand Prize Opening 55, the First Starting Opening 57, the Second Starting Opening 59, the Gate 63, and the General Prize Opening 67. However, the prize-winning openings shown are just an example, and their number and arrangement may be changed as appropriate.

The large prize slot 55 is located in the lower right of the game area 50a. The large prize slot 55 is equipped with a large prize slot sensor 72, and a prize is determined by the detection result of the large prize slot sensor 72, and a number of prize balls (15 in this embodiment) associated with the large prize slot 55 are awarded.
In this embodiment, the obstacles are arranged such that more game balls roll towards the large prize opening 55 when rolling from the second channel Y compared to when rolling from the first channel X.

A special electric mechanism 65 is installed above the large prize opening 55. The special electric mechanism 65 is a component that can switch between an open state, which makes it easy for balls to enter the large prize opening 55, and a closed state, which makes it difficult for balls to enter. The special electric mechanism solenoid 66 switches between the open state and the closed state.
More specifically, the special electric mechanism 65 opens during a portion of a jackpot game initiated when a jackpot is determined by the special symbol win/failure determination described later, or during a portion of a minor win game initiated when a minor win is determined by the special symbol win/failure determination, thereby allowing balls to enter the large prize pocket 55. Thus, when the special electric mechanism 65 is open, it becomes easier for balls to enter the large prize pocket 55, and jackpot games and minor win games, in which the opportunity to win prize balls is greatly increased, can be said to be advantageous game states. Furthermore, as will be described in detail later, minor win games in this embodiment can generate jackpot games.
In a jackpot game, the special electric mechanism 65 is alternately set to an open state and a closed state. One open state (sometimes referred to as a "round game," and the total number of round games that occur in one jackpot may be referred to as the "number of rounds") ends when a predetermined number of game balls (10 in this embodiment) enter the large prize pocket 55, and the special electric mechanism 65 closes. Furthermore, one open state in a jackpot game also ends when a sufficient amount of time (30 seconds in this embodiment) has elapsed for a predetermined number of game balls to enter the large prize pocket 55.
On the other hand, in a minor win game, the game ends when the special electric mechanism 65 remains open for 1.8 seconds, or when 10 game balls enter the large prize pocket 55. Therefore, in a minor win game, it is less likely for game balls to enter the large prize pocket 55 compared to a major win game.

The first start opening 57 is located in the lower center of the game area 50a. The first start opening 57 is equipped with a first start opening sensor 70, and based on the detection result of the first start opening sensor 70, it is determined that a ball has entered the first start opening 57, and a number of prize balls (4 in this embodiment) associated with the first start opening 57 are awarded. In at least some cases when a ball has entered the first start opening 57, the symbols shown in Figure 1 change.
In this embodiment, the game area 50a is configured such that, compared to when the game balls roll from the second channel Y, more game balls roll towards the first starting opening 57 when they roll from the first channel X. Obstacles such as game pins are arranged accordingly.

The second starting port 59 is located in the lower right of the game area 50a. The second starting port 59 is equipped with a second starting port sensor 71, and based on the detection result of the second starting port sensor 71, it is determined that a ball has entered the second starting port 59, and a number of prize balls (1 in this embodiment) associated with the second starting port 59 are awarded.
In at least some cases when a prize is awarded for entering the second starting gate 59, a symbol change related to special figure 2 will occur.
In this embodiment, the game area 50a is configured such that, compared to when the game balls roll from the first channel X, more game balls roll towards the second starting opening 59 when they roll from the second channel Y. Obstacles such as game pins are arranged in this configuration.

A standard electric mechanism 61 is installed in the flow path connected to the second starting port 59. The standard electric mechanism 61 is a component that can switch between an open state, which facilitates the entry of game balls into the second starting port 59, and a closed state, which makes it difficult for game balls to enter. The standard electric mechanism solenoid 62 switches between the open state and the closed state.
More specifically, the standard electric mechanism 61 opens when the result of the standard symbol win/loss determination described later is a standard symbol win (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as "standard symbol win"), and as a result, entry into the second start opening 59 is permitted. In this way, when the standard electric mechanism 61 is open, entry into the second start opening 59 is possible, so the number of game balls can be reduced by prize balls, while the opportunity for the symbol changes related to special symbol 2 to be executed can be greatly increased.

Gate 63 is located in the right-center of the game area 50a. A gate sensor 74 is attached to gate 63, and a win is determined by the detection result of the gate sensor 74. In at least some cases where a win is determined to have occurred at gate 63, the symbols on the regular display change.

The general prize slots 67 consist of a left general prize slot 67a and a right general prize slot 67b. The left general prize slot 67a is located in the lower left of the game area 50a, and the right general prize slot 67b is located in the lower right of the game area 50a. Each general prize slot 67 is equipped with a general prize slot sensor 73. The detection result of the general prize slot sensor 73 determines whether a ball has entered the general prize slot 67, and a number of prize balls (4 in this embodiment) corresponding to the general prize slot 67 are awarded. Furthermore, due to their arrangement, in the low probability state described later (excluding during a jackpot game), balls are more likely to enter the left general prize slot 67a, while in the jackpot game and high probability state, balls are more likely to enter the right general prize slot 67b. These entries can also trigger the game stop flag described later.

The out-out opening 69 is located at the bottom of the game area 50a. Game balls that are hit into the game area 50a and do not enter any of the aforementioned prize-winning openings fall into the out-out opening 69.
Furthermore, this embodiment includes an out ball sensor 75 (not shown) for detecting out balls, which are game balls that have entered the prize entry and out exit 69.
In the following explanation, the total number of game balls detected by the out ball sensor 75 will be referred to as "out balls," and the total number of prize balls awarded when game balls enter the prize pockets will be referred to as "safe balls." These ball counts will be used to derive the difference in ball count, which will be described later. In particular, for safe balls, it is not necessary for the balls to have been actually dispensed; the count is updated as soon as a game ball enters a prize pocket.

Furthermore, in addition to the sensors mentioned above, the game board 50 is equipped with a magnetic detection sensor for detecting magnetism and a radio wave detection sensor for detecting radio waves (neither of which are shown in the illustration) to prevent fraudulent activities such as illegally receiving prize balls.

As shown in Figure 5, the back of the game board 50 is fitted with a main control board case 109 housing the main control board 100, a first sub-control board case 209 housing the first sub-control board 200, a second sub-control board case 309 housing the second sub-control board 300, a power supply control board case 509 housing the power supply control board 500, and a payout control board case 409 housing the payout control board 400. In addition to the backs of the first sub-control board case 209 and the second sub-control board case 309, an opening and closing cover 45 is detachably attached to cover a portion of the back of the main control board case 109.
Furthermore, the main control board 100 is provided with a RAM clear switch 43.
Furthermore, the circuit board cases and covers that enclose each circuit board are made of transparent materials, allowing the corresponding circuit board to be visible through each case and cover.

The power control board 500 consists of a normal power supply circuit 501 that generates a normal power supply to the control board and other electronic and electrical components based on the primary power supply from the power supply equipment of the gaming island, a backup power supply circuit 502 that generates a backup power supply, and a power outage detection circuit 503 that detects a power outage (when the voltage supplied by the normal power supply drops to a predetermined voltage).
Furthermore, a power switch 40 is connected to the power control board 500. Assuming that primary power is supplied from the power supply equipment of the gaming island, when the power switch 40 is turned ON, normal power is generated by the normal power circuit 501 of the power control board 500, and power is supplied to the electronic and electrical components, including the control boards mentioned above (main control board 100, first sub-control board 200, second sub-control board 300, and payout control board 400).
Furthermore, when a power outage is detected by the power outage detection circuit 503, the power control board 500 transmits a power outage signal (NMI signal) to the main control board 100, the first sub-control board 200, and the dispensing control board 400, respectively.
Furthermore, the backup power supply circuit 502 is designed to be charged when power is supplied to the gaming machine 10 from the power supply equipment of the gaming island.
The backup power supply circuit 502 may be provided on the dispensing control board 400, and the power outage detection circuit 503 may not be provided on the power supply control board 500, but rather on the main control board 100, the first sub-control board 200, and the dispensing control board 400.

Furthermore, on the back of the game board 50, above the opening/closing cover 45, is a game ball tank 46 where game balls supplied from the game island's ball supply equipment are stored. The game ball tank 46 is further connected to a payout passage 49 leading to the upper ball tray 27 via a tank rail 47 and a payout unit 48. Balls dispensed by the payout unit 48 are then dispensed into the upper ball tray 27 through the payout passage 49.

Up to this point, the structure of the gaming machine 10 in this embodiment has been described, but these are just specific examples, and the present invention can also be implemented with other configurations.

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

The main control board 100 includes a CPU 101 that performs various calculations related to the game, a ROM 102 that stores data such as control programs and various lottery tables, a RAM 103 that functions as a work area for temporary storage and buffer memory, I/O ports 104 that input and output signals to and from peripheral boards and various devices, and a random number circuit 105 that generates random numbers (hardware random numbers) operating on a separate system from the program processing by the CPU 101. These components are interconnected via an internal bus.

The CPU 101 reads various control programs stored in the ROM 102 and performs calculations to execute various processes related to the main control of the game.
The RAM 103 is backed up by a backup power supply generated by a backup power supply circuit, which will be described later. Specifically, the RAM 103 is configured to back up various types of information that allow the gaming machine 10 to return to the state it was in immediately before the power outage when power is restored (when the power is turned on) after a power outage. For example, in addition to data such as the stack pointer and each register that was held when the power outage occurred, information related to the game, such as the state of the gaming machine 10 at that time (game stopped state or playable state) and the current normal symbol lottery state, is backed up. This information is cleared (initialized) by the RAM clear process. Therefore, after the RAM is cleared, the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PA (normal symbol low probability, described later) will be newly set. Furthermore, when the RAM clear process is executed, the symbol sequence related to decorative symbols will be displayed in a state where the initial symbol combination is stopped, and the initial symbol combination will also be displayed in a state where the RAM clear process is not executed when the power is turned on and the symbol variation was not being executed at the time of the previous power outage. Furthermore, this initial symbol combination is only displayed when the power is turned on, and is not displayed when the symbols change.

In this embodiment, at least the area where information related to such games is stored (sometimes referred to as the game-related area of RAM 103) is backed up, as well as the area where the checksum complement and backup flag related to the game-related area of RAM 103 are stored (sometimes referred to as the backup information area related to games of RAM 103). When power is restored, the gaming machine 10 recovers using the various information stored in the backed-up game-related area of RAM 103 and the backup information area related to games of RAM 103.
Furthermore, there are no limitations on the specific backup method in this embodiment. For example, the area of RAM 103 to be backed up may be implemented in a configuration that can retain data non-volatilely even when the power is off. As another example, different hardware may be provided for the first memory, which is configured to retain data non-volatilely even when the power is off, and the second memory, which is referenced when the gaming machine 10 is operating. In that case, the gaming machine 10 can save the information to be backed up from the second memory to the first memory when the power is off, and recover the saved information from the first memory to the second memory when the power is restored.

Furthermore, the main control board 100 is electrically connected to the first start port sensor 70, the second start port sensor 71, the large prize port sensor 72, the general prize port sensor 73, the gate sensor 74, the out ball sensor 75, the middle frame door open sensor 76, the front frame door open sensor 77, etc., and is configured to allow detection signals from these sensors to be input to the CPU 101 via the I/O port 104. Although not shown in the diagram, the main control board 100 is also electrically connected to a full tank detection sensor, a magnetic detection sensor, and a radio wave detection sensor, and is configured to allow detection signals from these sensors to be input to the CPU 101 via the I/O port 104.

Furthermore, the main control board 100 is electrically connected to the first special symbol display device 91, the second special symbol display device 92, the normal symbol display device 93, the first special symbol hold lamp 94, the second special symbol hold lamp 95, the normal symbol hold lamp 96, the normal electric mechanism solenoid 62, and the special electric mechanism solenoid 66, and is configured to be controllable via the I/O port 104.
Similarly, the main control board 100 is electrically connected to the main operation unit 39 and the RAM clear switch 43, and is configured to detect operations performed by the main operation unit 39.

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

The first sub-control board 200 includes a CPU 201 that performs various calculations related to game performances based on performance control commands from the main control board 100, a ROM 202 that stores data such as performance control programs and various lottery tables, a RAM 203 that functions as a work area for temporary storage and buffer memory, and I/O ports 204 that input and output signals to and from peripheral boards and various devices. These are interconnected via an internal bus, and the CPU 201 is configured to execute major controls related to game performances according to the control program stored in the ROM 202.
The first sub-control board 200 is electrically connected to the performance button 37 and the cursor button 38, and is configured to detect the operation of the said control unit.

Furthermore, the first sub-control board 200 generates image control commands that instruct the second sub-control board 300 to display images, audio control commands that instruct the audio control board 310 to output audio, lamp control data for controlling the lighting of various lamps such as the frame lamp 35, and movement control data for controlling the movement of the movable decorative body 22 and the sub-display unit 82, etc., in performance control processing based on performance control commands from the main control board 100.
Here, the first sub-control board 200 is connected to the second sub-control board 300 and the voice control board 310 so as to be able to communicate bidirectionally. Each control command (image control command, voice control command) is transmitted from the first sub-control board 200 to the second sub-control board 300 or the voice control board 310, while in response, a response command (ACK command) indicating that the control command has been successfully received is transmitted from each control board (second sub-control board 300, voice control board 310) to the first sub-control board 200.

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

The second sub-control board 300, although not shown in the diagram, includes a CPU that performs various calculations related to image rendering based on image control commands from the first sub-control board 200, a ROM that stores image control programs and various data, a RAM that functions as a work area and buffer memory for temporary storage, and I/O ports that input and output signals to and from peripheral boards and various devices. The CPU is configured to execute the main controls related to image rendering according to the control program stored in the ROM 302.
Furthermore, the second sub-control board 300 is equipped with a VDP that generates image data in accordance with the content of the performance determined by the performance content determination means 225 (described later) based on control signals received from the CPU, and a sound source IC that generates sound data in accordance with the content of the performance based on control signals received from the CPU. The VDP is a so-called image processor that reads image data stored in the image ROM in response to instructions from the CPU, processes it, and transmits the generated image data to the main display unit 81 and the sub-display unit 82. In addition, a high-speed VRAM used for expanding and processing the image data read from the image ROM is connected to this VDP.

The voice control board 310 includes a CPU 311 that performs various calculations related to voice effects based on voice control commands from the first sub-control board 200, a ROM 312 that stores voice control programs and voice data, a RAM 313 that functions as a work area and buffer memory for temporary storage, and I/O ports 314 that input and output signals to and from peripheral boards and various devices. The CPU 311 is configured to execute the main controls related to voice effects according to the control program stored in the ROM 312. Therefore, the voice control board 310 can read the voice data stored in the ROM 312 in response to voice control commands received from the first sub-control board 200, synthesize the read voice data, transmit the final synthesized voice data to the speaker 33 via an amplifier, and output sound to the speaker 33.

The dispensing control board 400 is mainly composed of a CPU, ROM, and RAM (none of which are shown in the figure).
Furthermore, the payout control board 400 is connected to the main control board 100 in a bidirectional manner, and drives the payout unit 48 based on payout control commands from the main control board 100 to execute control for dispensing game balls, and also drives the ball feeding mechanism and the launching mechanism synchronously based on the amount of operation of the operating handle 31 to control the launching of game balls.

The power control board 500 consists of a normal power supply circuit that generates a normal power supply to the control board and other electronic and electrical components based on the primary power supply from the power supply equipment of the gaming island, a backup power supply circuit that generates a backup power supply, and a power interruption detection circuit (all not shown) that detects a power interruption (when the voltage supplied by the normal power supply drops to a predetermined voltage).
Furthermore, a power switch 40 is connected to the power control board 500. Assuming that primary power is supplied from the power supply equipment of the gaming island, when the power switch 40 is turned ON, normal power is generated by the normal power circuit of the power control board 500, and power is supplied to the electronic and electrical components, including the control boards mentioned above (main control board 100, first sub-control board 200, second sub-control board 300, and payout control board 400).
Furthermore, when a power outage is detected by the power outage detection circuit, the power control board 500 transmits a power outage signal (NMI signal) to the main control board 100, the first sub-control board 200, and the dispensing control board 400, respectively.
Furthermore, the backup power supply circuit is designed to be charged when power is supplied to the gaming machine 10 from the power supply equipment of the gaming island.
Furthermore, the backup power supply circuit may be provided on the dispensing control board 400, and the power outage detection circuit may not be provided on the power supply control board 500, but rather on the main control board 100, the first sub-control board 200, and the dispensing control board 400.

<Regarding the functional configuration of the gaming machine 10>
Next, the functional configuration of the gaming machine 10 according to this embodiment will be explained using Figure 7. Figure 7 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the gaming machine 10. Note that the functional configuration shown in Figure 7 is necessary for explaining the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, and the gaming machine 10 may also have functional configurations not shown in Figure 7. Furthermore, when explaining the functional configuration, Figures 8 to 12 will be referred to as needed.

As shown in Figure 7, the main control board 100 includes a ball entry determination means 110, a main random number generation means 115, a main hold control means 120, a pre-determination means 125, a special symbol lottery means 130, a regular symbol lottery means 135, a jackpot game control means 140, a symbol display control means 145, an electric mechanism control means 150, a game state control means 155, a main information storage means 160, a main error control means 165, a main command management means 170, a power restoration processing execution means 175, a power interruption processing execution means 180, and a complete function control means 190. These means functionally represent what is realized by the various control configurations on the main control board 100 described using Figure 6.

First, the main information storage means 160 is a means for temporarily storing data read by means of the main control board 100, and data derived by calculations performed by said means, in their respective storage areas. In particular, data (performance control commands) stored in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160 is transmitted by the command transmission means to the sub-command management means 270 of the first sub-control board 200, which will be described later.

The ball entry determination means 110 determines whether a ball has entered each prize slot based on the detection results of sensors installed at each prize slot.
Furthermore, when the ball entry determination means 110 determines that a game ball has entered a prize slot, such as the large prize slot sensor 72, it generates a performance control command (prize entry command) that includes information that can identify the type of sensor involved in the prize entry, and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.

