JP7406807B2 - gaming machine - Google Patents

Description

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

2. Description of the Related Art Some gaming machines, such as pachinko machines, include an image display device and a movable body configured to be able to cover a display area related to the image display device by moving. For example, Patent Document 1.

JP2017-124225A

In such a gaming machine, since an image is displayed on the image display device before the movable body moves, there is a risk that the movement of the movable body may be difficult to recognize.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a gaming machine that makes it easier to recognize the movement of a movable body that covers a display area of an image display device.

According to the present invention, there is provided a gaming machine that determines whether or not a bonus is won according to the start of symbol variation, which includes an image display device capable of displaying an image, and an image display area related to the image display device that is covered. a movable body configured to be movable, and a presentation control means for controlling the image display device and the movable body; the movable body is configured to be movable from a first position to a second position; Regarding the position and the second position, the second position is such that an area of the image display area covered by the movable body is wider than the first position, or the second position is such that the area covered by the movable body of the image display area is wider than the first position. The first position is a position where part or all of the image display area is covered by the movable body, and the effect control means is a position where the image display area is not covered by the movable body. At least part of the time when the movable body is moved from the first position to the second position, the movable body is displayed in the image display area during all or part of the period during which the movable body moves from the first position to the second position. A second image having transparency is superimposed and displayed in front of the first image, and there is a predetermined image displayed in front of the second image, and the predetermined image indicates whether or not the person has won the benefit. The mode is regardless of whether the movable body is moved from the first position to the second position, and the movable body is moved from the first position to the second position. When the second image is not displayed and the second image is displayed in front of the first image when the movable body moves from the first position to the second position regarding the granting of the benefit, the second image is displayed in front of the first image. When the movable body moves from one position to the second position, the expectation that the privilege will be given is higher than when the second image is not displayed, or from the first position to the second position When the second image is displayed in front of the first image when the movable body moves, the privilege may be provided, and when the movable body moves from the first position to the second position, When the second image is not displayed, the privilege is not granted and the movable body is configured to be able to perform an initial process of moving the movable body to check its operation based on the fact that the power has been turned on. When the movable body is moved by the initial processing, the second image is not displayed, and when the second image is displayed in front of the first image, the movable body is moved from the first position to the second position. The display of the second image is started before the movable body starts to move, and the second image is an image displayed in the entire image display area. machine is provided.
Further, according to the present invention, there is provided a gaming machine that determines whether or not a bonus is won with the start of symbol variation, which includes an image display device capable of displaying an image, and an image display area related to the image display device. a movable body configured to be able to cover the image display device and a production control means for controlling the movable body, the movable body being configured to be movable from a first position to a second position; Regarding the first position and the second position, the second position is such that an area of the image display area covered by the movable body is wider than the first position, or the second position is The first position is a position where part or all of the image display area is covered by the movable body, the first position is a position where the image display area is not covered by the movable body, and the effect control means is a position where the movable body covers the image display area. At least part of the time when the body is moved from the first position to the second position, the movable body is in the image display area during all or part of the period during which the movable body moves from the first position to the second position. A second image having transparency is superimposed and displayed in front of the first image being displayed, and there is a predetermined image displayed in front of the second image, and the predetermined image is the one that has won the benefit. The second position includes a third position and a fourth position in which an area of the image display area covered by the movable body is wider than the third position. The second image is not displayed when the movable body is moved from the first position to the third position, and the second image is not displayed when the movable body is moved from the first position to the fourth position. The movable body is configured to be able to perform an initial process of moving the movable body in order to check the operation of the movable body based on the image being displayed and the power being turned on, and the movable body is moved by the initial process. Sometimes, when the second image is not displayed and the second image is displayed in front of the first image, the movable body starts moving from the first position to the second position. There is provided a gaming machine characterized in that the display of the second image is started before the game, and the second image is an image that is displayed in the entire image display area .

According to the present invention, a gaming machine is provided that makes it easier to recognize the movement of a movable body that covers a display area of an image display device.

FIG. 1 is a front view of the gaming machine. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a symbol display device arranged in area II shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a bird's-eye view showing a group of operation buttons arranged in area III shown in FIG. 1 and the surrounding area. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a game board installed in the game machine. FIG. 5 is a rear view of the gaming machine. FIGS. 6(a) to 6(c) are diagrams showing movable positions of the effect shielding body. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the control configuration of the gaming machine. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a control configuration included in the second sub-control board 300. FIG. 9(a) is a diagram showing the configuration of the VRAM area of the SDRAM 340, and FIG. 9(b) is a diagram showing the configuration of the image display area (image drawing area). FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the gaming machine. FIG. 11(a) shows a lottery table for determining the validity of special symbols, FIG. 11(b) shows a lottery table for special symbols 1 stopping symbol lottery, and FIG. 11(c) shows a lottery table for special symbol 2 stopping symbols lottery. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a lottery table. FIG. 12(a) shows the lottery table for deriving the special pattern variation pattern in the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PA, and FIG. 12(b) shows the special pattern variation used when the special pattern variation pattern HNP is determined. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing a lottery table for pattern derivation. FIG. 13(a) is a state transition diagram showing the transition of the special pattern variation pattern derivation state, and FIG. 13(b) is a diagram showing the relationship between the average variation time for each special pattern variation pattern derivation state. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a specific example of cover effect A. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a specific example of cover effect B. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of image control executed when performing cover effect B. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a specific example of image control executed during cover effect A. FIG. 18(a) is a diagram schematically showing a lottery table used for the execution lottery of cover effect A, and FIG. 18(b) is a diagram showing whether or not cover effect B is executed for each type of development effect to be executed. This is an organized table. FIG. 19(a) is a diagram showing the display start timing of the transparent image tg in this embodiment, and FIGS. 19(b) and 19(c) are diagrams showing modified examples of the display start timing of the transparent image tg.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, in all the drawings, the same reference numerals are given to the same components, and the explanation is omitted as appropriate. In addition, in the following explanation, "front", "rear", "left", "right", "upper", and "lower" refer to the gaming machine 10 on the front side (player's side) as shown in FIG. 1, unless otherwise specified. ).
In addition, "advantageous (advantageous degree)" in the following explanation refers to being advantageous to the player, and furthermore, unless otherwise specified, except for presentation aspects such as so-called premium images, winning of prize balls Refers to being advantageous in terms of amount (paying out game balls, paying out medals).

<About the features of the present invention>
Before explaining the details of the gaming machine 10 in this embodiment, the features of the invention (present invention) described in this embodiment will be explained.
In explaining the features, the configuration in parentheses is an example of the configuration of this embodiment corresponding to the immediately preceding configuration, and in the description of the gaming machine 10 that follows, the configuration in parentheses will be used for the same purpose. The configuration may be described in

The present invention
A gaming machine that determines whether or not to win a bonus with the start of symbol fluctuation,
an image display device (main display section 81) capable of displaying images;
a movable body (effect shielding body 83) configured to cover the image display area of the image display device;
Effect control means (first sub-control board 200, second sub-control board 300) for controlling the image display device and the movable body;
Equipped with
The above movable body is
configured to be movable from a first position (initial position) to a second position (first protruding position or second protruding position),
Regarding the above first position and the above second position,
In the second position, an area of the image display area covered by the movable body is wider than in the first position.
Alternatively, the second position is a position where part or all of the image display area is covered by the movable body, while the first position is a position where the image display area is not covered by the movable body. ,
The effect control means may include a transparent first image in front of the first image displayed in the image display area at least in part when moving the movable body from the first position to the second position. Display two images on top of each other,
There is a predetermined image displayed in front of the second image,
The above-mentioned predetermined image is in a state regardless of whether or not the above-mentioned privilege has been won;
This gaming machine is characterized by:

According to the present invention, while the first image is made recognizable, the movement of the movable body can be easily recognized by displaying the second image.
Furthermore, according to the present invention, by displaying the predetermined image in front of the second image, it is possible to reduce the discomfort caused by displaying the second image.

Note that the first image refers to an image that is displayed when the movable body moves from the first position to the second position, and its content does not matter.

Further, in the present embodiment described later, the display of the second image is started before the timing at which the movable body moves from the first position to the second position, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the display start timing of the second image may be later than the timing when the movable body moves from the first position to the second position, or these timings may be the same timing. You can.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment described later, an example is shown in which the present invention is applied to a pachinko machine, but the present invention executes a game (symbol variation) in which a plurality of reels are rotated by using a predetermined number of medals, It is also possible to apply the present invention to a slot machine that executes a game performance (variable performance) in the game and pays out medals based on the result of the game (the manner in which the plurality of reels stop). In this case, the benefits to be described later include big bonuses, regular bonuses, AT (assist time), etc., which are advantageous for obtaining medals in the slot machine.

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

<About the structure of the gaming machine 10>
First, the structure of the gaming machine 10 will be explained using FIGS. 1 to 5.
1 is a front view of the gaming machine 10, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a symbol display device 90 arranged in area II shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a symbol display device 90 arranged in area III shown in FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a game board 50 installed in the gaming machine 10, and FIG. 5 is a rear view of the gaming machine 10. FIG.
Note that the configurations illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5 are only necessary for explaining the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, and configurations and functions not shown here may be added to the gaming machine 10. You may. Furthermore, the gaming machine 10 does not necessarily have to include all of the configurations shown here, and some configurations or functions may be omitted as long as the effects of the present invention are not impaired.

The game machine 10 of the present embodiment is a so-called pachinko machine, and fires game balls into the front area (hereinafter referred to as "game area 50a") of a game board 50 on which a large number of game nails (not shown) are erected. A game is performed in which a prize ball is obtained when a game ball enters a winning hole (for example, the big winning hole 55, etc.). In addition, in the following explanation, the game ball entering the winning hole may be simply expressed as "winning (in the winning hole)".

The gaming machine 10 has a rectangular outer frame 15 that opens in the front and rear, an inner frame 17 that removably holds the game board 50 on the front side of the opening of the outer frame 15, and a structure that covers the front side of the game board 50. A front frame 20 is provided.

The middle frame 17 is rotatably supported around the left end side by a hinge mechanism (not shown) located on the same side as the hinge mechanism 21, and can be opened and closed in front of the outer frame 15. Note that the middle frame 17 is locked and unlocked by a cylinder lock 23 (inserting the door key into the cylinder lock 23 and moving the door key in the opposite direction to the unlocking direction of the front frame 20 (in this embodiment, to the right). rotation) is possible.

The front frame 20 is rotatably supported around the left end side by a hinge mechanism 21, and can be opened and closed with respect to the middle frame 17. The front frame 20 is locked and unlocked by a cylinder lock 23 (inserting the 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 (in this embodiment, to the left) ) is possible.
Further, the front frame 20 includes a transparent member 25 disposed to cover the game area 50a, and the transparent member 25 protects the game area 50a and the game board 50 from view.
The front frame 20 also includes an upper ball tray 27 and a lower ball tray 29 for storing game balls, and the upper ball tray 27 and the lower ball tray 29 are vertically spaced apart and integrally provided with the front frame 20. . In addition, in this embodiment, a full tank detection sensor (not shown) for detecting that the lower ball tray 29 is full with discharged game balls is located at the lower part of the lower ball tray 29 where game balls are discharged. It is provided upstream of the discharge port 30.
The front frame 20 also includes an operation handle 31 on the right side of the lower ball tray 29, and by rotating the operation handle 31, the game balls stored in the upper ball tray 27 are launched toward the game area 50a. It looks like this.

As shown in FIG. 3, a group of operation buttons operated by the player are arranged on the upper surface of the upper ball tray 27. This operation button group is provided with a ball lending button 39a and a return button 39b that accepts a prepaid card return operation as a main operation unit 39 electrically connected to the main control board 100, which will be described later. 1 As an operation unit that is electrically connected to the sub-control board 200, a performance button that can accept operations performed by the player to switch the performance that occurs during the game or to obtain various information related to the gaming machine 10. 37, and cursor buttons 38 (up cursor button 38a, down cursor button 38b, left cursor button 38c, right cursor button 38d) for instructing up, down, left, and right operations, respectively. Note that each operating section is provided with a sensor for detecting an operation, and the control board to be connected detects the operation of each operating section based on a change in the detection state of the sensor.
Further, on the side of the upper ball receiving tray 27, a movable decoration body 22 is provided which is operated by an actuator such as a motor (not shown).

A ball extraction mechanism 36 is provided at the lower part of the lower ball tray 29 to discharge the game balls stored in the lower ball tray 29 downward. By operating this ball extracting mechanism 36, a bottom opening (not shown) formed at the bottom of the lower ball receiving tray 29 opens, and game balls naturally fall and are discharged from the bottom opening.
Although not shown, the upper ball tray 27 is provided with a mechanism that, when operated, moves the stored balls to the lower ball tray 29, similar to the ball extraction mechanism 36. By operating both mechanisms 36, it becomes possible to discharge the stored balls.

As shown in FIG. 1, a pair of speakers 33 (33a, 33b) are provided on the left and right sides of the upper frame portion 32 of the front frame 20, respectively. Further, the upper frame portion 32 and the left and right side frame portions 34a, 34b of the front frame 20 are formed of a light-transmitting cover, and a production lamp 35 (35a, 35b, 35c) is disposed inside each of them. There is. The speaker 33 and the effect lamp 35 can output audio or turn on or off in conjunction with effects, error effects, etc. that occur during the game.

The effect display device 80 is composed of a main display section 81 disposed approximately at the center of the game board 50 and a sub display section 82 disposed around the main display section 81. The sub-display section 82 further includes an upper sub-display section 82 a disposed above the main display section 81 , a left sub-display section 82 b disposed on the left side of the main display section 81 , and a sub-display section 82 b disposed above the main display section 81 . and a right sub-display section 82c disposed on the right side of the screen.
Here, the main display section 81 is a fixed type liquid crystal display device, and the upper sub-display section 82a, the left sub-display section 82b, and the right sub-display section 82c are movable liquid crystal display devices operated by an actuator such as a motor (not shown). It is a display device.

