JP7536306B2 - Gaming Machines - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a gaming machine capable of executing effects.

A pachinko machine, which is one of the representative examples of gaming machines, is a machine in which a player shoots a pachinko ball by operating an operating handle, and the pachinko ball is guided to a gaming area in which a number of gaming nails and the like are provided, and a game is played. When a shot pachinko ball enters a start winning hole in the gaming area (start winning), the winning ball is detected by a start winning detection sensor, and a detection signal is input to a control means, and the control means stores start winning information in a storage means in response to the input of the detection signal. Then, based on the start winning information, the control means executes a jackpot lottery (win judgment) and determines whether or not to generate a jackpot game state advantageous to the player as a privilege for the start winning. In a pachinko machine, information related to the start winning information is displayed by a design (decorative design) for presentation displayed on a display screen such as a liquid crystal display device. In addition to the decorative design, an auxiliary design is also displayed on the display screen, and information related to the start winning information is displayed by the form of the auxiliary design (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2013-132529 A

In a configuration where the information regarding the start winning information is displayed using multiple symbols such as decorative symbols and auxiliary symbols, if the amount of information that the player can grasp from each symbol is not optimized, when the power is restored after being cut off due to an unforeseen event such as a power outage, the information displayed on the display screen before and after the power outage cannot be properly understood, resulting in confusion and a sense of discomfort for the player.

In other words, the present invention has been proposed in consideration of the above-mentioned problems inherent in gaming machines related to conventional technology, and aims to provide a gaming machine that can properly display information related to starting winning information.

In order to solve the above problems and achieve the intended object, the present invention according to claim 1 provides:
A gaming machine comprising: a first control unit (60a) which acquires starting winning information in response to a starting winning and performs a lottery based on the acquired starting winning information; and a second control unit (65a) which executes presentation control based on a control signal from the first control unit (60a), wherein the second control unit (65a) controls a presentation display means (17, 35) to display information display relating to the starting winning information,
The second control unit (65a) controls the information display, which has started to change when a change start condition is satisfied, to stop when a change stop condition is satisfied;
The information display includes a first information display, a second information display, and a third information display,
The amount of information indicated by each information display during a specific period from the start of change of the information display to the stop of change is set so that the amount of information indicated by the second information display is greater than the amount of information indicated by the third information display, and the amount of information indicated by the first information display is greater than the amount of information indicated by the second information display,
When a power outage occurs during the specific period while a special effect in which at least the first information display is unrecognizable is being executed and power is subsequently restored, the second control unit (65a) can control the display time of the information display from when the display content is restored after power is restored until the remaining fluctuation time has elapsed so that the display time of the third information display, the display content of which is restored before the display contents of the first information display and the second information display are restored , is longer than the display time of the other information displays and the display time of the second information display is longer than the display time of the first information display, the display content of which is restored after the display content of the second information display is restored , and the timing for restoring the display of the effect display means (17) to the display content based on normal control is varied depending on the type of information related to the lottery result of the first control unit (60a) in the information display at the time of power outage .
In this way, the amount of information shown by the multiple information displays is set appropriately, and in the event of an unforeseen event such as a power outage, the display time of the third information display, which has the least amount of information, is set to the longest when power is restored, so that players can properly grasp the information regarding the start-up winning information before power was restored without becoming confused when power is restored.

The present application includes the following technical ideas.
The second control unit (65a) is configured to control the display of the second information display so that the display timing of the second information display after power recovery differs depending on whether the information display was stopped when the power was cut off or was in a variable display state.
The present application includes the following technical ideas.
The gist of the invention is that at the timing when the first information display and the second information display overlap during fluctuation, the display mode of the first information display may be of a first type or a second type, and the second control unit (65a) is configured to display and control the first information display and the second information display so that in either case, it is possible to recognize whether the state is fluctuating or stopped from the second information display.
In this way, when the first information display and the second information display overlap, it is possible to recognize whether the state is changing or stopped from the second information display, so that the state can be properly grasped even if both information displays overlap.

The present application includes the following technical ideas.
The second control unit (65a) is configured to control the display of the second information display, which is stopped after power is restored when the information display is being changed during a power outage, so that the second information display is displayed in a different manner depending on the lottery result.
The present application includes the following technical ideas.
The gist of the present invention is that when the first information display, the second information display, and the third information display are stopped, all of the information displays may be in a recognizable display state without overlapping.
In this way, all information displays are prevented from overlapping when the reel stops, so that information relating to the starting winning information can be properly grasped from each information display.

The present application includes the following technical ideas.
The gist of the invention is that when the lottery result of the first control unit (60a) results in the awarding of a specific degree of advantage that is not a win and the second control unit (65a) stops the first information display in a display mode indicating that a specific degree of advantage will be awarded, the second control unit (65a) is configured to be able to stop the second information display in a display mode different from the mode indicating a loss .
In this way, when a specific advantage is awarded, the first information display is stopped in a display mode indicating that the specific advantage will be awarded, while the second information display can be stopped in a display mode different from the mode indicating a miss, so that the player can properly understand that the specific advantage being awarded is an advantage that is not a win.

The gaming machine according to the present invention allows the player to properly grasp the information regarding the start winning information even if an unforeseen event occurs.

1 is a front view of a pachinko machine according to an embodiment. FIG. FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing the connections of main control boards and the like. This is a front view of the display screen of the game board. The display screen in the figure shows the display content when the big win display by the decoration picture is stopped at the end of the decoration picture change display based on the winning of the first start winning hole that occurred in a low probability low base state. In addition, the lighting of the LED in the auxiliary lighting display area is shown in color. 1 shows the arrangement of the display units in the auxiliary lighting display area. 4 is a flowchart showing main processing of a main control CPU. 4 is a flowchart showing normal processing of a main control CPU. 13 is a flowchart showing timer interrupt processing of the main control CPU. (a) is an example of the display mode of the auxiliary image display area when the decorative chart changing display based on a win at the first start winning port ends, and (b) is an example of the display mode of the auxiliary image display area when the decorative chart changing display based on a win at the second start winning port ends. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the types of display modes when various patterns are stopped. FIG. This shows the type of information that can be understood from the decorative design and each auxiliary design. (a) is a time chart showing the state of the decorative chart display area, the first and second pending display areas, the auxiliary image display area and the auxiliary lighting display area during the decorative chart changing display based on the developing reach A presentation pattern, (b) is a time chart showing the state of the decorative chart changing display based on the developing reach B presentation pattern for the same display areas, and (c) is a time chart showing the state of the decorative chart changing display based on the developing reach C presentation pattern for the same display areas. (a) is an example of the appearance of the game board (around the display screen) during the development reach A performance period during the display of the changing decoration diagram, and the moving position and intermediate moving position of the movable body are indicated by a two-dot chain line. (b) shows an enlarged view of the display content of the auxiliary image display area on the display screen shown in (a). (c) shows an enlarged view of the display content of the auxiliary lighting display area shown in (a). In the auxiliary lighting display area, the lit LEDs are indicated by color, and the blinking LEDs are indicated by a mesh pattern. 13A is an example of the display content during a development reach B presentation period on the display screen, and FIG. 13B is an example of the display form during a development reach C presentation period on the display screen. This is an example of the display content when the decorative image display area and the auxiliary image display area overlap on the display screen, where (a) shows the case where the decorative image display mode is the first type, and (b) shows the case where the decorative image display mode is the second type. The positions and ranges of the decorative drawing display area, first and second pending display area, auxiliary image display area, low-priority abnormality notification area, and high-priority abnormality notification area on the display screen are shown. With regard to the pattern display device and the auxiliary lighting display area, the flow of changes in the display content when the power is restored and the timing for restoring the display content are shown. (a) shows the initial recovery display on the display screen, (b) shows the display content before the return to normal operation on the display screen, (c) shows the display content before the return to normal operation on the display screen, and (d) shows the display content after power restoration on the display screen.

Next, a gaming machine according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings, using a preferred embodiment. Note that a typical pachinko machine will be used as an example of the gaming machine. In addition, when explaining directions and positional relationships, the top, bottom, left, and right will be used as the reference when viewing the pachinko machine from the front (player's side), unless otherwise specified.

(General Configuration of Pachinko Machine 10)
The pachinko machine 10 according to the embodiment is rectangular as shown in Fig. 1 and is installed in an upright position in an amusement parlor. The pachinko machine 10 has an outer frame 11 as a fixed frame fixed to an amusement parlor, and an inner frame (machine body) 12 that detachably holds a game board 20 (see Fig. 2) is attached to the front side of the opening of the outer frame 11, which acts as a fixed frame fixed to the amusement parlor, so as to be openable, closable, and detachable like a door. A front frame (decorative frame) 13 that is decorated is attached to the front side of the inner frame 12 so as to be openable, closable, and detachable like a door.

A window 13a is formed in the front and rear of the front frame 13, through which the playing area 20a (see FIG. 2) formed on the front side of the game board 20 can be viewed from the front side of the machine, and a see-through protective plate 13b made of transparent glass or synthetic resin is arranged to cover this window 13a (see FIG. 1). In addition, an upper ball tray 14 that protrudes forward and has a concave upper surface is integrally attached to the lower front part of the front frame 13. Here, the pachinko machine 10 is configured to pay out pachinko balls to the upper ball tray 14 by driving a ball payout device (not shown). The upper ball tray 14 is provided to store the pachinko balls paid out by the ball payout device, and to send the stored pachinko balls one by one to the shot position. The pachinko balls sent to the launch position are then launched into the play area 20a by a ball launcher (not shown) located below the playboard 20 (the lower front part of the middle frame 12). When the upper ball tray 14 becomes full of pachinko balls, the newly dispensed pachinko balls are guided to and stored in the lower ball tray 15 located below the upper ball tray 14.

As shown in FIG. 1, an operating handle 16 is provided at the lower right position of the front frame 13, which is the object of operation when operating the ball launching device. The operating handle 16 is equipped with an operating lever 16a biased in a counterclockwise direction, and the ball launching device is operated by the player rotating the operating lever 16a to rotate clockwise, and pachinko balls are launched one by one from the launch position toward the play area 20a. When the launched pachinko ball enters the start winning hole 31a, 32a (start winning) of the play area 20a described later and the judgment condition is met, a special winning judgment (win/lose judgment, lottery) is executed, and depending on the judgment result of this special winning judgment, it is determined whether or not to grant the player a special bonus (big win game state, small win game state, or specific advantage game state).

On the rear side of the pachinko machine 10, there is disposed a main control board 60 (see FIG. 3) equipped with a main control CPU 60a (first control unit) that performs overall control of pachinko games. On the rear side of the pachinko machine 10, there is disposed a performance control board 65 (see FIG. 3) equipped with a performance control CPU 65a (second control unit) that performs control of performance, and a display control board 66 (see FIG. 3) equipped with a display control CPU 66a (second control unit) that controls image display on the pattern display device 17 according to the performance content determined by the performance control board 65 (performance control CPU 65a). On the rear side of the pachinko machine 10, there is disposed a power supply board 59 (see FIG. 3) equipped with a power supply circuit (not shown) that generates the necessary power supply voltage (e.g., DC 30V) for each part from an external power source (e.g., AC 24V) and supplies it to each control board 60, 65, 66 and other electrical components. The specific configuration of these control boards 59, 60, 65, and 66 will be described later.

The game board 20 arranged in the middle frame 12 is equipped with a pattern display device 17 as a performance execution unit (performance display means) capable of executing performances (display performances) (see Figures 2 and 3). The pachinko machine 10, using the control configuration described above, performs display performances such as decorative pattern variable display (pattern variable performance) that displays decorative patterns (hereinafter referred to as decorative patterns) that are performance patterns in a variable manner on the display screen 17a of the pattern display device 17, triggered by the entry of a pachinko ball into the start winning hole 31a, 32a, and is configured to notify the result of the special pattern hit judgment (big hit judgment, small hit judgment, specific advantage judgment) by the decorative pattern that is finally stopped and displayed (confirmed stop display). In addition, although details will be described later, auxiliary information (first auxiliary information display, second information display) such as auxiliary patterns related to the decorative pattern (first information display) is also displayed on the display screen 17a.

As a result of the decorative pattern change display performed on the display screen 17a of the pattern display device 17, the decorative pattern (performance information display, first information display) as a performance pattern is displayed stopped on the pattern display device 17 in a combination that displays a big win, notifying that a big win game state will be granted, displayed stopped in a combination that displays a small win, notifying that a small win game state will be granted, displayed stopped in a combination that displays a specific advantage level, notifying that a specific advantage level game state will be granted, and displayed stopped in a combination that displays a miss, notifying that a big win game state, small win game state, or specific advantage level game state will not be granted.

The front frame 13 is equipped with performance execution units 18, 19 that can execute light-emitting and sound effects in accordance with the display performance of the pattern display device 17. As shown in FIG. 1, speakers (sound output means) 18 that function as performance execution units capable of outputting voice and sound effects are arranged at the top and bottom of the front frame 13. In addition, the area above the upper ball tray 14 of the front frame 13 is almost entirely decorated except for the window 13a, and forms a frame lamp (light-emitting means) 19 that functions as a performance execution unit that changes the color of the front surface with light from an LED or the like.

(Regarding the game board 20)
Next, the configuration of the game board 20 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. The game board 20 is composed of a substantially rectangular flat plate (play area forming member) formed to a predetermined plate thickness by a synthetic resin material such as acrylic or polycarbonate having optical transparency. In front of the front surface (board surface) of the game board 20, a play area 20a in which pachinko balls can flow down (move) is defined by a substantially circular guide rail 22. This guide rail 22 forms an arc-shaped launch ball passage 22a on the left side of the play area 20a. Then, the pachinko balls launched by the ball launching device pass through the launch ball passage 22a along the guide rail 22 and are introduced into the play area 20a. The game board 20 may be a non-optically transparent plate member such as a plywood material or a synthetic resin material, on the surface of which a decorative sticker or the like is attached.

The game area 20a (board surface) is provided with a first start winning section 31, a second start winning section 32, and a special winning section 33, each having winning holes 31a, 32a, and 33a through which pachinko balls can win (enter), as well as a large number of game nails. Therefore, the pachinko balls that reach the game area 20a will change direction irregularly due to contact with the game nails, and some of them will win (enter) the winning holes 31a, 32a, and 33a. In addition, an outlet 23 is formed so as to penetrate the lower end of the game board 20 from front to back, and pachinko balls that flow down to the bottom of the game area 20a are discharged from the outlet 23 to the outside of the game area 20a.

(Frame-shaped decorative body 25)
Furthermore, a frame-shaped decorative body 25 with an opening 25a opening in the front and rear is attached to the game area 20a (board surface). The frame-shaped decorative body 25 is provided with a eaves-shaped part 25b that protrudes forward from the front of the game board 20 to prevent pachinko balls from entering the inner circumference side (i.e., the opening 25a), and a thin plate-shaped base plate part 25c that extends from the rear end of the eaves-shaped part 25b toward the outer circumference. Through the opening 25a of the frame-shaped decorative body 25, the pattern display device 17 (display screen 17a) arranged on the rear side of the game board 20 and the movable body 80 for performing action performance face the front side of the game board 20. In addition, a gate 25d through which pachinko balls can pass downward is provided on the front of the base plate part 25c located on the right side of the frame-shaped decorative body 25. A gate sensor SEa (see FIG. 3) that detects pachinko balls passing through (entering) inside is provided in this gate 25d. When a pachinko ball passes through the gate 25d, the gate sensor SEa detects the pachinko ball and determines whether or not to open the start opening/closing member 32b (described later) (normal winning determination). Detailed explanations of the gate 25d and the normal winning determination are omitted.

The frame-shaped decorative body 25 is located approximately in the center of the game area 20a, so that the game area 20a branches into the left and right, forming a first ball flow path 21a, which is a path (movement area) for pachinko balls flowing down the left side of the eaves-shaped portion 25b, and a second ball flow path 21b, which is a path (movement area) for pachinko balls flowing down the right side of the eaves-shaped portion 25b. When pachinko balls are made to flow down the first ball flow path 21a (when hit from the left), the possibility of winning in the first start winning section 31 is higher than when they are made to flow down the second ball flow path 21b, and when pachinko balls are made to flow down the second ball flow path 21b (when hit from the right), the possibility of winning in the second start winning section 32 or the special winning section 33 (and the possibility of balls entering the gate 25d) is higher than when they are made to flow down the first ball flow path 21a.

(Start-up prize section 31, 32)
The first start winning section 31 has a first start winning opening 31a that is always open so that it can receive pachinko balls. On the other hand, the second start winning section 32 changes to an open state where pachinko balls can enter the second start winning opening 32a and a closed state where pachinko balls cannot enter the second start winning opening 32a by opening and closing the start opening and closing member 32b. In other words, the second start winning section 32 is an opening and closing type winning section (variable winning section) that opens and closes the second start winning opening 32a according to predetermined opening and closing conditions. The second start winning section 32 also has a start winning solenoid SL1 (see FIG. 3) as a driving means for opening and closing (driving) the start opening and closing member 32b.

The first and second start winning sections 31, 32 are provided with start winning detection sensors SE1, SE2 (see FIG. 3) that detect pachinko balls that have won (entered) the first and second start winning openings 31a, 32a. When the start winning detection sensors SE1, SE2 detect a pachinko ball (when an entry into the start winning openings 31a, 32a is detected), the ball payout device pays out a specified number of pachinko balls (for example, four). In addition, the detection of a pachinko ball by the start winning detection sensors SE1, SE2 (establishment of the judgment condition) is used as a trigger to acquire start winning information (various random number values described later), and a special winning judgment (big win judgment, small win judgment, specific advantage judgment, etc.) is made based on this acquired start winning information.

(Special Prize Division 33)
The special winning section 33 is provided with a special winning port (ball entry port, variable ball entry port) 33a and a special opening/closing member 33b, and is an opening/closing type winning section (variable winning section) that opens and closes the special winning port 33a by the special opening/closing member 33b according to a predetermined opening condition and closing condition. The special winning section 33 is provided with a special winning solenoid SL2 (see FIG. 3) as a driving means, and by opening the special opening/closing member 33b in response to the driving of the special winning solenoid SL2, the special winning port 33a is changed from a closed state in which pachinko balls cannot enter to an open state in which they can enter. The special winning section 33 is also provided with a special winning detection sensor SE3 (special winning detection means, see FIG. 3) that detects pachinko balls that have entered the special winning port 33a. When the special winning detection sensor SE3 detects a pachinko ball, the ball payout device pays out a specified number of pachinko balls (prize balls) (for example, 9 balls). The special winning opening 33a is opened in the big win game state or the small win game state.

Here, the big win game state includes a round game in which the special opening/closing member 33b is opened a prescribed number of times (for example, three, six, or nine times), and one round game is set to end when a prescribed number of pachinko balls (prescribed number, for example, nine) enter the special winning hole 33a or when a prescribed time (predetermined special electric opening time) has elapsed from the start of each round game. During this big win game state, an inter-round interval is set between each round game in which the special opening/closing member 33b is kept closed for a prescribed time (inter-round interval time). In this big win game state, an opening performance is performed for a prescribed time (opening time) before the start of the first round game, and an ending performance is performed for a prescribed time (ending time) after the end of the final round game. In addition, in the small win game state, the special winning hole 33a is opened for a short time multiple times (for example, three times) between the opening performance and the ending performance. In addition, the specific advantageous game state, which will be described later, is a high base state (a variable time (time-saving) state) in which the winning rate improvement function is activated without a winning game, and a specified number of variable times (for example, 100 or 200 times) are granted.

Next, we will explain the display means for displaying symbols provided on the game board 20 (game information display M, symbol display device 17, and auxiliary lighted display area 35).

(About the Game Information Display M)
As shown in Fig. 2, the game board 20 is provided with a game information display M (game information display means) for displaying various game information (special information display) related to the start winning information. The game information display M includes a plurality of display sections (information display sections) Ma, Mb, Mc, Md, and Me, and is electrically connected to the main control CPU 60a of the main control board 60 (see Fig. 3), and the display contents (light emission mode) are controlled by the main control CPU 60a. Each display section (information display section) Ma, Mb, Mc, Md, and Me has one or more lighting sections (LEDs) that can be switched between a lit state and an unlit state, and is configured to be able to display different information depending on at least one of the differences in the number of lit sections, the lighting color, and the lighting position.