The main random number generation means 115 is capable of generating multiple types of random numbers with different update ranges using the random number circuit 105, and when it is determined that a prize has been won in a prize slot, it retrieves (latches) one or more random numbers corresponding to that prize slot from the random number circuit 105.
More specifically, if the main random number generation means 115 determines that a prize has been won in the first starting gate 57 or the second starting gate 59, it acquires random numbers for determining whether a special symbol is successful, random numbers for drawing special symbol stop symbols, and random numbers for drawing special symbol variation patterns, which will be described later. If a prize has been won in the gate 63, it stores the random numbers for determining whether a regular symbol is successful, random numbers for drawing regular symbol stop symbols, and random numbers for drawing regular symbol variation patterns, which will be described later, in the corresponding storage area of the main information storage means 160.
Furthermore, the random number circuit 105 monitors whether the multiple types of random numbers it updates are being updated correctly. If an update error occurs where the random numbers are not updated correctly, information indicating that the error has occurred is written to a specific memory area of the random number circuit 105. Therefore, the CPU 101 is able to detect that an update error has occurred in the random number circuit 105.

The main hold control means 120 controls the hold of symbol changes for special symbols and symbol changes for regular symbols. For special symbol 1, random numbers for determining whether a special symbol is successful, random numbers for drawing special symbol stop symbols, and random numbers for drawing special symbol change patterns, which are acquired when a prize is awarded in the first start opening 57, are held (stored) as operation hold information for special symbol 1.
More specifically, the main hold control means 120 includes a hold counter (hereinafter referred to as the "Figure 1 hold counter") which is incremented by 1 each time the operation hold information of Figure 1 is held, and decremented by 1 each time the operation hold information of Figure 1 is used (used in the lottery of the Figure 1 lottery means 130). The main information storage means 160 stores the operation hold information in the storage area corresponding to the current Figure 1 hold counter until the value of the Figure 1 hold counter reaches its upper limit (4 in this embodiment). Each time the operation hold information is used, the main information storage means 160 clears the used operation hold information and controls the remaining operation hold information to be moved (shifted) from the current storage area to the storage area corresponding to a Figure 1 hold counter that is 1 less than the current Figure 1 hold counter, in order from the smallest Figure 1 hold counter.
Furthermore, the main hold control means 120 also performs the same control as described above for Figure 2 and the general figure, separately from Figure 1. The hold counter in Figure 2 is referred to as the Figure 2 hold counter, and the upper limit of the value of the Figure 2 hold counter in this embodiment is 4.
Furthermore, in the following explanation, "holding of operation hold information" may be expressed as "holding of symbol change," or simply as "hold."
Furthermore, when the main hold control means 120 updates (adds or subtracts) the operation hold information (hold counter) of Figure 1 or Figure 2, it generates a performance control command (hold command) that includes the Figure 1 hold counter and the Figure 2 hold counter, and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.
In this embodiment, if both the operation hold information corresponding to Figure 1 and the operation hold information corresponding to Figure 2 are held, a priority variation is performed in which the operation hold information corresponding to Figure 2 is used preferentially. However, instead of this priority variation, a prize-winning order variation may be adopted in which the operation hold information is used in the order in which it was held, regardless of whether it corresponds to Figure 1 or Figure 2, or a simultaneous variation may be adopted in which the operation hold information corresponding to Figure 1 and the operation hold information corresponding to Figure 2 are used simultaneously when both the operation hold information corresponding to Figure 1 and the operation hold information corresponding to Figure 2 are held.

The pre-determination means 125 performs a pre-determination for a pre-reading effect targeting the reserved operation information of the special feature when the reserved operation information of the special feature is reserved at a predetermined pre-determination timing, at least in some cases.
More specifically, the pre-determination means 125 reads out each random number of the currently held operation hold information and performs pre-determinations for the special symbol win/failure determination, special symbol stop symbol lottery, and special symbol variation pattern lottery, which will be described later. In each pre-determination, the same or equivalent lottery table (not shown) as the lottery table used for the lottery corresponding to each pre-determination is used. Therefore, the results of these pre-determinations will be the same as the results of the lottery executed later.
Furthermore, the pre-determination means 125 generates a performance control command (pre-determination command) that includes the derived pre-determination result, and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.
The pre-determination command is transmitted (generated and stored in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160) at least part of the predetermined pre-determination timing, and is therefore transmitted following the hold command described above. Here, the predetermined pre-determination timing is, for example, the timing when the operation hold information for the special figure is held. In this embodiment, if the operation hold information for special figure 1 is held during the normal figure high probability period described later, the pre-determination is restricted, and therefore the transmission of the pre-determination command corresponding to that pre-determination is also restricted. On the other hand, if the operation hold information for special figure 2 is held during the normal figure low probability period described later, the pre-determination may or may not be restricted.

The special symbol lottery means 130 includes a special symbol win/failure determination means 131, a special symbol stop symbol lottery means 132, and a special symbol variation pattern derivation means 133, and the processing by each means is executed in the order of special symbol win/failure determination means 131, special symbol stop symbol lottery means 132, and special symbol variation pattern derivation means 133. When the conditions for starting the variation of the special symbol are met, the special symbol lottery means 130 reads out the earliest operation hold information from the operation hold information held in the main information storage means 160.
Furthermore, "the conditions for the start of the special symbol variation are met" means, as an example, that the player is not in a jackpot game, neither Special Symbol 1 nor Special Symbol 2 is currently performing a symbol variation (including the period during which the symbol variation related to Special Symbol 1 or Special Symbol 2 is stopped), and that there is operation hold information in at least one of Special Symbol 1 or Special Symbol 2.

Figures 8 to 12 schematically show the lottery table used in the main control board 100, and will be referred to as necessary in the following explanation.
In addition to these lottery tables, in lotteries using lottery tables, the random numbers read are sequentially added to the lottery values stored in the lottery table in a predetermined order (if there is only one lottery value, the addition is performed once), and the result corresponding to the lottery value that resulted in a carry (overflow) is derived as the result of the lottery. Similarly, in the explanation of lottery tables, names are given to the lottery tables for the sake of explanation, but it is sufficient that the data such as lottery values contained in the lottery table corresponding to the name is stored in an identifiable manner in each ROM, and these names do not specify the area in which the data is stored. In the illustrated lottery tables, if there are items listed for the sake of explanation, or if "-" or "0" are listed as lottery values, these do not necessarily represent the data stored in each ROM. Furthermore, it is not possible to win a result where "-" or "0" is listed as a lottery value. Furthermore, if the same random number range (the number of random numbers that can be obtained within that range) used for the draw is listed in the draw table, the result will be derived 100% of the time, so it is not always necessary to perform a draw. Also, if the sum of the random numbers used in a single draw matches the random number range used for the draw, a carry will always occur in the addition of the last draw value, so the addition does not need to be performed, and in that case, the draw value used in the addition itself becomes unnecessary.

The special symbol win/loss determination means 131 reads out a random number for special symbol win/loss determination for each symbol change, and performs special symbol win/loss determination by drawing lots using the read random number and a lottery table for special symbol win/loss determination to determine whether it will be a big win, a small win, or a loss.
Figure 8(a) schematically shows the lottery table for determining whether a special symbol wins or losses. This lottery table differs between Special Symbol 1 and Special Symbol 2, and the range of random numbers used in these determinations is 0 to 65535. Therefore, in the special symbol win/loss determination for Special Symbol 1, a big win is determined with a probability of 205/65536 (approximately 1/320), and any other result is a loss, with no small wins. On the other hand, in the special symbol win/loss determination for Special Symbol 2, a big win is determined with a probability of 205/65536 (approximately 1/320), a small win is determined with a probability of 1820/65536 (approximately 1/36.0), and any other result is a loss.
In this embodiment, as will be described later, a big win can occur via a minor win, so the probability of a big win being determined in the special symbol win/failure determination is set to the above-mentioned probability 1.

The special symbol stop symbol lottery means 132, when the result of the special symbol win/loss determination is a big win or a small win, determines the special symbol stop symbol by lottery using a random number for special symbol stop symbol lottery (in this embodiment, in the range of 0 to 999) and a lottery table for special symbol stop symbol lottery.
Specifically, as shown in Figure 8(b), which schematically illustrates the lottery table for determining the stopping symbols used when a jackpot is determined in the special symbol win/loss determination related to special symbol 1, when a jackpot is determined in the special symbol win/loss determination related to special symbol 1, symbol A is determined as the stopping symbol with a probability of 100/1000 (1/10), and symbol B is determined with a probability of 900/1000 (approximately 1/1.11).
In this case, regardless of whether symbol A or symbol B is determined, after the jackpot game corresponding to these stopped symbols ends, the game enters the normal symbol high probability state described later. However, the number of symbol changes during which the normal symbol high probability state continues (hereinafter referred to as the "prescribed number of normal symbol high probability states") is 80 times if the jackpot game ends when symbol A is determined, and 40 times if the jackpot game ends when symbol B is determined. Furthermore, the number of rounds for the jackpot game corresponding to symbol A is 10, while the number of rounds for the jackpot game corresponding to symbol B is 4. Therefore, symbol A is more advantageous than symbol B in terms of both the number of rounds and the prescribed number of normal symbol high probability states.

As shown in Figure 8(c), which schematically illustrates the lottery table for determining the stopping symbols used when a minor win is determined in the special symbol win/failure determination related to special symbol 2, when a minor win is determined in the special symbol win/failure determination related to special symbol 2, symbol a is determined as the stopping symbol with a probability of 700/1000 (approximately 1/1.43) and symbol b is determined as the stopping symbol with a probability of 300/1000 (approximately 1/3.33).
Here, symbol a is a stopping symbol in which the number of rounds of the big win game that occurs in the small win game related to that symbol is 10, and after the big win game ends, it becomes a normal symbol high probability state, and the prescribed number of times for this normal symbol high probability state is 80. On the other hand, symbol b is a stopping symbol in which the number of rounds of the big win game that occurs in the small win game related to that stopping symbol is 4, and after the big win game ends, it becomes a normal symbol high probability state, and the prescribed number of times for this normal symbol high probability state is 80. Therefore, it can be said that symbol a is more advantageous than symbol b in terms of the number of rounds.
Furthermore, if a jackpot occurs during a minor win, the number of rounds in that jackpot is calculated by treating the minor win as one round.
Furthermore, in the following explanation, a jackpot that results in a jackpot game with 4 rounds will be referred to as a "4R jackpot," and a jackpot that results in a jackpot game with 10 rounds will be referred to as a "10R jackpot."

As shown in Figure 8(d), a schematic diagram illustrating the lottery table used for determining the stopping symbol when a jackpot is determined in the special symbol win/loss determination related to Special Symbol 2, when a jackpot is determined in the special symbol win/loss determination related to Special Symbol 2, symbol c is determined as the stopping symbol with a probability of 1000/1000 (1/1). Specifically, symbol c is a stopping symbol for which the number of rounds in the jackpot game corresponding to that stopping symbol is 10, and which results in a high probability of normal symbols after the jackpot game ends. The prescribed number of times for this high probability of normal symbols is 80.

Furthermore, the special symbol stop symbol lottery means 132 determines symbol C as the stop symbol if the result of the special symbol win/loss determination for special symbol 1 is a loss, and determines symbol d as the stop symbol if the result of the special symbol win/loss determination for special symbol 2 is a loss.

Thus, in this embodiment described above, jackpot games that occur during the symbol variation related to Special Feature 2 tend to be more advantageous than jackpot games that occur during the symbol variation related to Special Feature 1. Therefore, the enjoyment of the game can be further enhanced by transitioning from one Special Feature Variation Pattern Derivation State PA to another Special Feature Variation Pattern Derivation State, as described later.

The special symbol variation pattern derivation means 133 includes multiple types of special symbol variation pattern lottery tables that are referenced when determining the special symbol variation pattern. Based on the current special symbol variation pattern derivation state and the result of the special symbol win/failure determination, it selects one special symbol variation pattern lottery table to determine the special symbol variation pattern for the current time. Using the selected special symbol variation pattern lottery table and random numbers for special symbol variation pattern lottery, it determines one special symbol variation pattern, and determines the variation time based on the determined special symbol variation pattern. Here, variation time refers to the time from when the variation of the symbols related to the special symbol (special symbol 1 or special symbol 2) begins until the variation of the symbols ends.
Details of the transition conditions will be described later, but in this embodiment, there are three special figure variation pattern derivation states: special figure variation pattern derivation state PA, special figure variation pattern derivation state PB, and special figure variation pattern derivation state PC. The method for determining the special figure variation pattern described above is used for the pattern variation related to special figure 1 in special figure variation pattern derivation state PA, and for the pattern variation related to special figure 2 in special figure variation pattern derivation state PB and special figure variation pattern derivation state PC.
On the other hand, in the symbol variation of the other special symbol (the special symbol to which the above-described method for determining the special symbol variation pattern is adopted) in each special symbol variation pattern derivation state, a predetermined special symbol variation pattern is determined according to the result of the special symbol win/failure judgment. In particular, in this embodiment, in the symbol variation of special symbol 2 in special symbol variation pattern derivation state PA, if the result of the special symbol win/failure judgment for the symbol variation is a loss, a variation pattern with a variation time of 1000 ms is determined, and if the result of the special symbol win/failure judgment for the symbol variation is anything other than a loss, a variation pattern with a variation time of 2000 ms is determined.

Figure 9(a) schematically shows the special symbol variation pattern lottery table used for the symbol variation related to special symbol 1 when the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PA is activated, and the range of random numbers used in this lottery is 0 to 999.
As shown in Figure 9(a), in the symbol variation related to Special Feature 1 when the Special Feature variation pattern derivation state PA is reached, Special Feature variation patterns HNP to Special Feature variation patterns ASP-C can be determined.
Specifically, in the symbol variation related to Special Symbol 1 during the Special Symbol Variation Pattern Derivation State PA, if the result of the Special Symbol hit/miss judgment is a miss, there is a 900/1000 (approximately 1/1.11) probability of Special Symbol Variation Pattern HNP, a 52/1000 (approximately 1/19.2) probability of Special Symbol Variation Pattern HRP, a 13/1000 (approximately 1/76.9) probability of Special Symbol Variation Pattern HSP1-A, and an 11/1000 (approximately 1/90.9) probability of Special Symbol Variation Pattern HS P1-B, special symbol variation pattern HSP2-A with a probability of 9/1000 (approximately 1/111), special symbol variation pattern HSP2-B with a probability of 7/1000 (approximately 1/143), special symbol variation pattern HSP3-A with a probability of 5/1000 (1/200), and special symbol variation pattern HSP3-B with a probability of 3/1000 (approximately 1/333). In these cases, special symbol variation patterns ASP1-A to ASP-C will not be determined. Further details will be described later using Figure 9(b), but if special symbol variation pattern HNP is determined, the special symbol variation pattern is further identified using the value of the special symbol 1 reserve counter at the start of the current symbol variation.
On the other hand, if the result of the special symbol win/loss judgment in the symbol fluctuation related to special symbol 1 during the special symbol fluctuation pattern derivation state PA is a jackpot, then there is a probability of 90/1000 (approximately 1/11.1) for special symbol fluctuation pattern ASP1-A, a probability of 110/1000 (approximately 1/approximately 9.09) for special symbol fluctuation pattern ASP1-B, a probability of 135/1000 (approximately 1/7.41) for special symbol fluctuation pattern ASP2-A, and a probability of 165/1000 (approximately 1/approximately 6 . 06) Special pattern variation pattern ASP2-B is determined with a probability of 180/1000 (approximately 1/5.56), special pattern variation pattern ASP3-A is determined with a probability of 180/1000 (approximately 1/4.56), special pattern variation pattern ASP3-B is determined with a probability of 220/1000 (approximately 1/4.56), and special pattern variation pattern ASP-C is determined with a probability of 100/1000 (1/10). In these cases, special pattern variation patterns HNP to HSP3-B will not be determined.
Thus, in this embodiment, if the result of the special symbol win/loss judgment in the symbol variation related to special symbol 1 during the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PA is a loss, one of the special symbol variation patterns HRP to special symbol variation patterns HSP3-B is determined at a rate of 100/1000 (1/10), and special symbol variation pattern HNP is determined at a rate of 900/1000 (approximately 1/1.11). Furthermore, if the result of the special symbol win/loss judgment in the symbol variation related to special symbol 1 during the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PA is a jackpot, one of the special symbol variation patterns ASP1-A to special symbol variation patterns ASP-C is determined at a rate of 1000/1000 (1/1).
In the description of the special symbol variation patterns of this embodiment, when two special symbol variation patterns are described separated by a "~", the description of the special symbol variation pattern that lies between the special symbol variation pattern described earlier and the special symbol variation pattern described later is omitted, in accordance with the order described in the drawing relating to the special symbol variation pattern lottery table for each special symbol variation pattern derivation state. Furthermore, in the description of the special symbol variation patterns of this embodiment, if the names of the special symbol variation patterns are different, regardless of whether the corresponding variation time is described or not, it means that different special symbol variation patterns are different.