The main display section 81 can display a variable display of symbol rows that is performed in conjunction with a variable display on a first special symbol display device 91 or a second special symbol display device 92, which will be described later, and can also display various other effects. can also be displayed.
In the variable display of the symbol rows (decorative symbols) displayed on the main display section 81, the displayed decorative symbols are three symbol columns (hereinafter referred to as "left symbol column" in order from the left side when facing the main display section 81). , sometimes referred to as the "middle symbol row" or "right symbol row"). The direction of the variable display of each symbol row is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, an up-down direction, a left-right direction, a depth direction, or a combination thereof (diagonal direction).
Here, the depth direction refers to a pattern row that extends from the back of the main display section 81 toward the front or vice versa, even though it is actually a two-dimensional variable display on the display screen of the main display section 81. A virtual direction that is perceived by a player in a display mode that uses a method (for example, perspective) that gives the impression of a variable display.
In addition, the decorative designs in this embodiment include a "1 design" imitating the number "1", a "2 design" imitating the number "2", a "3 design" imitating the number "3", "4 design" imitating the number "4", "5 design" imitating the number "5", "6 design" imitating the number "6", "7 design" imitating the number "7"'', an "8 symbol" imitating the number "8", and a "9 symbol" imitating the number "9", and these symbols are provided in each symbol row. In the following explanation, "1 design", "3 design", "5 design", "7 design", and "9 design" will be collectively referred to as "odd number design", and "2 design" and "4 design". , "6 symbols" and "8 symbols" may be collectively referred to as "even symbols."

Each of the sub-display sections 82 is not only provided mainly to display performance images related to the performance, but is also configured to be movable.
The initial positions of the upper sub-display section 82a are on the upper side with respect to the main display section 81, the left sub-display section 82b is on the left side with respect to the main display section 81, and the right sub-display section 82c is on the left side with respect to the main display section 81. Each of the sub-display sections 82 is configured to be movable from its initial position to a position overlapping the display area of the decorative pattern in the main display section 81.

Note that the effect display device 80 (the main display section 81, the upper sub-display section 82a, the left sub-display section 82b, and the right sub-display section 82c) in this embodiment employs a liquid crystal display device. The implementation of the invention is not limited to this. For example, various types of display devices such as a drum type and a dot matrix type can be employed as the effect display device 80.

A presentation shield 83 is arranged between the main display section 81 and the sub display section 82. Furthermore, the effect shield 83 is composed of an upper left effect cover 83a, an upper right effect cover 83b, a lower left effect cover 83c, and a lower right effect cover 83d. The display area is configured to be movable in a direction that covers the display area.

A plurality of light emitting diodes (hereinafter abbreviated as "LEDs") are arranged on the lower right side of the main display section 81, and these LEDs constitute a display area of the symbol display device 90. Special symbols and normal symbols are displayed on the symbol display device 90.
Further, the symbol display device 90 is arranged in a position that is less visible to the player than the main display section 81, and the display area of the symbol display device 90 is smaller than the display area of the main display section 81. .
The arrangement and number of LEDs related to the symbol display device 90 in this embodiment are as shown in FIG. 2, but this is just an example, and the arrangement and number of LEDs related to the symbol display device 90 are limited to this example. It is not something that will be done.

The special symbol is a symbol that is stopped and displayed as a result of a symbol change that determines whether or not to operate a special electric accessory (for example, the special electric accessory 65). The special symbols in this embodiment include a first special symbol displayed on the first special symbol display device 91 and a second special symbol displayed on the second special symbol display device 92.
The special symbol may be abbreviated as "special symbol", the first special symbol as "special symbol 1", and the second special symbol as "special symbol 2".

The normal symbol is a symbol that is stopped and displayed as a result of a symbol change that determines whether or not to operate a normal electric accessory (for example, the ordinary electric accessory 61). The normal symbols in this embodiment are displayed on the normal symbol display device 93.
Note that the normal symbol may be abbreviated as "Puzu", and the normal electric accessory may be referred to as "Electric Chew".

In addition to the display device described above, the symbol display device 90 is provided with a first special symbol retention lamp 94, a second special symbol retention lamp 95, and a normal symbol retention lamp 96.
The first special symbol holding lamp 94 makes it possible to specify the number of symbol variations of the reserved special symbol 1, and the second special symbol retaining lamp 95 makes it possible to specify the number of symbol variations of the reserved special symbol 2. The normal symbol holding lamp 96 makes it possible to specify the number of symbol fluctuations of the reserved common symbols, and both have two LED lighting modes (in this embodiment, only the right side is always lit = 1, and the left and right sides are always lit = 1). 2. Right side blinking + left side constant lighting = 3, left and right blinking = 4), it is possible to specify the number of corresponding symbol variations.

In the following explanation, the symbol variation in which the special symbol is displayed in a variable manner on the first special symbol display device 91 or the second special symbol display device 92 and then stopped is referred to as "symbol variation of the special symbol", and the following In the description, a symbol variation in which a regular symbol is stopped and displayed after the regular symbol display device 93 is variably displayed may be referred to as a "symbol fluctuation of a regular symbol."
In addition, in the following explanation, the variable display of the symbol row (decorative pattern) displayed on the main display section 81 mentioned above will be distinguished from the "design variation of the special pattern" and "the pattern variation of the regular pattern". It is sometimes referred to as "symbol variation".
In addition, in the following explanation, when it is simply referred to as "symbol variation", unless otherwise specified, it means the symbol variation of the special symbol.

As shown in FIG. 4, on the front surface of the game board 50, obstacles such as a large number of game nails (not shown), a windmill 52, and decorative members are placed, so that the game ball that is launched can roll. A gaming area 50a is defined in the area.
Further, on the left side and above the gaming area 50a, a curved outer rail 51 and an inner rail 53 are arranged to guide the game ball launched by rotating the operating handle 31 to the upper part of the gaming area 50a. has been done. Note that the outer rail 51 is located outside the inner rail 53 with the center of the gaming area 50a as a reference. Here, the windmill 52 is a nail-shaped mechanism for changing the falling direction of the game ball.

The game machine 10 is capable of adjusting the strength of the launch of the game ball by changing the amount of rotational operation (for example, the rotation angle) of the operating handle 31, and the first flow path where the game ball that is launched more weakly rolls. Various obstacles are placed in the gaming area 50a so that the game ball rolls through either X (so-called left-handed batting) or the second flow path Y (so-called right-handed batting) where the game ball that is hit more strongly rolls. It is located.

In FIG. 4, the major winning opening 55, the first starting opening 57, the second starting opening 59, the gate 63, and the general winning opening 67 are illustrated as the main winning openings, but the illustrated winning opening is an example. , and their number and arrangement may be changed as appropriate.

The big prize opening 55 is arranged at the lower right part of the gaming area 50a. A big winning hole sensor 72 is attached to the big winning hole 55, and a winning to the big winning hole 55 is determined based on the detection result of the big winning hole sensor 72, and a number (a book) corresponding to the big winning hole 55 is determined. In the embodiment, 15) prize balls are awarded.
In addition, in this embodiment, more game balls roll toward the big prize opening 55 when rolling from the second flow path Y than when rolling from the first flow path X. Each obstacle is placed.

A special electric accessory 65 is arranged above the grand prize opening 55. The special electric accessory 65 is a member that convertably transitions to an open state in which it is easy to enter the big prize opening 55 or a closed state in which it is difficult to enter the prize, and is switched between the open state and the closed state by the special electric accessory solenoid 66. Transition to one of the states.
More specifically, the special electric accessory 65 is in an open state in at least a part of the jackpot game that is set due to the jackpot being derived by the special figure correctness determination described later, and accordingly, the special electric accessory 65 is in the open state. Winning into the winning hole 55 is allowed. In this way, when the special electric accessory 65 is in the open state, it becomes easier to enter the big winning hole 55, so the jackpot game where the chance to win the prize ball increases greatly, is in an advantageous game state. It can be said that
In the jackpot game, the open state and closed state of the special electric accessory 65 are set alternately, and one open state (sometimes referred to as a "round", and the total number of rounds that occur in one jackpot is the "number of rounds"). ) ends based on a predetermined number (in this embodiment, 10) of game balls entering the grand prize opening 55, and the special electric accessory 65 enters the closed state. .
In addition, one open state also ends based on the elapse of a sufficient time (in this embodiment, 30 seconds) for a predetermined number of game balls to enter the big winning hole 55. do.
Here, when the special electric accessory 65 is set from the open state to the closed state based on the winning of 10 game balls in one round, it cannot be set to the closed state immediately. Therefore, in one round, more than 10 game balls may enter the grand prize opening 55, and such winning may be referred to as over-winning.

The first starting port 57 is arranged at the lower center of the gaming area 50a. A first starting port sensor 70 is attached to the first starting port 57, and a winning in the first starting port 57 is determined based on the detection result of the first starting port sensor 70, and the prize is associated with the first starting port 57. The number of prize balls given (in this embodiment, 4) is awarded. In at least a part of the case where a winning related to the first start opening 57 is determined, the symbol variation of the special drawing 1 will be performed.
In addition, in the game area 50a according to the present embodiment, more game balls are directed toward the first starting port 57 when rolling from the first flow path X than when rolling from the second flow path Y. It is assumed that obstacles such as game nails are arranged so that they roll.

The second starting port 59 is arranged at the lower right portion of the gaming area 50a. A second starting port sensor 71 is attached to the second starting port 59 , and a winning in the second starting port 59 is determined based on the detection result of the second starting port sensor 71 , and the prize is associated with the second starting port 59 . The number of prize balls given (in this embodiment, 1) is awarded.
In at least a part of the case where a winning related to the second starting opening 59 is determined, the symbol variation of the special drawing 2 will be performed.
In addition, in the game area 50a according to the present embodiment, more game balls are directed toward the second starting port 59 when rolling from the second flow path Y than when rolling from the first flow path X. It is assumed that obstacles such as game nails are arranged so that they roll.

A normal electric accessory 61 is disposed in the flow path connected to the second starting port 59. The normal electric accessory 61 is a member that convertably transitions between an open state in which it is easy to enter the game ball into the second starting port 59 and a closed state in which it is difficult to enter the game ball, and the normal electric accessory solenoid 62 transitions to either the open or closed state.
More specifically, the normal electric accessory 61 is in an open state during at least a part of the normal pattern winning game that is won by the symbol fluctuation of the normal pattern, and accordingly, the winning to the second starting opening 59 occurs. is allowed. In this way, when the normal electric accessory 61 is in the open state, it is easy to enter the second starting port 59, so the symbol fluctuation of the special drawing 2 is suppressed by the prize ball while suppressing the decrease in the number of game balls. The chances of being executed can be greatly increased.

The gate 63 is located at the right center of the gaming area 50a. A gate sensor 74 is attached to the gate 63, and winning at the gate 63 is determined based on the detection result of the gate sensor 74. In at least a part of the case where winning is determined at the gate 63, the symbols of common symbols are changed.
In addition, in this embodiment, each obstacle is set so that more game balls roll toward the gate 63 when rolling from the second flow path Y than when rolling from the first flow path X. things are arranged.

The general winning hole 67 is arranged at the lower left part of the gaming area 50a. A general winning hole sensor 73 is attached to the general winning hole 67, and a winning to the general winning hole 67 is determined based on the detection result of the general winning hole sensor 73, and a number ( In this embodiment, the prize ball 4) is awarded.
In addition, in this embodiment, more game balls roll toward the general prize opening 67 when rolling from the first flow path X than when rolling from the second flow path Y. Each obstacle is arranged, but each obstacle may be arranged so that many game balls roll toward the general winning hole 67 when rolling from the second flow path Y. . Further, a plurality of general winning holes 67 may be provided.

The out port 69 is arranged at the bottom of the gaming area 50a. Game balls that are hit into the game area 50a and do not enter the above-mentioned winning holes fall into the out hole 69 and are treated as out balls.

In this embodiment, in addition to the above-mentioned sensors, the game board 50 also includes a magnetic detection sensor for detecting magnetism and a magnetic detection sensor for detecting radio waves in order to prevent fraudulent acts of receiving prize balls illegally. A radio wave detection sensor (all not shown) is provided.

As shown in FIG. 5, on the back side of the game board 50, there are a main control board case 109 in which the main control board 100 is stored, a first sub-control board case 209 in which the first sub-control board 200 is stored, and a second sub-control board case 209. A second sub-control board case 309 in which the control board 300 is stored, a power control board case 509 in which the power control board 500 is stored, a payout control board case 409 in which the payout control board 400 is stored, and a setting board 41 are installed. In addition to the back surfaces of the first sub-control board case 209 and the second sub-control board case 309, an opening/closing cover 45 that covers a part of the back surface of the main control board case 109 is removably attached.
Note that the board case and cover covering each board are made of transparent members, and the corresponding board is visible through each case and cover.

The power supply control board 500 is provided with a power switch 40 that is operated to supply the gaming machine 10 with primary power supplied from the power supply equipment of the gaming island.

Further, on the back side of the game board 50, above the open/close cover 45, a game ball tank 46 is arranged in which game balls supplied from the ball supply equipment of the game island are stored. The game ball tank 46 is further connected to a payout passage 49 connected to the upper ball tray 27 via a tank rail 47 and a payout unit 48, and the balls paid out by the payout unit 48 pass through the payout passage 49. The ball is then delivered to the upper ball receiving tray 27.

Up to this point, the structure of the gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment has been described, but these are only specific examples, and the present invention can be implemented with another structure.

<About the operation of the production shield 83>
Next, the operation of the effect shielding body 83 will be explained using FIGS. 6(a) to 6(c). FIGS. 6(a) to 6(c) are diagrams showing movable positions of the effect shielding body 83.
As mentioned above, the effect shielding body 83 is composed of an upper left effect shielding body 83a, an upper right effect shielding body 83b, a lower left effect shielding body 83c, and a lower right effect shielding body 83d. The shield 83 is shown in its initial position. Note that at this position, substantially the entire display area of the main display section 81 is visible.
FIG. 6B shows a state in which a part (approximately 30% of the entire display area) of the main display section 81 is covered by the effect shielding body 83. Hereinafter, the position of the effect shielding body 83 in this state may be expressed as a first protruding position.
FIG. 6C shows a state in which the entire display area of the main display section 81 is covered by the effect shielding body 83. Hereinafter, the position of the effect shielding body 83 in this state may be expressed as a second protruding position.
In this way, the upper left performance shield 83a, the upper right performance shield 83b, the lower left performance shield 83c, and the lower right performance shield 83d operate in conjunction with each other in the plane direction of the display area related to the main display section 81, It is configured to be movable from the initial position to the second protruding position via the first protruding position.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 6(c), the upper left effect shield 83a has a convex portion on the front surface (the front side when the main display section 81 side is defined as the back side) that resembles the character "Ten". The upper right effect shielding body 83b has a convex part imitating the character "bottom" on the front surface, and the lower left effect shielding body 83c has a convex part imitating the character "no" on the front surface. The lower right effect shielding body 83d has a convex portion imitating the character "sou" on the front surface, and each effect shielding body blocks light from the back (main display section 81 side). It is configured so that it does not pass through.