(Special figure display section Ma, Mb)
The game information display M displays the results of the special winning judgment (big win judgment, small win judgment, specific advantage judgment) that is performed in response to the winning of the first and second start winning holes 31a, 32a. The first special symbol display unit Ma, Mb is provided to display a special symbol (hereinafter, referred to as a special symbol) for the first winning entry into the first winning entry hole 31a. A display unit that starts a variable display in response to detection by the first start winning detection sensor SE1 and then stops and displays one of a plurality of types of special figures. 8). The second special display section Mb starts displaying the variable symbol when the winning symbol is won in the second start winning hole 32a (detected by the second start winning detection sensor SE2) and then displays the final symbol. This is a display unit that displays one of several types of special charts in a stopped state, and is composed of several LEDs (eight in this embodiment). In the following description, the special chart change display performed in the first special chart display unit Ma is referred to as the "first special chart change display", and as a result of the first special chart change display, The special chart displayed in the second special chart display section Mb may be referred to as the special chart 1. Similarly, the special chart change display performed in the second special chart display section Mb is referred to as the "second special chart change display", and the second special As a result of the chart changing display, the special chart that is stopped and displayed in the second special chart display section Mb may be referred to as special chart 2.

The first and second special chart display sections Ma, Mb are each controlled to indicate the type of special chart in 256 different lighting modes, excluding all LEDs being on or off. Here, the lighting modes indicating special chart 1 in the first special chart display section Ma include 250 lighting modes (big win patterns) indicating that a big win game state is granted, three lighting modes (small win patterns) indicating that a small win game state is granted, two lighting modes (specific advantage patterns) indicating that a specific advantage game state is granted, and one lighting mode (miss pattern) indicating that none of the big win game state, small win game state, or specific advantage game state is granted (miss) (see FIG. 10). Similarly, the lighting modes of the special symbol 2 in the second special symbol display section Mb include 250 types of lighting modes (big hit symbols) indicating that a big hit game state is given, three types of lighting modes (small hit symbols) indicating that a small hit game state is given, two types of lighting modes (specific advantage symbols) indicating that a specific advantage game state is given, and one type of lighting mode indicating that it is a miss. In addition, for the big hit symbols, the lighting modes of the special symbol 1 can be classified into five types (symbols A, B, C, D, E) and the lighting modes of the special symbol 2 can be classified into five types (symbols a, b, c, d, e) depending on the difference in the value of the corresponding big hit (the number of rounds during the big hit game state and the difference in the game state after that). The symbols A, B, C, D, E, a, b, c, d, and e can each be displayed in 50 types of lighting modes. In addition, for the specific advantage symbols, the lighting state of special symbol 1 can be classified into two types (symbols F and G) and the lighting state of special symbol 2 can be classified into two types (symbols f and g) depending on the difference in the value of the corresponding specific advantage (difference in the number of times the time is shortened). Symbols F, G, f, and g can each be displayed in one lighting state.

For the special symbol variable display performed by the special symbol display units Ma and Mb, the variable time (special symbol variable time) and the type of special symbol to be displayed in a stopped state (lighting state) are determined based on the start winning information (various random number values) acquired by the main control CPU 60a in accordance with the timing of detection of the pachinko ball by the first and second start winning detection sensors SE1 and SE2. Specifically, the main control CPU 60a acquires, as random number values constituting the start winning information, the value of the special symbol hit determination random number used to determine whether or not to grant a big win game state, a small win game state, or a specific advantage game state (special symbol hit determination), the value of the special symbol determination random number used to determine the type of special symbol to be displayed in a stopped state (big win symbol, small win symbol, specific advantage symbol), and the value of the special symbol variable pattern allocation random number used to determine the special symbol variable pattern, and stores them in the main control RAM 60c as a storage means provided in the main control board 60. The special pattern change pattern is a pattern that specifies the change time of the special pattern change display, the decorative pattern change display, and the contents of the related performance. Then, a special pattern hit judgment (big hit judgment) is performed according to the value of the special pattern hit judgment random number stored in the main control RAM 60c, and if this special pattern hit judgment is a hit judgment result, the lighting mode of the big hit pattern is determined according to the value of the special pattern determination random number. Also, if the special pattern hit judgment is a miss judgment result, a small hit judgment and a specific advantage judgment are performed, and the lighting mode of the small hit pattern, specific advantage pattern, or miss pattern is determined according to the value of the special pattern determination random number.

As the jackpot pattern (special pattern) is determined, the number of rounds that constitute the jackpot game state and the game state after the jackpot game state ends are determined. That is, the game state after the jackpot game state ends is notified by the type of jackpot pattern stopped and displayed on the special pattern display section Ma, Mb. Here, the main control CPU 60a has a probability fluctuation function that improves the probability that the special pattern hit judgment will be a hit judgment result, and a winning rate improvement function that improves the ease of winning (winning probability) of the pachinko ball into the second start winning hole 32a, and multiple types of game states can be generated by combining either a high probability state (probability fluctuation state, probability change state) in which the probability fluctuation function is activated and a low probability state in which it is not activated, and either a high base state (winning rate improvement state, winning easy state, variable time (time shortening) state) in which the winning rate improvement function is activated and a low base state in which it is not activated. The game states that can be generated include a low-probability low base state in which neither the probability fluctuation function nor the winning rate improvement function is activated, a high-probability high base state in which the probability fluctuation function and the winning rate improvement function are activated, a high-probability low base state in which the probability fluctuation function is activated but the winning rate improvement function is not activated, and a low-probability high base state in which the probability fluctuation function is not activated but the winning rate improvement function is activated. The high base state (winning rate improvement state) can be generated by increasing the probability of a normal winning judgment or by lengthening the opening time of the start opening/closing member 32b compared to the low base state (non-winning rate improvement state).

The number of rounds in the jackpot game state (prescribed number of times) is three times in the jackpot game state (first jackpot) corresponding to the symbols A and a and the jackpot game state (second jackpot) corresponding to the symbols B and b, six times in the jackpot game state (third jackpot) corresponding to the symbols C and c and the jackpot game state (fourth jackpot) corresponding to the symbols D and d, and nine times in the jackpot game state (fifth jackpot) corresponding to the symbols E and e. Here, the aforementioned high probability high base state, high probability low base state, and low probability high base state are game states that start upon the end of the jackpot game state, and are advantageous game states (privilege states) that are more advantageous to the player than the low probability low base state (normal game state). Specifically, the game state after the end of the "first jackpot" is a low-probability low base state, the game state after the end of the "second jackpot" is a high-probability low base state with the longest period (upper limit) being until 50 decorative picture changes are displayed, the game state after the end of the "third jackpot" is a low-probability high base state with the longest period (upper limit) being until 50 decorative picture changes are displayed, and the game state after the end of the "fourth jackpot" and "fifth jackpot" is a high-probability high base state with the longest period (upper limit) being until 50 decorative picture changes are displayed (however, if a jackpot game state occurs during the game, the longest period (upper limit) is not reached).

Here, the specific advantage game state is an advantage game state that is granted by winning a specific advantage judgment without winning a big hit judgment or a small hit judgment (the lottery result of the first control unit results in granting an advantage that is not a win), and is a high base state (variable (time-shortened) state) in which the winning rate improvement function operates without going through a winning game. The specific advantage judgment is a judgment of whether or not to grant a specific advantage when the big hit judgment or the small hit judgment is missed. In addition, in the embodiment, two types of specific advantage degrees are set with different periods for granting the specific advantage game state, and the number of times that the specific advantage degree is shortened (the number of times the decorative pattern is displayed) is set to an upper limit of 100 times for the specific advantage degree (first specific advantage degree) corresponding to the patterns F and f, and to 200 times for the specific advantage degree (second specific advantage degree) corresponding to the patterns G and g. However, if a jackpot game state occurs during the game, the specific advantage game state ends without reaching the upper limit (100 or 200 times). The upper limit for the number of times of shortening at a specific advantage is only an example and can be set as appropriate. Hereinafter, the specific advantage may be referred to as a specific shortening. For example, a specific advantage game state may be referred to as a specific shortening game state, and a specific advantage judgment may be referred to as a specific shortening judgment.

(Special figure reservation display section Mc, Md)
The special chart reserve display section Mc, Md of the game information display M is a display section that displays a reserve display indicating the number of unexecuted special chart variable displays (reserved number). The start winning information (random number value) acquired when the start winning occurs in the second start winning port 31a, 32a is stored in the main control RAM 60c until the special chart variable display is started (until it is used for the special chart hit judgment). The number of unexecuted special chart variable displays is the number of reserved start winning information, and the number of waiting (reserved) special chart hit judgments. Here, the special chart reservation display unit Mc, Md displays a reservation display showing the number of reserved start winning information (hereinafter referred to as "first start winning information") acquired at the time of start winning to the first start winning port 31a. a first special chart hold display section Mc for displaying the first special chart hold display section Mc; and a second special chart hold display section Mc for displaying the ... Each of the special chart pending display sections Mc, Md is composed of multiple LEDs (lighting sections) (two each in this embodiment).

The number of reserved balls indicated by the reserved display displayed in the first special chart reserved display section Mc is incremented by 1 in response to a start winning entry into the first start winning port 31a, and is decremented by 1 each time the first special chart change display is performed. Similarly, the number of reserved balls indicated by the reserved display displayed in the second special chart reserved display section Md is incremented by 1 in response to a start winning entry into the second start winning port 32a, and is decremented by 1 each time the second special chart change display is performed. Note that a predetermined upper limit ("4" in both embodiments) is set for the number of reserved balls for the first and second start winning information.

(Status display section Me)
The status display unit Me of the game information display M is a display unit that indicates whether or not a game state is a predetermined type among a plurality of game states, and is composed of one LED (lighting unit). In the embodiment, the lighting of the status display unit Me notifies the player that the game state is either a jackpot game state or a high base state (variable short state (specific variable short game state)). That is, the status display unit Me is turned on in the jackpot game state or the high base state, and turned off in the low base state (non-variable short state).

(Auxiliary lighting display area 35)
As shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, an auxiliary lighting display area (performance display means) 35 is provided in the upper right part of the frame-shaped decorative body 25 as an area (second auxiliary information display area) for displaying auxiliary information (second auxiliary information display, third information display) corresponding to the display contents on the game information display M. This auxiliary lighting display area 35 is provided with a plurality of auxiliary display units 35a, 35b, 35c, 35d, and 35e (see Fig. 5), and is electrically connected to the performance control CPU 65a of the performance control board 65 (see Fig. 3), and the display contents (lighting mode) are controlled by the performance control CPU 65a. Specifically, the auxiliary lighting display area 35 is provided with a special 1 auxiliary pattern display unit 35a, a special 2 auxiliary pattern display unit 35b, a special 1 auxiliary reserve display unit 35c, a special 2 auxiliary reserve display unit 35d, and a game mode lighting display unit 35e. Each auxiliary display unit 35a, 35b, 35c, 35d, 35e has one or more lighting units (LEDs) that can be switched between a lit and an off state, and is configured to be able to display different information depending on at least any one of the number of lit units, the color of the lit units, and the lit positions.

(Special 1 auxiliary pattern display unit 35a and special 2 auxiliary pattern display unit 35b)
The auxiliary lighting display area 35 is provided with a special 1 auxiliary symbol display section 35a that displays the result of the special symbol hit judgment (big hit judgment, small hit judgment, specific short-time judgment) by the special 1 auxiliary symbol (second auxiliary information display, third information display), and a special 2 auxiliary symbol display section 35b that displays the result of the special symbol hit judgment (big hit judgment, small hit judgment, specific short-time judgment) by the special 2 auxiliary symbol (second auxiliary information display, third information display). The special 1 auxiliary symbol display section 35a is composed of a plurality of LEDs (two in the embodiment), and maintains a flashing state during the execution period of the first special symbol variable display triggered by the winning of the first start winning hole 31a, and finally displays the special 1 auxiliary symbol in a stopped state. In other words, the variable display (flashing) of the special 1 auxiliary symbol starts and ends at the same time as the start (establishment of the variable start condition) and end (establishment of the variable start condition) timing of the first special symbol variable display in the first special symbol display section Ma (game information display M). The special 2 auxiliary symbol display section 35b is composed of a plurality of LEDs (two in the embodiment), and maintains a blinking state during the execution period of the second special symbol variable display triggered by the winning of the second start winning hole 32a, and finally displays the special 2 auxiliary symbol in a stopped state. That is, the variable display (blinking) of the special 2 auxiliary symbol starts and ends at the same time as the start (satisfaction of the variable start condition) and end (satisfaction of the variable start condition) timing of the second special symbol variable display in the second special symbol display section Mb (game information display M). The start and end of the variable display of the special 1 auxiliary symbol and the special 2 auxiliary symbol are the same as the decorative symbol variable display executed on the display screen 17a of the symbol display device 17. That is, the special 1 auxiliary symbol display section 35a and the special 2 auxiliary symbol display section 35b also function as auxiliary display sections that perform auxiliary display corresponding to the display contents on the display screen 17a (decorative symbol display area 50 described later).

As shown in FIG. 10, in the special 1 auxiliary pattern display section 35a, when special pattern 1 is displayed in a lighting mode indicating a big win pattern, the special 1 auxiliary pattern (big win indication) is displayed by turning on both LEDs, when special pattern 1 is displayed in a lighting mode indicating a small win pattern, the special 1 auxiliary pattern (small win indication) is displayed by turning on one predetermined LED and turning off the other LED, when special pattern 1 is displayed in a lighting mode indicating a specific variable short pattern, the special 1 auxiliary pattern (specific variable short indication) is displayed by turning on the other LED and turning off one LED, which is the opposite to the small win indication, and when special pattern 1 is displayed in a lighting mode indicating a lose pattern, the special 1 auxiliary pattern (miss indication) is displayed by turning off both LEDs. Similarly, in the special 2 auxiliary symbol display section 35b, the special 2 auxiliary symbol (big win symbol, small win symbol, specific variable short symbol, and miss symbol) is displayed by turning on both LEDs in response to the lighting state of the special symbol 2 (big win symbol, small win symbol, specific variable short symbol, and miss symbol). The special 2 auxiliary symbol (small win symbol or specific variable short symbol) is displayed by turning on only one LED, and the special 2 auxiliary symbol (miss symbol) is displayed by turning off both LEDs. In addition, the special 1 auxiliary symbol display section 35a and the special 2 auxiliary symbol display section 35b maintain the same stop state (do not become hidden) from the time the variable display ends until the next variable display starts, except in cases related to power outage.

(Special 1 auxiliary hold display unit 35c and special 2 auxiliary hold display unit 35d)
The special 1 auxiliary hold display section 35c and the special 2 auxiliary hold display section 35d of the auxiliary lighting display area 35 are auxiliary display sections that display an auxiliary hold display (second auxiliary information display) indicating the number of holds (number of waiting (holds) for special win determination, number of holds for start winning information) of the special chart change display (decorative chart change display) transmitted from the main control CPU 60a to the performance control CPU 65a by the start winning command (described later), and in the embodiment, each is composed of multiple (2) LEDs. In the special 1 auxiliary hold display section 35c, an auxiliary hold display showing the same number of reserved balls (the number of reserved balls in the first special chart variable display and the decorative chart variable display) shown in the first special chart hold display section Mc (game information display M) is displayed by a combination of lighting and extinguishing by two LEDs, and in the special 2 auxiliary hold display section 35d, an auxiliary hold display showing the same number of reserved balls (the number of reserved balls in the second special chart variable display and the decorative chart variable display) shown in the second special chart hold display section Md (game information display M) is displayed by a combination of lighting and extinguishing by two LEDs. Note that the number of reserved balls shown by the auxiliary hold display displayed in the special 1 auxiliary hold display section 35c and the special 2 auxiliary hold display section 35d is also made to match the number of reserved balls shown by the hold display displayed on the display screen 17a (hold display areas 51 and 52 described later).

(Game mode lighting display section 35e)
The game mode lighting display section 35e of the auxiliary lighting display area 35 is an auxiliary display section that displays information (launch position information) transmitted from the main control CPU 60a to the performance control CPU 65a by a launch position designation command (described later), and is composed of one LED in the embodiment. Specifically, the game mode lighting display section 35e is controlled to be kept in an off state when it is advantageous for the player to play in a left-handed game mode (first game mode) in which the pachinko ball is guided to the first ball flow path 21a of the game area 20a, and to be in an on state when it is advantageous for the player to play in a right-handed game mode (second game mode) in which the pachinko ball is guided to the second ball flow path 21b of the game area 20a. In other words, the game mode lighting display unit 35e displays whether it is advantageous for the player to guide the pachinko balls along the first or second ball flow path 21a, 21b, and the lighting state of the game mode lighting display unit 35e (auxiliary notification described later) notifies the player that the game is in either a jackpot game state or a high base state (short-time game state).

(Regarding the graphic display device 17)
The pattern display device 17 is electrically connected to a display control board 66 (see FIG. 3), which will be described later, and the display contents are updated by the control of the display control board 66 based on a control signal output from the performance control CPU 65a of the performance control board 65. A plurality of display areas for displaying specific target images are set on the display screen 17a of the pattern display device 17 so as to be positioned in front of the background image. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, such display areas include a decorative image display area 50 for displaying decorative images (performance information display, first information display), reserved display areas 51, 52 for displaying reserved displays (performance information display) showing the reserved number of start winning information, an auxiliary image display area 53 for displaying auxiliary images (second information display), and abnormality notification areas 55a, 55b for notifying the occurrence of an abnormal state. The decorative image display area 50 and the reserved display areas 51, 52 will be described below.

(Decorative drawing display area 50)
As shown in FIG. 4, a decorative figure display area 50 is set in a relatively large range at the center of the display screen 17a. This decorative figure display area 50 is composed of three decorative figure areas 50a, 50b, and 50c arranged in the left-right direction. In each decorative figure area 50a, 50b, and 50c, a variable display is performed in which the decorative figures of the pattern group are switched in the arrangement order, and one of the decorative figures is finally displayed stationary. The arrangement of the decorative figures is common to each pattern group displayed in the decorative figure areas 50a, 50b, and 50c, and as shown in FIG. 10, each decorative figure representing the numbers "1" to "7" is arranged in numerical order, and a star-shaped blank pattern (special decorative figure) is inserted between each decorative figure representing these numbers. The variable display of the decorative figure is performed over a variable time specified by the special figure variable pattern determined by the main control CPU 60a, and at the end timing of the variable time, the decorative figures are displayed stationary in all the decorative figure areas 50a, 50b, and 50c, and the display ends. Then, after a predetermined stop time (variation interval time) has elapsed, it becomes possible to start the next display of the decorative image. The display position and size of the decorative image display area 50 are controlled so that they can be changed depending on the type of performance executed during the variation of the decorative image or during a big win game.

In the decorative image display area 50, the result of the special image hit judgment (big hit judgment, small hit judgment, or specific short-time hit judgment) is notified by the combination of the decorative images that are frozen. Specifically, a big hit display (see Figures 4 and 10) in which the same decorative image is frozen and displayed in the three decorative image areas 50a, 50b, and 50c notifies that the special image hit judgment has resulted in a hit (a big hit game state is generated). In addition, a small hit display (see Figure 10) in which the decorative image showing the same number is frozen and displayed in the left and right decorative image areas 50a and 50c, and a blank pattern is frozen and displayed in the central decorative image area 50b notifies that the small hit judgment has resulted in a hit (a small hit game state is generated). In addition, when the big hit judgment and the small hit judgment are not hits, a specific variable short display (see FIG. 10) in which a decorative figure consisting of a combination of predetermined different numbers (for example, "1", "2", "3" or "4", "5", "6") is displayed in the three decorative figure areas 50a, 50b, 50c indicates that the specific variable short game judgment has been determined to be a hit (a specific variable short game state is generated). On the other hand, a loss display (see FIG. 10) in which a decorative figure is displayed in a combination different from the big hit display, small hit display, and specific variable short game display in the three decorative figure areas 50a, 50b, 50c indicates that the special figure hit judgment has been determined to be a miss.