Figure 9(b) schematically shows the special symbol variation pattern lottery table used when the special symbol variation pattern HNP is determined in the symbol variation related to special symbol 1 during the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PA. The range of the random numbers used in this lottery (which are different from the random numbers used in the lottery related to the special symbol variation pattern lottery table shown in Figure 9(a)) is 0 to 999.
As shown in Figure 9(b), the special symbol variation patterns HNP that can be determined in the symbol variation related to special symbol 1 when the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PA include special symbol variation pattern HNP-A with a variation time of 3200 ms (milliseconds), special symbol variation pattern HNP-B with a variation time of 5600 ms, special symbol variation pattern HNP-C with a variation time of 8000 ms, and special symbol variation pattern HNP-D with a variation time of 11200 ms, with the variation time increasing in this order.
Specifically, if the special symbol 1 reserve counter is 3 at the start of the symbol change, special symbol change pattern HNP-A is determined with a probability of 1000/1000 (1/1). Similarly, if the special symbol 1 reserve counter is 2 at the start of the symbol change, special symbol change pattern HNP-A is determined with a probability of 150/1000 (approximately 1/6.67), and special symbol change pattern HNP-B is determined with a probability of 850/1000 (approximately 1/1.18). If the special symbol 1 reserve counter is 1 at the start of the symbol change, special symbol change pattern HNP-A is determined with a probability of 50/1000 (1/20), and special symbol change pattern HNP-B is determined with a probability of 150/1000 (approximately 1/6.67). The special symbol variation pattern HNP-B is determined by probability, and the special symbol variation pattern HNP-C is determined by probability of 800/1000 (1/1.25). If the special symbol 1 reserve counter = 0 at the start of the current symbol variation, the special symbol variation pattern HNP-B is determined by probability of 50/1000 (1/20), the special symbol variation pattern HNP-C is determined by probability of 100/1000 (1/10), and the special symbol variation pattern HNP-D is determined by probability of 850/1000 (approximately 1/1.18). In the following explanation, if the value of the special symbol reserve counter being referenced is 3, it will be referred to as "Reserve 3", if the value of the special symbol reserve counter is 2, it will be referred to as "Reserve 2", if the value of the special symbol reserve counter is 1, it will be referred to as "Reserve 1", and if the value of the special symbol reserve counter is 0, it will be referred to as "Reserve 0".
Thus, when the special symbol variation pattern HNP is determined in the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PA, the special symbol variation pattern (variation time) that is likely to be determined differs depending on the value of the special symbol 1 reserve counter at the start of the current symbol variation. More specifically, the smaller the value of the special symbol 1 reserve counter at the start of the current symbol variation, the more likely a longer symbol variation is to be determined (the larger the value of the special symbol 1 reserve counter at the start of the current symbol variation, the more likely a shorter variation time is to be determined).
Furthermore, such special feature variation patterns HNP (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "basic special feature variation patterns") also exist in special feature variation pattern derivation states PB and PC. In these special feature variation pattern derivation states, the referenced hold counter differs from that in special feature variation pattern derivation state PA, and in both cases, the value of the special feature 2 hold counter is referenced.

Figure 10(a) schematically shows the special symbol variation pattern lottery table used for the symbol variation related to special symbol 2 when the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PB is reached, and the range of random numbers used in this lottery is 0 to 999.
As shown in Figure 10(a), in the symbol variation related to Special Feature 2 when the Special Feature variation pattern derivation state PB, Special Feature variation patterns HNP to Special Feature variation patterns ASP-F can be determined.
Specifically, in the symbol variation related to Special Symbol 2 during the Special Symbol Variation Pattern Derivation State PB, if the result of the Special Symbol hit/miss judgment is a miss, there is a probability of 960/1000 (approximately 1/1.04) that Special Symbol Variation Pattern HNP will be determined, a probability of 20/1000 (1/50) that Special Symbol Variation Pattern HSP-D will be determined, a probability of 15/1000 (approximately 1/66.7) that Special Symbol Variation Pattern HSP-E will be determined, and a probability of 5/1000 (1/200) that Special Symbol Variation Pattern HSP-F will be determined. In this case, Special Symbol Variation Patterns ASP-D to ASP-F will not be determined. Further details will be described later using Figure 10(b), but if Special Symbol Variation Pattern HNP is determined, the Special Symbol Variation Pattern is further specified using the value of the Special Symbol 2 reserve counter at the start of the current symbol variation. Furthermore, the method for determining the special feature variation pattern using this special feature 2 reserve counter is the same in the special feature variation pattern derivation state PB described later.
On the other hand, when the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PB is active, if the result of the special symbol win/loss judgment in the symbol variation related to special symbol 2 is a big win or a small win, then special symbol variation pattern ASP-D is determined with a probability of 500/1000 (1/2), special symbol variation pattern ASP-E with a probability of 350/1000 (approximately 1/2.86), and special symbol variation pattern ASP-F with a probability of 150/1000 (approximately 1/6.67). In this case, special symbol variation patterns HNP to HSP-F will not be determined.
Thus, in this embodiment, when the symbol variation related to special symbol 2 in special symbol 2 during the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PB results in a miss, one of the special symbol variation patterns HSP-D to HSP-F is determined at a rate of 40/1000 (1/25), and special symbol variation pattern HNP is determined at a rate of 960/1000 (approximately 1/1.04). Furthermore, when the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PB results in a big win or a small win, one of the special symbol variation patterns ASP-D to ASP-F is determined at a rate of 1000/1000 (1/1).

Figure 10(b) schematically shows the special symbol variation pattern lottery table used when the special symbol variation pattern HNP is determined in the symbol variation related to special symbol 2 when the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PB is active. The range of the random numbers used in this lottery (which are different from the random numbers used in the lottery related to the special symbol variation pattern lottery table shown in Figure 10(a)) is 0 to 999.
As shown in Figure 10(b), the special symbol variation pattern HNP that can be determined in the symbol variation related to special symbol 2 in the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PB includes special symbol variation pattern HNP-E with a variation time of 3000 ms and special symbol variation pattern HNP-F with a variation time of 15000 ms.
Specifically, if the Special Symbol 2 Reserve Counter = 3 at the start of the symbol variation, if the Special Symbol 2 Reserve Counter = 2 at the start of the symbol variation, or if the Special Symbol 2 Reserve Counter = 1 at the start of the symbol variation, then the Special Symbol Variation Pattern HNP-E is determined with a probability of 1000/1000 (1/1), and in these cases, the Special Symbol Variation Pattern HNP-F will not be determined. On the other hand, if the Special Symbol 2 Reserve Counter = 0 at the start of the symbol variation, then the Special Symbol Variation Pattern HNP-F is determined with a probability of 1000/1000 (1/1), and in these cases, the Special Symbol Variation Pattern HNP-E will not be determined.
Furthermore, special figure variation patterns HNP-E and HNP-F are different from both the special figure variation patterns that can be determined when special figure variation pattern HNP is determined in the figure variation related to special figure 1 in the special figure variation pattern derivation state PA described above, and the special figure variation patterns that can be determined when special figure variation pattern HNP is determined in the figure variation related to the special figure variation pattern derivation state PC described later.

Figure 11(a) schematically shows the special symbol variation pattern lottery table used for symbol variation related to special symbol 2 when the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PC is active, and the range of random numbers used in this lottery is 0 to 999.
As shown in Figure 11(a), in the symbol variation related to Special Feature 2 when the Special Feature Variation Pattern Derivation State PC is in place, Special Feature Variation Patterns HNP to Special Feature Variation Patterns ASP-I can be determined.
Specifically, in the case of a symbol variation related to Special Symbol 2 during the Special Symbol Variation Pattern Derivation State PC, if the result of the Special Symbol hit/miss judgment is a miss, then there is a probability of 950/1000 (approximately 1/1.05) that Special Symbol Variation Pattern HNP will be determined, a probability of 25/1000 (1/40) that Special Symbol Variation Pattern HSP-G will be determined, a probability of 15/1000 (approximately 1/66.7) that Special Symbol Variation Pattern HSP-H will be determined, and a probability of 10/1000 (1/100) that Special Symbol Variation Pattern HSP-I will be determined. In this case, Special Symbol Variation Patterns ASP-G to ASP-I will not be determined.
On the other hand, when the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PC is active, if the result of the special symbol win/loss judgment in the symbol variation related to special symbol 2 is a big win or a small win, then regardless of the number of spins in the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PC, special symbol variation pattern ASP-G is determined with a probability of 500/1000 (1/2), special symbol variation pattern ASP-H with a probability of 350/1000 (approximately 1/2.86), and special symbol variation pattern ASP-I with a probability of 150/1000 (approximately 1/6.67). In this case, special symbol variation patterns HNP to HSP-I will not be determined.

Figure 11(b) schematically shows the special symbol variation pattern lottery table used when the special symbol variation pattern HNP is determined in the symbol variation related to special symbol 2 during the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PC. The range of the random numbers used in this lottery (which are different from the random numbers used in the lottery related to the special symbol variation pattern lottery table shown in Figure 11(a)) is 0 to 999.
As shown in Figure 11(b), the special symbol variation pattern HNP that can be determined in the symbol variation related to special symbol 2 when the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PC is in place includes special symbol variation pattern HNP-G with a variation time of 2000 ms and special symbol variation pattern HNP-H with a variation time of 10000 ms.
Specifically, if the Special Symbol 2 Reserve Counter = 3 at the start of the current symbol variation, if the Special Symbol 2 Reserve Counter = 2 at the start of the current symbol variation, and if the Special Symbol 2 Reserve Counter = 1 at the start of the current symbol variation, the Special Symbol Variation Pattern HNP-G is determined with a probability of 1000/1000 (1/1), and in these cases, the Special Symbol Variation Pattern HNP-H will not be determined. On the other hand, if the Special Symbol 2 Reserve Counter = 0 at the start of the current symbol variation, the Special Symbol Variation Pattern HNP-H is determined with a probability of 1000/1000 (1/1), and in these cases, the Special Symbol Variation Pattern HNP-G will not be determined.
Furthermore, special figure variation patterns HNP-G and HNP-H are different from both the special figure variation pattern that can be determined when special figure variation pattern HNP is determined in the figure variation related to special figure 1 in the special figure variation pattern derivation state PA described above, and the special figure variation pattern that can be determined when special figure variation pattern HNP is determined in the figure variation related to special figure 2 in the special figure variation pattern derivation state PB described above.

Furthermore, the special symbol variation pattern derivation means 133 generates a performance control command (variation start command) at the start of the symbol variation, including the determined stopping symbol of the special symbol and the determined special symbol variation pattern, based on the result of the special symbol win/loss determination. This command is then stored in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.

The regular symbol lottery means 135, similar to the special symbol lottery means 130, reads the earliest operational pending information from the operational pending information held in the main information storage means 160 when the regular symbol is not changing, and uses the read random number to perform a regular symbol win/failure determination to determine whether the regular symbol is a winner or loser. Based on the result of the regular symbol win/failure determination and information such as the current special symbol variation pattern derivation state, it determines various parameters related to the regular symbol (regular symbol variation time, regular symbol stop display time, etc.).
In the determination of whether the regular drawing wins or losses occurs, there are two states: one where the regular drawing state has a high probability (sometimes abbreviated as "high regular drawing probability") and another where the regular drawing state has a low probability (sometimes abbreviated as "low regular drawing probability"). Although the lottery table is not shown in this embodiment, in the high regular drawing probability state, there is a 65535/65536 probability of winning the regular drawing and a 1/65536 probability of losing. In the low regular drawing probability state, there is a 1/65536 probability of winning the regular drawing and a 65535/65536 probability of losing. It is also possible to make it so that there is no regular drawing win in the low regular drawing probability state (a 65536/65536 probability of losing).

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

Furthermore, the jackpot game control means 140 starts a minor win game if the result of the special symbol win/loss determination is a minor win. If the game ball passes through the V-entry area (not shown) located within the major prize entry opening 55 during the minor win game, the jackpot game corresponding to that minor win can be started after the minor win game ends. Therefore, in this embodiment, the minor win game functions to generate a jackpot game. However, if the game ball does not pass through the V-entry area during the minor win game, the jackpot game will not start after the minor win game ends.

The symbol display control means 145 causes the special symbol 1 to be displayed on the first special symbol display device 91 in accordance with the variation time corresponding to the determined special symbol variation pattern of the special symbol 1, and after the variation time has elapsed, the special symbol 1 is stopped and displayed with the stop symbol determined by the special symbol stop symbol lottery. Similarly, the special symbol 2 is displayed on the second special symbol display device 92 in accordance with the variation time corresponding to the determined special symbol variation pattern of the special symbol 2, and after the variation time has elapsed, the special symbol 2 is stopped and displayed with the stop symbol determined by the special symbol stop symbol lottery. Here, the stop display time (interval) for the symbol variation related to the special symbol refers to the time from when the special symbol is stopped until the symbol variation of the next special symbol can begin (when the result of the special symbol win/fail judgment is a loss), or the time from when the symbol variation of the special symbol ends until the big win game or small win game begins (when the result of the normal symbol win/fail judgment is a normal symbol win). In this embodiment, the stop display time for the symbol variation related to the special symbol is uniformly 300 ms, regardless of the type of special symbol or the result of the special symbol win/fail judgment.
Furthermore, the symbol display control means 145 has a special symbol game timer for managing the time (variation time, stop display time) related to the display of special symbol 1 and special symbol 2, and when the special symbol is stopped (at the timing when the value of the special symbol game timer becomes "0"), it generates a performance control command (variation stop command) to request a confirmed stop display of the decorative symbol, and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.
Here, the confirmed stop display of a decorative symbol refers to the final stop display of a decorative symbol during a symbol variation, and is different from the temporary stop display of a decorative symbol that may occur during the execution of a symbol variation. Furthermore, in the case of a temporary stop display of a decorative symbol, for example, the stopped decorative symbol is accompanied by a small up-and-down shaking motion (so-called shaking motion), whereas in the case of a confirmed stop display of a decorative symbol, the stopped decorative symbol is not accompanied by shaking motion. In other words, even if the same decorative symbol is displayed as stopped, the manner of the stop display of a confirmed stop display and the manner of the stop display of a temporary stop display are different. Therefore, players can recognize whether the stop display of a decorative symbol is a confirmed stop display or a temporary stop display.

Furthermore, the pattern display control means 145 causes the regular pattern to be displayed on the regular pattern display device 93 in a variable state according to the variable state variation time corresponding to the determined regular pattern variation pattern, and after the variable state time has elapsed, the regular pattern is stopped and displayed with the determined stop pattern.
Furthermore, the symbol display control means 145 has a regular symbol game timer for managing the time related to the regular symbol (regular symbol variation time, regular symbol stop display time, etc.).

The electric mechanism control means 150 outputs a control signal to the special electric mechanism solenoid 66 during the aforementioned big win and small win games, causing the special electric mechanism 65 to open according to the opening pattern corresponding to the stopping symbol of the special feature.

The game state control means 155 controls the normal symbol lottery state. Specifically, at the start of a jackpot game, the game state control means 155 sets the normal symbol to low probability regardless of the stopping symbols of the special symbols related to the jackpot game. When prescribed conditions such as the end of a jackpot game are met, the normal symbol is set to high probability until a prescribed number of symbol changes related to the normal symbol high probability are performed, and then sets the normal symbol to low probability when the prescribed number of symbol changes related to the normal symbol high probability has ended. Here, as will be described later, in this embodiment, the number of executions of symbol changes used to determine whether or not the prescribed number of executions related to the normal symbol high probability has been reached is the number of executions of symbol changes related to special symbol 2. However, the number of executions of symbol changes used for this determination may be the number of executions of symbol changes related to special symbol 2 plus the number of executions of symbol changes related to special symbol 1.
Furthermore, in this embodiment, during a minor win game, the normal symbol lottery state for the symbol variation that caused the minor win game is maintained.

This general drawing state changes in conjunction with the special symbol variation pattern derivation state described above, and the transition of the special symbol variation pattern derivation state is managed by the game state control means 155. The transition of the special symbol variation pattern derivation state will be explained below with reference to Figures 12(a) and 12(b). Figure 12(a) is a state transition diagram showing the transition of the special symbol variation pattern derivation state, and Figure 12(b) is a diagram showing the relationship of the average variation time for each special symbol variation pattern derivation state.
As shown in Figure 12(a), the special symbol variation pattern derivation states include special symbol variation pattern derivation state PA, which corresponds to the normal symbol low probability state, and special symbol variation pattern derivation states PB and special symbol variation pattern derivation state PC, which correspond to the normal symbol high probability state. Except during jackpot gameplay, one of these special symbol variation pattern derivation states is set. Furthermore, the transition conditions between special symbol variation pattern derivation state PA and special symbol variation pattern derivation state PC are transition conditions (i) to transition conditions (v).

Specifically, transition condition (i) is the end of a jackpot game related to symbol B, transition condition (ii) is the end of a jackpot game related to symbol A, transition condition (iii) is the end of a jackpot game related to symbol a, symbol b, or symbol c, transition condition (iv) is the end of a symbol variation where the number of symbol variations related to special symbol 2 performed without a jackpot game in normal symbol high probability mode is 40 (the prescribed number for normal symbol high probability mode in special symbol variation pattern derivation state PB), and transition condition (v) is the end of a symbol variation where the number of symbol variations related to special symbol 2 performed without a jackpot game in normal symbol high probability mode is 80 (the prescribed number for normal symbol high probability mode in special symbol variation pattern derivation state PC).
Furthermore, if a jackpot game occurs in the Special Symbol Variation Pattern Derivation State PC, the system will transition back to the Special Symbol Variation Pattern Derivation State PC after the jackpot game ends, and the number of symbol variations related to Special Symbol 2 that can be performed up to the specified number of times related to the normal symbol high probability state in the Special Symbol Variation Pattern Derivation State PC will be reset. Although not shown in the diagram, if a jackpot game does not occur in a minor win game that occurs in the Special Symbol Variation Pattern Derivation State PC, and if a jackpot game does not occur in a minor win game related to transition condition (iii), the current Special Symbol Variation Pattern Derivation State will end upon the end of the minor win game, and the system will transition to the Special Symbol Variation Pattern Derivation State PA.

As shown in Figure 12(b), the average variation times for each of the special symbol variation pattern derivation states PA, PB, and PC decrease in the order of PA, PB, and PC. This is due to the length of the variation time related to the basic special symbol variation pattern that is most easily determined in each special symbol variation pattern derivation state. Here, the average variation time refers to the sum of the variation times derived by multiplying each variation time related to the special symbol variation pattern that can be selected in a given special symbol variation pattern derivation state by its occurrence rate (the probability that can occur in any symbol variation, derived by multiplying the probability of the special symbol win/fail judgment result being derived by the winning probability of the special symbol variation pattern). However, in this embodiment, if there is only one special symbol variation pattern that can be selected in a given special symbol variation pattern derivation state, the variation time related to that special symbol variation pattern is treated as the average variation time.