<About the control configuration of the gaming machine 10>
Next, the control configuration provided in the gaming machine 10 according to this embodiment will be explained using FIGS. 7 to 9. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a control configuration included in the gaming machine 10. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a control configuration included in the second sub-control board 300. FIG. 9(a) is a diagram showing the configuration of the VRAM area of the SDRAM 340, and FIG. 9(b) is a diagram showing the configuration of the image display area (image drawing area). The control configurations shown in FIGS. 7 to 9 are necessary for explaining the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, and the gaming machine 10 includes control configurations not shown in FIGS. 7 to 9. You can.

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

The CPU 101 reads various control programs stored in the ROM 102 and performs arithmetic processing, thereby executing various processes related to the main control of the game.
The RAM 103 is backed up by a backup power supply generated in a backup power supply circuit 502, which will be described later. Specifically, among the information stored in the RAM 103, various information is backed up so that when the power is restored after a power outage, the gaming machine 10 can return to the state immediately before the power outage using the data. It is composed of For example, in addition to data such as the stack pointer and each register held when a power outage occurred, the state of the gaming machine 10 at that time (playing stopped state or playable state), the current special drawing drawing state, Information related to the game, such as the current state of lottery drawings, is to be backed up.

In this embodiment, in addition to at least an area where information related to such games is stored (sometimes referred to as an area related to games in the RAM 103), an area where base values are stored (base value of the RAM 103). (area related to the gaming area of the RAM 103), an area where the checksum complement and backup flag related to the gaming area of the RAM 103 are stored (sometimes referred to as a gaming-related backup information area of the RAM 103), and an area related to the base value of the RAM 103. An area (sometimes referred to as a backup information area related to the base value of the RAM 103) in which a complement of the checksum and a backup flag for the area are stored is backed up. Then, when the power is restored, the gaming machine 10 saves the backed up game-related area of the RAM 103, the base value area of the RAM 103, the gaming-related backup information area of the RAM 103, and the backup of the RAM 103 related to the base value. It returns using various information stored in the information area.
Note that there are no restrictions on the specific method of backup in this embodiment. For example, an area of the RAM 103 to be backed up may be implemented with a configuration that can hold data in a non-volatile manner even in a power outage state. As another example, in the RAM 103, a first memory configured to be able to hold data in a non-volatile manner even in a power-off state and a second memory that is referenced when the gaming machine 10 is in operation may be provided with different hardware. In that case, the gaming machine 10 saves the information to be backed up from the second memory to the first memory when the power is cut off, and transfers the saved information from the first memory to the first memory when the power is restored. 2 memory.

In addition, the main control board 100 includes a first starting opening sensor 70, a second starting opening sensor 71, a big winning opening sensor 72, a general winning opening sensor 73, a gate sensor 74, an out ball sensor 75, a middle frame opening sensor 76, etc. It is configured such that detection signals from these sensors can be input to the CPU 101 via the I/O port 104. Although not shown, in addition to these sensors, 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 connected via the I/O port 104. , is configured to be able to input detection signals from these sensors to the CPU 101.

The main control board 100 also includes a first special symbol display device 91, a second special symbol display device 92, a normal symbol display device 93, a first special symbol retention lamp 94, a second special symbol retention lamp 95, and a normal symbol retention lamp. 96 is electrically connected to the normal electric accessory solenoid 62 and the special electric accessory solenoid 66, and is configured to be able to control these via the I/O port 104.
Similarly, the main control board 100 is electrically connected to the main operation section 39 and is configured to be able to detect operations of the main operation section 39. Furthermore, the main control board 100 is configured to be able to detect the operation of the RAM clear switch 43.

The main control board 100 and the first sub-control board 200 are connected by eight parallel signal lines and one strobe line. The main control board 100 is connected to enable communication only in the direction, and various production control commands are transmitted from the main control board 100 to the first sub-control board 200.
Note that data cannot be transmitted from the first sub-control board 200 to the main control board 100, and the first sub-control board 200 cannot request the main control board 100 to send data. It is composed of
Further, in this embodiment, a parallel transmission method is adopted for data transmission from the main control board 100 to the first sub-control board 200, but a serial transmission method may be adopted.

The first sub-control board 200 serves as a temporary storage area, a CPU 201 that performs various calculation processes 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, etc. It is equipped with a RAM 203 that functions as a work area and buffer memory, and an I/O port 204 that inputs and outputs signals between peripheral boards and each device. The main controls related to the game performance are executed according to the control program stored in the game machine.
Note that the first sub-control board 200 is electrically connected to the production button 37 and the cursor button 38, and is configured to be able to detect the operation of the operation section.

The first sub-control board 200 also provides image control commands for instructing images and sounds to the second sub-control board 300 in production control processing based on production control commands from the main control board 100, various production lamps 35, etc. Lamp control data for controlling lighting of the lamp, movement control data for controlling movement of movable accessories such as the sub-display section 82, etc. are generated.
Here, the first sub-control board 200 is connected to the second sub-control board 300 for bidirectional communication, and image control commands regarding images and audio are transmitted from the first sub-control board 200 to the second sub-control board 300. As a response, a response command (ACK command) indicating that the control command was successfully received is transmitted from the second sub-control board 300 to the first sub-control board 200.

Further, the first sub-control board 200 is electrically connected to the production lamp 35 and transmits lamp control data via the I/O port 204. The lighting of the production lamp 35 is controlled by lamp control data transmitted from the first sub-control board 200.

Further, the first sub-control board 200 is electrically connected to the movable decorative body 22, the sub-display section 82, and the effect shielding body 83, and transmits movable control data via the I/O port 204.
The movable decorative body 22, the sub-display section 82, and the effect shielding body 83 are configured so that their movements are controlled by movable control data transmitted from the first sub-control board 200.

The second sub-control board 300 includes a CPU 301 that performs various calculation processes related to image production based on image control commands from the first sub-control board 200, a ROM 302 that stores image control programs and various data, and a temporary storage area. It is equipped with a RAM 303 that functions as a work area and buffer memory, and an I/O port 304 that inputs and outputs signals between peripheral boards and each device. It is configured to execute such main control.
In addition, the following will specifically explain using FIG. 8, FIG. 9(a), and FIG. 9(b), and each control structure shown in these figures is Included in port 304. Specifically, the VDP 310 is included in the CPU 301, the CGROM 330 is included in the ROM 302, and the SDRAM 340 is included in the RAM 303.

As shown in FIG. 8, the second sub-control board 300 includes a VDP 310 that draws an image in accordance with the content of the production determined by the production content determining means 225, which will be described later, and a character (person) as image element data used as a sprite image. , animals, characters, figures, symbols, etc.), and an SDRAM 340 used as a VRAM area.

The VDP 310 is stored in a system register 311 in which various settings of the VDP 310 are stored, an attribute register 312 in which attributes are stored, a drawing control unit 313 that controls drawing of an image to an image drawing area (described later) in a VRAM area, and a CGROM 330. A data transfer control unit 314 performs control to transfer CG data stored in the VRAM area to the VRAM area, and video signals (R (red), G (green) ), B (blue)) signal and a synchronization signal, a display control unit 315 that converts the video signal output from the display control unit 315 into an analog signal and displays a liquid crystal display device (main display unit 81, sub display unit 82) It is equipped with a DA converter 316, a DA converter 317, etc. that output to a liquid crystal panel constituting the LCD panel.
Note that the attributes in this embodiment are parameters used when drawing a character, such as the drawing order (the later the drawing order is, the closer it is drawn) and the coordinates of the character to be drawn ( This data specifies the position), scaling ratio, transmittance, etc.

Furthermore, a system bus and a CG bus are provided inside the VDP 310, and the system bus and the CG bus are connected to the CPU 201 of the first sub-control board 200 via the CPU interface 318, and the CG bus is connected to the CG bus. It is connected to the CGROM 330 via a bus interface 319. Further, a system register 311 is connected to the system bus, and an attribute register 312 is connected to the CG bus, so that the CPU 201 can access the system register 311 and the attribute register 312.
Therefore, the CPU 201 can indirectly control the VDP 310 by storing execution instructions and necessary data in the system register 311 and the attribute register 312 using image control commands to be described later.

Further, the drawing control section 313, data transfer control section 314, and display control section 315 are connected to the system bus, and can access the system register 311. Further, the drawing control section 313 and the data transfer control section 314 are connected to the CG bus, and can access the CGROM 330 and the attribute register 312.

A VRAM bus is also provided inside the VDP 310, and the VRAM bus is connected to the SDRAM 340 via a VRAM bus interface 320. A drawing control section 313, a data transfer control section 314, and a display control section 315 are connected to the VRAM bus, and the VRAM area of the SDRAM 340 can be accessed via the VRAM bus.

The system register 311 also includes a system control register that stores instructions such as initial settings, drawing, and data transfer, an interrupt control register that stores instructions for outputting interrupt signals (described later), an image drawing area in the VRAM area, and a palette. A drawing register that stores the arrangement area for data (data for developing color information compressed into CG data), a data transfer register that stores the source address and destination address during data transfer, and a VRAM area. Display registers for storing image display areas and the like are allocated.

The CPU interface 318 outputs an interrupt signal to the CPU 201 for each frame, and also outputs various other interrupt signals to the CPU 201.

The display control unit 315 performs display processing to output image data in the image display area of the VRAM area specified by the display register as a video signal. This embodiment employs so-called double buffering in which the image display area and the image drawing area are switched every frame. Therefore, in one frame, the area assigned as the image drawing area is drawn, and in the next frame, it switches to the image display area, so the image data drawn in the previous frame is displayed and output. During this time, drawing will continue to be performed in the other area.

As shown in FIG. 9(a), the VRAM area includes a palette area where palette data is arranged, a character buffer where necessary characters are read from the CGROM 330 and stored, and a character buffer when the drawing control unit 313 draws an image. CG buffers, etc., for temporarily storing palette data (data in which character display colors are defined) and for temporarily storing CG data when the drawing control unit 313 draws an image. Space is allocated.

Further, the VRAM area includes an image display area in which one screen worth of image data for displaying an image on the main display section 81 is stored, and an image display area for storing one screen worth of image data for displaying an image on the main display section 81. An image drawing area is allocated for drawing. The image display area and image drawing area are switched every frame. Therefore, in one frame, image data is drawn in the area allocated as the image drawing area, and in the next frame, this area is switched to the image display area, so the image data related to the image drawn in the previous frame is will be displayed on the main display section 81, and during this time image data will be drawn in the other area.
Note that in the VRAM area, similarly to the image display area (image drawing area) corresponding to the main display unit 81, image data for one screen for displaying images for each of the sub display units 82 is stored. An image display area for displaying an image and an image drawing area for drawing one screen of image data for displaying an image are allocated, but are not shown in FIG. 9A.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 9(b), the image data stored in the image display area (image drawing area) is 1 byte for R (red) and 1 byte for G (green) per pixel of the liquid crystal panel. byte, and 1 byte of B (blue), totaling 3 bytes.
Therefore, to draw a character in the image drawing area, the character's CG data (a collection of data for each pixel) is read from the character buffer according to the attributes stored in the attribute register 312, and the CG data for each read character is CG data is developed as drawing data in the CG buffer using the palette data saved in the CG buffer, and each developed drawing data (sub-pixel (R (red), G (green), or B (blue)) This is achieved by drawing a collection of data) in the image drawing area.

In particular, if a transmittance is set for the image to be drawn, the drawing data that has already been drawn (drawn in the back) and the drawing data that will be drawn this time (drawn in the foreground) will be separated according to the transmittance. The drawing data is drawn in the image drawing area by combining the images. This allows the front image to be displayed so that the rear image can be seen through.
The transmittance in this embodiment is configured to be settable in 1% increments within the range of 0% to 100%, and when the transmittance is 0%, the image behind becomes invisible, and the transmittance is set to 100%. %, the foreground image becomes invisible. If the transmittance is 1% to 99%, both the rear image and the front image can be viewed. In the present invention, an image whose transmittance is set between 1% and 99% is referred to as an image having transparency.

In addition, although not shown, the second sub-control board 300 is equipped with a sound source IC that generates audio data in accordance with the content of the performance based on a control signal received from the CPU 301. The sound source IC reads audio data stored in the audio ROM in response to instructions from the CPU 301, synthesizes the read audio data, and outputs final audio data generated to the speaker 33 via an amplifier.

The payout control board 400 is mainly composed of a CPU 401, a ROM 402, and a RAM 403 (all not shown).
Further, the payout control board 400 is connected to the main control board 100 so as to be able to communicate bidirectionally, and controls the payout unit 48 to be driven to pay out game balls based on the payout control command from the main control board 100. At the same time, the ball feeding mechanism and the firing mechanism are driven synchronously based on the amount of operation of the operating handle 31 to control the firing of the game ball.

The power supply control board 500 generates a normal power supply circuit 501 that generates a normal power supply to be supplied to electronic and electrical components such as the above-mentioned control board, and a backup power supply based on the primary power supply supplied from the power supply equipment of the game island. It is comprised of a backup power supply circuit 502 and a power interruption detection circuit 503 that detects a power interruption (when the voltage supplied by the normal power supply drops to a predetermined voltage).
Further, a power switch 40 is connected to the power control board 500, and assuming that primary power is supplied from the power supply equipment of the game island, when the power switch 40 is turned on, the power control board 500 is turned on. A normal power supply circuit 501 generates a normal power supply, and supplies power to electronic and electrical components including the above-mentioned control boards (main control board 100, first sub-control board 200, second sub-control board 300, and payout control board 400). is supplied.
Further, when a power outage is detected by the power outage detection circuit 503, the power supply control board 500 transmits a power outage signal (NMI signal) to each of the main control board 100, first sub control board 200, and payout control board 400. Send to.
Further, the backup power supply circuit 502 is configured to be charged when power is supplied to the gaming machine 10 from the power supply equipment on the gaming island.
Note that the backup power supply circuit 502 may be provided on the payout control board 400, and the power failure detection circuit 503 may not be provided on the power supply control board 500, and the main control board 100, the first sub-control board 200, and the payout control board 400 may be provided.

<About 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 FIG. 10. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the gaming machine 10. Note that the functional configuration shown in FIG. 10 is necessary for explaining the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, and the gaming machine 10 may include a functional configuration that is not shown in FIG. 10. Furthermore, when explaining the functional configuration, reference will be made to FIGS. 11 to 13 as necessary.