The lottery probability for determining the type of combination of decorative figures that will result in a jackpot is set so that a combination of three decorative figures that represent odd numbers (such as "1", "1", "1") is determined with a higher probability when the jackpot pattern (special figure) determined by the main control CPU 60a is one of the patterns C, D, E, c, d, or e than when it is one of the patterns A, B, a, or b. Also, the combination of "7", "7", and "7" among the combinations of decorative figures that represent odd numbers is set so that it can be determined only when the jackpot pattern (special figure) determined by the main control CPU 60a is one of the patterns D, E, d, or e.

During the decorative pattern change display, the same decorative pattern (reach pattern) may be displayed in the decorative pattern areas 50a, 50c on the left and right of the decorative pattern display area 50, and the change display may continue, resulting in a so-called reach state. The display of this reach state increases the expectation that a big win game state or a small win game state will occur.

Here, in the first special chart display section Ma and the pattern display device 17 (decorative chart display area 50), the first special chart change display and the decorative chart change display corresponding to the first special chart change display are started simultaneously (due to the satisfaction of the change start condition), and the special chart 1 and the decorative chart are stopped and displayed simultaneously (due to the satisfaction of the change stop condition). Similarly, in the second special chart display section Mb and the pattern display device 17 (decorative chart display area 50), the second special chart change display and the decorative chart change display corresponding to the second special chart change display are started simultaneously (due to the satisfaction of the change start condition), and the special chart 2 and the decorative chart are stopped and displayed simultaneously (due to the satisfaction of the change stop condition). In other words, in the decorative chart display area 50, decorative chart change displays corresponding to both the execution periods of the first and second special chart change displays are performed (used as a shared display area).

(Pending display area 51, 52)
Also, as shown in FIG. 4, the lower edge of the display screen 17a of the pattern display device 17 displays the number of reserved (waiting for special winning judgment (reserved)) transmitted from the main control CPU 60a to the performance control CPU 65a by the start winning command. A first pending display area 51 and a second pending display area 52 are set to display pending displays indicating the number of pending display changes of the display. The number of reserved images displayed in the 1st reserved image display area Mc or the 1st auxiliary reserved image display area 35c is indicated by the number of reserved images in the reserved display (for example, the first reserved image display area 51 in FIG. 4 is a circle-shaped The number of reserved items is notified by the reserved display consisting of a reserved image. The second reserved display area 52 is also notified by the second special reserved display area Md and the special 2 auxiliary reserved display area 35d. The number of pending calls displayed is indicated by the number of pending images in the pending display (for example, the second pending display area 52 in FIG. 4 notifies that the number of pending calls is "0" by a pending display that does not display a pending image). (There are.)

In addition to the display areas 50, 51, and 52 described above, the display screen 17a also has an area 53 for auxiliary symbols and abnormality notifications. These will be explained later.

(Regarding the various boards 59, 60, 65, 66, etc. provided in the pachinko machine 10)
Next, referring to Figure 3, the specific board configurations and control contents of each of the aforementioned control boards 59, 60, 65, and 66 equipped in the pachinko machine 10 will be explained in the order of the power supply board 59, the main control board 60, the performance control board 65, and the display control board 66.

(About the power supply board 59)
The power supply board 59 is provided with a power switch PWS for switching the power supply ON and OFF, and also with a power interruption monitoring circuit (not shown) for monitoring whether the voltage value of the power supply voltage (hereinafter referred to as the monitored power supply voltage) supplied to the power supply circuit (not shown) has dropped to a threshold voltage. Here, the monitored power supply voltage drops to the threshold voltage when, for example, the power switch PWS is turned OFF or a power outage occurs, cutting off the power supply from outside the machine (when the power is interrupted).

The power supply board 59 is provided with a reset signal circuit (not shown) connected to the power interruption monitoring circuit. Here, when the monitored power supply voltage falls below the threshold voltage, the power interruption monitoring circuit outputs a power interruption signal (a signal indicating that the monitored power supply voltage has dropped to the threshold voltage) to the reset signal circuit, the main control board 60 (main control CPU 60a), and the performance control board 65 (performance control CPU 65a). In addition, when the power supply from outside the machine starts (when the power is turned on or restored) and when a power interruption signal is input, the reset signal circuit outputs a reset signal to the main control board 60 (main control CPU 60a) and the performance control board 65 (performance control CPU 65a), thereby regulating the operation of the main control CPU 60a and the performance control CPU 65a. In addition, the power supply board 59 is provided with a backup power source (not shown) such as a capacitor. And when the power supply to the pachinko machine 10 is stopped (when a power interruption signal is output), power is supplied from the backup power source to the main control CPU 60a and the performance control CPU 65a.

(Regarding the main control board 60)
The main control board 60 is equipped with a main control CPU 60a which executes control processing such as special pattern hit determination, a main control ROM 60b which stores the control program executed by the main control CPU 60a, a main control RAM 60c which is capable of writing and reading data necessary for the processing of the main control CPU 60a, and a random number generating circuit 60d which generates hardware random numbers used for the special pattern hit determination and normal pattern hit determination described below.

The main control ROM 60b stores a plurality of types of special chart fluctuation patterns (miss special chart fluctuation patterns) which the main control CPU 60a can determine when the special chart hit judgment executed by the main control CPU 60a results in a miss judgment, a plurality of types of special chart fluctuation patterns (win special chart fluctuation patterns) which the main control CPU 60a can determine when the special chart hit judgment executed by the main control CPU 60a results in a hit judgment, and a plurality of types of special chart fluctuation patterns (specific short variable special chart fluctuation patterns) which the main control CPU 60a can determine when the special chart hit judgment (big hit judgment, small hit judgment) executed by the main control CPU 60a results in a miss judgment and the specific short variable judgment results in a hit judgment. Specifically, the main control ROM 60b stores, as the losing special pattern variation patterns, a special pattern variation pattern 1 that specifies that the execution period (variation time) of the special pattern variation display is 8000 ms, a special pattern variation pattern 2 that specifies that the variation time is 15000 ms, a special pattern variation pattern 3 that specifies that the variation time is 25000 ms, and a special pattern variation pattern 4 that specifies that the variation display is 35000 ms. In addition, the main control ROM 60b stores, as the winning special pattern variation patterns, a special pattern variation pattern 5 that specifies that the variation time is 15000 ms, a special pattern variation pattern 6 that specifies that the variation time is 25000 ms, and a special pattern variation pattern 7 that specifies that the variation time is 35000 ms. In addition, the main control ROM 60b stores, as specific variable short special chart fluctuation patterns, a special chart fluctuation pattern 8 that specifies that the execution period (fluctuation time) of the special chart fluctuation display is 15,000 ms, a special chart fluctuation pattern 9 that specifies that the fluctuation time is 25,000 ms, and a special chart fluctuation pattern 10 that specifies that the fluctuation time is 35,000 ms. The main control CPU 60a is configured to be able to output a special chart fluctuation pattern designation command indicating the type of the determined special chart fluctuation pattern to the performance control CPU 65a. The special chart fluctuation patterns of both the fluctuation displays of special chart 1 and special chart 2 are common (the above-mentioned special chart fluctuation patterns 1 to 10), but may be different.

The random number generating circuit 60d is equipped with a clock generator and a random number counter for determining whether a special drawing has been won, not shown, and the random number counter for determining whether a special drawing has been won counts (updates) the value of the random number for determining whether a special drawing has been won, ranging from "0" to "65535", at a timing corresponding to the input of a clock signal from the clock generator. When a signal indicating detection by the start winning detection sensors SE1 and SE2 is input from the main control CPU 60a to the random number generating circuit 60d, the value of the random number for determining whether a special drawing has been won, counted by the random number counter for determining whether a special drawing has been won, is input to the main control CPU 60a as a random number confirmation signal, and is stored in the main control RAM 60c as start winning information. The main control board 60 updates the random number for determining whether a special drawing has been won as a hardware random number in the random number generating circuit 60d, while updating the values of the random number for determining whether a special drawing has been won and the random number for allocating a special drawing variation pattern as software random numbers under the control of the main control CPU 60a.

The main control CPU 60a is electrically connected to various detection sensors such as the first start winning detection sensor SE1, the second start winning detection sensor SE2, and the special winning detection sensor SE3, and is configured to input the detection signals from each detection sensor and determine whether or not the detection signals are input. The main control CPU 60a is also electrically connected to various drive means such as the start winning solenoid SL1 and the special winning solenoid SL2, and is configured to drive and control each drive means. Furthermore, the main control CPU 60a is electrically connected to the game information display M that displays various information related to the game, and is configured to control the display contents (light emission mode) of each display section Ma, Mb, Mc, Md, and Me provided on the game information display M.

The main control board 60 is provided with a clear switch CLS for initializing the main control RAM 60c (deleting the backed-up memory information), and a clear circuit (not shown) connected to the clear switch CLS. In the embodiment, when the power switch PWS of the power supply board 59 is turned ON (power is turned on) with the clear switch CLS turned ON, a clear signal is output from the clear circuit to the main control CPU 60a of the main control board 60, and the main control CPU 60a performs processing to initialize the main control RAM 60c as a memory means. Note that in the following description, the operation for initializing the main control RAM 60c (turning ON the clear switch CLS and turning ON the power switch PWS simultaneously) may be referred to as the "clear operation".

The main control RAM 60c provided on the main control board 60 is provided with a backup area in addition to a regular storage area (work area) that temporarily stores various information during the operation of the pachinko machine 10. Then, depending on the power supply from the backup power source, some or all of the various information stored in the regular storage area of the main control RAM 60c is stored (written) in the backup area, and the information stored in the backup area is retained for a certain period of time after the power supply to the pachinko machine 10 from outside the machine is stopped. The main control CPU 60a stores (writes) various information in the backup area during power-off processing (see FIG. 7) when the power is turned off (when a power-off signal is input), and the various information stored in the backup area is set (read) in the regular storage area during data recovery processing (see FIG. 6) when power supply to the pachinko machine 10 starts. The information stored in the backup area when the power is turned off includes, for example, information that can identify the game state (values of the probability variable flag, short variable flag (specific short variable flag), big win flag, small win flag, etc., described below), information that can identify the progress of the game (measured game time values described below, the number of rounds played during a big win game state, etc.), start winning information (various random number values) obtained in response to winning at the start winning slots 31a, 32a, and information on commands not being output. Information that can identify an error (value of the error flag) is also stored in the backup area.

(Main processing)
The main processing performed by the main control CPU 60a will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

First, when the power switch PWS of the power supply board 59 is switched from OFF to ON to power up the pachinko machine 10, or when power is restored after a power outage, the main control CPU 60a executes the initial setting process required for normal operation of the main control CPU 60a (step S101). In this case, the main control CPU 60a performs settings for periodically generating a timer interrupt process (see FIG. 8), which will be described later. Specifically, an interval timer (e.g., 4 ms) for measuring the interval between interrupts is set in a register of a timer circuit (not shown) provided on the main control board 60, and the timer interrupt process is permitted to occur. Then, when the initial setting process is completed, the main control CPU 60a sets the main control RAM 60c to an access permitted state (step S102).

Next, the main control CPU 60a judges whether the clear switch CLS is turned ON at the timing when the power switch PWS is switched ON (step S103). In the judgment process of this step S103, the main control CPU 60a judges whether or not a clear signal is input from the clear switch circuit, and if it is judged that a clear signal is input (in the case of a positive judgment), it proceeds to the process of step S104 (described later). Also, if the main control CPU 60a judges that a clear signal is not input in the judgment process of step S103 (in the case of a negative judgment), it proceeds to the process of step S106 and performs a data check to determine whether the backup data stored in the backup area of the main control RAM 60c is normal or not. Specifically, it calculates a RAM judgment value (checksum value) and compares the calculated RAM judgment value with the RAM judgment value stored in the power off process (step S202, see FIG. 7) described later to judge whether it is a normal value or not. Then, if it is judged that the backup data is not normal in this step S106 (in the case of a negative judgment), it proceeds to step S110. On the other hand, if the backup data is determined to be normal (positive determination), the process proceeds to step S107.

The main control CPU 60a clears (deletes) the contents stored in the main control RAM 60c (game information storage area) in the process of step S104. That is, if a positive judgment is made in the above-mentioned step S103 (when a clear signal is input), the main control CPU 60a clears the backup data stored and held during the power-off process (step S202 described later) performed when the power was turned off (when the power switch PWS was turned OFF or when a power outage occurred), and sets the main control RAM 60c to initial values. That is, the main control CPU 60a initializes the main control RAM 60c in the process of step S104, and then starts up the pachinko machine 10.

When the main control CPU 60a finishes the processing of step S104, it sets a RAM clear command indicating that the contents stored in the main control RAM 60c have been cleared (step S105). This RAM clear command is output and input to the performance control CPU 65a, and a notification in response to the clear operation (RAM clear notification) is executed under the control of the performance control CPU 65a.

If an abnormality in the backup data is determined in the data check of step S106, the main control CPU 60a clears the backup data stored during the power-off process (step S202 described below) performed when the power was turned off (when the power switch PWS was turned OFF or when a power outage occurred) and sets the main control RAM 60c to an initial value (step S110).The main control CPU 60a then maintains the game stop state (step S111) until the power to the pachinko machine 10 is subsequently cut off, and does not proceed to the normal process (see FIG. 7) described below.

If the above-mentioned step S106 makes a positive judgment (when the backup data is normal), the main control CPU 60a sets the value of the power-off flag to "0" (step S107). The power-off flag is always set to "0" in the main control RAM 60c, and is changed to "1" in the processing of the main control CPU 60a (non-maskable interrupt processing) when the power supply from outside the machine is cut off. In other words, the value of the power-off flag is set to "1" when a power-off signal is input from the power supply board 59 to the main control board 60 in response to the power being turned off or a power outage. When the processing of this step S108 is completed, the main control CPU 60a proceeds to the processing of step S108. The value of the power-off flag is also set to "0" in the above-mentioned steps S104 and S110.

Next, in step S108, the main control CPU 60a executes data recovery processing based on the information stored in the backup area of the main control RAM 60c. In this data recovery processing, the main control CPU 60a sets the contents backed up at the time of the power outage in the normal storage area (work area) of the main control RAM 60c, and restores the pachinko machine 10 to the state it was in before the power outage.

When the main control CPU 60a finishes the process of step S108, it sets a recovery command indicating that the power has been restored (step S109). This recovery command is output and input to the performance control CPU 65a, and a notification (power restoration notification) in response to the power restoration (power restoration) is executed under the control of the performance control CPU 65a. In addition, after the recovery command is set, a command indicating the game state at the time of the power failure (game state designation command), a command indicating the stopped pattern (special pattern 1 and special pattern 2) at the time of the power failure, a command indicating the stopped pattern (special pattern 1 and special pattern 2) for the special pattern change display that was being executed at the time of the power failure (special pattern designation command), a command indicating whether the first special pattern was changing, the second special pattern was changing, or the special pattern was not changing (stopped) at the time of the power failure, etc. (pattern state designation command), and a command indicating the timing of the power failure during the big win game state are sequentially set. In the following description, these commands are sometimes collectively referred to as a "series of commands related to power restoration". In this embodiment, the launch position designation command described below is set at a timing (step S306 in FIG. 8) after the "series of commands related to power restoration," but it may also be set as one of the "series of commands related to power restoration" in step S109.

After the processing of step S105 or step S109 is completed, the main control CPU 60a executes processing such as device setting (step S112). In this step S112, the main control CPU 60a sets the detection sensors (ball entry detection means) SE1, SE2, and SE3, which have been disabled since power was turned on, to a detectable state. As a result, after the processing of step S112 by the main control CPU 60a is completed, the pachinko machine 10 (main control CPU 60a) transitions to a control state in which it can execute game-related control processing (changing from a game-stopped state to a game-enabled state), repeating the normal processing (see FIG. 7) described below unless the power-off signal is input.

(Normal processing)
Next, the normal processing performed by the main control CPU 60a will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

In normal processing, the main control CPU 60a first judges whether the value of the power-off flag set in the main control RAM 60c is "1" (step S201). Here, when the main control board 60 receives the power-off signal from the power supply board 59 (when the power is off), the main control board 60 is configured to forcibly interrupt the processing of the main control CPU 60a with a non-maskable interrupt process regardless of the control state of the main control CPU 60a, and change the value of the power-off flag stored in the main control RAM 60c from "0" to "1". Then, when the value of the power-off flag is judged to be "1" in the judgment process of this step S201 (if the judgment is positive), the main control CPU 60a executes the power-off process (step S202). On the other hand, when the value of the power-off flag is judged to be "0" (if the judgment is negative), the main control CPU 60a proceeds to the processing of step S203 described later.

In the power-off process (step S202), the main control CPU 60a prohibits timer interrupt processing. The main control CPU 60a then stores the game information required to restore the game state, etc., when power is restored in the backup area of the main control RAM 60c. In this power-off process, the main control CPU 60a then calculates a RAM judgment value (checksum value) that is referenced when power supply from outside the machine begins, and stores the calculated RAM judgment value in the backup area of the main control RAM 60c.

In addition, in the power-off process (step S202), the main control CPU 60a sets a power-off command and outputs the power-off command to the performance control CPU 65a and the display control CPU 66a. In the power-off process, the main control CPU 60a sets the main control RAM 60c to an access-prohibited state. When the main control CPU 60a finishes the series of power-off processes described above, it enters a loop state (standby state) in which no processing is performed until the voltage value has completely dropped.

On the other hand, if the value of the power off flag is judged to be "0" in the judgment process of step S201 described above (if the judgment is negative), the main control CPU 60a judges whether or not a timer interrupt process (see FIG. 8) described below has occurred during the period since the end of the previous step S201 (or step S112 in FIG. 6) (step S203). If the main control CPU 60a judges that a timer interrupt process has occurred (if the judgment is positive), it proceeds to the processing of step S201 described above. Note that if the main control CPU 60a judges that a timer interrupt process has not occurred in the processing of step S203 (if the judgment is negative), it repeatedly executes the judgment process of step S203 until a timer interrupt process occurs.

(Timer interrupt processing)
Next, the timer interrupt processing performed by the main control CPU 60a will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

In the timer interrupt process, the main control CPU 60a first executes command input/output processing (step S301). In the command input/output processing, it outputs commands set for output to other CPUs and identifies information according to input commands.

In step S302, the main control CPU 60a executes an error determination process. In this error determination process, the main control CPU 60a determines whether an abnormal state (error) has occurred in the pachinko machine 10, and if it determines that an abnormal state has occurred, it sets the value of the error determination flag corresponding to the type of abnormal state that has occurred to "1." Then, if the value of any error determination flag is "1," the main control CPU 60a identifies the error determination flag whose value is set to "1," and sets the error designation command corresponding to the identified error determination flag for output to the performance control CPU 65a.

In step S303, the main control CPU 60a executes a timing process to measure the game time (variation time, etc.) related to the progress of the game. Specifically, as the time related to the special chart variation display (decorative chart variation display), the special chart variation time specified by the special chart variation pattern, the variation interval time which is the stop time after the special chart variation display ends or before it starts, the demo waiting time which is the waiting time from when the pending number of start winning information becomes "0" at the end of the measurement of this variation interval time until the demo performance starts, etc. are measured. In addition, the opening time which is the time during which the opening performance is performed in the big hit game state or small hit game state, the ending time which is the time during which the ending performance is performed in the big hit game state or small hit game state, the special electric opening time which is the maximum duration of each round of play in the big hit game state, the round interval time which is the time between rounds, the time between openings in the small hit game state (small hit opening interval time), etc. are configured to be measurable.