Furthermore, when a transition occurs between the normal drawing state and the special symbol variation pattern derivation state, the game state control means 155 generates a performance control command (game state specification command) that includes the state after the transition, and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.
Furthermore, the game state control means 155 counts the number of times the symbol variation is executed in each special symbol variation pattern derivation state, and each time a symbol variation starts, it generates a performance control command that includes the counted number of symbol variations, and stores the command in the transmission command area of the main information storage means 160. The information included in the performance control command may also be included in the variation start command described above.

The main information storage means 160, as described above, is a means for temporarily storing data read by each means, data derived by calculations performed by each means, etc., in their respective storage areas.

The main error control means 165 monitors the input information of the I/O port 104 and determines whether the gaming machine 10 is in an error state. If it is determined that the machine is in an error state, it stores a performance control command (error command) containing information that can identify the error state in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.
In this embodiment, error states determined by the main error control means 165 include, for example, a main board error based on the occurrence of the update abnormality described above, a magnetic error based on magnetic detection by a magnetic detection sensor, a radio wave error based on radio wave detection by a radio wave detection sensor, a right-hand shooting error based on the detection of game balls by the gate sensor 74 or the second start port sensor 71, a door opening error based on the detection of the opening of the middle frame 17 by the middle frame opening sensor 76 or the opening of the front frame 20 by the front frame opening sensor 77, a full tank error based on the detection of game balls by the full tank detection sensor, and a remaining prize ball error that occurs when there are remaining prize balls. The occurrence or absence of an error state according to this embodiment is monitored during the playable state, which will be described later.
To summarize the conditions under which some of these errors occur, the main board error is an error state indicating an update abnormality in the random number circuit 105, as described above, and occurs when such update abnormality occurs. Next, the magnetic error is an error state that occurs when magnetic detection by the magnetic detection sensor occurs continuously for 500 ms, and the radio wave error is an error state that occurs when the number of radio wave detections by the radio wave detection sensor (cumulative number since the previous power-on) totals 5 times. Furthermore, the right-hand shooting error is an error state that occurs when the gate sensor 74 detects a game ball 3 times during normal operation (special symbol variation pattern derivation state PA, special symbol low probability and normal symbol low probability) (the number of detections is reset 1000 ms after the last detection), or when the second start port sensor 71 detects a game ball once during normal operation, and the full tank error is an error state that occurs when the full tank detection sensor is ON, that is, when a game ball is detected by the full tank detection sensor.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, among these error states, the main board error, magnetic error, and radio wave error are treated as error states of relatively high importance (hereinafter simply referred to as "high-importance error states"). Therefore, when one of these high-importance error states occurs, the main error control means 165 performs a process to turn on the security signal, as well as a game progress restriction process to prevent the game from progressing, such as restricting the launch of game balls by the payout control board 400.
Here, the security signal is a type of signal output from an external terminal board (not shown) provided on the gaming machine 10 toward devices outside the gaming machine (data display unit or hall computer). Including the following explanation, turning the security signal ON means starting the output of the security signal, and turning the security signal OFF means ending the output of the security signal. In this embodiment, the process of turning the security signal OFF does not take into account the elapsed time since the security signal was turned ON, but it is also possible to take this elapsed time into consideration, that is, to not turn the security signal OFF before a certain amount of time has elapsed since the security signal was turned ON. In this embodiment, if a magnetic error or radio wave error occurs, the process of turning the security signal ON is executed, but the payout control board 400 is not to execute the above-mentioned game progress restriction process.
Furthermore, if any of these high-priority error conditions occur, the first sub-control board 200 and the second sub-control board 300 will execute a notification display that identifies which error condition has occurred.
Furthermore, these high-priority error conditions can only be cleared (terminated) by a power outage and subsequent restoration of power, and the security signals associated with these error conditions will turn OFF upon power outage (they will remain ON until power is lost).
The above-mentioned high-priority error conditions are just examples, and other error conditions may be defined as such.

On the other hand, in the case of relatively low-priority error conditions (hereinafter simply referred to as "low-priority error conditions"), such as right-hand shooting errors, door opening errors, full tank errors, and remaining prize ball errors, the launch of game balls is not restricted, and the game can continue. When any of these error conditions occur, the first sub-control board 200 and the second sub-control board 300 will execute a notification display that identifies which error condition has occurred.
Furthermore, a right-hand hit error is terminated when the execution of the notification effect related to the error state is completed, a door open error is terminated when the middle frame door open sensor 76 detects the middle frame 17 to be closed, or when the front frame door open sensor 77 detects the front frame 20 to be closed, a remaining prize ball error is terminated when there are no remaining prize balls, and a full tank error is terminated when the full tank detection sensor no longer detects any game balls. When the termination conditions for any of these error states are met, a performance control command (return command) indicating that the termination conditions have been met is stored in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.
Furthermore, the low-priority error states described above are just examples, and other error states may be provided, such as an abnormal entry error that occurs when a game ball is detected by the large entry sensor 72 after a predetermined time has elapsed since the large entry opening 55 closed during a jackpot game. If these error states are provided, a notification effect related to the error state will be executed. In the case of an abnormal entry error, similar to the right-hand shooting error described above, the notification effect related to the error state may be terminated when the execution of the notification effect related to that error state is completed.

In this embodiment, notifications that can identify a high-priority error state take precedence over notifications that can identify a low-priority error state, while notifications that can identify a low-priority error state take precedence over other effects (including pre-notifications described later) that are performed during symbol changes, including the effects described later. However, the stop notification and game stop notification described later take precedence over notifications that can identify a low-priority error state, but have a lower priority than notifications that can identify a high-priority error state.

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

The power restoration processing execution means 175 includes a recovery state setting means 176 and a game-ready state transition means 179.

The recovery state setting means 176 executes a recovery state setting process to set a recovery state based on whether or not there is an abnormality in the RAM 103 when power is restored, the state at the time of the power outage immediately before the power restoration, the state of the RAM clear switch 43 when power is restored, and the state of the middle frame door open sensor 76 when power is restored. The recovery states set by this process include a game stop state and a game-ready state (which may or may not involve the execution of a RAM clear process).
Specifically, if there is an abnormality in the RAM 103 when power is restored, the game stop state is set regardless of the state of the RAM clear switch 43 and the middle frame door open sensor 76 when power is restored. Also, if there is no abnormality in the RAM 103 when power is restored and the RAM clear switch 43 is ON (pressed down) when power is restored, the RAM clear process is executed and the game-ready state is set, provided that the middle frame door open sensor 76 is ON when power is restored (if the middle frame door open sensor 76 is OFF when power is restored, the RAM clear process is not executed and the game-ready state is set). If there is no abnormality in the RAM 103 when power is restored and the RAM clear switch 43 is OFF (not pressed) when power is restored, the RAM clear process is not executed and the game-ready state is set.
Here, a "game stop state" refers to a state in which the game cannot proceed because processing based on the detection results of sensors installed at each prize entry point is not performed (it is not even necessary to look at the detection results of the sensors themselves), and in this state, the launch of game balls is also prohibited.
On the other hand, the playable state is a restored state in which gameplay can be resumed by executing processing according to the detection results of sensors installed at each prize entry point. In particular, if the RAM clear process is not executed when power is restored, the game returns to the playable state it was in at the time of the previous power outage. For example, if a big win game or a small win game was in progress at the time of the previous power outage, the game will return to the big win game or small win game that was in progress. If a symbol change was in progress at the time of the previous power outage, the game will return to the symbol change that was in progress.

Furthermore, whether or not there is an abnormality in RAM 103 is determined by performing a RAM abnormality check at the beginning of the recovery state setting process. This check check determines whether or not a backup flag is stored in the backup information area related to the target area (i.e., whether or not the backup flag is ON). If the backup flag is stored (i.e., the backup flag is ON), it derives a checksum of the complement stored in the target area and the backup information area related to that area. If the result of this calculation is 0, the target area is judged to be normal; otherwise, the target area is judged to be abnormal. This check is performed on the area of RAM 103 related to gameplay.

The playable state transition means 179 executes a playable state transition process to transition to the playable state when the playable state is set.
To explain in more detail, during the transition to a playable state, if the security signal output is ON, the process of turning the security signal output OFF and the initial device setup are performed.
Furthermore, during the initial setup of the device, processes such as sending a launch permission command to the payout control board 400 to allow the launch of game balls, setting the state in which balls can enter each prize pocket, and setting data to activate the random number circuit 105 are performed.

The power cut-off processing execution means 180 performs power cut-off processing based on the receipt of a power cut-off signal from the power control board 500.
Specifically, for the area of RAM 103 related to gameplay, the following processes are executed: deriving the checksum of the area, storing the complement of the checksum in the backup information area of RAM 103 related to gameplay, and turning on a backup flag to indicate that power-off processing has been performed on the area (storing the backup flag in the backup information area of RAM 103 related to gameplay).

The complete function control means 190 derives the net number of balls using the out balls and safe balls described above, and sets the game to stop state based on whether the derived net number of balls exceeds a specific threshold (100,000 balls in this embodiment) (hereinafter, this function will be referred to as the "complete function"). Details of the processing performed by the complete function control means 190 will be described later.

As shown in Figure 7, the first sub-control board 200 includes a sub-random number generation means 210, a normal performance control means 220, a sub-error control means 230, a lamp control means 240, a movable prop control means 245, a sub-information storage means 260, and a sub-command management means 270. These means functionally represent what is realized by the control configurations on the first sub-control board 200 described with reference to Figure 6.
Here, the sub-information storage means 260 is a means for temporarily storing data read by means of the first sub-control board 200, and data derived by calculations performed by said means, in corresponding storage areas. Furthermore, performance control commands transmitted from the main command management means 170 are stored in the received command storage area of the sub-information storage means 260 by the sub-command management means 270. In the following description, the process by which performance control commands transmitted from the main command management means 170 are stored in the received command storage area of the sub-information storage means 260 by the sub-command management means 270 may simply be referred to as the reception of performance control commands.

The sub-random number generation means 210 is capable of generating random numbers (software random numbers) that are updated by program processing by the CPU 201, and acquires random numbers at the timing when each lottery (details described later) is executed by the normal performance control means 220.

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

The performance mode control means 221 controls the transition of the performance mode in a manner that ensures consistency with the special symbol variation pattern derivation state managed on the main control board 100 side when it receives a game state specification command.
In this embodiment, the performance modes are broadly classified into normal mode, challenge mode, and RUSH mode. Normal mode corresponds to the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PA, challenge mode corresponds to the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PB, and RUSH mode corresponds to the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PC.

When the performance route determination means 222 receives a pre-determination command, it determines (sets) the performance route corresponding to the currently held symbol variation based on the result of the pre-determination included in the command (in this embodiment, the special symbol variation pattern). However, if the special symbol variation pattern corresponding to the symbol variation is the special symbol variation pattern HNP described above, the performance route determination means 222 does not determine the performance route when the pre-determination command is transmitted, but instead determines the performance route at the start of the symbol variation based on the special symbol variation pattern included in the variation start command (for example, if the special symbol variation pattern derivation state is PA, then special symbol variation patterns HNP-A to special symbol variation patterns HNP-D).
Here, the performance route refers to the performance from the start to the end of the symbol variation, which defines the process of performance that notifies the result of the special symbol win/loss determination in that symbol variation. The content of the performance performed in that symbol variation is determined by the performance content determination means 225, which will be described later, according to the performance route corresponding to that symbol variation.

In this embodiment, the performance routes are broadly divided into two types: a losing performance route that notifies that the result of the special symbol win/loss judgment in the current symbol variation is a loss (the result of the special symbol win/loss judgment in the current symbol variation is neither a big win nor a small win), and a big win performance route that notifies that the result of the special symbol win/loss judgment in the current symbol variation is a big win or a small win. Furthermore, the losing performance route is divided into a non-developing losing performance route in which no development performance is performed, and a developing losing performance route in which a development performance is performed. As will be described later, if a big win performance route is determined, a development performance will be performed unless otherwise specified.
Here, a development sequence refers to a sequence that is executed after the decorative symbols enter a reach state (a state where all but one row of symbols are stopped and displayed, and the remaining row of symbols is displayed in motion), and which, at the end of the sequence, announces whether the result of the special symbol hit/miss judgment in the current symbol change is a big win or a small win. Therefore, in a development sequence corresponding to a development miss sequence route, a series of sequences corresponding to that development sequence are executed, and at the end of the sequence, it is announced that the result of the special symbol hit/miss judgment in the current symbol change is neither a big win nor a small win. On the other hand, in a development sequence corresponding to a big win sequence route, a series of sequences corresponding to that development sequence are executed, and at the end of the sequence, it is announced that the result of the special symbol hit/miss judgment in the current symbol change is either a big win or a small win.
Furthermore, as will be described later, in this embodiment, in one performance mode, each of the determined special symbol variation patterns is associated with a different performance route. Therefore, in the following explanation, the performance route for a special symbol variation pattern may simply be represented by the special symbol variation pattern. However, multiple performance routes may be associated with a single special symbol variation pattern, in which case one performance route can be determined from the multiple performance routes corresponding to the determined special symbol variation pattern.

The sub-hold control means 223, upon receiving a hold command (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as the occurrence of a hold win), sets performance data in the hold display area (not shown) of the main display unit 81, based on the information of the special figure 1 hold counter and the special figure 2 hold counter included in the command. This data displays a number of hold images corresponding to the special figure 1 hold counter and a number of hold images corresponding to the special figure 2 hold counter. Note that the hold images are images that are the subject of a hold pre-read performance (an example of a pre-read performance described later) that changes in various ways to suggest the likelihood of a winning game occurring.

The pre-reading effect control means 224, upon receiving a pre-determination command, determines the content of the so-called pre-reading effect based on the result of the pre-determination included in the command.

When the performance content determination means 225 receives a variation start command, it determines the content of the performance to be executed in the current symbol variation according to the performance route already determined by the performance route determination means 222.
More specifically, the performance content determination means 225 determines a reference performance pattern lottery table for each performance execution timing in the symbol variation, based on the performance route determined by the performance route determination means 222, and then determines the content of the performance by lottery using the determined performance pattern lottery table. In particular, by doing so, it is possible to change the content of the performance related to (executed according to) the determined performance route, and to create a connection between the performances in a single symbol variation.

When the decorative pattern control means 226 receives a variation start command, it determines the final combination of decorative patterns (left pattern, middle pattern, right pattern) that will be displayed as a confirmed stop, based on the determined stop pattern of the special pattern.
Specifically, in the symbol variation related to Special Figure 1, one of the symbol combinations related to decorative symbols excluding the 7 symbol is determined for symbols A and B, and a symbol combination related to the 7 symbol is determined for symbol C. Therefore, in this embodiment, even if a symbol combination related to decorative symbols excluding the 7 symbol is displayed as a stop, it is not possible to accurately determine the subsequent performance mode, that is, the performance mode set when the jackpot game related to that symbol combination ends, from the displayed symbol combination. On the other hand, if a symbol combination related to the 7 symbol is displayed as a stop, the player can determine that the RUSH mode will be set afterward.
Furthermore, in the symbol variation related to Special Figure 2, for symbols a and c, one of the symbol combinations related to decorative symbols excluding the 7 symbol is determined, and for symbols b and d, one of the symbol combinations related to decorative symbols including the 7 symbol is determined. Therefore, in this embodiment, if a symbol combination related to decorative symbols excluding the 7 symbol is displayed as stopped, it is not possible to accurately determine the number of rounds in the jackpot game related to that symbol combination. On the other hand, if a symbol combination related to the 7 symbol is displayed as stopped, the player can determine that the number of rounds in the jackpot game related to that symbol combination is 10.

The jackpot performance control means 227, upon receiving a jackpot start command, determines the content of the performance during the jackpot game based on the information contained in the command. The performances during the jackpot game include a jackpot start performance that can identify the jackpot start demo period, a round performance that can identify the round period, and a jackpot end performance that can identify the jackpot end demo period.

The normal performance control means 220 reads performance data for each device corresponding to each performance at the execution timing of each performance, according to the content of the performance determined by the means described above provided on the first sub-control board 200. If the read performance data includes performance data related to images, it generates an image control command based on that performance data and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of the sub-information storage means 260. Furthermore, if the read performance data includes performance data related to sound, it generates an audio control command related to sound based on that performance data and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of the sub-information storage means 260.
Furthermore, the normal performance control means 220 reads performance data to notify that the game has become playable after the RAM clear process is executed if the recovery state after power is restored becomes playable after the RAM clear process is executed. If the recovery state after power is restored becomes playable without the RAM clear process being executed, the normal performance control means 220 reads performance data to notify that the game has become playable without the RAM clear process being executed. In addition, if the recovery state after power is restored becomes play-stopped, the normal performance control means 220 reads performance data to notify that the game has become play-stopped and that the RAM clear process is required. The details of these notifications are omitted here, but it is preferable that they continue to be executed for a certain period of time (for example, 30 seconds) after execution begins, and the performance device that executes the notification is not limited.
The normal performance control means 220 performs pre-notification, game stop notification, and stop warning notification as notifications related to the complete function described above, and the details of these notifications will be described later.

The sub-error control means 230 determines an error notification pattern when an error command is transmitted and reads out performance data for executing the error notification according to the error notification pattern.
Furthermore, error notifications are executed in priority over the variation effects related to symbol changes. Here, "error notifications are executed in priority" means that, when the device that executes the error notification and the device that executes the variation effects are the same device, it is not limited to cases where only the error notification is executed on that device (where the execution of the variation effects is restricted by the execution of the error notification), but also includes cases where the error notification is executed on that device in a manner that is more easily recognized than the variation effects.
Furthermore, the sub-error control means 230 may independently (independently of the main error control means 165) determine whether or not the gaming machine 10 is in an error state, and if it determines that it is in an error state, it may read out performance data to execute an error notification.

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

The movable mechanism control means 245, when it finds performance data corresponding to a movable mechanism in the performance data read by the normal performance control means 220, reads movable control data from the ROM 202 based on that performance data, transmits the read movable control data to the movable decorative body 22 and the sub-display unit 82, and controls the movement of the movable decorative body 22 and the sub-display unit 82.