As shown in FIG. 10, the main control board 100 includes a ball entry determination means 110, a main random number generation means 115, a main reservation control means 120, a preliminary determination means 125, a special lottery means 130, a regular lottery means 135, and a jackpot game. Control means 140, symbol display control means 145, electric accessory control means 150, game state control means 155, main information storage means 160, main error control means 165, main command management means 170, power recovery processing execution means 175, and A cutoff processing execution means 180 is provided, and these means are functional representations of what is realized by each control configuration on the main control board 100 described using FIG.

The main information storage means 160 is a means for temporarily storing data read out by the means included in the main control board 100, data derived by calculations in the means, etc. in respective storage areas. . In particular, the data (effect 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. be done.

Ball entry determining means 110 determines whether or not a ball has entered each winning hole based on the detection result of a sensor provided in each winning hole.

The main random number generation means 115 is capable of generating multiple types of random numbers with different update ranges by the random number circuit 105, and generates one or more random numbers corresponding to the winning hole from the random number circuit 105 at the timing when a winning in the winning hole is determined. Obtain (latch) a random number.
More specifically, when it is determined that a prize has been won in the first starting hole 57 or the second starting hole 59, the main random number generating means 115 generates a random number for determining whether the special pattern is correct or not, and a special pattern stopping pattern, which will be described later. Obtain random numbers for lottery and random numbers for special pattern fluctuation pattern lottery. When it is determined that the gate 63 has won, a random number for determining the validity of a common symbol, a random number for a common symbol lottery, and a random number for a common symbol variation pattern lottery, which will be described later, are stored in the corresponding storage in the main information storage means 160. Store in area.
Note that the random number circuit 105 monitors whether the plurality of types of random numbers that it updates itself are updated normally or not, and if an update abnormality occurs in which the random numbers are not updated normally, the random number circuit 105 Information indicating that the abnormality has occurred is written in a specific storage area. Therefore, the CPU 101 can grasp that an update abnormality in the random number circuit 105 has occurred.

The main reservation control means 120 performs control regarding the reservation of symbol fluctuations of special symbols and symbol fluctuations of regular symbols. Regarding special figure 1, the random numbers for special figure validity judgment, random numbers for special figure stop symbol lottery, and random numbers for special figure fluctuation pattern lottery, which are obtained by winning in the first starting opening 57, are specially selected. It is held (stored) as the operation hold information shown in FIG.
More specifically, the main reservation control means 120 adds 1 each time the operation reservation information of the special symbol 1 is reserved, and the operation reservation information of the special symbol 1 is used (in the lottery of the special symbol lottery means 130). A holding counter (hereinafter referred to as the "Special Figure 1 Holding Counter") is decremented by 1 for each time the special drawing 1 holding counter is used. The operation reservation information is stored in the storage area corresponding to the current special figure 1 reservation counter of the main information storage means 160, and each time the operation reservation information is used, the used operation reservation information is cleared and the remaining operation reservation information is stored. The information is controlled to be moved (shifted) from the current storage area to the storage area corresponding to the special figure 1 holding counter which is one less than the current special figure 1 holding counter in order from the smallest special figure 1 holding counter.
Moreover, the main reservation control means 120 performs the same control as the above-mentioned control regarding the special figure 2 and general figure separately from the special figure 1, and the reserve counter of the special figure 2 is called the special figure 2 reserve counter.
In addition, in the following explanation, "suspension of operation suspension information" may be expressed as "suspension of symbol variation."
In addition, when the main reservation control means 120 updates (adds or subtracts) the operation reservation information (reservation counter) of Tokuzu 1 or Tokuzu 2, the main reservation control means 120 performs production control including the Tokuzu 1 reservation counter and the Tokuzu 2 reservation counter. A command (pending command) is generated, and the command is stored in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.
In addition, in this embodiment, when both the operation reservation information corresponding to special figure 1 and the operation reservation information corresponding to special figure 2 are reserved, the operation reservation information corresponding to special figure 2 is prioritized. The priority variations used are made.

The advance determination means 125 executes advance determination for a look-ahead effect targeting the operation reservation information at least in part when the operation reservation information of the special symbol is suspended at a predetermined advance determination timing.
More specifically, the preliminary determination means 125 reads each random number of the operation suspension information that has been suspended this time, and performs preliminary determination for each of the special pattern validity determination, special pattern stop symbol lottery, and special pattern variation pattern lottery, which will be described later. Execute. In each preliminary determination, a lottery table (not shown) that is the same as or equivalent to the lottery table used in the lottery corresponding to each preliminary determination is used. Therefore, the results of these preliminary determinations are the same as the results of the lottery that will be executed later.
Further, the advance determination means 125 generates a performance control command (advance determination command) including the derived result of the advance determination, and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.
In addition, as described above, the advance determination command is transmitted at least in part when the special symbol operation suspension information is suspended at a predetermined advance determination timing (it is generated and the transmission command is stored in the main information storage means 160). (stored in the storage area), so it will be sent following the above-mentioned pending command. Here, the timing of the predetermined preliminary determination refers to a time when the jackpot game is not in progress, and furthermore, in this embodiment, when the operation suspension information of the special symbol 1 is suspended during the high accuracy of the general symbol, which will be described later, , Since the preliminary determination is regulated, the transmission of the preliminary determination command corresponding to the preliminary determination is also regulated.

The special pattern lottery means 130 includes a special pattern validity determination means 131, a special pattern stop symbol lottery means 132, and a special pattern fluctuation pattern deriving means 133. Processing by each means is executed in the order of the variation pattern deriving means 133. The special symbol lottery means 130 reads out the earliest operation suspension information among the operation suspension information held in the main information storage means 160 when the special symbol variation start condition is satisfied.
In addition, "the special pattern fluctuation start conditions are met" means, for example, that the jackpot is not in progress, that neither of special pattern 1 nor special pattern 2 is in the process of pattern fluctuation, and that special pattern 1 and special pattern 2 are not in the middle of a jackpot. This means that all the conditions for the existence of operation suspension information in at least one of them are satisfied.

Here, FIG. 11(a) to FIG. 11(c), FIG. 12(a), and FIG. 12(b) are diagrams schematically showing a lottery table used in the main control board 100, and the following description is given below. Please refer to it as necessary.
In addition, in a lottery using a lottery table, including those other than these lottery tables, the lottery values stored in the lottery table are sequentially added to the read random numbers in a predetermined order (only one target lottery value is used). If so, the number of additions is one time), and the result corresponding to the lottery value in which a carry (overflow) has occurred is derived as the result of the lottery. Similarly, in the explanation regarding the lottery table, names are attached to the lottery tables for convenience of explanation, but if data such as lottery values included in the lottery table corresponding to the name is stored in an identifiable manner in each ROM, Often these names do not specify the area where the data is stored. In the illustrated lottery table, items are written for convenience of explanation, and "-" may be written as a lottery value, but these do not necessarily indicate the data stored in each ROM. And, results with "-" written as the lottery value will not win. Furthermore, if a lottery value that is the same as the random number range used for the lottery (the number of random numbers that can be obtained within the range) is listed in the lottery table, the result will be derived 100%, so the lottery is not necessarily performed. There is no need to do so. In addition, if the total value of the lottery values used in one lottery matches the random number range used in the lottery, a carry will always occur when adding the last lottery value, so this addition will not be necessary. In that case, the lottery value itself used for the addition becomes unnecessary.

The special pattern validity determining means 131 reads a random number for determining the validity of the special pattern for each symbol change, and uses the read random number and a lottery table for determining the validity of the special pattern to determine whether the winner is a jackpot or a loss by lottery. Execute the special figure appropriateness determination.
FIG. 11(a) is a diagram schematically showing a lottery table for determining the validity of the special symbol, and the lottery table is commonly used for the special symbol 1 and the special symbol 2. The range of random numbers used in this determination is 0 to 65535, so if the special drawing lottery state has a low probability (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as "special drawing low probability"), the random number is 205/65536 (approximately A jackpot is derived with a probability of 1/320).
Similarly, when the special drawing lottery state has a high probability (hereinafter may be abbreviated as "special drawing high probability"), a jackpot is derived with a probability of 600/65536 (approximately 1/109).

When the result of the special pattern correctness determination is a jackpot, the special pattern stopping pattern lottery means 132 reads a random number for the special pattern stopping pattern lottery, and uses the read random number and the lottery table for the special pattern stopping pattern lottery. The stop symbols of the special drawings are determined by lottery.
FIG. 11(b) is a diagram schematically showing a lottery table for the special drawing 1 stop symbol lottery, and the range of random numbers used in the lottery is 0 to 99. Therefore, when a jackpot is derived from special drawing 1, symbol A has a probability of 50/100 (1/2) and symbol B has a probability of 50/100 (1/2) to be determined as the stopping symbol. Ru.
Here, symbol A has a round number of 4, and after the end of the jackpot game, it is a symbol that becomes a special symbol high and a general symbol that will be described later (hereinafter may be referred to as a "probable variable symbol", and the jackpot related to the symbol is sometimes referred to as a "probable hit"). On the other hand, symbol B has a round number of 4 and is a symbol that becomes a special symbol with a low probability and a regular symbol with a high probability after the end of the jackpot game (hereinafter may be referred to as a "normal symbol", and the jackpot related to the symbol is defined as a "normal symbol"). (sometimes referred to as "jackpot"). Therefore, it can be said that the symbol A is a more advantageous symbol than the symbol B in the special symbol lottery state after the jackpot game.
FIG. 11(c) is a diagram schematically showing a lottery table for the special pattern 2 stop symbol lottery, and the range of random numbers used in the lottery is 0 to 99, similar to the special pattern 1 stop symbol lottery. be. Therefore, when a jackpot is derived in special drawing 2, there is a probability of 75/100 (approximately 1/1.33) for symbol a, a probability of 25/100 (1/4) for symbol b, and a stop symbol. is determined as.
Here, symbol a is a variable pattern that has a round number of 10 and becomes a special symbol high and a regular symbol high after the end of the jackpot game, and symbol b has a round number of 4 and is a special symbol high after the end of the jackpot game. It is a regular pattern that is accurate and accurate. Therefore, it can be said that symbol a is more advantageous than symbol b in terms of the number of rounds. In the following explanation, the jackpot associated with symbol a may be referred to as a 10R probability variable jackpot, and the jackpot associated with symbol b may be referred to as a 4R probability variable jackpot.
In addition, when the result of the special pattern correctness determination does not result in a jackpot, the special pattern stopping pattern lottery means 132 uses pattern C as the stopping pattern when special pattern 1 is a loss, and pattern c when special pattern 2 is a loss. Decide uniformly.
In addition, in this embodiment, the ratio (50/100) of the special pattern becomes highly accurate after the end of the jackpot game with special pattern 1, and the percentage of the special pattern becomes highly accurate after the end of the jackpot game with special pattern 2 (100/100). ) are different (the symbol fluctuation of special map 2 is more advantageous than the symbol fluctuation of special map 1). Although the details are omitted, this difference is when the game ball passes through the V winning area provided in the big winning opening 55 during the jackpot game (when the sensor provided in the V winning area detects the gaming ball) A round game (in this embodiment, it is provided in the fourth round game of the easy-to-win period related to a variable jackpot) is equipped with a function to make the special drawing highly accurate after the end of the jackpot game, and makes it easy to pass through the V winning area. This is achieved by changing whether to provide it or not depending on the stop pattern of the special map.

The special pattern variation pattern deriving means 133 is equipped with a plurality of types of special pattern variation pattern lottery tables that are referred to when determining a special pattern variation pattern, and based on the current special pattern variation pattern derivation state and the result of the current special pattern validity determination. Based on this, select one special pattern fluctuation pattern lottery table to determine the current special pattern fluctuation pattern, and use the selected special pattern fluctuation pattern lottery table and random numbers for special pattern fluctuation pattern lottery to create one special pattern. A figure variation pattern is determined, and a variation time is determined based on the determined special figure variation pattern.
Although the details of the transition conditions etc. will be described later, the special pattern variation pattern derivation states in this embodiment include the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PA, the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PB, and the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PC. exist. The above-described method for determining the special pattern variation pattern is adopted for the symbol variation of special pattern 1 in special pattern variation pattern derivation state PA, and is adopted for special pattern 2 in special pattern variation pattern derivation state PB and special pattern variation pattern derivation state PC. The pattern variation of the other special pattern in each special pattern variation pattern derivation state is determined by one predetermined special pattern variation pattern according to the result of the special pattern validity determination.

FIG. 13(a) is a diagram schematically showing a lottery table for deriving a special pattern variation pattern in the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PA, and the range of random numbers used in the lottery is 0 to 999. Therefore, if the result of the special pattern validity judgment is wrong in the special pattern fluctuation pattern derivation state PA, the special pattern fluctuation pattern HNP, 50/1000 (1/1.11) probability is 900/1000 (approximately 1/1.11). /20) probability of special pattern fluctuation pattern HRP, 10/1000 (1/100) probability of HSP1-A, 8/1000 (1/125) probability of HSP1-B, 6/1000 (approximately 1/167) ) with a probability of HSP1-C, with a probability of 7/1000 (approximately 1/143) HSP2-A, with a probability of 5/1000 (1/200) HSP2-B, with a probability of 4/1000 (1/250) HSP2-C, HSP3-A with a probability of 5/1000 (1/200), HSP3-B with a probability of 3/1000 (approximately 1/333), and HSP3-C with a probability of 2/1000 (1/500). In this case, special figure variation patterns ASP1-A to special figure variation patterns ASP3-C are not determined. In addition, although the details will be described later using FIG. 13(b), when the special symbol fluctuation pattern HNP is determined, the special symbol fluctuation pattern is further changed using the value of the special symbol 1 pending counter at the time the symbol fluctuation starts. be identified.
If the result of the special pattern determination is a jackpot in the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PA, the special pattern variation pattern ASP1-A, 70/1000 (approximately 1/14 .3) Special pattern variation pattern ASP1-B with a probability of 80/1000 (1/12.5), special pattern variation ASP1-C with a probability of 70/1000 (approximately 1/14.3). Figure fluctuation pattern ASP2-A, special figure fluctuation pattern ASP2-B with a probability of 100/1000 (1/10), special figure fluctuation pattern ASP2-C with a probability of 130/1000 (approximately 1/7.69), 130/ Special figure fluctuation pattern ASP3-A with a probability of 1000 (about 1/7.69), special figure variation pattern ASP3-B with a probability of 170/1000 (about 1/5.88), 200/1000 (1/5) The special figure variation pattern ASP3-C is determined with the probability of , and in this case, the special figure variation pattern HNP to special figure variation pattern HSP3-C will not be determined.
In addition, in the explanation regarding the special figure variation patterns of this embodiment, when two special figure variation patterns are described with "~" in between, the special figure variation pattern written in front is The description of the special figure variation pattern that exists between the figure variation pattern and the special figure variation pattern described later is omitted.
Also, although not shown, in the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PB and the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PC, the special pattern variation is changed according to the result of the special pattern validity judgment, similar to the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PA. Pick a pattern.