In the embodiment, the variable interval time is set to 1000 ms, and the demo waiting time is set to 15000 ms. In addition, for the big win game state and the small win game state, the opening time is set to 8000 ms, the ending time is set to 5000 ms, and the round interval time and the small win opening interval time are set to 1000 ms. Note that the special electric opening time is set to 25000 ms in a big win game state including 6 or 9 rounds of play, and 500 ms in a big win game state including 3 rounds of play. In addition, the three opening times in the small win game state are set to 500 ms. In addition to this, in step S303, the time required for each error judgment in the error judgment process (step S302) described above is measured, etc.

In step S304, the main control CPU 60a executes a detection judgment process to determine whether or not a detection signal is being input from a detection sensor (first start winning detection sensor SE1, second start winning detection sensor SE2, special winning detection sensor SE3, gate sensor SEa, etc.) electrically connected to the main control CPU 60a. In this detection judgment process, the main control CPU 60a judges whether or not a detection state is being established for each winning detection means depending on whether or not a detection signal is being input from various winning detection means SE1, SE2, SE3, SEa, etc. Here, when the main control CPU 60a judges that any of the winning detection sensors SE1, SE2, SE3 is in a detection state (a detection signal is being input), it determines the payout of prize balls according to the type of winning detection sensor SE1, SE2, SE3 corresponding to the detection state.

In step S305, the main control CPU 60a updates the value of the special chart determination random number as the software random number used to determine the jackpot pattern of the special chart, and the value of the special chart variation pattern allocation random number as the software random number used to determine the special chart variation pattern (executes software random number update processing). In this software random number update processing, the 101 integer values of "0" to "100" as the special chart determination random number and the 251 integer values of "0" to "250" as the special chart variation pattern allocation random number are updated by "1" each time a timer interrupt processing occurs (every 4 ms), and the values of the special chart determination random number and the special chart variation pattern allocation random number are updated by "1" (note that if the value before the update is the maximum value, it is updated to the initial value determined randomly). The hardware random number update process, which updates the value of the random number for determining whether or not a special drawing has been hit, is performed by the random number counter for determining whether or not a special drawing has been hit, which is provided in the random number generating circuit 60d.

In step S306, the main control CPU 60a executes a game state switching process to set and change the game state. In this game state switching process, when switching the game state according to the game result, or when restoring the game state with the power supply being restored, a process is performed to change the values of various flags indicating the type of game state. Specifically, the main control CPU 60a changes the value of the jackpot flag stored in the main control RAM 60c from "0" to "1" at the timing of starting the jackpot game state (start timing of the opening performance), and changes the value of the jackpot flag from "1" to "0" at the timing of ending the jackpot game state (end timing of the ending performance). The jackpot start command includes information that can identify the type of jackpot game state to be started (the type of game state after the jackpot game state). In addition, the main control CPU 60a changes the value of the small win flag stored in the main control RAM 60c from "0" to "1" at the timing of starting the small win game state (start timing of the opening performance), and changes the value of the small win flag from "1" to "0" at the timing of ending the small win game state (end timing of the ending performance). In addition, when starting a probability variable state (high probability state) with the end of a big win game state, the value of the probability variable flag stored in the main control RAM 60c is changed from "0" to "1". In addition, when ending the probability variable state, the value of the probability variable flag is changed from "1" to "0". In addition, when starting a high base state (variable short state or specific variable short game state) with the end of a big win game state or a hit of a specific variable short judgment, the main control CPU 60a changes the value of the variable short flag stored in the main control RAM 60c from "0" to "1". Also, when ending the high base state, the value of the variable-speed flag is changed from "1" to "0."

In addition, in this step S306, the main control CPU 60a sets the big win start command or the big win end command in accordance with the change in the value of the big win flag, and the small win start command or the small win end command in accordance with the change in the value of the small win flag for output to the performance control CPU 65a, and sets the probability variable start command or probability variable end command in accordance with the change in the value of the probability variable flag, and sets the variable short start command or variable short end command in accordance with the change in the value of the variable short flag for output to the performance control CPU 65a. Note that the big win start command and the small win start command in the embodiment function as commands indicating the start of the opening performance, but at the start of this opening performance, it is also possible to configure it so that a command other than the big win start command or the small win start command can be output as an opening command. Furthermore, the main control CPU 60a sets the launch position designation command for output to the performance control CPU 65a in accordance with the change in the value of the small win flag or the variable short flag. In this case, when the value of the small hit flag or the variable speed flag changes from "0" to "1" (start of a high base state), a launch position designation command is set indicating a change to a right-handed play mode, and when the value of the small hit flag or the variable speed flag changes from "1" to "0" (start of a low base state), a launch position designation command is set indicating a change to a left-handed play mode.

In step S307, the main control CPU 60a executes a special drawing input process for the special drawing. In this special drawing input process, when the main control CPU 60a determines that a detection signal has been input from the start winning detection sensors SE1 and SE2 in the above-mentioned detection judgment process (step S304) (i.e., when a start winning occurs in the start winning port 31a or 32a), it acquires start winning information (information consisting of various random numbers) and stores it in the start memory area of the main control RAM 60c. In addition, the start memory area of the main control RAM 60c has a memory area (start memory area) that stores the first start winning information and a memory area (start memory area) that stores the second start winning information, and each memory area can store (hold) up to a predetermined upper limit number (four in this embodiment) of start winning information as start winning information in chronological order until the corresponding special drawing variable display is started. For this reason, when the main control CPU 60a determines that a detection signal has been input from the first or second start winning detection sensor SE1, SE2, it checks whether the number of corresponding first or second start winning information (reserved number) has reached the upper limit, and only if the upper limit has not been reached, it stores new first or second start winning information and updates (adds) the numerical information indicating the current number of first or second start winning information (reserved number). In addition, in the special drawing input process (step S307), at the timing when the number of first or second start winning information (reserved number) changes, a start winning command for specifying the changed number of memories (reserved number), etc. is set for output to the performance control CPU 65a. Note that, as the start winning command, a different command is set depending on whether it is output in response to detection by the first start winning detection sensor SE1 or in response to detection by the second start winning detection sensor SE2.

In step S308, the main control CPU 60a executes a special chart start process that determines the game content based on the start winning information stored in the main control RAM 60c (based on the values of various random numbers) and starts the special chart variable display. In addition, when the number of first and second start winning information stored (reserved number) in the main control RAM 60c is "0", the main control CPU 60a executes a demo determination process related to the demo performance.

In the special chart start process (step S308), the main control CPU 60a executes the special chart hit judgment (drawing for big win judgment, small win judgment, specific short-change judgment, etc.), the determination of the special chart to be stopped and displayed on the special chart display sections Ma and Mb, and the determination of the special chart change pattern (special chart change time determination process). Specifically, in the special chart start process, the main control CPU 60a judges whether the change start condition of the special chart change display has been met, and if it judges that this change start condition has been met, it reads out the start winning information stored in the main control RAM 60c (if there is multiple, the start winning information stored earliest). Then, the main control CPU 60a updates (subtracts) the numerical information indicating the current number of memories (number of reserved) in the start memory area in which the read start winning information is stored. Next, the main control CPU 60a refers to the hit/miss judgment table stored in the main control ROM 60b and judges whether the value of the random number for special winning judgment in the read out start winning information matches the special winning judgment value of the hit/miss judgment table (special winning judgment). That is, the main control CPU 60a executes the special winning judgment with the jackpot probability (normal probability/probability during probability change) determined by the hit/miss judgment table. Then, if the special winning judgment (jackpot judgment) is a miss judgment result, a small winning pattern, a specific short-change pattern, or a miss pattern is determined as the special pattern to be stopped and displayed on the special chart display section Ma, Mb as a result of the special chart change display. On the other hand, if the special winning judgment is a hit judgment result, a jackpot pattern to be stopped and displayed on the special chart display section Ma, Mb as a result of the special chart change display is determined from among multiple types. In addition, the main control CPU 60a refers to the variation pattern table and determines the special chart variation pattern from among different options depending on the result of the special chart hit judgment, etc. (special chart variation time determination process). Then, the main control CPU 60a sets the special chart variation pattern designation command indicating the special chart variation pattern and the special chart designation command indicating the special chart (lighting state) for output to the performance control CPU 65a.

In the demo determination process (step S308), it is determined whether it is the timing to start or end the measurement of the demo waiting time. Here, the timing to start measuring the demo waiting time is the point at which the measurement of the variable interval time ends when the number of reserved winnings for both the first and second start winning information is "0". If it is the timing to start measuring the demo waiting time, the demo waiting time is set and its measurement begins. If it is the timing to end the measurement of the demo waiting time, the measurement ends and a demo command is set for output to the performance control CPU 65a as a control signal that instructs the performance control CPU 65a to start a demo performance.

In step S309, the main control CPU 60a executes a display control process to control the display contents of the game information display M. For example, the special chart display sections Ma, Mb are controlled to light up and off (switching control) in a light emission state indicating that the special chart variation display is in progress, corresponding to the period during which the special chart variation time is being measured. In addition, at the end of the measurement of the special chart variation time, a stop command indicating the end timing of the special chart variation display (timing of the stop display of the decorative chart variation display) is set for output to the performance control CPU 65a, and the special chart display sections Ma, Mb are controlled to light up in the light emission state of the special chart determined in the above-mentioned special chart start process (step S308). On the other hand, during the period during which the special chart variation time is not being measured (including during a jackpot game state), the lighting control is maintained in each of the display sections Ma, Mb in a state in which the special chart that was stopped as a result of the most recent special chart variation display is displayed. In addition, the main control CPU 60a changes and controls the reserved display (light-emitting state) in the special chart reserved display section Mc, Md when the number of memories (reserved number) of the start winning information stored in the corresponding start memory area of the main control RAM 60c increases or decreases, and maintains the changed reserved display (light-emitting state) until the next increase or decrease in the number of memories. In addition, the main control CPU 60a controls the status display section Me to be in a lit state in response to the state in which either the jackpot flag or the short-time variable flag stored in the main control RAM 60c is set to "1".

In step S310, the main control CPU 60a executes the opening control of the second start winning port 32a. Specifically, based on the result of the normal winning judgment being a win, the main control CPU 60a drives the start winning solenoid SL1 to open the start opening/closing member 32b (to award a normal winning game).

In step S311, the main control CPU 60a executes control regarding the jackpot game state. Specifically, during the period during which the jackpot game state is granted (the period during which the value of the jackpot flag is set to "1"), when it is the start timing of the round game (the end of the opening performance or the lapse of the round interval time), the main control CPU 60a switches the special winning solenoid SL2 from a demagnetized state to an excited state (opens the special opening/closing member 33b) and sets an open command. In addition, when the special winning detection sensor SE3 detects a specified number of pachinko balls or the special electric opening time has elapsed, it determines the end of the round game, switches the special winning solenoid SL2 from an excited state to a demagnetized state (closes the special opening/closing member 33b) and sets a close command. In addition, since the timing of switching the demagnetized state and the excited state of the special winning solenoid SL2 coincides with the start and end timing of the round play, the open command in the big win play state functions as a round start command, and the close command in the big win play state functions as a round end command. In addition, the open command and the close command are output to the performance control CPU 65a in response to the execution of the command input/output process (step S301) described above.

In step S312, the main control CPU 60a executes control related to the small win game state. During the period during which the small win game state is granted (the period during which the value of the small win flag is set to "1"), the main control CPU 60a controls the special winning solenoid SL2 to be in an excited state for 500 ms three times, separated by a small win opening interval time of 1000 ms. In this case, the main control CPU 60a sets an open command and a close command at the timing for switching the demagnetized state and excited state of the special winning solenoid SL2, similar to the big win game state. Then, the main control CPU 60a ends the timer interrupt process after the process of step S312 is completed.

(About the performance control board 65)
Next, the performance control board 65 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the performance control board 65 is provided with a performance control CPU 65a that executes control processing, a performance control ROM 65b that stores a control program executed by the performance control CPU 65a, and a performance control RAM 65c that can write and read data required for the processing of the performance control CPU 65a. The performance control CPU 65a is configured to comprehensively control the performance executed by the pattern display device 17, the speaker 18, the frame lamp 19, and the movable body 80 as a performance execution unit. In other words, the performance control CPU 65a functions as a performance control means that executes control processing related to the performance based on a control signal from the main control CPU 60a (game control means). This performance control CPU 65a updates the values of various random numbers stored in the performance control RAM 65c at predetermined intervals, and stores (sets) the updated values in the performance control RAM 65c.

The performance control ROM 65b stores specific performance contents (performance patterns) related to the decorative chart change display. The performance control CPU 65a then determines the performance contents (performance patterns) related to the decorative chart change display from among multiple types based on the special chart change pattern designation command output by the main control board 60. The performance control CPU 65a outputs a control signal (command) to the display control board 66 to cause the pattern display device 17 to execute the decorative chart change display and related performance according to the determined performance pattern, and controls the audio output of the speaker 18, the light emission of the frame lamp 19, etc., the operation of the movable body 80, etc. according to the determined performance pattern.

Here, the presentation control ROM 65b stores, as presentation patterns for the decorative chart change display, multiple types of miss presentation patterns that the presentation control CPU 65a can determine based on a special chart change pattern designation command when the special chart hit judgment (jackpot judgment, small hit judgment, specific short change judgment) by the main control CPU 60a results in a miss judgment, multiple types of win presentation patterns that the presentation control CPU 65a can determine based on a special chart change pattern designation command when the special chart hit judgment (jackpot judgment, small hit judgment) results in a win judgment, and multiple types of specific short change presentation patterns that the presentation control CPU 65a can determine based on a special chart change pattern designation command when the special chart hit judgment (jackpot judgment, small hit judgment) by the main control CPU 60a results in a miss judgment and the specific short change judgment results in a win judgment. Specifically, the performance control ROM 65b stores, as the failure performance patterns, a normal failure performance pattern corresponding to the special chart fluctuation pattern 1, a failure normal reach performance pattern corresponding to the special chart fluctuation pattern 2, a failure development reach A performance pattern and a failure development reach B performance pattern corresponding to the special chart fluctuation pattern 3, and a failure development reach C performance pattern corresponding to the special chart fluctuation pattern 4. Also, the performance control ROM 65b stores, as the winning performance patterns, a winning normal reach performance pattern corresponding to the special chart fluctuation pattern 5, a winning development reach A performance pattern and a winning development reach B performance pattern corresponding to the special chart fluctuation pattern 6, and a winning development reach C performance pattern corresponding to the special chart fluctuation pattern 7. Also, the performance control ROM 65b stores, as the specific variable short performance patterns, a specific variable short normal reach performance pattern corresponding to the special chart fluctuation pattern 8, a specific variable short development reach A performance pattern and a specific variable short development reach B performance pattern corresponding to the special chart fluctuation pattern 9, and a specific variable short development reach C performance pattern corresponding to the special chart fluctuation pattern 10. Among these, the normal miss performance pattern is a pattern that displays a change in the decoration chart that does not form a reach pattern by the decoration chart (non-reach performance pattern), and the other performance patterns are patterns that specify a change in the decoration chart that forms a reach pattern (reach performance pattern). Among the reach performance patterns, the normal reach performance patterns of hit, specific short-time, and miss correspond to the normal reach performance, the developed reach A performance patterns of hit, specific short-time, and miss correspond to the developed reach A performance, the developed reach B performance patterns of hit, specific short-time, and miss correspond to the developed reach B performance, and the developed reach C performance patterns of hit, specific short-time, and miss correspond to the developed reach C performance. Note that the performance patterns of hit and miss by the performance control CPU 65a are set so that the expectation for the performance (probability of a big win display) increases in the order of normal miss, normal reach, developed reach A, B, and developed reach C according to the determination probability of the special chart variation patterns 1 to 7. In addition, the performance patterns of the specific short-change effect by the performance control CPU 65a are set so that the expectation for the performance (probability of a specific short-change display) increases in the order of normal reach, advanced reach A, advanced reach B, and advanced reach C, depending on the probability of determining special chart change patterns 8 to 10.

In addition, the performance control ROM 65b stores specific performance contents (performance patterns) of the performance during the jackpot game state (jackpot performance). The performance control CPU 65a then determines the performance contents (performance patterns) of the jackpot performance from among multiple types based on control signals (commands) such as the jackpot start command, the small jackpot start command, the open command, and the close command output by the main control board 60. The performance control CPU 65a outputs control signals (commands) to the display control board 66 to cause the pattern display device 17 to execute the jackpot performance (opening performance, round performance, interval performance, ending performance) according to the determined performance pattern, and controls the audio output of the speaker 18, the light emission of the frame lamp 19, etc., the operation of the movable body 80, etc. according to the determined performance pattern. Normally, different types of jackpot effects are determined depending on the type of jackpot game state (1st jackpot to 5th jackpot), but there are exceptional cases where a general-purpose effect is executed when power is restored after a power outage that occurred during a specific type of jackpot game state (described below).

(Performance mode)
The presentation control CPU 65a can generate a plurality of presentation modes, and is configured to vary the content of the presentation during the display of the varying decorative symbols (such as the display mode of the decorative symbols and the mode of the background image) and the frequency of decision, etc., for each presentation mode (the presentation tendency can be changed for each presentation mode). Therefore, the player can understand which presentation mode is being used based on the presentation modes of the symbol display device 17, the speaker 18, the frame lamp 19, the movable body 80, etc. Specifically, in the embodiment, the presentation modes that can be set by the presentation control CPU 65a include a "normal mode," a "short-time mode," a "high probability mode," and a "secret mode." The presentation control CPU 65a controls the low probability high base state and specific short-time game state after the third jackpot (symbol C, c) to be the "short-time mode", the high probability high base state after the fourth jackpot (symbol D, d) and the fifth jackpot (symbol E, e) to be the "probability mode", and the low base state (low probability low base state or high probability low base state) until the 50 decorative pattern variations after the first jackpot (symbol A, a) and the second jackpot (symbol B, b) are finished to be the "secret mode", and controls to transition to the "normal mode" after the end of each of these modes. In other words, the presentation modes other than the normal mode (short-time mode, probability mode, secret mode) are chance modes to increase the player's sense of expectation.

There are multiple types of "secret modes" (three types: Secret 1 to 3), which are determined with different probabilities depending on whether the state is a low-probability, low-base state or a high-probability, low-base state. Specifically, "Secret 1" has the highest probability of determining the presentation mode in response to a transition to a low-probability, low-base state, and "Secret 3" has the highest probability of determining the presentation mode in response to a transition to a high-probability, low-base state. In other words, in the case of a "secret mode," the expectation that the game state will be a high-probability, low-base state is highest for "Secret 3," followed by "Secret 2" and then "Secret 1," in that order.

In the presentation control RAM 65c, the state ("0" or "1") of multiple types of presentation mode flags that correspond one-to-one to each presentation mode (variable short mode, sure-win mode, and three types of secret modes) is stored, and the presentation control CPU 65a executes presentation control according to the presentation mode corresponding to the presentation mode flag whose value is set to "1". Specifically, at the end timing of either the first or second jackpot (when the jackpot end command is input), the "secret mode" is determined by drawing lots from three types (secret 1 to 3), and the value of the secret mode flag corresponding to the determined type of "secret mode" is changed from "0" to "1". In addition, at the end timing of the third jackpot (when the jackpot end command is input) and the hit timing when the specific variable short mode judgment is a hit (when the specific variable short hit command is input), the value of the variable short mode flag corresponding to the "variable short mode" is changed from "0" to "1". Furthermore, at the end of either the fourth or fifth jackpot (when the jackpot end command is input), the value of the probability mode flag corresponding to the probability mode is changed from "0" to "1."

In addition, the performance control CPU 65a counts the total number of changes of the decorative chart change display (special chart change display) in the performance mode after the end of the jackpot game state according to the number of times the special chart change pattern designation command is input from the main control CPU 60a after the end of the jackpot game state, and stores the count value corresponding to the total number of changes in the performance control RAM 65c. Then, in response to the end of the decorative chart change display corresponding to the upper limit number of times (50 times in this embodiment), the performance control CPU 65a changes the performance mode flag whose value is "1" to "0" and controls to end the corresponding performance mode. In addition, the performance control CPU 65a counts the total number of changes of the decorative chart change display (special chart change display) in the variable-length mode according to the number of times the special chart change pattern designation command is input from the main control CPU 60a after the input of the specific variable-length hit command, and stores the count value corresponding to the total number of changes in the performance control RAM 65c. Then, depending on the end of the display of the decorative pattern change corresponding to the maximum number of times (100th or 200th in this embodiment), the variable shortening mode flag, which has a value of "1", is changed to "0" and control is performed to end the variable shortening mode.