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

The subcommand management means 270 receives performance control commands transmitted from the main control board 100 and stores the received performance commands in the received command storage area of the sub-information storage means 260. Furthermore, if image control commands are stored in the transmission command storage area of the sub-information storage means 260, the subcommand management means 270 transmits these image control commands to the second sub-control board 300. Additionally, if voice control commands are stored in the same storage area, the subcommand management means 270 transmits these commands to the voice control board 310. These commands are, in principle, transmitted in the order they are stored in the transmission command storage area of the sub-information storage means 260.

As explained above, the gaming machine 10 according to this embodiment has a complete function that calculates the difference in the number of balls using the balls that go out and the balls that go in, and stops the game when the calculated difference in the number of balls exceeds a specific threshold. This contributes to suppressing the gambling aspect of the game, but because this function is a function that has not existed before, various problems arise in relation to the functions of existing gaming machines.
In contrast, the present invention has a function that solves some of the problems that arise when a complete function is incorporated into an existing gaming machine, and the details of this function will be explained below.

<Regarding processing related to the complete function>
First, using Figures 13 and 14, we will explain in detail the processes performed by the complete function control means 190 to realize the complete function: the game stop flag setting process related to the complete function and the game stop process related to the complete function.
Figure 13 shows the flow of the game stop flag setting process related to the complete function. This process is executed in the timer interrupt processing of the main control unit and is executed when the game stop flag, which will be described later, is OFF, but is not executed when the game stop flag is ON.
Figure 14 shows the flow of the game stop process related to the complete function. This process is executed regardless of the state of the game stop flag. If the game stop flag setting process related to the complete function is executed, this process is executed immediately afterward in the timer interrupt process of the main control unit.

As shown in Figure 13, in step S102, which is the first step of the game stop flag setting process related to the complete function, out balls and safe balls are acquired.
As mentioned above, "out balls" refers to the total number of game balls detected by the out ball sensor 75, and the out balls are reset to an initial value (0 in this embodiment) by power interruption and restoration accompanied by the execution of a RAM clear process.
On the other hand, "safe balls" refers to the total number of prize balls awarded when game balls enter the prize slots mentioned above. The initial value of "safe balls" (5,000 in this embodiment) is set by an electrical interruption and restoration that involves executing a RAM clear process.

In step S104, the net number of balls is derived using the acquired out balls and safe balls.
Specifically, in this process, the difference in the number of balls is derived by subtracting the number of balls that went out from the number of balls that were in play. If this derived result is negative, the difference in the number of balls becomes zero.
Furthermore, the method for deriving the difference in the number of balls is not limited to the method described in this embodiment; any method that produces the same result may be used.

In step S106, it is determined whether the net number of balls is 100,000 or more (whether the net number of balls has reached 100,000). If this condition is met, the process proceeds to step S108; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S110.

In step S108, the game stop flag is set to ON.
In this embodiment, once the game stop flag is set to ON, it is only cleared (set to OFF) by powering on the system accompanied by a RAM clear process, and is not cleared by powering on the system without a RAM clear process. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the game stop flag from being cleared illegally.

In step S110, preparations are made to send commands related to the complete function, and then the game stop flag setting process related to the complete function is terminated.
Specifically, in this process, the complete function-related commands are stored in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160, and the execution of this process transmits the complete function-related commands to the first sub-control board 200. In this embodiment, the complete function-related commands include information that can identify the number of balls that have been taken out, the number of balls that have been taken out, the number of balls that have been taken out, and the status of the game stop flag. Furthermore, if the number of balls that have been taken out is updated in the game stop flag setting process related to this complete function, the complete function-related commands also include information that can identify the type of winning slot that triggered the update.

Next, as shown in Figure 14, in step S202, which is the first step in the game stop processing related to the complete function, it is determined whether or not the game stop flag is ON. If the condition is met, the process proceeds to step S204; otherwise, the game stop processing related to the complete function is terminated.
In step S204, it is determined whether the game is in the middle of a big win or a small win. If the condition is not met, the process proceeds to step S206. If the condition is met, the game stop process related to the complete function is terminated.
In step S206, the game stop state is set.
In step S208, the security signal is set to ON, and then the game stop process related to the complete function is terminated. This allows the aforementioned external equipment to determine that the game stop flag has been turned ON, that is, that the complete function has been activated.

Thus, in this embodiment, if the difference in the number of balls calculated using the out balls and safe balls exceeds a specific threshold (100,000 balls), the game is immediately stopped, except during a big win or small win game. On the other hand, if the situation occurs during a big win or small win game, the game is stopped when the winning game ends.
In particular, in this embodiment, there are no negative values for the number of balls in the net gain, but since the initial value of safe balls is 5000, it can be said that the number of balls in the net gain can effectively be up to -5000. This initial value may be set to any value (a value determined for each gaming machine) depending on the performance of the gaming machine.
However, the initial value of safe balls may be set to zero, similar to the initial value of out balls. This allows the game to be stopped based on the increase in the number of game balls since the point in time when the number of game balls was at its lowest (so-called MY).

<About the types of notifications related to the complete function and their overview>
As described above, in this embodiment, the system is configured to be able to perform pre-notification, game stop notification, and stop warning notification as notifications related to the complete function, and the details of these notifications will be explained with reference to Figures 15 to 23.
Figure 15 shows the general flow of notifications related to the complete function.
Figure 16 shows the flow of notifications related to the complete function when the game stop flag is turned ON during a jackpot game.
Figure 17 shows the flow of the pre-notification execution process, which is executed when a command related to the complete function is received.
Figures 18(a) to 18(f) show the changes in the notification pattern of the pre-notification according to the number of balls.
Figure 19 shows the flow of the pre-notification termination process, which is executed when a command related to the complete function is received while the pre-notification is in progress.

As shown in Figure 15, advance notification and game stop notification are performed using the main display unit 81.
More specifically, the advance notification is implemented, for example, by displaying a normal advance notification image jg1 in the display area of the main display unit 81. Details of its start conditions and notification methods will be described later, but it starts prior to the execution of the game stop notification (the flow from the scene at the top left of Figure 15 to the scene in the top middle).
The game stop notification is implemented by displaying a normal game stop image tg1 containing the text, for example, "Thank you for playing. Your game for today has ended," in the display area of the main display unit 81. This notification is initiated when the game stop flag is turned ON (the sequence from the upper right scene to the lower left scene in Figure 15).
In this embodiment, the notification patterns for notifications related to the complete function, including the stop notification described later, change depending on the type of winning slot that triggered the notification and the game state at the start. Details of these will be described later.

Next, as shown in Figure 16, if the game stop flag is turned ON during a jackpot game, a stop notification may be issued using the main display unit 81 prior to the setting of the game stop state after the jackpot game ends due to the ON state of the game stop flag.
More specifically, the stop notification is implemented by displaying a standard stop notification image yg1 that includes the text, for example, "Today's game will end after this jackpot game ends" (the sequence from the leftmost scene to the middle scene in Figure 16). At this time, the pre-notification continues to be executed.
Although not shown in the diagram, in this embodiment, if the game stop flag is turned ON during a minor win game, the stop notification is not started at that time. Instead, the stop notification is started at the time when the major win game that occurs during the minor win game begins, that is, at the time when the minor win game ends.

Upon the end of the subsequent jackpot game, the stop notification that was being displayed terminates and switches to the game stop notification (the sequence from the middle scene to the rightmost scene in Figure 16). At this time, the pre-notification also terminates in conjunction with the end of the stop notification.

Next, we will explain the details of the pre-notification execution process, which controls the execution of pre-notifications.
As shown in Figure 17, in step S302, which is the first step of the pre-notification execution process, it is determined whether the game stop flag is ON or not. If this condition is met, the pre-notification execution process ends; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S304.
In step S304, it is determined whether or not the pre-notification is currently being performed. If the condition is met, the process proceeds to step S310; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S306.
In step S306, it is determined whether the net number of balls is 95,000 or more. If this condition is met, the process proceeds to step S308. If this condition is not met, the pre-notification execution process is terminated.
In step S308, the pre-notification is initiated, and then the pre-notification execution process is terminated. As mentioned above, the notification method of the pre-notification that is initiated changes depending on the type of winning slot that triggered the pre-notification and the game state at the time of initiation.

In step S310, the notification method for the ongoing pre-notification is updated to match the number of balls, and then the pre-notification execution process is terminated.
As a result, if it is necessary to update the notification method related to advance notification, the display method of the normal advance notification image jg1, which corresponds to advance notification, will be changed to one of the display methods shown in Figures 18(a) to 18(f).

Specifically, when the difference in the number of balls is between 95,000 and 95,999, that is, when the increase in the number of balls required to reach a specific threshold (100,000) is between 4,001 and 5,000, the pre-notification image jg1 will normally be displayed in a hatched manner in all of the following regions: the region corresponding to 0-1,000, the region corresponding to 1,000-2,000, the region corresponding to 2,000-3,000, the region corresponding to 3,000-4,000, and the region corresponding to 4,000-5,000, as shown in Figure 18(a).
When the difference in the number of balls is between 96,000 and 96,999, that is, when the increase in the number of balls required to reach the threshold is between 3,001 and 4,000, the normal pre-notification image jg1, as shown in Figure 18(b), is displayed in a manner in which hatching (coloring) is applied to the areas corresponding to 0 to 1,000, 1,000 to 2,000, 2,000 to 3,000, and 3,000 to 4,000, while hatching is not applied to the area corresponding to 4,000 to 5,000.
When the difference in the number of balls is between 97,000 and 97,999, that is, when the increase in the number of balls required to reach a specific threshold is between 2,001 and 3,000, the normal pre-notification image jg1, as shown in Figure 18(c), is displayed in a manner in which hatching (coloring) is applied to the areas corresponding to 0 to 1,000, 1,000 to 2,000, and 2,000 to 3,000, while hatching is not applied to the areas corresponding to 3,000 to 4,000 and 4,000 to 5,000.
When the difference in the number of balls is between 98,000 and 98,999, that is, when the increase in the number of balls required to reach a specific threshold is between 1,001 and 2,000, the normal pre-notification image jg1, as shown in Figure 18(d), is displayed in a manner in which the areas corresponding to 0 to 1,000 and the areas corresponding to 1,000 to 2,000 are hatched (colored), while the areas corresponding to 2,000 to 3,000, 3,000 to 4,000, and 4,000 to 5,000 are not hatched.
When the difference in the number of balls is between 99,000 and 99,999, that is, when the increment in the number of balls required to reach a specific threshold is between 1 and 1,000, the normal pre-notification image jg1, as shown in Figure 18(e), is displayed in a manner in which the area corresponding to 0 to 1,000 is hatched (colored), while the area corresponding to 1,000 to 2,000, 2,000 to 3,000, 3,000 to 4,000, and 4,000 to 5,000 is not hatched.
When the game stop flag is ON, that is, when the difference in balls is 100,000 or more, the normal pre-notification image jg1 will be displayed in a manner in which no hatching is applied to any of the areas corresponding to 0-1000, 1000-2000, 2000-3000, 3000-4000, and 4000-5000, as shown in Figure 18(f). However, in this embodiment, the normal pre-notification image jg1 in this display manner may be displayed during the execution of the stop notification (the period from when the game stop flag is turned ON during a jackpot game until the jackpot game ends).

Thus, in this embodiment, the pre-notification is configured to allow the remaining number of balls until the game stop flag is turned ON (until the number of balls remaining reaches 100,000 or more) to be specified in increments of a specific number (1,000 in this embodiment). Furthermore, this is independent of the pre-notification start conditions described later, namely the type of winning slot that triggered the pre-notification and the game state at the start.
Furthermore, as will be described later, in this embodiment, even if the number of balls in the net is less than 95,000, the advance notification will continue until the number of balls in the net is less than 90,000, and in this case the normal advance notification image jg1 will be displayed in the manner shown in Figure 18(a).

In this embodiment, the change in the notification mode of the advance notification described above (in particular, the change to a notification mode in which the increment in the number of balls required to reach a specific threshold is smaller) is executed when a game ball enters the prize pocket (at the moment when a game ball enters the prize pocket).
According to this, except for the start of pre-notification, changes in the pre-notification pattern can be recognized in real time, even if a jackpot game is not currently in progress.

Next, we will explain the details of the pre-notification termination process, which controls the end of the pre-notification.
As shown in Figure 19, in step S402, which is the first step of the pre-notification termination process, it is determined whether the game stop flag is ON or OFF. If this condition is met, the process proceeds to step S404; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S408.
In step S404, it is determined whether or not it is a jackpot game. If the condition is met, the pre-notification termination process is terminated. If the condition is not met, the process proceeds to step S406.
In step S406, the pre-notification is terminated, and then the pre-notification termination process is terminated.

In step S408, it is determined whether the net number of balls is less than 90,000. If this condition is met, the process proceeds to step S410. If this condition is not met, the pre-notification termination process is terminated.
In step S410, it is determined whether the current state is the special feature variation pattern derivation state PA. If the condition is met, the process proceeds to step S412. If the condition is not met, the pre-notification termination process is terminated.
In step S412, the pre-notification is terminated, and then the pre-notification termination process is terminated.

Thus, in this embodiment, the pre-notification terminates when the game stop flag is turned ON during a jackpot game, at the end of that jackpot game, and terminates when the game stop flag is turned ON outside of a jackpot game (the flow from step S402 to step S406).

Furthermore, as shown in the sequence from step S408 to step S412, the pre-notification may also end if the number of balls falls below 90,000.
Specifically, in this embodiment, the pre-notification ends when the number of balls in the game falls below 90,000 and the current state is the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PA. On the other hand, if the current state is a game state other than the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PA (special symbol variation pattern derivation state PB, special symbol variation pattern derivation state PC, jackpot game, or minor jackpot game), the pre-notification does not end even if the number of balls in the game falls below 90,000 (in this case, the pre-notification ends when the number of balls in the game falls below 90,000 and the state becomes the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PA).
According to this, even if the number of balls in a game falls below 90,000, by maintaining advance notification in a relatively favorable game state, the player is made aware that the number of balls in that game state is approaching a specific threshold. Conversely, by ending advance notification in a relatively unfavorable game state, the player's motivation to play in that game state can be increased.
In order to achieve this effect, the game states other than the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PA include the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PB, the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PC, big win games, and small win games. However, it is also possible to control the termination of the pre-notification by treating some of these game states in the same way as the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PA, and by treating the remaining game states in the same way as game states other than the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PA.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, in order to prevent the occurrence of an event where the number of balls decreases and the pre-notification ends immediately after the number of balls decreases and the pre-notification starts when the number of balls exceeds the threshold that serves as the starting condition, the threshold that serves as the condition for ending the pre-notification (90,000 balls) is set to a smaller value than the threshold that serves as the condition for starting the pre-notification (95,000 balls). On top of that, in this embodiment, the difference (5,000 balls) between the threshold of the number of balls related to the start of the pre-notification (95,000 balls) and the threshold of the number of balls related to the end of the pre-notification (90,000 balls) is set to be larger than the total number of game balls awarded by game balls entering the large prize pocket 55 in a jackpot game with a maximum number of rounds (10 in this embodiment) (1,500 balls, which is the number of game balls that can enter the large prize pocket 55 until the special electric mechanism 65 closes in each round multiplied by 15, which is the number of prize balls corresponding to the large prize pocket 55).
According to this, once the pre-announcement has ended and a jackpot game (so-called first win) occurs thereafter, the number of balls won will not easily exceed the threshold for the number of balls won at the start of the pre-announcement, thereby preventing harm to the effect of increasing the desire to play during the jackpot game.
Here, the total number of game balls (1500) is the sum of the prize balls and does not represent the increase in the number of game balls. However, there is no significant discrepancy between the sum of the prize balls and the increase in the number of game balls (in particular, the sum of the prize balls is always greater than the increase in the number of game balls). Therefore, in order to achieve the effect described above, it is sufficient to use the sum of the prize balls to satisfy the magnitude relationship of the values described above. This is also true when comparing the difference between Mode TY and the threshold for the number of balls, which will be discussed later.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, in addition to the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PB, there is a special symbol variation pattern derivation state PC that is more advantageous than the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PA, which is a game state in which a symbol variation can be executed. The mode TY in the more advantageous special symbol variation pattern derivation state PC is configured to be greater than the difference between the threshold number of balls related to the start of the pre-notification and the threshold number of balls related to the end of the pre-notification.
According to this, if the pre-notification ends once in the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PA, and then a first win occurs in the same special symbol variation pattern derivation state PA, it becomes less likely that the number of balls won after that will exceed 95,000 (making it less likely that the pre-notification will start), thereby making it less likely that the desire to play will decrease after the first win.
Here, Mode TY refers to the expected number of prize balls that can be obtained in the jackpot game related to the transition when transitioning to the advantageous game state (in this example, Special Symbol Variation Pattern Derivation State PC), and the number of prize balls that can be obtained after that transition until transitioning to the Special Symbol Variation Pattern Derivation State PA.

Furthermore, as described above, in this embodiment, the notification mode for the advance notification changes according to the value of the difference in balls (in increments of 1,000) when the difference in balls is 95,000 or more, while the notification mode does not change when the difference in balls is between 90,000 and 95,000 (the display mode shown in Figure 18(a) is maintained).
According to this, in the range where the net number of balls is 95,000 or more, it is possible to make it easier to recognize the amount of net balls until the net number reaches 100,000, while in the range where the net number of balls is less than 95,000, it is possible to make it difficult to recognize the decrease in the number of game balls.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the specific number (1,000) that serves as the dividing line for switching the notification mode of the pre-notification is smaller than the difference between the threshold for the number of balls at the start of the pre-notification (95,000) and the threshold for the number of balls at the end of the pre-notification (90,000).
According to this, it is possible to enhance the effect of making it difficult for players to perceive a decrease in the number of game balls when the net number of balls is less than 95,000.