FIG. 13(b) is a diagram schematically showing a lottery table for deriving the special symbol fluctuation pattern used when the special symbol fluctuation pattern HNP is determined. The special figure fluctuation pattern is further specified using the value of the counter.
First, as shown in FIG. 13(b), the special figure variation pattern HNP includes a special figure variation pattern HNP-A with a variation time of 3200 ms (milliseconds), a special figure variation pattern HNP-B with a variation time of 5600 ms, and a variation pattern HNP-A with a variation time of 5600 ms (milliseconds). There is a special pattern variation pattern HNP-C with a time of 8000ms, a special pattern variation pattern HNP-D with a variation time of 11200ms, and a special pattern variation pattern HNP-E with a variation time of 20000ms, and the variation times are longer in this order.
The range of random numbers used in this lottery (different from the random numbers used in the lottery according to the lottery table shown in FIG. 13(a)) is from 0 to 999. Therefore, when the special figure 1 reservation counter = 3 (holding 3), the special figure fluctuation pattern HNP-A is determined with a probability of 1000/1000 (1/1), while the special figure fluctuation pattern HNP-B ~Special figure variation pattern HNP-E is not determined. Similarly, when the special figure 1 reservation counter = 2 (hold 2), the special figure fluctuation pattern HNP-A has a probability of 150/1000 (approximately 1/6.67), and the special figure fluctuation pattern HNP-A is 800/1000 (1/1 The special pattern fluctuation pattern HNP-B is determined with a probability of .25), and the special pattern fluctuation pattern HNP-E is determined with a probability of 50/1000 (1/20), while the special pattern fluctuation pattern HNP-D and the special pattern fluctuation pattern If HNP-D is not determined and the special figure 1 reservation counter = 1 (hold 1), the special figure fluctuation pattern HNP-A will be 150/1000 (approx. Special pattern fluctuation pattern HNP-B has a probability of 1/6.67), special pattern fluctuation pattern HNP-C has a probability of 700/1000 (about 1/1.43), and special pattern fluctuation pattern HNP-C has a probability of 100/1000 (1/10). While the special pattern variation pattern HNP-E is determined by probability, the special pattern variation pattern HNP-D is not determined, and when the special pattern 1 reservation counter = 0 (hold 0), 50/1000 (1/20 ), the special pattern variation pattern HNP-B has a probability of 100/1000 (1/10), the special pattern variation pattern HNP-C has a probability of 700/1000 (about 1/1.43), and the special pattern variation pattern HNP-C has a probability of 700/1000 (about 1/1.43). While the pattern HNP-D is determined as the special pattern variation pattern HNP-E with a probability of 150/1000 (approximately 1/6.67), the special pattern variation pattern HNP-A is not determined.
In this way, when the special figure variation pattern HNP is determined, the special figure variation pattern (variation time) that is likely to be determined differs depending on the value of the special figure 1 reservation counter. More specifically, the smaller the value of the special figure 1 pending counter, the easier it is to determine a long symbol variation (the larger the value of the special figure 1 pending counter, the easier it is to determine a short variation time). In particular, when the special figure 1 hold counter = 3, the special figure fluctuation pattern HNP-E is not determined, while in cases other than the special figure 1 hold counter = 3, the special figure fluctuation pattern HNP-E is determined. , in the case of special figure 1 reservation counter = 2 to special figure reservation counter = 0, the smaller the value of the counter, the easier it is to determine the special figure fluctuation pattern HNP-E.
In addition, such a special figure variation pattern (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "basic special figure variation pattern") also exists in the special figure variation pattern derivation state PB and the special figure variation pattern derivation state PC, and these characteristics Although the types and lengths of the basic special figure fluctuation patterns corresponding to the figure fluctuation pattern derivation states are different, their tendency (holding counter) The relationship between the value of the hold counter (the value of the hold counter) and the easily determined special figure variation pattern (variation time) is the same as the special figure variation pattern derivation state PA.

In addition, at the start of the symbol variation, the special symbol variation pattern deriving means 133 generates a performance control command (variation start command ) and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.

Similar to the special symbol lottery means 130, the common symbol lottery means 135 reads out the earliest pending operation information among the pending operating information held in the main information storage means 160 when the symbol of the common symbol is not changing. , Using the read random number, execute a judgment of the validity of the general pattern to determine the validity of the general pattern, and as a result of the judgment of the normal pattern, the normal electric accessory 61 is controlled to be in an open state. In this case, a regular pattern stopping pattern lottery is performed in which the stopping symbols of the regular pattern are determined by lottery, and a regular pattern fluctuation pattern lottery is performed in which the fluctuation pattern (fluctuation time) of the general pattern is determined by lottery.
More specifically, in the determination of whether or not the Fuzu drawing is correct, the Fuzu drawing state is a state with a high probability (sometimes abbreviated as "Fuzu high probability"), and the Fuzu drawing state is a state where the probability is low ("Fuzu drawing high certainty"). Although the drawing table is omitted, in this embodiment, the probability of winning a common symbol is 65,535/65,536 when the probability of winning a common symbol is 65,535/65,536, and the remaining 1/65,536 On the other hand, with a probability of 1/65,536 of a winning pattern, the probability of winning is 1/65,536, and a loss of 65,535/65,536. It should be noted that if the normal pattern is low and accurate, it may be arranged so that the normal pattern does not hit (65536/65536 results in a loss).

In the regular pattern stop symbol lottery, similar to the special pattern stop symbol lottery, a lottery table (not shown) for the common pattern stop symbol lottery is created from multiple types of stop symbols with different patterns in which the normal electric accessory 61 is opened. One stop symbol is determined by the lottery used. In addition, in the case of a loss in the normal pattern validity determination, the stopping pattern is uniformly determined as in the special pattern 1 and the special pattern 2.

In addition, in the general pattern fluctuation pattern lottery, similar to the special pattern fluctuation pattern lottery, one general pattern fluctuation pattern is selected from multiple types of general pattern fluctuation patterns by lottery using a lottery table for general pattern fluctuation pattern lottery (not shown). A pattern is determined.

In this way, it can be said that a high probability of a common pattern has a higher probability of deriving a winning result compared to a low probability of a common pattern, and is more advantageous than a low probability of a common pattern.

A jackpot game control means 140 determines a demonstration time related to a jackpot start demonstration and a demonstration time related to a jackpot end demonstration according to the determined jackpot symbol when the result of the special drawing lottery is a jackpot.
In addition, at the time of starting a jackpot, the jackpot game control means 140 generates a performance control command (jackpot start command) including a demonstration time related to the jackpot start demonstration, stores it in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160, and ends the jackpot. Sometimes, a performance control command (jackpot end command) including the demonstration time related to the jackpot end demonstration is generated and stored in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.

The symbol display control means 145 causes the first special symbol display device 91 to display the special symbol 1 in a variable manner according to the variation time based on the special symbol variation pattern of the special symbol 1, and after the variation time has elapsed, the symbol is determined by the special symbol stop symbol lottery. The special figure 1 is stopped and displayed with the stop symbol shown. Similarly, according to the variation time based on the special symbol variation pattern of the second special symbol, the special symbol 2 is displayed in a variable manner on the second special symbol display device 92, and after the variation time has elapsed, the special symbol is stopped as determined by the special symbol lottery. Special drawing 2 is stopped and displayed with the pattern.
In addition, the symbol display control means 145 has a special symbol game timer for managing the display time (fluctuating time, stop display time) of the special symbol 1 and the special symbol 2, and when the special symbol is stopped and displayed. (at the timing when the value of the special figure game timer becomes "0"), generates a production control command (variation stop command) to request fixed stop (fixed display) of the decorative pattern, and stores the command in the main information storage means. 160 in the transmission command storage area.

Further, the symbol display control means 145 causes the ordinary symbol to be displayed in a variable manner on the ordinary symbol display device 93 according to the ordinary symbol variation pattern (variation time) of the ordinary symbol, and after the fluctuation time has elapsed, the ordinary symbol is displayed by a regular symbol stop symbol lottery. The determined stop symbol is stopped and displayed.
In addition, the symbol display control means 145 has a common symbol game timer for managing the time (fluctuating time, stop display time) related to the display of common symbols.

When the result of the special drawing lottery is a jackpot, the electric accessory control means 150 outputs a control signal to the special electric accessory solenoid 66 after the special symbol is stopped and displayed, and the special electric accessory 65 is activated as a special symbol. It is released according to the release pattern corresponding to the stopped symbol. The jackpot game is a game state in which one opening/closing operation of the special electric accessory 65 is treated as one round game, and the round game is continuously executed for a specified number of rounds (in this example, 4R, 10R).

In addition, when the electric accessory control means 150 wins the ordinary drawing lottery, it outputs a control signal to the ordinary electric accessory solenoid 62 to move the ordinary electric accessory 61 according to the opening pattern corresponding to the stop symbol of the ordinary drawing. Let it open.

The game state control means 155 controls the special drawing lottery state. Specifically, as described above, the game state control means 155 sets the special pattern low probability at the start of the jackpot game regardless of the symbol related to the jackpot, and sets the special pattern low probability at the end of the jackpot game related to the normal jackpot. is maintained, and at the end of the jackpot game related to the probability-variable jackpot, the special drawing is made high-probability.

Moreover, the game state control means 155 controls the common lottery state. Specifically, at the start of a jackpot, the game state control means 155 sets the normal pattern to be low regardless of the symbol related to the jackpot, and at the end of the jackpot game related to the normal jackpot, the gaming state control means 155 maintains the normal pattern until the pattern changes 100 times. The figure is high and certain (after 100 symbol changes, the figure is fixed and low), and at the end of the jackpot related to the probability variable jackpot, until the start of the next jackpot game (for example, a finite number of times sufficient for the jackpot to be derived) (For example, including the case where it is set to 5,000 times)

Moreover, the game state control means 155 controls the above-mentioned special figure fluctuation pattern derivation state. The transition of this special figure variation pattern derivation state will be explained with reference to FIGS. 12(a) and 12(b). In addition, FIG. 12(a) is a state transition diagram showing the transition of the special pattern variation pattern derivation state, and FIG. 12(b) is a diagram showing the relationship between the average variation time for each special pattern variation pattern derivation state. .
As shown in FIG. 12(a), the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PA corresponds to special pattern low accuracy and general pattern low accuracy, and the special pattern fluctuation pattern derivation state PA corresponds to special pattern high accuracy and general pattern high accuracy. Consists of a figure fluctuation pattern derivation state PB, and a special figure fluctuation pattern derivation state PC corresponding to special figure low accuracy and regular figure high accuracy, and a special figure fluctuation pattern derivation state PC corresponding to the special figure lottery condition and the regular figure lottery condition except during jackpot games. The figure variation pattern derivation state is set. The transition conditions between the special figure variation pattern derivation state PA and the special figure variation pattern derivation state PC include transition conditions (i) to transition conditions (iii). Transition condition (i) is the end of the jackpot game related to the probability variable jackpot, transition condition (ii) is the end of the jackpot game related to the normal jackpot, and transition condition (iii) is the end of the 100th symbol change. In addition, when a jackpot game related to a normal jackpot is started in the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PC, the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PC is set again after the end of the jackpot game (the symbols in transition condition (iii) (The counting of fluctuations starts from 0).

In addition, as shown in FIG. 12(b), the average fluctuation time of each of the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PA, the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PB, and the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PC (in the special pattern variation pattern derivation state) Appearance rate (an arbitrary value derived by multiplying the winning probability of the special pattern fluctuation pattern by the probability that the result of the special pattern validity judgment is derived) against the fluctuation time of the special pattern fluctuation pattern that can be selected The total variation time derived by multiplying the probability of occurrence in symbol variation) becomes shorter in the order of special symbol variation pattern derivation state PA, special symbol variation pattern derivation state PC, and special symbol variation pattern derivation state PB. . This is mainly due to the difference in the length of the variation time of the above-mentioned basic special pattern variation patterns that are selected most often in each special pattern variation pattern derivation state.
Furthermore, in this embodiment, the difference between the average variation time of the special figure variation pattern derivation state PA and the average time of the special figure variation pattern derivation state PC is the difference between the average variation time of the special figure variation pattern derivation state PC and the special figure variation pattern derivation state. It is larger than the difference in state PB.

In addition, the game state control means 155 generates a performance control command (game state designation command) including each updated state when the special drawing lottery state, regular drawing lottery state, and special symbol fluctuation pattern deriving state are updated. is generated and the command is stored in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.

As described above, the main information storage means 160 is a means for temporarily storing data read out by each means, data derived by calculations, etc. by each means, in storage areas corresponding to the respective means.

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 there is an error state, a production control command (error command) including information that can identify the error state is stored in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.

The main command management means 170 transmits the effect control command toward the first sub-control board 200 when the effect control command is stored in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.
In addition, each production control command is, in principle, transmitted according to the order stored in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.

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

The recovery state setting means 176 determines whether or not there is an abnormality in the RAM 103 at the time of power restoration, the state at the time of power interruption immediately before the power restoration, the state of the RAM clear switch 43 at the time of power restoration, and the opening of the inner frame at the time of power restoration. A return state setting process for setting a return state is executed based on the state of the door sensor 76. The return state set by this process includes a game stop state and a game enabled state (sometimes accompanied by execution of RAM clearing process, and sometimes not accompanied by execution of RAM clearing process).
Specifically, if there is an abnormality in the RAM 103 at the time of power restoration, the game stop state is set regardless of the state of the RAM clear switch 43 and the state of the middle frame door opening sensor 76 at the time of power restoration. In addition, if there is no abnormality in the RAM 103 at the time of power restoration and the RAM clear switch 43 is ON (pressed state) at the time of power restoration, the RAM The clear process is executed and the game ready state is set (if the middle frame door opening sensor 76 is OFF when the power is restored, the RAM clear process is not executed and the game ready state is set) and the power is restored. If there is no abnormality in the RAM 103 and the RAM clear switch 43 is OFF (not pressed) at the time of power restoration, a gaming enabled state is set without executing the RAM clearing process.
Here, the game stop state means that the process according to the detection result of the sensor installed in each winning opening is not executed (there is no need to see the detection result of the sensor itself), and the game cannot proceed. This is the return state.
On the other hand, the game-enabled state is a return state in which it is possible to proceed with the game by executing processing according to the detection results of the sensors provided in each winning opening. In particular, if the RAM clearing process is not executed when the power is restored, the game returns to the state in which the game is possible at the time of the previous power outage. For example, if a jackpot game was in progress at the time of the previous power outage, the game will return to the jackpot game that was in progress, and if a symbol variation was in progress at the time of the previous power outage, the symbol variation that was in progress would be returned. to return to.