(Regarding the display control board 66)
Next, the display control board 66 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the display control board 66 includes a display control CPU 66a that executes control processing, a display control ROM 66b that stores a control program executed by the display control CPU 66a, and a display control RAM 66c that can write and read data required for the processing of the display control CPU 66a. The pattern display device 17 is connected to the display control CPU 66a. The display control ROM 66b stores a display control program for controlling the display contents of the pattern display device 17. The display control ROM 66b stores various image data (image data such as patterns, background images, letters, and characters) related to various effects, and stores various image data related to error notification. The display control RAM 66c stores (sets) various information that is appropriately rewritten during the operation of the pachinko machine 10.

(Regarding the auxiliary image display area 53)
Next, the auxiliary image display area 53 set on the display screen 17a will be described with reference to FIG. 4, and FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 4, an auxiliary image display area 53 is set on the right edge of the display screen 17a as an area (first auxiliary information display area) for displaying auxiliary information (first auxiliary information display) corresponding to the display contents in the decorative pattern display area 50 and the first and second reserved display areas 51, 52. As shown in FIG. 9(a) and FIG. 9(b), this auxiliary image display area 53 is provided with a plurality of auxiliary display sections (specifically, a decorative pattern auxiliary pattern display section 53a (second information display section), first and second auxiliary pattern display sections 53b, 53c (second information display section), and first and second auxiliary reserved display sections 53d, 53e).

(Decorative drawing auxiliary pattern display section 53a)
The decorative auxiliary pattern display section 53a of the auxiliary image display area 53 is a display section that displays information (results of big win judgment, small win judgment, and specific short-time judgment) common to the decorative patterns displayed in the decorative pattern display area 50 (decorative pattern areas 50a, 50b, and 50c) described above by displaying decorative auxiliary patterns (first auxiliary information display, second information display). In this decorative auxiliary pattern display section 53a, a variable display is performed in which the decorative auxiliary patterns are switched in the order of arrangement in three divided areas arranged in the left-right direction, and one decorative auxiliary pattern is finally displayed in each area one by one. As shown in FIG. 10, the decorative auxiliary patterns are arranged in the order of numbers, and blank patterns (star shapes) are positioned between the decorative auxiliary patterns representing the numbers, similar to the decorative patterns displayed in the decorative pattern areas 50a, 50b, and 50c described above, forming a pattern group.

The display of the decorative auxiliary pattern in the decorative auxiliary pattern display section 53a starts and ends at the same time as the display of the decorative auxiliary pattern in the decorative pattern display area 50 starts (when the change start condition is satisfied) and ends (when the change start condition is satisfied). The decorative auxiliary pattern display section 53a displays a combination of decorative auxiliary patterns corresponding to the combination of decorative patterns displayed in the decorative pattern display area 50. For example, when the combination of "5", "5", and "5" is displayed in the decorative pattern display area 50 as a big win, the corresponding combination of "5", "5", and "5" is also displayed in the decorative auxiliary pattern display section 53a as a big win. For example, when the combination of "3", "(star)", and "3" is displayed in the decorative pattern display area 50 as a small win, the corresponding combination of "3", "(star)", and "3" is also displayed in the decorative auxiliary pattern display section 53a as a small win. In addition, when the combination of "1", "2", and "3" which is a specific variable short display is displayed in the decorative drawing display area 50, the combination of "1", "2", and "3" which is a specific variable short display is also displayed in the decorative drawing auxiliary pattern display section 53a. Similarly, in the case of a loss display, for example, when the combination of "2", "4", and "6" is displayed in the decorative drawing display area 50, the combination of "2", "4", and "6" is also displayed in the decorative drawing auxiliary pattern display section 53a. Then, the result of the special drawing hit judgment (big hit judgment, small hit judgment, and specific variable short judgment) is notified by the combination of the decorative drawing auxiliary patterns displayed in a stopped state. Note that the loss display displayed in the decorative drawing auxiliary pattern display section 53a is configured to be a combination different from the combination of numbers and blank patterns (stars) in the big hit display, small hit display, and specific variable short display. In other words, the special short-change that is awarded when the special short-change judgment is a hit is a miss in the big hit judgment or small hit judgment, but is configured to be displayed in a different manner from the miss display that is stopped and displayed in the decorative image display area 50.

(First and second auxiliary symbol display units 53b and 53c)
The first and second auxiliary symbol display sections 53b, 53c of the auxiliary image display area 53 are display sections that display information (results of big win judgment, small win judgment, and specific short-time judgment) common to the decorative symbols displayed in the decorative symbol display area 50 (decorative symbol areas 50a, 50b, 50c) described above by displaying the first and second auxiliary symbols (first auxiliary information display, second information display). As shown in Figures 9(a) and 9(b), the first and second auxiliary symbol display sections 53b, 53c each consist of an area that displays and stops a pattern group in which the auxiliary symbols representing the numbers "0" to "9" are arranged in numerical order, and a variable display is performed in which the pattern group of the auxiliary symbols is switched in the order of arrangement, and one of the auxiliary symbols is finally displayed in a stopped state. In the first auxiliary symbol display section 53b, the first auxiliary symbol is displayed in response to the period during which the display of the decorative symbol is changed (the period during which the display of the first special symbol is displayed) triggered by the start winning into the first start winning opening 31a. In addition, in the second auxiliary symbol display section 53c, the second auxiliary symbol is displayed in response to the period during which the display of the decorative symbol is changed (the period during which the display of the second special symbol is displayed) triggered by the start winning into the second start winning opening 32a. The display of the first and second auxiliary symbols in the first and second auxiliary symbol display sections 53b and 53c starts and ends at the same time as the display of the decorative symbol in the decorative symbol display area 50 starts (the change start condition is satisfied) and ends (the change start condition is satisfied).

Here, when a combination of decorative figures that is a jackpot display is displayed in the decorative figure display area 50, the first or second auxiliary figure corresponding to the combination of decorative figures is displayed in a stopped state in the first or second auxiliary figure display section 53b, 53c. As shown in FIG. 10, for example, when a jackpot display consisting of a combination of decorative figures "1", "1", and "1" is displayed in the decorative figure display area 50 as a result of a decorative figure change display triggered by a start winning entry to the first start winning entry port 31a, the first auxiliary figure of "1" is correspondingly displayed as a jackpot display in the first auxiliary figure display section 53b. Also, for example, when a jackpot display consisting of a combination of decorative figures "5", "5", and "5" is displayed in the decorative figure display area 50 as a result of a decorative figure change display triggered by a start winning entry to the second start winning entry port 32a, the second auxiliary figure of "5" is correspondingly displayed as a jackpot display in the second auxiliary figure display section 53c.

However, the small win indication, the specific variable time indication, and the loss indication displayed on the first and second auxiliary symbol display sections 53b and 53c are each of one type only (see FIG. 10). Specifically, "8" is set as the small win indication displayed on the first and second auxiliary symbol display sections 53b and 53c, while "9" is set as the specific variable time indication, and "0" is set as the loss indication. For this reason, for example, as a result of the decorative symbol change display triggered by the start winning into the first or second start winning port 31a or 32a, no matter what combination of decorative symbols is displayed as a small win indication in the decorative symbol display area 50, the corresponding first or second auxiliary symbol display section 53b or 53c displays the first or second auxiliary symbol of "8" as a small win indication. Similarly, as a result of the decorative pattern change display triggered by the start winning at the first or second start winning port 31a, 32a, no matter what decorative pattern combination is displayed in the decorative pattern display area 50 as a specific variable short display, the corresponding first or second auxiliary pattern display section 53b, 53c displays the first or second auxiliary pattern of "9" as a specific variable short display. Similarly, in the case of a loss display, no matter what decorative pattern combination is displayed in the decorative pattern display area 50 as a loss display, the corresponding first or second auxiliary pattern is displayed as a loss display of "0". In other words, the loss display displayed in the first and second auxiliary pattern display sections 53b, 53c uses numbers different from the numbers used in the big win display, small win display, and specific variable short display (display format is different).

(First and second auxiliary hold display parts 53d, 53e)
The first and second auxiliary hold display sections 53d and 53e of the auxiliary image display area 53 display the number of holds (the number of holds waiting for the special winning judgment, The auxiliary hold display (first auxiliary information display) showing the number of start winning information is displayed. That is, in the first auxiliary hold display area 53d, the first hold display area 51 and the special 1 auxiliary hold display area 35c are displayed. The auxiliary hold display showing the same number of reserved balls as the number of reserved balls shown (the number of reserved balls of the display based on the start winning into the first start winning hole 31a) is displayed, and the second auxiliary hold display unit 53e shows the second hold An auxiliary hold display showing the same number of reserved balls as the number of reserved balls shown in the display area 52 or the special 2 auxiliary hold display section 35d (the number of reserved balls shown in the display chart based on the start winning balls in the second start winning ball slot 32a) is displayed. . However, the first and second auxiliary hold display units 53d and 53e, as shown in FIG. 9, display the number of holds in the auxiliary hold display by a number ranging from "0" to "4", which is different from the first display unit 53a and 53b described above. It is also different from the second hold display areas 51, 52, the special 1 auxiliary hold display area 35c, and the special 2 auxiliary hold display area 35d.

Here, the variation mode (display mode) of the decorative auxiliary pattern (second information display) displayed in the decorative auxiliary pattern display section 53a is configured to be different from the variation mode (display mode) of the decorative pattern (first information display) displayed in the decorative pattern display area 50. For example, the decorative auxiliary pattern has a faster number switching speed than the decorative pattern switching speed, or the decorative auxiliary pattern switches numbers at a constant speed while the decorative pattern changes its switching speed, making the variation modes of the two different. In contrast, when the jackpot judgment, small jackpot judgment, or specific short-time jackpot judgment is a hit (when the result of the lottery by the first control section is a hit), the display mode of the decorative auxiliary pattern (second information display) displayed in a stopped state on the decorative auxiliary pattern display section 53a and the display mode of the decorative pattern (first information display) displayed in a stopped state on the decorative pattern display area 50 are configured to be display modes that indicate the same degree of advantage (such as the type of jackpot or the type of specific short-time jackpot), as shown in FIG. 10. In addition, the display modes (size, shape, color, etc.) of the decorative auxiliary pattern displayed in the decorative auxiliary pattern display section 53a of the auxiliary image display area 53, the first and second auxiliary patterns displayed in the first and second auxiliary pattern display sections 53b, 53c, and the auxiliary hold display displayed in the first and second auxiliary hold display sections 53d, 53e are configured to be common regardless of the type of presentation mode.

In addition, in the decorative pattern display area 50, while the decorative pattern is changing, the display mode indicates that the decorative pattern is changing by switching the pattern row, whereas in the decorative pattern auxiliary pattern display section 53a, while the decorative pattern auxiliary pattern is changing, the display mode indicates that the decorative pattern auxiliary pattern is changing by switching the pattern row at a higher speed than the decorative pattern, and the display modes indicating that the decorative pattern and the decorative pattern auxiliary pattern are changing are different. In addition, in the special 1 auxiliary pattern display section 35a and the special 2 auxiliary pattern display section 35b, while the first auxiliary pattern and the second auxiliary pattern are changing, the display mode indicates that the first auxiliary pattern and the second auxiliary pattern are changing by blinking the LED, and the display mode indicating that the first and second auxiliary patterns are changing is different from the display mode indicating that the decorative pattern and the decorative pattern auxiliary pattern are changing. That is, the decorative design (first information display), the decorative design auxiliary design (second information display), and the first and second auxiliary designs (third information display) are configured to have different display modes that indicate that they are changing.

(Game mode image display section 53f)
The game mode image display section 53f of the auxiliary image display area 53 is an auxiliary display section that displays information (launch position information) transmitted from the main control CPU 60a to the performance control CPU 65a by the launch position designation command, similar to the game mode lighting display section 35e described above. Specifically, the game mode image display section 53f is controlled so that an arrow image (auxiliary notification to be described later) marked "Right Hit" is displayed as shown in FIG. 9(b) when it is advantageous for the player to play in a game mode (right-hit mode) in which the pachinko ball is guided to the second ball flow path 21b of the game area 20a, and the arrow image is hidden (see FIG. 9(a)) when it is advantageous for the player to play in a game mode (left-hit mode) in which the pachinko ball is guided to the first ball flow path 21a of the game area 20a. That is, the game mode image display section 53f displays in a manner that allows the player to understand whether it is advantageous for the player to guide the pachinko ball to the first or second ball flow path 21a, 21b, and the arrow image displayed on the game mode image display section 53f notifies the player that the game is in either a jackpot game mode or a high base mode (short-time game mode).

(Information that can be understood from the decorative drawings and each auxiliary design)
The performance control CPU 65a (display control CPU 66a) executes display control of the decorative figures in the decorative figure display area 50 and display control of multiple types of auxiliary figures in the auxiliary image display area 53 and auxiliary lighting display area 35 based on control signals such as special figure variation pattern designation commands from the main control CPU 60a. Each auxiliary figure is an auxiliary display (auxiliary information display) for the decorative figures (performance information display, first information display), and is common to the decorative figures in that it notifies the result of the special figure hit judgment, but is displayed in a display mode that shows less information (amount of information) to the player than the decorative figures (simpler than the decorative figures). Below, with reference to FIG. 11, the commonalities and differences between the information that the player can grasp from the decorative figures and the information that the player can grasp from the auxiliary figures (decorative figure auxiliary figures, first auxiliary figures and second auxiliary figures, special 1 auxiliary figures and special 2 auxiliary figures) will be described.

As mentioned above, the big win display, small win display, special variable time display, and loss display by the decorative figures can each be composed of multiple types of decorative figures (numbers). Then, depending on the type of the big win display (whether each of the three decorative figures represents an odd number or not), the player can guess the type of big win game state (the number of rounds of play) that will be given immediately afterwards and the game state after the big win game state ends. Also, depending on the type of special variable time display (whether the combination of decorative figures is "1", "2", "3" or "4", "5", "6"), the player can guess the number of short times in the special variable time game state that will be given immediately afterwards. In the embodiment, when the first special variable time is given, the combination of decorative figures is "1", "2", "3", and when the second special variable time is given, the combination of decorative figures is "4", "5", "6". In addition, the decorative image may be displayed in a manner that indicates a reach pattern during the display of the changing decorative image, and the reach effect is set to start at the timing when the reach pattern is displayed. In other words, the player can tell whether or not the player is in a reach state from the decorative image during the display of the changing decorative image.

In the decorative figure auxiliary pattern display section 53a, a combination of three decorative figure auxiliary patterns is displayed in a stopped state with the same combination of numbers (or blank patterns) as the three decorative figures in the decorative figure display area 50. In other words, the player can understand the pattern information indicated by the decorative figures, such as whether it is a big win or a small win, the type of big win display, the type of small win display, whether the specific variable shortening judgment is a hit or not, the type of specific variable shortening display, and the type of miss display, from the decorative figure auxiliary patterns that are stopped and displayed at the same time as the decorative figures. However, the decorative figure auxiliary patterns are not displayed in a manner that indicates a reach state (the state remains variable from the start to the end of the decorative figure variable display), and it is not possible to know whether a reach state is in effect from the display state of the decorative figure auxiliary patterns.

In the first auxiliary pattern display section 53b, one first auxiliary pattern representing the same number (any of "1" to "7") as the three decorative patterns (representing the same number) in the decorative pattern display area 50 is displayed as a big win indication, one first auxiliary pattern representing the number "8" not displayed in the decorative pattern display area 50 is displayed as a small win indication, one first auxiliary pattern representing the number "9" not displayed in the decorative pattern display area 50 is displayed as a specific variable short-time indication, and one first auxiliary pattern representing the number "0" not displayed in the decorative pattern display area 50 is displayed as a loss indication. In other words, the player can grasp the pattern information shown by the decorative patterns, such as whether or not it is a big win, whether or not it is a small win, the type of the big win indication, whether or not it was hit by the specific variable short-time judgment, and the type of the specific variable short-time indication, from the first auxiliary pattern displayed at the same time as the decorative pattern. On the other hand, only one type of small win display, specific variable time display, and loss display of the first auxiliary symbol are set, and the type of small win display, specific variable time display, and loss display shown by the decoration symbol cannot be understood from the small win display, specific variable time display, and loss display by the first auxiliary symbol. Also, the first auxiliary symbol is displayed so as to maintain a variable state from the start to the end of the decoration symbol variable display, and it is not possible to know whether or not the game is in a reach state from the display mode of the first auxiliary symbol during the decoration symbol variable display. The display of the second auxiliary symbol in the second auxiliary symbol display section 53c is the same as the first auxiliary symbol, and the player can obtain symbol information such as whether or not it is a big win, whether or not it is a small win, the type of big win display, whether or not it was hit by the specific variable time judgment, and the type of the specific variable time display shown by the decoration symbol from the stopped second auxiliary symbol. The first auxiliary symbol is displayed as a variable and stationary symbol in response to a decorative symbol variable display (first special symbol variable display) triggered by a start winning into the first start winning port 31a of the first and second start winning ports 31a, 32a. The second auxiliary symbol is displayed as a variable and stationary symbol in response to a decorative symbol variable display (second special symbol variable display) triggered by a start winning into the second start winning port 32a. In other words, depending on whether the first or second auxiliary symbol is displayed as a variable, the player can know whether the decorative symbol variable display was triggered by a start winning into the first or second start winning port 31a, 32a.

In the special 1 auxiliary symbol display section 35a, the special 1 auxiliary symbol for the big win indication is displayed by the lighting state of the two LEDs, the special 1 auxiliary symbol for the small win indication is displayed by the lighting state of one LED and the other LED being off, the special 1 auxiliary symbol for the specific short-time indication is displayed by the lighting state of the other LED and the one LED being off, and the special 1 auxiliary symbol for the miss indication is displayed by the extinguishing state of the two LEDs. In other words, the player can grasp the symbol information, such as whether or not it is a big win, whether or not it is a small win, and whether or not it is a hit by the specific short-time judgment, shown by the decorative symbol, from the special 1 auxiliary symbol that is stopped and displayed at the same timing as the decorative symbol. On the other hand, the special 1 auxiliary symbol is set to only one type each for the big win indication, the small win indication, the specific short-time indication, and the miss indication, and it is not possible to grasp the type of the big win indication, the type of the small win indication, the type of the specific short-time indication, or the type of the miss indication shown by the decorative symbol from the special 1 auxiliary symbol. In addition, the first auxiliary symbol is kept in a variable state (blinking state) from the start to the end of the display of the decorative symbol, and it is not possible to know whether or not the game is in a reach state from the display mode of the first auxiliary symbol during the display of the decorative symbol. The display of the special 2 auxiliary symbol in the special 2 auxiliary symbol display section 35b is the same as the special 1 auxiliary symbol, and the player can obtain symbol information such as whether or not the game is a big win, a small win, or whether or not the game is hit by the specific variable short-time judgment, which are shown by the decorative symbol, from the stopped special 2 auxiliary symbol, but cannot know the type of the big win display, the type of the specific variable short-time display, or whether or not the game is in a reach state. The special 1 auxiliary symbol is displayed variable and stopped in response to the decorative symbol variable display (first special symbol variable display) triggered by the start winning into the first start winning hole 31a of the first and second start winning holes 31a, 32a. The special 2 auxiliary symbol is displayed and stopped in response to the display of the decorative symbol (second special symbol display) triggered by the start winning into the second start winning port 32a. In other words, depending on whether the special 1 or special 2 auxiliary symbol is displayed, the player can understand whether the decorative symbol display is triggered by the start winning into the first or second start winning port 31a, 32a.