<Regarding control related to the start of stop warning and game stop notification>
Next, using Figures 20 and 21, we will explain in detail the stop notification start process, which controls the start of the stop notification, and the game stop notification start process, which controls the start of the game stop notification.
Figure 20 shows the flow of the stop notification start process, which is executed when a command related to the complete function is received during a jackpot game.
Figure 21 shows the flow of the game stop notification start process, which is executed when a command related to the complete function of the game-ready state is received.

As shown in Figure 20, in step S702, the first step of the stop notification start process, it is determined whether the game stop flag is ON or not. If this condition is met, the process proceeds to step S704; otherwise, the stop notification start process ends.

In step S704, it is determined whether or not it is the middle stage of a big win game. If the condition is met, the process proceeds to step S706. If the condition is not met, the process of starting the stop notification is terminated.
Here, the "mid-game period" refers to the middle period when a winning game is divided into the early, middle, and late stages.
In particular, in this embodiment, for a jackpot game with 10 rounds, the period from the start of the jackpot game until the end of the second round is defined as the initial period, the period from the end of the second round until the end of the eighth round is defined as the middle period, and the period from the end of the eighth round until the end of the jackpot game is defined as the final period. Furthermore, for a jackpot game with 4 rounds, the period from the start of the jackpot game until the end of the first round is defined as the initial period, the period from the end of the first round until the end of the third round is defined as the middle period, and the period from the end of the third round until the end of the jackpot game is defined as the final period.
Furthermore, the initial, middle, and final periods are defined in a predetermined manner, but the method of division is irrelevant, and it is not necessary for round-based gameplay to be included in at least one of these periods.

In step S706, the stop warning notification is initiated, and then the stop warning notification initiation process is terminated.

Thus, in this embodiment, the stop notification is initiated when the game stop flag is turned ON during the middle stage of a jackpot game, or when the game stop flag is turned ON during the initial stage of a jackpot game and the initial stage ends, transitioning into the middle stage. Therefore, in this embodiment, the execution period of the stop notification and the execution period of the pre-notification may overlap.

Furthermore, if the game stop flag is turned ON during the final stages of a jackpot game, the stop notification will not be executed, and the game stop notification will begin afterward, as described below.
This makes it easier to recognize the game stop notification that follows.
In order to achieve this effect, it is preferable that the stop warning notification is not executed in that case. However, the stop warning notification may be started in a special notification mode described later when the game stop flag is turned ON during the final period. Even in this case, it is possible to draw attention to the stop warning notification and make it easier to recognize the subsequent game stop notification.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, if the above-described conditions for starting the stop warning notification are met, the stop warning notification will be started regardless of whether or not a prior notification has been performed.
Although not shown in the diagram, the stop notification signal terminates in conjunction with the end of the jackpot game. Therefore, in this embodiment, the execution period of the stop notification signal and the execution period of the game stop notification signal do not overlap.

Next, as shown in Figure 21, in step S802, which is the first step of the game stop notification start process, it is determined whether or not the game stop flag is ON. If the condition is met, the process proceeds to step S804; otherwise, the game stop notification start process ends.
In step S804, it is determined whether or not a jackpot game is in progress. If this condition is met, the game stop notification start process is terminated. If the condition is not met, the process proceeds to step S806.
In step S806, the game stop notification is initiated, and then the game stop notification initiation process is terminated.

Thus, in this embodiment, except during a jackpot game, the game stop notification is initiated when the game stop flag is ON. In particular, if the game stop flag is ON during a jackpot game, the game stop notification is initiated based on the end of that jackpot game.

<Regarding the notification method at the start of advance notification>
As described above, in this embodiment, the notification method for notifications related to the complete function (pre-notification, stop notification, game stop notification) changes depending on the type of winning slot that triggered the notification and the game state at the start.
First, using Figures 22 and 23, we will explain in detail the notification method of the notification at the start of the pre-notification.
Figure 22 is a table summarizing the combinations of the type of winning slot that triggered the pre-notification, the game state at the start of the notification, and the notification method of the notification. Figures 23(a) and 23(b) show specific examples of the notification methods of the pre-notification.

As shown in Figure 22, in the special feature variation pattern derivation state PA, if the winning slot related to the trigger for initiating the pre-notification is the first starting slot 57, the notification mode of the initiating pre-notification will be notification mode JA, and if the winning slot related to the trigger for initiating the pre-notification is the second starting slot 59, the notification mode of the initiating pre-notification will be notification mode JB. The winning slot related to the trigger for initiating the pre-notification refers to the type of winning slot specified by the complete function-related command at the time the trigger occurs, and this is also true for the stop notification and game stop notification described later.
On the other hand, in the special feature variation pattern derivation state PB or special feature variation pattern derivation state PC, if the winning entry point related to the trigger for starting the pre-notification is the first starting entry point 57, the notification mode of the pre-notification that is started becomes notification mode JB, and if the winning entry point related to the trigger for starting the pre-notification is the second starting entry point 59, the notification mode of the pre-notification that is started becomes notification mode JA.

Here, the pre-notification in notification mode JA is a notification mode in which the normal pre-notification image jg1 is displayed in the display area of the main display unit 81, as shown in Figure 23(a). On the other hand, the pre-notification in notification mode JB is a notification mode in which, as shown in the left-hand scene of Figure 23(b), the normal pre-notification image jg1 is displayed in the display area of the main display unit 81, and a special pre-notification image jg2 containing the text "The game will end soon" is displayed superimposed on the image in front of it. This is an example of "different notification modes" in the present invention.

Thus, in this embodiment, in a game state in which symbol variation can be performed (special symbol variation pattern derivation state PA, special symbol variation pattern derivation state PB, or special symbol variation pattern derivation state PC), the notification manner of the pre-notification differs when the winning entry point related to the trigger for the pre-notification is the first starting point 57, and when the winning entry point related to the trigger for the pre-notification is the second starting point 59.
According to this, by making it easier for players to recognize the winning slot related to the trigger for the pre-notification by varying the notification method of the pre-notification, it is possible to reduce the likelihood of players feeling distrustful when the pre-notification begins.
Furthermore, in order to achieve this effect, it is not necessary that the notification method of the pre-notification when the winning entry point related to the start of the pre-notification is the first starting entry point 57 be different from the notification method of the pre-notification when the winning entry point related to the start of the pre-notification is the second starting entry point 59. Rather, it is permissible for the notification method of the other to be the same as the notification method of the other, provided that the notification method of one of them is not the same as the notification method of the other. In other words, it is sufficient that these notification methods can be different.
Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first starting opening 57 and the second starting opening 59 are given as two prize-winning openings with different notification modes, but the type of prize-winning opening is not limited. However, the combination of prize-winning openings is preferably a combination of a prize-winning opening that is easily entered by a game ball launched toward the first flow path X and a prize-winning opening that is easily entered by a game ball launched toward the second flow path Y, as in this embodiment.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, with respect to one winning slot (first starting slot 57 or second starting slot 59) related to the trigger for initiating pre-notification, the notification method of pre-notification differs depending on whether the game state in which the trigger for initiation occurred (a state in which symbol variation can be performed) is the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PA or the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PC.
According to this, by making it easier for players to recognize the game state in which the trigger for the pre-notification occurred, it is possible to reduce the likelihood of players feeling distrustful when the pre-notification is initiated, through differences in the notification method of the pre-notification.
Furthermore, in order to achieve this effect, it is not necessary that the notification method of the pre-notification when the game state in which the trigger for the pre-notification occurred is the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PA, and the notification method of the pre-notification when the game state in which the trigger for the pre-notification occurred is the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PB or the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PC, be different. Rather, it is permissible for the notification method of the other to be the same as the notification method of the other, provided that one of the notification methods is not the same as the other. In other words, it is sufficient that these notification methods can be different.
Furthermore, in this embodiment, two game states with different notification methods (those capable of performing symbol changes) are given as special symbol change pattern derivation state PA and special symbol change pattern derivation state PB (or special symbol change pattern derivation state PC), but the type of game state to be targeted is not limited. However, the combination of winning slots for the target game state is preferably a combination of game states with different recommended ball launching directions, as in this embodiment.

As shown in Figure 23(b), in this embodiment, the pre-notification related to notification mode JB becomes invisible as time passes (the scene on the right in Figure 23(b)), and the notification mode of the pre-notification becomes notification mode JA. This means that the pre-notification of notification mode JA and the pre-notification of notification mode JB become the same notification mode as time passes. Here, the passage of time is based on the start timing of the pre-notification, and this is the same for the stop warning notification and game stop notification described later.
According to this, by standardizing the notification method for the final advance notification, it is possible to make the advance notification itself easier to recognize while still achieving the effect of differentiating the two notification methods mentioned above.
Furthermore, in order to achieve this effect, the content of the notification mode, which becomes the same over time, is not a concern. However, from the viewpoint of enhancing this effect, it is preferable that the notification mode matches one of the notification modes, as in this embodiment.

In this embodiment, the time until the notification pattern of the pre-notification initiated by the entry of a game ball into the first starting port 57 (notification pattern JA) and the notification pattern of the pre-notification initiated by the entry of a game ball into the second starting port 59 (notification pattern JB) become the same notification pattern in the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PA is configured to be different from the time until the notification pattern of the pre-notification initiated by the entry of a game ball into the first starting port 57 (notification pattern JB) and the notification pattern of the pre-notification initiated by the entry of a game ball into the second starting port 59 (notification pattern JA) become the same notification pattern in the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PB or special symbol variation pattern derivation state PC.
According to this, the difference in the time it takes for the notification methods to become identical makes it easier to recognize which game state the pre-notification has started in.
Furthermore, in order to achieve this effect, it is preferable to make the former time longer than the latter time. This makes it easier for players to recognize the notification patterns of the pre-notifications until the notification patterns become the same, in a relatively unfavorable game state (special symbol variation pattern derivation state PA) where players are likely to feel distrust. This, in turn, contributes to making it easier for players to recognize changes in the notification patterns of the pre-notifications.

Furthermore, as shown in Figure 22, in this embodiment, the notification mode of the pre-notification when the winning slot related to the trigger for the pre-notification start in the special pattern variation derivation state PA is the same as the notification mode of the pre-notification when the winning slot related to the trigger for the pre-notification start in the special pattern variation derivation state PB or special pattern variation derivation state PC is the same (notification mode JB).
According to this, by standardizing the notification method of the pre-notification that is initiated when a game ball enters a prize-winning slot different from the first starting slot 57 or the second starting slot 59 across these game states, it becomes easier to recognize the existence of the pre-notification itself.
Although this embodiment is different, in order to achieve the said effect, it is preferable that the notification mode of the pre-notification when the winning slot related to the trigger for the start of the pre-notification is the large winning slot 55 in the special figure variation pattern derivation state PA, and the notification mode of the pre-notification when the winning slot related to the trigger for the start of the pre-notification is the large winning slot 55 in the special figure variation pattern derivation state PB or special figure variation pattern derivation state PC, be a notification mode different from both notification mode JA and notification mode JB.
Furthermore, in this embodiment, the large prize winning opening 55 was given as a prize winning opening different from the first starting opening 57 and the second starting opening 59, and which serves as the trigger for the start of the pre-notification of notification mode JB. However, any prize winning opening different from the first starting opening 57 and the second starting opening 59 is acceptable, regardless of its type, and the general prize winning opening 67 may also be targeted.

Furthermore, in the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PA, if the winning entry point related to the trigger for the start of the pre-notification is the large winning entry point 55, and in the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PB or special symbol variation pattern derivation state PC, the notification mode (notification mode JB) of the pre-notification if the winning entry point related to the trigger for the start of the pre-notification is the large winning entry point 55 will also change to notification mode JA over time, as shown in Figure 23(b).
According to this, by standardizing the final notification method, it becomes easier to recognize that advance notification has begun.

Furthermore, in order to achieve the effect of standardizing the final notification mode as described above, in this embodiment, it is preferable that the time from when the prize winning slot related to the trigger for initiating the pre-notification in the special figure variation pattern derivation state PA is the large prize winning slot 55 until the notification mode of the pre-notification (notification mode JB) becomes notification mode JA, and the time from when the prize winning slot related to the trigger for initiating the pre-notification in the special figure variation pattern derivation state PB or special figure variation pattern derivation state PC is the large prize winning slot 55 until the notification mode of the pre-notification (notification mode JB) becomes notification mode JA, are the same.
Furthermore, it is preferable that these times are longer than any of the times it takes for notification mode JB to change to notification mode JA in other situations (such as when pre-notification is initiated when a game ball enters the first starting opening 57 or the second starting opening 59).

Furthermore, as shown in Figure 22, if a pre-notification is initiated when a game ball enters one of the general prize winning slots 67 (left general prize winning slot 67a, right general prize winning slot 67b), the pre-notification of notification type JA will be initiated regardless of the game state.
Furthermore, in this embodiment, if a pre-announcement is initiated when a game ball enters the first start opening 57 or the second start opening 59 during a big win game or a small win game, the pre-announcement of notification mode JB is initiated. If a pre-announcement is initiated when a game ball enters the big prize opening 55 during a big win game or a small win game, the pre-announcement of notification mode JA is initiated.

<Regarding the notification method when the stop warning notification begins>
Next, using Figures 24 and 25, the details of the notification method for the stop warning notification at the start of the notification will be explained.
Figure 24 is a table summarizing the combination of the type of winning slot that triggered the start of the stop warning notification, the winning game at the time the notification started, and the notification method of the notification. Figures 25(a) and 25(b) show specific examples of the notification methods of the stop warning notification.

As shown in Figure 24, in a jackpot game involving a 10R jackpot, if the entry point that triggers the start of the stop notification is the right general entry point 67b, the notification mode of the start of the stop notification will be notification mode YA. If the entry point that triggers the start of the stop notification is the large entry point 55, the notification mode of the start of the stop notification will be notification mode YB.

Here, the stop notification notification in notification mode YA is a notification mode in which a normal stop notification image yg1 containing the text "Today's game will end after this jackpot game ends" is displayed in the display area of the main display unit 81, as shown in Figure 25(a). On the other hand, the stop notification notification in notification mode YB is a notification mode in which a special stop notification image yg2 containing the text "Thank you for your hard work. Today's game will end after this jackpot game ends" is displayed in the display area of the main display unit 81, as shown in the left-hand scene of Figure 25(b). This is an example of "different notification modes" in the present invention.

Thus, in this embodiment, in a jackpot game related to a 10R jackpot, the notification method of the stop notification differs when the entry point related to the start of the stop notification is the right general entry point 67b, and when the entry point related to the start of the stop notification is the large entry point 55.
According to this, by making it easier for players to recognize the winning slot related to the trigger for the stop warning notification through differences in the notification method, it is possible to reduce the likelihood of players feeling distrustful when the stop warning notification is initiated.
Furthermore, in order to achieve this effect, it is not necessary that the notification method of the stop warning notification when the winning entry point related to the start of the stop warning notification is the general winning entry point 67b and the notification method of the stop warning notification when the winning entry point related to the start of the stop warning notification is the large winning entry point 55 are necessarily different. Rather, it is permissible for the notification method of the other to be the same as the notification method of the other, provided that the notification method of one is not the same as the notification method of the other. In other words, it is sufficient that these notification methods can be different.
Furthermore, in this embodiment, the right general prize entry 67b and the large prize entry 55 are given as two prize entry points with different notification modes, but the type of prize entry point is not limited. However, the combination of prize entry points is preferably a combination of prize entry points that makes it easy for game balls launched towards the flow path (second flow path Y) that is recommended for launch in a jackpot game to enter, as in this embodiment.

In particular, in this embodiment, the number of prize balls awarded for a game ball entering the right general prize opening 67b (4 balls) is different from the number of prize balls awarded for a game ball entering the large prize opening 55 (15 balls).
Given this relationship, the effect of making it less likely for players to feel distrustful when the stop notification starts becomes even greater.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, with respect to one prize slot (large prize slot 55) related to the trigger for initiating the stop notification, the notification method of the stop notification differs depending on whether the jackpot game (a type of game state in which symbol changes cannot be performed) in which the trigger for initiating the stop notification is a jackpot game related to a 4R jackpot or a jackpot game related to a 10R jackpot.
According to this, by making it easier for players to recognize the type of jackpot game that triggered the start of the stop warning notification through differences in the notification method, it is possible to reduce the likelihood of players feeling distrustful when the stop warning notification is started.
Furthermore, in order to achieve this effect, it is not necessary that the notification method of the stop notification when the trigger for the start of the stop notification occurs is a 4R jackpot, and the notification method of the stop notification when the trigger for the start of the stop notification occurs is a 10R jackpot, be different. Rather, it is permissible for the notification method of the other to be the same as the notification method of the other, provided that one of the notification methods is not the same as the other. In other words, it is sufficient that these notification methods can be different.
Furthermore, in this embodiment, two jackpot games with different notification methods were given as a jackpot game related to a 4R jackpot and a jackpot game related to a 10R jackpot (jackpot games with different numbers of rounds), but the type of jackpot game in question is not limited. Moreover, in addition to the difference in the number of rounds as in this embodiment, any other factor may be adopted to differentiate the advantages of these jackpot games, such as differences in the advantage of the game state after the jackpot game ends (where symbol changes can be performed).

As shown in Figure 25(b), in this embodiment, the stop warning notification related to notification mode YB becomes notification mode YA (the scene on the right in Figure 25(b)). This means that the stop warning notification of notification mode YA and the stop warning notification of notification mode YB become the same notification mode over time.
According to this, by standardizing the notification method for the final stop warning, it is possible to make the stop warning itself easier to recognize while still achieving the effect of differentiating the two notification methods mentioned above.
Furthermore, in order to achieve this effect, the content of the notification mode, which becomes the same over time, is not a concern. However, from the viewpoint of enhancing this effect, it is preferable that the notification mode matches one of the notification modes, as in this embodiment.

Furthermore, as shown in Figure 24, in this embodiment, for example, when the prize entry point related to the start trigger of the stop notification is the first start entry point 57 or the left general prize entry point 67a, the notification manner of the notification is the same regardless of the type of jackpot game.
According to this, by standardizing the notification method for stop warnings regardless of the type of jackpot game, it becomes easier for players to recognize that the conditions for stopping the game have been met in a jackpot game.
Although this is different from the embodiment, in order to achieve the said effect, when the prize entry point related to the start of the stop warning notification is the first start entry point 57 or the left general prize entry point 67a, it is preferable that the notification mode of the stop warning notification be different from both notification mode YA and notification mode YB.