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

The gameable state transition means 179 executes a gameable state transition process to transition to the gameable state when the gameable state is set.
To be more specific, in the game-enabled state transition process, if the output of the security signal is ON, the output of the security signal is turned OFF, and the base value is displayed on the main control board monitor 97 ( The display mode of the base value will be described later) and the initial settings of the device are executed.
In addition, in the initial settings of the device, a launch permission command is sent to the payout control board 400 to permit the launch of game balls, settings are made to enable balls entering each winning slot, and the random number circuit 105 is activated. Processing such as setting data for this purpose is executed.

The power cutoff process execution means 180 executes the power cutoff process based on receiving the power cutoff signal from the power supply control board 500.
Specifically, for a gaming-related area of the RAM 103 (an area different from the base value-related area), a checksum of the area is derived, and the complement of the checksum is used as a gaming-related backup of the RAM 103. A process of storing the information in the information area and a process of turning on a backup flag indicating that a power cut process for the area has been executed (store the backup flag in the game-related backup information area of the RAM 103) are executed. Also, for the area related to the base value of RAM 103, similarly to the area related to games in RAM 103, the checksum of the area related to the base value of RAM 103 is derived, and the complement of the checksum is calculated as the base value of RAM 103. Turn on the backup flag indicating that the processing to store the data in the backup information area related to the base value and the power-off process for the area related to the base value of the RAM 103 have been executed (store the backup flag in the backup information area related to the base value of the RAM 103). process).

As shown in FIG. 10, 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 accessory control means 250, a sub-information storage means 260, and sub-command management means 270, and these means are functional representations of what is realized by each control configuration on the first sub-control board 200 described using FIG.
The sub-information storage means 260 is a means for temporarily storing data read out by the means included in the first sub-control board 200, data derived by calculations in the means, etc., in respective storage areas. . Further, the production control command transmitted from the main command management means 170 is stored in the received command storage area of the sub information storage means 260 by the subcommand management means 270. In the following explanation, it will be simply stated that the production control command transmitted from the main command management means 170 is stored in the received command storage area of the sub information storage means 260 by the subcommand management means 270. Sometimes expressed as receiving.

The sub-random number generation means 210 can generate random numbers (software random numbers) that are updated by the CPU 201 through program processing, and acquires the random numbers at the timing when each lottery (details will be 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-holding control means 223, a pre-read performance control means 224, a performance content determination means 225, a decorative symbol control means 226, and a jackpot performance control means 227. Be prepared.

The performance mode control means 221 controls the transition of the performance mode in a manner consistent with the special symbol fluctuation pattern derivation state managed on the main control board 100 side when a game state designation command is transmitted.
The production mode in this embodiment is roughly divided into a normal mode, a low-accuracy time-saving mode, and a variable probability mode, and the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PA is the normal mode, and the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PB is the probability variation mode and the special pattern variation. The pattern derivation state PC corresponds to the low accuracy time saving mode.

When the advance determination command is transmitted, the production route determining means 222 responds to the currently suspended symbol variation based on the preliminary determination result (in this embodiment, the special pattern variation pattern) included in the command. Decide (set) the production route. In addition, if the special symbol variation pattern corresponding to the symbol variation is the above-mentioned special symbol variation pattern HNP, the production route determining means 222 does not determine the production route when the advance determination command is transmitted. At the start of symbol variation, a production route is determined based on the special symbol variation patterns (special symbol variation patterns HNP-A to special symbol variation patterns HNP-E) included in the variation start command.
Here, the production route is the production from the start to the end of the symbol variation, which defines the process of production that notifies the result of the special symbol validity judgment in the symbol variation, and is executed in the symbol variation. The content of the performance will be determined by a performance content determining means 225, which will be described later, according to a performance route corresponding to the symbol variation.
In this embodiment, one different production route corresponds to each of the special symbol fluctuation patterns shown in FIGS. 12(a) and 12(b). These production routes include a loss production route that informs you that the result of the special pattern validity judgment in this symbol change is a loss (not a jackpot), and a loss production route that informs you that the result of the special pattern validity judgment in this symbol variation is a loss (not a jackpot). It can be broadly divided into jackpot performance routes that notify you of a jackpot. Furthermore, the loss performance route includes a non-development loss performance route in which no development performance is performed, and a development loss performance route in which a development performance is performed. Here, the development effect means that the decorative symbols are displayed in a variable manner after they reach the reach state (a state in which the decorative symbols are stopped and displayed except for one symbol row, and the remaining symbol rows are displayed in a fluctuating manner). It refers to a production that suggests whether or not the decorative symbols constituting the relevant reach state will stop in the remaining symbol rows, and in this embodiment, there are three types of development production A to development production C, which have different contents. . These advanced presentations are also executed in the jackpot presentation route. Below, the contents of the production route corresponding to each special figure variation pattern will be explained.
In addition, in this embodiment, one production route corresponds to one special symbol fluctuation pattern. Therefore, in the following explanation, the production route for the special figure variation pattern may be simply expressed by the special figure variation pattern. In addition, if the same production route does not correspond between multiple special figure variation patterns, multiple production routes may be made to correspond to one special figure variation pattern. In this case, from multiple production routes What is necessary is to decide on the first production route.

The above-mentioned non-development losing performance route corresponds to the production route corresponding to the special figure variation pattern HNP-A to special figure variation pattern HNP-E and special figure variation pattern HRP.
Specifically, in the special pattern fluctuation patterns HNP-A to HNP-D, the decorative pattern is not in the reach state and the decorative pattern is stopped and displayed in a random position. This corresponds to a production route that notifies you that the result of the special drawing validity determination is a loss.
In the special pattern fluctuation pattern HNP-E and the special pattern fluctuation pattern HRP, the decorative pattern becomes a reach state without going through multiple pseudo fluctuations, and then the decorative pattern stops at the end without executing the development effect described later. The display corresponds to a production route that notifies that the result of the special symbol validity determination in the current symbol variation is a loss.
In particular, the special figure variation pattern HNP-E is a special figure variation pattern in which the probability determined by the value of the special figure 1 reservation counter changes when the special figure variation pattern HNP is determined, as described above. Therefore, the probability (occurrence rate) of the reach state related to the special figure fluctuation pattern HNP-E changes depending on the value of the special figure 1 pending counter. On the other hand, the probability determined by the value of the special figure 1 reservation counter does not change for other special figure variation patterns in which a reach state occurs including the special figure variation pattern HRP.
Here, pseudo-variation refers to the stoppage of decorative symbols based on certain rules (for example, "5 symbols - 7 symbols - 6 symbols") during the period before the development performance starts. It refers to the period separated by the stoppage of the decorative pattern, in which the seven patterns stop. However, the decorative symbols used to separate such pseudo fluctuations may be stopped after the reach state occurs, and in this case, the reach state may occur multiple times in one symbol change. becomes. Note that although the maximum number of pseudo fluctuations in this embodiment is three times, the number is not limited to this, and any number of times greater than or equal to two may be adopted.

The above-mentioned development loss production route corresponds to the special figure variation pattern HSP1-A to special figure variation pattern HSP3-C.
Specifically, in the special pattern fluctuation patterns HSP1-A to HSP1-C, the decorative pattern becomes a reach state without going through multiple pseudo fluctuations (with one pseudo fluctuation), and then this time. This corresponds to a performance route in which a development performance is executed to notify that the result of the special pattern validity judgment in the symbol variation is a loss, and after the development performance is finished, the decorative symbols are stopped and displayed in random order. However, the types of development effects that correspond to each special figure variation pattern are different from each other, the above-mentioned development effect A corresponds to the special figure variation pattern HSP1-A, and the above-mentioned development effect corresponds to the special figure variation pattern HSP1-B. The effect B corresponds to the special figure variation pattern HSP1-C, and the developed effect C corresponds to the special figure variation pattern HSP1-C.
In the special pattern fluctuation pattern HSP2-A to special pattern fluctuation pattern HSP2-C, the decorative pattern becomes a reach state through two pseudo fluctuations, and then the result of the special pattern validity judgment in this pattern fluctuation is a loss. This corresponds to a performance route in which a development performance that notifies the user of this situation is executed, and after the development performance ends, the decorative patterns are stopped and displayed in random order. However, similar to special pattern variation patterns HSP1-A to special pattern variation HSP1-C, the types of development effects corresponding to each special pattern variation pattern are different from each other, and special pattern variation pattern HSP2-A has development effect A. Correspondingly, the special figure variation pattern HSP2-B corresponds to the developed effect B, and the special figure variable pattern HSP2-C corresponds to the developed effect C.
In the special pattern fluctuation pattern HSP3-A to special pattern fluctuation pattern HSP3-C, the decorative pattern becomes a reach state through three pseudo fluctuations, and after that, the result of the special pattern validity judgment in this pattern fluctuation is a loss. This corresponds to a performance route in which a development performance is executed to inform the user of the situation, and after the development performance is finished, the decorative patterns are stopped and displayed in random order. However, similar to the special pattern variation patterns HSP1-A to HSP1-C, the types of development effects corresponding to each special pattern variation pattern are different from each other, and the special pattern variation pattern HSP3-A has development effects A. Correspondingly, the special figure variation pattern HSP3-B corresponds to the developed effect B, and the special figure variable pattern HSP3-C corresponds to the developed effect C.

The above-mentioned jackpot effect route corresponds to the special figure variation pattern ASP1-A to special figure variation pattern ASP3-C.
Specifically, in the special pattern variation patterns ASP1-A to ASP1-C, the decorative symbols enter the reach state without going through multiple pseudo variations (with one pseudo variation), and then this time. A development effect is executed to notify that the result of the special symbol validity judgment in the symbol variation is a jackpot, and after the development effect ends, the decorative symbols are aligned (all symbol rows are stopped, and each symbol row has the same pattern). This corresponds to the production route that is stopped and displayed when the decorative pattern is stopped. However, the types of development effects that correspond to each special figure variation pattern are different from each other, the above-mentioned development effect A corresponds to the special figure variation pattern ASP1-A, and the above-mentioned development effect corresponds to the special figure variation pattern ASP1-B. Performance B corresponds to the special figure fluctuation pattern ASP1-C, and developed performance C corresponds to the special figure variation pattern ASP1-C.
In the special pattern variation pattern ASP2-A to special pattern variation pattern ASP2-C, the decorative pattern becomes a reach state through two pseudo variations, and then the result of the special pattern validity judgment in this pattern variation is a jackpot. This corresponds to a performance route in which a development performance that notifies the user of this situation is executed, and after the development performance ends, the decorative symbols are stopped and displayed in alignment. However, similar to special pattern variation patterns ASP1-A to special pattern variation patterns ASP1-C, the types of development effects corresponding to each special pattern variation pattern are different from each other, and special pattern variation pattern ASP2-A has development effect A. Correspondingly, the special figure variation pattern ASP2-B corresponds to the developed effect B, and the special figure variable pattern ASP2-C corresponds to the developed effect C.
In the special pattern fluctuation pattern ASP3-A to special pattern fluctuation pattern ASP3-C, the decorative pattern becomes a reach state through three pseudo fluctuations, and after that, the result of the special pattern validity judgment in this pattern fluctuation is a jackpot. This corresponds to a performance route in which a development performance that notifies the user of this situation is executed, and after the development performance ends, the decorative symbols are stopped and displayed in alignment. However, similar to special figure variation patterns ASP1-A to special figure variation patterns ASP1-C, the types of development effects corresponding to each special figure variation pattern are different from each other, and special figure variation pattern ASP3-A has development effect A. Correspondingly, the developed effect B corresponds to the special figure variation pattern ASP3-B, and the developed effect C corresponds to the special figure variation pattern ASP3-C.

In this way, in this embodiment, the production route corresponding to the special figure variation pattern HSP1-A is changed to the production route corresponding to the special figure variation pattern HSP1-A, and the production route corresponding to the special figure variation pattern HSP1-B is For the production route corresponding to the special figure variation pattern ASP1-B, for the production route corresponding to the special figure variation pattern HSP1-C, for the production route corresponding to the special figure variation pattern ASP1-C, for the production route corresponding to the special figure variation pattern ASP1-C, for the special figure variation pattern The production route corresponding to the special figure variation pattern ASP2-A corresponds to the production route corresponding to HSP2-A, and the production route corresponding to the special figure variation pattern ASP2-B corresponds to the special figure variation pattern ASP2-B. The production route corresponds to the special figure variation pattern ASP2-C for the production route corresponding to the special figure variation pattern HSP2-C, and the production route corresponds to the special figure variation pattern HSP3-A for the production route corresponding to the special figure variation pattern HSP3-A. The production route corresponding to the variation pattern ASP3-A, the production route corresponding to the special figure variation pattern HSP3-B, the production route corresponding to the special figure variation pattern ASP3-B, and the production route corresponding to the special figure variation pattern HSP3-C. The presentation route corresponding to the special figure variation pattern ASP3-C is associated with the presentation route (the contents of the presentations of the matched presentation routes match from the start to the very end). Therefore, it is possible to make the player feel the expectation of winning the jackpot in the symbol variations in which the advanced effects A to C are executed. Then, the above-mentioned special pattern variation pattern in which the performance route in which the development effects A to C are executed is determined, becomes a special pattern variation pattern that makes you expect a jackpot.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 12(a), if the result of the special figure propriety judgment is a loss, the special symbol corresponding to the production route in which the advanced production A is executed within the range where the number of pseudo fluctuations is the same. A figure variation pattern (for example, special figure variation pattern HSP1-A), a special figure variation pattern (for example, special figure variation pattern HSP1-B) corresponding to the production route in which developed production B is executed, and developed production C are executed. It becomes difficult to determine in the order of special figure variation patterns (for example, special figure variation patterns HSP1-C) corresponding to the production route. If the result of the special figure correctness judgment is a jackpot, the special figure fluctuation pattern (for example, the special figure fluctuation pattern ASP1-A), a special figure variation pattern corresponding to the production route in which developed production B is executed (for example, special figure variation pattern ASP1-B), a special figure variation pattern corresponding to the production route in which developed production C is executed ( For example, the special figure fluctuation patterns ASP1-C) are more likely to be determined in this order. Therefore, the expectation of winning the jackpot can be increased in the order of development performance A, development performance B, and development performance C.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 12(a), if the result of the special figure validity judgment is a loss, the special figure corresponding to the production route in which the number of pseudo fluctuations is 1 within the range of the same type of development production. A variation pattern (for example, special figure variation pattern HSP1-A), a special figure variation pattern corresponding to a production route where the number of pseudo variations is 2 (for example, special figure variation pattern HSP2-A), a number of pseudo variations is 3 It becomes difficult to determine the special figure variation patterns (for example, special figure variation pattern HSP3-A) corresponding to the production route that becomes the first time. If the result of the special figure correctness judgment is a jackpot, the special figure variation pattern (for example, special figure variation pattern ASP1 -A), a special figure variation pattern corresponding to a production route in which the number of pseudo variations is 2 (for example, special figure variation pattern ASP2-A), a special figure corresponding to a production route in which the number of pseudo variations is 3 times It becomes easier to determine the order of variation patterns (for example, special figure variation pattern ASP3-A). Therefore, as the number of pseudo fluctuations increases, the expectation of winning a jackpot can be increased.