In the embodiment, the information that can be grasped by the decorative image as the first information display that is displayed in a variable manner and stopped upon the start winning into the first start winning port 31a or the second start winning port 32a is hit/miss information such as whether or not it is a big hit, whether or not it is a small hit, and whether or not it is a hit by a specific variable short-time judgment, type information such as the type of the big hit display, the type of the small hit display, the type of the specific variable short-time display, and the type of the miss display, and reach information such as whether or not it is a reach state. In contrast, the information that can be grasped by the decorative image auxiliary pattern and the first and second auxiliary patterns as the second information display that is displayed in a variable manner and stopped upon the start winning into the first start winning port 31a or the second start winning port 32a is hit/miss information such as whether or not it is a big hit, whether or not it is a small hit, and whether or not it is a hit by a specific variable short-time judgment, type information such as the type of the big hit display, the type of the small hit display, the type of the specific variable short-time display, and the type of the miss display, and reach information such as whether or not it is a reach state cannot be grasped. In addition, the information that can be grasped by the Special 1 and Special 2 auxiliary patterns serving as the third information display which are displayed in a variable manner and stopped upon a start winning into the first start winning port 31a or the second start winning port 32a is hit/miss information such as whether or not there is a big hit, whether or not there is a small hit, and whether or not there is a hit based on the specific variable short-time judgment; however, type information such as the type of big hit display, the type of small hit display, the type of specific variable short-time display, and the type of miss display, and reach information such as whether or not there is a reach state cannot be grasped. In other words, the amount of information shown by each information display during the specific period from when the decorative design (first information display), the decorative design auxiliary design (second information display), the first and second auxiliary designs (second information display), and the Special 1 and Special 2 auxiliary designs (third information display) start to when they stop changing is set so that the decorative design auxiliary design (second information display) and the first and second auxiliary designs (second information display) contain more information than the Special 1 and Special 2 auxiliary designs (third information display), and the decorative design (first information display) contains more information than the decorative design auxiliary design (second information display) and the first and second auxiliary designs (second information display).

Here, while the decorative pattern is changing, the decorative pattern auxiliary pattern (second information display), the first and second auxiliary patterns (second information display), and the special 1 and special 2 auxiliary patterns (third information display) all show common pattern information during the decorative pattern change by changing the auxiliary pattern group. In contrast, the information shown when the decorative pattern auxiliary pattern (second information display) and the first and second auxiliary patterns (second information display) are stopped and displayed is hit/miss information such as whether or not it is a big hit, whether or not it is a small hit, and whether or not it is a hit by the specific variable-time judgment, and type information such as the type of big hit display, the type of small hit display, the type of specific variable-time judgment, and the type of miss display, and the information shown when the special 1 and special 2 auxiliary patterns (third information display) are stopped and displayed is only hit/miss information such as whether or not it is a big hit, whether or not it is a small hit, and whether or not it is a hit by the specific variable-time judgment. In other words, the information shown when the decorative auxiliary pattern (second information display) and the first and second auxiliary patterns (second information display) are stopped and displayed is different from the information shown when the special 1 and special 2 auxiliary patterns (third information display) are stopped and displayed.

(Information that can be obtained from the hold display and each auxiliary hold display)
The performance control CPU 65a (display control CPU 66a) executes display control regarding the reserved display in the first and second reserved display areas 51, 52, and display control regarding the multiple types of auxiliary reserved displays in the auxiliary image display area 53 and the auxiliary lighting display area 35, based on control signals such as a start winning command from the main control CPU 60a. The player can obtain reserved information regarding the reserved number of the decorative picture variable display as common information from the reserved display and each auxiliary reserved display. However, while the reserved display displayed in the first and second reserved display areas 51, 52 notifies the reserved number by the number of reserved images displayed, the auxiliary reserved display displayed in the auxiliary image display area 53 notifies the reserved number by displaying a numerical value, and the auxiliary lighting display area 35 notifies the reserved number by a combination of lighting and extinguishing of LEDs that is less than the upper limit number of reserved numbers.
Furthermore, the information grasped from the hold display displayed in the first and second hold display areas 51, 52, the auxiliary hold display displayed in the auxiliary image display area 53, and the auxiliary hold display displayed in the auxiliary lighting display area 35 is common, and even if the hold display displayed in the first and second hold display areas 51, 52 is included in the first information display, the auxiliary hold display displayed in the auxiliary image display area 53 is included in the second information display, and the auxiliary hold display displayed in the auxiliary lighting display area 35 is included in the third information display, the amount of information is first information display > second information display > third information display.

(Regarding the display/non-display of decorative patterns, reserved displays, auxiliary patterns, and auxiliary reserved displays)
In the decorative picture display area 50, the decorative picture change display may be in a non-display state (non-alert state) with the execution of a predetermined display performance on the display screen 17a, or the decorative picture change display may be in a state where it is difficult to see (alert restricted state, visibility restricted state) with the movement of the movable body 80 in front of the display screen 17a. The same applies to the first and second reserved display areas 51 and 52, and the reserved display may be in a non-display state (non-alert state) with the execution of a predetermined display performance on the display screen 17a, or the reserved display may be in a state where it is difficult to see (alert restricted state, visibility restricted state) with the movement of the movable body 80 in front of the display screen 17a. In these cases, the player will not be able to grasp information (pattern information) such as whether the decorative picture change display is in progress from the display of the decorative picture display area 50, and will not be able to grasp information (reserved information) such as the number of reserved decorative picture change displays from the display of the first and second reserved display areas 51 and 52. Therefore, during the period when the decorative picture in the decorative picture display area 50 is in a non-alert state or a limited-alert state, an auxiliary picture showing information (picture information) common to the decorative picture displayed in the decorative picture display area 50 is maintained in a clearly visible state (alert state) in another display area. Also, during the period when the reserved displays in the first and second reserved display areas 51, 52 are in a non-alert state or a limited-alert state, an auxiliary reserved display (auxiliary reserved display) showing information (reserved information) common to the reserved displays displayed in the first and second reserved display areas 51, 52 is maintained in a clearly visible state (alert state) in another display area.

When the decorative map change display in the decorative map display area 50 and the reserved display in the first and second reserved display areas 51, 52 are in a non-alert state or a restricted alert state, a reach performance pattern (reach A performance pattern, reach B performance pattern, and reach C performance pattern) corresponding to the decorative map change display including the advanced reach performance is determined. In other words, the decorative map change display in the decorative map display area 50 and the reserved display in the first and second reserved display areas 51, 52 are in a non-alert state or a restricted alert state during the execution period of the advanced reach A performance, the advanced reach B performance, and the advanced reach C performance. Therefore, the state of the decorative map, auxiliary pattern, and reserved display during the execution period of the decorative map change display including the advanced reach performance will be described below with reference to Figures 12, 13, and 14. In addition, in the decorative chart change display corresponding to the normal reach performance pattern, the decorative chart change display in the decorative chart display area 50 and the notification state of the hold display in the first and second hold display areas 51, 52 are maintained even during the execution period (first period) of the normal reach performance (first performance), and do not enter a non-notification state or a notification restricted state.

As shown in FIG. 12(a), the decorative figure change display executed based on the development reach A performance pattern has a non-reach period until the decorative figures are displayed stationary (provisionally stopped) in the left and right decorative figure areas 50a, 50c of the decorative figure display area 50, and a reach period from the start of the reach state until the decorative figures are displayed stationary (confirmed stop display). The reach period has a common performance period in which the same background image as in the non-reach period is maintained and a performance (common performance) is performed, and a development reach A performance period (second period) in which the background image behind the decorative figures is a unique background image and a development reach A performance (second performance) is performed. Here, FIG. 13(a) shows the display contents of the display screen 17a during the development reach A performance period. In the decorative figure display area 50 of the display screen 17a, the "5" reach pattern is displayed stationary in the left and right decorative figure areas 50a, 50c, and the pattern group of the decorative figures in the central decorative figure area 50b is changing. In addition, the first pending display area 51 displays a pending display (two pending images) indicating that the number of pending decorative chart change displays based on the start winning at the first start winning port 31a is "2", and the second pending display area 52 displays a pending display (no pending image) indicating that the number of pending decorative chart change displays based on the start winning at the second start winning port 32a is "0". Note that the decorative chart change display corresponds to the second special chart change display, and the first special chart change display is not being executed.

Here, in the development reach A performance, an action performance is executed in which the movable body 80 moves back and forth between the standby position 80A and the operating position 80B. In this action performance, the movable body 80 passes through the operation intermediate position 80C in front of the decorative figure display area 50, and the visibility of the decorative figure displayed in the decorative figure display area 50 is reduced by overlapping with the movable body 80. Also, when the movable body 80 reaches the operating position 80B, the visibility of the reserved display displayed in the first and second reserved display areas 51, 52 is reduced by overlapping with the movable body 80. In other words, during the development reach A performance period, the decorative figure change display in the decorative figure display area 50 and the reserved display in the first and second reserved display areas 51, 52 are in a notification restricted state. In contrast, the display control of the auxiliary image display area 53 and the auxiliary lighting display area 35 continues during the development reach A performance period, and they do not overlap behind the movable body 80. That is, as shown in FIG. 12(a), FIG. 13(b) and FIG. 13(c), during the development reach A performance period, the display of the decorative auxiliary pattern, the first auxiliary pattern, the second auxiliary pattern, the special 1 auxiliary pattern and the special 2 auxiliary pattern is maintained in a notification state, and it is notified that the decorative pattern is being displayed. Also, the auxiliary hold display in the first auxiliary hold display unit 53d, the second auxiliary hold display unit 53e, the special 1 auxiliary hold display unit 35c and the special 2 auxiliary hold display unit 35d is maintained in a notification state, and the number of reserved decorative pattern display is notified.

As shown in FIG. 12(b), the decorative display that is executed based on the development reach B performance pattern has a non-reach period and a reach period, and the reach period has a common performance period in which the same background image as in the non-reach period is maintained and a performance (common performance) is performed, and a development reach B performance period (second period) in which a development reach B performance (second performance) is performed. Here, FIG. 14(a) shows the display contents of the display screen 17a during the development reach B performance period. The development reach B performance does not include the movement performance of the movable body 80, but is a display performance that uses almost the entire display area of the display screen 17a. Specifically, an animation of two people fighting is displayed as the development reach B performance in the display area including the decorative display area 50 (decorative display areas 50a, 50b, 50c) and the first and second reserved display areas 51, 52 on the display screen 17a. That is, during the development reach B performance period, the display of the decorative image change in the decorative image areas 50a, 50b, and 50c is in a non-notification state, and the hold display in the first and second hold display areas 51 and 52 is in a non-notification state. In contrast, the display control of the auxiliary image display area 53 and the auxiliary lighting display area 35 continues during the development reach B performance period. That is, during the development reach B performance period, as shown in FIG. 12(b), the display of the decorative image auxiliary pattern, the first auxiliary pattern, the second auxiliary pattern, the special 1 auxiliary pattern, and the special 2 auxiliary pattern is maintained in a notification state, notifying that the decorative image change is being displayed, and the auxiliary hold display in the first auxiliary hold display unit 53d, the second auxiliary hold display unit 53e, the special 1 auxiliary hold display unit 35c, and the special 2 auxiliary hold display unit 35d is maintained in a notification state, and the number of holds of the decorative image change display is notified (display contents in FIG. 13(b) and FIG. 13(c)).

As shown in FIG. 12(c), the decorative chart change display executed based on the development reach C performance pattern has a non-reach period and a reach period, and the reach period has a common performance period in which the same background image as in the non-reach period is maintained and a performance (common performance) is performed, and a development reach C performance period (third period) in which a development reach C performance (third performance) is performed. Here, FIG. 14(b) shows the display contents of the display screen 17a during the development reach C performance period. The development reach C performance is a display performance in which the movable body 80 is operated, and then the entire display area of the display screen 17a is hidden (blacked out). Therefore, during the first half of the development reach C performance period (during the operation performance of the movable body 80), the decorative chart change display in the decorative chart areas 50a, 50b, and 50c is in a notification restricted state, and the reserved display in the first and second reserved display areas 51 and 52 is in a notification restricted state. Then, in the latter half of the development reach C performance period (during blackout), the display of the decoration figures in the decoration figure areas 50a, 50b, and 50c is in a non-notification state, and the display of the reservation in the first and second reservation display areas 51 and 52 is in a non-notification state. In addition, since the blackout caused by the development reach B performance is performed on the entire display screen 17a including the auxiliary image display area 53, in the latter half of the development reach C performance period, as shown in FIG. 12(c) and FIG. 14(b), the display of the decoration figure auxiliary pattern, the first auxiliary pattern, the second auxiliary pattern, and the auxiliary reservation display that can be displayed in the auxiliary image display area 53 are also in a non-notification state. However, the display control of the auxiliary lighting display area 35 is continued during the development reach C performance period. That is, in the development reach C performance period, as shown in FIG. 12(c), the display of the special 1 auxiliary pattern and the special 2 auxiliary pattern is maintained in a notification state, and it is notified that the decoration figure is being displayed. In addition, the auxiliary hold display in the special 1 auxiliary hold display section 35c and the special 2 auxiliary hold display section 35d is maintained in a notification state, and the number of holds in the decorative chart change display is notified.

In addition, during the big win game state (third period) in which a big win performance (third performance) is performed, during the small win game state (third period) in which a small win performance (third period) is performed, during the high ranking abnormality notification described below, and during the pre-variable return display upon power restoration described below (see Figure 18(b)), just like during the development reach C performance period, the decorative figures in the decorative figure display area 50, the hold displays in the first and second hold display areas 51, 52, the auxiliary patterns and auxiliary hold displays in the auxiliary image display area 53, etc. are all in a non-notification state, while the auxiliary patterns and auxiliary hold displays in the auxiliary lighting display area 35, etc. are maintained in a notification state. At the end of the Development Reach A, Development Reach B, and Development Reach C performances, the decorative image, which is the first information display frozen in the decorative image display area 50, the decorative image auxiliary pattern and the first and second auxiliary patterns, which are the second information display frozen in the auxiliary image display area 53, and the special 1 and special 2 auxiliary patterns, which are the third information display frozen in the auxiliary lighting display area 35, are all in a recognizable notification state without overlapping with each other.

Here, as effects suggesting the possibility of a big win display, there are provided the reach effect triggered by the reach display displayed on the pattern display device 17 during the decorative pattern change process, the pseudo-continuous notice effect in which the decorative patterns in each of the decorative pattern areas 50a, 50b, and 50c are temporarily stopped multiple times in one decorative pattern combination effect, and a continuous notice effect (pre-read notice effect) in which a change cycle in which the decorative pattern changes from the start to the stop of the change can be executed multiple times in succession. And, in an effect in which a temporary stop period is provided in which at least a part of the decorative patterns (displays) displayed in the decorative pattern areas 50a, 50b, and 50c are temporarily stopped, such as the reach effect and the pseudo-continuous notice effect, during the temporary stop period, a part of the decorative pattern, which is the first information display, is temporarily stopped, while the decorative pattern auxiliary pattern and the first and second auxiliary patterns, which are the second information display, are maintained in a change display in an alert state, and the decorative pattern auxiliary pattern and the first and second auxiliary patterns can be used to grasp information (pattern information) that the decorative pattern is being changed. That is, unlike when the decorative figure changing display in the decorative figure areas 50a, 50b, and 50c is in a notification restricted state or in a non-notification state, such as when the moving performance of the movable body 80 or a specific display performance (such as a fighting animation or blackout) is performed, even when a performance is performed in which a temporary stop period is set during which it is difficult or impossible to recognize that the decorative figure is changing, it is configured so that the decorative figure auxiliary pattern and the first and second auxiliary patterns can clearly recognize that the decorative figure is changing. In other words, the information that can be recognized during the temporary stop period is different between the decorative figure auxiliary pattern and the first and second auxiliary patterns and the decorative figure.

Here, the performance executed on the display screen 17a of the pattern display device 17 displays a specific image such as a character that is the motif of the pachinko machine 10 to enhance the interest of the player, and when such a performance is executed, the performance control CPU 65a controls the display so that the decorative figure during the change is reduced in size or displayed at a position off the center of the screen so as not to interfere with the specific image. In such a performance, for example, as shown in FIG. 15, the decorative figure display area 50 and the auxiliary image display area 53 may overlap from front to back during the change, and part or all of the decorative figure displayed in the decorative figure display area 50 may be hidden by the auxiliary pattern (decorative figure auxiliary pattern, first and second auxiliary patterns, etc.) displayed in the auxiliary image display area 53, and at the timing when the decorative figure and the auxiliary pattern overlap in this way, the display mode of the decorative figure may change from the first type to the second type. The change in the display mode may be a performance in which the shape of the decorative figure is changed or the color of the decorative figure is changed, and FIG. 15 shows a case where the color of the decorative figure is changed. For example, the color may change from a first type of white (FIG. 15(a)) to a second type of red (FIG. 15(b)). In addition, when the decorative pattern and the auxiliary pattern overlap, whether the decorative pattern is displayed as the first type or the second type, the performance control CPU 65a is configured to control the display of the decorative pattern and the auxiliary pattern so that the changing or stopped state can be recognized by the auxiliary pattern (decorative pattern auxiliary pattern, first and second auxiliary patterns, etc.) displayed in the auxiliary image display area 53.

Under the control of the main control CPU 60a, the pachinko machine 10 creates a low base state (first state) in which it is advantageous for the player to play in a left-handed play mode (first play mode), and a jackpot play state (second state) and a high base state (second state) in which it is advantageous for the player to play in a right-handed play mode (second play mode). Then, under the control of the presentation control CPU 65a (display control CPU 66a), during the period (transition period) from the end of the low-base state to its return, a right-handed notification presentation, which is a notification regarding the right-handed play mode, is displayed in a notification area (not shown) of the display screen 17a. The transition period refers to the period from the end of the display of the decoration chart change in the low base state due to a jackpot display (the end of the low base state) to the start of the first display of the decoration chart change in the subsequent low base state (the return to the low base state), or from the start of the specific short-change game state upon a specific short-change judgment to the start of the first display of the decoration chart change in the subsequent low base state (the return to the low base state). In addition, the pachinko machine 10 is configured to change the display position and display content of the right-hit notification display on the display screen 17a according to changes in the situation during the transition period (changes in the display performance, etc.).

(Regarding abnormality display areas 55a and 55b)
Next, with regard to the display screen 17a, the positional relationship between the abnormality notification areas 55a, 55b, which notify that an abnormal state has occurred in the pachinko machine 10, and the other display areas 50, 51, 52, 53 will be explained with reference to Figure 16.

The pachinko machine 10 is configured to be able to detect and report multiple types of abnormal conditions (errors). As described above, multiple abnormality detection sensors (not shown) as abnormality detection means for detecting abnormal conditions are electrically connected to the main control CPU 60a, and the main control CPU 60a judges whether or not the abnormal condition is one of multiple types based on the detection signals from each abnormality detection sensor. When the main control CPU 60a judges that an abnormal condition has occurred, an error designation command corresponding to the type of abnormal condition that has occurred is output from the main control CPU 60a to the performance control CPU 65a, and the performance control CPU 65a that has received this error designation command causes the pattern display device 17 (display screen 17a) or the like to execute an abnormality report according to the type of abnormal condition. Here, the main control CPU 60a is configured to be able to judge the occurrence of five types of abnormal conditions, namely, a first error, a second error, a third error, a fourth error, and a fifth error. Priorities for abnormal reporting are set for these abnormal conditions. In this embodiment, the notification priority is set to be the highest for the first error, followed by the second error, the third error, the fourth error, and the fifth error in decreasing order.

As shown in FIG. 16, the display screen 17a has a plurality of low-priority abnormality notification areas 55a extending horizontally in a strip shape set as areas for executing (displaying) low-priority abnormality notifications (first abnormality notifications) for the third to fifth errors (low-priority errors) which have a low notification priority, and a high-priority abnormality notification area 55b larger than the low-priority abnormality notification areas 55a set as areas for executing (displaying) high-priority abnormality notifications (second abnormality notifications) for the first and second errors (high-priority errors) which have a high notification priority.