Furthermore, as described above, when the prize entry point related to the start of the stop warning notification is the first start entry point 57 or the left general prize entry point 67a, and the notification mode of the stop warning notification is to be different from both notification mode YA and notification mode YB, it is preferable to change the notification mode of the stop warning notification to notification mode YA as time progresses, similar to the example shown in Figure 25(b).
According to this, by standardizing the notification method for the final stop warning, it becomes easier for players to recognize that the game will be stopped.
In particular, in order to achieve this effect, it is preferable that the time until the notification mode of the stop warning notification changes to notification mode YA is longer than the time until the notification mode YB described above changes to notification mode YA.

<Regarding the notification method when the stop warning notification begins>
First, using Figures 26 and 27, we will explain in detail the notification method of the game stop notification at the start of the notification.
Figure 26 is a table summarizing the combinations of the type of winning slot that triggered the game stop notification, the game state at the time the notification started, and the notification method of the notification. Figures 27(a) and 27(b) show specific examples of the notification methods of the game stop notification.

As shown in Figure 26, in the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PA, if the entry point related to the trigger for starting the game stop notification is the first start point 57, the notification mode of the game stop notification that is started becomes notification mode TA, and if the entry point related to the trigger for starting the game stop notification is the second start point 59, the notification mode of the game stop notification that is started becomes notification mode TB.
On the other hand, in the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PB or special symbol variation pattern derivation state PC, if the entry point related to the trigger for starting the game stop notification is the first start point 57, the notification mode of the game stop notification that is started becomes notification mode TB, and if the entry point related to the trigger for starting the game stop notification is the second start point 59, the notification mode of the game stop notification that is started becomes notification mode TA.

Here, the game stop notification of notification mode TA is a notification mode in which a normal game stop image tg1 containing the words "Thank you for playing today" is displayed in the display area of the main display unit 81, as shown in Figure 27(a).
On the other hand, the game stop notification of notification mode TB is a notification mode in which a special game stop notification image tg2 containing the text "The number of balls has reached the upper limit. Gameplay for today is over" is displayed in the display area of the main display unit 81, as shown in the scene on the left in Figure 27(b).

Thus, in this embodiment, in a game state in which symbol variation can be performed (special symbol variation pattern derivation state PA, special symbol variation pattern derivation state PB, or special symbol variation pattern derivation state PC), the notification manner of the game stop notification differs when the winning entry related to the trigger for starting the game stop notification is the first starting entry 57, and when the winning entry related to the trigger for starting the game stop notification is the second starting entry 59.
According to this, by making it easier for players to recognize the winning slot related to the trigger for the game stop notification through differences in the notification method, it is possible to reduce the likelihood of players feeling distrustful when the game stop notification is initiated.
Furthermore, in order to achieve this effect, it is not necessary that the notification pattern of the game stop notification when the winning entry point related to the trigger for the game stop notification is the first starting point 57 be different from the notification pattern of the game stop notification when the winning entry point related to the trigger for the game stop notification is the second starting point 59. Rather, it is permissible for the notification pattern of the other to be the same as the notification pattern of the other, provided that one of the notification patterns is not the same as the other. In other words, it is sufficient that these notification patterns can be different.
Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first starting opening 57 and the second starting opening 59 were given as two prize-winning openings with different notification methods, but the type of prize-winning opening is not limited. However, the combination of prize-winning openings is preferably a combination of a prize-winning opening that is likely to result in a prize when the game ball is launched towards the first flow path X and a prize-winning opening that is likely to result in a prize when the game ball is launched towards the second flow path Y, similar to the pre-notification described above.

Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, there are predetermined gaming states (special symbol variation pattern derivation state PA, special symbol variation pattern derivation state PB, or special symbol variation pattern derivation state PC) as gaming states in which symbol variations can be executed. The notification control means (first sub-control board 200, second sub-control board 300) can initiate a specific notification (game stop notification) based on the entry of a game ball into a prize pocket where the difference in the number of balls exceeds a specific threshold (100,000 balls). The prize pockets include a first prize pocket (first start pocket 57) and a second prize pocket (second start pocket 59) which is different from the first prize pocket. In other words, the notification mode of the specific notification initiated by the entry of a game ball into the first prize pocket in the predetermined gaming state may differ from the notification mode of the specific notification initiated by the entry of a game ball into the second prize pocket in the predetermined gaming state.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, with respect to one winning slot (first starting slot 57 or second starting slot 59) related to the trigger for initiating the game stop notification, the notification method for the game stop notification differs depending on whether the game state in which the trigger occurred (a state in which symbol variation can be performed) is the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PA or the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PC.
According to this, by making it easier for players to recognize the game state in which the trigger for the game stop notification occurred, it is possible to reduce the likelihood of players feeling distrustful when the game stop notification is initiated, through differences in the notification method of the game stop notification.
Furthermore, in order to achieve this effect, it is not necessary that the notification method of the game stop notification when the game state in which the trigger for the game stop notification occurred is the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PA, and the notification method of the game stop notification when the game state in which the trigger for the game stop notification occurred is the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PB or the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PC, be different. Rather, it is permissible for the notification method of the other to be the same as the notification method of the other, provided that one of the notification methods is not the same as the other. In other words, it is sufficient that these notification methods can be different.
Furthermore, in this embodiment, two game states (those capable of performing symbol variations) with different notification methods were given as the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PA and the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PB (or special symbol variation pattern derivation state PC), but the type of game state to be targeted is not limited. However, the combination of winning slots for the target game state is preferably a combination of game states with different recommended ball launching directions, similar to the pre-notification described above.

As shown in Figure 27(b), in this embodiment, the game stop notification related to notification mode TB switches from the special game stop notification image tg2 to the normal game stop image tg1 as time progresses (the scene on the right in Figure 27(b)), and the notification mode of the game stop notification becomes notification mode TA. This means that the game stop notification of notification mode TA and the game stop notification of notification mode TB become the same notification mode as time progresses.
According to this, by standardizing the notification method for the final game stop notification, it is possible to make the game stop notification itself easier to recognize while still achieving the effect of differentiating the two notification methods mentioned above.
Furthermore, in order to achieve this effect, the content of the notification mode, which becomes the same over time, is not a concern. However, from the viewpoint of enhancing this effect, it is preferable that the notification mode matches one of the notification modes, as in this embodiment.

Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, the notification pattern after the first hour has elapsed of a specific notification (game stop notification) initiated by the entry of a game ball into the first prize slot (first start slot 57) in a predetermined game state (special symbol variation pattern derivation state PA, special symbol variation pattern derivation state PB, or special symbol variation pattern derivation state PC) is the same as the notification pattern after the first hour has elapsed of a specific notification initiated by the entry of a game ball into the second prize slot (second start slot) in a predetermined game state.

Furthermore, in the gaming machine 10, the notification pattern after the first hour has elapsed of a specific notification (game stop notification) initiated by the entry of a game ball into the first prize slot (first start slot 57) in a predetermined game state (special symbol variation pattern derivation state PA, special symbol variation pattern derivation state PB, or special symbol variation pattern derivation state PC), and the notification pattern after the first hour has elapsed of a specific notification initiated by the entry of a game ball into the second prize slot (second start slot 59) in a predetermined game state, can be rephrased as being identical to the notification pattern before the first hour has elapsed.

In this embodiment, the time until the notification pattern of the game stop notification (notification pattern TA) initiated by a game ball entering the first start opening 57 and the notification pattern of the game stop notification (notification pattern TB) initiated by a game ball entering the second start opening 59 become the same in the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PA is configured to be different from the time until the notification pattern of the game stop notification (notification pattern TB) initiated by a game ball entering the first start opening 57 and the notification pattern of the game stop notification (notification pattern TA) initiated by a game ball entering the second start opening 59 become the same in the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PB or special symbol variation pattern derivation state PC.
According to this, the difference in the time it takes for the notification patterns to become identical makes it easier to recognize that a game stop notification has started in any game state.
Furthermore, in order to achieve this effect, it is preferable to make the former time longer than the latter time. This makes it easier for players to recognize the notification patterns of game stop notifications until the notification patterns become the same, in a relatively unfavorable game state (special symbol variation pattern derivation state PA) where players are likely to feel distrust. This, in turn, contributes to making it easier for players to recognize changes in the notification patterns of game stop notifications.

Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, there are two game states in which symbol variations can be performed: a first game state (special symbol variation pattern derivation state PA), and a second game state that is more advantageous than the first game state (special symbol variation pattern derivation state PB, special symbol variation pattern derivation state PC). The above predetermined game state is the first game state, and the notification mode of the special notification that starts when a game ball enters the first prize entry point (first start entry point 57) in the second game state, and in the second game state... The notification pattern of the specific notification (game stop notification) that begins when a game ball enters the second prize entry point (second start entry point 59) may differ from that of the notification pattern of the specific notification that begins when a game ball enters the first prize entry point in the second game state, after two hours have elapsed, and the notification pattern of the specific notification that begins when a game ball enters the second prize entry point in the second game state, after two hours have elapsed, are the same, and in other words, the length of the first and second hours are different.

Furthermore, it can be rephrased that the first time period mentioned above is longer than the second time period mentioned above.

Furthermore, as shown in Figure 26, in this embodiment, the notification mode of the game stop notification when the winning entry point related to the trigger for starting the game stop notification is the large winning entry point 55 in the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PA is the same as the notification mode of the game stop notification when the winning entry point related to the trigger for starting the game stop notification is the large winning entry point 55 in the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PB or special symbol variation pattern derivation state PC (notification mode TB).
According to this, by standardizing the notification method for the game stop notification, which is initiated when a game ball enters a prize-winning slot different from the first starting slot 57 or the second starting slot 59, across these game states, it becomes easier to recognize the existence of the game stop notification itself.
Although this is different from the embodiment, in order to achieve the said effect, it is preferable that the notification mode of the game stop notification when the winning entry related to the trigger for starting the game stop notification in the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PA is the large winning entry 55, and the notification mode of the game stop notification when the winning entry related to the trigger for starting the game stop notification in the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PB or special symbol variation pattern derivation state PC is a notification mode different from both notification mode TA and notification mode TB.
Furthermore, in this embodiment, the large prize winning slot 55 was given as a prize winning slot different from the first starting slot 57 and the second starting slot 59, and which serves as the trigger for the start of the game stop notification in notification mode TB. However, any prize winning slot different from the first starting slot 57 and the second starting slot 59 is acceptable, regardless of its type, and the general prize winning slot 67 may also be used.

Furthermore, in the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PA, when the winning entry point related to the trigger for starting the game stop notification is the large winning entry point 55, and in the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PB or special symbol variation pattern derivation state PC, when the winning entry point related to the trigger for starting the game stop notification is the large winning entry point 55, the notification mode (notification mode TB) of the game stop notification also changes to notification mode TA over time, as shown in Figure 27(b).
According to this, by standardizing the final notification method, it becomes easier to recognize that the game stop notification has started.

Furthermore, in order to achieve the effect of standardizing the final notification mode as described above, in this embodiment, it is preferable that the time from when the winning entry point related to the trigger for starting the game stop notification in the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PA is the large winning entry point 55 until the notification mode of the game stop notification (notification mode TB) becomes notification mode TA, and the time from when the winning entry point related to the trigger for starting the game stop notification in the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PB or special symbol variation pattern derivation state PC is the large winning entry point 55 until the notification mode of the game stop notification (notification mode TB) becomes notification mode TA, are the same.
Furthermore, it is preferable that these times are longer than any of the times it takes for notification mode TB to change to notification mode JA in other situations (such as when a game stop notification is initiated when a game ball enters the first start opening 57 or the second start opening 59).

Furthermore, as shown in Figure 26, if the game stop flag is turned ON during a jackpot game, that is, if a stop notification is initiated during a jackpot game, the notification pattern of the game stop notification that is initiated upon the end of the jackpot game will be the same (notification pattern TA), regardless of the type of winning slot related to these triggers or the type of jackpot game in which these triggers occurred.
According to this, it becomes easier to recognize that the game has been stopped in any case.
Furthermore, in order to achieve this effect, it is not necessary for the notification method of the game stop notification to be the same in all cases; it is sufficient for the notification method of the game stop notification to be the same in some cases.

<Regarding the behavior when a power outage occurs and is restored while each notification related to the complete function is being executed>
Next, using Figures 28 to 32, we will explain in detail the behavior when a power interruption and subsequent restoration (without RAM clearing) occur during the execution of each notification related to the complete function (pre-notification, stop notification, and game stop notification).
Figure 28 is a timing chart showing the behavior of each notification when a power outage occurs and is restored without a RAM clear process during a period when both the advance notification and the stop warning notification are being executed in parallel.
Figure 29 is a timing chart showing the behavior of each notification when a power outage occurs and is restored without a RAM clear process during the initial period after the game stop flag is turned ON.
Figure 30 is a timing chart showing the behavior of each notification when the game stop flag is turned ON just before the final stage and a power outage and subsequent restoration occurs during that final stage without the execution of a RAM clear process.
Figure 31 is a timing chart showing the behavior of each notification when a power outage occurs and is restored while a game stop notification is being executed.
Figure 32(a) shows the notification pattern when the stop warning notification is restored, and Figure 32(b) shows the notification pattern when the game stop notification is restored.
Note that in the timing charts shown in Figures 28 to 31, for the sake of explanation, the period required for power interruption and restoration (when power is interrupted and then restored) is shown only by vertical lines (simultaneous power interruption and restoration). However, except for so-called momentary power outages, this period actually takes a certain amount of time.

As shown in Figure 28, in this embodiment, if a power outage and subsequent restoration without a RAM clear process occurs while a stop warning notification is being executed, the stop warning notification will be resumed after the power is restored with a notification pattern different from the notification pattern of the stop warning notification before the power outage (for example, the display of the normal stop warning image yg1). However, if a power outage and subsequent restoration accompanied by a RAM clear process occurs while a stop warning notification is being executed, the game stop flag will be turned OFF as described above, and therefore, naturally, the stop warning notification will not be resumed in that case.
Here, the notification mode for the return of the stop notification is the notification mode shown in Figure 32(a), in which a return stop notification image yg3 with the message "Please continue shooting to the right. Today's game will end after this jackpot game ends" is displayed in the display area of the main display unit 81.
According to this, it becomes easier to recognize when a power outage and subsequent restoration occurs without the execution of a RAM clear process while a stop warning notification is being issued (the game stop flag is ON). Furthermore, this helps to make it easier to recognize when, for example, a mistake is made in attempting to restore power (which involves the execution of a RAM clear process) to turn the game stop flag OFF while a stop warning notification is being issued (i.e., a power outage and subsequent restoration occurs without the execution of a RAM clear process).
Furthermore, in order to achieve this effect, it is not necessarily required that the stop warning notification be restarted in the same notification format as when power was restored in all cases where a power interruption and subsequent restoration occurred without the execution of a RAM clear process while the stop warning notification was being executed. In some of these cases, the stop warning notification may be restarted in the same notification format as when power was restored.

Furthermore, this also means that when a power interruption and subsequent restoration occur during the execution of a stop warning notification without the execution of a RAM clear process, the notification method upon restoration related to the stop warning notification will be the same (in all cases, the restoration stop warning image yg3 will be displayed), regardless of the type of winning slot that triggered the start of the stop warning notification before the power interruption.
Similarly, when a power interruption and subsequent restoration occur during the execution of a stop warning notification without a RAM clear process, the notification pattern upon restoration of the stop warning notification will be the same regardless of the type of jackpot game that triggered the start of the stop warning notification before the power interruption.

In particular, in this embodiment, the stop notification realized by displaying the recovery stop notification image yg3 is different from both notification modes YA and YB described above.
This makes it easier to recognize that a power interruption and subsequent restoration occurred during the execution of a power stop warning notification without the execution of a RAM clear process.

Furthermore, as shown in Figure 28, in this embodiment, if a power interruption and subsequent restoration without RAM clearing occurs during a period when the pre-notification and stop warning notifications are being executed in parallel, the stop warning notification will be resumed, while the pre-notification will not be resumed.
According to this, by executing these notifications in parallel, it becomes easier to recognize the connection from the pre-notification to the stop-warning notification, while also making it easier to recognize that a power interruption and subsequent restoration occurred during the execution of the stop-warning notification without the execution of a RAM clear process.

Next, as shown in Figure 29, in this embodiment, if a power outage and subsequent restoration without the execution of a RAM clear process occurs during the initial period after the game stop flag is turned ON (although the pre-notification is performed, the stop warning notification is not started), the pre-notification is not restarted, and the stop warning notification is started when the initial period ends.
This makes it easier to recognize the power outage warning notification that will be issued after the power is restored following the power outage.
In order to achieve the aforementioned effect, it is preferable that the timing of the power outage warning notification commencement be at the end of the initial period after the power outage and subsequent restoration (the start of the middle period). However, this timing may be at any time after the end of the initial period, and this is also true in cases where there is no power outage and subsequent restoration.

In particular, in this embodiment, the stop notification that is initiated when a power outage and subsequent restoration occur during the initial period after the game stop flag is turned ON, without the execution of a RAM clear process, is the same as the notification method for when the game resumes as described above.
This makes it easier to recognize when a power outage and subsequent restoration have occurred without the execution of a RAM clear process.

Next, as shown in Figure 30, in this embodiment, if the game stop flag is turned ON just before the final stage (which may be either the initial or middle stage of the jackpot game, but in this example it is the middle stage), and then a power outage and subsequent restoration occurs during the final stage without the execution of RAM clear processing, then in addition to the pre-notification, the stop warning notification will not be restarted, and the game stop notification will start after the jackpot game has ended.
According to this, when a power outage and subsequent restoration occur during the final stages of the game without the execution of a RAM clear process, it becomes easier to recognize the game stop notification.