When the sub-holding control means 223 receives a holding command, the sub-holding control means 223 displays the holding display area (not shown) of the main display section 81 based on the information of the special figure 1 holding counter and the special drawing 2 holding counter included in the command. ) is set with production data for displaying a number of pending images corresponding to the special figure 1 pending counter and a number of pending images corresponding to the special figure 2 pending counter. It should be noted that the pending image is an image that is the target of a pending look-ahead effect that changes in various ways to suggest the degree of advantage such as the expectation level of a jackpot game.

When a pre-determination command is transmitted, the pre-read effect control means 224 determines the content of the pre-read effect based on the result of the pre-determination included in the command.
Pre-reading performance refers to one or more symbol changes before the start of the pre-reading target symbol change, and the expectation level for the result of the special pattern validity judgment in the pre-reading target symbol change, and the pre-reading target symbol change. This is a performance that suggests the content of the performance to be performed.

When the variation start command is transmitted, the production content determining means 225 determines the content of the production to be executed in the current symbol variation according to the production route already determined by the production route determining means 222.
More specifically, the performance content determining means 225 determines the content of the performance (performance pattern) for each performance execution timing in symbol variation using a performance pattern lottery table corresponding to the performance route determined by the performance route determining means 222. The decision will be made by lottery, etc. By doing this, it is possible to change the content of the performance related to (performed according to) the determined performance route, and it is also possible to connect the performances in one symbol variation. Moreover, even if the same performance route is determined, the performance to be performed can be varied.
In addition, the timing for determining the content of the production is, for example, the start of a pseudo fluctuation (including the start of a symbol fluctuation), and if the pseudo fluctuation starts multiple times in one symbol fluctuation, each pseudo fluctuation The lottery is executed at the start of the fluctuation.

When the variation start command is transmitted, the decorative pattern control means 226 determines the final stop pattern combination (left pattern, middle pattern, right pattern) of the decorative pattern based on the determined special pattern stop pattern. decide.
Specifically, the symbols A and A are associated with odd numbers, the symbols B and B are associated with even symbols, and the symbols C and c are associated with random numbers.
In addition, when making the combination of decorative symbols to be stopped correspond to the stopping symbols of the special figure, it is not necessarily necessary to have the above-mentioned correspondence relationship. If the expectation of the combination of decorative symbols to be stopped is not high, in some cases (a lower proportion than the proportion of the above-mentioned correspondence), a combination of decorative figures different from the above-mentioned correspondence may be adopted. Even in such a case, it can be said that the combination of decorative symbols to be stopped corresponds to the stopping symbols of the special figure.

When the jackpot start command is transmitted, the jackpot performance control means 227 determines the content of the jackpot performance to notify that the jackpot game is in progress based on information included in the command. Incidentally, the jackpot performance includes a start demonstration performance to notify the start of the jackpot game, a round performance to notify that a round game is in progress, and an end demonstration performance to notify the end of the jackpot game.

The normal performance control means 220 reads the performance data of each device corresponding to the performance at the execution timing of each performance according to the content of the performance determined by the above-mentioned means included in the first sub-control board 200. Note that if the readout performance data includes performance data related to images and sounds, an image control command related to images and sounds is generated based on the performance data, and the commands are stored in the transmission command storage area of the sub information storage means 260. Store in.

In particular, the normal performance control means 220 controls whether the return state at the time of power restoration is a game-ready state and the RAM clear process is executed, and the game-ready state is returned with the RAM clear process. If the return state at the time of power restoration becomes a game-ready state, but does not involve execution of RAM clear processing, read out the performance data to notify the user. Read out performance data to notify you of what has happened.
Further, in this embodiment, these notifications are performed by the speaker 33 and the main display section 81. These notifications are continuously executed for a certain period of time (30 seconds in this embodiment) after they are started.

When receiving an error command, the sub-error control means 230 reads performance data for executing an error notification performance that notifies an error specified by the error command.

The lamp control means 240 holds lamp control data for controlling the lighting of the effect lamp 35, and normally when the effect data read by the effect control means 220 includes effect data corresponding to the effect lamp 35, reads lamp control data based on the effect data, and transmits the read lamp control data to the effect lamp 35.

The movable accessory control means 250 holds movable control data for controlling the movement of movable accessories such as the movable decoration 22, the sub-display section 82, and the production shield 83, and is normally controlled by the production control means 220. If the read performance data includes performance data corresponding to the movable accessory, read the movable control data based on the performance data, and send the read movable control data to the drive unit related to the target movable accessory. Send.

In addition, in this embodiment, the movable accessory control means 250 checks the operation of the movable accessory included in the gaming machine 10 in parallel with the above-mentioned RAM clear notification when the power is turned on accompanied by execution of RAM clear processing to be described later. Execute initial processing to do so. In addition, in the initial processing, the effect shielding body 83 changes from the state shown in FIG. 6(a) to the state shown in FIG. 6(c), and then returns to the state shown in FIG. 6(a). Move to.
In addition, in this embodiment, when the effect shielding body 83 moves by the initial process, the transparent image tg described later is not displayed.
Further, the initial process may be executed when the power is turned on other than when the RAM clear process is executed.

As described above, the sub-information storage means 260 temporarily stores data read out by the means included in the first sub-control board 200, data derived by calculations in the means, etc. in respective storage areas. It is a means to do so.

The sub-command management means 270 receives the effect control command transmitted from the main control board 100, stores the received effect command in the received command storage area of the sub-information storage means 260, and stores the transmitted command in the sub-information storage means 260. If an image control command is stored in the area, the image control command is transmitted to the second sub-control board 300. Note that each image control command is, in principle, transmitted in the order in which it is stored in the transmission command storage area of the sub-information storage means 260.

As described above, the gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment includes the effect shielding body 83 that is movable in the direction of covering the display area related to the main display section 81. And, although it is configured to be able to execute a cover effect (details will be described later) using the movement of the effect shield 83, in order to execute the effect, the main display section 81 must be displayed before the effect shield 83 moves. Since the image is displayed in the display area, it is difficult to recognize the movement of the effect shielding body 83 related to the effect.
In contrast, in the present embodiment, when performing the cover effect, the image display on the main display section 81 is controlled to make the movement easily recognized. The details of this function will be explained below.

<About the cover performance>
First, the cover effects in this embodiment include a cover effect A that may be executed at the start of a variation, and a cover effect B that may be executed at the start of a development effect. Hereinafter, details of the cover effect in this embodiment will be explained using FIGS. 14 and 15. Note that FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a specific example of cover effect A, and FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a specific example of cover effect B.

As shown in FIG. 14, cover performance A is a performance in which the performance shield 83 moves from the initial position to the first protruding position.
Note that at the end of the cover performance A, the performance shield 83 returns from the first protruding position to the initial position. Therefore, it can be said that the cover performance A is a performance in which the performance shielding body 83 moves in the order of the initial position, the first protruding position, and the initial position.

As shown in FIG. 15, cover effect B is an effect in which the effect shielding body 83 moves from the initial position to the second protruding position.
In addition, at the end of the cover effect B, the effect shielding body 83 returns from the second protruding position to the initial position. Therefore, it can be said that cover performance B is a performance in which the performance shielding body 83 moves in the order of the initial position, the second protruding position, and the initial position.

In this way, the covering effect A and the covering effect B in this embodiment are effects that cover the display area related to the main display section 81 by moving the effect shielding body 83. In cover performance B, the range of the display area related to the main display section 81 covered by the execution of the cover performance is wider than in cover performance A.

<About the image control executed when performing the cover effect>
Next, details of control related to image display for making it easier to recognize the movement of the effect shielding body 83 related to the cover effect will be explained using FIGS. 16 and 17. Note that FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a specific example of image control executed when performing cover effect B, and FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a specific example of image control executed during cover effect A.

As shown in FIG. 16, when the cover effect B is executed, a transparent image having transparency is displayed in front of the image displayed before the execution of the effect.
Specifically, as shown in the upper part of FIG. 16, before the cover performance B is executed, the existing image kg shown by hatching is displayed in the display area related to the main display section 81. Note that the content of the existing image kg is not particularly limited as long as it is an image displayed in the display area of the main display section 81 before the cover performance B is performed.
Further, as shown in the middle part of FIG. 16, before the start of the cover effect B, a transparent image tg having transparency is displayed in front of the existing image kg in the display area of the main display section 81.
After that, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 16, cover effect B is executed.

In this manner, in this embodiment, when the covering effect B is executed, the transparent image tg having transparency is displayed in front of the existing image kg that has been displayed up to that point.
According to this, while the existing image kg can be recognized, the movement of the effect shielding body 83 related to the cover effect B can be easily recognized by displaying the transparent image tg.
In this embodiment, the position of the performance shielding body 83 at the start of the covering performance B is not limited to the initial position where the display area related to the main display section 81 is not substantially covered, but a part of the display area is covered. It may also be a position. In addition, the position where the effect shielding body 83 protrudes most in cover effect B is not limited to the second protruding position where the entire display area of the main display section 81 is covered, but the position where a part of the display area is covered. It may be. That is, regarding the position of the effect shielding body 83 at the start of the covered effect B and the position where the effect shielding body 83 protrudes most in the covered effect B, the display area covered at the latter position is the display area covered at the former position. As long as it is wider than the area, its location does not matter.

Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, the movable body (performance shielding body 83) is configured to be movable from the first position (initial position) to the second position (first protruding position or second protruding position). Regarding the second position, the area covered by the movable body in the image display area (display area related to the main display section 81) is wider than the first position, or the second position is movable. The first position is a position where part or all of the image display area is covered by the body, while the first position is a position where the image display area is not covered by the movable body. The sub-control board 300) displays information in the image display area at least partially when moving the movable body from the first position to the second position (when moving the effect shielding body 83 from the initial position to the second protruding position). In other words, the second image (transparent image tg) having transparency is displayed in front of the first image (existing image kg) that has been displayed.

The transparent image tg in this embodiment is an image composed of a single color (preferably black, although not particularly limited), and by configuring it in this way, the effect shield 83 related to the cover effect B The effect of making it easier to recognize the movement of the object can be enhanced.

Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, the second image (transparent image tg) can be said to be a monochrome image.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 17, when the cover effect A is executed, the transparent image tg having transparency is not displayed in front of the image displayed before the execution of the effect.
Specifically, as shown in the upper and middle rows of FIG. 17, before the cover effect A is executed, the existing image kg is displayed in the display area related to the main display section 81, as before the cover effect B is executed. , After that, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 16, cover effect A is executed.

As described above, the covering effect A and the covering effect B in this embodiment are effects that cover the display area related to the main display section 81 by moving the effect shielding body 83. In the covering effect B, the range of the display area related to the main display section 81 covered by the execution of the covering effect is wider than in the covering effect A.
According to this, by making it easier to recognize the movement of the performance shield 83 to the second protruding position where the display area covered by the performance shield 83 is wider than the first protrusion position, the movement of the performance shield 83 itself can be made easier to recognize.

Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, the second position is covered by the third position (first protruding position) and the movable body (performance shielding body 83) in the image display area (display area related to the main display section 81). There is a fourth position (second protruding position) in which the area is wider than the third position, and when the movable body is moved from the first position to the third position, the second image (transparent image tg) is not displayed. In other words, when the movable body is moved from the first position to the fourth position, the second image is displayed.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the movement distance of the performance shielding body 83 in the cover performance B is longer than the movement distance of the performance shielding body 83 in the cover performance A. Therefore, the time required to perform cover effect B is longer than the time required to perform cover effect A.

<About the execution conditions of the cover performance>
Next, the execution conditions of cover effect A and cover effect B will be explained using FIG. 18. Incidentally, FIG. 18(a) is a diagram schematically showing a lottery table used in the lottery for performing cover performance A, and the range of random numbers used in the lottery is 0 to 999. FIG. 18(b) is a table arranging whether or not cover effect B is executed for each type of development effect to be executed.

First, as described above, cover performance A is a performance that can be performed at the start of a symbol variation, and cover performance B is a performance that can be performed at the start of a development performance.
As shown in FIG. 18(a), in the execution lottery of cover effect A, if the result of the special symbol validity judgment related to the current symbol change is a loss, there is a probability of 100/1000 (1/10) in the lottery. There is a probability of 900/1000 (approximately 1/1.11) that you will not win the lottery.
On the other hand, if the result of the special symbol validity judgment related to this symbol change is a jackpot, you will win the execution lottery for cover effect A with a probability of 200/1000 (1/5) and 800/1000 (1/1). There is a probability of .25) that you will not win the lottery.

As shown in FIG. 18(b), cover performance B is not performed when development performance A or development performance B is performed.
On the other hand, when the development effect C is executed, the cover effect B is executed.

In this way, in this embodiment, in both the covered effect A and the covered effect B, when the result of the special pattern correctness judgment in the current symbol change is a jackpot, and the case where the result of the special pattern correctness judgment is a loss, This is a performance that is easier to execute than
Comparing the proportion of jackpot winners when the execution is decided, that is, the expectation level of winning the jackpot, it is found that when the execution of the advanced effect C is decided (when the execution of the cover effect B is decided) is higher than the case of winning the cover performance A lottery.
Furthermore, as described above, when the cover effect A is executed, the transparent image tg is not displayed in front of the existing image kg, while when the cover effect B is executed, the transparent image tg is displayed in front of the existing image kg. Is displayed.
According to this, by making it easier to recognize the movement of the performance shielding body 83 when the expectation level of winning the jackpot is high, it is possible to make the user aware of the relationship between the movement of the performance shielding body 83 and winning the jackpot.
In order to achieve this effect, when it is decided to perform cover effect A, the jackpot may not be won, that is, the jackpot game may not be executed (awarded).

Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, when moving the movable body (performance shielding body 83) from the first position (initial position) to the second position (first protruding position or second protruding position), When the movable object is moved from the initial position to the first protruding position), the second image (transparent image tg) is not displayed, and when the movable object is moved from the first position to the second position regarding the granting of the benefit (jackpot). When the second image is displayed in front of the first image (existing image kg), more benefits are given than when the second image is not displayed when the movable body moves from the first position to the second position. When expectations are high, or when the second image is displayed in front of the first image when the movable body moves from the first position to the second position, a privilege may be given. When the second image is not displayed when the movable body moves to the position, it can be said that the privilege is not provided.

Furthermore, as described above, in the present embodiment, the condition for determining whether to perform cover effect A and the condition for determining whether to perform cover effect B are independent conditions.
Therefore, cover effect A and cover effect B can be executed with the same symbol variation. Then, in the same symbol variation, cover effects are executed in the order of cover effect A and cover effect B.
According to this, it is possible to make it easier to recognize the movement of the effect shielding body 83 related to the covering effect B, which covers a wide range of the display area related to the main display section 81.

Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, the movable body moves from the first position (initial position) to the third position (first protruding position), and from the first position to the fourth position (second protruding position). There is a first symbol variation in which both movements are performed, and in the first symbol variation, the movable body moves from the first position to the third position, and the movable body moves from the first position to the fourth position. In other words, the movable body is moved.

Furthermore, there is also a symbol variation in which cover effect B is executed without cover effect A, and this symbol variation occurs more frequently than the same symbol variation described above.
According to this, the movement of the effect shielding body 83 related to the cover effect B is performed in a state where the movement of the effect cover element 83 is made easy to recognize, and the case where the effect cover body 83 related to the cover effect B is moved in a state where the movement of the effect cover body 83 is not made easy to recognize. When moving the performance shield 83 related to performance B, both movements are generated in a well-balanced manner, and the movement variations of the performance shield 83 for the sensation can be increased without increasing the movement variations of the performance shield 83.

Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, the movable body (production shielding body 83) is not moved from the first position (initial position) to the third position (first protruding position), and the movable body (production shielding body 83) is not moved from the first position (initial position) to the fourth position. In other words, there is a second symbol variation in which the movable body is moved to the position (second protruding position), and the second symbol variation is a symbol variation that occurs more frequently than the first symbol variation.

<About the display start timing of transparent images>
Next, a modified example of the display start timing of the transparent image tg when the cover effect B is executed will be described using FIG. 19.
FIG. 19(a) is a diagram showing the display start timing of the transparent image tg in this embodiment, and FIGS. 19(b) and 19(c) are diagrams showing modified examples of the display start timing of the transparent image tg.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 19(a), the transparent image tg is started to be displayed at a timing before the timing when the cover effect B starts, and the transparent image tg is displayed at the same time as the timing when the cover effect B ends. The display ends, but is not limited to this.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 19(b), the display start timing of the transparent image tg may be set later than the timing when cover effect B is started, or as shown in FIG. 19(c). , the display start timing of the transparent image tg and the start timing of the covering effect B may be set to be the same timing.
Regardless of the pattern, it is possible to make the movement of the effect shielding body 83 related to the cover effect B easily recognizable by displaying the transparent image tg while making the existing image kg recognizable.

Note that the timing at which the display of the transparent image tg ends is not limited to the same timing as the end timing of the cover effect B, but if there is a period in which the display period of the transparent image tg and the execution period of the cover effect overlap, The timing may be before the end timing of cover performance B, or the timing may be after the end timing of cover performance B.

<About other modifications>
Modifications not described in the above description are listed below.
First, in this embodiment, there is no image to be displayed in front of the transparent image tg, but when displaying the transparent image tg, another image may be displayed in front of the image. It is preferable that the other image is in a form that is independent of whether or not a jackpot has been won in the current symbol variation.
According to this, since there is another image displayed in front of the transparent image tg, it is possible to reduce the discomfort caused by displaying the transparent image tg.

Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, there is a predetermined image (another image) displayed in front of the second image (transparent image tg), and the predetermined image is independent of whether or not a prize (jackpot) has been won. It can be said in other words.

Furthermore, regarding the probabilities, proportions, and frequencies in this embodiment and its modified examples, as long as each relationship is guaranteed, the one with the lower probability may not win, or the one with the higher probability may always win. Good too. In either case, the lottery itself may not be held.
In particular, each lottery value in the lottery table illustrated in this embodiment is an example, and as long as the magnitude relationship between the lottery tables is maintained, each lottery value may adopt any value within the range.
Further, as long as the relationship between the ratio and the frequency according to the present invention is such a relationship in terms of phenomena, the method for realizing the relationship is not limited to the method described in this embodiment.

Regarding the length of time in this embodiment, any value longer than 0 may be adopted for each time as long as the length relationship related to each function is ensured.

In addition, in the above explanation, the recovery state at the time of power restoration is determined with reference to the mode of the RAM clear switch 43 at the time of power restoration, but the continuous operation time of the RAM clear switch 43 from the time of power restoration is the specified time. (for example, 3s) or not. In this way, the occurrence of erroneous RAM clear processing can be further suppressed.

In addition, in the above explanation, the state of the middle frame opening sensor 76 (the open/closed state of the middle frame 17) was referred to in determining the return state upon power restoration, but the return state was not referred to. may be set. In this case, the return state upon power restoration may be uniformly set according to the case where the middle frame opening sensor 76 is ON (the middle frame 17 is in an open state).

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

<Additional notes>
This embodiment includes the following technical ideas.
(1)
A gaming machine that determines whether or not to win a bonus with the start of symbol fluctuation,
an image display device capable of displaying an image;
a movable body configured to cover an image display area of the image display device;
Effect control means for controlling the image display device and the movable body;
Equipped with
The movable body is
configured to be movable from a first position to a second position,
Regarding the first position and the second position,
In the second position, an area of the image display area covered by the movable body is wider than in the first position.
Alternatively, the second position is a position where part or all of the image display area is covered by the movable body, while the first position is a position where the image display area is not covered by the movable body. ,
The effect control means may include a transparent first image in front of the first image displayed in the image display area at least in part when the movable body is moved from the first position to the second position. Display two images one on top of the other,
There is a predetermined image displayed in front of the second image,
The predetermined image is in a form regardless of whether or not the person has won the benefit;
A gaming machine characterized by:
(2)
The gaming machine described in (1) above,
The second image is not displayed during part of the time when the movable body is moved from the first position to the second position,
Regarding the granting of the above benefits,
When the second image is displayed in front of the first image when the movable body moves from the first position to the second position, the movable body moves from the first position to the second position. when the second image is not displayed, the expectation that the benefit will be granted is higher than when the second image is not displayed.
Alternatively, when the second image is displayed in front of the first image when the movable body moves from the first position to the second position, the privilege may be granted, while the movable body moves from the first position to the second position. When the second image is not displayed when the movable body moves to the second position, the benefit is not granted.
A gaming machine characterized by:
(3)
The gaming machine described in (1) or (2) above,
The second position includes a third position and a fourth position in which an area of the image display area covered by the movable body is wider than the third position,
When moving the movable body from the first position to the third position, the second image is not displayed, while when moving the movable body from the first position to the fourth position, the second image is not displayed. Is displayed,
A gaming machine characterized by:
(4)
The gaming machine described in (3) above,
There is a first symbol variation in which both the movement of the movable body from the first position to the third position and the movement of the movable body from the first position to the fourth position are performed,
In the first symbol variation, the movable body is moved in the order of movement of the movable body from the first position to the third position, and movement of the movable body from the first position to the fourth position. be exposed,
A gaming machine characterized by:
(5)
The gaming machine described in (4) above,
There is a second symbol variation in which the movable body is not moved from the first position to the third position and the movable body is moved from the first position to the fourth position,
The second symbol variation is a symbol variation that occurs more frequently than the first symbol variation,
A gaming machine characterized by:

10 Gaming machine 15 Outer frame 17 Middle frame 20 Front frame 21 Hinge mechanism 22 Movable decorative body 23 Cylinder lock 25 Transparent member 27 Upper ball tray 29 Lower ball tray 31 Operation handle 32 Upper frame portion 33 (33a, 33b) Speakers 34a, 34b Left and right side frames 35 (35a, 35b, 35c) Production lamp 36 Ball removal mechanism 37 Production button 38 Cursor button 38a Up cursor button 38b Down cursor button 38c Left cursor button 38d Right cursor button 39 Main operation section 39a Ball rental button 39b Return Button 40 Power switch 43 RAM clear switch 45 Opening/closing cover 46 Game ball tank 47 Tank rail 48 Payout unit 49 Payout passage 50 Game board 50a Play area 51 Outer rail 52 Windmill 53 Inner rail 55 Big prize opening 57 First starting opening 59 Second Starting port 61 Normal electric accessory 62 Normal electric accessory solenoid 63 Gate 65 Special electric accessory 66 Special electric accessory solenoid 67 General winning opening 69 Out opening 70 First starting opening sensor 71 Second starting opening sensor 72 Big winning opening sensor 73 General winning hole sensor 74 Gate sensor 75 Out ball sensor 76 Middle frame opening sensor 80 Production display device 81 Main display section 82 Sub display section 82a Upper sub display section 82b Left sub display section 82c Right sub display section 83 Production shielding body 83a Upper left production shield 83b Upper right production shield 83c Lower left production shield 83d Lower right production shield 90 Symbol display device 91 1st special symbol display device 92 2nd special symbol display device 93 Normal symbol display device 94 1st special symbol holding lamp 95 2nd special symbol holding lamp 96 Normal symbol holding 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 reservation control means 125 Preliminary determination means 130 Special symbol lottery means 131 Special symbol validity determination means 132 Special symbol stop symbol lottery means 133 Special figure fluctuation pattern derivation means 135 Regular figure lottery means 140 Jackpot game control means 145 Symbol display control means 150 Electric accessory control means 155 Game state control means 160 Main information storage means 165 Main error control means 170 Main command management means 175 Recovery Power processing execution means 176 Return state setting means 179 Game ready state transition means 180 Power cut processing execution means 200 First sub-control board 201 CPU
202 ROM
203 RAM
204 I/O port 209 First sub control board case 210 Sub random number generation means 220 Normal 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 Jackpot effect control means 230 Sub-error control means 240 Lamp control means 250 Movable accessory 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 2nd sub control board case 310 VDP
311 System register 312 Attribute register 313 Drawing control section 314 Data transfer control section 315 Display control section 316 DA converter 317 DA converter 318 CPU interface 319 CG bus interface 320 VRAM bus interface 330 CGROM
340 SDRAM
400 Payout control board 401 CPU
402 ROM
403 RAM
409 Payout control board case 500 Power supply control board 501 Normal power supply circuit 502 Backup power supply circuit 503 Power failure detection circuit 509 Power supply control board case X First flow path Y Second flow path

Claims (2)

A gaming machine that determines whether or not to win a bonus with the start of symbol fluctuation,
an image display device capable of displaying an image;
a movable body configured to cover an image display area of the image display device;
Effect control means for controlling the image display device and the movable body;
Equipped with
The movable body is
configured to be movable from a first position to a second position,
Regarding the first position and the second position,
In the second position, an area of the image display area covered by the movable body is wider than in the first position.
Alternatively, the second position is a position where part or all of the image display area is covered by the movable body, and the first position is a position where the image display area is not covered by the movable body. ,
The effect control means is configured to move the movable body from the first position to the second position during at least part of the period during which the movable body moves from the first position to the second position. In the section, a second image having transparency is displayed in front of the first image displayed in the image display area, and
There is a predetermined image displayed in front of the second image,
The predetermined image is in a form regardless of whether or not the person has won the benefit;
The second image is not displayed during a part of the time when the movable body is moved from the first position to the second position, during which the movable body moves from the first position to the second position,
Regarding the granting of the above benefits,
When the second image is displayed in front of the first image when the movable body moves from the first position to the second position, the movable body moves from the first position to the second position. when the second image is not displayed, the expectation that the benefit will be granted is higher than when the second image is not displayed;
Alternatively, when the second image is displayed in front of the first image when the movable body moves from the first position to the second position, the privilege may be provided, and the benefit may be provided from the first position to the second position. When the second image is not displayed when the movable body moves to the second position, the benefit is not granted;
configured to be able to execute an initial process of moving the movable body in order to check the operation of the movable body based on the power being turned on;
When the movable body moves due to the initial processing, the second image is not displayed;
When the second image is displayed in front of the first image, the display of the second image starts before the movable body starts moving from the first position to the second position. is,
The second image is an image displayed in the entire image display area,
A gaming machine characterized by: A gaming machine that determines whether or not to win a bonus with the start of symbol fluctuation,
an image display device capable of displaying an image;
a movable body configured to cover an image display area of the image display device;
Effect control means for controlling the image display device and the movable body;
Equipped with
The movable body is
configured to be movable from a first position to a second position,
Regarding the first position and the second position,
In the second position, an area of the image display area covered by the movable body is wider than in the first position.
Alternatively, the second position is a position where part or all of the image display area is covered by the movable body, and the first position is a position where the image display area is not covered by the movable body. ,
The effect control means is configured to move the movable body from the first position to the second position during at least part of the period during which the movable body moves from the first position to the second position. In the section, a second image having transparency is displayed in front of the first image displayed in the image display area, and
There is a predetermined image displayed in front of the second image,
The predetermined image is in a form regardless of whether or not the person has won the benefit;
The second position includes a third position and a fourth position in which an area of the image display area covered by the movable body is wider than the third position,
When moving the movable body from the first position to the third position, the second image is not displayed, and when moving the movable body from the first position to the fourth position, the second image is not displayed. displayed,
configured to be able to execute an initial process of moving the movable body in order to check the operation of the movable body based on the power being turned on;
When the movable body moves due to the initial processing, the second image is not displayed;
When the second image is displayed in front of the first image, the display of the second image starts before the movable body starts moving from the first position to the second position. is,
The second image is an image displayed in the entire image display area,
A gaming machine characterized by:

Images