The low-ranking abnormality notification area 55a is set in a position that does not overlap with the decorative drawing display area 50, the first and second reserved display areas 51, 52, and the auxiliary image display area 53 on the display screen 17a. In other words, when a low-ranking abnormality notification is executed, the change in the display state of the display screen 17a is smaller than that of a high-ranking abnormality notification, and the effect of notifying the occurrence of an abnormal condition is relatively low, but it can be executed while maintaining the display images, such as the decorative drawing change display in the decorative drawing display area 50, the reserved display by the reserved image in the first and second reserved display areas 51, 52, and the auxiliary pattern and auxiliary reserved display in the auxiliary image display area 53, in the notification state.

In contrast, the high-ranking abnormality notification area 55b is set to occupy a large range that is substantially the entire display area on the display screen 17a, including the decorative figure display area 50, the first and second reserved display areas 51, 52, and the auxiliary image display area 53. In other words, when a high-ranking abnormality notification is executed, the decorative figure changing display in the decorative figure display area 50, the reserved image display by the reserved image in the first and second reserved display areas 51, 52, and the auxiliary pattern and auxiliary reserved display in the auxiliary image display area 53 change to a non-notification state. This provides a high level of effectiveness in notifying the occurrence of an abnormal state, and the occurrence of a high-ranking error can be reliably communicated to the player.

The aforementioned auxiliary lighting display area 35 is provided separately from the display screen 17a (at the upper right of the frame-shaped decorative body 25), and does not need to be put into a non-alarm state (hidden state) in response to a change in the display mode due to an abnormality notification on the display screen 17a, etc. For this reason, the performance control CPU 65a is configured to be able to control the notification state of the auxiliary patterns and auxiliary hold display in the auxiliary lighting display area 35 to be maintained even after the execution of a low-ranking abnormality notification or a high-ranking abnormality notification on the display screen 17a has begun.

In other words, when a low-ranking abnormality notification is executed in response to the occurrence of a low-ranking error in the notification state of the auxiliary pattern (e.g., the decorative pattern auxiliary pattern) or the auxiliary reserved display in the auxiliary image display area 53 during the decorative pattern variable display in the decorative pattern display area 50, the notification state of the decorative pattern auxiliary pattern or the auxiliary reserved display is maintained. On the other hand, when a high-ranking abnormality notification is executed in response to the occurrence of a high-ranking error in the notification state of the auxiliary pattern (e.g., the decorative pattern auxiliary pattern) in the auxiliary image display area 53, the notification state of the decorative pattern auxiliary pattern or the auxiliary reserved display is not maintained and becomes a non-notification state. However, whether a low-ranking abnormality notification or a high-ranking abnormality notification is executed, the notification state of the auxiliary pattern (special 1 auxiliary pattern or special 2 auxiliary pattern) or the auxiliary reserved display in the auxiliary lighting display area 35 is maintained, so the player can obtain information regarding the start winning information (whether or not it is a jackpot, etc.).

(Display contents of various patterns in display areas 50, 53, and 35 when power is restored)
Next, the process by which the display content in the pattern display device 17 (decorative pattern display area 50, auxiliary image display area 53) and the auxiliary lighting display area 35 is restored upon power restoration will be explained with reference to Figures 17 and 18.

As shown in FIG. 17, when the power changes from an off state to an on state (power restoration), the performance control CPU 65a displays an initial recovery display indicating that the power has been restored on the display screen 17a of the pattern display device 17. In the initial recovery display, for example, as shown in FIG. 18(a), a text image saying "Please wait a moment" and a text image showing version information regarding the settings of the control program by the performance control CPU 65a are displayed in front of a monochrome background. At this point, the auxiliary lighting display area 35 remains in a non-alert state (off state).

After the power is restored, the performance control CPU 65a acquires various information for restoring the display contents of the pattern display device 17 and the auxiliary lighting display area 35 based on the input of the series of commands related to the power restoration described above, and stores it in the performance control RAM 65c. In this case, the information acquired by the performance control CPU 65a includes the type of special symbol that was stopped when the power was cut off (lighting state), the type of special symbol that is stopped and displayed as a result of the special symbol variation display when the power was cut off (lighting state), the game state when the power was cut off (whether or not the game state was favorable for playing in the right-hand play mode), the number of times the special symbol variation display was performed in the high probability state or high base state when the power was cut off, and other types of situations when the power was cut off. Here, the performance control CPU 65a is configured to be able to identify the types of situations when the power was cut off as being either special symbol stopped (decorative symbol stopped display), special symbol variation (decorative symbol variation display), small hit game state, big hit game state, or specific short game state.

The performance control CPU 65a controls the auxiliary lighting display area 35, which was in an off state, at the timing when a series of commands related to power restoration from the main control CPU 60a is input, and the display of each display section 35a, 35b, 35c, 35d, 35e of the auxiliary lighting display area 35 is restored from a specific state to a normal state (display content based on normal control) at the time of power restoration. At this time, if the first special pattern variable display was in progress when the power was cut off, the special 1 auxiliary pattern display section 35a displays the special 1 auxiliary pattern in a variable state (blinking state), and the special 2 auxiliary pattern display section 35b displays the special 2 auxiliary pattern before the power cut in a stopped state. Also, if the second special pattern variable display was in progress when the power was cut off, the special 2 auxiliary pattern display section 35b displays the special 2 auxiliary pattern in a variable state (blinking state), and the special 1 auxiliary pattern display section 35a displays the special 1 auxiliary pattern before the power cut in a stopped state. Furthermore, if the power is cut off while the special chart 1 and special chart 2 are not being displayed, the special 1 auxiliary pattern display section 35a will display a frozen special 1 auxiliary pattern as it was before the power was cut off, and the special 2 auxiliary pattern display section 35b will display a frozen special 2 auxiliary pattern as it was before the power was cut off.

In response to this, the decorative pattern change display, hold display, auxiliary pattern, and auxiliary hold display displayed on the pattern display device 17 are restored to the display content based on normal control through a process that differs depending on the type of situation at the time of power outage. In other words, before the decorative pattern, hold display, auxiliary pattern, and auxiliary hold display on the display screen 17a return to the notification state, the auxiliary pattern and auxiliary hold display in the auxiliary lighting display area 35 change from a non-notification state (off state) to a notification state.

When the power is cut off while the special chart is stopped (when the decorative chart is stopped), the performance control CPU 65a controls the display contents of the pattern display device 17 based on the input of a series of commands related to power restoration, and displays a power recovery display on the display screen 17a. This power recovery display displays at least the decorative chart in a combination of predetermined power recovery patterns. In the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 18(d), the decorative chart in the decorative chart display area 50 is displayed in a power recovery pattern (for example, a combination of "3", "2", and "1"), and the decorative chart auxiliary pattern in the auxiliary image display area 53 is displayed in a power recovery pattern (for example, a combination of "3", "2", and "1"), and the first and second auxiliary patterns are displayed in a power recovery pattern (for example, "0"). In addition, the power recovery display is configured to display a background image according to the performance mode (in the case of "Secret mode", the background image of "Secret 1", which has the lowest expectation) (the background image is omitted in FIG. 18(d)).

Here, if the power is cut off while the special chart is stopped (while the decorative chart is stopped and displayed), the command from the main control CPU 60a that can be input after the series of commands related to power restoration is any one of the special chart fluctuation pattern designation command, demo command, big win start command, small win start command, and specific short-change start command. Note that the big win start command and small win start command can only be input if the power is cut off during the fluctuation interval time. Then, when the performance control CPU 65a specifies that the special chart is stopped (while the decorative chart is stopped and displayed) as the type of situation at the time of the power cut, it returns the display screen 17a to the display content based on normal control, triggered by the input of a command that can be input after the series of commands related to power restoration (any one of the special chart fluctuation pattern designation command, demo command, big win start command, small win start command, and specific short-change start command).

If the power is cut off while the special chart is changing (the decorative chart is changing), the performance control CPU 65a controls the display content of the pattern display device 17 based on the input of a series of commands related to power restoration, and causes the display screen 17a to display the display before the change is restored. For example, the display before the change is restored displays a text image saying "Restoring" in front of a monochrome background, as shown in FIG. 18(b). Then, after inputting the series of commands related to power restoration, a stop command can be input from the main control CPU 60a. The input of this stop command triggers the performance control CPU 65a to display the power restoration display (see FIG. 18(d)) on the display screen 17a.

Here, if the power is cut off while the special chart is changing (when the decorative chart is changing), the specific short-run game state, small win game state, or big win game state may start after the change time during the special chart change (when the decorative chart is changing) has elapsed and the power recovery display is displayed. If the display screen 17a is returned to the display content based on normal control at the start of this specific short-run game state, small win game state, or big win game state, a sense of incongruity or inconvenience may occur because the display presentation after the return will not correspond to the presentation content before. In contrast, in the embodiment, the timing at which the performance control CPU 65a returns the display screen 17a to the display content based on normal control is varied depending on whether the type of special chart change display (decorative chart change display) at the time of power failure was a loss change that resulted in a loss pattern (loss display), a specific short change display that resulted in a specific short change pattern (specific short change display), a small win change that resulted in a small win pattern (small win display), or a big win change that resulted in a big win pattern (big win display).

If the game was in a miss state when the power was cut off, after the stop command is input (after the power recovery display), the main control CPU 60a may input either a special chart change pattern designation command or a demo command. In this case, since a specific short-time game state, a small win game state, or a big win game state does not occur, the presentation control CPU 65a will return the display screen 17a to the display content based on normal control upon input of a command that can be input after the stop command (either a special chart change pattern designation command or a demo command).

If a specific short-change fluctuation was in progress when the power was cut off, after the stop command was input (after the power recovery display), a specific short-change start command is input from the main control CPU 60a, and the specific short-change game state is started under the control of the main control CPU 60a. However, it is necessary to prevent any discomfort or inconvenience from occurring regarding the presentation content during the specific short-change game state. For this reason, the presentation control CPU 65a, upon input of the specific short-change start command, displays the specific short-change presentation stored as a general-purpose presentation in the presentation control RAM 65c on the display screen 17a. Then, upon input of the specific short-change end command from the main control CPU 60a, the display screen 17a is returned to the display content based on normal control.

If the power is cut off during a small win fluctuation, after the stop command is input (after the power recovery display), a small win start command is input from the main control CPU 60a, and the small win game state is started under the control of the main control CPU 60a. However, it is necessary to prevent discomfort or inconvenience from occurring regarding the presentation content during the small win game state. In addition, in the small win game state, the player cannot expect to win a large number of prize balls, and notifying the player of the small win game state does not lead to the player's benefit. For this reason, when a command related to the small win game state (small win start command, open command, close command, small win end command (ending command)) is input from the main control CPU 60a, the presentation control CPU 65a maintains the power recovery display without changing the display content of the display screen 17a, and then, triggered by the input of either a special chart fluctuation pattern designation command or a demo command from the main control CPU 60a, the display screen 17a is restored to the display content based on normal control.

If the jackpot fluctuation occurred when the power was cut off, after the stop command was input (after the power recovery display), a jackpot start command is input from the main control CPU 60a, and the jackpot game state is started under the control of the main control CPU 60a. However, it is necessary to prevent any discomfort or inconvenience from occurring regarding the presentation content during the jackpot game state. Therefore, the presentation control CPU 65a uses the input of the jackpot start command, open command, or close command as a trigger to display the jackpot presentation stored as a general-purpose presentation in the presentation control RAM 65c on the display screen 17a. Then, using the input of the jackpot end command (ending command) from the main control CPU 60a as a trigger, the display screen 17a is returned to the display content based on normal control.

When a specific variable-time play state is interrupted by a power outage and resumed when the power is restored, if the display screen 17a is restored to the display content based on normal control during the resumed specific variable-time play, the display performance after the restoration may not correspond to the previous performance content, which may cause discomfort or inconvenience. For this reason, the performance control CPU 65a controls the display content of the pattern display device 17 based on the input of a series of commands related to the power restoration, and displays the display before the specific variable-time play is restored on the display screen 17a. This display before the specific variable-time play is, for example, a text image of "specific variable-time play in progress" in front of a single-color background. In addition, the performance control CPU 65a, upon input of a specific variable-time play resume command from the main control CPU 60a, displays the specific variable-time play performance stored as a general-purpose performance in the performance control RAM 65c on the display screen 17a. Then, upon input of a specific variable-time play end command from the main control CPU 60a, the display screen 17a is restored to the display content based on normal control.

When a small win game state is interrupted by a power outage and resumed when the power is restored, if the display screen 17a is restored to the display content based on normal control during the small win game state after the restart, the display performance after the restoration may not correspond to the previous performance content, which may cause discomfort or inconvenience. In addition, in the small win game state, one cannot expect to win a large number of prize balls, and even if the player is notified, it does not lead to any benefit to the player. For this reason, if the power outage occurs during a small win game state, the performance control CPU 65a controls the display content of the pattern display device 17 based on the input of a series of commands related to power restoration, and causes the display screen 17a to display a power restoration display. Then, when the main control CPU 60a inputs a command to open the small win game state, close the small win, or end the small win (ending command), the power recovery display is maintained without changing the display content on the display screen 17a, and then, when the main control CPU 60a inputs either a special chart variation pattern designation command or a demo command, the display screen 17a is restored to the display content based on normal control.

When the first to fifth jackpots are interrupted by a power outage and resumed when the power is restored, if the display screen 17a is restored to the display content based on normal control during the first to fifth jackpots after the restart, the display performance after the restoration may not correspond to the previous performance content, which may cause discomfort or inconvenience. For this reason, the performance control CPU 65a controls the display content of the pattern display device 17 based on the input of a series of commands related to the power restoration, and displays the display before the return to the jackpot on the display screen 17a. For example, as shown in FIG. 18(c), this display before the return to the jackpot displays a text image of "jackpot in progress" in front of a monochrome background. In addition, the performance control CPU 65a displays the jackpot performance stored as a general-purpose performance in the performance control RAM 65c on the display screen 17a in response to the input of the opening command and closing command for the first to fifth jackpots from the main control CPU 60a. Then, when a jackpot end command (ending command) is input from the main control CPU 60a, the display screen 17a is returned to the display content based on normal control.

In this way, the performance control CPU 65a is configured to restore the display contents of the auxiliary lighting display area 35 before the timing of restoration of the display contents by the pattern display device 17 (display screen 17a). In other words, with regard to the control of the pattern display by the performance control CPU 65a, when the power is restored from a power outage, the display contents of the Special 1 auxiliary pattern and the Special 2 auxiliary pattern displayed in the Special 1 and Special 2 auxiliary pattern display sections 35a, 35b of the auxiliary lighting display area 35 are restored first, and thereafter, the display contents of the decorative pattern displayed in the decorative pattern display area 50 of the display screen 17a, and the display contents of the decorative pattern auxiliary pattern and the first and second auxiliary patterns displayed in the auxiliary image display area 53 of the display screen 17a are restored.

Here, in the pachinko machine 10 of the embodiment, if the power is cut off during the special chart change (during the display of the decorative chart change), the special chart change (decorative chart and auxiliary chart change) that was interrupted due to the power cut is configured to be resumed by the power recovery, and after the power recovery display is displayed, the special chart change (decorative chart and auxiliary chart change) can be performed for the remaining change time. If the power is cut off during the special chart change (during the display of the decorative chart change, during a specific period), this includes cases where the power cut occurs when at least the display of the decorative chart (first information display) change is in a non-notification state (unrecognizable) (during the execution of a special performance) due to the action performance of the movable body 80 of the development reach A performance (special performance), the fighting animation performance of the development reach B performance (special performance), and the blackout performance of the development reach C performance (special performance). In this way, even if a power outage occurs when the variable display of the decorative pattern is in a non-alarm state and then power is restored, the performance control CPU 65a restores the display contents of the special 1 and special 2 auxiliary patterns (third information display) displayed in the auxiliary lighting display area 35, and thereafter controls the restoration of the display contents of the decorative pattern (first information display) displayed in the decorative pattern display area 50 of the display screen 17a, and the display contents of the decorative pattern auxiliary pattern and the first and second auxiliary patterns (second information display) displayed in the auxiliary image display area 53 of the display screen 17a. In other words, the performance control CPU 65a controls the display time of the special 1 and special 2 auxiliary patterns (third information display) to be longer than the display time of the other information displays when power is restored. In the embodiment, the display contents of the decorative auxiliary pattern, the first and second auxiliary patterns (second information display), and the decorative pattern (first information display) are restored simultaneously, but in response to the difference in the amount of information indicated by the patterns (decorative patterns and auxiliary patterns), the display contents of the decorative pattern (first information display) may be restored after the display contents of the decorative auxiliary pattern and the first and second auxiliary patterns (second information display) with less information are restored. Also, the display time is the time from when the display contents are restored to when the remaining variable time elapses (until the end timing) when power is restored, and the earlier the display contents of the information display are restored after power is restored, the longer the display time.
In addition, in the pachinko machine 10 of the embodiment, the timing of displaying the decorative figure auxiliary pattern upon power recovery is different between (A) when the power was cut off while the special figure was stopped (when the decorative figure was stopped and displayed) and (B) when the power was cut off while the special figure was changing (when the decorative figure was changing and displayed). However, in both cases (A) and (B), the timing of displaying the decorative figure and the decorative figure auxiliary pattern is configured to be the same. In addition, in the pachinko machine 10, when power is restored, the decorative figure display area 50 and the auxiliary image display area 53 are configured to display the above-mentioned power recovery pattern, and in both cases (A) and (B), the types of the decorative figure and the decorative figure auxiliary pattern displayed upon power recovery are configured to match. Note that by setting the power recovery pattern to a type different from any of the big win pattern, small win pattern, specific short-change pattern, and miss pattern, the types of the decorative figure and the decorative figure auxiliary pattern displayed upon power recovery can be made to match and different from the type displayed at the time of power loss. In addition, by sharing the power restoration pattern with the failure pattern, the type of the failure pattern displayed when the power is cut off and the type of the failure pattern displayed as the power restoration pattern when the power is restored can be made different, so that the user can recognize that power has been restored.
Here, when a power outage occurs while the decorative figure is displaying a reach state, the manner in which the decorative figure and the decorative figure auxiliary pattern are displayed upon power recovery is the same as when the power outage occurs during the special pattern change (during the display of the decorative figure change), and both patterns are displayed in a non-reach state. Note that when power is restored, the entire pattern display device 17 (decorative figure display area 50 and auxiliary image display area 53) is configured to display the initial recovery display and the display before the change recovery, and the decorative figure and the decorative figure auxiliary pattern are configured to be in a non-reporting state (not displayed), and when a power outage occurs while the decorative figure is displaying a reach state, the display upon power recovery is configured to be in a non-reach state, including the non-display of the decorative figure and the decorative figure auxiliary pattern and the display of the power recovery pattern.

(Function of the Example)
Next, the operation and effects of the above-described embodiment will be described.

(Actions and effects of decorative and auxiliary designs)
In the pachinko machine 10 of the embodiment, the main control CPU 60a (first control unit) acquires start winning information (various random number values) upon start winning (establishment of the judgment condition) in the start winning port 31a, 32a, and executes a special winning judgment (win/lose judgment) based on the acquired start winning information. This main control CPU 60a controls the special winning display unit Ma, Mb (pattern display unit) of the game information display M to display special winning 1, special winning 2, and reserved display as special information display related to the start winning information. In addition, the performance control CPU 65a (second control unit), which executes performance control based on commands (control signals) from the main control CPU 60a, controls the display of a decorative diagram as a performance information display (first information display) related to the starting winning information in the decorative diagram display area 50 (performance information display area) of the display screen 17a (performance display means), and controls the display of a hold display as a performance information display in the first and second hold display areas 51, 52 (performance information display area) of the display screen 17a (performance display means).