Next, as shown in Figure 31, in this embodiment, if a power outage and subsequent restoration without a RAM clear process occurs while a game stop notification is being executed, the game stop notification will be resumed after the power is restored with a notification pattern different from the notification pattern of the game stop notification before the power outage (display of the normal game stop image tg1). However, if a power outage and subsequent restoration accompanied by a RAM clear process occurs while a game stop notification is being executed, the game stop flag will be turned OFF as described above, and naturally, the game stop notification will not be resumed in that case.
Here, the notification mode for recovery related to the game stop notification is the notification mode shown in Figure 32(b), in which a recovery game stop image tg3 with the message "Game is stopped due to the complete function. Please clear the RAM" is displayed in the display area of the main display unit 81.
This makes it easier to recognize when a power outage and subsequent restoration occurs without a RAM clear process while a game stop notification is being executed (game stop state). Furthermore, this helps to make it easier to recognize when, for example, a mistake is made in attempting to restore power to turn off the game stop flag (which involves a RAM clear process) while a game stop notification is being executed (i.e., a power outage and subsequent restoration occurs without a RAM clear process).
Furthermore, in order to achieve this effect, it is not necessarily required that the game stop notification be resumed in the same notification mode as when power was restored in all cases where a power outage and subsequent restoration occurred without the execution of a RAM clear process while the game stop notification was being executed. In some of these cases, the game stop notification may be resumed in the same notification mode as when power was restored.

Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, the notification method of the specific notification (game stop notification) that is initiated based on the entry of a game ball into a prize-winning slot where the net number of balls exceeds a specific threshold (100,000 balls) may differ from the notification method of the specific notification that is restarted based on power-on.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 28, if a power outage and subsequent restoration without the execution of a RAM clear process occurs while a stop warning notification is being executed, the stop warning notification is resumed at a later timing than the timing of the restoration of power (specifically, at a timing when time t1 has elapsed since the restoration of power). On the other hand, as shown in Figure 31, if a power outage and subsequent restoration without the execution of a RAM clear process occurs while a game stop notification is being executed, the game stop notification is resumed at the timing of the restoration of power (a timing that allows for delays due to unintended processing delays).
According to this, by varying the timing of the resumption of these notifications based on the timing of power restoration, it becomes easier to recognize the differences between these notifications.
In order to achieve this effect, the timing of the restart of the stop notification may be set to coincide with the power restoration, and the timing of the restart of the game stop notification may be set to coincide with a later timing than the power restoration.
Furthermore, the aforementioned differences in restart timing do not necessarily have to occur; it is sufficient if the system is configured to cause such differences in some cases. Moreover, the timing after the power restoration timing mentioned above is not limited to the timing determined by the time elapsed since the power restoration timing, but may also be any timing after the power restoration timing when any conditions related to the progress of the game are met, such as the start of a new round of gameplay (corresponding to cases where the stop notification is resumed at a later timing) or the timing when all the planned prize balls have been paid out (corresponding to cases where the game stop notification is resumed at a later timing).

In particular, in this embodiment, the timing of the restart of the stop notification described above is later than the timing of power restoration, and the timing of the restart of the game stop notification is the timing of power restoration.
According to this, unnecessary game operations (operations on the control handle 31) can be suppressed.

Furthermore, as mentioned above, the stop notification ends in conjunction with the end of the jackpot game. Therefore, in this embodiment, the execution period of the stop notification and the execution period of the game stop notification are configured not to overlap. In other words, in this embodiment, the game stop notification starts after the execution of the stop notification has ended.
This makes it easier to recognize both the stop warning notification and the game stop notification.

In particular, in this embodiment, as shown in Figures 28 to 31, the game stop notification is started after a time t2 has elapsed since the stop notification ended (after the jackpot game ended).
This makes it possible to further enhance the effectiveness of making the aforementioned stop warning notification and game stop notification easier to recognize.
Furthermore, in order for this effect to be achieved, the period from the end of the stop warning notification to the start of the game stop notification does not need to be defined by the passage of time. It is acceptable as long as it is defined by predetermined conditions, such as the timing of the end of the stop warning notification and the timing of the payout of all the planned prize balls.

<Regarding other variations>
The following are variations not described above.
First, in this invention, "different notification modes" is not limited to different notification modes of the notification itself or combinations of notifications, as in the embodiment described above, but also includes changes in the ease of recognition of the target notification when it is combined with other notifications that are started at the same time as the target notification. Furthermore, it is preferable that the other notifications and the target notification are executed on the same device, but it is also permissible that these notifications are executed on different devices.

Furthermore, the threshold values related to the completion function described above may be any value, as long as they maintain the magnitude relationship explained in this embodiment.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, both the out-of-bounds ball and the safe-out-bound ball have their initial values set by a power interruption and restoration accompanied by a RAM clear process. However, in the case of a power interruption and restoration without a RAM clear process, the current value is maintained without setting an initial value. Alternatively, both the out-of-bounds ball and the safe-out-bound ball may have their initial values set by a power interruption and restoration without a RAM clear process. In this case, a stop warning notification can be applied to the predetermined notification described above.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the complete function control means 190, which controls the complete function, was a functional configuration of the main control board 100. However, some or all of the functional configuration for controlling the complete function may be implemented on a separate board (including a board not built into the gaming machine 10) provided separately from the main control board 100. In this case, information transmission from the separate board to the first sub-control board 200 may be enabled by connecting the separate board to the main control board 100, or by directly connecting the separate board to the first sub-control board 200.

Furthermore, while the aforementioned advance notification, stop notification, and game stop notification were described as being implemented by an image display device (main display unit 81 in this embodiment), some or all of these notifications may be implemented by devices other than the image display device, such as lamps or speakers, or they may be implemented by multiple different devices.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, even if the game stop flag is turned ON, the stop notification is not initiated during the initial period, but rather during the middle period that follows the initial period. However, the system is not limited to this configuration, and the stop notification may be initiated during the initial period as long as it does not interfere with the above-described inventions.

Furthermore, while the above-described embodiment is configured such that the game stop notification is not initiated during the final stage if the game stop flag is turned ON during that final stage, the embodiment is not limited to this configuration. Within the scope that does not impair the above-described inventions, the system may be configured to initiate the game stop notification during the final stage if the game stop flag is turned ON during that final stage.

Furthermore, if the aforementioned notification mode for the suspension warning upon recovery is initiated, the notification mode may be changed again after a predetermined period (a period defined by the passage of time, regardless of the conditions for the end of said period), and the notification mode after the change may be the normal notification mode (notification mode YA).
This makes it easier to recognize the stop warning notification. In particular, by making the notification pattern after the change the same as the normal notification pattern, it becomes easier for players who are aware of the normal notification pattern as a stop warning notification to understand that a stop warning notification has been issued.

Similarly, if the game stop notification in the above-described recovery notification mode is initiated, the notification mode may be further changed after a predetermined period has elapsed, and the notification mode after the change may be the normal notification mode (notification mode TA).
This makes it easier for players to recognize the game stop notification. In particular, by making the notification pattern after the change the same as the normal notification pattern, it becomes easier for players who are aware of the normal notification pattern as a game stop notification to understand that a game stop notification has been issued.

Furthermore, when setting the game stop state using the complete function described above, all or some of the LEDs constituting the symbol display device 90 (for example, only the first special symbol display device 91 and the second special symbol display device 92) may be turned off or fully lit (neither of these states occurs during normal gameplay except when the power is turned on). This allows the player to recognize that the game stop state has been set, even if the game stop notification managed by the first sub-control board 200 is not executed due to reasons such as an abnormality in communication between the main control board 100 and the first sub-control board 200.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the advance notification continues to run from the point when the number of balls exceeds 95,000 until the number of balls reaches at least 100,000, but it is not necessarily required to run continuously.
Specifically, it may be necessary to prevent execution during at least a portion of the so-called waiting demo period, when neither symbol changes nor jackpot gameplay are being performed.
According to this, in a state where the number of balls has not reached 95,000 and the pre-notification has not been executed, and where there is a higher probability that the game will not be played (a state where there is a high probability that the game will transition to a standby demo), burn-in caused by the display of the normal pre-notification image jg1 can be suppressed.
Furthermore, assuming that the standby demo consists of a state in which the combination of decorative symbols that was stopped and displayed before transitioning to the standby demo is displayed (a so-called symbol demo), and a state in which the combination of decorative symbols is not displayed and a movie introducing the machine, etc., is played (a so-called movie demo), then from the standpoint of making it easier for players to recognize the pre-notification, it is preferable that the pre-notification image jg1 is normally displayed in the former state, while the pre-notification image jg1 is normally not displayed in the latter state.

Furthermore, while the gaming machine 10 in this embodiment employs a so-called Type 1 and Type 2 mixed machine capable of deriving both a big win and a small win that can result in a big win game in the special symbol win/loss determination, it is not limited to this, and a machine capable of deriving only so-called Type 2 wins may also be employed.

Furthermore, in each special symbol variation pattern derivation state, the special symbol variation pattern may be determined using the special symbol variation pattern lottery table shown in Figures 9 to 11, or it may be determined using a different special symbol variation pattern lottery table, or it may be determined without using a special symbol variation pattern lottery table (without performing a lottery). However, in each special symbol variation pattern derivation state, it is preferable that the special symbol variation pattern is determined using the special symbol variation pattern lottery table shown in Figures 9 to 11 for more than half of the period during which the special symbol variation pattern derivation state continues.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the probabilities, ratios, frequencies, and the number of occurrences may be such that the smaller value is 0, or the larger value is the maximum value, as long as the respective relationships are guaranteed. In particular, regarding the high and low levels of each ratio mentioned above, the control used to achieve these levels is not limited, as long as the phenomenal aspects are guaranteed.
Furthermore, in this embodiment, each lottery value in the illustrated lottery table is merely an example, and any value within that range may be adopted for each lottery value, as long as the relative order of the lottery tables is maintained.

Furthermore, while the above explanation determines the recovery state upon power restoration by referring to the state of the RAM clear switch 43, it may also be possible to refer to whether the time the RAM clear switch 43 has been in the ON state since power restoration exceeds a specified time (for example, 3 seconds). This would further reduce the occurrence of incorrect RAM clear processing.

Furthermore, while the above explanation referred to the state of the middle frame door open sensor 76 (the open/closed state of the middle frame 17) when determining the recovery state upon power restoration, the recovery state may be set without referring to this state. In this case, the recovery state upon power restoration should be set uniformly according to the case where the middle frame door open sensor 76 is ON (the middle frame 17 is in the open state).

The present invention, as described above, is not limited to the above description and includes various modifications, improvements, and other forms as long as the objectives of the present invention are achieved.

<Note>
This embodiment encompasses the following technical concepts.
(1)
A game machine in which a win/loss determination is performed when a pattern change begins, and if a specific result is derived from the win/loss determination, a jackpot game can be generated after the end of the pattern change for which the win/loss determination was performed, and when a game ball enters a prize slot, a number of game balls corresponding to that prize slot are awarded, and the game is stopped when the difference in the number of game balls derived using the number of safe balls (the number of game balls awarded related to the prize) and the number of out balls (the number of game balls used) exceeds a specific threshold,
Notification methods,
A notification control means for controlling the notification means,
Equipped with,
As a game state in which symbol changes can be performed, it has a predetermined game state,
The notification control means can initiate a specific notification based on the entry of a game ball into the prize-winning slot when the number of balls exceeds a specific threshold.
The aforementioned prize winning slots include a first prize winning slot and a second prize winning slot that is different from the first prize winning slot.
The notification mode of the specific notification that is initiated when a game ball enters the first prize slot in the predetermined game state may differ from the notification mode of the specific notification that is initiated when a game ball enters the second prize slot in the predetermined game state.
A gaming machine characterized by the following features.
(2)
The gaming machine described in (1) above,
The notification pattern after the first hour has elapsed since the entry of a game ball into the first prize slot in the predetermined game state is the same as the notification pattern after the first hour has elapsed since the entry of a game ball into the second prize slot in the predetermined game state.
A gaming machine characterized by the following features.
(3)
The gaming machine described in (2) above,
The notification pattern after the first hour has elapsed following the entry of a game ball into the first prize slot in the predetermined game state, and the notification pattern after the first hour has elapsed following the entry of a game ball into the second prize slot in the predetermined game state, are the same as the notification pattern before the first hour has elapsed.
A gaming machine characterized by the following features.

10 Gaming machine 15 Outer frame 17 Middle frame 20 Front frame 21 Hinge mechanism 22 Movable decorative body 23 Cylinder lock 25 Transparent member 27 Upper ball tray 29 Lower ball tray 31 Operating handle 32 Upper frame section 33 (33a, 33b) Speaker 34a, 34b Left and right side frame sections 35 (35a, 35b, 35c) Frame lamp 36 Ball removal mechanism 37 Performance button 38 Cursor button 38a Upper cursor button 38b Lower cursor button 38c Left cursor button 38d Right cursor button 38e Middle cursor button 39 Main operation section 39a Ball dispensing button 39b Return button 40 Power switch 43 RAM clear switch 45 Opening/closing cover 46 Gaming ball tank 47 Tank rail 48 Payout unit 49 Payout passage 50 Gaming board 50a Gaming area 51 Outer rail 52 Windmill 53 Inner rail 54 Protective member 55 Large prize opening 57 First start opening 59 Second start opening 61 Standard electric mechanism 62 Standard electric mechanism solenoid 63 Gate 65 Special electric mechanism 66 Special electric mechanism solenoid 67 General prize opening 67a Left general prize opening 67b Right general prize opening 69 Out opening 70 First start opening sensor 71 Second start opening sensor 72 Large prize opening sensor 73 General prize opening sensor 74 Gate sensor 75 Out ball sensor 76 Middle frame opening sensor 77 Front frame opening sensor 80 Performance display device 81 Main display unit 82 Sub display unit 82a Upper sub display unit 82b Left sub display unit 82c Right sub display unit 90 Symbol display device 91 First special symbol display device 92 Second special symbol display device 93 Standard symbol display device 94 First special symbol hold lamp 95 Second special symbol hold lamp 96 Standard symbol hold lamp 100 Main control board 101 CPU
102 ROM
103 RAM
104 I/O port 105 Random number circuit 109 Main control board case 110 Ball entry determination means 115 Main random number generation means 120 Main hold control means 125 Pre-determination means 130 Special symbol lottery means 131 Special symbol win/fail determination means 132 Special symbol stop symbol lottery means 133 Special symbol variation pattern derivation means 135 Normal symbol lottery means 140 Big win game control means 145 Symbol display control means 150 Electric mechanism control means 155 Game state control means 160 Main information storage means 165 Main error control means 170 Main command management means 175 Power restoration processing execution means 176 Recovery state setting means 179 Game-ready state transition means 180 Power cut-off processing execution means 190 Complete function control means 200 First sub-control board 201 CPU
202 ROM
203 RAM
204 I/O port 209 First sub-control board case 210 Sub-random number generation means 220 Normal performance control means 221 Performance mode control means 222 Performance route determination means 223 Sub-hold control means 224 Pre-read performance control means 225 Performance content determination means 226 Decorative pattern control means 227 Big win performance control means 230 Sub-error control means 240 Lamp control means 245 Movable mechanism control means 260 Sub-information storage means 270 Sub-command management means 300 Second sub-control board 301 CPU
302 ROM
303 RAM
304 I/O port 309 Second sub-control board case 310 Audio control board 311 CPU
312 ROM
313 RAM
314 I/O port 400 Payout control board 409 Payout control board case 500 Power supply control board 501 Normal power supply circuit 502 Backup power supply circuit 503 Power interruption detection circuit 509 Power supply control board case 811 Display area 812 Display area 813 Display area X First channel Y Second channel jg1 Normal pre-notification image jg2 Special pre-notification image yg1 Normal stop notification image yg2 Special stop notification image yg3 Recovery stop notification image tg1 Normal game stop image tg2 Special game stop image tg3 Recovery game stop image

Claims (1)

A gaming machine in which game balls are awarded based on the occurrence of a game ball entering a prize slot, and the game is stopped based on the MY value, which is the increase in game balls from the lowest game ball count, exceeding a specific threshold,
There is a specific notification that can be initiated when a game ball enters the prize-winning slot and the MY value exceeds the specified threshold,
The aforementioned prize winning slots include a first prize winning slot and a second prize winning slot that is different from the first prize winning slot.
The notification mode of the specific notification that is initiated by the entry of a game ball into the first prize-winning slot in the first game state may differ from the notification mode of the specific notification that is initiated by the entry of a game ball into the first prize-winning slot in the second game state, which has a higher degree of advantage than the first game state.
The notification mode of the specific notification initiated by the entry of a game ball into the first prize slot in the first game state, and the notification mode after a predetermined period has elapsed of the specific notification initiated by the entry of a game ball into the first prize slot in the second game state, are the same.
In at least a portion of cases where a power outage and subsequent restoration without a RAM clear process occurs during the execution of the specified notification in the second game state , the specified notification in the notification mode immediately preceding the power outage and subsequent restoration is not executed, and after a period of time has elapsed since the power outage and subsequent restoration, the specified notification is started in a notification mode different from the notification mode of the specified notification immediately preceding the power outage and subsequent restoration, but which is partially the same as the notification mode of the specified notification immediately preceding the power outage and subsequent restoration.
There is a predetermined notification that can be initiated when a game ball enters the prize slot and the MY value becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold that is smaller than the specified threshold,
The difference between the specified threshold and the predetermined threshold is greater than the total number of game balls awarded in a single jackpot game.
The predetermined notification may be continuously executed from the start of the predetermined notification until the MY value reaches the specified threshold.
It has a first channel and a second channel,
The first prize entry opening is provided on the first flow path,
The second prize entry opening is provided on the second flow path,
In the aforementioned first game state, launching game balls into the first channel is recommended.
In the aforementioned second game state, launching game balls into the second channel is recommended.
The notification mode of the specific notification that is initiated when a game ball enters the second prize slot in the first game state may differ from the notification mode of the specific notification that is initiated when a game ball enters the second prize slot in the second game state.
A gaming machine characterized by the following features.