The auxiliary image display area 53 (first auxiliary information display area) displays the decorative auxiliary pattern (first auxiliary information display, second information display) by image, and the auxiliary lighting display area 35 (second auxiliary information display area) displays the special 1 and special 2 auxiliary patterns (second auxiliary information display, third information display) by lighting the LED. The auxiliary pattern (auxiliary information display) shows pattern information such as the result of the special pattern hit judgment as information common to the decorative pattern. The auxiliary image display area 53 also displays the auxiliary reserved display (first auxiliary information display) showing the reserved number (reserved information) of the decorative pattern change display as information common to the reserved display, and the auxiliary lighting display area 35 displays the auxiliary reserved display (second auxiliary information display) showing the reserved number (reserved information) of the decorative pattern change display by lighting the LED (in a manner different from the first auxiliary information display) as information common to the reserved display.

In other words, the performance control CPU 65a can notify pattern information such as the result of the special pattern hit judgment using the decorative pattern displayed in the decorative pattern display area 50, the decorative pattern auxiliary pattern displayed in the auxiliary image display area 53, and the special 1 and special 2 auxiliary patterns displayed in the auxiliary lighting display area 35. In addition, the performance control CPU 65a can notify the number of waiting times (pending information) for the special pattern hit judgment using the pending display displayed in the first and second pending display areas 51, 52, the auxiliary pending display displayed in the auxiliary image display area 53, and the auxiliary pending display displayed in the auxiliary lighting display area 35.

Regarding control when power is restored, the performance control CPU 65a of the pachinko machine 10 performs control so that when a power outage occurs while the decorative figures are changing on the display screen 17a (decorative figure display area 50) and at least the changing display of the decorative figures is unrecognizable due to a special performance, and power is then restored, the display contents of the special 1 and special 2 auxiliary figures in the auxiliary lighting display area 35 are restored to the display contents based on normal control before the timing when the display contents of the decorative figures are restored to the display contents based on normal control. In other words, even if a power outage occurs when the decorative figures are in a non-alert state where they cannot be recognized, when power is subsequently restored, the special 1 and special 2 auxiliary figures first change to the alert state, and the display time of the special 1 and special 2 auxiliary figures is longer than the display time of the decorative figures and decorative figure auxiliary figures whose display contents are subsequently restored, so that it is easy for the player to grasp what to check in order to obtain information regarding the start-up winning information when power is restored. The amount of information shown by the decorative pattern (first information display), decorative pattern auxiliary pattern (second information display), first and second auxiliary patterns (second information display), and special 1 and special 2 auxiliary patterns (third information display) during the variable display is set to a relationship of Special 1 and Special 2 auxiliary patterns (third information display) < decorative pattern auxiliary pattern (second information display) and first and second auxiliary patterns (second information display) < decorative pattern (first information display). In the event of a power outage or other unforeseen event, the display time of the special 1 and special 2 auxiliary patterns (third information display), which have the least amount of information, is set to be the longest when power is restored, so that players can properly grasp the information regarding the start-up winning information before power restoration without becoming confused when power is restored.

In addition, when the decorative figure display area 50 and the auxiliary image display area 53 overlap each other from front to back and the display mode of the decorative figure changes between the first and second types during the decorative figure change, and even if a part of the decorative figure displayed in the decorative figure display area 50 is hidden by the auxiliary pattern (decorative figure auxiliary pattern, first and second auxiliary pattern, etc.) displayed in the auxiliary image display area 53, the performance control CPU 65a controls the display of the decorative figure and auxiliary pattern so that the player can recognize whether the state is changing or stopped by the auxiliary pattern (decorative figure auxiliary pattern, first and second auxiliary pattern, etc.) displayed in the auxiliary image display area 53. In other words, the player can be made to properly grasp the necessary information (state) by the auxiliary pattern (decorative figure auxiliary pattern, first and second auxiliary pattern, etc.) while increasing interest by executing a specific image on the display screen 17a, etc. In addition, by preventing the decorative figures and auxiliary figures from overlapping when the decorative figures (first information display), decorative figure auxiliary figures (second information display), first and second auxiliary figures (second information display), and special 1 and special 2 auxiliary figures (third information display) are stopped, information regarding the initial winning information can be properly grasped from the decorative figures and each auxiliary figure.

In the pachinko machine 10 of the embodiment, if the big hit judgment or small hit judgment does not result in a hit, a special short change, which is an advantage that can be awarded without going through a winning game, can be awarded, and when the special short change is awarded, the decorative figure is stopped in a display mode indicating that a special short change will be awarded, while the decorative figure auxiliary pattern (second information display) and the first and second auxiliary patterns (second information display) can be stopped in a display mode different from the mode indicating a miss, so that the player can properly understand that the special short change awarded is an advantage that is not a hit.

In a performance in which a temporary stop period is provided for temporarily stopping at least some of the decorative figures (displays) displayed in the decorative figure areas 50a, 50b, and 50c, the performance control CPU 65a controls the display of the decorative figure auxiliary pattern and the first and second auxiliary patterns so that the changing display is maintained in a notification state while some of the decorative figures are temporarily stopped during the temporary stop period. In other words, even when a performance is being performed in which a temporary stop period is provided in which it is difficult or impossible to recognize that the decorative figures are changing, the information that cannot be recognized due to the temporary stop of the decorative figures (information on whether they are changing or not) can be clearly grasped from the decorative figure auxiliary pattern and the first and second auxiliary patterns.

In the pachinko machine 10 of the embodiment, the information displayed when the decorative auxiliary pattern (second information display) and the first and second auxiliary patterns (second information display) are stopped is different from the information displayed when the special 1 and special 2 auxiliary patterns (third information display) are stopped. However, the performance control CPU 65a controls the display so that, during the change of the decorative pattern, the decorative auxiliary pattern (second information display), the first and second auxiliary patterns (second information display), and the special 1 and special 2 auxiliary patterns (third information display) all display common pattern information that indicates that the decorative pattern is changing, by changing display that switches the pattern group of the auxiliary patterns. In other words, during the change of the decorative pattern, in addition to the decorative pattern, the decorative auxiliary pattern (second information display), the first and second auxiliary patterns (second information display), and the special 1 and special 2 auxiliary patterns (third information display) also display common information indicating that the decorative pattern is changing, making it easier to grasp the information during the change.

In the pachinko machine 10 of the embodiment, the change mode of the decorative auxiliary pattern (second information display) displayed in the decorative auxiliary pattern display section 53a is different from the change mode of the decorative pattern (first information display) displayed in the decorative pattern display area 50, so that it is easy to distinguish between the two. Also, in the case of a hit in the big hit judgment, small hit judgment, or specific short hit judgment, the display mode of the decorative auxiliary pattern (second information display) displayed in a stopped state in the decorative auxiliary pattern display section 53a and the display mode of the decorative pattern (first information display) displayed in a stopped state in the decorative pattern display area 50 are configured to be display modes that indicate the same advantage degree (type of big hit, type of specific short hit, etc.), so that the player can easily understand the advantage degree that is given.

In the pachinko machine 10 of the embodiment, the display mode of the decorative image differs depending on the type of presentation mode, so that the display mode of the decorative image can give each presentation mode a distinctive feature, and the type of presentation mode can be easily understood by the display mode of the decorative image. On the other hand, the display modes of the decorative image auxiliary image displayed in the decorative image auxiliary image display section 53a of the auxiliary image display area 53, the first and second auxiliary images displayed in the first and second auxiliary image display sections 53b and 53c, and the auxiliary hold display displayed in the first and second auxiliary hold display sections 53d and 53e are configured to be common regardless of the type of presentation mode, so that the amount of control data can be reduced.

In the pachinko machine 10 of the embodiment, the display mode indicating that the decorative figure or auxiliary figure is changing is different in each of the decorative figure display area 50, the decorative figure auxiliary figure display section 53a, the special 1 auxiliary figure display section 35a, and the special 2 auxiliary figure display section 35b, so that the decorative figures and each auxiliary figure (decorative figure auxiliary figures, special 1 and special 2 auxiliary figures, etc.) can be easily identified while changing.

The performance control CPU 65a controls the decorative picture change display in the decorative picture display area 50 to be in a notification state during the execution period (first period) of the normal reach performance (first performance) based on the normal reach performance pattern. Also, during the development reach A, B performance period (second period) in which the development reach A, B performance (second performance) based on the development reach A performance pattern or the development reach B performance pattern is executed, the performance control CPU 65a controls the decorative picture change display in the decorative picture display area 50 to be in a notification restricted state or a non-notification state, while controlling the decorative picture auxiliary pattern in the auxiliary image display area 53 to be in a notification state and the special 1 and special 2 auxiliary patterns in the auxiliary lighting display area 35 to be in a notification state.

Here, during the development reach C performance period (third period) in which the development reach C performance (third performance) based on the development reach C performance pattern is executed, the performance control CPU 65a controls the decorative figure in the decorative figure display area 50 to be in a non-notification state and the decorative figure auxiliary pattern in the auxiliary image display area 53 to be in a non-notification state, but controls the special 1 and special 2 auxiliary patterns in the auxiliary lighting display area 35 to be in an indication state. In addition, during the big win game state (the execution period of the big win performance) and the small win game state (the execution period of the small win performance), the performance control CPU 65a controls the decorative figure variable display in the decorative figure display area 50 and the decorative figure auxiliary pattern in the auxiliary image display area 53 to be in a non-notification state and controls the special 1 and special 2 auxiliary patterns in the auxiliary lighting display area 35 to be in an indication state.

That is, in the pachinko machine 10 of the embodiment, during the execution period (first period) of the normal reach performance, the normal reach performance is executed while the decorative figure is in the notification state, so that the normal reach performance enhances the interest of the game, while the information regarding the start winning information can be grasped from the display contents of the decorative figure. On the other hand, during the development reach A, B performance period (second period), the decorative figure is in the notification restricted state or the decorative figure is in the non-notification state due to the operation of the movable body 80, but the decorative figure auxiliary pattern and the special 1 and special 2 auxiliary patterns are in the notification state, so that the information regarding the start winning information (common information) can be grasped. Since the decorative figure auxiliary pattern (image) and the special 1 and special 2 auxiliary patterns (LED lighting) are displayed in different modes, during the second period in which the decorative figure is in the notification restricted state or non-notification state, it is easier to grasp the information regarding the start winning information compared to when only one type of auxiliary pattern is displayed. In addition, during the development reach C performance period (third period), even if one of the decorative auxiliary pattern and the special 1 and special 2 auxiliary patterns (in this embodiment, the decorative auxiliary pattern) is in the notification restricted state or non-notification state, the other (in this embodiment, the special 1 and special 2 auxiliary patterns) is in the notification state, so it is possible to maintain a state in which information regarding the starting winning information can be grasped from the auxiliary pattern.

In response to an input of an error designation command from the main control CPU 60a, the performance control CPU 65a notifies the occurrence of an abnormal state (any of the first to fifth errors) of the type corresponding to the error designation command. Here, the performance control CPU 65a executes a low-priority abnormality notification (first abnormality notification) for the third to fifth errors (first abnormality) of low notification priority in the low-priority abnormality notification area 55a that does not overlap with the decorative map display area 50, the first and second reserved display areas 51, 52, and the auxiliary image display area 53 on the display screen 17a, and executes a high-priority abnormality notification (second abnormality notification) for the first and second errors (second abnormality) of high notification priority in the high-priority abnormality notification area 55b that overlaps with the decorative map display area 50, the first and second reserved display areas 51, 52, and the auxiliary image display area 53 on the display screen 17a. That is, the performance control CPU 65a executes and controls a low-ranking abnormality notification in a manner that allows the display mode of the auxiliary hold display using the decorative auxiliary pattern or image to be maintained in response to the occurrence of any of the third to fifth errors. On the other hand, in response to the occurrence of any of the first or second errors, the performance control CPU 65a executes and controls a high-ranking abnormality notification in a manner that does not allow the display mode of the auxiliary hold display using the decorative auxiliary pattern or image to be maintained. However, while the low-ranking abnormality notification and the high-ranking abnormality notification are being executed, the performance control CPU 65a performs control to maintain the auxiliary hold display using the special 1 and special 2 auxiliary patterns and the lighting of the LED in the auxiliary lighting display area 35.

In other words, in the pachinko machine 10 of the embodiment, during the execution of the low-ranking abnormality notification, the notification state of the auxiliary hold display by the decorative auxiliary symbols and images in the auxiliary image display area 53 and the notification state of the auxiliary hold display by the lighting of the special 1 and special 2 auxiliary symbols and LEDs in the auxiliary lighting display area 35 are each maintained, so that while notifying the occurrence of the third to fifth errors, information regarding the start winning information can be easily grasped and notified. During the execution of the high-ranking abnormality notification, the notification state of the auxiliary hold display by the decorative auxiliary symbols and images in the auxiliary image display area 53 is not maintained, so there is a high degree of freedom in the notification mode of the high-ranking abnormality notification, and the effect of notifying the occurrence of the first and second errors can be improved. In addition, the auxiliary hold display by the lighting of the special 1 and special 2 auxiliary symbols and LEDs in the auxiliary lighting display area 35 is in the notification state even during the execution of the high-ranking abnormality notification, so a state in which the player can obtain information regarding the start winning information can be maintained even when the high-ranking abnormality notification is being executed.

(Example of change)
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be modified as follows.
(1) In the embodiment, the notification restriction state for the decorative drawings and reserved displays displayed in the decorative drawing display area and reserved display area is generated in response to the movement of a movable body in front of the display screen. However, the notification restriction state for the decorative drawing or reserved display may also be generated by the presence of another display image displayed overlapping the foreground on the display screen.
(2) In the embodiment, the decorative auxiliary pattern, the first auxiliary pattern, and the second auxiliary pattern are displayed as auxiliary patterns in the auxiliary image display area, but the decorative auxiliary pattern may not be displayed, or the first auxiliary pattern and the second auxiliary pattern may not be displayed.
(3) In the embodiment, the auxiliary image display area is configured to display the auxiliary patterns (decorative auxiliary patterns, first and second auxiliary patterns) and the auxiliary reserved display, but one of the auxiliary patterns and the auxiliary reserved display may be displayed and the other may not be displayed. Also, in the embodiment, the auxiliary lighting display area is configured to display the auxiliary patterns (special 1 and special 2 auxiliary patterns) and the auxiliary reserved display, but one of the auxiliary patterns and the auxiliary reserved display may be displayed and the other may not be displayed.
(4) In the embodiment, during the development reach A performance period and the development reach C performance period, the decorative diagram changing display and the reserved display displayed in the decorative diagram display area and the reserved display area are in a notification restricted state, but the decorative diagram changing display and the reserved display may also be hidden (non-notification state) while the movable body is operating.
(5) In the embodiment, an auxiliary image display area (first auxiliary information display area) that displays an auxiliary pattern (second information display) using an image is provided in one location on the display screen of the pattern display device that displays decorative designs, etc., but auxiliary image display areas (first auxiliary information display areas) can be provided in multiple locations, and if the auxiliary pattern (second information display) in one auxiliary image display area (first auxiliary information display area) is in a non-alert state or an alert-restricted state due to the operation of a movable body or the performance executed on the display screen, a configuration can be adopted in which the auxiliary pattern (second information display) is displayed in another auxiliary image display area (first auxiliary information display area).
(6) In the embodiments, a portion of the display screen of the pattern display device that displays decorative designs, etc. is set as an auxiliary image display area (first auxiliary information display area) for auxiliary display using images (display of auxiliary patterns). However, this auxiliary image display area may be provided on the display screen of a small liquid crystal display provided separately from the pattern display device, or it may be provided on an LED display, seven-segment display, or dot matrix display as an auxiliary lighting display area (first auxiliary information display area) separate from the auxiliary lighting display area described in the embodiments.
(7) In the embodiment, an auxiliary lighting display area for auxiliary display by lighting LEDs is provided separately from the display screen of the pattern display device that displays the decorative pattern, etc., but an auxiliary image display area separate from the auxiliary image display area described in the embodiment may be set on the display screen of the pattern display device. Also, a seven-segment display, a dot matrix display, a small liquid crystal display, or other display means provided separately from the pattern display device may be used as the auxiliary lighting display area.
(8) In the embodiment, each display section of the game information display is composed of a predetermined number of LEDs whose lighting can be individually controlled, but a seven-segment display, a dot matrix display, a small liquid crystal display, or other display means can also be used.
(9) In the embodiment, the auxiliary lighting display area is always in an alert state during the execution period of the decorative pattern changing display, and does not change to a non-alert state or an alert restricted state. However, the auxiliary lighting display area may be in a non-alert state or an alert restricted state, for example, by a movable body, in response to the execution period of a specified effect, such as an advanced reach effect, a big hit effect, or a small hit effect.
(10) In the embodiment, during a big win game state or a small win game state, the decorative figures in the decorative figure display area and the auxiliary figures (decorative figure auxiliary figures, first and second auxiliary figures) in the auxiliary image display area are set to a non-notification state, but the notification state may be maintained. For example, during a small win game state or the first or second big win, at least one of the decorative figures in the decorative figure display area, the auxiliary figures (decorative figure auxiliary figures, first and second auxiliary figures) in the auxiliary image display area, and the auxiliary figures (special 1 and special 2 auxiliary figures) in the auxiliary lighting display area may be set to maintain a notification state.
(11) In the embodiment, the specific period is the period from when the decorative figures start to change to when they stop changing. However, if the change is a winning change, the specific period can be the period from when the decorative figures start to change to when the winning game ends.
(12) In the embodiment, the specific variable shortening display is configured to be different from the loss display, but it can be the same as the loss display. In addition, the special chart variation pattern group selectable during the specific variable shortening game that is granted can be changed from the special chart variation pattern group selectable before the win, triggered by the specific variable shortening judgment hit. In addition, if multiple types of specific variable shortening are set, the special chart variation pattern group selectable for each type can be made different. In addition, the stop time when the fluctuation is stopped can be made different for each of the multiple specific variable shortening.
(13) The type and number of special variations may be different between Special 1 and Special 2.
(14) The Special 1 and Special 2 auxiliary patterns need only be capable of being recognized as to whether or not they are changing, and the small win indication (small win pattern) and specific short-change indication (specific short-change pattern) that are displayed in a stopped state may be illuminated in the same manner (display manner) as the big win indication (jackpot pattern) or the loss indication (loss pattern).
(15) In the embodiment, when the power is cut off and the special pattern is changing (the decorative pattern is changing), when the power is restored, the decorative pattern auxiliary pattern is displayed in a combination of the power restoration pattern, but it is possible to display a combination different from the combination of the power restoration patterns. Also, when the decorative pattern auxiliary pattern is displayed, it may be determined by drawing lots whether to display the power restoration pattern or a pattern different from the power restoration pattern.

17 Pattern display device (performance display means)
35 Auxiliary lighting display area (effect display means)
60a Main control CPU (first control unit)
65a Production control CPU (second control unit)

Claims (1)

A gaming machine comprising a first control unit which acquires starting winning information in response to a starting winning and performs a lottery based on the acquired starting winning information, and a second control unit which executes a presentation control based on a control signal from the first control unit, wherein the second control unit controls a presentation display means to display information display relating to the starting winning information,
The second control unit controls the information display that has started to change due to the establishment of a change start condition to be stopped due to the establishment of a change stop condition,
The information display includes a first information display, a second information display, and a third information display,
The amount of information indicated by each information display during a specific period from the start of change of the information display to the stop of change is set so that the amount of information indicated by the second information display is greater than the amount of information indicated by the third information display, and the amount of information indicated by the first information display is greater than the amount of information indicated by the second information display,
A gaming machine characterized in that, when a power outage occurs during the specific period while a special effect is being executed in which at least the first information display becomes unrecognizable, and power is subsequently restored, the second control unit can control the display time of the information display from when the display content is restored after power is restored until the remaining fluctuation time has elapsed so that the display time of the third information display, whose display content is restored before the display contents of the first information display and the second information display are restored, is longer than the display time of the other information displays, and the display time of the second information display is longer than the display time of the first information display, whose display content is restored after the display content of the second information display is restored, and the timing of restoring the display of the effect display means to the display content based on normal control is varied depending on the type of information related to the lottery result of the first control unit in the information display at the time of the power outage.

Images